Maria Modugno has been named editorial director of picture books at Random House and Golden Books for Young Readers Group. Modugno, who is currently v-p and editorial director at HarperCollins Children's Books, will start at RH on November 26, reporting to v-p and publishing director Mallory Loehr. As editorial director, she will acquire and edit new picture books for the Random House imprint.

Modugno worked at HarperCollins for nine years; she acquired such popular series as Pinkalicious by Victoria Kann and Splat the Cat by Rob Scotton. She began her publishing career in 1977, working in marketing at what was then Harcourt Brace Jovanovich. She became director of children's books at HBJ, and moved to Little, Brown in 2003, where she was editor-in-chief of the children's book division.

“Maria is such a talented editor with a real eye for brand building,” Loehr said. “We look forward to the energy and strategic vision she will bring to the team.”