Brown Books Publishing Group (BBPG) is pleased to announce their new imprint Michael Sampson Books, launched Fall 2023. Named after New York Times bestselling author and former Fulbright Scholar Michael Sampson, the imprint will publish and promote excellent storytellers who focus on literacy for young readers. Sampson will have input on editorial selections, provide notes for acquired manuscripts and help promote the authors and their books.
BBPG Founder and CEO Milli Brown reflected on the launch in the context of the company’s history, saying “Given our evolution over three decades, we feel this partnership signals the next level of our development and growth as a publisher.”
Michael Sampson is the bestselling author of more than 40 books for children. While earning his Ph.D. in Reading at the University of Arizona during the 1970s, he established a lifelong friendship and professional relationship with mentor and colleague, Bill Martin Jr. When founding the imprint, Sampson recalled their long, creative partnership as a key source of inspiration for the imprint’s mission. “The books will follow Bill’s innovative approach to reading, founded on the idea that when a child loves a story, they will read it repeatedly until they know it by heart. The more books a child loves, the more they will love reading.”
Michael Sampson Books will publish a series of picture and middle grade books that are a brand extension of what parents and educators have come to know and love about Sampson’s phenomenal work with children’s literacy. The plan is to launch 10 books in 12 months, beginning with Alithia Ramirez Was an Artist by award-winning author and illustrator Violet Lemay.
Alithia Ramirez Was An Artist
Alithia Ramirez dreamed of studying art in Paris. She drew the world as it should be—full of color and joy, creativity and fun. From her teachers to her family and friends, Alithia shared her gifts with an open heart. Being an artist is never easy, but she drew every day to practice her skills and help everyone feel the love that art can bring. Written to honor Alithia and all the lives affected by the Uvalde school tragedy, Alithia Ramirez Was an Artist will help preserve the memory of this talented young girl through her story and her artwork.
Did You Hear That?
From the #1 New York Times bestselling Illustrator of Jimmy Fallon's Your Baby's First Word Will Be DADA. The first language is . . . sound! From the rooster crowing to Grandma sneezing, Antonio Vicente's playful words and Miguel Ordóñez's iconic, vibrant illustrations depict a day filled with onomatopoeias that help little ones identify different experiences and emotions. Listen closely—you never know what you might hear next!
Max and Mama
From New York Times bestselling author of If You Give a Mouse a Cookie. Let's follow along as Max and Mama spend the day together! Max and Mama have a very special day planned. After a yummy breakfast, they ride their bicycles to the park, play hide-and-seek and have a picnic at their favorite spot. Everything is going perfectly until one of Max's training wheels comes off on the way home. What will Max and Mama do now?