Bria Ragin, David Yoon, and Nicola Yoon at Joy Revolution have acquired debut author Elle Gonzalez Rose's Caught in a Bad Fauxmance, a queer, Latinx YA rom-com pitched as To All the Boys I've Loved Before meets Schitt's Creek, in which aspiring artist Devin Báez's winter vacation devolves into hijinks after his family's long-time rivals, the affluent Seo-Cookes, challenge them to a bet that could cost the Báezes their beloved lake cabin. But when the enemy's attractive son comes to Devin in desperate need of a fake boyfriend, he reluctantly agrees to set aside loathing for love to take down the Seo-Cookes once and for all. Publication is set for fall 2023; Uwe Stender at Triada US did the deal for world rights.
Ashley Hearn at Peachtree Teen has bought Saint Juniper's Folly by debut author Alex Crespo, a queer YA gothic mystery, pitched as Cemetery Boys meets The Devouring Gray, in which a straight-laced golden boy and a novice witch team up to rescue Jaime, a Mexican-American teen with a cryptic past, who's become trapped inside a haunted mansion in Vermont. Publication is scheduled for summer 2023; Mary C. Moore at Kimberley Cameron Associates brokered the deal for world rights.
Katherine Tegen at HarperCollins/Tegen has acquired, in a two-book middle grade deal, The Science of Friendship and another untitled novel by Coretta Scott King author Tanita S. Davis. After a hurtful prank at the end of seventh grade by her "supposed" friends, Rylee uses her smarts—and the inspiration of a science journalism article for a national competition—to figure out why some friendships end, and how to make sure it doesn't happen to her again. Publication is slated for winter 2024; Steven Chudney at the Chudney Agency negotiated the deal for world English rights.
Whitney Leopard at Random House Graphic has bought, in an exclusive submission, Sophie Escabasse's (Witches of Brooklyn) fantasy middle grade graphic novel, Taxi Ghost. Adèle starts to see the ghosts that use her sister's car as a taxi to get around town, and is pulled into a mission to save an old ghost's house before their neighborhood is changed forever. Publication is planned for 2025; Kelly Sonnack at Andrea Brown Literary Agency sold world rights.
Mora Couch at Holiday House has acquired, at auction, debut author Thushanthi Ponweera's middle-grade novel I Am Kavi, written in verse and set in 1990s Sri Lanka, in which 10-year-old Kavi must untangle the complex dynamics of a new family, a new school, new friends, and a new identity as she moves to a big city from the village, all while a civil war rages on. Publication is set for fall 2023; Jacqui Lipton at Raven Quill Literary Agency brokered the deal for world rights.
Orlando Dos Reis at Scholastic has bought world rights to Lindsey Duga's middle grade novel The Replacement, in which a 12-year-old girl's move to the countryside turns into a haunting when she begins to experience spooky visitations and must stop a ghost from taking over her life and body… forever. Publication is scheduled for fall 2022; Masha Gunic at Azantian Literary Agency negotiated the deal.
Nancy Inteli at HarperCollins has acquired world rights to three picture books in the new Cranky & Friends series created by illustrator Pete Oswald (l.) (the Food Group series) and written by Phuc Tran (Sigh, Gone). Pitched as Little Blue Truck meets Grumpy Monkey, the series stars a crane truck named Cranky and his best friends who embark on adventures and help each other excavate and navigate their feelings. The first book will publish in winter 2024 with books two and three to follow; Kirsten Hall at Catbird Productions represented the illustrator, and Sarah Levitt at Aevitas Creative Management represented the author.
Tamar Mays at HarperCollins has bought, in a four-book deal, world rights to Reina Ramos Works It Out by Emma Otheguy (l.) (Sofia Acosta Makes a Scene), first in a new I Can Read series about a loyal friend whose high-spirited antics sometimes cause chaos, but who always finds a way to make things right; Andrés Landazábal will illustrate. Publication for the first title is slated for fall 2022, with subsequent titles released every other season. Adriana Dominguez, now at Aevitas Creative Management, did the deal while at Full Circle Literary; Anne Moore Armstrong at the Bright Agency represented the illustrator.
Taylor Norman at Chronicle acquired a new graphic novel early reader from author-illustrator Darin Shuler. Dog & Hat and the Lunar Eclipse Picnic follows best friends Dog (a dog) and Hat (who lives on his head and provides all kinds of advice) accompany their pal Ant to meet her long-lost cousins on the moon. Publication is planned for spring 2023; Jennifer Laughran at Andrea Brown Literary Agency brokered the deal for world rights.
