Vicki Lame at Wednesday Books has acquired In Time with You by Kristin Dwyer, a YA contemporary romance pitched as You've Reached Sam meets Before I Fall. Devastated after her boyfriend Carter dies saving her from drowning, 19-year-old Nieve escapes home to stay with her grandmother—just to wake up on the first day of college, the year before. Desperate to save Carter this time, Nieve does everything she can to push him away, only to find herself falling for his best friend Max. But can she forget her past to find her future? Publication is set for winter 2026; Sarah Landis at Sterling Lord Literistic brokered the deal for world English rights.
Sarah Barley at Simon & Schuster/Sarah Barley Books has bought, in a preempt, North American rights to Rebecca Carvalho's Cecily and two untitled books set at Oakenfield College of Magic. Pitched as reminiscent of Emily Wilde's Encyclopaedia of Faeries and Downton Abbey for teens; Cecily is a crossover romantic fantasy about an unmagical young woman who finds work as a kitchen maid at a college for magic, and enters a new world of cutthroat wizard academia, dangerous, magical creatures, and a forbidden magical bond with a wizard. Publication is tentatively planned for summer 2026; Thao Le at Sandra Dijkstra Literary Agency did the three-book deal.
Kristie Choi at Atheneum has acquired My Killer Family Reunion by Dinesh Thiru (Into the Sunken City), pitched as Knives Out meets Never Have I Ever, about an Indian American teen whose annual family reunion is upended when she discovers that the "accident" that landed her grandmother in a coma may not have been so accidental after all, not when a sizeable fortune is now up for grabs. Publication is slated for summer 2026; Claire Friedman at InkWell Management handled the deal for world rights.
Ashley Imane Fields at Disney Hyperion has bought In Between Days, a YA epistolary novel by Camryn Garrett (Friday I'm in Love). The contemporary novel follows a teen who explores her queerness and navigates her grief through an unlikely friendship with her deceased father's boyfriend. Publication is scheduled for spring 2026; Beth Phelan at Gallt and Zacker Literary Agency negotiated the two-book deal for world English rights.
Julia McCarthy at Atheneum has acquired, in an exclusive submission, Heather Kassner's YA debut, Spellwright. Pitched as An Enchantment of Ravens meets A Study in Drowning, this cozy romantic fantasy follows a young spellwright who must reluctantly team up with an insufferably alluring magician to investigate the theft of a dark grimoire before its curse claims her next. Sheyla Knigge and Victoria Marini at High Line Literary brokered the deal for world rights, with publication set for fall 2026.
Nikki Garcia at Little, Brown has bought the debut YA novel by Erin Edwards titled The Ungovernable Heart of Miss Darcy, a queer historical romance set directly after the events of Pride and Prejudice, in which Georgiana Darcy finds her own love story. Publication is planned for winter 2026; Michaela Whatnall at Dystel, Goderich, & Bourret sold world rights.
Lauren Knowles at Page Street YA has acquired Secrets, Spells, and Chocolate by Marisa Churchill, in which 14-year-old Sylvie finally achieves her dream of attending Brindille School of Culinary Arts and Magic. But when rumors of her mother's alleged cheating at the world's greatest magical cooking competition turn violent, Sylvie will do anything to prove her mother's innocence, even if it means putting her own life in danger. Publication is slated for fall 2025; Kayla Cichello at Upstart Crow Literary negotiated the deal for world rights.
Alessandra Balzer at Macmillan/Balzer + Bray has bought The Unlikely Tale of Chase and Finnegan by Newbery Honor author Jasmine Warga (A Rover's Story). This middle grade novel tells the tale of an improbable friendship between a rescue dog and a cheetah, and explores how the power of friendship can transcend anything—even species. Publication is scheduled for spring 2026; Brenda Bowen at the Book Group did the deal for North American rights.
Alyza Liu at Simon & Schuster has acquired North American rights to Rebecca Mix's middle grade novel, Milo and the Monstrous Betwixt. When Milo and his sister tumble into a magical world beneath Michigan's swamps, he must complete a series of trials to save her from the memory-eating Magpie, or risk them both becoming monsters forever. Publication is planned for summer 2026; Jim McCarthy at Dystel, Goderich & Bourret negotiated the two-book deal.
Rūta Rimas at Putnam has bought, in an exclusive submission, Sisters Alone by National Book Award winner Shifa Saltagi Safadi. Frozen meets Home Alone in this middle grade verse novel about two sisters stuck home alone in a blizzard who have to navigate their icy relationship, anxiety struggles, and grief to survive the stormy weather and tumultuous events around them. Publication is set for fall 2026; Janine Le at Janine Le Literary Agency brokered the deal for world rights.
