University of Queensland Press (UQP) has sold North American rights to Sandy Bigna’s debut middle-grade verse novel, Little Bones, to Krista Vitola, executive editor at Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers in the US, in a deal brokered by UQP rights and contracts manager Erin Sandiford.

In March this year, UQP’s newly appointed children’s publisher Cathy Vallance acquired world ex film/TV rights to Little Bones in a two-book deal from Jacinta di Mase Management. Vallance said, ‘Little Bones is exactly the kind of book I want to publish on UQP’s children’s list: an exquisitely written, lyrical story with heart and soul, and a unique point of difference. Sandy is such a talent and I’m beyond thrilled to be bringing this book to life with her.’

Said Vitola: ‘Little Bones is the kind of novel that nestles into your heart and stays with you forever. Full of wonderful characters who remind you of the very best people you know or hope to cross paths with one day. It immediately brought me back to the novels I adored as a child—‘The Velveteen Rabbit,’ Charlotte’s Web, The Little Prince —stories of profound loss and hope and the special friendships that help us along the way. I’m thrilled this beautiful story landed on my desk and honoured to share it with US readers of all ages.’

UQP will publish Little Bones in March 2025, with S&S Books for Young Readers to publish in the Northern Hemisphere spring 2026.