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In the Spotlight
 Home Is Where the Heart Is: Fall 2026 Indie Press Picks for Young ReadersThe season’s most noteworthy children’s books from independent publishers include fantastical picture books, topical titles for older readers, intense YA debuts, and stories focusing on family. more  Book News
 The Rebirth of ‘On the Day You Were Born’ Even after 35 years in print, Debra Frasier's picture book ode to a newborn baby, released by Harcourt Children’s Books in 1991, resonates with readers to such an extent that Beach Lane Books is releasing a new edition on September 15—produced by its original editor, Allyn Johnston. We spoke with Frasier (r.) and Johnston (l.) about this full-circle moment. more  Dolly Parton Books Reenter Bestseller Charts In the days after the singer-songwriter and literacy activist's August 25 death, several titles inspired by her life and work, including a Little Golden Book biography, as well as a picture book written by Parton, saw notable sales increases and reentered PW's bestseller lists. more
In the News
 Publishing Industry Sales Up in First Half of 2026Total industry sales for the 1,416 publishers that report to AAP’s StatShot program rose 3.9% in the first six months of the year, while children’s/YA fiction sales rose 1.7% in June and 2.6% for the first half of 2026. more  Authors Guild Addresses Anthropic Settlement Concerns When claim notices in the $1.5 billion agreement went out last week, many authors were surprised to see they would not be receiving what they believed was their share of the settlement. Authors Guild CEO Mary Rasenberger said she expects “a lot of corrections” will be made within a week. more  Hachette’s Raising Readers Campaign Plans U.S., U.K. StorytimesHachette Book Group and Hachette UK have partnered with Barnes & Noble and Waterstones to host storytimes in schools and stores September 18–20. Knight Owl author Christopher Denise will have the U.S. spotlight, while The Lion Inside creators Rachel Bright and Jim Field will be the focus for U.K. audiences. more First Person
 25 Years Later, Gae Polisner Remembers September 11The author, a lifelong New Yorker, wrote her middle grade novel The Memory of Things in an attempt to grapple with her ongoing grief and healing in the aftermath of 9/11. Here, Polisner reflects on the decade since the book’s publication, and the 25th anniversary of the traumatic events that inspired it. more 
In Conversation
 And Justice for All: Sandra W. Headen and Autumn Krause We asked the authors to discuss their new books for young readers, Roi and Me and the Double V (Holiday House) and The Gods Will Sing Our Song (Delacorte)—both tales of resilience and hope in the face of wartime discrimination. more Interviews
 ‘A Vehicle for Play’: Daniel Kwan and Collaborators on Their New Picture Book Daniel Kwan (clockwise, top l.) is the Academy Award–winning co-writer and co-director of Everything Everywhere All at Once. He’s also the author of experimental picture books. His latest, Have You Ever Seen a Ghost? (S&S/Atheneum), follows an anxious ghost as they prep for a party. We spoke with Kwan and co-author Julia Pott, along with illustrator Sean Lewis, about their creative chemistry and the joy of subverting the picture book form. more  ‘The Oldest Joke in the Book’: PW Talks with Pete HolmesThe comedian, actor, and writer’s first work for young readers, Spells to Cast on Your Parents (Doubleday, out now), is an interactive picture book where kids hold the power. Holmes spoke with PW about his approach to writing comedy for kids vs. adults, and how his relationship with his daughter inspired the book. more  Out Next Week
 Hot Off the Press: Week of September 14 Among the books hitting shelves next week are a picture book about a child processing the release of a beloved pet, a middle grade locked-room mystery, a graphic novel questioning the definition of home, and more. more In Brief
 In Brief: September 10, 2026Recently, an author launched a book within an iconic doll franchise, a designer joined an author for an event, an author kicked off his tour, and a community gathered to honor a late author and friend. more
Rights Report
