Liz Szabla at Feiwel and Friends has acquired North American rights to We Could Be Magic, an original graphic novel written by Marissa Meyer (l.) (the Lunar Chronicles), illustrated by Joelle Murray; Anna Roberto will edit. The body-positive story follows Tabitha, a girl who has the chance to live out her dream of being a character actor at the amusement park dedicated to the fantasy world of her favorite writer, only to find that the reality of life in costume is not exactly what she expected. Publication is planned for spring 2025; Jill Grinberg at Jill Grinberg Literary Management represented the author, and Laura Rennert at Andrea Brown Literary Agency represented the illustrator.
Matt Phipps at Putnam has bought, at auction, a YA dark fantasy-adventure tentatively titled Vampires of Valhalla and its sequel by Heidi Schulz (Hook's Revenge). On the eve of the Winter Solstice, the village of Hardholm is raided by Viking vampire longships, and when 16-year-old Alys's twin sister is chosen as a sacrifice, she will do anything to save her from an unimaginable fate—even if it means wrestling with her own new vampiric existence. Publication is set for fall 2026 and fall 2027, respectively; Kristin Ostby at Greenhouse Literary Agency sold North American rights on behalf of Working Partners, and Victoria Marini at High Line Literary Collective represented the author.
Alison Romig at Delacorte Press has acquired Katherine Quinn's Stolen Midnights, about Wren, a fiery politician's daughter, and Damien, a clever thief, who are forced into an uneasy alliance when Wren's gift from the Fates is stolen. Together they must navigate a treacherous world of magic-wielding criminals, uncover the secrets of the Fates, and harness their powers to stop impending doom while fighting a forbidden attraction. Publication is slated for spring 2026; Cole Lanahan at the Seymour Agency did the two-book deal for world rights.
Katie Gould at Andrews McMeel has bought world rights to the two-book YA series Side Quested, based on the webcomic by K.B. Spangler, illustrated by Ale Presser, in which a comedy of errors between a strong-willed librarian, a sheltered prince, and a talented witch's daughter leads to a love triangle that could start a war. Publication is projected for spring and summer 2026; Bailey Tamayo at GreenburgerKids represented the author and illustrator.
Francesca Young at DK has acquired The Green Kingdom by Cornelia Funke (the Inkheart trilogy), the publisher's first work of middle grade fiction. In the novel, 13-year-old Caspia has to spend the summer with her parents in Brooklyn, and hates big cities, but when she discovers mysterious old letters, each one opening with a puzzle, Caspia finds herself on a quest to solve them all. Publication is scheduled for April 2025; Jenny Savill at Andrew Nurnberg Associates sold North American rights.
Esther Cajahuaringa at Knopf has bought, at auction in a six-figure deal, two middle-grade graphic novels by debut creator Joshua Cenyaotl Herron. The first book, Teamo Primo, is about three primos who become fast friends thanks to a big move across the country, and must navigate the challenges of middle school alongs the complicated dynamics of their extended familia without sacrificing their friendship. Publication is planned for summer 2027; Alexandra Weiss at Azantian Literary Agency sold world rights.
Eileen Robinson at Charlesbridge Moves has acquired, in an exclusive submission, world rights to Moon Girl, a debut middle grade novel by Leslie Santamaria, in which an imaginative 11-year-old confined indoors by a rare light sensitivity witnesses a dognapping and sets out to solve the crime at night, befriending a homeless girl and putting herself and her new friend in danger. Publication is slated for spring 2027; Liza Fleissig at the Liza Royce Agency brokered the deal.
Kathleen Keenan at Kids Can Press has bought Mac and Croc by author-illustrator Jami Gigot (The World in Our Backyard), an early graphic novel about an unlikely pair of best friends—an intrepid child and a homebody crocodile—who go on a seafaring adventure. Publication is scheduled for fall 2026; Stephanie Fretwell-Hill at Red Fox Literary handled the deal for world rights.
