Alexandra Cooper at Quill Tree has acquired, in a two-book deal, Kendare Blake's The Stolen Queen, about a girl who finds herself hosting an ancient god in her mind as she attempts to find that deity a permanent vessel and claim her true destiny. Publication for book one is scheduled for winter 2027, and book two in winter 2028; Emily van Beek at Folio Jr./Folio Literary Management negotiated the deal for North American rights.
Bria Ragin, Nicola Yoon, and David Yoon at Joy Revolution have bought Sandra Proudman's dual-POV YA dystopian romance, Love in the Oasis. For years Jules and her boyfriend Rico have depended on one another for survival in a post-apocalyptic San Francisco. But when Rico gives Jules his winning lottery ticket to the last safe haven in California, they vow to find each other again, even if it means allying themselves with forces that could disrupt the peaceful life they're fighting for. Publication is planned for fall 2026; Kate Schafer Testerman at KT Literary did the deal for world rights.
Shana Corey and Alex Lu at Random House Graphic have acquired, at auction, two YA graphic novels from debut creator Cheyenne Smith: Hell on Wheels, the contemporary romance own voices story of an ambitious girl who plays wheelchair basketball and a boy with a clubfoot who seeks to hide his disability; and Super Moon Summer, a contemporary fantasy about four girls whose teenage struggles are magnified by their newfound magical witch powers. Alex Lu will edit; publication is set for summer 2027 and spring 2029 respectively. Ammi-Joan Paquette while at Erin Murphy Literary sold the deal for world rights.
Nancy Paulsen at Penguin/Nancy Paulsen Books has bought Roar by Varsha Bajaj (Thirst), a middle-grade novel about a boy from Texas who visits his grandfather at a tiger sanctuary in India where he joins him in the fight to protect a tigress and her cubs from developers and poachers, a story that also provides an intimate view of the tiger's world. Publication is slated for summer 2026; Caryn Wiseman at Andrea Brown Literary Agency brokered the deal for world rights.
Kaylan Adair at Candlewick has acquired, at auction, two middle-grade graphic novels by YouTube video creator Mark Crilley. The first book in the series, Gwen Benny and the Shopping List of Destiny, introduces an ordinary girl with an extraordinary imagination, who periodically slips into a vivid fantasy world where adventures await at every turn. When a shopping list miraculously drops into her lap, she cajoles her friends into joining her on an epic quest that will lead to the door of the town's most mysterious recluse. Publication is planned for fall 2027; Ammi-Joan Paquette while at Erin Murphy Literary Agency did the deal for world rights.
Della Farrell at Holiday House has bought Shoe Box Dreams by Qing Zhuang, a picture book that follows a newly immigrated Chinese family building their life from scratch in New York City, as they sell shoes on the sidewalk to make ends meet and use the art of shadow puppetry (made from shoe boxes) to remember the past and dream of a better future. Publication is scheduled for spring 2027; Wendi Gu at HG Literary negotiated the deal for world rights.
Melissa Manlove while at Chronicle acquired world rights to A Shadow, a Star, a Mountain by Alia Khaled (l.), illustrated by Dan Nott, a picture book about how three ancient scientists, centuries apart, independently measured the circumference of Earth in different ways, long before technology ventured out into space. Ariel Richardson will edit; publication is set for fall 2027. The author, now represented by Natalie Lakosil at Looking Glass Literary & Media, represented herself, and Farley Chase at Chase Literary Agency represented the illustrator.
Julie Bliven at Charlesbridge has bought world rights to It's a Mom!, a debut picture book by Abby Cooper (l.) (True Colors), illustrated by Eliana Gutiérrez. This humorous guidebook instructs new babies on how to take care of their new moms, from sleeping habits to bathing 101. Publication is slated for spring 2026; Rebecca Sherman at Writers House represented the author, and Paula Esparraguera at Art & Co Illustrator's Agency represented the illustrator.
