Publisher Profile: Star Bright Books
The CBC asks Jiyoung Ahn, Managing Editor, questions about the publisher.
How did your publishing house start out?
Star Bright Books was founded in 1994 by Deborah Shine, a long-time children’s book editor. Before becoming an editor, Deborah was a bookseller. When her family moved to Lexington, KY from England, the only bookstore she could take her children to was the University of Kentucky bookstore in the basement of a building. Inspired by her lifelong love of reading, she decided to open her own bookstore for children. In 1968, she launched Owl and the Pussy Cat, one of the first bookstores in the country to focus exclusively on children’s books.
The store had frequent patrons, including a mother and her son who had Down syndrome. Deborah learned the boy had never been invited to a birthday party, and this stayed with her. When she later founded Star Bright Books, she was determined to make a difference. One of the very first books she published was Friends at School, which portrays children of different abilities playing together and helping one another, emphasizing the importance of inclusion and friendship. Since its founding, Star Bright Books has focused on publishing books where children with disabilities are the main characters, creating stories that reflect and celebrate their experiences.
And having grown up in a home where broken English was the home language, Deborah was aware of the need for children’s books in languages beyond English.
What is your publishing house most known for?
Since Friends at School, Star Bright Books has become known for its inclusive and diverse catalog of books that feature children with disabilities as the main characters. Notable titles include I Have Cerebral Palsy, We Can Do It, Anna & Natalie, and more. Our Point To Books series, a collection of interactive board books, helps young children develop communication skills through pointing—an essential form of non-verbal communication that can be particularly helpful for children on the autism spectrum.
We are also recognized for our engaging, high-quality board books for babies and toddlers. Our Small Talk Books® series features playful stories in which young children and adults enjoy simple conversations, turning everyday activities into learning moments. These books are designed to foster language development and give caregivers a tool for it. We recognize that to inspire a life-long love of books, it is important for children to begin building that relationship at the earliest possible age. Above all, Star Bright Books is best known for its dedication to producing diverse and bilingual books. We believe that children should not only see themselves reflected in print but also hear their native languages. For immigrant families—whether refugees, asylum seekers, or migrants—access to books in their mother tongues is often limited. Our bilingual books make it easy for families to share storytime together, nourishing a love for both their native language and culture as well as the English Language. We are also expanding our offerings to include books in Indigenous languages. Currently our bilingual books are available in 33 languages: Amharic, Arabic, Bengali, Bosnian, Burmese, Burmese Karen, Chinese, Dari, English, Farsi, French, Haitian Creole, Hebrew, Hindi, Hmong, Hopi, Japanese, Korean, Navajo, Nepali, Ojibwe, Pashto, Portuguese, Punjabi, Russian, Somali, Spanish, Swahili, Tagalog, Tibetan, Urdu, Vietnamese, and White Mountain Apache.
Where in the country is your house based? What do you love about being based there?
After many years in Long Island City, NY, Star Bright Books relocated to Cambridge, Massachusetts, in 2012. Cambridge is one of the most diverse and caring communities in the country, and we deeply share its values and energy. As a small publisher in such an accessible and vibrant city, we sometimes have the pleasure of local writers’ visits. One day, a writer knocked on our door, and what began as a brief visit turned into a long conversation. That conversation eventually led to the creation of Small Talk Books® by Ellen Mayer, a series born from our collaborative partnership with her.
What conventions and conferences does your publishing house usually attend?
You will always find us at the ALA Annual Conferences! We also attend the PLA (Public Library Association), and MLA (Massachusetts Library Association), and various local conferences by educational organizations. Library conferences are particularly important to us: they offer a chance to reconnect with the librarians and teachers who inspire us, renewing and reaffirming our passion for what we do. As an advocate for early literacy, we also participate in conferences of the NAEYC (National Association for the Education of Young Children), Reach Out and Read conferences, and other early education conferences. These gatherings allow us to engage with educators and caregivers who share our commitment to fostering a love of reading in young children.
Which formats does your house prefer to publish?
Our publishing program is unique in terms of formats. As a trade book publisher, we focus primarily on creating books for children ages 0–8 and their caregivers. To serve this audience, we publish in a variety of formats, including board books, hardcover, paperback, and now eBooks.
What sets us apart is our approach to picture books. We release our picture books in both hardcover and paperback simultaneously. This dual release is particularly important for the many literacy organizations and schools we work with. Getting high-quality books into the hands of every child—especially in underserved communities—can be challenging due to cost. Our paperback editions help meet this need, providing a more affordable option without sacrificing quality. We are proud of this practice and the impact it has on making our books accessible to all.
