Here’s our list of children’s book publishers in the US – designed as a starting point for stocking elementary and high school libraries, or finding similar books to titles already popular with your children and teens. These publishers’ lists cover baby & toddler fiction, picture books, fiction for children aged 5–7, early chapter books for 7–9-year-old children, middle-grade novels for 9–12-year-old tweens, 12–16 teen young adult fiction, poetry, nonfiction, textbooks and study guides – all available in the US.
US Children’s Book Publishers A–Z
A
- Abrams Books – publishes picture books, illustrated fiction, and graphic novels across all age ranges for children and teens.
- Abrams Appleseed – board books and novelty formats for babies, toddlers, and preschoolers.
- Amulet Books – middle-grade and YA fiction and graphic novels including the bestselling Diary of a Wimpy Kid series.
- AK Press – independent, worker-run publisher of radical and social justice-themed children’s books and YA nonfiction.
- Albert Whitman & Company – established in 1919, known for The Boxcar Children and a broad catalog of fiction and nonfiction titles for ages 0–16.
- Alexander Street – educational and academic publisher including children’s and teen-facing drama scripts and plays through its streaming platforms and archives.
- Andersen Press USA – US distribution arm of UK publisher Andersen Press, publishing acclaimed picture books for the North American market.
- Annick Press – Canadian-based but active in the US market, producing progressive and inclusive books for children and teens.
- Arcadia Children’s Books – historical nonfiction picture books and middle-grade titles with a local US focus, part of Arcadia Publishing.
- Archipelago Books – publishes translated literature, including select illustrated children’s books originally published overseas.
- Arte Público Press / Piñata Books – the largest publisher of US Hispanic literature, with its Piñata Books imprint focused on bilingual children’s and YA literature.
- Astra Books for Young Readers – umbrella for several US imprints including Calkins Creek, Kane Press, and Wordsong, publishing fiction, nonfiction, and poetry.
B
- Barefoot Books – independent children’s publisher with a focus on global awareness, diversity, and social-emotional learning.
- Beaming Books – publishes picture books and early readers that promote emotional and spiritual development.
- Better World Ed – nonprofit publisher of story-based educational content and human-centered stories for middle-grade learners.
- Black Rose Writing – publishes YA novels in a variety of genres; editorially selective and US-based.
- Bloomsbury Children’s Books (US) – publishes picture books, middle-grade fiction, and YA titles for the American market.
- Boyds Mills & Kane – independent publisher of literary fiction, nonfiction, and poetry for children and teens, successor to Boyds Mills Press.
- BQB Publishing – small traditional press offering middle-grade and young adult fiction with positive and uplifting themes.
C
- Calkins Creek – imprint of Astra Books for Young Readers, focused on American history for children and teens.
- Candlewick Press – one of the largest independent US publishers of children’s books; known for literary quality and artistic excellence across all age groups.
- Capstone – educational publisher producing high-interest nonfiction, graphic novels, and leveled readers for schools and libraries.
- Cardinal Rule Press – publishes children’s picture books that inspire social change and emphasize character-building themes.
- Carolrhoda Books – an imprint of Lerner Publishing Group, offering fiction and nonfiction for middle grade and young adult readers.
- Charlesbridge – publishes picture books, nonfiction, and middle-grade novels that celebrate diversity, equity, and curiosity.
- Chronicle Books – known for award-winning picture books, innovative formats, and YA fiction with visual flair.
- Clarion Books – imprint of HarperCollins Children’s Books; publishes critically acclaimed fiction and nonfiction for all ages.
- Creston Books – small independent publisher offering culturally rich picture books and middle-grade fiction from debut and diverse authors.
D
- Dial Books for Young Readers – imprint of Penguin Random House; publishes literary picture books, middle-grade, and YA fiction.
- Disney Publishing Worldwide / Disney Hyperion – publishes a wide range of bestselling titles for children and teens, including branded and original fiction.
- Dramatic Publishing – educational publisher of plays for young people, schools, and drama programs in the US.
- Drawn & Quarterly – primarily Canadian but distributed in the US; publishes graphic novels and illustrated fiction for older children and teens.
E
- Eerdmans Books for Young Readers – publishes thoughtful and award-winning fiction, nonfiction, and picture books from a wide range of cultural perspectives.
- Enslow Publishing – educational publisher of nonfiction for children and young adults, widely used in school libraries and classrooms.
- Essential Library – a nonfiction imprint of ABDO Publishing focused on topics relevant to upper elementary and middle school readers.
F
- Farrar, Straus and Giroux Books for Young Readers – imprint of Macmillan, publishing literary fiction and nonfiction for all age groups including teens.
- Flying Eye Books – the children’s imprint of Nobrow Press; publishes design-led picture books and graphic novels with global appeal.
- Flyaway Books – progressive children’s book publisher focusing on compassion, inclusion, and social justice themes.
