Karen Lotz and Andrea Tompa at Candlewick Press have acquired world rights to Lost Evangeline by two-time Newbery Medalist Kate DiCamillo (l.), illustrated by two-time Caldecott Medalist Sophie Blackall. The fairy tale novella, set in the world of Norendy, tells the story of a mouse-size girl named Evangeline who is separated from her shoemaker father and needs to find her way back home. A global release is scheduled for fall 2025; Holly McGhee at Pippin Properties represented the author, and Nancy Gallt at Gallt and Zacker Literary Agency represented the illustrator.
Christian Trimmer at MTV Books has bought Till Death, a gay vampire romance and the YA debut of Hugo- and Nebula-nominated author K.M. Szpara, writing as Kellan McDaniel. The story follows George, a vampire, who meets high-school senior Howard at a retirement home, where George's first (mortal) love is dying and where Howard volunteers. As the two bond over grandpacore fashion, game shows, and old movies, they also discover a mutual desire to enforce some vigilante justice, pitched as part Harold & Maude, part Let the Right One In. Publication is set for spring 2025; Seth Fishman at the Gernert Company sold world rights.
Kat Brzozowski at Henry Holt has acquired, in an exclusive submission, Tenderly, I Am Devoured, a standalone YA fantasy by Lyndall Clipstone (Lakesedge) a romantic horror where Saltburn meets For the Wolf. After her betrothal to a local hedge god goes wrong, a girl must join with her brilliant yet arrogant childhood rival and his alluring older sister to save her family's legacy—and herself—from ruin. Publication is slated for spring 2025; Jill Grinberg at Grinberg Literary Management negotiated the deal for North American rights.
Sarah McCabe at McElderry Books has bought Crystal Seitz's debut YA dark romantasy Inheritance of Scars. Astrid has never believed the frozen forest is as monstrous as everyone said—until her grandmother disappears in it. To find her, Astrid must put her trust in an alluring vampire who has good reason to want her dead. Publication is planned for fall 2024; Quressa Robinson at Folio Literary Management/Folio Jr. brokered the deal for North American rights.
Sara Goodman at Wednesday Books has acquired music business executive Delphine Seddon's YA debut, Darkening Song, a fiercely feminist novel about two girls; one a teen star failed by the industry which turned her into an idol, and the other her ambitious young manager, forced to make an impossible choice between friendship and power. Publication is scheduled for fall 2025; Rachel Petty at the Blair Partnership handled the two-book deal for world English rights.
Alexandra Hightower at Little, Brown has bought, at auction, The Whisperwood Legacy by Jo Schulte. In this twisty, contemporary YA fantasy, 17-year-old Frankie is tired of her greedy relatives' fixation on the family amusement park based on her ancestor's dark and alluring fairy tales and the source of wealth that one of them will inherit. But when Oma, the family matriarch, goes missing and strange things start happening around the park, it becomes clear there's a more sinister story behind the attractions. Publication is set for summer 2025; Claire Friedman at InkWell Management sold world rights.
Gianna Lakenauth at Knopf has acquired, in a 12-person auction, And the River Drags You Down by Fulbright fellow Jihyun Yun, a Gothic YA inspired by a ghost story from Korean folklore about two sisters—one who dies under mysterious circumstances, and the other who brings her back—pitched as The Astonishing Color of After meets She Is a Haunting. Publication is slated for fall 2025; Annie Hwang and Serene Hakim at Ayesha Pande Literary did the two-book deal for North American rights.
Victoria Rock at Chronicle Books has bought world rights to Stella and Marigold by Annie Barrows (l.) and Sophie Blackall, author and illustrator of Ivy and Bean, a new three-book series about a pair of devoted sisters, one seven, the other four, both masters of invention. The first book is planned for fall 2024; Liza Dawson at Liza Dawson Associates represented the author, and Nancy Gallt at Gallt & Zacker Literary Agency represented the illustrator.
