Alexa Wejko at Soho Teen has acquired Kelly Murashige's YA debut, the contemporary fantasy The Lost Souls of Benzaiten, in a two-book deal. After 17-year-old Machi finds herself unable to speak following a traumatic friendship breakup, she prays to the Japanese goddess Benzaiten for one thing—to become a vacuum cleaner robot—and accidentally invokes the deity, who makes it her mission to show Machi that life is worth living. Publication is slated for fall 2024; Savannah Brooks at KT Literary sold world rights.
Laura Schreiber at Union Square & Co. has bought Sujin Witherspoon's debut YA novel, Bingsu for Two, a coffee shop rom-com about two teens who begrudgingly fake a relationship online to save their failing Korean café. Publication is scheduled for fall 2024; Maeve MacLysaght at Copps Literary Services negotiated the two-book deal for world rights.
Alexandra Aceves at Holiday House has acquired The Worst Perfect Moment by Shivaun Plozza, pitched as a queer The Good Place meets A Christmas Carol. When 16-year-old Tegan dies, she's shocked to discover her "perfect heaven" is a replica of the Jersey shore motel where she spent the worst weekend of her life, so she and the snarky-but-cute teen angel responsible for the apparent mistake must tour through Tegan's memories to uncover her true happiest moment. Publication is set for summer 2024; Katelyn Detweiler at Jill Grinberg Literary Management sold North American rights.
Amy Fitzgerald at Lerner/Carolrhoda has bought, in an exclusive submission, Jennifer Mason-Black's YA novel Sometimes the Girl. When 18-year-old Holiday gets a summer job cleaning out a famous author's attic, she struggles to understand why the woman never wrote another novel—and discovers how art and life entwine. Publication is planned for spring 2025; Alice Speilburg at Speilburg Literary Agency sold world rights.
Margaret Ferguson at Holiday House/Margaret Ferguson Books has acquired Tricia Springstubb's next middle-grade novel, All You Need to Know. This contemporary story follows seventh-grader Amber Price, whose older brother becomes a hero when he rescues her from a devastating fire—a fire no one else knows he accidentally started. Publication is slated for summer 2025; Kristin Ostby at Greenhouse Literary brokered the deal for North American English rights.
Erinn Pascal at Andrews McMeel has bought, in a two-book deal, debut author-illustrator Tate Godwin's middle grade graphic novels, Operation: Cover-Up and Operation: Rendezvous, in which three unlikely friends navigate the complicated and comical terrain of fifth grade, learn how to be good friends, and remain true to themselves. Publication is scheduled for spring 2025 and summer 2026 respectively; Lori Steel at Red Fox Literary sold world English rights.
Hannah Smith at Owl Hollow Press has acquired Rust Bucket by Ron Walters (Deep Dive; Calix and the Fire Demon), a middle grade science fiction adventure in which 13-year-old Jackson, along with his borrowed-without-permission temperamental ship, Rust Bucket, and his crew of misfit orphans salvage wrecks around the asteroid belt to make ends meet. Publication is set for fall 2024; David Dunton at Harvey Klinger Literary Agency sold world English rights.
Jenna Lettice at Random House has bought Witchycakes, a new chapter book series by Kara LaReau (l.) (The Infamous Ratsos), about a young nonbinary witch and their adventures in magic and community, and the joy of a perfectly imperfect plum tart. Ariane Moreira will illustrate the series. Publication will begin in summer 2025; Ammi-Joan Paquette at Erin Murphy Literary Agency represented the author, and Alex Gehringer at the Bright Agency represented the illustrator in the four-book deal for world rights.
Kate O'Sullivan at Clarion Books has acquired world rights to Beth Ferry (l.) and Tom Lichtenheld's The Peddler of Puddles, about a generous turtle who wanders the forest making puddles for every type of forest creature until he is awestruck by a glimpse of the ocean and discovers that he longs for something bigger than himself. Publication is planned for winter 2025; Elena Giovinazzo at Pippin Properties represented the author, and Amy Rennert at Amy Rennert Agency represented the illustrator.
