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In the Spotlight
 On Tour for ‘Ripples,’ Katie Yamasaki Wants to Make Waves Picture book creator and muralist Katie Yamasaki combines storytelling with hands-on collaboration, and her tour for her forthcoming picture book, Ripples, comes with opportunities to take environmental action. In honor of the Earth Month celebration in April, Yamasaki's author events will focus on protecting the planet and the dictum that many hands make light work. more  In the News
 Macmillan Children’s Dissolves Roaring Brook, Forms New Imprint Macmillan Children’s Publishing Group has announced the launch of a new, as-yet-unnamed imprint for nonfiction and illustrated books, while Roaring Brook Press has been shuttered, resulting in layoffs and moves within the children’s division. more  Workman Running Press GroupHas Banner Year Formed in late 2024, the Hachette Book Group division scored big last year with mini-kits, sticker books, and illustrated books for readers of all ages. Under the direction of Kristin Kiser, the combined group has six publishers, 13 imprints, and publishes more than 500 titles annually. more
In Conversation
 Mia Wenjen and Jolene Gutiérrez Mia Wenjen and Jolene Gutiérrez both grapple with the cruelty of internment and family separation in their new picture books Barbed Wire Between Us and Unbreakable: A Japanese American Family in an American Incarceration Camp, respectively. The two authors spoke about depicting difficult subject matter for young readers, and the importance of remembering painful pieces of history. more
First Person
 Randi Pink on the YA Black Renaissance Randi Pink is the author of five YA novels, including Angel of Greenwood, Girls Like Us, and We Are the Scribes. Here, Pink reflects on Walter Dean Myers’s 2014 op-ed calling out the dearth of racial diversity in children’s books, and how it inspired what she describes as an "extraordinary group" of Black authors who published "industry-shaking" YA literature. more   Q & A
 Scott ReintgenScott Reintgen, author of numerous fantasy survival novels including the Dragonships series and the Waxways trilogy, delivers another YA genre thriller with Devious Prey. Reintgen spoke with PW about his dragon era, putting a new spin on familiar fare, and his commitment to lifelong learning. Q: The book is pitched as Yellow Jackets with dragons. Do you draw inspiration from other media? A: My mental go-to while I was writing this was actually Lost. That was the first series my wife and I binge watched together when we were dating. What happens when a group of people land in a place that’s forcing them to become something new? In Yellow Jackets, the question is, “Did you really know the people you were around that whole time?” more  Four Questions
 K.L. WaltherAs one of many authors who gained massive popularity during the early days of BookTok, K.L. Walther continues her streak of summery YA romances with We’re a Bad Idea, Right?, a gender-swapped take on Risky Business. Walther discussed the marriage of humor and grief in her work, her love of ’80s romances, and what writing about young love has taught her. Q: Why does silliness appeal to you in romance? A: I have experienced a lot of grief in my life, and I write about it a lot. I found that humor is always a great counterbalance when I want to express my grief or whatever serious coming-of-age topic I’m homing in on. Banter is always something I look for in a good romance novel. more 
Rights Report
 Sara Goodman at Wednesday Books has acquired, at auction, Hannah Schneider's debut novel Unrecovered, as part of a two-book deal. In it, a teen grieving the recent death of her older brother must navigate her years-long crush on his best friend. As they grow closer, she starts to unravel the secrets her brother left behind, in a tapestry of first love, loss, and letting go. Publication is scheduled for fall 2027; Mollie Glick at Creative Artists Agency sold North American rights.  Emilia Sowersby at Roaring Brook Press has bought Prom Anomaly by Gwenyth Reitz (author of the upcoming You're Dead to Me, Reed Walker), aimed for fans of The Do-Over and See You Yesterday. In this opposites-attract, speculative YA rom-com, a prom queen wannabe and a loner outcast are forced to relive their same disastrous prom until they do the improbable—fall in love—and break the time loop. Publication is planned for winter 2028; Uwe Stender at Triada US sold world rights.  