Mark Podesta at Henry Holt has bought, in an exclusive submission, debut picture book Homegrown by author-illustrator DeAnn Wiley, and a second untitled picture book. Homegrown is an ode to the homes—and the people—that raise us, told with warmth and wit and illustrated in a style reminiscent of Ekua Holmes and Oge Mora. Publication is set for winter 2024; James McGowan at BookEnds negotiated the deal for world rights.
Lisa Yoskowitz at Little, Brown has acquired world rights at auction to the picture book This Is How You Know by Kirsten W. Larson (l.) (A True Wonder), a love letter to science in all of its beauty, adventure, and humanity, illustrated by Cornelia Li. Publication is scheduled for fall 2024; Lara Perkins represented the author and Caryn Wiseman represented the illustrator, both at Andrea Brown Literary Agency.
Charlie Ilgunas at Little Bee Books has bought world rights to A Vaccine Is Like a Memory by Newbery Honor author and physician Rajani LaRocca (l.), illustrated by Kathleen Marcotte, a picture book explaining how vaccines work, the history behind them, and why they're important. Publication is slated for summer 2023; Brent Taylor at Triada US represented the author, and Lindsay Auld at Writers House represented the illustrator.
Barb McNally at Sleeping Bear Press has acquired world rights to I Am Say It Loud by R.J. Owens (l.), illustrated by Keisha Okafor, a picture book in which James Brown's iconic anthem, "Say It Loud, I'm Black and I'm Proud," grabs the mic and reflects on its past, present, and future as a source of pride and empowerment, from the civil rights movement to today. Publication is planned for fall 2023; Karen Grencik at Red Fox Literary represented the author, and Christy Ewers at the CAT Agency represented the illustrator.
Courtney Code at Abrams has bought the picture book Where Did Benjamin Go? by Chris Clarkson (l.), illustrated by Annalise Barber. A boy uses happy memories to deal with his grief over losing his older brother; the story embraces the concept that big boys get sad too, while capturing the dynamic of a Black family finding joy amid loss. A fall 2023 publication is scheduled; Rachel Brooks at BookEnds Literary Agency represented the author, and Nicole Tugeau at Tugeau 2 represented the illustrator.
Christianne Jones at Capstone has acquired world rights to A Bad Case of the Almosts by Janet Sumner Johnson (l.), illustrated by Alexandra Colombo. In this book, Abby conducts an experiment to discover if "almost" can be a good thing. Publication is set for spring 2023; Lauren Galit at LKG Agency represented the author, and Emmajane Turner at the Bright Agency represented the illustrator.
Andrea Hall at Beaming Books has bought world rights for Nila's Perfect Coat, a picture book written by Norene Paulson (l.) and illustrated by Maria Mola, about a girl who learns the difference between what she wants, what she needs, and what she can do for a friend in need, as thrift store shopping becomes an opportunity to think of someone besides herself. Publication is slated for spring 2023; Naomi Davis at BookEnds Literary Agency represented the author, and Lucie Luddington at the Bright Agency represented the illustrator.
Andrea Posner-Sanchez at Golden Books has acquired world rights to Laurel Snyder's (l.) picture book biography titled Bruce Springsteen: A Little Golden Book Biography, about the iconic American musician, illustrated by Jeffrey Ebbeler. Publication is planned for September 2023; Tina Dubois at ICM Partners represented the author, and Mela Bolinao at MB Artists represented the illustrator.
Stephanie Mulligan at McSea Books has bought world rights to Oh, Chickadee! by Jennifer Richard Jacobson (l.), illustrated by Jamie Hogan. This nonfiction picture book presents a year in the life of a chickadee (the state bird of Maine and Massachusetts) and describes how these birds survive predators, the risk of starvation, and frigid cold winters. Publication is set for winter 2023; the author and illustrator represented themselves.
Hannah Lambert at Little Simon has acquired world rights to She Is Mama, a board book that describes the many things a mother can be, by Mackenzie Porter (l.), illustrated by Heather Brockman Lee. Publication is scheduled for spring 2023; the author represented herself, and Deborah Warren at East West Literary Agency represented the illustrator.
Greystone Kids has bought world English rights to Cool Paws for Piet by Peter Wohlleben (l.) and Carina Wohlleben (c.), following Piet the squirrel as he searches for a way to cool off on a hot day, encountering a host of other animals who share what they do, none of which feel quite right for Piet. Rachel Qiuqi (r.) will illustrate; publication is slated for spring 2024. Natalie Lakosil at Irene Goodman Literary Agency represented the illustrator; Greystone acquired the text from Verlagsgruppe Oetinger in Germany.
Wendy Loggia at Underlined has acquired Dungeons & Drama by Kristy Boyce (Hot British Boyfriend). Enemies to lovers meets fake dating in this story about a girl stuck working at her father's game store who enlists the help of her nerdy co-worker to get out of her shifts—she'll flirt with him during his D&D games and make his gamer-girl crush jealous. But just how fake is their flirting? Publication is planned for spring 2024; Tara Gonzalez at Erin Murphy Literary Agency sold world rights.