Nancy Siscoe at Knopf has bought world rights for A Pocket Full of Rocks by Kristin Mahoney (l.), illustrated by Ezra Jack Keats Honor artist E.B. Goodale. In this story about seeing the possibilities in ordinary things, a child collects a pocket full of treasures in each season, using them in creative ways, saving them for a while, and giving them away to make room for more. Publication is slated for spring 2025; Sarah Burnes at the Gernert Company represented the author, and Lori Kilkelly at LK Literary Agency represented the illustrator.
Maria Correa at Random House has acquired world rights to Ritu in the Sun by Moniza Hossain (l.), illustrated by Mercè López, a debut picture book about a girl who loves the sun but is asked to stay in the shade by her grandmother due to ingrained colorism. Publication is scheduled for spring 2026, Uwe Stender at Triada US represented the author, and Mela Bolinao at MB Artists represented the illustrator.
Mekisha Telfer at Roaring Brook has bought, at auction, world rights to Once We Were Strangers, a picture book by Debbie Levy (l.) (I Dissent), illustrated by Wesley Allsbrook. A child narrator shares a Jewish custom that has been passed down through generations and is repeated in the Torah more times than any other guidance—an urging to welcome, protect, and love the stranger. Publication is planned for spring 2025; Caryn Wiseman at Andrea Brown Literary Agency represented the author, and Chad W. Beckerman at the CAT Agency represented the illustrator.
Steve Geck at Sourcebooks Jabberwocky has acquired world rights to Hanukkah Pajamakkahs, a debut picture book by Dara Henry (l.), illustrated by Olga Ivanov (r.) and Aleksey Ivanov (c.), in which a little mess cannot extinguish a girl's love of her new Hanukkah pajamas or her excitement for celebrating the Festival of Lights. Publication is set for September 2024; Rena Rossner at the Deborah Harris Agency represented the author, and Mela Bolinao at MB Artists represented the illustrators.
Angus Yuen-Killick at Red Comet Press has bought world rights to the picture book 18 Flowers for Grandma by Alison Goldberg (l.), illustrated by Jesse White, a story about sharing Jewish traditions between generations featuring a grandmother who teaches her granddaughter her love of making art. Publication is slated for fall 2024; the author represented herself and Paige Terlip at Andrea Brown Literary Agency represented the artist.
Kathleen Keenan at Kids Can Press has acquired A Bigfoot's Guide to Dangerous Campers by Starboy author-illustrator Jami Gigot, a picture book about the one woodland species that Bigfoot fears above all others—campers. Publication is scheduled for spring 2025; Stephanie Fretwell-Hill at Red Fox Literary handled the deal for world rights.
Anna Roberto at Feiwel and Friends has bought, at auction, Rachel Michelle Wilson's debut How to Pee Your Pants (The Right Way), a humorous picture book about a bird who turns his most embarrassing moment into an opportunity to help a friend. Publication is planned for fall 2024; Lindsay Auld at Writers House negotiated the two-book deal for world rights.
Margot Blankier at Tundra Books has acquired world rights to the picture book Dinos That Drive! by Suzy Levinson (l.) illustrated by Dustin Harbin. This poetry collection features dinosaurs speeding around in pickup trucks, helicopters, trains, and other not-so-extinct forms of transportation. Publication is set for summer 2025; Rachel Orr at Prospect Agency represented the author, and the illustrator represented himself.
Nicole Frail at Sky Pony Press has bought world rights to How to Train a Tooth Fairy by Sue Fliess (l.), illustrated by Simona Sanfilippo. In this picture book, children wonder how a tooth fairy new to the job knows what to do, and decide to help with her training. Publication is slated for summer 2024; Jennifer Unter at the Unter Agency represented the author, and Becky Wilson at the Plum Agency represented the illustrator.
Katherine Jacobs at Zonderkidz has acquired world rights to I Am the Spirit of Justice by Jemar Tisby (l.), co-authored by Malcolm Newsome (c.), and illustrated by Nadia Fisher (r.), a picture book companion to the forthcoming adult book The Spirit of Justice, highlighting the ways people have been fighting for justice in the U.S. from the very beginning. Publication is set for winter 2025; Mel Berger at William Morris Entertainment represented Tisby, James McGowan at BookEnds represented Newsome, and Jemiscoe Chambers-Black at Andrea Brown Literary Agency represented Fisher. A young readers edition of The Spirit of Justice has also been acquired, called Stories of the Spirit of Justice, set for fall 2024.
