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 Boxes We Love for Adults and Kids

Parents: 11 Best Baby Book Subscriptions of 2023

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

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

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

Thrive Literacy Corner: 10 Gifts For Kids That Encourage Reading

Hello Subscription: The 17 Best Diverse Books Subscription Boxes for Kids in 2022

Macaroni KID: OurShelves: Diverse Book Boxes for Children

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

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

Verywell Family: Best Baby Book Subscriptions 2022

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

Verywell Family: Best Book Subscriptions for Kids 2022

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

BookRiot: 7 Great Book Subscription Boxes for Kids

Romper: The Parents Fighting for Diverse Books

CNET: 9 Book Subscription Services for Kids and Young Adults

Buzzfeed: 7 Ways To Read More In 2020

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

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

Cratejoy: The 16 Best Monthly Book Clubs For Kids in 2021

Parents: The 9 Best Book Subscription Boxes for Kids

Nasdaq: Alli Harper: Ensuring Equal Representation on Kids Bookshelves

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

The Skimm’: Daily Skimm’

Maine Women’s Magazine: Reading Rainbow

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

Red Tricycle: 5 Ways to Celebrate Portland Pride this Month

BookRiot: 31 of the Best Kid’s Book Subscriptions

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

Mombian (Leading LGBTQ+ Parenting Site): OurShelves Connects LGBTQ Families with Diverse Books and Advocates for More

If These Ovaries Could Talk: OurShelves

Latter-Day Lesbian: Episode 114: Getting to Know 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

One Bad Mother: Episode 332: Alli Harper of OurShelves

Cratejoy: The 21 Best Monthly Book Clubs For Kids in 2020

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

BookRiot: 31 of the Best Kid’s Book Subscriptions

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

Hardy Girls Healthy Women: Hardy Gift Guide

Family Equality Council (Largest national LGBTQ family organization): Why Our Family is Thrilled About OurShelves, a New LGBTQ-Affirming Book Subscription Service

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

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

Mothering: The Best Gifts for Kids of All Ages

Cratejoy: 15 Homeschool Subscription Boxes for Educational Activities

Cratejoy: 15 Best Baby Book Clubs Perfect for Storytime

Cratejoy: Parenting Hack: Fun Reading Activities to Turn Your Child Into a Bookworm

Cratejoy: Celebrate Cratejoy's 12 Days of Giving with Hot Sales!


MEDIA CONTACT

Cathy Renna (She/Her/Hers), Media Consultant

cathy@targetcue.com

917-757-6123