New Deal: Otis Knows (How to Be a Bear)

Andrea Welch at S&S/Beach Lane Books has bought world rights to Otis Knows (How to Be a Bear) by Martha Brockenbrough and Liz Garton Scanlon, illustrated by Steph Laberis, inspired by real-life Katmai National Park bear Otis, who emerges from hibernation slower and skinnier than other bears, but whose persistence and experience have made him a four-time Fat Bear Week champion, for publication in summer 2026. Jennifer Laughran at Andrea Brown Literary Agency represented Brockenbrough, Erin Murphy at Erin Murphy Literary Agency represented Scanlon, and Anne Moore Armstrong at the Bright Agency represented Laberis.