n 1994, Elizabeth Mann's second grade class at P.S. 321 in Brooklyn was studying the borough's most famous landmark, the Brooklyn Bridge. Despite plans for a walk across the bridge, and walls covered in bridge illustrations and diagrams, the students were not involved. Elizabeth looked out into a roomful of those blank stares and stifled yawns that bring chills to the heart of every teacher.Then Elizabeth came across the saga of the Roeblings, the extraordinary family that spent 14 years building the bridge. The next day she told her class their story, the story of real people who had struggled and triumphed. Suddenly, the Brooklyn Bridge - and the class - came to life.
This was the genesis of Elizabeth Mann's award-winning book, The Brooklyn Bridge. It was also the beginning of a unique publishing company, Mikaya Press, founded in 1995 by Elizabeth Mann and her husband, editor Stuart Waldman.
At Mikaya Press, we believe children need stories, in their nonfiction books as well as their fiction. To be truly interesting to a child, nonfiction must be more than graphics and factoids; it must tell a story. Beautiful illustrations, exciting design, maps, charts, and timelines are important, and we include them. But at the heart of every Mikaya Press book is a compelling narrative that grabs, holds and delights the reader. As a result, children read Mikaya Press nonfiction not just for homework but for the sheer pleasure of it.