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Circular Library

Deals

Check out Jem's deal announcements for new book acquisitions.

Author of BEFORE THE SHIPS and MY HAIR IS A BOOK Maisha Oso's A STORY ABOUT LINES, in which a girl's grandmother braids her hair, and with each cornrow line, her grandmother recounts lines throughout Black American history that mark a memory of a painful past while weaving in faith for a brighter future, illustrated by Sophia Green, to Erika Turner at Little, Brown Children's, at auction, for publication in fall 2026, by Jemiscoe Chambers-Black at Andrea Brown Literary Agency (world).

A Story About Lines

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Picture Book Fiction

Maisha Oso

Sophia Green

Announcement Date:

March 7, 2025

Sophia Green

Author of BEFORE THE SHIPS and MY HAIR IS A BOOK Maisha Oso's A STORY ABOUT LINES, in which a girl's grandmother braids her hair, and with each cornrow line, her grandmother recounts lines throughout Black American history that mark a memory of a painful past while weaving in faith for a brighter future, illustrated by Sophia Green, to Erika Turner at Little, Brown Children's, at auction, for publication in fall 2026, by Jemiscoe Chambers-Black at Andrea Brown Literary Agency (world).

A Story About Lines

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Picture Book Fiction

Maisha Oso

Sophia Green

Announcement Date:

March 7, 2025

Maisha Oso

NYT-bestselling author of EYES THAT KISS IN THE CORNERS Joanna Ho's A ROOM WITH A VIEW, about a boy reluctant to go on outdoor adventures with his mother because it means driving a bazillion miles and sleeping someplace with bears and bugs and bats, but despite his misgivings, he realizes there are more memories to treasure than he initially believes, illustrated by Thais Mesquita, to Alyson Day at Harper Children's, in a pre-empt, for publication in spring 2026, by Caryn Wiseman at Andrea Brown Literary Agency for the author, and by Jemiscoe Chambers-Black at Andrea Brown Literary Agency for the illustrator (world).

A Room with a View

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Picture Book Fiction

Thaís Mesquita

Announcement Date:

February 20, 2025

Thaís Mesquita

Author-illustrator of the forthcoming PENELOPE WEATHERVANE'S GRUMPY DAY and THERE'S A DRAGON IN THE WELL James Serafino's TIME TRAVELING DINOSAURS, an epoch-spanning humorous early reader in which a trio of dinosaurs find themselves lost in time and mysteriously tiny—friendships will be forged, patience will be tested, and villainous cats will be defeated, to Emily Daluga at Chronicle Children's, in an exclusive submission, in a two-book deal, for publication in spring 2028, by Jemiscoe Chambers-Black at Andrea Brown Literary Agency (world).

Time Traveling Dinosaurs

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Graphic Novel

James Serafino

James Serafino

Announcement Date:

February 18, 2025

James Serafino

Author of MADE FOR MORE Chloe Ito Ward's ALL THE WAYS WE LEARN, celebrating the range of ways our brains can learn, featuring accommodations that can improve learning for all, illustrated by Yaroslava Apollonova, to Nicole Fox at RISE x Penguin Workshop, in an exclusive submission, for publication in summer 2026, by Heather Cashman at Storm Literary Agency for the author, and by Jemiscoe Chambers-Black at Andrea Brown Literary Agency for the illustrator (world).

All The Ways We Learn

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Picture Book Fiction

Yaroslava Apollonova

Announcement Date:

February 18, 2025

Yaroslava Apollonova

Author of THE JUNETEENTH STORY and THE JUNETEENTH COOKBOOK Alliah L. Agostini's THE KWANZAA STORY, providing the origins of the Kwanzaa holiday—rooted in Africa, born in Los Angeles—giving historical and cultural context on how a holiday was birthed after the Watts Rebellion and during the Black Power Movement, illustrated by Olivia Smith, to Cara Donaldson at becker&mayer!, in an exclusive submission, for publication in fall 2025, by Jemiscoe Chambers-Black at Andrea Brown Literary Agency for the author, and by Atlanta Japp at Advocate-Art for the illustrator (world English).

