Helping Families Be Happy: The Familius story and their very BEST titles
This week, we’re delighted to spotlight a heartfelt collection from one of our longtime partners, Familius; a mission-driven publisher focused on Helping Families Be Happy.
Founded in 2012 by Christopher and Michele Robbins while raising their nine children, Familius has always championed meaningful, family-focused books. They were part of DropCap’s founding group of publisher clients who transitioned from Letter Soup Rights Agency in 2018, and since then, we’ve sold over 286 licenses for their titles worldwide.
We hope you enjoy our FAMILIUS selection.
What Will I Do if I Miss You?
A touching back-to-school picture book, based on a true story from author Melissa T. Shultz, to reassure children with separation anxiety using proven self-soothing techniques "Mama, what will I do if I miss you?" "Hmm. That's a good question," she said. "Let's try something." What Will I Do if I Miss You? is the perfect picture book for families with working parents or children going to school or daycare for the first time.
In Our Solar System
Based on the poem “Over in the Meadow,” this galactic counting book guides readers from the sun all the way to the far reaches of our solar system with adorably anthropomorphized planets by illustrator Susanna Covelli. Parents or older readers will love the added fun facts on each page for even more information about the different celestial bodies, their moons, and their orbits.
They Work
The newest addition to June Smalls’s nature series, They Work is a gorgeous nonfiction picture book about life for a hive of honeybees, complete with factoids. She is the queen. She fought for that position from the moment she broke out of her cell. Her job is important, but she is not the leader. A hive is only successful if many, many bees are working. But only the females are hard at work.
Am I Doing This Right?
Motherhood is a constant barrage of choices. Bottle or breast? Alone time or playtime? And how much is too much screentime? No matter the choice we make, mothers often end up feeling guilty, as if we are never doing enough. But no more! In this choose-your-own-adventure style guide, social worker Rebecca Fox Starr guides moms through the apocalyptic newborn phase, the jungle of toddlerhood, and the dead ends and booby traps of raising teens with one simple message: You are doing a great job.
1-2-3 Monsters (Familius)
A counting board book with adorable clay monsters from author and artist Larissa Honsek. Count every eye and tentacle in this adorable counting board book filled with friendly clay-figure monsters. From one to eight, meet a new friendly monster on each page and count along. Perfect for monster-loving kids year-round!
You Got This, Mama!
Being a mom is HARD—don’t let anyone tell you otherwise. The first few months (or let’s be real, 18 years) after bringing a new baby home can be tiring and messy. Mothers need encouragement, inspiration, and a good laugh. You Got This, Mama!: From Boobs to Blowouts, a Survival Guide for New Mothers is a visual guide to new motherhood with illustrated quotes, hilarious infographics, and encouraging thoughts to power new moms through another day. Real, honest, and beautifully designed, this is the guide for moms that we didn’t know we needed.
Sisters Are Sisters Forever
There’s something special about sisters. When sisters play together, magic happens! A sister is a friend for life, but that doesn’t mean there won’t be disagreements sometimes. Follow three cute sets of sisters as they play and explore together, argue, and ultimately reconnect. For anyone with girls who need a little nudge to get along, Sisters Are Sisters Forever is a sweet reminder that arguments happen, but sincere apologies can mend any rift. With simple text from author Brooke Jorden and gentle illustrations by Sejung Kim, this adorable board book is the perfect gift for siblings.
Marvin's Monster Diary 3: Trouble with Friends
School’s out and summer camp’s in! When Marvin and his friends meet Joey, a lake monster with a loud mouth and few manners, it seems that Marvin is the only kid in camp who will be his friend. And Marvin’s friendship with the lake monster is causing ripples among his other friends. No one wants to be around the kid who cuts in line, or talks over them, or tells them what he really thinks about their art project. But Joey secretly wants only one thing: friends. Can Marvin help Joey learn how to make—and keep—friends? Marvin's hilarious doodles and diary entries chronicle his delightful adventures, misadventures, and eventual triumph in a funny, relatable way. It's the one series on ADHD and associated issues that kids will actually want to read!
Literary Suits: Jane Austen
A three-deck playing card set based on Jane Austen's classics and designed to look like mini books, with beloved characters for the face cards Introducing Literary Suits: Jane Austen, a mini library of playing card decks, including themed decks for Pride and Prejudice, Sense and Sensibility, and Emma, for Austenites who love card games as much as Mr. Hurst. With Lizzie and Darcy as the Queen and King in their deck, Emma and Mr. Knightley in theirs, and Jane Austen as the Joker in all three decks, the elegant illustrations by designer Janna Steagall make Literary Suits: Jane Austen Collection a must-have for collectors and players alike.
Good Moms Have Scary Thoughts
Author Karen Kleiman, founder of the acclaimed Postpartum Stress Center, comes to the aid of new mothers everywhere with a groundbreaking new source of hope, compassion, and expert help. Good Mothers Have Scary Thoughts is packed with world-class guidance, simple exercises, and nearly 50 stigma-busting cartoons from the viral #speakthesecret campaign that help new moms validate their feelings, share their fears, and start feeling better. Lighthearted yet serious, warm yet not sugary, and perfectly portioned for busy moms with full plates, Good Moms Have Scary Thoughts is the go-to resource for moms, partners, and families everywhere who need help with this difficult period.
