Bria Ragin, David Yoon, and Nicola Yoon at Joy Revolution have acquired Worth a Shot by Dora Wang, creator of the comic series Pocket Peaches. In this debut YA contemporary romance graphic novel, high school mascot Ann Chen is content being anonymous, cheering on the girls' varsity ice hockey team, especially their star player Lisa, from the sidelines. But as she and Lisa get closer off the ice, Ann begins to wonder how long she can keep up her carefully constructed disguise—and keep her growing crush a secret. Publication is slated for spring 2028; Britt Seiss at Britt Siess Creative Management sold world English rights.
Alessandra Balzer at Macmillan/Balzer + Bray has bought Callum at Last by debut author Paul Webb, a contemporary YA novel with Sex Education vibes set in Brighton, England, about a wallflower who inadvertently causes chaos by harboring an ill-advised crush within his new friend group, with themes of identity, reinvention, and belonging. Publication is scheduled for spring 2027; Alyssa Maltese at Root Literary sold world rights.
Ashley Hearn at Peachtree Teen has acquired The Lustrous Dark, a debut YA novel by Loretta Chefchaouni, first in a fantasy duology inspired by a Moroccan folktale, combining the lush worldbuilding of This Woven Kingdom with a dash of Tim Burton. A young midwife's apprentice risks her future to help her birth mother overcome an addiction to Snow, a deadly drug that temporarily reawakens women's dormant magic. But when she's betrayed and abandoned in a haunted forest, she seeks safety with a family of ghouls and uncovers the truth about how women's magic was stolen and the dangerous men who will stop at nothing to ensure it never returns. Publication is set for summer 2026; Lane Clarke at Ultra Literary did the deal for world rights.
Wendy Loggia at Delacorte has bought The Case of the Scarlet Snakebite by Christyne Morrell (Trex), a middle grade mystery about 12-year-old Agatha Christie enthusiast Amber Adler, who stumbles upon a real-life crime in her mother's quaint B&B. When her mother is framed for the crime, Amber must catch the real culprit before the family checks out while learning that sometimes, people are the greatest mystery of all. Publication is planned for spring 2026; Danielle Chiotti at Upstart Crow Literary brokered the deal for North American rights.
Jennifer Ung at Quill Tree Books has acquired world rights to Growing Together by Ursula Murray Husted (Botticelli's Apprentice). This middle-grade graphic novel follows three kids as they navigate friendship and first crushes when they join a gardening club at their school. Publication is scheduled for summer 2028; Judy Hansen at Hansen Literary negotiated the deal.
Jenne Abramowitz at Sourcebooks has bought, at auction, The Singing Tamales Present: Tis the Season for Tamales!, the debut author-illustrated picture book by Andrea Campos (illustrator of Con Pollo), and an untitled second book. In the first book, a singing, strumming, drumming band of tamales invites the reader to join in the holiday tradition of making tamales with family and friends, to the tune of "Deck the Halls." Publication is slated for fall 2026; Kelly Sonnack at Andrea Brown Literary Agency did the deal for world rights.
Karen Boss at Charlesbridge has acquired debut author-illustrator Ryan Blomberg's The Amazing Backyard Welcome Show, a picture book that acknowledges the anxieties of moving day for kids, pets, and adults alike, and also celebrates the new opportunities for creativity, connection, and community that a change of address can bring. Publication is planned for spring 2027; Molly O'Neill at Root Literary handled the deal for world rights.
Megan Abbate at Bloomsbury has bought world rights to Lion Dancer's Lost Lettuce by Michelle Jing Chan (Weiwei's Winter Solstice: A Dōngzhi Story). This picture book is a Lunar New Year tale in which a lion eager to bring luck and joy to Chinatown's parade loses his lettuce in a mishap and sets off through the city to retrieve it—only to discover that true fortune lies in community and resilience. Publication is set for fall 2026; Jemiscoe Chambers-Black at Andrea Brown Literary Agency brokered the deal.
Mary Lee Donovan at Candlewick Press has acquired world rights to When You Return a Book to the Library by Megan Wagner Lloyd (l.), illustrated by Priscilla Tey. This fanciful take on the public library system shows the journey of a book from check-out to check-back-in—with a side of magic and mayhem that may or may not underpin the whole process. Publication is scheduled for fall 2026; Ammi-Joan Paquette represented the author, and Steven Malk at Writers House represented the illustrator.
Claire Tattersfield at Penguin/Flamingo Books has bought world rights to Once Upon a Slime by Kathy Kelly (l.), illustrated by Erica J. Chen, a picture book about a snail named Shelby who struggles to see herself in fairy tales, and how she eventually finds her own happy ending. Publication is slated for spring 2027; Lynnette Novak at the Seymour Agency represented the author, and Becca Langton at Darley Anderson Children's Book Agency represented the illustrator.
Celia Lee at Simon & Schuster has acquired world rights to Leaf It to Me! by Katrina Moore (l.), illustrated by Biva Nguyen, a picture book with an autumnal theme and an ecological message, centered on a chipmunk who is determined to rake up all the leaves around her very neat forest home, only to realize that sometimes you need to leaf things be. Publication is planned for summer 2027; Andrea Morrison at Writers House represented the author, and Christy Ewers at the CAT Agency represented the illustrator.
