Krestyna Lypen at Algonquin has acquired, in a two-book deal, world rights to two YA graphic novels by Michael Ralph, illustrated by Nia Palmer (c.) and Laura Molnar (r.). Fishing demonstrates how incarcerated people communicate and build networks through the unique form of attachment known as "fishing," and Basketball IQ explores the cerebral, strategic approach to the game that separates the greatest basketball players of all time from their competitors. Publication is set for spring 2023 and fall 2024, respectively; Anna Olswanger at Olswanger Literary represented the author and illustrators.


Mara Delgado Sánchez at Wednesday Books has bought, in an exclusive submission, Where Darkness Blooms, a YA supernatural thriller from Andrea Hannah. When their mothers disappear from their shared home during a storm, four girls stuck in a bloodthirsty town are forced to reckon with the grim reality of what really happened the night their mothers slipped into the sunflower fields—and never came back. Publication is slated for fall 2022; Victoria Marini at Irene Goodman Literary Agency brokered the deal for world English rights.

Rebecca Kuss at Inkyard has acquired, at auction, Salt and Sugar by Rebecca Carvalho. This telenovela-esque YA rom-com debut follows the grandchildren of two rival Brazilian bakeries who fall in love despite their families' feud while working to win a contest that would save both of their bakeries from being driven out by a predatory supermarket chain. Claire Stetzer will edit. Publication is planned for fall 2022; Thao Le at Sandra Dijkstra Literary negotiated the deal for world English rights.


Tricia Lin at Random House has bought, in a three-book deal, Player vs. Player by M.K. England in their middle grade debut, pitched as Ready Player One meets Escape from Mr. Lemoncello's Library. In the first book, Ultimate Gaming Showdown, a virtual tournament is announced within the biggest battle royale game in the world, and four kids are invited to compete for a mysterious grand prize. Publication will begin in summer 2022; Eric Smith at P.S. Literary did the deal for world rights.


Liz Kossnar at Little, Brown has won at auction Save the People! Halting Human Extinction by Stacy McAnulty (The Miscalculations of Lightning Girl). This debut nonfiction middle grade will serve up details about our potential demise with a side of humor, and in the process arm readers with a powerful remedy: scientific knowledge. Publication is scheduled for summer 2022; Lori Kilkelly at LK Literary brokered the deal for North American rights.


Alexandra Cooper at Quill Tree has preempted In the Beautiful Country by debut author Jane Kuo. This middle grade novel in verse, based on events in the author's childhood, follows 11-year-old Anna, who has immigrated from Taiwan to the U.S., and must navigate her new life, new school, and new country, all while helping in her family's struggling fast-food restaurant. Publication is set for summer 2022; Jennifer Laughran at Andrea Brown Literary negotiated the two-book deal for North American rights.


Elana Cohen at Disney Publishing Worldwide has signed author Lorie Langdon (the Doon series) for Happily Never After, a new Disney Villains series. Each story will focus on a different infamous villain, years before their big-screen debuts, and will tell their heartbreaking journeys of first love. The first three stories will feature Vanessa/Ursula, Gaston, and Yzma respectively. Publication for the first book is slated for late 2021; Nicole Resciniti at the Seymour Agency handled the deal for world rights.


Anne Schwartz at Random House/Schwartz has bought world rights to Cinderella and a Mouse Named Fred by Deborah Hopkinson, illustrated by Caldecott Medalist Paul O. Zelinsky. This contemporary picture book retelling stars a field mouse who lives in Cinderella's garden, and has a different kind of fairy tale ending—along with an explanation of how fairy tale pumpkins got their name. Publication is planned for summer 2023; Steven Malk at Writers House represented the author, and the illustrator represented himself.


Farrin Jacobs at Little, Brown has acquired, at auction, world rights to Daddy Daughter Day by musician and Durham City Council Member Pierce Freelon, illustrated by Olivia Duchess. The author's debut picture book is inspired by his song of the same name. Publication is scheduled for fall 2022; Carrie Hannigan at HG Literary represented the author, and Katie Wade at Lemonade Illustration represented the illustrator.


Kate O’Sullivan at HMH has bought The Man Who Didn't Like Animals by Deborah Underwood (l.), illustrated by Caldecott Honor artist LeUyen Pham. The picture book tells the story of a man whose life is changed by the stubbornness and affection of a parade of animals who come to live with him. Publication is set for spring 2024; Erin Murphy at Erin Murphy Literary represented the author, and Holly McGhee at Pippin Properties represented the artist in the deal for world rights.


