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
