Alexa Pastor at Simon & Schuster has acquired two projects by Rachael Lippincott (l.) and Alyson Derrick. The first book, Make My Wish Come True, is a YA holiday Hallmark movie meets How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days, set for fall 2024, about a messy and reckless teen actor who needs to clean up her reputation and stages a fake romance with her childhood best friend, hoping a little positive press will land her a dream role. In the second, She Gets the Girl: A Christmas Novella, planned for fall 2025, Alex and Molly visit a cozy, Christmas-loving town where they try to matchmake their friends Cora and May—and reveal the secrets they've been keeping from each other. Emily van Beek at Folio Jr./Folio Literary Management sold world rights.
Jonah Heller at Peachtree Teen and Clare Hallifax at Walker Australia have jointly bought This Fatal Kiss by Alicia Jasinska. In this queer YA romantasy, a mischievous rusałka blackmails her local exorcist into helping her regain her humanity by winning a kiss from a mortal. Her plan goes awry when they both fall for the handsome boy who may be linked to her dark past. U.S. publication is planned for fall 2024, with Walker Australia to follow in its territories; Rena Rossner at the Deborah Harris Agency sold world rights.
Gary Groth at Fantagraphics Underground Press has acquired Secrets of a Lost Diary, a YA graphic novel by Mexican-American artist Santiago Cohen, a story of two diaries that touches on the impact of dementia in a family, historical trauma and the Holocaust, LGBTQIA+ in two generations, and immigration. Publication is scheduled for September 2024; Anna Olswanger at Olswanger Literary did the deal for world English rights.
Jill Davis at Hippo Park has bought The Fangdellas by political cartoonist Chris Britt, a middle grade graphic novel about the adventures of a multigenerational vampire family whose comfortable castle life is turned upside down when their son hurls insults at a few of the most famous monsters of all time. Publication is slated for fall 2026; Timothy Travaglini at Transatlantic Agency negotiated the deal for world rights.
Alex Arnold at Quirk Books has acquired, in a three-book deal, world rights to Zoomi & Zoe by Corey Ann Haydu (l.), illustrated by Anne Appert, an early chapter book series that explores life's first big transitions through the unlikely friendship between a glittery monster and her imaginary friend—a girl from the human world. Publication of the first book is set for spring 2025; Victoria Marini at High Line Literary Collective represented the author, and Charlotte Wenger at Prospect Agency represented the illustrator.
Tara Walker at Tundra Books has acquired a picture book series by Jashar Awan, centered around a tow truck driving toad. In the first book, Towed by Toad, Toad learns that sometimes even helpers need to ask for help. Publication of book one is planned for fall 2024 with the second following in fall 2025; Erica Rand Silverman at Stimola Literary Studio sold North American rights.
Grace Maccarone at Holiday House has bought The Biggest Fibber by Chris Britt, an escalating boy-who-cried-wolf picture book in which one of Sam's world-class fibs spins horribly out of control. Publication is scheduled for spring 2026; Timothy Travaglini at Transatlantic Agency brokered the deal for world rights.
Liza Baker at Scholastic has acquired world rights to Mama Says I'm Fine by Brittney Cooper (l.), illustrated by Tamisha Anthony, a playful expression of love and admiration from a daughter to her mother, celebrating the reassurance, unwavering love, and self-confidence that Mama gives her throughout her life. Publication is planned for spring 2026. Tanya McKinnon at McKinnon Literary represented the author, and Anne Moore Armstrong at the Bright Agency represented the illustrator.
Wendy McClure at Sourcebooks Jabberwocky has bought world rights, in a two-book deal for the author, to Judgy Bunny and the Terrible Beach by Scott Rothman (l.), illustrated by Linzie Hunter, a picture book about a bunny who goes to the beach where the sun is too bright, and the view is awful, and ice cream is yucky, and beach balls are too round, but discovers that making a friend can change all that. Publication is set for April 2026; Andrea Morrison at Writers House represented the author, and Lindsay Auld at Writers House represented the illustrator.
Lisa Rosinsky at Barefoot Books has acquired world rights to Message in the Mooncake by debut author Sapphire Chow (l.), illustrated by Xiaojie Liu. During the Mid-Autumn Festival in Yuan Dynasty China, Su-Ling uses her wit and courage on a perilous mission: delivering mooncakes that contain secret plans for a revolution. Publication is slated for fall 2024; Anjanette Barr at Dunham Literary represented the author, and Amy Milligan at Illo Agency represented the illustrator.
Cherrita Lee while at Beaming Books bought Will and Krill by Grenadian author-illustrator Stacey Byer; Naomi Krueger will edit. This picture book follows Will, a teeny-tiny whale living in the Caribbean Sea, who wants a friend more than anything. Publication is planned for spring 2026; Christa Heschke and Daniele Hunter at McIntosh and Otis sold world rights.
Della Farrell at Holiday House has acquired world rights to Nancy So Miller's debut picture book Sun, Moon and Star, the retelling of a Korean folktale about three sisters who outsmart a tiger. Publication is scheduled for spring 2026; Kaitlyn Sanchez at Bradford Literary Agency brokered the deal.
Katie Scott at Kids Can Press has bought world rights to I Like Your Face by Brad Davidson (l.) and Rachel Más Davidson, a picture book celebration of male friendship. Publication is slated for spring 2026; Christa Heschke at McIntosh & Otis did the deal.
Kristen Nobles at Charlesbridge has acquired world rights to Listen First (Then Go!), a board book by Andrea J. Loney (l.), illustrated by Caroline Dittmann, about a grizzly bear and a goat on a hike that is suddenly filled with obstacles thanks to the goat's refusal to follow directions, a Chicken Soup for the Soul Babies submission for publication in fall 2024. Andrea Cascardi at Transatlantic Agency represented the author, and Ana Crespo at East West Literary Agency represented the illustrator.
