Make A Way Media and author Deedee Cummings! Deedee is the author of 15 children’s books including the new Kayla: A Modern-Day Princess 5-book series.
Kayla: A Modern-Day Princess is a heartwarming story about family, role models, dreams, and discovering a determination for growth. This five-part diverse picture book series shines the spotlight on a little brown girl who loves musical theatre and never lets anything get in the way of her dreams. It seems that everyone else has an idea for who she should be, but in the end, she discovers that she is the one who gets to decide.
The ongoing story also reveals the incredibly special family dynamic that Kayla shares with her mom- a hard-working woman who struggles with the guilt of not being as available for her young daughter as she would like. But as the story progresses, Kayla and her mom realize the impact of valuing the time they have together as well as the importance of seeing each other acknowledge (and pursue) their individual dreams.
Written by veteran author, Deedee Cummings, the Kayla: Modern-Day Princess series is inspired by her own real-life princess and Broadway actress, Kayla Pecchioni. This #OwnVoices project is a five-part series set for Rapid Release in the spring and summer of 2021. Following the picture series will be a middle-grade series and a script to continue to tell the story of this dynamic and necessary character.
For company details, to see other MAWM diverse book titles, and to learn more about all of the Kayla: A Modern-Day Princess books, go here.
Language Lizard provides educators, librarians, and parents with resources that develop literacy skills among language learners, build inclusive classrooms, and celebrate cultural diversity.
Language Lizard offers bilingual books and audio resources in 50+ languages, multicultural book sets, posters, and other culturally responsive teaching resources for diverse classrooms. Educators may download free multicultural lesson plans at LanguageLizard.com/LessonPlans.htm. In addition, the company’s blog and free newsletter provide valuable information and special offers to educators and parents working with diverse children (sign up at LanguageLizard.com/Newsletter).
The company is running a giveaway of bilingual and multicultural books to newsletter subscribers and has already given away over $3,000 worth of bilingual books. Anyone interested in supporting multiculturalism can enter their current giveaway at LanguageLizard.com/Win-Bilingual-Books.
Bilingual Books are available in English with Albanian, Amharic, Arabic, Bengali, Bulgarian, Burmese, Cherokee, Chinese, Croatian, Czech, Dari, Dutch, Farsi, French, German, Greek, Gujarati, Haitian Creole, Hebrew, Hindi, Hmong, Hungarian, Irish, Italian, Japanese, Karen (Sgaw), Korean, Kurdish, Latvian, Lithuanian, Malay, Malayalam, Nepali, Norwegian, Oromo, Panjabi, Pashto/Pashtu, Patois, Polish, Portuguese, Romanian, Russian, Scottish Gaelic, Shona, Slovakian, Somali, Spanish, Swahili, Swedish, Tagalog, Tamil, Telugu, Thai, Tigrinya, Turkish, Twi, Urdu, Vietnamese, Welsh, Yiddish, and Yoruba.
Language Lizard new Living in Harmony Books use colorful multicultural illustrations and simple text to explain concepts of diversity, kindness, and friendship. The books come with FREE multicultural lessons and activities to support culturally responsive teaching. This set comes with three titles:
This series is available in English only and 22 bilingual editions, with more languages coming soon.
Connect with Language Lizard on their blog, Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and, Instagram
In this sweet and funny story, Sumo Joe and his friends enjoy pretending to be sumo wrestlers. But when his little sister wants to join their boys-only game, what should Sumo Joe do?
On Saturday mornings, Sumo Joe is a gentle big brother to his little sister. But on Saturday afternoons, he and his friends are sumo wrestlers! They tie on makeshift mawashi belts, practice drills like teppo, and compete in their homemade dohyo ring. They even observe sumo’s ultimate rule: no girls allowed! But when Sumo Joe’s little sister wants to join in the fun, Sumo Joe is torn between the two things he’s best at: sumo, and being a big brother.
