Joelouis-press

In the Press

May/June 2023
The Horn Book, View Article
A Publisher's Perspective: Three Decades of Inclusive Publishing
by Jason Low
The publisher’s role is to champion the stories that still need to be told, stories that offer readers a glimpse of the common bonds that we share and the missteps we have made along the way to maintain and fight for our humanity.

April 19, 2022
Publishers Weekly, View Article
They Made a Difference: 25 Book Business Change Makers
by Michael Coffey, with Claire Kirch, Andrew Albanese, and Shannon Maughan
Twenty-five seriously consequential individuals whose mark on the industry is indelible. Lee & Low Books made the list!

August 26, 2021
Publishers Weekly, View Article
The Byrds of Cinco Puntos Press Say Goodbye
by Ed Nawotka
For 36 years, Bobby and his wife Lee Byrd, now in their late 70s, ran Cinco Puntos Press in El Paso, Tex. In June, they sold their publishing house, which they founded in 1985, to Lee & Low Books in New York City. “We are very pleased that our books will have a strong future,” Lee said. “We couldn’t think of a better home for them.”

December 17, 2020
The Horn Book, View Article
A Conversation with Literary Agents on Diversity and Inclusion
by Jason Low
A frank, in-depth discussion with literary agents Thao Le, Beth Phelan, Quressa Robinson, Stefanie Sanchez Von Borstel, and Adriana Domínguez about the role agents play in promoting and hindering equity efforts in publishing.

November 20, 2020
School Library Journal, View Article
Working in Translation: An Interview with Editor-at-Large Louise May
A Fuse #8 Productrion, by Elizabeth Bird
Louise May breaks down the editorial and artistic approach to creating beautiful, bilingual picture books.

September 14, 2020
The Booklist Reader, View Article
Comparing Notes on Publishing Equity and Inclusion Efforts
By Jason Low
Since 1985, the Cooperative Children’s Book Center (CCBC) has provided critical data regarding the amount of diverse books by and about authors of color. However, there is still a lack of concrete numbers on the adult side of publishing, with the exception of the Diversity Report published by Leah and Bea Koch of the Ripped Bodice bookstore. Read on...

May/June 2020
IBPA Independent, View Article
Does Diversity Matter During a Pandemic?
By Jason Low
Lee & Low Books releases the second iteration of the Diversity Baseline Survey (DBS 2.0). Jason Low explains why represenation and equity still matter during a global pandemic.

May 7, 2020
School Library Jouranl, View Article
How Sheltering in Place Shows Us a More Accessible World
By Jason Low
The Diversity Baseline Survey (DBS 2.0) statistics focuses on the lack of representation of people with disabilities in the industry with a interview with disability advocate, Ace Ratcliffe.

February 11, 2020
The Associated Press, View Article
Missteps lead publishing industry to review diversity effort
By Hillel Italie
The Diversity Baseline Survey (DBS 2.0) statistics were cited in the article along with interviews throughtout ther industry about how the lack of representation perpetuates cultural inaccuracies in divese literature.

February 8, 2020
The Guardian, View Article
Publishing has to keep up with the world, not the other way round
By Candice Carty-Williams
The Diversity Baseline Survey (DBS 2.0) statistics were cited in the article along with a spotlight on #DignidadLiteraria an author activist group pushing for inclusion reforms in large houses.

Janurary 31, 2020
Forbes, View Article
Diversity In Publishing Hasn’t Improved In The Past 4 Years
By Adam Rowe
The Diversity Baseline Survey (DBS 2.0) statistics were discussed in the article.

Janurary 20, 2020
The New York Times, View Article
‘American Dirt’ Has Us Talking. That’s a Good Thing
By Reyna Grande
The Diversity Baseline Survey (DBS 2.0) statistics were cited in the article as the controversy over American Dirt intensified. 

November 1, 2019
Publishers Weekly, View Article
PAMA Panel: Connecting Diverse Books with Diverse Audiences
By Sarah Yung
Jalissa Corrie, Marketing Associate at Lee & Low participated in a panel discussion about connecting diverse books to wide audiences.