Ginee Seo at Ten Speed Press has acquired world rights to Karma Is a Cat: The True Stories of Meredith Gray, Olivia Benson, and Benjamin Button Swift by Farrin Jacobs (l.), illustrated by Katty Huertas. This picture book biography, containing facts and hidden messages for fans, is the first book-length chronicle of the famous cats who appear in Taylor Swift's music videos and ads, on magazine covers, and in the star's social media accounts. Publication is set for January 2025; Elise Howard at DeFiore and Company represented the author, and the artist, who represented herself in the deal, is now also represented by Howard.
Celia Lee at Simon & Schuster has bought Unicorns in Uniforms, a picture book by Beth Ferry (l.), illustrated by A.N. Kang, about a team of uniformed unicorns (doctors, bakers, painters, ballet teachers, and more) who band together to save their village of magical creatures from a sudden calamity. Publication is planned for summer 2026; Elena Giovinazzo at Pippin Properties represented the author and illustrator.
Kelly Delaney at Crown has acquired world rights to Amisha Padnani (l.) and the New York Times obituaries desk's Too Big for History: 10 Overlooked Icons, illustrated by Dominique Ramsay. The nonfiction picture book is a collection of profiles inspired by "Overlooked," the New York Times series that publishes the obituaries of extraordinary people whose deaths went unreported in the newspaper. Publication is slated for fall 2026; Allison Devereux at Trellis Agency represented the author, and Kelly Sonnack at Andrea Brown Literary Agency represented the illustrator.
Tyiana Combs at Penguin Workshop has bought, in an exclusive submission, world rights to the next two picture books by Melissa Cristina Márquez (l.) (Mother of Sharks; Sea of Constellations). The first book, Leo's Lobo, illustrated by Maria Gabriela Gama, is about a boy adopting his first pet only to discover it's an alebrije, a fantastical creature inspired by Mexican folklore. Publication is scheduled for spring 2026; Alexandra Weiss at Azantian Literary Agency represented the author, and Lilla Rogers Studio represented the illustrator.
Jill Davis at Hippo Park/Astra has acquired world rights to Miranda and Goose Get Dressed by Alyssa Satin Capucilli (l.) (the Biscuit series; The Library Fish), illustrated by Hyewon Yum (Ode to a Bad Day; Not Perfect). In the picture book, Goose loves to create the most fun but questionable outfits, and her more pragmatic friend Miranda encourages her to incorporate some necessary alterations so that she can fully take part in the activities that toddlers love to do together. Publication is set for spring 2026; Liza Voges at Eden Street represented the author, and Sean McCarthy at Sean McCarthy Literary Agency represented the artist.
Margaret Ferguson at Holiday House/Margaret Ferguson Books has bought Finn by Leanne Hatch (The Brand-New, Never-Used, Perfect Crayons). A giant orca pool float is taken for an adventure by the wind, and a search ensues for the missing toy. Publication is planned for summer 2026; Janine Le at Janine Le Literary Agency represented the author-illustrator.
Maggie Rosenthal at Viking has acquired world rights to Mami's Magic Words by Kiara Valdez (l.), illustrated by Richy Sánchez Ayala, a picture book about a girl who discovers the Spanish words that spark the most magic for her are the ones her mother "tosses in a bit of Dominican spice" to create something new and full of family history. Publication is set for fall 2025; Britt Siess at Britt Siess Creative Management represented the author, and Susan Penny at the Bright Agency represented the illustrator.
Michael Green at Marble Press has bought world rights to Giant Baby! by Liz Rosenberg (l.) (Monster Mama), illustrated by Eva Byrne (Along Came Coco). While his parents sleep, baby Ezra grows bigger, taller, huger, before venturing out into the night, making the city his personal playground. Publication is slated for spring 2025; the author represented herself, and Anne Moore Armstrong at the Bright Agency represented the illustrator.