Naomi Krueger at Beaming Books has acquired world rights to The Love That Made You by singer-songwriter Grace Semler Baldridge (stage name Semler) (l.), illustrated by Fran Alvarez, a picture book that expresses a parent's love for their child and a cosmic love that connects us all and carries us through life. Publication is scheduled for March 2026; the author represented themself, and Sarah Thomas at the Bright Agency represented the illustrator.
Deidra Purvis at Free Spirit has bought world rights to I Spark Like Lightning by Jenna Elyse Johnson (l.), illustrated by Sue Teodoro, a nonfiction picture book that offers an honest portrayal of life with epilepsy. Through the narrator's love of dance, play, and her service dog, Hamilton, readers are invited into a story that celebrates identity while explaining what it's like to experience seizures—building empathy, pride, and understanding for all readers. Alison Behnke will edit; publication is planned for winter 2026. Christie Megill at the CAT Agency represented the author, and Mela Bolinao at MB Artists represented the illustrator.
Alexandra McKenzie at Charlesbridge has acquired world rights to the board book Tule Discovery by Alexis Bunten (top l.), Leah Mata Fragua (top r.), and Aria Naficy (bottom l.) and Kristen Nobles has acquired world rights for illustration by Madelyn Goodnight (bottom r.). While Momma gathers tule at the local pond, Mono explores the wildlife he sees in the tule ecosystem. As he jumps like a frog, flies like a blackbird, and hides like a turtle, he learns how both the animals and his family depend on tule every day. Publication is set for spring 2027 as part of Steamworks; the authors represented themselves, and Studio Goodwin Sturges represented the illustrator.
Andrew Karre at Dutton has acquired, in an exclusive submission, Girl Reflected in Knife by Anica Mrose Rissi. The novel, which weaves together concepts of fantasy and reality and unravels notions of logic and time, follows a heartbroken teen who tells a desperate lie and starts to lose track of her own truth. Publication is slated for April 2026; Michael Bourret at Dystel, Goderich & Bourret negotiated the deal for world rights.
Annie Berger at Sourcebooks Fire has bought The Summer of Second Chances and a second untitled book by K.L. Walther (The Summer of Broken Rules). When Olivia decided to follow in her grandmother's footsteps and spend a transformative summer on Martha's Vineyard, she didn't expect to reconnect with a boy from summers past and fall in love. The first book is set for summer 2026; Eva Scalzo at Speilburg Literary Agency did the deal for world rights.
Samia Garcia-Fakih at First Second has acquired Personal Record, Brittney Williams's YA graphic novel about a teen juggling relationships and power lifting during the first year of college. Publication is scheduled for 2027; Charlie Olsen at InkWell Management brokered the deal for world rights.
Meg Gaertner at Jolly Fish Press has bought Where the Light Shines In, an upper middle grade contemporary novel by debut author Jenny Mattern. When adopted 13-year-old Gloria seeks out the truth of her birth mother, she embarks on a path of lies, deception, and hurting those she holds most dear, only to learn that family is complicated, forgiveness is healing, and what has been broken can be made whole. Publication is planned for fall 2026; Nicole Eisenbraun at Ginger Clark Literary sold world English rights.
Connie Hsu at Roaring Brook Press has acquired, at auction, Caldecott Honoree Jason Griffin's author-illustrator debut, Be the Acorn, about a cheeky little squirrel who is overcome with insecurities when his family leaves him behind to find a new tree to live in. When he discovers a giant acorn, he considers his options—eat it (but his family will go hungry) or roll it home (and risk getting flattened). He chooses to bury it and learns that patience and self-belief can lead to personal (and literal) growth. Publication is slated for winter 2027; Elena Giovinazzo at Heirloom Literary negotiated the deal for world rights.
Courtney Code at Abrams has bought New Yorker cartoonist Liam Francis Walsh's Penguin Picnic, a lavishly paneled adventure about two penguins searching for the perfect picnic spot, learning the challenges and joys of finding common ground. Publication is set for fall 2026; Daniel Lazar at Writers House handled the deal for world rights.
