Lee and Low Books & Children's Book Press

The largest multicultural children's book publisher in the country, Lee and Low Books publishes "contemporary diverse stories" that all children can enjoy. They publish about 20 books per year. This month, we read books published by both Lee and Low Books and Children's Book Press, an imprint of Lee and Low Books.

The Lee and Low Books imprint primarily publishes illustrated books for ages 5–11. They also publish chapter books and middle-grade works for ages 8–12. Their focus for both age groups is on realistic fiction and nonfiction. (They do not publish folklore or animal stories.)

The Children's Book Press imprint publishes bilingual and multicultural books.


Both imprints accept unsolicited submissions. They "make a special effort to work with writers and artists of color and to encourage new voices." See their submission guidelines for more details. And be sure to explore their website. It's full of helpful links to articles that both writers and illustrators will enjoy, as well as a blog on "race, diversity, education, and children's books" called The Open Book.

Getting to know Lee and Low Books (source)

President – Craig Low


Publisher – Jason Low

On producing diverse books (2016)
Interview with Elizabeth Bird (2014)
On being an independent publisher (2013)

VP and Editorial Director (until March 1, 2017) – Louise May

Interview

Editorial Director (as of March 1, 2017) – Cheryl Klein
PW announcement
Website (Her website is terrific!)
The Magic Words

Editor: Jessica Echeverria

Interview (2016)

Assistant Editor: Samantha Wolf


Books we had on hand from Lee and Low Books (*indicates books we read):

*A Morning with Grandpa (2016); written by Sylvia Liu; illustrated by Christina Forshay; edited by Jessica Echeverria

Tiny Stitches: The Life of Medical Pioneer Vivien Thomas (2016); written by Gwendolyn Hooks; illustrated by Colin Bootman

The Three Lucys (2016); written by Hayan Charara; illustrated by Sara Kahn

Prairie Dog Song: The Key to Saving North America's Grasslands (2016); written by Susan L. Roth and Cindy Trumbore; illustrated by Susan L. Roth; edited by Louise May

Ira Shakespeare's Dream (2015); written by Glenda Armand; illustrated by Floyd Cooper; edited by Jessica Echeverria

Sunday Shopping (2015); written by Sally Derby; illustrated by Shadra Strickland; edited by Louise May

*Poems in the Attic (2015); written by Nikki Grimes; Illustrated by Elizabeth Zunon; edited by Louise May

*The Story I'll Tell (2015); written by Nancy Tupper Ling; Illustrated by Jessica Lanan; edited by Jessica Echeverria

*Juna's Jar (2015); written by Jane Bahk; illustrated by Felicia Hoshino; edited by Jessica Echeverria

*Little Melba and her Big Trombone (2014); written by Katheryn Russel-Brown; illustrated by Frank Morrison; edited by Louise May

Twenty-two Cents: Muhammad Yunus and the Village Bank (2014); written by Paula Yoo; illustrated by Jamel Akib; edited by Jessica Echeverria; edited by Jessica Echeverria

The Hula-Hoopin' Queen (2014); written by Thelma Lynne Godin; illustrated by Vanessa Brantley-Newton; edited by Jessica Echeverria

*King for a Day (2013); written by Rukhsana Khan; illustrated by Christiane Krömer

Books we had on hand from Children's Book Press (*indicates books we read):

Olinguito from A to Z/¡Olinguito, de la A a la Z! (2016); written and illustrated by Lulu Delacre; edited by Louise May

Rainbow Weaver/Tejedoro del arcoíris (2016); written by Linda Elovitz Marshall; illustrated by Elisa Chavarri; edited by Jessica Echeverria

*Marisol McDonald and the Monster/ Marisol McDonald y el monstruo (2016); written by Monica Brown; illustrated by Sara Palacios

*Mamá the Alien/Mamá la extraterrestre (2016); written by René Colato Laínez; illustrated by Laura Lacámara

*Maya's Blanket/La manta de Maya (2015); Written by Monica Brown Illustrated by David Diaz; edited by Louise May

Finding the Music/En pos de la música (2015); written by Jennifer Torres; illustrated by Renato Alarcão

Water Rolls, Water Rises/El agua rueda, el agua sube (2014); written by Pat Mora; illustrated by Meilo So; edited by Louise May











At our next meeting, on February 11, we will read books published by Little Brown Books for Young Readers.



