This interview originally appeared in the January/February 2025 Horn Book Magazine as part of the Publishers’ Previews: New Books for Emerging Readers, an advertising supplement that allows participating publishers a chance to each highlight a book from its current list. They choose the books; we ask the questions.

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Simon & Schuster’s Ready-to-Read program is being helmed by Senior VP and Publisher Valerie Garfield, who below answers five questions about what she looks for in an early-reader title.

Photo: Richard Ackoon.

1. What makes a picture book promising for a Ready-to-Read adaptation?

Great characters can span formats, from picture books to beginning readers and sometimes beyond. Seeing familiar characters in books that kids are reading on their own really appeals to this audience. Reading independently is a big step, and sometimes kids like having a friend on that journey.

2. What is the most common mistake you find in Ready-to-Read submissions?

Thinking a thinned-down, simple story is enough for this audience. In addition to vocabulary and grammar, careful attention needs to be given to pacing. It is a lot like poetry, with the author paying attention to tempo. For many new readers, a book is a marathon, not a sprint; we pace with page turns or visual cues, signaling when to rest if they need to. This needs to be considered in the context of a story that gives readers a sense of accomplishment; readers want characters and plot.

3. How do you decide what level a book should be?

We carefully evaluate the manuscript and art. Is it leaning hard on visual cues? How is the pacing? Is it text-heavy? We also refer to standard vocabulary lists by grade, and educational advisors review manuscripts.

4. How do you make the Ready-to-Read Books stand out from the competition?

I’m less concerned about standing out from the competition than I am about standing out to the reader. S & S offers a wide range of levels so kids can ramp up instead of taking a scary leap.

5. What do you love about Ready-to-Read books?

When a reader goes from clutching the pages and taking deep breaths to flying through and reading on their own, you can see the smile on their face when everything clicks. It’s a major milestone. The training wheels come off the bike, the wind rushes by, and a new reader is on the road, hopefully on a lifelong reading journey.

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