Alison Romig at Delacorte Press has acquired Hafsa A. Jawad's The Tales of Arcana Fortune, a cozy YA romantasy about a healer who must survive seven fairy trials after unwittingly releasing a demon from a cursed book, and its sequel, The Mirrors of Runisia Winters. Publication is slated for spring 2027 and spring 2028; Sophie Sheumaker at BookEnds Literary Agency negotiated the deal for world English rights.  Kortney Nash at Macmillan/Godwin Books has bought We Won't Remember Your Name by debut author Zoë Harris, a genre-blending YA novel for fans of The Grace Year, exploring how the arrival of two new students upends the rigid rules and social hierarchy for the students at Fossbridge School for Timid Girls. Publication is set for spring 2027; Laurel Symonds at KT Literary handled the deal for world English rights.  Sally Morgridge at Holiday House has acquired, at auction, Jocelyn Cho's debut middle grade graphic novel, The Golden Shoes. When 12-year-old Hana finds herself whisked into a strange alternate universe, she enlists the help of fellow lost souls to set things right and get back home, in this reimagining of L. Frank Baum's The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, inspired by traditional Korean folklore and K-Pop idol culture. Publication is set for spring 2029; Sean McCarthy at Sean McCarthy Literary Agency did the deal for world rights.  Christy Ottaviano at Little Brown/Ottaviano has bought, in an exclusive submission, the first two books in an illustrated middle grade nonfiction series titled The Weird World of Sports by Tommy Greenwald, a celebration of some of the weirdest, wackiest, and most unusual moments in sports history. Publication for the first book is scheduled for fall 2027; Amy Thrall Flynn at Aevitas Creative Management brokered the deal for old world rights.  Joanna Cárdenas at Kokila has acquired world rights to No Sabo by Olivia Abtahi (l.) (The Interpreter), illustrated by Micah Player. In this picture book about identity, code-switching, and ingenuity, an Argentinian American child approaches her challenges navigating Spanish at a family quinceañera as a secret agent on an undercover mission. Publication is set for fall 2027; Jim McCarthy at Dystel, Goderich & Bourret represented the author, and Lori Nowicki at Painted Words represented the illustrator.  Celia Lee at Simon & Schuster has bought, at auction, world rights to Horizontal Crocodile by Scott Rothman (l.), illustrated by Brian Won, which tells the story of a very looooong crocodile and his thoughtful preparations to welcome a friend to his house for a visit. Publication is slated for fall 2026; Andrea Morrison at Writers House represented the author, and Rubin Pfeffer at Aevitas Creative Management represented the illustrator.  Sydnee Monday, while at Kokila, acquired world rights to Nnamdi by Wellesley College Africana Studies professor Liseli A. Fitzpatrick (l.), illustrated by Bea Jackson, a debut picture book about a young Trinidadian/Jamaican American boy who learns the powerful meaning of his name while in search of his missing grandfather (and a magical place called heaven) as he prepares for Grandparent's Day at school. Zareen Jaffery will edit; publication is planned for summer 2027. The author represented herself, and Lori Nowicki at Painted Words represented the illustrator.  Emma Sakamoto at Groundwood Books has bought world rights to The King's Court by debut author Beth Elliott (l.), illustrated by Ginger Ngo (Emerson the Elephant Seal), a picture book about recess power dynamics and fair play in which George declares his own rules of the court, eventually realizing that most royally awesome kingdoms aren't ruled by one—they're ruled by the people. Publication is set for summer 2027; the author represented herself, and Adriana Dominguez at Aevitas Creative Management represented the illustrator. IN THE MEDIA
FEATURED REVIEWS
