New Books Publishing this Spring at Bright

Spring has officially sprung! Here at Bright, we chatted with the agents and took a look at the new and exciting titles hitting the shelf this season in our Spring 2019 Roundup. Below are some of the biggest books publishing from March through May, alongside agent commentary sharing what makes these projects so special.

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Published February 19, 2019

When I Pray for You, illustrated by Kimberley Barnes and published by WaterBrook

Celebrated as a bestseller by Publisher’s Weekly, USA Today, and the Wall Street Journal, When I Pray for You is now in its third printing with more than 100,000 copies in circulation—a well-deserved success for this sweet book depicting the hopes and dreams parents have for their children!

See Kim’s full portfolio here

To work with Kim, contact her agent, Robbin Brosterman, here

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Published March 5, 2019

Pirate Chicken: All Hens on Deck, illustrated by Jess Pauwels and published by Sourcebooks Jabberwocky

“Pauwels chicken pirates are a laugh! Unique facial expressions and ownership of style shine though.”

—James Burns, Agent

See Jess’s full portfolio here

To work with Kim, contact her agent, James Burns, here

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Published March, 19, 2019

Along Came Coco, author/illustrated by Eva Byrne and published by Harry N. Abrams

“A celebration of Coco Chanel’s creative spirit . . . Byrne encourages readers to explore their creativity and remain steadfast in following their dreams.”

— Kirkus Reviews

“Eva Byrne’s passion for fashion illustration was the perfect inspiration for her debut picture book published by Abrams. Coco Chanel’s spirit of breaking barriers and giving women permission to wear comfortable, fashionable clothing is just as needed today as it was in Paris during her early years as a fashion designer”

—Anne Moore Armstrong, Agent

See Eva’s full portfolio here

To work with Eva, contact her agent, Anne Moore Armstrong, here

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Published March 26, 2019

We Are the Gardeners, illustrated by Julianna Swaney and published by Thomas Nelson

“In this #1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER, the theme of gardening is such a metaphor for life – planting seeds and waiting patiently for them to grow and be nurtured. I love that Julianna Swaney and Joanna Gaines collaborated on this debut picture book for the Gaines family. Julianna’s aesthetic was the perfect match for bringing the Gaines family garden to life with enchanting, whimsical watercolors, inviting the reader to enjoy the beauty of a thriving garden.”

—Anne Moore Armstrong, Agent

Discover more on Joanna Gaines’ blog

See Julianna’s full portfolio here

To work with Julianna, contact her agent, Anne Moore Armstrong, here

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Published April 2, 2019

Georgia's Terrific, Colorific Experiment, author/illustrated by Zoe Persico and published by Running Press Kids

“In this vibrant debut picture book, Zoe Persico explores the infinite realm of creativity and celebrates both science and art in a wonderful STEM-themed story about Georgia who ‘realizes that trying something new requires creativity…and that science has more in common with art than she thought,’ as Kirkus aptly noted.”

—Anne Moore Armstrong, Agent

See Zoe’s full protflio here

To work with Zoe, contact her agent, Anne Moore Armstrong, here

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Published April 2, 2019

A Smile for Sasquatch, illustrated by Aaron Cushley and published by Insight Kids

“He’s quirky, he’s hairy, he’s eight feet tall. No, not Bright illustrator Aaron Cushley. I’m talking about Aaron’s charmingly illustrated Mr. Link, a Sasquatch-adjacent creature tasked with helping an explorer track down a pack of yetis in the Himalayas. A Smile for Sasquatch deftly stands out with a unique art style that is at once separate from and an homage to Laika’s ‘Missing Link’ movie, for which the book is a prologue.”

—Alex Gehringer, Agent

See Aaron’s full portfolio here

To work with Aaron, contact his agent, Alex Gehringer, here

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Published April 4, 2019

Wakey Birds, author/illustrated by Maddie Frost and published by Templar Publishing

“Maddie Frost’s love of birds and experience with insomnia brought inspired this delightful story, and her quirky humor just brings it all to life. This is a bedtime story on steroids that engenders goodnight giggles and wonderful read aloud opportunities.”

—Anne Moore Armstrong, Agent

See Maddie’s full portfolio here

To work with Maddie, contact her agent, Anne Moore Armstrong, here

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Published April 16, 2019

Mr. Posey's New Glasses, illustrated by Daniel Duncan and published by Candlewick

“How we look at the world is so important, and in Ted Kooser’s story, he highlights the need to see it with fresh eyes. Daniel Duncan was the perfect choice for this charming story—he creates such memorable quirky characters, and that’s just what this story needed. He and Candlewick’s art director, Ann Stott, are a wonderful creative team.”

—Anne Moore Armstrong, Agent

See Daniel’s full portfolio here

To work with Daniel, contact his agent, Anne Moore Armstrong, here

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Published April 30, 2019

Mermaid Dreams, author/illustrated by Kate Pugsley and published by Tundra Books

“In Kate Pugsley’s debut picture book, the ocean becomes a dreamy place to find friendship for a shy little girl named Maya. Children will dream of swimming with mermaids among colorful coral after diving into this simple but poignant story.”

—Anne Moore Armstrong, Agent

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Published May 7, 2019

There's Only One You, illustrated by Rosie Butcher and published by Sterling Children's Books

“Celebrating individuality is something we regularly do as a creative agency! It’s a beautiful thing, but not everyone has achieved an easy harmony with the bits that make them different. In There’s Only One You, illustrated by the incomparable Rosie Butcher, young readers are encouraged to be gentle with themselves. Rosie has given us such beautiful art through which to appreciate curly hair, short bodies, dark skin and so much more. Whatever makes you you, this title will make you feel a little prouder of the things that set you apart.”

—Alex Gehringer, Agent

See Rosie’s full portfolio here

To work with Rosie, contact her agent, Alex Gehringer, here

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Published May 7, 2019

Papa Put a Man on the Moon, illustrated by Sarah Green and published by Dial Books

In timely fashion for the fiftieth anniversary of the Historic Apollo 11 moon landing, Papa Puts a Man on the Moon celebrates a small community’s big contribution to one of America’s greatest accomplishments.

See Sarah’s full portfolio here

To work with Sarah, contact her agent, Anne Moore Armstrong, here

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Publishing May 21, 2019

Except When They Don't, illustrated by Joshua Heinsz and published by Little Bee Books

“This stereotype-breaking book invites children to play with whatever toys they want to, regardless of the gender norm. Heinsz was the perfect choice for this all important title.”

—James Burns, Agent

See Joshua’s full portfolio here

To work with Joshua, contact his agent, James Burns, here

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Publishing May 28, 2019

Calling All Witches!, illustrated by Violet Tobacco and published by Scholastic Inc.

“Violet created over 90 portraits of famous and lesser-known witches from the Harry Potter movie franchise in this homage to magical girl-power. That alone is an impressive feat, but when you look at how skillfully she captured the likenesses of the actresses who played these characters…it’s downright mind-blowing.”

—Alex Gehringer, Agent

See Violets’s full portfolio here

To work with Violet, contact her agent, Alex Gehringer, here

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Publishing May 28, 2019

This is MY Room: No Tigers Allowed!, illustrated by Alexandria Neonakis and published by Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers

“Neonakis’s stand out artwork really brings this title to life. Her play of perspective and proportion is mesmerizing!”

—James Burns, Agent

See Alexandria’s full portfolio here

To work with Joshua, contact his agent, James Burns, here

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