Karl Beckstrand

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About Karl Beckstrand
Media instructor Karl Beckstrand is the bestselling and award-winning author/illustrator of 25 multicultural/multilingual books and more than 60 ebook titles. His survival thriller, To Swallow the Earth, won a 2016 International Book Award, and his multicultural kids’ books have been lauded by Publisher’s Weekly, Kirkus, The Horn Book, and School Library Journal. Raised in Silicon Valley, he has lived abroad and worked with people from all continents (except Antarctica). His work reflects cultural diversity—not only in protagonists, but in collaborators (his illustrators hail from Latin America, Europe, and Asia). Beckstrand has a B.A. in journalism from BYU, an M.A. in international relations from APUS, and a broadcast/film certificate from Film A. Academy. He teaches media at a state college and, since 2004, has run Premio Publishing. Beckstrand has presented to Taiwan’s Global Leadership for Youth, city and state governments, festivals, and schools. His Y.A. stories, ebook mysteries, nonfiction, Spanish/bilingual, wordless, career, and STEM books feature ethnically diverse characters—and usually end with a twist. His work has appeared via: Amazon, Apple/iBooks, Baker & Taylor, Barnes & Noble, Costco, Deseret Book, Follett, Ingram, Papercrafts Magazine, Target.com, The U.S. Congressional Record, Walmart.com, FB, Twitter, and https://PremioBooks.com
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Blog postOver 18 years of publishing, we know which of our diverse picture books is the standout bestseller overall; but until this year, we could never predict which of our new titles would become popular. Despite meticulously tracking sales and marketing, we were always surprised by which book became a favorite in any given year.
Of course, we think all of our multicultural kids’ books are exceptionally well-written and gloriously illustrated—educating while entertaining. But we’re tickled t2 months ago Read more -
Blog postI’ve completed my third collaborative work and—again—I didn’t have any drama with my co-author, never have (probably doesn’t hurt that I’ve only worked with dead writers!).
Last month I released the third title in my illustrated Young American Immigrants nonfiction series for kids, Agnes’s Rescue: The True Story of an Immigrant Girl. It’s about my Scottish-Irish great-great-grandmother, Agnes Caldwell, who (after an ocean voyage) walked over 1,000 miles across the country to get to he1 year ago Read more -
Blog postPicture book cements vocabulary as kids tell the story
MIDVALE, Utah – Sometimes kids want to tell the story. Today they can — guided by author and media professor Karl Beckstrand’s concepts and art by Jordan C. Brun. Beckstrand’s 23rd book, “Gopher Golf: A Wordless Picture Book,” depicts the joy — and trials — a couple of gophers feel while golfing (with help from other critters).
“Children love to make up stories,” says Beckstrand of his third wordless book, which includes a1 year ago Read more -
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Blog postGrow! How We Get Food from Our Garden (Food Books for Kids, Book 3) Free on Kindle Unlimited (or $2.99 for ebook) by Karl Beckstrand, Genre: Children’s Book. Opened at #1 in five categories. Giveaways below
A black child and grandfather till, plant, and harvest fruits, vegetables, flowers, herbs, and grains in a colorful picture book. This tongue twister for children ages 4 – 7 (preschool – 2nd grade) includes online tips for starting your own garden. Kids love to see things grow. Lea2 years ago Read more -
Blog postAs publishers in perhaps the most competitive genre there is (children’s books), we seek to make our offerings stand out from the average kid’s book. Our story books have multicultural and biracial characters, online secrets/bonus material, and language or STEM learning disguised as entertaining/humorous stories with (typically) twisted or surprise endings.
We have been gratified that our picture books continue to be ordered by libraries, schools, and families via major distributors.2 years ago Read more -
Blog postKeynote address given by publisher Karl Beckstrand to the Utah Educational Library Media Association, Weber State University, 6 March 2020
How important is it that kids see themselves in books?
I’m no childhood development expert; I hope you can look past any incorrect terminology I may use and hear what I hope to convey regarding inclusion.
