Today’s Book News Wednesday, 17th December 2025
Publishers Weekly dominated Tuesday’s industry coverage with a flurry of children’s book deals: Liza Dawson brokered Little, Brown’s acquisition of Annie Barrows’s Ghost Guild; Candlewick bought Christina Soontornvat’s Thai‑set adventure; Scholastic picked up Sarah J. Mendonca’s dragon story; and Random House, W.W. Norton, Arctis Books, Lerner/Millbrook and Barefoot Books announced other picture‑book projects. Other news included Mary Beard chairing the 2026 Booker Prize, the International Prize for Arabic Fiction longlist, protests at the Poetry Foundation, PEN America’s defense of press and books, Audible’s BookTok tie‑up, and calls for universal library cards.
Publishers Weekly reported that Little, Brown acquired world rights to Annie Barrows’s new middle‑grade series Ghost Guild. The first book, The Lost Three, follows siblings whose botched transition into the afterlife forces them to navigate the world as ghosts. Liza Dawson Associates negotiated the two‑book deal, and publication is slated for fall 2026.
Candlewick’s Andrea Tompa bought world English rights to Take to the Sky by three‑time Newbery Honoree Christina Soontornvat. Set in the world of A Wish in the Dark, the middle‑grade novel follows a bird, a former bird and a possible prince on a destiny‑fulfilling trek across northern Thailand. Jodi Reamer at Writers House handled the deal, and publication is planned for spring 2027.
Scholastic editor Cianna Sanford secured world rights to The Dragoneer by Sarah J. Mendonca. Described as How to Train Your Dragon meets Impossible Creatures, the illustrated middle‑grade novel stars 12‑year‑old dragon‑phobe Lucas Firebrand, who must help a young dragon he saved from poachers and elude dangerous hunters. Emily Forney at BookEnds Literary brokered the agreement, and the book is due in fall 2027.
Random House’s Heidi Kilgras bought world rights to Too Many Chickens by Lori Haskins Houran, illustrated by Alexandra Columbo. The early‑reader picture book centres on poultry wreaking havoc in a child‑built fort. Publication is scheduled for spring 2027; Stephanie Fretwell‑Hill at Red Fox Literary represented the author and Alex Gehringer at Bright Agency represented the illustrator.
Karen Lotz of W.W. Norton acquired world rights to an untitled debut picture book by Jason Carter, chairman of the Carter Center and grandson of former U.S. president Jimmy Carter. Drawing on intergenerational wisdom and humour from his relationship with his grandfather, the book explores the bond between grandparents and grandchildren. Rick Richter at Aevitas Creative Management represented Carter, and the book is slated for spring 2028.
Joy Bean at Arctis Books USA purchased U.S. rights to And Then We Saw the Bag…, a picture book written and illustrated by Swedish creator Emma AdBåge. The humorous story shows two sisters returning home to discover their parents have cleaned the house, discarding treasured belongings. Melissa Bowers will translate the book, scheduled for fall 2026; the Rabén & Sjögren Agency handled the deal.
Carol Hinz at Lerner/Millbrook bought world rights to Rooted in Hope: A True Story of Farming, Freedom and Finding Home by Scott Riley and Muhidin Libah, illustrated by Oboh Moses. The nonfiction picture book recounts how Somali Bantu farmers displaced by civil war rebuilt their lives and founded a community farm in Maine. Erica Rand Silverman at Stimola Literary Studio represented the authors, and Sylvie Hamel at Anna Goodson Illustration Agency represented the illustrator; publication is planned for spring 2027.
Lisa Rosinsky of Barefoot Books acquired world rights to Alex and the Squid by Meghan Wilson Duff, illustrated by Nathalie Dieterle. When a boy lacking money for the school book fair sneaks a book about cephalopods into his backpack, a giant squid appears in his dreams to teach him about honesty. Publication is set for fall 2026; the author was unagented and Ella Lupo at Purple Rain Illustrators represented the illustrator.
