Jessica Anderson at Little, Brown/Christy Ottaviano Books has acquired, in a preempt, A Divine and Deadly Vow by Cairo Aibangbee, an epic YA enemies-to-lovers romantasy debut set amid the warring pantheons of Greek and Nigerian mythologies. Publication is planned for winter 2027; Gyamfia Osei at Andrew Nurnberg Associates sold North American rights.
Anna Parsons at Simon Pulse has bought The Risks of Falling by Taylor Hartley. In this YA romantic drama, perfectionist Halle finds herself lost in a national park with her nemesis and her best friend's ex, River, during a ski trip gone wrong. Publication is scheduled for spring 2027; Danielle Burby at Mad Woman Literary Agency sold world rights.
Maya Marlette at Scholastic has acquired Jasmine Guillory's debut YA novel, It's Only Dancing, about a former ballet dancer whose plans for summer family camp with her parents and sister include long walks, good books, and alone time, only to find herself drawn to the staff dancers, and one hip-hop instructor in particular, despite swearing she was done with dance forever. Publication is set for fall 2026; Holly Root at Root Literary sold world English rights.
Karen Boss at Charlesbridge has bought The Turing Test by Cait Levin, the Mathical Book Prize–winning author of Imposter. This YA girl-powered adventure into the future of technology and corruption by those who control it finds an emancipated teen uncovering secrets that the world's leading tech company will kill to keep hidden. Publication is slated for spring 2028; Chip Rice at WordLink sold world rights.
Tiffany Liao at Random House has acquired, at an eight-imprint auction, Roshani Chokshi's middle grade fantasy The Goodfolke Family and its sequel. Chokshi's return to middle grade follows two half-fae sisters who sneak back into Faerie in order to reconcile their father, the exiled prince, with his royal family. But families are tricky and fairy ones even more so, and the sisters must reckon with the marvels and manipulations of a world forbidden by their parents for a reason. Publication is planned for spring 2027; Jordan Hill at New Leaf Literary & Media brokered the deal for North American rights.
Alessandra Balzer at Macmillan/Balzer + Bray has bought, in a preempt, North American rights to P.S. Are We Friends Now? by real-life friends John Schu (l.) (Louder Than Hunger) and Jasmine Warga (A Rover's Story). Told in alternating letters by two middle-graders who are assigned to each other as pen pals, it's the story of how they write their way through easy lies and hard truths, and ultimately learn to show up for one another. Publication is set for fall 2027; Molly O'Neill at Root Literary represented Schu, and Brenda Bowen at the Book Group represented Warga.
Kristin Zelazko while at Candlewick acquired world rights to the middle grade graphic novel Voyager Twins Forever by Katie Venit (l.), illustrated by Jon Chad; Deborah Noyes and Hilary Van Dusen will edit for MIT Kids Press. The story follows the space probes Voyager I and Voyager II, personified and imagined as twins in an emotionally complex relationship. Publication is scheduled for summer 2028; Joyce Sweeney at the Seymour Agency represented the author, and Stephen Barr at Writers House represented the illustrator.
Jordan Blanco at Ink Pop has bought My Neighbor Yokai by noho, a middle grade contemporary fantasy manga series with an anime adaptation on Crunchyroll. At the age of 20, Buchio the housecat sprouts a second tail and becomes a cat spirit; curious about why, he decides to take a journey of self-discovery joined by various spirits and human companions. Publication will begin in spring 2027; Chiara Tognetti at Chiara Tognetti Rights Agency negotiated on behalf of East Press for world English rights.
Sarah Mackenzie at Waxwing Books has acquired world rights to Sir Ursalot by Astrid Sheckels, an illustrated chapter book about a brave bear who sets out on a quest to take treasure from a dragon in order to win a new sword. Caroline Starr Rose will edit; publication is slated for fall 2027. Bruce Butterfield represented the author.
Caitlyn Dlouhy at Atheneum/Caitlyn Dlouhy Books has bought One Big Yard by debut author-illustrator Zara Fina Stasi, a picture book about two children who meet by daring to peek to the other side of a fence installed in the middle of a communal yard, both children wishing, then plotting, to remove the fence. Publication is planned for summer 2027; Stephanie Fretwell-Hill at Red Fox Literary sold world rights.