Meghan Maria McCullough at Levine Querido has bought The Queer Girl Is Going to Be Okay by Dale Walls, a YA novel about a tightknit group of three queer girls navigating love, friendship, and changes during their senior year of high school in Houston. Publication is scheduled for fall 2023; Garrett Alwert at Emerald City Literary Agency did the deal for world rights.
Sara Goodman at Wednesday Books has acquired two books, Missing Clarissa and an untitled sequel, by Ripley Jones, about a pair of amateur sleuths who start a true crime podcast to investigate an unsolved murder in their hometown. After they make a startling discovery, the girls accuse someone of murder on air, but did they target an innocent man? Publication of the first book is slated for winter 2023; Greg Ferguson at 3BlackDot brokered the deal for North American rights.
Jessica Smith at Aladdin has bought rights to YA author Adi Alsaid's debut middle grade fantasy, The Greatest Living Warrior in Nefaria, the first in a planned series. The novel follows possibly invisible, decidedly friendless Bobert, whose bid to impress his classmates by using a cursed gumball machine leads him into the center of a highly incompetent (but very ambitious!) evil wizard's wicked scheme to take control of the kingdom. Publication is set for fall 2023; Peter Knapp at Park & Fine sold world English rights in a two-book deal.
Brittany Rubiano has signed Evelyn Skye to write the first two books in a new middle grade series for Disney Hyperion, called Princess Private Eye. Described as Nancy Drew meets The Princess Diaries, the books follow 12-year-old amateur sleuth Gen Sun, who learns she is the long-lost princess in a small country abroad, where she'll have to crack her biggest case yet. Publication is planned for summer 2023, with book two set for summer 2024; Thao Le at the Sandra Dijkstra Literary Agency sold world rights.
Alison Romig at Delacorte has acquired It Came from the Trees by debut author Ally Russell. After her best friend is taken by a terrifying creature on a scouting retreat, no one believes Jenna—not the police, or the media, or even her mother. Determined to save her friend, Jenna joins a new scout troop and ventures back into the woods, but when the unthinkable happens, the scouts must band together to survive the night. Publication is slated for summer 2024; Paige Terlip at Andrea Brown Literary Agency sold world rights.
Alexandra Cooper at Quill Tree has bought North American rights to The Fire, the Water and Maudie McGinn by Sally J. Pla (Someday Birds) middle-grade novel, and a second, untitled novel. When wildfire strikes her father's cabin, Maudie (who's autistic) and Dad evacuate to a beachside campground community, where new friends and a new love of surfing help loosen the grip of a family secret she's been forced to keep, and propel her through some epic waves of change. Sara Crowe at Pippin Properties did the two-book deal, for publication in summer 2023.
Sara Schonfeld at HarperCollins/Katherine Tegen Books has acquired, in a two-book deal at auction, Emi Pinto's debut middle grade Bee Bakshi and the Gingerbread Witch. This modern retelling of "Hansel and Gretel" follows 12-year-old Bee who is self-conscious of her too-Indian family in a white community with a sinister secret. Her stress about fitting in is soon the least of her worries when she's drawn to a strange house and history begins to repeat itself. Publication is set for fall 2023 and fall 2024; Emily Forney at BookEnds Literary brokered the deal for world rights.
Cassandra Pelham Fulton at Scholastic/Graphix has bought Anong and the Ribbon Skirt, a debut middle-grade graphic novel by Elijah Forbes (Odawa) featuring Anong, a Two-Spirit nonbinary child who sets out to create and wear a ribbon skirt—a piece of clothing typically worn by women in the Anishinaabe tradition—at an upcoming powwow. Publication is scheduled for fall 2024; Nicole Geiger at Full Circle Literary negotiated the deal for world rights.
Connie Hsu at Roaring Brook has acquired Julia Kuo's Home Is a Wish, a picture book about the complexity of what home means and how to find the comforts, familiarity, and security of home wherever you are. Publication is planned for winter 2024; Emily van Beek at Folio Jr./Folio Literary Management handled the deal for world rights.
Celia Lee at Simon & Schuster has bought world rights at auction to Ashley Woodfolk's (l.) debut picture book Beach Hair, illustrated by Geisel Honoree Nina Mata. The story centers on a multiethnic family and is a celebratory exploration of different hair textures and how they can shift and change over the course of a single day spent at the beach. Publication is slated for summer 2024; Beth Phelan at Gallt & Zacker represented the author, and Christy Ewers at the CAT Agency represented the illustrator.
