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.
Augusta Harris at Disney Hyperion has acquired Swati Teerdhala's Maya in Multicolor, a college-set YA romance where after a heartbreak, an Indian American girl seeking to reclaim her life sets her eyes on planning the best Holi festival the university has ever seen—except that she has to partner with the biggest bachelor on campus, whose new ideas for Holi clash with her own traditional ones. Publication is set for spring 2025; Kristin Nelson at Nelson Literary Agency negotiated the deal for world rights.
Andrew Karre at Dutton has bought This Moth Saw Brightness, a debut novel by A.A. Vacharat. In this near-future YA novel, high school senior 'Wayne Le is randomly selected for a teen health study, but when he notices a change to his personality, he wonders if he and his fellow participants are unwittingly involved in something more sinister than a simple research project. Publication is slated for summer 2025; Kelly Dyksterhouse at the Tobias Literary Agency did the deal for world rights.
Ann Kelley at Random House Studio has acquired the nonfiction title Famished by Sarah Miller (The Borden Murders; Hanged!), a suspenseful survivors'-eye view of the Donner Party for young adults. Publication is tentatively scheduled for spring 2027; Wendy Schmalz at Wendy Schmalz Agency brokered the deal for world rights.
Lisa Yoskowitz at Little, Brown has bought bestselling YA author Lynn Painter's middle grade debut, The Wish Fiasco. The novel follows Emma as her four wishing well wishes start to come true, but for the annoying new boy down the street instead of for her, and the two must work together to set things right before the wishes upend both of their lives. Publication is planned for summer 2025; James McGowan at Bookends sold world English rights.
Calista Brill at First Second has acquired Inbetweens, a middle grade graphic novel by Faith Erin Hicks about twin sisters who attend their dream animation school during the summer, but slowly learn it's not everything they thought it would be; Samia Garcia-Fakih will edit. Publication is set for 2026; Bernadette Baker-Baughman at Victoria Sanders & Associates negotiated the deal for world rights.
Martha Mihalick at Greenwillow has bought, at auction, world rights to Seven Ways Through the Woods, the picture book debut by A Game of Fox & Squirrels author Jenn Reese (l.), illustrated by Devin Elle Kurtz, in which an intrepid narrator invites readers on a fantastical journey through the woods, celebrating curiosity, imagination, and wonder. Publication is slated for fall 2025; Holly Root at Root Literary represented the author, and Seth Fishman at the Gernert Company represented the illustrator.
Courtney Code at Abrams has acquired world rights, in an exclusive submission, to Fall Is for Beginnings by Newbery Honoree Rajani LaRocca (l.), illustrated by Abhi Alwar, in a two-book deal. Ravi is excited to begin the school year but is disconcerted when a new girl claims she's going to be his best friend—even though he already has one—in a story about fresh starts, school adventures, and friendships old and new. Publication is planned for fall 2025; Brent Taylor at Triada US represented the author, and Alexandra Levick at Writers House represented the illustrator.
Taylor Norman at Holiday House/Neal Porter Books has bought Before and After, a picture book by author-illustrator Katie Palazzola, about a father and young daughter wondering together, imaginatively exploring questions of past and future, and finding comfort in embracing uncertainty. Publication is scheduled for summer 2027; Liz Nealon at Great Dog Literary sold world rights.
Liz Bicknell at Candlewick Press has acquired world rights to Night Flight by David Barclay Moore (l.), illustrated by Briana Mukodiri Uchendu; Carter Hasegawa will edit. In this picture book, a boy who falls asleep missing his dads finds himself soaring through a wintry night in Harlem on the back of an ancient beast before waking to discover what he was searching for all along. Publication is set for fall 2025; Steven Malk at Writers House represented the author, and Jessica Saint Jean at Jill Grinberg Literary Management represented the illustrator.
Erika Turner at Little, Brown has bought world rights to The Bridge to School, a picture book by Stefanie Foster Brown (l.), illustrated by Rahele Jomepour Bell, about the bond between siblings and the paths that the eldest paves for those that come after. Publication is slated for winter 2027; Wendi Gu at GreenburgerKids represented the author, and Christy Ewers at the CAT Agency represented the artist.
Gianna Lakenauth at Knopf has acquired world rights to Sunday Scaries by Debra Kempf Shumaker (l.), illustrated by Lavanya Naidu, about a girl who must tackle the fear of Monday and the week ahead. Publication is scheduled for summer 2026; James McGowan at BookEnds Literary represented the author, and Aliza R. Hoover at the CAT Agency represented the illustrator.
Melanie Cordova, while at Candlewick Press, bought world rights to Daddy's Face by Taunya English (l.), illustrated by Shamar Knight-Justice; Sarah Ketchersid will edit. The picture book is about a boisterous preschooler who notes her father's every smile, scowl, and eyebrow waggle as the pair move through their day together—a celebration of the loving bond between a father and child. Publication is planned for spring 2028; Jennifer March Soloway at Andrea Brown Literary Agency represented the author, and Christy Ewers at the CAT Agency represented the illustrator.
MaryKate Castellani at Bloomsbury has acquired world rights to SPIN! There's a Ghost Behind You, a picture book co-authored by Steve Bramucci (l.) (the Danger Gang series; Race for the Ruby Turtle) and DJ Le Chev (c.), illustrated by Sonya Abby (r.). Based on the song of the same name, the Halloween-themed tale tells of two kids who find their town taken over by monsters and ghouls with motives that are far less nefarious than they seem. Publication is set for July 2026; Sara Crowe at Sara Crowe Literary represented the co-authors, and Emily Fernandez at the Bright Agency represented the illustrator.
Kristen Mohn at Capstone has bought world rights to Scratching the Surface: Exploring Earth's Layers by Kate Allen Fox (l.) (Pando: A Living Wonder of Trees), illustrated by Erin Brown, a picture book celebration of wonder and geological discovery as it takes the reader on a journey down through the layers of Earth to its core. Publication is slated for fall 2025; Leslie Zampetti at Open Book Literary represented the author, and Erin Tisdel at Advocate Art represented the illustrator.
Rebecca Glaser at Amicus Ink has acquired world rights to Baby Pterosaur and Baby Spinosaurus by Julie Abery (l.), illustrated by Gavin Scott. The rhyming board books follow a day in the life of baby dinosaurs as pterosaurs glide on the updrafts, and spinosaurus snaps and clacks her crocodile jaws, while navigating the hazards of their prehistoric world. Publication is scheduled for fall 2025; Essie White at Storm Literary Agency represented the author, and Amy Fitzgerald at the Bright Agency represented the illustrator.
Jaime Gelman at Little Bee Books has bought Diwali: Love and Light and an untitled book about Holi, written and illustrated by Darshika Varma, two board books celebrating contemporary religious life. Publication is planned for summer 2025 and spring 2026; Vickie Savanella at Advocate Art sold world rights.
