Claire Stetzer at Amulet has acquired The Siren's Kiss by Leslie Vedder, a YA sapphic mermaid and pirate enemies-to-lovers romantasy in which Rayleigh, a pirate captain looking to free herself from her cursed ship, enlists the help of fiery mermaid Maren, who's on a quest to settle her score with the infamous Sea Witch. Publication is planned for fall 2026; Ellen Goff and Carrie Hannigan at HG Literary sold North American rights.
Donna Bray while at HarperCollins bought, in a six-figure deal, Zeb and Bel: A Case of Bird Problems by Rachel Elliott (The Real Riley Mayes), and a second adventure, pitched as InvestiGators meets Only Murders in the Building; Rose Pleuler will edit. Zeb, a dog, and Bel, a cat, live with their human, Jo. Mysteries abound in their apartment building complex, and Bel is determined to get to the bottom of every case, in spite of Zeb's well-meaning but comedic offers to help. Publication is set for spring 2026; Susan Hawk at Upstart Crow Literary negotiated the deal for world English rights.
Jenny Bak at Viking has acquired The Second Greatest Thief by Christine Cohen, a debut middle-grade novel in which a 13-year-old girl in New York's thieving guild signs up for a high-stakes airship heist, only to discover that her older brother—the city's greatest thief—is going for the same prize, and if she loses, she'll be expelled from the guild forever. Publication is slated for fall 2026; Lindsay Auld at Writers House did the deal for world English rights.
Karen Boss at Charlesbridge has bought Polterghost, a debut middle-grade novel by Kerry Hansen about 12-year-old Finn, who has more fears than friends and moves from the city to a creepy old farmhouse, where it turns out that a mystery and an unfriendly spirit may also bring friendship. Publication is scheduled for spring 2027; CoCo Freeman at Linda Chester Literary Agency sold world rights.
Maggie Lehrman at Abrams has acquired Kiri by Alice Chu, an early graphic novel series about the everyday adventures of an exuberant girl based on the popular webcomic, in a three-book deal, at auction. Each book will have three short stories filled with slice-of-life humor; in the first, Kiri goes on a birdwatching trip with Dad, raises butterflies with Mom, and creates a cozy camp-in on a rainy day. Publication is planned for spring 2027, fall 2027, and spring 2028; Marietta B. Zacker at Gallt & Zacker Literary Agency brokered the deal for North American rights.
Peter Phillips at Tundra has bought two books in the picture book/"first comic" series Funjeepups by Michael Slack. The first book introduces a trio of adventurous critters who love to explore their woodland home as they learn to make a beautiful song with the help of a bird. Publication for both books is scheduled for summer 2026; Lori Nowicki at Painted Words negotiated the deal for world rights.
Rotem Moscovich at Knopf has acquired world rights to But I'm a Pumpkin!: A Summerween Story by Kat Choppy (l.), illustrated by Heidi Moreno, a picture book about a watermelon seed who grows up in a pumpkin patch but dreams of becoming a jack-o-lantern. Publication is set for summer 2026; Ammi-Joan Paquette while at Erin Murphy Literary Agency represented the author, and Adriana Domínguez at Aevitas Creative Management represented the illustrator.
Danielle Collins at S&S/Beach Lane Books has bought world rights to Monday Morning at School by Keenan Jones (l.), illustrated by Ken Daley, a picture book that celebrates all the incredible things a school can be in the eyes of its students. Publication is slated for summer 2027; Adria Goetz and Savannah Brooks at KT Literary represented the author, and Christy Ewers at the CAT Agency represented the illustrator.
Maria Correa at Crown has acquired world rights to The Quest for the Longest Noodle by Stephanie Sy (l.), illustrated by Cindy Wume, a picture book about a boy in search of the longest, luckiest noodle for his great grandmother's 100th birthday, celebrating tradition, community, connection—all the things that fill a long life with meaning. Publication is planned for spring 2027; Stefanie Molina-Santos at Ladderbird Literary Agency represented the author, and Helen Boyle at Pickled Ink represented the illustrator.
Caitlyn Dlouhy at Atheneum/Caitlyn Dlouhy Books has bought, in an exclusive submission, How to Draw a Zombie by Zoey Abbott (l.) and her son, August Wagner, wherein the reader encounters the narrator's notebook in which they've given detailed instruction on how (and how not) to draw a zombie. Publication is scheduled for fall 2026; Elena Giovinazzo at Heirloom Literary sold North American rights.
Rachel Williams at Magic Cat Publishing has acquired world rights to Hocus Pocus: Letters from the Witch by film designer Annie Atkins (l.), illustrated by Taryn Knight. The picture book follows five witches from across the globe as they prepare for showtime at the annual Big Witch Convention; as gaggles of local children come looking for help, will they be tricked, or will the witches share their secrets? Publication is set for July 2026; Steph Thwaites at Curtis Brown represented the author, and Molly O'Neill at Root Literary represented the illustrator.