Donna Bray at Macmillan/Balzer + Bray has acquired, at auction, The Picture Book Pirates by Vanessa Roeder (The Box Turtle). In this meta-to-the max picture book, three pirates search for a story by pillaging other books, from fairy tales to ABCs, until they come to realize they might need to write their own. Publication is scheduled for fall 2027 (in time for Talk Like a Pirate Day); Rebecca Sherman at Writers House did the two-book deal for world rights.
Kat Brzozowski at Feiwel and Friends has bought world English rights to Rewilded Home by Fiona Wong (l.), illustrated by Cornelia Li, in which a delicate eco-system populated by plants and animals gets disrupted by a family's arrival, but, with the help of a child, finds new life and growth under the care of a conscious community. Publication is set for early 2028; Ellen Goff at HG Literary represented the author, and Caryn Wiseman at Andrea Brown Literary Agency represented the illustrator.
Frances Gilbert at Doubleday has acquired world rights to If You Meet a Fairy by Julie Fruitticher (l.), illustrated by Dagmar Smith. In this immersive picture book, the reader is whisked into Fairy Land through a tiny door in a tree, where they encounter an enchanted garden, a magical tea party, and mischievous fairy pranks. Publication is slated for spring 2027; the author was unagented, and Justin Rucker at Shannon Associates represented the illustrator.
Howard W. Reeves at Abrams has bought world rights to Jovita Idar: A Fiery Young Journalist's Stand for Justice, a picture book biography by Gloria Amescua (l.) (Child of the Flower-Song People), illustrated by Dia Pacheco, which tells the story of Jovita Idar, a young Tejana journalist in 1900s Texas who was determined to use her voice and stand against the inequalities and injustices inflicted on her people. Publication is planned for fall 2027; Taylor Martindale Kean at Full Circle Literary represented the author, and the illustrator represented herself.
Carolyn Yoder at Astra/Calkins Creek has acquired world rights to The Bat Man: Merlin Tuttle's Quest to Save Bats by Heather Lang (l.), illustrated by Becca Stadtlander. This picture book biography follows Tuttle's evolution from a young bat enthusiast to a pioneering scientist and conservationist who has saved millions of bats by proving that they are social, gentle, and essential to a healthy world. Publication is set for spring 2028; Karen Grencik at Red Fox Literary represented the author, and Anne Moore Armstrong at the Bright Agency represented the illustrator.
Joni Sussman while at Kar-Ben Publishing bought Cranky Hank and the Noisy Neighbors by Claire Blumenfeld (l.), illustrated by Pauline Gregory, the story of a grumpy old man who just wants some peace and quiet, and the upstairs neighbors whose Purim celebrations are about to change his mind. Leila Sales will edit; publication is scheduled for spring 2027. The author represented herself, and Robbin Brosterman at the Bright Agency represented the illustrator.
Hannah Lambert at Little Simon has acquired world rights to Amazingly, Wonderfully, Perfectly You by Dianne White (l.), illustrated by Penelope Dullaghan, a board book about growing up and being true to yourself. Publication is slated for spring 2027; Jennifer Rofé at Andrea Brown Literary Agency represented the author, and Scott Hull at Scott Hull Associates represented the illustrator.
Michael Green at Marble Press has bought Pay Attention, Oliver, written and illustrated by Katie Dwyer. Oliver has a big imagination and often lives in a world of color and make believe. When his mother grows frustrated with telling him to pay attention and tries to stop him from doing something truly important, he takes a stand, showing her all the small, beautiful things the world holds when one truly pays attention. Publication is planned for spring 2027; Kaitlyn Sanchez at Bradford Literary sold world rights.
Jaime Gelman at Little Bee Books has acquired Coastal Creatures by Jess McGeachin, an illustrated nonfiction picture book about the animals and plants on the world's coastlines. Publication is scheduled for spring 2027; Emma Dorph at Hachette Australia sold North American English, Spanish, and French rights.
Rick Rinehart at Muddy Boots has acquired Adrift: A Fox's Journey at Sea, a picture book by Bonnie Kelso. A young fox who is swept out to sea in a storm must cling to a piece of driftwood to keep from drowning, landing on a remote island populated with other castaways. Publication is set for spring 2027; Liz Nealon at Great Dog Literary sold U.S. and Canadian rights.
