Kidscreen is bringing back its popular showcase of screen-ready books with TV and movie rights still available. Our past coverage along these lines led to Ireland’s Sixteen South turning A Horse Named Steve into an animated series concept with Nelvana, and we also introduced the industry to preschool title Not Quite Narwhal before DreamWorks optioned it for a Netflix series.

This edition’s book titles are aimed at kids ages three to seven, and we’ll focus on eight- to 12-year-olds next week.

The Blossom Shoppe

Author: The Brickley Sisters

Illustrator: Joanie Stone

Publisher: Blossom Children’s Media Group (US)

Published: June 21, 2017

Language: English

Format: Picture book

Synopsis: Poppy and Posie, two sisters who have always had trouble fitting in, join forces to keep their family’s flower shop from closing. Their mission? Show the whole city how special and important flowers really are. This book focuses on the power of hard work, creativity and family.

Best screen approach: Animation 

Contact: Caroline and Katherine Brickley (hello@thebrickleysisters.com)

The Little Brown Spider 

Author: Dennis DeRobertis

Illustrator: Cristian Bernardini

Publisher: Stone Hollow Press (US)

Published: September 28, 2022. A new title introducing a fresh character to the Little Brown Spider universe is due out in June 2023.

Language: English

Format: Picture book, fiction

Synopsis: This book series chronicles the adventures of a playful spider who loves to help kids in moments of fear and anxiety, such as the first day of school or riding the school bus. 

Best screen approach: Animation

Contact: Dennis DeRobertis (admin@stonehollowpress.com)

The Collectors 

Author: Alice Feagan

Illustrator: Alice Feagan

Publisher: Kids Can Press (Canada)

Published: May 4, 2021

Language: English

Format: Picture book, fiction

Synopsis: Two nature-loving girls explore the forest and a cave in search of something extraordinary. Precious stones, dinosaur fossils and rare woodpecker feathers are just some of the “treasures” they find on their adventures. The story highlights the role women play in science and the importance of curiosity.

Best screen approach: Animation or live action

Contact: Alison Lapp (alapp@kidscan.com)

Annabelle Bee and the Butterfly Tree

Author: Debra Raso O’Conor

Illustrator: Stephen Lomazzo

Publisher: Brown Books Publishing Group (US)

Published: April 4, 2023

Language: English

Format: Picture book

Synopsis: A courageous bee saves a butterfly from getting caught in a net, and they become BFFs. But their friendship is put to the test when the queen of the hive decides to relocate all of her bees.

Best screen approach: Animation

Contact: Thomas Reale (thomas.reale@brownbooks.com)

If you have books with the rights still available, please send them to ahernandez@brunico.com

Photo by Kimberly Farmer on Unsplash.