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In the Spotlight
 In November’s School Board Elections, Voters Stood with LibrariansFrom New Hampshire to New Mexico, voters sided with educators, librarians, and unions and ushered in candidates with liberal leanings—who emphasized equity and rejected division and censorship—to their local school boards. more  Publisher News
 An Exit Interview with Publisher Neal Porter After a nearly 50-year tenure in publishing, Neal Porter has announced his retirement from his eponymous imprint at Holiday House at the end of November. He shared thoughts and reflections on his long and distinguished career, saying, "It’s been a remarkable ride, one I didn’t anticipate." more In the News
 Lakeside Book Company Buys Baker & Taylor Distribution Arm The book manufacturing giant Lakeside Book Company has acquired distributor Baker & Taylor Publisher Services, an important asset of the soon-to-be-closed library wholesaler. The purchase includes the print-on-demand operation located in BTPS’s headquarters in Ashland, Ohio. more  Federal Court Delivers Judgment to Prevent Dismantling of IMLSAttorneys general for 21 states sued to prevent the federal government from gutting the Institute of Museum and Library Services and other agencies, and on November 21, Judge John J. McConnell Jr. upheld an earlier preliminary injunction. MORE   On the Scene
 SCBWI Instructs Authors to ‘Make the Familiar Fresh’ in a State of the Industry OverviewMembers of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators considered trends in children’s and YA publishing on November 20, during a webinar led by author and editorial consultant Deborah Halverson. She noted the success of recent books with “unusual or interesting takes on common, universal themes” and, above all, she advised authors to focus on craft. more Happy Anniversary
 Babymouse Thriving at 20Two decades ago, sibling collaborators Jennifer L. Holm and Matthew Holm's peppy cartoon heroine burst onto the still nascent kids’ graphic novel scene in Babymouse: Queen of the World! Since then, the Babymouse books and two spinoff series have sold more than 3.6 million copies. We spoke with the creators about reaching this special anniversary. more Out Next Week
 Hot Off the Press: Week of December 1 Among the books hitting shelves next week are a picture book series starter about curating the perfect home, a graphic novel series installment about a competition, a YA short story collection set in a beloved universe, and more. more
Rights Report
 Andrew Karre at Dutton has acquired The House of Gardenias, the YA debut of Isabel Cañas, about a self-described coward who seeks refuge from poverty and civil war in a gothic mansion far above the capital city, but who instead finds herself in a position to destroy the fascist colonizers who are trading souls for wealth. Publication is slated for fall 2026; Kari Sutherland at KT Literary sold world English rights.  Jenny Bak at Viking has bought North American rights to Everlore by Margie Fuston, a twisted YA fairy tale in which two sisters living in a cursed village attend a ball hoping to win the heart of the eldest prince, and whichever sister succeeds will face a grisly fate, while saving the other from it. Publication is scheduled for fall 2027; Nicole Eisenbraun at Ginger Clark Literary negotiated the deal.  Madison Pelletier at Mayhem Books has acquired, in a preempt, Poison Heart by Tegan Cassell, a YA novel in which a governor's daughter moonlighting as the captain of an all-woman pirate crew teams up with her nemesis to embark on a search for the sea goddess who will save his sister—and her freedom. Publication is planned for fall 2026; Gabriella Melendez at Great Dog Literary did the two-book deal for world rights.  Kara Sargent at Aladdin has bought, at auction, author-illustrator Maddie Frost's Really Rubie, an illustrated debut middle grade novel about Rubie Fox, who goes to sleepaway camp in Vermont without her BFF during the summer before middle school and records all of the summer's dramatic adventures in her diary, from broken promises and crushes to rule-breaking. Publication is set for summer 2026; Andrea Morrison at Writers House brokered the deal for North American rights.  Sarah Barley at S&S/Sarah Barley Books has acquired Limitlessly, Mina by Gianna Lakenauth, a middle grade novel in verse about a Guyanese American eighth grader from Queens, whose life is turned upside down when her Nani, the pillar of the family, begins to lose her memory from Alzheimer's. Publication is slated for spring 2027; Wendi Gu at Hannigan Getzler Literary did the deal for world rights.  Taylor Norman at Holiday House/Neal Porter Books has bought world rights to Alligators Anthology, the debut chapter book from James Marshall Fellow R. Corbin, in which senior citizen alligators Geraldine and Alfonso share an unusual friendship that keeps them young. Publication is scheduled for fall 2027; the author represented himself.  Celia Lee at Simon & Schuster has acquired POWER! (Penguins of Wrestling Epic Rumble!) by viral Instagram and GIPHY creator Simian Reflux, a middle grade graphic novel series following the high-energy antics of Skip and Noodle, two silly small-town penguins wrestling superfans with big dreams and even bigger hearts, who create their own underground wrestling league. Publication is planned for summer 2027; Lenny Herbert at Maximum Orbit handled the three-book deal for world rights.  Krestyna Lypen at Post Wave has bought world rights to Pickles and Cat, author-illustrator Maja Cunningham's debut picture book. Pickles is a very happy and very playful dog, but when Cat shows up at his house and refuses to join the fun, Pickles devises a sure-fire way to get rid of Cat. Publication is set for spring 2027; John Rudolph at Dystel, Goderich & Bourret brokered the deal.  