It’s not easy to become a children’s book author. From figuring out endless submission requirements to learning that your dream children’s book publisher won’t accept submissions from authors without an agent, it can be hard to find the right place for your job.
In this article, I’ll do my best to make the children’s book publishing process a little clearer for you, as well as include my top picks for children’s book publishers. because let’s face it, there are a lot of options and you should be armed with the best knowledge possible.
You are reading: Publishing companies for children’s books
You’ll learn about the submission requirements of some of the major children’s book publishers, as well as some examples of children’s books these companies have already published so you can choose a publisher that aligns with your current book.
Still plotting your next book and not sure if you’re writing at an optimal level for children? I encourage you to read our existing post on everything you need to know about creating a children’s book, from start to finish!
Now onto the editors.
best publishers of children’s books
Before I talk about some of the top children’s book publishers and their most successful children’s books, I should note that not all children’s book publishers accept submissions directly from authors. some only accept submissions from literary agents, and you should keep this in mind before falling in love with any publisher.
It’s also important to know what category your work falls under. while this may not seem necessary right away, some publishers may only look for certain submissions at certain times. and some children’s book publishers may not even accept certain varieties of children’s books.
The most common types of shipments are the following:
- children’s fiction
- children’s non-fiction
- picture books/children’s board books
Of course, you can also break down children’s fiction and nonfiction by age group/demographic group (middle grade fiction and nonfiction, young adult/older books, chapter books, etc.) and also by genre (fantasy, action/adventure, romance, etc.), which further complicates the process of searching for children’s book publishers.
If you are unsure whether your current manuscript fits any of these categories, you may want to consider our children’s manuscript evaluation program. Through this editing service, our team of editors will read your entire manuscript and provide you with structured editorial feedback that you can use to shape your work. if your editor thinks your job is ready, we’ll help you find the right agent, too, free of charge.
Now, let’s move on to children’s book publishers. Keep in mind that the following is just a short list of some of the best children’s book publishers and there are many more. I hope one of these options will perfectly suit your publishing needs!
1. Bloomsbury Children’s Books USA
With offices around the world and leading publishers in both the US and the UK, Bloomsbury Books is a leading candidate for children’s book publishing. Established in 1986, Bloomsbury has many popular children’s book authors of all ages. His fiction has already become increasingly popular, his authors often topping the New York Times bestseller list.
Their children’s division covers all books for all ages, from picture books to young adult novels. Bloomsbury is known for publishing high fantasy fiction and heartwarming short stories that help provide kid-friendly entry points into topics of emotional intelligence. Some of his most popular authors and series include Tom Percival’s Ruby Finds a Concern and Brigid Kemmerer’s Defy the Night.
The bad news is that unless you have a book ready to publish, Bloomsbury only accepts submissions from a literary agent. however, feel free to visit their website for more helpful information, including the various children’s and adult book authors.
2. houghton mifflin harcourt
houghton mifflin harcourt, known as hmh for short, has been through some changes in his recent past. Now known as Clarion Books or Mariner Books, this company has been a mainstay in children’s publishing since 1832. From board books to graphic novels, HMH publishes just about any children’s book you can think of.
hmh has worked hard to develop programs for more unique voices in publishing, including new authors in their children’s publishing division. Entitled Versify, this fantastic publishing program reflects the need for accessible and powerful prose and poetry, in children’s picture books, novels, and nonfiction. hmh she strives to publish works that can celebrate life and reflect the possibilities of all children.
For the most part, hmh is an agent-only submission publisher. however, their versify program accepts unsolicited submissions during certain parts of the year. learn more about hmh and its various presenting opportunities here.
3. vacation home
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Established in 1935 as a publisher for young readers, Holiday House is a wonderful organization to submit your children’s book to. Their books are processed and distributed as a division of Penguin Random House, and they publish books for children ages 4 and up. From picture books to informational nonfiction manuals, they’re publishing some of the most creative and educational children’s books out there.
Because of its commitment to educating and teaching children about the main topics of childhood, the search engine for books currently published on its website is exhaustive and informative. From books for young readers like Hans Wilhelm’s Lunch Box Bully to captivating and humorous series and Donna Hosie’s Fantasy Like the Devil, Holiday Home is sure to publish something for every child in your life.
holiday house does accept unsolicited submissions, which is great news for those of you who don’t have an agent. They don’t have time to respond to every submission they receive, but they will of course reach out if your manuscript interests them. You can learn more about their range of books, list of awards received, and their submission process here.
4. chicago review press
An independent publisher founded in 1973, Chicago Review Press publishes strictly nonfiction, including an award-winning selection of children’s nonfiction. they are adamant about children’s picture books: they won’t accept them, whether they are fiction or non-fiction. however, that doesn’t mean you’re out of luck. if you have a great nonfiction book for kids, their submission process is clear and easy to follow on their website.
While non-fiction children’s activity books are their bread and butter, their topics vary widely, from the history of American environmentalism to Salvador Dali. Publishing with a small independent publisher has many advantages, including the fact that you accept unsolicited submissions without an agent. If your book fits into the niche that is Chicago Review Press, it’s an award-winning publisher that would be delighted to have your non-fiction children’s exercise book.
5. flashlight press
Looking for another publisher looking for very specific submission guidelines? Check out the necessary specificity of Flashlight Press, a children’s book publisher that seeks exclusively books that explore and illuminate the poignant and humorous moments of family situations and social interactions through captivating writing and outstanding illustrations. what exactly does this mean?
Well, if your book is aimed at children ages 4-8, is under 1000 words, and has a universal theme that fits in with many other flashlight press titles, you may have found a home for your book. their titles vary greatly in subject matter, but they all deal with childhood themes and concerns. All the books tend to approach these topics with a sense of humor, like Amanda Noll’s I Need My Monster and Debbie Herman’s Carla’s Sandwich.
