Wendy Loggia at Delacorte Press has acquired, in an exclusive submission, Blood Like Water by Jennifer Lynn Alvarez (Lies Like Wildfire; Friends Like These), a thriller set against an icy Alaskan winter, about a Valentine's Day night house party that turns deadly and the consequences for four longtime friends. Publication is scheduled for fall 2025; Elizabeth Bewley at Sterling Lord Literistic negotiated the deal for world English rights.
Susan van Metre at Walker Books US has bought, in an exclusive submission, Lou with the Band by Alexandra Leigh Young (Idol Gossip), a YA contemporary novel in which a teen defers her first year of college to work as the laundry girl on the international tour of one of the biggest popstars on the planet and proceeds to bond with the tight-knit crew, fall into an intense romance, have adventures all over the world, and ultimately find herself. Publication is slated for summer 2025; Patricia Nelson at Marsal Lyon Literary Agency sold world rights.
Bria Ragin at Delacorte Press has acquired Who's All Going (to Die)? by Lisa Springer, a YA contemporary horror pitched as White Lotus meets The Island, in which a teen girl is invited by a new friend to the soft launch of an idyllic wellness resort off the coast of Barbados, only to find herself caught up in an overzealous self-help movement. Publication is planned for fall 2025; Danielle Burby at Mad Woman Literary Agency brokered the deal for world English rights.
Tiara Kittrell at Putnam has bought, at auction, Prodigal Tiger by debut author Samantha Chong, a YA fantasy rooted in Malaysian culture and diaspora, in which Caroline, a disgraced witch in exile, must return home to save her brother, who is next in line to be Protector of the Island following news of his disappearance—only to discover that she's in a race against time to settle a centuries-old score, and friends and foes may be harboring hidden agendas. Publication is set for fall 2025; Larissa Melo Pienkowski at Jill Grinberg Literary Management did the deal for North American rights.
Krista Marino at Delacorte Press has acquired debut author Kristen Pipps's The Library of Lost Girls, a YA dark fantasy in which a teen girl, horrified when her beloved sister returns from finishing school a complete stranger, decides to venture into the single place that might hold answers—the school itself. What she finds is a strange and sinister academy where the walls are made of books and contain secrets darker than she could have imagined. Publication is slated for summer 2025; Caitlin White and Mandy Hubbard at Emerald City Literary Agency negotiated the deal for North American rights.
Emily Settle at Feiwel and Friends has bought world rights to The Beauty Emancipation, a nonfiction YA title by Rachel Werner (l.) (The Glam World Tour), illustrated by Céli Godfried, an exploration of the history of the beauty industry and the racial prejudice baked within. Publication is scheduled for winter 2026; Savannah Brooks at KT Literary represented the author and illustrator.
Ashley Imanë Fields at Disney/Freedom Fire has acquired, in a exclusive submission, Jill Tew's middle grade debut novel Kaya Morgan's Crowning Achievement, which follows a 12-year-old Black girl competing to be queen at her local Renaissance Faire's summer camp. To win, Kaya will have to defy others' expectations of what role she really belongs in and overcome internal pressure to honor the memory of her late Faire-loving father. Publication is set for spring 2025; Jennifer Azantian at Azantian Literary Agency did the six-figure deal for world English rights.
Caitlin Tutterow at Penguin/Nancy Paulsen Books has bought Reach by Celesta Rimington (The Elephant's Girl), a middle grade novel about a boy who must deal with the surprising consequences resulting from his wish to make his annoying little brother disappear, for publication in spring 2026. Danielle Burby at Mad Woman Literary Agency negotiated the deal for world English rights.
Celia Lee at Simon & Schuster has acquired Growing Home by Beth Ferry (l.), illustrated by the Fan Brothers, Terry Fan (c.) and Eric Fan (r.), a middle grade book about a houseplant named Ivy and a grumpy goldfish named Toasty who must band together with a spider to foil a sinister thief intent on stealing Toasty's fish tank. Publication is planned for summer 2025; Elena Giovinazzo at Pippin Properties represented the author, and Kirsten Hall at Catbird Productions represented the illustrators.
Yolanda Scott at Charlesbridge has bought, in an exclusive submission, Black in the Pool, a picture book written and illustrated by Don Tate (Jerry Changed the Game!) that is both a nonfiction account of the history of African-American swimming and a call to action to counter the narrative that "Black people aren't swimmers." Publication is slated for spring 2027; Caryn Wiseman at the Andrea Brown Literary Agency did the deal for world rights.
Nick Thomas at Levine Querido has acquired world rights to I Dreamed I Was the Night, a surreal picture book by David Álvarez about a small boy who transforms into the expanse of night. Publication is scheduled for spring 2025; the author represented himself.
Margaret Raymo at Little, Brown has bought The Art of How Dogs Sleep by debut author-illustrator Alison Kim, a picture book ode to the diverse ways that dogs get ready to sleep. Publication is planned for winter 2026; Stephanie Fretwell-Hill at Red Fox Literary brokered the deal for world rights.
