Kids Comics Pitchfest 2026 Showcase
Comics creators from around the world submit their unpublished projects to be previewed online by editors and agents. A panel of judges (click here to see the juror list) select the top pitches. Projects are archived here so that industry pros may view them and discover new talent.
Buttermilk & Yoyo
Treat Land is an island where the flora are made of sweets that’s inhabited by animals and other creatures yet to be discovered by man… and some of them go to middle school.
Buttermilk is a zealous sea otter who’s lived on Treat Land her entire life. Yoyo, on other hand, is a reserved axolotl who just moved to Treat Land from Atlantis. Even though Buttermilk’s scheme to get Yoyo’s attention goes awry, the two become unlikely best friends.
The pair navigate middle school life, friendship, and drama, while going on quirky adventures around Treat Land. Through their escapades, Buttermilk and Yoyo lead vibrant lives, as their friendship and understanding of themselves deepens.
Buttermilk & Yoyo is a story of friendship, identity, and hope.
Age Range:
Middle Grade (approx ages 9-12)Genre:
Animals, Fiction, Humor, Realistic Fiction/Slice of LifePage Count Estimate:
180 pages
My Why:
As a kid, I folded and stapled notebook paper together into makeshift zines. I then mailed them to Scholastic’s headquarters with the hopes of becoming their youngest published author with my comic, Buttermilk & Yoyo!
Buttermilk & Yoyo started as my middle grade comic that I have since reworked as an adult. I take inspiration from my younger self, and the story is based on my life and the type of comics I wanted to read as a kid.
Traditionally publishing Buttermilk & Yoyo will put it in the hands of young readers who are waiting for a comic that makes them feel seen. Kids who read as a form of escapism, who have trouble making friends, and/or who are hopeful for a kinder world are the ones with whom Buttermilk & Yoyo will resonate.
Comp Titles:
The Peanuts by Charles Schulz, Berrybrook Middle School series by Svetlana Chmakova, Pocket Peaches by Dora Wang.Kirsten Stevens
Author/illustrator Kirsten Stevens (AKA Snoozzzes) is a cartoonist and comic artist from the midwestern United States. They received their Bachelor of Fine Arts in 2023 at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, with a focus in comics. They mainly work in the digital medium, specializing with Medibang Paint Pro and Clip Studio Paint.
Currently, Stevens makes two ongoing webcomics, Dead or Alive and Buttermilk & Yoyo. They also freelance and sell their work online and at comic conventions.