 |
|||||
 |
|||||
In Conversation
 Alvina Ling and Grace Lin Grace Lin is the author and illustrator of a number of books for young readers, including Where the Mountain Meets the Moon. Lin’s forthcoming picture book with her editor at Little, Brown, Alvina Ling, is A Big Bed for Little Snow, a companion to her Caldecott Honor book A Big Mooncake for Little Star. We asked the longtime friends to interview each other about their collaboration. more 
Book News
 Kokila to Publish the Dalai Lama’s First Picture Book Penguin Young Readers' Kokila imprint will publish the 14th Dalai Lama’s first picture book, The Seed of Compassion. Slated for publication next March, the book features stories from His Holiness’s childhood and lessons he learned while studying to be a Buddhist monk. more  
Moving
On Up
 'The 57 Bus' Nearly two years after FSG published Dashka Slater's YA true-crime story The 57 Bus in October 2017, the book has landed on the New York Times bestsellers list. As the book has picked up steam, the publisher has gone back to press a total of 14 times. We spoke with Slater and her editor, Joy Peskin, about what makes The 57 Bus a compelling—and enduring—narrative. more
Interview
 With Two New Books, Rainbow Rowell Hits the Road Rainbow Rowell's new novel Wayward Son, a sequel to the bestselling Carry On, explores what happens to the Chosen One after he saves the world. In addition, Rowell has also released her debut graphic novel, Pumpkinheads, illustrated by Faith Erin Hicks. We spoke with Rowell about her new projects. more 
Q
& A
 Steve Sheinkin Just nine years after American women won the right to vote, a group of aviatrixes took part in the 1929 Air Derby, the first women’s air race across the U.S. In Born to Fly, Steve Sheinkin chronicles this enthralling competition. Sheinkin spoke with PW about the genesis of his children’s book career and the latest addition to his narrative nonfiction oeuvre. Q: What was it about the story of this air race that grabbed your attention? A: For some time, I’d been hoping to do a book with women protagonists, but I didn’t want to pick a story that had been done already. When I found this story, I knew it had all the elements I look for and love, including featuring lesser-known people. The fact that it’s a race was ideal since I always strive to write what people refer to as “page turners.” And since I write nonfiction, I can’t invent anything. I need stories that have a great plot that can be corroborated, and when I find that, I feel as though I’m on to a winner. more
On the Scene
 Celebrating Little Free Libraries Miranda Paul, author of Little Libraries, Big Heroes, illustrated by John Parra, was the guest of honor at a series of events hosted by Little Free Library earlier this month in Minnesota. The festivities were arranged by Tony Bol, the brother of LFL founder Todd Bol, who died in 2018. Click through to see our selection of highlights from the celebration. more
Rights Report
 Krista Marino at Delacorte has bought Burn
Our Bodies Down, the second novel from Rory Power, author of Wilder
Girls. Stuck in a rundown apartment in the Middle of Nowhere, Nebraska,
Margot has spent her whole life trying to get closer to her secretive,
mercurial mother. When she discovers the name of her mother's hometown,
Phalene, she thinks she's found the key. But Phalene is home to a hundred
secrets, hidden between the floorboards of her grandmother's farmhouse,
buried under the cornfields. And if Margot's not careful, she'll end up
buried there, too. Publication is set for summer 2020; Kimberly Witherspoon
and Jessica Mileo at InkWell Management sold rights for the U.S., Canada, and
open market.  David Levithan and Samantha Palazzi at
Scholastic, along with Barry Cunningham at Chicken House U.K., have acquired
world rights to K-Pop Confidential, a YA debut by Bustle senior
editor and former Entertainment Weekly editor Stephan Lee. In
this romantic coming-of-age novel about chasing big dreams, a Korean-American
teen travels to Seoul in hopes of debuting in a girl group at the same K-pop
company behind the most popular boy band on the planet. The book will be
published simultaneously in the U.S. and U.K. in fall 2020; Brenda Bowen at
the Book Group negotiated the deal.  Dana Chidiac at Dial has bought, on exclusive
submission, Adib Khorram's Darius the Great Deserves Better,
following up his Morris- and APALA-award-winning debut, Darius the Great
Is Not Okay. Back from a life-changing trip to Iran, Darius suddenly has
it all: a first boyfriend, a dream internship, and a soccer team full of new
friends. It's everything he's ever wanted—maybe? Publication is slated for
fall 2020; Molly O'Neill at Root Literary did the deal for world rights.  Natashya Wilson at Inkyard has acquired North
American and audio rights to Counting Down with You and a second book
by debut author Tashie Bhuiyan. In this romantic contemporary YA
novel, a Bangladeshi-Muslim teenager navigates the difficulties of
independence, family, and first love after being roped into a fake dating
facade by a classmate. Publication is scheduled for mid-2021; JL Stermer at
New Leaf Literary & Media brokered the deal.  Sarah McCabe at Simon Pulse has bought Margie
Fuston's debut YA novel, Vampires, Hearts, and Other Dead Things,
pitched as The Coldest Girl in Coldtown meets The Truth About
Forever. When science and faith fail her terminally ill father, Victoria
heads to New Orleans in search of a vampire to save him. She meets a
mysterious young man who might be what she's looking for, only he won't share
the secret to immortality with just anybody. Publication is planned for
summer 2021; Rebecca Podos at the Rees Literary Agency negotiated the deal
for world rights.  Whitney Leopard at Random House Graphic has
acquired Lucy Knisley's YA graphic novel Linney, a collection
of Knisley's online cat cartoons in print for the first time, along with
original material. Publication is slated for fall 2021; Holly Bemiss at the
Susan Rabiner Literary Agency sold world rights.  Erica Finkel at Abrams has bought Game
Changer author Tommy Greenwald's new middle-grade novel, Rivals.
In this multi-format book, two basketball stars from competing middle schools
get ready for the championship game—but are caught up in online
trash-talking, accusations of cheating, and the pressure of big-time sports.
Publication is set for spring 2021; Brianne Johnson at Writers House brokered
the deal for world rights.  Rosemary Brosnan at HarperCollins has
acquired, in a three-house auction, Bree Paulsen's debut graphic
novel, Garlic & the Vampire, plus a second book, about a village
of anthropomorphic vegetables whose world is turned upside down when a
vampire moves into the nearby abandoned castle, and the shy Garlic they elect
to drive him out. Publication of the first book is scheduled for fall 2021;
Britt Siess at Martin Literary & Media Management handled the deal for
world rights.  Lily Kessinger at HMH has bought world rights
to ParaNorthern by Stephanie Cooke (l.), illustrated by Mari
Costa. In this middle-grade graphic novel, a witch named Abby and her
three friends—a wolf-girl, a ghost, and a pumpkinhead—band together to try
and save their supernatural town from an invasion of rabid (but adorable)
chaos bunnies. Publication is planned for spring 2021; Maria Vicente at P.S.
Literary Agency represented the author, and Peter Ryan at Stimola Literary
Studio represented the illustrator.  Sylvie Frank at S&S/Wiseman has acquired
Edgar winner Susan Vaught's next middle-grade novel, Finding What's
Mine, in which a group of kids with developmental disabilities become
embroiled in the decades-old mystery of a missing girl when their secret
hideout is threatened. Publication is slated for fall 2021; Erin Murphy at
Erin Murphy Literary Agency negotiated the deal for North American rights.  Andrea Colvin at Little, Brown has bought Eleanor
Crewes's debut middle-grade graphic novel, Lilla, the Accidental Witch,
in which a girl spends a formative summer in Italy where she learns magical
secrets about herself and her family and begins to understand who she really
is. Publication is set for spring 2021; Anna Power at Johnson & Alcock
brokered the deal for world rights (excluding the U.K.).  Amy Cloud at HMH has acquired Clifford
Burke's middle grade debut, An Occasionally Happy Family, about a
family road trip to one of America's least popular national parks, where Theo
Ripley and his sister Laura try to suss out why their nerdy father is acting
unusually and what it could mean for their future. Publication is scheduled
for spring 2021; Jim McCarthy at Dystel, Goderich and Bourret did the deal
for world rights.  Amanda Shih at Scholastic has bought Poop
Happened!, Poison, and Dog Days of History author Sarah
Albee's Accidental Archaeologists, a nonfiction look at incredible
archaeological finds by ordinary people, often by children. Publication is
planned for fall 2020; Caryn Wiseman at the Andrea Brown Literary Agency
negotiated the deal for world rights.  Rotem Moscovich at Disney-Hyperion has
acquired, at auction, I Am the Longest Dog, written and illustrated by
Avery Monsen, co-creator of the bestselling All My Friends Are Dead,
about a dog so long, we may never get to the end of her. Publication is
scheduled for fall 2020; Steven Malk at Writers House sold world rights.  Nancy Inteli at HarperCollins has bought, in
an exclusive submission, world rights to the picture book Evergreen,
the author-illustrator debut for Nate Wragg. Everly is a tree who sees
her friends change through the seasons but always stays the same... that is,
until Christmas, when she shines brightest. Publication is set for fall 2021;
Rebecca Sherman at Writers House brokered the deal.  Mary Kate Castellani at Bloomsbury has
acquired bestselling Goodnight, Goodnight Construction Site series author Sherri
Duskey Rinker's debut middle grade novel, Revver the Speedway Squirrel,
and a sequel. The series, illustrated by Alex Willan, centers around
Revver, a squirrel with a passion for car racing, the family he's born into,
and the family he finds as he pursues his dreams. Publication is slated for
fall 2020; Lori Kilkelly at LK Literary Agency brokered the deal for world
rights.  Liz Szabla and Anna Roberto at Feiwel and
Friends have bought world rights to Walter by debut author Chelsea
Lin Wallace (l.). Walter is about a house that is sad when its
family moves away, until a new, young inhabitant helps him feel like a home
again. Ginnie Hsu will illustrate; publication is planned for spring
2021. Jennifer Rofé at the Andrea Brown Literary Agency represented the
author, and Anne Moore Armstrong at the Bright Agency represented the
illustrator.  Jessica Garrison at Dial has acquired world
rights to Listen: How One Deaf Girl Changed Percussion by Shannon
Stocker (l.), a picture book biography about the talented and deaf
musician Evelyn Glennie, the first full-time solo percussionist in the world.
