The children’s book market continues to flourish in 2026, with publishers actively seeking fresh voices, diverse stories, and imaginative tales that captivate young readers. From board books for babies to middle grade adventures and young adult novels, the industry welcomes submissions across all age categories and genres.
This comprehensive guide presents over 100 children’s book publishers currently accepting submissions, organized by age category and publisher type, with essential submission information for each.
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Latest List Of Major Children’s Book Publishers
1. Scholastic
Overview: The world’s largest children’s book publisher with multiple imprints covering all age ranges and genres.
Age Groups: Picture books, early readers, middle grade, young adult
Acceptance Rate: Less than 1% (agented only)
Submission Status: Agented submissions only
2. Penguin Young Readers (Penguin Random House)
Overview: Multiple imprints including Dial, Dutton, and Philomel publishing diverse children’s literature.
Age Groups: Board books through YA
Acceptance Rate: Less than 1% (agented)
Submission Status: Agented submissions
3. HarperCollins Children’s Books
Overview: Prestigious publisher with numerous imprints spanning all children’s categories.
Age Groups: All ages from board books to YA
Acceptance Rate: Less than 1% (agented)
Submission Status: Agented only
4. Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing
Overview: Major publisher with multiple award-winning imprints for young readers.
Age Groups: Picture books through young adult
Acceptance Rate: Less than 1% (agented)
Submission Status: Agented submissions
5. Macmillan Children’s Publishing Group
Overview: Includes Feiwel and Friends, Henry Holt, and other distinguished imprints.
Age Groups: All children’s age categories
Acceptance Rate: Less than 1% (agented)
Submission Status: Agented only
Picture Book Publishers Accepting Unsolicited Submissions
6. Lee & Low Books
Overview: Leading multicultural children’s publisher focusing on diversity and representation.
Age Groups: Picture books, middle grade
Acceptance Rate: 2-4%
Submission Status: Open to unsolicited; check submission windows
7. Charlesbridge Publishing
Overview: Independent publisher of high-quality children’s books with educational value.
Age Groups: Picture books, early readers, middle grade nonfiction
Acceptance Rate: 3-5%
Submission Status: Accepts unsolicited manuscripts
8. Boyds Mills & Kane
Overview: Independent publisher with several imprints for picture books and middle grade.
Age Groups: Picture books, poetry, middle grade
Acceptance Rate: 2-4%
Submission Status: Accepts queries and manuscripts
9. Sleeping Bear Press
Overview: Publisher of high-quality picture books, often with regional or educational themes.
Age Groups: Picture books, nonfiction
Acceptance Rate: 3-6%
Submission Status: Accepts unsolicited submissions
10. Flashlight Press
Overview: Small press publishing picture books with strong emotional content and life lessons.
Age Groups: Picture books (ages 4-8)
Acceptance Rate: 1-2%
Submission Status: Annual submission period (typically July)
11. Little Bee Books
Overview: Imprint of Bonnier Publishing creating innovative children’s books.
Age Groups: Board books, picture books, early readers
Acceptance Rate: 2-4%
Submission Status: Accepts agented submissions primarily
12. Barefoot Books
Overview: Publisher of diverse, multicultural children’s books with beautiful illustrations.
Age Groups: Board books, picture books, early readers
Acceptance Rate: 3-5%
Submission Status: Accepts unsolicited manuscripts
13. Ripple Grove Press
Overview: Independent publisher of picture books with timeless themes and artistic illustrations.
Age Groups: Picture books
Acceptance Rate: 2-3%
Submission Status: Annual submission period
14. Familius
Overview: Publisher of books strengthening families, including children’s picture books.
Age Groups: Picture books, middle grade
Acceptance Rate: 5-8%
Submission Status: Accepts proposals year-round
15. Clear Fork Publishing
Overview: Publisher of children’s books with emphasis on character development and values.
Age Groups: Picture books, middle grade
Acceptance Rate: 6-10%
Submission Status: Accepts unsolicited submissions
Early Reader & Chapter Book Publishers
16. Albert Whitman & Company
Overview: Long-established publisher of books for young readers with diverse stories.