Publishers Weekly reported that employees, poets and community members are protesting the Poetry Foundation’s decision to end public programming, including its Forms & Features workshops and library book club. Staff warn the shift will cause job losses and reduce support for poets, while leadership argues that reallocating funds will enable grantmaking; a public letter urges the foundation to keep employees and reconsider the plan.
In a year‑end roundup, Publishers Weekly highlighted major library stories: disputes over academic journal subscription models between Clarivate and EBSCO; ongoing attempts to remove books from Florida school libraries; and widespread debates over censorship and “freedom to read.” The article notes that 2025 saw libraries under scrutiny for how they manage collections and respond to political pressures.
A Publishers Weekly feature profiled Hannah Moushabeck and the “Palestinians in Kidlit” support group she co‑founded to mentor authors and illustrators and advocate for authentic Palestinian stories. The article recounts how Moushabeck leveraged her publishing experience to connect creators with agents, marketing strategies and award opportunities, resulting in nine book deals since 2022 and growing demand for picture books celebrating Palestinian culture and everyday life.
BookBrunch reported that a UK government consultation found most respondents opposed introducing a blanket copyright exception for artificial‑intelligence developers. Contributors argued that machine‑learning firms should license and pay for copyrighted material, and they supported strengthening enforcement against infringement rather than weakening creators’ rights. The government is expected to drop plans for an exception.
BookBrunch noted that Mirror Books has acquired Sex, Drugs & Walking Sticks by doctor and broadcaster Miriam Stoppard. Billed as a one‑stop guide for people over 60, the book offers advice on health, sex, relationships and lifestyle to help older readers live well. Publication details were not disclosed.
According to BookBrunch, the shortlist for the 2025 Hatchards First Biography Prize features titles on DNA co‑discoverer Francis Crick, the Beatles, and the global tech elite, among others. The prize celebrates debut biographers and will be awarded early next year; the shortlisted works explore science, music and business history.
BookBrunch reported that the organizers of the International Prize for Arabic Fiction announced the 2026 shortlist. Six novels from across the Arab world made the cut, highlighting themes ranging from family sagas to political intrigue. The winner, to be named next spring, will receive significant prize money and global recognition.
BookBrunch’s personnel update said Octopus Publishing managing director Anna Bond will leave Hachette UK to become managing director of Bonnier Books UK’s children’s group in 2026. Hachette’s Charlie King will absorb Bond’s responsibilities at Octopus while recruiting her successor. Bond’s move signals renewed investment in Bonnier’s children’s publishing.
Publishers Marketplace’s Lunch newsletter reported that Liz Catalano joined HarperCollins on December 16 as senior managing editor for HarperVoyager, Harper Perennial, Harper Business and Harper Audio. She previously worked at St. Martin’s Press. Catalano will oversee production schedules and coordinate editorial and design teams across multiple imprints.
The Lunch bulletin confirmed that Anna Bond will become managing director of Bonnier Books UK’s children’s group. She departs Hachette’s Octopus Publishing Group to lead Bonnier’s children’s strategy, while Hachette’s Charlie King assumes additional duties at Octopus until a successor is named.
Lunch also noted that Jennifer Calvert has been promoted to senior editor at independent publisher Spot Gloss Media. In her new role she will acquire and edit titles across the company’s nonfiction and lifestyle list, building on her previous work as an editor for the publisher.
Publishing Perspectives reported that the International Prize for Arabic Fiction released its 2026 longlist, featuring sixteen novels from ten Arab countries. Chair of judges Taleb Alrefai said the selection showcases the richness and diversity of contemporary Arabic storytelling. Longlisted authors each receive US$10,000, and the winner, to be named in April, will earn US$50,000.
Publishing Perspectives announced that acclaimed classicist and television presenter Mary Beard will chair the 2026 Booker Prize judging panel. She will be joined by poet Raymond Antrobus, musician Jarvis Cocker, journalist Rebecca Liu and novelist Patricia Lockwood. The jury will consider novels published in the UK and Ireland between October 2025 and September 2026; the winner of the £50,000 prize will be announced in October 2026.
