• Tristan Strong Punches a Hole in the Sky I Kwame Mbalia
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Cultural pride at every age and stage.

Tristan Strong Punches a Hole in the Sky (Book 1) I Kwame Mbalia

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Winner of a Coretta Scott King Author Honor Best-selling author Rick Riordan presents Kwame Mbalia's epic fantasy, a middle-grade American Gods set in a richly-imagined world populated with African American folk heroes and West African gods.

Seventh grader Tristan Strong feels anything but strong ever since he failed to save his best friend when they were in a bus accident together. All he has left of Eddie is the journal his friend wrote stories in. Tristan is dreading the month he's going to spend on his grandparents' farm in Alabama, where he's being sent to heal from the tragedy. But on his first night there, a sticky creature shows up in his bedroom and steals Eddie's notebook.

Tristan chases after it--is that a doll?--and a tug-of-war ensues between them underneath a Bottle Tree. In a last attempt to wrestle the journal out of the creature's hands, Tristan punches the tree, accidentally ripping open a chasm into the MidPass, a volatile place with a burning sea, haunted bone ships, and iron monsters that are hunting the inhabitants of this world.

Tristan finds himself in the middle of a battle that has left black American folk heroes John Henry and Brer Rabbit exhausted. In order to get back home, Tristan and these new allies will need to entice the god Anansi, the Weaver, to come out of hiding and seal the hole in the sky. But bartering with the trickster Anansi always comes at a price.

Can Tristan save this world before he loses more of the things he loves?

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CURATED FOR AUTHENTIC REPRESENTATION

Each book is thoughtfully selected to reflect diverse voices and empower children with stories that matter.

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

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.

  • Curated for Every Stage

    Our bookshop replaces overwhelm with ease: intentional, pre-vetted, and organized by what actually matters who your kids are becoming.

  • Building Empathy & Cultural Pride

    Each book is selected to stretch empathy, self-awareness, and cultural pride at every age and stage.

  • 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!