 Ruta Rimas at Putnam has acquired, at auction, in a six-figure deal, From the Clear Blue Sky by screenwriter Jackie Akiko Cloud, a YA novel set 10 years after the September 11th attacks, about a teen girl who lost her father in the towers but finds evidence he is still alive and begins to search for him. Publication is scheduled for spring 2028; Catherine Cho at Paper Literary brokered the deal for North American rights.  Andrew Karre at Dutton has bought world rights to the next two YA novels by Joy McCullough: A Gloss, a Glass, a Flower, about three young women in 1945, 1991, and 2028, linked through time by a miniature couture exhibit created in Paris in the wake of WWII; and a second untitled novel about a laundress in a traveling medicine show who battles the corrupt and abusive charlatan controlling her and her mother's lives. Publication is set respectively for spring 2028 and spring 2029; Jim McCarthy at Dystel, Goderich & Bourret did the deal.  Tara Weikum at HarperCollins/Storytide has acquired Ali Brown's debut, The Bidding Season and an untitled sequel, pitched as The Bachelor meets The Handmaid's Tale. In this dystopian YA novel, a rebellious girl must pretend to be a high-value bride when she is thrust into a ritual marriage auction that draws a national spotlight. Publication is projected for fall 2027; Susanna Einstein at Dunow, Carlson & Lerner negotiated North American rights.  Gabbi Calabrese at Sourcebooks Fire has bought North American rights to Stay Inside Tonight by Carlyn Greenwald, in which 17-year-old Marjorie and her fearless chihuahua, Chalupa, are stranded in a small town famous for a string of killer clown murders, but making it through the night is easier said than done when she finds herself trapped in a local store. Publication is slated for fall 2027; Janine Kamouh at William Morris Endeavor represented the author.  Clare Vaughn at HarperCollins has acquired To Kneel Before Saints by Ciannon Smart (Witches Steeped in Gold), in which an acolyte is drawn into a reluctant alliance with the greatest enemy to her faith, the Crimson Wolf. Publication is planned for summer 2027; Suzie Townsend at New Leaf Literary & Media sold North American rights.  Phoebe Yeh and Daniela Cortes at Crown have bought Monster Moon Rising, a middle grade horror anthology from We Need Diverse Books, about 12 kids facing the monsters of their nightmares on the night of a Super Blood Moon. The anthology is edited by Ellen Oh, featuring a foreword by Soman Chainani and stories by Samira Ahmed, Tracey Baptiste, Shakirah Bourne, Huda Fahmy, Lamar Giles, Donna Barba Higuera, Malia Maunakea, Ellen Oh, Dan Poblocki, Kristen Simmons, Ronald L. Smith, and Susan Tan. Publication is set for summer 2027; Joanna Volpe at New Leaf Literary & Media sold world rights.  Aneeka Kalia at Viking has acquired, in a preempt, Laurence Honderick's debut middle grade noir graphic novel series, Mr. Cool Burger. The first book follows a former police officer turned private eye and his ex-partner, Officer Coffee Cup, as they venture into the seedy depths of Fast Food City to investigate the disappearance of Jimmy the Hot Dog. Publication is scheduled for fall 2027; Lindsay Auld at Writers House sold world rights.  Julie Bliven while at Charlesbridge bought world English rights to Catch the Cat Burglar by Elaine Dimopoulos (l.), illustrated by Kaja Kajfez, a middle grade novel about a group of cats at a boarding school who investigate a string of thefts in their building. Publication is slated for summer 2027; Allison Hellegers at Stimola Literary Studio represented the author, and Vickie Savanella at Advocate Art represented the illustrator.  Taylor Norman at Holiday House/Neal Porter Books has acquired, at auction, Playscape by Ellen Heck, a uniquely formatted picture book that explores each structure at a playground, each through a different child's perspective, ability, emotion, and color of the rainbow—both at the park and reflecting back on their playtime when they return home later. Publication is planned for spring 2028; Jordan Hamessley at JABberwocky Literary Agency did the deal for world rights.  Caitlin Tutterow at Penguin/Nancy Paulsen Books has bought Yu Kito Lee's authorial debut, Meow Meow Magic, a picture book about a boy whose cat uses his magical powers to swap places for a topsy-turvy day. Publication is scheduled for spring 2029; Kait Feldmann at KT Literary brokered the deal for world rights.  Lauri Hornik at Rocky Pond Books has acquired world rights to The Good Medicine Book Shop by Kate Hoefler (l.), illustrated by Madison Safer. In this picture book, a mole watching over his neighbor's bookshop begins to let his own preferences affect the books offered for sale. Publication is set for spring 2027; Steven Malk at Writers House represented the author, and Lara Perkins at Andrea Brown Literary Agency represented the illustrator.  