Our next meeting....

Sterling Children's Books

Owned by Barnes & Noble, Sterling Children's Books publishes both fiction and nonfiction picture books. Their catalog is available here.

They do accept unsolicited submissions. Submission guidelines are available on their website.

Getting to know Sterling Children's Books (source):

Executive Editor – Meredith Mundy
Q&A, February 2016

Associate Editor – Christina Pulles
Interview, Sub It Club
Spring 2015 Catalogue

Associate Editor – Brett Duquette
On Voice

Assistant Editor – Zaneta Jung (She has moved from Sterling to Chronicle.)

Allison Brydon

Eliza Berkowitz
On her favorite read of 2014

Books we had on hand (*indicates books we read):

*Teeny Tiny Toady (2016) Written by Jill Esbaum; Illustrated by Keika Yamaguchi; Edited by Allison Brydon

Hiccups! (2016); Written and illustrated by Holly Sterling

Miles of Smiles (2016); Written by Karen Kaufman Orloff; Illustrated by Luciano Lozano

Mr. Particular: The World's Choosiest Champion (2016); Written and illustrated by Jason Kirschner; Edited by Meredith Mundy

*Lady Pancake and Sir French Toast (2016); Written by Josh Funk; Illustrated by Brendan Kearney; Edited by Zaneta Jung; Interview with the author

*Monster Trouble (2015); Written by Lane Fredrickson; Illustrated by Michael Robertson

*Over the River and Through the Wood: A Holiday Adventure (2015); Written by Linda Ashman; Illustrated by Kim Smith

Rufus Goes to Sea (2015); Written by Kim T. Griswell; Illustrated by Valeri Gorbachev; Edited by Meredith Mundy

*Sloth Slept On (2015); Written and illustrated by Frann Preston Gannon

*Your Alien (2015); Written by Tammi Sauer; Illustrated by Goro Fujita; Edited by Meredith Mundy

How to Lose a Lemur (2014); Written and illustrated by Frann Preston Gannon

Love You More than Anything (2014); Written by Anna Harber Freeman; Illustrated by Jed Henry

*Puddle Pug (2014); Written by Kim Norman; Illustrated by Keika Yamaguchi; Edited by Meredith Mundy

Twelve Dancing Unicorns (2014); Written by Alissa Heyman; Illustrated by Justin Gerard

Who's in the Tree? And Other Lift-the-Flap Surprises (2014); Written and illustrated by Craig Shuttlewood

Brownie Groundhog and the Wintry Surprise (2013); Written by Susan Blackaby; Illustrated by Carmen Segovia

Rufus Goes to School (2013); Written by Kim T. Griswell; Illustrated by Gorbachev Valeri; Edited by Meredith Mundy

The Big Bad Wolf Goes on Vacation (2013); Written by Delphine Perret; Edited by Meredith Mundy









At our next meeting on January 14, we will read books published by Lee & Low Books.

Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Books for Young Readers

Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Books for Young Readers (HMHBFYR) is a hardcover imprint (along with Clarion Books) of the Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Books for Young Readers division of Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. You can download their seasonal catalogs here.


HMHBFYR is not currently accepting unsolicited submissions however, their policy changes from time to time so be sure to check the submission guidelines on their website.

Getting to Know Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Books for Young Readers (source):

Boston Office

Senior VP & Publisher – Betsy Groban
Children's Books: The Art of Mentoring (from PW in 2010)

VP, Editor-in-Chief – Mary Hogan Wilcox

Senior Executive Editor – Margaret Raymo

Executive Editor – Ann Rider
2016 Interview
Teamwork: Pictures in My Head (a Horn Book article from 2016)
Children's Books: The Art of Mentoring (from PW in 2010)

Executive Editor, Franchise Publishing – Elizabeth Bennett

Editor-at-Large – Cynthia Platt
Straight from the Editor: Penny & Jelly! (from Emu's Debuts 2015)

VP, Editorial Director, Paperbacks – Julia Richardson
2008 Interview
2011 Interview

