Karl Beckstrand

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About Karl Beckstrand
College media instructor Karl Beckstrand is the bestselling and award-winning author/illustrator of 26 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 postNEW: 4 Sports Books for Kids: Individual Sports Illustrated for Beginner Readers
Includes popular picture books: Polar Bear Bowler; Gopher Golf; Arriba Up, Abajo Down at the Boardwalk; Great Cape o’ Colors. You tell the stories and count the sports: Acrobatics/tumbling, bowling, climbing, fencing, golfing, horseback riding, extreme sports, surfing, ballroom dancing, swimming, and wrestling (115 full-color illustrations, 200 words for ages 3 – 7). Has black, white, Hispanic, Asian, Nat2 weeks ago Read more -
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 t4 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 -
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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 -
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 -
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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 -
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 -
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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 ar3 years ago Read more -
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 -
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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
Learn Spanish nouns, verbs, animals, opposites, and interrogatives (question words) in a new language (for boys/girls ages 3 – 8 years, preschool – third grade; Easy to read & level 1 ESOL/ESE). Kids love the finding activities, Hispanic children, and online secrets. About 1,200 read-aloud words by award-winning author/illustrator and media professor Karl Beckstrand (It Came from under the High Chair—see 60+ multicultural books—click Karl Beckstrand above) Additional art by David Hollenbach and Channing Jones.
Get this children’s book in bilingual, English-only, soft cover, hard cover, and ebook versions. 8”x10” children’s Spanish book with characters of color, 100 full-color illustrations for language learning; Premio Publishing & Gozo Books (Mini-mysteries for Minors series, worldwide rights ©Jan. 2016) PremioBooks, libraries, and all major distributors.
Misterios y actividades divertidos para toda la familia (niños de 3 - 8 años) en español. Aprenda a contar y aprenda sobre el valor de compartir. Incluye actividades de búsqueda, una guía de pronunciación en inglés y dibujos vividos para ayudar con el vocabulario. Ordene su ejemplar de este libro en inglés, bilingüe o e-book (tapa blanda o dura; vea dentro del libro en línea): PremioBooks, bibliotecas, librerías y tiendas de calidad. Libro con dibujos y protagonistas Hispanos, 1,200 palabras, 100 paginas. JNF020030, JUV054000, JUV009040, JUV011030, JUV011010, JUV020000, JUV019000, JUV002140, JUV028000, lCCN: 2016962278, hard ISBN: 978-1732069695, soft ISBN: 978-1505671704, e-ISBN: 9781311217929
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
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
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
Look inside! Muffy is a little dog who loves people; but after a painful injury she is wary of other dogs. Valor is a lost German shepherd who gets hit by a car. When Muffy’s family brings Valor home to recover, no one is sure what Muff will do. Kids love the dog counting activity and online SECRETS.
#1, True Pet Stories (series. Next in series: Horse & Dog Adventures). Animal lovers’ book with 700 read-aloud words in dyslexic font by best-selling, award-winning author and college media instructor Karl Beckstrand (Agnes’s Rescue—see all of Beckstrand’s 60+ multicultural books), illustrated by Brandon Rodriguez.
Get this 28-page full-color picture book with big dogs in hard cover, soft cover, or ebook versions (8.5”x8.5”). More inside images and lesson plans: Premio Publishing (worldwide rights © Sept. 2017) PremioBooks, libraries, and all major distributors. JNF003060, JNF053060, JNF053050, JNF003170, JNF018030, JNF053220, JNF024070, lCCN: 2017939481, eISBN: 978-1370601592, Hard ISBN: 978-0985398842, Soft ISBN: 978-1479315574
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
“Hilarious.… Make up a fun story to tell…with the very cute illustrations…. Young children will really love this book.” – Sonja Nishimoto for Sunnie Reviews. Kids cement extant vocabulary telling or writing what’s in the pictures—which can prompt the learning of new words. A colorful picture book for beginning readers (ages 2 – 6/preschool – first grade, Emergent Reader/Fountas & Pinnell: A, DRA: 1).
Watch for the squirrel! Get number 3 in the Stories Without Words series (stand alone; previous titles not needed) by best-selling, award-winning author and college media instructor Karl Beckstrand (GROW: How We Get Food from Our Garden—see all of Beckstrand’s 60+ multicultural books); Illustrated by Jordan C. Brun.
The perfect length book for kids (not too long for adults): 30 full-color illustrations. Other wordless books: Polar Bear Bowler: A Story Without Words, Butterfly Blink: A Book Without words. 8.5″x8.5″ hard/soft cover children’s activity book, also an ebook; Premio Publishing & Gozo Books (worldwide rights © Feb. 2021). More inside images/video book trailers: PremioBooks, libraries, and all major distributors. JUV032190, JUV009080, JUV002160, JUV019000, SPO016000, HUM001000, JUV054000, JUV010000, JNF003160, JNF003140; LCCN: 2020952133; Hard ISBN: 978-1951599096, soft: 978-1951599102, eISBN: 978-1005586782
Children love to find and name the animals and foods (learn multiple nouns; ages 4 – 8, preschool to third grade). 500 read-aloud words in dyslexic font by award-winning, best-selling author and college media instructor Karl Beckstrand (The Dancing Flamingos of Lake Chimichanga—see all of Beckstrand’s 60+ multicultural books), illustrated by Alycia Mark. Available in hard, soft, and ebook versions with ONLINE SECRETS: ChildrenEarn.
Look inside! The perfect length picture book for kids (not too long for adults): 32 full-color pages (8"x10"). Discover all four Careers for Kids books (series—previous title not needed). Others in the series: Bright Star, Night Star: An Astronomy Story; The Bridge of the Golden Wood: A Parable on How to Earn a Living; Great Cape o’ Colors – Capa de colores (Spanish-English).
Child’s nursery rhyme activity book with business woman, reptile pets, insects, and zoo animals; Worldwide rights © Nov. 2014 Premio Publishing & Gozo Books. None of our picture books discuss gender or orientation. More inside images/video book trailers: PremioBooks, libraries, and all major distributors. LCCN: 2014947745, JUV002090, JUV019000, JUV050000, JUV010000, hard ISBN: 978-1951599027, soft ISBN: 978-0692220979 (ebook: 9781311606884)
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