Our mission is to foster a lifelong love of reading and learning by publishing culturally rich and engaging children's books. We publish stories that nurture imagination and support children’s growth through the various stages of their development.
Sapling Books, the children's book imprint of Bookman Express launched in 2020 during the first global pandemic of our generation. The idea to publish our first children’s book, Ian Takes Flight, was sparked by our friend and collaborator Oliva Wilmot, whose love for early childhood education, editing skills and formal education training helped bring the vision to life. Partnering with the book’s talented author and visual artist, Richard Nattoo and our Learning Partnerships Coordinator, Rica G., we brought Sapling Books into being.
Since then, our mission has been to nurture a love of reading by creating synchronicity between the stories children read at home and the activities they engage in every day. In collaboration with our authors, editors, and illustrators, we've hosted STEAM-infused summer surf camps, developed educational worksheets, coloring pages, offered downloadable content like Zoom backgrounds, held author events, paint-and-color sessions, and bookshop pop-ups — all inspired by our beloved characters, such as Ian and Yazzy.
We go beyond our books by creating hands-on learning experiences, supplemental resources, and initiatives that ignite the imagination and promote literacy. Through dynamic partnerships with educators, caregivers, and communities, we aim to provide inclusive, accessible resources that inspire curiosity, critical thinking, and creativity. Our commitment is not only to cultivate strong readers but also confident, compassionate, and capable young minds.
In doing so, we foresee that the youthful mind and love for reading can flourish well into adulthood. We envision a Jamaica, a Caribbean and a world where a thriving reading culture is embraced across all ages and demographics, and where every child has the tools to succeed and shape a brighter future.
Grow Like A Sapling!
