An Interview with Jelani Memory of 'A Kids Book About'
Today we have Jelani Memory of ‘A Kids Book About’ on The Mag. These books are incredible conversation starters, especially for millennial parents who find themselves talking about big and important topics with their kids. Learn more about this progressive publishing company for kids below.
Introduce yourself and your brand.
My name is Jelani Memory and I’m the Founder of A Kids Book About. Previously I was co-founder and chief product officer at Circle Media Labs Inc., the company behind Circle with Disney and T-Mobile FamilyMode. A Kids Book About is a direct to consumer publishing brand for kids that makes empowering, challenging, and important books for kids and their grownups.
How did you start this business?
To be honest, it was never supposed to be a business. I wrote, A Kids Book About Racism, in the summer of 2018 as a personal project for my kids. I only printed one copy! But as I showed to friends and other parents, something remarkable happened - they all wanted a copy! And they encouraged me to make other books on hard to talk about topics. Less than a year later I had formed a team and launched 12 books, all on important topics for kids.
What are three books that you'd gift your friends kids right now?
Well, I’m a bit biased because I love our books so much. But if I had to choose books that weren’t ours...
1. The Giving Tree
2. The Horse and His Boy
3. Press Here
What is one thing/aspect that makes your books so memorable?
I believe the design. They aren’t full of pictures and illustrations and fancy language. They’re just straight to the point and designed with a playful minimalism that stands out from the crowd.
Name three other small businesses/brands that you love.
That’s easy!
1. Lovevery
2. Rebel Girls
3. Ugmonk
And where can we find you?
@akidsbookabout
