About Us
Simon Spotlight has a proven track record with brands such as Peanuts, Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood, Angelina Ballerina, and PJ Masks, and blockbuster movies such as How To Train Your Dragon, The Croods, and Hotel Transylvania. The tie-ins capture the spirit of the brand and provide young fans with great stories featuring their favorite characters. The various formats also appeal to children with different reading levels and interests.
Spotlight also houses Simon & Schuster’s Ready-to-Read program, a line specifically dedicated to emerging readers, which includes the popular series Robin Hill School, Henry and Mudge, The Adventures of Otto, and many others. Spotlight's leveled nonfiction readers such as History of Fun Stuff, Science of Fun Stuff, and Living In... bring fun to learning.
In addition to licensed tie-ins, Spotlight also publishes original paperback series for readers of all ages, with a focus on middle grade. These titles include the successful Cupcake Diaries, Sprinkle Sundays, and You’re Invited to a Creepover series.
Spotlight also houses Simon & Schuster’s Ready-to-Read program, a line specifically dedicated to emerging readers, which includes the popular series Robin Hill School, Henry and Mudge, The Adventures of Otto, and many others. Spotlight's leveled nonfiction readers such as History of Fun Stuff, Science of Fun Stuff, and Living In... bring fun to learning.
In addition to licensed tie-ins, Spotlight also publishes original paperback series for readers of all ages, with a focus on middle grade. These titles include the successful Cupcake Diaries, Sprinkle Sundays, and You’re Invited to a Creepover series.
Meet the Team
Valerie Garfield, Senior Vice President, Publisher of Novelty, Licensed, and Branded Publishing used to get into trouble for reading way, way past her bedtime, but once she started a book she just had to finish it. She still reads that way, even if it means a lot of 3:30 a.m. bedtimes. Her favorite childhood series was Paddington Bear, and today her office houses a few Paddington bears she can’t bear to part with.
Anna Jarzab, Associate Publisher used to beg her parents to take her to the bookstore, beg them to buy her a chapter book…then read the whole thing cover to cover by the time she got home and beg to go back for another. Nancy Drew taught her to love mysteries (and convertibles), the Baby-Sitters Club made her want to start her own business (for about five minutes), but her favorite childhood book was The Little White Horse, which showed her that imperfect people make the best heroes.
Tishana Williams, Brand Manager has always loved books, bookstores and pop culture. As a child any Dr. Seuss or Peanuts books were her favorites to read. Visiting bookstores in NYC with her parents and spending hours picking out new books, was a favorite Saturday pastime. To this day visiting bookstores on her travels is a must. Her favorite bookstore is The Delamain Bookstore in Paris on the Rue Saint-Honoré.
Siobhan Ciminera, Vice President, Editorial Director once read a book at a baseball game. The pitcher ended up pitching a no-hitter, but she kept reading—the book was even more exciting! Her favorite childhood author was Shel Silverstein who made her laugh, cry, and dream big.
Lisa Rao, Executive Editor knew she was destined to work in publishing when she was the only one of her friends who asked for books for Christmas. Lisa’s favorite book was The Secret Garden which she read and reread over and over again. A close second was The Little Prince which contains her favorite quote, “What is essential is invisible to the eye.”
Beth Barton, Senior Editor has always been a bookworm and dreamed of working in publishing from a young age. As a child, she escaped the Arizona heat by heading to the local used bookstore, ice cream cone in hand, to add to her carefully curated “library” at home. She loved old books about spirited girls in faraway places, like the Little House in the Big Woods and Anne of Green Gables series. To this day, ice cream still tastes better with a book!
Lisa Lauria, Senior Editor hated playing kickball at summer camp so much, she would sit on the sidelines and read instead. She spent her childhood looking forward to weekly bookstore trips with her mom to buy the latest Sweet Valley High book. Nancy Drew original hardcover books were a favorite from the library, and her most favorite book is a tie between Ramona and her Father and Blubber.
Leslie Tran, Assistant Editor used to chew on the pages of her sister’s mystery books. They were just so tasty! She still gobbles books up today, but only with her eyes. Leslie has a big appetite for bubble tea, dessert, and books that take her to a different world.
Destiny Reyes, Editorial Assistant has always found books to be the best escape of reality. She would spend most of her time in the classroom next to the rows of books in the library, always consumed in a book about witches, vampires, mischievous kids, or all three! As a kid, she dedicated herself to her favorite series, Cirque Du Freak, chasing every book down in her school library (there are 12), even when she changed schools! Today, she still builds the same attachment to every book she opens and every character she meets.