Mora Couch at Holiday House has acquired, in an exclusive submission, California or Dust, a middle grade historical novel by Mindy Nichols Wendell (Light and Air), in which 11-year-old Lark and her family have fled Oklahoma's Dust Bowl for a not-so-sunny welcome in California. Publication is slated for spring 2026; Michelle Hauck at Storm Literary Agency handled the deal for world rights.
Justin Krasner at Sourcebooks eXplore has bought world rights to We All We Got, We All We Need, a history of women's basketball in America for middle graders by author and WNBA fanatic Nicole Melleby. Publication is scheduled for winter 2027, just in time for that year's women's basketball season; Jim McCarthy at Dystel, Goderich & Bourret negotiated the deal.
Elizabeth Kribs at Tundra Books has acquired world rights to I Am the Moon by Rachel Poliquin (l.), illustrated by Sean Lewis, a middle grade mock-autobiography narrated by Earth's only natural satellite. Publication is planned for spring 2027; Amy Tompkins at Transatlantic Agency represented the author, and Stephen Barr at Writers House represented the artist.
Margaret Anastas at Flamingo Books has bought world rights to What Kind of Shoes Does a Hippopotamus Choose? by footwear designer Kat Maconie (l.), illustrated by Sebastien Braun. The debut picture book for the author explores the cheeky question of, if hippos had a taste for fashion, what kind of shoes would they pick? Publication is set for summer 2025; Stephen Barbara at InkWell Management represented the author, and Nicky Lander at the Bright Agency represented the artist.
Taylor Norman at Holiday House/Neal Porter Books has acquired world English rights to On Fridays by Winsome Bingham (l.), illustrated by Caldecott Honoree Jason Griffin, a picture book about a boy who, every Friday, visits the patients at the treatment center where his mother works, discovering a sense of community in doing so. Publication is slated for summer 2026; Hannah Mann at Writers House represented the author, and Elena Giovinazzo, while at Pippin Properties, represented the illustrator.
Ian Tseng at Chronicle Books has bought author-illustrator Camey Yeh's Two Little Hot Dogs, a picture book about two hot dog BFFs, Frankie and Ferg, who do everything together—no literally, everything dude!—until one day, they don't see eye to eye. Publication is scheduled for spring 2027; Kristin Ostby at Greenhouse Literary brokered the deal for world rights.
Nancy Paulsen at Penguin/Nancy Paulsen Books has acquired Brazilian illustrator Irena Freitas author-illustrator debut, The Dog from Ipanema, a picture book inspired by the iconic bossa nova song about an energetic dog whose over-the-top enthusiasm makes it difficult to find a friend to play with at the beach. Publication is set for summer 2027; Adriana Domínguez at Aevitas Creative Management negotiated the deal for world rights
Sylvie Frank at Disney Hyperion has bought world rights to Patriot, a picture book by Global Fulbright legal scholar, educator and Little Lawyers founder Allison Matulli (l.) (Your Freedom, Your Power: A Kid's Guide to the First Amendment), illustrated by Laura Freeman. In it, a Black boy examines what patriotism really means in practice, for publication in spring 2027. Lilly Ghahremani at Full Circle Literary represented the author, and Janet DeCarlo at Storybook Arts represented the illustrator.
Rosie Ahmed, while at Dial Books, acquired world English rights to Taking Flight, a picture book by South Asia Book Award winner Kashmira Sheth (l.), illustrated by Nicolo Carozzi (Brave as a Mouse), which places readers in the point of view of three child refugees in a series of stories showing loss but also resiliency and kindness. Michelle Lee will edit; publication is planned for summer 2026. Abigail Samoun at Red Fox Literary represented both the author and the illustrator.
Ann Kelley at Random House Studio has bought world rights to Megan Frazer Blakemore's (l.) debut picture book, The Attic Dragon, illustrated by Christopher Thornock. Life goes on for a family who lives in an old house, unaware that in the attic, a dragon waits to be discovered, in this picture book about the wonder and magic that hides in unlikely places. Publication is slated for fall 2027; Sara Crowe at Sara Crowe Literary represented the author, and Lori Steel at Steel Works Literary represented the illustrator.
