A picture-book-first agent — author-illustrators especially — hunting children's books that are funny, surprising, and heartfelt, with a strong pull toward voices publishing has overlooked.
In brief
Picture books are their core, and author-illustrators are their sweet spot — though Wenger works across board books through graphic novels and middle grade, plus select YA.
What wins them over is humor and craft: laugh-out-loud silliness, puns, and story structures with a punchy twist ending.
Wenger actively seeks diverse, historically underrepresented voices and stories that genuinely haven't been told before.
They're character- and narrative-driven, not concept-driven, and notably picky about rhyme unless it feels truly authentic.
Lately
Pointing writers to their full, updated wishlist and asking that submissions come through the agency's online form.
I'd love to see picture book submissions with cozy little moments — think Eliza Wheeler's A Cozy Winter Day, Elle Kurtz's The Bakery Dragon, and Steve McCarthy's The Wilderness.
For middle grade — novels and graphic novels — I lean toward mysteries and puzzles. Light spookiness is okay, but nothing too scary or creepy for me, please!
Author-illustrators, I'm looking for: narrative potential, emotion and expressiveness, art representative of our diverse world, strong compositions and page turns, and dynamic movement.
I'm on the lookout for what hasn't been done yet — stories that haven't been told and voices that haven't been heard.
Stories that tug on my heart — but aren't saccharine or didactic. I like both prose and poetry, but I'm very picky about rhyme.
What turns me off in a query: not addressing it to me personally, not following the submission guidelines or sending me something I don't represent, and an unprofessional tone.
What Charlotte is looking for
Their center of gravity. Wenger especially wants author-illustrators, and is drawn to books that make them laugh out loud (silly-for-silly's-sake, puns welcome), surprise them with structure and a twist ending, and stay character- or narrative-driven rather than conceptual. Recurring loves: nontraditional families, social-justice themes, stories built around a craft or hobby, and quiet cozy moments.
Narrative nonfiction in sports, the arts, and history — the kind of true story that carries a picture book on voice and shape rather than facts alone.
Graphic novels from beginning-reader level through middle grade, with a strong preference for author-illustrated work.
A narrow door for YA fiction alongside their children's focus — bring a standout voice and concept.
Not the right fit
Threads through Charlotte's deals
Their client list skews toward humor and wordplay — bright, concept-flipping picture books with a comic engine. It tracks exactly with their stated love of laugh-out-loud silliness, puns, and surprise endings.
On Charlotte's list
Taste fingerprint
How to query Charlotte
If you're an author-illustrator, you're aiming at their bullseye — show the art.
Make them laugh. Genuine humor, puns, and a punchy twist ending are exactly what Wenger calls out.
Keep it character- or narrative-driven; the agent is cool on purely conceptual picture books.
Lead with a fresh, underrepresented voice and at least three clear selling points.
Be careful with rhyme — only pitch it if it feels authentic to the tone and age range.