Danny Diaz at Random House Graphic has acquired, at auction, Hamsters in my Head by Mela Rogers (l.), illustrated by Maddie Gallegos, a contemporary middle grade graphic novel where Vivian, a girl with undiagnosed ADHD, runs for student council president against her nemesis and must try to wrangle the hamsters running wild in her brain to succeed. Publication is scheduled for summer 2026; Chelsea Eberly at Greenhouse Literary Agency sold world English rights.
Nancy Paulsen at Penguin/Nancy Paulsen Books has bought world rights to Just Like an Immortal Jellyfish by Ann Braden, a middle grade novel about two kids in a flood-ravaged town who find the courage to use the realization that death is always a heartbeat away, as fuel to live as fully as possible. Publication is slated for late 2025; Tricia Lawrence at Erin Murphy Literary Agency represented the author.
Rachel Diebel at Feiwel and Friends has acquired Piper Goes Overboard by Caroline Huntoon (Skating on Mars), a middle grade novel that follows 11-year-old Piper as ze teams up with zir least favorite classmate to break up the duo's single parents' new relationship during a joint family cruise, in this reverse Parent Trap story. Publication is set for spring 2025; Jessica Mileo at InkWell Management sold world rights.
Alyson Heller at Aladdin has bought, in an exclusive submission, world rights to Wonderland by Julia DeVillers, a middle grade rom-com where rivals become co-workers at a nostalgic theme park and sparks find a way to fly wearing a moose costume, inspired by the author's job at Chuck E. Cheese. Publication is planned for summer 2025; Melissa Edwards at Stonesong represented the author.
Lisa Yoskowitz at Little, Brown has acquired (Be Smart About) Screen Time!, written and illustrated by Rachel Brian (Consent (For Kids!), animator and co-creator of the "Tea Consent" video, which has been viewed more than 150 million times. The book is a nonfiction graphic novel-style guide to using electronic devices and social media safely and responsibly. Publication is scheduled for fall 2024; Molly Ker Hawn at the Bent Agency negotiated the deal for world rights.
Emily Feinberg at Roaring Brook Press has bought world rights to Wide Load on the Road by Stephen Savage, about a wide load semi-truck with precious cargo journeying across the United States. Publication is slated for winter 2026; Brenda Bowen at the Book Group represented the creator.
Lauri Hornik at Penguin/Rocky Pond has acquired world rights to I Can't Grow a Striped Banana by Jill Santopolo (l.) (The Light We Lost), illus. by Momoko Abe, in an exclusive submission, a picture book that assures children that their parents will always find a way to show their love, even if they can't grow a striped banana or make a spider laugh. Publication is set for spring 2026; Miriam Altshuler at DeFiore and Company represented the author, and Carol Ann Wood at Eunice McMullen represented the illustrator.
Neal Porter at Holiday House/Neal Porter Books has bought world rights to It's Corn Picking Time! by Jill Esbaum (l.) (Bird Girl), illustrated by Melissa Crowton (In Our Garden), a picture book that details the many tasks an independent farmer performs as she brings home the harvest. Publication is planned for summer 2025; Tricia Lawrence at Erin Murphy Literary Agency represented the author, and Kirsten Hall at Catbird Productions represented the illustrator.
Suzy Capozzi and Emily Duffy at Union Square Kids have acquired world rights to The Power of Your Name by Jyoti Rajan Gopal (l.), illustrated by Olivia Sua, an ABC picture book reminding us in poetic verse to honor the power, worth and meaning of our names. Publication is scheduled for spring 2025; Wendi Gu at Sanford J. Greenburger Associates represented the author, and Taylor Martindale Kean at Full Circle Literary represented the illustrator.
Sophia Jimenez at Atheneum has bought world rights to From The Fields to the Fight: The Story of Labor Activist Jessica Govea Thorbourne, a picture book biography by Angela Quezada Padron (l.), illustrated by Sol Salinas, about the Latina labor activist whose family worked alongside Cesar Chavez to bring attention to the plight of migrant farmworkers and whose role in the California grape boycott was pivotal to its success. Kristie Choi will edit; publication is set for 2026. Saritza Hernández at Andrea Brown Literary Agency represented the author, and Alice Jin Zhang at Astound US represented the illustrator.