Sara Sproull at Abrams Books has bought, at auction, world rights to The Second Day of School by Audrey Perrott (l.) (Moo Hoo; the Once Upon a Tail series), illustrated by Abbey Bryant (Desi, Mami, and the Never-Ending Worries), and a second untitled picture book. Charlie cannot wait for kindergarten, so when the day finally comes, he tackles it with gusto, but his feelings change once he realizes he has to go back. Publication is slated for spring 2028; James McGowan at BookEnds Literary represented the author, and Aliza Hoover at the CAT Agency represented the illustrator.  Ariel Richardson at Chronicle has acquired world rights to the picture book Hot Rhymes with Chocolate by Rebecca Janni (l.), illustrated by Shiva Delsooz. Wintertime inspiration for a cocoa stand leads to the discovery of ASL rhyme in this story of friendship and community. Publication is planned for fall 2028; Jamie Weiss Chilton at Andrea Brown Literary Agency represented the author, and Kayla Cichello at Upstart Crow Literary represented the illustrator.  Kristie Choi at Atheneum has bought Animal Family Matters by Alexandra Millarhouse (l.), illustrated by Alexandra Finkeldey, an LGBTQ+ inclusive nonfiction picture book depicting the many different ways animal families can be structured, from single parents to forever mates, same-sex pairs, and more. Publication is scheduled for spring 2028; Natalie Lakosil at Looking Glass Literary & Media represented the author, and Emily van Beek at Folio Jr./Folio Literary Management represented the illustrator.  Carol Hinz at Lerner/Millbrook has acquired world rights to Steering into Danger: Carpathia's Race to Save Titanic by Katie Venit (l.), illustrated by Jieting Chen. This nonfiction picture book highlights the heroic actions of the passenger steamer Carpathia, which answered the call for help and braved icebergs to rescue Titanic's passengers and crew in April 1912. Publication is set for spring 2028; Joyce Sweeney at the Seymour Agency represented the author, and Alex Gehringer at the Bright Agency represented the illustrator.  Autumn Allen at Barefoot Books has bought world rights to Brick by Brick: A Dream for Gaza by Salam Zahr (l.), illustrated by Atieh Sohrabi (Ramadan on Rahma Road). This picture book biography tells the story of Majd Mashharawi, a young Palestinian woman who invented an eco-friendly building brick made from recycled rubble and ash, and started a company to rebuild homes and buildings in her beloved city of Gaza. Publication is planned for autumn 2027; Quressa Robinson at Folio Jr. represented the author, who is now represented by Pam Gruber at High Line Literary Collective, and the illustrator represented herself.  Andrea Walker at inbetween books has acquired world English rights to A Monster's Guide to Children by Susan Wollison (l.), illustrated by Aleksandra Szmidt, a humorous picture book guide for monsters with tips, tricks, and information on how to avoid their worst nemesis: children. Publication is slated for fall 2027; Kara Grajkowski at 3 Seas Literary Agency represented the author, and Dan Cramer at Page Turner Literary Agency represented the illustrator. IN THE MEDIA
FEATURED REVIEWS
 When I Want to Be SilentZornitsa Hristova, trans. from the Bulgarian by Angela Rodel, illus. by Kiril Zlatkov. Helvetiq, $17.95 (32p) ISBN 978-3-03964-148-2 Hristova and Zlatkov explore the limits of words in this philosophical English-language debut. First-person narration attends images of a realistically rendered bear (“When I was little,/ grown-ups showed me words”). Describing the vocabulary they’ve been taught, the introspective protagonist says, “I like words,// but not everything fits in them.” With a quiet profundity, the creators manage to capture the indescribable. more  Grumpfort Jamie Hammond. Usborne, $9.99 paper (288p) ISBN 978-1-83605-523-5 In this delightfully offbeat series opener, Mo ventures into the forbidden forest beyond Bogfoss in search of a creature he can capture and bring home as proof of his prowess. Instead, he discovers Grumpfort, a monster-filled fortress whose residents bear little resemblance to the fearsome beasts described in Mo’s A Beginner’s Guide to Monsterology. Determined to return home with a trophy, Mo devises a plan to help the earnest Grumpfort denizens defeat an uber-monster and capture it for himself. | ||||||
