 |
||||
|
||||
|
In the Spotlight
 Dolly Parton’s Children’s Literacy Legacy The children's book community remembers the beloved entertainment icon, who died at age 80 on August 25, and who took particular pride in her role as a fierce literacy advocate and founder of the Imagination Library. more  Behind the Book
 ‘The Light I Needed’: Picture Book ‘On Fridays’ Started with a Special Spark We spoke with author Winsome Bingham and Caldecott Honor artist Jason Griffin about their close collaboration for On Fridays (Holiday House/Porter, Sept.), a reverse-engineered picture book based on Griffin’s paintings that explores themes of loss, community, and found families. more In the News
 Chicago Bookseller Launches Bilingual Children’s Imprint ¡Viva! Los Libros, which was founded in 2020 by Nina Sánchez (r.), is expanding this fall beyond bookselling into book publishing. The bookstore, located inside Chicago’s Pilsen Arts & Community House, sells Spanish language and bilingual children’s books there, as well as at pop-ups around Chicago, and via book fairs in schools in Illinois, Iowa, and New Jersey. more  HarperCollins Launches Manga Imprint Kazé will be led by Andrew Arnold, also publisher of HarperAlley, and will collaborate with the existing Kazé publishers in France and Germany—acquired by HarperCollins last year—to bring manga, manhwa, and manua to English-language readers of all ages. more  Disney Teams with Webtoon on Romantasy Comics Series The Disney Cursed Love line will debut on the webcomics platform before rolling out into print, expanding on a deal inked last year to bring Disney titles to Webtoon. The first title, The Curse of a Forsaken Heart, pairs Never After author Emily McIntire with artist Samairu. more
On the Scene
 The National Book Festival Through a Pre-Teen’s Eyes PW trailed 11-year-old podcaster and book lover Ishara Lacsina through her day of interviews and experiences at the Library of Congress event on August 22. more   Indie Booksellers Prepare to Attend Regional Associations’ Trade ShowsAs the end of summer approaches, members of six regional bookseller associations are getting ready to convene at their annual fall conferences for a few days of networking, community building, and education, surrounded by a lot of books. more  FlameCon 2026 Redefines Queer Fandom The latest edition of the annual gathering of LGBTQ+ geeks focused more on creating new art than cheering for corporate products, with fans eager to take culture-making into their own hands. more Author Reflections
 Eiko Kadono Explains AnimeNYC Absence in Exclusive Letter The 91-year-old Kiki’s Delivery Service author planned to celebrate the release of the U.S. edition of Kiki and the New Magic, illustrated by Yuta Onoda and translated from Japanese by Emily Balistrieri (Delacorte), and to announce Kiki and the Other Witch—the second and third books in her beloved series—at this year’s convention. In lieu of an in-person appearance, she shares her thoughts on New York City, writing, and AI. more  Finding Endless Connections Through MangaOriginally from Japan, Misako Rocks! is a U.S.–based manga artist and drawing instructor. Her new book, Double Trouble: Lost in Japan (Feiwel and Friends, Sept.), is the fourth title in her Bounce Back series for young readers. Here, the author-illustrator reflects on her creative journey and how manga provides an important cultural bridge. more Q & A
 Out of This World: PW Talks with Shaun Tan We spoke with the Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award laureate about his first new book in four years, Hometown (Levine Querido, Sept.), a graphic novel about a child on another planet who faces an existential decision. more  Four Questions
 Voracious Appetites: PW Talks with Katherine RundellThe renowned U.K. author of children’s fiction and adult nonfiction has two books due out from Knopf on September 1: The Neverfear, book three in her popular fantasy series, Impossible Creatures; and the extended essay Why You Should Read Children’s Books, Even Though You Are So Old and Wise. Rundell discussed her childhood longing for stories and how a desire for truth drives her work. more Reading Roundup
 New School Year, New BooksWe’ve gathered a list of titles to help ease kids’ transition from summer to fall, including their return to the classroom. more  Noteworthy Picture Book and Novel Sequels: August 2026New adds to longstanding favorites include a picture book about a lost dog finding their human companion, a middle grade horror story about a decaying house with a frightening resident, a graphic novel adaptation about a set of friends navigating magical abilities, and more. more Out Next Week
 Hot Off the Press: Week of August 31 Among the books hitting shelves next week are a picture book biography about a legendary musician, a middle grade novel following tweens who manipulate a wish-granting charity, a YA novel about a teen discovering a late influencer’s phone, and more. more
Rights Report
