Publisher Profile: Beaming Books
The CBC asks Naomi Krueger, Senior Acquisitions Editor, questions about the publisher.
How did your publishing house start out?
Beaming Books launched in 2018, as a new children’s book imprint of Augsburg Fortress Publishers. Born out of a desire to meet the needs of children in an ever-changing world, our mission is to publish books that help kids thrive, socially, emotionally, and spiritually.
What is your publishing house most known for?
Beaming Books is known for beautiful children’s books focusing on social-emotional learning, mental health, progressive Christianity, spirituality, and diverse childhood experiences. We are proud of our high-quality picture books with vibrant, gorgeous illustrations and stories that take children seriously—even when we’re trying to make them laugh. Children live in the same world as adults do and that means they are navigating the same big questions like: who am I? What difference can I make in the world? How can I cope with big feelings? Who is God? What does joy and wonder look like? We seek to meet children—and their caregivers and educators—where they’re at, opening windows to new possibilities and supporting them through life.
Some of our top sellers that are shining examples of our publishing mission include: The Boy with Big, Big Feelings by Britney Winn Lee, illustrated by Jacob Souva; The Memory Box by Joanna Rowland, illustrated by Thea Baker; Mother God by Teresa Kim Pecinovsky, illustrated by Khoa Le; The Ghost Who Was Afraid of Everything by Nadia Ahmed, and The Rainbow Sheep by David Hayward.
How many books does your house aim to publish per season/year?
We are currently publishing between 25-30 books per year.
Which title has your house recently rallied behind?
Beaming Books is very excited about the forthcoming children’s storybook Bible, The Just Love Story Bible by Jacqui Lewis and Shannon Daley-Harris, illustrated by Cheryl Thuesday. This is a groundbreaking storybook Bible for kids, inviting readers into a movement to heal the world with love. The Just Love Story Bible centers the themes of love and justice in the Bible and reminds children that everyone belongs to God. This book will be available to purchase on September 9, 2025.
Which of your frontlist titles would be great for a school or public library?
Grandmother Moon is a much-needed story from an indigenous perspective by Wunneanatsu Lamb-Cason (Schaghticoke/HoChunk), featuring lovely illustrations by Trisha B. Waters. During their weekly car ride from the city to the reservation, a grandmother teaches her granddaughter about Grandmother Moon, her significance, and why they honor her. Schools and libraries looking to diversify their storytime and learn about Native cultures and teachings will enjoy the tales in this book.
Gilbert and the Ghost by Heather Pierce Stigall; illustrated by Jess Mason, would make for a great classroom or library storytime in the lead up to Halloween. Kirkus Reviews just deemed it “more sweet than scary, and will be a surefire hit with readers looking for seasonal fun.” It’s a Halloween story that won’t freak out any kids and isn’t holiday-specific; it’s about a house with a possible ghost inside, so it doesn’t allude to the holiday or trick or treating.
Thank you, Beaming Books!
