Elanna Heda at Disney-Hyperion has acquired Something to Daydream About and a second YA book by Deaf author Sydney Langford. Disney's Starstruck meets Once Upon a K-Prom in this YA rom-com in which Deaf 18-year-old Natalie spends a whirlwind summer teaching ASL to (and trying not to fall for) the lead singer of America's hottest boy band so he can communicate with his sister—all while trying to save her family's failing Deaf Center. Publication for book one is slated for spring 2025; Emily Forney at BookEnds Literary negotiated the deal for world English rights.
Virginia Duncan at Greenwillow has bought four books by Newbery Medalist Erin Entrada Kelly. The first is a middle grade novel, The First State of Being, about a time-traveling teenager from the future who gets trapped in Delaware in 1999 and befriends a lonely 12-year-old boy, changing the course of their lives forever, for publication in 2024. Two books in a new series, Frankly Felix, illustrated by the author, introduce Felix Powell, an eight-year-old boy who shapeshifts into everyday animals—starting with a dog; and there will be a fourth Marisol Rainey book. Sara Crowe at Sara Crowe Literary did the deal for North American rights while at Pippin Properties.
Mary Kate Castellani at Bloomsbury has acquired Trouble at the Tangerine by Gillian McDunn, a middle grade mystery pitched as The Vanderbeekers meets Only Murders in the Building. Simon's family has moved more times than he can count, and he's ready to make the Tangerine Pines building his forever home—but when a neighbor's necklace is stolen, clues indicate that the thief might be another neighbor, and Simon is determined to solve the case and finally put down roots. Publication is set for April 2024; Marietta B. Zacker at Gallt & Zacker Literary Agency brokered the deal for world rights.
Alison Romig at Delacorte Press has bought Stage Fright by Wendy Parris. When Avery returns to her hometown after moving away a year earlier, she is hoping to jump back into her friend group as if nothing has changed, but new interests, secret crushes, and changing dynamics get in her way. In an effort to reunite her BFFs, she suggests they host a séance at an abandoned theater that was the site of a tragedy; what starts as a fun outing soon becomes a fight for survival. Publication is planned for fall 2024; Karyn Fischer at BookStop Literary handled the deal for world rights.
Deirdre Jones at Little, Brown has acquired, at auction, Scamp by debut author-artist Anden Wilder, about a girl who believes she is a cat until she finds herself doing distinctly human things like eating with a spoon and enjoying a bath, and must use her big-girl abilities to save her best cat friend from danger. Publication is scheduled for winter 2025; Stephanie Fretwell-Hill at Red Fox Literary sold world rights.
Caitlyn Dlouhy at S&S/Caitlyn Dlouhy Books has bought world rights to Nearly Exactly Almost Like Me by Jennifer Bradbury (l.), illustrated by Pearl AuYeung, a picture book about two brothers whose relationship is questioned because one is adopted. Publication is planned for April 2025; Robin Rue at Writers House represented the author, and Kelly Sonnack at Andrea Brown Literary Agency represented the illustrator.
Kathleen Keenan at Kids Can Press has acquired world rights to Unnaturally Blue by Dorson Plourde (l.), illustrated by Byron Eggenschwiler, a story that explores the deep blue depths of anxiety and depression as it champions the bravery of feeling your feelings and discovering how to "swim" back to your truest self. Publication is set for spring 2025; Sera Rivers while at Martin Literary Management represented the author, and the illustrator represented himself.
Kelsey Skea at Amazon/Two Lions has bought world rights to Campingland by Ame Dyckman (l.), illustrated by James Burks, about a family who tries indoor camping to avoid their previous wilderness mishaps, only to discover that nothing replaces the real deal. Publication is scheduled for summer 2024; Scott Treimel at Scott Treimel NY represented the author, and Kelly Sonnack at Andrea Brown Literary Agency represented the illustrator.
Julia Recko at Feeding Minds Press has acquired world rights to If You Live on a Farm by Kari Ann Gonzalez (l.), illustrated by Marie Hermansson; Emma D. Dryden will edit. From sunny fruit orchards to dark mushroom farms, readers will get a glimpse at the magic and mystery of rural life. Publication is slated for spring 2025; Stacey Kondla at the Rights Factory represented the author, and Caryn Wiseman at Andrea Brown Literary Agency represented the illustrator.
Jill Davis at Astra/Hippo Park has bought world rights to Beatrice Alemagna's Pepper and Me, a picture book about the tempestuous relationship between a girl and the painful, annoying scab on her knee as both heal and change with time. Publication is slated for winter 2024; the author represented herself.
Jennifer Stokes at OwlKids has acquired Samina Goes to a Wedding, a picture book by author-illustrator Farida Zaman. When Samina visits Bangladesh for the first time to attend Aunty Yasmine's wedding, she enjoys activities and traditions with her extended family that give her a new understanding of her culture. Publication is set for spring 2026; Essie White at Storm Literary Agency sold world rights.
