Maria Elias, Senior Art Director

Maria joined Penguin Young Readers in 2019, and previously designed for Random House, Disney Hyperion, and Workman Publishing. Before falling in love with book design, she worked in news and magazine. Maria’s work has been recognized by AIGA 50 Books/50Covers, the Type Directors Club, and the New York Book Show. She is also a member of the LatinX in publishing community and supports diversity in books.

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Kelsey Murphy, Senior Editor

Kelsey Murphy, editor at Philomel Books, joined Penguin Random House as an editor in 2018. She graduated from New York University with a degree 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.

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Rachel Sonis, Assistant Editor

Rachel Sonis is an Assistant Editor, who has worked on a number of critically-acclaimed and bestselling books such as Jessica Hische’s Tomorrow I’ll Be Kind and the Pocket Change Collective — pocket-sized books written by today’s leading activists and artists like Kimberly Drew, Xiuhtezcatl Martinez, Alok Vaid-Menon, and Adam Eli.

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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.

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Nathaniel 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.

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Nick 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.

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Renee 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.

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