Fists, feet, and martial art forms collide in this sweet yet spirited rhyming story by author Mia Wenjen and illustrator Nat Iwata. Sumo Joe is available on Amazon or on Lee & Low Books’ website.
PragmaticMom was founded in 2009 by Mia Wenjen to support a love of children’s books. Since those early years, Mia has blogged excessively about children’s books and more importantly, the need for diversity in children’s literature. Mia is also the co-founder of Multicultural Children’s Book Day! It’s Mia’s firm belief that Education Matters and her veteran site is a mash-up covering education, parenting, and children’s lit.
Mia is also the author of BEST #OWNVOICES CHILDREN’S BOOKS: My Favorite Diversity Books for Kids Ages 1-12, and the Co-author of the award-winning book, How To Coach Girls. The print edition of How To Coach Girls won a Silver IBPA Benjamin Franklin Award and can be purchased here or on Amazon.
Connect with PragmaticMom on Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn
Since 2010 Audrey Press’ vision is of a world filled with inspired reading based on the compelling truth that curiosity and discovery are two of our greatest life skills. This publishing house located in Maryville, TN is dedicated to creating beautiful books that inspire children, families, schools, and communities to experience, discover, and create a lifelong love of reading and exploring. Through the pages of our books, Audrey Press encourages others to Connect, Inspire, Teach, and Grow.
“Using beauty as our first ingredient, we plant the seeds of adventure, imagination, exploration, learning, and discovery.”
Audrey Press’ newest diverse picture book is Sissy Goes Tiny by Rebecca Flansburg and B.A. Norrgard. This sweet hardcover picture book is about a family that chooses to live Tiny and do More with Less and what that looks like through the eyes of a child.
Aletha Press is the new YA imprint of Audrey Press. Not only are there titles for YA readers, but they are also written by authors aged 16-26. Aletha is the Greek word for truth. Audrey Press CEO, Valarie Budayr, wants to give voice to the young writers of this generation.
Connect with Audrey Press via Facebook, Instagram, and their website.
Publisher Spotlight aims to be a key discovery spot for books by international and independent publishers. With more than three decades in the book industry, our marketing ranges from the independent bookseller world, to library collection developers and programmers, to pitching and promoting to national book review journals and important influencers. Myrick Marketing & Media is uniquely positioned to target niche markets in ways that maximize both sales and visibility. Located just outside Nashville, Tennessee, we are also strategically close to Ingram, one of the world’s largest book wholesalers.
Established in 1987, Interlink Publishing is a Massachusetts-based independent publishing house that offers a global, cosmopolitan perspective. Our list is devoted to works of literature, history, contemporary politics, art, cultural guides, international cuisine, and illustrated children’s books from around the world.
Interlink publishes approximately 50 titles each year and has an active backlist of over 1000 titles under the following three imprints.
Interlink Books publishes a general trade list of adult fiction and non-fiction with an emphasis on books that have a wide appeal while also meeting high intellectual and literary standards. Series include: Traveller’s Histories · Traveller’s Wine Guides · International Folk Tale Series · Interlink Cultural Histories · Interlink Cultural Guides · Interlink Traveller’s Companions · Interlink On-the-Road Histories · Interlink Travellers’ Wildlife Guides · Interlink World Fiction · Interlink Pocket Explorers · Interlink Pocket Timelines
Crocodile Books publishes high-quality illustrated children’s books from around the world. Titles published under this imprint include quality picture books for preschoolers, as well as fiction and non-fiction books for children ages 3-8.
Cardinal Rule Press leads the way in providing messages that empower families, schools and communities through inspirational children’s books and educational programs and events that support our books’ powerful themes.
We are a traditional publishing company located in southeast Michigan that produces a select number of books each year; all of which make a difference in the world while reflecting modern-day diversity.
Why do over 4 million children, parents and teachers love our books?
· Heartfelt, realistic stories that boost social and emotional learning while entertaining young readers.
· Inclusive and diverse books that teach valuable lessons and focus on positive character traits.
