Lois Evans at Random House/Make Me a World has acquired Akimbobo, the YA debut of National Book Award nominee Nafissa Thompson-Spires (Heads of the Colored People), a satire about a summer camp for misfit Black kids, driven by a suspenseful plot that comments on larger issues of identity, policing, and the often cyclical nature of abuse. Publication is slated for fall 2026; PJ Mark at Janklow & Nesbit sold North American rights.
Anum Shafqat at McElderry Books has bought world rights to Selma Soren's debut YA novel The Lost Gods of Duat, in which a girl finds herself entangled in a vicious conspiracy against the descendants of Egyptian gods when she accidentally gets stuck in the underworld after following her ex-boyfriend, who just so happens to be the descendent of Apep, the God of Chaos. Publication is set for spring 2026; Chelsea Hensley at KT Literary brokered the deal.
Kiara Valdez at First Second has acquired Chasing Sunspots, Victoria Ying's YA graphic novel about a high school girl who, in her attempt to find validation for her art and chase her dreams to enter the comics industry, finds the strength and self-worth to overcome a manipulative relationship with a much older cartoonist. Publication is planned for 2027; Jennifer Azantian at Azantian Literary did the deal for world English rights.
Michelle Lee at Dial has bought, in an exclusive submission, So Over Sharing by Elissa Brent Weissman, a middle grade novel about two new friends whose private struggles, each with her own "momfluencer," go very public. Publication is scheduled for spring 2025; Elise Howard at DeFiore & Company sold North American rights.
Wendy Loggia at Delacorte Press has acquired Grin by D.W. Gillespie (Give Me Something Good to Eat), a middle grade novel that follows a boy who spends the summer of his dreams at his uncle's vintage-inspired arcade, until a game haunted by a notorious serial killer begins wreaking havoc—and threatens his life in the process. Publication is slated for summer 2025; Kimberly Brower and Aimee Ashcraft at Brower Literary did the two-book deal for world English rights.
Nick Thomas at Levine Querido has bought debut picture book If I Lived in the Sky, written and illustrated by Abigail Rajunov, an original folktale about a forest creature that longs to be a bird, but cannot fly. Publication is set for spring 2026; Aliza R. Hoover at the CAT Agency negotiated the deal for world rights.
Siobhan Ciminera at Simon Spotlight has acquired two picture books by Geisel Honor winner Jonathan Fenske: We Are All Ears and A Flea. A Frog. A Pad. A Dog. Publication is planned for summer 2026 and spring 2027; Carrie Hannigan at HG Literary sold world rights.
Melissa Manlove while at Chronicle bought world rights to Find Your Fate, a picture book by Sydney Taylor Gold Medalist and Geisel Award winner Laurel Snyder (l.), illustrated by Caldecott Medalist and National Book Award winner Dan Santat. This choose-your-path picture book adventure in the tradition of Endlessly Ever After follows a young shepherdess on a harrowing journey through Greek myths and legends; Emily Daluga will edit. Publication is scheduled for fall 2026; Tina Dubois while at CAA represented the author (now represented by Holly McGhee at Pippin Properties), and Jodi Reamer at Writers House represented the illustrator.
Nancy Paulsen at Penguin/Nancy Paulsen Books has acquired world rights to Faraway Family by Padma Venkatraman (l.) (The Bridge Home), illustrated by Nicole Wong, a picture book about a girl who feels uncomfortable with all the love her faraway grandparents shower on her when they first meet, but through the power of their imaginative shadow puppet play, these strangers soon begin to feel like family. Publication is set for spring 2026; Rob Weisbach at Rob Weisbach Creative Management represented the author, and James McGowan at BookEnds represented the illustrator.
Taylor Norman at Holiday House/Neal Porter Books has bought world rights to Not Everything by Mk Smith Despres (l.), illustrated by Hannah Salyer, a picture book that explores the complex world that exists outside of binary thinking. It's slated for spring 2026; Amy Thrall Flynn at Aevitas Creative Management represented the author, and Stephen Barr at Writers House represented the illustrator.
Tara Weikum at HarperCollins has acquired world English rights to Katherine Applegate's picture book adaptation of The One and Only Ruby, third in her bestselling The One and Only series, illustrated by Lita Judge. Publication is scheduled for winter 2026; Elena Giovinazzo at Pippin Properties represented the author, and Jennifer Laughran at Andrea Brown Literary Agency represented the illustrator.
Natalia Vázquez Torres at Charlesbridge has bought world rights to Biracial, Like Me by Daralyse Lyons (l.), and Ellie Erhart has bought world rights for illustration by Teju Abiola. The picture book is about a biracial girl's excitement—and nerves—as she learns she will become a big sister and wonders who the baby will look like. Publication is planned for fall 2025; Lane Clarke represented the author while at ArtHouse Literary Agency, and the illustrator represented herself.
Emma Sakamoto at Groundwood Books has acquired Taking Turns with Turtles by Shari Becker (l.), illustrated by Brittany Lane, a picture book inspired by true events about the rescue of cold-stunned turtles over land, air, and back to sea—and the many hands and hearts involved in their rehabilitation journeys. Publication is slated for winter 2026; Miranda Paul at Erin Murphy Literary Agency represented the author, and Hilary McMahon at Westwood Creative Artists represented the artist.
Carolyn Yoder at Astra/Calkins Creek has bought world rights to A Heart on Fire: Quaker Benjamin Lay's Fight for Equality in Colonial America by Jan Lower (l.), illustrated by Carlyn Beccia, a nonfiction picture book about the 18th-century Quaker abolitionist Benjamin Lay, whose dramatic protest techniques are still relevant to activists today. Publication is set for spring 2026; Stephanie Fretwell-Hill at Red Fox Literary represented the author, and Abigail Samoun at Red Fox Literary represented the illustrator.
Emma Hintzen at Sourcebooks eXplore has acquired world rights to The Power Tool Alphabet by Katherine Choppy (l.). illustrated by Jen Taylor. This ABC board book introduces the power tools every budding builder should know, from drills to jackhammers to yard saws and everything in between. Publication is planned for fall 2025; Ammi-Joan Paquette at Erin Murphy Literary represented the author, and Emily Fernandez at the Bright Agency represented the illustrator.
Cecily Kaiser at RISE x Penguin Workshop has bought, in an exclusive submission, world rights to Color to the People by author-illustrator Andrea Pippins (The Spark in You), a picture book introducing young readers to the elements of color theory and coexistence. Publication is scheduled for spring 2026; Lilly Ghahremani at Full Circle Literary brokered the deal.
Adah Li at Algonquin Young Readers has acquired world rights to The Green Duckling by author-illustrator Ellie Fortune. Sprout, a fire-breathing dragon, must learn to embrace her special spark at the risk of losing her adopted duck family in this humorous take on "The Ugly Duckling." Publication is slated for fall 2026; Carey Blankenship-Kramer at Belcastro Agency negotiated the deal.
Sarah Rockett at Sleeping Bear Press has bought You Can't, a picture book written and illustrated by Marty Kelley, exploring what is possible and impossible for people to do, for publication in spring 2026. Abigail Samoun at Red Fox Literary sold world English rights.
