Norton's New Children’s Imprint; Celebrating Picture Book Biographies

[PW Children's Bookshelf: Breaking children's and YA publishing news, author interviews, bestsellers lists and reviews.] [ Dragons Love Tacos Party Event Kit]( In the News [Simon Boughton to Launch Children’s Imprint at W.W. Norton]( W.W. Norton & Company has founded its first children’s book imprint, Norton Young Readers, to be helmed by publishing director Simon Boughton. The list will include a broad range of picture books through YA, both fiction and nonfiction. Boughton said the emphasis will be on "outstanding books. Fresh voices and fresh thinking." [more]( [Chronicle Partners with Wildlife Conservation Society]( In celebration of Caldecott Honor recipient Brendan Wenzel’s new picture book, Hello Hello, Chronicle Books is teaming up with the Wildlife Conversation Society to increase awareness of endangered animals. The publisher will donate $25,000 to the WCS, which will distribute copies of the book to kids at its parks in New York. [more]( SPONSORED [Read 'Something Happened In Our Town' Early]( To help start discussions about recent events, Magination Press has moved up the publication of the picture book Something Happened in Our Town, which follows two families—one white, one black—as they address a police shooting in their community, and offers a guide to discussing racism and racial injustice with kids. Releases May 1. (Sponsored) [LEARN MORE ►]( Obituary [Mimi Kayden]( Legendary children’s book marketing director Mimi Kayden, whose tenure at Dutton and Penguin Young Readers lasted 28 years, and who later held positions at HarperCollins and North-South, died on April 16 following a brief illness. She was 84. [more]( On the Scene [Life Stories: A Celebration of the Picture Book Biography]( Authors, illustrators, and industry professionals gathered on April 13 for a symposium at New York University, devoted to exploring a singular form of storytelling—the picture book biography. [more]( [Fox & Chick: The Party and Other Stories by Sergio Ruzzier]( Book News [La Librairie Parisienne: From Hollywood to Paris]( Eight years ago, artist Jackie Clark Mancuso and Hollywood producer Stephen Ujlaki started La Librairie Parisienne to publish the picture book adventures of an expatriate terrier named Hudson. Now, with the recent launch of Hudson and the Puppy: Lost in Paris, the founders have exceeded their early expectations. [more]( On the Road [On Tour with Liz Kessler]( Last month, British author Liz Kessler embarked on a West Coast tour in celebration of the release of Emily Windsnap and the Falls of Forgotten Island, book seven in her bestselling middle grade series. Click through for a selection of highlights from the events, which featured readings, signings, Q&As, and more. [more]( Four Questions [Bruce Eric Kaplan]( A family’s routine shopping trip is shattered by flatulence in Bruce Eric Kaplan’s picture book, Someone Farted. A frequent contributor to the New Yorker, Kaplan elevates the premise of what is dealt and smelt into a new realm. During a recent conversation with PW, Kaplan revealed the book’s origin but was coyer about the secret embedded in the title. Q: What attracted you to the book's subject matter—and was it hard to sell? A: Writing a fart book is probably the last thing I would choose to do. But one Saturday morning I was driving to the market with my wife and kids, when my daughter looked up from her book and said quietly, “Someone farted.” We proceeded to all blame the others. I said, this should be a picture book. An hour later, I emailed Justin—my children’s book editor—and asked if he would buy a book from me called Someone Farted, and he emailed back that he would. [more]( SPONSORED [PW KidsCast: Listen Now]( Tomi Adeyemi, Wendy Mass, Rebecca Stead, Christopher Paul Curtis, Mac Barnett and Jon Klassen – listen to these and other top writers and artists discuss their new books for children and teens in the PW KidsCast podcast. [Click here]( to listen. For more about these and other great jobs, visit the new [PW JobZone]( now with resume hosting and more! - [Assistant Editor - HarperCollins Christian Publishing - Grand Rapids](. - [Publicist - Soho Press - New York](. - [Product Manager - Adult Proprietary Publishing - Readerlink - San Diego](. - [Senior Editor - Workman Publishing Co. - New York](. - [Acquisitions Editor - The Quarto Group - Minneapolis](. Rights Report Kenneth Wright and Sheila Keenan at Viking have acquired Steal This Country: A Handbook for Resistance, Persistence, and Fixing Almost Everything, a book on