August 13, 2019
The Early Childhood Book Challenge, Learn More
Let's Talk Children's Books
A conversation with writing, publishing & family engagement experts
Sponsored by the William Penn Foundation
A panel discussion, moderated by Perri Klass, M.D., National Medical Director of Reach Out and Read; author of The New York Times column, "The Checkup" talks about Jean Ciborowski Fahey's (winner of the Early Childhood Book Challenge) I'll Build You a Bookcase. With Jason Low and Rachel Honore, Family Navigator for Action for Early Learning at People’s Emergency Center.

May 11, 2019
The Next Page Conference, View Video
Radical Representation: Creating an Inclusive Publishing Industry
Sponsored by Kickstarter
Jason Low moderated a panel with disability advocate, Ace Ratcliffe, editor, Sarah Guan, and cartoonist, Ronald Wimberly. We discussed initiatives that have improved equity and representation, shared best practices, called out bad ones, and broke down systems that need to be changed.

December 11, 2018
Publishers Weekly, View Article
A Publisher Reflects on the Blurred Line Between Middle Grade and YA
By Stacy Whitman
Stacy Whitman, publisher of Tu Books, an imprint of Lee & Low Books, discusses how the Middle Grade and Young Adult has shifted editorially and how that leaves some readers behind.

November/December 2018
The Horn Book, View Article
Why Sensitivity Readers Matter: (And Why We Should Call Them Something Else)
By Jason Low
Jason Low discusses how and why targeted expert readers should be used and how their feedback can lead to publishing better books.

September 27, 2018
Publishers Weekly, View Article
Children’s Book Council Debuts Diversity Awards
By Emma Kantor
The Children’s Book Council, names Jason Low and Lee & Low Books as one of the recipients of the inaugural CBC Diversity Outstanding Achievement Awards.

January 4, 2018
Indiepick magazine, View Article
Publisher Spotlight: Lee & Low Books
By Rebecca Vnuk
Publisher Jason Low takes readers through some of Lee & Low's recent projects, triumphs, and why diversity is (still) important. 

September 25, 2017
Pen America/The Strand Bookstore Event, View Video
PEN Out Loud: I Write Banned Books
Filmed by C-SPAN Book TV
Publisher Jason Low moderated a panel during banned book week with David Levithan, author of Two Boys Kissing, Coe Booth, author of Kinda Like Brothers, and Ariel Schrag, author of Stuck in the Middle.

August 1, 2017
Kirkus Reviews, View Article
What Is the Role of a Publisher in Politicized Times?
By Jason Low
Publisher Jason Low writes about the driving force behind a company mission statement and how the books you publish define who you are.

March 28, 2017
School Library Journal, View Article
Publishing Factual Books in an “Alternative Facts” World | Opinion
By Jason Low
Publisher Jason Low writes about the importance of separating facts from alternative facts in a fact challenged world.

February 15, 2017
Chicago Tribune, View Article
Publishers are hiring 'sensitivity readers' to flag potentially offensive content
By Everdeen Mason
LEE & LOW Editorial Director, Cheryl Klein and Tu Books, Publisher, Stacy Whitman are quoted in this article about sensitivity readers in publishing. 

February 10, 2017
KQED Arts, View Article
Two Bay Area Startups Push for Diversity in Kid-Lit
By Cy Musiker
Janine MacBeth (Blood Orange Press), Maya Christina Gonzalez (Reflection Press), Dhonielle Clayton (WNDB), and Jason Low are some of those interviewed in this article on diverse children's books. 

December 13, 2016
Foreword Reviews, View Article
Foresights: Yes, it Matters What Children Read; Diversity in Publishing is the Solution
By Jason Low
Editor’s Note: This commentary by Jason Low, publisher of Lee & Low Books, is part of an ongoing Foreword Reviews series called #IndieVoices, in which we invite small publishers and indie authors to address the 2016 US presidential election and its aftermath.

