About Kelly
Kelly represents illustrators and writers for all age groups and formats within children's literature (picture books, middle grade, chapter book, YA, and graphic novels).
Right now in YA, Kelly is interested in finding a sophisticated novel that examines social issues in a fresh way, or something that taps into her sci-fi, magic and fantasy nerdiness. In middle grade, she tends toward emotional, family-centered stories. She likes unique, clever picture books with emotional layers that reflect the challenges and conflicts 0-7 year olds face even if told from the perspective of a family of robots or mice. Kelly is a passionate graphic novel fan and excited about taking on new graphic novel creators. She loves humorous and/or fantastical adventures for a juvenile audience or personal, layered stories for older teen audiences. While her bar is high for nonfiction, she's particularly interested in projects focused on minority historical figures. She is also always on the lookout for dynamic illustrators, whether they're writing their own books or interested in illustrating other people's.
Some of the YA, middle grade, and chapter books Kelly represents include Courtney Stevens' courageous debut YA, FAKING NORMAL; and her Golden Kite Honor and Kirkus Best Book of 2017, DRESS CODES FOR SMALL TOWNS (both HarperTeen/HarperCollins); Christine Lynn Herman's upcoming haunting YA, THE DEVOURING GRAY (Disney*Hyperion); Steve Watkins' adventurous middle grade Ghosts of War series (Scholastic); Sharon Cameron's smart YA novels including the NYT bestselling THE FORGETTING and its companion novel THE KNOWING (Scholastic); David Elliott's provocative YA novel in verse, BULL, which received seven starred-reviews and was also a Kirkus Best Book of 2017 (Houghton/HMH); Marilyn Cram Donahue's timely middle grade novel WHEN THE CRICKETS STOPPED SINGING (Boyds Mills); Jessica Young and James Burks' hilarious early chapter book series, Haggis and Tank Unleashed (Scholastic); and Gina Bellisario's superhero chapter book series, Ellie Ultra, with illustrations by Jessika von Innerebner (Capstone).
Picture books that Kelly represents include sweet, emotional books like Diane Adams' TWO HANDS TO HOLD YOU and LOVE IS (both Chronicle), Elizabeth McPike's LITTLE SLEEPYHEAD (Putnam/PRH) and EVERYTHING YOU (FSG/Macmillan), and Alastair Heim's LOVE YOU TOO (Little Bee/Bonnier); funny books like Bridget Heos and Joy Ang's MUSTACHE BABY (Clarion/HMH), Alastair Heim's NO TOOTING AT TEA and THE GREAT PUPPY INVASION (both Clarion/HMH); thoughtful and imaginative books like Jessica Young's MY BLUE IS HAPPY (Candlewick) and Sam Zuppardi's THE NOWHERE BOX and JACK'S WORRY (both Candlewick); and original board books such as Kenny Harrison's four-book series, Hide and Seek Harry (Candlewick), and Jessica Young's interactive companion books PLAY THIS BOOK and PET THIS BOOK (Bloomsbury).
Kelly also represents artists such as James Burks, illustrator of books including THE MONSTORE (Aladdin/S&S), his own hysterical graphic novel series Bird & Squirrel (Graphix/Scholastic), and his author-illustrated picture books PIGS AND A BLANKET and WHEN PIGS FLY (Disney*Hyperion); Mike Lawrence, author-illustrator of the graphic novel series, Star Scouts (First Second/Macmillan); Ashlyn Anstee, author-illustrator of ARE WE THERE YETI?, NO, NO, GNOME! (both BFYR/S&S) and HEDGEHOG (Tundra/PRH); Joy Ang, illustrator of the Wings of Fire novels (Scholastic), the NYT bestselling THE ATLAS OBSCURA EXPLORER'S GUIDE FOR THE WORLD'S MOST ADVENTUROUS KID (Workman), and the upcoming MULAN: THE LEGEND OF THE WOMAN WARRIOR (HarperCollins); Kim Smith, illustrator of the Quirk Pop Classic picture book adaptations including HOME ALONE, BACK TO THE FUTURE and BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER (Quirk) as well as her upcoming author-illustrated picture book BOXITECTS (Clarion/HMH in the U.S. and HarperCollins Publishers Ltd in Canada); Simone Shin, illustrator of NIKO DRAWS A FEELING (Carolrhoda/Lerner) and RUMBLE GRUMBLE HUSH (Schwartz & Wade/PRH); and Kimberly Gee, illustrator of THE CLASS (Beach Lane/S&S), and author-illustrator of MAD, MAD BEAR! (Beach Lane/S&S) and the upcoming UP, UP, UP, DOWN (Putnam/PRH).
Kelly spent over ten years in her childhood as a 3rd culture kid, growing up in Singapore. Now she lives with her family in San Diego, and is on the Advisory Board for UCSD's certificate in Writing and Illustrating for Children. She is also a founder of the City Heights Young Writers Workshop and is a frequent speaker at conferences, including SCBWI's national and regional conferences.
