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In Conversation
 Jen Bryant, Rebecca Donnelly, and Lindsay H. Metcalf on Eunice Newton Foote This season, no fewer than three books introduce young readers to the life and work of Eunice Newton Foote, the first person to discover that trapped carbon dioxide warms the Earth’s surface, a process that causes climate change. We invited authors Jen Bryant, Rebecca Donnelly, and Lindsay H. Metcalf to discuss how they first learned about Foote, and their research into her scientific contributions. more  In the News
 Twin Cities Children’s Booksellers Provide Refuge Against ICE While a dozen Twin Cities indies contacted last week by PW reported that they have tweaked daily operations in response to ICE’s presence there, two children’s bookstores—Wild Rumpus in Minneapolis and Red Balloon Bookshop in St. Paul—are dealing with another level of issues, including author cancellations, families hunkering down at home, and local schools offering remote instruction. more  Trump Administration Continues to Threaten IMLS Defendants in Rhode Island v. Trump, a lawsuit thus far preserving the Institute of Museum and Library Services, have filed an appeal against a judge’s permanent injunction that halted damage to the federal agency. more  Andrea Colvin Launches Literary AgencyLongtime children’s editor Andrea Colvin has announced the launch of an eponymous literary agency specializing in books for young readers, from picture books through new adult. Most recently, Colvin served as editorial director for graphic publishing at Little, Brown, where she founded and led the Little, Brown Books for Young Readers graphic novel imprint Little, Brown Ink. more  We Need Diverse Books Announces ‘Unbanned’ InitiativeChildren's literature nonprofit We Need Diverse Books has launched the Unbanned Book Network, an initiative to combat censorship by providing under-resourced schools with diverse titles by banned diverse authors. WNDB will select 20 schools in states heavily affected by book bans, including Texas and Florida, to receive a bookshelf or cart filled with about 100 titles. MORE  2026 Outstanding International Books List AnnouncedThe United States Board on Books for Young People has revealed its 2026 Outstanding International Books list, featuring 41 titles for children and young adults published in 2025 and originating from 24 countries. The list was announced on January 18 at the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators winter conference in New York City. more   Obituary
 Robert BurleighAuthor and visual artist Robert Burleigh, widely acclaimed for his poetic picture book nonfiction and biographies of such subjects as Edward Hopper, Langston Hughes, and Charles Lindbergh, died on January 12 of prostate cancer. He was 90. Burleigh’s agent, Rubin Pfeffer, said, "His books, lined up together, are a generous bookshelf, offering young readers a first encounter with enduring ideas, great minds, and quiet joys of the world." more Milestones
 Scholastic Celebrates Baby-sitters Club 40th Anniversary with All-New Projects It’s been 40 years since four enterprising middle school BFFs formed their own babysitting business in the debut title of the beloved and groundbreaking Baby-sitters Club book series by Ann M. Martin. Scholastic, which has seen the story mushroom into a bestselling juggernaut, will mark the series’ birthday with a trio of new books. Reflecting on the milestone, Martin said, "My hope is that the series continues to inspire readers to be confident, kind, and compassionate.” more  Four Questions
 L.S. StrattonFormer crime reporter turned NAACP Image Award-nominated author L.S. Stratton makes her YA debut with horror novel Sundown Girls. In the book, a Black teen named Naomi is reunited with her biological family after being abducted as an infant. As her parents try to bring the family closer, they decide to vacation in a small Virginia town with a questionable history, where Naomi encounters a ghost who needs her help. We spoke with L.S. Stratton about how her background as a crime reporter impacts her fiction and her approach to blending history with horror. Q: What types of horror are you drawn to? A: There has been an emerging sub-genre of social commentary, where the horror is used to represent something. I [tend to] gravitate toward those stories. Yes, I want titillation. I want [readers to think] “Oh, that’s terrifying.” But when I write thrillers, I want readers to understand that these are bad people who were led in this direction by a myriad of factors. more Out Next Week
 Hot Off the Presses: Week of January 26 Among the books hitting shelves next week are a picture book biography on a civil rights activist, a graphic novel memoir about a tween’s transfer to an all-girls school, a YA retelling of The Great Gatsby featuring Black protagonists, and more. more
Rights Report