November 9, 2016
School Library Journal, View Article
When Publishing and Reviewing Diverse Books, Is Expertise Overrated? | Opinion
By Jason Low
Publisher Jason Low writes about the importance of staff diversity in publishing and reviewer staffs to insure authenticity.  

August 9, 2016
NPR Code Switch, View Article
Diversity In Book Publishing Isn't Just About Writers — Marketing Matters, Too
By Jean Ho
Lee & Low’s Marketing/Publicity Director Hannah Ehrlich talks about the importance of connecting books to communities. The article also mentions the Diversity Baseline Survey Results.  

March 11, 2016
Publishers Weekly, View Article
Why Publishing is So White
By Rachel Deahl, with reporting from Anisse Gross, Claire Kirch, Diane Patrick, and Judith Rosen
A deep dive into hiring practices across the industry shows that publishers care about diversity, but many haven’t taken effective steps to bring about lasting change. The article also discusses in detail the impact of the Diversity Baseline Survey on these efforts.

January 29, 2016
The Brian Lehrer Show, Listen to the interview
#1000BlackGirlBooks and Diversity in Children's Books
By WNYC
Author Zetta Elliot and Jason Low talk about the issue of diversity in books for children and teens and Marley Dias’s #1000BlackGirlBooks challenge. 

November 24, 2015
KALW Public Radio, Listen to Podcast
Your Call: Why aren't kids' books as diverse as the kids who read them?
By Rosalie Atkinson
Radio talk show KALW (91.7FM), which is a local San Francisco affiliate of NPR interviewed bookseller, Sharon Levin, author/poet, Pat Mora and publisher Jason Low about diverse books and how the industry is addressing inequality issues. Hosted by Matt Martin.

November 24, 2015
Publishers Weekly, View Article
Current Representations of American Indians in Children's Publishing
By Natasha Gilmore
An interview on Native American representation in children's books and YA. Article includes interviews with Debbie Reese and the publisher of Lee & Low's Tu Books imprint, Stacy Whitman.

October 31, 2015
Multiracial Family Man Podcast, Listen to Podcast
Episode 37: Publishing Multicultural Children's Books
By Alex Barnett
An interview with Lee & Low Marketing & Publicity Director, Hannah Ehrlich on diverse books for children.**

September 23, 2015
Kirkus Reviews, View Article
Q&A: Stacy Whitman of Tu Books
By David Rapp
An interview with Tu Books publisher, Stacy Whitman on publishing trends and what she is looking for (and not looking for) editorially.

September 1, 2015
Bitch Magazine, View Article
Intrigue and Ashes: Solving Diversity in YA Genre Lit is No Mystery for Valynne E. Maetani
By Victoria Law
A great interview with debut author, Valynne Maetani on the inspiration behind her book Ink and Ashes. Other Tu Books titles are listed.

July 6, 2015
ForeWord Reviews, View Article
Foreword Reviews Names Lee & Low Books 2014 Indie Publisher of the Year
By Victoria Sutherland
An unexpected, but truly memorable milestone for the company.

June 11, 2015
Publishers Weekly, View Article
WNDB Announces Internship Project Recipients
By Claire Kirch
WNDB intern scholarship rewarded $2,500 stipends to interns serving in publishing houses. Kandace Coston accepted her paid internship with Lee & Low Books. 

May 28, 2015
Los Angeles Times, View Article
30 summer books that kids will gobble up
By Susan Carpenter
Poems in the Attic
was one of the top 20 books of the summer.

April 27, 2015
The New York Times, View Article
Lives of the Poets
By Maria Russo
These picture books use storytelling to bring poetry to children. Poems in the Attic was included.

April 27, 2015
School Library Journal, View Article
By Kathy Ishizuka
Survey Seeks to Shed Light on Publisher Diversity
SLJ coverage of Lee & Low’s initiative, the Diversity Baseline Survey.

