Philomel Books Team

Penguin: Because Reading Matters

Ellice Lee, Senior Art Director

Ellice Lee, senior art director of Philomel, joined the team in 2017. She holds a BA in sociology from UCLA and a BFA from Art Center College of Design. Ellice has worked with award-winning talent including Alexandra Boiger, Rafael López, Loren Long, LeUyen Pham, Christian Robinson, Kadir Nelson, Ed Young, and Floyd Cooper. Titles she…

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Talia Benamy, Editor

Talia Benamy is the editor and backlist manager at Philomel. She holds a BA in English literature from Cornell University and edits books for young readers of all ages, including the She Persisted chapter book series, based on the bestselling picture books by Chelsea Clinton and Alexandra Boiger; Morris Award winner The Life and Crimes…

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Jill Santopolo, Vice President & Publisher

Jill Santopolo is the vice president and publisher of Philomel. After seven years at HarperCollins, she joined Penguin Random House in 2009 and became Philomel’s publisher in 2023. She holds a BA in English literature from Columbia University and an MFA in writing for children from the Vermont College of Fine Arts. Jill is best known…

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Tamar Brazis, Publisher

Tamar Brazis joined Viking Children’s books 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…

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