 Rachel Stark at Disney Hyperion has acquired, in an exclusive submission, Reasons We Break author Jesmeen Kaur Deo's next untitled contemporary YA. In this romantic drama, Chandani Sharma, whose academic future depends on her keeping an academic scandal under wraps, races to stop a rival student from exposing the corruption—even as they begin to fall for one another. Publication is planned for late 2027/early 2028; Jennifer Azantian at Azantian Literary Agency did the deal for North American rights.  Marisa DiNovis at Knopf has bought Monumental by Chad Sell (The Cardboard Kingdom), a queer YA romance graphic novel set in an alt-Renaissance about the forbidden love between a princess and a groundskeeper and how they reunite with the help of an exiled sculptor and a little bit of magic. Publication is scheduled for fall 2027; Daniel Lazar at Writers House negotiated the deal for North American rights.  Emily Settle at Feiwel and Friends has acquired, in a two-book deal, Neckbone by CG Drews (Hazelthorn; Don't Let the Forest In), a psychological YA horror in which a teen's summer job cleaning mansions takes a dark turn when he realizes that the rich dysfunctional family he works for are vampiric monsters—and they're hellbent on making him one, too. Publication is slated for fall 2027; Claire Friedman at InkWell Management brokered the deal for world rights.  Hannah Hill at Delacorte Romance has bought You're a Mystery to Me by Jenny L. Howe (Love at Full Tilt). When an aspiring teen writer discovers secret letters from her favorite mystery author who disappeared five years ago, she joins forces with the cute barista across the street to search for clues of her fate—but the deeper they dig into the author's past, the more they seem to be writing a love story of their own. Publication is set for spring 2028; Katelyn Detweiler at Jill Grinberg Literary Management sold world English rights.  Sam Palazzi at Scholastic has acquired, in an exclusive submission, A Light in the Dark, a middle grade historical fiction novel by Erin Soderberg Downing (Just Keep Walking). In this alternating narrative that crosses generations and spans decades, three kids connected by a Great Lakes shipwreck and lighthouse each face their own journey for survival while the fate of their family and future hang in the balance. Publication is planned for summer 2027; Michael Bourret at Dystel, Goderich & Bourret handled the deal for world rights.  David Levithan at Scholastic with Lauren Fortune at Scholastic UK has bought The Wild Ones by Steve Cole. Pitched as Homeward Bound meets The Last Wild, this thrilling and unexpectedly funny story follows a determined dog on a daring mission to rescue his animal friends. Scholastic US will publish in spring 2027; Lydia Silver at the Soho Agency negotiated the deal for world English rights.  Martha Mihalick at Greenwillow Books has acquired, at auction, Considering the Lobster by Nicole Melleby. The middle grade novel takes place the day before Thanksgiving, when middle schooler Louisa, desperate to avoid going home, accompanies her college-age sister around town completing DoorDash deliveries, concocting a plan to free lobsters from the tanks she sees them trapped in at the grocery stores that they pass through. Ultimately, the sisters will have to confront their shared history of abuse and the legacy of trauma left behind. Publication is slated for fall 2027; Jim McCarthy at Dystel, Goderich & Bourret sold North American rights.  Elizabeth Lee at Penguin Workshop has bought The Strange Sketches of Luna Li by Gloria L. Huang, a fantastical ghostly middle grade novel in which Luna finds a mysterious pen in a rumored-to-be haunted fairground, and is shocked to discover it can draw people to life, including an intriguing unknown boy and her deceased older sister. Publication is scheduled for spring 2027; Laura Cameron and Amanda Orozco at Transatlantic Literary Agency sold world rights.  Laura Godwin at Godwin Books has acquired, in an exclusive submission, David Getz's middle grade novel Vida Beats the Odds. Set over the course of a single day in the life of a sister and her charismatic, statistics-obsessed twin brother Ollie, the novel explores what it means to grow up too soon, the sacrifices we make for the ones we love, and the comforting notion that no one should go it alone. Publication is set for January 2027; Miriam Altshuler at DeFiore & Company brokered the deal for North American rights.  Matt Phipps at Putnam has bought The Foxes of London by M.S. Duirham, a lightly illustrated middle grade caper about a gang of chicken thieves terrorizing the city of London, the secret society of foxes working to bring them to justice, and an 11-year-old fox kit at the center of the mystery. Publication is planned for spring 2027; Jessica Watterson at Sandra Dijkstra Literary Agency sold world rights.  Calista Brill at First Second has acquired, in a five-book deal, world rights to Professor Feathers by (clockwise from top l.) Steve Behling, illustrated by Rory Lucey, with Alison Acton and Kendall Goode, a middle grade graphic novel series about Professor Feathers, a world-famous ghost hunter who happens to be a chicken, in both senses of the word. Ivan Taurisano will also edit; publication of the first volume is slated for 2028. Kathryn Green at Kathryn Green Literary Agency represented Behling, Charlie Olsen at InkWell Management represented Lucey and Goode, and Jennifer Azantian at Azantian Literary Agency represented Acton.  Amy Fitzgerald at Lerner/Zest has bought world rights to Darwin's Moth: The Quest to Solve a Scientific Mystery by Rebecca E. Hirsch (A Deathly Compendium of Poisonous Plants). This upper middle grade nonfiction science mystery follows Charles Darwin's controversial hypothesis about the mysterious pollinator of the uniquely shaped Madagascar star orchid. Darwin's work inspired a decades-long search for the pollinator and launched the study of coevolution, which remains crucial to understanding our rapidly changing planet. Publication is set for spring 2028; Sarah Stephens at Red Fox Literary represented the author.  