Hannah Hill at Delacorte Press has acquired The Peacock Throne by Zeba Shahnaz (Midnight Strikes), a YA fantasy duology pitched as Anastasia meets This Woven Kingdom, set in a world inspired by 19th-century India, about a young woman who believes she's a descendant of a long-overthrown imperial dynasty and gets entangled in a dangerous conspiracy that could spell her country's doom—if her false marriage to the chief conspirator's son doesn't kill her first. Publication is planned for fall 2026; Claire Friedman at Inkwell Management sold world rights.
Alison Romig at Delacorte Romance has bought Plenty of Fish by Kit Rosewater (All's Fair in Love and Field Hockey), a queer YA romance about an heiress to a beloved fish and chips shop whose niche video channel goes viral after she interviews—and falls for—a rising TV star, forcing her to navigate the clash between her cozy community and the allure of fame. Publication is slated for spring 2028; Lauren Spieller at Folio Literary sold world rights.
Charlotte Greenbaum at Abrams Fanfare has acquired world rights to debut author-illustrator Christina L. Chan's middle grade graphic novel series, Alex Dweeby and the Wild Wetlands. Alex Dweeby, a young nature lover determined to save his home and nearby wetlands from the town's pompous mayor and his destructive construction plans, teams up with quirky, larger-than-life local wildlife to enter (and hopefully win) a national singing competition. Publication is set for spring 2029; Alexandra Weiss at Azantian Literary did the two-book deal.
Angelica Busanet at Abrams Fanfare has bought Forest Freaks, a graphic novel by Nat Iwata (Wat Takes His Shot), in which identical twins Ben and Yoshi move to a new town and discover something supernatural in the woods behind their school, blending American mythology with Japanese folklore. Publication is scheduled for fall 2028; Alexander Slater at Greenburger Kids sold world rights.
Cheryl Klein at Workman Kids has acquired The Declaration Decoded by Katie Kennedy, a short nonfiction primer for all ages that walks readers through the events that prompted the writing of the Declaration of Independence, translates its dense 18th-century text into language accessible for a modern reader, and celebrates both how it changed the world in its time and how it still resonates today. Publication is planned for summer 2026, in time for the 250th anniversary of the document; Kate McKean at Howard Morhaim Literary sold world rights.
Juree Sondker at Gibbs Smith has bought world rights for A Coven of Witches: Frights to Tell at Night by Alexis Powell (l.), illustrated by Marina Vidal, a collection of 20 original spooky stories that reimagine witches from folklore, myth, and history. Publication is slated for summer 2026; the author was unagented, and Lucy Craig at the Plum Agency represented the illustrator.
Rich Thomas at HarperCollins has acquired Fish Do Not Have Feet and two companion titles by cartoonist Tim Miller, writing and illustrating as T.J. Miller. In this new I Can Read Comics series, rambunctious Fish is determined to try out everything with his newfound fish feet, much to the dismay of his very serious friend, Octopus. Publication is scheduled for summer 2026; Steven Malk at Writers House negotiated the deal for world rights.
Erica Finkel at Abrams has bought, in an exclusive submission, world English rights to Monster League, a chapter book series by Ellen Potter (l.), illustrated by Yury Guzman. The story follows a benchwarmer kid who becomes the unlikely coach of a team of misfit monsters, bringing the warmth and optimism of Ted Lasso to a humorous underdog tale. Publication will begin in spring 2027; Alice Tasman at Jean V. Naggar Agency represented the author, and Saritza Hernández at Andrea Brown Literary Agency represented the illustrator in the two-book deal.
Ellen Cormier at Dial has acquired world rights to Monday in a Pickle, first in the Monday chapter book series, followed by Monday in a Whale and two untitled sequels, by Shelley Moore Thomas (l.), illustrated by Julie Kwon, pitched as Pippi Longstocking meets Dory Fantasmagory. In this adventure set on a mysterious archipelago, seven-year-old Monday is alone on an island, where she makes friends with a sea turtle, a highland cow, and a giant bookworm as she searches for a yeti, and the secret to her past. Publication is set for summer 2027; Jordan Hamessley at JABberwocky Literary Agency represented the author, and Hannah Mann at Writers House represented the illustrator in the four-book deal.
