Erin Clarke at Knopf has acquired two middle grade books by Ophelia and the Marvelous Boy author Karen Foxlee. Beetles of the Yukon tells the story of the relationship between Lenore Spink and her younger brother Davey, who suffers from a rare form of gigantism. The first book is slated for fall 2018, with the second to follow in 2019; Catherine Drayton at InkWell Management sold North American rights.
Yvette Ghione and Semareh Al-Hillal at Kids Can Press have bought Throwing Seed Balls, a picture book from Andrew Larsen, author of A Squiggly Story and The Imaginary Garden, in a two-book deal. Publication is scheduled for April 2019 and April 2020; Fiona Kenshole of Transatlantic Agency sold world rights.
Christina Pulles at Sterling has acquired world rights to the picture book Magnolia Mudd and the Super Jumptastic Launcher Deluxe by Katey Howes, illustrated by Valerio Fabbretti. Nuts-and-bolts Magnolia must invent a Mudd-powered way to participate in her uncle's wedding, or get stuck tossing petals in a frilly gown. Publication is set for fall 2017; Essie White of Storm Literary Agency represented the author and Justin Rucker of Shannon Associates represented the illustrator.
Sylvie Frank at S&S/Paula Wiseman Books has acquired world rights to An Inconvenient Alphabet, a debut picture book by Beth Anderson (r.) about the friendship between Ben Franklin and Noah Webster. Elizabeth Baddeley (I Dissent) will illustrate; publication is slated for fall 2018. Stephanie Fretwell-Hill of Red Fox Literary represented the author and Alexandra Penfold of Upstart Crow represented the artist.
