THE PENGUIN, illus. by Eisner-nominated Mika Song, sells to Knopf (Agent: Erica Rand Silverman)

Marisa DiNovis at Knopf has bought, in an exclusive submission, world rights to The Penguin by Mary Winn Heider, illustrated by Eisner-nominated Mika Song, along with an untitled second middle grade novel by Heider. The story follows a plucky penguin who, after deciding he has no time for friendship, finds himself adrift and alone at sea, only to realize he does in fact want to find his way back to his colony—and that he might need to make a friend in order to get there. Publication is slated for summer 2027; Patricia Nelson at Looking Glass Literary & Media represented the author, and Erica Rand Silverman at Stimola Literary Studio represented the illustrator.