Elizabeth Lazowski at Chronicle has acquired world rights to Tai Manzano's debut YA graphic novel, Sing with Me. In this queer rom-com set in Mexico, sparks fly when a pair of siblings meet their matches: two fierce players training for the upcoming charrería nationals. Publication is scheduled for 2025; Tamara Kawar negotiated the deal while at ICM Partners.
Karen Li at Groundwood has bought Tom Birdseye's debut YA novel, There Is No Map for This. When Ren's brother, Levi, is killed in an avalanche, all he has left is Levi's enigmatic girlfriend, Ellie. But when she disappears, Ren must dig deep to navigate arduous terrain—both philosophically and literally—in order to find her, and in so doing find himself. Publication is planned for fall 2024; Kelly Dyksterhouse at Tobias Literary Agency brokered the deal for world rights.
Kara Sargent at Aladdin has acquired a middle grade graphic novel series, The Imagination Adventures by Matt Myklusch, set in the world of his Jack Blank and the Imagine Nation series. In the first book, The Blood of Kings, young swordsman Skerren must save his king, face the truth of his parents' death, and discover if he has what it takes to wear the crown himself. Illustrations are by Glass House Graphics, with designs by Ornella Greco; publication is slated for fall 2024. Danielle Chiotti at Upstart Crow Literary did the three-book deal for North American rights.
Erinn Pascal at Andrews McMeel has bought world rights to Leila Boukarim's (l.) young graphic novel series Zips and Eeloo, illustrated by Alex Lopez, in a two-book deal. Two aliens from the planet Zooglebeep think they have human ways all figured out. But when they try to make hummus, they make big messes and silly mistakes, learning the importance of patience, working together, and thumbs. The first book, Zips and Eeloo Make Hummus, is set for spring 2024; Hannah VanVels Ausbury at Belcastro Agency represented the author, and Christina Doffing at Astound US represented the illustrator.
Christy Ottaviano at Little, Brown/Ottaviano has acquired, in an exclusive submission, world rights to Rock N Roll Dad, written by CSK John Steptoe New Talent award winner Jaime Adoff (l.), illustrated by Caldecott Honoree R. Gregory Christie. Jake is thrilled to spend the day with his music-loving Dad in this poetic picture book about family and the bond between father and son. Publication is scheduled for fall 2024; the author represented himself; the illustrator represented himself.
Bunmi Ishola at WaterBrook has bought world rights to Be My Valenslime by debut author Kris Tarantino (l.), illustrated by Cori Doerrfeld (The Rabbit Listened). In this picture book, a monster named Snoodle throws a party to convince her friends that Valentine's Day is worth celebrating; but when nothing goes as she plans, the group gets an impromptu—and monstrously delightful—lesson in the true meaning of love. Publication is planned for fall 2023; Keely Boeving at WordServe Literary represented the author, and Rachel Orr at Prospect Agency represented the illustrator.
Kaepernick Publishing has acquired world rights to The Bridges Yuri Built: How Yuri Kochiyama Marched Across Movements, written by Kai Naima Williams (l.) and illustrated by Anastasia Magloire Williams. This debut picture book tells the story of the author's freedom-fighting great-grandmother, Yuri Kochiyama. Publication is slated for April 2024; Noah Ballard at Verve Talent & Literary Agency represented the author, and Alex Gehringer at the Bright Agency represented the illustrator.
Hilary Van Dusen at Candlewick/MIT Kids Press has bought world rights to Santiago Saw Things Differently, a picture book biography by Christine Iverson (l.), illustrated by Luciano Lozano. The story details the life of Santiago Ramón y Cajal, the "Father of Neuroscience," whose background as an artist led to his greatest discoveries, which changed the world of medicine forever. Publication is set for fall 2023; the author represented herself, and Kirsten Hall at Catbird Productions represented the illustrator.
Carolyn Yoder at Astra/Calkins Creek has acquired world rights to Woody's Words: Woodrow Wilson Rawls and 'Where the Red Fern Grows' by Lisa Rogers (l.), the first picture book biography of Woodrow Wilson Rawls, author of Where the Red Fern Grows, illustrated by Susan Regan. Publication is scheduled for fall 2025; Erzsi Deak at Hen&ink Literary Studio represented the author, and Stephanie Fretwell-Hill at Red Fox Literary represented the illustrator.
Nivair Gabriel, while at Albert Whitman, bought Dancing Through Space by Lydia Lukidis (l.), a dual-narrative biography of Dr. Mae Jemison, illustrated by Sawyer Cloud; Josh Gregory will edit. The picture book chronicles the journeys of her two separate passions, dance and science, and the culminating moment that wove them together—a zero-gravity float above Earth as the first African American woman in space. Publication is planned for spring 2024; Miranda Paul at Erin Murphy Literary Agency represented the author, and Atlanta Japp at Advocate Art represented the illustrator.
