Policies - Pragmatic Mom

Book Review Request

Thank you for thinking of me. Unfortunately, I am unable to keep up with the majority of book review requests at the moment. I am focusing on supporting diverse #OwnVoices creators in all children’s book genres with the exception of young adult.

Please consider my non-profit, Read Your World (formerly known as Multicultural Children’s Book Day). Our 13th celebration will take place on Thursday, January 30, 2025. We have sponsorships at a variety of price points for authors and publishers. We also have Corporate Sponsorships for those with products and services that want to reach our audience of parents who care about education, as well as teachers, and librarians.

Creators can donate books that will be reviewed and shared on social media.

I am particularly interested in supporting Asian Pacific American #OwnVoices creators. If you and your book are of that nature, please reach out.

My exception to this rule is if I know you: you read my blog and leave comments, I’ve met you in person or over social media, we’ve served on a committee together, or we run in the same circles and have a mutual friend. If you are a friend of mine, it goes without saying that I want to support you!

Typically, I support authors by inviting them to create a book list around their own book. Here is an example. Here is another example. Here’s a third example. What I need from the creator to make a book list:

Provide 5-10 titles with author and illustrator.
Write 2-4 original sentences on each book on what the book is about and why you like it.
Age range for each book.
Provide headshot, short bio, and social media links.
I do not need book jacket covers for the post.
If you wish to include a book giveaway as part of the post, please state the number of books, and whether the book will be signed or inscribed.
Please contact me first to brainstorm book list ideas. I am trying not to duplicate book lists already on my blog and I also have ideas of what I think will resonate with my audience.

I have a Twitter following of 67,000

My Pinterest following is 151,200 with an additional reach of 2,300,000+ million from collaborative boards

My Facebook network is 9,400 (personal 3,700 followers and PragmaticMom 5,700 followers, with a reach of 2,500,000 because of groups)

My Instagram following is 11,800.

My LinkedIn connections total over 5,200.

My YouTube subscribers total 1410.

Total Social Media Followers/Viewers: 252,564

Total Reach of over 2,00,000 Followers

PragmaticMom Blog Traffic Stats from Google September 2020

How To Get A Book Published

My book journey began with taking a picture book writing class through Continuing Education at my local high school. If you are interested in learning more about how Sumo Joe came to be, all my posts are here.

If you want to learn more about how to get published, I highly recommend Josh Funk’s free resources on his website.

I belong to The Writers’ Loft. I used to belong to SCBWI but I don’t recommend it based on my experience on their NESCBWI Equity and Inclusion Committee. Here is a list of other organizations for pre-published or published BIPOC children’s book creators that I recommend instead.

Affiliate Partnerships

Unfortunately, I have not had success generating any revenue as an affiliate partner (with the exception of Amazon) so I am not currently seeking affiliate partnerships.

Follow PragmaticMom’s board Multicultural Books for Kids on Pinterest.

Newton Children’s Book Festival

Thank you for your interest in participating in the Newton Children’s Book Festival. Unfortunately, our venue is small and our waitlist is long. If you emailed me, I will add you to our waitlist. We also have sponsorship opportunities.

My books:

Amazon / Signed or Inscribed by Me

Barbed Wire Between Us by Mia Wenjen, illustrated by Violeta Encarnación

⭐ Starred review from Kirkus
⭐ Starred review from Publishers Weekly
⭐ Starred review from School Library Journal
Kirkus: The Most Anticipated Children’s Books of Spring 2026

Amazon / Signed or Inscribed by Me

Fortune Cookies for Everyone! (Smithsonian): The Surprising Story of the Tasty Treat We Love to Eat

California Eureka Non-Fiction Gold Award
Junior Library Guild Gold Selection
Notable Social Studies Trade Books for Young People Winner (from National Council for the Social Studies and Children’s Book Council)

The Traveling Taco: The Amazing and Surprising Journey of Many of Your Favorite Foods

California Eureka Non-Fiction Silver Award
Notable Social Studies Trade Books for Young People Winner (from National Council for the Social Studies and Children’s Book Council)
Reading Rockets’ Summer Reading Guide 2025

Amazon / Signed or Inscribed by Me

We Sing from the Heart: How the Slants® Took Their Fight for Free Speech to the Supreme Court

ALSC Notable Children’s Book
2025 Carter G. Woodson Book Award Middle Level Honoree
Orbis Pictus Recommended Book for Outstanding Nonfiction for Children
2024 Julia Ward Howe Prize for Children’s Literature Winner
California Eureka Non-Fiction Award Honor Book
Notable Social Studies Trade Books for Young People Winner (from National Council for the Social Studies and Children’s Book Council)
Bank Street Best Children’s Books of the Year 2025
Recommended Reading for the Social Justice Literature Award 2025 (International Literacy Association)
Pennsylvania Mountain Laurel Book Award Nominee 2026-27
Junior Library Guild Gold Selection