If you haven’t heard, many celebrity parents have worked hard in the literary department over the last year, inspiring kids with a variety of new books.
Actress Natalie Portman’s book, Natalie Portman’s Fables, is a trip back in time with classic fairy tales like “The Tortoise and the Hare,” “The Three Little Pigs” and “Country Mouse and City Mouse” with an updated spin on your favorite story.
Lakers basketball star LeBron James has released his new children’s book, I Promise. James hopes to encourage kids to build self-confidence and realize they can do anything.
Actress Kristen Bell has also released a book, The World Needs More Purple People. She’s challenging kids to find out what makes them special, to be proud of their differences and accept others.
Actor Channing Tatum is embracing his feminine side with The One and Only Sparkella, on shelves this May. His 7-year-old daughter served as inspiration for a story about self-esteem and the unique bond between father and daughter.
There are also plenty of well-known authors right here in Indy! These Hoosier writers are earning awards and lifting up their hometown with inspiring tales for kids. Here are just a few Indy-area authors that you might not know about, who have recently released new children’s books that you’ll want to add to your bookshelf!
Richard D. Colton
Indianapolis, IN
Formerly an amateur poet and actor, Colton was born and raised in Indy and has authored the children’s book Don’t Bother Father, an uplifting and positive portrayal of family relationships. You can read more about the book here!
Troy Cummings
Greencastle, IN
Cummings is the author of more than 40 children’s books, including Can I Be Your Dog?, The Eensy Weensy Spider Freaks Out (Big Time!) and I Found a Kitty.
Victoria Kintner Griswold
Indianapolis, IN
A violinist with the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra, Griswold is bringing music to children in a different way, through her new book, The Garden Symphony. Follow a ladybug on her adventure in search of her own special song.
Mina Starsiak Hawk
Indianapolis, IN
The Indianapolis resident, popular HGTV star of “Good Bones” and mother of two has written her first children’s book, Built Together. Celebrating all kinds of families, Built Together shares how strong families are like strong houses, both having sturdy foundations built on trust, love, kindness and lots of TLC — and there are countless ways to be a family.
Carolyn Sullivan Moore
Carmel, IN
Chance, The Incredible, Wonderful, Three-Legged Dog series is the story of rescue, joy and companionship. Moore hopes children learn to love in spite of differences and to give friends a second chance when the opportunity arises.
Roxy Morgan
Carmel, IN
Morgan is the author of TP Our Hero, Zoe the Zebra and her most recent publication, I Know Who Loves Me. A retired teacher from College Wood Elementary in Carmel, Morgan was inspired to write a children’s book when her eight grandchildren began expressing interest.
Steven Malachi, Junior
Indianapolis, IN
Malachi, a former Indianapolis teacher, felt that preschool books didn’t often bring in real-life lessons, so he wrote and published Axl the Adventurous Axolotl. Writing from personal experience, Malachi addresses bullying and acceptance of others. While Axl is his first published book, Malachi has plenty more where that came from. Stay tuned for Jaiden the Jealous Jaguar and more.
Mackenzie Porter
Indianapolis, IN
Porter uses her work at a child abuse prevention program and her “big Greek family” as inspiration for two books, You Are Home and In My Heart. In You Are Home, children are reassured no matter where they travel, they can find their way home.
To learn about even more Indiana authors and illustrators, visit the Indiana Young Readers Center in person or online at in.gov/library/iyrc.