Samantha Gentry at Little, Brown has acquired world rights to All Good in the Hood by America's Favorite Rapping Teacher and author Dwayne Reed, illustrated by Gladys Jose. This bounce-to-the-beat picture book is set against the backdrop of a Juneteenth celebration and follows a boy who's afraid of the sights and sounds of his neighborhood, but is comforted by his big brother, who tells him not to worry because "it's all good in the hood." Publication is slated for summer 2023; Elizabeth Bewley at Sterling Lord Literistic represented the author, and Christy Ewers at the CAT Agency represented the artist.


Reka Simonsen at Atheneum has bought world rights to The Story of a Book, written by Joy McCullough (l.), illustrated by Devon Holzwarth. This picture book explores the magic that happens between reader and book as a book goes from new to well-loved. Publication is planned for fall 2023; Jim McCarthy at Dystel, Goderich & Bourret represented the author, and Nicole Tugeau at Tugeau 2 represented the illustrator.


Sylvie Frank at S&S/Wiseman has acquired, in an exclusive submission, world rights to All Kinds of Special by Tammi Sauer, illustrated by Fernando Martín in his U.S. debut. When Mia and her mama move from an apartment to a house, it is a special mango tree that makes their house a home and helps them bond with their new neighbors. Publication is scheduled for summer 2023; Laura Rennert at Andrea Brown Literary represented the author, and Nicole Tugeau at Tugeau 2 represented the illustrator.


Erin Clarke at Knopf has bought world rights to Curve and Flow: The Elegant Vision of L.A. Architect Paul R. Williams by Andrea J. Loney (Double Bass Blues), illustrated by Keith Mallett (Take a Picture of Me, James Van Der Zee). This picture book features renowned architect Paul R. Williams, who designed homes for Hollywood stars despite not being allowed to own a home in many of the neighborhoods where he worked because he was Black. Publication is set for fall 2022; Andrea Cascardi at Transatlantic Agency represented the author, and the illustrator represented himself.


Amy Novesky at Cameron Kids has acquired world rights to Will It Be Okay? by Crescent Dragonwagon (l.), illustrated by Jessica Love, a new edition of the author's picture book, first published in 1977, about a child who asks tough questions and receives true answers. Publication is planned for fall 2022; Victoria Wells Arms at Wells Arms Literary/HG Literary represented the author, and Meredith Kaffel Simonoff at DeFiore & Company represented the illustrator.


Yolanda Scott at Charlesbridge has bought world rights to The Incredible Shrinking Lunchroom by Michal Babay (l.), illustrated by Paula Cohen. In this retelling of the classic Yiddish folktale "It Could Always Be Worse," Principal Mensch knows just what to do when the students at Parley Elementary complain about their chaotic cafeteria. Publication is slated for summer 2022; Laurel Symonds at the Bent Agency represented the author, and Christy Ewers at the CAT Agency represented the illustrator.


Marilyn Brigham at Amazon/Two Lions has bought world rights to It's Not the Three Little Pigs by Josh Funk (l.), illustrated by Edwardian Taylor. In this fairy tale mashup, a fourth little pig attempts to usurp storytelling duties from the narrator, causing the beloved tale to veer off course into chaos. Publication is set for fall 2022; Kathleen Rushall at Andrea Brown Literary represented the author, and Alex Gehringer at the Bright Agency represented the illustrator.


Maria Dismondy at Cardinal Rule has acquired world rights to Beto's Super Cool Guayabera by YA author and founder of Latinx in Kid Lit Cindy Rodriguez (l.), illustrated by Begoña Fernández Corbalan; Adam Blackman will edit. This picture book tells a story using a traditional Mexican shirt along with a creative boy trying to solve conflict in his family. Publication is planned for summer 2022; the author was unagented, and Erin Tisdel at Advocate Art represented the illustrator.


Andrea Hall at Albert Whitman has bought world rights to Malik's Number Thoughts by Natalie Rompella (l.), illustrated by Alessia Girasole. Malik worries that his obsessive-compulsive number thoughts will interfere with a mini-golf birthday party for a friend. But with the help of a therapist, his family and friends, and practice, Malik finds he can work through his feelings and play mini-golf. Publication date is slated for fall 2022; Victoria Selvaggio at Storm Literary represented the author, and Mela Bolinao at MB Artists represented the illustrator.