As long as you’re familiar with the rest of Flashlight Press’ work and think your book has a similar thematic feel, your submission process is easy. feel free to ship without an agent too, and visit the flashlight website here.
6. Simon & children’s editorial schuster
an American publishing company founded in 1924, simon & Schuster is a powerhouse, putting out 2,000 titles a year under 35 different labels. The children’s publishing division is equally lauded and award-winning, publishing just about anything for ages 0-12, as well as anything for young adults.
There is no shortage of award-winning selections published by simon & Schuster, including the ever-popular series To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before by Jenny Han, and James Ponti’s City Spies series. Simon & Schuster may not be the easiest publisher to publish your first book, especially since they don’t accept submissions without an agent. however, they should definitely be a publisher to reach out to as you grow as a children’s book author! learn more about them here.
7. Chronicle Books
San Francisco’s Favorite Chronicle Books have a wonderful eye for the unique and aesthetic storyteller. His children’s books are beloved and unique, and this small independent publisher receives over 1,000 shipments a month for his department alone. publishes most children’s book ideas, including activity books, art books, board books, picture books, chapter books, young adult books, games, and gifts and stationery.
While they accept a wide variety of children’s editorial topics, it’s important to note that since chronicle receives so many submissions, they expect the most unique and innovative stories out there. no pressure, right? in any case, check your shipping process and wishes here!
8. ladybug books
based in the uk and another division of the penguin group, ladybug books are perfect if you have a bedtime story to tell. its line of children’s books is primarily aimed at younger audiences, from toddlers to about age ten. They have many award-winning series published under their name, including many Peppa Pig books.
Their offerings also include a long list of informative non-fiction titles, such as books about the human body and our natural world. While posting any Penguin division may seem complicated at first, they’ve provided an easy-to-read guide to their submission process. I think having an agent would be helpful if you hope to introduce yourself to any group of penguins.
9. peculiar books
Looking for a smaller publishing agency for your unique and captivating children’s book? Publishing only about 25 books a year, Quirk Books is based in Philadelphia and is looking for the most original, cool and fun ideas out there. Is your book creative enough for the quirk? It’s one of my favorite publishers, having taken the helm on series like Ransom Riggs’ Miss Peregrine anthology.
quirk books has a very informative and helpful submission page, which can be found here. they have clearly outlined books that interest them, as well as appropriate emails for their submissions. From popular series to non-fiction books for young readers, Quirk publishes just about anything, as long as it’s quirky.
10. august house editors
august house publishers, a more traditional publisher, seeks children’s book authors committed to folktales that are diverse and memorable. they enjoy stories from widely diverse backgrounds, as well as stories that work well as oral tales, stories meant to be passed down from generation to generation. they also have a soft spot for scary stories and stories that can be used in a classroom setting.
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august house is committed to children’s publishing, and there is no shortage of awards for that commitment. if you have a picture book made especially for young readers or a story related to folktales, stories from oral tradition, stories from various cultures, scary stories, and resource books on using stories or storytelling in the classroom, august house publishers may be the right choice. choice for you. you can email them and learn more about their shipping process here.
largest publishers of children’s books
11. macmillan children’s books
12. hotkey books
13. fickle books of david
14. balzer and bray
15. children in room
16. usborne publication
17. hachette children’s group
18. little brown books
19. Scholastic, Inc.
20. lerner publishing group
Frequently Asked Questions
who is the biggest publisher of children’s books?
There are several major publishers of children’s books, including: Bloomsbury; Simon & schuster; ladybug books; macmillan children’s books; publication transmitted by us; hachette children’s group; Scholastic, Inc.; and little brown books.
how do you send a children’s book to a publisher?
To submit a children’s book to a publisher, you must first decide whether you want to find a literary agent first, contact the publisher directly (something rare, but not impossible), or publish it yourself. It helps to do some research beforehand to find out where your book fits in the market (in terms of age range, genre, hook, etc.). Next, make sure your manuscript is as well edited and fine-tuned as it can be, and then proceed to consult agents, contact editors, or begin the self-publishing process; whichever is applicable. Be sure to carefully read the agent/publisher’s submission guidelines before submitting your work to them.
How long does it take to publish a children’s book?
As with any book, it can take a long time to publish a children’s book. Between the initial idea, the planning, the writing, the research, the editing and the contact with literary agents/publishers or desktop publishing, it takes a lot of time and effort. the amount of time varies widely from case to case, but from start to finish it usually takes about 1-3 years. Of course, this is an approximation, and some books are published in much less time, while others take much longer to be published. whether you choose to be traditionally published or self-published also makes a big difference.
how much do you earn selling a children’s book?
How much authors make writing a children’s book depends on whether they’ve already published successful books or have an existing audience, whether they have foreign rights, and even things like the book’s release date can affect sales numbers. writers usually get an advance; the amount of which can vary depending on the popularity of the book’s topic, whether you’re a first-time or experienced author, and many other factors. if the book has illustrations, the author will split the royalties with the illustrator (unless the author is also the illustrator), so both of them will get about 3.5-6% of the selling price of the book, instead of 7%. -10% royalties for the author of a non-illustrated children’s book. if you have an agent, a portion of the royalties from him will also go to him.
conclusion
While I hope you’ve found some great children’s book publishers on this list, keep in mind that there are many more worth considering. Whether you have an agent or not, there are always editors looking for the best new stories. yours could very well be one of them!
What are some of the publishers you choose the most for your children’s book? are you still writing your book? I encourage you to take some time to explore our website for many publishing resources, and perhaps consider joining the world’s leading online writers club! happy writing!
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