Children’s books that reflect the richness of the human experience through diversity, inclusion, and access are catalysts for change.
We developed our Essential Conversations programming to amplify the need and call for more diverse, inclusive, and accessible books.
We want to provide craft, education, and community-building for creatives and professionals in and around the children’s book industry.
Join us in these essential conversations, for professional development opportunities and for in-community courses and retreats.
Join Us For Essential Conversations: Craft and Community

Muslim Storytellers: A Crash Course in Children’s Book Publishing
Starts: October 17, 2023

Disability Representation in Books for Kids: A Two-Night Mini
Starts: October 23, 2023

Latinx Voices: An In-Community Retreat
Starts: November 2, 2023

Rainbow Retreat: An In-Community Experience for Creatives
Starts: November 2, 2023

2023 Jewish Symposium: Writing Jewish Novels, Finding Jewish Joy
Starts: November 12, 2023
Inspiring Children Through Story
Resources for essential conversations
Writing About Trauma and Grief for Kids
an #HFGather
Pride Celebration of Stories
by Our Faculty
Intersection-ality in Kidlit: a Definition
by Our Faculty
Hispanic or Latinx? How Evolving Language Impacts Kids
by Alex Villasante
Identity as Fairy Dust
by Linda Epstein