Hello, there! I'm Hélène.
I'm a writer and editor of illustrated books for children of all ages, from babies to YA. I have been in children’s publishing for nearly a decade and previously worked as an early years and primary school teacher.
Having worked in-house at DK and Penguin Random House since 2015, I have been lucky enough to write and edit some truly incredible books. I now do even more of what I love as a freelance writer and editor.
Here are some of the projects and topics I love the most:
- Picture books
- Illustrated non-fiction
- Animals, nature, and the environment
- History
- Travel
- Myths and legends
- Nerd culture
- Anything offbeat, odd, and quirky
- Generally books that make growing up feel a little bit magical
I'm open to new projects so please get in touch if you would like to work together.
Eyewitness Encyclopedia of Everything
DK, 2023
Author and editor of the Earth chapter: planned chapter contents; wrote/commissioned spreads; carried out
picture research; edited spreads
Starting School
Penguin Random House, 2023
Editor: planned contents in collaboration with author; commissioned spreads; planned spreads with designer;
edited text manuscripts and spreads
Learn with Ladybird series
Penguin Random House, 2022-2023
Series editor: proposed series and book contents; created inclusive characters in collaboration with charities; planned spreads with designer; edited text manuscripts and spreads
Read It Yourself: Ladybird Class
Penguin Random House, 2024-2025
Mini-series editor (10 books): proposed books; created inclusive characters in collaboration with charities; commissioned graded reading text; planned spreads with designer; edited text manuscripts and spreads
Read It Yourself: Ladybird Class
Penguin Random House, 2024-2025
Mini-series editor (10 books): proposed books; created inclusive characters in collaboration with charities; commissioned graded reading text; planned spreads with designer; edited text manuscripts and spreads
Actiphons series
Penguin Random House, 2021
Editor: edited text manuscripts and spreads; commissioned/wrote and edited companion guides; planned and delivered extra resources including audiobooks, songs, and animations
Through the Animal Kingdom
DK, 2019
Editor: commissioned contents in collaboration with author and acquisitions editor; planned spreads with designer;
edited text on spreads
Stuff to know when you start school
DK, 2018
Author: proposed book and contents; planned spreads with designer; wrote and edited text on spreads
My Very Important series
DK, 2016
Author and editor: collaborated on contents with acquisitions editor; planned spreads with designer;
wrote and edited text on spreads
My Very Important series
DK, 2017
Author and editor: collaborated on contents with acquisitions editor; planned spreads with designer;
wrote and edited text on spreads
My Very Important series
DK, 2018
Author and editor: collaborated on contents with acquisitions editor; planned spreads with designer;
wrote and edited text on spreads
My Very Important series
DK, 2019
Author and editor: collaborated on contents with acquisitions editor; planned spreads with designer;
wrote and edited text on spreads
My Very Important series
DK, 2020
Author and editor: collaborated on contents with acquisitions editor; planned spreads with designer;
wrote and edited text on spreads
Look I’m Learning series
DK, 2017
Author and series editor: proposed series and book contents; planned spreads with designer; organised and managed photo shoots with designer; wrote and edited text on spreads
Look I’m Learning series
DK, 2017
Author and series editor: proposed series and book contents; planned spreads with designer; organised and managed photo shoots with designer; wrote and edited text on spreads
Look I’m Learning series
DK, 2018
Author and series editor: proposed series and book contents; planned spreads with designer; organised and managed photo shoots with designer; wrote and edited text on spreads
Look I’m Learning series
DK, 2019
Author and series editor: proposed series and book contents; planned spreads with designer; organised and managed photo shoots with designer; wrote and edited text on spreads
Let's work together on your next project.
bookswithhelene@gmail.com
