 |
|||||
|
|||||
|
Cover Reveal
 S&S to Relaunch Two Judy Blume Classics Long a prominent presence on the bookshelves of preteen readers, Judy Blume’s Just as Long as We’re Together and its companion novel, Here’s to You, Rachel Robinson, will soon have a new publisher and fresh covers. The middle grade books will be relaunched by Simon & Schuster's Atheneum imprint on August 25 in simultaneous hardcover and paperback editions, with new jacket art by Debbie Ridpath Ohi. Click through for a look at the redesign. more  In the News
 Layoffs, Moves at Penguin Young Readers as Dial Imprint ShutteredDial Books for Young Readers, an imprint of PYR established in 1961, has been closed, resulting in a number of layoffs and moves within the division. According to industry sources, several individuals are being let go from PYR, and three Dial editors are being moved over to G.P. Putnam’s Sons Books for Young Readers, where the Dial books will be absorbed. more  House Committee Advances National Book Ban Bill The U.S. House Committee on Education and the Workforce endorsed HR 7661, a bill to withhold federal education funds from public schools alleged to have “sexually oriented materials” in their library collections. more  PJ Library Launches Fund to Subsidize Jewish Book PublishingThe nonprofit’s new $1.2 million Next Level Books Initiative earmarks 30% of the money for a fund that invests in independent publishers creating Jewish children’s books. more  Court Rules Tracy Wolff Did Not Plagiarize Crave Series A judge in the Southern District of New York ruled that Tracy Wolff did not plagiarize her YA fantasy series Crave, according to a report. The ruling concludes a multi-year lawsuit brought against Wolff by writer Lynne Freeman, alleging the series was "substantially similar" to one of her unpublished manuscripts. more
New Venture
 Sourcebooks Announces New Imprint for Young Readers with Lavaille LavetteSourcebooks is partnering with author, educator, and social impact strategist Lavaille Lavette on a new children’s imprint, Joyful Pen Books, which will focus on inclusive stories that aim to promote empowerment. The list will include picture books, graphic stories, and series for younger readers written by athletes, innovators, advocates, and other cultural figures. more In Memoriam
 Jewell StoddardBookseller and champion of diverse books Jewell Stoddard, who co-founded one of the first children’s-only independent bookstores in the U.S., Cheshire Cat Children’s Books in Washington, D.C., died March 10. She was 92. Valerie Lewis, former co-owner of children’s bookstore Hicklebee’s in San Jose, Calif., said, “She raised the bar in what we should expect of books published for children and for the need for diversity in children’s publishing.” more   Four Questions
 Lev GrossmanFollowing his 2020 foray into middle grade fiction, The Silver Arrow, novelist Lev Grossman returns to the realm of children’s literature with his first picture book, The God of Sleep, illustrated by Huynh Kim Liên. In this tale told in rhyming verse, the god of the sun searches for the missing god of sleep, so that the rest of the pantheon can get to bed. We spoke with Grossman about the allure of depicting gods and writing poetry for children. Q: Where did the impetus for writing your first picture book come from? A: I’ve only ever had two good ideas for books come out of dreams. I feel like I have a lot of ideas in dreams, and almost all of them are bad. One of them turned into The Magicians and the other one was this book. I had a dream where I was reading Where Is the Green Sheep? by Mem Fox, which I’ve read many times to my kids, but in the dream it wasn’t about sheep anymore; it was about gods. more  Out Next Week
 Hot Off the Press: Week of March 23 Among the books hitting shelves next week are a picture book highlighting the centerpiece of a family’s home, a middle grade novel following a princess’s sudden rise to power, a YA debut about the impact of poetry, and more. more In Brief
 In Brief: March 19, 2026Recently, lauded illustrators came together for an event, longtime collaborators accepted a special gift, married co-creators prepared for a release, Boston’s kid-lit community gathered, an author made a TV appearance, and a young reader dressed up as a book character. more
Rights Report