Sarah Rockett at Sleeping Bear has acquired world rights to Miss Betti: What Is This? How Detroit's School Lunch Lady Got Good Food on the Menu by Lela Nargi (l.), illustrated by Kristen Uroda. This narrative nonfiction picture book introduces kids to acclaimed lunch lady Betti Wiggins, who fought for—and won—healthier, fresher, tastier school lunches in the city of Detroit. Publication is slated for spring 2025; Essie White at Storm Literary Agency represented the author, and the illustrator was unagented.
Howard Reeves at Abrams has bought world rights to Words of Welcome: How Emma Lazarus Gave Lady Liberty a Voice by Elisa Boxer (l.), illustrated by Selina Alko (I Is for Immigrants), a biography of the Jewish poet, teacher, and activist who transformed the Statue of Liberty into a symbol of sanctuary with her words: "Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses." Publication is planned for fall 2026; Steven Chudney at the Chudney Agency represented the author, and Marietta B. Zacker at Gallt & Zacker Literary Agency represented the illustrator.
Wiley Blevins at Reycraft Books has acquired world rights for the picture book Swap-a-Word: Fun with Sound-Alike Words by Marvin Terban (l.), illustrated by Andreas Wittman. This concept book takes a game-like and humorous look at homophone pairs. Publication is scheduled for spring 2025; the author represented himself, and Naima Danawi at Illozoo Agency represented the illustrator.
Nicole Fox at Rise x Penguin Workshop has bought world rights to three books in a new board book series called This Is Dance by STEAM and early education expert Rekha S. Rajan (l.) (The Read Aloud Factor), illustrated by Chris Park, an inclusive, international exploration of dance genres including ballet, hip-hop and jazz. Publication will begin in spring 2025; Lilly Ghahremani at Full Circle Literary represented the author in an exclusive submission, and Essie White at Storm Literary Agency represented the illustrator.
Maria Dismondy and Adam Blackman at Cardinal Rule Press have acquired world rights to Like That Eleanor, a picture book by Lee Wind (l.) (Red and Green and Blue and White), illustrated by Kelly Mangan, about a girl named after Eleanor Roosevelt who takes inspiration from her namesake to discover how to be an ally. Publication is set for spring 2025; Marietta B. Zacker at Gallt & Zacker Literary Agency represented the author, and Taj McCoy at Rees Literary Agency represented the illustrator.
Dorielys Cruz at S&S/Little Simon has bought world rights to I Love You So Mush by Dori Elys, illustrated by Steph Stilwell. This pun-filled board book is filled with affirmations demonstrating all the ways we love our little ones. Publication is slated for spring 2025; the author represented herself, and Aliza Hoover at the CAT Agency represented the illustrator.
Trisha de Guzman at FSG has acquired, in an eight-person auction, Samara by "¡Hola Papi!" advice columnist/memoirist and Lambda Literary Award finalist John Paul Brammer, a semi-autobiographical illustrated novel about a shy, artistic Chicano boy in rural Oklahoma who suddenly becomes nonverbal, as he navigates first love and complicated family, all while dreaming of finding his voice again and making it in the big city as a writer one day. Publication is set for winter 2027; Annie Hwang at Ayesha Pande Literary sold North American rights.
Maggie Rosenthal at Viking has bought House of Hearts by Skyla Arndt, a YA romantic horror novel, pitched as Ninth House meets A Study in Drowning, about an elite private boarding school with an insidious underbelly and a teen girl who will do anything to solve her friend's murder on campus—even if the answers end up being more supernatural than she bargained for. Publication is slated for fall 2025; Claire Friedman at Inkwell Management sold U.S. rights.
