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Arriving in North America later this month is an exciting adventure through the forest that will invite readers to discover the importance of tolerance and respect for living together, and how generosity and solidarity flourish in the face of adversity. WELCOME, LITTLE SQUIRREL by Daniel Cañas illustrated by Verónica Aranda, translated from Spanish by Jon Brokenbrow, and published by Cuento de Luz is available for you to discover now on NetGalley. Hazelnut the squirrel is looking for a place to live and although other woodland animals try to help, everyone discoveres their needs differ and not all homes are able to shelter different needs. That doesn’t mean, however, that anyone need go unsheltered.
Read It Now: Our Latest Article
- Spotlight on Blue Dot Kids Press
Stories and nature are two universal connections that bond us all together. From exploring the world around us to defining the thoughts within us, we are constantly surrounded by creativity, beauty, and magic. Blue Dot Kids Press is a publisher devoted to exploring these themes of curiosity and exploration by creating gorgeously unique picture books that take “connectivity” one step further.
Since 2018, Blue Dot Kids Press has dedicated themselves to producing high-quality board books, picture books, illustrated nonfiction and middle grade titles that bridge the gaps between global citizenship and environmental stewardship. In fact, the name of the publishing house comes from the inspirational words of American astronomer and science writer Paul Sagan:
“The Earth is a very small stage in a vast cosmic arena…There is perhaps no better demonstration of the folly of human conceits that this distant image of our tiny world. To me, it underscores our responsibility to deal more kindly with one another, and to preserve and cherish the pale blue dot, the only home we’ve ever know.”
“Right now, in space, Earth looks like a blue dot floating in the universe…”
from TOGETHER, RIGHT NOWSustainable Stories
When it comes to inspiring action for a better future, Blue Dot Kids Press doesn’t just talk the talk, they walk the walk by partnering with various institutions and organization that prioritize sustainability and encourage environmental conservation. All the books printed are created with vegetable inks, a process that utilizes renewable plant oils to create printing dyes that are biodegradable and less harmful to ecosystems. Many of these inks produce lower organic compound emissions in comparison to petroleum-based inks. Books are also printed on forest-friendly paper certified by the Forest Stewardship Council, a nonprofit organization that runs the world’s leading forest certification system as it works to improve forestry practices worldwide.
To mitigate the use of paper in their printing processes even more, Blue Dot Kids Press also participates in an annual Earth Day initiative with One Tree Planted to allow children and their families to participate in making a difference. This program allows families to download and submit coloring sheets along with photos of trees in their community. Blue Dot Kids Press then plants a tree for each submission received. So far, this has resulted in over 2,500 trees planted and counting!
I’LL TAKE CARE OF YOU and OUR WORLD OUT OF BALANCE It doesn’t end there! Blue Dot Kids Press is also a member of the nonprofit organization 1% for the Planet, a global network that collaborates with thousands of businesses who donate portions of each sale towards solving some of the major climate crises around the world. Through continued partnerships, collaborations, and the desire to reduce environmental impact, Blue Dot Kids Press showcases how businesses can use their platforms to advocate and inspire change, and also to take the first steps.
Award-Winning Titles
Blue Dot Kids Press titles have been the recipients of a variety of awards over the years. From nonfiction and science accolades such as the California EUREKA! Nonfiction Award and the former AAAS/Subaru Prize for Excellence in Science Books won by a consumer-favorite OUR WORLD OUT OF BALANCE to literacy and social justice forward awards like the Notable Children’s Book in the Language Arts and Jane Addams Children’s Book Awards that were bestowed upon THE DAY SAIDA ARRIVED. South Korean narrative nonfiction title, THE MOON TONIGHT was featured on the 2024 USBBY Outstanding International Books list, while the English translation of Italian author and illustrator Marcelo Tolentino’s SUNDAY was listed as a New York Times/New York Public Library Best Illustrated for 2025.
Blue Dot Kids Press has built a quiet yet remarkable reputation for continuing to produce stories that resonate deeply with young readers and those who read alongside them. With a catalog marked by imagination, warmth, and thought-provoking stories, many of their titles have received notable recognition within the world of children’s literature and beyond. Blue Dot Kids Press is truly a publisher with a keen eye for voices that balance creativity with emotional authenticity and environmental stewardship. That results in books that are celebrated by various award committees and cherished in homes, libraries, and classrooms. These books carry a commitment to quality and global responsibility over trends and that commitment lingers long after the last page is turned.