Devon Holzwarth will illustrate in her U.S. debut. Publication is
scheduled for spring 2022; Allison Remcheck at Stimola Literary Studio
represented the author, and Nicole Tugeau at Tugeau 2 represented the artist.
 Haven Iverson at Sounds True has bought world
rights to Catherine Bailey's Yogasaurus & Rex: A Tale of the
New Dinosaur on the Block, a picture book about friendship, yoga, and
trying new things, illustrated by Alex Willmore; publication is set
for fall 2020. Kathleen Rushall negotiated the deal for the author, and
Alexandra Davis at Rights People represented the illustrator.
To see all of this week's deals, click here.
IN THE MEDIA
SHELFTALKER
Elizabeth Bluemle Whatcha Got There Behind the Counter?
Sometimes the fastest-selling items are things we haven’t even
put out yet.
more »
Cynthia Compton Keeping the Lights On During Banned Books Week
Reflecting on the ways that we “softly” censor books for young
readers by the titles we recommend in the bookstore.
more »
Meghan Dietsche Goel Taking a Turn Behind the Circulation Desk
From cool technology to book clubs to a tricky round of
Jeopardy, a bookseller plays librarian for a day.
more »
Kenny Brechner When Tragedy Comes to Town
The loss, injury, sacrifice, and bravery resulting from a local
tragedy alters the nature of community.
FEATURED
REVIEWS
  Our
Favorite Day Joowon Oh. Candlewick, $16.99 (32p) ISBN 978-1-5362-0357-8 In this emotionally gratifying debut, elderly Papa lives by himself, and he likes to do things the same way each day. Oh illustrates with crisply cut and painted paper, showing Papa’s home and daily routine. One day, subtle variations signal that something different is happening. Only when all the preparations are in place does the reason for change—his visiting granddaughter—appear. more  Bedtime
for Sweet Creatures Nikki Grimes, illus. by Elizabeth Zunon. Sourcebooks Jabberwocky, $17.99 (32p) ISBN 978-1-4926-3832-2 “No! No! No!” begins Grimes’s rhythmic, playful romp through a restless child’s bedtime routine. As the toddler resists sleep, a mother patiently creates an imaginary menagerie via vivid similes, transforming a bedroom into a forest full of friendly creatures. The visually pleasing adventure becomes a loving, effective lullaby. more  I, Cosmo
Carlie Sorosiak. Walker Books US, $16.99 (288p) ISBN 978-1-5362-0769-9 Narrator Cosmo, a 13-year-old hound, may be getting up there in dog years and suffering from slight arthritis, but he remains dedicated to protecting his boy—12-year-old Max—and his family. Lately, though, Max and his younger sister have been anxious about their parents’ fighting. Touching, bittersweet, and true, this book will appeal to anyone who has loved a pet.  Songs from
the Deep Kelly Powell. S&S/McElderry, $18.99 (304p) ISBN 978-1-5344-3807-1 Powell’s debut is a not-to-be-missed tale of mystery, love, and community. The coastal town of Twillengyle is home to both humans and sirens. Most of the time, they coexist peacefully, but sirens are blamed when the body of Connor, 12, is found on the shore, and many of the town’s residents begin clamoring to lift the ban that prevents siren hunting. more  Gravity
Sarah Deming. Make Me a World, $17.99 (400p) ISBN 978-0-525-58103-1 Boxer and journalist–turned–trainer Deming pens a gritty, uplifting story about Gravity Delgado, “half Dominican and half Jewish,” who begins boxing at age 12 after her self-absorbed mother stops paying her karate fees. It’s free to train at Cops ’n Kids gym in Brooklyn’s Brownsville neighborhood, and under the guidance of her demanding coach, Gravity trains to fight alongside boxers of myriad backgrounds and ethnicities. more |
September 24, 2019
     
People
Penguin Young Readers has five promotions. Jed Bennett has
been promoted to executive director of marketing, preschool and brand, from
senior director. Christina Colangelo has been promoted to executive
director of marketing, middle grade and young adult, from senior director. Michael
Hetrick has been promoted to assistant art director, from senior
designer. Kara Brammer has been promoted to senior marketing manager,
middle grade and young adult, from marketing manager. Adrienne Vrettos
has been promoted to senior marketing manager, brand, from marketing manager.
Melinda Ackell has been named associate director of the copyediting team at
Random House Children's Books; previously she was copy chief at Macmillan
Children's Publishing Group.
Mabel Hsu has
been promoted to editor at Katherine Tegen Books at HarperCollins Children's
Books; she was formerly associate editor.
Bestsellers
 Children's
Frontlist Fiction #1 For Whom the Ball Rolls (Dog Man #7) by Dav Pilkey. Click here  Picture Books
#1 Little Blue Truck's Halloween by Alice Schertle, illus. by Jill McElmurry. Click here
Sneak Previews
 Take a look ahead at some of the big titles for children and teens due out in spring 2020, from picture books to YA novels, in our exclusive roundup. more
Follow Us
 Children's Bookshelf is on Instagram! Please follow us @pwkidsbookshelf.
Bookshelf
Archives
Looking for a previous issue of Children's Bookshelf? Click here to
see our archives page!
CONTACT US
Have a comment or
suggestion? We'd love to hear from you. Click here to drop us a note.  |
||||
 |
|||||
|
|||||||
 |
|||||||
In the Spotlight
 Author-Tested Middle Grade Marketing Tips We asked a number of authors to offer their insights and best advice for promoting books to young readers, both online and off. more
In the News
 Reycraft Aims to Create Authentic Stories for Young Readers Launching this fall, the diversity-focused children's book line is the brainchild of publisher Sera Reycraft, whose roots in educational book publishing inspired her and her husband, Tom, to harness their editorial experience for a new publishing venture. more  Follett Launches Book eFairs In time for the new school year, Follett Corp. is rolling out Follett Book eFairs, an online expansion of the company’s book fairs business, which debuted in fall 2017 and continues to grow. more 
Book
News
 Adult Authors Dominate Triangle Square's Fall List Founded in 2012 as an imprint of Seven Stories Press, Triangle Square Books for Young Readers publishes children’s books by a wide range of writers. The company’s eighth season, however, is unusual in that five out of its six books are by authors primarily known for their adult work. more
Reading Report
 Noteworthy Picture Book and Graphic Novel Sequels: October 2019
Picture book and graphic novel sequels hitting shelves next month include a field trip in outer space, a seek-and-find family adventure, a squirrel with superpowers, and more. more 
Q
& A
 Anna James London-based Anna James's professional credits include school librarian, book blogger, and book news editor of the Bookseller. Her debut middle-grade novel, Pages & Co., which launches a trilogy, came out in the U.K. in 2018 and is due from Philomel this month. The novel introduces 11-year-old Tilly, who is transported into the pages of books. PW spoke with James about this new chapter of her career. Q: When did it occur to you, as an avid reader, that you wanted to write your own stories? A: Books have always been a huge part of my life. Growing up, I was fortunate to have access to wonderful school and public libraries. I wrote a lot as a child for the pure enjoyment of it, writing what we’d now probably call fan fiction. I used to insert my sister and me into my favorite stories. I think that was the early seeds of Pages & Co. in terms of imagining myself adventuring alongside my favorite characters. more
Out Next Week
 Hot Off the Presses: Week of September 23, 2019 Among the books hitting shelves next week are a picture book about a child who wants a pet, a middle grade graphic novel adaptation of an award-winning novel, and a book of advice for teens. more
In Brief
 In Brief: September 19, 2019 This week, Mariko Tamaki and Gene Yang have a super conversation; Neil Patrick Harris makes a magical appearance at the Library of Congress; Mo Willems wows on stage; Max Brallier celebrates the latest Last Kids on Earth novel; Nandini Bajpai hosts an unmatchable book launch; and Pam Berkman and Dorothy Hearst take a ride to Novato, Calif. more
Rights Report
 Kristen Pettit at HarperTeen has acquired Monica
Gomez-Hira's Once Upon a Quinceañera in a six-figure, two-book
auction. Pitched as Jane the Virgin meets Jenny Han, the YA debut
follows a Miami party princess/performer-for-hire forced to work her
loathsome, wealthy cousin's quinceañera alongside her even more loathsome
ex-boyfriend. Publication is scheduled for spring 2021; Jim McCarthy at
Dystel, Goderich & Bourret negotiated the deal for world rights.  Zareen Jaffery at Simon & Schuster has
bought Kathryn Ormsbee's The Sullivan Sisters, the second YA
book in a previously announced deal. The novel is about three estranged
teenage sisters spending a miserable winter holiday together when a letter
arrives, informing them of a family inheritance they knew nothing about,
which forces them to band together in the face of a sinister family mystery.
Publication is slated for summer 2020; Beth Phelan at Gallt & Zacker
Literary Agency did the deal for world English rights.  Lauren Knowles at Page Street has acquired Of
Leaves and Stars by Joanna Meyer, a dual-perspective,
gender-swapped, YA fantasy in the vein of “Beauty and the Beast.” In the
story, an astronomer's son is lured into a dangerously magical wood, and
finds himself falling for Seren, the tree-siren daughter of the witch who
rules the forest. But the stars hold a dangerous curse, and Seren's quest to
become human will lead the couple into an ancient war raging between the
witch and the king. Publication is set for winter 2021; Sarah Davies at
Greenhouse Literary brokered the deal for world English rights.  Daniel Ehrenhaft at Soho Teen has bought Mercury
Boys by Chandra Prasad. Pitched as a little bit Heathers, a
little bit Miss Peregrine, the YA thriller follows a secret society of
girls who discover that when they handle liquid mercury, they are able to visit
long-dead people who appear in daguerreotypes. Publication is planned for
spring 2021; Marly Rusoff at the Rusoff Agency negotiated the deal for world
English rights.  Harriet Low at HMH has acquired Chelsey
Furedi's debut YA graphic novel, Project Nought, a story of time
travel, forbidden romance, and corporate espionage, in which Ren Mittal, an
unassuming high-school graduate from the year 1996, is drawn more than 100
years into the future by a time travel exchange program, where he tries to
keep a low profile. Publication is scheduled for fall 2022; Jessica Mileo at
InkWell Management handled the deal for world rights.  Elizabeth Lynch at HarperTeen has bought North
American rights to Claire Eliza Bartlett's The Good Girls, a
twisty feminist thriller in which three girls become the primary suspects in
the murder of a fourth, but play on stereotypes in order to expose the dark
truth behind the crime. Publication is slated for fall 2020; Stephen Barbara
at InkWell Management brokered the deal on behalf of Glasstown Entertainment.