activism for teens by Alexandra Styron, author of All the Finest Girls and Reading My Father, a memoir about her father, William Styron. Steal This Country offers essays, comics, interviews, and how-to tips in areas of climate change, immigration, LGBTQUIA rights, racial justice, religious understanding, and women's rights. Publication is planned for fall 2018; Esther Newberg at ICM brokered the deal for world rights. Beverly Horowitz at Delacorte has bought world rights to Just Mercy (Adapted for Young People): A True Story of the Fight for Justice by Bryan Stevenson. Based on the author's adult bestseller, the book delves into the U.S. justice system, detailing Stevenson's many challenges and efforts as a lawyer and social advocate, especially on behalf of America's most marginalized people. The book is scheduled for fall 2018; Doug Abrams at Idea Architects represented Stevenson. Eileen Rothschild at Wednesday Books has acquired the final trilogy in the million-plus copy bestselling Trylle series by Amanda Hocking. The new arc focuses on a girl as she journeys back to Scandinavia to discover the true origins of the Trylle; it takes place five years after the Kanin Chronicles (the second trilogy in the series) and nine years after the first Trylle trilogy. The as yet untitled first book will be published in winter 2020; Steven Axelrod at the Axelrod Agency sold world English rights. Vicki Lame at Wednesday Books has bought debut author Casey McQuiston's Red, White, and Royal Blue, a romantic comedy in which the First Son falls in love with the Prince of England, going from enemies to something more when an incident of international proportions forces them to pretend to be best friends. Publication is slated for summer 2019; Sara Megibow at KT Literary negotiated the deal for world English rights. Margaret Raymo at HMH has acquired Young Adult Review Network poetry editor Kip Wilson's debut YA novel-in-verse, White Rose, about anti-Nazi political activist Sophie Scholl, who was one of the founders of the White Rose nonviolent resistance group in Nazi Germany. Publication is set for spring 2019, under the Versify imprint; Roseanne Wells at the Jennifer De Chiara Literary Agency did the deal for world English rights. Kate Egan at KCP Loft has bought Michigan vs. the Boys by debut author Carrie Allen. After her girls' ice hockey team is cut for budget reasons, Michigan tries out for the boys' team, and earns a place on the starting lineup. But when she shows up her teammates with her skills and her refusal to back down, hazing crosses the line into assault. Publication is planned for fall 2019; Kate Testerman at KT Literary brokered the deal for world rights. Stephanie Owens Lurie at Disney-Hyperion/Rick Riordan Presents has acquired, in an exclusive submission, world English rights to Kwame Mbalia's Tristan Strong Punches a Hole in the Sky and an untitled sequel. Pitched as a middle grade American Gods, the book stars a seventh-grade boy who accidentally creates a hole into the Midpass, a world where ancient African gods clash with gods of African-American legend. He must race to find Anansi, the Weaver, and repair the rip before the iron monsters wreaking havoc in the Midpass consume their world and ours. Publication is scheduled for winter 2020; Victoria Marini negotiated the six-figure, two-book deal on behalf of CAKE Literary, in association with Rena Rosser. Krista Vitola has bought two middle grade novels by Lily & Dunkin author Donna Gephart. The Paris Project is about a girl who creates a six-step plan to get herself out of Florida and away from the shame of her father's recent incarceration. The book will publish in fall 2019; Tina Dubois at ICM Partners sold North American rights. Emily Seife at Scholastic Press has acquired My Fate According to the Butterfly, a middle grade novel by Philippine-based, Filipina debut author Gail D. Villanueva. Superstitious soon-to-be 11-year-old Sab believes her fate is sealed when she spots an ominous black butterfly. Determined to reconcile her journalist older sister and their father before her time is up, Sab embarks on a quest that sends her on a collision course with the realities of Manila and the war on drugs. Publication is slated for 2019; Alyssa Eisner Henkin at Trident Media Group brokered the deal for world rights. Amy Cloud at Aladdin has bought North American rights to Jennifer Camiccia's middle grade debut, The Memory Keeper. When 12-year-old Lulu Carter develops a photographic memory at the same time her beloved Gram begins to lose hers, she blames herself. Lulu becomes