Melanie Nolan at Knopf has acquired Pitch Wars alum Sophie Clark's debut YA/crossover romantic fantasy novel Cruel Is the Light, the first in a duology. With an enemies-to-lovers romance at its heart, the story takes place as a brutal war between demons and humans has raged across Europe for over a century. When Selene, an elite Vatican exorcist, crosses paths with Jules, a mysterious foot soldier, forbidden attraction soon follows; together they discover a terrible secret that questions the foundations of their world. It will publish simultaneously in all English-speaking markets in January 2025; Josh Adams at Adams Literary handled the deal in collaboration with Christabel McKinley at David Higham Associates, in a global co-publishing deal with PRH UK and PRH Australia for world rights.
Zoie Konneker at Peachtree Teen has bought In the Country I Love by debut author Alaa Al-Barkawi, a multi-POV contemporary YA novel that explores the complexities of friendship, grief, and family through the story of two Iraqi American best friends—a teen single father whose Shia Muslim faith has lapsed and the community's devout golden boy—before, during, and after a crime that will alter their lives and unearth dark truths their families have worked to keep hidden. Publication is set for summer 2026; Jenissa Graham at BookEnds Literary Agency negotiated the deal for world rights.
Chris Hernandez at Putnam has acquired Heartache by Kelsi Jo Silva, the author's debut as author-illustrator. This YA graphic novel about overcoming and surviving domestic abuse with the help of found family, follows a young witch who accidentally transforms her father into a literal monster during a fight and must partner with her nemesis-turned-friend (and potentially something more) to undo the curse before her father can hurt anyone else. Publication is planned for summer 2026; P.S. Literary Agency handled the deal for North American rights.
David Robertson at Tundra has bought, for a forthcoming new Native imprint, Fight Song by Kirk Van Brunt. Freakishly tall Canadian First Nations Nokes Lasley cares about only one thing: playing hockey, and becoming an Olympian is her dream, but her world comes crashing down when her father is sent to prison and she's plunged into foster home hell. She escapes to Minnesota in hopes of a fresh start, where her complicated past collides with her fragile new beginning. Publication is scheduled for spring 2026; Steven Chudney at the Chudney Agency sold world rights.
Chris Staros at Top Shelf Comics has acquired world rights to the middle-grade graphic novel The Night Fox by Anna Staniszeswki (l.), illustrated by Del Hahn, a story about grief and memories and the pain of moving on, and about a magical fox who can make it all go away—for a price. Ammi-Joan Paquette at Erin Murphy Literary Agency brokered the deal for publication in fall 2026.
Taylor Norman at Holiday House/Neal Porter Books has bought My Chernobyl Year, written and illustrated by Eisner Award nominee Yevgenia Nayberg, a middle grade graphic memoir about a Jewish girl navigating the reality of Soviet life during the Chernobyl disaster in 1986. Publication is slated for spring 2026; Kelly Pelsue at Morgan Gaynin sold world rights.
Caitlyn Dlouhy at Atheneum/Caitlyn Dlouhy Books has acquired North American rights to DIG by Jason Reynolds (l.), a picture book about the beauty we discover and what we can build when we dig into life's hardships together, illustrated by Taeeun Yoo. Publication is planned for spring 2027; Elena Giovinazzo represented the author, and Holly McGhee represented the illustrator, both at Pippin Properties.
Andrea Posner-Sanchez at Random House has bought world rights to Prince: A Little Golden Book Biography by Nikki Shannon Smith (l.), illustrated by Don Tate, a picture book biography of the trailblazing musician. Publication is set for spring 2025; Jennifer March Soloway at Andrea Brown Literary Agency represented the author, and Caryn Wiseman at Andrea Brown Literary Agency represented the illustrator.
Zareen Jaffery at Kokila has acquired world English rights to Vaisakhi in My New Home by Sikh scholar Simran Jeet Singh (l.) (Fauja Singh Keeps Going), illustrated by Japneet Kaur, a picture book in which a girl looks for points of connection in a new country through the joyous spring holiday of Vaisakhi, the biggest Sikh celebration. Publication is scheduled for spring 2025; Tanusri Prasanna at DeFiore and Company represented the author, and the artist was unagented.
