Nikki Garcia at Little, Brown has acquired a historical novel by The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air actor Karyn Parsons in her YA debut, titled Blue Beach, about a girl whose life changes when a dead white debutante washes up on the shore of the Black beach owned by her family. Publication is scheduled for summer 2025; Marc Gerald at Europa Content sold North American rights.
Alison Romig at Delacorte has bought Love Points to You by Alice Lin (Fireworks), a LGBTQ+ YA contemporary romance that follows Lynda Fan, an artist with the skills and the drive to get into design school—but not the money—and her rich and arrogant classmate, Angela Wu. When Angela offers to hire her as a character designer for an otome game, Lynda discovers things she never knew about herself—or her heart. Publication is slated for spring 2025; Lynnette Novak at the Seymour Agency negotiated the deal for world rights.
Sara Schonfeld at HarperCollins has acquired Broken Dolls, a middle grade horror novel by Bram Stoker finalist Ally Malinenko (This Appearing House). When Kaye, a girl with arithmomania and selective mutism, moves upstate after her grandfather's death, she starts to lose her sister to a creepy doll—who wants to turn Holly into a doll herself—and Kaye must stop Holly's transformation, because dolls never die. Publication is planned for summer 2025; Rena Rossner at the Deborah Harris Agency sold North American rights.
Alison Romig at Delacorte has bought Mystery James Digs Her Own Grave by Ally Russell (It Came from the Trees), a middle grade story that follows 13-year-old Mystery, who was abandoned in a cemetery, raised in a funeral home, and can smell ghosts. When a priceless heirloom goes missing and her family's funeral home is in danger of closing, Mystery embarks on an adventure to clear Garcia Graves's good name. Publication is set for fall 2025; Paige Terlip at Andrea Brown Literary Agency did the two-book deal for world rights.
Rachel Stark at Disney-Hyperion has acquired two books in Konstantin Steshenko's young middle grade series, We're All Gonna Die-nosaur!!! In these illustrated stories aimed at fans of The Bad Guys, Pterry's bad dreams have a tendency to come true. Can he find the courage to face his fears when his friends and family need him—especially when Pterry's worst nightmare is about something called extinction? Publication is scheduled for spring 2025; Ammi-Joan Paquette at Erin Murphy Literary Agency sold world rights.
Sally Morgridge at Holiday House has bought two books in Dusti Bowling's Sir Edmund of the Wild West series, a chapter book series exploring ghost legends of the West and featuring Sir Edmund, a seizure alert dog who thinks he's British. In the first book, Edmund and his new owner, a ghost hunter named Willy, investigate the mystery and lore of the Grand Canyon. Publication is slated for spring 2026 and spring 2027; Shannon Hassan at Marsal Lyon Literary Agency handled the deal for world rights.
Maria Correa at Random House has acquired, at auction, Gray Squirrel Loses It by Cassandra Federman, a picture book in which a tour of a deciduous forest is interrupted by a panicked gray squirrel who cannot remember where he buried his nut. Publication is planned for summer 2025; Jennifer March Soloway at Andrea Brown Literary Agency brokered the deal for world rights.
Angus Yuen-Killick at Red Comet Press has bought world rights to Bunny's Most Fabulous Vacation Ever! by Brian Fitzgerald (Be Thankful for Trees), his debut picture book as author-illustrator. Bunny takes her camper van for a peaceful trip to the seaside, but when she wakes up the next morning an unwelcome holiday maker, in the form of a large purple monster, has pitched his tent right next to her and she is not happy. Publication is set for spring 2024; Fitzgerald represented himself.
Susan Dobinick at Astra Young Readers has acquired The Most Perfect Persimmon by debut author-illustrator Hannah Chung. Joo Hong can hardly wait for her grandmother to visit so they can share a persimmon together—but the waiting gets tough as days pass and the persimmons ripen. When Grandma arrives, Joo Hong is devastated that the persimmons are mushy, but Grandma shows Joo Hong a new perspective by turning things (literally) upside-down. Publication is slated for fall 2024; Rebecca Sherman at Writers House did the two-book deal for world rights.