 Gina Gagliano and Whitney Leopard at Random
House Graphic have acquired a middle-grade graphic novel adaptation of Tamora
Pierce's (l.) fantasy classic First Test. The book introduces the
character of Keladry of Mindalen, a girl who is determined to overcome both
bullying and societal convention to become a knight of Tortall. Devin
Grayson (c.) will adapt, and Becca Farrow will illustrate.
Publication is planned for 2021; Emily Van Beek at Folio Jr. represented
Pierce, and Farrow represented herself in the deal for world rights.  Sheila Keenan at Viking has bought, in a
six-house auction, City of Secrets, a debut middle-grade graphic novel
by DC artist and Disney animator Victoria Ying. The fantasy with a
steampunk sensibility tells the story of a lonely orphan boy guarding a
secret in a puzzle-box of a building, who's befriended by the spunky daughter
of the building's owner. Protecting the secret thrusts the friends into a
world of thuggish villains, secret societies, and murder and mayhem.
Publication of the first book is set for summer 2020; Heather Flaherty at the
Bent Agency negotiated the two-book deal for world English rights.  Julie Rosenberg at Razorbill has acquired A
Totally Awkward Love Story co-author Lucy Ivison's middle grade
debut, The House of Serendipity. The story follows an impoverished
young lady's maid and the impetuous daughter of an eccentric duke and duchess
who discover that their talent for dressmaking has the power to shake up the
debutante season... and get them into heaps of trouble. Publication is
scheduled for spring 2021; Molly Ker Hawn at the Bent Agency did the two-book
deal for North American rights.  Andrea Colvin at Little, Brown has bought, in
a preempt, world rights to Tori Sharp's middle-grade graphic memoir Just
Pretend, and a second book. Tori has never lived in just one world. She's
got her mom's house, her dad's house, school, and, best of all, books. And
it's books—and the stories she makes up in her head—that Tori will turn to
when everything else around her seems to be crumbling. Publication is slated
for spring 2021; Brent Taylor at Triada US brokered the deal for world
rights.  Mallory Kass at Scholastic has acquired Zoraida
Córdova's middle grade debut, The Way to Rio Luna. Eleven-year-old
Danny Monteverde discovers a magical book at the library that holds a map to
an enchanted fairyland, and the key to reuniting with his missing sister.
Along with unlikely friends—a runaway jackalope prince and a bookworm named
Glory—Danny's adventure takes him from New York to Ecuador to Brazil, racing
against time and the greatest threat the magical realm has ever known.
Publication is set for summer 2020; Adrienne Rosado at Stonesong handled the deal
for world rights.  Calista Brill at First Second has bought Blue,
Barry, & Pancakes by Dan Abdo (l.) and Jason Patterson, a
graphic novel series featuring three friends (a bunny, a worm, and a frog)
who have adventures driven by their very different personalities. Publication
will begin in 2021; Erica Rand Silverman at Stimola Literary Studio
negotiated the deal for North American rights.  Alex Arnold at Quirk has acquired, in a
four-book deal, Beth Beckman (l.) and Holley Maher's Little
Kid, Big City series. Based on Beckman's website of the same name and
illustrated by Maher, the interactive travel guides aim to inspire curious
young minds to imagine, create, and navigate their own itineraries across the
biggest cities in the world. Publication of the first two titles is set for
spring 2020; Stephen Barr at Writers House did the deal for world rights.  Simon Boughton at Norton Young Readers has
bought world English rights to debut author-illustrator Jashar Awan's
picture book What a Lucky Day!, in which a group of new animal friends
confront some old myths after a day of fishing together. The book aims to be
a useful tool for talking to children about assumptions and stereotypes.
Publication is planned for fall 2020; Erica Rand Silverman at Stimola
Literary Studio brokered the deal.  Tamar Brazis at Viking has acquired Moon
Camp by author-illustrator Barry Gott, about a boy who hates all
the traditional activities at sleepaway camp—but this camp takes place in
outer space. Camp is a cosmic disaster until he realizes the sky's the limit
when you discover a friend. Publication is scheduled for summer 2021; Teresa
Kietlinski at Bookmark Literary negotiated the deal for world English rights.
 Christian Trimmer at Holt has bought, in an
exclusive submission, world rights to Voices of Justice by former
Kentucky poet laureate George Ella Lyon (l.) with art by Jennifer
Potter. The nonfiction picture book includes profiles in verse of
activists who have changed the world for the better, such as Shirley
Chisholm, James Baldwin, and Greta Thunberg, among others. Publication is
slated for fall 2020; Brenda Bowen at the Book Group represented the author,
and Susan McCabe at Lilla Rogers Studio represented the artist.  Dianne Hess at Scholastic Press has acquired
world rights to Karen English's (l.) picture book, The Red Shoes,
featuring young Malika who dances, runs, plays, taps, and splashes in her
amazing red shoes. But one day, they begin to pinch her toes. The book
explores how the much-loved shoes journey from America to Africa to become a
gift for another girl. Ebony Glenn will illustrate; publication is set
for fall 2020. Steven Chudney at the Chudney Agency represented the author,
and Anne Moore Armstrong at the Bright Agency represented the artist.  Carol Hinz at Lerner/Millbrook has bought Beyond
by Miranda Paul (l.). The nonfiction picture book, written as a free
verse poem, takes readers on an interstellar journey from the outer reaches of
our solar system to the edge of the observable universe. Sija Hong
will illustrate in her U.S. debut; publication is planned for spring 2021.
The author represented herself in the deal for world rights, and Stacey
Endress at Illustration Ltd. represented the illustrator.  Michelle Bisson at Capstone has acquired world
rights to Patrick's Pink Tights, a picture book by Kristen McCurry
(l.). The story centers on a boy who loves his sister's tights, which are
perfect for pretend play. That is, they're perfect until something happens to
them—and some quick thinking is needed to save the day. Addy Rivera Sonda
will illustrate; publication is scheduled for fall 2020. The author
represented herself, and the Astound Agency represented the illustrator.  Christy Cox at Little Bigfoot has bought world
rights to The Heart of the Storm by Sharon Mentyka (l.), a
picture book biography of WNBA player Sue Bird, who plays for the Seattle
Storm. Ellen Rooney will illustrate; publication is set for fall 2021.
Both the author and the illustrator were unagented.
To see all of this week's deals, click here.
IN THE MEDIA
SHELFTALKER
Kenny Brechner When Tragedy Comes to Town
The loss, injury, sacrifice, and bravery resulting from a local
tragedy alters the nature of community.
more »
Cynthia Compton A Bookseller Field Trip
Visiting an author’s book launch at a colleague’s bookstore is a
delightful adventure.
more »
Elizabeth Bluemle It Takes Guts
The book business is not for the faint of heart—or stomach.
more »
Cynthia Compton Laying Down and Rolling Over on Pub Dates
The tricky business of managing “onsale” dates creates friction
between publishers and booksellers.
FEATURED
REVIEWS
 Caveboy Crush Beth Ferry, illus. by Joseph Kuefler. Abrams, $17.99 (48p) ISBN 978-1-4197-3656-8 When caveboy Neander spots a bow-and-arrow-toting, redheaded cavegirl named Neanne, he finds himself atwitter. He doesn’t have a name for his new, swoony feelings, but his mother does: smashing some rocks with her club, she smiles and explains “CRUSH!” Neander sets about wooing Neanne with a series of offerings. more  The GayBCs M.L. Webb. Quirk, $14.99 (32p) ISBN 978-1-68369-162-4 “A is for ally,” begins this abecedarian introduction to LGBTQ terms. With each letter, rhyming lines define various words: “F is for FAMILY./ Related or found,/ they’ll stick by your side through your ups and your downs”; “Q is for QUEER./ An inclusive term./ It’s used to show pride,/ unite and affirm!” more  Do Fish
Sleep? Jens Raschke, trans. from the German by Belinda Cooper, illus. by Jens Rassmus. Enchanted Lion, $16.95 (64p) ISBN 978-1-59270-285-5 This heartrending story by German writer Raschke is narrated by 10-year-old Jette, who describes the death of her terminally ill six-year-old brother Emil in unvarnished prose. Her parents are too devastated to offer much comfort. Raschke’s narrative is at once excruciating, honest, and compelling. more  The Other
F Word: A Celebration of the Fat and Fierce Ed. by Angie Manfredi. Amulet, $18.99 (224p) ISBN 978-1-4197-3750-3 This outstanding anthology of essays, illustrations, poems, and letters assembled and edited by librarian and writer Manfredi is a celebration of every body and presents a revolutionary message about fat acceptance and self-love. The empowering, stereotype-busting volume brings together 31 intersectional and diverse voices. more  Rules for
Vanishing Kate Alice Marshall. Viking, $18.99 (416p) ISBN 978-1-984837-01-1 Local legend holds that the nearby woods are home to the ghost of Lucy Gallows, who vanished decades ago outside Briar Glen, Mass. While searching for Lucy, Sara Donoghue’s sister, Becca, disappeared a year earlier. Now, mysterious texts point Sara and her friends on the same harrowing journey. Marshall crafts an exquisitely unsettling dark fantasy. more  I Hope You Get This Message Farah Naz Rishi. HarperTeen, $17.99 (432p) ISBN 978-0-06-274145-5 When humans are notified via a coded message that the fate of Earth is to be decided in one week by an interplanetary jury of 13 Scions, things on Earth veer into chaos. Part road trip story and part tale of human resilience, this debut examines human nature and how people react in the most desperate of times. more
TALES FROM THE
SLUSH PILE
 |
September 19, 2019
  
People
New Leaf Literary & Media has three hires. Jennifer Udden
has joined as literary agent; she was formerly an agent at Barry Goldblatt
Literary. Kate Sullivan has joined as senior content development
manager; she was formerly senior editor at Delacorte Press. And Meredith
Barnes has joined as business development manager; she was formerly
publicity manager at HarperCollins Children's Books.
Luana Horry has
been promoted to editor at HarperCollins Children's Books, from associate
editor.
Algonquin Books has two new hires. Stephanie Mendoza has
joined as publicity manager; previously she was senior publicist at Atria. Kelly
Doyle has joined as publicity assistant.
