Team Member
Anu Ohioma, Associate Editor
Anu Ohioma is an Assistant Editor working on titles within the WHO HQ brand, as well as chapter books, middle-grade novels, and YA novels. She is on the lookout for diverse narratives that are joyful, humorous, and heartwarming. She aims to publish books that will inspire and empower young readers.
Read MoreNathaniel Tabachnik Associate Editor
Nathaniel Tabachnik edits everything from board books through young adult. He’s on the look-out for fresh, diverse voices that share the weird and funny, extraordinary and authentic experiences of kids and young adults: self-aware, laugh-out-loud picture books, emotionally resonant, humorous middle grades, and incisive, inclusive YAs. When he isn’t editing, you can find him somewhere outdoors.
Read MoreNick Magliato, Senior Editor
Nick Magliato is an editor who publishes high-quality books in response to cultural trends. Whether fiction or non-fiction, board or picture book, middle-grade or YA, he keeps a close finger on the cultural pulse of America to create books that are welcome additions to young readers’ shelves.
Read MoreRenee Kelly, Executive Editor
Renee Kelly works on leveled readers, picture books, chapter books, middle grade novels, and more. She’s drawn to stand-out characters with diverse, dynamic voices, and particularly enjoys stories with a good dose of girl power. Above all, she aspires to publish books that are inspiring, inclusive, and entertaining.
Read MorePaula Manzanero, Director of Who HQ and Nonfiction Publishing
Paula Manzanero edits the Who Was? series as well as the ancillary titles of the WHO HQ brand, such as activity books, journals, and joke books. She also publishes dynamic nonfiction on a wide variety of subjects for ages 8 and up.
Read MoreCecily Kaiser, Vice President & Publisher
Cecily Kaiser joined Penguin in 2019 with a mission to create engaging, empowering, and elegant books for babies, toddlers, and preschoolers. She has previously worked with major contributors to this category such as Norman Bridwell, Caroline Jayne Church, Barney Saltzberg, Jean Jullien, Leslie Patricelli, Chris Raschka, and Lotta Nieminen, and looks forward to continuing to publish groundbreaking talent for the youngest readers.
Read MoreSydnee Monday, Associate Editor
Assistant Editor Sydnee Monday was born on a Monday in Tulsa, Oklahoma. She wants to read about what it feels like to live in your skin, disillusionment with crumbling facades, and how we move towards utopia.
Read MoreJoanna Cárdenas, Associate Publisher
Senior Editor Joanna Cárdenas has worked on such critically-acclaimed and award-winning books as The First Rule of Punk by Celia C. Pérez and Stand Up Yumi Chung by Jessica Kim.
Read MoreZareen Jaffery, Executive Editor
Executive Editor Zareen Jaffery joined Kokila in January 2020, and will continue to publish books across age groups. She has acquired and edited a number of New York Times bestselling, award-winning, and critically acclaimed books over the course of her publishing career.
Read MoreJasmin Rubero, Art Director
Art Director Jasmin Rubero has designed books by critically-acclaimed and bestselling artists and authors, including the New York Times bestselling Ladybug Girl series by Jacky Davis and David Soman; Pura Belpré Award winner Portraits of Hispanic American Heroes by Juan Felipe Herrera, illustrated by Raul Colón; and Junot DÃaz’s debut picture book Islandborn, illustrated by Leo Espinosa.
Read More