About blue manatee Press

A Press with Purpose

Blue Manatee Press was founded in 2011 with a mission to create meaningful books that help bring grown-ups and children together. Led by Dr. John Hutton, a pediatrician whose pioneering research has helped understand impacts of shared reading and digital media use (“screen time”) on early skills, relationships and brain development, our team is dedicated to supporting and collaborating with families, advocates and organizations working to improve child health and wellbeing, especially in disadvantaged communities.

Prior to his current work in pediatrics, Dr. Hutton owned and operated blue manatee children’s bookstore, an award-winning independent based in Cincinnati, for almost 20 years.

As a pediatrician and prolific researcher and advocate, Dr. Hutton has served as “Spokes-Doctor” for Read Aloud 15 Minutes, on advisory committees for Reach Out and Read and the Children and Screens Institute, and co-author of the technical manual for 2024 American Academy of Pediatrics Literacy Promotion Recommendations.

Blue Manatee Press publishes high-quality children's books informed and inspired by these experiences that are intended to be educational, empowering, innovative and fun, with an emphasis on health literacy, positive parenting, limiting screen time, interactive reading and experiencing the world through hands-on, creative play. We invite you to explore this website to learn more about our books, authors, and partnerships with organizations across the country and globe!

If you are a retailer, library or nonprofit looking to order books, please visit the "Ordering" menu and/or send us an email. For interested individuals, check out our online Shopping Cart, visit your favorite local bookstore, or order via Amazon.

If you're looking to submit a book proposal, we are unfortunately unable to consider them at this time unless invited to do so.

If you have questions, visit our Frequently Asked Questions to find out more about us, or contact us here. 

Awards & Honors

What people think of blue manatee press:

“Dr. John Hutton is a pediatrician who has dedicated his career to children and his research uses MRI technology to better understand what actually happens in the brain when a child reads. And what I love most? He doesn’t keep that knowledge locked away. He shares it with kids. Through his books, he helps children understand their own brains and how reading works in a way that feels approachable and fascinating.”
— Becca Thiemann, PhD, Early Literacy Expert and Founder, Becca’s Book Box

“Cheers to these creatively playful books whose images and text are as vibrant as their mission–to encourage young minds and those who care for them to celebrate life’s simplest, healthiest and most essential loves: playing, connecting, learning and growing.” - Joanna Parzakonis (Co-Owner), Bookbug, Kalamazoo, MI

“Long a local treasure, I am thrilled that Blue Manatee Press titles will be available in stores everywhere. The combination of a bookseller’s eye for quality and inventiveness and a pediatrician’s knowledge of childhood development, these books are perfect hand-sells in a sea of packaged titles.” - Michael Link, Joseph-Beth Booksellers

"This soothing yet urgently informative bedtime board book by pediatrician Hutton, the fifth in his Love Baby Healthy series, offers parents a peaceful read-aloud for safe nighttime routines. Leah Busch pairs that message with tranquil watercolor illustrations that mirror the peaceful, hushed environment so necessary for bedtime. Production grades: A." — Publishers Weekly Review, Bedtime, Baby, Safe and Sound

“In this triple threat (at least as far as concept books go), Cincinnati-based author/artist Jones makes a strong debut as she explores seven colors, shapes, and animals... Jones’s clever portraits ooze personality, and will appeal to children and book-buying adults alike.” - Publishers Weekly (starred review), Orange Triangle Fox

"Things that go, a cat to find, cheerful colors, and slight text make a board book that will engage young readers. Surprisingly complex scenes created entirely from clay show off a variety of wheeled vehicles: a train, a farm tractor, construction equipment, race cars, a fire truck, and a school bus.... Young children will be happy to find this feline and his wheels again and again." - Kirkus Reviews, Walter's Wheels

“This quirky abecedarian offers one alliterative sentence per letter ('A is for adding./B is for bouncing./C is for cooking.') paired with clever illustrations depicting more letter-themed animals and activities for careful readers to discover. For example, 'J is for juggling' features a jellyfish juggling jewels, jig-saw puzzle pieces, jelly beans, and Jell-O. Awash in silliness, this is perfect for preschoolers already familiar with their ABCs." - School Library Journal, Letters Are For Learning

"Your Red Shoes is a gentle, heartwarming story perfect to read aloud and share with little ones.” - Midwest Book Review, Your Red Shoes