Karen Smith while at Knopf bought world rights to The Farm Next Door, about a community who rallies around a farmer and her farm when a storm hits, by Kelly Rice Schmitt (l.), illustrated by Charles Santoso; Esther Cajahuaringa will edit. Publication is slated for summer 2026; Miranda Paul at Erin Murphy Literary Agency represented the author, and Justin Rucker at Shannon Associates represented the illustrator.
Susan Kochan at Putnam has acquired world rights to The Fortune of Immy Nakatudde, a debut picture book by Florence Migga (l.), illustrated by Shamar Knight-Justice, an original folktale set in Uganda about how being kind brings kindness back to you. Publication is planned for spring 2027; Heather Cashman at Storm Literary represented the author, and Christy Ewers at the CAT Agency represented the illustrator.
Kendra Levin and Celia Lee at Simon & Schuster have bought world rights to The Dino Door by Josh Funk (l.) (My Pet Feet), illustrated by Renée Kurilla (Just Because). It tells the tale of a dinosaur-obsessed child who discovers a secret door to a magical prehistoric world, told with a mere 20 words all rhyming with "or." Publication is set for 2026; Kathleen Rushall at Andrea Brown Literary Agency represented the author, and Jennifer Rofé at Andrea Brown Literary Agency represented the illustrator.
Caitlyn Dlouhy at Atheneum/Caitlyn Dlouhy Books has acquired world rights to Sope Martins's (l.) debut picture book, Hairstory, a celebration of African hair and its roots in history and culture, illustrated by Briana Mukodiri Uchendu. Publication is scheduled for spring 2026; Sara Crowe at Sara Crowe Literary represented the author, and Jessica Saint Jean at Jill Grinberg Literary Management represented the illustrator.
Michelle Lee at Dial has bought Binna's Dalgona by debut author-illustrator Sojung Kim-McCarthy. Inspired by the author's experience of being an immigrant and learning English as a second language, the picture book follows Binna who can't wait to tell her friends about making dalgona by herself for the first time, but finds her words are mixed up. Publication is planned for summer 2025; Lydia Silver at Darley Anderson Children's Books sold world rights.
Jill Davis at Astra/Hippo Park has acquired A-Not-So-Scary Story, written and illustrated by Barney Saltzberg (A Delicious Story), a picture book in which the two mice find themselves inside a book, where they decide what kind of stories are best to tell in the dark. It's slated for fall 2025; Rosemary Stimola at Stimola Literary Studio brokered the deal for world rights.
Christy Ottaviano at Little, Brown/Ottaviano has bought world rights to Taking Care of Me: A Kid's Guide to Personal Hygiene by Lizzy Rockwell. This picture book primer showcases the many ways children can take care of themselves, including hand washing, bathing, brushing their teeth, and more. Publication is scheduled for summer 2026; Victoria Wells Arms at HG Literary negotiated the deal.
Kait Feldmann and Ann Rider while at Clarion Books acquired world rights to Books on Bikes by F. Isabel Campoy (l.) and Theresa Howell (c.) (Maybe Something Beautiful), illustrated by Brizida Magro (r.) (Saturday at the Food Pantry). Lía loves books and when she encounters Gabriel's Book Bike in the park one hot summer day, she gets an idea; before long, the book bike movement takes flight, and Lía and others are pedaling books into the hearts and minds of those who need them most. Publication is set for summer 2025; Stefanie Sanchez Von Borstel at Full Circle Literary represented the authors, and Anne Moore Armstrong at the Bright Agency represented the illustrator.
Mary Lee Donovan at Candlewick Press has bought world rights to Elephant Bowling and Other Animal Play by Richard Haynes (l.), illustrated by Stephanie Laberis, the creators of Orangutan Hats and Other Tools Animals Use. This nonfiction picture book offers examples of wild animals playing games and goofing around in the wild. Publication is slated for summer 2025; the author represented himself, and Anne Moore Armstrong at the Bright Agency represented the illustrator.
Alyssa Mito Pusey and Diane Earley at Charlesbridge have acquired world rights to Women on a Mission: The Remarkable Heroes Who Put Men on the Moon by Suzanne Slade (l.), illustrated by Molly Magnell. This nonfiction picture book is about the 12 talented, diverse women who performed a variety of daunting (and sometimes surprising) jobs to accomplish the first moon landing. Publication is planned for fall 2025; the author represented herself, and Christy Ewers at the CAT Agency represented the illustrator.