Michele McAvoy at the Little Press has bought world rights to Fliff, a picture book by Ruth R.E. Williams, in which a humdrum bobble dreams of breaking free from his bobbly blanket and living life on the breeze, but will freedom be as rewarding as Fliff imagines? Publication is slated for fall 2027; the author was unagented.
Martha Mihalick at Greenwillow Books has acquired Rae Carson's YA fantasy novel Monster, Monarch, Maiden, where the "loyal sidekick" is the heroine, about a girl with minor magic who, after losing her whole family, swears fealty to the mysterious traveler who saved her life and accompanies him on a perilous quest, which will challenge all her beliefs about the magic and the gods of their world. Publication is scheduled for fall 2026; Holly Root at Root Literary sold North American rights.
Kristin Rens at Storytide has bought, at auction, Newbery Honor author Kate O'Shaughnessy's debut YA contemporary A Season for Falling, an autumn-set romance which follows a former child star as she attempts to live anonymously in a picturesque Connecticut town until she is unexpectedly reunited with her childhood co-star and first crush, forcing her to confront the past and feelings she thought she left behind. Publication is slated for fall 2026; Pete Knapp at Park, Fine & Brower Literary Management sold North American rights.
Jonah Heller at Peachtree Teen has acquired debut author and actor Aaron Cole's SoulCast, a YA fantasy pitched as Dante's Inferno meets The Hunger Games and Children of Blood and Bone, inspired by the central African mythology of the Underworld of Kalunga. When 16-year-old Krio's mother is struck with a death curse, he must infiltrate the Soul Cast Trials, a deadly competition to unlock a passage to the underworld, in order to save her. To stay alive, he teams up with a brooding enemy prince whose secrets may be the key to survival. Publication is set for summer 2027; Natalie Lakosil at Looking Glass Literary & Media sold world rights in a two-book deal.
Maya Marlette at Scholastic has bought Mia Kayla's YA debut, Fall, in Love, a coming-of-age romance set in a picture-perfect New England town, in which a rule-following orchard girl's world is upended when her first love returns to work on her family's struggling farm, forcing her to risk her plans—and her heart—to save what matters most. Publication is planned for fall 2027; Jemiscoe Chambers-Black, now at Starling Literary + Media, did the deal while at Andrea Brown Literary Agency.
Caroline Abbey has acquired, in an exclusive submission, Girl Powered by Stacy McAnulty, in which a middle grade girl joins her school's manpowered-racer team to build a racing bicycle, inspired by the author's own experience, and pitched as a middle grade Lessons in Chemistry for future engineers. Publication is scheduled for spring 2027; Lori Kilkelly at LK Literary Agency negotiated the deal for world English rights.
Alyza Liu at Simon and Schuster has bought The Gravedigger's Apprentice, a middle grade debut by Linda Cheng (Gorgeous Gruesome Faces). Tomb Raider meets Ghostbusters in this action-adventure set in the criminal underworld of 1930s China, where a young graverobber must team up with her rival to plunder a haunted tomb in order to save her adopted family from the clutches of a corrupt army officer. Publication is slated for summer 2027; John Cusick at Folio Literary Management did the deal for world rights.
Whitney Leopard at Ink Pop has acquired I Shall Master This Family (The Novel) by Roah Kim, a revenge slow-burn romantasy novel series that is a hit in Korea. After watching her noble family fall to ruin, Firentia wakes up as her seven-year-old self, and resolves to use her knowledge of the future to steer her family away from disaster. Publication will begin in summer 2027; Nim Kook at D&C Media sold world English rights.
Brittany Willis at Moon + Bird has bought world rights to Caught on Camera, a middle grade novel by Melissa Miles, pitched as a high-stakes Hitchcockian cat-and-mouse thriller about a neurodivergent young podcaster on the run after spotting a supposedly dead senator on a Times Square livestream. Publication is set for May 2027; Kristen Terrette at Martin Literary & Media Management represented the author.