I was raised in paradise. San Jose, California was founded by Hispanics while the 13 British colonies were starting a war of inde2 years ago Read more -
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Blog postLast year, I surprised myself by creating 17 new multicultural products. This year I got help from amazing authors—and am pleased to announce that Premio Publishing & Gozo Books now offers Young Adult Science Fiction, Y.A. Fantasy, Middle-grade, Reference, and Curricula. These are in addition to our Spanish-English picture books with pronunciation guide, e-book mysteries for kids, nonfiction/biographies, romance, western, short stories, humor, wordless books, and STEM activity books.
2 years ago Read more -
Blog postI’ve finished creating my 2020 multicultural children’s books catalog. I really thought I’d been a slacker in 2019, but—HOLY GUACAMOLE—turns out, I created 17 new products this year (for a total of 130 since 2004)!
Publishing sure has changed! It used to be that getting books to readers required the vast resources of a major publishing house. Today, technology has almost leveled the playing field. While I currently reside and work in (practically) unheard of Midvale, Utah, my books ar2 years ago Read more -
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Blog postAudiobook sales have jumped 37 percent since 2017, according to the Association of American Publishers. Now busy people can hear an award winning western thriller while on the go. To Swallow the Earth, the novel I co-wrote with my grandfather (and which won an International Book Award), has been available in paperback and e-book formats for a couple of years. Now it transports busy listeners to rough Nevada Silver Rush days as they travel or commute.
My grandfather grew up ranching an3 years ago Read more -
Blog postMy 22nd book, It Came from under the High Chair: A Mystery, almost never got published. I thought the concept of a monster made of spilled food might be too disgusting. Then I saw all those best-selling bathroom/gross humor books and figured the world was ready for my 20-year-old idea. Plus, it’s educational.
LANGUAGE LEARNING
I think kids don’t mind learning if they are being entertained. This children’s picture book teaches parts of speech—namely, prepositions. The bilingual3 years ago Read more -
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Titles By Karl Beckstrand
Leaving her brother in Scotland (her father already lost at sea), Agnes sails with her mother and siblings to New York in 1856. They take a train to the edge of the Western Frontier in Iowa then walk westward 1,200 miles, with little food. Somewhere near the Continental Divide, Agnes's shoes wear out. In blizzard conditions, she must now cross the Rocky Mountains—barefoot.
An inspiring account of courage and faith for children 6 – 11 years (first – sixth grades); 1,500 read-aloud words from Agnes Caldwell Southworth's autobiography and set in an important era of American pioneer history; retold by award-winning author and college media instructor Karl Beckstrand (Horse & Dog Adventures—see Beckstrand’s 60+ multicultural books) and Veara Southworth Fife
Get all four biographical children’s books in this hybrid series (standalone, previous titles not required, LDS): Ida’s Witness, Anna’s Prayer, Samuel Sailing. 32 full-color illustrations, 8.5"x8.5", hard cover, soft cover, or ebook about immigrant kids, families, 4th of July, travel, and moving; Premio Publishing & Gozo Books (worldwide rights © April 2021), lesson plans/online secrets: Premiobooks, libraries, and all major distributors; LCCN: 2021931888; JNF053240, JNF025200, JNF007120, JNF057000, JNF038060, JNF007080; soft ISBN: 978-1975888831, hard 978-1951599119, eISBN: 978-1005577032
- Dances & foods
- Counting activity
- Tongue twisters
- Laughs & online secrets
- Dyslexic-friendly type
“Pink birds on a walk, pink flocks in pink socks…Diving, dipping, drinking, dripping, flying, falling, flailing, flipping…Strutting, swaying, swooping, sunning, synchronized swimming—they shimmy—it’s stunning.”
5 glowing Amazon Vine Voice reviews. Kids love finding and counting the animals, foods, and cultural dances—plus the online extras. Get this read-aloud flamingo picture book with 350 words in dyslexic font by award-winning author and college media instructor Karl Beckstrand (see all of Beckstrand’s 60+ multicultural books), illustrated by Ashley Sanborn (Polar Bear Bowler and If Cancer Was a Fish).