Deirdre Jones at Little, Brown has acquired Elena Skoreyko's debut picture books, I Hug You, featuring all different sorts of hugs experienced between loved ones throughout the day; and Beach Bodies, a celebration of all kinds of bodies enjoying a day at the beach. Publication is scheduled for fall 2027 and summer 2028; Carrie Hannigan at HG Literary handled the deal for world rights.  Tara Walker at Tundra Books has bought How to Tame a Table by Marianna Coppo, a humorous picture book guide that walks readers through the delicate art of taming a table, from spotting the right one for you, to earning its trust (and possibly watching it run in the park). Publication is planned for spring 2028; Debbie Bibo at Debbie Bibo Agency negotiated the deal for world rights.  Ann Kelley at Random House Studio has acquired world rights to This Is the Good Part by Sibert Medalist Nicholas Day (l.), illustrated by Bologna Ragazzi Award winner Laura Carlin, a picture book that invites readers to leap into a story, celebrating the joy of reading and the magic of imagining what happens after the last page. Publication is slated for fall 2027; Brenda Bowen at the Book Group represented the author, and Helen Osborne at Heart USA represented the illustrator.  Janine O'Malley at FSG has bought world rights to The Big Book of Big/The Little Book of Little: Two Stories in One by Sonya Sones (l.), illustrated by Ag Jatkowska. This flip book explores the concepts of big and little, from mountains to blades of grass, elephants to ladybugs, and from big feelings to little acts of kindness. Publication is scheduled for winter 2028; Steven Malk at Writers House represented the author, and Georgia Tournay-Godfrey at the Bright Agency represented the illustrator.  Jessica Garrison at Dial Books for Young Readers has acquired world rights to Made with Love by Jessica Milo (l.), illustrated by Patricia Pessoa, a nonfiction picture book series pitched as How It's Made for the pre-K set, pulling back the curtain on how a child's most cherished items—a favorite dump truck, a beloved blankie—start with materials from the earth that are then touched, molded, and melded by many hands. Publication for book one is set for spring 2028, and book two for spring 2029; Wendi Gu at Hannigan Getzler Literary represented the author, and Nicole Tugeau at Tugeau 2 represented the illustrator.  Deeba Zargarpur at Salaam Reads has bought world rights to To Know by Heart by Autumn Allen (l.), illustrated by Caldecott Honor artist Daniel Minter, a picture book introduction to Umar ibn Sayyid, a Muslim scholar born in West Africa in 1770 who was kidnapped and enslaved by Americans. His autobiography is believed to be the only one written in Arabic by an enslaved person in the U.S. Publication is planned for summer 2027; Molly Ker Hawn at David Higham Associates represented the author, and Rick Margolis at Rising Bear Literary Agency represented the illustrator.  Justin Krasner at Sourcebooks eXplore has acquired world rights to Look Mom, It's Poo! by Christine Virnig (l.) illustrated by Galia Bernstein. The picture book follows young Quinn whose mother eagerly takes her on a nature hike that keeps getting derailed by Quinn's single-minded focus on poop. Publication is scheduled for spring 2028; Jim McCarthy at Dystel, Goderich & Bourret represented the author, and Anne Moore Armstrong at the Bright Agency represented the illustrator.  Dena Neusner at Apples & Honey Press has bought world rights to In Daniel's Shoes by Leslie Kimmelman (l.), creator of the first Sesame Street character on the autism spectrum and author of more than 50 children's books, illustrated by Ekata Mandal. This picture book is about a boy on the autism spectrum living authentically as himself with the support, empathy, and guidance of his family. Publication is set for fall 2026; the author represented herself, and Sarah Brouillard at the Bright Agency represented the illustrator.  Jaime Gelman at Little Bee Books has acquired Hurrah for Mardi Gras by Letícia Moreno, a board book celebrating Mardi Gras. Publication is slated for fall 2026; Nicole Tugeau at Tugeau 2 sold world rights. IN THE MEDIA
FEATURED REVIEWS
  When the Sun Goes DownGreg Pizzoli. Knopf, $18.99 (40p) ISBN 978-0-5936-4980-0 Employing cozy textures and pared-down visual geometries, Pizzoli creates a beguilingly simple wind-down story that’s equal parts lullaby and primer. As the sun—depicted as two concentric circles, one orange and one yellow—makes its exit, a child surveys five creatures, first in a flower-filled backyard, then in the snug indoors. To the child’s question, “Where do you go when the sun goes down?” each responds with soothing verse. more  HoldRandy Ribay, illus. by Zeke Peña. Kokila, $18.99 (40p) ISBN 978-0-5938-5698-7 Jackets donned and marching toward the front door, a father and child turn carrying an armload into a full-fledged activity in this picture book portrait of trying to make it out of the house. “Hold,” the encumbered adult says, handing over a patterned drinking cup. “Hold?” the child echoes before taking it. Now the youth wants to carry everything, in turn requesting Speedy the stuffed sloth, a spiny dinosaur toy, and Gato the family cat. more  GoldfinchesMary Oliver, illus. by Melissa Sweet. Viking, $18.99 (40p) ISBN 978-0-593-69241-7 Sweet vibrantly illuminates an incisive and joyful work from the late poet Oliver in a picture book that takes the feel of a naturalist’s notebook. Accompanying the author’s evocative lines about goldfinches’ use of thistle down for nest building, an abundance of techniques and materials mingle in bursting collages that capture the poem’s midsummer setting, featuring bold pink thistle pods, teal and turquoise leaves, and citrus yellow skies. more | ||