Siobhan Ciminera at Simon Spotlight has bought, in a two-book deal, world rights to Bigfoot and Dodo, an early reader series about two new friends who become collaborators in a fix-it business with humorous results, by longtime friends and collaborators James Preller (l.) and Audrey Vernick (c.), illustrated by Joelle Dreidemy (r.). Karen Nagel will edit; publication is planned for spring 2027. Elizabeth Bennett at the Transatlantic Agency represented Preller, Erin Murphy at Aevitas Creative Management represented Vernick, and Emily Fernandez at the Bright Agency represented Dreidemy.
Nick Magliato at Penguin Workshop has acquired world rights to Grammy Award–winning musician Laufey's (l.) debut picture book, Mei Mei the Bunny, illustrated by Lauren O'Hara, about a little bunny with big dreams of making the world a happier place through her music. Publication is slated for April 2026; Katelyn Dougherty at Paradigm and Max Gredinger at Foundations represented the author, and Angharad Kowal Stannus at Kowal Stannus Agency represented the illustrator.
Neal Porter at Holiday House/Neal Porter Books has bought, in an exclusive submission, world rights to Off the Wall, a picture book about making art with your friends and the art of friendship, by best friends and Caldecott Honorees Molly Idle (l.) and Juana Martinez-Neal. Publication is scheduled for 2026; Steven Malk at Writers House represented Idle, and Stefanie Sanchez von Borstel at Full Circle Literary represented Martinez-Neal.
Connie Hsu and Nicolás Ore-Giron at Roaring Brook have acquired world rights to Aunties, a picture book by Pooja Makhijani (l.), illustrated by Ruchi Mhasane, a celebration of all of the aunties in our lives. Publication is set for spring 2027; Saba Sulaiman at Talcott Notch represented the author, and the illustrator represented herself.
Dana Chidiac at Henry Holt has bought, at auction, The Girl, the Village, and the Terrible Thunder by debut author Aimee Yealim Lee (l.), illustrated by Hyewon Yum, a humorous story inspired by a Korean folktale about a girl with a powerful, very smelly secret and how she learns to use it to help her community. Publication is planned for spring 2027; Stefanie Molina-Santos at Looking Glass Literary Agency sold world rights while at Ladderbird Literary Agency, and Sean McCarthy at Sean McCarthy Literary Agency represented the illustrator.
Shulokhana Khan at Scholastic has acquired world rights to the rhyming picture book Candi the Candicorn by Robyn Wall (l.), illustrated by Joelle Murray. Candi, a sweet unicorn with a candy-corn horn, is shunned by the other beasts of Ghastly Falls. But rather than getting mad, she decides to get even—leading to humorous results. Publication is slated for summer 2026; Rachel Orr at Prospect Agency represented the author, and Laura Rennert at Andrea Brown Literary Agency represented the illustrator.
Sarah Shumway at Bloomsbury has bought world rights to Jade vs. the Claw Machine, a picture book by Margaret Chiu Greanias (l.), illustrated by Heather Brockman Lee. When Jade's baba's boba shop gets a new claw machine with adorable prizes inside, Jade is determined to beat the odds, win a toy, and change her luck forever. Publication is set for spring 2028; Sean McCarthy at Sean McCarthy Literary Agency represented the author, and Deborah Warren at East West Literary Agency represented the illustrator.
Lauri Hornik at Penguin/Rocky Pond Books has acquired world rights to Thanks and Giving by Kerry Ferguson (l.) (Fish Friends Forever), illustrated by Romina Rollhauser, a picture book about gratitude for everyday people, places and things, thanks and giving, which follows big-hearted Ozzy from sun-rise to moon-out as she and her family prepare for Thanksgiving. Publication is scheduled for fall 2027; Sara Crowe at Sara Crowe Literary represented the author, and Sarah Dillard at Painted Words represented the illustrator.