The Scholarly Kitchen interviewed Tracey Brown of Sense about Science and Camille Gamboa of Sage Publishing about their new guide for “public‑good curators” such as editors, librarians and journalists. They argue that clear communication of editorial standards, transparency about corrections and open dialogue are essential to build public trust and counter misinformation. The guide offers resources and case studies to support curators in championing evidence‑based content.
The Alliance of Independent Authors’ news bulletin reported that Amazon’s Audible has teamed up with TikTok’s BookTok community to create a #BestofBookTok hub within the Audible app. The curated section links trending titles and micro‑genres such as dark academia and “romantasy,” raising questions about the influence of platform‑driven recommendations and the homogenization of reading choices. Commentators warn that the collaboration could further consolidate market power in the hands of a few dominant players.
Independent Publishing Magazine published advice on designing inclusive book covers that authentically represent diverse characters. The article argues that accurate representation on covers helps readers see themselves in stories and makes books more accessible to wider audiences. Designers are encouraged to consult with authors and communities to avoid stereotypes and embrace diversity.
The Guardian reported that more than 200 authors, including Richard Osman, Kate Mosse and Philip Pullman, have signed an open letter supporting a proposal to give every baby born in the UK an automatic library card. The proposal, developed by the government’s Cultural Policy Unit, aims to make library membership a birthright and help tackle literacy gaps; signatories argue that libraries act as engines of social mobility and provide free access to books for children who lack them at home.
BBC News reported that Guernsey’s Guille‑Allès Library, Guernsey Arts, Bright Beginnings and the States of Guernsey launched a survey to learn how often adults on the island read. Part of the forthcoming National Year of Reading 2026, the survey runs until 8 January and will inform future reading initiatives. Organisers hope the findings will encourage more residents to pick up books.
PEN America issued a statement criticising former U.S. president Donald Trump’s £7.8 billion defamation lawsuit against the BBC as a coercive attempt to silence journalists. Director of free expression programs Tom Richardson said the suit is intended to intimidate reporters and undermines press freedom, noting that the BBC had already apologised for an editing error. PEN America urged courts to dismiss the case and warned that it could chill public broadcasting worldwide.
Another PEN America release highlighted a list of the 52 most banned books in U.S. public schools since 2021. John Green’s novel Looking for Alaska tops the list with 147 bans, while titles like Toni Morrison’s Beloved and Margaret Atwood’s The Handmaid’s Tale also appear. The organisation notes that nearly 23,000 book bans have occurred across 45 states and warns that censorship disproportionately targets books about race, LGBTQ+ identities and other marginalised perspectives.
PEN America reported on its Emerging Voices workshop in Los Angeles, where fifteen writers attended genre‑specific workshops, craft talks and panels on querying agents, balancing writing with life and navigating publishing. Participants praised the program for building community and providing practical insights into submissions and marketing. The workshop culminated in a public reading and aims to make publishing more accessible to underrepresented voices.
In a PEN America interview, author John Green responded to his novel Looking for Alaska being the most banned book in U.S. schools. He said the bans are based on bad‑faith readings of a brief intimate scene and emphasised that censorship harms students’ intellectual freedom. Green pledged to continue speaking out against book bans and noted that such efforts often target authors of colour and LGBTQ+ writers.
The New Publishing Standard reported that Saudi Arabia’s manga sector is rapidly maturing from a niche hobby into a professional industry. At the Jeddah Book Fair 2025, the Literature, Publishing and Translation Commission highlighted how state‑supported organisations like Manga Productions have developed a structured pipeline covering concept development, scriptwriting and design. With roughly 15 million anime viewers in 2024 and partnerships with Japanese studios and U.S. game companies, Saudi creators are embracing co‑production models and 360‑degree monetisation; training programs and competitions aim to build local talent and global competitiveness.