obsessed with a finding that posits that memory loss can be attributed to an unaddressed trauma, and goes about excavating her grandmother's personal history in order to try to save her. Publication is set for fall 2019; Stacey Glick at Dystel, Goderich & Bourret negotiated the deal. Cheryl Klein at Lee & Low has acquired Speculation, the debut middle grade novel by Nebula Award finalist Nisi Shawl. In the historical fantasy inspired by the work of Edward Eager, Winna Cole discovers a pair of magical spectacles that reveal both the friendly ghosts of her African-American ancestors and a dangerous family curse. Publication is scheduled for fall 2019; Barry Goldblatt at Barry Goldblatt Literary did the deal for world rights. Alyson Heller at Aladdin has bought, at auction, Lyla Lee's debut chapter book series, pitched as Fresh off the Boat meets Junie B. Jones. The first book, Mindy Kim and the Yummy Seaweed Business, follows a Korean-American third grader who moves to a mostly Caucasian community in Florida, and adjusts to her new school by starting a snack trading ring with the Korean food from her lunch to make new friends. Publication is planned for spring 2020, summer 2020, and fall 2020; Penny Moore at Empire Literary brokered the deal for world rights. Karen Nagel at Simon & Schuster has acquired two picture books by author-illustrator Serena Geddes. In the first book, Rosie & Rasmus, a lonely girl and a wingless young dragon help each other gain the confidence they need to make their wishes come true. The first book is slated for spring 2019; a second, untitled book is set for spring 2020. Jill Corcoran at Jill Corcoran Literary Agency negotiated the deal for world rights. Julia Sooy at Holt/Godwin Books has bought world rights to the picture book Green Machine: The Food Energy Cycle by Rebecca Donnelly, illustrated by Christophe Jacques. The book gives a humorous yet factual look at the process of anaerobic digestion, also known as the organic waste process. Publication is slated for winter 2020; Molly Ker Hawn at the Bent Agency represented the author, and Christy Tugeau Ewers at the CAT Agency represented the illustrator. Sarah Rockett at Sleeping Bear Press has acquired world rights to Cathy Breisacher's picture book, tentatively titled The Race for the Hot Potato, illustrated by Joshua Heinsz. Chip the potato chip is certain he's going to win the sack race at this year's Spud City Festival, until Curly (a curly fry with a spring in his step) comes to town. Publication is planned for spring 2019; Jenna Pocius at Red Fox Literary represented the author, and Alex Gehringer at Bright Agency represented the illustrator. Tevin Hansen and Nichole Hansen at Handersen Publishing have bought world English rights to So You Want a Puppy? by Raven Howell (l.), illustrated by Ann Pilicer. The picture book celebrates a child's love of pets as he discovers, through his daily adventures, what it means to have a new puppy in the house. Publication is scheduled for spring 2019; Essie White at Storm Literary Agency represented the author, and the illustrator is unagented. To see all of this week's deals, [click here](. IN THE MEDIA [From HuffPost:]( Story Time from Space: Watch Astronauts Read Popular Kids' Books from Space. [Click here]( [From Entertainment Weekly:]( Children of Blood and Bone Author Tomi Adeyemi's Path to Success. [Click here]( [From Deadline:]( Paramount buys film rights to Aru Shah and the End of Time by Roshani Chokshi. [Click here]( [From School Library Journal:]( Erin Entrada Kelly Talks Newbery Award and Filipino Storytelling Tradition. [Click here]( [From the New York Times:]( Another Harry Potter Landmark: The Most Expensive Broadway Nonmusical Play Ever. [Click here]( [From the New York Times:]( Courtroom Drama: Producer Offers to Stage Disputed Mockingbird for Judge. [Click here]( [From Brightly:]( Jeanne Birdsall on Writing The Penderwicks Through the Years. [Click here]( [From the New York Times:]( Be More Chill: How a musical based on Ned Vizzini's 2004 YA novel found its fans. [Click here]( [From Entertainment Weekly:]( Ally Condie and Brendan Reichs team up for a dark new series: see the cover. [Click here]( [From BuzzFeed:]( 17 Books That Legitimately Scared the Hell Out of You When You Were a Kid. [Click here]( SHELFTALKER Elizabeth Bluemle [The *Other* Books Coming Out Today]( The nation’s eyes may be on James Comey’s book, but there are many April 17 releases worthy of note. [more »]( Meghan Dietsche Goel [Bookmarks, Bookmarks Everywhere!]