Nicole Fiorica at McElderry Books has bought world rights to She Dives in Darkness by Leslie Barnard Booth (l.), illustrated by Paige Keiser, a picture book that follows a mother sperm whale who must leave her calf behind as she dives thousands of feet deep in search of food, revealing the powerful social bonds and deep-sea adaptations of Earth's largest toothed predator. Publication is planned for spring 2028; Fiona Kenshole at Transatlantic Agency represented the author, and Anne Moore Armstrong at the Bright Agency represented the illustrator.
Deidra Purvis at Free Spirit has acquired world rights to Your Cozy Castle by Molly Beth Griffin (l.), illustrated by Chris Park, a picture book that explores how children use imaginative fort-building to process big feelings and create comfort in uncertain times. Publication is slated for fall 2026; Cassie Labriola-Sitzman and Deidra Purvis will edit. The author represented herself, and Essie White at Storm Literary Agency represented the illustrator.
Daniela Cortes and Sonali Fry at Random House have bought world rights to Rock-a-Bye Monsters and Rock-a-Bye Snowman by Sue Fliess (l.), illustrated by Luke Flowers. Both are rhyming board books set to the tune of the lullaby "Rock-a-Bye Baby," in which young monsters go through their bedtime routine, and forest animals playing with a snowman are called home to get ready for bed. Publication is set for August 2027 and October 2027 respectively; Jennifer Unter at the Unter Agency represented the author, and the illustrator represented himself.
Samantha Gentry at Little, Brown has acquired, in a six-figure auction, a YA novel by debut author Deborah Yelle titled A Most Decadent Curse, a gothic romantic fantasy inspired by the poetry of Edgar Allan Poe and filled with ballgowns and crumbling castles by the sea, as two opposite sisters must work together to break a century-long family curse. Publication is slated for winter 2027 and winter 2028 respectively in the two-book deal; Danielle Burby at Mad Woman Literary Agency sold world English rights.
Peter Phillips at Tundra has bought, in an exclusive submission, Deke Moulton's debut YA horror novel They Carved Us to Be Perfect, a "Pinocchio" retelling also based on elements of Golem lore in which two teens who were formerly part of the same tree struggle with assumptions others make about them and the expectation of perfection when one was made to serve a certain purpose. Publication is set for summer 2027; Rena Rossner at Deborah Harris Agency sold world rights.
Maya Marlette and Samantha Palazzi at Scholastic have acquired Nikki Shannon Smith's middle grade novel, Downfall, in which a sister and brother must survive alone in the Sierra Nevada mountains after they're forced to parachute from a failing helicopter. Publication is scheduled for fall 2027; Jennifer March Soloway at Andrea Brown Literary negotiated the deal for world rights.
Kara Kirk and Elizabeth Nicholson at Getty Publications have bought The Most Mysterious Book In the World: Unlocking the Secrets of the Voynich Manuscript by ALA Notable nonfiction author Carolyn DeCristofano (l.) and medievalist Lisa Fagin Davis, a middle grade nonfiction title that is both detective story and primer on critical thinking, exploring the indecipherable and strange medieval manuscript, written in symbols that have to be cracked despite the relentless efforts of some of history's greatest code-breakers. Publication is planned for spring 2027; Abigail Samoun at Red Fox Literary sold world English rights.
Karen Smith at Workman has acquired world rights to Stories of the Rabbis, a nonfiction middle grade book by Sydney Taylor Award winner Richard Ho (l.) (Two New Years), illustrated by Brie Schmida (Inkbound; Meticulous Jones and the Skull Tattoo), featuring short profiles and stories about the long line of renowned and influential rabbis throughout Jewish history. Publication is slated for fall 2026; Emily Mitchell at Wernick & Pratt represented the author, and Sarah Brouillard at the Bright Agency represented the illustrator.