Martha Rago at Random House has acquired Druscilla Santiago's debut author-illustrated early reader, Anything? Anything!, part of the Seuss Studios line of Beginner Books inspired by selections from Dr. Seuss's archival sketches; Maria Correa will edit. After their ball falls into a hole, a girl and a frog wonder what kinds of scary—or wonderful—things could be down there. Publication is planned for summer 2027; Kelly Sonnack at Andrea Brown Literary Agency did the deal for North American rights.
Julia McCarthy at Atheneum has bought Have You Ever Seen a Ghost?, a picture book by Julia Pott (l.) (Summer Camp Island) and Daniel Kwan (c.) (Everything Everywhere All at Once), illustrated by Sean Lewis (r.) (I'll Get to the Bottom of This!), which follows a shy ghost who must overcome their anxiety in time to attend a very important party. Publication is scheduled for fall 2026; Ailleen Gorospe at Yorn Levine Barnes Krintzman Rubenstein Kohner Endlich Goodell & Gellman brokered the deal for world rights.
Alyza Liu at Simon & Schuster has acquired Mo the Grass by debut picture book creators Kate McMillan (l.) and Ruthie Prillaman (Maple's Theory of Fun), about a kid with long grassy hair who refuses to get a haircut, even if it covers their eyes, causes them to trip down the stairs, and takes over their home. Publication is slated for spring 2028; Alexandra Weiss at Azantian Literary sold world rights.
Maria Russo at Union Square Kids has bought world rights to Seeking Wonderful by Susan Yoon (l.), illustrated by Veronica Mang, a picture book about a rock and a mysterious creature who pass their days in the desert imagining wonderful, but seemingly impossible, destinies. Together they hatch a plan to fulfill their dreams—but can they succeed? Publication is set for summer 2028; Ammi-Joan Paquette at Aevitas Creative Management represented the author, and Andrea Morrison at Writers House represented the illustrator.
Autumn Allen at Barefoot Books has acquired world rights to Midnight Creep by Jemima Shafei-Ongu (l.) (A Lemon for Safiya), illustrated by Honoka Taki (c.), with audio sung by Karim Nagi (r.) and music by A Is for Artist. When the full moon is out and the giants (humans) go to sleep, spiders gather for a night of feasting, music, and dancing the dabke. Publication is planned for autumn 2026; the author and illustrator represented themselves.
Barb McNally at Sleeping Bear Press has bought world rights to Merry, Merry Winter Berry by Sue Heavenrich (l.) (The Pie That Molly Grew), illustrated by Stephanie Fizer Coleman (The Ocean Blue and You), a nature/STEAM picture book that celebrates the diversity of winter birds and wildlife around us—and the berries that sustain them during the cold season. Publication is scheduled for fall 2027; the author represented herself, and Alex Gehringer at the Bright Agency represented the illustrator.
Claire Tattersfield at Viking has acquired world rights to Everybody Potty Dance by Kirsti Call (l.), illustrated by Gareth Conway, a rhyming board book about potty dances in the animal kingdom to be used as a potty training tool. Publication is slated for summer 2027; Charlotte Wenger at Prospect Agency represented the author, and Susan Penny at the Bright Agency represented the illustrator.
Cecily Kaiser at RISE x Penguin Workshop and Nicholas Magliato at Grosset & Dunlap have bought eight books by author-illustrator Suzy Ultman. RISE will publish five board books beginning with I Heart Pickles in fall 2026, a pickle-shaped book of appreciation and silliness, and two new series: Baby's First Yiddish and a holiday-themed series. The Grosset & Dunlap series will be announced this summer. Kathleen Brady at the Current Company did the deal for world rights.
Nicholas Magliato and Celina Sun at Penguin Workshop have acquired, in an exclusive submission, four books in the Bite-Sized Basics series by author-illustrator Steph Stilwell. These novelty board books introduce shapes, colors, numbers, and letters through anthropomorphic foods and puns. The first two books, Ice Cream Colors and Shape Sandwich, will publish in summer 2027; the second two are slotted for fall 2027. Aliza R. Hoover at the CAT Agency brokered the deal for world rights.
Adonia Ripple at Yosemite Conservancy has bought, in an exclusive submission, Yosemite Is Home, an original board book by Susie Ghahremani (Stack the Cats; Rosemary Long Ears), featuring creatures native to the national park in their habitats. Publication is planned for summer 2027; Lilly Ghahremani at Full Circle Literary negotiated the deal for world rights.
