Kaitlyn Sanchez is a children's-specialist agent at Bradford Literary Agency who focuses exclusively on picture books and middle grade fiction, with a strong pull toward humor, heart, and voices from underrepresented communities.
In brief
Sanchez's confirmed deal record skews heavily toward picture books — all six named best-known projects are picture books — yet their wishlist makes clear they are actively trying to build out the middle grade side of their list; MG queries may receive extra attention right now.
Repeat clients include Rebecca Gardyn Levington, DK Ryland, Jolene Gutierrez, and Alyssa Reynoso-Morris, signaling Sanchez invests in long-term author relationships rather than one-off deals.
The sold titles — covering sensory overload, plantain recipes, friendship, and grief — show a consistent appetite for culturally specific, emotionally resonant content, particularly stories rooted in Latine and BIPOC family life.
Sanchez explicitly wants middle grade at series scale ('big epic titles that can become a beloved series'), which is a higher commercial bar than most children's-book wishlists set — come in with a world that can sustain multiple books.
Submissions are CLOSED as of late September 2025; confirm the live form status before querying, as Sanchez has previously announced a fixed open window.
Lately
Sanchez announced an open query window with a firm closing date of September 23, 2025, and outlined a focus on funny, commercial picture books and MG novels — with a specific callout for spooky content, which they noted is underrepresented on their current list.
What Kaitlyn is looking for
This is Sanchez's stated growth priority — they want to expand the MG portion of their list significantly. The sweet spot is a big, series-ready concept with humor and/or emotional resonance at its core. Genre is wide open: adventure, low fantasy, mystery, sci-fi, contemporary, historical fiction, and even dystopian all get a nod. Graphic novels are welcome here too, provided full art accompanies the submission (script-only packages will not be considered). Spooky MG is also underrepresented on the list and actively welcome.
Sanchez wants contemporary picture books that feel genuinely made for and by kids — culturally specific, joyful, and fresh. Humor is a top priority: wacky, comedic, and playful books are especially sought. Series-ready picture book concepts with recurring characters are welcome. Author-illustrators whose work plays with the relationship between words and art get a particular callout. Wordless picture books are also on the wishlist.
Alongside the comedy track, Sanchez connects deeply with beautiful, emotionally resonant picture books — especially stories exploring subject matter they haven't encountered before. Culturally specific content, family bonds, and fresh angles on universal childhood experiences all fit this lane. The bar is originality: if the emotional territory feels genuinely new, Sanchez wants to see it.
Sanchez gives a specific callout to author-illustrators whose visual and verbal storytelling are in active conversation with each other — work where the art doesn't just illustrate the text but adds a layer of meaning or humor. This is a conditional gate: picture books submitted as text-only manuscripts from non-illustrating authors are still considered, but author-illustrators with a strong concept should highlight that pairing.
Not the right fit
On Kaitlyn's list
Taste fingerprint
How to query Kaitlyn
Confirm the form is open before drafting your query — Sanchez operates on announced windows with firm close dates, and the form was closed as of late September 2025.
For middle grade, lead with the series potential: Sanchez explicitly wants 'big epic titles that can become a beloved series,' so your query letter should hint at where the story world could go beyond book one.
Name a culturally specific or underrepresented angle early in your pitch if one exists — Sanchez's entire deal record reflects this priority, and it is not a checkbox but a genuine editorial passion.
If submitting a graphic novel, your package must include the art. Script-only submissions are explicitly not considered.
For picture books, be clear in your cover note whether you are also the illustrator — author-illustrators get a specific callout and that distinction matters to how Sanchez evaluates the work.
Funny pitches should be funny in the query letter itself; Sanchez names specific comedic comps (wacky, wry, absurdist) and will likely respond to a query that demonstrates the same voice.
Spooky MG and spooky picture books are underrepresented on the list — if your project has that tone, call it out explicitly rather than burying it.