Jiahui Zhu at Yeehoo Press has acquired world rights to Kindness Rocks, a picture book by Sheryl Webster (l.), illustrated by Robert García. Rock star Jonny Heart sings to make others happy, and feels invisible when he loses his voice; then homeless bear Busky Soul inspires him to discover that carrying out acts of kindness can also bring happiness, not just to others, but also to himself. Publication is slated for winter 2024 in the U.S. and mainland China; Sophie Gorell Barnes at MBA Literary Agents represented the author, and Malena Bastón at IMC Illustration Agency represented the illustrator.
Joni Sussman at Kar-Ben has bought world rights to Zhen Yu and the Snake by Erica Lyons (l.), illustrated by Renia Metallinou. A fortuneteller warns a man that his daughter will be bitten by a snake on her wedding day, but fate intervenes when a stranger appears at the young bride's door and she performs a mitzvah. Publication is set for September 2023; Caryn Wiseman at Andrea Brown Agency represented the author, and Robbin Brosterman at the Bright Agency represented the illustrator.
Naomi Krueger at Beaming Books has acquired The Ghost Who Was Afraid of Everything, a picture book by Nadia Ahmed, an SEL story about Finn the anxious ghost who must overcome his fears to participate in next year's Halloween. Publication is scheduled for fall 2024; Dan Cramer at Page Turner Literary Agency negotiated the deal for world rights.
Melinda Rathjen at WorthyKids has bought world rights for an untitled picture book by Sanae Ishid, in which a girl with very big feelings finds a creative outlet when her mother reminds her of her namesake and the history of sashiko, the Japanese practice of mending clothes through decorative embroidery. Publication is planned for winter 2024; Adria Goetz at P.S. Literary Agency brokered the deal.
Katherine Jacobs at Blink has bought world rights to Our Divine Mischief by Hanna Howard, a YA fantasy inspired by Scottish mythology, in which 17-year-old Alia sets out to secure a divine blessing for her future but meets a puppy instead of her island's goddess. To prove that she has not been rejected by the gods, she must undergo a series of divine Ordeals, aided by a handsome priest and the trickster dog—who seems to have wish-granting powers. But there is more at stake in the kingdom than just Aila's future, and the dog may be the key to saving them all. Publication is set for fall 2023; Hannah VanVels Ausbury at Belcastro Agency did the deal.
Charlotte Greenbaum at Abrams/Amulet has acquired Ryan Lecount's graphic novel debut The Grey and the Gallant. In the first of this YA fantasy/SF series, Merek and Eliot, two young squires, and their princess, Emeline, find themselves thrown into an intergalactic conspiracy when an alien spaceship crash-lands near their medieval kingdom. Publication is slated for fall 2025; Paloma Hernando at Einstein Literary Management negotiated the deal.
Gretchen Durning at Razorbill has bought, at auction, in a six-figure deal, Mary Averling's debut middle grade novel The Cursed Creatures of Eelgrass Bog and an untitled second book. When 12-year-old Kess Pedrock turns to a forbidden bog to search for a way to save her family's Unnatural History Museum, she ends up uncovering bigger secrets than she expected. Publication of the first book is planned for spring 2024; Kelly Sonnack at Andrea Brown Literary Agency brokered the deal for North American English rights.
Jessica Smith at Aladdin has acquired Unikore Prime: Stars of Dragonfire, written and illustrated by debut creator Taylor Maw. This middle grade fantasy follows brave Kira and her small but mighty unicorn companion Yummi through a war with dragons. Publication is scheduled for spring 2025; Christa Heschke at McIntosh & Otis handled the deal for world English rights.
Elizabeth Lee at Penguin Workshop has bought world rights to Mónica Mancillas's middle-grade debut, Sing It Like Celia, which follows 12-year-old Salva Sanchez on her quest to find her voice and herself with the help of her estranged father, a motley group of trailer park friends, and Salva's role model and icon, Celia Cruz. It’s slated to publish in spring 2024; Melissa Edwards at Stonesong Press did the two-book exclusive deal.
Neal Porter at Holiday House/Neal Porter Books has acquired, in an exclusive submission, The Plant Rescuer, Matthew Rivera's debut picture book as author-illustrator, about a boy named Manny who takes to gardening, following in the footsteps of his father. Publication is set for summer 2024; Andrea Cascardi at Transatlantic Agency negotiated the deal for world rights.
Sylvie Frank at Disney Hyperion has bought two picture books by debut author-illustrator Frank Weber: Way of the Dung Beetle, an allegory about a greedy dung beetle, and The Top Spot, about a little ibex who must use his wits to compete for the top spot in the herd. Publication is planned for spring 2024 and spring 2025 respectively; Adriann Ranta Zurhellen at Folio Literary Management brokered the deal for world rights.
Margaret Ferguson at Holiday House/Margaret Ferguson Books has acquired The Astronaut Sisters, written and illustrated by Julie Fortenberry. Peggy and Rosie really miss their mother who's been traveling for work. But tomorrow is the big astronaut parade featuring the return of a very special hero; who can it be? Publication is scheduled for spring 2025; Steven Chudney at the Chudney Agency handled the deal for world rights.