Matt Phipps at Putnam has acquired, at auction, world rights to The Extraordinary Orbit of Alex Ramirez by debut author Jasminne Paulino, a middle grade novel-in-verse about a neurodiverse seventh-grader in a self-contained classroom who dreams of traveling to the stars one day—but first he has to confront the bullies at school, and convince his teachers and parents that he's ready to join his grade's mainstream science class. Publication is scheduled for summer 2025; Michaela Whatnall at Dystel, Goderich & Bourret sold world rights.
Kelsey Sullivan at Disney has bought, in a preempt, Shampoo Unicorn, a debut YA novel by Sawyer Lovett exploring friendship, community, and navigating and embracing identity as it follows the intersecting stories of Brian, the secret host of a nationally popular podcast; Leslie, an avid podcast listener and trans girl searching for how to bring pride to her rural area; and super-masc jock Greg who is the victim of a hit-and-run accident in the small town of Canon, W.Va. Publication is planned for spring 2025; Andrea Morrison at Writers House sold North American rights.
Danny Diaz at Random House Graphic has acquired Joe Whitt (l.) and Rii Abrego's middle grade contemporary fantasy graphic novel The Netherlings. When supernatural enthusiast and basketball player Chloe wanders into the fantastical Netherworld in search of her missing shoes, she finds herself recruiting Ethan, a high-strung Netherling in the middle of babysitting his little sister, jump-starting a magical adventure. Publication is set for 2026; Molly O'Neill at Root Literary Agency sold world rights.
Julia McCarthy at Atheneum has bought The Delta Codex by Deva Fagan (A Game of Noctis). In this middle grade fantasy, a girl chosen to guard the dangerous echo of forbidden knowledge is kidnapped by those who think the information can save their world. Now she must decide for herself who to trust and how to use her long-silenced voice. Publication is slated for spring 2026; Hilary Harwell at KT Literary sold world rights.
Katie Gould at Andrews McMeel has acquired Folk Remedy, a middle grade graphic novel series by Jem Yoshioka, set in a Taisho-inspired fantasy Japan, about an apprentice apothecary's encounter with a mischievous yokai and their adventures together in the hidden spirit world. Publication is scheduled for fall 2025; Jas Perry at KT Literary did the two-book deal for world rights.
Talia Seidenfeld at Scholastic Press has bought, in an exclusive submission, world rights to Taco Tuesdays by Mónica Mancillas. Dulce and Julian become instant enemies when they literally crash into each other. But when heat rises in a summer cooking camp, they discover that they might not be each other's problem but maybe their solutions. Publication is planned for summer 2025; Melissa Edwards at Stonesong negotiated the deal.
Mary-Kate Gaudet at Little, Brown has acquired in an exclusive submission, world English rights to Caldecott Medalist Matthew Cordell's 102, a picture book in which a boy, sent home from school with a fever of 102, captures an uninvited mouse before bedtime. Soon after falling into a fever-induced sleep, he awakes to discover a magic miniature world and sets off on an unforgettable adventure. It's slated for spring 2026; Rosemary Stimola at Stimola Literary Studio brokered the deal.
Taylor Norman at Holiday House/Neal Porter Books has bought author-illustrator Katie Palazzola's The Great Frog, a sibling story about a girl who invents a tall tale to assuage her little brother's worries, only to have his excitement grow to the point that she realizes she must tell him the truth. Publication is scheduled for summer 2026; Liz Nealon at Great Dog Literary handled the deal for world rights.
Lee Wade at Random House Studio has acquired world rights to Hummingbird's Big Trip, written and illustrated by G. Brian Karas, about an anxious hummingbird who worries about making the annual migration for the winter but ultimately learns to face his fears. Publication is slated for spring 2026; Brenda Bowen at the Book Group negotiated the deal.
Stephanie Pitts at Putnam has bought world rights, in an exclusive submission, to Little Bunny, Spring Is Here! and Little Bunny, Fall Is Here! by author-illustrator Deborah Marcero, season-themed board book spinoffs of the picture books In a Jar and Out of a Jar, in which Little Bunny and his woodland friends discover the wonders of the changing seasons. Little Bunny, Spring Is Here! will publish in spring 2025, and Little Bunny, Fall Is Here! is scheduled for fall 2025. Laura Rennert at Andrea Brown Literary brokered the deal.