The perfect length book for kids (not too long for adults); 24-page children’s environment/ornithology/ballroom dance book— #2 in the Food Books for Children series (stand-alone. Other books in the series: Bad Bananas: A Story Cookbook for Kids, Grow: How We Get Food from Our Garden, Crumbs on the Stairs: A Mystery, She Doesn’t Want the Worms, Ma MacDonald Flees the Farm). None of our picture books discuss gender or orientation. 8.5"x 8.5", full-color children’s book/nursery rhyme; Worldwide rights © Sept. 2015 Premio Publishing & Gozo Books (PremioBooks), libraries, and all major distributors; LCCN: 2015947081, JUV031020, JUV002040, JUV054000, JUV009030, JUV019000, hard ISBN: 978-1951599034, soft ISBN: 978-1512161786 (ebook ISBN: 978-1310478215)
“Kids will delight” – Natasha Yim. A friendly snowball fight set in the poles and brought to life by illustrator Ashley Sanborn (The Dancing Flamingos of Lake Chimichanga and If Cancer Was a Fish). 8"x10" snow story by best-selling, award-winning author and college media instructor Karl Beckstrand (Why Juan Can’t Sleep—see all of Beckstrand’s 60+ multicultural books).
Children cement their vocabulary as they find and name animals and describe the story (older kids can write the action/describe the environment). Explore this wordless picture book on differences and cooperation (for beginning readers ages 2 – 6, preschool – 1st grade, Emergent Reader/Fountas & Pinnell: A, DRA: 1). Find the sea lion/seal inside!
#1, Stories Without Words (bedtime) series. See others in this no-words series: Butterfly Blink and Gopher Golf. This children’s book on sportsmanship, friendship, and getting along is available in hard cover, soft cover, or e-book with covers in 20+ languages: Bulgarian, Dutch, Estonian, Finnish, French, German, Hindi, Hungarian, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Norwegian, Mandarin, Portuguese, Romanian, Russian, Serbian, Spanish, Swedish, Ukrainian, and Vietnamese.
The perfect length book for kids (not too long for adults): 30 full-color illustrations. Premio Publishing & Gozo Books (worldwide rights © Nov. 2014) PremioBooks, libraries, and all major distributors. LCCN: 2014947746, JUV002030, JUV030120, JUV019000, HUM001000, JUV010000, SPO007000, English Hard ISBN: 978-0985398835, Soft ISBN: 978-0692220962 (ebook: 978-1311262097)
World War I has broken out. Samuel’s parents have sold their business, their home—everything—to purchase passage on a freighter to the USA. Now their boy is in the hospital; and even if he lives, no ship will let him aboard for several weeks. Meanwhile, Atlantic crossings may not be possible for long.
Experience this family’s heart-wrenching choice and its consequences through the eyes of the courageous child who lived it. Stories of real immigrant children fascinate readers and transcend culture and time (35 pages/70 vintage images for children ages 6 – 11 years, 1st – 6th grades).
Look inside! 1,000 read-aloud words adapted from Samuel P. Martin’s autobiography by award-winning author/illustrator and college media instructor Karl Beckstrand (Horse & Dog Adventures in Early California—see Beckstrand’s 60+ multicultural books).
#4 in the Young American Immigrants series (standalone—previous titles not required); other titles in this hybrid picture book series: Agnes’s Rescue, Ida’s Witness, Anna’s Prayer; get lesson plans and online secrets: Premiobooks; 8.5"x8.5", hard cover, soft cover, or ebook about immigrant kids, family history/genealogy, moving, and modes of transportation; Premio Publishing & Gozo Books (worldwide rights © June 2021), libraries, and all major distributors. LCCN: 2021931888; JNF053240, JNF038010, JNF009000, JNF058000, JNF025210, JNF007020, JNF002000; eISBN: 978-1005346508, soft ISBN: 979-8511690322, hard 978-1951599126
With new faith, Ida leaves her mother and brother and sails with her sister to America for a better life—free from poverty and persecution. But she knows no English. How will she share what she’s learned in a strange country?
