Andrea Brown Literary Agency

We are saying goodbye to our Second Chance Inbox and introducing a new query policy: Creators may now query more than one ABLA literary agent as long as you query us one at a time! Check out the SUBMISSIONS tab on our website for more information on how to submit your project plus a few query tips. We look forward to considering your work!

This is what it’s all about. Seeing our authors and illustrators use their skills, their passion, their knowledge, and their unique voices and perspectives to bring joy and inspiration to so many is exactly why we do what we do. Books are for readers. And our clients have written and illustrated really good ones. We’re excited to bring even more of their stories into the world in 2026 and for years to come! — Pictured clients: Mychal Threets: @mychal3ts Chelsea Lin Wallace: @chelsealinwallace Frank Tupta: Mitali Perkins: @mitaliperkins Joanna Ho: @joannahowrites Lorien Lawrence: @lorienlawrence Neal Shusterman: @nealshusterman Natasha Tripplett: @natasha_stories Kaz Windness: @kazwindness Mayra Cuevas: @mayra.cuevas Lisa Frenkel Riddiough: @lisariddiough Abby White: @abbywhitewrites James Burks: @jamesburksart Nancy Castaldo: @naturespeak C.L. Herman: @cl_herman Cynthia Cliff: @ceecliff_art Isabella Kung: @isabellakungill Maggie Tokuda Hall: @maggietokudahall Mike Boldt: @thatmikeboldt Shannon Messenger: @sw_messenger Christina Diaz Gonzalez: @christinadiazgonzalez Raúl the Third: @raulthethirdvamos Tami Charles: @tamiwrites Josh Funk: @joshfunkbooks

ABLA illustrator spotlight on Ross Burach! Ross () is represented by Lara Perkins and is interested in illustrating picture books and early readers. 🎨 We highlight two of our incredible illustrators nearly every week. Follow our page and check out our Illustrator Lookbook (link in bio) for more!

HONEYBIRD BLUE written by Taunya English and illustrated by Raissa Figueroa has received a starred review from Booklist! ⭐ ★ “A young Black girl and her dad wake up before dawn and drive to a wildlife refuge to go birding. A quiet excitement pervades as they gather snacks, a map, “magic glasses” (binoculars), and a list of birds the girl hopes to see, stepping out into a world now tinged pink by the rising sun. The girl, Honeybird, refers to birds by their color, and her big objective for this trip is to spot a great blue heron: “Today’s the day I finally find Blue. / Blue has a sharp beak, / plus a topknot and skinny legs—like me.” Her dad shares her excitement and encourages patience as they hush, watch, and listen. Often, the duo hears a bird before spotting it, making for fun read-aloud opportunities: the “rat-a-tat-tat” of a woodpecker, the “wich-i-ty wich-i-ty wich” of a common yellowthroat. English’s writing joyfully reflects her subjects, such as when “stripey tail feathers / hitch-step out of sight” and “a honking rumpus of Brown [geese] cruises low.” It’s clear that Honeybird finds the refuge as much of a sanctuary as the birds do, and her pleasure over being there—despite Blue’s elusiveness—can be seen in Figueroa’s luminous mixed-media illustrations, which use light and reflection to wonderful effect. Back matter offers more details on the birds on Honeybird’s list and a birding glossary.” —Booklist, starred review (@ala_booklist ) In stores and libraries everywhere May 19! Available for preorder now.

Trapped in a dark forest with his cold-hearted parents, Bonebag leads a cruel and isolated existence. However, he feels deep in his bones that things weren’t always this way: he has known happiness before. Why does it feel like it was in a past life? When Bonebag discovers a locket that burns him to the touch, and a ghostly girl beckons him into the deep woods, he must grapple with the riddle of where he came from and how he came to be. Only then can he begin to rewrite his fate. Written by New York Times bestselling author David Elliott (@daelliott1234 ) and his son, E.M. Elliott, BONEBAG is a powerful middle-grade fantasy that will take you on a quest tackling the mystery of belonging with high-octane twists and turns along the way. Available for preorder now!