Naomi Krueger at Beaming Books has bought world rights to Marvelous Mistakes: Accidents That Made History by Callie Dean (l.), illustrated by Ana Latese. This picture book explores eight notable mistakes by figures in history, such as biologist Alexander Fleming, fashion designer Vera Wang, and singer Ella Fitzgerald alongside modern anecdotes encouraging a growth mindset. Publication is set for fall 2026; Karly Dizon at Fuse Literary represented the author, and Christy Ewers at the CAT Agency represented the illustrator.
Karen Boersma at Owlkids has acquired world rights to Mags MacDonald Had a Jetpack by Jen MacGregor (l.), illustrated by Suharu Ogawa, a new spin on the classic nursery rhyme. Publication is scheduled for fall 2026; Saba Sulaiman at Talcott Notch Literary Services represented the author, and the illustrator represented herself.
Krista Marino at Delacorte Press has acquired debut author Veronica Bane's Difficult Girls, a YA thriller in which high school junior Greta's life goes off the rails when she suspects the disappearance of the star performer at the amusement park where she works is connected to a past murder, entangling her in the mystery while she struggles to keep her own secrets hidden. Publication is planned for summer 2025; Michelle Wolfson at Wolfson Literary Agency brokered the deal for world English rights.
Gretchen Durning at Putnam has bought North American rights to Nicole Lesperance's A Spell to Wake the Dead, an occult YA thriller set on Cape Cod, about two best friends who unwittingly summon a vengeful spirit and uncover a dangerous mystical cult while trying to solve the mystery of a dead woman who washed up on their local beach. Publication is scheduled for summer 2025; Kathleen Rushall at Andrea Brown Literary Agency did the deal.
Ardyce Alspach at Union Square Kids has acquired Annie Cardi's (Red) next retelling, Winter White. This YA adaptation of Shakespeare's The Winter's Tale, centered around domestic abuse and the opioid epidemic, follows a teen girl living in rural Maine with her domineering father. When a boy from her past reappears, she finds solace in his kindness and strength in his help as she uncovers the mystery of her identity. Publication is slated for January 2026; Laura Crockett at Triada US Literary Agency negotiated the deal for world English rights.
Kate Prosswimmer at McElderry Books has acquired, in an exclusive submission, Olivia Gray Will Not Fade Away by Ciera Burch (Finch House). Aimed at fans of Ellie Engle Saves Herself and Rick, this contemporary middle grade novel follows 13-year-old Olivia who, unlike her boy-obsessed friends, has never had a crush on anyone. When her efforts to pretend she's just like everyone else result in her starting to actually turn invisible, she must figure out what it means to be herself in a world hyper-focused on spectrums, labels, and appearances before she fades away and becomes no one at all. Publication is tentatively set for fall 2025; Trinica Sampson-Vera at New Leaf Literary & Media did the deal for world English rights.
Anna Bloom at Scholastic has bought world rights to Ally Russell's middle grade novel Down Came the Spiders. When three friends attend a Halloween party on the outskirts of town, they get more than tricks and treats after a plethora of spiders descend on the festivities. Publication is planned for fall 2025; Paige Terlip at Andrea Brown Literary Agency brokered the deal.
Joy Peskin at FSG has acquired, in an exclusive submission, The Blue Dress, the debut middle-grade novel by essayist Rebecca Morrison. The story follows 13-year-old Yasmine, an Iranian immigrant to the U.S., who navigates friendship, first crushes, and her mother's misguided attempts to make her lose weight, for fans of Julie Murphy and Lisa Fipps. Publication is scheduled for winter 2026; John Cusick at Folio Literary Management handled the deal for world tights.
Jessica Smith at Aladdin has bought world rights to the contemporary middle grade novel The Never Ever Sisters by Chantel Acevedo (l.) and Natalia Sylvester, pitched as a reverse The Parent Trap set in Miami. Seventh grade polar opposites Melisa Flores and Roxy Romero find out their parents are engaged and devise a plan to break them up, only to discover the true meaning of family, friendship, and sisterhood. Publication is slated for spring 2026; Stephanie Abou at Massie & McQuilkin Literary Agents represented Acevedo, and Laura Dail at Laura Dail Literary Agency represented Sylvester.
Reka Simonsen at Atheneum has acquired world rights, at auction, to Venus Washington and the Lasagna Drama and the next two books in a chapter book series by Maisha Oso (l.), illustrated by Courtney Lovett. In the first book, due out in spring 2026, a girl enlists her hamster, two girls from across the street, and their cat to find Grandma's super-secret lasagna ingredient after Grandpa says she put her foot in it. Jemiscoe Chambers-Black at Andrea Brown Literary Agency represented the author and the illustrator.