Krista Marino at Delacorte has acquired, in an exclusive submission, Heart-Shaped Lies by Elizabeth Agyemang. The YA debut, a thriller pitched as "The Boy Is Mine" meets John Tucker Must Die, follows three feuding exes of a social media prank star who must work together to solve his disappearance after his deactivated account claims that one of them murdered him. Publication is slated for spring 2023; Suzie Townsend at New Leaf Literary brokered the deal for world English rights.


Abigail McAden at Scholastic has bought, in a preempt, Debating Darcy by Sayantani DasGupta in her YA debut. This modern-day, feminist retelling of Pride and Prejudice is set in the high-stakes world of high school speech and debate, and follows Bengali American Leela Bose, whose multicultural group of free-spirited public school teammates stand in stark contrast to the team from Netherfield Academy, and in particular, their captain, the insufferably arrogant and attractive Firoze Darcy. Publication is planned for spring 2022; Brent Taylor at Triada US did the two-book deal for North American rights.


Wendy Loggia at Underlined has acquired world rights to The Matchbreaker Summer by Annie Rains. When her family's summer camp is up for sale, a girl who always tries to do the right thing breaks character and enlists the help of a rule-breaking boy to help end her mother's new romance, only to find that maybe she has more in common with him than she thought. Publication is scheduled for summer 2022; Sarah Younger at Nancy Yost Literary negotiated the deal.


Alvina Ling at Little, Brown has bought four books by Caldecott Honoree Peter Brown: The Wild Robot Protects, the follow-up to The Wild Robot and The Wild Robot Escapes; plus two middle grade novels, Architect of Evil, about a young architect who is hired by a mysterious and wealthy organization that might have nefarious intent; and Wizards and Robots, about a girl who meets a wizard who tells her the realm she has grown up in is actually an elaborate computer game; plus an untitled picture book about a dog who doesn't expect to catch the rabbit he chases every day. Publication for the first book is set for summer 2023; Paul Rodeen at Rodeen Literary handled the deal for world rights.


Connie Hsu at Roaring Brook has acquired, in a five-house auction, world English rights to Paper Girl and an untitled second middle grade graphic novel by Susie Yi. In Paper Girl, a simple wish goes awry when a Korean American girl finds herself turning into paper after wishing to become someone else to fit in at school and at home. When she returns to South Korea to attend her Halmoni's funeral, her understanding of her family, her culture, and herself begins to unravel—but also rebuild in new ways. Publication is slated for spring 2023; Kathleen Ortiz at New Leaf Literary brokered the deal.


Neal Porter at Holiday House/Neal Porter Books has bought world rights to two picture books by poet and I Talk Like a River author Jordan Scott (l.). Worms for Baba's Garden, to be illustrated by Greenaway Medalist Sydney Smith (c.), follows a child's loving observations of his grandmother and the thriving garden beside her home; and Angela's Glacier, to be illustrated by Diana Sudyka, explores the way a child draws strength and tranquility from an ancient icefield. Publication is planned for spring 2023 and fall 2023, respectively; Hilary McMahon at Westwood Creative Artists represented Scott, Emily van Beek at Folio Jr./Folio Literary Management represented Smith, and Andrea Morrison at Writers House represented Sudyka.


Lisa Yoskowitz at Little, Brown has acquired, in a preempt, world rights to Strong by professional strongman Rob Kearney (l.) and LGBTQ parenting expert Eric Rosswood (c.), illustrated by Nidhi Chanani (Pashmina; I Will Be Fierce!). This inspirational picture book memoir introduces readers to Rob's journey as the first openly gay strongman competitor and speaks to the power of being your truest self and the strength all young people have within them. Publication is set for summer 2022; Kim Zayotti at Blue Sky Sports & Entertainment represented Kearney, Jennifer Mattson at Andrea Brown Literary represented Rosswood, and Jodi Reamer at Writers House represented Chanani.


Courtney Code at Abrams has bought Bubbie & Rivka's Best-Ever Challah (So Far!) by Sarah Lynne Reul (The Breaking News; Nerp!), a picture book about a girl and her grandmother's weekly challah-baking attempts (with sometimes disastrous results). Publication is scheduled for fall 2022; Emily Mitchell at Wernick & Pratt negotiated the deal for world rights.