April 23, 2015
Storyline Online, View Video
Catching the Moon read by Kevin Costner and Jillian Estell
By SAG and Storyline Online
A wonderful reading of Catching the Moon.

April 4, 2015
Huffington Post, View Article
'Call Me Tree': A Children's Book With No Gender Specific Pronouns
ByJames Michael Nichols
Author/illustrator, Maya Christina Gonzalez talks about using no gender specific pronouns in her book, Call Me Tree.

March 5, 2015
Adventures in YA Publishing Blog, View Article
Editor Stacy Whitman of Tu Books Discusses Diversity in YA, What She's Searching For, and Her Favorite Books
by Lisa Gail Green
Tu Books publisher, Stacy Whitman talk about her editorial vision.  

February 19, 2015
Publishers Weekly, View Article
Continuing the Conversation: Authors, Illustrators, and Editors Talk Diversity
By Matia Burnett
The vital importance of supplying books by, for, and about individuals from diverse backgrounds continued during a Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators panel.Tu publisher, Stacy Whitman was one of the panelists.

February 5, 2015
Publishers Weekly, View Article
Small But Mighty Presses Prevail at ALA Awards
By Claire Kirch
Little Melba and Her Big Trombone are among titles from small presses to win big awards.

February 2, 2015
Flavorwire, View Article
We Need Diverse Books: Can Children’s Authors End Publishing Industry Prejudice — and Change the Way America Reads?
By Sarah Seltzer
A thorough look at the impact of WNDB movement. With commentary from LEE & LOW marketing/publicity director, Hannah Ehrlich.

February 1, 2015
Booklist, View Article
Promoting Diversity at Your Library
By Sarah Hunter
Tips for promoting diversity from Lee Byrd (Cinco Puntos Press), Aisha Saeed (WNDB), and Jason Low.

January 30, 2015
Univision, View interview
Children Need Diverse Books
By Yasmin Torres
An interview with Lee & Low's Vice President of educational sales, Abraham Barretto. In Spanish.

January 15, 2015
The Washington Post, View Article
Oscars 2015: No nominations for a single actor of color or female director
By Cecilia Kang
Lee & Low’s Director of Marketing/Publicity Hannah Ehrlich is featured in this article that also includes Lee & Low’s updated Diversity Gap infographic on the Academy Awards.

January 16, 2015
The New York Times, View Article
Jane Bahk’s ‘Juna’s Jar,’ and More
By Linda Sue Park
Juna’s Jar is reviewed.

December 2014
Voya magazine, View Article
Tu Books spotlight
By Stacy Whitman
A great spotlight on on the mission of Tu Books by publisher, Stacy Whitman.

October 21, 2014
Publishers Weekly, View Article
‘PW’ Panel Warns Industry, Lack of Diversity Threatens Publishing
By Calvin Reid
Moderator PW Editorial Director, Jim Milliot, discussed the diversity gap with panelists Alvina Ling, executive editorial director of Little Brown Books for Young Readers, Stacy Barney, senior editor at Penguin/Putnam, and LEE & LOW publisher Jason Low.

October 9, 2014
Publishers Weekly, View Article
Writing Native Lives in YA: A NYPL Panel Discussion
By Matia Burnett
Tu Books publisher, Stacy Whitman, Arthur A. Levine imprint’s executive editor, Cheryl Klein, and authors, Joseph Bruchac and Erick Gansworth discussed the editorial process and cultural considerations for Native culture. Listen to a podcast recording of the panel.

October 3, 2014
Publishers Weekly, View Article
Science Fiction & Fantasy 2014: How Multicultural Is Your Multiverse?
By Dionne Obeso
Tu publisher, Stacy Whitman talk about mirrors and windows books and the importance of the inclusion of diverse science.

September 5, 2014
CUNY TV, View Interview
Asian American Life
Hosted by Ernabel Demillo
Author Grace Lin, We Need Diverse Books' Aisha Saeed, and Jason Low talk about reader activism and the importance of diverse books.

