Nick Thomas at Levine Querido has acquired Man Made Monsters, Cherokee writer Andrea L. Rogers's (l.) YA debut, illustrated by Cherokee artist and language technologist Jeff Edwards. The collection of interconnected short horror stories follows one Cherokee family from the 19th century into the future, intertwining histories of colonization and monsters big and small. Publication is set for fall 2022; Emily Sylvan Kim of the Prospect Agency brokered the deal for world rights, all languages, and the illustrator represented himself.
Samantha Gentry at Little, Brown has bought, in a preempt, the debut middle grade novel The Umbrella Maker's Son by YA author Katrina Leno. The fantastical novel tells the story of a boy who is determined to discover the real reason his town is so rainy. Publication is scheduled for summer 2023; Wendy Schmalz at Schmalz Agency did the deal for world rights.
Carolyn Yoder at Astra/Calkins Creek has acquired Camp Nordland by Barbara Krasner (Ethel's Song: Ethel Rosenberg's Life in Poems) in an exclusive submission. The YA novel in verse explores the story of two Newark, N.J., teens whose friendship is torn apart by growing anti-Semitism and Nazism. Publication is planned for fall 2023; Emelie Burl at Susan Schulman Literary Agency negotiated the deal for world rights.
Sally Morgridge at Holiday House has bought middle grade graphic novel series Table Titans by Eisner and Harvey Award-winning author-artist Scott Kurtz. The story stars preternaturally confident (and unapologetically nerdy) seventh-grader Valeria Winters, who creates community through a tabletop gaming club. Publication of the first book is slated for spring 2024; Timothy Travaglini at Transatlantic Agency handled the two-book deal for world rights.
Kelsey Horton at Delacorte has acquired Mar Romasco-Moore's Krazyland, a middle grade novel about two kids at a spooky indoor arcade who discover another world beneath the ball pit where the games have come to life. Publication is scheduled for fall 2022; Jim McCarthy at Dystel, Goderich & Bourret negotiated the deal for world rights.
Talia Seidenfeld at Scholastic has bought, in a preempt, Alexis Larkin's debut middle grade novel Go Big or Go Glitter. When Helen is caught unprepared by an early period, she and her prankster best friend Gracie decide to jump into their school's Community Action Club period equity initiative and lobby for free maxipads in bathrooms for all students who menstruate. Publication is set for fall 2023; Tara Gonzalez at Erin Murphy Literary Agency brokered the deal for world rights.
Alison Romig at Delacorte has acquired Wendy Parris's Field of Screams. Ghost-hunting enthusiast Rebecca Graff isn't happy about being dragged to an Iowa farm to spend the summer with family she barely knows. But when she finds a note stashed in a comic book that belonged to her late father, she must race to uncover a family legacy before it is lost forever—and a tragedy repeats itself. Publication is planned for summer 2023; Karyn Fischer at BookStop Literary Agency did the deal for world rights.
Erin Siu at Feiwel and Friends has bought, in an exclusive submission, amigurumi artist Kim-Hoa Ung's debut picture book A Gift for Nai Nai. Lyn Lyn is determined to crochet her first hat—a special gift for a friend's birthday—and frequently calls upon her Nai Nai for help while making it. Publication is slated for spring 2023; Miranda Paul at Erin Murphy Literary Agency handled the deal for world rights.
Rich Thomas at HarperCollins has acquired world rights to How Much Farther, Papa Smurf? by Robb Pearlman (l.) (The Office: A Day at Dunder Mifflin Elementary), illustrated by Melanie Demmer. In their picture book debut, Papa Smurf leads Brainy and the others on an adventure to see the rare Blue Moon, but the Smurfs discover many exciting detours along the way, causing them to wonder if the destination or journey itself is more important. Publication is set for winter 2022; Jean Sagendorph at Mansion Street Literary Management represented the author, and Alex Gehringer at the Bright Agency represented the illustrator.
Clarissa Wong bought, while at HarperCollins, world rights to Words Between Us by Angela Pham Krans (l.) (Finding Papa), illustrated by Dung Ho (Eyes That Kiss in the Corners); Megan Ilnitzki will edit. This picture book portrays an intergenerational bond cemented over food—and flash cards—as Grandma and Felix show how, despite the lack of a common language, their bond is one that goes beyond words. Publication is scheduled for fall 2023; Katherine Wessbecher at Bradford Literary represented the author, and the illustrator represented herself.