Krestyna Lypen at Algonquin Young Readers has acquired world rights to the picture book Poppy's Question by Nicole Melleby (l.), illustrated by Forrest Burdett. When Poppy's teacher shares a spelling lesson about Mr. Q marrying Ms. U, Poppy wonders why the letters have to be a boy and a girl. Publication is planned for fall 2025; Jim McCarthy at Dystel, Goderich & Bourret represented the author, and Jennifer Rofé at Andrea Brown Literary Agency represented the illustrator.
Anne Schwartz at Random House/Schwartz has bought, in a preempt, world rights to Navigating Night by Asian/Pacific American Award winner Julie Leung (l.), illustrated by Angie Kang. Based on the author's childhood experience, this picture book is about the mutual support and understanding found between an immigrant father and his American-born daughter on their long night drives making Chinese food deliveries for their restaurant. Publication is set for spring 2026; Wendi Gu at Greenburger Kids represented the author, and Anjali Singh at Ayesha Pande Literary Agency represented the illustrator.
Carol Hinz at Lerner/Carolrhoda has acquired world rights to And, Too, the Fox, a picture book adaptation of the poem by the same title by U.S. Poet Laureate Ada Limón (l.), originally published in The Hurting Kind. Gaby D'Alessandro will illustrate the celebration of a fox's everyday life. Publication is slated for January 2025; Adam Lerner and Daniel Slager negotiated on behalf of Lerner Publishing Group and Milkweed Editions, respectively. Rob McQuilkin at MMQLIT represented Milkweed and Limón, and Kelly Pelsue at Morgan Gaynin represented D'Alessandro.
Nancy Paulsen at Penguin/Paulsen has bought world rights to Family Is Always by Lindsay Bonilla (l.), illustrated by Corey Egbert. From endless love to endless laundry, this picture book chronicles all the joy and chaos that make up family life. Publication is scheduled for summer 2026; Christa Heschke at McIntosh & Otis represented the author, and Nicole Tugeau at Tugeau 2 represented the illustrator.
Luana Kay Horry at HarperCollins has acquired world rights to Sounds of a Gong (working title) by Seina Wedlick (l.), illustrated by Leah Giles, a picture book that follows a girl who, after the communal storyteller goes missing, taps the drum and marvels listeners with bedtime stories of her own. Publication is planned for winter 2026; Alice Fugate at Joy Harris Literary Agency represented the author, and Jemiscoe Chambers-Black at Andrea Brown Literary Agency represented the illustrator.
Kristie Choi at Atheneum has acquired world rights to The Glass Pyramid: I.M. Pei and the Louvre by Jeanne Walker Harvey (l.), illustrated by Khoa Le. The STEAM-based picture book biography details the power of I.M. Pei's creativity, problem-solving, and persistence while facing objections and challenges to building his now-famous pyramid design for the Louvre. Publication is set for summer 2025; Deborah Warren at East West Literary Agency represented the author, and Kate Powell at Astound US represented the illustrator.
Sarah Rockett at Sleeping Bear has bought world rights to A Baker's Dozen by Amy Moore (l.), illustrated by Andrea Stegmaier, about what happens when a new baker wants to join a tight-knit baking group of 12. Publication is scheduled for spring 2025; Liza Fleissig at Liza Royce Agency represented the author, and Nicole Tugeau at Tugeau 2 represented the illustrator.
Dena Neusner at Behrman House/Apples & Honey has acquired world rights to On the Wings of Eagles, a picture book based on the true story of an Alaskan Airlines airlift of Jews out of Yemen to the newly created state of Israel, written by Tami Lehman-Wilzig (l.) (Boston Chocolate Party), illustrated by Alisha Monnin. It's slated for spring 2025; the author represented herself, and Astound US represented the illustrator.
