If you live on the West Coast of the United States, have written a book for children and are looking for a publisher, this post will help you. Below we’ve featured 9 top children’s book publishers in California.
1. Chronicle Books (San Francisco)
Based in San Francisco, CA, Chronicle Books has been operating since the 1960s and is an independent publisher that welcomes submissions from unrepresented authors on a wide range of genres and topics. They publish a diverse selection of non-fiction titles for adults and both non-fiction and fiction books for children.
Chronicle Books welcome submissions for books aimed at children of any age, as well as teens. Titles they have published include On Account of the Gum by Adam Rex and House Arrest by K.A. Holt. Currently, Chronicle Books is accepting submissions for children’s books – you can review their submission guidelines here.
2. Familius (Fresno)
Familius was founded in 2012 in Fresno, CA. Co-founder Christopher Robbins wanted to start a publishing company that was family-focused and used his 20 years of publishing experience to make it happen. They have a great selection of adorable children’s books suitable for a range of ages (including teenagers), with both fiction and non-fiction options.
As well as children’s books, they have plenty of titles for adults across a range of genres. Their children’s titles include A Teen’s Guide To Success by Ben Bernstein and The Chameleon’s True Colors by Yuliya Pankratova. Learn more about their submission process here.
3. Watermelon Books (San Diego)
Based in San Diego, CA, Watermelon Books is a small, independent publisher that specializes in children’s books and also publishes books relating to health, business, lifestyle, humor, and industry-specific topics. Their children’s books are typically aimed at younger readers aged 3-8.
Current titles from Watermelon Books include How Frieda the Snail Finds Her True Friend by Claudia Lorenz, and Mommy, Me & My Chickens by Holly Berkley. Watermelon Books is currently open for submissions – visit this page to learn more.
4. Waterton Publishing Company (Los Angeles)
Situated in Los Angeles, CA, Waterton Publishing Company is a small publisher that produces a select range of beautiful books every year. They mainly focus on poetry books, travel collections, and adult fiction, but have also grown to include children’s book titles and young adult fiction. A large selection of their published books are also available as e-books.
Unfortunately, Waterton Publishing Company is not currently welcoming submissions for books or book ideas. However, you can view examples of their published works for children and young adults, including The Rules of Me by Melanie Moyer, and also contact them here.
5. Silver Dolphin Books (San Diego)
Silver Dolphin Books is a San Diego-based publisher that exclusively publishes children’s books. They have books suitable for 0-2 years, 3-4 years, 5-6 years, and 7+ up to young teenagers. They focus on publishing books that will engage young readers and encourage them to find enjoyment in reading and have a number of educational titles that mostly relate to science and technology.
As well as books, Silver Dolphin Books also publishes a number of activity kits, board books, and coloring books. Their collection of children’s books include Margaret Wise Brown’s beautifully illustrated A Long Time that I’ve Loved You, as well as Adventures of a Zombie by Books Kid. Silver Dolphin Books is not currently accepting new submissions, but you are able to connect with them here.
6. Studio Fun International (San Diego)
San Diego-based Studio Fun International publishes children’s books that are based on stories from TV characters. Using characters that kids are already familiar with from TV and movies is a great way to get young children reading. As well as books for ages 0-12, they also publish playsets, sticker books, and craft activities, and many of their titles are available as e-books.
Their titles include several Disney animated classics such as Aladdin and The Lion King, as well as books for younger readers like the adorable Andy Alligator by Sarah Albee. They publish books with sound, as well as some children’s titles in Spanish. Contact Studio Fun International here – please note they are not currently reviewing unsolicited manuscripts.
7. Immedium (San Francisco)
Immedium is a San Francisco book publisher that specializes in imaginative and creative books for children. This publisher first opened its doors in 2004 and is run by authors, marketers, and editors. As well as children’s books, they also publish books in the genres of Arts and Culture, as well as Asian American topics.
Many Immedium children’s books have Asian American themes, and all are beautifully illustrated. They have titles suitable for pre-kindergarten age groups, as well as picture books suitable for older readers, typically aged 4-8 or 6-10. Titles include Sora and the Cloud by Felicia Hoshino, and The Treehouse Heroes and the Forgotten Beast by Phil Amara. View Immedium’s submission guidelines here.
8. Thunder Bay Press (San Diego)
Thunder Bay Press is a book publisher that focuses on fun activity books for both children and adults. They have been publishing works since 1990 and aim to bring families together with new skills and hobbies. Some examples of the types of books they publish are coloring books (suitable for both kids and grown-ups!), word-find and other puzzle books, activity books like dot-to-dots, origami and crochet books, sticker puzzles, and much more.
Titles published by Thunder Bay Books include Animal Origami by Joost Langveld and 1000 Dot-to-Dot: Animals by Thomas Pavitte. Thunder Bay Books is currently closed for book ideas and manuscript submissions, but you can contact them here.
9. Portable Press (San Diego)
Portable Press is another publisher based in San Diego that publishes books suitable for the entire family. This publisher specializes in puzzle books, books full of facts and trivia, joke books, history books, and other titles relating to both pop culture and science. Many of their books are suitable for kids (such as their joke books) but they also publish specific children’s titles, including a great range of books aimed at teaching kids about important figures from history.
At Portable Press (which also publishes a large number of e-books), the publishing emphasis is definitely on fun and education. Their children’s titles include Albert Einstein: Genius of Space and Time! by Mark Shulman, and The World’s Fastest, Spookiest, Smelliest, Strongest Book, which was penned by the editors of Portable Press themselves. Although not currently accepting or reviewing unsolicited manuscripts, you can keep an eye on Portable Press here.