Publisher Profile: Paw Prints Publishing
The CBC asks Bobbie Bensur, Director, questions about the publisher.
What is your publishing house most known for?
Paw Prints Publishing is a children’s book publishing imprint striving to make our own positive impact on the lives of young people. We are known for building empathy, empowerment, and engagement in children through our quality books that feature diverse voices and pillars of social-emotional development. There is a large breadth of talent in this world, from people with disparate backgrounds, lifestyles, diverse ethnicities, and of multiple races who can contribute to a more interesting and inclusive cannon of work to share with kids—a myriad of paw prints, and we’re on a mission to show them off!
Which formats does your house prefer to publish?
Our books are published in paperback, hardcover, e-book, and a selection will be available in audiobook format soon!
Which of your frontlist titles would be great for a school or public library?
Troll, authored by Frances Stickley and illustrated by Stefano Martinuz, will find a home in schools and libraries preparing to take up conversations about kindness. Publishing in time for Antibullying Awareness Month on October 1, 2024, Troll is a powerful story of Troll, an underground bully who learns the power of words and empathy when an encounter with one of his would-be victims, a hearing-impaired rabbit, sends him into a journey of self-discovery and transformation. Educators and caregivers will love how this rhythmic story takes place from the bully’s point of view and how it shows small interactions can have huge social awareness impacts for the better of everyone.
Which of your frontlist titles would be great for a classroom? Which grade?
Our new middle-grade novel, All Mixed Up, would be the perfect fit for a classroom looking for a springboard to spark discussion based on cultural identity, immigration, and the experience of mixed-race children. Written by New York Times essayist, Raj Tawney, All Mixed Up delivers a gripping story of a multi-ethnic American boy who forges a complex friendship with a Pakistani immigrant in the wake of 9/11 in 2022. Readers will follow alongside the main character Kamal as he learns to embrace himself, cultivate bravery, and become the change he wants to see in the world. This book is appropriate for ages 9 to 11 and will be published on October 28, 2024, in hardcover.
Name a few of your favorite backlist titles that people should check out.
- I Grab the Mic by Malik Silverstein
- Bunso Meets a Mumu by Rev Valdez
- Mighty Mara by Carina Ho
- Cake Mix by Mikki Hernandez
- Seeking Shanti by Jesse Byrd and Sandy Kaur Gill
- The Pointy Pony by Fifi Abu
- And more on Instagram @pawprintspublishing
Thank you, Paw Prints Publishing!
