Alexa Pastor at Simon and Schuster has acquired, in an exclusive submission, Girls Who Play Dead by Joelle Wellington (Their Vicious Games), in which estranged siblings Mikky and Kyla reunite for the funeral of a murdered childhood friend, but Mikky soon realizes Kyla and the town they grew up in aren't exactly as they seem. Publication is planned for fall 2025; Quressa Robinson at Folio Jr. did the two-book deal for North American rights; the author is now represented by Stuti Telidevara and Pete Knapp at Park & Fine Literary and Media.
Jennifer Thompson at Scholastic has bought YA debut A Guide to Falling Off the Map by Australian author Zanni L. Arnot, pitched as Completely Normal (and Other Lies) meets All the Bright Places, in which two friends find themselves falling in love on the precipice of things falling apart. Publication is scheduled for fall 2025; Lori Kilkelly at LK Literary Agency sold North American rights.
Katie Gould at Andrews McMeel has acquired Grace Desmarais's debut graphic novel Song for Medusa. This feminist, romantic sapphic re-imagining of the classic myth finds Medusa and blind princess Danae falling in love in the face of insurmountable odds—and the constraints of patriarchy on their lives. Sara Crowe and Katie Bircher at Sara Crowe Literary negotiated the deal for publication in fall 2025.
Meg Gaertner at Flux has bought King Coyote by debut author Rachael Meyers, a middle grade contemporary novel and a fresh take on the classic wilderness tale. When a Black boy is banished to predominantly white Vermont to live with his aunt and uncle while his parents go through a divorce, he forges a deep bond with a coyote that seems as alone and misunderstood as he feels. Publication is slated for spring 2026; Laura Barbiea and Kat Jagai at Alloy Entertainment brokered the deal for world English rights.
Marisa DiNovis at Knopf has acquired North American rights to Casting April by Wendy Lu, a debut middle grade contemporary novel pitched as The Chance to Fly meets Stand Up, Yumi Chung! which features April, a talented disabled girl who loves all things Broadway and will do anything for a chance at the spotlight, even if it means stretching the truth, in a story about friendship, identity, and the masks we wear both in real life and onstage. Publication is set for summer 2026; Alex Slater at GreenburgerKids handled the deal.
Jessica Smith at Aladdin has bought, in an exclusive submission, The Vanishing Orphans of Alvanor, a middle grade fantasy by Callie C. Miller. When orphans begin to disappear in the once prosperous country of Alvanor, Bandit, a young orphan thief, convinces her friends to investigate and uncovers a sinister plot that pits them all against a ruthless magic. Publication is planned for summer 2026; Kelly Dyksterhouse at Tobias Literary Agency negotiated the deal for world rights.
Calista Brill at First Second has acquired world rights to Wrong Friend, a middle grade graphic novel by Charise Mericle Harper (l.) and Rory Lucey, about a girl struggling for acceptance and popularity despite being embarrassed by her family. Jill Freshney will also edit; publication is scheduled for 2026. Linda Pratt at Wernick & Pratt Agency represented Harper, and Charlie Olsen at InkWell Management represented Lucey.
Grace Scheipeter at Oni Press has bought world English rights to The Haven, a middle-grade graphic novel about the struggle of being different by Jayel Seymour (l.), illustrated by Lauren Mugford. Closeted queer 11-year-old J is trapped in a time loop, forced to relive sixth grade repeatedly after a catastrophe he can't remember. But when two mysterious students help him travel to a fantastical land, he discovers that the only way to break the loop is through a life-changing act of acceptance. Publication is set for spring 2027; Danielle Burby at Mad Woman Literary Agency represented the author, and Kelly Sonnack at Andrea Brown Literary Agency represented the illustrator.
Sara Sargent at Random House has acquired world rights to Twins, but Different, an early reader by actor and model Porsche Thomas (l.), illustrated by Jessica Gibson. Inspired by Porsche's own sons, who were actors on Black*ish, the story is about twins navigating the ways in which they are different, but at the end of the day, what counts is their brotherhood. Publication is slated for fall 2025; Paige Terlip at Andrea Brown Literary Agency represented the author, and Gary Swift at Lemonade Illustration Agency represented the illustrator.
Maggie Rosenthal at Viking has bought, in a six-house auction, world rights to Plums for Foxes, Apples for Reindeer by Newbery Medalist Cynthia Rylant (l.), illustrated by Caldecott Medalist Erin Stead, a picture book about the anticipation, warmth, and generosity of the winter holidays. Publication is scheduled for fall 2026; Steven Malk at Writers House represented the author, and Emily van Beek at Folio Jr./Folio Literary Management represented the illustrator.
Sophia Jimenez while at Atheneum has acquired world rights to A Good Night, Una Nochebuena, a picture book by Latinx Kidlit Book Festival co-founder Ismée Williams (l.), illustrated by Erika Meza (To the Other Side), in which a shy Latine narrator and their family take in a group of tourists stranded by a blizzard and celebrate Christmas Eve with them. Feather Flores will edit; publication is planned for fall 2026. Jim McCarthy at Dystel, Goderich & Bourret represented the author, and Claire Cartey at Holroyde Cartey represented the illustrator.
