Tag: childrens books

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Today’s book recommendation: HERO DOGS! True Stories of Amazing Animal Heroes! by Mary Quattlebaum – Nonfiction Chapter Book

I admit it. I was one of those kids poring over all the gorgeous photos in National Geographic magazines–that distinctive yellow border always caught my eye, and then I was hooked!

I recently discovered that National Geographic Kids has a whole series of chapter books that feature true stories about animals and outdoor adventures. And they have the traditional yellow border, as well, so yay! 😊

🐶 Here’s the official book summary of HERO DOGS!:
Calling all dog lovers! Join the adventure as National Geographic Kids Chapters presents a trio of true stories about incredible acts of canine heroism. From Glory the bloodhound, who saves lost pets, to terriers who help raise orphaned hippos, these brave pups are sure to inspire young animal lovers.

The photos are super fun and high-quality (of course!) and the author, Mary Quattlebaum, has done her research well. The three main dog stories she found for this book are amazing and she knows how to keep it clear and engaging for young readers.

The simple fact that these are TRUE stories is awesome. This book is primarily for the upper elementary grades, ages 7-10. At this age, many kids love to learn about the world around them–things that have really happened have more meaning for them, so really, it’s perfect!

Check out this book series if you have a child that age. It would make a fantastic stocking-stuffer!🎄

And, as always,
happy reading!

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WRITER TIP: Get published without an agent!

If you’re an aspiring children’s book author, one of the huge obstacles to getting published is finding a literary agent to champion your work. Since most of the big publishers only take submissions from agents, this is definitely worth pursuing, but in the mean time, there’s no need to wait!

Many small and mid-size publishers don’t require an agent, so you can submit your manuscripts directly to them! Children’s nonfiction, in particular, is an area that many publishers often sign on directly with authors.

All of the publishers below accept submissions directly from authors. The key to getting your manuscripts considered is to make sure your work matches what they are looking for and to carefully follow their individual submission guidelines.

Good luck, and happy writing!

2024 children’s book publishers accepting submissions

  • Albert Whitman is seeking picture books, middle grade, and young adult.
  • Annick Press is currently accepting submissions of picture books, middle grade fiction, YA fiction, and non-fiction for kids of all ages. Their stories feature contemporary themes (even if the setting is historical) and aim to instill kids with the joy of reading.
  • Arbordale Publishing is looking for fiction or narrative nonfiction stories with science or math woven into the story. They prefer fiction over nonfiction. In every manuscript they look for a “cuddle factor” that will make parents and children want to read it together.
  • August House is seeking single-story manuscripts that feature traditional folktales. They are not looking for original stories written in fable or fairy-tale style.
  • Bushel and Peck Books is a small, family-run publisher that will open to unagented submissions on January 1, 2025. They are seeking children’s fiction and nonfiction, board books, picture books, chapter books, and middle grade.
  • Cedar Grove Publishing is a small publisher of children’s fiction. They accept submissions only twice a year: May 1 – June 15 and October 1 – November 15. They are seeking children’s books, middle grade, and YA fiction.
  • Charlesbridge publishes fiction and nonfiction board books, picture books, early readers, middle-grade fiction and nonfiction (ages 8–12), and young adult novels (ages 12+). Their nonfiction tends to focus on nature, science, math, social studies, biography, history, and the arts.
  • Chronicle Books publishes an eclectic mixture of traditional and innovative children’s books. They are looking for projects that have a unique bent—be it in subject matter, writing style, or illustrative technique—and that will lend their list a distinctive flair. They are interested in fiction and nonfiction books for children of all ages, as well as board books, decks, activity kits, and other unusual or novelty formats.
  • Cicada Books is seeking activity, picture books, and nonfiction that is a little out of the ordinary and very beautiful.
  • Clavis Publishing is accepting board books and picture books. They ask that submissions be limited to one book.
  • Creston Books  is a publisher of children’s books. They specialize in picture books, but also publish novels.
  • Flashlight Press is seeking picture books under 1,000 words that deal with family or social situations.
  • Flowerpot Press is seeking STEAM-related titles for children 12 and under.
  • Holiday House is a publisher of children’s books only. They specialize in quality hardcovers, from picture books to young adult, both fiction and nonfiction.
  • Jessica Kingsley Publishers is seeking books that tackle complex or sensitive issues, like bereavement, anger, and depression, making them accessible for young readers.
  • KidsCan Press is seeking nonrhyming picture books for ages 3–8, nonfiction for ages 5–14, early fiction for ages 6–9, and graphic novels (fiction and nonfiction) for all ages. Authors must be 18 to submit. Preference is given to Canadian authors.
  • Levine Querido is focused on publishing the writing and artwork of authors and creators from underrepresented backgrounds, including people of color, members of the LGBTQ community, Latinx creators, indigenous artists and writers, creators with disabilities, members of minority religions, and more.
  • Magination Press is seeking books related to social-emotional learning, mental health and wellness, and psychological topics for children and teens. Potential authors should be able to display an expertise in a mental health profession.
  • Marble Press publishes juvenile, literary, and commercial fiction books, picture books, early-middle-grade books, (early readers), middle grade novels and graphic novels. They are interested in narrative nonfiction and books that challenge traditional forms.
  • Owlkids Books is seeking picture books of under 900 words for ages 3–8, nonfiction for ages 5–14, early fiction for ages 6–9, and graphic novels for all ages.
  • Phaidon Children’s Books is a publisher of books for children ages 0-14. They specialize in board books and picture books.
  • Quirk Books is looking for high-concept stories for the young and young at heart.
  • Second Story Press is a Canadian feminist press seeking picture books, but not rhyming books or books with anthropomorphized animals. Second Story Press is only seeking Canadian authors.
  • Shadow Mountain Publishing is open to submissions four times a year. They are seeking middle grade, YA, and adult fiction and nonfiction.
  • Sleeping Bear Press specializes in picture books and middle-grade novels in both fiction and non-fiction.
  • TCK Publishing specializes in books for middle-schoolers, teens, and adults. They are actively seeking middle grade-grade fiction and YA that features sweeping themes that kids and young adults can relate to. Their ideal book is one that entertain and enchant not just kids, but also adults looking for an escape. All submissions must be at least 40,000 words.
  • Tilbury House is accepting nonfiction picture books for ages 2–12, as well as nonfiction chapter books and graphic novels for ages 8–12 and nonfiction YA for ages 12+. Picture books should be between 500 and 800 words, and all books should be curriculum related.
  • Tundra Books is seeking picture books, middle grade, and Y books Creators must be from underrepresented communities, including identifying as Black, Indigenous, a person of color, or LGBTSQI2S+. Authors who have a disability or have ever had refugee status are also invited to submit books. Note: Tundra does not accept rhyming picture books.
  • Yehoo Press is seeking fun, enchanting, socially responsible picture books, which they publish in both English and simplified Chinese.
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Today’s book recommendation: THIS IS NOT MY HAT by Jon Klassen – Fiction Picture Book

