Our story
About Stories of a Colorful World
Founded in Brooklyn in 2019 by a classroom teacher who was tired of searching for books that reflected her students and coming up empty.
Meet Kanika
Hi, children's book lovers!
As a classroom teacher, I'd spent countless afternoons searching for stories where my students could see themselves and came up empty-handed. I was tired of books that treated diversity like a checkbox, or worse, turned childhood joy into trauma.
So, I did what teachers do best: I built what was missing. My best friend and I began curating, partnering with independent authors and BIPOC creators to source high-quality stories that celebrated identity and belonging.
We turned our living rooms into libraries and our mission into movement. In 2019, Stories of a Colorful World launched with a simple promise: no more token shelves, no more exhausting searches, just stories that reflect every child's worth.
Today, our collection spans 300+ titles by Black, Indigenous, and People of Color authors; books that build empathy, pride, and confidence one story at a time.
Our mission
We believe every child deserves to see themselves in the books they read.
Representation
100% of our books are by Black, Indigenous, or People of Color authors and feature BIPOC protagonists and stories.
Belonging
We design literacy experiences that make children feel seen, celebrated, and proud of who they are.
Community
Rooted in Brooklyn, reaching all five boroughs and building partnerships with schools, libraries, and cultural organizations regionally.
Credentials & recognition
Trusted by schools and institutions
NYC DOE Approved Vendor
Registered and approved to serve NYC public schools directly.
MWBE Certified
Minority & Women-Owned Business Enterprise certified by New York City.
Community-Rooted
Based in Brooklyn, serving schools and families across NYC and beyond.
Est. 2019
Five years of bringing diverse stories to communities across New York.
Want to bring SOCW to your community?
Whether you're a school, library, sponsor, or community organization — we'd love to connect.