Bria Ragin at Delacorte Press has acquired, in an exclusive submission, Twin Tides by Hien Nguyen, a YA speculative horror thriller inspired by Vietnamese mythology and pitched as The Haunting of Bly Manor meets The Parent Trap, in which long-lost identical twins Aria and Caliste are beckoned to Les Eaux, Minn., where they unravel the mystery behind their mother's death, discover a ghoul haunting the waters of the small town, and wade through the betrayal that ultimately separated them. Publication is set for fall 2025; Katelyn Detweiler at Jill Grinberg Literary Management sold world English rights.
Polo Orozco at Putnam has bought Very Dangerous Things by Lauren Muñoz (Suddenly a Murder), a YA murder mystery with flair for fans of The Agathas and Truly Devious. The story follows Dulce Castillo, a student at a magnet school for criminology that stages a murder mystery game, which turns into a real investigation when the student playing the victim winds up dead. Publication is slated for summer 2025; Jodi Reamer at Writers House brokered the deal for North American rights.
Vanessa Aguirre at Wednesday Books has acquired, in a preempt, Witchlore by Emma Hinds, a YA contemporary fantasy about a nonbinary shapeshifter who must team up with a handsome witch in order to bring back their dead girlfriend and clear their name in her accidental death, all while reckoning with their own identity when ancient magic begins to shift their body at random. Publication is scheduled for fall 2025; Pete Knapp and Stuti Telidevara at Park & Fine Literary and Media did the two-book deal for North American rights on behalf of Philippa Milnes-Smith at the Soho Agency.
Nicholas Magliato at Penguin Workshop has bought Invisible and a sequel, Visible, by director, writer, and debut author-illustrator David Soren. This first middle-grade novel follows JJ Sugar, an aspiring animator who is learning to live with an invisible disability; JJ is desperate to keep it hidden while Norm, the unruly embodiment of his disability, is determined to be seen. Publication of book one is planned for fall 2025, with book two tentatively set for fall 2026; Janine Kamouh at WME negotiated the deal.
Liz Kossnar at Little, Brown has acquired world rights to Raj Sidhu's (l.) debut middle-grade fantasy novel, Thrash Force, illustrated by Billy Yong, in which seventh-grader Riley Singh and his friends embark on a high-stakes magical odyssey after enraging the not-so-fictional villain of their weekly role-playing game, forcing them to start a business, deal with demons, and placate an insane sorcerer in order to return home. Publication is set for summer 2025; Emelie Burl at Susan Schulman Literary Agency represented the author, and Justin Rucker at Shannon Associates represented the illustrator.
Liz Bicknell at Candlewick has bought North American rights to Neshama by Marcella Pixley (Trowbridge Road), about a girl who is haunted by the spirits of her ancestors in this middle grade ghost story-in-verse set in the watery landscape of coastal Massachusetts. Publication is slated for summer 2025; Victoria Wells Arms at HG Literary represented the author.
Amy Fitzgerald at Lerner/Carolrhoda has acquired The Pecan Sheller by Lupe Ruiz-Flores, a historical middle grade novel inspired by the groundbreaking San Antonio pecan shellers' strike of 1938. After her father's death, 13-year-old Petra reluctantly quits school to take a grueling, low-paying job in a pecan factory—until unjust conditions and wage cuts push her to take a stand for change. Publication is planned for spring 2025; Kayla Cichello at Upstart Crow Literary brokered the deal for world rights.
Catherine Frank at Peachtree has bought world rights to the middle grade nonfiction book Phantoms and Ghosts: A True Story of the Army Artists Who Hoodwinked Hitler by Rebecca Siegel (Loch Ness Uncovered), which tells the story of a small unit of American soldiers, the Ghost Army, who fought Nazis during WWII with stagecraft and trickery. Jennifer Unter at the Unter Agency negotiated the deal for publication in fall 2025.
Suzy Capozzi at Union Square Kids has acquired the first four books in Catty Corner, a debut chapter book series and a companion journal, by Julie Murphy (Dumplin'). Third-grader Catty is the only half-girl-half-cat at her new school, but what will her classmates think of her furry ears, bushy tail, and tendency to go cattywumpus when she gets excited? The series follows Catty as she navigates new friends and faces some uniquely feline fears. Publication for books one and two is scheduled for February 2025; John Cusick at Folio Literary Management handled the deal on behalf of the author and Bittersweet Books.
Jane Griffiths at Puffin has bought the first three books in a chapter book series titled Tuck & Tina by Jess Brallier and Jack Keely, illustrated by Keely. Written in full-color journal format, the stories follow the adventures of an industrious fieldmouse who takes up residence in the walls of a third-grade classroom and an impulsive store-bought mouse who is the class pet as they forge an unlikely friendship. Publication of the first book is set for spring 2025, with books two and three within the following year; Kelly Dyksterhouse at Tobias Literary Agency sold world rights.
