If you know Maria Gianferrari, you know that she loves animals. Of the 10 books she has sold for publication so far, every single one has an animal in a main character role. So perhaps you will not be surprised that this trend is continuing with her newest picture book deal.

Here's the scoop, as reported in Publishers Weekly:

Carol Hinz at Lerner/Millbrook Press has acquired COYOTE MOON and HAWK RISING author Maria Gianferrari's new picture book PLAY LIKE AN ANIMAL, a light-hearted look at all the different ways animals play, with Mia Powell signed on to illustrate. The author was represented by Ammi-Joan Paquette at Erin Murphy Literary Agency, and the illustrator by Alex Gehringer at The Bright Agency, in a deal for World rights. Publication is expected in Spring 2020.

This fun and energetic crowd-pleaser is one you won't want to miss. Hooray, Maria!

--Joan