The Kwanzaa Story

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Picture Book Nonfiction

Alliah L. Agostini

Announcement Date:

January 28, 2025

Alliah L. Agostini

Reese's Book Club 2022 LitUp Fellow and author of TIME AND TIME AGAIN and TRY YOUR WORST Chatham Greenfield's LIKE A LADY, a romantic comedy pitched as She's the Man meets DUMPLIN', in which a 16-year-old with PCOS is determined to do whatever it takes to show her family that she can be a debutante just like her perfect older sisters—even if it means enlisting her butch lesbian classmate to pose as her fake boyfriend, to Alex Borbolla at Bloomsbury Children's, in an exclusive submission, for publication in winter 2027, by Jemiscoe Chambers-Black at Andrea Brown Literary Agency (world English).
Rights: Taryn Fagerness at Taryn Fagerness Agency

Like a Lady

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Young Adult

Chatham Greenfield

Announcement Date:

January 24, 2025

Chatham Greenfield

Author-illustrator of the forthcoming WEIWEI'S WINTER SOLSTICE and SOMEWHERE IN THE GRAY Michelle Jing Chan's BENNY'S BRIGHT QING MING, following a young boy as he prepares a surprise gift for his beloved uncle he's been waiting all year to see at the Tomb Sweeping Festival and holiday, to Megan Abbate at Bloomsbury Children's, in an exclusive submission, for publication in spring 2027, by Jemiscoe Chambers-Black at Andrea Brown Literary Agency (world).

Benny's Bright Qing Ming

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Picture Book Fiction

Michelle Jing Chan

Michelle Jing Chan

Announcement Date:

October 31, 2024

Michelle Jing Chan

Rabbi Elliot Kukla's THE LAZY DAY, about a girl who learns the secret to being mindful and enjoying a lazy day with her chronically ill papa and his wheelchair, illustrated by Shelly Swann, to Courtney Code at Abrams Children's, for publication in fall 2026, by Todd Shuster and Jack Haug at Aevitas Creative Management for the author, and by Jemiscoe Chambers-Black at Andrea Brown Literary Agency for the illustrator (world).

A Lazy Day

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Picture Book Fiction

Shelly Swann

Announcement Date:

October 31, 2024

Shelly Swann

James Serafino's THERE'S A DRAGON IN THE WELL, a humorous book in which the townsfolk are scared and panic sets in when they find a fiery dragon in their well, until a young girl uses evidence and critical thinking skills to quell their fears, to Ariel Richardson at Chronicle Children's, at auction, for publication in fall 2026, by Jemiscoe Chambers-Black at Andrea Brown Literary Agency (world)

There's a Dragon in the Well

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Picture Book Fiction

James Serafino

James Serafino

Announcement Date:

October 26, 2024

James Serafino

Emmy Award-winning journalist, broadcaster, and founder of the Daddy's Promise Foundation Ed Gordon's DADDY'S PROMISE, in which a father makes a pledge to his daughter: to always love her, support her, uplift her, and protect her, no matter what, illustrated by Sophia Green, to Bobbie Bensur at Paw Prints, in a nice deal, in an exclusive submission, for publication in October 2025, by Regina Brooks at Serendipity Literary Agency for the author, and by Jemiscoe Chambers-Black at Andrea Brown Literary Agency for the illustrator (world English).

Daddy's Promise

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Picture Book Fiction

Sophia Green

Announcement Date:

October 15, 2024

Sophia Green

Michael L. Printz Medal winner and National Book Award finalist An Na's A ZOMBIE DAY, the author's first picture book, in which a zombie's first day at a new school is filled with humorous mishaps and misunderstandings, and only with time will everyone discover her gifts, illustrated by August Zhang, to Lois Evans and Christopher Myers at Make Me a World, in an exclusive submission, for publication in summer 2026, by Holly McGhee at Pippin Properties for the author, and by Jemiscoe Chambers-Black at Andrea Brown Literary Agency for the illustrator (world).

A Zombie Day

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Picture Book Fiction

August Zhang

Announcement Date:

September 10, 2024

August Zhang

Author of EVERYBODY IN THE RED BRICK BUILDING Anne Wynter's MAYA ANGELOU: A LITTLE GOLDEN BOOK BIOGRAPHY, about Angelou's extraordinary life and career as an author and teacher, and the legacy of inspiration and joy she's left behind, illustrated by Courtney Lovett, to Andrea Posner-Sanchez at Little Golden Books, for publication in winter 2025, by Steven Malk at Writers House for the author, and by Jemiscoe Chambers-Black at Andrea Brown Literary Agency for the illustrator (world).

Little Golden Books: Maya Angelou

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Picture Book Nonfiction

Courtney Lovett

Announcement Date:

August 22, 2024

Courney Lovett

Author-illustrator Carlianne Tipsey's HOW TO DRAW ADORABLE, an originally self-published guide to drawing cute faces, including visual tips, step-by-step examples, and design theories for beginning and advanced artists alike; and THE CUTEST BEGINNER DRAWING BOOK EVER, focusing on bite-size steps, with lessons on using shapes like a circle or square to create cute characters with depth and volume, including visual tips, step-by-step examples, and design theories that build confidence and pride in beginning artists, to Patty Rice at Andrews McMeel, in a two-book deal, for publication in spring 2025 and spring 2026, by Jemiscoe Chambers-Black at Andrea Brown Literary Agency (world).

