As a statistically inclined agent, I did some sleuthing recently, and here is what I learned: Of the 10 picture books that Maria Gianferrari has either published or under contract, 7 of them incorporate dogs in some way. Talk about an author specialty!

The deal that's being announced today is one of those 10, and is just as warm and rich and dog-loving as the rest. Here's the deal listing:

COYOTE MOON author Maria Gianferrari's OPERATION RESCUE DOG, a story told from two points of view: that of a girl on her way to meet her new rescue puppy, and the puppy itself as she approaches their meeting place, and with Luisa Uribe signed on to illustrate, to Jenna Pocius at Little Bee, by Ammi-Joan Paquette at Erin Murphy Literary Agency for the author and Alli Brydon at Bright USA for the illustrator (World).

Can I get a woof-woof? Huge congratulations, Maria!

--Joan