Michael Green at Marble Press has acquired world rights to The Sweetest Taste by Sara Holly Ackerman (l.) (Not Just the Driver!), illustrated by Juliana Oakley. It's time for Eva to begin her first year of school, but she'd much rather help Papa in the music store. But a piano in a music room reminds her of the sweet sounds of home, just as a slice of Papa's honey cake reminds her of the sweet taste of learning. Publication is scheduled for summer 2026; Tricia Lawrence at Erin Murphy Literary Agency represented the author, and Anne Moore Armstrong at the Bright Agency represented the illustrator.
Josh Gregory at Albert Whitman has bought world rights to My Sister's Doljabi, a picture book by Ginger Park (l.) and Frances Park (c.), illustrated by Violet Kim (r.). Hoon is helping his parents plan his baby sister's first birthday—the most important birthday for Koreans. The celebration traditionally closes with a fun ceremony called the doljabi (which translates to "birthday grab"), where the baby is placed before a set of symbolic items and encouraged to choose one of the objects, which is thought to predict the baby's future. Publication is set for October 2025; Jennifer Unter at the Unter Agency represented the authors, and April Jones Prince at Studio Goodwin Sturges represented the illustrator.
Christopher Robbins at Familius has acquired world rights to In the Park by Cristina Ergunay (l,), illustrated by Gareth Lucas, a picture book that celebrates all the beauty and activity that New York City's Central Park has to offer and includes fun facts about each stop along the way. Publication is planned for spring 2026; Teresa Kietlinski at Bookmark Literary represented the author, and Alice Wilkinson at Meiklejohn Agency represented the illustrator.
Rebecca Davis at Astra/Calkins Creek has bought North American rights to Words I Might Have Eaten, selected by Georgia Heard (l.) and illustrated by Paige Keiser, a poetry anthology that celebrates the power of words as it playfully explores all aspects of words from synonyms, antonyms, and homophones to the words that tug at our hearts. Publication is slated for fall 2026; Elizabeth Harding at Curtis Brown represented the author, and Anne Moore Armstrong at the Bright Agency represented the illustrator.
Stacey Barney at Penguin/Nancy Paulsen Books has acquired world rights to Coretta Scott King/John Steptoe Award for New Talent winner Jade Adia's Delete Before Reading, a thriller that follows 17-year-old Zuri as she tries to extract her sister from a mind-reading cult which, to her enormous guilt, she had introduced her sister to in the first place. Publication is scheduled for summer 2027; Jim McCarthy at Dystel, Goderich & Bourret negotiated the deal.
Irene Vázquez at Levine Querido has bought, in an exclusive submission, Pura Belpré winner Yamile Saied Méndez's Hear Ye Mortals, a YA historical with fantasy elements pitched as When the Angels Left the Old Country meets I Must Betray You. Set against the backdrop of the dictatorship in 1970s Argentina, the book follows a family band using their music to resist the authoritarian government. Publication is set for fall 2026; Linda Camacho at Gallt & Zacker Literary Agency did the deal for world English, Spanish, and Dutch rights.
Annie Berger at Sourcebooks Fire has acquired, in an exclusive submission, world English rights to The Crimson Throne and three additional books by Sara Raasch (l.) and Beth Revis (Night of the Witch). Pitched as Outlander meets Holly Black, this start to an enemies-to-lovers historical romantasy duology sets a charming English spy against a fae Scottish guardian at the court of the traitor queen, Mary Queen of Scots. Publication is planned for fall 2025; Amy Stapp at Wolfson Literary represented Raasch, and Merrilee Heifetz at Writers House represented Revis.
Sophia Jimenez while at Atheneum won, at auction, Black History Is Your History by TikTok personality and digital content creator Taylor Cassidy; Feather Flores will edit. This lightly illustrated YA nonfiction features 12 figures from Black history whose groundbreaking contributions shaped America, as well as personal anecdotes and relatable stories that illuminate each trailblazer's impact on her life. Publication is slated for fall 2025; Sian-Ashleigh Edwards and Sabrina Taitz at WME brokered the deal for U.S., Canadian, and open market rights.
Mara Delgado Sánchez while at Wednesday Books bought Tehlor Mejia's Marrow, a YA dark academia fantasy in which Beck Mendoza, a trans 16-year-old boy, finds himself way in over his head when he joins a hyper-elite school with dark, potentially supernatural secrets—though the most mysterious (and dangerous) of all might be his entrancing new roommate. Vanessa Aguirre will edit; publication is scheduled for winter 2027. Jim McCarthy at Dystel, Goderich & Bourret sold world rights.
