PW Children's Bookshelf: Breaking children's and YA publishing news, author interviews, bestsellers lists and reviews.

Happy Thanksgiving

In Conversation: Adam Wallace and Cynthia Platt
Not one but two new picture books out this season feature masquerading turkeys and have almost identical titles: Australian author Adam Wallace’s Turkey in Disguise, illustrated by Mike Moran, and Cynthia Platt’s Turkeys in Disguise, illustrated by Josh Cleland. In anticipation of Thanksgiving, we invited Wallace and Platt to talk turkey about their festive books and the creative process. more

Thanksgiving Books for
Young Readers 2025
In the season of gratitude, readers can enjoy books exploring how to show appreciation and give thanks for the little things. Click through for our holiday roundup. more

In the News

First Book Marks 25-Year Partnership with PRH, Sets 2030 Goal
Literacy nonprofit First Book and Penguin Random House, which together have distributed 42 million books to children in need, announced two virtual events—one with Magic Tree House author Mary Pope Osborne and the other on reading for pleasure—and a plan to reach 27 million young readers by 2030. more

SPONSORED
Legendborn Deluxe Collector’s Edition
Go back to the beginning of the legend with the deluxe Legendborn Collector’s Edition! Perfect for fantasy fans and new readers, this breathtaking edition designed like a medieval rare book features stunning new art; sprayed stenciled edges, and all-new bonus scenes. Discover the world of “one of the best fantasy YA series ever written" (Buzzfeed). MORE ►

Advocacy Efforts

Raising Readers: Educators Share Strategies to Help Reward Voracious Readers
We spoke with three educators about the ways they’re helping support passionate readers to elevate them and their reading lives for the long term, from book clubs to reading logs and more. more

Book News

Jason Reynolds’s Audiobook 'Soundtrack'
Set for Print Release
In June this year, Jason Reynolds added another first to his list of career accolades: his first original audiobook Soundtrack was released with Listening Library, with a full cast and original score by Grammy-winning composer Justin Ellington. Now Crown Books for Young Readers has announced the simultaneous publication of hardcover and paperback editions, for release on April 14, 2026. more

Out Next Week

Hot Off the Press:
Week of November 17
Among the books hitting shelves next week are a middle grade debut about polar opposite tweens protecting a dragon egg, a short story collection from a bestselling author, a YA coming of age story about finding community in a roller derby rink, and more. more

In Brief

In Brief: November 13, 2025
Recently a sled dog was the star of an event, a member of the Exonerated Five launched his book on justice, an author shared a picture book biography, a festival celebrated tween readers, a debut author showcased original art, and an author held food-centric school visits. more

For more about these and other great jobs, visit the new PW JobZone, now with resume hosting and more!

Sales Associate, Gift and Specialty Sales - Hachette Book Group.

Marketing and Sales Coordinator - University of Notre Dame Press - Notre Dame, IN.

Editor - Verso Books - New York, NY.

Associate National Accounts Manager - Candlewick Press, Holiday House, Peachtree - New York, NY.

Editor/Senior Editor, Forever, Grand Central Publishing Group - Hachette Book Group.

Rights Report

Lynne Missen at Tundra Books has acquired world rights, in a preempt, to two novels by Tara Dairman. We Are the Devils is a darkly humorous YA about five cheerleaders who resolve to bully an ugly, messy new teammate off the squad—until that teammate's own violent agenda starts to transform their lens on femininity, perfection, and themselves. It's All Kosher in North Dakota is a contemporary middle grade novel that follows "Jewish-ish" Danny Fishbein-O'Donnell from Brooklyn to rural North Dakota, where his family has inherited an old restaurant—complete with family history and mysteries, and tough questions about what being Jewish means to him. The first book will publish in fall 2027; Ammi-Joan Paquette at Aevitas Creative Management did the deal.

Orlando Dos Reis at Scholastic/Graphix has bought Evil Squirrel by New Yorker cartoonist Ellis Rosen, in a three-book deal. This satirical debut middle grade graphic novel series follows an evil genius squirrel and his organization of criminal critters, and Ruffles, the secret-agent dog who must thwart their nefarious attempts to interfere with the human world. Publication will begin in fall 2027; Joy Tutela at David Black Literary Agency sold world rights.