Talia Benamy at Philomel has bought the first two books in the Ai & Aiko series by Singapore-based artist Peter Draw, based on his characters Ai and Aiko, which have 63+ billion views via Giphy. Draw's first picture book, Ai & Aiko and the Little Curve, finds Ai drawing self-portraits with his Grandpa, but there’s a very important curve missing from Ai's work, so he and his fluffy dog Aiko journey out into the world to find the elusive curve—his smile. Publication is set for summer 2025, with book two tentatively set for summer 2026; Janine Kamouh at WME negotiated the deal for North American rights.
Connie Hsu at Roaring Brook Press has acquired, at auction, Shark Girl, a picture book written and illustrated by Kate Beaton (Ducks; The Princess and the Pony). This adventure on the high seas is a subversive twist on the classic little mermaid fairy tale; instead of falling in love with a prince, Shark Girl vows revenge against a greedy fishing captain who threatens the living creatures in her underwater world, changing her tail for legs to enact her plan for munity. Publication is planned for winter 2025; Seth Fishman at the Gernert Company sold North American rights.
Susan Kochan at Putnam has bought in an exclusive submission My Pet Lion by author-illustrator Deb Pilutti (Old Rock Is Not Boring), about a girl who recovers from a falling out with her two best friends by imagining the ways her life would be different if she had a pet lion. Publication is scheduled for spring 2026; Jennifer Rofé at Andrea Brown Literary Agency brokered the deal for world rights.
Nancy Paulsen at Penguin/Nancy Paulsen Books has acquired world rights to I Stand in Line by Hanh Bui (l.), illustrated by Rong Pham (c.) and Vinh Nguyen (r.), a picture book about the many lines a refugee child stands in for the things she needs, and later, as she stands in line in order to make a difference for others in her new country. Publication is set for summer 2026; Naomi Davis at BookEnds Literary Agency represented the author, and Aurora Barlam at Astound US represented the illustrators.
Angus Yuen-Killick at Red Comet Press has bought world rights to the picture book Dear New Friend by Taraneh Matloob (l.), illustrated by Alida Massari (Doña Gracia Saved Worlds). The book is written in the form of a letter inviting a friend to visit the home of a Persian boy; the letter speaks of who they will meet, what they will see, and what to expect. The book is slated for spring 2025; the author represented herself, and Atlanta Japp at Advocate Art represented the illustrator.
Wendy McClure at Sourcebooks Jabberwocky has acquired world rights to Robot's First Snow, a picture book by Billy Sharff (l.), illustrated by Hannah Abbo, in which a lonely robot working in a warehouse on a snow day decides to venture outside. Publication is planned for October 2025; Katelyn Detweiler at Jill Grinberg Literary Management represented the author, and Atlanta Japp at Advocate Art represented the illustrator.
Peggy Schaefer at WorthyKids has bought world rights to Make Way for Harriet and May by Elizabeth Verdick (l.), illustrated by Yana Kozak. This picture book features a sound-sensitive girl who carries a big, fuzzy, stuffed spider everywhere, which helps grow her confidence in the world—even if some people think spiders are not at all loveable. Publication is scheduled for summer 2025; Mary Cummings at Great River Literary represented the author, and Andrew Behr at Astound US represented the illustrator.
Milena Blue Spruce at Little, Brown has acquired world rights to The Gallaudet Eleven: The Story of NASA's Deaf Bioastronauts, a nonfiction picture book by Kerry O'Malley Cerra (l.) (Hear Me), illustrated by Kristina Gehrmann, which tells the true story of 11 deaf men whose immunity to motion sickness helped them play a vital role in NASA's bioresearch and helped the U.S. win the space race. Publication is slated for winter 2026; Janine Le at Janine Le Literary Agency represented the author, and the illustrator represented herself.
Naomi Krueger at Beaming Books has bought world rights to Squirrel Draws Big Feelings, a rhyming picture book by Erin Dealey (l.), illustrated by Luciana Navarro Powell. When Squirrel's big feelings set off Porcupine's and Bear's emotions, Squirrel turns to chalk art to calm down, and the three learn that friendship and sharing are coping skills too. Publication is set for spring 2026; Deborah Warren at East/West Literary Agency represented the author and illustrator.