Carter Hasegawa at Candlewick Press has acquired Stuck Up and Stupid, a debut YA romance from mother-and-daughter team Kate Rice (l.) and actor Angourie Rice, a Pride and Prejudice retelling for the modern age that follows Australian teens whose sun-kissed lives are rocked when a party of young Hollywood stars and influencers arrives for the summer. Publication is scheduled for spring 2025; Benython Oldfield at Zeitgeist Agency sold world rights, with Walker Books Australia and Walker Books UK publishing in their territories.
Chris Duffy at Union Square Kids has bought the first two books in the middle grade graphic novel series PetWizards by Kirk Scroggs (The Secret Spiral of Swamp Kid). It follows Finch Eaglehawk, a glam rock–loving middle schooler with the power to control pets, though he can only control the "etcetera" of the animal kingdom (snakes, snapping turtles, and hissing cockroaches of the world). He will use his abilities to help those in need, protect the vulnerable, and most importantly, impress his school crush, Ken Chu, the dreamy star of the school musical. Publication is set for spring 2024. Jordan Hamessley sold world English rights while at New Leaf Literary & Media; she now represents Scroggs at JABberwocky Literary Agency.
Elizabeth Stranahan at Random House has acquired a middle grade detective series by Goldy Moldavsky. In Bubblegum Shoes and the Case of the Contraband Closet, sixth-grade PI Maya Mendoza teams up with her classmates to discover the fate of some missing valuables, and with a little luck, Maya might also solve why her best friend isn't speaking to her anymore. Publication for the first book is slated for summer 2025; Jenny Bent at the Bent Agency and Temple Hill Entertainment did the two-book deal for world rights.
Rachel Stark at Disney-Hyperion has bought Pet Shop Racers by C.S. Jennings, a three-volume early reader graphic novel series in which pet shop pals Ham and Shelby (a hamster and a ferret) go on pint-sized racing adventures. Timothy Travaglini at Transatlantic Literacy Agency sold world rights.
Nancy Siscoe at Knopf has acquired North American rights to Tidemagic: The Many Faces of Ista Flit and two more titles in a middle grade fantasy trilogy by debut author Clare Harlow. In a world where magic rises and falls with the tide and everyone is born with a magical gift, Ista Flit has the rare ability to look like anyone she's ever seen. She'll need that skill to get to the bottom of a mystery involving monsters, miscreants, and missing people. Publication is planned for summer 2024; Amber Caravéo at Skylark Literary represented the author, and rights were acquired from Penguin Random House UK.
Julia McCarthy at Atheneum has bought world rights to Dinosaurs to Dragons: The Lore and Science of Mythical Animals by Elizabeth Shreeve (l.), illustrated by Violeta Encarnación, a middle grade illustrated nonfiction book that explores the inspirations for animal legends using fossil records and the natural world. Publication is scheduled for fall 2025; Ammi-Joan Paquette at Erin Murphy Literary Agency represented the author, and Chad W. Beckerman at the CAT Agency represented the illustrator.
Anna Roberto at Feiwel and Friends has acquired the picture book The King of Books by author-illustrator Gina Perry. It's Book Day, and the King of Books loves showing off what he can do with his magnificent collection, like making dizzying book towers and handy book trays for his meals. But when the realm is under attack, it's up to his loyal subjects to help him unlock the full power of the written word to save the day. Publication is set for spring 2025; Sean McCarthy at Sean McCarthy Literary Agency handled the deal for world English rights.
Mary-Kate Gaudet at Little, Brown has bought There's a Pony in My Apartment, a picture book by author-illustrator Jenn Harney, about a city girl who receives an unusual pet from her uncle and must convince her mother to keep it. Publication is planned for summer 2026; Rachel Orr at Prospect Agency negotiated the deal for world rights.
