Kim Sandve, Publishing Assistant

Kim Bio Pic!
Change Sings by Amanda Gorman, Illustrated by Loren Long

Overview

Viking Mission Statement

Historically, Vikings were known for their drive to explore the world and discover uncharted lands. At Viking Children’s Books, we are similarly compelled to seek out new voices, uncover innovative ideas, and publish themes that children need and want to read. Tales of Vikings have endured and captivated the world for generations, much like the classic books that make up our rich backlist. These books have become true mainstays of countless childhoods and today serve as the foundation from which we will evolve our list for generations to come. Our mission is simple: to publish books that will earn their place alongside our classics.

In recent years, Viking has sought to bring new perspectives to traditional genres, including fantasy, romance, and thriller. With our firm belief that children should see themselves represented in the books they read, our editors have published a wide variety of genre fiction from underrepresented groups that celebrates the joy of identity. Every Viking book embodies the tradition of excellent storytelling set by our own unparalleled backlist. By honoring our roots with high standards and careful curation, and striving for the intersection between commercial and literary, we are able to give voice to the writers we welcome onto our ever-seafaring Viking ship.

About Viking

Viking Children’s Books was founded in 1933 as a department of the prestigious Viking Press, known for publishing such authors as Sherwood Anderson, James Joyce, John Steinbeck, and Rebecca West. Under the Viking Children’s Book imprint, many classics such as Make Way for Ducklings, The Story of Ferdinand,  Pippi Longstocking, and the Madeline books were published.

Throughout Viking’s history, it has been known for innovation as well as dedication to quality that has created the rich backlist the house enjoys. Viking has published ten Newbery Medal winners and ten Caldecott Medal winners, more than any other publishing house. Among the groundbreaking titles published by Viking are The Outsiders (1969), still the bestselling young adult book ever published; The Snowy Day (1963), which brought multicultural books mainstream recognition; and The Stinky Cheese Man (1992), widely hailed for its innovative design. The current Viking list is known for such classic characters as Madeline, Corduroy, Roald Dahl’s Matilda, Llama Llama, and Angelina Ballerina, as well as the Last Kids on Earth series and the work of presidential inaugural poet Amanda Gorman.

Meet the Team

Tamar Brazis, Publisher

Tamar Brazis joined Viking Children’s book in 2018 as Editorial Director of Illustrated Publishing, specializing in children’s picture books. Her background in poetry led her to acquire the debut picture book Change Sings, by presidential inaugural poet and #1 New York Times bestselling author Amanda Gorman, as well as Gorman’s first full-length poetry collection for adults Call Us What We Carry. Other New York Times bestselling picture books at Viking include Tomatoes for Neela by Padma Lakshmi and Juana Martinez-Neal, Hattie Harmony: Worry Detective by Elizabeth Olsen and Robbie Arnett, and Just Because by Matthew McConaughey.

Brazis began her career at HarperCollins two weeks after graduating from Sarah Lawrence College. She then moved to Abrams, where she worked for nearly fifteen years and during which time she completed an MFA in creative writing at the New School. She was promoted to Editorial Director of Abrams Books for Young Readers, where she cultivated her passion for illustrated publishing and fine bookmaking. There, she acquired and edited the #1 New York Times bestselling I Am series by Susan Verde and Peter H. Reynolds, Princesses Wear Pants by Savannah Guthrie and Allison Oppenheim, and the Caldecott Honor– and Coretta Scott King Medal–winning Trombone Shorty by Troy Andrews and Bryan Collier. Other titles acquired and edited by Brazis received the Pura Belpré, Coretta Scott King, Sibert, and Schneider Honors. She loves Italian film, stories of sunken treasure, and “Baby, It’s You” by the Shirelles.

Viking celebrated its ninetieth anniversary in 2023 with Brazis becoming its eighth Publisher.

Jenny Bak, Senior Executive Editor


Jenny Bak is Senior Executive Editor at Viking Children’s, where she edits middle grade and young adult fiction, as well as the occasional picture book. She is drawn to stories at the intersection of commercial and literary, especially those with irresistible hooks, a swift pace, clever storytelling, unexpected twists, and authentic, diverse voices. In young adult, she has a particular interest in fantasy, speculative fiction, thrillers, horror, and also contemporary romance that incorporates deeper themes, especially concerning issues of inclusivity and belonging. Science fiction and high fantasy aren’t quite as high on her list!  In middle grade, she’d love to see heartstring-tugging friendship stories, exciting adventure chronicles, magical realism, animal fantasies, and thrilling mysteries to puzzle out. Currently, she edits books by Laurie Halse Anderson, George Lopez, Derrick Barnes, Maia and Alex Shibutani, Gloria Chao, Suzanne Selfors, Sangu Mandanna, Nidhi Chanani, and Nnedi Okorafor, among others. Prior to Viking, she helped launch James Patterson’s children’s imprint as Editorial Director of JIMMY Patterson Books / Little, Brown.

