Cultural pride at every age and stage.
Pie in the Sky I Remy Lai
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A poignant, laugh-out-loud illustrated middle-grade novel about an eleven-year-old boy's immigration experience, his annoying little brother, and their cake-baking hijinks! Perfect for fans of Raina Telgemeier and Gene Luen Yang!
A Parents Magazine Best Kids Book of the Year!
A New York Public Library Best Book of the Year!
An NPR Best Book of the Year!
A Horn Book Best Book of the Year!
A Kirkus Best Book of the Year!
Recipient of FIVE starred reviews!
"Pie in the Sky is like enjoying a decadent cake . . . heartwarming and rib-tickling." -Terri Libenson, bestselling author of Invisible Emmie
When Jingwen moves to a new country, he feels like he's landed on Mars. School is torture, making friends is impossible since he doesn't speak English, and he's often stuck looking after his (extremely irritating) little brother, Yanghao.
To distract himself from the loneliness, Jingwen daydreams about making all the cakes on the menu of Pie in the Sky, the bakery his father had planned to open before he unexpectedly passed away. The only problem is his mother has laid down one major rule: the brothers are not to use the oven while she's at work. As Jingwen and Yanghao bake elaborate cakes, they'll have to cook up elaborate excuses to keep the cake making a secret from Mama.
In her hilarious, moving middle-grade debut, Remy Lai delivers a scrumptious combination of vibrant graphic art and pitch-perfect writing that will appeal to fans of Shannon Hale and LeUyen Pham's Real Friends, Kelly Yang's Front Desk, and Jerry Craft's New Kid.
A Junior Library Guild selection!
"Seamlessly mixes together equal parts of humor, loss, identity, discovery, and love to create a delicious concoction of a story. . . illustrated beautifully with Lai's insightful drawings." -Veera Hiranandani, Newbery Honor-winning author of The Night Diary
* "The humor [is] akin to that of Jeff Kinney's popular "Wimpy Kid" series . . . the perfect mixture of funny and emotionally resonant." -School Library Journal, starred review
* "Perfect for fans of Gene Luen Yang and Victoria Jamieson." -Shelf Awareness, starred review
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CURATED FOR AUTHENTIC REPRESENTATION
CURATED FOR AUTHENTIC REPRESENTATION
Each book is thoughtfully selected to reflect diverse voices and empower children with stories that matter.
AGE-AND THEME-ORGANIZED
AGE-AND THEME-ORGANIZED
Find the perfect book tailored to your child’s age, interests, and identity, making storytime meaningful and engaging.
SUPPORT INDEPENDENT AND BIPOC AUTHORS
SUPPORT INDEPENDENT AND BIPOC AUTHORS
Your purchase helps amplify underrepresented voices and supports creators who bring fresh perspectives to children’s literature.
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.
I searched everywhere for children’s books that reflected my students-books, where kids of color were the main characters and not the sidekicks or background. When I say representation, I mean real, joyful, everyday stories written by Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) authors who’ve lived them. I honestly couldn’t find enough, so I created a bookstore that could.
After families discover our collection, they often say how badly they wish they had books like this when they were kids. See what it’s like when a child opens a book and sees themselves as the hero, and you can finally get what you needed too.
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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
WHY FOCUS ON BIPOC AUTHORS AND CHARACTERS?
Focusing on BIPOC characters and authors is vital because children’s books shape how kids see themselves and the world. For too long, children of color have been underrepresented, leaving them feeling unseen and undervalued during crucial developmental years.
By highlighting authentic BIPOC voices, we empower kids to embrace their identities, build self-esteem, and develop a love of reading. These diverse stories also help all children grow in empathy and confidence, while making it easier for parents and educators to find meaningful, representative books. Every child deserves to see their story matter.
WHAT AGES OR GRADE LEVELS ARE YOUR BOOKS FOR?
Stories of a Colorful World curates books for a wide range of ages, from babies and toddlers (board books) to older children (young adults), ensuring options for every stage of reading.
HOW DO YOU SELECT THE BOOKS YOU CARRY?
We carefully research, source, and test every book to ensure it offers quality, authentic representation, and engaging stories that help children grow into confident, lifelong learners. Our selection includes titles from both traditional publishers and independent authors, giving you access to a wide and meaningful range of books.
Each book we carry must pass a simple but powerful checklist:
- Am I proud to give this to my child?
- Does this story reflect us or expand our view of others?
- Would I recommend this to another conscious parent or teacher?
- Does it feel like something we’ll keep, not just consume?
This approach ensures that every book on our shelves is one we truly believe in—stories that inspire pride, empathy, and lasting value for families and communities.
DO YOU OFFER SUGGESTIONS FOR SPECIFIC INTERESTS OR READING LEVELS?
Absolutely! We’d love to help you find the perfect books tailored to your child’s interests and reading level.
Just reach out anytime on the contact page for personalized recommendations, order support, or to inquire about community partnerships book fairs and bulk orders.
DO YOU HOST BOOK FAIRS?
For sure! Hosting book fairs is one of our favorite things to do. We offer both in-person and virtual book fairs. Right now, our in-person fairs are available in the NY, NJ, and CT area, but we can host virtual fairs anywhere in the US.
Feel free to contact us for more details—we’d love to bring the joy of diverse stories to your community!
DO YOU SHIP INTERNATIONALLY?
Currently, we do not offer international shipping. We’re focused on serving customers within the U.S. but hope to expand our reach in the future. If you have any questions or need recommendations, please feel free to reach out!