 Rachel Diebel at Feiwel and Friends has acquired A Different Kind of Murder, a contemporary YA horror novel by Racquel Marie, in which a shy, bird-loving girl's local murder of crows starts acting upon her violent, intrusive thoughts. Publication is slated for spring 2027; Thao Le at Sandra Dijkstra Literary Agency sold North American rights.  Joshua Dean Perry at Tiny Ghost Press has bought How to Kill a Chupacabras by USA Today editor Joshuan Rivera Jiménez, a YA horror/adventure novel set in the Puerto Rican jungle. When a reclusive billionaire offers a financial reward to anyone who can bring him proof of the existence of the legendary chupacabras, journalism major Lucas Ramírez Berdecía, desperate to help pay for his father's mounting medical bills jumps at the chance, but hunting mythical creatures is harder than he expected and every minute spent in the jungle is a minute away from his dying father. Publication is set for summer 2027; the author was unagented.  Kate Egan at Pixel+Ink has acquired world rights to Paradise by Claudia Gabel, pitched as an upper middle grade spin on The White Lotus, in which three cousins take an all-expenses-paid vacation at an exclusive resort, funded by their wealthy estranged grandmother, only to discover that dangerous secrets are lurking behind the beautiful scenery and within their family. Publication is planned for fall 2026, with a sequel to follow in winter 2028; the author represented herself.  Sarah Alpert at Norton Young Readers has bought Mossy's Quest: The Portal of Gloom, a middle grade graphic novel by debut author-illustrator Kristin Marine, in which Mossy, a creature known as a gloomie, sets out on a quest to prove she can do more than spread doubt and despair, but when a portal malfunctions and the residents of Kismet Forest begin to disappear, she'll need to muster all her courage to set things right. Publication is scheduled for winter 2029; Courtney Donovan at Writers House did the deal for world rights.  Siobhan Ciminera and Elizabeth Barton at Simon Spotlight have bought, in a three-book deal, world rights to Percy and Speck by David McMullin (l.), an early reader series featuring a dog named Percy and a bug named Speck. The book can be read three times: from Percy's point of view, from Speck's point of view, and with both characters together. Publication of the first book, The Nose, in which Speck the bug flies up Percy's nose by mistake, is planned for fall 2026, illustrated by Lauren Stohler. Kaitlyn Sanchez at Bradford Literary Agency represented the author, and Thao Le at Sandra Dijkstra Literary Agency represented the illustrator.  Cindy Loh at Scholastic has acquired world rights to Blabby Crabby, a picture book written and illustrated by Meg Auchenbach (If You Are an Artist; When Night Sleeps). Blabby Crabby has the gift of gab, but his inability to stop talking keeps landing him in hot water—could the library (of all places) be the perfect place for Blabby Crabby's talents to shine? Publication is set for summer 2027; John Rudolph at Dystel, Goderich and Bourret brokered the deal.  Emma Parkin at Barefoot Books has bought Barefoot Books So Many Things by Maya Hanisch (Follow the Flyway), originally published as So Many Things/Son tantas cosas in bilingual Spanish by Editorial Amanuta, an exploration of hundreds of labeled things from animals to household items. Bree Reyes will edit; publication is scheduled for fall 2026. Marina Huguet at Marina Books Literary Agency sold world English rights.  Shannon Pennefeather at Minnesota Historical Society Press has acquired A Garden for All by Colleen Muske, a picture book that follows a mother and daughter who cultivate a garden together across the seasons, celebrating the rhythms of the natural world and the way a garden sustains not only its growers but also the soil, insects, and animals that help it thrive. Publication is slated for spring 2027; Kelly Dyksterhouse at Tobias Literary Agency handled the deal for world rights.  Naomi Krueger at Beaming Books has bought This Is Our Family Table by Sherry Fellores (l.) illustrated by Gabriella Galvez, a picture book celebration of many feelings and activities centered around the heart of the home—the table. Publication is planned for fall 2027; Miranda Paul at Aevitas Creative Management represented the author, and Jessie Fitzgerald at Advocate Art represented the illustrator.  Barb McNally at Sleeping Bear Press has acquired world rights to Ssstanley, the Christmas Sssnake by Diane Muldrow (l.) (Meowloween), illustrated by Alex Patrick, which tells the story of Stanley, a down-on-his luck snake who braves much adversity to become Santa's pet at the North Pole. Publication is set for fall 2027; Jennifer Unter at the Unter Agency represented the author, and Nicky Lander at Bright Agency UK represented the illustrator.  