Future of children’s educational publishing!

The Good Books Company, established in 2011, is a leading publisher in the children’s educational book industry, catering to CBSE and various State Boards. With a mission of “Education for All,” it has expanded its portfolio through multiple imprints including Good Books Series, Kanha Prakashan, Significant Books, Gain Edu Books, Brilliance Books, and Genius Kidz Books. The company offers a diverse range of over 1200 titles for both English and Hindi medium schools, covering core subjects and supplementary areas. Here, Sanyam Gupta of The Good Books Company shares more about the trends, challenges and opportunities in children’s publishing.

AABP: In your opinion, what are the most significant changes in the children’s book publishing industry over the past five years?

Sanyam: Over the past five years, the children’s book publishing industry has undergone several significant changes. Some of the most notable shifts include:

1. Improved quality in illustration and design: With the advancement of digital illustration tools and printing technologies, books today often feature richer, more immersive artwork and higher-quality materials, making them more appealing to young readers

2. Increased focus on diversity and inclusion: Publishers have made conscious efforts to support authors and illustrators from underrepresented backgrounds and to produce stories that feature diverse characters and inclusive narratives.

3. Growth of digital and interactive formats: While print books remain dominant, there has been increased adoption of digital formats such as eBooks, audio books, and interactive storytelling apps. Audio books for children, in particular, have seen strong growth, often enhanced with sound effects and voice acting to keep young listeners engaged.

4. Rise of social media and influencer marketing: Social media platforms like Whatsapp, Instagram, and YouTube have become powerful marketing tools.

5. Sustainability and eco-conscious publishing: Environmental concerns have led some publishers to adopt more sustainable printing practices and materials. There is also a growing number of children’s books that educate young readers about climate change and environmental stewardship.

AABP: How has the rise of digital platforms and e-books impacted the way you publish and market children’s books?

Sanyam: The rise of digital platforms and e-books has significantly transformed the way we publish and market children’s school books. As a publisher, we’ve had to adapt our strategies to meet the evolving expectations of educators, parents, and digitally native students.

On the publishing side, we’ve expanded our offerings to include interactive e-books, digital flip-books, e- test papers, animated videos, web support what not. These formats allow us to integrate multimedia elements such as audio narration, animated content, quizzes, and interactive exercises—making learning more engaging and accessible for young readers. Additionally, digital formats allow for quicker updates to content, ensuring our educational materials remain current and aligned with changing curricular.

In terms of marketing, digital platforms have opened up new and more targeted avenues to reach more audiences. Online previews, demo lessons, and digital sampling have become essential tools in helping educators evaluate our content. Furthermore, data analytics allow us to better understand user behaviour and feedback, enabling us to refine both our content and marketing strategies more effectively.

Overall, while print books remain a critical part of our offering, embracing digital innovation has allowed us to enhance the educational experience and broaden our reach—ensuring we continue to meet the diverse needs of today’s classrooms.

AABP: Have you observed any shifts in the preferences of young readers?

Sanyam: As a children’s school book publisher, it’s essential to understand and adapt to these evolving interests to remain relevant and effective in supporting young learners. Here are some key changes:

1. Preference for interactive and visual content: Young readers are increasingly drawn to books that feature rich visuals, infographics, and interactive elements.

2. Growing interest in real-world topics: There is a noticeable shift towards themes that relate to reallife experiences and current global issues. Topics such as climate change, social justice, mental health, diversity, and technology resonate more with today’s students. They seek stories and lessons that feel relevant and empower them to think critically and act responsibly.

3. Desire for personalized learning paths: With the rise of digital learning tools, students have grown accustomed to personalized experiences. They appreciate content that allows for self-paced learning, choice-based activities, and differentiated difficulty levels that cater to various learning styles and abilities.

4. Shorter attention spans and multi-modal formats: Due to increased screen time and digital media exposure, young readers often favor concise, modular content.

They are more receptive to shorter chapters, engaging sidebars, and the use of audio or video components alongside traditional text.

AABP: How has technology influenced the production and distribution processes of children’s books in your publishing house?

Sanyam: Advanced graphic design software and digital illustration tools have enabled our creative teams to produce more engaging, interactive, and age-appropriate visuals that capture children’s attention and enhance learning outcomes. The use of digital publishing platforms and automated typesetting tools has greatly reduced manual errors and sped up the editing and layout processes. This ensures faster turnaround times from manuscript to final print.