Virginia Duncan at Greenwillow has bought Big Family Beach Day by author-illustrator Nina Crews. The picture book follows Maya and her extended family as they enjoy a day at the beach in this intergenerational tribute to family, friendship, new experiences, and summertime fun. Publication is set for summer 2025; Marietta B. Zacker at Gallt & Zacker Literary Agency brokered the deal for North American rights.
Maria Correa at Random House has acquired Crouton by Kristine Lombardi, a pet adoption picture book told from the perspective of a shelter cat called Crouton who thinks she's the one doing the adopting. Publication is slated for spring 2026; Stephen Fraser at the Jennifer De Chiara Literary Agency sold world rights.
Sylvie Frank at Disney Planet Possible Books has bought world rights to Eight-Nine-Tengineers by Charlotte Gunnufson (l.) (Dream Submarine; Hard Hat Hank and the Sky-High Solution), illustrated by Ana Aranda. The counting book adds up eco-friendly engineers who use teamwork and creative problem-solving to build a greener world. Publication is planned for spring 2026; Sam Farkas at Jill Grinberg Literary Management represented the author, and Adriana Dominguez at Aevitas Creative Management represented the illustrator.
Natalia Vázquez Torres at Charlesbridge has acquired world rights to Ways Papi Says I Love You by Delia Ruiz (l.), and Cathleen Schaad has acquired world rights for illustration by Carlos Vélez Aguilera. The picture book follows Maricruz and Papi's journey on their truck, where Papi shows her his love in different ways as they drive to the grocery store. Publication is scheduled for spring 2026; Sera Rivers at Speilburg Literary represented the author, and Alice Jin Zhang at Astound US represented the illustrator.
Kei Nakatsuka at Bloomsbury has bought world rights to How Do You Spell Belong? by Tiffany Hammond (l.), illustrated by Ken Daley, a picture book about how a boy with Autism finds community while on a trip to a museum with his dad. Publication is set for winter 2027; Annette Bourland at Bourland Strategic Advisors represented the author, and Christy Ewers at the CAT Agency represented the illustrator.
Andrea Welch at S&S/Beach Lane has acquired world rights to Just One Oak: What a Single Tree Can Be, a nonfiction picture book by Maria Gianferrari (l.), illustrated by Diana Sudyka, the team behind Fungi Grow. This picture book celebrates how a single oak tree can sustain a multitude of creatures, from the tiniest microscopic microbes to the mightiest of mammals through the seasons. Publication is slated for spring 2026; Ammi-Joan Paquette at Erin Murphy Literary Agency represented the author, and Andrea Morrison at Writers House represented the illustrator.
Marissa Moss at Creston Books has bought world rights to The Miracle Menorah by National Jewish Book Award winner Nancy Churnin (l.), illustrated by Marissa Moss, inspired by the true story of a beloved community menorah discovered intact in the rubble of war-ravaged Ukraine the day before Hanukkah. Publication is planned for fall 2026; Karen Grencik at Red Fox Literary represented the author, and the illustrator represented herself.
Elizabeth Schleisman at Beaming Books has acquired world rights to Play Proud: Fiercely Fabulous Queer Athletes by Rob Sanders, illustrated by Izzy Evans. This nonfiction picture book is a rhyming introduction to 59 queer athletes from nearly every sport imaginable. Publication is scheduled for spring 2026; Amy Thrall Flynn at Aevitas Creative Management represented the author, and Sarah Thomas at the Bright Agency represented the illustrator.
Alyssa Mito Pusey and Diane M. Earley at Charlesbridge have bought world rights to two picture books written and illustrated by David Biedzrycki. In The Last Leaf, a young soccer player who doubts her abilities is inspired by a leaf that refuses to fall. In Just Add Water, a girl receives a package of small toys that grow out of control when they get wet. Publication is set for fall 2026 and summer 2027, respectively; Biedzrycki represented himself.
Maggie Lehrman at Abrams has acquired North American rights to Truth Is by Morris Award finalist and Walter Award Honoree Hannah V. Sawyerr (All the Fighting Parts). Seventeen-year-old poet Truth Bangura begins senior year unsure of life after graduation, but when she learns she's pregnant by her ex-boyfriend, she makes one decision she is sure about—an abortion. When Truth performs a poem about her decision and her emotionally turbulent home life, the performance is recorded and posted online for everyone to see—including her mother. Publication is set for fall 2025. Jordan Hill at New Leaf Literary did the deal; the author is now represented by Samantha Fabien at Root Literary.
Caroline Abbey at Random House has bought Every Last Lie by Jen Lavallee, a YA mystery debut told in two timelines, about the death of a popular girl at an elite boarding school and the toxic friendship that may have led to her demise. Publication is scheduled for spring 2026; Lanie Davis, Joelle Hobeika, and Jessica Harriton at Alloy Entertainment brokered the deal for North American rights on behalf of Lori Galvin at Aevitas Creative Management.
Jaime Gelman at Little Bee Books has acquired Ella McLeod's The Map That Led to You, an epic queer pirate YA fantasy novel. Publication is planned for fall 2025; Ruth Middleton at Scholastic UK sold U.S. and Canadian English rights.
