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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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.
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.
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.
Internship Grant Program
The Internship Grant program awards supplemental grants to diverse students pursuing a career in children’s publishing.
Anthologies
Our short story anthologies feature diverse work written by award-winning and upcoming diverse voices.
