We’ve celebrated a few deals recently for talented illustrator Shirley Ng-Benitez, but today’s announcement is an extra special one: her first author-illustrated book—and one which draws on very personal memories of her own, for a story that is as powerful and meaningful as it is gorgeous. Here is the deal announcement with all the information you need to know: 

Karen Chaplin at Quill Tree Books/ Harper Collins has acquired North American rights to Shirley Ng-Benitez’s author-illustrator debut, DOWN, THROUGH, UP. A little girl struggles with change and rediscovers herself somewhere new while finding ways to connect to the roots of home in this multigenerational picture book honoring sewing, San Francisco, and the threads of heritage that stitch her family together. The book was represented by Ammi-Joan Paquette at Erin Murphy Literary Agency, for tentative publication in spring 2024.

This moving story is in the creation vaults as we speak, with its talented author and artist busy at work. So keep an eye on that calendar release timeline, because it’s one that you absolutely won’t want to miss!! 

Congratulations, Shirley!

-- Joan