July 3, 2014
School Library Journal, View Article
Diversity Movement Gains Visibility at ALA Annual | ALA 2014
By Wendy Stephens
WNDB and Lee & Low make a splash at ALA as the diversity movement picks up steam.

June 18, 2014
CUNY TV, View Interview
Independent Sources - Heroes for the Ages
By Sarah Pizon
Aurora Anaya-Cerda Owner/Founder, La Casa Azul Bookstore and LEE & LOW's Marketing/Publicity Director, Hannah Ehrlich talk about what is being done to bring more diverse books to bookshelves.

May 8, 2014
Publisher’s Weekly, View Article
ReedPOP Adds BookCon Panel on Diverse Books
By Claire Kirch
An interview with Ellen Oh about the grassroots Twitter campaign #WeNeedDiverseBooks and how it persuaded BookCon at Book Expo to add diverse author panels to the mix. LEE & LOW acted as a supporter and advisor to the movement.

May 5, 2014
School Library Journal, View Article
Jason Low Talks Diversity with Betsy Bird | SLJ Conversations
By Betsy Bird
Jason Low talks about what makes LEE & LOW different from other houses and what it is going to take to get to the “Diversity 102 story”. Sponsored story

April 3, 2014
HuffPost Books, View Article
On the "A" W/ Souleo: More Than Enough White Childrens' Books
By Peter “Souleo” Wright
An article profiling Just Us Books and LEE & LOW BOOKS as they continue their efforts to promote diversity in children’s books.

February 24, 2014
The New York Times, View Article
The Academy and Diversity, by the Numbers
By Melena Ryzik
LEE & LOW’s Diversity Gap study on the lack of diversity from the Academy Awards goes viral, being picked up by Huffpost, MSNBC, and The New York Times.

September 25, 2013
BBC Altered States, View Interview
US minorities underrepresented in children's books
By Franz Strasser
BBC talks with readers, authors, and LEE & LOW about why inequality still exists in children’s books.

March 11, 2013
The New York Times, View Article
2 Awards for Multicultural Books
By Leslie Kaufman
Two $500,000 Awards go to HarperCollins and LEE & LOW BOOKS from First Book. The awards will be used to provide multicultural books for low income children.

March/April 2013
Horn Book Magazine, View Article
Jack (and Jill) Be Nimble: An Interview with Mary Cash and Jason Low
By Roger Sutton
An interview with Mary Cash, Vice President and Editor in Chief of Holiday House and LEE & LOW publisher Jason Low. The interview focused on the differences between small independent houses and large publishers.

January 2013
Book Links, View Article
Special Focus: Twenty Years of Multicultural Publishing
By Jason Low
Posted with permission from *Book Links

As LEE & LOW celebrates its twenty year commitment to multicultural books, publisher, Jason Low reflects on the past, present, and future. This special issue also features a cover by R. Gregory Christie with an illustration from It Jes' Happened. Also included: a Common Core Connections companion piece written by our resident literacy expert.

December 18, 2012
Publishers Weekly, View Article
Books for Young Latinos Exist, Just Not in the Classroom
By Paige Crutcher
A reaction piece to a New York Times article. Includes commentary from Marketing/Publicity Manager, Hannah Ehrlich.

December 7, 2012
Huffpost Live View Interview
Dora the Outlier
Streaming video with Marketing/Publicity Manager, Hannah Ehrlich
Hosted by Alicia Menendez
Panel discussion on the need for more Latino books for children. A reaction video to a New York Times article.

June 15, 2012
WVOX Radio 1460 AM, Listen to Interview
Radio Interview with Publisher, Jason Low
By Paul Feiner
Posted with permission from WVOX
Interview on WVOX, an independent, family-owned radio station. Known as "The Authentic Voice of the People" and the voice of Westchester, NY for over fifty years.

June 2012
Crain's New York Business, View Article
Multicultural publisher holds its own
By Maggie Overfelt
Reprinted with permission from Crain's
Crain's reported on LEE & LOW'S growth despite competition from giant rivals.