Justin Krasner at Sourcebooks eXplore has bought world rights to Hooray for Snail Day!, a debut picture book by Emmeline Forrestal (l.), illustrated by Clary Huang. A young snail aficionado waits eagerly for drip-droopy day to romp with their favorite invertebrates in this offbeat informational picture book. Publication is planned for spring 2027; Sarah Stephens at Red Fox Literary represented the author, and Tracy Marchini at BookEnds Literary represented the illustrator.
Kate Avino at Odd Dot has acquired world rights to Build-a-Bear: Promise Pets: The Adopt-a-Pup Plan by Stacia Deutsch (l.), illustrated by Heather Burns, a picture book adventure that teaches kids about the joys and commitment of dog ownership, with grooming, exercise, and feeding tips. Publication is slated for spring 2026; Deborah Warren at East West Literary represented the author, and Alice Jin Zhang at Astound US represented the illustrator.
Sarah Rockett at Sleeping Bear Press has bought world rights to Truck in the Muck by Florida State Book Award Gold Medalist Sophia Gholz (l.), illustrated by Susan Batori, a picture book that plays with phonics while exploring teamwork, friendship, and finding luck (even in muck). Publication is planned for summer 2026; Liza Fleissig at Liza Royce Agency represented the author, and Doreen Thorogood at Good Illustration represented the illustrator.
Cheryl Eissing at Penguin/Flamingo has acquired world rights to Onward We Marched by Erica Martin (l.), illustrated by Alleanna Harris, a picture book introduction to the Civil Rights Movement through poems. Publication is scheduled for fall 2026; Rena Rossner at DH Literary represented the author, and Alex Gehringer at the Bright Agency represented the illustrator.
Kathleen Merz at Eerdmans has bought world rights to Hunger Fighter by Jacqueline Chio-Lauri (l.), illustrated by Kristin Sorra, a picture book biography of Maria Orosa, who fought against food shortages in the Philippines during World War II and is known for inventing banana ketchup. Publication is slated for spring 2027; Sera Rivers at Speilburg Literary Agency represented the author, and Caryn Wiseman at Andrea Brown Literary Agency represented the illustrator.
April Masongsong at Second Story Press has acquired world rights to Poh Poh's Sword, a picture book by Julia Hune-Brown (l.). illustrated by Hayley Lowe. Julie loves hearing her grandmother Poh Poh's stories, and when she catches Poh Poh sword dancing, Julie learns about her grandmother's difficult immigration journey, and how sword dancing helped Poh Poh build a new life for herself and her family in Canada. Publication is set for fall 2026; the author represented herself, and Essie White at Storm Literary Agency represented the illustrator.
Lili Rosenstreich at Kalaniot Books has bought world rights to Snail's Perfect Passover by National Jewish Book Award winner Nancy Churnin (l.), illustrated by Alianna Rozentsveig, a picture book about Snail, whose perfect Passover planning hits a snag that ultimately helps him appreciate what is truly magical about the holiday. Publication is planned for spring 2027; Karen Grencik at Red Fox Literary represented the author, and the illustrator represented herself.
Janet Bruins at Picnic Heist Publishing has acquired world rights to Dakari Helps the World, a picture book by Tricia Elam Walker (l.), illustrated by Kristen Uroda. As Dakari lends a hand in own community, he begins to understand that helping the world starts with doing your part right where you are. Publication is scheduled for fall 2026; the author and illustrator were unagented.
Trisha de Guzman at Farrar, Straus and Giroux has acquired Slayer/Saint by Ivelisse Housman, a Puerto Rican-inspired YA fantasy in which a young monster slayer accidentally recovers the lost sword of her island's patron saint, compelling her to break the curse on her land—born during her country's fight for independence—before it consumes her and the island for good. Publication is scheduled for spring 2027; Victoria Marini at High Line Literary brokered the deal for world English rights.
Alyza Liu and Dainese Santos at Simon & Schuster have bought Oh, My Affogato! by Daphne Ang and Donna Ghorbanpoor, a romp through the Amalfi Coast pitched as a love letter to 2000s rom-coms, aimed at fans of Love & Gelato and Anna and the French Kiss, featuring a boy-crazy teen as she tries to plot her way into something real with her on-again, off-again situationship, only to realize that sometimes the best things in life—like love and vacations—can't be planned. Publication is set for summer 2026; Dorian Maffei at Kimberley Cameron & Associates handled the deal for world rights.
Justine Bylo at Entangled/Mayhem has acquired Lindsay Lovise's YA debut Gingerbread Bones, the tale of Hansel and Gretel reimagined as horror YA in which a group of misfit teens are abandoned in the woods and have to confront the question: what's more dangerous, each other or what the wicked woods hold? Publication is planned for June 2026; Emily Sylvan Kim at Prospect Agency sold world rights.