Kat Brzozowski at Feiwel and Friends has bought Penelope Weathervane's Grumpy Day by James Serafino, a picture book in which a girl's picnic plans are ruined when a storm rolls in and her thoughts turn cloudy, until she remembers to breathe, clearing the fog until the grumpy day is gone—or is it? Publication is scheduled for spring 2025; Jemiscoe Chambers-Black at Andrea Brown Literary Agency sold world rights.
Valery Badio and Carina Licon at Henry Holt have acquired world rights to The Night Before Christmas, illustrated by Hayden Goodman, a diverse visual reimagining of the original poem by Clement Clarke Moore set in a multifamily apartment building that celebrates the unique ways families of color await the arrival of Santa Claus. Publication is planned for fall 2025; Jessica Saint Jean at Jill Grinberg Literary Management negotiated the deal.
Kelsey Skea at Amazon/Two Lions has bought Darla and Everett Grow Something Beautiful by Jonathan D. Voss, a picture book about two kids who start gardens on opposite sides of a wall to brighten their lives and find that the garden not only brings them delight, but that a friendship blooms. Publication is set for spring 2025; Sara Crowe at Sara Crowe Literary did the deal for world rights.
Arthur Levine at Levine Querido has acquired world rights to The Sweetest of Lemons, a picture book by Printz winner Daniel Nayeri (l.), illustrated by Rahele Jomepour Bell. A young narrator visiting his grandfather's farm in Iran is told a fantastic and magical story of three brothers, a lemon tree, a giant, and a journey beyond our world. Publication is scheduled for spring 2025; Joanna Volpe at New Leaf Literary & Media represented the author, and Christy Ewers at the CAT Agency represented the illustrator.
Taylor Norman at Holiday House/Neal Porter Books has bought world rights to Maureen Shay Tajsar's (l.) debut picture book, Midnight Motorbike, illustrated by Ishita Jain, in which a mother lulls a daughter to sleep with a motorbike ride through the splendor of a South Indian jungle. Publication is slated for spring 2025; Erzsi Deak at Hen&ink Literary Studio represented the author, and Eryn Kalavsky at Salky Literary Management represented the illustrator.
Kathy Landwehr at Peachtree has acquired world rights to Go, Baby, Go, a picture book by Tara Dairman (l.), illustrated by Olivia Amoah, a sendup of a parent-and-baby jog around the neighborhood. Publication is planned for summer 2025; Ammi-Joan Paquette at Erin Murphy Literary Agency represented the author, and Paige Terlip at Andrea Brown Literary Agency represented the illustrator.
Kate Fletcher at Candlewick has bought world rights to Karma Is Action by Suma Subramaniam (l.), illustrated by Lavanya Naidu. The picture book explores the meaningful—and sometimes misunderstood or appropriated—concept of karma to a young audience. Publication is set for spring 2027; Miranda Paul at Erin Murphy Literary Agency represented the author, and Aliza Hoover at the CAT Agency represented the artist.
Brett Duquette at Little Bee Books has acquired world rights to The Belly Song and a companion title by TikTok sensation Mother Moon (l.), illustrated by Leah Giles, celebrating the body and belly. Publication is scheduled for summer 2024; the author was unagented, and Jemiscoe Chambers-Black at Andrea Brown Literary Agency represented the illustrator.
Naomi Krueger at Beaming Books has bought world rights to Vera La Valiente by Ana Siqueira (l.) (If Your Babysitter Is a Bruja), illustrated by Teresa Martinez, a picture book in which a girl is proud of her bravery until she is faced with a rollercoaster and must find a new definition of courage. Publication is slated for fall 2025; Joyce Sweeney at the Seymour Agency represented the author, and Tina Doffing at Astound US represented the illustrator.
Sarah Rockett at Sleeping Bear has acquired world rights to A Little Bit of Everything by Meghana Narayan (l.), illustrated by Michelle Carlos, which asks readers to celebrate their own unique heritage and experiences—and that of others. Publication is planned for spring 2024; the author was unagented, and Tina Doffing at Astound US represented the illustrator.