I first read This Is Not My Hat during Covid after an online SCBWI summer conference where I was able to learn from many exceptional children’s authors, including Jon Klassen. He gave a presentation, alongside Mac Barnett, on their successful collaborations on picture books. They emphasized that with picture books, it adds so much to the story when the pictures tell a whole different narrative than the words. At the time, I had never thought about it that way! So simple and brilliant!

This Caldecott-winning book by Klassen is the perfect example. He is the author and illustrator for this story where a little fish tells the reader how he stole a big fish’s hat and has a plan to get away with it! Through tiny details in the illustrations, like the big fish narrowing his eyes, you deduce that things are not quite the way that the little fish thinks they are.

I laughed out loud at the twist at the end, and I hope you do, too! Happy reading!

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Today’s book recommendation: BENEATH THE WIDE SILK SKY by Emily Inouye Huey – Young Adult Historical Fiction

I’ve always been fascinated with the idea of time travel and until scientists figure that out, historical fiction is as close as it gets! This genre is an awesome way for adults and curious kids alike to not only learn about real events in history, but to fully immerse themselves in the experiences and emotions of the time.

The moment I started reading Beneath the Wide Silk Sky by Emily Inouye Huey, my newly minted goal to get more sleep flew right out the window! I absolutely could not put it down! This book immediately transports you back in time to WWII America and into the lives of the future victims of the Japanese internment camps.

Huey’s evocative prose is stunning, and she handles the delicate topics of race, prejudice, and aggression with care and sensitivity. Her characters and their relationships are complex and fully-developed.

This book is a definite must-read for teenagers and adults. When my daughter read it, it instantly became her very favorite book!

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Today’s book recommendation: GRAND CANYON by Jason Chin – Nonfiction Picture Book

I am a huge fan of Jason Chin! He is a such a talented author/illustrator, and I saved his Grand Canyon picture book to give to my boys when we could actually go there. When the day finally came, it did not disappoint! I hadn’t been to the Grand Canyon since I was a child, and I was awestruck—the scale and beauty just cannot be captured in photos.

Jason Chin’s illustrations come close though! My boys poured over this book on the way there, and then dazzled us all with their knowledge of how the canyon was formed, what creatures lived there long ago, and what the various layers of rock signified. It made the experience all the richer!

A clever technique Chin uses in this book to make it fun for kids is the unspoken narrative he tells in the illustrations of a father and daughter who are hiking and camping in the canyon. Whenever her father’s back is turned, she finds a clue to the Grand Canyon’s past, like a fossil. The book uses cutouts for these, and when you turn the page, you see what the canyon might of looked like when that fossil was formed. It’s a lot of fun and really brings home the history and geology of such an incredible place.

Happy reading!