From a young age Laura Wheeler Waring loved art. Growing up, she didn’t see any artists who looked like her, or even any paintings of people who looked like her. Using her family members as models, Laura painted and painted, filling the walls of her room like the walls of a gallery. Using her paints, she was fascinated by all the rich colors that combined to create the beautiful shades of brown she saw in her family members. While studying art in Paris, she was inspired by famous painters who captured the people around them. She decided she too wanted to paint who she knew best, people with beautiful brown skin that she never saw in paintings as a child. Today, Laura’s artwork hangs in the National Portrait Gallery in Washington DC. Now everyone can admire the beautiful shades of brown she captured.

A wonderful true story of creativity and being true to one’s self, Beautiful Shades of Brown is both inspirational and educational. Beautiful Shades of Brown is written by Nancy Churnin, illustrated by Felicia Marshall, and published by Creston Books.


Laura Wheeler Waring discovered an entire rainbow within the beautiful shades of brown she painted.

Beautiful Shades of Brown

"Uh oh…the color’s blocked! Let’s see if we can help. Get ready to straighten out the pipes, unplug the corks, and get that color flowing again as we shake, turn, and move all around! But be careful—the color might get unclogged faster than expected! Little ones will have a blast with this interactive story as they learn primary colors in a whole new way! They’ll also discover how mixing colors makes new colors…and why you should never, ever, put too much trust in a narrator."

Color Blocked is written by Ashley Sorenson, illustrated by David Miles, and published by Familius.


Uh oh…the color’s blocked! Let’s see if we can help. But be careful—no telling what might happen!

Color Blocked

An incredible true story of determination, hard work and big dreams, Sweet Dreams, Sarah tells the inspirational story of Sarah E. Goode—entrepreneur, inventor and among the first African-American women to be awarded a US patent. Sarah grew up a slave and dreamed of so much more. After the abolition of slavery, Sarah moved to Chicago to build a life for herself and her family. She built furniture and opened a shop to serve her local community. Sarah listened to her customers, and soon realized they needed something brand new: a piece of furniture that was innovative and space saving. Through grit and determination Sarah achieved things she previously had only dreamed of—sweet dreams that became a reality.

Sweet Dreams, Sarah is written by Vivian Kirkfield, illustrated by Chris Ewald and published by Creston Books. 


The true story of Sarah E Goode, who was among the first African-American women awarded a US patent.

Sweet Dreams, Sarah

"And the People Stayed Home tells the story of the global Coronavirus pandemic, from a very different point of view. In a time of uncertainty and fear, this thought provoking story focuses instead on hope and beauty. This thoughtful poem about the pandemic, quarantine, and the future suggests there is meaning to be found in our shared experience of the Coronavirus. It also joyfully conveys an optimistic message about the possibility of profound healing for people and the planet.

And the People Stayed Home is the uplifting poem that swept the world during the global Coronavirus pandemic. Written by Kitty O’Meara in March of 2020, the poem immediately went viral. In a time where millions of people were undergoing quarantine, many feeling distant and unsure, O’Meara’s interesting perspective helped many see a brighter side. The poem has been so widely shared through social media, news media, and by influencers such as Deepak Chopra, Kate Winslet, O, The Oprah Magazine, and many others, that O’Meara, a former teacher and chaplain and currently a spiritual director, has been called “the poet laureate of the pandemic.”

And the People Stayed Home is written by Kitty O’Meara and voiced by Kate Winslet. The best selling book is illustrated by Stephano Di Cristofaro and Paul Pereda, and published by Tra Publishing."

In a time of uncertainty, this story focuses on the hope and beauty of our shared experiences.

And the People Stayed Home

Meet Allegro, a young boy who can’t stand practicing the piano. It’s hard and frustrating and he is ready to give up—until the music itself suddenly whisks him away on a magical adventure!Classical music comes to life like never before in this magical journey through 11 timeless compositions. Follow along as Allegro is carried through a range of emotive landscapes, each accompanied by a famous classical theme. Little ones will appreciate music in a whole new way as they discover that becoming a great musician (or anything for that matter) is only possible with patience and practice.

This wondrous story comes from family focused publisher, Familius. Allegro is masterfully written by David Miles and beautifully illustrated by Anita Barghigiani.