Alvina Ling at Little, Brown has acquired The Promise of America by Caldecott Honoree John Rocco, a picture book that explores the history of how we all came to be in America, and how we all contribute to its success. Publication is scheduled for winter 2027; Rob Weisbach at Rob Weisbach Creative Management brokered the deal for world rights.
Aneeka Kalia at Viking has bought Love in Every Language, a picture book by Anoosha Syed, a family story about how we communicate and express love across generations and cultures. Publication is planned for fall 2026; Taylor Martindale Kean at Full Circle Literary sold world rights.
Rebecca Frazer at Chronicle has acquired world rights to Sasha Mayer's picture book Doubtopotamus, about Darlene, a hippo who sometimes gets down in her doubts and worked up in her What Ifs. Publication is slated for March 2027; Jennifer Rofé at Andrea Brown Literary Agency sold world rights.
Kaylan Adair at Candlewick has bought, at auction, world rights to All the Ways Home by Pura Belpré winner Karla Arenas Valenti (l.), illustrated by Dana Sanmar, a Dia de los Muertos tale that follows Catrinita on her first day helping her mother guide loved ones towards the paths that will lead them home on this most festive of eves. Publication is set for summer 2028; Ammi-Joan Paquette while at Erin Murphy Literary Agency represented the author, and Alex Gehringer at the Bright Agency represented the illustrator.
Danielle Collins at S&S/Beach Lane Books has acquired world rights to Spring: A Seasons Story, a picture book by Kelsey E. Gross (l.), illustrated by Renata Liwska. A whimsical cast of forest friends celebrate the joys of new life in spring with a newborn baby duckling. Publication is scheduled for spring 2028; Mary Cummings at Great River Literary represented the author, and Holly McGhee at Pippin Properties represented the illustrator.
Kathleen Keenan at Kids Can Press has bought Nobody's Cat by Caroline L. Perry (l.) (The Corgi and the Queen), illustrated by Devin Fan (The Barnabus Project), a picture book about a stray cat who lives alone in an abandoned ghost town, until nature reclaims her once-thriving settlement and brings it back to life. Publication is planned for spring 2027; Allison Remcheck at Stimola Literary Studio represented the author and the illustrator in the deal for world English rights.
Grace Maccarone at Holiday House has acquired world rights to Buzz: A Survival Guide to Buzzy, Stinging Insects by Toni Buzzeo (l.), illustrated by Joe Cepeda, a kid-friendly picture book guide to staying safe while also appreciating the work and habits of bees, wasps, and hornets. Publication is slated for summer 2026; the author represented herself, and Jennifer Rofé at Andrea Brown Literary Agency represented the illustrator.
Pam Bobowicz while at Workman Kids bought world rights to Indigenous from A to Z by Traci Sorell (l.), illustrated by Natasha Donovan, the creators of Classified; Cheryl Klein will edit. This nonfiction picture book shines a spotlight on the experiences and contributions of nearly 600 Native Nations and their citizens through historical, cultural, and contemporary expressions of resilience, culture, and sovereignty. Publication is set for fall 2026; Emily Mitchell at Wernick & Pratt represented the author, and Lindsay Auld at Writers House represented the illustrator.
Lili Rosenstreich at Kalaniot Books has acquired When Less Is More by Rebecca Gardyn Levington (l.) (Afikoman, Where'd You Go?), illustrated by Niyati Froind. Grounded in the Jewish value of tikkun olam, this rhyming picture book reminds readers that sometimes doing less—less blaming, less littering, less holding on to what we no longer need—can infuse more kindness, beauty, and empathy into our own lives and the lives of everyone around us. Publication is planned for fall 2027; Kaitlyn Sanchez at Bradford Literary Agency represented the author, and the illustrator represented herself.
