Press Page

WHO WE ARE

OurShelves Founder, Alli Harper, is an attorney, organizer, public policy advocate and most importantly, mom to Anna, age ten, and Isaac, age four, who have two moms. Here is Alli’s story. You must also meet our Curation Team, the heart and soul of OurShelves. Here is additional background information on OurShelves.


WHY WE EXIST

ALL children and ALL families belong on OurShelves -- which sends a signal affirming that ALL children and ALL families belong, period. Yet, we face two problems OurShelves is here to address: 1) There are not enough diverse children’s books, period, and 2) There are actually more than we might guess, but they’re too often much too hard to find. Here's a blog post that explains how OurShelves responds to both of these problems.


WHAT WE DO

Our diverse children’s book boxes connect families, teachers and librarians to high-quality books that feature LGBTQ+, racially and ethnically diverse, disabled, and feminist characters, among other traditionally under-represented characters and families in kids’ books. See our welcome page to learn how our subscriptions work.

We also advocate for the many diverse books still needed. As an example of how the OurShelves advocacy mission and subscription mission work together, publisher Barefoot Books published The Bread Pet that features a multiracial two-mom family—a choice influenced by Harper’s advocacy, says Barefoot Books Senior Editor, Kate DePalma. OurShelves then purchased this book to ship to its members across the country, strengthening the book’s sales. As OurShelves’ membership and buying power grows, OurShelves will continue advocating with publishers, backing that advocacy up with ever-increasing sales, proving the currently underestimated market for these books. Harper seeks to prove to publishers that there is opportunity, rather than risk, in creating these books.


TESTIMONIALS

In all fifty states and Washington D.C., our members are families, teachers, librarians, healthcare providers, and other caregivers and service providers cultivating values of inclusion, equity and social justice with the children in their worlds. Here are some sample testimonials from families and teachers. We have members willing to speak to the press.


RECENT GROWTH

During the pandemic, the membership base of OurShelves tripled in size. OurShelves has reached members in all fifty states and Washington D.C.


IMAGES AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST


IN THE NEWS

New York Times / Wirecutter: 7 Book Subscription Services We Love

Reader's Digest: 19 Best Book Subscriptions for Avid Readers

Parents: 11 Best Baby Book Subscriptions of 2023

Buzzfeed: 50 Subscription Boxes That Make Amazing Gifts

The Advocate: Why one queer mom (and former lawyer) took matters into her own hands when it came to diversity in children’s books

Family Equality OutSpoken Voices: An Open Book: LGBTQ+ Inclusivity in Children’s Literature with Alli Harper at Ourshelves

One Bad Mother: Episode 395: Can A Book Make A Difference? Yeah! Duh. with Alli Harper

Buzzfeed: 7 Ways To Read More In 2020

If These Ovaries Could Talk: OurShelves

Lifehacker: Introduce Your Kids to Diverse Books With This Service

Popsugar: 25 Book Subscription Boxes For Kids That Will Keep Their Bookshelves Full of New Reads

Primary: Using Our Words This Week: August 14, 2020 

USA Today 10Best: Best Book Subscription Box (2023)

Hello Subscription: The 17 Best Diverse Books Subscription Boxes for Kids in 2024

Perpetual Page-Turner: The 5 Very Best Book Subscription Boxes For Little Kids

Queerty: It’s not too late! 13 last-minute subscription box gifts for the LGBTQ+ elf in your life

Let Us Paxit podcast: Episode 8 - Introducing OurShelves, a wonderful Volk Paxit customer (Spotify & Apple)

The Bump: 13 Best Kids' Book Subscriptions for Expanding Little Minds

BookRiot: 6 Best Toddler Book Subscriptions to Check Out

It's OK to Say Gay: Trans & Nonbinary Kids: The basics for parents

Mombian: The New Yorker Looks at the Past, Present, and Future of LGBTQ Children’s Books

Queer Forty: Why OurShelves? Be counted for diverse kids’ books! 

CNET: 9 Book Subscription Services for Kids and Young Adults

CEI: Celebrating Diverse Individuals and Families in Children's Books

Macaroni KID: OurShelves: Diverse Book Boxes for Children

BookRiot: 7 Great Book Subscription Boxes for Kids

Romper: The Parents Fighting for Diverse Books

Nasdaq: Alli Harper: Ensuring Equal Representation on Kids Bookshelves

Thrive Literacy Corner: 10 Gifts For Kids That Encourage Reading

Philadelphia Gay News: OurShelves connects LGBTQ families with diverse books and advocates

Mombian: OurShelves Connects LGBTQ Families with Diverse Books and Advocates for More

Latter-Day Lesbian: Episode 114: Getting to Know OurShelve‪s

Portland Press Herald: OurShelves holds a mirror up to the world, one children’s book at a time.

The Skimm’: Daily Skimm’

Diversebooks.org: Diverse-Owned Bookstores You Can Support Right Now

Pretty Progressive: 6 Important Trans Books To Stop The Ignorance In Your Family

MaineBiz: Alli Harper, of OurShelves, doesn't want kids to judge a book by its cover

One Bad Mother: Episode 332: Alli Harper of OurShelves

BookRiot: 31 of the Best Kid’s Book Subscriptions

Family Equality Council: Why Our Family is Thrilled About OurShelves, a New LGBTQ-Affirming Book Subscription Service

Hardy Girls Healthy Women: Hardy Gift Guide

One Bad Mother: Episode 282: Diverse Books Advocate Alli Harper

Second Hand Pages: Queer/Pride Book Boxes

Mombian (Leading LGBTQ+ Parenting Site): New Book Box Service Seeks to Serve and Show Need for Diverse, LGBTQ-Inclusive Children’s Books 


MEDIA CONTACT

Lauren Dumont

info@ourshelves.com

(207) 387-0321