 Lydia Gregovic at Delacorte Press has acquired, in an exclusive submission, Cursed and Crowned, first in a high fantasy duology by I.V. Marie (Immortal Consequences), in which a young woman cursed to never tell a lie must leave the magical Museum she was raised in after a valuable artifact is stolen—but her only allies are a band of motley adventurers, including a mysterious rogue who may harbor a secret connection to the realm's immortal Faerie queen—pitched as Ella Enchanted meets Baldur's Gate III. Publication is set for summer 2027; Ariele Fredman and Gwen Beal at UTA did the two-book deal for North American open market rights.  Emily Feinberg at Macmillan/Fifth Color Press has bought North American English language rights to Kakenya's Dream, co-authored by Dr. Kakenya Ntaiya (l.) and Elana K. Arnold, a YA story about Kakenya's experience growing up in the Maasai community and her quest for personal and universal education. Publication is scheduled for fall 2028; Jim Averbeck at East/West Literary represented Ntaiya, and Sara Crowe at Sara Crowe Literary represented Arnold.  Alexandra Cooper at HarperCollins/Quill Tree has acquired Daughter of the Sun by Sayantani DasGupta, her first YA fantasy, about a 16-year-old girl born part flesh and part machine, who was raised secretly as a boy in a kingdom that hunts girls like her. She must defy the gods and rewrite her own destiny to break a cycle of war spanning lifetimes, pitched as Iron Widow meets An Ember in the Ashes. Publication is planned for winter 2028; Brent Taylor at July First Literary handled the two-book deal for world rights while at Triada US.  Bria Ragin at Delacorte Press has bought, in an exclusive submission, Willow Vane by Charlie N. Holmberg, a YA contemporary fantasy romance in which a teen girl with Tourette syndrome tries to discover herself through an internship with a wizard, but strange things are afoot, and the wizard's cat is not who he appears to be. Publication is slated for spring 2028; Joe Veltre and Hayley Nusbaum at the Gersh Agency brokered the deal for world rights.  Vicki Lame at Wednesday Books has acquired, at auction, To Death, We Dance by Megan Lally, a romantic Gothic horror novel about a girl who must uncover a terrifying family's scheme before she becomes their next sacrifice, for publication in summer 2027. Mandy Hubbard at Emerald City Literary brokered the two-book deal for world English rights; the author is now represented by Joanna Volpe at New Leaf Literary & Media.  Britt Rubiano at Random House/Disney has bought Megara: A Grecian Girl Gang Heist by Sara Raasch, pitched as YA Circe meets Ocean's 8, a high-stakes fantasy in which Meg must save Hercules from their most daunting foe yet: her father, the mafia don of Thebes. Publication is scheduled for spring 2028; Michelle Wolfson at Wolfson Literary Agency sold world rights.  Amy Fitzgerald at Lerner/Zest has acquired The Ball That Shook the Earth by Jennie Liu (The Red Car to Hollywood). This YA narrative nonfiction book explores how secretive maneuvering and "people to people diplomacy" through ping-pong cracked the Cold War between China and the U.S., starting when an American college player jumped on the wrong bus and became face-to-face with the entire Chinese team. Publication is set for fall 2028; Shannon Hassan at Marsal Lyon Literary Agency sold world rights.  Wendy McClure at Sourcebooks has bought, at auction, My So-Called Christmas Movie and an untitled companion by Shannon Balloon, debut author and host of the Middle Grade Matters podcast. This middle grade contemporary novel, pitched as a Hallmark movie from the kids' POV, follows competitive musician Callie, who is forced to move from NYC to a sleepy North Carolina town with her mom at Christmastime. Publication is planned for fall 2027; Christa Heschke and Daniele Hunter at McIntosh & Otis did the deal for world English rights.  Donna Bray at Macmillan/Balzer + Bray has acquired, at auction, debut author B.B. Tan's middle grade novel The Boy from Cloud Mountain, an original fantasy about a boy abandoned as a baby on the mystical Cloud Mountain and raised by monks, who leaves his sheltered home to undertake a quest to learn his true identity. Publication is slated for fall 2027; Amy Thrall Flynn at Aevitas Creative Management sold North American rights.  Tom Russell at Bright Matter Books has bought Shadow Fleet by Corey Mead (written with Rick Rosenberg), a look at our ongoing relationship with UFOs, from still-unexplained encounters to government cover-ups to cultural fascination. Publication is scheduled for summer 2028; Lindsay Auld at Writers House sold North American rights.  Stephanie Pitts at Putnam has acquired world rights to Rafa When the Dust Clears by Newbery Medalist Matt de la Peña (l.), illustrated by Caldecott Honoree Molly Mendoza. In this picture book about overcoming fears when you are ready, Rafa longs to participate in his older cousins' start-of-summer ritual, but can't quite find it in himself to make the big leap. Publication is set for spring 2028; Steven Malk at Writers House represented the author, and Hannah Mann at Writers House represented the illustrator.  