Michael Yuen-Killick at Red Comet Press has bought world rights to Fried Rice Surprise by Patricia Tanumihardja (l.) (Ramen for Everyone), illustrated by Shiho Pate (The Rescues and Ramen for Everyone). In the picture book, Fern discovers that the secret to success behind making her favorite dish for her friends is the wonderful combination of foods, cultures, and love that goes into it. Publication is set for spring 2027; the author represented herself, and Deborah Warren at East-West Literary Agency represented the illustrator.
Patricia Ocampo at Kids Can Press has acquired Willow and Pillow by Susan Sweet (l.), illustrated by Gillian Reid, about Willow, a kitty who is attached to her pillow, until one day the pillow disappears. Publication is scheduled for spring 2027; the author represented herself, and Christy Ewers at the CAT Agency represented the illustrator.
Deidra Purvis at Free Spirit has bought world rights to More Than What Eyes See by Miso Kwak (l.), illustrated by Thaís Mesquita, a picture book that centers the joyful, powerful perspective of a blind child. As Maya shares her experiences, frustrations, and strengths, she celebrates who she is and pushes back against ableist assumptions with confidence and pride; Alison Behnke will edit. Publication is slated for winter 2026; the author represented herself, and Beehive Illustration represented the illustrator.
Stacey Barney at Penguin/Nancy Paulsen Books has acquired Finding Chance by James Brandon (Ziggy, Stardust & Me), a queer YA romance/adventure. When a mystery person hacks a network news channel broadcasting a once-in-a-lifetime quest to find riches, puzzle-solving introvert Rian Chance and his best friends (and one devastatingly handsome frenemy) embark on a global treasure hunt that could not only change his life, but the world. Publication is set for spring 2027; Barbara Poelle at Word One Literary sold world rights.
Feather Flores at Atheneum has bought the first two books in Triona Murphy's debut middle grade series The Wandering Shop. In the first book, Socks & Secret Quests, an 11-year-old apprenticed to a traveling magical shop that equips adventurers for epic quests enlists a squabbling team to help rescue her mentor from a dark wizard, and discovers that her cozy comfort knitting might be the magical gift that saves them all. Publication will begin in fall 2026; Rebecca Eskildsen at Writers House negotiated the deal for world English rights.
Kaylan Adair at Candlewick has acquired world rights to the chapter book Shermy and Shake, the Not-So-Bossy Best Friend and a sequel, by Newbery Honoree Kirby Larson (l.) (Hattie Big Sky), illustrated by Shinji Fujioka. Two unlikely friends have adventures at school and in their community, and learn to be good campers. Publication is slated for spring 2026 and fall 2026, respectively. Jill Grinberg at Jill Grinberg Literary Management represented the author, and Lori Kilkelly at LK Literary Agency represented the illustrator.
Siobhan Ciminera at Simon Spotlight has bought world rights to the early reader graphic-novel series Ru and Vinnie by Lauren Glattly (l.), illustrated by Anne Appert, about the unlikely friendship between a pear-loving Pearwolf and a pie-loving Vampiere. Publication will begin in summer 2027; Rachel Orr at Prospect Agency represented the author, and Charlotte Wenger at Prospect Agency represented the illustrator in the two-book deal.
Joy Peskin at Farrar, Straus and Giroux has acquired, in an exclusive submission, world rights to There Was a Bold Bubbe Who Made Too Much Challah by Stephanie R. Pearmain (l.), illustrated by Jill Weber. The humorous picture book follows a Jewish grandmother as she cooks from daybreak to sundown, much to the confusion of the narrator—until Bubbe unveils plans for a community dinner in the backyard. Publication is scheduled for fall 2027; Analía Cabello at Andrea Brown Literary Agency represented the author, and the illustrator represented herself.
Katherine Easter at Zonderkidz has bought world rights to Love-a-by by Laura Sassi (l.), illustrated by Janna Mattia, a rhyming celebration of the special bond between caregiver and baby. Publication is scheduled for fall 2026; Charlotte Wenger at Prospect Agency represented the author, and Robbin Brosterman at the Bright Agency represented the illustrator.
Susan Pi at Rebel Goose Books has acquired Guinea Pigs Don't Wear Pants by debut author-illustrator Chris Paul Rainbow Farias, a picture book that celebrates individuality across the rainbow-hued spectrum and highlights a universal human truth: who you are is beautiful and worthy of love. Publication is slated for spring 2026; Amy Tompkins at Transatlantic Agency sold North American English rights.
Andrea Walker at inbetween books has bought world rights to The You That's Out There by Rebecca Louick (l.), illustrated by Sinem Kilic Rabito, a picture book for children facing fear, doubt, or uncertainty, encouraging them to believe in the brave, joyful version of their future selves that is out there. Publication is slated for January 2026; the author and illustrator represented themselves.
Sandra Sutter at Gnome Road has acquired world rights to A Snack for Mr. Choppers by Lorenzo Lind (l.), illustrated by Hannah Marks, a picture book in which a hungry alligator escapes the zoo in search of tasty treats and is mistaken for a swim instructor, making for potentially disastrous consequences for his deliciously appetizing students. Publication is scheduled for spring 2027; the author represented herself, and Alice Jin Zhang at Astound US represented the illustrator.