Music comes to life in this magical journey through 11 classical masterpieces!

Allegro

“What do you want to be when you grow up?” Nazari has many fantastic ideas for her future. Could she be an astronaut? A farmer? Maybe a scientist? A dentist? An engineer? Or maybe, she can be all of them! Nazari has the courage and confidence to dream big, not putting any limits on what is possible! 

Party Nazari’s Fantastic Future is written by Nate Carter and illustrated by Sam Niemann.


Nazari has many fantastic ideas for her future, and the courage and confidence to dream big!


Party Nazari's Fantastic Future!

Calling all little artists! 100 First Words for Little Artists is the perfect arts-based language primer for budding prodigies! Creative kiddos will love repeating all the fun terms from across the visual arts spectrum. Fun, colorful, and informative, 100 First Words for Little Artists is sure to foster creativity and a love of the arts.

So grab your art supplies and enjoy this delightful title from Familius, a values-driven publisher on a mission to teach, inspire, and bring families together. 100 First Words for Little Artists is created by Kyle Kershner.

Grab your paint brushes, pencils, and glue—if you’re a little artist, we’ve got some words for you!

100 First Words For Little Artists

"The most certain way to succeed is always to try just one more time." -Thomas Edison

From the curiosity of Leonardo da Vinci to the dedication of Marie Curie, Inventors Who Changed the World is a young child's first introduction to the brilliant people who taught us the meaning of perseverance and innovation. Simple text and adorable illustrations tell the contributions of nine renowned inventors from around the world: Cai Lun, Leonardo da Vinci, Marie Curie, Thomas Edison, Orville and Wilbur Wright, Grace Hopper, Johannes Gutenberg, and Louis Pasteur. Inspire your own little inventor with the words of these inventive heroes who changed the world.

Inventors Who Changed the World is written by Heidi Poelman, illustrated by Kyle Kershner and published by Familius.

These heroes imagined and invented a better world. What kind of hero will you be?

Inventors Who Changed The World

Who is the Waffle Maker? One little girl sets out on an imaginative journey of discovery during a day at the beach. Can you guess who made the waffles in the sand?

Written by Chris Schroeder and illustrated by Dennis McGregor. 

Waffles, waffles all around, sandy and shimmering on the ground!

Waffles In The Sand

When a young boy finds a strange stick in the park, his life completely changes. The stick fills his mind with imagination and wonder, helping him achieve his dreams and live a happy and full life. But it's not until years later that he discovers the full meaning of the stick and the true power of giving.

Imagination lives in you! This beautiful story, created by silhouette artist and children's author Clay Rice, celebrates imagination and kindness. The calming imagery, heartfelt story and soothing tone make it perfect as a bedtime story or to enjoy anytime of the day. Published by Familius, The Stick brings a warm story to life that is sure to inspire little ones to dream big and share the gift of imagination with others.

A young boy finds a stick in the park that completely changes his life forever.

The Stick

Sometimes bees can be a bit rude. They fly in your face and prance on your food. And yet… without bees, we might not have strawberries for shortcakes or avocados for tacos!

The Thing About Bees is equal parts love letter from a father to his two sons and step-by-step guide to understanding the bees that pollinate the foods we love. A visual and poetic masterpiece written and illustrated by Shabazz Larkin, this profound yet effortlessly approachable story promotes a message of love and respect for the things we might not otherwise fully understand.

The Thing About Bees is published by Readers to Eaters, whose mission is to promote food literacy through a better understanding of what and how we eat.

Sometimes the things we fear are simply the things we don't fully understand.

The Thing About Bees

"All aboard the Color Train! Join some of the world’s most famous artists—Leonardo Da Vinci, Mary Cassatt, Claude Monet, and many more—as they guide little ones on a colorful journey through their most iconic works of art! Children will absolutely love learning their colors in this bright, soothing title. So grab your ticket, your paper, and your paints and get ready to ride the color train!"

Color Train is written by David Miles, and published by Familius as an adorable two-in-one board book that unfolds into a train!


Grab your ticket, your paper, and your paints...it’s time to board the Color Train!

Color Train

These storybooks feature creativity in all of it's forms: from artistic thought, to thinking outside the box, to critical thinking and problem solving.

Be Creative

Be Creative