Lisa Chow is today’s spotlighted ABLA illustrator! Credit for images 1, 2, and 3: BECAUSE OF YOU, I’M A SISTER, © 2026 written by Jen Fier Jasinski and illustrated by Lisa Chow, PRH/Doubleday Books Lisa (@lisachowart ) is represented by Kelly Sonnack (@ksonnack ) and is interested in illustrating picture books, graphic novels, and black & white interiors. 🎨 We highlight two of our incredible illustrators nearly every week. Follow our page and check out our Illustrator Lookbook (link in bio) for more!

Behold, my lovely audience! I am the amazing Augustus. There is no one quite like me. Augustus the squirrel is so busy praising himself that he winds up in the belly of a lion! This quirky, voicy picture book by beloved author Tammi Sauer (@tammisauer ) and illustrated by Pauline Gregory (@pauline_gregory_illustration ) is certain to have kids laughing as they realize well before Augustus that he is walking across a lion’s back. Kids love being smarter than the book, and this one takes the joke as far as possible—that is, literally inside a lion. Pubbing tomorrow, May 12, and available for preorder now! And stay tuned for Augustus’s next adventure: THE AMAZING AUGUSTUS (AND FRIENDS!).

JIA HAS A DOG PROBLEM by Stephanie Ellen Sy (@steph_steph_sy ), illustrated by Isabella Kung (@isabellakungill ) has received a starred review from Kirkus! ⭐ ★ “An apprehensive pair—one canine, one human—learn they are braver than they realize. Jia doesn’t know the reason for her fear; she’s never been attacked or chased. But the youngster is unwavering: She’s “PETRIFIED of dogs.” Upstairs, French bulldog Charlie shares a similar skepticism about children. Throughout the substantial text, Sy is unfailingly respectful toward her protagonists’ trepidation. Readers will feel for Charlie, who avoids walks whenever possible (lest he see a dreaded youngster), and Jia, who gears up for potential pup encounters with oven mitts and goggles. Kung’s jagged, childlike drawings of pointy-toothed hounds and looming children vividly depict their fears. But after they are stranded together by happenstance during a frightening storm, they find unexpected comfort in each other. Both author and artist make astute decisions as they draw repeated parallels between dog and child. Sy adeptly demonstrates the power of empathy, using clear, tangible examples, such as Jia interpreting Charlie’s terrified drooling as “shaking with hunger.” Cartoon-style watercolor illustrations with clean, dark outlines are smart and punchy. Kung frequently relies on a complementary palette of swirly golds and purples for Jia and Charlie, creating scenes that feel simultaneously dramatic and harmonious. Facial expressions and Jia’s bobbly pigtails are perfectly exaggerated, heightening tension and humor. Jia presents East Asian, as do most of her neighbors. A doggone delight.” —Kirkus Reviews, starred review (@kirkus_reviews ) In stores and libraries everywhere May 12! Available for preorder now.

WHEN THE TIDES HELD THE MOON by Venessa Vida Kelley (@vkelleyart ) and MY POWERFUL HAIR by Carole Lindstrom (@carolelindstrom ) and Steph Littlebird (@artnerdforever ) are on Brooklyn Public Library (@bklynlibrary )’s 250 for 250 Booklist! This all-ages list recognizes the 250 most influential books in United States history. Congratulations Venessa, Carole, and Steph!! 🎉

Nneka Myers is today’s spotlighted ABLA illustrator! Credit for all images: BETTER THAN A TOUCHDOWN, © 2026 written by Jalen Hurts (@jalenhurts ), illustrated by Nneka Myers, PRH/Flamingo Books Nneka (@kinopia ) is represented by Kelly Sonnack (@ksonnack ) and is interested in illustrating picture books and covers. 🎨 We highlight two of our incredible illustrators nearly every week. Follow our page and check out our Illustrator Lookbook (link in bio) for more!