A delightful, inspiring story for all ages and cultures, this prequel to Anna’s Prayer is set in an important era of U.S. immigration history. 2,000 read-aloud words by Ida Lovisa Anderson retold by best-selling author/illustrator and college media instructor Karl Beckstrand (The Bridge of the Golden Wood—see Beckstrand’s 60+ multicultural books). 35 full-color illustrations for children 6 – 12 yrs., 1st – 7th grades.
Get this hybrid picture book about immigration, religious freedom, courageous women, May Day, baptism, and families—#2 in the Young American Immigrants series (#1 is Agnes's Rescue, #4 is Samuel Sailing) available in soft cover, hard cover, and e-book versions. 8.5”x8.5” LDS biography. See family history/geography lesson plans and video book trailer: PremioBooks. Premio Publishing (worldwide rights © Nov. 2018), libraries, and all major distributors. JNF007120, JNF053240, JNF025200, JNF038060, JNF007080, JNF057050, lCCN: 2016962276, eISBN: 9780463292839, hard ISBN 9780985398859, soft ISBN 9781503247147
Anna and Ida’s mother sends them to find a better life in the United States, without her. Because Ida must work in Idaho, the sisters separate, and little Anna travels alone to Salt Lake City. Late at night, Anna arrives at the train station—but her female host is not there to meet her as arranged. Unable to speak English, the child prays that her Heavenly Father will send someone to help her—someone who speaks Swedish. But the answer to Anna’s prayer goes beyond what she could have imagined.
Look inside! #3 in the Young American Immigrants series (stand-alone nonfiction, previous title not needed. Agnes's Rescue [I], Ida’s Witness [II], Samuel Sailing [IV]) for kids ages 5 and up (kindergarten – fifth grade). Stories of real immigrant children transport readers and transcend culture and time.
Get this soft cover or hard cover hybrid picture book (or ebook) on refugees, family, Christmas, and faith. 1,000 read-aloud words by best-selling author and college media instructor Karl Beckstrand (see Beckstrand’s 60+ multicultural books), illustrated by Shari Griffiths; 30 full-color pages, 8.5”x8.5”; see family history/geography lesson plans and video book trailer: Premio Publishing (worldwide rights © 2017), PremioBooks, libraries, and all major distributors. JNF007120, JNF053240, JNF025200, JNF038060, JNF007080, JNF057050, JNF019060; LCCN: 2013913404, eISBN: 9781370706174, Hard ISBN: 978-0985398866, Soft ISBN: 978-0615856179
Selected by the Georgia Farm Bureau and by Oregon Agriculture in the Classroom Foundation. Children (ages 4 – 7, preschool – 2nd grade) love to see things grow. Learn basic gardening and find the animals (revealed in online secrets). 325 dyslexic-font words by award-winning author and college media instructor Karl Beckstrand (She Doesn’t Want the Worms: A Mystery [English-Spanish] —see all of Beckstrand’s 60+ multicultural stories). Illustrated by Zanara. Look inside!
In Publisher’s Weekly. The perfect length book for kids (not too long for adults): 28 full-color pages. How does your garden grow? Read other Food Books for Kids (series; previous titles not needed): Bad Bananas: A Story Cookbook for Kids, The Dancing Flamingos of Lake Chimichanga, Crumbs on the Stairs, Ma MacDonald Flees the Farm
For free food/ecology lesson plan ideas and recipes see: PremioBooks. None of our picture books discuss gender or orientation. 8.5″x8.5″ hard/soft cover children’s horticulture/farm book/children’s book; also an ebook. Premio Publishing & Gozo Books (worldwide rights © Oct. 2020), libraries, and all major distributors. JNF022000, JUV050000, GAR000000, JUV011010, JUV006000, JUV020000, JUV029000, JUV054000, LCCN: 2020945698; Hard ISBN: 978-1951599072, soft: 978-1951599089, eISBN: 978-1005175436
Get this picture book on differences, cooperation, and getting along (for ages 2 – 6, preschool – first grade, Emergent Reader/Fountas & Pinnell: A, DRA: 1). Children cement their vocabulary as they find and name animals and describe the action on the pages (verbally or in writing).
