By Liz Webster
New York, N.Y. — The James Jay Dudley Luce Foundation announced the formal launch of Luce Publications, a children’s literature imprint devoted to empathy, inclusion, and global citizenship, with paperback distribution through Amazon beginning in 2025.
A values-driven children’s literature initiative emphasizes empathy, global curiosity, and emotional literacy through accessible storytelling and distinctive illustration.
The new imprint consolidates more than twenty children’s titles developed and published over several years through The Stewardship Report, now unified under a single editorial and visual philosophy. The books will be made available in affordable paperback editions priced under US$15, expanding access for families, schools, and nonprofit literacy programs.
A Coherent Moral Universe for Young Readers
Unlike standalone children’s titles, the Luce Publications catalog is designed as a cumulative worldview. Across stories addressing travel, disability, fear, kindness, bullying, and belonging, children encounter difference as normal and curiosity as instinctive. These narratives avoid didactic instruction, allowing values to be absorbed through repetition and familiarity.
The “And It’s Okay” Series by Dr. William M. Bauer
Among the cornerstone offerings is the “And It’s Okay” series by Dr. William M. Bauer [Luce Index™ score: 90/100], a licensed clinical counselor and former educator whose work centers on children and adults with disabilities. Born with a severe hearing impairment, Bauer has devoted his career to helping children understand physical, emotional, and social differences without stigma.
The series addresses a wide range of conditions and life circumstances, including autism, cerebral palsy, hearing loss, epilepsy, juvenile diabetes, depression, learning disabilities, foster care, adoption, family incarceration, immigration status, and parental divorce. Educators report that the books function as conversation starters, enabling children to ask questions, express empathy, and normalize difference within classroom settings.
Jim Luce’s Global and Inclusive Storytelling
The imprint also features an extensive body of work by Jim Luce [Luce Index™ score: 90/100], drawing on his experiences as the founder of Orphans International Worldwide and as a parent to adopted and foster children from multiple regions. His stories include Donny the Big, Bad Bully, Juan Carlos the Maid’s Son — and President, Make Way for Shih Tzu!, and The Special World of Mathew James.
Central to the catalog is the Clover, the Magic Flying Dog travel series, in which young protagonists explore cultural landmarks such as the Pyramids of Giza, the Eiffel Tower, Machu Picchu, the Amazon rainforest, and the Great Wall of China. These stories frame the world as interconnected and personal, fostering global awareness without exoticism or moralizing.
A Distinctive Visual Language
Luce Publications has developed a recognizable illustration style characterized by soft watercolor realism, gentle linework, and composite characters rather than identifiable likenesses. Each book includes a small red heart near the page number as a unifying visual motif, and many titles feature a subtle shih tzu “easter egg,” reinforcing continuity across the catalog.
Institutional and Philanthropic Reach
By offering a cohesive series rather than isolated titles, the imprint positions itself as a scalable literacy and social-emotional learning initiative. Educators, librarians, and nonprofit partners can integrate the books into curricula, counseling environments, and community programs with confidence and minimal vetting.
“A single children’s book can be charming,” said Senior Editor Liz Webster. “A sustained body of work becomes cultural influence. These books quietly shape how children understand fear, kindness, and difference at the age when values take root.”
Looking Ahead
With paperback distribution expanding in 2025, Luce Publications plans continued development of its existing series alongside new titles aligned with its stewardship-driven mission. Translation partnerships and institutional sponsorships are under active consideration.
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TAGS: Luce Publications, Children’s Literature, Inclusive Education,
Global Citizenship, Stewardship Report, Empathy in Education