Rosemary Brosnan at HarperCollins/Quill Tree Books has acquired, at auction, René Peña-Govea's YA debut, Estela, Undrowning, in which 17-year-old poet Estela Morales navigates anxiety and eviction, along with love and racism, at San Francisco's most elite public high school after she loses the Latino Heritage Poetry Contest to a racial imposter. Publication is planned for winter 2026; Sandra Proudman at Gallt & Zacker Literary Agency negotiated the deal for North American rights.
Liz Kossnar at Little, Brown has bought, in an exclusive submission, Love Me to Death by Toonimated (Tara Mueller (l.) and Julian Juaregui). This YA romantasy graphic novel series, based on the webtoon and inspired by Mexican folklore, follows Victor, who, isolated by his status as a necromancer, finds himself magically entangled with a resurrected bride and her wealthy groom after he is hired to bring her back from the dead. Publication is set for winter 2026; Britt Siess at Britt Siess Creative Management sold world rights in the two-book deal.
Lauren Knowles at Page Street has acquired Brianna Jett's debut YA novel in verse, Under a Carnivore Sky. Burdened by hunger and labeled an outcast, a teenage girl partners with a would-be mapmaker to uncover the secrets of the carnivorous swamp and slay the monster lurking inside—before it can finish killing her father. Publication is slated for winter 2026; Brent Taylor at Triada US brokered the deal for world English rights.
Rachel Stark at Disney Hyperion has signed a three-book, mid-six-figure deal with Erin Bow, Newbery Honor-winning author of Simon Sort of Says. Book one launches a new series aimed at fans of The One and Only Ivan and The Tale of Despereaux; it follows two squabbling witch's familiars—a cat named Butter and a raven named Owl—who strike out on a quest to find their missing witch, only to encounter a world of Odyssey-flavored obstacles. The books will feature interior illustration and publication will start in fall 2026; Jane Putch at eyebait management sold world rights excluding Canada and the British Commonwealth.
Karen Sargent at Aladdin has bought Little Monsters by Mary E. Roach writing as Máire Roche, a middle grade retelling of Little Women with a speculative twist, in which Meg and her sisters are monsters in disguise who must navigate the challenges of sisterhood, friendship, and growing up, all while trying to hide their pointy teeth and sharp claws. Publication is scheduled for summer 2026; Claire Friedman at InkWell Management handled the deal for world rights.
Siobhan Ciminera at Simon Spotlight has acquired two Ready-to-Read titles by Geisel Honor author-illustrator Vikram Madan: Robot See, Robot Do, in which a little robot follows children copying everything they do, until bathtime, and Duck-A-Muck, in which a free-spirited duck ignores the wishes of fellow ducks, only to have trouble ensue when he starts playing where he should not. Publication is set for fall 2026 and spring 2027; Rosemary Stimola at Stimola Literary Studio brokered the deal for world rights.
Kristen Mohn at Capstone has bought world rights to Extraordinary Eliana and the Magnificent Hmong New Year by V.T. Bidania (l.), illustrated by Suji Park, first in an early chapter book series, Extraordinary Eliana. This Astrid and Apollo spin-off series stars the twins' precocious kid sister, who strives to stand out from her older siblings' shadow. Publication is slated for spring 2026; Laurel Symonds at KT Literary represented the author, and Simon Bollinger at Shannon Associates represented the illustrator.
Alessandra Balzer at Macmillan/Balzer + Bray has acquired world rights, in a two-book deal, to Kitty Caterpillar, a picture book about a character who is part-kitty, part-caterpillar, 100% irresistible by Emmy-nominated TV and book writing duo Annabeth Bondor-Stone (l.) and Connor White (c.), illustrated by Brigette Barrager (r.). Publication is planned for winter 2026; Erica Rand Silverman at Stimola Literary Studio represented the authors, and Kirsten Hall at Catbird Productions represented the artist.
Esther Cajahuaringa at Knopf has bought world rights to two picture books by Nana Ekua Brew-Hammond (l.), Yellow and Red. These two picture books explore the history and cultural significance of the color through time. Yellow will be illustrated by Children's Literacy Legacy Award winner James Ransome (c.) for publication in summer 2026. Red will be illustrated by Coretta Scott King/John Steptoe Award winner Briana Mukodiri Uchendu (r.) for publication in fall 2027. John Rudolph at Dystel, Goderich & Bourret represented the author, Erica Rand Silverman at Stimola Literary Studio represented Ransome, and Jessica Saint Jean while at Jill Grinberg Literary Management represented Uchendu.
