Philomel

Philomel was created by editor and publisher Ann Beneduce in 1980 as part of Putnam, which had acquired World Publishing Books for Young People, where Ann had originally published several classics that then became part of the Philomel list. The imprint was named after the nightingale, using a term that literally means “lover of song,” which implied that these books would be lyrical, beautiful in concept and form, and fine enough to be celebrated as gifts. The early lists included such classics as Eric Carle’s The Very Hungry Caterpillar and Ed Young’s Caldecott Honor–winning The Emperor and the Kite.

In 1986, Patricia Lee Gauch took over as editor-in-chief of Philomel. Under her leadership, Philomel published Caldecott winners Owl Moon by Jane Yolen and John Schoenherr; Lon Po Po by Ed Young; and So You Want to Be President? by Judith St. George and David Small; as well as the iconic animal fantasy series Redwall by Brian Jacques and the classic picture books of Patricia Polacco.

Michael Green took the helm as publisher in 2003. Under his direction, Philomel continued its tradition of producing quality picture books for the youngest of readers while simultaneously beginning to publish more commercial fiction for middle graders and young adults. The Philomel list grew to include the #1 bestselling blockbuster The Day the Crayons Quit by Drew Daywalt and Oliver Jeffers; Here We Are by Oliver Jeffers; Anthony Horowitz’s Alex Rider spy novels; Mike Lupica’s sports-centered novels; Nancy Springer’s Enola Holmes series; and John Flanagan’s Ranger’s Apprentice epic. This quest to reach reluctant readers added to Philomel’s initial mission and expanded the type of books published under the imprint’s name.

In 2018, Kenneth Wright became Philomel’s publisher and, working with Jill Santopolo as associate publisher, continued to expand the definition of a Philomel book, publishing books meant to enlighten, inspire, and empower young readers. Philomel’s list grew to include the #1 New York Times bestsellers She Persisted by Chelsea Clinton and Alexandra Boiger; Just Ask by Sonia Sotomayor and Rafael López; Superheroes Are Everywhere by Kamala Harris and Mechal Renee Roe; and Girling Up by Mayim Bialik. Philomel’s list also includes USA Today bestsellers Peanut Butter & Cupcake! by Terry Border; Leo’s Lunchbox by Raphael Warnock and TeMika Grooms; Papa’s Coming Home by Chasten Buttigieg and Dan Taylor; Little Troublemaker Defends Her Name by Luvvie Ajayi Jones and Joey Spiotto; and Rosie Frost and the Falcon Queen by Geri Halliwell-Horner. These books and many others opened readers’ eyes to the world around them and the feelings inside them and showed them how they could make a difference.

In 2023, Jill Santopolo took over the role of publisher of Philomel, with Tamar Brazis as the group publisher, overseeing the Viking, Philomel, and Puffin Classics lists. With an editorial staff of three working to create books that open minds and hearts and celebrate the potential in every reader, the Philomel list also includes, among others, New York Times bestselling historical fiction titles Between Shades of Gray, Salt to the Sea, The Fountains of Silence, and I Must Betray You by Ruta Sepetys, all recognized by the Carnegie committee, and award-winners Mockingbird by Kathryn Erskine, A Tangle of Knots by Lisa Graff, The Life and Crimes of Hoodie Rosen by Isaac Blum, Magnolia Wu Unfolds It All by Chanel Miller, and Perla la súper perrita by Isabel Allende and Sandy Rodriguez.

Whatever the genre, Philomel strives to empower and inspire children and young adults. It’s an appreciation of story, of language, of books that can be read over and over and yet lose none of their magic that drives Philomel to make distinguished, meaningful books year after year.