ROAR by Varsha Bajaj (@varshawrites ) has received two starred reviews—one from Kirkus and one from Publishers Weekly! ⭐ ⭐ ★ “. . . Bajaj writes with empathy for these animals without veering into sentimentality. Rohan’s journey is a compelling one; he begins the novel passionate about safeguarding tigers but shy about expressing himself and emerges as a committed activist. Uncomfortable truths of the complexity of encroaching into wildlife habitats, locals aiding poachers, and the brutality of nature are balanced out with an overarching note of hope. A rousing call for conservation efforts to safeguard the majestic tiger.” —Kirkus, starred review (@kirkus_reviews ) ★ “A tiger-obsessed fifth grader finds purpose—and peril—awaiting him abroad in this absorbing eco-conscious adventure. Eleven-year-old Rohan Kumar—feeling adrift in the bustling Texas home he shares with his parents and twin baby sisters—leaps at the opportunity to spend December in India with his grandparents and cousin Mira. Most exciting for Ro is his grandfather’s employment at the Vanraj Sanctuary, home to Bengal tigers. Once there, Ro discovers that the forest sanctuary is under threat from a mining consortium planning excavation nearby. Alarmed by the potential devastation to the locale’s ecosystem, Ro and Mira resolve to help in their grandfather’s advocacy efforts by supporting his legal appeals, reviewing camera-trap footage, and searching for poachers’ snares . . . Bajaj (Thirst) juggles suspense with sensitivity, crafting vibrant characters and a propulsive plot that underscores the cost of inaction in a heartfelt, page-turning call to stewardship.” —Publishers Weekly, starred review (@publisherswkly ) In stores and libraries everywhere May 12!

We are proud of our clients and the incredible work that they do! Here are just a few of the things we’ve been celebrating recently. Congratulations to our authors and illustrators on the these recent recognitions and so many more!! 🥳 Books mentioned in this post: -THE POET AND THE BEES by Amy Novesky (@amynovesky ), illustrated by Jessica Love -I’M SO HAPPY YOU’RE HERE by Mychal Threets (@mychal3ts ), illustrated by Lorraine Nam -THE COLOR OF A LIE by Kim Johnson (@kcjohnsonwrites ) -LAWN MOWING DAY by Breanna Carzoo (@breannacarzoo ) -THE LITTLEST ELEPHANT by Katherine Applegate, illustrated by Lita Judge (@litajudge ) -LITTLE GHOST’S SUMMERWEEN by Maggie Edkins Willis (@maggie.made.this ) -THE WHALE’S TALE AND THE OTTER’S SIDE OF THE STORY by Kate Messner (@katemessner ), illustrated by Brian Biggs (@brianbiggsstudio ) -THE DINO DOOR by Josh Funk (@joshfunkbooks ), illustrated Renée Kurilla (@reneekurilla ) -BONEBAG by E.M. Elliott and David Elliott (@daelliott1234 ) -CHERNOBYL, LIFE, AND OTHER DISASTERS by Yevgenia Nayberg (@znayberg ) -EL NIÑO by Pam Muñoz Ryan, illustrated by Joe Cepeda (@joe_cepeda ) -GRACIELA IN THE ABYSS by Meg Medina (@megmedinabooks ), illustrated by Anna and Elena Balbusso -HISTORY SMASHERS: ANCIENT EGYPT by Kate Messner (@katemessner ) -HISTORY SMASHERS: CHRISTOPHER COLUMBUS AND THE TAINO PEOPLE by Kate Messner (@katemessner ) -THE LIONHARTS by Mike Lawrence (@mikelawred ) -THE TROUBLE WITH HEROES by Kate Messner (@katemessner ) -THE WEIRDIES by Michael Buckley, illustrated by Forrest Burdett (@hellomrforrest ) -WINGING IT by Megan Wagner Lloyd and Michelle Mee Nutter (@buttersketch ) Continued in the comments! 🎉