Free Spirit Publishing

The Asian Voices in Children’s Literature Writing Contest is officially open! Cosponsored with @sambasivanandparikh , the Asian Voices in Children’s Literature Writing Contest’s mission is to elevate authentic, culturally relevant children’s stories written by and about Asian heritage people. Every entry is considered for publication and three cash prizes will be awarded. Check our bio for the link!

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“Five children invite readers on a series of distinct journeys guided by their experiences growing up in the Gullah Geechee Cultural Heritage Corridor. Colorful and flavorful snapshots of an unmistakable heritage.” —Kirkus Reviews (@kirkus_reviews ) on Celebrate We Gullah Geechee by Yvette R Murray (@missyvettewrites ), illustrated by Tonya Engel (@tonyaengel1 )

May is #MentalHealthAwarenessMonth! Today we're shining the spotlight on parenting books that support kid and parent mental health. 📚When Everything Changes: Parenting Through Loss and Grief by Korie Leigh, Ph.D. (@drkorieleigh ) 📚It's Their World: Teens, Screens, and the Science of Adolescence by Erin Walsh (@sparkandstitch ) 📚Raising Awe-Seekers: How the Science of Wonder Helps Our Kids Thrive by Deborah Farmer Kris (@parenthood365 ) 📚Keeping Your Cool When They Can't: Parenting Children Who Struggle with Anger by James J. Crist, Ph.D. (@jamiecrist61 ) Shop the list on Bookshop! #MHAM2026

The Disability Books for Kids series from Teacher Created Materials and Free Spirit Publishing offers authentic, thoughtful stories that explore both visible and invisible disabilities through the voices of children. Written by authors with lived experience, these vibrant books help foster empathy, encourage inclusion, and celebrate disability joy. 💛📚 These are the kinds of stories that help young readers better understand themselves and others while building stronger, more inclusive communities. #mrsnelsons #disabilitybooks #kidlit #educators #schoollibrary

New publishing season, new books to share! Here's what's coming from Free Spirit over the next few months. Board Books 📚So Busy, So Happy, and So Sleep from the Baby's First Moments series written and illustrated by Emily Barton (@embartonart ) - August 25 📚Ants Work Together from the Outside Our Window series by Mélina Mangal (@melinamangal ), illustrated by Stella Lim (@stellalim_art ) - August 25 Picture Book Hardcovers: 📚Santiago and Great Bear written and illustrated by Lisa Johnston Hancock (@lisajohnstonhancock ) - June 30 📚The Best Good Thing by Anna Housley Juster, illustrated by Andrea Onishi (@aonishi_art ) - August 11 📚A Suitcase Full by Maryam Kia (@drmaryamkia ), illustrated by Jaclyn Sinquett (@jsinquett ) - August 18 Paperbacks for Kids & Teens 📚Tic-Errific Me from the Disability Books for Kids series by Alicia Meyers (@byaliciameyers ), illustrated by Cait Brennan (@caitbrennanillustration ) - June 2 📚The Survival Guide for Kids with ADHD, 3rd edition by John F. Taylor - July 7 📚Curious Mind & Dancing Feet from the Disability Books for Kids series by Melinda González (@lapoetaguerrera ), illustrated by Amélie Videlo (@amelievidelo ) - August 25 Professional 📚Teaching with Trust by Carissa Solomon (@carissaineducation ) - August 18 These books are all available for preorder wherever books are sold!

My Life as an Asthmanaut by Jake Lockett, illustrated by Adriana Predoi (@adriillustration ), follows Jacob, a young boy with asthma who explains, in kid-friendly language, what it’s like to live with asthma. When an asthma attack occurs, Jacob feels like an astronaut floating off to outer space with an empty air tank. Sometimes outer space is lonely; Jacob can’t always join his family and friends when they exercise or play outside during allergy season. But he has tools to manage his asthma. He stays calm as he reaches for his inhaler to refill his air tank. He counts to 10 and comes back down to earth, where he can breathe easily, surrounded by people who love him. And when Jacob sees someone else who’s low on air, he helps them find solid ground too. #WorldAsthmaDay

May is #MentalHealthAwarenessMonth! Today we're shining the spotlight on books for educators that support student and teacher mental health. 📚Uncover the Roots of Challenging Behavior by Michelle Salcedo, M.Ed. 📚Social Emotional Learning by Barbara A. Lewis 📚A Practical Guide to Mental Health and Learning Disorders by Myles L. Cooley, Ph.D. 📚Help Anxious Kids in a Stressful World by David Campos and Kathleen McConnell Fad 📚The Empathetic Classroom by Maria Munro-Schuster 📚Teaching Kids to Pause, Cope, and Connect by Mark Purcell, PsyD, and Kellen Glinder, MD Shop the list on Bookshop! (Link in bio) #MHAM2026

May is right around the corner, and throughout the month, we'll be shining the spotlight on books for #MentalHealthAwarenessMonth. Here's a sneak peek! 📚It Won't Ever Be the Same by Korie Leigh, Ph.D. (@drkorieleigh ) 📚The Empathetic Classroom by Maria Munro-Schuster 📚Raising Awe-Seekers by Deborah Farmer Kris (@parenthood36 ) 📚In My Feelings by Vidal Annan, Ph.D. 📚Dragons on the Inside by Valerie Coulman (@valeriecoulman ), illustrated by Alexandra Colombo (@alexandra.colombo ) 📚Tummies Flip, Hearts Skip by Kris Downing (@krisdowningbooks ), illustrated by Vivian Mineker (@vivian.mineker ) 📚Calm-Down Time by Elizabeth Verdick (@elizabethkidwriter ), illustrated by Marieka Heinlen (@mariekaheinlen ) You can shop your favorites on our Bookshop list. Link in bio. #MHAM2026

The Asian Voices in Children’s Literature Writing Contest opens next week! Cosponsored with @sambasivanandparikh , the Asian Voices in Children’s Literature Writing Contest’s mission is to elevate authentic, culturally relevant children’s stories written by and about Asian heritage people. Every entry is considered for publication and three cash prizes will be awarded. Check our bio for the link!

Every review, even one sentence, helps Bea’s story travel a little farther. If you’ve read Bea, can you help and share your thoughts on Amazon or Barnes and Noble? Thank you for being part of Bea’s journey. I'm so grateful for your support! #bookreviews #kidlit #filipinokidlit #aanhpi