Publisher Profile: Gnome Road Publishing
The CBC asks Sandra Foreman Sutter, Publisher and Editor, questions about the publisher.
How did your publishing house start out?
We are relatively young, having opened up for submissions in 2021 and releasing our first titles in 2023. I had authored two picture books myself and found that I was most interested in working behind-the-scenes and bringing together talented creatives to make books with young readers in mind. Our mission is to create books children want to read not just once, but over and over again, and for each child to find at least one title they love at Gnome Road.
What is your publishing house most known for?
We only publish illustrated picture books primarily intended for children ages 3 and above, but all have a focus on what we call the “R” factor: Re-readability.
How many employees does your house have?
We are small, so it’s just me and two others who regularly assist in day-to-day operations. However, we’ve developed relationships with many “outside” individuals and businesses who take care of publishing activities that would otherwise be handled in-house. We are thankful for them all!
How many books does your house aim to publish per season/year?
We publish between 8 and 11 titles each year. It really depends on the submissions we see, how they will fit together on a particular list, and the time we can allocate to getting them out in the world.
What are some of your house’s publishing priorities over the next few years?
In addition to producing quality books for caregivers, teachers and librarians to enhance their learning environments, we plan to continue expanding resources available on our website, including free downloads (activity guides, coloring pages, etc.), special opportunities and discounts for online purchases, brand and book-specific offers, as well as the development of a direct early reviewer program.
Which title has your house recently rallied behind?
We stay small so that we can rally behind all of our books, but if forced to choose from the current list, it would be I Rock My Hair: Pretty and Protected by the CROWN Act. This is Angel Tate’s debut as an author-illustrator. It discusses how to advocate for oneself and others in protecting the right to style hair in any way we see fit. It’s as much about advocacy and legal protections as it is about loving what is unique about oneself. As a former attorney, I jumped at the chance to publish something that helps children understand how laws impact the world around them.
Which title does your house feel deserved more love than it got?
Our entire Spring 2023 list deserved a lot more love. We weren’t as well-known at the time and the reviewers weren’t yet familiar with our brand. Four of the books went on to win awards/recognition, including a Foreward Indies Picture Book of the Year Honoree, a CBC/NSTA Outstanding Science Trade Book, two 2024 Bank Street College of Education Books of the Year selections (poetry and STEM divisions), a Crystal Kite Award Winner (Texas-Oklahoma division), a Nevada Great Reads from Great Places selection for the National Book Fair, and a CBC Teacher’s Favorite. Here’s a list of those titles:
- Animals in Surprising Shades: Poems About Earth’s Colorful Creatures
- Science, Matter and the Baseball Park
- Finley: A Moose on the Caboose
- Nudi Gill: Poison Powerhouse of the Sea
- Love Will Turn You Around
Which upcoming titles is your house buzzing about?
We are excited to be publishing Dexter: The Stand Up Dog, the true story of an amazing rescue pup who loses one front leg and much of the functioning of the other in a terrible accident. Dexter didn’t let this slow him down and started walking upright, becoming an internet/social media sensation. He’s been on the Jimmy Fallon show, featured on CBS News On the Road with Steve Hartmann, in Science Diet commercials, and flies around the country to greet fans and share his resilience, determination and adaptability in the face of hardship. It releases September 16, 2025 and is available for pre-order now!
Which of your frontlist titles would be great for a school or public library?
We think all of our titles are a good fit for school and public libraries. In the public arena, Kai Po Che: Mini’s Perfect Kite by Suhasini Gupta; illus. by Devika Oza, would be particularly fun for kids who are interested in Indian culture and kite festivals. In the school setting, check out MousterWorks by author-illustrator Angela C. Hawkins. This is an adorable, accessible introduction to several master artists and their famous paintings. A book that is great for all libraries is Ready to Smile Again by Katie Lee Reinert; illus. by Sara Aziz. It touches on themes of enduring trauma and unexpected changes in a way that is both concrete yet appropriately gentle for young readers.
Which of your frontlist titles would be great for a classroom? Which grade?
Look for How to Hatch a Writer by Kari Ann Gonzalez; illus. by Rachel Suzanne in early September. It’s perfect for Kindergarten through 2nd grade. It follows our award-winning book, How to Hatch a Reader (good for pre-K-1st) which released in the fall of 2023. And although it isn’t a front list title, Nancy Bess had a Dress by Claire Annette Noland; illus. by Angela C. Hawkins, is a great way to introduce kids to what it was like during the Great Depression in rural America while discussing themes of recycling and repurposing materials (K-3rd). The same goes for The Sorry Seeds, by Tina Shepardson; illus. by Bong Hyun Shin. It’s an excellent book to open discussions on owning up to mistakes and apologizing with authenticity (K-2nd).
Which of your frontlist tiles would you like to see get more attention from bookstores?
We know bookstores have to make tough decisions about ordering in this competitive environment. Young readers seem to love our hilarious Fall 2024 title, Alpacas Make Terrible Librarians, by Kristi Mahoney; illus. by Chantelle & Burgen Thorne. Prepare for laughs!
Name a few of your favorite backlist titles that people should check out.
We mentioned our Spring 2023 list above, but I can’t say enough about our Fall 2023 title, My Piano, by Jen Fier Jasinski; illus. By Anita Bagdi. It received a starred review from SLJ and has impeccable rhythm and gorgeous artwork (and a sequel, My Violin, on the way in 2026). Any of our works by the amazing author-illustrator Bonnie Kelso should definitely be checked out. We recommend her informational “Childhood Milestones” series that all feature an adorable little girl and various sea creatures. Sea Smiles and Sleepy Sea are both out now, and Sea Suds releases in Spring 2026. And finally, our Anna-Dewdney Read-Together Award Honoree and Skipping Stones Award winner, Tango Red Riding Hood by Rachel Hobbs; illus. by Carolina Vázquez has proven to be a fan favorite.
What else would you like to tell us about your house and the amazing work you all do?
We are thankful for the support we’ve received from the writing community and organizations like CBC, from librarians, teachers, booksellers, and the trade review publications over the last few years. It’s truly made a difference and we couldn’t do this without you!
Thank you, Gnome Road Publishing!