- Free Spirit Publishing – publishes practical nonfiction and SEL resources for children, teens, and educators, including activity books and guides.
G
- Gibbs Smith – publishes stylish and literary board books, picture books, and activity titles, including the BabyLit and Little Leonardo series.
- Groundwood Books – Canadian-based with strong US presence; specializes in diverse, socially conscious books for children and teens.
- Graphix – Scholastic imprint dedicated to original graphic novels for middle-grade and teen readers, featuring bestselling and award-winning creators.
H
- Hachette Book Group – Children’s Division – includes imprints like Little, Brown Books for Young Readers and Christy Ottaviano Books; publishes fiction, nonfiction, and graphic novels for all age groups.
- Holiday House – one of the first US publishers focused exclusively on children’s books; known for early readers, middle-grade fiction, and nonfiction.
- HarperCollins Children’s Books – one of the Big Five publishers; includes multiple imprints such as Greenwillow, Quill Tree, Balzer + Bray, and Katherine Tegen Books.
- Hippocrene Books – publishes multilingual children’s books, focusing on language learning and international cultures.
I
- IDW Publishing – known for graphic novels and comic adaptations for middle-grade and teen readers, including licensed and original content.
- Inhabit Media – Arctic-based publisher distributed in the US, offering Inuit and Indigenous stories for children and young adults.
- Islandport Press – small regional publisher based in Maine, with a catalog of New England-flavored picture books and middle-grade fiction.
J
- Jolly Fish Press – an imprint of North Star Editions, publishing fiction for middle-grade and young adult readers across various genres.
- Jabberwocky – the children’s imprint of Sourcebooks; offers humorous, vibrant picture books and early fiction titles.
- Just Us Books – independent publisher focused on Black-interest books for children and young adults, co-founded by Wade and Cheryl Hudson.
K
- Kane Miller – part of the Educational Development Corporation (EDC); publishes international and domestic children’s books with a focus on early readers and picture books.
- Kane Press – imprint of Astra Books for Young Readers; publishes educational fiction and nonfiction for early and middle-grade readers, especially in STEM topics.
- Kar-Ben Publishing – an imprint of Lerner Publishing; specializes in Jewish children’s books across picture book, middle-grade, and YA categories.
L
- Lerner Publishing Group – independent children’s publisher with multiple imprints including Carolrhoda, Darby Creek, and Millbrook Press; known for fiction, nonfiction, and graphic novels.
- Lee & Low Books – the largest multicultural children’s book publisher in the US; produces picture books, early readers, and middle-grade/YA novels.
- Little, Brown Books for Young Readers – part of Hachette Book Group; publishes acclaimed titles across picture books, chapter books, middle grade, and YA.
- Lion Forge – graphic novel publisher focused on diverse creators and inclusive stories; publishes for middle grade and teen audiences.
- Llewellyn Worldwide – publishes select YA fantasy and spiritual fiction through its imprint Flux Books.
- Little Bee Books – publishes board books, picture books, and chapter books with an emphasis on fun, inclusion, and diverse authorship.
- Little Feminist – independent publisher producing board books and early readers centered on equity, gender inclusion, and empowerment.
M
- Macmillan Children’s Publishing Group – major US publisher with imprints including FSG Books for Young Readers, Roaring Brook, Feiwel & Friends, and First Second Books.
- Magination Press – the publishing arm of the American Psychological Association; produces books for children and teens addressing mental health, emotions, and wellness.
- MarshMedia – creates educational children’s books and videos with a focus on health, puberty, social skills, and personal development.
- Melanin Origins – publishes African-American children’s books focused on cultural pride, leadership, and historical figures.
- MIT Kids Press – part of Candlewick/MIT Press partnership; publishes innovative, design-led nonfiction and STEM-themed picture books and early readers.
- Milestone Books – conservative publisher offering religious and traditional educational materials, including storybooks and readers for children.
- Milky Way Picture Books – independent imprint focused on nature-inspired and gently poetic picture books for young children.
N
- National Geographic Kids – publishes engaging nonfiction and fact-based books for children, covering science, animals, geography, and exploration.
- North Star Editions – publishes fiction for teens and tweens across multiple imprints including Flux and Jolly Fish Press.
- Norton Young Readers – children’s and YA division of W. W. Norton; publishes award-winning fiction, nonfiction, and poetry for all ages.
- Nobrow Press – publisher of visually distinctive books including the Flying Eye Books imprint for younger readers and graphic novel fans.
O
- Oberlin Press – small nonprofit publisher affiliated with Oberlin College; occasionally publishes youth-centered literary works with educational themes.
- Onyx Publishing – Black-owned press publishing picture books and chapter books with strong cultural heritage and representation.
- Orca Book Publishers – Canadian-based but widely distributed in the US; publishes high-interest fiction, nonfiction, and hi-lo books for reluctant and emerging readers.
