First Second Books will expand its line from graphic novels to picture books, the company announced.  First Second Editorial Director Mark Siegel explained the genesis of the expanded focus.  "Some of our most beloved creators--Sara Varon, LeUyen Pham, and George O’Connor, to name a few--are esteemed talents in the picture book sphere who are already incorporating comics into their work," he said.  "So it seems fitting that we broaden our list with picture book projects under the First Second banner, with works that include comics elements as well as showcasing great art and great story from great voices."

The first announced projects for 2014 and 2015 include Sleep Tight, Anna Banana, first in a series by mother and son team Dominique Roques and Alexis Dormal; Julia’s House for Lost Creatures, by Ben Hatke; Zoo Box, by Ariel Cohn and Aron Steinke; and Sleepless Knight, the first in a companion series to Adventures in Cartooning, by James Sturm, Andrew Arnold, and Alexis Frederick-Frost.