We are barely 4 weeks into 2025 and we are already seeing that the children’s book industry may be in for a bit of a crazy ride. Over the past two weeks, we’ve seen a number of major retailers - Target, Wal-Mart and Amazon to name a few - roll back their Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) programs in response to new, presidential executive orders. Many of these retailers are ones that people across the country rely on to source and offer products from minority-owned businesses including health and wellness, beauty and even children’s books.

Many minority business owners looked to social media influencers who are also impacted by the rollbacks for their unique perspectives. One influencer in particular, Tabitha Brown, had this to say regarding how the rollbacks may impact her products being in these retailers:

“...I have worked with Target, with Wal-Mart, with all the places you have shopped for my products. I thank you for showing up for me. I thank you for supporting me when you did and I thank you for showing out for me…and if you choose not to anymore I understand that and I still thank you and I’m grateful.” 

You can view the full response here.

Amid this time of uncertainty for so many black and minority owned small businesses - many of which depend on the power of these large retailers to continue to grow their businesses - Hello There, Sunshine, a brand new Tabitha Brown book, arrives like a much-needed ray of hope. 

Why Hello There, Sunshine is Exactly What We Need Right Now

Tabitha Brown, known as “America’s mom” to some and “Auntie Tab” to others, is best known for her warmth, wisdom, and positivity. In September 2024, Brown announced the pending release of her debut children’s book, Hello There, Sunshine, a title that remains on brand and true to the very essence of who Tabitha Brown is.

The book follows a young Tabitha Brown as she wakes every morning and looks for the sunshine, but one morning, she wakes to find the sunshine isn’t there.

Throughout her day-long journey to find the sunshine, she helps her neighbors and friends, but never finds the sunshine. She takes us to the end of her day when her mother reveals that, when she reflects on her day, she’ll realize that she was the sunshine all along. 

The book radiates joy, reminding children—especially children of color—that their light is meant to shine, no matter what the world says. In an era where simply being yourself can feel like an act of defiance, Brown’s story serves as a reminder that self-love and authenticity are powerful forces.

Her words resonate deeply in communities that have long had to fight for visibility. When institutions pull back on DEI efforts, books like Hello There, Sunshine become even more vital for our children and even for those that are purchasing the books for our children. They reinforce the idea that Black joy, culture, and creativity cannot be erased—and that every child deserves to see themselves reflected in the stories they read. More than just a delightful picture book, Brown’s latest work serves as a joyful affirmation for children and families everywhere—especially those who often feel overlooked in the pages of mainstream publishing. 

The Impact of DEI Rollbacks on Children's Books

Across the U.S., companies once vocal about diversity in publishing are now shifting course. Corporate-backed DEI programs helped open doors for many African American authors, bringing stories to bookshelves that reflected a wider range of experiences. But with these initiatives being dismantled, the progress made in recent years is at risk of stalling—or even reversing. Fewer opportunities for Black authors mean fewer books that center the rich diversity of the human experience.

For children, this shift is more than just a loss of representation—it’s a loss of possibility. Books that celebrate different cultures and perspectives help young readers build empathy, confidence, and a sense of belonging. Without them, the literary landscape narrows, and the messages children receive about whose stories matter become more limited.

The Future of Diverse Children’s Books

If the past decade has shown us anything, it’s that readers want diverse books. Parents, educators and independent booksellers have championed stories that reflect the real world. And despite corporate cutbacks, grassroots efforts and book lovers everywhere will continue to push for representation in children’s literature.

As many minority book-lovers are now choosing to pause spending their hard-earned dollars with retailers where they feel unwelcomed as a result of the DEI rollbacks, many of these patrons will begin looking to new options like Little Legacies Book Club to support.

A black-owned and woman-owned online retailer, Little Legacies Book Club believes kids deserve books that empower them to see themselves, understand others and embrace the beautifully diverse world around them. Catering to families and educators of children ages 0 to 8 years, Little Legacies Book Club offers a monthly kids book subscription service featuring adventure-filled, hardcover picture books everyone in the family will love reading again and again. Titles like Hello There, Sunshine among others, make embracing diversity, equity and inclusion a normal element of their innovative offering.

"At a time where so much is shifting for minority families, I am so happy that Little Legacies Book Club is growing to be an option that doesn't need an established DEI program because DEI has been and will continue to be woven into every single thread of who we are and what we do from Day 1. Offering titles like Tabitha Brown's Hello There, Sunshine sends a message to children and their families that we see you, we love who you are and you should, too!" says owner, Tyranika Abrams.

By supporting books like Hello There, Sunshine from small businesses, independent bookstores and minority-owned retailers like Little Legacies Book Club, we send a powerful message to publishers and big box retailers: Representation matters. Our stories matter. And no matter what policies change, we will continue to uplift the voices that inspire, affirm, and empower the next generation.

So, even as DEI initiatives fade from corporate agendas, let’s make sure they don’t fade from our bookshelves. Let’s keep celebrating stories that remind every child that they belong and they are the sunshine the world needs. Because in a time when the world may feel a little dimmer, Hello There, Sunshine reminds us all to shine brighter than ever!

Brown's picture book, Hello There, Sunshine, officially releases on Tuesday March 11, 2025. Preorder your copy today!