( An appreciation of the literary art submitted to BookPeople’s annual bookmark contest. [more »]( Kenny Brechner [The Murdstone Challenge]( Can we save a great book from unwarranted oblivion? [more »]( Cynthia Compton [A Tribute to Genius Girls]( Some of this bookseller’s favorite gifted girls in middle grade fiction. [more »]( FEATURED REVIEWS [Fruit Bowl]( Mark Hoffman. Knopf, $17.99 (40p) ISBN 978-1-5247-1991-3 In his first foray as writer and illustrator, Hoffmann offers a fun, brain-teasing food literacy lesson that’s a cornucopia of produce and wordplay. After a mother enlists her child’s help in putting newly purchased vegetables and fruits away, the kid makes sure each fruit gets safely into the bowl. But why is Tomato trying to crash the party? [more]( [Geraldine]( Elizabeth Lilly. Roaring Brook/Porter, $17.99 (40p) ISBN 978-1-62672-359-7 In this funny, thoroughly accomplished debut, Geraldine is anxious to move from Giraffe City, where everyone is like her, to a new school, where everyone else is human. Suddenly, the former extrovert becomes “That Giraffe Girl,” and all she wants to do is hide, which is pretty much impossible. [more]( [We Don't Eat Our Classmates]( Ryan T. Higgins. Disney-Hyperion, $17.99 (48p) ISBN 978-1-368-00355-1 Children do get eaten in this new story by Higgins, but only temporarily. Consumed by a young, extremely cute T. rex named Penelope, they emerge unharmed (although goopy and justifiably annoyed) after Penelope’s teacher tells her to spit them out. Penelope has just started school, and eating is a preoccupation. [more]( [Breakout]( Kate Messner. Bloomsbury, $16.99 (420p) ISBN 978-1-68119-536-0 In her new novel, Messner shines a light on the ways that people are blind to their own privilege. After two inmates escape from the local maximum-security prison, where Elidee’s brother is an inmate, a new side of the friendly community is slowly revealed. Elidee’s experience of racism as one of the only black people in town makes friends Nora and Lizzie rethink just how welcoming Wolf Creek is. [more]( [Wild Blues]( Beth Kephart. Atheneum/Dlouhy, $17.99 (336p) ISBN 978-1-4814-9153-2 Readers will be entranced by this exceptional offering from National Book Award–finalist Kephart. Lizzie’s mom has been diagnosed with cancer and needs treatment, and she asks her 13-year-old daughter where she wants to spend the summer. Lizzie chooses to be with her uncle Davy at his renovated schoolhouse cabin in the Adirondacks. Despite her worry over her mother, she is excited to spend time with Uncle Davy, a television star who specializes in antiques, and her friend Matias. [more]( [The Ruinous Sweep]( Tim Wynne-Jones. Candlewick Press, $18.99 (400p) ISBN 978-0-7636-9745-7 In Wynne-Jones’s tense, eerie thriller that lightly draws from Dante’s Inferno, 17-year-old Donovan lies unconscious in a hospital after a hit-and-run left him gravely injured. His girlfriend, Beatrice, is at his side. While Donovan relives the events leading up to the accident in his mind (or, possibly, an otherworldly in-between place), Bee makes careful notes describing each sound that he utters, hoping to piece together what may have happened. [more]( April 17, 2018 E-mail not displaying correctly? [View it in your browser.]( [ Dragons Love Tacos Party Event Kit]( [Elephant & Piggie Like Reading! - The Itchy Book]( [The BookLife Prize - Enter Now]( PeopleAlex Garber has joined Penguin Young Readers as director of digital marketing; he was previously associate director of digital marketing and consumer engagement at HarperCollins Children's Books. At Random House Children's Books, Casey Moses has been promoted to junior designer, from assistant designer. Bestsellers [Children's Frontlist Fiction]( #1 Dog Man and Cat Kid (Dog Man #4) by Dav Pilkey. [Click here]( [Picture Books]( #1 The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein. [Click here]( Follow Us Children's Bookshelf is on [Instagram]( Please follow us @pwkidsbookshelf. Bookshelf Archives Looking for a previous issue of Children's Bookshelf? [Click here]( see our archives page! CONTACT US Have a comment or suggestion? We'd love to hear from you. [Click here](mailto:childrensbooks@publishersweekly.com) to drop us a note. [Follow PWKidsBookshelf on Twitter]( Children's Bookshelf Editor: Diane Roback Associate Editor: Emma Kantor Digital Producer: Michael Seidlinger Send editorial questions about this e-newsletter to: childrensbooks@publishersweekly.com Send advertising questions about this e-newsletter to: cbryerman@publishersweekly.com Follow PW on [Facebook]( and [Twitter](. 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