Academy Award-winning actor and producer Geena Davis makes her picture book debut with The Girl Who Was Too Big for the Page, out April 29, 2025 from Philomel Books, an imprint of Penguin Young Readers. Jill Santopolo, publisher of Philomel, bought U.S., Canada and open market rights from Mollie Glick at CAA.
Written and illustrated by Davis, the picture book follows Sheila, a girl who one day grows too big to fit on the page and must figure out what to do next. “As a kid, my fondest wish was to take up less space in the world,” Davis said in a statement. “It was only as an adult I realized I could be all of who I was, unapologetically. So I wrote this book for all of the ‘too big’ children—including children with big personalities and big dreams—who need reassurance that they can be their true selves and make their own space in the world.”
Davis’s most notable movie roles include Thelma in Ridley Scott’s 1991 film Thelma and Louise, Barbara in Tim Burton’s 1988 film Beetlejuice, and Dottie Hinson in Penny Marshall’s 1992 film A League of Their Own.
“It seems natural that Geena is now working in the children’s book space to share an important message with young readers—that tall, short, or in between, you are deserving of all the space you need to be your true self,” Santopolo said in a statement. “It’s been such a joy to work with Geena on a book with a strong female protagonist that empowers young readers.”
