Rachel Stark at Disney Hyperion has acquired Brent Fisher's The Day the World Drowned and an untitled second book. In this lightly speculative debut aimed at fans of Jandy Nelson and A.S. King, Lake Michigan is swallowing a small town, and 17-year-old Jackson may be the only person who can stop the rising water. But to do so, he'll have to escape the cycle of grief he's been trapped in since his father's death—and work with the boy who caused it. Publication is set for spring 2027; Eric Smith while at P.S. Literary brokered the deal for North American rights.
Dainese Santos at Simon & Schuster has bought, in a preempt, A Christmas Kiss in New York by Crystal Velasquez (l.), illustrated by Chelsea Reyes. This YA graphic novel captures the joy and unexpected romance of Christmas in New York City as two just-dumped teens stranded on Christmas Eve follow 10 steps to get over their exes and end up falling for each other. Publication is planned for fall 2028; Chelsea Eberly at Greenhouse Literary Agency did the deal for North American rights on behalf of Working Partners; the author and illustrator were unagented.
Samantha Millburn at Shadow Mountain has acquired Wish on a Willow by debut author Maria Oka, a middle grade contemporary with a hint of magic about a lonely girl who finds a wish-granting willow tree on her Gee-pa's Nebraska farm and must decide whether to share the wishes with her newfound friends or hoard them for her injured father. Publication is slated for fall 2026; Krista Van Dolzer at the Unter Agency negotiated the deal for world rights.
Ivan Taurisano at First Second has bought, in an exclusive submission, Fox and the Magic Book, Estrela Lourenço's young reader graphic novel debut series about a fox who stumbles upon a curious book and accidentally unleashes magic and mayhem. Simultaneous publication of the first two books is scheduled for 2027; James McGowan at BookEnds Literary handled the three-book deal for world rights.
Aimee Friedman at Scholastic has acquired world rights to The Witch, the Bat, and the Scaredy-Cat, a picture book by Sarah Mlynowski (l.) (A Dragon for Hanukkah), illustrated by George Sweetland. The story follows a feisty young witch as she attempts to cast an important spell but keeps getting interrupted by spooky creatures, with a surprise Halloween twist. Publication is set for summer 2027; Laura Dail at Laura Dail Literary Agency represented the author, and Nicole Tugeau at Tugeau 2 represented the artist.
Rotem Moscovich at Knopf has bought world rights to Happy Shabbat from Daddy, Papa, and Me and Celebrate Shabbat with Mommy, Mama, and Me by Lesléa Newman (l.), illustrated by Zara González Hoang. These picture books follow a LGBTQ+ family as they prepare for Shabbat together with prayer, candles, challah—and lots of love. Publication is planned for spring 2027; Elizabeth Harding at Curtis Brown represented the author, and Andrea Morrison at Writers House represented the illustrator.
Mary-Kate Gaudet at Little, Brown has acquired world rights to No Way, José y José y José by debut author Jamie Rodarte (l.), illustrated by Sara Palacios. In this humorous picture book, a child must come up with his own unique nickname to stand out from classmates with the same name. Publication is slated for summer 2028; Joyce Sweeney at the Seymour Agency represented the author, and Minju Chang at BookStop Literary Agency represented the illustrator.
Katie Heit at Scholastic has bought world rights to The Fun Guy, a punny story about Myles Porcini, a rambunctious little mushroom who uses his big personality to save the forest, by Stef Wade (l.) (A Place for Pluto), illustrated by Steph Laberis (Grumpy Cat). Publication is scheduled for fall 2026; Christa Heschke and Daniele Hunter at McIntosh and Otis represented the author, and Anne Moore Armstrong at the Bright Agency represented the illustrator.
Catherine Laudone at S&S/Beach Lane Books has acquired world rights to DNA to the Rescue: How Scientists Harness the Power of DNA to Save Endangered Species by Jessica Stremer (l.) (Wonderfully Wild), illustrated by 2025 Sendak Fellow Rob Dunlavey (Whale Fall). This nonfiction picture book explores the field of conservation genetics by showing how wildlife biologists use discoveries made in laboratories to influence the actions they take to save endangered animals from extinction. Publication is set for spring 2028; Natascha Morris at Tobias Literary Agency represented the author, and Holly McGhee and Marissa Brown at Pippin Properties represented the illustrator.
Christianne Jones at Capstone has bought world rights to Murphy and the Egg: The Old Eagle Who Became a Papa by Gloria Koster (l.), illustrated by Jennifer Amelie, a picture book based on the true story about an injured bald eagle who builds a nest, finds an "egg," and eventually becomes a father. Publication is planned for spring 2027; Emelie Burl at Susan Schulman Literary Agency represented the author, and Emily Fernandez at the Bright Agency represented the illustrator.
Elizabeth Patterson at Beaming Books has bought world rights to Sometimes I Am a Waterfall by Jody Jensen Shaffer (l.), illustrated by Amélie Videlo, a picture book about managing the big feelings that lead to tears. Publication is scheduled for fall 2027; the author represented herself, and Christina Doffing at Astound US represented the illustrator.
