Katherine Harrison at Knopf has acquired, at auction, Sadie Suksiri's debut YA novel The Undoing, a coming-of-age story about a town where every girl is born with a unique magical gift, but must give it up in adolescence to be seen and loved—and three girls' attempt to bring their friend back from her undoing. Publication is slated for spring 2028; Molly Ker Hawn at David Higham Associates negotiated the deal for North American rights.

Jenny Bak at Viking has bought Starfarer by Colin Gigl, pitched as Treasure Planet meets The Girl Who Drank the Moon. The debut middle grade novel follows Leo, a boy seeking a mythical star rumored to grant wishes, and Ella, the mysterious magic-wielding girl who promises to lead him to it, but only if he captains a ship into a black hole to break a legendary storyteller out of the universe's most secure prison. Publication is set for summer 2027; Sam Farkas at Jill Grinberg Literary Management sold world English rights.

Liz Szabla at Feiwel and Friends has acquired world rights to Totally Swamped by Lynn E. Hazen, a humorous middle grade novel about a cautious city kid who survives perilous misadventures in Vermont with his swamp-loving cousin. Publication is scheduled for spring 2027; Jim Averbeck at East/West Literary handled the deal.

Rebekah Lovato Piatte at Collective Book Studio has bought London Unleashed by debut author Alice Cardini (l.), illustrated by Jen Bricking, first in a new middle grade series about family, friendship, and the meaning of home—along with lots and lots of dogs. Publication is planned for spring 2027; the project was unagented.

Tara Walker at Tundra Books has acquired, in an exclusive submission, world rights to When My Father Was a Cat by Kyo Maclear (l.) (author of the Caldecott Honor-winning Noodles on a Bicycle), illustrated by Caldecott Medalist Cátia Chien, a picture book that explores the childhood of a parent through the imaginative lens of a family of felines. Publication is slated for fall 2027; Jackie Kaiser at Westwood Creative Artists represented the author, and Steven Malk at Writers House represented the illustrator.

Nancy Paulsen at Penguin/Nancy Paulsen Books has bought world rights to The Red Apple by Hanh Bui (l.), illustrated by Dow Phumiruk, a picture book inspired by the author's childhood experiences as a Vietnamese refugee leaving home in search of safety and a new beginning, and the red apple that gave her hope in a sea of uncertainty and change. Publication is set for summer 2028; Andrea Morrison at Writers House represented the author, and Deborah Warren at East/West Agency represented the illustrator.

Liz Szabla at Feiwel and Friends has acquired North American English rights to Katherine Applegate's (l.) picture book adaptation of her bestselling middle grade novel Wishtree, illustrated by Charles Santoso. Publication is scheduled for fall 2027; Elena Giovinazzo at Heirloom Literary & Media represented the author, and Justin Rucker at Shannon Associates represented the illustrator.

Feather Flores while at Atheneum bought, at auction, The School Beyond the Canyon by MeiLin Chan (l.) (Monkey Dragon Rabbit!), illustrated by August Zhang (Into the Wilderness). Going to school is an ordinary event for many kids, but not for Bowen. Separated by a raging river and dangerous terrain in a remote Chinese village, she must decide if her love of learning can defeat her fears and the powerful river. Reka Simonsen will edit; publication is planned for summer 2029. Marisa Cleveland at the Seymour Agency represented the author, and Jemiscoe Chambers-Black at Starling Literary + Media represented the illustrator.

Andrea Posner-Sanchez at Golden Books has acquired world rights to Once Upon a Time: The Story of Little Golden Books by Cook Prize Silver Medalist Jessica Stremer (l.) (When Old Becomes New), illustrated by Greg Paprocki, the story of how Little Golden Books revolutionized children's publishing and became a cherished part of childhood for millions. Publication is slated for fall 2027; Natascha Morris at Tobias Literary Agency represented the author, and the illustrator represented himself.

Michael Yuen-Killick at Red Comet Press has bought world rights to A Halloween Treat for Santa by Lucas Field (l.), illustrated by Rachel Foo, a holiday picture book about a boy who takes Santa on his first trick-or-treat expedition. Publication is set for fall 2027; Dan Cramer at Page Turner Literary Agency represented the author, and Alice Jin Zhang at Astound US represented the illustrator.

Michelle Frey at Knopf has acquired world rights to Katy Listened by Barb Rosenstock (l.), illustrated by Devon Holzwarth, about the self-taught bio-acoustic scientist Katy Payne, whose ability to listen resulted in pioneering work on communication in both whales and elephants. Publication is scheduled for spring 2028; Rosemary Stimola at Stimola Literary Studio represented the author, and Nicole Tugeau at Tugeau 2 represented the illustrator.

Sarah Rockett at Tilbury House has bought world rights to Desert Manatee by Nora Nickum (l.), illustrated by Abigail Hookham, a nonfiction picture book about elusive African manatees, their struggles, and the innovative work people are doing to keep them safe. Publication is planned for June 2027; Lynnette Novak at the Seymour Agency represented the author, and Becca Langton at Darley Anderson Illustration Agency represented the illustrator.

Deborah Bodin Cohen at Apples & Honey Press has acquired world rights to Little Star by Colleen Rowan Kosinski (l.), illustrated by Dikshaa Pawaskar, a picture book about a boy who finds a fallen star and nurses it back to health with soup, rest, and the power of selfless wishes. Publication is slated for spring 2027; the author represented herself, and Aurora Barlam at Astound US represented the illustrator.