What does it take to build a children's publishing house rooted in imagination, equity, and purpose — while raising two kids and learning the industry from scratch? In this episode, Jessica sits down with Ashley Wall, founder of Mama Bear Books and award-winning children's author, to talk about the books she was called to write, the under-resourced classrooms that shaped her mission, how she found balance between purpose and profit, and why she believes every child deserves a book that sees them.

Ashley Wall, M.Ed., is an educator, the author of The Day I Had... picture book series and The Wildflower Girls chapter book series, and publisher of MamaBear Books. Here, she argues that books for young readers can offer a respite from the daily pressures and anxieties accelerated by social media.

As an educator, a mother, and a publisher, I’ve witnessed the realities of girlhood from multiple perspectives. Whether in the classroom, through my work, or at home, I’ve had a front-row seat to a quiet but accelerating shift: girls are growing up faster, and not always in the ways we might hope.

This incredible initiative gives kids access to mental health resources and stories that normalize talking about big emotions.⁠
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