Mark Your
Calendar
 Manhattanville College is hosting “The Story of Owl Moon,” a panel commemorating the 1988 Caldecott-winning classic written by Jane Yolen and illustrated by the late John Schoenherr, on October 16 at 4:20 p.m. During the event, Yolen; her editor Patricia Lee Gauch; Yolen’s daughter Heidi, who stars as the book’s unnamed protagonist; Schoenherr’s wife, Judy Schoenherr; and art director Nanette Stevenson will discuss the picture book’s journey to publication. A read-aloud by Yolen will follow. The event is free and open to the public; to RSVP, email Linda Putorti or call (914) 323-3153.
ICYMI
Sneak Previews
 Take a look ahead at some of the big titles for children and teens due out in spring 2020, from picture books to YA novels, in our exclusive roundup. Click here
Follow Us
 Children's Bookshelf is on Instagram! Follow us @pwkidsbookshelf.
Bookshelf
Archives
Looking for a previous issue of Children's Bookshelf? Click here for
our archives page!
CONTACT US
Have a comment or
suggestion? We'd love to hear from you. Click here to drop us a note. |
||||||
|
|||||||
|
|||||||
 |
|||||||
In the Spotlight
 Taking Middle Grade To Market The middle grade category keeps on trucking, enjoying its latest golden era of strong sales. With an increasing number of books for that age group in the pipeline, publishers spoke with us about how they help readers, and the people who buy books for them, discover new titles. more
In the News
 NBA Longlist for Young People’s Literature Announced The National Book Foundation has revealed the 2019 National Book Award longlist for Young People’s Literature. The five finalists will be named on October 8, and the winner will be announced at a ceremony and benefit dinner in New York City on November 20. more 
Book
News
 A Bounty of Picture Books from Oliver Jeffers A look at Penguin Young Readers’ fall roster shows the creativity and versatility of author-illustrator Oliver Jeffers. The publisher has four titles by Jeffers scheduled for release: The Fate of Fausto: A Painted Fable this month and The Boy: His Stories and How They Came to Be in October, when The Crayons’ Christmas by Drew Daywalt, illustrated by Jeffers, is also due. And in December, the collaborators return with Love from the Crayons. We spoke with Jeffers about all of his forthcoming projects. more
On the Scene
 Celebrando Las Ámericas Festival in Photos On August 31, Casa Camino Real Bookstore and the Border Servant Corps hosted an event dedicated to books and culture, Celebrando Las Ámericas: A Family Fiesta, in Las Cruces, N.M. Proceeds from the fundraiser benefited the work of the Border Servant Corps, including Libros Para el Viaje/Books for the Journey, which provides free books for refugee families. Click through to see our selection of photos from the event. more 
Reading
Report
 Noteworthy Novel Sequels: October 2019 Fiction sequels hitting shelves in October include the showdown between an evil alien warlord cat and a justice-seeking dog, a dystopian series finale, the adventure of an imaginative young heroine, and more. more
Q & A
 Maulik Pancholy Maulik Pancholy is best known for his acting roles in such shows as 30 Rock and Phineas and Ferb. Pancholy's debut middle grade novel, The Best at It, stars 12-year-old Rahul Kapoor, who is beginning to think he might be gay and, as an Indian American who already feels “different,” that thought worries him. We spoke with Pancholy about writing, acting, and his own childhood. Q: When did you know that you wanted to write a book, and that it was going to be a book for kids? A: As an actor, I’d been around young people and got to see how much storytelling mattered to them. And when I served on the Advisory Commission on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders under Obama, a large part of the work I did there was interacting with kids. It just felt like a natural fit, to start writing a story for young people. more
Rights Report
 Kate Prosswimmer at S&S/McElderry has
acquired Laura Silverman's Recommended for You. Pitched as The
Office meets 10 Things I Hate About You, the YA workplace romcom
focuses on teen bookseller Shoshanna Greenberg as she battles the holiday
rush, fighting parents at home, and love/hate feelings for Jake Kaplan, her
new coworker who doesn't even read books. Publication is scheduled for fall
2020; Jim McCarthy at Dystel, Goderich & Bourret negotiated the deal for
world rights.  Connolly Bottum at Inkyard Press has bought,
at auction, These Feathered Flames and the sequel by Alexandra
Overy, a fantasy retelling of the Firebird folktale with a female/female
romance. In the land of Tourin, twin princesses are separated, one to rule
the land and one to ensure the price of magic is paid. But after the queen
dies mysteriously, the two sisters must navigate the court and discover who
they can trust, who they can love, and who murdered their mother. Publication
is set for winter 2021; Natascha Morris at Bookends Literary Agency brokered
the deal for world English rights.  Alyson Day at HarperCollins has acquired, in
an exclusive submission, two books by Ellen Oh including The Junie
Kim Chronicles, about Korean-American Junie's journey from cultural
apathy to proud self-identity while dealing with racist vandalism in her
middle school and taking on an oral history project about her grandparents experiences
as lost children during the Korean War. Publication is planned for winter
2021; Marietta B. Zacker at Gallt & Zacker Literary Agency represented
the author for world English rights.  Samantha Gentry at Little, Brown has bought
North American rights, in a preempt, to Dwayne Reed's middle grade
novel Simon B. Rhymin', about a 10-year-old boy who uses rap to
overcome his fears and to bring people together, and a second untitled Simon
book. Initial publication is slated for spring 2021; Elizabeth Bewley at
Sterling Lord Literistic did the deal.  Erica Sussman at HarperCollins has acquired Brave
Like That plus one untitled standalone middle-grade novel by Lindsey
Stoddard, author of Just Like Jackie and Right as Rain. In Brave
Like That, 11-year-old Cyrus Olson, the adopted son of a Minnesota
firefighter and local football legend, who is struggling with the realization
that he's not brave like Dad, must find another kind of courage to take on
some of the other issues in his life. Publication is set for spring 2020;
Stephen Barbara at InkWell Management negotiated the deal for North American
rights on behalf of Stoddard.  Simon Boughton at Norton Young Readers has
bought Nicky & Vera, a nonfiction picture book by three-time
Caldecott Honoree and Andersen Medalist Peter Sís. Focusing on a
single child, Vera, the book explores the story of Sir Nicholas George
Winton, MBE, who oversaw the evacuation of more than 600 Jewish children from
Prague to the U.K. on the eve of World War II. The book is scheduled for fall
2021; Brenda Bowen brokered the deal for world English rights in her first
deal for the Book Group.  Kait Feldmann at Orchard has acquired, in an
exclusive submission, world rights to debut author-illustrator Junyi Wu's
Corgi Can and Corgi Loves, two board books about a corgi who
can do lots of things and has a big heart. Publication is planned for fall
2021 and spring 2022, respectively; Anne Moore Armstrong at the Bright Agency
represented the author-illustrator.  Courtney Code at Abrams has bought Milo's
Christmas Wish by author-illustrator Jennie Palmer. The story is
about an industrious opossum with a big dream to be in a Christmas parade.
Publication is slated for fall 2020; Jennifer Rofé at the Andrea Brown
Literary Agency did the deal for world rights.  Barb McNally at Sleeping Bear Press has
acquired world rights to Jennifer Sattler's When There's a Bump in
the Road, the story of a little vole who sets out on a well-planned
adventure only to find a giant rock in her way. Anger, begging, and reason
won't move it, but the rock turns out to be everything the vole needs.
Publication is set for spring 2021; Anna Olswanger at Olswanger Literary
represented the author-illustrator.  Mary Lee Donovan at Candlewick has preempted
world rights to Malaprop's bookseller Amy Cherrix's (l.) picture book Goodnight,
Little Bookstore, illustrated by former Curious George Store bookseller E.B.
Goodale, a bedtime tour around a bookshop, where many friends are being
tucked into their shelves for the night. Publication is scheduled for spring
2022; Ammi-Joan Paquette at Erin Murphy Literary Agency represented the
author, and Lori Kilkelly at LK Literary Agency represented the illustrator.  Liza Kaplan at Philomel has bought world
rights to former Knopf Books for Young Readers senior editor Allison
Wortche's picture book, Oliver's Lollipop, about a boy who just
wants a sweet treat and almost misses out on a fun day at the zoo—and the
beauty of the world around him—until a pesky giraffe and his little brother
help remind him what's really important. Andrés Landazabal will
illustrate; publication is planned for summer 2021. Erica Rand Silverman at
Stimola Literary Studio represented the author, and Alex Gehringer at the
Bright Agency represented the illustrator.  Erika Turner at HMH/Versify has acquired North
American English rights to two picture books by debut author Van G.
Garrett (l.). Kicks is a love letter to the flyest shoes and the
kids who wear them, illustrated by debut artist Reggie Brown. The book
is slated for fall 2021 publication, and Specs, a similar ode to the
latest and wildest in eyewear, will follow in fall 2022. Emily Mitchell at
Wernick & Pratt Agency represented the author, and Christy Ewers at the
CAT Agency represented the illustrator.  Tara Walker at Tundra has bought world rights
to Linda Bailey's (l.) Princesses Versus Dinosaurs, a
metafictional picture book in which a group of sparkly princesses and a bunch
of roaring dinosaurs argue over whether they're in a book about princesses or
dinosaurs. Joy Ang will illustrate; publication is set for fall 2020.
