Our Vision
The Vision
When I was growing up, books were a lifeline. They came from school libraries, donation boxes, and the kindness of others—not from store shelves. Reading was where I felt safest. It was where I could breathe, imagine, and belong. As a dyslexic child, learning didn’t always come easily, but stories did. They made the world feel bigger and kinder, and they gave me a place to rest when everything else felt overwhelming.
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Velvet Pumpkin Books was born from that experience. I didn’t begin writing to build a business or a brand. I wrote because the stories needed to exist. Because characters arrived fully formed and asked to be heard. And because I believed—and still believe—that books can be lifelines for children and readers who need them most.
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As the collection grew, so did the purpose. Many of the stories we publish touch on themes of identity, belonging, difference, loss, resilience, and hope. These are not always easy topics, but they are honest ones. And honesty, when paired with care, has the power to change how a child sees themselves and the world around them.
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Our vision is simple: to create books that reach readers who might not otherwise have access to them and to use storytelling as a force for empathy, understanding, and good.
Sincerely,
Sara Madden
Our Commitment
Velvet Pumpkin Books is committed to:
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Creating inclusive, thoughtful stories for readers of all ages
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Supporting literacy and access to books
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Uplifting marginalized voices and experiences
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Using storytelling as a tool for compassion and connection
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Giving back in meaningful, tangible ways
Many of our books address sensitive topics—identity, disability, difference, grief, and belonging—and we believe those stories deserve care not only in how they’re written but also in how they are shared with the world.
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That belief is what led us to our proceeds model.
Giving Back: Our Proceeds Model
A portion of the proceeds from Velvet Pumpkin Books titles is donated to organizations that directly support the communities reflected in each story. This model allows every book to do more than tell a story—it allows it to help one. Below are the organizations we currently support:
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Where Proceeds Go
Mishka’s Bears Series: Supporting humanitarian aid and children affected by crisis
World Vision: https://www.worldvision.org
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​Jun Anzu: Supporting individuals with dwarfism and their families
Little People of America: https://www.lpaonline.org/ ​
Who We Are: Heroes and Bullies: Supporting anti-bullying education and advocacy
Stomp Out Bullying Organization: https://www.stompoutbullying.org/
Jahan Akua: Supporting wildlife conservation and environmental protection
African Wildlife Foundation: https://www.awf.org/
Lucy’s Umbrella: Supporting vitiligo research and awareness
Vitiligo Research Foundation: https://vrfoundation.org/
​The Elf Who Didn’t Believe in Children: Supporting pediatric medical research and care
100% Proceeds go to the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital: https://www.stjude.org/
​Too: Supporting LGBTQ+ advocacy and equality
Equality Utah Organization: https://www.equalityutah.org/
The Prince's Dress Dilemma: Supporting LGBTQ+ youth and inclusion
Serving with Style: https://www.stonewallfoundation.org/servingwithstyle
​The Kind Kindergarten Class: Supporting trans youth and families
Trans Youth Equality: https://www.transyouthequality.org/
​The Adventures of Tallulah Froom Series: Supporting literacy and learning differences
Dyslexia Center of Utah: https://www.dyslexiacenterofutah.org/
Why This Matters
Books have always been more than entertainment.
They are tools for empathy.
They are bridges between experiences.
They are often the first place a child feels seen.
At Velvet Pumpkin Books, we believe stories should give back—to readers, to communities, and to the world that inspires them.
Every book is written with that purpose in mind.