The University of Queensland Press (UQP) has acquired world rights to debut author Sandy Bigna’s middle-grade verse novel Little Bones, in a two-book deal via Danielle Binks of Jacinta di Mase Management.

Little Bones is a gothic magic-realist story that follows twelve-year-old Bones, who copes with her younger brother’s recent death by collecting animal skeletons. When she inadvertently makes the skeletons of a bird and a snake come to life, Bones must work out how to reverse the curse—and how to say goodbye to her two new friends.

UQP called Little Bones ‘a beautiful novel of grief, friendship and accepting loss’. The novel is the first major acquisition by UQP’s recently appointed children’s and YA publisher Cathy Vallance, who said: ‘Little Bones is exactly the kind of book I want to publish on UQP’s children’s list: an exquisitely written, lyrical story with heart and soul, and a unique point of difference. Sandy is such a talent and I’m beyond thrilled to be bringing this book to life with her.’

Bigna said: ‘For many years I’ve loved reading (and reviewing) all the beautiful verse novels published by UQP, and am so excited to work with Cathy to deliver my own verse novel into the hands of young readers… I’m so grateful for this amazing outcome and can’t wait for everyone to meet Bones.’

UQP plans to publish Little Bones in 2025.