How to Draw Adorable, The Cutest Beginner Drawing Book Ever

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Non-fiction: How-to

Carlianne Tipsey

Carlianne Tipsey

Announcement Date:

August 21, 2024

Carlianne Tipsey

Author of WHEN WE HAD TO LEAVE HOME Linda Ravin Lodding's IT STARTED WITH A BOOK BAN, starting off with a ban on books about Mars and ending up with bans on everything, sowing chaos, illustrated by Carlianne Tipsey, to Josh Gregory at Albert Whitman, for publication in September 2025, by Jennifer Unter at The Unter Agency for the author, and by Jemiscoe Chambers-Black at Andrea Brown Literary Agency for the illustrator (world).

It Started with a Book Ban

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Picture Book Fiction

Carlianne Tipsey

Announcement Date:

July 16, 2024

Carlianne Tipsey

Noreen Nanja's THE SUMMERS BETWEEN US, pitched as Carley Fortune meets WELL-BEHAVED INDIAN WOMEN, set in Canadian cottage country and told in a dual-timeline narrative, in which a young, ambitious lawyer returns to her family's rural property after 10 years and must confront her deepest fears and long-buried secrets for a second chance at love with the one that got away, despite her family's expectations, to Geffen Semach at Random House Canada, in a two-book deal, for publication in summer 2025, by Jemiscoe Chambers-Black at Andrea Brown Literary Agency (world).

The Summers Between Us

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Romance

Norren Nanja

Announcement Date:

June 3, 2024

Noreen Nanja

Author of the forthcoming MY HAIR IS A BOOK and BEFORE THE SHIPS Maisha Oso's VENUS WASHINGTON AND THE LASAGNA DRAMA, the first in a chapter book series, following a girl who enlists her hamster, two girls from across the street, and their cat to find grandma's super secret lasagna ingredient after grandpa says she put her foot in it, illustrated by Courtney Lovett, to Reka Simonsen at Atheneum, in a good deal, at auction, in a three-book deal, for publication starting in spring 2026, by Jemiscoe Chambers-Black at Andrea Brown Literary Agency (world).

Venus Washington and the Lasagna Drama

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Chapter Book Series

Maisha Oso

Courtney Lovett

Announcement Date:

May 7, 2024

Maisha Oso

Author of the forthcoming MY HAIR IS A BOOK and BEFORE THE SHIPS Maisha Oso's VENUS WASHINGTON AND THE LASAGNA DRAMA, the first in a chapter book series, following a girl who enlists her hamster, two girls from across the street, and their cat to find grandma's super secret lasagna ingredient after grandpa says she put her foot in it, illustrated by Courtney Lovett, to Reka Simonsen at Atheneum, in a good deal, at auction, in a three-book deal, for publication starting in spring 2026, by Jemiscoe Chambers-Black at Andrea Brown Literary Agency (world).

Venus Washington and the Lasagna Drama

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Chapter Book Series

Maisha Oso

Courtney Lovett

Announcement Date:

May 7, 2024

Courtney Lovett

Author-illustrator Nadia Fisher's debut AT THE COOKOUT, following a young girl searching all over the family's summer cookout for her favorite cousin—and when he's not running through the sprinklers, turning the double Dutch ropes, playing spades with the uncles, or chatting with the aunties, she finally finds him in the most unexpected place, to Matt Phipps at Putnam Children's, for publication in summer 2025, by Jemiscoe Chambers-Black at Andrea Brown Literary Agency (world).

At the Cookout!

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Picture Book Fiction

Nadia Fisher

Nadia Fisher

Announcement Date:

April 1, 2024

Nadia Fisher

Suzy Capozzi's I AM POWERFUL, a new title in the Step Into Reading series, in which a young girl finds out how powerful she can be when she dances with her dance team at a peaceful rally to try and save the community rec center from closing, illustrated by Courtney Lovett, to Heidi Kilgras at Random House Children's, for publication in fall 2024, by Jemiscoe Chambers-Black at Andrea Brown Literary Agency for the illustrator (world).

