Representation that Radiates Joy
Last Gate of the Emperor #1 I Prince Joel Makonnen & Kwame Mbalia
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Yared Heywat lives an isolated life in Addis Prime -- a hardscrabble city with rundown tech, lots of rules, and not much to do. His worrywart Uncle Moti and bionic lioness Besa are his only family... and his only friends.
Often in trouble for his thrill-seeking antics and smart mouth, those same qualities make Yared a star player of the underground augmented reality game, The Hunt for Kaleb's Obelisk. But when a change in the game rules prompts Yared to log in with his real name, it triggers an attack that rocks the city. In the chaos, Uncle Moti disappears.
Suddenly, all the stories Yared's uncle told him as a young boy are coming to life, of kingdoms in the sky and city-razing monsters. And somehow Yared is at the center of them.
Together with Besa and the Ibis -- a game rival turned reluctant ally -- Yared must search for his uncle... and answers to his place in a forgotten, galaxy-spanning war.
Builds Confidence and Self-Love with Every Page
Builds Confidence and Self-Love with Every Page
We don’t just include diverse books — we center them. Every story we carry celebrates BIPOC voices and puts underrepresented protagonists front and center, ensuring every child can say, “That’s me.”
Authored by a BIPOC Creator — Real Representation, not Tokenism
Authored by a BIPOC Creator — Real Representation, not Tokenism
We intentionally seek out BIPOC and indie creators whose stories deserve to shine — building shelves you won’t find anywhere else.
Vetted by Educators and Families for Quality and Age-Fit
Vetted by Educators and Families for Quality and Age-Fit
Find the perfect book tailored to your child’s age, interests, and identity, making storytime meaningful and engaging.
Every child deserves to see themselves in the books they read.
You know that feeling when your kid sees themselves in a book and suddenly walks a little taller? That’s what we’re here for. Our curated collection is handpicked for one purpose: to help every child feel seen, celebrated, and inspired to dream big—no more endless scrolling or settling for stories that fall short. Here, every book is chosen to nurture confidence, empathy, and cultural pride.
Meet the Founder
Hi, children’s book lover! I’m Kanika.
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.
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Curated for Every Stage
Our bookshop replaces overwhelm with ease: intentional, pre-vetted, and organized by what actually matters who your kids are becoming.
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Building Empathy & Cultural Pride
Each book is selected to stretch empathy, self-awareness, and cultural pride at every age and stage.
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Stories They’ll Return To
Our books are revisited again and again, with age-appropriate themes that build emotional intelligence, identity, and curiosity.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are your books good gifts?
Yes! We offer curated bundles by age and theme — perfect for birthdays, holidays, and classrooms.
Can educators order in bulk?
Absolutely. We support schools, libraries, and community programs — contact us for custom quotes.
Do you offer digital books?
Not yet, but we’re exploring options for classrooms soon!
Because when children see themselves in stories, they don’t just read — they rise.