Publisher Profile: AdventureKEEN Publishing
The CBC asks Molly Merkle, Publisher and COO of AdventureKEEN Publishing, questions about the publisher.
How did your publishing house start out?
The origins of AdventureKEEN Publishing begin with the founding of Menasha Ridge Press in 1982 by Bob Sehlinger. He built a trade and specialty program grounded in outdoor recreation, plus a book packaging division for travel books. In 2006, Bob combined his company with a new press founded by long-time friend Richard Hunt, which then became Keen Communications. The company acquired Wilderness Press, then Nature Study Guide, Adventure Publications, and Shelter Publications. The addition of Adventure Publications brought a successful children’s book program, and we’ve continued to develop that as part of our mission-driven business model.
What is your publishing house most known for?
AdventureKEEN Publishing is widely recognized as a top independent nature and niche travel publisher, producing guidebooks and nature references that help people explore parks, trails, cities, camping areas, bird-watching spots, and more. AdventureKEEN’s children’s book line is known for being a nature-focused, educational, and family-friendly extension of its outdoor and travel publishing program. Rather than general fiction for kids, AdventureKEEN emphasizes books that connect young readers to the natural world, spark curiosity about wildlife and ecosystems, and support outdoor exploration.
Where in the country is your house based? What do you love about being based there?
We are based in Birmingham, AL, and have other offices in Cambridge, MN, and Cincinnati, OH. A lot of our team works remotely across the country. By having employees in multiple locations, we are uniquely positioned to be a better advocate for all our wild places across the country.
What conventions and conferences does your publishing house usually attend?
We frequently attend library events, ABA Winter Institute, and many of the regional book association fall shows.
How many employees does your house have?
We currently have 38 employees.
How many books does your house aim to publish per season/year?
We aim to produce around 65 to 80 titles a year. Out of those, around 10 to 13 are children’s titles.
Which genres does your house prefer to publish?
We publish primarily nonfiction titles in the outdoor, nature, science, and niche travel categories. Our children’s line includes nature and animal themed picture books, STEM-focused paperbacks for middle-grade readers, and board books that introduce toddlers to the natural world.
Which formats does your house prefer to publish?
We publish both paperback and hardcover formats, plus boardbooks. In 2025, we published our first kids’ game!
What are some of your house’s publishing priorities over the next few years?
AdventureKEEN is focusing on discovering new writers who are passionate about science education. We are also doubling down on telling the story of our company to build confidence in our brand as a reliable source for high-quality books and sidelines.
Which title has your house recently rallied behind?
We’ve been very happy with how well Goodnight Great Outdoors and Good Morning, Mother Nature have done for our children’s market. Both of these titles are by Lucas Alberg and illustrated by Megan Myers. The adorable illustrations are so much fun and we love introducing young people to camping, the outdoors, and Mother Nature. We also love Nature Explorer by Jenny DeFouw Geuder. This book is full of gorgeous watercolors by Jenny that show kids the adventures and animals that await them in their backyard, and even have activity suggestions for parents.
Which title does your house feel deserved more love than it got?
Up Where the Stars Are is a backlist title that we continue to champion. It’s a beautifully uplifting picture book about Andrew, a young boy with Angelman Syndrome who may not run, jump, or speak like other children—but whose imagination carries him into the night sky, where he meets constellations and goes on a celestial adventure.
Written by author Ryan Jacobson and illustrated by award-winning artist Michelle Hazelwood Hyde, the story celebrates the unique gifts every child possesses and the transformative power of imagination.
Which upcoming titles is your house buzzing about?
We are so proud of all our upcoming titles, but two titles we are really excited about in 2026 are Climate Action for Kids by Ian Hunt and More Seeds, Please! by Lucas Alberg, illustrated by Megan Myers. Both books teach kids about sustainability and care for each other and ourselves.
Which of your frontlist titles would be great for a school or public library?
In addition to Climate Action for Kids, we have another title in the series coming out this spring, Reptiles & Amphibians for Kids. This book is an excellent fit for schools and public libraries. It is a STEM-focused guide that introduces young readers to the fascinating world of herpetology, while encouraging outdoor exploration and scientific curiosity. Written by educator and researcher Jessica Hua, the book explains the differences between reptiles and amphibians, their anatomy, and how to safely observe them in nature.
Which of your frontlist titles would be great for a classroom? Which grade?
Dr. Karra to the Rescue is a great classroom pick for grades 1–4. This nonfiction picture book follows a real wildlife veterinarian through true animal emergency cases, using real photographs to keep students engaged. It’s an ideal book for life science units, career exploration, and building empathy for wildlife.
Which of your frontlist titles would you like to see get more attention from bookstores?
The Critters Pocket Guide series by Alex Troutman is one we’d love to see get more attention from bookstores. These compact, kid-friendly wildlife guides are perfect for gift displays and easy add-on sales, and state-specific, so they create a sense of place for stores and shoppers. They’re affordable, highly giftable, and a great fit for families.
Name a few of your favorite backlist titles that people should check out.
We’re fortunate to work with award-winning author, nature photographer, and naturalist Stan Tekiela on many of our children’s books. Our bestselling title, Whose Butt?, delights readers of all ages and sparks kids’ interest in animals and science through humor. Its success launched a popular series, including titles such as Whose Feather Is That?, Whose House Is That?, and Whose Baby Butt?, all of which have continued to sell strongly over the years. We also love Stan’s board book offerings, including the Mamas & Babies series.
What else would you like to tell us about your house and the amazing work you all do?
AdventureKEEN’s children’s books support our broader mission to get families outdoors and connected to nature by offering resources that inspire curiosity, outdoor play, and environmental stewardship. They are well-suited for parents, educators, and young naturalists who want educational tools for exploring their environment together. We are building future conservationists!
Thank you, AdventureKEEN Publishing!
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