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Licensing Hotline: June 2025
Read on for news about Peppa Pig titles, classic and tie-in publishing leading up to a new animated Cat in the Hat movie, a new HarperPop graphic novel from popular gamer Aphmau, licensed merchandise based on Lauren Roberts’ Powerless, and more.
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In Brief: June 5, 2025
Recently an author received an award, a proposal took place at a launch event, a picture book creator held a discussion, a bookstore welcomed guests for a book launch, an author took her book launch digital, and students made crafts for an author’s visit.
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Ben Clanton Expands Narwhal and Jelly Series into Picture Books
The author-illustrator is bringing the aquatic stars of his popular early graphic novel series into a new format in This Book Is Dangerous!: A Narwhal and Jelly Picture Book.
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Moving On Up: Ann Liang
The Chinese Australian author has been sustaining a tenacious release schedule since the 2022 release of her debut YA novel 'If You Could See the Sun,' which is being developed into a TV series; Liang has released six books for YA and adult readers in just three years, with more on the horizon.
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Why Reimagining Classic Literature as Modern Graphic Novels Is So Important for Young and Reluctant Readers
Rex Ogle reflects on his forthcoming book, 'Dan in Green Gables,' a graphic novel retelling of the children’s classic by L.M. Montgomery.
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2025 Silver Unicorn Bookstore Kids' Graphic Novel Festival in Photos
The Silver Unicorn Bookstore in Acton, Mass., opened its doors to readers for its third annual Kids' Graphic Novel Festival on May 3, drawing more than 3,000 guests for a day of panels, presentations, and a keynote speech from Gale Galligan.
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Children's Job Moves: May 2025
New Job Announcements in children’s publishing for May 2025.
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Bankruptcy Meeting Between Albert Whitman Owners, Creditors Turns Contentious
At a Section 341 meeting of creditors in Albert Whitman’s Chapter 11 bankruptcy petition on May 29, attorneys questioned the company’s owners on their stated reasons for the filing, while authors complained of recurring issues with royalty statements.
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Scholastic Combines Its Trade, Fairs, and Clubs Businesses
A day after Ellie Berger announced plans to step down as president of Scholastic Trade Publishing, the publisher announced the integration of its trade publishing, book fairs, and book club businesses into the Scholastic Children’s Book Group under Sasha Quinton as president and Jackie De Leo as publisher and chief merchant.
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Licensing Expo 2025 Highlights Literary Brands, Licensed Books
Several exhibitors at last week’s busy show in Las Vegas said they were relieved that new deals were being discussed, given the Trump administration’s tariffs, especially those tied to China, where 90% of toys and other consumer products are made.
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NCAC, Brooklyn Public Library Launch Teen Advocacy Initiative
As the war for intellectual freedom wages on, the next generation of free speech defenders are invited to arm themselves with the latest resources, at no cost. It’s all part of a joint venture between the National Coalition Against Censorship and the Brooklyn Public Library known as the Teen Advocacy Institute: Power to the Readers.
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2025 Gaithersburg Book Festival in Photos
The 16th annual Gaithersburg Book Festival took place on May 17, gathering more than 130 authors across adult and children’s genres, and an estimated 15,000 guests for live conversations, book signings, and activities for young readers.
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Ellie Berger to Step Down as Head of Scholastic’s Trade Group
Berger has been with Scholastic since 1985 and headed the trade group since 2007. She was involved in publishing some of the industry’s bestselling franchises including Harry Potter, The Hunger Games, and Dav Pilkey’s Dog Man and Cat Kid Comic Club series.
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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 Dav Pilkey, Raina Telgemeier, Kazu Kibuishi, and more.
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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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CI 2025: From Educator to Advocate: 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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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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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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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.
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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.
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