Age Groups: Board books, picture books, early readers, middle grade
Acceptance Rate: 2-4%
Submission Status: Accepts unsolicited manuscripts
17. Holiday House
Overview: Independent publisher with strong commitment to debut authors.
Age Groups: Picture books, early readers, middle grade, YA
Acceptance Rate: 2-4%
Submission Status: Accepts unsolicited submissions
18. Peachtree Publishing
Overview: Independent publisher of high-quality children’s books across all ages.
Age Groups: Picture books through YA
Acceptance Rate: 2-4%
Submission Status: Accepts queries
19. Capstone Publishers
Overview: Educational publisher creating engaging books for young readers.
Age Groups: Early readers, middle grade, high-interest/low-level
Acceptance Rate: 4-7%
Submission Status: Accepts proposals for specific lines
20. Creston Books
Overview: Independent publisher of diverse children’s books with social awareness.
Age Groups: Picture books, middle grade
Acceptance Rate: 3-6%
Submission Status: Limited submission windows
21-30. Additional Early Reader Publishers
Kane Press: Educational early readers; 4-8% acceptance; accepts submissions
Seedling Publications: Beginning readers; 5-10% acceptance; educational focus
Pioneer Valley Books: Leveled readers; 6-12% acceptance; accepts proposals
Red Chair Press: Educational children’s books; 5-9% acceptance; query first
Raven Tree Press: Bilingual books; 4-8% acceptance; multicultural focus
Shen’s Books: Multicultural picture books; 3-7% acceptance; Asian-Pacific focus
Orca Book Publishers: Canadian publisher; 3-6% acceptance; all ages
Pajama Press: Canadian independent; 4-7% acceptance; picture books to MG
Annick Press: Canadian publisher; 3-6% acceptance; diverse subjects
Second Story Press: Feminist publisher; 4-8% acceptance; girl-positive books
Middle Grade Publishers
31. Tu Books (Lee & Low)
Overview: Imprint publishing diverse middle grade and YA with fantasy and science fiction focus.
Age Groups: Middle grade, young adult
Acceptance Rate: 2-4%
Submission Status: Accepts unsolicited manuscripts
32. Wendy Lamb Books (Random House)
Overview: Selective imprint publishing exceptional middle grade and YA fiction.
Age Groups: Middle grade, young adult
Acceptance Rate: Less than 1%
Submission Status: Query only; highly selective
33. Sky Pony Press (Skyhorse)
Overview: Publishes diverse middle grade including fantasy, mystery, and contemporary.
Age Groups: Middle grade, young adult
Acceptance Rate: 3-6%
Submission Status: Accepts queries
34. Jolly Fish Press
Overview: Publisher of middle grade and YA with genre fiction focus.
Age Groups: Middle grade, young adult
Acceptance Rate: 4-7%
Submission Status: Accepts unsolicited submissions
35. Month9Books
Overview: Publisher of middle grade and YA genre fiction with strong marketing support.
Age Groups: Upper middle grade, young adult
Acceptance Rate: 3-6%
Submission Status: Accepts queries during open periods
36-50. Additional Middle Grade Publishers
Delacorte Press: Major imprint; agented; contemporary and fantasy MG
Bloomsbury Children’s: Prestige publisher; primarily agented; diverse MG
Aladdin (S&S): Mass market MG; primarily agented; series focus
Candlewick Press: Independent; 2-4% acceptance; literary MG
Roaring Brook Press: Quality MG publisher; primarily agented
Clarion Books: HMH imprint; agented; literary MG
Sterling Children’s: Diverse MG publisher; accepts queries; 4-8% acceptance
Running Press Kids: Gift books and MG; accepts proposals; 5-10% acceptance
Sourcebooks Young Readers: Growing MG list; accepts queries; 3-6% acceptance
Page Street Kids: Contemporary MG; accepts submissions; 4-8% acceptance
Owl Hollow Press: Independent MG/YA; 6-10% acceptance; accepts queries
Swoon Reads (Macmillan): Community-driven; reader feedback model
Flux (North Star Editions): YA and upper MG; 4-7% acceptance
Cedar Fort Publishing: Clean MG fiction; 8-12% acceptance; LDS publisher
Pelican Book Group: Christian MG; 6-12% acceptance; faith-based
Young Adult Publishers
51. Entangled Teen
Overview: YA imprint of Entangled Publishing with contemporary and paranormal focus.