Ann Kelley at Random House Studio has acquired world rights to This Old School by Marcy Campbell (l.), illustrated by Corinna Luyken, a picture book about an abandoned schoolhouse, and a girl and her grandpa who prove that there is beauty in giving old things new purpose. Publication is scheduled for fall 2028; Steven Malk at Writers House represented the author and illustrator.  Andrea Welch at S&S/Beach Lane Books has bought world rights to Cheers for Ears by Laura Bower (l.), illustrated by Elisa Chavarri. The picture book explores ears—big, furry, pointy, and more—on animals from elephants to rabbits to bats and how they keep these creatures cool, calm, and connected in their worlds. Publication is slated for fall 2027; Mary Cummings at Great River Literary represented the author, and Claire Morance at Painted Words represented the illustrator.  Elizabeth Schleisman at Beaming Books has acquired world rights to Easter Birds by Ella Law (l.), illustrated by Alex Barrett, a bird's-eye view of the Easter story, rooted in the Holy Lands of the Middle East. Publication is planned for spring 2027; Flora Rees-Arredondo at CWLA and Collaborate Agency represented the author and the illustrator.  Lili Rosenstreich at Kalaniot Books has bought world rights to Hear Me Roar! I'm a Hanukkah-saur by Naomi Gruer (l.), illustrated by Mel Zohar, in which a dino-crazy kid hopes to roar his way through Hanukkah, but his dino-sized enthusiasm leads to big messes until he learns how to clean up, realizing "Dinos can do it!" Publication is set for fall 2026; Rena Rossner at the Deborah Harris Agency represented the author, and Gary Swift at Lemonade Illustration represented the illustrator. IN THE MEDIA
FEATURED REVIEWS
 Twelve Daring Grays: A Whale Migration Adventure Nora Nickum, illus. by Elly MacKay. Candlewick, $18.99 (32p) ISBN 978-1-536-23470-1 Dramatic verse narrates the expedition of a dozen gray whales who take an alternate migration route in this illuminating picture book. The wide-eyed account opens in February as more than 20,000 gray whales depart Baja, Calif., beginning “a long, hard,/ necessary journey.” Among this group, 12 have a “daring plan”—while the others continue their two-month-plus trip north to the Arctic, the featured dozen “peel off,/ one by one,” to head elsewhere. more   Here Come the Aunties!Cynthia Leitich Smith, illus. by Aphelandra. Heartdrum, $19.99 (32p) ISBN 978-0-0633-7469-0 A wealth of aunties contribute to an Indigenous child’s day-to-day in this lovingly communal picture book portrait. Celebratory text introduces the relatives offering support across settings and skill sets as Auntie Abby visits young River’s family to help with the family garden, Auntie Meg takes cousins fishing, Auntie Emma teaches children about their heritage, and Auntie Kylie gives River a pair of handmade moccasins. Muscogee Nation citizen Smith models the joys and benefits of extended bonds across everyday occurrences and significant life events. more  When Tomorrow BurnsTae Keller. Random House, $17.99 (272p) ISBN 978-0-593485-58-3 Seventh grade trials—and a healthy dose of mystical meddling—jeopardize a tight-knit trio’s yearslong friendship in Newbery medalist Keller’s striking novel. Uncomfortable with his crush on Nomi, Arthur avoids her to spend time with his sexist track teammates. Simultaneously, Nomi wonders why Violet has seemed different lately: she’s started wearing pink and has been going by the name Vi. As encroaching wildfire smoke threatens her Seattle hometown, Nomi recalls a foreboding phrase from a book of prophecy the group once read: “Pink and gray both on one day./ The world has tipped, you have no say.” more  SibyllineMelissa de la Cruz. Putnam, $20.99 (304p) ISBN 979-8-217002-61-0 After their applications to Sibylline, a renowned college for the magic arts, are rejected, recent high school graduates Atticus, Dorian, and Raven decide to obtain their educations by getting jobs at the university and sneaking their way into classes. Each of them possesses a special ability and as they progress through their clandestine studies, their powers blossom. When an ominous threat to the venerable institution portends bloodshed, the trio must figure out how to use their newfound knowledge to keep the school safe. more  To the DeathAndrea Tang. Putnam, $19.99 (304p) ISBN 978-0-593-85821-9 Tang explores cycles of corruption, emotional abuse, and grief in this complex and high-stakes sapphic romantasy. Tamsin Blackwood seeks to escape from the shadow of her father, Mateus, a retired magical duelist. When 18-year-old Samantha Chan challenges her to a duel with a hefty cash prize, Tamsin immediately accepts, intending to use the reward money to strike out on her own. Unbeknownst to Tamsin, however, the duel is part of Sam’s plan to avenge her late older brother, who was killed by Mateus. more |
November 25, 2025
 
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To Our Readers Because of the Thanksgiving holiday, we won't have another issue of Children's Bookshelf this week. We'll be back in your inboxes next Tuesday. In the Winners' Circle  The 2026 NCTE Children's Book Awards winners were announced at the recent NCTE Annual Convention in Denver. The Charlotte Huck Award for Outstanding Fiction for Children went to A Sea of Lemon Trees: The Corrido of Roberto Alvarez by María Dolores Águila (Roaring Brook). And Just in Case: Saving Seeds in the Svalbard Global Seed Vault by Megan Clendenan, illustrated by Brittany Cicchese (Charlesbridge), received the 2026 NCTE Orbis Pictus Award for Outstanding Nonfiction for Children. Several books were also selected for the 2026 Notable Children’s Poetry Books and Verse Novels List. For more about the awards, including the honor titles, click here. In Case You Missed It Daniel Nayeri Wins 2025 National Book Award for Young People’s Literaturemore more more more Bestsellers  Children's Frontlist Fiction#1 Big Jim Believes (Dog Man #14) by Dav Pilkey. MORE  Picture Books#1 The Humble Pie by Jory John, illus. by Pete Oswald. Click here Best Books  Best Children's Books 2025Our selections for the top 50 books of the year, for readers of all ages. MORE < | ||