With modern printing technologies such as digital and offset printing, we are now able to produce high-quality books in greater volumes within limited timeframes. This allows us to meet high demand during peak seasons while maintaining consistent quality across all copies. Technology has facilitated faster and more reliable distribution through integrated supply chain systems, allowing us to track inventory, manage orders efficiently, and deliver books to schools and retailers on time.

AABP: What role do social media and online platforms play in promoting and selling children’s books?

Sanyam: These platforms offer powerful tools to reach educators, parents, and students directly, helping us build brand awareness, generate interest, and drive sales more efficiently than traditional marketing methods.

1. Direct engagement with target audiences: Platforms like Facebook, Youtube, and whatsapp enable us to share content that highlights the educational value, curriculum alignment, and unique features of our books.

2. Visual storytelling and product showcasing: Children’s books are highly visual, and platforms like website and YouTube are perfect for showcasing vibrant illustrations, engaging layouts, and interactive elements. Short videos, book trailers can capture attention and increase interest in our titles.

3. Online sales channels: By linking social media posts to our website or retailers, we streamline the buying journey for parents and educators. Integration with platforms like our website and whatsapp platform for fulfilling orders makes it easy to convert interest into sales.

4. Community building and brand loyalty: Regularly engaging with followers through educational tips or interactive content fosters a sense of community. This not only increases brand loyalty but also positions us as a trusted source in the field of children’s education.

AABP: What challenges have you faced as a children’s book publisher in adapting to changes in the industry?

Sanyam: One of the most significant challenges has been the digital transformation of education. The shift towards e-learning platforms has required us to invest in new facilities, reformat our content for interactive use, and ensure compatibility with various devices and learning management systems. This transition, while essential, has demanded significant time, training, and resources.

Another challenge has been keeping up with changing curriculum standards and educational policies. Different regions and school boards frequently update their requirements, which necessitates constant revisions and new editions of our textbooks to ensure compliance and relevance.

One of the most impactful challenge has been the shift in curriculum standards across many states. In recent years, a growing number of states have started adopting NCERT (National Council of Educational Research and Training) textbooks for their school systems. The transition to NCERT books has led to a reduced demand for state-specific or alternative educational content, which has been a core focus for us.

This change has required us to reassess our publishing strategy, invest in new content development aligned with evolving syllabus, and diversify our offerings to remain relevant in a more centralized curriculum environment.

Finally, rising costs of production and distribution, coupled with budget constraints in schools, have required us to innovate more cost-effective and sustainable publishing models, including hybrid print-digital solutions.

AABP: Have there been any unexpected opportunities that emerged due to industry changes?

Sanyam: One significant opportunity has been the shift toward hybrid and digital learning environments. As schools increasingly adopt digital tools and platforms, we’ve been able to expand our offerings beyond traditional printed textbooks to include interactive e-books, online learning portals tailored to young learners.

Another key development has been the growing emphasis on inclusivity and personalized learning. This has encouraged us to diversify our content to better support children with different learning needs, languages, and cultural backgrounds—opening up new markets and deepening our impact.

AABP: How has the push for diversity and inclusivity in children’s literature impacted your publishing practices?

Sanyam: The growing emphasis on diversity and inclusivity has significantly shaped our publishing practices in recent years. We recognize the critical role that representation plays in helping children understand themselves, appreciate others, and thrive in a diverse world.

In response, we have made it a priority to ensure our content reflects a broad spectrum of cultures, abilities, family structures, and life experiences. This includes actively working with authors, illustrators, and educators from diverse backgrounds to bring authentic voices into our books.

Moreover, we are committed to ongoing learning and dialogue with educators, parents, and community leaders to better understand the evolving needs of students. By embedding inclusivity into our stories, characters, and classroom materials, we aim to foster empathy, curiosity, and belonging in every young reader.

AABP: What do you foresee as the future trends in children’s book publishing over the next decade?

Sanyam: It’s essential to stay ahead of the curve in an evolving educational landscape. Over the next decade, several key trends are likely to shape the future of children’s book publishing—especially in the school sector:

1. Hybrid learning and digital integration: The line between print and digital continues to blur. While physical books will remain foundational, there is a growing demand for digital companions— interactive eBooks, learning apps, and online portals that complement traditional textbooks. Schools will increasingly expect multi-format resources to support both in-class and remote learning.

2. Environmental consciousness: Eco-conscious publishing is becoming a priority for educators and parents alike. Schools are showing preference for publishers who adopt sustainable practices.