I am Powerful

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Early Reader Fiction

Courtney Lovett

Announcement Date:

March 29, 2024

Courtney Lovett

Author of THE BLUE PICKUP Natasha Tripplett's PLANTED WITH LOVE, about a young boy who arrives at a new foster home after living in many others; although wary at first, he finally is able to help in his foster mother's garden, and through the power of her love, he learns about acceptance, illustrated by Adriana Predoi; and DOWNTOWN DOORS, about a boy noticing all the doors as he walks through his city with his mom, emphasizing community, food insecurities, homelessness, and the small ways we can care for each other, illustrated by Leah Giles, to Bunmi Ishola at WaterBrook Multnomah, for publication in spring 2025 and fall 2026, by Caryn Wiseman at Andrea Brown Literary Agency for Tripplett, by Kate Kendrick Powell and Alice Jin Zhang at Astound US for Predoi, and by Jemiscoe Chambers-Black at Andrea Brown Literary Agency for Giles (world).

Downtown Doors

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Picture Book Fiction

Leah Giles

Announcement Date:

March 11, 2024

Leah Giles

New Girl actor and author of I DON'T WANT TO READ THIS BOOK Max Greenfield's GOOD NIGHT THOUGHTS, following a young child whose fantastical imagination keeps them awake at night—and how they reframe their racing thoughts to quiet their mind and finally get to sleep, illustrated by James Serafino, to Jennifer Klonsky at Putnam Children's, for publication in the fall of 2024, by Albert Lee at UTA for the author, and by Jemiscoe Chambers-Black at Andrea Brown Literary Agency for the illustrator (world).

Good Night Thoughts

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Picture Book Fiction

James Serafino

Announcement Date:

March 4, 2024

James Serafino

Newbery Award Honoree, National Book Award finalist, and two-time Stonewall Award-winning author Kyle Lukoff's MY LITTLE GOLDEN BOOK ABOUT PRIDE, which invites readers to explore the history and traditions of Pride Day, how and why people celebrate, and the rights of all people to love whomever they choose and to be accepted just as they are, illustrated by Michelle Jing Chan, to Andrea Posner-Sanchez at Little Golden Books, for publication in spring 2025, by Saba Sulaiman at Talcott Notch Literary Services for the author, and by Jemiscoe Chambers-Black at Andrea Brown Literary Agency for the illustrator (world).

My Little Golden Book about Pride

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Picture Book Fiction

Michelle Jing Chan

Announcement Date:

February 16, 2024

Michelle Jing Chan

Author of the forthcoming BEFORE THE SHIPS and MY HAIR IS A BOOK Maisha Oso's MY MELANIN IS MUSIC, written in verse, celebrating the symphony of shades in our skin tones as the sound of perfection, illustrated by Tatiana Gardel, to Alyson Day at Harper Children's, for publication in winter 2026, by Jemiscoe Chambers-Black at Andrea Brown Literary Agency (world).

My Melanin is Music

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Picture Book Fiction

Maisha Oso

Tatiana Gardel

Announcement Date:

February 7, 2024

Tatiana Gardel

Author of the forthcoming BEFORE THE SHIPS and MY HAIR IS A BOOK Maisha Oso's MY MELANIN IS MUSIC, written in verse, celebrating the symphony of shades in our skin tones as the sound of perfection, illustrated by Tatiana Gardel, to Alyson Day at Harper Children's, for publication in winter 2026, by Jemiscoe Chambers-Black at Andrea Brown Literary Agency (world).

My Melanin is Music

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Picture Book Fiction

Maisha Oso

Tatiana Gardel

Announcement Date:

February 7, 2024

Maisha Oso

Ha Dinh's THE MOON LANTERN, following a young boy who puts his own spin on the traditions of the Vietnamese Moon Festival, illustrated by Tiffany Chen, to Sue Tarsky at Albert Whitman, for publication in spring 2025, by Hannah VanVels Ausbury at Belcastro Agency for the author, and by Jemiscoe Chambers-Black at Andrea Brown Literary Agency for the illustrator (world).

The Moon Lantern

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Picture Book Fiction

Tiffany Chen

Announcement Date:

February 6, 2024

Tiffany Chen

Jeanine DeHoney's THIS SUNDAY MY DADDY CAME TO CHURCH, following a young boy who wonders why his father doesn't go to church with his mother and him, and when he invites him, is surprised by his response, illustrated by Courtney Lovett, to Barb McNally at Sleeping Bear Press, for publication in fall 2025, by Jemiscoe Chambers-Black at Andrea Brown Literary Agency for the illustrator (world).

This Sunday My Daddy Came to Church

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Picture Book Fiction

Courtney Lovett

Announcement Date:

February 5, 2024

Courtney Lovett

Fairy Lights

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