“Kids will delight” – Natasha Yim. A friendly snowball fight set in the poles and brought to life by illustrator Ashley Sanborn (The Dancing Flamingos of Lake Chimichanga and If Cancer Was a Fish). Snow story by award-winning author and media professor Karl Beckstrand (Why Juan Can’t Sleep—click Karl Beckstrand above for all 60 multicultural books). See the next in this no-words children’s book series: Butterfly Blink.
A friendship/sportsmanship book available in hard cover, soft cover, or e-book in 20+ languages: Bulgarian, Dutch, Estonian, Finnish, French, German, Hindi, Hungarian, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Norwegian, Mandarin, Portuguese, Romanian, Russian, Serbian, Spanish, Swedish, Ukranian, Vietnamese; 8"x10", 30 pages with sea lion/seal; Premio Publishing & Gozo Books (Stories Without Words bedtime series, worldwide rights © Nov. 2014) PremioBooks, Baker & Taylor, B&N, Brodart, Follett, Herzberg/Perma-bound, Ingram, Biblio/EBSCO/iBook/Kindle/Kobo/Mackin/Smash/SCRIBD, libraries, Target and Walmart online. LCCN: 2014947746, JUV002030, JUV030120, JUV019000, HUM001000, JUV010000, SPO007000, English Hard ISBN: 978-0985398835, Soft ISBN: 978-0692220962 (ebook: 978-1311262097)
Get this picture book on differences, cooperation, and getting along (for ages 2 – 6, preschool – first grade, Emergent Reader/Fountas & Pinnell: A, DRA: 1). Children cement their vocabulary as they find and name animals and describe the action on the pages (verbally or in writing).
“Kids will delight” – Natasha Yim. A friendly snowball fight set in the poles and brought to life by illustrator Ashley Sanborn (The Dancing Flamingos of Lake Chimichanga and If Cancer Was a Fish). Snow story by award-winning author and media professor Karl Beckstrand (Why Juan Can’t Sleep—click Karl Beckstrand above for all 60 multicultural books). See the next in this no-words children’s book series: Butterfly Blink.
A friendship/sportsmanship book available in hard cover, soft cover, or e-book in 20+ languages: Bulgarian, Dutch, Estonian, Finnish, French, German, Hindi, Hungarian, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Norwegian, Mandarin, Portuguese, Romanian, Russian, Serbian, Spanish, Swedish, Ukranian, Vietnamese; 8"x10", 30 pages with sea lion/seal; Premio Publishing & Gozo Books (Stories Without Words bedtime series, worldwide rights © Nov. 2014) PremioBooks, Baker & Taylor, B&N, Brodart, Follett, Herzberg/Perma-bound, Ingram, Biblio/EBSCO/iBook/Kindle/Kobo/Mackin/Smash/SCRIBD, libraries, Target and Walmart online. LCCN: 2014947746, JUV002030, JUV030120, JUV019000, HUM001000, JUV010000, SPO007000, English Hard ISBN: 978-0985398835, Soft ISBN: 978-0692220962 (ebook: 978-1311262097)
- Career/job ideas
- Money management/saving tips
- Small business inspiration
- Asian characters
- Dyslexic-friendly font
“What are you looking at?” asked the boy. “Trouble and treasure,” said the old woman. The story captivates young children; older ones want to apply the things they learn (for ages 4 and up, preschool – 12th grade). This illustrated folk tale on the value of work bridges the gap between what kids learn in school about business and finance—and what they should know (how to observe and serve others). Look inside!
“5 stars. A clever storyteller.… Colorfully illustrated…ideas [on] how to build one’s own treasure.… A very educational resource,” - Jane Hills Orford for Readers' Favorite. The perfect length picture book for kids (not too long for adults): 26 full-color pages. Teach a child to fish: this kids’ book shows how to spot opportunities to help others, earn one’s keep, and save money (financial literacy). End notes have ideas for businesses, money-making activities, plus online resources on career choices, managing money, finding customers, and moving up in an organization.
