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If you’re focused on picture books and looking for a professional editor, who will help you improve the quality of your picture book, then you’re in the right place. Below we’ve featured 19 of the best picture book editors for your review.
1. Jennifer Rees
Situated in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Jennifer Rees is one of the best picture book editors in the world. She’s edited everything from middle-grade books to young adult books and honed her skills for 13 years as a senior editor at Scholastic Inc.
Since 2011, Jennifer has been working as an independent editor, working with established agencies and budding writers to heighten the quality of many stories.
She offers editorial assessments and both developmental editing and copy-editing services.
Apart from the global YA novel sensation that is The Hunger Games trilogy by Suzanne Collins, Jennifer has worked on picture books like Sara Varon’s Chicken and Cat and Rachel Vail’s Righty & Lefty.
To avail of her superb editing skills, contact Jennifer here.
2. Erica Green
Erica Green has been in the publishing industry for more than two decades. Thus, she’s edited hundreds of titles and worked with everyone from renowned primatologist Jane Goodall to TV personality Dr. Oz.
Residing in Washington DC, she served as the editorial director for National Geographic Kids Books for four years and began editing in 1994. Likewise, Erica is a freelancer who launched the Iceland Writers Retreat in 2012.
Erica provides assessments and developmental editing to her clients who have picture books, YA books, or middle-grade fiction.
One amazing picture book she edited is Animal Ark: Celebrating our Wild World in Poetry and Pictures by Kwame Alexander, Mary Rand Hess, and Deanna Nikaido. Another intriguing picture book is How to Pee: Potty Training for Boys by Dr. Todd Spector.
Contact Erica for more information about her services.
3. Jo Collins
Located in London, UK, Jo Collins is one of the go-to editors for picture books. Her editing journey began when she served as the group editorial manager for Barefoot Books in 2005. But it was in 2009 when Jo had the opportunity to work on over 40 picture books as a senior editor for Little Tiger Group.
Currently, Jo is a freelancer and is also part of The Golden Egg Academy where she co-manages a picture book project.
From copy editing to proofreading and developmental editing, Jo will help you improve the quality of your picture book.
Some of the amazing children’s books she edited over the years are Sue Mongredien’s Harry and the Monster and Steve Smallman’s Dragon Stew.
Feel free to inquire Jo about her editing services.
4. Sara Schonfeld
Are you unsure which parts of your picture book need improving? Sara Schonfeld can help you identify what’s working and what isn’t. Living in New York City, New York, Sara was an intern and assistant editor at Penguin Random House.
Currently, Sara is the associate editor at HarperCollins. Since she’s also an author, she understands how and why some authors approach their writing.
Her services include editorial assessments and developmental editing.
Two of the colorful children’s books in her portfolio are Holly Fox’s The Cookie Book of Colors and Jane Kelley’s Octo-Man and the Headless Monster.
You can discuss her editing rates with ease here.
5. Vicky Garrard
Vicky Garrard lives in Kent, UK, and helps both long-time authors and beginner writers, especially in the field of children’s books. She was an editor for Scholastic Children’s Books and was a key part of Quarto Publishing when she became the editorial director for more than eight years.
Her services range from assessments to both copy editing and developmental editing. While she’s keen on picture books, Vicky also has the skills to work on children’s non-fiction.
From Peter Bently’s funny National Geographic Kids Wild Tales: Ella’s Bath to Leonie Roberts’ My Colorful Chameleon, Vicky has proven she has what it takes to edit books for kids.
For more information, you can contact Vicky with ease.
6. Holland Baker
Holland Baker is from New York City, New York, and never fails to pay attention to the smallest details. Starting as a copy editor for Topix Media Lab before being promoted to an assistant managing editor, she’s now the production editor for three imprints of Scholastic.
Aside from proofreading, Holland is an expert in copy editing and editorial assessments. This is not a big surprise when you learn that she has a bachelor’s degree in journalism.