Sarah Ketchersid at Candlewick Press and Maria Tunney at Walker Books UK have jointly acquired, in a three-book deal, three picture books written and illustrated by Flavia Z. Drago (Gustavo, the Shy Ghost). The first book is slated for simultaneous publication in the U.S. and the U.K. in fall 2027; Claire Cartey at Holroyde Cartey brokered the deal for world rights in all languages.
Margaret Quinlin at Peachtree/Margaret Quinlin Books has bought Beatrix and Her Friends by author-illustrator Anne Lambelet, a picture book biography about beloved children's book author Beatrix Potter and the enduring characters she created. Publication is scheduled for spring 2026; Stephanie Fretwell-Hill at Red Fox Literary handled the deal for world rights.
Megan Abbate at Bloomsbury has acquired Rahele Jomepour Bell's debut author-illustrated picture book, I Want to Be, an ode to childhood and a celebration of creativity. Publication is planned for winter 2027; Christy Ewers at the CAT Agency sold world rights.
Kathleen Merz at Eerdmans has bought An Island Called Home by Angela Quezada Padron (As the Seas Rise), a picture book about a girl who visits her father's native island country for the first time and discovers the love of her extended family, her cultural roots, and another place to call home—written as a tribute to Angela's late father and his native Dominican Republic. Publication is set for fall 2026; Sera Rivers at Speilburg Literary sold North American rights.
Frances Gilbert at Doubleday has acquired world rights to Farm Shark! by Bill Canterbury (l.), illustrated by Maddie Frost. A farm frenzy ensues when a new and very bite-y animal addition turns the barnyard upside down. Publication is slated for summer 2026; James McGowan at Bookends Literary represented the author, and Andrea Morrison at Writers House represented the illustrator.
Grace Kendall at FSG has bought world rights for The Princess and the Grain of Rice, a Korean retelling of the princess and the pea fairy tale, written by Tina Cho (l.) (The Ocean Calls) and illustrated by Honee Jang. Publication is scheduled for fall 2025; Adria Goetz while at P.S. Literary Agency represented the author, and Christy Ewers at the CAT Agency represented the illustrator.
Nancy Paulsen at Penguin/Nancy Paulsen Books has acquired world rights to Tino Plays with Clouds by JaNay Brown-Wood (l.), illustrated by Jenin Mohammed. This onomatopoeic picture book follows a disappointed Tino who, with the accompaniment of the rain clouds, practices his marching band routine in preparation for his moment in the sun. Publication is planned for early 2027; Karen Grencik at Red Fox Literary represented the author, and Christy Ewers at the CAT Agency represented the illustrator.
Angus Yuen-Killick at Red Comet Press has bought, in an exclusive submission, world rights to My Book of Firsts by Lee Wardlaw (l.) (Wonton and Chopstick), illustrated by debut picture book artist Bruno Brogna, a series of poems about first experiences and milestones in a baby's first year. Publication is set for April 2025; Ginger Knowlton at Curtis Brown Ltd. represented the author, and Gary Swift at Lemonade Agency represented the illustrator.
Carol Hinz at Lerner/Carolrhoda has acquired For the Win: Poems About Pivotal Moments in the Lives of Phenomenal Athletes by Irene Latham (l.) and Charles Waters (African Town), an anthology highlighting 20 diverse athletes who have broken boundaries, overcome barriers, and inspired the world. Publication is slated for spring 2026; Rosemary Stimola at Stimola Literary Studio sold world rights.
Eileen Rothschild at Wednesday Books has acquired, in a preempt, debut author Kate Koenig's Her Sharp Embrace, a YA fantasy duology in which a magical, all-girl's smuggler gang called The Nightshades is torn apart when a member is murdered and the gang must look inward to find the culprit. Publication is tentatively slated for fall 2025; Patrice Caldwell at New Leaf Literary & Media represents Electric Postcard Entertainment and brokered the deal for North American rights.
Maya Marlette at Scholastic has bought Never Seen the Stars, a debut YA novel by Kate Korsh, in which a 16-year-old girl with a rare genetic eye disease finds that as her sight fails, she's able to see her recently drowned friend, and, as he jokes and teases her like always, their chemistry hasn't changed—in fact, it's like he never left. Publication is planned for fall 2025; Jennifer March Soloway at Andrea Brown Literary Agency negotiated the deal for North American rights.