Age Groups: Young adult
Acceptance Rate: 3-6%
Submission Status: Accepts submissions during open periods
52. Tor Teen
Overview: Science fiction and fantasy YA from prestigious Tor imprint.
Age Groups: Young adult
Acceptance Rate: Less than 1%
Submission Status: Primarily agented
53. Flux (North Star Editions)
Overview: YA publisher accepting edgy, contemporary, and speculative fiction.
Age Groups: Young adult
Acceptance Rate: 4-7%
Submission Status: Accepts unsolicited submissions
54. Blink YA (Zondervan)
Overview: Christian YA publisher seeking authentic teen voices.
Age Groups: Young adult
Acceptance Rate: 3-6%
Submission Status: Accepts proposals
55. Curiosity Quills Press
Overview: Genre YA publisher with science fiction, fantasy, and paranormal.
Age Groups: Young adult
Acceptance Rate: 6-10%
Submission Status: Accepts submissions year-round
56-70. Additional YA Publishers
Razorbill (Penguin): Commercial YA; primarily agented; contemporary focus
Wednesday Books (St. Martin’s): New YA imprint; agented; diverse voices
Underlined (Random House): Paperback original YA; agented submissions
Disney-Hyperion: Major YA publisher; agented only; commercial focus
Little, Brown YA: Prestige YA; agented; literary and commercial
Margaret K. McElderry (S&S): Quality YA; primarily agented
Katherine Tegen Books: Award-winning YA; agented submissions
Adaptive Books: Diverse YA; 5-9% acceptance; open submissions
Blaze Publishing: YA romance and fantasy; 6-12% acceptance
Fire & Ice YA: Genre YA; 7-12% acceptance; accepts queries
Parliament House Press: YA fantasy/sci-fi; 5-9% acceptance
Snowy Wings Publishing: Diverse YA; 8-14% acceptance
Feiwel & Friends: Quality YA; primarily agented; selective
Tor Teen: SF/F YA; agented; genre focus
Egmont USA: Note: Ceased operations; explore alternatives
Educational & Nonfiction Children’s Publishers
71-85. Educational Publishers
Lerner Publishing Group: Educational books; accepts proposals; 5-10% acceptance
The Child’s World: Educational publisher; 6-12% acceptance; curriculum-aligned
Rourke Educational Media: Nonfiction; 7-14% acceptance; educational market
Bearport Publishing: High-interest nonfiction; 5-10% acceptance
Cherry Lake Publishing: Digital and print educational; 6-12% acceptance
Enslow Publishers: Educational nonfiction; 5-10% acceptance
Mitchell Lane Publishers: Multicultural biography; 6-12% acceptance
PowerKids Press: Educational nonfiction; part of Rosen; 8-15% acceptance
National Geographic Kids: Prestige nonfiction; primarily agented
DK Children: Dorling Kindersley; nonfiction; primarily agented
Abdo Publishing: Educational publisher; 8-15% acceptance; school market
Capstone Press: Educational nonfiction; 6-12% acceptance
Teacher Created Materials: Educational publisher; 10-18% acceptance
Nomad Press: Activity and nonfiction; 7-14% acceptance; educational focus
Chicago Review Press: Children’s nonfiction; 5-10% acceptance; activity books
Small & Independent Children’s Publishers
86-100. Independent Publishers
Tilbury House Publishers: Literary picture books; 4-8% acceptance; social themes
Eifrig Publishing: Independent publisher; 8-15% acceptance; diverse subjects
Guardian Angel Publishing: Christian children’s books; 10-18% acceptance
WestSide Books: Independent publisher; 7-12% acceptance; chapter books to YA
Leap Books: Genre children’s books; 6-12% acceptance; accepts submissions
Waldorf Publishing: Independent publisher; 10-18% acceptance; hybrid options
Immedium: Asian-American focus; 5-10% acceptance; multicultural
Salina Bookshelf: Native American publisher; 8-15% acceptance; indigenous voices
Cinco Puntos Press: Bilingual and Latino focus; 4-8% acceptance
Pinata Books (Arte Publico): Latino children’s books; 5-10% acceptance
Star Bright Books: Multicultural picture books; 6-12% acceptance
Tradewind Books: Canadian publisher; 5-10% acceptance; diverse voices
Fitzhenry & Whiteside: Canadian publisher; 6-12% acceptance
Groundwood Books: Canadian literary publisher; 3-6% acceptance; quality focus
Tundra Books: Canadian publisher; primarily agented; literary focus
Additional Notable Publishers (101-110+)
Magination Press (APA): Books addressing children’s mental health; 4-8% acceptance
