Wendy Loggia at Delacorte Romance has acquired Trail Rides & Starry Eyes by Katrina Emmel, a contemporary dual POV YA romance set in the American West in which a teen girl from Wyoming finds herself trying to teach a teen actor from Hollywood how to ride a horse like a cowboy in only a few weeks; Alison Romig will edit. Publication is scheduled for fall 2025; Jordan Hamessley at JABberwocky Literary Agency sold world rights.
Joy Peskin at FSG has bought Strays, a middle-grade novel by Gia Gordon (The Redemption of Daya Keane), in an exclusive submission. Everyone in 11-year-old Campbell's life is lost somehow, and it takes a little stray dog, whom Campbell needs to keep secret from her dad (the head of their town's animal control department), to give them all a path home. Publication is planned for spring 2026; Erin Murphy at Erin Murphy Literary Agency brokered the deal for world rights.
Kristy Quinn at DC Books for Young Readers has acquired world rights to Matthew Dow Smith's middle grade graphic novel DC Misfits of Magic. When a group of magical middle schoolers meet at the local library for summer camp (along with their camp counselor, Zatanna Zatara), there are strange goings-on; of course they're going to investigate supernatural mysteries. Publication is set for spring 2025; Moe Ferrara at BookEnds Literary did the deal for world rights.
Tara Walker at Tundra Books has bought, at auction, A Door Is to Open by Kyo Maclear (l.), illustrated by Julie Morstad, in a mid-six-figure, two-book deal. The picture book is a whimsical celebration of doorways and thresholds. Publication is slated for spring 2026; Jackie Kaiser at Westwood Creative Artists represented the author, and Emily van Beek at Folio Jr./Folio Literary Management represented the illustrator.
Karen Lotz at Candlewick has acquired world rights to Dear Library, a picture book by children's songwriter and ukulele player Emily Arrow (l.), illustrated by Meera Lee Patel (Start Where You Are; How It Feels to Find Yourself), a love letter to the joy and wonder of libraries. Publication is scheduled for fall 2026; Brandi Bowles and Gwen Beal at United Talent Agency represented the author, and Wendi Gu at GreenburgerKids represented the illustrator.
Alvina Ling at Little, Brown has bought world rights to A Village Made of Rainbows by debut author Jo Wu (l.), illustrated by Alina Chau (Love Like Chocolate). This picture book highlights war veteran Huang Yung-fu, also known as "Rainbow Grandpa," who transformed and saved his Taiwanese village with colorful art. Publication is planned for winter 2027; Tricia Lawrence at Erin Murphy Literary Agency represented the author, and Marietta B. Zacker at Gallt and Zacker Literary Agency represented the illustrator.
Rotem Moscovich at Knopf has acquired The Warm Fuzzies by Darren Farrell (l.), illustrated by Alexandra Finkeldey, a picture book about a girl who discovers a puffy little creature in the hollow of a sugar pine tree, and the imaginative fun that ensues. Publication is set for fall 2026; Sara Crowe at Sara Crowe Literary negotiated North American rights for the author, and Emily van Beek at Folio Jr. / Folio Literary Management negotiated world rights for the illustrator.
Josh Gregory at Albert Whitman has bought world rights to It Started with a Book Ban by Linda Ravin Lodding (l.), illustrated by Carlianne Tipsey, a timely picture book which starts off with a ban on books about Mars and ends up with bans on everything, sowing chaos. Publication is slated for September 2025; Jennifer Unter at the Unter Agency represented the author, and Jemiscoe Chambers-Black at Andrea Brown Literary Agency represented the illustrator.
Grace Maccarone at Holiday House has acquired world rights to Matzah Day! by Charlotte Offsay (l.), illustrated by Jason Kirschner, a rhyming picture book about the unleavened bread eaten during Passover. From matzah pizza to matzah candy and more, the book celebrates this traditional food while highlighting family, connection, and Jewish joy. Publication is scheduled for spring 2025; Nicole Geiger at Full Circle Literary represented the author, and Teresa Kietlinski at Bookmark Literary represented the illustrator.
Carol Hinz at Lerner Publishing has bought world rights to The Ocean's Heart by Jilanne Hoffmann (l.) (River of Dust), illustrated by Khoa Le (A Few Beautiful Minutes). This nonfiction picture book recounts how the ocean's zooplankton take part in the largest migration of animals on earth—every night—and are an essential part of the ocean's food chain. Publication is planned for spring 2026; Lori Steel at SteelWorks Literary represented the author, and Tina Doffing at Astound US represented the illustrator.
Karen Boss at Charlesbridge has acquired Welcome to Whalebone Mansion by Laken Slate (l.), illustrated by Bindy James, a picture book about discovering creatures at a whale fall, through the adventures of a pair of fish. Publication is slated for fall 2025; Joyce Sweeney at the Seymour Agency represented the author, and Alice Jin Zhang at Astound US represented the illustrator.