Monica Perez while at HarperCollins/Versify bought world rights to Max the Music Maker by Van G. Garrett (l.) (Specs), illustrated by Talia Skyles, which follows Max, a young New Orleans singer who learns the value of harmony. Luana Kay Horry will edit; publication is planned for summer 2029. Emily Mitchell at Wernick & Pratt represented the author, and Shadra Strickland at Painted Words represented the illustrator.  Alyza Liu at Simon & Schuster has acquired world rights to Dancing in the Sweetgrass by aquatic biologist and fourth-generation sweetgrass basket weaver Zanethia Barnett (l.), illustrated by Brizida Magro. In this picture book, a Gullah girl connects with her grandmother over the art of weaving sweetgrass in the tradition of her West African ancestors. Publication is slated for spring 2029; Bethany Jett while at Cyle Young Literary Elite represented the author, and Andrea Morrison at Writers House represented the illustrator.  Courtney Code at Abrams has bought world rights to Broadway director Schele Williams's (l.) The Expert's Guide to Being a Big, illustrated by Reggie Brown, a silly picture book about what it is to be the oldest sibling. Publication is scheduled for fall 2028; Cait Hoyt at CAA represented the author, and Christy Ewers at the CAT Agency represented the illustrator.  Catherine Laudone at S&S/Beach Lane Books has acquired world rights to No Kittens in the Bookstore by Lauren Emmons. The picture book follows Anya, a stray cat with a new litter of kittens, as she searches for shelter during a blizzard. She finds safety in a children's bookstore, but will she and her family be allowed to stay once the snow stops? Publication is set for fall 2028; Nicole Tugeau at Tugeau 2 brokered the deal.  Alyza Liu at Simon & Schuster has bought world rights to Best Dog, a picture book by Ali Zha, illustrated by Linzie Hunter, about a girl who is at her wit's end with her very sweet, very lovable, but not very well-behaved dog—only to discover that sometimes imperfect friends make the best of companions. Publication is planned for summer 2027; Lindsay Auld at Writers House represented the illustrator.  Cheryl Eissing at Flamingo Books has acquired world rights to Bear and Fox Have Lots of Socks by Kris Tarantino (l.). illustrated by Justin Worsley, a rhyming picture book in which two friends must come up with some creative solutions to get all their socks put away before playtime. Publication is slated for spring 2028; Keely Boeving at WordServe Literary represented the author, and Neil Dunnicliffe at Spring Literary represented the illustrator.  Anna Luketic at Sourcebooks eXplore has bought world rights to These Animals Are Lying by Brooke Hartman (l.), illustrated by Joey Ellis, in which animal imposters and tricksters reveal the truth about who they are and what they can do. Publication is scheduled for spring 2028; Sera Rivers at Speilburg Literary Agency represented the author, and Chad W. Beckerman at the CAT Agency represented the illustrator.  Deidra Purvis at Free Spirit has acquired Car Shop Sábado, winner of the 2024 Latino Voices in Children's Literature writing contest, by Delia Ruiz (l.), illustrated by Flavio Remontti. When a girl and her tío spend their Saturday waiting for the family car to be fixed, a dull errand turns into a day of laughter, exploration, and connection. Alison Behnke will edit; publication is set for summer 2027. Sera Rivers at Speilburg Literary represented the author, and Amanda Hendon at Advocate Art represented the illustrator.  Kate O'Sullivan at Clarion has bought world rights to Poppies and Polka Dots: How Friendship Bloomed Between Georgia O'Keeffe and Yayoi Kusama by Anita Yasuda (l.), illustrated by Yuko Shimizu, the duo behind Up! Up! Ever Up! This picture book biography chronicles how Georgia O'Keeffe and Yayoi Kusama's trans-cultural friendship blossomed through persistence, mentorship, and finding a creative path. Publication is planned for summer 2028; Lori Steel at SteelWorks Literary negotiated the deal.  Barb McNally at Sleeping Bear Press has acquired world rights to Frances' Flowers, a picture book biography about the life of Frances Hodgson Burnett, author of The Secret Garden, by Molly Golden (l.) (No One Told Sandra Day O'Connor What to Do), illustrated by Elisa Paganelli. Publication is slated for spring 2028; Nicole Tugeau at Tugeau 2 represented the author, and Tina Doffing at Astound US represented the illustrator.  Josh Gregory at Albert Whitman has bought world rights to Like We Used To by Roxanne Troup (l.), illustrated by Marina Halak, a picture book that traces the emotions of a child wondering why so many things have to change as their parents divorce. Publication is scheduled for spring 2027; the author represented herself, and Christina Bagshaw at Beehive Illustration represented the illustrator.  Alyssa Mito Pusey at Charlesbridge has acquired world rights to Elliot's Chair by two-time wheelchair basketball Paralympic gold medalist Patty Cisneros Prevo (l.), and Ellie Erhart has acquired world rights for illustration by Carlos Vélez Aguilera. In this picture book, Elliot must gather and evaluate data to find the basketball wheelchair that is just right for his disability. Publication is set for fall 2027; Ana Crespo at East West Literary Agency represented the author, and Alice Jin Zhang at Astound US represented the illustrator. | ||||
