Nearer My Freedom Cover Design Historic Topic, Contemporary Cover

Reluctant readers sometimes think of historical nonfiction as “vitamins”—more obligation than entertainment. But YA nonfiction can be so much more than that! Good books make history come alive.

Yet frequently those books come packaged within covers that feel a little too historic. How can a book’s cover design be both appropriate to its topic, while also fresh and exciting? How can a designer give a book the best chance of grabbing potential readers’ attention without misleading them as to its genre? Read on to find out the answers to these questions!

by Carol Hinz, Associate Publisher of Millbrook Press and Carolrhoda Books

I love picture book biographies, both because of the fascinating range of people featured and because of the wide range of approaches authors use in writing them. Would I have known about Isatou Ceesay’s efforts to clean up her community in the Gambia if it weren’t for One Plastic Bag? Would I have had any idea how Cherokee values shaped Mary Golda Ross’s career as an aerospace engineer without Classified? Would I have been aware that a Mexican American teen girl with a passion for woodworking made a gift for President Roosevelt during the Great Depression if not for the forthcoming Piece by Piece?

Picture book bios are a mainstay of children’s nonfiction, but there are a lot of them, which can make it hard to stand out from the crowd. What elements does a picture book bio need to be successful?

To make sure you don’t miss the Spring 2023 line-ups from our publishing partners, distributed through Lerner Publisher Services, check out the highlights below. We’re thrilled to bring you some of our favorite books from publishers around the world.

“All young people, regardless of sexual orientation or identity, deserve a safe and supportive environment in which to achieve their full potential.”
Harvey Milk

June marks Pride month for the LGBTQIA+ community. If you’re prepping book displays, looking for titles to support lessons and curriculum, or are simply seeking books that reflect LGBTQIA+ experiences, we’ve got several stellar picks below!

We’re back to introduce you to one of Lerner Publisher Services newer publishing partners–Planting People Growing Justice Press. We first began distributing PPGJ’s empowering books for future leaders in Spring 2023. Please enjoy this interview with founder Dr. Artika R. Tyner.