VP, Creative Director – Sheila Smallwood

New York Office

Senior Executive Editor – Jeannette Larson
Jeannette Larson Shares Seven Essential Ingredients of a Great Picture Book
What Makes Your Book Publishable (from 2011)

Executive Editor – Elizabeth Bewley
On the best piece of career advice she's ever received (from 2015)

Senior Editor – Sarah Landis

Associate Editor – Adah Nuchi

Editorial Assistant – Lily Kessinger

Senior Editor, Paperbacks – Julie Tibbott
2012 Interview

Editor, Franchise Publishing – Alex Preziosi

Editor, Franchise Publishing – Bethany Vinhateiro

Art Director – Christine Kettner
2012 Interview

Books we had on hand (*indicates books we read):

*Glow: Animals With Their Own Night-Lights (2016); By W.H. Beck

Gator Dad (2016); Written and Illustrated by Brian Lies

*Treat (2016); Written and Illustrated by Mary Sullivan

Ask Me (2015); Written by Bernard Waber; Illustrated by Suzy Lee

Bob and Flo (2015); Written and Illustrated by Rebecca Ashdown

*The Full Moon at the Napping House (2015); Written by Audrey Wood; Illustrated by Don Wood

Goodnight, Good Dog (2015); Written by Mary Lyn Ray; Illustrated by Rebecca Malone

*In Mary’s Garden (2015); By Tina and Carson Kügler

*Spy Guy: The Not-So-Secret Agent (2015): Written by Jessica Young; Illustrated by Charles Santoso

Stick and Stone (2015); Written by Beth Ferry; Illustrated by Tom Lichtenheld

Flowers are Calling (2015); Written by Rita Gray; Illustrated by Kenard Pak

*When Otis Courted Mama (2015); Written by Kathi Appelt; Illustrated by Jill McElmurry

*Drum Dream Girl: How One Girl’s Courage Changed Music (2015); Written by Margarita Engle; Illustrated by Rafael López; Edited by Ann Rider

The Whisper (2015); Written and Illustrated by Pamela Zagrenski; Edited by Ann Rider

Wild About Us! (2015); Written by Karen Beaumont; Illustrated by Janet Stevens

*Bad Bye, Good Bye (2014); Written by Deborah Underwood; Illustrated by Jonathan Bean

*Hooray for Hat (2014); Written and Illustrated by Brian Won; Edited by Jeannette Larson

*Brothers (2014); Written and Illustrated by David McPhail

*The Loch Mess Monster (2014); Written by Helen Lester; Illustrated by Lynn Munsinger

The Misadventures of Sweetie Pie (2014); Written and Illustrated by Chris Van Allsburg

*Tiny Rabbit's Big Wish (2014); Written by Margarita Engle; Illustrated by David Walker

Egg: Nature's Perfect Package (2015); Written by Robin Page and Steve Jenkins; Illustrated by Steve Jenkins; Edited by Margaret Raymo

*How to Swallow a Pig: Step-by-Step Advice From the Animal Kingdom (2015); Written by Robin Page and Steve Jenkins; Illustrated by Steve Jenkins; Edited by Margaret Raymo

Gingerbread for Liberty!: How a German Baker Helped with the American Revolution (2015); Written by Mara Rockliff; Illustrated by Vincent X. Kirsch

A Boy and a Jaguar (2014); Written by Alan Rabinowitz; Illustrated by Cátia Chien

Eye to Eye: How Animals See the World (2014); Written and Illustrated by Steve Jenkins; Edited by Margaret Raymo

A Baby Elephant in the Wild (2014); Written by Caitlin O’Connell; Photographs by Caitlin O’Connell and Timothy Rodwell

Mr Ferris and His Wheel (2014); Written by Kathryn Gibbs Davis; Illustrated by Gilbert Ford; Edited by Ann Rider

Miss Moore Thought Otherwise: How Anne Carroll Moore Created Libraries for Children (2013); Written by Jan Pinborough; Illustrated by Debby Attwell

Sorry this post was so late. We took a break for a few months, while I was out of town. At our next meeting we will read books published by Sterling Children's Books.