Hilary McMahon at Westwood Creative Artists represented the author, and Kelly
Sonnack at the Andrea Brown Literary Agency represented the illustrator.  Cheryl Eissing at Philomel has acquired world
rights to debut author Becky Scharnhorst's (l.) P.S. Wildwood
Elementary Stinks, told through journal entries about a boy's
unbelievable first week of school after he is mistakenly dropped off at a
school for animals. Julia Patton will illustrate; publication is
scheduled for summer 2021. James McGowan at BookEnds represented the author,
and Claire Easton at Painted Words represented the illustrator.  Jonah Heller at Peachtree has bought world
rights to JaNay Brown-Wood's (l.) Where in the Garden, a four-book
series following toddler Amara and each of her friends as they explore their
individual warm- and cool-weather gardens. Each toddler hunts for the perfect
produce to complete a festive celebration and compares and contrasts what
they know against a variety of fruits and vegetables found along the way. Samara
Hardy will illustrate; publication of the first two books is tentatively
set for 2021, and the following pair in 2022. Karen Grencik at Red Fox
Literary represented the author, and Bethany Sparks at Plum Pudding
Illustration represented the illustrator.  Anne Hoppe at Clarion has acquired world
rights to Secrets of the Sea: The Story of Revolutionary Marine Scientist
Jeanne Power, written by Evan Griffith and illustrated by Joanie
Stone. The picture book biography celebrates the curiosity, drive, and
perseverance of the 19th-century woman scientist who pioneered the use of
aquariums to study ocean life. Publication is slated for spring 2021; Michael
Bourret at Dystel, Goderich & Bourret represented the author, and Claire
Easton at Painted Words represented the artist.  Heidi Kilgras at Random House has acquired Abe
Lincoln's Hat by Martha Brenner (l.), illustrated by Brooke
Smart, a picture book biography of Abraham Lincoln, adapted from—and
expanding upon—a Step into Reading book of the same name. Publication is
expected in fall 2021; Teresa Kietlinski at Bookmark Literary brokered the
deal for world rights, all languages.  Carol Hinz at Lerner/Millbrook has bought
world rights to The Floating Field by Scott Riley (l.), a
nonfiction picture book about a group of soccer-loving boys from a Thai
fishing village built on stilts who construct their own floating field and
form the Koh Panyee Football Club. Phung Nguyen Quang and Huynh Kim
Lien will illustrate; publication is set for spring 2021. Clelia Gore at
Martin Literary & Media Management represented the author, and Doreen
Thorogood at Good Illustration Agency represented the illustrators.
To see all of this week's deals, click here.
IN THE MEDIA
SHELFTALKER
Elizabeth Bluemle It Takes Guts
The book business is not for the faint of heart—or stomach.
more »
Cynthia Compton Laying Down and Rolling Over on Pub Dates
The tricky business of managing “onsale” dates creates friction
between publishers and booksellers.
more »
Meghan Dietsche Goel The (Surprisingly) Small World of Bookselling
A bookseller says goodbye to a colleague and reflects on the
ways industry relationships come back around.
more »
Kenny Brechner The Lyricism of Lyric, Maine
An interview with ‘The Last True Poets of the Sea’ author Julia
Drake.
FEATURED
REVIEWS
 Lejos/Far
Juan Felipe Herrera, illus. by Blanca Gómez. Candlewick, $7.99 (14p) ISBN 978-0-7636-9063-2 This bilingual board book builds language skills while introducing readers to concepts of spatial awareness. Former U.S. Poet Laureate Herrera engages with the idea of distance in simple, elegant sentences in both Spanish and English as Gómez’s restrained digital illustrations suitably mimic the text. Slow page turns encourage pondering everything, near and far, under the sun. more  The Rabbits’ Rebellion Ariel Dorfman, illus. by Chris Riddell. Triangle Square, $12.95 (64p) ISBN 978-1-60980-937-9 Argentine-Chilean-American novelist Dorfman’s only children’s book, which was written in the 1970s and published in the U.K. in 2001, makes its uncannily timed arrival on U.S. shores. After wolves conquer the land of the rabbits, their pompous leader proclaims himself King of the Wolves and decrees that rabbits have “ceased to exist,” going so far as to eradicate them from literature. Dorfman’s eerily prescient allegorical gem shapes a resounding portrait of power abused and censorship foiled. more  The ABCS of AOC: Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez from A to Z Jamia Wilson, illus. by Krystal Quiles. Little, Brown, $13.99 (48p) ISBN 978-0-316-49514-1 In Wilson’s introduction to this alphabetical paean, she explains that present-day politician and activist Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (“AOC”), “may just be changing the rules of politics” for future leaders. The book succeeds mainly as a presentation of terms associated with civic engagement. The message, about “plant[ing] the seeds of change” for the future, is a strong one. more  The Fowl
Twins Eoin Colfer. Disney-Hyperion, $18.99 (368p) ISBN 978-1-368-04375-5 Colfer’s clever spin-off of the Artemis Fowl series focuses on Artemis Fowl’s twin younger brothers—hyperintelligent Myles and near-feral Beckett, both 11. With their older sibling on Mars, the fraternal twins are dragged into a madcap adventure when they’re kidnapped by Lord Teddy Bleedham-Drye, a 150-year-old duke seeking the secret to immortality. Colfer’s trademark tongue-in-cheek narrative voice is on full display. more  Call Down
the Hawk (the Dreamer Trilogy #1) Maggie Stiefvater. Scholastic Press, $19.99 (480p) ISBN 978-1-338-18832-5 Book one of Stiefvater’s Dreamer Trilogy, spun off from the Raven Cycle, centers on orphaned high school dropout Ronan Lynch. Ronan yearns to follow his boyfriend, Harvard student Adam Parrish, to Massachusetts, but until he can better control his propensity for manifesting elements of his dreams, he’s stuck living on his family’s Virginia farm. Stiefvater delivers a dazzling fantasy, at once epic and intricate, from which readers will be loath to wake. more |
September 17, 2019
  
People
At Simon & Schuster Children'a Publishing, Justin Chanda
has been promoted to senior v-p and publisher for Simon & Schuster Books
for Young Readers, Atheneum Books for Young Readers, Margaret K. McElderry
Books, Salaam Reads, Caitlyn Dlouhy Books, and Denene Millner Books; he was
formerly v-p and publisher.
Carmela Iaria has been promoted to v-p, executive director of school and
library marketing/creative marketing director at Penguin Young Readers. She
was previously v-p, executive director of school and library marketing.
Little, Brown Books for Young Readers has one promotion and two
new hires. Karina Granda has been promoted to art director, from
associate art director. Jenny Kimura has been named junior designer;
she was formerly design manager at Ooligan Press. Esther Cajahuaringa
has been named assistant editor; previously she was an editorial assistant at
Disney Hyperion.
Mark Your
Calendar
 Manhattanville College in Purchase, N.Y., is hosting “The Story of Owl Moon,” a panel commemorating the 1988 Caldecott-winning classic written by Jane Yolen and illustrated by the late John Schoenherr. During the event, Yolen; her editor Patricia Lee Gauch; Yolen’s daughter Heidi, who stars as the book’s unnamed protagonist; Schoenherr’s wife, Judy Schoenherr; and art director Nanette Stevenson will discuss the picture book’s journey to publication. A read aloud by Yolen will follow. The event is free and open to the public. To RSVP, contact Linda Putorti at Linda.Putorti@mville.edu or (914) 323-3153.
Bestsellers
Children's
Frontlist Fiction #1 For Whom the Ball Rolls (Dog Man #7) by Dav Pilkey. Click here  Picture Books
#1 Dr. Seuss's Horse Museum by Dr. Seuss, illus. by Andrew Joyner. Click here
Sneak Previews
Take a look ahead at some of the big titles for children and teens due out in spring 2020, from picture books to YA novels, in our exclusive roundup. more
Follow Us
Children's Bookshelf is on Instagram! Please follow us @pwkidsbookshelf.
Bookshelf
Archives
Looking for a previous issue of Children's Bookshelf? Click here to
see our archives page!
CONTACT US
Have a comment or
suggestion? We'd love to hear from you. Click here to drop us a note. |
||||||
|
|||||||
|
|||||||||
 |
|||||||||
In the Spotlight
 Indie Bookstores Support Title 1 Schools Literacy efforts are flourishing in the partnership between independent bookstores and schools serving low-income students. “Schools are special partners because they help us reach many, many more kids than come into the shop each week,” says Cecilia Cackley at East City Bookshop in Washington, D.C. more
In the News
 Margaret Anastas to Helm New Imprint at Viking The HarperCollins Children's editorial director will join Viking Children’s Books next month, where she will launch an as-yet-unnamed imprint dedicated to publishing commercial picture books and picture book franchises. more  Wimpy Kid Hits the Road, Goes Green Author-illustrator Jeff Kinney is back this fall with Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Wrecking Ball, book 14 in his mega-selling middle grade series. The book releases worldwide on November 5. As part of the launch, Kinney will tour with “The Wrecking Ball Show,” an interactive performance inspired by the book. Wimpy Kid is also teaming up with PepsiCo Recycling for the “Be Awesome! Recycle” campaign, which aims to inspire environmental action. more  Book Drive for Border Kids Kicks Off A group of concerned citizens in Minnesota is launching a charitable book drive to benefit refugee children more than 1,000 miles away at the Mexican border. Books for Border Kids kicked off on September 1 and will end on October 31. more
Book News
 Jon Klassen's Latest Solo Act Caldecott Medalist Jon Klassen throws a turtle, an armadillo, and a snake—oh, and a boulder falling from above—into the mix in his latest picture-book comedy, The Rock from the Sky, which Candlewick will publish in March 2021. Klassen says of his new book, "I tried as much as I could to stay loose and just make myself laugh and get the moments as tight as I could." more  Scholastic and The Dodo Pair for Children's Nonfiction Scholastic has secured the rights to publish children's nonfiction titles tied to The Dodo, a media brand for animal lovers. Scholastic will publish three nonfiction books to start, with the first being Pumpkin’s Story, a middle-grade reader about a small horse, based on a Dodo original video series. more  Abrams to Launch Hasbro's Cubby Hill Brand Abrams Children’s Books is teaming up with Hasbro to launch a new property, Cubby Hill. Set to release on March 3, 2020, the debut will be in the form of a jacketed hardcover picture book called The Welcome Wagon: A Cubby Hill Tale, written and illustrated by Cori Doerrfeld. more
On the Scene
 National Book Festival in Photos Tens of thousands of book lovers turned out for the 19th annual Library of Congress National Book Festival, which took place August 31 in Washington, D.C. The event boasted a line-up of more than 100 authors, including numerous children’s book and YA authors who took part in panels, readings, signings, and more. Click through to see our selection of highlights from the festivities. more
Q & A
 Jen Wang After two acclaimed graphic novels for teens, In Real Life and The Prince and the Dressmaker, Jen Wang has written her middle grade debut, a story about two very different Chinese-American girls, who become unlikely best friends while navigating their cultural identities. Wang spoke with us about finding her way to writing books for young readers. Q: What inspired the premise of Stargazing? A: I always wanted to tell a story that was about my childhood and growing up around a lot of other Chinese Americans. Stories with multiple characters from the same community, all protagonists, was something that I hadn’t seen a lot. I wanted to do that and focus on the specific ways I felt and reacted to the other Chinese-American kids around me. more
Out Next Week
 Hot Off the Presses: Week of September 16, 2019 Among the books hitting shelves next week are a picture book about a dog who finds his forever home, a graphic novel about growing up, and a YA novel about a witchy teen. more
In Brief
 In Brief: September 12, 2019 This week, Sandra Boynton's pajama party is no snooze; Lindsay Lackey brings a reptilian friend on her debut tour; Holly McGhee and Pascal Lemaître inspire kids to listen up in New Jersey; and Bao Phi's second picture book gets off on the right foot. more
Rights Report
 Jennie Conway at Wednesday Books has acquired,
at auction, Courtney Gould's debut novel, The Dead and the Dark.
