After 15 years in the editorial department at Henry Holt Books for Young Readers, Christy Ottaviano is launching her own eponymous imprint. Ottaviano, who was most recently executive editor at HHBYR, will be acquiring and editing both fiction and nonfiction for Christy Ottaviano Books. Releasing titles for the full range of the children's audience, from preschool readers through teens, the imprint, which will launch in fall 2008, is set to publish roughly 20 titles annually. Breaking down the imprint's output, Holt said 50% of Ottaviano's titles will be picture books; 45% middlegrade and YA; and 5% nonfiction.

Though Holt would not confirm how many titles the imprint will launch with, it listed the six lead titles: The Scrambled States of America Talent Show by Laurie Keller; Masterpiece by Elise Broach; Larry and the Meaning of Life by Janet Tashjian; Piper Reed, The Great Gypsy by Kimberly Willis Holt; Ralph's World Rocks by Ralph Covert, illustrated by Charise Mericle Harper; and Wild Boars Cook by Meg Rosoff, illustrated by Sophie Blackall.