What are some of your house’s publishing priorities over the next few years?
At Star Bright Books, our primary focus is on creating great stories that children can enjoy, be comforted by, and learn from. We’ve always understood the importance of early literacy skills, and now we are expanding our focus to include the development of early mathematical skills. Just like literacy, early math is essential for children—not only for success in school but also for understanding the world around them. These skills help children become more successful, collaborative, and creative individuals. In the coming years, we are committed to publishing books that integrate math and STEM themes into engaging stories.
We are also dedicated to publishing more diverse and inclusive stories—stories that every child can relate to, while expanding their understanding and appreciation of the world. And of course, we will continue to grow our bilingual offerings, reaching even more children in a variety of languages!
Which title does your house feel deserved more love than it got?
Arletis, Abuelo, and the Message in a Bottle is a remarkable story about an improbable friendship, based on a true event. This beautifully written book is a CBC Children’s Favorites Winner, a Junior Library Guild Gold Selection, a Foreword Indies Finalist, and a Bronze Medal Winner at the International Latino Book Awards.
The story follows an old man who, in his youth, dreamed of sailing the world, and a young girl who dreams of traveling far. Their connection through a message in a bottle sparks a correspondence that eventually leads to a visit and a lasting friendship—one that expands both of their worlds. Lyrically written and lushly illustrated, it offers a captivating portrait of life in rural Cuba that enchants both children and adults alike. While the book has received much praise, we feel it deserves even more love for its heartfelt story and beautiful execution.
Which upcoming titles is your house buzzing about?
The Little Lobster, a beautifully illustrated nonfiction picture book that explores the life cycle of lobsters, sea creatures treasured by many Americans in one way or another. The book follows the journey of lobsters, from being released from under their mother’s tail into the vast ocean. They pass through many stages of growth, yet only a few will survive to become juvenile lobsters and eventually reach adulthood. This engaging book is perfect for curious young minds and marine enthusiasts alike.
Shape Families, a playful and often very, very funny picture book that celebrates many forms of families through families of geometric shapes. This charming book introduces readers to a variety of family units that reflects the many ways families come together in the real world. It invites children to see themselves and their families in its pages, while encouraging an exploration of differences, as well as the love and joy that flourish in each unique family. Includes a shape glossary in the back.
Which of your frontlist titles would be great for a school or public library?
So Many Ways to Be a Bird would be a wonderful addition to both school and public libraries, as well as classroom collections. This unique nonfiction picture book explores the fascinating world of birds, inviting readers to discover the incredible adaptations of these creatures. “Every beak, feather, and wing has a story to tell.” It’s a delightful read for young readers and adults, appealing to birders and armchair birders alike. Librarians will especially appreciate this title for its engaging content and educational value!
Which of your frontlist titles would you like to see get more attention from bookstores?
Mouse and Mole: A Fresh Start and Mouse and Mole: The Secret of Happiness are two titles we’d love to see get more attention from bookstores. What could be more perfect for cozy reading during the New Year?
Mouse and Mole are two unlikely companions who love spending time together. In these stories, they give their friendship a fresh start, embarking on new adventures that inevitably turn into misadventures. But through it all, they discover a deeper appreciation for one another, having fun along the way. Now with six titles in the series, these whimsical and heartwarming stories will delight both young readers and adults.
Name a few of your favorite backlist titles that people should check out:
Cradle Me: The rich Native American tradition of carrying babies safely and close to their mothers in cradle boards endures to this day. Shaped like a cradle board, this sturdy board book celebrates Native American families and their cherished tradition.
The Big Day: This heartfelt story celebrates Agnes Sadler, the first Black woman to legally vote in Knoxville, Tennessee, in 1919. Tansy accompanies her grandmother to the voting ward, and on the way back home, she tells everyone she sees, “It’s a big day! We got to vote. We got to have our say”
Read to Me: A beautiful poem that encourages caregivers to share the joy and value of reading from a young age. Many library outreach programs around the country have included Read to Me in welcome baby bags for new parents and families in their communities.
The Hole Story: A 2024 CBC Teacher Favorites winner! This clever and fun story follows a young boy on a quest to find the rightful owner of a hole he discovers in the street. Who will make good use of the hole? Through humor and wordplay, the story reveals the magic of imagination.
Leaves to My Knees: The mathematical concepts of measurement and size comparison are seamlessly woven into this delightful story of a fall family activity. Camille is determined to rake her own pile of leaves—all the way up to her knees! When the wind blows her pile away, she refuses to give up. With perseverance, she creates the perfect knee-high pile—just the right size for… jumping in!
Thank you, Star Bright Books!