Ardi Alspach at Sterling Children's Books has acquired world rights to Spellbound by Jess Townes (l.), illustrated by Jenn Harney, a picture book about a girl who becomes convinced that her new baby brother is an actual, real-life wizard. Publication is slated for April 2022; Stephanie Fretwell-Hill at Red Fox Literary represented the author, and Rachel Orr at Prospect Agency represented the illustrator.


Taylor Maccoux at Sourcebooks has bought world rights to I Wish, Wish, Wish for You by Sandra Magsamen (l.), illustrated by Melisa Fernández Nitsche. This picture book celebrates all the joyous milestones and delightful possibilities life has to offer, serving as an inspirational reminder for little ones that they can do anything and be anything they wish to be. Publication is planned for spring 2022; the author was unagented, and Chad W. Beckerman at the CAT Agency represented the illustrator.


Luana Kay Horry at HarperCollins has acquired world rights to The Blue Pickup by debut author Natasha Tripplett (l.), illustrated by Monica Mikai (The Proudest Color), about a girl in Jamaica who enjoys helping out in her grandfather's garage and listening to his stories; the two of them share a love for fixing things, for their island, and for Granddad's old blue pickup. Publication is scheduled for winter 2024; Caryn Wiseman at Andrea Brown Literary represented the author, and Christy Ewers at the CAT Agency represented the illustrator.


Kallie George at Greystone Kids has bought I's the B'y by Maritime-based illustrator Lauren Soloy (When Emily Was Small; Etty Darwin). This picture book brings to life the classic Newfoundland-originated folksong "I's the B'y." Soloy's illustrations depict Newfoundland's landscapes, wildlife, and culture; backmatter touches on local dialect in the lyrics, the history of the song, and modern-day Newfoundland, and contains music notes so readers can sing along. Publication is set for spring 2022; Jackie Kaiser at Westwood Creative Artists represented the illustrator.


Clarissa Wong at HarperCollins has acquired two books in Meet the Nation's Capitol series by Lindsay Ward (Dexter T. Rexter series), a nonfiction series that introduces the many workers who occupy and help run our country's most important and iconic buildings. Publication for the first two books in the series, The Capitol Building and The White House, is slated for summer 2022 and summer 2024, respectively; Clelia Gore at Martin Literary & Media Management did the deal for world rights.


Rick Rinehart at Muddy Boots has bought North American rights to After the Moonrise by Rich Lo, the story of two animals guided by flickers of moonlight in their night journey to find food and return home. Publication is planned for October 2022; Anna Olswanger at Olswanger Literary represented the author.


Kristine Enderle at Magination Press has acquired world rights to Thunder Talk by Gail Silver (l.), illustrated by Lisa Fields, in which a courageous boy emerges from under his bed to guide his stuffed animal companions through a formidable thunderstorm, demonstrating how sensory-based mindfulness practices can be woven into a tale of empowerment. Publication is scheduled for March 2022; Karen Grencik at Red Fox Literary represented the author, and Christy Ewers at the CAT Agency represented the illustrator.


Marilyn Brigham at Amazon/Two Lions has bought Thursday, written by Ann Bonwill (l.) and illustrated by Kayla Harren. This picture book follows a girl who survives her parents' divorce with the help of her stuffed unicorn friend and a little inspiration from the natural world. Publication is set for fall 2022; Marietta B. Zacker at Gallt & Zacker Literary did the deal for world rights.


Amy Novesky at Cameron Kids has acquired world rights to Manolo and the Unicorn by Jackie Azúa Kramer (The Boy and the Gorilla) and her son, Jonah Kramer (c.), illustrated by Zach Manbeck (r.), a picture book about a boy who believes in unicorns and shares what he knows and loves about them with his classmates. Publication is planned for spring 2023; Stephen Fraser of the Jennifer De Chiara Literary Agency represented the authors, and Kirsten Hall of Catbird Agency represented the illustrator.


Maria Dismondy and Adam Blackman at Cardinal Rule Press have bought world rights to What the Bread Said by screenwriter, playwright, and journalist Vanessa Garcia, illustrated by Tim Palin. The story presents a multigenerational relationship between a child and her grandfather, sharing his adventures from across the globe through baking traditional dishes. Publication is slated for fall 2022; the author was unagented, and James Burns at the Bright Agency represented the artist.