When the daughter of reality TV ghosthunters teams up with a small-town
princess to search for a missing teen, they find themselves falling in love
as they uncover an evil so terrifying it threatens to destroy everything in
its path. Publication is planned for summer 2021; Claire Friedman and Jessica
Mileo at InkWell Management brokered the deal for North American rights.  Jennifer Ung at Simon Pulse has bought Sarah
Suk's YA debut, Made in Korea, a romantic comedy about a
Korean-American teen who sells Korean beauty products out of her locker and
manages the school's most successful student enterprise, until the hot new
boy gives her a run for her money—leading her to surprising discoveries about
first love, family, and herself. Publication is slated for summer 2021; Linda
Epstein at Emerald City Literary negotiated the deal for North American
rights.  Julie Matysik at Running Press Kids, in an
exclusive submission, has acquired It's a Wonderful Death author Sarah
J. Schmitt's Where There's a Whisk, pitched as Waitress
meets Big Brother, which follows 18-year-old Peyton Sinclaire as she
leans into the lessons learned from her con-man father to take on nine other
contestants and a producer more interested in ratings than a properly
seasoned steak, all to win a reality cooking competition and the scholarship
that goes with it. Britny Brooks will edit; publication is set for fall 2020.
Liza Fleissig at Liza Royce Agency did the deal for world rights.  Annie Harper at Interlude/Duet has bought
global rights to Julian Winters's YA novel, The Summer of
Everything. Comic book geek Wesley Hudson excels at two things: slacking
off at his job and pining after his best friend, Nico. And his dream job at
the local used bookstore is threatened when a coffeeshop franchise wants to
buy the property. Publication is scheduled for August 2020; the author was
unagented.  Samantha Gentry at Little, Brown has acquired
world rights to Alex Perry's Pighearted, pitched as Charlotte's
Web meets My Sister's Keeper, the middle grade novel is told from
the alternating perspectives of a boy with a fatal heart condition and the
pig with the heart that could save his life. Initial publication is planned
for fall 2021; Melissa Nasson at Rubin Pfeffer Content brokered the deal.  Christy Ottaviano at Macmillan/Ottaviano has
bought world rights to two new middle grade novels by Ben Guterson,
Edgar-nominated creator of the Winterhouse trilogy. The first book, The
Vista Point Einsteins, is a mystery featuring a grieving family eager to
start fresh by relocating to a remote bed-and-breakfast, pitched as Summerlost
meets Front Desk; it's scheduled for 2021. The Hidden Workshop of
Javier Preston, scheduled for 2022, is a mystery layered with art,
puzzles, friendship, and family in the vein of Chasing Vermeer and Book
Scavenger. Rena Rossner at the Deborah Harris Agency negotiated the deal.
 Whitney Leopard at Random House Graphic has
acquired Megan Brennan's chapter book graphic novel trilogy Magic
Girls in an exclusive submission. Welcome to Neo-Earth, a middle school
filled with heroines, geniuses, and secret mermen. For new student Kira, this
is a lot to take in, but when she meets a mysterious cat-like being named
Catacorn, she realizes that her middle school adventure is just beginning.
Publication is slated for 2022; Linda Camacho at Gallt & Zacker Literary
Agency handled the deal for North American rights.  Caitlyn Dlouhy at Atheneum/Dlouhy has bought
world rights to Frances O'Roark Dowell's (l.) The Big What If, or,
How to Build a Story, a middle-grade nonfiction guide to writing and the
creative process with wry examples, encouragement, and tips for aspiring
writers. The book will be illustrated by Stacy Ebert; publication is
set for summer 2020. The author is unagented; Jennifer March Soloway at
Andrea Brown Literary Agency represented the illustrator.  Alex Arnold at Quirk has acquired Gideon
Kidd (l.) and Rachel Braunigan's I've Pet That Dog Handbook,
based on the Twitter account I've Pet That Dog, which features 12-year-old
Gideon and the more than 1,000 dogs he has met and profiled. The handbook
will include a guide to meeting, petting, and caring for dogs, facts about
dogs, quizzes, and more. Publication is scheduled for fall 2020; Melissa
Edwards at Stonesong brokered the deal for world rights.  Kwame Alexander and Margaret Raymo at
HMH/Versify have bought world rights to A Library, written by poet Nikki
Giovanni (l.) and illustrated by Erin Robinson. The picture book
celebrates the purpose and magic of a library, a welcome retreat for every
child. Publication is planned for fall 2021; the author represented herself,
and Marzena Torzecka at the Marlena Agency represented the illustrator.  Mabel Hsu at HarperCollins/Tegen has acquired,
at auction, the #OwnVoices picture book When Lola Comes by debut
author Michelle Sterling, illustrated by Aaron Asis. A
Filipino-American girl savors the rich senses of summer with her visiting
lola and finds a way to preserve their close grandmother-granddaughter bond
after her lola returns to the Philippines. Publication is set for summer
2021; Andrea Morrison at Writers House represented the author in the deal for
world rights, and the illustrator was unagented.  Trisha de Guzman at Farrar, Straus and Giroux
has bought world rights to debut author Tootie Nienow's (l.)
nonfiction picture book There Goes Patti McGee!, illustrated by Erika
Medina. The book follows Patti McGee, the first-ever female professional
skateboarder, and how she became the 1964 Woman's National Skateboard
Champion. Publication is slated for winter 2021; the author and the
illustrator represented themselves.  Liza Kaplan at Philomel has acquired world
rights to Nadia Salomon's (l.) debut picture book text, Goodnight
Ganesha, a bedtime story featuring two children sleeping over at their
grandparents' home in India, and the various ways their culture plays a role
in their nighttime routine. Kate Greenaway Medal finalist Poonam Mistry
has signed on to illustrate; the book is scheduled for publication in fall
2021. The author was represented by Ammi-Joan Paquette at Erin Murphy
Literary Agency, and the illustrator was represented by Alice
Sutherland-Hawes at Madeleine Milburn Literary Agency.  Karen Chaplin at HarperCollins has bought
world rights to Q and U Call It Quits by A Place for Pluto
author Stef Wade, illustrated by Jorge Martin. When U starts to
feel overwhelmed by Q's neediness, she sets off for some alone time. As word
of their split gets around, the other letter blends drift apart, creating
chaos and confusion. Publication is planned for summer 2021; Christa Heschke
at McIntosh and Otis represented the author, and Anne Moore Armstrong at the
Bright Agency represented the illustrator.  Samantha Swenson at Tundra has acquired world
rights to Crocodile Hungry! and a second book by Eija Sumner.
Crocodile is hungry. But what can crocodile eat? When a visit to the
grocery store fails and a trip to the farmers' market sends people screaming,
crocodile bursts into sobs. But will his puddle of tears be the secret to the
most perfect meal ever? John Martz will illustrate; publication is
slated for spring 2022. Natascha Morris at Bookends represented the author.  Semareh Al-Hillal at Groundwood has bought, in
a two-book deal, Sandra V. Feder's (l.) Angry Me and Peaceful
Me, illustrated by Rahele Jomepour Bell. The picture books aim to
inspire readers to identify and embrace these respective emotions,
encouraging them to let the anger come and go, while letting the peace come
and stay. Publication for Angry Me is set for spring 2022, and Peaceful
Me is set for fall 2022; the author represented herself, and Christy T.
Ewers represented the illustrator for world rights.  Feather Flores at Chronicle has acquired world
rights to The Twelve Cats of Christmas, illustrated by Disney story
artist Carrie Liao in her picture book debut. This festive take on the
classic "12 Days of Christmas" song stars 12 cat characters
celebrating the holiday season in true feline fashion: cuddling up by a fire,
chasing ribbons, climbing the tree, and generally making mischief.
Publication is set for fall 2022; Liao was unagented.  Kelsey Skea at Amazon/Two Lions has acquired Jackie
Azúa Kramer's (l.) We Are One, which celebrates friendship between
children from different backgrounds. The book will be jointly illustrated by Raissa
Figueroa (center) and Nina Mata; publication is planned for spring
2021. Stephen Fraser at Jennifer De Chiara Literary Agency represented
Kramer, Natascha Morris at BookEnds Literary Agency represented Figueroa, and
Christy T. Ewers at the CAT Agency represented Mata in the deal for world
rights.
To see all of this week's deals, click here.
IN THE MEDIA
SHELFTALKER
Kenny Brechner The Lyricism of Lyric, Maine
An interview with ‘The Last True Poets of the Sea’ author Julia
Drake.
more »
Cynthia Compton Mrs. Malaprop’s Book Shoppe
Customer requests from booksellers require translation,
detective work, and a good sense of humor.
more »
Cynthia Compton Dear Teacher, with love from your bookseller
One bookseller’s list of requests to teachers this school year.
more »
Meghan Dietsche Goel Life on the Other Side: Notes from an Author Turned Bookseller
Author Leila Sales reflects on learning to think like a
bookseller.