Taylor Norman at Holiday House/Neal Porter Books has bought Duel by Caldecott Honoree Shawn Harris, a picture book about two knights from two castles on the same hill who must duel to win full control for their queen, illustrated with symmetrical artwork mirrored across the gutter of the book. Publication is set for fall 2026; Steven Malk at Writers House brokered the deal for world rights.
Catherine Laudone at S&S/Beach Lane Books has acquired The 12 Days of Chixmas, a picture book by debut author-illustrator Laura Gonzalez. Loosely based on the song "12 Days of Christmas," the book stars a festive little chick enjoying the holiday season, culminating in a Mexican Christmas feast with a sprinkling of Spanish, a pinch of whimsy and a whole lot of friends and family. Publication is scheduled for fall 2027; Sarah Dillard at Painted Words sold world rights.
Taylor Norman at Holiday House/Neal Porter Books has bought, in an exclusive submission, I Am the Mountain by author-illustrator Steven Weinberg, whose watercolor paintings engage the reader's five senses as he introduces the mountain through all four seasons in an ode to the whole wild world. Publication is planned for summer 2026; Marcia Wernick at Wernick & Pratt Agency sold world rights.
Rosemary Brosnan and Cynthia Leitich Smith at Heartdrum have acquired world English rights to We Are Hapa, Kaua Māhoe Adams's (l.) debut picture book, illustrated by Malia Pila, in which a Hapa Hawaiian boy embraces his mixed Native Hawaiian identity when he spends the day with his father and grandfather by observing how each of their unique looks are reflected in the land and ocean that they love. Publication is slated for fall 2027; Sara Crowe at Sara Crowe Literary represented the author, and James McGowan at BookEnds Literary represented the illustrator.
Anna Roberto at Feiwel and Friends has bought world rights to Fly by Becky Scharnhorst (l.), illustrated by Estrela Lourenço, an onomatopoeic romp about one family's peaceful backyard lunch turning to all-out madness thanks to one tiny fly. Publication is scheduled for winter 2027; James McGowan represented the author and illustrator.
Millie von Platen at Astra Young Readers has acquired world rights to Field Day by Carter Higgins (l.), illustrated by Shelley Johannes. This picture book tells the story of two teachers who get a little too excited about their respective classes winning at field day. Publication is set for spring 2027; Amy Thrall Flynn at Aevitas Creative Management represented the author, and Stephen Barr at Writers House represented the illustrator.
Kate DePalma at Barefoot Books has bought world rights to Oops! I Just Ate You. by Margaret Wise Brown Prize Honoree Ævar Þór Benediktsson (l.) (Our World: Iceland), illustrated by Joaquín Camp (Aldo: Ghost Dog). A lonely zombie wants to make friends, but every time he meets someone, he accidentally eats them. ; Bree Reyes will edit; publication is planned for fall 2026. Tuomas Sorjamaa at Rights & Brands AB represented the author, and Ines Silva at ByRights Agency represented the illustrator.
Michael Green at Marble Press has acquired world rights to Argh! by Steven Varni (l.), illustrated by Sid Meireles. In this picture book, a grumpy bear named Otto has all he needs or wants within the walls of his garden, until a rogue weed's never-ending runner leads Otto beyond his walls and into the wide world, where he attracts one new friend after another. Publication is slated for spring 2027; Mona Kanin at Great Dog Literary represented the author, and the artist represented himself.
Deidra Purvis at Free Spirit has bought world rights to Curious Mind and Dancing Feet by debut author Melinda González (l.), illustrated by Amélie Videlo. A Puerto Rican Muslim girl shares what life is like with ADHD—from dancing with her feet to the kaleidoscope in her mind. Publication is set for summer 2026, with Cassie Labriola-Sitzman editing. The author represented herself, and Tina Doffing at Astound US represented the illustrator.