Little Pickle Press: Environmental and social awareness; 6-12% acceptance
Free Spirit Publishing: Self-help for kids; 5-10% acceptance; nonfiction focus
Amicus Publishing: High-interest/low-level; 8-15% acceptance; educational
ABRAMS Books for Young Readers: Quality publisher; primarily agented
Bloomsbury Spark: Digital YA; accepts submissions; 6-12% acceptance
Evernight Teen: YA romance publisher; 10-18% acceptance
Harmony Ink Press: LGBTQ+ YA; 8-15% acceptance; diverse voices
Duet Books: Romance-forward YA; accepts queries; 6-12% acceptance
Clean Teen Publishing: Clean YA; 10-18% acceptance; no explicit content
Children’s Book Submission Guidelines
Success in children’s publishing requires understanding specific age categories and publisher expectations:
Age Categories:
- Board Books (0-3 years): 100-300 words
- Picture Books (3-8 years): 500-1,000 words
- Early Readers (5-9 years): 1,000-10,000 words
- Chapter Books (6-10 years): 10,000-15,000 words
- Middle Grade (8-12 years): 25,000-50,000 words
- Young Adult (12-18 years): 50,000-80,000 words
Submission Best Practices:
Picture Books: Submit complete manuscript. Never send original illustrations unless you’re a professional illustrator. Publishers hire illustrators.
Middle Grade & YA: Query letter with first chapters or complete manuscript depending on guidelines. Include comp titles (similar books published recently).
Platform Matters Less: Unlike adult publishing, children’s authors don’t need massive social media followings. Story quality matters most.
Diversity Is Priority: Publishers actively seek diverse voices, #OwnVoices narratives, and authentic representation.
Series Potential: Many publishers prefer books with series potential, but debut authors should focus on one strong standalone with series possibilities.
Know Your Market: Read current children’s books in your category. Understand what’s selling and what makes your story unique.
Professional Manuscript Presentation: Follow submission guidelines precisely. Children’s publishing is highly competitive—sloppy submissions get rejected immediately.
Patience Required: Response times range from weeks to 18+ months. Keep writing while waiting. Most successful children’s authors have multiple projects in development.
Market Insights
The children’s book market remains strong with particular demand for:
Diverse Voices: Stories featuring BIPOC characters, LGBTQ+ representation, disability representation, and authentic cultural narratives.
Contemporary Issues: Books addressing mental health, social justice, environmental concerns, and modern family structures.
STEM Content: Nonfiction and fiction incorporating science, technology, engineering, and math themes.
Humor: Funny books remain perennially popular, especially in middle grade.
Fantasy & Speculative Fiction: Strong continued demand in middle grade and YA.
Research each publisher thoroughly. Many specialize in specific age ranges, genres, or themes. Targeting appropriate publishers dramatically increases acceptance chances.
FAQs About Children’s Book Publishing Cost
1. How much does it cost to publish a children’s book in 2026?
On average, self-publishing costs between $2,500 and $7,000, mainly due to illustrations.
2. Do traditional publishers charge for publishing children’s books?
No. Traditional publishers cover all costs if they accept your book.
3. Why are children’s books more expensive to publish than novels?
Because of full-color illustrations, custom artwork, and specialized formatting.
4. Can I publish a children’s book with a low budget?
Yes, by reducing page count, using print-on-demand, and finding affordable illustrators.
5. Is hybrid publishing worth it for children’s books?
It can be, especially if you want professional results without managing everything yourself.
6. What is the biggest cost in children’s book publishing?
Illustrations — they make up the largest portion of the budget.
Note: Publisher information is current as of January 2026. Submission policies change frequently in children’s publishing. Always verify current guidelines on publisher websites before submitting. Acceptance rates are estimates based on industry data.