Sara Schonfeld at HarperCollins has bought North American rights to Lisa Greenwald's next middle grade series entitled Friend Group. Told half in narrative and half in texts, a new middle schooler accidentally gets added to the group chat of a friend group she'd give anything to be in, only to discover many of their secrets; it turns out that her long-time crush likes her, and she actually has a chance of being in the group IRL. But what if the price of entry means losing her lifelong bestie? Publication will begin in summer 2026; Alyssa Eisner Henkin at Birch Path Literary did the three-book deal.
Esther Cajahuaringa at Knopf has acquired, at auction, Planted, a picture book by Niña Mata, which takes the reader on a physical and emotional journey of an uprooted sapling that is removed from its pot and placed in the ground. Publication is scheduled for spring 2028; Christy Ewers at the CAT Agency negotiated the deal for world rights.
Joy Peskin at Farrar, Straus and Giroux has bought, in an exclusive submission, Today Is Children's Day by Aram Kim, a picture book about a sister and brother who learn about the Korean holiday Children's Day, which honors children, and then want to celebrate this special day with their parents. When a mishap occurs, the siblings learn the true value of family. Publication is slated for spring 2027; Erica Rand Silverman at Stimola Literary Studio brokered the deal for North American rights.
Luana Kay Horry at HarperCollins has acquired world rights to Mort the Mediogre, a picture book by Julia Pierre Hammond (l.), illustrated by Matthew Schufman, the story of an artsy and creative ogre who is classed as mediocre due to his inability (or unwillingness) to engage in typical smash-and-destroy ogre activities. Publication is set for summer 2027; Christie Megill at the CAT Agency represented the author, and Steven Chudney at the Chudney Agency represented the illustrator.
Andrea Welch at S&S/Beach Lane Books has bought world rights to Coyote & Me by Nell Cross Beckerman (l.) (When the Sky Glows), illustrated by Yas Imamura (Love in the Library). In the picture book, a child spots a coyote in their city neighborhood, wonders about its life, and dreams of running wild and free alongside it. Publication is planned for summer 2027; Ammi-Joan Paquette represented the author while at Erin Murphy Literary Agency, and Susan Penny at the Bright Agency represented the illustrator.
Irene Vázquez at Levine Querido has acquired world rights to Abuelita's Music, a picture book by International Latino Book Award finalist Alan Pelaez Lopez (l.), illustrated by debut artist Bernardo Rodriguez, about a Black Mexican girl named Nayeli and how the music of Black Oaxacan singer Álvaro Carrillo Alarcón transports their family to memories of joyful communion, even when they have to be separated due to borders and lack of papers. Publication is slated for spring 2027; Wendi Gu represented the author, and Adriana Dominguez at Aevitas Creative Management represented the illustrator in a deal for world rights.
Ariel Richardson at Chronicle has bought world rights to The Shape of Our Stories: How Books Came to Be by Orbis Pictus Honoree Kirsten W. Larson (l.), illustrated by Sibert Medalist Lauren Tamaki, a nonfiction picture book that tells the global story of how humans have shared and preserved our knowledge, memories, and stories, from oral histories to ebooks and beyond. Publication is set for spring 2028; Lara Perkins at Andrea Brown Literary Agency represented the author, and Jesseca Salky and Charlotte Sheedy at Charlotte Sheedy Literary Agency represented the illustrator.
Kandace Coston at Lee & Low Books has acquired world rights to The Shape of Love by Carren Jao (l.), illustrated by Corinne Caro. Winner of the Lee & Low Books New Voices Award, the picture book is an ode to balikbayan boxes and how they help Filipino families share love and stay connected with each other. Publication is planned for fall 2026; the author represented herself, and Sol Salinas at Astound US represented the illustrator.
Jess Harold at Henry Holt has bought world rights to The Magic Pinky by Malcolm Newsome (l.), illustrated by Reggie Brown, about a girl who discovers she has the power to make her Dad do anything she wants with a wiggle of her pinky finger. Publication is slated for fall 2027; James McGowan at BookEnds Literary represented the author, and Christy Ewers at the CAT Agency represented the illustrator.
Sandra Sutter at Gnome Road has acquired world rights to Dribble, Shoot, Swish: A Basketball Story by Heather C. Morris (l.), illustrated by LaTonya Jackson, a picture book tribute to the sights, sounds, and sense of comradery that can be found at typical youth basketball games. Publication is scheduled for spring 2027; Kristen Terrette at Martin Literary Management represented the author, and Essie White at Storm Literary Agency represented the illustrator.
Nicole Fox at RISE x Penguin Workshop has bought three Islamic-themed board books from visual artist, art director, and graphic designer Mustaali Raj. The books provide an introduction to Islamic culture and traditions through simple concepts, centering young Muslim readers while inviting all to explore. The series launches in spring 2027 with Shaping Ramadan, which introduces basic shapes and traditional Islamic shapes through the visual language of Ramadan. Eric Smith while at P.S. Literary Agency negotiated the deal for world rights; the author is now represented by Maria Vicente at P.S. Literary Agency.
