Publisher Profile: Eternal Tree Books
The CBC asks Priya Kumari, Publisher, questions about the publisher.
How did your publishing house start out?
Eternal Tree Books was born out of a need for uplifting children’s books that authentically represent Indian and Asian cultures, histories, languages, and traditions. As a mother searching for books that reflected my own family’s heritage, I was surprised by how few were available in schools and libraries. Many stories were either missing altogether or lacked cultural depth and authenticity. What began with a single picture book about Raksha Bandhan, celebrating the special bond between siblings, has grown into a publishing house dedicated to creating high-quality, engaging stories that foster identity, belonging, empathy, and cross-cultural understanding. We believe every child deserves to see their culture represented with dignity, accuracy, and joy while also discovering the stories of others.
Where in the country is your house based? What do you love about being based there?
We are based in New Jersey, one of the most culturally diverse states in the country. Being surrounded by families from so many backgrounds, reminds us how important children’s books are in helping young readers see themselves reflected while learning about the experiences of others.
What conventions and conferences does your publishing house usually attend?
We have proudly attended the New Jersey Library Association Conference every year since our founding, and regularly participate in national conferences such as ALA, PLA, and the NJEA Convention. This year, we’re excited to partner with Publisher Spotlight to exhibit our books at even more national conferences, helping us connect with librarians, educators, booksellers, and distributors across the country.
How many books does your house aim to publish per season/year?
We currently publish three to four titles each year and hope to grow that to six to eight titles annually. As a small independent publisher, we are committed to growing thoughtfully and sustainably, ensuring that every book receives the editorial, production, and marketing attention it deserves. The number of titles we publish each year is also influenced by our commitment to high-quality offset printing, allowing us to invest in books we believe will have a lasting impact in schools, libraries, and homes.
What are some of your house’s publishing priorities over the next few years?
Over the next few years, we’re excited to expand our publishing program beyond picture books into early readers, chapter books, and middle grade illustrated novels, while continuing to grow our collection of bilingual books, festival stories, and intergenerational family picture books. We have several contemporary fiction, narrative nonfiction, historical fiction, and fantasy titles in development, all centered on authentic storytelling and underrepresented Asian voices. Our goal is to continue creating books that help Asian children see themselves in stories while inviting all readers to discover new cultures, histories, and perspectives.
Which title has your house recently rallied behind?
The Journey Seed. Inspired by the true history of Indian Indenture, it introduces young readers to a chapter of world history that has shaped millions of families, but remains largely absent from children’s literature. Through the eyes of a young girl carrying a single mango seed across the ocean, the story explores migration, resilience, identity, and belonging. We believe it fills an important gap in children’s literature while giving Indo-Caribbean families the opportunity to finally see their history reflected with pride and dignity.
Which title does your house feel deserved more love than it got?
We thought I Am a Creator, which received a wonderful review from Kirkus Reviews, would reach a much wider audience. Through the eyes of young Manu, the book transforms a simple walk in nature into a journey of wonder, showing how a single dewdrop can reflect the ocean, a tiny seed can grow into a towering tree, and every child carries infinite possibilities within. Inspired by the timeless mantra “Aham Brahmaasmi” (“I am the Creator”), it encourages children to believe in themselves, approach life with humility and curiosity, and recognize that even the smallest beginnings can grow into something extraordinary.
Which upcoming titles is your house buzzing about?
We’re especially excited about The Journey Seed and My Paryushana: Festival of Forgiveness. The Journey Seed introduces young readers to the largely untold history of Indian Indenture. My Paryushana introduces children to Jainism, one of the world’s oldest religions, through Paryushana, its most sacred festival, exploring the timeless values of forgiveness, nonviolence, self-reflection, compassion, and respect for all living beings. Together, these books reflect our mission to bring overlooked histories and the rich diversity of Asian cultures and traditions to young readers through engaging stories.
Which of your frontlist titles would be great for a school or public library?
Our My Festival Series with two new titles this year has become a favorite for libraries looking to build inclusive collections. Titles such as My Diwali, My Holi, My Ganesha Chaturthi, My Janmashtami, My Paryushana, and My Vesak help children discover the traditions, history, legends, and values behind important Asian celebrations, while supporting multicultural programming throughout the year. We believe festivals are one of the most joyful and engaging ways to introduce children to a culture—they bring together stories, music, food, festive clothes, traditions, and community, creating meaningful opportunities for children to learn about and appreciate the world around them.
Which of your frontlist titles would be great for a classroom? Which grade?
The Journey Seed is ideal for Grades 2–5, supporting discussions on migration, family history, resilience, belonging, and cultural identity.
Our My Festival Series works well for PreK–Grade 4, introducing children to world religions, cultural traditions, and social-emotional learning through engaging family stories and informative back matter.
We are also developing middle school educator resources around My Paryushana and My Vesak as accessible introductions to Jainism and Buddhism. Beyond celebrating the festivals themselves, these books explore the origins of each religion and the timeless values they teach. We believe picture books are powerful learning tools for readers of all ages. They present complex topics in an engaging, approachable format that sparks curiosity and encourages further exploration.
Our Hindi-English Bilingual Beginnings book series with Chalo Bazaar is also an excellent resource for dual-language classrooms, world language programs, and multicultural collections.
Name a few of your favorite backlist titles that people should check out.
A few of our favorite backlist titles reflect the heart of our publishing mission. Leaf Talks Peace, featuring a foreword by His Holiness the Dalai Lama, introduces children to the interconnectedness of all living beings and the importance of individual, social, and ecological peace. I Am a Lotus encourages young readers to develop resilience, mindfulness, and inner strength through the timeless symbolism of the lotus flower. Maa’s Magical Saree celebrates the special bond between a mother and son while introducing children to the values, philosophy, and rich cultural traditions of Hinduism through the colors of a mother’s sarees.
What else would you like to tell us about your house and the amazing work you all do?
At Eternal Tree Books, we believe books can do far more than entertain—they can help children build a strong sense of identity while fostering curiosity, empathy, and respect for others. Looking ahead, we’re committed to making our books even more valuable for classrooms and libraries by developing free educator guides for both our existing and future titles, along with school assembly programs and interactive cultural presentations that bring our stories to life. We’re also expanding our digital publishing program with eBook editions of future titles to make our books more accessible to readers everywhere. As we continue to grow, we’re excited to expand our reach through new distribution partnerships in the UK and Europe, building on our existing distribution in North America and India. Our goal is not simply to publish books, but to create meaningful educational resources that help children explore cultures, history, languages, and universal values while inspiring the next generation of compassionate global citizens.
Thank you, Eternal Tree Books!
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