Susan Kochan at Putnam has acquired world rights to Polecat Has a Superpower and Horned Toad Has a Superpower by Jill Esbaum (l.), illustrated by Bob Shea, picture books that use witty dialogue to engage readers with fascinating animals who have unexpected and entertaining superpowers that help them survive. Publication is set for summer 2025 and summer 2026, respectively; Tricia Lawrence at Erin Murphy Literary Agency represented the author, and Steve Malk at Writers House represented the illustrator.
Nancy Inteli at HarperCollins has bought world rights to Pura Belpré Honor author Anika Aldamuy Denise's (l.) La Bandera: Poems of Resistance and Pride, a picture book collection of free-verse poetry that traces the origins of the Puerto Rican flag, in a celebration of its importance and symbolism, illustrated by Ericka Lugo. Publication of English and Spanish editions is slated for fall 2025; Emily van Beek at Folio Literary Management represented the author, and Kelly Sonnack at Andrea Brown Literary Agency represented the illustrator.
Esther Cajahuaringa at Knopf acquired world rights to two picture books by A.C. Paolini (l.). The first, Sheep and Goat Climb the World, is about a sheep and a goat whose rivalry and competitive spirit takes them all over the world. It will be illustrated by Monica Arnaldo, and is scheduled for spring 2026. Andrea Morrison at Writers House represented the author, and Alexandra Levick at Writers House represented the illustrator.
Samantha Gentry at Little, Brown has bought world rights, at auction, to Carlotta's Special Dress by Carlotta Walls Lanier (l.) and Lisa Frazier Page, illustrated by Vanessa Brantley-Newton (r.), a true story about Carlotta's experience as one of the Little Rock Nine and the new dress she bought in anticipation of her historic first day at an all-white school. Publication is set for fall 2025; Linda Loewenthal at the Loewenthal Company represented the authors, and Lori Nowicki at Painted Words represented the illustrator.
Karen Boss at Charlesbridge has acquired world rights to Charlotte's New Moccasins by Jenn Moudahi (l.) (Métis), and Cathleen Schaad has acquired world rights for illustration by Rhael McGregor (Métis). The picture book is about Charlotte, who has outgrown her moccasins and works with her grandmother to make a new pair, resulting in new moccasins and new memories. Publication is planned for fall 2025; Lane Clarke represented the author while at ArtHouse Literary Agency, and the illustrator was unagented.
Catherine Laudone at S&S/Paula Wiseman Books has bought world rights to Abuelita's Song by Pura Belpré Honor author Gloria Amescua (l.) (Child of the Flower-Song People), illustrated by Mariyah Rahman, a picture book about how generations of a family come together to share their love through music. Publication is scheduled for summer 2025; Taylor Martindale Kean at Full Circle Literary represented the author, and Christy Ewers at the CAT Agency represented the artist.
Ivan Taurisano at Sourcebooks Jabberwocky has acquired world rights to Why You Never Splash Grandpa! and a companion title by Julie Gonzalez (l.), illustrated by Srinidhi Srinivasan. The first of these picture books warns kids against splashing Grandpa at the pool... because he just might make a bigger splash. Publication is slated for spring 2026 and summer 2027; James McGowan at BookEnds represented the author, and Miranda Paul at Erin Murphy Literary Agency represented the illustrator.
Andrea Hall, while at Beaming Books, bought world rights to One Can Be by Pat Zietlow Miller (l.), illustrated by Annie Cron; Naomi Krueger will edit. This picture book celebrates the dual joys of solitude and community, and how the right balance of both can help us to be the best possible version of ourselves. Publication is planned for fall 2025; Ammi-Joan Paquette at Erin Murphy Literary Agency represented the author, and Lucie Luddington at the Bright Agency represented the illustrator.
Carolyn Yoder at Astra/Calkins Creek has acquired, in an exclusive submission, world rights to Joan Mitchell Paints a Symphony: La Grande Vallée Suite by Lisa Rogers (l.) (Beautiful Noise), illustrated by Stacy Innerst (Bird Rehearsal), a narrative nonfiction picture book tracing the Chicago-born abstract artist's creation of 21 monumental paintings of love and loss inspired by an idyllic French valley. Publication is set for February 2025; Erzsi Deak at Hen&ink Literary represented the author, and Susan Cohen at Writers House represented the illustrator.
Maggie Lehrman at Amulet has acquired, at auction, North American rights to On Again, Awkward Again, a YA debut rom-com by Kwame Mbalia (l.) and Erin Entrada Kelly, in a mid-six-figure, two-book deal. Pitched for fans of To All the Boys I've Loved Before, the dual POV love story follows two awkward high school freshmen navigating first love with the help of misguided advice from their friends and family. The first book will publish in spring 2025; Patrice Caldwell at New Leaf Literary & Media represented Mbalia, and Sara Crowe at Sara Crowe Literary represented Kelly.