Elizabeth Lee has acquired world rights to How to Speak in Spanglish, a picture book written by Mónica Mancillas (l.), illustrated by Olivia de Castro. The story follows Sami, a Mexican American boy who loves combining Spanish and English to make Spanglish and is eager to share his language and joy with his skeptical Abuela and his vibrant community. Publication is set for summer 2023; Melissa Edwards at Stonesong represented the author, and Christy Ewers at the CAT Agency represented the illustrator.
Chris Krones at Clarion has bought world rights to Free to Be Me, a picture book about being yourself, by debut author David McMullin (l.), illustrated by Robbie Cathro. Publication is scheduled for winter 2024; Kaitlyn Sanchez at Context Literary Agency represented the author, and Alex Gehringer at the Bright Agency represented the illustrator.
Karen Boersma and Jennifer Stokes at Owl Kids has acquired world rights to Love Is in the Bear by Judith Henderson (l.), illustrated by Nahid Kazemi, a picture book about the unlikely friendship between a bear and a bird, who both love to sing. Publication is planned for fall 2023; Joyce Sweeney at the Seymour Agency represented the author, and the artist represented herself.
Ariel Richardson at Chronicle has bought world rights to They Hold the Line: Wildfires, Wildlands, and the Firefighters Who Brave Them by Dan Paley (l.), illustrated by Molly Mendoza. The nonfiction picture book offers an inside look at the world of the highly trained first responders who risk their lives to fight wildfires. The book is slated for fall 2023; Amy Thrall Flynn at Rubin Pfeffer Content represented the author, and Hannah Mann at Writers House represented the artist.
Alyssa Mito Pusey at Charlesbridge has acquired world rights to three titles in Hands-On Science Lab, an interactive series by Lola Schaefer (l.), illustrated by Druscilla Santiago, scheduled to launch in summer 2023. The first three books engage young readers in Matter, Geology, and Motion activities. Rosemary Stimola at Stimola Literary Studio represented the author, and Kelly Sonnack at Andrea Brown Literary Agency represented the illustrator.
Alison Deering at Capstone has bought world rights to Deep, Deep Down: The Secret Underwater Poetry of the Mariana Trench by Lydia Lukidis (l.), illustrated by Juan Calle. This STEM picture book takes readers on a journey to where few humans have ever been, debunking myths about this mysterious place with truths about life at Earth's deepest point. Publication is set for spring 2023; Miranda Paul at Erin Murphy Literary Agency represented the author, and Erin Tisdel of Advocate Art represented the illustrator.
Sarah Rockett at Sleeping Bear Press has acquired Wishes of the World by Melissa Stiveson (l.), illustrated by Khoa Le, a picture book that shines a light on all the hopeful ways children around the world wish and encourages discussion around cultures, cultural overlap, geography, and connection. Publication is planned for fall 2023; the author was unagented, and Christine Hong at Astound US represented the illustrator.
Stephanie Mulligan at McSea Books has bought world rights to the picture book Way Up in the Woods by Bill Wise (l.) (If Animals Built Your House), illustrated by Stephen Costanza (King of Ragtime: The Story of Scott Joplin). This picture book features an adaptation of the nursery poem "Over in the Meadow." Publication is slated for fall 2023; the author and illustrator represented themselves.
Rebecca Glaser at Amicus Ink has acquired world rights to Baby T-Rex and Baby Stegosaurus by Julie Abery (l.), illustrated by Gavin Scott. The rhyming board books follow a day in the life of baby dinosaurs as razor teeth snap for scraps, and chomping heads sway through the day, while navigating the hazards of their prehistoric world. Publication is scheduled for fall 2023; Essie White at Storm Literary Agency represented the author, and Robbin Brosterman at the Bright Agency represented the illustrator.
Hannah Lambert at Little Simon has bought world rights to Hush, Little Hero by Annie Bailey (l.) illustrated by Dawn Lo. This bedtime board book follows a toddler "hero" who's had a full day of leaping over block tower buildings, chasing villains, and teaching their stuffed animals to fly. Publication is planned for spring 2023; Tricia Lawrence at Erin Murphy Literary Agency represented the author, and Nicole Tugeau at Tugeau 2 represented the illustrator.
Andrea Hall at Beaming Books has acquired world rights to Flipflopi: How a Boat Made from Flip-Flops Is Helping to Save the Ocean by Linda Ravin Lodding (l.) and Dipesh Pabari (c.), illustrated by Michael Machira Mwangi (r.), a picture book based on the true story of the Kenyan "dhow" boat made entirely from recycled flip-flops. The book showcases how a community combined their traditional boatmaking skills with an innovative approach to fighting plastic pollution. Publication is set for spring 2023; Jennifer Unter at the Unter Agency represented the authors, and Tamara Shannon at Shannon Associates represented the illustrator.