Daniel Moreton at Grosset & Dunlap has acquired, with Celina Sun and Nick Magliato editing, Hola, Lola, a bilingual picture book by Emmy Award-winning animator and character designer Sandra Equihua, about a spunky girl's adventure in a bodega, where she finds a broad array of items labeled in English and Spanish. Publication is planned for August 2026; Adriana Dominguez at Aevitas Creative Management did the deal for world rights.
Naomi Shulman at PJ Publishing has bought Hanukkah Party Time by Alan Silberberg. In this illustrated board book, an anxious latke is ready to get the Hanukkah party going in the face of repeated delays. Publication is slated for December 2027; Jill Grinberg at Jill Grinberg Literary Management sold world rights.
Holly West at Feiwel and Friends has acquired The Night Serpent by Alex Land, a YA fantasy in which a betrayed queer teen's heartbreak and rage are so strong they summon the big bad from their failed D&D campaign, and now she and her estranged friends must work together with their characters to stop the Night Serpent from destroying both worlds. Publication is planned for spring/summer 2027; Amy Bishop-Wycisk at Trellis Literary Management sold world rights.
Samia Garcia-Fakih at First Second has bought Meat Cute by Alyssa Zaczek (l.) (Martin McLean, Middle School Queen), illustrated by Jackie Morrow (Supper Club), a YA graphic novel pitched as The Bear meets Pride & Prejudice, about 17-year-old Lou, who works to save her family's Chicago hot dog stand while navigating a love/hate relationship with the annoyingly charming son of a rival restaurant. Publication is slated for fall 2028; Jessica Mileo at InkWell Management sold world rights.
David Levithan at Scholastic has acquired Deady Bear by K.R. Alexander, a middle grade horror novel. When one of his discarded birthday presents returns with a vengeance, Gideon learns that no bad deed goes unpunished. Can he right his wrongs and get rid of the teddy bear for good, or will this birthday be his last? Publication is scheduled for fall 2026; Brent Taylor at Triada US did the deal for world rights.
Mary-Kate Gaudet at Little, Brown has bought, in a preempt, world rights to Queen of the Crows by Bea Birdsong (l.) (How to Grow a Family Tree), illustrated by Gaia Bordicchia. In this picture book, Lulu's ears—perfect for holding songbird earrings—have become not so great at hearing. Lulu finds strength in the understanding and friendship of her elderly neighbor, and together they care for the neighborhood crows, who in turn take care of them. Publication is set for winter 2028; Melissa Edwards at Stonesong represented the author, and Ammi-Joan Paquette at Aevitas Creative Management represented the illustrator.
Denene Miller at S&S/Denene Millner Books has acquired world rights to Day Shift, Night Shift by Ariel Vanece (l.), illustrated by Jade Orlando. The story follows the problem-solving explorations of young mechanic Atticus, whose toy train won't climb the hill, until railroad mechanic Pop Pop says something that sparks an idea. Publication is planned for fall 2026; Ana Crespo at East West Literary Agency represented the author, and Anne Moore Armstrong at the Bright Agency represented the illustrator.
Karen Boss at Charlesbridge has bought world rights for the picture book Crab Did It! by Leslie Helakoski (l.), and Kristen Nobles has acquired world rights for illustrations by Cathy Gendron. Crab is accused of pinching his opponents during a lively game of reef tag, and soon everyone learns the importance of considering all the facts before jumping to conclusions. Publication is slated for summer 2027; Garrett Alwert at Emerald City Literary represented the author, and Christy Ewers at the CAT Agency represented the illustrator.
Naomi Shulman at PJ Publishing has acquired world rights to The Mystery of the Missing Latkes by Laurie Friedman (l.), illustrated by Mike Deas. This emerging-reader chapter book follows ace detective Lila Tov as she unravels the mystery of who ate all of the family's latkes on the first night of Hanukkah. Publication is scheduled for December 2027; Susan Cohen at PearlCo Literary Agency represented the author, and Tamara Shannon at Shannon Associates represented the illustrator.
Emma Hintzen at Sourcebooks eXplore has bought world rights to Baby Builds a Snowman by Christine Evans (l.), illustrated by Becky Paige, the first of four titles in a board book series that introduces basic science behind favorite seasonal activities through interactive text and flaps. Publication for the first book is set for fall 2027; Elizabeth Bennett at the Transatlantic Agency represented the author, and Becky Wilson at the Plum Agency represented the illustrator.
Sarah Alpert at Norton Young Readers has acquired How to Crash a Kite by author-illustrator Ellie Peterson. The STEAM picture book follows two very different siblings who are trying, and failing, and then trying again to build their very own kites. Publication is planned for winter 2027; Adria Goetz at KT Literary brokered the deal for world rights.
Christianne Jones at Capstone has bought world rights to The Pest of Summer, a picture book by author-illustrator Katy Hudson, in which an earnest raccoon sets out to make friends—which isn't easy when the entire forest only thinks of her as a sneaky bandit who causes trouble. Publication is slated for spring 2027; Anne Moore Armstrong at the Bright Agency sold world rights.
Naomi Krueger at Beaming Books has acquired The Ghost Who Refused to Haunt by Nadia Ahmed, a picture book about ghostie Luna who refuses to haunt scary, instead opting for her own unique haunting style. Publication is scheduled for September 2027; Dan Cramer at Page Turner Literary Agency sold world rights.
