Free Spirit’s Mission
Free Spirit is the leading publisher of learning tools that support young people’s social and emotional health. Everyday life presents many challenges for kids, from home to school to the wider world. No matter how many choices and changes young people face, our mission of some 25 years remains the same: to help children and teens think for themselves, succeed in life, and make a difference in the world.

Based in Minneapolis, Minnesota, Free Spirit Publishing is known for its unique understanding of what kids want (and need) to know to navigate life successfully. Our reputation as the groundbreaking publisher of SELF-HELP FOR KIDS^® and SELF-HELP FOR TEENS^® is rooted in books and other learning materials that are practical, positive, pro-kid, and solution focused. We’re not afraid to tackle tough topics such as teen depression, kids and anxiety, grief and loss, juvenile justice, and conflict resolution. Free Spirit also offers sound advice with a sense of humor on relevant issues including stress management, character building, puberty, school success, self-esteem, and more. We aim to meet all kids—toddlers, teens, and in-betweens—where they are (not where we wish they were), and support them to develop their talents, build resiliency, and foster a positive outlook on life so they can reach their goals.

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Our History
A former classroom teacher and gifted-education specialist, Free Spirit founder Judy Galbraith remembers looking in vain for kid-friendly information that addressed the real-life issues her students faced. In 1983, she made a decision to begin filling that void, starting her own company to offer accessible, contemporary books to help young people develop socially, emotionally, and intellectually. More than two decades later, Free Spirit Publishing continues to be the leader in SELF-HELP FOR KIDS^® and SELF-HELP FOR TEENS^®, building its list from just a few titles to over 150 award-winning books and products, with new titles being published every year.

Free Spirit pushes boundaries on behalf of young people. For example, we pioneered use of the term "learning differences" to replace "learning disabilities" because we know that kids with LD are eager and able to learn—just in a different way. Free Spirit is also a recognized leader in meeting the needs of another special population—gifted and talented youth. Judy Galbraith’s groundbreaking The Gifted Kids’ Survival Guides, first published in 1984, have remained perennial best-sellers (300,000 copies in print) through several updates and revisions. One of Free Spirit’s newest ventures is in expanding our early childhood offerings, with titles such as Hands Are Not for Hitting (100,000 copies in print) and the Learning to Get Along social skills series.

As our book inventory has grown, so has our need for office space. In 2000, Free Spirit moved from its beloved-but-cramped single-story offices to a century-old building in the downtown Minneapolis Warehouse District. A national historic landmark, newly renovated, the Free Spirit Publishing Building offers a comfortable, efficient, and bustling space where our staff can keep developing books that strengthen kids and teens, while providing quality and service to our customers. We look forward to continuing our mission for (at least!) another 20 years.



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What People Are Saying About Free Spirit
Named a "Fast-Track Publisher" by Publishers Weekly, Free Spirit Publishing has won accolades and notice from educational leaders, the publishing trade, and the general media. Free Spirit Publishing’s books have been critically hailed and honored by:

• The American Library Association
• Parents’ Choice^®
• Dr. Toy
• Parent Council
• Parent’s Guide to Media
• International Reading Association
• Children’s Book Council
• YALSA (Young Adult Library Society of America)
• Parenting magazine
• Child magazine
• Early Childhood News magazine (Directors’ Choice Award)
• Skipping Stones magazine
• New York Public Library
• National Mental Health Association
• Learning magazine (Teachers’ Choice Award)
• USA Today
• National Parenting Center (Seal of Approval)
• Creative Child magazine (Seal of Excellence)
• Read America!
• Texas Association for the Gifted and Talented (Legacy Book Award)
• What's New magazine
• Publishers Marketing Association Benjamin Franklin Award
• iParenting Media Award
• Council for Service Learning (Seal of Approval)
• Oppenheim Toy Portfolio
• Independent Publisher magazine's Book Awards
• and many more

Free Spirit books have also been

• used and recommended by organizations from the Girl Scouts of the USA and the National PTA to the Lutheran Missouri Synod, Head Start Programs, the Southern Poverty Law Center, and more
• translated into over nineteen foreign languages
• the trusted, dog-eared companions of parents, teachers, counselors, youth workers, and kids everywhere. Our titles are available directly from Free Spirit and also can be found at bookstores and online booksellers across the country.
  
  

Illustration/Design/Photography Submissions
DesignIlloPhoto_Submissions.pdf

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Green Press Initiative
As a member of the Green Press Initiative, Free Spirit Publishing is committed to the three Rs: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle. Whenever possible, we print our books on recycled paper containing a minimum of 30% post consumer waste. At Free Spirit it’s our goal to nurture not only children, but nature too! To find out more about Green Press Initiative go to www.greenpressinitiative.org.

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Map and Directions to Free Spirit
Map and Directions.pdf

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