· FREE supplemental discussion questions and activity tips that deepen understanding and make learning interactive (available for download on our website).
Discover Cardinal Rule Press at cardinalrulepress.com.
Barefoot Books has created more than 700 books, spoken word stories, music, animations, characters, puzzles, and games that open children’s hearts and minds to their wonderfully diverse world. Their first app, Barefoot World Atlas, has had 4 million+ downloads and was selected by Apple as one of their top 10 apps of all time. Their YouTube channel has over 150 million views. However, their proudest accomplishment is to have put nearly 25 million books into the hands of children around the world INCLUDING books like:
This magical home turns a normal Sunday into domingo: the best day of the week.” Warm memories wash over a first-generation Latinx American girl as she experiences a typical Sunday night dinner at her Abuelita’s house. Readers are immersed in the rich ways love is expressed within this home: the delicious smells of Ecuadorian home cooking, dancing, hugging, and playing games with aunts, uncles and cousins. As Alejandra thinks about all the good times her family has had there, she decides that she wants to be brave and try speaking Spanish with Abuelita so that they can deepen their bond. Based on the author’s own life, this timely tale reflects the experience of many families.
Savor a rhyming celebration of one of the world’s most universal foods! Readers follow ten diverse families as they cook dumplings inside their homes in preparation for a neighborhood potluck. Dumplings are added to plates one by one, encouraging children to count with each new addition. Authentic recipes for all the dumplings and a map showing their regions of origin are included in the endnotes.
Dumpling Day features dumplings from the following regions: India, USA (Pennsylvania Dutch), China (Cantonese), Nigeria, Japan, Israel, Mexico, Syria, Russia, and
Italy
The sights, sounds, and tastes of vibrant Saint Lucia come to life in this cumulative tale of a girl’s journey to Carnival. When a series of unexpected delays disrupt her journey to the big parade, Melba must adjust both her expectations and her route to the festivities. Who will she meet and what will she learn along the way?
Browse their catalog of beautiful and diverse books HERE.
Connect with Barefoot Books via their website, Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest, and YouTube.
Established in 1991, LEE & LOW BOOKS INC. is the largest children’s book publisher in the United States specializing in diversity and has been a leader in the movement for greater representation in children’s publishing for over 30 years. The family-run, independent, and certified 100% Minority Owned Business Enterprise (MBE) produces high-quality books for every age, that are truly “about everyone – for everyone” under the imprints Bebop Books, Children’s Book Press, Cinco Puntos Press, Lee & Low Books, Shen’s Books, and Tu Books. Learn more at www.leeandlow.com.
LaDonna’s Easter in Paris is Dr. Kimberly A. Gordon Biddle’s 2nd published picture book. In this story, LaDonna has an adventure in Paris during the Easter Holiday. There she learns the universality of hope and love after facing some challenges. This is a follow up to LaDonna Plays Hoops, an inspirational and contemporary story of LaDonna’s visit to her grandma for a family reunion where she plays her older male cousin in a game of one-on-one basketball. It’s during this game that she learns some valuable life lessons. This story was a finalist in the American Fiction awards for 2019 in 3 categories.
Dr. Biddle is an emeritus faculty of Child and Adolescent Development at Sacramento State. She is also lead author of two textbooks relevant to the field of Child and Adolsecent Development. She won an Excellence in Education Award from the Stanford Graduate School of Education in 2018 and a Career Achievement Award from the University of Redlands in 2019.
She is a member of the National Association for the Education of Young Children, the American Educational Research Association, and the American Psychological Association. She is also a proud PAL-listed member of the Society for Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI).
Connect with Kimberly on Facebook and on her Pink Pearl Writing site.