Sarah Mackenzie at Waxwing Books has bought world rights to A Hike, A Tree, for You and Me by debut author Katie Schwartz (l.), illustrated by Gabrielle Grimard. This rhyming picture book follows three children as they hike up a mountain in search for the perfect place to plant a sapling, serving as a reminder that even the smallest hands can make a lasting difference. Publication is scheduled for spring 2028; Anjanette Barr at Dunham Literary represented the author, and Claire Morance at Painted Words represented the illustrator. IN THE MEDIA
FEATURED REVIEWS
 GoldenbornAma Ofosua Lieb. Scholastic Press, $19.99 (416p) ISBN 978-1-5461-4746-6 It’s been one year since 17-year-old Akoma Addo’s father slipped into a coma after saving her from a mysterious ball of light. Trying to keep her grief from overwhelming her, Akoma—a detective who investigates magical crimes in San Francisco’s AfricaTown—is called to examine a murder that eerily resembles a story about Anansi, the spider god. Akoma’s discovery of a note at the crime scene describing the same tale solidifies her suspicion that the god may be involved. more  Axolotl-Ella: A Sort-of Cinderella StoryKate Messner, illus. by Lian Cho. Ten Speed, $18.99 (40p) ISBN 978-0-5938-3799-3 Messner and Cho regenerate “Cinderella” into an aquatic picture book that’s equal parts earnest outing and narrative spoof. “Once upon a warm and murky lake,” salamander Axolotl-Ella has big plans that hinge on attending the King’s Festival to meet the Prince. One by one, the tale’s familiar beats appear: discouraging relatives, magical transformations, improbably fabricated slippers, a besotted monarch, and dramatic midnight exits. But gleefully pointed variations emerge, too. more  Claw Quest (The Cat Prophecies #1)Nik Korpon and Jorge Enrique Paz. Labyrinth Road, $17.99 (336p) ISBN 978-0-593-90628-6 In Cali, Colombia’s Barrio San Antonio, 13-year-old artist and superhero fanatic Tito Rodríguez endures frequent torment from bullies who mock the facial expressions and bodily movements brought about by his Tourette’s. Tito’s diagnosis—which allows him to “notice patterns everywhere”—helps him realize that an orange cat has been following him. As Tito copes with the devastating news that his papá, who immigrated to the U.S. for work, now has a new family and won’t be returning to Colombia, the cat, named Cukkito, takes the teen to a realm of talking warrior felines. more  Searching for WocksLucy Knisley. Rocky Pond, $18.99 (40p) ISBN 978-0-5938-5825-7 A young collector’s fierce devotion forms the bedrock of this slyly funny picture book. After a pale-skinned child in a bright yellow hooded jacket declares themself “an expert at wock finding,” soft-edged, chalky gouache, watercolor, and colored pencil vignettes break the action into closely observed moments. With the gravity of a seasoned connoisseur, the youth leads a patient adult on a neighborhood expedition for objects “rare and precious,” combing sidewalks with gusto before tucking the found items safely into pockets. more  The SpiritualistsKristin O’Donnell Tubb. Simon & Schuster, $19.99 (416p) ISBN 978-1-6659-8573-4 Grieving young grifters plot revenge in this YA debut from O’Donnell Tubb, an exuberant historical fantasy set in 1912 New York City. Seventeen-year-old clairvoyant Stella Bodhan is recruited by Pax Princip, to join a nascent bureau of psychics. The bureau’s stated mission is to ease sorrow by facilitating communication with the dead, but that changes after Stella and Pax meet Nirav, a soothsayer who paints his prophetic visions. more |
March 19, 2026
 
E-mail not displaying correctly? View it in your browser.
People Macmillan Children’s Publishing Group has four promotions. At First Second, Calista Brill has been promoted to VP, executive editorial director, from editorial director. At Balzer + Bray, Lavell Nero has been promoted to assistant editor, from editorial assistant. Samantha Sacks has been promoted to senior publicist at Macmillan Children's, from publicist. Sara Elroubi has been promoted to associate publicist, from publicity assistant.Sneak Previews  Take a look ahead at some of the big titles for children and teens due out this fall, from picture books to YA novels, in our exclusive roundup. MORE In Case You Missed It Library of Congress Collection Tells the Story of American Children’s Books | ||||
