Today’s blog post features Lerner Publisher Service’s publishing partner of many years—Red Chair Press. Enjoy the following interview with Red Chair’s publisher, Keith Garton.
What is Red Chair Press?
Red Chair Press books support a child’s character, social-emotional, and academic development. Our fiction and nonfiction books are created to inspire children to be the best they can be, to be positive contributors to their communities, to build a foundation for sound decision-making for a lifetime, and to have fun while learning.
Established in 2009, Red Chair Press has grown from producing early- level readers to a full line of fiction and nonfiction titles spanning ages 4 to 12 (PreK to grade 8). By working with only the highest-quality artists worldwide, we ensure our books appeal to a wide range of readers.
Tell us how Red Chair Press started?
The company started in 2009 when the Publisher and Art Director proposed creating a series of leveled readers with teacher support materials to be sold by a group of independent classroom representatives that each had known in past occupations with educational publishing companies. It soon became clear, however, that to grow the company, new series in hardcover and softcover formats were needed to appeal to both the classroom and library markets and supported by a full-time sales team (which is how our partnership with Lerner Publisher Services began).
How would you describe your publishing vision?
We strive to publish titles that allow all children to find topics of interest, learn new life skills, and see themselves in the settings. We feel it is critical that no child should feel isolated when looking for a good book.
What upcoming projects are you particularly excited about?
For Fall 2024, we have an interesting and entertaining book about a young boy who discovers his biological father is an anonymous sperm donor. Ben & Blue: Searching for Lucky #3002 includes background information on this topic of third-party reproduction, by which nearly 60,000 children are born each year.
Also, for Fall 2024, we have a charming historical fiction story based on a real event in wartime 1940s England; One Year, One Night is told through a young girl’s diary entries and has been highly reviewed. The emotions and love story have timeless appeal.
And 2025 is chock full of exciting and relevant new titles including one entertaining title touching on catastrophic effects of climate change, based on actual science. A second title follows a young girl who is dealing with the emotional fallout of a mother who suffers from depression and addiction. While touching on serious topics, the story is uplifting and relevant.
Many more interesting and appealing titles and series will follow for Spring and Fall 2025.
Our Brands and Imprints include…
Rocking Chair Kids: (ages 3 to 6/gr PK-1) Picture books for lap-reading and read aloud. Each book is designed to encourage interaction and response from the child.
LOOK! Books: (ages 6 to 8/gr K-2) An early introduction to nonfiction, these books include nonfiction text elements such as powerful photographs with captions, age-appropriate “Good to Know” facts, glossary, and index.
Core Content Books for the classroom and library: (ages 8 to 12/gr 2-5) upper elementary nonfiction with a cross-curricular approach covering topics taught in most core curriculum (Science and the Environment, Social Studies).
Red Chair Press Books for Young Readers: (ages 8 to 11/gr 2-5) chapter books and elementary fiction for young readers
One Elm Books: (ages 8 and up/gr 2-9) Our trade-focused imprint of single-title intermediate chapter books and middle grade fiction
Praise for Red Chair Press…
To learn more about Red Chair Press and their wide breadth of quality books for kids, visit their website, check them out on Facebook and Instagram, or browse lernerbooks.com.