Sandra Sutter at Gnome Road Publishing has bought a three-book informational fiction picture book series by author-illustrator Bonnie Kelso. Titled Sea Smiles (spring 2024), Sea Suds (2025) and Sleepy Sea (2026), the stories pair childhood milestones—losing a tooth, learning to bathe, and sleeping alone—with facts about sea animals engaged in similar activities. Liz Nealon at Great Dog Literary negotiated the deal for world rights.
Sarah Rockett at Sleeping Bear Press has acquired English world rights to A Voice Like Yours by Frank Murphy (l.) and April Groman (c.), illustrated by Kayla Harren (r.). From singing to writing to painting to sign language to using a tablet, this picture book celebrates the many ways we express ourselves to make a difference. Publication is scheduled for summer 2024; the authors represented themselves, and Marietta B. Zacker at Gallt & Zacker Literary Agency represented the illustrator.
Rosemary Brosnan and Cynthia Leitch Smith at HarperCollins/Heartdrum have acquired, in a two-book deal, A Constellation of Minor Bears by Stonewall Honor author Jen Ferguson (Métis/white) (The Summer of Bitter and Sweet). In this contemporary YA novel, two Métis teens whose once-best friendship is hanging by a thread set out to hike the Pacific Crest Trail in a long-planned post-graduation trip, but their fragile bond is put to the test when a runaway from an abusive weight loss camp unexpectedly joins their hiking group. Publication is planned for fall 2024; Patricia Nelson at Marsal Lyon Literary Agency handled the deal for world English rights.
Wendy McClure at Sourcebooks Fire has bought, in a preempt, Bittersweet Poison, Hayley Dennings's debut, a YA historical fantasy duology set in a darkly twisted 1920s Harlem. During the most morally disruptive period in U.S. history, Black bodies are experimented on and turned into bloodthirsty reapers and the Saint Empire is tasked with protecting human life. Saint heiress Elise must kill her childhood best friend turned enemy and reaper, but when a Saint member is murdered, the two girls are forced into an alliance and must keep their confusing feelings in check. Publication is set for fall 2024 and fall 2025; Emily Forney at BookEnds Literary did the deal for North American rights.
Nikki Garcia at Little, Brown has acquired a YA historical fantasy by Seven Faceless Saints author M.K. Lobb called To Steal From Thieves plus a sequel, about a charming con man and a magic-wielding inventor as they attempt to rob London's Crystal Palace during the 1851 Great Exhibition. Publication for the first book in this duology is scheduled for winter 2025; Claire Friedman at InkWell Management sold world rights.
Thalia Leaf at Astra/Calkins Creek has bought All the Truth I Can Stand, a YA novel by debut YA author Mason Stokes. Paralleling the tragic murder of Matthew Shepard in 1998, the story follows a gay teen and a college journalist as they search for the truth of what happened to their friend and wrestle with what it means to have found it. Publication is planned for fall 2024; Savannah Brooks at KT Literary sold world English rights.
Taylor Norman at Holiday House/Neal Porter Books has acquired A Potion, A Powder, A Little Bit of Magic, the illustrated middle grade debut by Philip Stead, about an orphan named Bernadette who must track down a troublesome goat alongside an old magician, a storyteller, and a slew of other funny, magical folks. Publication is slated for fall 2025; Emily van Beek at Folio Jr./Folio Literary Management negotiated the deal for world rights.
Jessica Smith at Aladdin has bought Not If You Break Up with Me First by G.F. Miller, an upper middle grade rom-com about two childhood friends who awkwardly find themselves in an accidental relationship and become determined to make the other person be the one to call things off, but what if they fall for each other in the process? Publication is set for summer 2024; Kim Lionetti at BookEnds Literary Agency brokered the deal for world rights.
Julia McCarthy at Atheneum has acquired world rights to the first four books in the Cloud Puppy graphic novel series by Kelly Leigh Miller (I Love My series). This series follows bubbly Cloud Puppy (part cloud and part puppy), a lover of all things pop culture, comics, gaming, and more as she navigates fandom with friends, finds quirky new ways to have fun, and has plenty of laughs along the way. Publication will start in summer 2024; Thao Le at Sandra Dijkstra & Associates did the deal.
Margaret Ferguson at Holiday House/Ferguson has bought Claudia Mills's middle-grade novel The Last Apple Tree, about two classmates at odds who come together on a project interviewing seniors. Publication is scheduled for fall 2024; Stephen Fraser at the Jennifer De Chiara Literary Agency sold world rights.