Grace Scheiepter at Oni Press has acquired two books in the Tales of Lake Erie middle grade graphic novel series by David M. Booher (l.), illustrated by Sarah Turner. The first book follows three best friends who investigate strange happenings around their Lake Erie small coastal town and try to unravel the mystery of a lake monster nobody in town believes exists. Publication will start in summer 2027; Eric Borja at Writ Large and Cindy Uh, Abigail Walters, and Jiah Shin at CAA represented the author, and Ethan and Heather Long at Tugeau 2 represented the illustrator.

Emily Settle at Feiwel and Friends has bought The Dark Place, a debut middle grade horror novel by Shaelyn Zeitz, in which a girl braves the darkness outside to rescue her sister from the human-eating Screechers, but discovers that the town's monster repellent is nearly gone, so she must find a new way to stay alive in a world where everyone might be dangerous. Publication is slated for 2027; Lauren Spieller at Folio Literary Management did the two-book deal for world rights.

Emily Seife at Scholastic Press has acquired North American rights to Daphne Benedis-Grab's middle grade thriller, The Team, set at a football-obsessed middle school where their winning team hides something rotten at the core. Publication is set for fall 2026; Sara Crowe at Sara Crowe Literary negotiated the deal.

Siobhan Ciminera has bought world rights to Stranded Pandas by Bill Canterbury (l.), illustrated by AJ Smith, an early reader graphic chapter book in which two panda siblings are shipwrecked on a strange island run by a Dr. Moreau-like frog. Publication is scheduled for summer 2027; James McGowan at BookEnds Literary represented the author, and Carter Hasegawa at Tugeau2 represented the illustrator.

Sylvie Frank at Penguin/Flamingo has acquired the picture book I'm Not Done! by Allysa Adams. When Sam shares her artwork with friends and family, their suggestions lead her to question who the work truly belongs to, in this funny celebration of creativity. Publication is planned for summer 2027; Heather and Ethan Long at Tugeau 2 brokered the deal for world rights.

Tamar Brazis at Viking has bought world rights to To Wander by Amy Novesky (l.), illustrated by Emma Simpson, a picture book that celebrates travel of all kinds—across one's world, imagination, and life. Publication is slated for summer 2027; Caryn Wiseman at Andrea Brown Literary Agency represented the author, and Lorna Hemingway while at Bell Lomax Moreton represented the illustrator.

Janine O'Malley at FSG has acquired world rights to Can We Go Yet? by Alliah L. Agostini (l.) (Scarecited on the First Day of School), illustrated by Shamar Knight-Justice (Repeat After Me), This picture book follows three brothers who try everything to hurry their mother out of church in time for kickoff, but a snowstorm and their aunties remind them that family togetherness is the real win. Publication is set for fall 2028; Jemiscoe Chambers-Black at Andrea Brown Literary Agency represented the author, and Christy Ewers at the CAT Agency represented the illustrator.

Carri Schmidt at Cottage Door Press has bought world rights to Barn in Summer: Bright and Busy on the Farm by Chambrae Griffith (l.), illustrated by Taia Morley, a picture book celebrating summertime activities of all of Barn's family, from Hen's laying eggs by the dozens, to Pig relaxing in the cool mud, to Goat sneaking munches at the farmstand. Publication is scheduled for February 2027; Mary Cummings at Great River Literary represented the author, and Nicole Tugeau at Tugeau 2 represented the illustrator.

Fran Greenman-Schmitz while at Kar-Ben acquired world rights to We Thank Our Trees, a rhyming story for Tu Beshvat that celebrates the diversity of trees and all they do for living things, by Nancy Churnin (l.), illustrated by Bindy James. Leila Sales will edit; publication is planned for spring 2027. Karen Grencik at Red Fox Literary represented the author, and Tina Doffing at Astound US represented the illustrator.

Sandra Sutter at Gnome Road has bought world rights to Amber Mae and Her Strays by Candace Spizzirri (l.), illustrated by Carlos Vélez Aguilera, a picture book in which a determined girl with a soft spot for stray animals creates chaos at home, leaving her otherwise patient parents in a panic. Publication is slated for fall 2027; the author represented herself, and Alice Jin Zhang at Astound US represented the illustrator.