P
- Pajama Press – Canadian publisher distributed in the US; known for high-quality fiction and nonfiction for children and teens with a global and inclusive focus.
- Papercutz – graphic novel publisher specializing in kid-friendly adaptations of popular franchises and original content for ages 7–14.
- Parallax Press – mindfulness-centered press offering children’s books that encourage emotional awareness, compassion, and peace.
- Peachtree – independent publisher offering literary picture books, early readers, and middle-grade fiction and nonfiction with strong curriculum connections.
- Penguin Young Readers – division of Penguin Random House; includes many iconic imprints such as Dial, Razorbill, Kokila, Nancy Paulsen Books, and Puffin.
- Pioneer Drama Service – publishes plays, musicals, and scripts suitable for youth theater, schools, and drama departments.
- Plough Publishing House – nonprofit publisher of faith-centered children’s books with an emphasis on values, family, and global citizenship.
Q
- Quill Tree Books – an imprint of HarperCollins Children’s Books focused on high-impact middle-grade and young adult fiction that reflects contemporary issues and diverse voices.
R
- Random House Children’s Books – one of the largest US children’s publishers, home to iconic imprints like Knopf, Crown, Wendy Lamb Books, and Ember.
- Readers to Eaters – small publisher producing nonfiction children’s books on food, culture, and sustainability.
- Reycraft Books – publishes picture books, middle-grade, and YA titles exclusively by authors and illustrators from underrepresented communities.
- Restless Books – independent nonprofit publisher with a growing children’s and YA catalog, focusing on global voices and immigrant stories.
S
- Sasquatch Books / Little Bigfoot – Seattle-based publisher with an imprint focused on Pacific Northwest-themed children’s books.
- Schiffer Kids – publishes picture books, activity books, and educational nonfiction with an emphasis on creativity and hands-on learning.
- Scholastic – the largest publisher and distributor of children’s books in the US; publishes across all age ranges and genres, including through Graphix, Arthur A. Levine Books, and more.
- Seven Stories Press – known for progressive and activist publishing; offers a YA list under Triangle Square Books for Young Readers.
- Shadow Mountain Publishing – family-friendly publisher with popular middle-grade series such as Fablehaven and The Candy Shop War.
- Sleeping Bear Press – publishes illustrated picture books, nonfiction, and regional titles with a strong educational focus.
- Soaring Kite Books – woman- and minority-owned independent press creating inclusive children’s stories celebrating culture and identity.
- Sourcebooks Kids – includes Jabberwocky and Fire; offers a wide range of children’s and YA books across formats and genres.
- Sterling Children’s Books – formerly part of Barnes & Noble; publishes picture books, nonfiction, and classics for young readers.
- Story Press Africa – collaborative imprint that brings African oral traditions and folklore into illustrated and YA book formats for US readers.
T
- Tanglewood Publishing – independent publisher offering picture books, middle-grade, and young adult fiction with a focus on character development and emotional growth.
- Tilbury House Publishers – Maine-based press publishing socially conscious picture books and nonfiction for children, including environmental and multicultural themes.
- Tor Teen – an imprint of Tor Books (Macmillan) focused on YA science fiction and fantasy novels with crossover appeal.
- Tricycle Press – now an imprint under Ten Speed Press (Penguin Random House); known for publishing inclusive and socially aware picture books.
U
- UCLA Early Academic Outreach Program – occasionally publishes bilingual and college-prep themed books for youth under university-led educational initiatives.
- University of California Press – while primarily academic, it periodically publishes crossover YA nonfiction and graphic biographies relevant to teen readers.
- University of Georgia Press – includes select children’s and YA nonfiction titles related to Southern history, civil rights, and cultural studies.
V
- Versify – imprint of Houghton Mifflin Harcourt created by Kwame Alexander; publishes innovative and diverse books across picture books, middle-grade, and YA.
W
- Walden Pond Press – a joint imprint of HarperCollins and Walden Media; publishes middle-grade novels that often feature humor, heart, and social themes.
- Walker Books US – part of the Candlewick family; publishes high-quality fiction and nonfiction for middle-grade and YA readers.
- Wayfarer Books – imprint of North Atlantic Books focusing on diverse voices and socially conscious YA fiction and nonfiction.
- Wipf and Stock – faith-based publisher with occasional YA titles focusing on religious themes, social issues, and ethics.
- Wordsong – the only US imprint dedicated exclusively to poetry for children; part of Astra Books for Young Readers.
Y
- Yale University Press – primarily academic, but occasionally publishes illustrated children’s books and YA-relevant nonfiction with educational merit.
Z
- Zonderkidz – children’s division of Zondervan; publishes Christian-themed books for children and teens including Bibles, fiction, and devotionals.
Are we missing your favorite publisher? Let us know by sending us an email!
