My passion is ideas – finding them, shaping them and connecting them with the right publishing homes. I work across picture books, preschool, nonfiction and graphic novels, and love helping writers and illustrators develop their storytelling, refine their concepts and build long-term careers.
I’m drawn to books that make you feel something, whether that’s laughter, wonder, sadness or seeing the world from a different perspective. I particularly love stories that trust children to read between the lines, and creators who understand the unique relationship between words and pictures.
Championing underrepresented voices is a huge part of what drives me, particularly creators from working-class and lower socioeconomic backgrounds whose stories and perspectives have been overlooked. I’m passionate about helping children’s publishing better reflect the richness, diversity and reality of the world around us, while always keeping the young reader at the heart of every story.
In terms of what I look for in a picture book, I love stories that leave me feeling something whether that’s laughter, tears, or simply seeing the world a little differently. I’m particularly drawn to books that trust children to read between the lines and make discoveries for themselves. I’m also a sucker for a niche subject.
I tend to gravitate towards picture books that are unusual, surprising, slightly strange or beautiful, and I always look for writers who have a strong understanding of how text and illustration work together to tell a story in a way neither could achieve alone.