Wendy Loggia at Delacorte Press has bought Dating and Dragons by Kristy Boyce (Dungeons and Drama), in which a girl who is desperate for friends after changing high schools, joins a D&D group with their own livestream and serious rules—most importantly: no dating fellow party members. But when sparks fly with a cute but irritating player, and ex-friends from an old campaign start stirring up trouble, she'll need to figure out where her loyalties—and heart—lie beyond the game. Publication is slated for summer 2025; Kristy Hunter at the Knight Agency negotiated the deal for world rights.
TJ Ohler at Zando Young Readers has acquired world rights in Paul Coccia's debut YA novel, Recommended Reading, a queer, fat-positive love letter to swoony reads, pitched for fans of Kacen Callender and Jenny Han. Bookseller and romance expert Bobby can recommend the perfect read to get over any heartbreak, except his own—until a gorgeous boy waltzes into his bookshop. Publication is set for February 2025; John Cusick at Folio Literary Management brokered the deal on behalf of Bittersweet Books, and Amy Tompkins at Transatlantic Agency represented the author.
Elizabeth Stranahan at Random House has bought Anna-Jane and the Last Summer, a middle grade speculative fiction novel-in-verse by Paige Classey. Anna-Jane is thrilled to be back at Camp Chester—the one place she feels like she belongs. But when townspeople near camp start disappearing, Anna-Jane and her friends soon realize they might be at camp well beyond the summer—if they can survive that long. Publication is scheduled for spring 2026; Rebecca Rodd at Levine Greenberg Rostan Literary Agency sold world rights.
Tara Walker and Margot Blankier at Tundra Books have acquired world English rights to Robin Rosenthal's authorial debut, Sweet Babe: A Jewish Grandma Kvells and an untitled second book. This interactive picture book celebrating Jewish and Yiddish joy stars a high-spirited grandma who adores her beautiful, adorable, genius grandchild, from the top of their keppie (Yiddish for head) to the tips of their fees (feet). Publication is planned for spring 2025; Erica Rand Silverman at Stimola Literary Studio negotiated the deal.
Reka Simonsen at Atheneum has bought, at auction, Beverley, Bat Your Service by author-illustrator Kelly Collier (The Imposter; A Horse Named Steve), the story of a lonely yet earnest bat who hopes his flair for hospitality will change his solitary existence. Publication is slated for fall 2025; Erzsi Deak at Hen&ink Literary sold North American rights.
Ken Geist at Scholastic/Orchard has acquired, in an exclusive submission, world rights to the Duckie & Snaps series by Ame Dyckman (l.), illustrated by Tim Miller. In each picture book, the titular characters (an exuberant duckling and a cautious crocodile hatchling) successfully navigate friendship, the jungle, and more—to their own surprise. We Cannot Be Friends is set for spring 2025, and We Cannot Be Brave is set for spring 2026. Scott Treimel at Scott Treimel NY represented the author, and Steven Malk at Writers House represented the illustrator.
Jessica Garrison at Dial has bought, in an exclusive submission, world rights to Joan in the Cone by Billy Sharff (l.), illustrated by Hala Tahboub. The picture book follows Joan the dog, newly stuck in a cone and facing humorous challenges and mortifications, as she reflects on her pre-cone glory days and misadventures—including what led to her injury—and begins to embrace the cone and life's joyful adventures. Publication is planned for summer 2025; Katelyn Detweiler at Jill Grinberg Literary Management represented the author, and Rebecca Sherman at Writers House represented the artist.
Sally Morgridge at Holiday House has acquired world rights to Broccoli Is Trying to Kill Me, a picture book by Katie Evans (l.), illustrated by Savannah Allen. Despite Dad's constant reminders about the benefits of broccoli, a child is caught in a battle for their life against a horde of malevolent vegetables. Publication is scheduled for spring 2026; Stephanie Hansen at Metamorphosis Literary Agency represented the author, and Christy Ewers at the CAT Agency represented the illustrator.
Catherine Laudone at S&S/Paula Wiseman Books has bought world rights to We're Going on a Parranda! by PEN/Faulkner Award longlisted author and Latinx Kidlit Book Festival co-founder Mayra Cuevas (l.), illustrated by Mónica Paola Rodriguez. The bilingual picture book follows a child going on a parranda, a Puerto Rican Christmas caroling tradition, with their family and friends as they try to discover their own unique rhythm. Publication is slated for fall 2025; Saritza Hernández at Andrea Brown Literary Agency represented the author, and Jesse Byrd at Jesse B. Creative represented the illustrator.
Sarah Rockett at Tilbury House has acquired world rights to Kisses Are Invisible by Dee Romito (l.), illustrated by Jen White. In a big, challenging, and sometimes scary world full of unknowns, Theodore—with some help from his mom—learns to see the many invisible things around him that, in the end, matter the most. Publication is tentatively set for spring 2025; Brent Taylor at Triada US represented the author, and Christie Megill at the CAT Agency represented the illustrator.