Dana Leydig, Executive Editor

Dana Leydig is Executive Editor at Viking Children’s Books. She began her publishing career as an intern for Puffin Books in 2008, and returned full-time in 2010 before moving to her current role at Viking in 2018. A graduate of the University of Florida (Go Gators!), she earned a degree in English with a minor in Jewish studies, and as a result, has read Daniel Deronda by George Eliot more times than she can count. Dana is open to both commercial middle grade and YA fiction with an emphasis on the latter, and is aiming to grow her graphic novel list for all age groups. Rom-com is her genre of choice, and she loves a good fairy tale retelling, but is also drawn to stories that infuse humor (and/or romance) into the macabre (think Tim Burton’s The Corpse Bride). Her priority is to support and celebrate creators of marginalized communities, and bring their stories into the spotlight. She is the editor of the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and USA Today bestselling The Last Kids on Earth series by Max Brallier and Douglas Holgate, Right Where I Left You by critically acclaimed author Julian Winters, and beloved YA author couple Emily Wibberley and Austin Siegemund-Broka (AKA #Wibbroka). Dana enjoys belting out show tunes (poorly), and is a sucker for period dramas and salacious gossip.

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Kelsey Murphy, Senior Editor

Kelsey Murphy is a senior editor at Viking. She joined Penguin Random House as an editor in 2018. She graduated from New York University with degrees in dramatic literature, film studies, and theater history and a minor in creative writing. Kelsey edits picture books, middle grade, and young adult fiction and nonfiction, as well as select graphic novels.

She is particularly interested in middle grade and young adult fantasy, sci-fi, thrillers, mysteries, magical realism, contemporary realism, horror, romance, genre-blending projects, historical and sports nonfiction, and more, with a blend of literary and commercial appeal. Kelsey’s always looking for projects by underrepresented creators. She is the editor of The Bletchley Riddle by Ruta Sepetys and Steve Sheinkin; Of Jade and Dragons by Amber Chen; The 99 Boyfriends of Micah Summers by Adam Sass; Be Real, Macy Weaver by Lakita Wilson; Inaugural Ballers by Andrew Maraniss; as well as the Brotherband and Royal Ranger series by John Flanagan; and Wonka by Sibeal Pounder. When not reading or writing, Kelsey can sometimes be found watching every movie in the Criterion Collection.

Maggie Rosenthal, Editor


Maggie Rosenthal is an editor at Viking, which she joined in 2014 after graduating from Kenyon College with a degree in anthropology and a minor in English. She works on books for kids of all ages, from board books through young adult, as well as graphic novels, with an emphasis on middle grade and young adult. While she considers herself genre-agnostic, books that provide fresh angles into familiar stories, explore family relationships to cultural traditions, center LGBTQ+ experiences, or are tinged with horror are her kryptonite. She’s always looking for projects by marginalized creators across all genres and for all reading levels. When she’s not editing, you can find her baking bread and listening to podcasts—or organizing her oversize collection of clogs.

Aneeka Kalia, Editor

Aneeka Kalia is an Editor at Viking Children’s Books, where she primarily focuses on picture books and graphic novels for all ages. The books that she works on often explore themes of home and community, and she’s worked with creators like Anoosha Syed, Bianca Xunise, Frank Morrison, and Scott Magoon. She loves a story with good puns that will make her belly laugh. Some of her notable books are My Block Looks Like by Janelle Harper and Frank Morrison, That’s Not My Name! by Anoosha Syed, Birthday Soup by Grace Seo Chang and Jaime Kim, and the Wombats! series by Maddie Frost. Aneeka is a native New Englander and currently lives in New York City. She likes to spend as much time outside as possible, usually with a cup of coffee in hand. Aneeka’s other interest include tennis, soccer, reality TV, yoga, and hiking.

Meriam Metoui, Associate Editor

Meriam Metoui (she/her) is an associate editor at Viking Children’s Books, where she primarily edits pictures books and graphic novels of all ages. She especially loves lyrical or funny picture books, grim and adventurous middle grade, and a wide variety of young adult too difficult to narrow down but knows that she can’t resist emotional storytelling and has always had a soft spot for queer BIPOC stories, magical realism, and the slightly speculative.

Some of her titles include the graphic novel adaptations of #1 New York Times bestselling the Raven Cycle series by Maggie Stiefvater,  A Thousand Years by Christina Perri and New York Times bestselling illustrator Joy Hwang Ruiz, the Red Truck and Friends series by Kersten Hamilton and Valeria Petrone, and Nayra and the Djinn by Iasmin Omar Ata. She graduated from the University of Michigan and Hunter College, where she received a master’s degree in English literature. As a serial hobbyist, she loves writing, photography, painting, learning ASL, playing the guitar badly, and too many TV shows to list.

AZ Hackett, Editorial Assistant


AZ Hackett is an editorial assistant at Viking Children’s Books, assisting Tamar Brazis and Jenny Bak. She began her publishing career as an editorial intern at Candlewick Press and a We Need Diverse Books grantee. AZ has a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree (Emerson College) and a Master of Fine Arts degree (the New School) in creative writing, both with concentrations in fiction. While at Emerson, she also minored in African American and Africana studies. AZ enjoys books from all genres, but young adult fiction especially dystopia, fantasy, and romance—has a special place in her heart. AZ has been a storyteller for as long as she can remember, and her passion lies in the intersection between writing, diversity in literature, and social justice. Even before recent years, it was painfully clear to her how great the need for diverse voices in the literary world is, especially in children’s publishing.