Autumn Allen Shares a “Highlights Baby”!

Autumn Allen shared this sentiment with our Executive Director George Brown about her new book deal:

You should know that Answered Prayers was the manuscript I brought into the MSF program and got feedback on from my cohort and my mentor. It’s a Highlights baby!  So grateful for the time I was able to spend on it there. Thank you for all you do!

Michelle Frey at Knopf has acquired world rights to Answered Prayers by Autumn Allen (l.), illustrated by Charly Palmer, an ode to Black Muslim children that conveys their history and shines a light on their future. Publication is scheduled for spring 2026; Tina DuBois represented the author while at ICM Partners (the author is now represented by Molly Ker Hawn at the Bent Agency), and Lori Nowicki at Painted Words represented the illustrator.

Anne Appert’s Graphic Novel Debut Announced!

Congratulations Anne!  We can’t wait to read Bright Birds According to L. Ness Monster.

Katie Scott at Kids Can Press has bought author-illustrator Anne Appert’s graphic novel debut, Bright Birds According to L. Ness Monster. In this fact-meets-fiction tale that humorously addresses the issue of misinformation, L. Ness Monster is excited to share her book filled with fabulous info about birds, but unfortunately for her, disguises won’t hide her from fact-checking Puffin, who scolds Ness for making up stories. Publication is scheduled for spring 2026; Charlotte Wenger at Prospect Agency sold world rights.

Book Birthdays!

Social Media Manager Cat Galeano has talked with several authors and illustrators on Instagram Live about their new books.  Learn more about their stories, and the role that the Highlights Foundation has played in bringing them to kids. Recent Book Birthdays include:

• Lee Wind and Jieting Chen, Love of the Half-Eaten Peach
• Nikki Shannon Smith, Stranded
• Anita Yasuda, Up, Up, Ever Up!
• Nadia L. Hohn and Temika Grooms, Getting Us to Grandma’s
• Ashley Franklin, Xavier’s Voice
• Ruth Horowitz (The Midnight Mitzvah) and Robin Heald (The Light from My Menorah: Celebrating Holidays Around the World)
• Katie Keridan, Realm United
• Native Creatives Andrea L. Rogers + Rebecca Lee Kunz, Chooch Helped

Book Deals for Delia Ruiz!

We can’t to read these three books in 2026!

Alexandra McKenzie at Charlesbridge has bought world rights to Moon Chef by Delia Ruiz (l.), and Kristen Nobles has acquired world rights for illustration by Nomar Perez. In this board book, the main character fills her plate (and her belly) with foods that match the shape of the moon she sees in the sky. Publication is scheduled for summer 2026 as part of the STEAMworks initiative; Sera Rivers at Speilburg Literary represented the author, and Lori Nowicki at Painted Words represented the illustrator.

Natalia Vázquez Torres at Charlesbridge has acquired world rights to Ways Papi Says I Love You by Delia Ruiz (l.), and Cathleen Schaad has acquired world rights for illustration by Carlos Vélez Aguilera. The picture book follows Maricruz and Papi’s journey on their truck, where Papi shows her his love in different ways as they drive to the grocery store. Publication is scheduled for spring 2026; Sera Rivers at Speilburg Literary represented the author, and Alice Jin Zhang at Astound US represented the illustrator.

Kelly Delaney at Crown has acquired, in collaboration with the Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Latino, My Sister’s Quinceañera by Delia Ruiz (l.), illustrated by Elisa Chavarri, about Natalia’s excitement for her big sister’s quinceañera and her worries that the big day means they won’t be kids together anymore. Publication is set for summer 2026; Sera Rivers at Speilburg Literary represented the author, Claire Morance at Painted Words represented the illustrator, and Jill Corcoran represented the Smithsonian for world rights.

Scholarship Recipient’s Debut Picture Book Recognized

2024 Scholarship Recipient Mariel Jungkunz shared:

“My debut picture book was just named an Honorable Mention for the The Alma Flor Ada Best Latino Focused Children’s Picture Book Award (in the International Latino Book Awards). I’m looking forward to being on campus to put the finishing touches on what I hope will be another award-winning manuscript!”

Congratulations Mariel!!

BioBlitz Hosted On Campus

This year, the Upper Delaware BioBlitz hosted their event on our campus.  Learn more about it.

Latinx Kidlit Book Festival Wins Library of Congress Award

Congratulations to our friends at the LKBF on their recent Literacy Award, that will help them continue their important work of bringing stories by Latinx creators to kids.  Learn more here.

Scholarship Recipient and Alum Celebrates Award-Winning Novel

Donna Glee Williams shared:

My 2023 novel The Night Field, which I worked on over a number of years and workshops at the Highlights Foundation with Patti Gauch, just won the Manly Wade Wellman Award.

Congratulations Donna!  Learn more about it here.

Diane Davis Shares Student Feedback She Received on Her Debut Series

Diane is the author of the debut series The Motivation Queen and YOU ARE ABLE.  She shared feedback she received from recent school visits, and we think we loved this line most!

To hear the children recite the affirmations after you gave me chills to hear and also inspired me as an educator to hear and see.

Thanks for sharing your stories and your work with us Diane!