Every Child Seen Books began with something I carried quietly for a long time, the feeling of not seeing myself in the stories around me.

As a gay man who now works as an international educator, I understand how powerful it is when a child feels reflected, not explained, not corrected, but simply seen. In my classroom and in my research on diversity and LGBTQIA+ inclusion, I have watched what happens when children encounter stories that honor who they are. Their confidence grows. Their voices strengthen. They take up space more freely.

I created Every Child Seen Books to write the kinds of stories I once needed, and the ones I now see children searching for. These are picture books that center LGBTQIA+ children and underrepresented families with joy, warmth, and dignity. They are rooted in the belief that belonging is not something a child must prove or earn, it is something they already deserve.

My hope is simple, that every child can open a book and recognize themselves not as the exception, but as part of the story.