Holland’s editing portfolio includes Tracey West’s cool Fortress of the Stone Dragon and Ann M. Martin’s Karen’s Roller Skates.
You can request her services online.
7. Brooke Vitale
Another trustworthy picture book editor in New York City, New York, is Brooke Vitale. With at least 15 years of experience in children’s titles and having worked at not just Penguin Random House but also Disney Publishing Worldwide, her editing skills are unquestionably good.
With a master’s degree in publishing, Brooke knows exactly how to handle all sorts of manuscripts. Her services are editorial assessments, copy editing, and developmental editing, among many others.
Her previously edited titles include the Disney Book Group’s Frozen Olaf’s Night Before Christmas, which is both a picture book and a CD, and Patricia Barnes-Svarney’s A Traveler’s Guide to the Solar System.
Brooke is available for contact here.
8. Gene Hult
You can’t go wrong with Gene Hult, a professional editor with three decades of relevant experience. He started as a managing editor for Denver Quarterly before reaching career milestones such as being the senior editor for Scholastic and executive editor for Simon & Schuster.
Situated in Houston, Texas, Gene does copy editing, editorial assessments, and developmental editing. He also specifies that his hourly rates for picture books (and poetry) are higher because they require a different degree of editing.
You should check J. E. Bright’s Heroes of the High Seas and Gail Herman’s Halloween Howl (Clifford’s Puppy Days) to see his quality editing.
Contact Gene to avail of his services.
9. Catherine Laudone
Catherine Laudone lives in New York City, New York, and knows how impactful a story can be to readers. She has a degree in writing, literature, and publishing. And since 2013, she’s been an associate editor at Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers.
Her editing services include editorial assessments and developmental editing — and this applies not only to picture books but middle-grade books and YA novels too.
Two wondrous picture books she’s edited are Hanna Cha’s Tiny Feet Between the Mountains and Apryl Stott’s heartwarming Share Some Kindness, Bring Some Light.
For more details about her rates and services, message Catherine.
10. Rebecca Behrens
Since 2014, Rebecca has been an independent editor. Before that, this professional from New York City, New York, honed her skills by working for top publishing companies such as Macmillan, Penguin Random House, and Disney Publishing Worldwide.
Rebecca’s services range from developmental editing and copy editing to editorial assessments. But as of writing, picture book authors can only request her copy-editing service.
Her portfolio of children’s titles includes Henry Winkler’s Everybody Is Somebody #12 (Here’s Hank) and Michelle Schusterman’s Graveyard Slot #2 (The Kat Sinclair Files).
Contact Rebecca online for her availability.
11. Catherine Nichols
As a magna cum laude graduate, Catherine Nichols is a brilliant individual whose educational prowess is complemented by her years of experience in the book industry. For more than 11 years, she has been an independent editor who has been sought by the likes of Dorling Kindersley Limited (DK) and Scholastic.
Situated in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Catherine offers editorial assessments, developmental editing, and copy-editing services.
From The Beast of Blackslope by Tracy Barrett and John Deere: How Does It Grow? by Parachute Press and DK Publishing, you can easily sense her splendid editing skills.
To avail of her services, just message Catherine.
12. Lynne Kelly
Residing in Conroe, Texas, Lynne Kelly is one of the best editors if you’re focused on picture books and other books for young individuals.
Apart from being an independent editor, she’s an award-winning author who got the Schneider Family Books Award and the Kentucky Bluegrass Award, among many accolades. Thus, she knows what it takes to tell a good story.
Lynne provides editorial assessments and developmental editing services.
Some of the picture books she worked on are M. G. King’s wonderful Librarian on the Roof! A True Story and Charles Trevino’s Seaside Stroll.
To have your picture book critiqued by her, start by requesting a quote.
13. Kate Lockwood
Kate Lockwood from San Diego, California, can successfully examine thousands of proposals annually.
She has been editing children’s books for at least 15 years and has worked as a developmental editor for Scholastic before becoming an editorial director for Readerlink.
