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Freedom to Read
 PRH Initiates New Phase of Iowa Book Ban Case After almost three years of litigation, Penguin Random House and the rest of the Big Five, along with the Authors Guild, Laurie Halse Anderson, and Jodi Picoult, have filed an amended complaint asking the district court to consider whether Iowa’s statewide book banning law was applied incorrectly to nine books. more   SCBWI Panel Takes a Deep Dive into Censorship On July 30, the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators kicked off its annual Virtual Summer Conference with a discussion dedicated to a timely topic: “What the Industry Really Thinks About Book Banning.” more  Philomena Polefrone on Defending the Literary Ecosystem The former associate director of the ABA’s American Booksellers for Free Expression initiative recently joined PEN America as senior program manager of its Freedom to Read initiative. We spoke with her about book bans, queer bookstores, and her plans in her new role. more Just Announced
 ‘And by the Way...’ by Barbra Streisand The singer, actor, director, and all-around icon is poised to make her children’s book debut next year. Illustrated by Paige Keiser, the picture book is due March 30, 2027, from Flamingo Books, an imprint of Penguin Young Readers. more   In the News
 Usborne Buys Out Scholastic’s Stake in the CompanyThe U.K. children’s book publisher paid Scholastic $20.2 million to buy out the 26% equity stake it held in the company. Speculation has swirled around the move in recent days. more  BookCon Adds Third Day for 2027The consumer event revived this year by ReedPop will return to the Javits Center in New York City from April 9–11, 2027, expanding from two to three full days of panels, giveaways, and other reader-focused programming, per an announcement. more In Conversation
 Natasha Díaz and Máire Roche on Remixing the Classics This season, two new novels for teens—What Lies Beneath the Flowers by Natasha Díaz (Delacorte, out now) and Máire Roche's Little Monsters (Aladdin, Aug. 18)—showcase the enduring resonance of touchstone texts. We invited the authors to discuss putting a fresh spin on the familiar tales of Great Expectations and Little Women for today’s young readers. more Out Next Week
 Hot Off the Press: Week of August 10 Among the books hitting shelves next week are a picture book ode to a “microscopic hero,” a middle grade novel tracing a tween’s quest to break a family curse, a YA comedy-thriller, and more. more
Rights Report
 Jessica Smith at Simon Pulse has acquired A Most Perilous Proposal by Isabel Sterling, a sapphic YA cozy fantasy about a marriage competition for the prince's hand in which two girls—a polished debutante trying to secure a place in court for her family and a charming rogue trying to rob the royal coffers while hiding her illegal magic—find their efforts challenged by an unexpected attraction to each other, despite clashing at every turn. Publication is set for spring 2028; Danielle Burby at Mad Woman Literary Agency negotiated the deal for North American rights.  Kristin Allard at Norton Young Readers has bought Peyton June's Rabid Flesh, a twisty YA horror thriller that follows a coven of misfit girls who shapeshift to avoid becoming prey to their oppressive, traditional town—and become the predators instead. Publication is slated for June 2027; Miriam Cortinovis at Ki Agency brokered the deal for world rights.  Lisa Yoskowitz at Little, Brown has acquired world English rights to Lynn Painter's next middle grade novel, Annabelle Marks Has No Regrets, about a girl who thinks she's moving across the country and makes a bucket list of all the outrageous things she always wanted to do, only to learn she's staying put and has to deal with the fallout. Publication is planned for summer 2027; James McGowan at BookEnds Literary brokered the deal.  Carina Licon at Henry Holt has bought world rights to T.C. Kemper's The Hall Monitors, a middle grade speculative novel that follows twins Lennon and Brody, who are sent to a boarding school that promises "personalized learning" for students who don't fit the mold, only to discover their teachers aren't human—and they're starting to glitch. Publication is scheduled for winter 2028; Amy Giuffrida at Belcastro Agency negotiated the deal.  Zoie Konneker at Peachtree has acquired The Midnight Clock by J.R. Dawson, a middle grade fantasy about 12-year-old Abbey who, after her father disappears, moves into her estranged grandfather's clock shop where she discovers an antique that can take you to see your family, no matter where in time they might be. Publication is set for spring 2028; Stevie Finegan at Zeno Agency sold world rights.  Brian Geffen at Henry Holt has bought, in a preempt, Celia Krampien's debut middle grade graphic novel, Sleepover Squad, for fans of Real Friends and The New Girl. BFFs Mia and Phoebe's world collapses when they find out they're going to different schools; now Mia is attending a sleepover at Phoebe's, along with Phoebe's new pals, and worries she won't fit in. Publication is slated for fall 2027; Andrea Morrison at Writers House negotiated the deal for world rights.  Erika DiPasquale at HarperCollins has acquired LeBron James Wins Big and Beyoncé Returns to Her Roots by Angela Dalton (l.) (Freedom Celebration), illustrated by Ashley Evans (Welcome to the Party), two Level 3 I Can Read biographies that are part of a new pop-culture early readers line. Publication is planned for fall 2027; Ian Lendler at McKinnon Literary represented the author, and Alex Gehringer at the Bright Agency represented the illustrator.  Kelly Barrales-Saylor at Ten Speed Young Readers has bought The Magnificent Noise Parade by Michael Hall (Red: A Crayon's Story), a poetic picture book manifesto to brave librarians everywhere, celebrating speaking up and speaking out in the face of any kind of shushing. Publication is scheduled for fall 2027; Victoria Wells at HG Literary did the deal for world rights.  