apr 2023 - present
I wanted to build in this space after observing a clear market gap: most nonfiction titles skewed toward older age-groups and is text-heavy, while parents of younger children (ages 3–12) increasingly preferred books over screens to build attention and focus. This insight shaped a product strategy centered on visually rich, concise nonfiction designed for early readers and their caregivers.
Project Overview
The book publishing industry has remained largely unchanged for centuries. Even as reading rates among children continue to decline, traditional publishing houses have been slow to reinvent themselves for the modern age.
The industry operates on razor-thin margins, relying heavily on a few best-sellers to turn a profit—while most other titles they put out end up losing money.
The incentives are skewed toward creating generic, fact-dense books aimed at broad age ranges—resulting in content that fails to truly engage any specific group.
Approach
I chose to launch Premium Box Sets rather than individual books, tackling the industry's 'go big or go home' problem head-on.
I designed the book interiors using human-centered design principles like progressive disclosure and simplicity. Rather than creating static fact-dumps, I approached these books as true learning companions—acknowledging that most real learning now happens online.
brand work and ad-creatives
Outcomes
With only word-of-mouth and ad-driven marketing, Abracadabra Books sold over 10,000 copies in its first two years.