Deeba Zargarpur at Simon & Schuster has acquired, at auction, The Pink Pajamas, a picture book written and illustrated by 2023 Stonewall Book Award-winning illustrator Charlene Chua (Love, Violet). Ling Ling's Ah Yi, her aunt, says "I love you" with her sewing, though Ling Ling isn't impressed by her latest pajamas—they're pink! But when Ah Yi passes away and Ling Ling is left wearing store-bought pajamas in place of her beloved handmade ones, she realizes even pajamas in her least favorite color are a loving piece of Ah Yi. Publication is planned for summer 2025; Tracy Marchini at BookEnds Literary Agency sold world rights.
Maria Correa at Random House has bought world rights to Laan Cham's Perfect Is Not Perfect, in which Mao Mao, a perfectionist panda, tries to teach his messy classmate Olivia how to be perfect too—but when his plans go awry, Mao Mao wonders if perhaps there is something special hidden in imperfection. Publication is slated for summer 2025; Jemiscoe Chambers-Black at Andrea Brown Literary Agency negotiated the deal.
Meredith Mundy at Abrams Appleseed has acquired Hair Like Obama's and an untitled picture book sequel by Carole Boston Weatherford (l.), illustrated by Savanna Durr, which celebrates the joy and empowerment Black children find in great leaders like Barack Obama, great athletes like Michael Jordan, and great inventors like Elijah McCoy. Publication is set for fall 2024 for the first book and fall 2025 for the second; Rubin Pfeffer at Rubin Pfeffer Content represented the author, and Lillian Mazeika at Tugeau 2 represented the illustrator.
Nicolás Ore-Giron and Connie Hsu at Roaring Brook have bought world rights to Because of Dads, a picture book by K.E. Lewis (l.), illustrated by Maithili Joshi, a celebration of the inspirational qualities—and the antics—that unite all dads and father figures. Publication is scheduled for winter 2025; Hannah Mann at Writers House represented the author. and Chad W. Beckerman at the CAT Agency represented the artist.
Melanie Cordova, while at Candlewick, acquired world rights to An Altar for Abuelo by Laurenne Sala (l.), illustrated by Luisa Uribe; Alex Robertson will edit. This picture book shares the experience of a child celebrating their abuelo's life while also grieving his death. Publication is planned for fall 2025; Kelly Sonnack at Andrea Brown Literary Agency represented the author, and James Burns at the Bright Agency represented the illustrator.
Jennifer Thompson at Scholastic has bought world rights to Beautiful Black Boy by Sophia Robinson (l.), illustrated by Ken Daley, a picture book that uses affirmations to celebrate the strength of Black boys everywhere. Publication is slated for spring 2024; the author represented herself, and Christy Ewers at the CAT Agency represented the illustrator.
Sue Tarsky at Albert Whitman has acquired world rights to A Teddy Bear for Emily and President Roosevelt by the National Jewish Book Award-winning team of author Nancy Churnin (l.) and illustrator Bethany Stancliffe, a historically inspired story of a girl who helps her immigrant parents create the original teddy bear to honor a kind president. Publication is set for September 2024; Karen Grencik at Red Fox represented the author; the illustrator represented herself.
Kayla Tostevin at Page Street Kids has bought world rights to Elton: How Elton John Rocketed into Music History by Robyn McGrath (l.), illustrated by Francesca Mahaney, a picture book biography that celebrates how the iconic musician broke free of constraints and expectations to unleash his inner star. Publication is scheduled for spring 2025; Amy Thrall Flynn at Rubin Pfeffer Content represented the author, and Kelly Sonnack at Andrea Brown Literary Agency represented the illustrator.
Maria Dismondy and Adam Blackman at Cardinal Rule Press have acquired world rights to Camouflage Mom by Sarah Hovorka (l.) (Same Love, Different Hug), illustrated by Elif Balta. Based on the author's childhood, this picture book explores a child's emotional journey when her mother leaves for the military. Publication is planned for summer 2024; Kaitlyn Sanchez at Bradford Literary Agency represented the author, and Erin Tisdel at Advocate Art represented the illustrator.
Sarah Rockett at Sleeping Bear Press has bought world rights to The Littlest Grito by Nicholas Solis (l.) (The Color Collector), illustrated by Teresa Martinez (Until Someone Listens), about young Gloria who, when her father falls ill, must step up and find her voice to make the grito, the emotional cry that starts the annual Mexican Independence Day fiesta. Publication is slated for fall 2024; Erzsi Deak at Hen&ink Literary Studio represented the author, and Tina Doffing at Astound US represented the illustrator.
Nancy Mercado at Dial has acquired world rights to The Right to Belong: Judy Heumann and the Work for Disability Justice, written by the late disability activist Judy Heumann (top l.) with Jessica Slice (top r.) and Caroline Cupp (bottom l.), illustrated by Noah Grigni (bottom r.). The authors, all disabled, employ Judy's efforts to be included in the classroom first as a student and then as a tool to teach children that they have the power to advocate for what is right in their own lives. Publication is projected for spring 2025; Jill Marr at Sandra Dijkstra Literary Agency represented the authors, and Kelly Sonnack at Andrea Brown Literary represented the illustrator.