Get this children’s business book with summer job ideas and money saving tips. 530 read-aloud words by award-winning author-illustrator and former Silicon Valley recruiter Karl Beckstrand (see all of Beckstrand’s 60+ multicultural books). Careers for Kids series - #4 (stand-alone—previous title not required. Others in the series: Bright Star, Night Star: An Astronomy Story; Ma MacDonald Flees the Farm; Great Cape o’ Colors: Capa de colores [English-Spanish]). Art by Yaniv Cahoua and Karl Beckstrand.
Entrepreneur’s textbook (8.5"x 8.5" fish fable/graduation gift with Chinese boy and red panda). For free career/ecology lesson plans, see PremioBooks. Premio Publishing & Gozo Books (worldwide rights © July 2017), libraries, and all major distributors. LCCN: 2016949820, JUV009090, JUV006000, JUV012060, JUV039220, JUV030020, JUV063000, BUS025000, BUS012000, BUS060000, BUS019000, BUS048000, eISBN: 978-1370287222, paper ISBN: 978-1536889864, hard cover ISBN: 978-0985398811
Get this picture book on differences, cooperation, and getting along (for ages 2 – 6, preschool – first grade, Emergent Reader/Fountas & Pinnell: A, DRA: 1). Children cement their vocabulary as they find and name animals and describe the action on the pages (verbally or in writing).
“Kids will delight” – Natasha Yim. A friendly snowball fight set in the poles and brought to life by illustrator Ashley Sanborn (The Dancing Flamingos of Lake Chimichanga and If Cancer Was a Fish). Snow story by award-winning author and media professor Karl Beckstrand (Why Juan Can’t Sleep—click Karl Beckstrand above for all 60 multicultural books). See the next in this no-words children’s book series: Butterfly Blink.
A friendship/sportsmanship book available in hard cover, soft cover, or e-book in 20+ languages: Bulgarian, Dutch, Estonian, Finnish, French, German, Hindi, Hungarian, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Norwegian, Mandarin, Portuguese, Romanian, Russian, Serbian, Spanish, Swedish, Ukranian, Vietnamese; 8"x10", 30 pages with sea lion/seal; Premio Publishing & Gozo Books (Stories Without Words bedtime series, worldwide rights © Nov. 2014) PremioBooks, Baker & Taylor, B&N, Brodart, Follett, Herzberg/Perma-bound, Ingram, Biblio/EBSCO/iBook/Kindle/Kobo/Mackin/Smash/SCRIBD, libraries, Target and Walmart online. LCCN: 2014947746, JUV002030, JUV030120, JUV019000, HUM001000, JUV010000, SPO007000, English Hard ISBN: 978-0985398835, Soft ISBN: 978-0692220962 (ebook: 978-1311262097)
Winner: Promoting Picture Books’ Cover Art Contest. Wordless book activities include finding and naming insects and diverse characters and cementing vocabulary by describing the action or writing a story. Blink for more—blink and they’re gone!
Includes Pacific Islander child plus extra information on special concern species and insect habitat conservation plus colorful illustrations by award-winning author and media instructor Karl Beckstrand (Ma MacDonald Flees the Farm—see all of Beckstrand’s 60+ multicultural books. Ages 2 – 6, preschool to 1st grade, Emergent Reader/Fountas & Pinnell: A, DRA: 1).
#2, Stories Without Words series; other books in the series: Polar Bear Bowler and Gopher Golf. The perfect length book for kids (not too long for adults): 24 pages. Get this pollinator/insect book in hard cover, soft cover, and e-book versions today. 8"x10" full-color children’s book about butterflies (beginning reader), Premio Publishing & Gozo Books (worldwide rights © April 2016) PremioBooks, libraries, and all major distributors. LCCN: 2016931905, JNF003250, JNF003060, JUV009080, JNF029040, JNF037020, JUV002300, JUV002070, JNF003120, JNF051150, JUV010000, hard ISBN: 978-1951599010, soft: 978-0692648599 (ebook ISBN: 978-1311095978)
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