Maya Marlette and Jalen Garcia-Hall at Scholastic have bought Nikki Shannon Smith's middle grade novel, Deep Secrets: A Titanic Novel, told in two timelines, alternating between the stock market crash and the Titanic. In the story, a teen girl discovers a family secret: her father died on the Titanic—a truth that reveals his identity and makes her question her own. Publication is slated for spring 2026; Jennifer March Soloway at Andrea Brown Literary Agency negotiated the deal for world rights.
Francesca Young at DK has acquired, at auction, Youngest Faircrest, a middle-grade illustrated trilogy by London-based comedy writer Ollie George Clark, offering a story of courage, friendship, and self-discovery. Publication of the first book, Youngest Faircrest and the Search for a Sorcerer, is set for June 2026, with titles following annually until 2028; Callen Martin (acting as Lauren Gardner's maternity cover) at Bell Lomax Moreton sold world rights.
Karen Nagel at Simon Spotlight has bought two chapter books in the new Fairies Welcome series by Bea Jackson, illustrator of Parker Looks Up. These books are part of a five-book deal that also includes Ready-to-Read beginning readers edited by Siobhan Ciminera and Destiny Reyes, and Lily's Dream, a picture book featuring the friendship between Lily, a little fairy and her human friend Willow. The chapter books will be published in spring 2026; Lori Nowicki at Painted Words sold world rights.
Christy Ottaviano at Little, Brown/Ottaviano has acquired, in an exclusive submission, world rights to Fizzy, A Fish-Out-of-Water Story by Edward Hemingway. This picture book follows a small but brave and inspiring fish who is eager to experience what the world has to offer beyond the ocean's surface. Publication is scheduled for fall 2026; Paul Rodeen at Rodeen Literary Management negotiated the deal.
Ann Kelley at Random House Studio has bought world rights, in a preempt, to author-illustrator Allyssa Yohana's debut picture book, Leaf Peepers, in which a girl's humdrum Sunday is upended by a misdelivered letter, and her increasingly thwarted attempts to correct the error result in a peculiar journey to the post office. Publication is planned for spring 2027; Courtney Donovan at Writers House negotiated the deal.
Karen Chaplin at Quill Tree has acquired, in a two-book deal, world rights to A Tanta Wawa for Abuelo as well as an untitled picture book by Sara Andrea Fajardo (l.). On Día de los Muertos, Tortolito and his family honor Abuelo's memory by bringing him a traditional tanta wawa, a bread shaped like a baby, in this picture book illustrated by Duda Olivia, which highlights the Andean tradition of the well-known celebration. Publication is slated for fall 2026; Nicole Geiger at Full Circle Literary represented the author, and Susan Penny at the Bright Agency represented the illustrator.
Charlie Ilgunas at Little Bee Books has bought world rights to Schooltime Grumps by Katrina Moore (l.), illustrated by Xindi Yan, a picture book about Daisy dealing with her schoolmates' grumpiness at her over-eagerness to make new friends, with the help of her grandpa. Publication is scheduled for summer 2026; Andrea Morrison at Writers House represented the author, and Christy Ewers at the CAT Agency represented the illustrator.
Bobbie Bensur at Paw Prints Publishing has acquired, in an exclusive submission, world English rights to the Hanukkah-themed picture book How Do You Like Your Latkes? by former L.A. Parent editor Ronna Mandel (l.), illustrated by Madison Safer. A family awaits the arrival of Grandma Gertie and her homemade applesauce before digging into Dad's latkes. But she's massively delayed—braving slow traffic, a rocky detour, a parade, and more, on her journey from the city. Publication is set for September 2025; Marisa Cleveland and Gaby Cabezut at the Seymour Agency represented the author, and Lara Perkins at Andrea Brown Literary Agency represented the illustrator.
Andrea Welch at S&S/Beach Lane has bought world rights to Hail the Tail, a picture book by Laura Bower (l.), illustrated by Elisa Chavarri, celebrating all that these amazing appendages can do—from camouflage to balance, navigation, and being literally left behind to escape danger. Publication is slated for spring 2027; Mary Cummings at Great River Literary represented the author, and Claire Morance at Painted Words represented the illustrator.
Sunita Apte at Reycraft has acquired world rights to Jump! The Daring Life of Tiny Broadwick, First Lady of Parachuting, the true story of a pioneering female parachuter by Lizzy Rizzi (l.) (Wind Child), illustrated by Adam Gustavson. Publication is planned for fall 2025; Lisa Amstutz at Storm Literary Agency represented the author, and Abigail Samoun at Red Fox Literary represented the illustrator.
Alexandra McKenzie at Charlesbridge has bought world rights to Moon Chef by Delia Ruiz (l.), and Kristen Nobles has acquired world rights for illustration by Nomar Perez. In this board book, the main character fills her plate (and her belly) with foods that match the shape of the moon she sees in the sky. Publication is scheduled for summer 2026 as part of the STEAMworks initiative; Sera Rivers at Speilburg Literary represented the author, and Lori Nowicki at Painted Words represented the illustrator.