Mark Siegel at First Second has acquired Rebis: Born and Reborn by Irene Marchesini (l.) and Carlotta Dicataldo, a YA graphic novel about a runaway child and an alleged witch whose lives are forever changed when they meet in a medieval forest. It will be translated from Italian by Carla Roncalli Di Montorio; Robyn Chapman will edit. Publication is scheduled for 2025; Bao Publishing sold world English rights.
Jennifer Klonsky and Stephanie Pitts at Putnam have bought world rights for Home by Newbery Medalist Matt de la Peña (l.), illustrated by Loren Long, the duo behind Love. Home is a picture book ode to the places we feel most comfortable, loved, and protected—wherever that might be. It's set for simultaneous publication in English and Spanish in spring 2025; Steven Malk at Writers House represented both author and illustrator.
Deirdre Jones at Little, Brown has acquired world rights to Maya's Big Question by Meena Harris (l.), illustrated by Marissa Valdez, the duo behind Ambitious Girl and A Is for Ambitious, about an ambitious girl fighting to recognize the contributions of women in history and in her community. Publication is slated for winter 2026; Cait Hoyt at CAA represented the author, and Kelly Sonnack at Andrea Brown Literary Agency represented the artist.
Elizabeth Lee at Penguin Workshop has bought world English rights to Emily Sun Li's (l.) debut picture book Mr. Chow's Night Market, illustrated by Yu-Ting Cheng. Mr. Chow is an old man who becomes very grumpy when he has to get up early to run his supermarket. But with a little inspiration from his neighbors, help from his grandchildren, and a dash of magic from the store itself, he turns his supermarket into something astounding. Publication is planned for spring 2026; Emily Forney at BookEnds Literary Agency represented the author, and Sol Salinas at Astound US represented the illustrator.
Katie Heit at Scholastic has acquired, at auction, Over in the Mangroves by Jyoti Rajan Gopal (l.), illustrated by Dikshaa Pawaskar, a picture book about the interconnected animals of Sundarbans Mangrove Forest, a UNESCO World Heritage site straddling India and Bangladesh. Publication is scheduled for summer 2025; Wendi Gu at GreenburgerKids represented the author, and Sol Salinas at Astound US represented the illustrator.
Rebecca Davis at Astra/Wordsong has bought world rights to Come In! Come In! by Irene Latham (l.), illustrated by Amy Hevron, a poetry collection in the vein of A Hole Is to Dig and The Important Book, spinning together the sound and function of words found in a variety of homes in celebration of language, family, and the many things that make a child's dwelling place "home." It's set for spring 2026; Rosemary Stimola at Stimola Literary Studio represented the author, and Kirsten Hall at Catbird Productions represented the illustrator.
Carol Hinz at Lerner/Carolrhoda has acquired, in an exclusive submission, world rights to We Are the Scrappy Ones by Rebekah Taussig (l.) (Sitting Pretty), illustrated by Kirbi Fagan. This picture book, written by disability advocate Taussig, is an anthem celebrating disabled children and affirming their worth exactly as they are. Publication is slated for spring 2025; Laura Lee Mattingly at Present Perfect represented the author, and Kayla Cichello at Upstart Crow Literary represented the illustrator.
Barb McNally at Sleeping Bear Press has bought world rights to I Want to Dance in Pants by Jess Hernandez (l.) and Ruymán Hernandez (c.), illustrated by Teresa Martinez (r.), a picture book about a girl who hates dresses and refuses to wear one to her cousin's quinceañera, much to her mother's dismay. Publication is planned for spring 2025; Rena Rossner at Deborah Harris Agency represented the authors, and Tina Doffing at Astound US represented the illustrator.
Kelsey Skea at Amazon/Two Lions has acquired world rights to Camp Grandma and Grandpa by Gina Bellisario (l.), illustrated by Chloe Burgett. The story follows two siblings who have a camp-themed overnight stay at their grandparents' house. Publication is scheduled for spring 2025; Kelly Sonnack at Andrea Brown Literary Agency represented the author, and Christy Ewers at the CAT Agency represented the illustrator.
Margaret Quinlin at Peachtree/Margaret Quinlin Books has bought Please, No Feathers in Your Hats!: Florence Merriam Bailey and Birdwatching's Beginnings by Lynn Street (l.), illustrated by Anne Lambelet, a picture book biography about one of the first authors of bird field guides, who helped change the way that people thought about birds and how they study them. Publication is set for spring 2027; Stephanie Fretwell-Hill at Red Fox Literary represented the author and illustrator in the deal for world rights.
Harold Underdown at Kane Press has acquired world rights to City Superstars by Sneed Collard III (l.), illustrated by Riley Samels, a nonfiction picture book about the animals that not only survive but thrive in cities around the world. Publication is slated for fall 2025; the author represented himself, and Alex Gehringer at the Bright Agency represented the illustrator.