  Story RugSophie Blackall, illus. by Phoebe Wahl. Little, Brown, $18.99 (40p) ISBN 978-0-316-53538-0 Solo play turns into communal collaboration in this appealing picture book expertly crafted by Caldecott Medalist Blackall, here in the author’s seat, and Wahl. It all starts with the “braiding CRAZE” that strikes Class 203: “They are braiding hair, and braiding the tails of all the toy ponies, and Sadie is braiding her shoelaces together.” When shoelace-less, short-haired Noah lacks materials to join in, teacher Ms. Morena improvises by tearing a whiteboard rag into strips, and the child eagerly sets to work. more  Listen to the GirlsChrystal D. Giles. Random House, $17.99 (256p) ISBN 978-0-5936-5171-1 North Carolina seventh grader Calla Howard is excited for summer vacation. But the mood shifts when her beloved teacher Mr. Chavis is abruptly removed from school grounds following reports from local YouTuber EboniiNews, who alleges that the teacher engaged in inappropriate conduct with students at his previous school. When EboniiNews is forced to remove their post about Mr. Chavis, Calla and her friends create an anonymous social media account to amplify the voices of his victims and encourage others to speak out. It's a thoughtful, timely exploration of courage and the power of collective voices. more  DoeRebecca Barrow. Penguin/Paulsen, $20.99 (368p) ISBN 979-8-217-00633-5 Barrow delivers a dark and simmering supernatural horror novel in verse that examines jealousy, belonging, and the dangerous allure of revenge. At West Easton High, Maris reigns as captain of the cheer squad, a tight-knit group of intersectionally diverse girls who find their only refuge in one another. Their bond feels unbreakable, but the arrival of new teammate Genevieve threatens that equilibrium. A parallel story line set half a century earlier follows Doe, a paranormal, deer-like entity, as it encounters a similar group of girls, who bind the creature to themselves in a blood ritual to harness Doe’s ability to “send humans fleeing in fear.” more  Through the Black GateAlfredo Cáceres. Atheneum, $24.99 hardcover (272p) ISBN 978-1-6659-4183-9; $14.99 paper ISBN 978-1-6659-4182-2 Two Chilean children and a mystical cat traverse a liminal realm of the dead in this atmospheric solo debut, a graphic novel about grief and healing. Following a devastating fire that kills her parents while she’s away, young Irene finds the body of her cat, Moses, which briefly glows from within before inexplicably reanimating. When the resurrected feline leads her to an unscathed book titled The Comprehensive Guide to the Graylands in her late father’s study, Irene becomes convinced that her dad’s soul now resides inside the cat. more  This Must Be the PlaceKelly Quindlen. Roaring Brook, $20.99 (288p) ISBN 978-1-2509-1106-3 In this companion to Her Name in the Sky, high school graduate Louisa returns to her hometown of Rustin, Ala., for the funeral of her great-uncle George, a local football hero. While there she learns that George was gay; that he had a partner, Hatch; and that he’s bequeathed his queer bar, the Frisky Cricket, to Hatch and Louisa. After realizing that a nearby university intends to buy the establishment and replace it with a football complex, Louisa determines to save it, though Hatch seems resigned to let it go. more |
March 31, 2026
 
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Sneak Previews  Take a look ahead at some of the big titles for children and teens due out this fall, from picture books to YA novels, in our exclusive roundup. more Bestsellers  Children’s Frontlist Fiction#1 The Hybrid Prince (Wings of Fire #16) by Tui T. Sutherland. Click here  Picture Books#1 It’s Not Easy Being a Bunny by Marilyn Sadler, illus. by Roger Bollen. Click here Follow Us  Follow us on Bluesky and Instagram! CONTACT US
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Children's Bookshelf Editor: Emma Kantor Assistant Editor: Iyana Jones Digital Producer: Michael Seidlinger Editor at Large: Diane Roback Send editorial questions about this e-newsletter to: childrensbooks@publishersweekly.com For additional assistance, contact us by email or at the address below. Copyright 2026, PWxyz, LLC. PUBLISHERS WEEKLY and the PW Logo are trademarks of PWxyz, LLC. Email not displaying correctly? View it in your browser. |