Independent & Self-Published Features

Independent and Self-Published Features: Featuring blue manatee press

*~Switching up MaiStoryBook’s Indie features this week to highlight a solo independent children’s book publishing company ~*

Please reach out to MaiStoryBook through Instagram, FB, or by commenting on my blog, and *share or tag* publishing companies, books, authors, or illustrators who would fit into this category of independent/self-publishing! I’m excited for the wonders we will find!

Now without further ado~

Featuring *blue manatee press*

An independent children’s book publishing company that is passionate about connecting the goal of early literacy and brain development to imagination, empowerment, and a strong family connection. Founded by a pediatrician, this independent publishing company, based in Cincinnati, Ohio, was created with the mission to create meaningful, enduring books that help bring grown-ups and children together.

**Why I’m excited about this publishing company and their work, and honored to share ~ just a few~ of their amazing books **

It’s vitally important for little one’s to be able to see and imagine themselves in storybooks. Too often, children’s books center on white protagonists, Eurocentric themes and norms, and gendered stereotypes. Children of color are often left out of children’s literature~ and thus I am always on the lookout and search for children’s illustrated books that welcome a diverse audience into their reading adventures. So when blue manatee press reached out to share their selections of published works, the themes of inclusivity and empowerment drew me in, captivated mai interest, and excited me to have found such a treasure trove of stories that created a culturally diverse world of reading. From papa princesses, to mama mechanics, farm-to-table movements, to family bands featuring musical instruments from all over the world, from leaping llamas spinning spelling riddles, to little ones discovering the desire to travel into the world of books~ all featuring a cast of characters of people of color~ check out a taste of blue manatee press’ reading adventures below!

My Papa is a Princess + My mama is a Mechanic by Doug Cenko

Flipping gender roles~ these two stories are a celebration of mothers and fathers and all of the roles they take one throughout a child’s life. With illustrations that weave and clasp the story together~ we get a glimpse through a child’s eyes at the wonder, admiration, and pure love they behold for their parents. A dazzling picture of mama as a treasure hunter, surrounded by troves of treasure chests in a mysterious dungeon, is juxtaposed with an image of mama and son digging through the couch uncovering hidden goodies amongst piles of cushions. A delightful illustration of papa as a trendy hairstylist giving his daughter a blowout in a fancy salon lays side by side a picture of papa meticulously braiding his beaming daughters hair. An ode to parents and the magic and love they bring into their children’s lives each day~ these books are perfect for sparking imagination and redefining the roles mama’s and papa’s play as they care for, create, and contribute to their little one’s lives.

Check here to find *My Papa is a Princess* for your own home library!

Check here to find *My Mama is a Mechanic* for your own home library!

*****

I Want to Be a Reader by Mark Powers, Illustrated by Maria Montag

*Learning to Read~* As a first grade teacher, teaching and inspiring little ones to read is mai main goal. But teaching kids to read has to be more than just recognizing vowel pairs, digraphs, blends, and sight words~ children need not just the *how to read*, but the *why read?* Beginning readers need to realize the wonders of the world of reading, the adventures within the folds of the pages, the excitement a string of letters and words can bring. How to introduce children to these wonders before they ebbing reading themselves? Through read alouds *of course,* and this little board book not only shares a reading adventure, but gives little ones an opportunity to envision themselves as learning to read. *I Want to Be a Reader* illustrates the hard work that it does take to read- but also the joy and empowerment derived through the process. Perfect pocket book for any beginning reader!

Check here to find *I Want to Be a Reader* for your own home library!

***

Lloyd Llama by Sarah Jones

*~Spelling~* Mai firsties love recognizing and learning new spelling patters. We’ve been learning about word families, and that if you can spell one small word, just add more letters, and you can spell all sorts of words~ Learning spelling and phonics patterns opens up realms of words for writing and reading, and the littles take pride in the lists of words they can write and read. Therefore, this cute, clever story~ a story of spelling and alliteration weaved into a tale of llamas, allies, and allspice cookies~ is sure to be on the top of mai read aloud list this upcoming week. Lloyd llama loves many things~ but mostly things that are spelled with double “L”~ he is *Ll*oyd *ll*ama after all. But then along comes Al Alpaca, who adores all things beginning with *A*. At first the two clash, with Lloyd liking lollipops and Al preferring apple pie. But one fateful day, they realize that they may *Actually* have more similarities than they think~ Alligator shoes and armadillo bands, allowance spending, and even allergies! Challenge your littles to find even more things the two allies have in common~ a great spelling exercise extension to the book!

Check here to find *Lloyd Llama* for your own home library!

***

Alphabet Family Band by Sarah Jones

*~ABCs, instruments, and family fun~* This unique alphabet book strings together a family band with every word starting with the successive letter of the alphabet. An alphabetic mini masterpiece, this book harmoniously combines two learning concepts~ letters and musical instruments form all over the world~ from *Auntie Bangs Congas, to Daddy Enjoys Flute*, it’s a mini board book banging with rhythm and bright with colorful illustrations of a family band in a warm island setting. I love any book that celebrates the arts~ and this little wonder featuring a multi-gerenational island family, is sure to become a funky family favorite!

Check here to find *Alphabet Family Band* for your own home library!

***

Allie’s Garden by Sabra Chubby, Illustrated by Marla Osborn

*~Healthy Eating~* A valuable, important concept for little ones to grow up with and embody. This delightful board book celebrates the farm-to-table movement, as it follows little Allie as she goes out to the garden to pick vegetables for a homemade meal. In the garden, she discovers a plethora of surprising critters~ and here is where the illustrations of this story bring the magic of nature to life! The illustrator combines mouthwatering photographs of real, fresh, juicy veggies with simple sketches. Aside from the little hand drawn girl, all other characters, critters, and the setting are artfully made from real veggies~ from a potato bunny, and cucumber snake, to a crow constructed from eggplant~ the garden comes to life to help Allie discover and create a fresh garden salad! Little ones will enjoy identifying the fresh vegetables, and may even be enticed to eat some of the delicious veggies during their own mealtimes.

Check here to find *Allie’s Garden* for your own home library!

***

Hope you are also as enthused by this indie publishing company as I am! One of mai new favorites to browse for indie selections and diverse treasures, check out blue manatee press for even more empowering and inspiring reading adventures! Comment below with any favorites, or other self-published/indie publishing companies/authors/illustrators to look out for!

*Check here for more info on the authors and illustrators featured in this post*

*~Support these independent/self-published authors and illustrators and check out what they’ve been writing and creating.  Please share any books, authors, or illustrators that fit into this category by tagging me on Instagram @MaiStoryBookLibrary,  posting on MaiStoryBook’s FaceBook page, or commenting on the blog below! I’m always looking for new treasures to read, support, and share with all of you!~*

*Plus, checkout out one of MaiStoryBook’s interactive read alouds about refugees, immigration, family, and keeping hope alive through dreams  here. *

*~Until Next Time, Happy Reading~*