Vivian Kirkfield is a former kindergarten teacher and the author of many picture books including Pippa’s Passover Plate (Holiday House); Four Otters Toboggan: An Animal Counting Book (PomegranateKids); Eureka Honor Award winner and 2020 Notable Social Studies Trade Book Sweet Dreams, Sarah – From Slavery to Inventor (Creston Books); Making Their Voices Heard: The Inspiring Friendship of Ella Fitzgerald and Marilyn Monroe (Little Bee Books); and Junior Library Guild Selection From Here to There: Inventions That Changed the Way the World Moves (Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, January 19, 2021) as well as the parent-teacher guide filled with hundreds of activities, Show Me How! Build Your Child’s Self-Esteem Through Reading, Crafting and Cooking (MoneyPenny Press, 2010).
Vivian’s newest book From Here to There: Inventions That Changed the Way the World Moves (Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, illus by Gilbert Ford) will be released 1/19/21.
Vivian lives in the picturesque town of Bedford, New Hampshire where she reads lots of books, writes lots of stories, and plays lots of board games with her young grandson.
Connect with Vivian on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, and YouTube
Patrice McLaurin is a Best-Selling author and an image activist. She was a member of the character education advisory council for the nonprofit because I said I would, and she served as Subject Matter Expert in the development of Everfi’s online Black History Curriculum, 306- Continuing the Story. An educator by calling, (not by trade), Patrice has worked to empower and enhance the lives of young people for the past two decades.
Patrice has written 4 children’s books. Her newest book, Dandi McLion Has Her Say, is a fun and engaging mixture of STEM, Social Emotional Learning and Character Education! It comes complete with a glossary to enhance reading comprehension and increase vocabulary. Her first children’s book, “Have You Thanked an Inventor Today?” is an Amazon Best Seller and Microsoft acclaimed it as a book that informs and inspires STEM. It amplifies Black Excellence by highlighting inventions created by Black people that children are likely to use throughout their school day. Her follow-up book, “Have You Thanked a KidVentor Today?” is another great STEM read that focuses on the wonderful contributions of child inventors.
Her third book, I Am Because I Choose, is an engaging picture book that can easily help to foster elements of Social Emotional Learning. The goal of each of her books is to encourage children to recognize and tap into their own genius. (For grades K-3)
Patrice McLaurin is a native of Bessemer, AL, and a proud graduate of Alabama A&M University. She currently lives in Dacula, GA with her husband and two children.
The Quarto Group creates a wide variety of books and intellectual property products, with a mission to inspire life’s experiences. Produced in many formats for adults, children, and the whole family, our products are visually appealing, information rich, and stimulating.
The Group encompasses a diverse portfolio of imprints and businesses that are creatively independent and expert in developing long-lasting content across specific niches of interest.
Quarto sells and distributes its products globally in over 50 countries and 40 languages, through a variety of sales channels, partnerships, and routes to market.
Quarto employs c. 300 talented people in the US and the UK. The Group was founded in London in 1976. It is domiciled in the US and listed on the London Stock Exchange (QRT).
Carole P. Roman is the award-winning author of over fifty children’s books. Whether it’s pirates, princesses, and spies, or discovering the world around us, her books have enchanted educators, parents, and her diverse audience of children. She hosts a blog radio program called Indie Authors Roundtable and is one of the founders of the magazine, Indie Author’s Monthly. She’s been interviewed twice by Forbes Magazine. Carole has co-authored two self-help books. Navigating Indieworld: A Beginners Guide to Self-Publishing and Marketing with Julie A. Gerber, and Marketing Indieworld with both Julie A. Gerber and Angela Hausman. She published Mindfulness for Kids with J. Robin Albertson-Wren. The Big Book of Silly Jokes for Kids: 800+ Jokes! has reached the number one best-selling book on all of Amazon.
She writes adult fiction under the name Brit Lunden and is currently helping to create an anthology of the mythical town of Bulwark, Georgia with a group of indie authors. She lives on Long Island near her children and grandchildren.
Captain No Beard
If You Were Me and Lived in…- Cultural
If You Were Me and Lived in…- Historical
Nursery series
Oh Susannah- Early Reader and coloring book
Mindfulness for Kids with co-author J. Robin Albertson-Wren
The Big Book of Silly Jokes for Kids; 800 plus Jokes!