Joy Peskin at FSG has acquired world rights, in an exclusive submission, to Daniel J. Mahoney's picture book My Cat Is a Secret Agent, about a girl who is convinced her pet is much more than just an average cat, despite her parents' skepticism. Publication is slated for spring 2025; the author represented himself.
Meredith Mundy at Abrams has bought world rights to Unbreakable: A Japanese American Family in an American Incarceration Camp, co-authored by Jolene Gutiérrez (l.) and Minoru Tonai (c.), illustrated by Chris Sasaki (r.). This historical fiction picture book is based on the experiences of Minoru Tonai, a Japanese American whose father was arrested by the FBI after the bombing of Pearl Harbor and whose family was imprisoned in an incarceration camp in Colorado during World War II. Publication is set for fall 2025; Kaitlyn Sanchez at Bradford Literary represented the authors, and Kirsten Hall at Catbird Productions represented the illustrator.
Amy Novesky at Cameron Kids has acquired world rights to My Hive by Meredith May (l.), illustrated by Tenaya Lena (c.) and Jasmin Dwyer (r.), a picture book inspired by the author's memoir about growing up and finding a home with her grandfather and his honeybees. Publication is scheduled for fall 2024; Zoe Sandler represented May while at ICM Partners, Lori Kilkelly at LK Literary Agency represented Lena, and Dwyer represented herself.
Nancy Paulsen at Penguin/Nancy Paulsen Books has bought world rights to Always Enough Love by Emily Barth Isler (l.) (AfterMath), illustrated by Laura Ramos. The book is an ode to large, blended families and the reality of not always getting everything you want, but getting more than enough of what you need. Publication is slated for spring 2026; Emily Keyes at Keyes Agency represented the author, and Caryn Wiseman at Andrea Brown Literary Agency represented the illustrator.
Kristen Mohn at Capstone has acquired world rights to The Pass by Sara Laux Akin (l.), illustrated by Tanisha Cherislin, a picture book about a basketball-loving boy whose best friend moves away, and the gift of a book that is read, loved, learned "by heart," then shared again with a new friend in need of connection. Publication is planned for fall 2024; Amy Thrall Flynn at Rubin Pfeffer Content represented the author, and Nicole Tugeau at Tugeau2 represented the illustrator.
Sue Tarsky at Albert Whitman has bought world rights to Carried on the Wind: It Starts with a Seed by Sheri Mabry (l.), illustrated by Kristina Jones. This picture book spans from Alaska to Africa—dandelion to elephant—and back again as a child's small sigh sets off a series of interconnected events in the natural world. Publication is scheduled for fall 2024; the author represented herself, and Tracy Marchini at BookEnds Literary represented the illustrator.
Charlie Ilgunas at Little Bee Books has acquired world rights to Ping-Pong Shabbat by Ann D. Koffsky (l.), illustrated by Abigail Rajunov, a picture book about when 11-year-old Jewish ping-pong phenom Estee Ackerman had her championship match scheduled on the Sabbath, and she had to make a difficult choice between her passion and her faith. Publication is set for fall 2024; Joyce Sweeney at the Seymour Agency represented the author, and Aliza Hoover at the CAT Agency represented the illustrator.
Barb McNally at Sleeping Bear Press has bought world rights to No One Told Sandra What to Do by Molly Golden (l.), illustrated by Julia Breckenreid, a picture book biography of Sandra Day O'Connor, the first woman Supreme Court justice, who paved the way for other women and routinely worked across party lines to uphold important values. Publication is slated for spring 2025; Jacqui Lipton at the Tobias Literary Agency represented the author, and the illustrator was unagented.
Lisa Rosinsky at Barefoot Books has acquired world rights to The Rattlin' Bog, adapted by Jessica Law (l.) (A Hole in the Bottom of the Sea), illustrated by Brian Fitzgerald (Be Thankful for Trees), with audio to be sung by The Speks; Erin Lueck and Lisa Rosinsky will edit. This traditional Irish tune explores the creatures and wildlife in an Irish peat bog. Publication is planned for spring 2024; the author and artist represented themselves.