Christy Ottaviano at Little, Brown/Ottaviano has acquired world rights to Bats on the Bus by Alison Jackson (l.), illustrated by Scott Magoon. This reimagining of a beloved nursery rhyme features a school bus full of monsters who can't wait to celebrate Halloween. Publication is scheduled for summer 2026; the author represented herself, and Paul Rodeen at Rodeen Literary Management represented the illustrator, who is now represented by Emily Van Beek at Folio Jr.
Karen Wojtyla at McElderry Books has bought world rights to Pufflings Fly Free: A Rescue Tale from Iceland, a picture book by Sibert Honor author Colleen Paeff (l.) (The Great Stink), illustrated by Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award nominee Linda Ólafsdóttir, about an Icelandic island where families and children rescue pufflings who lose their way and release them out the sea––where they belong. Publication is set for summer 2026. Lori Steel at SteelWorks Literary represented the author, and Jessica Saint Jean at Root Literary represented the illustrator while at Jill Grinberg Literary Management.
Rebecca Davis at Astra has acquired world rights to This Hair Belongs and This Voice Leads by JaNay Brown-Wood (l.), illustrated by Erin Robinson. This Hair Belongs is an ode to the history, heritage, and beauty of Black hair and the powerful people who grow it, while This Voice Leads is an ode to the dynamic and remarkable ways Black people have used their voices to overcome and persevere. Publication is planned for spring 2026 and spring 2027; Karen Grencik at Red Fox Literary represented the author, and Marlena Torzecka at the Marlena Agency represented the illustrator.
Margaret Anastas at Flamingo Books has bought debut picture book Billy and the Hole, written and illustrated by Jessica Goecke, the story of a kindhearted child who befriends a hole in the ground, and the increasingly troubling requests the hole makes of its new friend. Publication is slated for summer 2026; Christie Megill at the CAT Agency brokered the deal for world rights.
Samantha Dewaele at Groundwood Books has acquired Fake Gnus by author-illustrator Leslie Helakoski, a picture book about a kid reporter who asks readers to consider what is fake news and what is fact, while looking for the gnus that have escaped from their pen at the zoo. Publication is scheduled for spring 2026; Garrett Alwert at Emerald City Literary negotiated the deal for world rights.
Meredith Mundy at Abrams Appleseed has bought two mindfulness board books by Julie Koon. Breathe a Rainbow is an interactive board book that encourages kids to experience the power of deep breathing in a fun and tactile way, with a second book to follow. Publication is set for spring 2026 and spring 2027; Teresa Kietlinski at Bookmark Literary handled the deal for world rights.
Sarah Rockett at Sleeping Bear Press has acquired world rights to Afternoons with Ammama, a picture book by Meghana Narayan. A girl cherishes the magical moments with her grandmother, from cooking South Indian dishes to uncovering the garden's secrets; their afternoons are full of joy and unexpected discoveries. Publication is slated for spring 2027; Narayan represented herself.
Alexandra McKenzie at Charlesbridge has bought world rights to the picture book Cookout Chemistry by Tonya Duncan Ellis (l.), and Kristen Nobles has acquired world rights for illustration by Tiffany Rose. Siblings Rihanna and Andre are determined to make Grandma's cupcakes, so they set out to add a little of this and a little of that, but learn that while cooking might be an art, baking is a science that requires precision and measurement. Publication is planned for spring 2027 as part of Steamworks; Adria Goetz at KT Literary represented the author, and Erzsi Deak at Hen&ink Literary Studio represented the illustrator.
Kristin Zelazko at Magination Press has acquired world rights to Isabel's Birthday Surprise by Debbie Zapata (l.), illustrated by Gabriella Galvez. Isabel has been dreaming of a big birthday party with all her friends, a giant piñata, and cake. But as disappointments keep popping up, and a mix-up at lunchtime spells disaster for the day, she wonders if anything can save her big day. Publication is set for October 2025; Sophie Sheumaker and James McGowan at BookEnds represented the author, and Vickie Savanella at Advocate Art represented the illustrator.
Sandra Sutter at Gnome Road has bought world rights to Backyard Stew by Heather C. Morris (l.), illustrated by Deborah Schreiber, a picture book guide to beating the boredom blues with a tried-and-true "recipe" of natural ingredients that's always best when shared with friends. Publication is scheduled for fall 2026; the author represented herself, and Marie Bédrune at Illo Agency represented the illustrator.
