Amplifying Indigenous voices: Four Indigenous publishing houses

Scaletti, MariaBarbour, Julie ReneeDaly, NicolaVanderschantz, Nicholas2026-03-242026-03-242025Scaletti, M., Barbour, J., Daly, N., & Vanderschantz, N. (2025). Amplifying Indigenous voices: Four Indigenous publishing houses. Bookbird: Journal of International Children's Literature, 63(3), 57-69. https://doi.org/10.1353/bkb.2025.a9696390006-7377https://hdl.handle.net/10289/18144Existing research in the field of Indigenous children’s literature is sparse but growing. A notable gap in the literature is the paucity of insight into Indigenous picturebook publishing. In preparation for a larger study of Indigenous publishing processes, in this study, we conducted a website analysis to explore the work of Indigenous publishing houses. From this data, we constructed four case studies focusing on Magabala Books (Australia), Black Bears and Blueberries Publishing (USA), Theytus Books (Canada), and Inhabit Media (Canada). Additionally, we present a close analysis of four recently published picturebooks from the publishing houses (one from each). In this article, we provide insights into the key themes underpinning the four Indigenous publishers, including a commitment to storytelling, collaboration, and education; the amplification and prioritization of Indigenous languages; the place of external funding; incorporation of Indigenous art; and the educational background of the authors and illustrators.enThis is an accepted version of an article from Bookbird: A Journal of International Children's Literature. ©2025 Johns Hopkins University Press.Amplifying Indigenous voices: Four Indigenous publishing housesJournal Article10.1353/bkb.2025.a9696391918-698347 Language, Communication and Culture4705 Literary Studies4705 Literary studies4 Quality Education