To see all of this week's deals, click here.

IN THE MEDIA

From the New York Times: To Help SNAP Recipients, Bookstores Set Up as Food Banks. CLICK HERE
From Reuters: On the eve of retirement, publisher Barry Cunningham reflects on his career in children's books, and talks about his next chapter. CLICK HERE
From NPR: Strega Nona is still reaching audiences at 50 years old. CLICK HERE
From the Hollywood Reporter: Sabrina Carpenter to Star, Produce Musical Alice in Wonderland Movie for Universal. CLICK HERE
From the Assoiciated Press: Holiday Gift Guide for Children's Books. CLICK HERE
From Brightly: 40 Children's and YA Books That Celebrate Native American Heritage. CLICK HERE

VIEW ALL

FEATURED REVIEWS

Call Me Moby
Lars Kenseth. Macmillan/Balzer + Bray, $18.99 (32p) ISBN 978-1-2504-0874-7

Interested in the world above the waterline, Moby seeks to connect with humans in a whale of a way. Moby swims up to a ship, playfully spurts water (nearly swamping the craft), and starts a game of tag (almost capsizing it). Yet for some unfathomable reason—“Maybe I came on too strong?”—all Moby gets in return is “this one guy named Ahab” screaming. When things go downhill from there, Moby apologizes and retreats to the depths, embracing the experience as a teachable moment in social-emotional development: “Not everybody will get you. But that’s okay.” more

The Rare Bird
Elisha Cooper. Roaring Brook, $18.99 (40p) ISBN 978-1-2503-6439-5

In a sunny city apartment shared with a placid dog and a family of humans, curtains become high branches, a shower represents a waterfall, for a cat. In late afternoon, the cat pauses his playing to dream by a window, and for the first time, in a series of full spreads, readers view him as he sees himself: as a member of a bluebird family both nesting and taking flight. Asking whether a cat’s quotidian mischief-making might represent the manifestations of a rich interior life, it’s a gentle celebration of imagination that honors both the wildness of play and the creature comforts of home. more

Carnival Fantástico
Angela Montoya. Joy Revolution, $19.99 (464p) ISBN 979-8-217-02446-9

The adopted daughter of the feared Comandante Olivera, 18-year-old Esmeralda Montero, works as a fortune teller at the traveling circus Carnival Fantástico. But with the carnival’s yearlong stay in the war-torn kingdom of Costa Mayor nearly complete, she’s desperate to persuade the ringmaster to hire her as a permanent act once it moves on. Meanwhile, the comandante’s teenage son Ignacio follows a trail of cryptic letters that lead him to Carnival Fantástico, where he encounters Esmeralda for the first time in three years via a reunion that ignites long-buried feelings. more

They Call Her Regret
Channelle Desamours. Wednesday, $20 (320p) ISBN 978-1-250-33770-2

Since Halloween-obsessed Simone Washington loves “to be in control of the horror,” the teen selects purportedly haunted Doll’s Head Lake as the location of her 18th birthday party. Simone accidentally pushes her best friend Kira, who can’t swim, into the lake and Kira’s drowning summons a witch called Regret, who offers Simone a dubious deal: if Simone frees Regret from the mysterious curse trapping her at the lake within 14 days, she’ll restore Kira’s life in exchange for someone else's. more

The Sun and the Starmaker
Rachel Griffin. Sourcebooks Fire, $19.99 (448p) ISBN 978-1-7282-5618-4

In the town of Reverie, survival depends upon the Sun-blessed immortal Starmaker, who must pull in sunlight every day to keep the deadly Frost at bay. On 18-year-old Aurora Finch’s wedding day, she encounters the current Starmaker, who identifies her as his successor. Whisked away to a magical castle, Aurora trains to take over the duties of Starmaker, struggling to accept the new role as she and her mentor fall in love. She must reckon with the immortal life of duty and loneliness awaiting her when she inevitably steps into her position and her mentor, now replaced, must die. more

November 13, 2025

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