Aside from developmental editing, Kate conducts editorial assessments and copy editing. Her portfolio includes picture books like Eppie the Elephant (Who Was Allergic to Peanuts) by Livingstone Crouse and How Winston Delivered Christmas by Alex T. Smith.
To know her service rates and availability, contact Kate here.
14. Jessica Lee Anderson
With accolades like the Milkweed Prize for Children’s Literature and the Shirley Henn Memorial Award, Jessica Lee Anderson has astounded critics and readers alike with her impeccable writing. Realizing her knack for crafting stories, she now helps others through editing.
Based in Austin, Texas, Jessica began her career as an independent editor in 2005. And thanks to her master’s degree in children’s literature, she immediately became known for her valuable critiques of middle-grade books, YA novels, and picture books.
Her services include editorial assessments and developmental editing. She worked on Madeline Smoot’s The Monsters Hiding in Your Closet and the beautiful picture book titled The Texas Nutcracker by Jennifer Coleman.
If you want a quote, message Jessica online.
15. Mabel Hsu
Situated in New York City, New York, Mabel Hsu is an amazing editor who does all that she can for her clients. Aside from providing critiques, she lets writers understand how others in the publishing world may respond to their work.
Since 2016, she’s been an editor for HarperCollins. Aside from graphic novels and YA books, Mabel loves editing funny and heartfelt picture books.
Currently, her editing services are editorial assessment and developmental editing
Mabel’s portfolio includes picture books like Kelly DiPucchio’s mesmerizing Oona and Katrina Moore’s heartwarming One Hug.
Feel free to ask Mabel for a quote.
16. John Briggs
John Briggs has at least 25 years of editing experience. Located in Albany, New York, he’s a brilliant editor of children’s books because he’s authored many titles for kids as well — and these include picture books.
John has assisted individual authors and publishers like Sage Hill Books and Sterling Children’s Books with services such as developmental editing and copy editing.
One of the children’s books he critiqued is T. L. Johnson’s Tut The Generous. Similarly, John ensured that Linda Elovitz Marshall’s picture book titled Grandma Rose’s Magic (Shabbat) would be in its best possible form.
Contact John now to have your picture book edited to perfection.
17. Jenn Bailey
In 2020, Jenn Bailey received the ALA National Schneider Family Honor Award for A Friend for Henry. If her accolade for her own picture book won’t convince you to seek her editing services, then maybe her master’s degree in writing will.
Based in Leawood, Kansas, Jenn is an acclaimed author and editor. She loves all sorts of subgenres and enjoys editing picture books.
Her services include copy editing, developmental editing, and editorial assessments.
To observe her editing skills, browse picture books such as Alastair Heim’s No Tooting at Tea and Jake Tebbit’s Woolly the Wide Awake Sheep.
For more details about her services, contact Jenn here.
18. Auriane Desombre
Auriane Desombre from Los Angeles, California, holds master’s degrees in both English literature and creative writing — and the latter is focused on crafting stories for kids and young adults. Since she’s a teacher, her style of editing is highly detailed and always yearns to motivate writers.
Whether you have worries about your characters or the plot, Auriane can improve your picture book through developmental editing and editorial assessments.
Auriane edited both Hunt (North) by Alexandria Warwick and Big Mouth Blues by Danalynn Donovan.
To get her editing rates, just message Auriane.
19. Kiley Frank
For six years, Kiley Frank was working for Atheneum Books for Young Readers as an assistant editor. Since 2011, she’s been an independent editor who’s assisted the likes of Egmont Group and Simon & Schuster.
Based in Canton, New York, Kiley conducts editorial assessments and developmental editing services on picture books, YA novels, and other reading material for kids and teenagers.
Kiley’s portfolio includes the picture book What is Your Dog Doing? by Marily Singer and the celebrated Little Dog, Lost by Marion Dane Bauer.
Request a quote from Kiley if you’re interested in her editing services.