Casey McIntyre at Razorbill has acquired world rights to Good Things, a debut picture book by Maryah Greene (l.), illustrated by Alleanna Harris. In the story, a boy named Malcolm learns, with the help of his grandmother and his community, to care for his father's plants after his father passes away. Publication is planned for spring 2023; Deneen Howell at Williams & Connolly represented the author, and Alex Gehringer at the Bright Agency represented the illustrator.
Emma Ledbetter at Abrams has bought world rights to ¡Feliz Navidad, El Cucuy! by Pura Belpre Honor winner Donna Barba Higeura (l.) (The Last Cuentista), illustrated by Juliana Perdomo. El Cucuy wants no part of the colorful lights, delicious food, and festivity of Christmas and Las Posadas, but with the help of his boy Ramón, El Cucuy discovers how even a grumpy boogeyman is welcome in traditions that remind us to have love and compassion for others, and to celebrate with the ones we love. Publication is slated for fall 2023; Allison Remcheck at Stimola Literary Studio represented the author, and Erica Rand Silverman at Stimola Literary Studio represented the illustrator.
Kaylan Adair at Candlewick has acquired world English rights to Love Is Here with You, written by Jyoti Rajan Gopal (l.) and illustrated by Nabi Ali, a bedtime book inspired by lullabies and Carnatic classical compositions. With blessings from the likes of Lord Ganesha, the remover of obstacles, to joyful Krishna, prince of music, this book is also an ode to the vast, colorful Hindu pantheon of deities. Publication is set for fall 2024; Wendi Gu at Sanford J. Greenburger Associates represented the author, and Alex Gehringer at the Bright Agency represented the illustrator.
Allison Cohen at Running Press Kids has bought world rights to In the Palm of My Hands by Jennifer Raudenbush (l.), illustrated by Isabella Conti. On an ambling walk, a child discovers that sometimes the smallest things in life—even those that fit in our hands—hold the promise of larger worlds. Publication is scheduled for winter 2023; Natascha Morris at the Tobias Literary Agency represented the author, and the illustrator was unagented.
Alexa Pastor at Atheneum has acquired world rights to Where Is Poppy? by Caroline Kusin Pritchard (l.) (Gitty and Kvetch), illustrated by Dana Wulfekotte, a story about loss and togetherness in which a girl searches for her late grandfather at the first Passover seder since his death, and ultimately finds his spirit in the warmth and tradition of the family gathering. Publication is slated for spring 2024; Ginger Knowlton at Curtis Brown Ltd. represented the author, and Sean McCarthy at Sean McCarthy Literary Agency represented the illustrator.
Sarah Rockett at Sleeping Bear Press has bought world rights to Warrior by Shannon Stocker (l.) (Can U Save the Day?), illustrated by Sarah Turner. In this picture book, a girl goes through a quest with her best canine friend; a series of allegorical obstacles parallels her battle with cancer, supported by her service dog. Publication is planned for fall 2023; Allison Remcheck at Stimola Literary Studio represented the author, and Lillian Mazeika at Tugeau 2 represented the illustrator.
Sarah Fell at Magination Press has acquired world rights to Spacemanatee (l.) by Katie Gilstrap, illustrated by Alice Samuel. It tells the story of Lee, a sweet-natured manatee whose dreams are even bigger than her mighty flippers. Publication is set for March 2023; Marisa A. Corvisiero at the Corvisiero Literary Agency represented the author, and Robbin Brosterman at the Bright Agency represented the illustrator.
Juree Sondker at Bala Kids has bought world rights to I Am an Antiracist Superhero! , written by Jennifer Bacon (l.) and illustrated by Letícia Moreno. In the picture book, six-year-old Malik, after learning about racism, decides to “change the world" by becoming an antiracist superhero. Publication is scheduled for fall 2023; the author represented herself, and Lillian Mazeika at Tugeau 2 represented the illustrator.
Mara Conlon at Peter Pauper Press has acquired world rights to a picture book biography, Granny Smith Was Not an Apple, written by Sarah Glenn Fortson (l.) and illustrated by Kris Aro McLeod. As an English migrant farmer in the 1800s, Maria Ann Smith took her knowledge of apple growing overseas to the shores of Australia, where she discovered a new type of apple that never turned red, but was tart, sweet, and perfect for a pie. Publication is slated for fall 2023; the author represented herself, and Christy Ewers at the CAT Agency represented the artist.