Susan Rich at Little, Brown has acquired world rights to Escape, a picture book by author Annie Barrows (l.) and artist Oliver Jeffers, celebrating a neurodivergent child's singular ability to engineer their own joyous freedom. Publication is set for fall 2027; Liza Dawson at Liza Dawson Associates represented the author, and Paul Moreton at Bell Lomax Moreton Agency represented the artist.  Clarissa Wong while at Scholastic bought world rights to Peace Sign Picture Day by Joanna Ho (l.), illustrated by August Zhang, about an Asian girl who always flashes a peace sign in photos until she is told that she's not allowed to do so in her school pictures. Publication is slated for summer 2028; Caryn Wiseman at Andrea Brown Literary Agency represented the author, and Jemiscoe Chambers-Black, now at Starling Literary and Media, represented the illustrator while at Andrea Brown Literary Agency.  Christy Ottaviano at Little, Brown/Christy Ottaviano Books has acquired, in an exclusive submission, Wilde and Phree See America, a picture book by Tim Steinouer (l.) and Ethan Long, an interactive road trip adventure following a bison and an eagle that introduces readers to U.S. geography, topography, and iconic locations. Publication is planned for summer 2027; Paul Rodeen at Rodeen Literary Management did the two-book deal for world rights.  Stephanie Wheeler at Spinning Wheel Stories has bought world rights to How Halloween Almost Hallowasn't by Lizzie Brooks (l.) (Imperfectly Perfect Posey), illustrated by Adilson Farias, about a fancy mummy and his zombie-butler who have a series of misunderstandings resulting in the accidental creation of Halloween. Publication is scheduled for summer 2027; Emily Keyes at Keyes Agency represented the author, and the illustrator represented himself.  Jennifer Adams at Gibbs Smith has acquired world rights to Mama's Here by Mariam Gates (l.), illustrated by Catharine Collingridge, a board book featuring a mother, her child, and the comforting refrain “Mama's Here,” reflecting how she will be there for her baby, as well as the skills she'll use to show up for herself. Publication is set for spring 2027; Liz Nealon at Great Dog Literary represented the author, and Nicky Lander at the Bright Agency represented the illustrator. IN THE MEDIA
FEATURED REVIEWS
 Golem, Golem, Golem (Or How Chanukah Was Saved)Richard Ho, illus. by Carmel Ben Ami. Roaring Brook, $19.99 (48p) ISBN 978-1-2508-3416-4 Molding clay yields more than one kind of holiday creation in this playful Hanukkah book. When a Jewish child, depicted with brown skin, finds the yearly ritual of making dreidels a bit ho-hum, he delves into folklore and sculpts a small, adorable golem. But true to its calling, the little golem sets the mayhem right just in time for holiday candle-lighting. more  Kanoni’s KwanzaaHope Anita Smith, illus. by Bea Jackson. Little, Brown/Ottaviano, $18.99 (40p) ISBN 978-0-316-34154-7 A child whose name means “Little Bird” discovers that small hands can contribute to meaningful change in this accessible and compassionate introduction to Kwanzaa’s seven core principles. On the same night that Kanoni’s mother gives her a kinara and introduces Kwanzaa, a house fire displaces their neighbors the Langleys, to whom Kanoni insists her family open their home. Kanoni’s act sets in motion a season of generosity and care. more  Night of the Three KingsCarmen Tafolla, illus. by Magaly Morales. Penguin/Paulsen, $18.99 (32p) ISBN 978-0-5938-5658-1 A child struggles to sleep on the eve of Epiphany in this surreal story. After a camel, an elephant, and a horse carrying the three kings pass by the child’s window, the nudge of a baby camel’s nose beckons the young narrator onto the animal’s back and to the group’s destination: “a small inn and a tiny stable.” Vibrant, thick-lined digital illustrations, rich with texture and geometric shapes, add depth and energy to this dreamy twist on Three Kings celebrations. more  A Santa Like MeTonya Abari, illus. by Raissa Figueroa. Little, Brown, $18.99 (32p) ISBN 978-0-316-51572-6 A brown-skinned child narrator named Khalil is eager for Christmas, but when he shares his drawing of Santa at school, a classmate responds “That’s not what Santa looks like!” Though his teacher and his parents reassure that there are “different types of Santas all over the world,” Khalil has never met a Black Santa, and he spends the holiday preparations dogged by one question: “Where can I find a Santa like me?” more  We’re Going on a Parranda! A Puerto Rican Navidad StoryMayra Cuevas, illus. by Mónica Paola Rodríguez. Beach Lane, $19.99 (40p) ISBN 978-1-6659-6636-8 Catchy phrases by Cuevas and dynamic art from Paola Rodríguez celebrate the festive spirit of Puerto Rico’s holiday season in this joyful picture book. A family head out at midnight for a parranda, traveling by car across the island to surprise relatives and friends. When they arrive at the homes of the unnamed child narrator’s abuelitos, padrino, and more, the child eagerly anticipates taking part in the surprise serenades but struggles to find “a rhythm that sounds like me.” It’s a gratifying narrative about finding, and sharing, one’s beat. more |
August 6, 2026
 
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To Our Readers With this issue, Children's Bookshelf is moving to a summer schedule. We'll be publishing once a week, on Thursdays, until Tuesday, September 1. People Random House Children’s Books has four promotions. Kathy Dunn has been promoted to VP, executive director, publicity, from executive director, publicity. Jillian Vandall has been promoted to executive director, publicity, brand and licensed publishing; she was previously senior director, publicity. Maria Vitale has been promoted to marketing associate, young readers, from marketing assistant. And Gabriella Murdoch has been promoted to marketing associate, young adult, from marketing assistant. Follow Us  Follow us on Bluesky and Instagram! Bookshelf Archives Looking for a previous issue of Children's Bookshelf? Click here for our archives page! CONTACT US
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Children's Bookshelf
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