FEATURED
REVIEWS
 Here and
Now Julia Denos, illus. by E.B. Goodale. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, $17.99 (40p) ISBN 978-1-328-46564-1 Meditation meets noticing in this contemplative picture book. “Right here,/ right now,/ you are reading this book,” Denos begins. Plainspoken text ripples throughout, and Goodale’s comfortable mixed-media illustrations extend the idea that many occurrences make up a moment in the world. A well-considered work about taking in the present moment. more  My Grandma
and Me Mina Javaherbin, illus. by Lindsey Yankey. Candlewick, $16.99 (32p) ISBN 978-0-7636-9494-4 “When I was growing up in Iran, my grandma lived with us. I followed her everywhere. When she swept, I swept. When she cooked, I cooked. When she prayed, I prayed like her, too.” Thus begins Javaherbin’s narrative tribute to her Iranian grandmother, which affectionately sweeps the reader into the heart of their daily relationship. Together, the narrative and images result in a deeply personal story that offers a broader portrait of a tender familial experience. more  Suffragette:
The Battle for Equality David Roberts. Walker Books US, $25 (128p) ISBN 978-1-5362-0841-2 Roberts’s handsomely illustrated history of the battle for women’s suffrage in the U.K. and the U.S. makes its American debut in time for the 100th anniversary of the 19th Amendment. Though heavily tilted toward events and key figures in the U.K., the detailed chronological account covers the multipronged fight for the vote on both sides of the Atlantic. An engaging, stirring chronicle. more  Spies: The
Secret Showdown Between America and Russia Marc Favreau. Little, Brown, $19.99 (320p) ISBN 978-0-316-54592-1 Favreau weaves vivid, succinct accounts of the volatile U.S.-Soviet relationship into his tension-inducing spy stories, which range from the 1940s to the 1991 collapse of the U.S.S.R. Several cases raise complicated moral questions, and sections on Russian espionage and the CIA since 1991 bring the reader up to 2018. more  Angel Mage
Garth Nix. HarperCollins/Tegen, $19.99 (560p) ISBN 978-0-06-268322-9 Nix builds a Dumas-inspired world filled with angelic legions in this tremendous fantasy that follows Angel Mage Liliath, newly risen from more than a century of magical sleep and ready to reunite with the archangel of Ystara, whom she both loves and compels. A unique magical system, deft characterization—including male and female protagonists and LGBTQ representation—and an affectionate rendering of Dumas’s style will delight teen and adult fans of swashbuckling romance. more
TALES FROM THE
SLUSH PILE
 |
September 12, 2019
  
People
 Chelsea Eberly will join the Greenhouse Literary Agency on September 30 as literary agent. She will represent middle grade, YA and select women’s fiction, as well as authors and illustrators for picture books and graphic novels. Previously, she was senior editor at Random House Children’s Books.
Sarah Yung has
joined Publishers Weekly as editorial assistant in the children's department.
She was previously an intern at Bloomsbury Children's Books, Tor Teen,
HarperCollins Children's Books, and PW.
Penguin Young Readers has several promotions and a new hire. At
Viking Books for Young Readers, Tamar Brazis has been promoted to
editorial director of the entire Viking list; she was previously editorial
director/picture books. Dana Leydig has been promoted to senior
editor, from editor. Aneeka Kalia has been promoted to assistant
editor, from editorial assistant. At Kokila, Joanna Cárdenas has been
promoted to senior editor, from editor. Lauren Festa has been named
assistant director, digital marketing; previously she was senior marketing
manager, brand and publishing, at Guinness World Records, North America.
Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing has two new hires. Leslie
Mechanic has joined as associate art director for Little Simon and Simon
Spotlight; she was most recently a designer at Penguin Random House. Kayla
Wasil has joined as associate art director for Little Simon and Simon
Spotlight; she was most recently assistant art director at Penguin Workshop.
Page Street Kids has a promotion and two new hires. Courtney
Burke has been promoted to editor, from associate editor. Kayla
Tostevin, has joined as editorial assistant; she was formerly marketing
and publicity assistant at Page Street. Jordan Lurie has joined as
editorial assistant.
In the Winners'
Circle
 The U.K.’s 2019 Klaus Flugge Prize, given to the most exciting newcomer to picture book illustration, has been awarded to Jessica Love, for her book Julián Is a Mermaid. Established in 2016, the prize honors publisher Klaus Flugge, founder of Andersen Press. To see this year’s longlist, click here.
ICYMI
Sneak Previews
Take a look ahead at some of the big titles for children and teens due out in spring 2020, from picture books to YA novels, in our exclusive roundup. Click here
Follow Us
Children's Bookshelf is on Instagram! Follow us @pwkidsbookshelf.
Bookshelf
Archives
Looking for a previous issue of Children's Bookshelf? Click here for
our archives page!
CONTACT US
Have a comment or
suggestion? We'd love to hear from you. Click here to drop us a note. |
||||||||
|
|||||||||
|
|||||||
 |
|||||||
First Person
 'Why I Love Kids' Books in Translation' Rivka Galchen is the author of four books, most recently Rat Rule 79, her debut novel for young readers, due out this month from Restless Books’ Yonder imprint. She is also a contributor to the New Yorker, where she frequently writes about children’s literature. We asked Galchen to reflect on her lifelong love of stories from other countries. "With children’s books in particular, those in translation have an added aura of adventure, even a sense of the hidden being revealed," she says. more
Book News
 Lily Williams Continues Her Environmental Mission What would our world be like without elephants? Lily Williams addresses this question in her third picture book about loss and conservation, If Elephants Disappeared, publishing on September 17. We spoke with the author-illustrator and environmentalist about how she turned an infographic into her nonfiction picture book series, If Animals Disappeared. more  Canadian First Graders Get Free Book In Plains Cree For the first time, the TD Grade One Book Giveaway will feature a dual-language book in English or French, with corresponding text in Plains Cree. This year, every first grade student in Canada will receive a copy of My Heart Fills with Happiness by Monique Gray Smith. more
On the Scene
 Decatur Book Festival In Photos The 14th annual AJC Decatur Book Festival took place August 30–September 1 in Decatur, Ga. The festival brought together more than 250 authors, including a number of children's and YA writers, for panels, readings, signings, and more. Click through to see our selection of highlights from the event. more
Reading Report
 Adult Books on Children's Lit Grown-up readers passionate about children's literature will find these recent and upcoming adult titles a welcome addition to their shelves. more 
Licensing
News
 Licensing Hotline: September 2019 HarperCollins has signed on as the master publishing licensee for Pinkfong’s Baby Shark. The property is centered around a music video that has been viewed on YouTube 3.5 billion times, making it the ninth most-watched video in that platform’s history. Read on for news about Running Press's new Baby Rocker board book series; a new in-world cookbook tied to the just-opened Star Wars theme park attraction; and more. more 
Q & A
 Chris Raschka Might Mother Goose have lived on Pudding Lane in Boston 300 years ago, creating songs and poems for her 14 children? Two-time Caldecott Medalist Chris Raschka and the late illustrator Vladimir Radunsky playfully explore that hypothesis in Mother Goose of Pudding Lane. PW spoke with Raschka about the inspiration behind his fifth and final collaboration with Radunsky, who died in 2018, and their long friendship. Q: How did your first book together come to be? A: Vladimir prevailed upon me to meet at a café in SoHo two times a week over a long springtime. Mostly he told me stories of his own life, and one day he said, “Let’s create a book.” We talked about it for months but came up with nothing, until finally, on the spur of the moment, we came up with the idea of Table Manners, which was our first collaboration that saw its way into print. more
Rights Report
 Namrata Tripathi at Kokila has acquired, on
exclusive submission, Sanctuary by Karla Cornejo Villavicencio,
author of the forthcoming Undocumented America. The YA novel follows
Marcela, a 16-year-old New Yorker and budding journalist whose world comes
crashing down when she finds out her father is scheduled for immediate
deportation. When he seeks sanctuary at a local church, Marcela finds herself
fighting for her father's rights and fending off exploitative media outlets
she once hoped to join. Publication is set for fall 2021; Peter Steinberg at
Foundry Literary + Media negotiated the deal for North American English and
Spanish rights.  Alessandra Balzer at HarperCollins/Balzer +
Bray has bought, at auction, Elise Bryant's debut YA, Happily Ever
Afters. Pitched as Jane the Virgin meets To All the Boys I've
Loved Before—and full of Black girl magic—the book follows Tessa, a
creative writing student who has never seen herself reflected in the pages of
her beloved romance novels, until she runs up against a bad case of writer's
block and decides to find a real-life romance to inspire her fiction.
Publication is slated for winter 2021; Taylor Haggerty at Root Literary
negotiated the two-book deal for North American rights.  Eileen Rothschild at Wednesday Books has
acquired North American rights to You've Reached Me and a second book
by debut author Dustin Thao. You've Reached Me is a
contemporary story with a dash of magic, about a teen girl who, heartbroken
after her boyfriend's death, calls him to hear his voicemail—but he picks up.
In a miraculous turn of events, they have a second chance at good-bye. Publication
is scheduled for 2021; Thao Le at the Sandra Dijkstra Literary Agency
brokered the two-book deal.  Alvina Ling at Little, Brown has bought world
rights to Camp by L.C. Rosen, a YA romantic comedy set at an
LGBTQIA+ summer camp where femme theater-kid Randy has been in love with
"straight-acting for straight-acting" Hudson for several summers,
and this summer, has remade himself as Hudson's masculine dream-boy in an
attempt to win his heart. Initial publication is planned for summer 2020; Joy
Tutela at the David Black Literary Agency negotiated the deal.  Lauren Knowles at Page Street acquired Lisa
DeSelm's YA fantasy, The Puppetmaster's Apprentice, a
gender-swapped retelling of Pinocchio meets Frankenstein.
Pirouette is tasked to build an assassin for the tyrant of Tavia, but when
she realizes his schemes dabble in dark magic, she aims to take control of the
strings before the next blue moon. Publication is set for fall 2020; Laura
Crockett at TriadaUS Literary Agency negotiated the deal for world rights.  Emilia Rhodes at HMH has bought world rights
to Ghosted by Michael Fry, author-illustrator of the How to Be
a Supervillain series. When Larry's best friend Grimm suddenly ghosts
him—literally, he becomes a ghost—it's up to the two BFFs to figure out how
to help Grimm overcome his unfinished business and move on. Publication is
slated for fall 2020; Daniel Lazar at Writers House represented the author.  Kathy Dawson at Penguin/Dawson has acquired,
at auction, Mindy Thompson's The Bookshop of Dust and Dreams, a
debut middle grade novel set during WWII about Poppy, whose family runs a
time-hopping, magical bookshop. When tragedy strikes, Poppy is caught between
following her family's cardinal rule that prohibits magic for your own gain
and trying to save her brother's life. Publication is scheduled for 2021;
Sarah Landis at Sterling Lord Literistic handled the deal for world rights.  Kristin Daly Rens at HarperCollins/Balzer +
Bray has bought at auction a middle grade novel by Weird Little Robots
author Carolyn Crimi. Secondhand Dogs is the story of an
insecure pack leader who must find the courage to keep his family together
after a new dog with a dark past brings divisiveness to the group.