Julie Matysik at Running Press Kids has acquired world rights to Goodnight, Pickleball by Chuck Sambuchino (l.) (How to Survive a Garden Gnome Attack), illustrated by Mike Deas. In this picture book, as the day fades and the court lights come on, a girl watches her father's pickleball match, before wishing everyone and everything pickleball-related a good night. Publication is planned for fall 2025; Sorche Fairbank at Fairbank Literary Representation represented the author, and Justin Rucker at Shannon Associates represented the illustrator.
Andrea Posner-Sanchez at Golden Books has bought world rights to Maya Angelou: A Little Golden Book Biography by Anne Wynter (l.), illustrated by Courtney Lovett, about her extraordinary life and career as an author and teacher and the legacy of inspiration and joy she left behind. Publication is set for winter 2025; Steven Malk at Writers House represented the author, and Jemiscoe Chambers-Black at Andrea Brown Literary Agency represented the illustrator.
Danielle Collins at S&S/Beach Lane Books has acquired, at auction, world rights to Wanderers by Julia Moss (l.), illustrated by Toshiki Nakamura, a history of human transportation from rafts to bicycles to rocket ships that encourages young readers to wonder at our ingenuity and inventiveness. Publication is scheduled for fall 2026; Saba Sulaiman at Talcott Notch Literary Services represented the author, and Hannah Mann at Writers House represented the illustrator.
Stephanie Lim at Third State Books has bought world rights to Tic Tac Toe Chicken by debut picture book author Kim Tso (l.), illustrated by Louie Chin, about Lillie, New York City's Chinatown's famous Tic-Tac-Toe playing chicken and the girl who goes head-to-head with the big boss of the arcade to win the chicken's freedom. Publication is slated for May 2025; Savannah Brooks at KT Literary represented the author, and Michael Thibeault at Art Rep NYC represented the illustrator.
Yasemin Uçar at Kids Can Press has acquired world rights to Bollywood Beat! by Anita Yasuda (l.), illustrated by Devika Oza, a picture book in which a sisters' dance recital performance springs into an intergenerational mash-up. Olga Kidisevic will edit; publication is planned for spring 2026. Lori Steel at SteelWorks Literary represented the author, and Sol Salinas at Astound US represented the illustrator.
Barb McNally at Sleeping Bear Press has bought world rights to Savor by poet Shari Green (l.), illustrated by Stef Murphy, a picture book showcasing the simple joys and beauty found in nature when a girl takes a day trip to the beach with her grandfather. Publication is scheduled for spring 2026; Ann Leslie Tuttle at Dystel, Goderich & Bourret represented the author, and Hannah Whitty at the Plum Agency represented the illustrator.
Kate DePalma at Barefoot Books has acquired world rights to Rise Up! Powerful Protests in American History by debut author Rachel C. Katz (l.), illustrated by Sophie Bass (John Agard's Windrush Child). This nonfiction picture book explores more than two dozen moments of protest, resistance, and revolution in American history. Publication is set for spring 2025; the author and illustrator represented themselves.
Sunita Apte at Reycraft Books has bought world English and Spanish rights to We Are Hope by Neesa Bally (l.), illustrated by Khoa Le, a nonfiction picture book about the Indian indentured laborers past and present in Trinidad and Tobago. Publication is slated for spring 2025; Lynnette Novak at the Seymour Agency represented the author, and Andrew Behr at Astound Agency represented the illustrator.
Emily Kleinman at Mudpuppy has acquired world rights to the board book Let's Celebrate: Diwali! by Sita Singh (l.) illustrated by Nina Ghataora, a celebration of India's biggest and most important holiday of the year. Publication is planned for summer 2025; Natalie Lakosil at Looking Glass Literary & Media represented the author, and the illustrator represented herself.
Jaime Gelman at Little Bee Books has bought Chuseok: A Good Harvest Festival and an untitled book about Lunar New Year, written and illustrated by Grace Habib, two board books celebrating contemporary religious life. Publication is scheduled for summer 2025 and fall 2025; Sol Salinas at Astound US sold world rights.