April 2012
The Rivertowns Enterprise, View Article
Lee & Low Makes Diversity the Everyday
By Jackie Lupo
Reprinted with permission from the Rivertowns Enterprise
The article profiled LEE & LOW publisher Jason Low and the recent progress of the company.

April 2012
The Journal News, View Article
Book Publisher Lee & Low Expands
By Ernie Garcia
The Journal News reports the expansion of the company with the addition of Children's Book Press.

January 2012
Publishers Weekly, View Article
Lee & Low Acquires Children's Book Press
By Wendy Werris
Publishers Weekly reports the details of the acquisition of Children's Book Press.

September 2011
Publishers Weekly, View Article
Spotlighting YA: How smaller and mid-sized publishers are addressing the teen market
By Sally Lodge
Publishers Weekly included the debut list of Tu Books, in a roundup of small to mid-sized publishers.

January 2011
Wowlit.org, View Article
A Conversation with LEE & LOW BOOKS
By Ann Parker, Ph.D.
Worlds of Words from the University of Arizona College of Education featured an interview with Publisher Jason Low about the company's history, mission, and future.

November 2010
iO9 Exclusive, View Article
Inside Tu Books, a new publisher focusing on ?multicultural SF and fantasy books for kids
By Charlie Jane Anders
An interview with Tu Books, Editorial Director, Stacy Whitman on how Tu Books came to be.

April 2010
Papertigers, View Article
Q&A with LEE & LOW
By Aline Pereira
Papertiger's blog covered the release of First Come the Zebra and interviewed LEE & LOW Publisher Jason Low about the company's progress.

March 2010
Publishers Weekly, View Article
Lee & Low Gets New Imprint
By John A Sellers
Publishers Weekly covered the launch of Tu Books and interviewed LEE & LOW Publisher Jason Low.

February 2010
Multiculturalism Rocks, View Article
Monday Interview with LEE & LOW BOOKS
By Nathalie Mvondo
MR's blog featured a short interview with Publisher Jason Low about the company's history while sharing the latest CCBC statistics on diverse books published each year.

February 2009
The Rivertowns Enterprise, View Article
Parks' book makes its mark on library's fortunes
By Sylvia O'Hagan
The article profiled LEE & LOW president Tom Low and how his donation of a signed copy of Dear Mrs. Parks to a local public library auction had reached a high bid of $1,200.

May 2008
Unity, View Article
Culture by the Book
By Jason Low
The article profiled LEE & LOW for Asian Pacific American Heritage Month.

May 2008
Book Links, View Article
From Comics Fan to Children's Publisher
By Jason Low
How comic books and graphic novels can lead to becoming a life long reader. Also includes observations on how traditional publishers attempt to incorporate graphic novels into their storytelling arsenals.

Fall 2007
Balanced Reading Instruction, Volume 14, View Article
Balancing Words, Pictures, and Diversity: The Story of LEE & LOW BOOKS
By Jason Low
This article shares insight into the importance of finding and publishing captivating, well-written, and well-illustrated books while revealing a universal vision of the human spirit.

June/July 2007
Audrey Magazine, View Article
Trailblazers, A Storybook Tale
By Lan N. Nguyen
This article contains an interview with LEE & LOW's owners and offers a profile of the company's mission and progress.

Winter 2007
Multicultural Review, Volume 16, Number 4, View Article
Descubriendo el sabor: Spanish Bilingual Book Publishing and Cultural Authenticity
By Jamie Campbell Naidoo and Julia Lopez-Robertson
A thorough article on the Spanish bilingual book market. Includes interviews with publishers who produce Spanish titles. We do not provide the article in its entirety, only the section LEE & LOW participated in which outlines our approach to this market.

April 4, 1993
The New York Times, View Article
Book Review, Children's Books
By Ira Berkow
This full-page book review of Baseball Saved Us literally put LEE & LOW BOOKS on the map in our very first year of publishing.

About Lee & Low Books

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