Publication is planned for spring 2021; Stephanie Fretwell-Hill at Red Fox
Literary negotiated the deal for world English rights.  Katherine Harrison at Knopf has acquired, at
auction, Karah Sutton's debut middle grade fantasy adventure, A
Wolf for a Spell. The novel follows a young wolf named Zima who is
tricked into trading places with the witch Baba Yaga, and a girl named Nadya
who seeks to protect her village from an evil tsar. Wolf, witch, and girl
join forces in a tale of villains turned heroes. Publication is slated for
fall 2020; Katie Grimm at Don Congdon Associates brokered the two-book deal
for world rights.  Dana Leydig at Viking has bought middle grade
author Jeannie Mobley's debut YA historical romance The Jewel Thief
at auction. When Louis XIV's crown jeweler finds it impossible to cut a rare
blue diamond, his daughter takes the task upon herself. Intrigue and deceit
land her in the Bastille, where her confession must win the king's pardon,
and forgiveness from the man she loves. Publication is set for summer 2020;
Jennifer Weltz at Jean V. Naggar Literary Agency negotiated the two-book deal
for world English rights.  Wesley Adams at Farrar, Straus and Giroux has
acquired world rights to E.L. Shen's debut middle grade novel, The
Comeback, about 12-year-old Maxine, a Chinese-American ice skater, and
her struggles to stick the landing both on the ice and in middle school.
Publication is scheduled for winter 2021; the author was unagented.  Anne Hoppe at Clarion has bought Sarah Beth
Durst's middle-grade fantasy Even and Odd, as well as a second
untitled novel. Even and Odd is about two sisters who can work magic
on alternating days, and what happens when the border between the mundane and
magic worlds closes abruptly and it's up to the two girls, and a snarky unicorn,
to re-open it and reunite stranded families—including their own. Publication
is set for spring 2021 and 2022; Andrea Somberg at Harvey Klinger negotiated
the deal for world rights.  Amy Fitzgerald at Lerner/Carolrhoda has
acquired Jimmy Matejek-Morris's debut middle-grade novel, My
Ex-Imaginary Friend. Ten-year-old Jack thinks he's outgrown his imaginary
friend George—half human, half walrus, all magic—until his father's absence
and his mother's untreated bipolar disorder throw his life into chaos.
Publication is planned for fall 2020; Emily Keyes at Fuse Literary Agency
handled the deal for world rights.  Vicky Holifield at Peachtree has bought
worldwide rights to science writer Mary Batten's Life in a Frozen
World and Life in Hot Water, two middle grade nonfiction companion
titles about animals and plants in extreme environments and how they are
being affected by climate change—from the frozen world of Antarctica to the
boiling hot vents at the bottom of the sea. Thomas Gonzalez (Countdown;
14 Cows for America) will illustrate; publication of the first book is
slated for 2021. Barbara Markowitz at Barbara Markowitz Literary Agency
represented the author, and Deborah Warren at East-West Literary Agency
represented the illustrator.  Katie Carella at Scholastic has acquired, for
the Acorn imprint, Haggis and Tank Unleashed author Jessica Young's
(l.) new early reader series, Fairylight Friends, with illustrations by Marie
Vanderbemden. The three-book series follows three fairy friends through
their magical adventures in the forest. The first book will publish in fall
2020; Kelly Sonnack at the Andrea Brown Literary Agency represented the
author, and AMPLO represented the illustrator.  Cheryl Klein at Lee & Low has bought world
rights to Flap Your Hands by debut author-illustrator Steve Asbell.
This #OwnVoices picture book celebrates the joys and benefits of sensory
stimulation, or “stimming,” particularly for an autistic audience;
publication is scheduled for spring 2021. Christy T. Ewers at the CAT Agency
brokered the deal.  Taylor Norman at Chronicle has acquired, in a
two-book deal, at auction, world rights to literary agent Stephen Barr's
debut picture book, The Upside Down Hat, in which a boy who has
everything wakes up and discovers that it's all gone. Everything is missing
except for his hat, which accompanies him on his search for everything else. Gracey
Zhang will illustrate; publication is set for spring 2022. Elena
Giovinazzo at Pippin Properties represented the author, and Hannah Mann at
Writers House represented the illustrator.  Trisha de Guzman at Farrar, Straus and Giroux
has bought world rights to Charlotte Sullivan Wild's (l.) Love,
Violet, illustrated by Charlene Chua, about a girl named Violet
with a crush on another girl who attempts to share how she feels on
Valentine's Day. Publication is slated for fall 2021; Minju Chang at BookStop
Literary represented the author, and Tracy Marchini at BookEnds Literary
represented the illustrator.  Kate DePalma at Barefoot Books has signed a
five-book set by Sarah Nelson (l.) (Frogness), illustrated by Rachel
Oldfield (Up, Up, Up!; Outdoor Opposites): I Like the Sun, I
Like the Rain, I Like the Snow, I Like the Clouds, and I
Like the Wind. The books celebrate the sensory joys of weather;
publication is planned for fall 2020. Marietta Zacker at Gallt & Zacker
Literary Agency represented the author, and Oldfield represented herself in
the deal for world rights.  Joni Sussman at Kar-Ben has acquired world
rights to Judah Touro Didn't Want to Be Famous by Audrey Ades (l.),
a picture book biography of the Jewish philanthropist Judah Touro, who lived
in colonial America. Vivien Mildenberger will illustrate; publication
is set for spring 2020. Adria Goetz at Martin Literary represented the
author, and Robbin Brosterman at the Bright Agency represented the
illustrator.
To see all of this week's deals, click here.
IN THE MEDIA
SHELFTALKER
Cynthia Compton Dear Teacher, with love from your bookseller
One bookseller’s list of requests to teachers this school year.
more »
Meghan Dietsche Goel Life on the Other Side: Notes from an Author Turned Bookseller
Author Leila Sales reflects on learning to think like a
bookseller.
more »
Kenny Brechner Here in the Real World
How much of the real world do middle grade readers want, and
does the answer lie in the pages of Sara Pennypacker’s new novel?
more »
Cynthia Compton Fall Fetes and Folding Tables
A bookseller evaluates the fall harvest of offsite community
events and their ability to sell books.
FEATURED
REVIEWS
 Almost
Time Gary D. Schmidt and Elizabeth Stickney, illus. by G. Brian Karas. Clarion, $17.99 (32p) ISBN 978-0-544-78581-6 Set in maple sugaring country, this tale by Schmidt and Stickney (the pen name of Schmidt’s late wife) examines the difficulty of waiting for exciting things when they unfold at the natural world’s pace. It’s still several weeks before the days are warm enough for the sap to run. Schmidt’s story centers on a single-parent household, with a father who pays quiet attention to his son, and shows him that waiting is part of life. more  I Miss My
Grandpa Jin Xiaojing. Little, Brown, $18.99 (40p) ISBN 978-0-316-41787-7 A child wonders about her grandfather, who died before she was born. She asks her grandmother to describe him, and the poetic characterizations that ensue draw lucid parallels between the girl’s grandfather and familiar family members. In several powerfully intimate moments, the family engages in the special act of collective remembering. A tender and poignant resource for any child reckoning with the absence of a grandparent. more  A Tale of Magic... (A Tale of Magic... #1) Chris Colfer. Little, Brown, $18.99 (496p) ISBN 978-0-316-52347-9 In this entertaining fantasy series opener, billed as a prequel to Colfer’s Land of Stories series, a girl pursues her destiny, defying the rigid gender roles and draconian laws of a kingdom that has outlawed magic and forbidden women from reading. Strong characters and an engaging story line make this a thoroughly satisfying adventure that can stand alone for Colfer newcomers. more  Her Own
Two Feet: A Rwandan Girl’s Brave Fight to Walk Meredith Davis and Rebeka Uwitonze. Scholastic Focus, $17.99 (208p) ISBN 978-1-338-35637-3 Born in the Rwandan countryside with arthrogryposis, a disease resulting in curled hands and twisted feet, Rebeka Uwitonze taught herself to walk on the tops of her feet at age seven. Following multiple unsuccessful attempts to straighten her feet, an American sponsoring her school education arranges for U.S. doctors to evaluate Uwitonze for another possible treatment, this time surgical. Mixing Davis’s third-person narrative and Uwitonze’s first-person introspection, the authors sensitively convey Uwitonze’s wealth of strength through adversity. more  War Girls
Tochi Onyebuchi. Razorbill, $18.99 (464p) ISBN 978-0-451-48167-2 In the year 2172, a civil war rages in Nigeria as the Republic of Biafra fights for independence in battles using advanced tech and giant mechs. War Girl Onyii, a Biafran rebel and former child soldier with a bionic arm, has made a safe place away from the war with her comrades and younger sister, Ify, a brilliant hacker. When their camp is attacked, Onyii is left alive and drawn back into the fight. Onyebuchi’s action-packed, high-stakes tale asks important questions about the human cost of war. more |
September 10, 2019
  
People
At Penguin Young Readers, Jocelyn Schmidt has been
promoted to executive v-p, associate publisher; she was formerly senior v-p,
associate publisher.
Random House Children's Books has two promotions and one new
hire. Jennifer Moreno has been promoted to senior production manager,
from production manager. Maggie Gibson has been promoted to production
supervisor, from production associate. Lili Feinberg has joined as
publicist; previously she was associate publicist at Simon & Schuster
Children's Publishing.
Bestsellers
Children's
Frontlist Fiction #1 For Whom the Ball Rolls (Dog Man #7) by Dav Pilkey. Click here  Picture Books
#1 We Don't Eat Our Classmates by Ryan T. Higgins. Click here
Sneak Previews
Take a look ahead at some of the big titles for children and teens due out in spring 2020, from picture books to YA novels, in our exclusive roundup. more
Follow Us
Children's Bookshelf is on Instagram! Please follow us @pwkidsbookshelf.
Bookshelf
Archives
Looking for a previous issue of Children's Bookshelf? Click here to
see our archives page!
CONTACT US
Have a comment or
suggestion? We'd love to hear from you. Click here to drop us a note. |
||||||
|
|||||||
No comments:
Post a Comment