Aimee Friedman at Scholastic has bought world rights to A Dragon for Hanukkah, the debut picture book from Sarah Mlynowski (l.) (the Whatever After series), illustrated by Ariel Landy. The story weaves together culture, history, and family, as a girl's eight magical Hanukkah gifts, including a dragon, come to life in her bedroom. Publication is set for fall 2024; Laura Dail at Laura Dail Literary Agency represented the author, and Alex Gehringer at the Bright Agency represented the artist.
Alyza Liu at Simon & Schuster has acquired, in a preempt, world rights to ALA Asian/Pacific American Award for Literature winner Jane Park's (l.) picture book Outside Mom, Inside Mom, illustrated by Lenny Wen, a celebration of code-switching in which a boy discovers how his mother's personality, and his own, shine differently when they feel comfortable enough to be their fullest selves. Publication is slated for fall 2024; Miranda Paul at Erin Murphy Literary Agency represented the author, and Christy Ewers at the CAT Agency represented the illustrator.
Melissa Manlove at Chronicle has bought world rights to All the Voices Together by Kate Messner (l.), illustrated by Rachelle Baker. When America was a new nation, people of all genders worked together to build it up, but only men initially had the right to vote. This picture book tells the story of the multitudes of women who contributed in myriad ways to the fight for a voice in our democracy. Publication is planned for 2024; Jennifer Laughran at Andrea Brown Literary Agency represented the author, and Linda Camacho at Gallt and Zacker Literary Agency represented the illustrator.
Joy Bean at Arctis Books USA has acquired the picture book Little Sisters, written and illustrated by Tomo Miura (l.), translated from the French by Nanette McGuinness. An only child daydreams about having one, and then many, little sisters, and all the fun they could have together. Publication is scheduled for spring 2024; Carina Solari at La Joie de Lire negotiated the deal for world English rights.
Caroline Abbey at Random House has bought the picture book Cats in Construction Hats, in a two-book deal, by author-illustrator team Sudipta Bardhan-Quallen (l.) and Leeza Hernandez (Roxie Loves Adventure). Publication is slated for summer 2024; Rachel Orr at Prospect Agency represented both the author and the illustrator in the deal for world rights.
Anna Roberto at Feiwel and Friends has acquired, at auction, Who Took My Lollipop? by Doug Cenko (l.) (Viking in Love), illustrated by Shauna Lynn Panczyszyn, about a squirrel with a temper who confronts his friends about a missing lollipop. Publication is set for spring 2024; Laurel Symonds while at the Bent Agency represented the author, and Chad W. Beckerman at the CAT Agency represented the illustrator.
Christianne Jones at Capstone has bought world rights to Not My Circus, written by Janet Sumner Johnson (l.) and illustrated by Patrick Corrigan. In this picture book, Olivia goes to buy groceries but comes home with a circus; she must use all of her creativity and determination to keep the animals in their new home. Publication is planned for spring 2024; Lauren Galit at LKG Agency represented the author, and Tina Doffing at Astound US represented the illustrator.
Hali Baumstein at Disney Press has acquired Grandmas Are Magic, a picture book starring Disney and Pixar grandmothers and their grandkids, written by Pura Belpré Award winner Yamile Saied Méndez and illustrated by Minji Kim. Publication is scheduled for spring 2024; Linda Camacho at Gallt and Zacker Literary Agency represented the author, and the illustrator represented herself.
Alexandra Aceves at Holiday House has acquired world rights for The Birthday Tree, a nonfiction picture book by Christine Iverson (l.), illustrated by Marie Hermansson. Every year people gather in Southern Pines, N.C., to hold a birthday party for the world's oldest living longleaf pine, and to celebrate the longleaf forest's gradual return from the brink of extinction. Publication is slated for spring 2024; the author represented herself, and Caryn Wiseman at Andrea Brown Literary Agency represented the illustrator.
Cherrita Lee at Beaming Books has acquired world rights to Ghosts of Freedom by J.P. Miller (l.), illustrated by Douglas Lopes, a picture book retelling of Igbo's Landing, the first Freedom March in the U.S. In the story, Abraham Abaeru Aduba, 10th-generation Igbo and descendant of the High Chief Oba, sneaks away from his Boy Scout Jamboree to free the spirits of his ancestors and send them back to Igbo land in Nigeria for their souls to be at peace. Publication is planned for spring 2024; Sera Rivers while at Martin Literary & Media Management represented the author, and Amy Milligan at the Illo Agency represented the illustrator.
Andrea Posner-Sanchez at Golden Books has bought world rights to Diwali: A Festival of Joy by Anita Yasuda (l.), illustrated by Darshika Varma. This nonfiction picture book invites readers to explore the history and traditions of Diwali. Publication is scheduled for summer 2024; Lori Steel at Red Fox Literary represented the author, and Erin Tisdel at Advocate Art represented the illustrator.
