We help mission-driven professionals publish children’s books that are as beautiful and meaningful as the work they do.
We believe the author’s vision should always come first. Our Author-First Publishing model means you invest in the process up front, keep 100% of your rights and royalties, and guide the direction of your book—with us as your publishing partner to ensure it’s produced with the highest standards.
Unlike traditional publishing, where publishers own the book, or hybrid models that still take a cut, Author-First puts you and your goals at the centre.
Are you a professional in an industry that works with families? Are you passionate about mental health? Do you have an idea for an SEL book for kids?
Want to talk through your ideas?
Have an idea for an SEL book for kids, but don’t know where to start? Book a free call to discuss market potential, brainstorm ideas, and explore whether we’d be a good match to partner on your project.
Books
We publish SEL books for kids. Our flagship book, NaMOOste, still sells like hotcakes one year later. Eight new SEL books in the works in 2025.
Publishing Services
Check out our professional publishing services for experts including psychologists, therapists, and educators. Expand your impact!
Workshops
School visits, readings and activities. Wide variety of workshops including creative writing, book publishing and more (for both kids + adults)
Working with Garden Wolf Publishing was an absolute pleasure. Marlee is the consummate professional and an incredible collaborator. She guided us through every step of the process with skill and heart. Anyone thinking of publishing a book would be lucky to have them on their team. It’s been an honor to have Garden Wolf as our partner and publisher.
Jon Reider, Author of You Know I’m Here
and Founder of Myra’s Kids Foundation
Working with Marlee has been an effortless and rewarding experience from start to finish. She brought my vision to life with creativity and care, offering thoughtful guidance and support every step of the way. Her expertise, feedback, and encouragement have not only elevated my work but also inspired me to continue writing books that support and empower children and parents.
Dr. Jamie Duggan, Child & Adolescent Psychologist
and Author of the Nurtured by Nature book series.
Attention all educators!
Book your next author reading or workshop
Work with Marlee to create engaging activities for kids that foster social-emotional awareness and communication skills. Customized program development available.
Here are some workshop ideas:
Daycare, K4 and K5
Interactive book reading with yoga activity and Q&A.
Grades 1-3
Creative writing and social-emotional expression workshop.
Grades 4-6 and beyond
Self-publishing workshop. How to publish your very own book.
Reach out for more information and to find out whether your school is eligible for a free visit.
Reviews on NaMOOste + Marlee’s school visits
and award-winning children’s book author/illustrator
Marlee Kostiner’s interactive reading of “NaMOOste” was an absolute delight for our daycare classrooms. With boundless energy and enthusiasm, she seamlessly integrated storytelling and yoga, captivating children aged 1 to 5 in a world of movement and mindfulness.
Through dynamic storytelling and expressive gestures, Marlee invited the children to join her on a journey of exploration and discovery. Her interactive approach fostered cooperation, empathy, and self-expression, while promoting values of inclusivity and kindness.
Beyond the physical benefits, Marlee’s reading nurtured emotional well-being and self-confidence in the children. Her passion for sharing the joys of yoga created a lasting impact on both children and educators alike, leaving us grateful for the memories and inspiration she provided.
I recently had the pleasure of attending a reading of Marlee’s delightful book, “Namooste,” and it was a truly wonderful experience. As she read the book, the kids were captivated not only by the enchanting story but also by the beautiful illustrations, which Marlee expertly highlighted. What made the experience even more special was the way she incorporated yoga poses into the reading. The children loved following along, stretching and moving in sync with her, which added a fun and interactive element to the session.
Marlee’s visit to our Grade 5 classroom was a great experience. Her reading of her book, NaMOOste, captivated the students, and the yoga session afterward was a perfect way to unwind and connect. Marlee’s warmth and organization made the event seamless and highly enjoyable for everyone involved.
Namooste is the perfect book for a young audience. The yoga references, rhyming and predictable nature of the story, provide opportunity for movement and full engagement. A truly delightful story.
in the Faculty of Education at McGill University
Let’s raise strong, inquisitive,
confident and resilient kids.
Garden Wolf Publishing House publishes engaging and creative stories that promote social-emotional learning (SEL) and early literacy. SEL books for kids help develop empathy, self-awareness, self-control and social skills, which are vital for lifelong success and fulfillment.
Teaching SEL today creates a more peaceful tomorrow for our kids.
Marlee Kostiner
Marlee has always loved storytelling and tends to hyper-focus on details, which made journalism a natural fit. She worked as an editor for over a decade, and, though she loved it, she nearly forgot about why she became a journalist in the first place—to write.
Her penchant for writing started at a young age. She self-published her first book in the 3rd grade called Crooks and Robbers. It was written on construction paper and tied together with ribbons (yes, she still has it thanks to her sentimental mom).
She wrote NaMOOste in 2017, but it gathered dust in her Notes app until the pandemic hit. Suddenly, she had no choice but to press pause on, well, everything, with a toddler and a newborn at home. Like many others, she re-evaluated her career and took a leap of faith, leaving her 9-5 to prioritize what matters most to her: spending more time with her family, expressing creativity and sharing meaningful stories.
