HarperCollins Postpones Children’s Book After Author J.A. White Accused of Sexually Harassing Student
Following accusations of grooming and sexual harassment against Gerald White, who writes under the pen name J.A. White, HarperCollins Children’s Books has postponed publication of 'Dark and Darker Still,' his collection of short stories for middle grade readers, which had been scheduled for September. more...
Sarah Barley Books Set to Launch at Simon & Schuster
Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers has announced a new imprint to be helmed by Sarah Barley, previously editorial director of young adult publishing at Flatiron Books. more...
Jewish American Heritage Month 2025: Q&As with Children's Book Creators
In honor of Jewish American Heritage Month, we spoke with six children’s book creators about highlighting Jewish culture and history in their new works. more...
Mattel Press Launches Fisher-Price Board Book Series
Mattel Press is introducing a new Fisher-Price board book series called Smilestones, beginning in August; the company’s goal is to expand Fisher-Price beyond toys and connect with parents in new ways. more...
National Ambassadors for Young People’s Literature Respond to the Removal of the Librarian of Congress
Seven former National Ambassadors for Young People’s Literature have announced their opposition to the Trump administration’s removal of the Librarian of Congress. Librarian Carla Hayden was fired from the role without justification on May 8. more...
New Kids' and YA Books: Week of May 26, 2025
Among the books hitting shelves next week are a picture book biography about the creator of an iconic work of art, a middle grade novel about a boarding school for investigators-in-training, a YA debut about a suspicious clinical research study, and more. more...
In Brief: May 22, 2025
Recently, an author attended an international summit, a picture book and graphic novel creator made her middle grade prose debut, an author’s event centered on community, collaborators discussed an adaptation, an author-illustrator duo held a storytime, and pups were the star of a launch event. more...
PW Summer Reads 2025
For young readers settling into back seats, beach blankets, or park benches, our editors' summer picks include transporting picture books, travel-oriented middle grade, and thrilling YA tellings. MORE
2025 YA Trends: Bouncing Between the Dark and Light
A survey of upcoming titles shows a mix of genres and tones for our current moment—from vacation romances to dark academia and high-stakes heists. more...
Turning the Tide on Middle Grade Books
Movers and shakers behind five newish imprints are aiming to turn the tide on sales in the middle grade category. more...
Children's Books for Spring 2025: All Our Coverage
Our spring 2025 Children’s Preview issue includes a look at the shifting social media landscape, our comprehensive A–Z listings of forthcoming children’s and YA titles, and more. more...
Fall 2025 Sneak Previews
See highlights of the children's and YA titles due out next season—including highly anticipated debuts, follow-ups to bestselling novels, and collaborations between favorite authors and illustrators—in our exclusive roundup. more...
2024 Children's Bestsellers: Graphic Novels, YA Sequels, and Old Favorites Chart High
Our 2024 Facts and Figures compilation of children’s and YA bestsellers includes a wide variety of titles, dominated by middle grade graphic novel series, YA thrillers and romance, and evergreen picture book favorites. more...
Where Is the Kid Lit Community Online?
As social media communities splinter, authors and publishers wonder where their next digital water cooler will be. more...
Children’s Editors on the Worst Places They Were Ever Pitched
We asked editors about the most unusual and unexpected places they’ve been pitched a children’s book. more...-
AuthorsChildren's Institute 2025: Spreading Library Joy: PW Talks with Mychal Threets
The PBS Kids’ “resident librarian” and TikTok sensation is adding a picture book to his resume, I’m So Happy You’re Here! A Celebration of Library Joy, illustrated by Lorraine Nam. We spoke with Threets about his passionate advocacy for literacy and mental health, his publishing journey, and collaborations between libraries and bookstores.
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Industry News
Children's Institute 2025: From Educator to Advocate for Booksellers and Banned Books: PW Talks with Philomena Polefrone
The associate director of the American Booksellers for Free Expression initiative of the American Booksellers Association joined the ABA in 2023, three years after receiving a PhD in English and comp lit from Columbia University. Polefrone spoke with us about how her academic background influences her advocacy, and what the stakes are for booksellers and readers in the current political climate.
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Authors
Children's Institute 2025: Behold, the Picture Book: PW Talks with Mac Barnett
The author of more than 60 books for young readers and 2011’s “Picture Book Manifesto” that challenged creators and their publishers to energize the category, Barnett became the 2025–2026 National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature in February. Barnett, who will be presenting the closing keynote at CI2025, spoke with PW about his love of picture books and how much he enjoys reading aloud picture books written by other authors.
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Authors
Children's Institute 2025: Wrinkles in Time: PW Talks with Samira Ahmed
In The Singular Life of Aria Patel, Ahmed’s sixth YA novel, the titular science-minded protagonist falls through the multiverse on one fateful day and gets a second chance at love and to see her late father. PW spoke with Ahmed about her inspiration, romance tropes, and the stories of revolutionary girls.
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Industry News
Children's Institute 2025: Portland, City of Books, Will Draw 340 Booksellers to Oregon
Children’s Institute brings booksellers to Oregon, famous for its outdoorsy vibe and bibliophile culture, from June 11–14. In addition to four keynotes and an exhibitors area, the event features 27 education sessions, an Indies Introduce lunch, and receptions with 65 authors.
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Industry News
Children's Institute 2025: Graphix Celebrates Two Decades of Kids’ Comics
Back in 2005—a year that aligned with the youngest Gen Z readers’ elementary school days—Scholastic inaugurated its Graphix imprint. Twenty years later, shelves for tweens and teens are brimming with comics from Scholastic's popular series authors, including Kazu Kibuishi, Dav Pilkey, Alice Oseman, and more.
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Industry News
Children's Institute 2025: From General to Genre: A Look Inside Portland’s Bookstores
The Portland, Ore., metro area is home to more than 60 independent bookstores of all shapes and sizes. Eleven indies will welcome Children’s Institute’s full- and half-day bus tours on June 12, while a whopping 66 indies are listed on the website of Portland Book Week, a June 6–15 literary festival that coincides with CI2025.
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Authors
Children's Institute 2025: Authors and Illustrators to Meet
See the lineup of children's and YA creators who are slated to appear at this year's Children's Institute.
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Industry News
Sarah Barley Books Set to Launch at Simon & Schuster
Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers has announced a new imprint to be helmed by Sarah Barley, previously editorial director of young adult publishing at Flatiron Books.
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Authors
Jewish American Heritage Month 2025: Q&As with Children's Book Creators
In honor of Jewish American Heritage Month, we spoke with six children’s book creators about highlighting Jewish culture and history in their new works.
- Children's Institute 2025: Graphix Celebrates Two Decades of Kids’ Comics
- Children's Institute 2025: From General to Genre: A Look Inside Portland’s Bookstores
- Children's Institute 2025: From Educator to Advocate for Booksellers and Banned Books: PW Talks with Philomena Polefrone
- Children's Institute 2025: Portland, City of Books, Will Draw 340 Booksellers to Oregon