Spies, Code Talkers, and Secret Agents A World War 2 Book for Kids
Navigating Indieworld- with co-author Julie A. Gerber
Marketing Indieworld- with co-authors Angela Hausman and Julie A. Gerber
Adult Fiction under the pen name Brit Lunden
Bulwark
The Knowing- Book 1- A Bulwark Anthology
The Devil and Dayna Dalton- Book 9-A Bulwark Anthology
Connect with Carole via her website, Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, Instagram, and Pinterest
Star Bright Books is an independent children’s book publisher established in 1994. We are dedicated to producing high-quality books that are sensitive to the needs of all children. Our high-quality picture books, board books, and chapter books have received numerous honors from national and international literacy organizations.
We believe all children should see themselves in print and make a concerted effort to include children of all colors, ethnicities, nationalities, and abilities in our books. Star Bright Books also believes that children should hear books in their mother tongues, and thus publishes books in 33 languages: Spanish, Arabic, Chinese, Navajo, Haitian Creole, Hmong, Portuguese, and more!
Star Bright Books’s catalog of diverse, inclusive, and multicultural children’s books features dazzling picture books such as Leaves to My Knees, 21 Cousins, The Big Day, Layla’s Head Scarf, I Have Cerebral Palsy, and Alicia’s Happy Day; illustrated and photographic board books including Banana for Two, Cradle Me, Twinkle, Twinkle, Diaper You!, Big Box for Ben, and My Face Book; and captivating chapter books like Books and Bricks: How a School Rebuilt the Community and Lonek’s Journey. Several picture books and board books are available in bilingual and non-English editions.
Visit Star Bright Books on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, and YouTube.
Redfin is a technology-powered real estate company. We help people find a place to live with brokerage, rentals, lending, title insurance, and renovations services. We sell homes for more money and charge half the fee. We also run the country’s #1 real estate brokerage site. Our home-buying customers see homes first with on-demand tours, and our lending and title services help them close quickly. Customers selling a home can have our renovations crew fix up their home to sell for top dollar. Our rentals business empowers millions nationwide to find apartments and houses for rent. Since launching in 2006, we’ve saved customers more than $1 billion in commissions. We serve more than 100 markets across the U.S. and Canada and employ over 5,000 people.
Redfin helps people buy and sell homes in over 100 markets across the U.S. and Canada. As a residential real estate brokerage, we combine our agents and technology to create a faster, better and more affordable service.
Title Forward provides title insurance and settlement services for residential purchases and refinance transactions. We delight our customers by combining technology, good old-fashioned know-how, and a commitment to making the whole process more convenient and easier to understand.
Bay Equity Home Loans is a full-service mortgage lender, licensed in 48 states and DC. Whether you are buying or refinancing, buying your first home or building your dream home, we can explore with you the many options for financing.
Rent. offers an end-to-end digital marketing platform that connects consumers with available apartments and houses for rent across all 50 states and the District of Columbia. Our mission is to simplify the experience of connecting people & properties. We do this by delivering integrated solutions that bring together the right renter, with the right property, at the right time, eliminating friction and driving efficiency.
Brunella Costagliola is an award-winning author, best-selling editor, and translator. Raised in Bacoli, a small coastal town west of Naples, Southern Italy, Brunella is passionate about sharing her home country’s culture, traditions, and history through her stories. A cultural accuracy reader, Brunella believes in the importance of representation in children’s books, as well as in championing diversity through the written word. Founder and owner of The Military Editor®Agency, LLC, a ghostwriting and editing agency catering to military authors and military-related manuscripts, Brunella helps fellow writers tell their stories and achieve their publishing dreams. A proud Mamma of her two Italian American children, who are an endless source of inspiration for her stories, and devoted Air Force wife to her now-retired husband, Brunella lives in Florida with her family and their three dogs.
