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November is National Picture Book Month! Although Ooligan Press does not publish picture books, we are conscious of the important benefits they have for children, such as increasing language comprehension and social-emotional development. So to honor the occasion, we will be highlighting eleven other independent presses that publish a wide range of picture books for the kids in your life to enjoy. 

1. Holiday House

Next year marks the ninetieth anniversary of Holiday House, which was the first press dedicated entirely to children’s books in the United States. They publish versions of classic children’s stories, such as Little Red Riding Hood, and newly written works, including award-winning books like A Seed Grows by Antoinette Portis, Watercress by Andrea Wang, Dreamers by Yuyi Morales, and Before She Was Harriet by Lesa Cline-Ransome. Holiday House also offers books in Spanish and free educational resources.

2. Enchanted Lion Books

Enchanted Lion Books is another press that has been publishing only children’s books for over twenty years. Many of the titles they publish are translations from a multitude of countries, including Japan, Argentina, and Italy. Check out all the picture books they have for sale here. Currently, the press has free guides and activity sheets available for five of their titles.

3. Lee & Low Books

Lee & Low is a minority owned, family-run publisher that was founded in 1991. The press is committed to publishing diverse books. Their efforts to increase diversity also extend to language—currently, they have books in eleven languages. Additionally, their website features free educational resources for both in the home and in the classroom, and the company has received testimonials from members of An Open Book Foundation, the National Education Association, and more! Lee & Low publish books for all ages, so they are a great press to keep in mind when looking to purchase new books as children grow. Find their latest picture book releases here.

4. Candlewick Press

This Massachusetts-based publishing house has been in business since 1992. Their list boasts award-winning picture books like The Stuff of Stars by Marion Dane Bauer and Rescue and Jessica: A Life-Changing Friendship by Jessica Kensky and Patrick Downes. In addition to English, they publish bilingual picture books, nearly all of which are English and Spanish, but they have published an English and Mandarin board book: A Nest in Springtime by Belle Yang. Candlewick Press also offers free educational resources.

5. Eerdmans Books for Young Readers

An imprint of the small, Michigan-based publishing house William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, Eerdmans Books for Young Readers releases between eighteen and twenty books each year. Like Enchanted Lion Books, EBYR publishes translated works, such as The Most Beautiful Winter by Cristina Sitja Rubio, Bear Is Never Alone by Marc Veerkamp, and Thread by Thread by Alice Brière-Haquet. Several of the titles they have published have gone on to earn awards and other honors.

6. Kane Miller

Kane Miller is another publisher focused entirely on producing books for children. They are dedicated to creating a list that accurately depicts the world’s diversity, including neurodiversity.  They also have a selection of “Books About Books” to get kids excited about reading! Like other publishers on this list, Kane Miller’s website offers free educational resources to accompany some of their books.

7. Reycraft Books

Reycraft Books predominately publishes children’s books written and illustrated by people from traditionally underrepresented groups. Their titles have received awards from the Junior Library Guild, the School Library Journal, Kirkus Reviews, and more. Check out their full list here

8. Familius

Familius was founded in 2012 with the goal of creating happy families through books! Popular picture books include She Leads by June Smalls, Gardens are for Growing by Chelsea Tornetto, and Zhang Heng and the Incredible Earthquake Detector by Randel McGee. Familius also published Book by David Miles, a picture book about the magic of reading!

9. Sourcebooks

To date, Sourcebooks has published more than 600 picture books, some of which can even be personalized! A few of their best sellers are If You Give a T-Rex a Bone by Tim Myers, The Prairie That Nature Built by Marybeth Lorbiecki, and Mighty Mole and Super Soil by Mary Quattlebaum. The Sourcebooks website provides free reading guides for select titles.

10. Gibbs Smith

Gibbs Smith is a Utah-based press that publishes books for all ages. Along with original picture books, the company produces a line called BabyLit, which adapts classic literature for young children. Currently available adaptations include Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice and Charles Dickens’s Great Expectations. Additionally, the company has an imprint, 7 Cats Press, which only publishes children’s books—including bilingual titles. Gibbs Smith is also committed to sustainability! Find out more about their efforts here.

11. Kelpies

Kelpies is an imprint of the independent Scottish publisher Floris Books. Their goal is to share Scottish stories with readers worldwide, including tales of the Loch Ness Monster, Scotland’s first unicorn, the famous Greyfriars Bobby, and more! Many of their books have won awards like the Scottish Children’s Book Award and the Carnegie Medal. Kelpies also offers free educational resources for select titles.

This November, we hope you’ll take some time to settle down with a warm drink and the children in your life and read a picture book, whether it’s from these publishers or not. And we encourage you to continue to do so year-round. Happy reading!

Written by Catherine Craig.

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