WNDB strives to create a world in which all children can see themselves in the pages of a book. To reach this goal, we've created programs to celebrate diverse books, to mentor diverse writers and illustrators, to support diverse publishing professionals, and to provide books to classrooms nationwide.
Sort our full list of programs by clicking on any of the categories below:
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Books Save Lives Grant
WNDB established the Books Save Lives Grant to provide up to $10,000 for school libraries to purchase diverse titles. WNDB will prioritize grants for schools located in areas most impacted by book bans and censorship. General Information Each Books Save Lives Grant will provide up to $10,000 per school library. The grant money must be […]
The Walter Awards
Inaugurated in 2016, the annual Walter Dean Myers Awards for Outstanding Children’s Literature recognize diverse authors (or co-authors) whose works feature diverse main characters and address diversity in a meaningful way.
#BooksSaveLives
Our Books Save Lives campaign will employ a three-pronged strategy to directly address book bans and champion diverse books. While supporting the educators and authors most affected by the bans, we will raise awareness, provide resources, and create positive change.
Native Children’s and YA Writing Intensive
The Native Children’s and YA Writing Intensive will offer an opportunity for reflection, conversation, celebration, and manuscript and career development to Native/First Nations writers.
Rise Up
Rise Up will is a retention program for diverse adult and children’s mid-level publishing professionals. Rise Up will include a community platform for publishing professionals to connect and share resources, virtual professional development webinars, and additional programming to support mid-level publishing professionals.
Educators Making a Difference Grants
WNDB established the Educators Making a Difference Grants for educators who believe in the importance of incorporating diverse books by diverse authors into their schools, libraries, and educational organizations. These grants will provide up to $2000 per recipient and can be used toward buying diverse titles, hosting diversity-focused student or community events, or any other project that supports diverse literature.
Native Fund
The Native Children’s and YA Writing Intensive will offer an opportunity for reflection, conversation, celebration, and manuscript and career development to Native/First Nations writers.
LitUp
LitUp will provide five emerging writers with an all-access paid retreat, a three-month mentorship with a published author, and marketing support for Reese’s Book Club.
Black Creatives Mentorship
The Black Creatives Mentorship for Black Creatives will introduce Black writers to the ins-and-outs of the publishing industry through one-on-one mentorship and programming with other industry professionals designed to develop their networking skills as well as hone their craft.
Black Creatives Marketing Symposium for Published Authors
The Black Creatives Marketing Symposium for Published Authors, In Partnership with the Brown Bookshelf, will provide guidance and support to authors who are seeking to energize their careers.
Black Creatives Revisions Workshop
The Black Creatives Revisions Workshop is an extended opportunity for writers who have completed a full draft of a Middle Grade, Young Adult, or Adult novel.
Black Creatives Fund
The mission of the Black Creatives Fund is to support emerging and established Black writers and illustrators.
Heartdrum
Heartdrum is a Native-focused imprint of HarperCollins Children’s Books, author-curated by Cynthia Leitich Smith and edited by Rosemary Brosnan.
OurStory App
The OurStory app is an easy-to-use resource to discover diverse books. It’s a tool for all audiences, from kids and teens to parents and educators.
WNDB in the Classroom
WNDB in the Classroom provides free diverse books to low-income schools around the country. This program was created to address the literacy gap that affects marginalized youth. By helping children find stories and authors that they can relate to, we can help foster in them a lifelong love of reading.
Emergency Grants
Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, WNDB has provided emergency grants to diverse authors, illustrators, publishing professionals, and educators who are experiencing dire financial need.
Walter Grant
The Walter Dean Myers Grant provides financial support to diverse authors and illustrators who are currently unpublished.
Internship Grant Program
The Internship Grant program awards supplemental grants to diverse students pursuing a career in children’s publishing.
Mentorships
Our Mentorship program supports diverse creators early in their career by pairing them with an experienced children’s author or illustrator.
PRH Creative Writing Awards
The Penguin Random House Creative Writing Awards are a scholarship program designed to highlight, encourage, and support diverse student voices.
