Mara Anastas has been named publisher of Aladdin Books and Simon Pulse, effective April 7. Since 2008, she has held the post of deputy publisher of the Aladdin Books, Simon Pulse, Little Simon, and Simon Spotlight imprints of Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing. Anastas succeeds Bethany Buck, who is leaving the company on April 18. Buck has been with S&S since 2003.

“The drive and devotion Mara has shown in all her previous roles make her more than ready and entirely suited to take on this new responsibility,” said president of S&S children's publishing Jon Anderson, to whom Anastas will report.

In her role as deputy publisher, Anastas oversaw the growth of the Dork Diaries series, and the launch of such series as Cupcake Diaries, Creepover, Heidi Heckelbeck, and Captain Awesome.

Said Anderson of Buck, who has led Aladdin Books and Simon Pulse since 2008, the two "vital imprints have evolved and grown in both scope and ambition" under her direction.