Albert Whitman & Company
Albert Whitman & Company is an independent, privately held children's book publisher founded in 1919 in Park Ridge, Illinois, producing award-winning picture books, middle grade, young adult, board book, e-book, and Spanish editions for schools, libraries, bookstores, and families.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1919
- HeadquartersPark Ridge, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Albert Whitman & Company does
Albert Whitman & Company is an independent, privately held children's book publisher founded in 1919 and headquartered in Park Ridge, Illinois (250 South Northwest Highway, Suite 320). It publishes a diverse catalog spanning board books, picture books, middle grade fiction, young adult novels, e-books, and Spanish-language editions (marketed under the 'AW Kids' Books' / 'Ediciones en español' sub-brands), with thematic emphasis on multicultural content, social-emotional learning, disabilities awareness, holidays, and underrepresented historical figures. Its core technology profile is that of a traditional trade publisher — no proprietary platforms, APIs, or AI/ML capabilities are disclosed; the digital footprint consists of a WordPress-based e-commerce and catalog site.
Albert Whitman & Company firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Albert Whitman & Company
- Legal name
- Albert Whitman & Company
- Website
- https://albertwhitman.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1919
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Albert Whitman & Company is an independent, privately held children's book publisher founded in 1919 in Park Ridge, Illinois, producing award-winning picture books, middle grade, young adult, board book, e-book, and Spanish editions for schools, libraries, bookstores, and families.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Albert Whitman & Company industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Children's Book Publishing
- NAICS
- Book Publishers (51313), Newspaper, Periodical, Book, and Directory Publishers (5131)
- SIC
- Books: Publishing Or Publishing & Printing (2731)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Picture Book Publishing (MPAJAFAA)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Mass Market & Paperback Publishing (MPAJAAAD), Library, Reading Motivation & Independent Reading Programs (EDAMAJAO)
Keywords
Where Albert Whitman & Company is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Park Ridge
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Albert Whitman & Company business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Supply Chain, Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D
Revenue model
- Book Sales: Albert Whitman & Company generates revenue through the sale of children's books in multiple formats including paperback, hardcover, board book, and e-Book. Books are sold directly to consumers via their website, through online retailers, and through wholesale/distribution channels to bookstores and libraries.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Retail book pricing varies by title and format |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels6 records
Albert Whitman & Company product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Albert Whitman & Company is an independent children's book publisher that produces and sells print and digital books across multiple age groups (infants through teens), formats (picture books, board books, middle grade novels, young adult fiction), and languages (English and Spanish). The company generates revenue through direct online sales, major online retailers, independent bookstores, and institutional wholesale channels serving schools and libraries in the US and Canada.
Product overview
Albert Whitman & Company is an independent children's book publisher offering a diverse portfolio of print and digital books across multiple formats: picture books, middle grade novels, young adult fiction, board books, and Spanish-language editions. The company specializes in titles that entertain, educate, and encourage young learners, covering topics from academics and holidays to social-emotional learning, disabilities awareness, and multicultural themes. Their catalog spans various age groups from infants (0-3) through teens (13+), distributed through retail channels, libraries, schools, and direct online sales.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Picture Books Illustrated picture books for children ages 0-8 covering topics ranging from academics and holidays to social-emotional learning, multicultural themes, disabilities awareness, and underrepresented historical figures. Sold through retail, online, and institutional channels.
- Middle Grade Books Chapter books and novels for readers ages 7-12 covering genres including mystery, fantasy, historical fiction, and contemporary fiction. Designed for classroom and library use with curriculum-aligned content.
- Young Adult Novels Young adult novels for teen readers including contemporary fiction, dystopia, romance, thrillers, and science fiction genres.
- Board Books Sturdy board book format designed for young children typically ages 0-3, featuring simple concepts such as counting, colors, and animals.
- Spanish-Language Editions (Ediciones en español) Spanish-language translations of popular Albert Whitman titles including picture books and chapter books designed for multicultural and bilingual readership.
- e-Books Digital book format available for most Albert Whitman titles, providing electronic access to the publisher's catalog across picture books, middle grade, and young adult categories.
Companies that use Albert Whitman & Company
Customer profileNamed customers2 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles1 record
Albert Whitman & Company technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Albert Whitman & Company partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Six partnerships are on record, tiered core.
- Baker & TaylorcoreMajor book wholesaler and distributor serving libraries and schools with Albert Whitman's titles.
- BrodartcoreLibrary automation and supplies company distributing Albert Whitman's books to libraries.
- Follett School SolutionscoreEducational publishing and technology company distributing Albert Whitman's titles through Titlewave.
- Ingram Content GroupcoreGlobal book distribution company handling Albert Whitman's wholesale distribution.
- MackincoreLibrary and educational resources distributor providing Albert Whitman's titles to schools.
- Manda Group (Canada)coreCanadian book distributor located in Toronto handling Albert Whitman's distribution in Canada.
Scale indicators1 record
Recent moves5 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Albert Whitman & Company competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Chronicle Books: Independent but substantially larger publisher with a notable children's illustrated book line. Competes in picture book and gift book retail channels and uses a similar wholesaler-led distribution model.
- Penguin Random House Children's: Children's division of the world's largest trade publisher, with massive picture book, middle grade, and YA lists. Competes for the same shelf space, author rosters, and library purchasing dollars as Albert Whitman, but with a much wider portfolio and marketing footprint.
- Scholastic: Largest U.S. children's book publisher and the dominant supplier to schools and libraries. Overlaps with Albert Whitman's institutional channel and picture book/middle grade categories, but operates at vastly greater scale and with proprietary school book club and fair channels.
Direct peers
- Tilbury House Publishers: Small independent publisher with a strong social-issues and SEL focus in its children's list. Comparable mission alignment, scale, and reliance on curriculum-driven institutional sales.
- Charlesbridge: Independent children's book publisher producing picture books, middle grade, and nonfiction with a curriculum-aligned bent. Directly comparable in catalog scope, institutional channel focus, and use of wholesalers and library distributors.
- Lee & Low Books: Independent U.S. children's book publisher with a similar mission-driven focus on multicultural and diverse content. Closely comparable in scale, target audience (schools, libraries, families), and distribution model through wholesalers like Ingram and Baker & Taylor.
- Boyds Mills Press: Independent children's publisher known for picture books and narrative nonfiction with award-winning titles. Overlaps with Albert Whitman in catalog focus (illustrated children's books, award recognition) and library/school distribution.
- Candlewick Press: Independent children's book publisher with a broad picture book to YA list, including illustrated titles and award-winning works. Comparable product mix and institutional/retail channel strategy, though typically larger in scale.
- Sleeping Bear Press: Children's book publisher with a strong picture book and middle grade list sold through trade and library channels. Comparable in size, format mix, and reliance on library and school purchasing as a core revenue stream.
Others
- Follett School Solutions: Major educational distributor and operator of Titlewave, a key channel for selling children's books into U.S. schools. Not a competitor but a critical distribution partner and ecosystem player for independent children's publishers like Albert Whitman.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat3 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Albert Whitman & Company social profiles
Digital presenceAlbert Whitman & Company financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Albert Whitman & Company leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles3 records
Albert Whitman & Company funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Albert Whitman & Company M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Albert Whitman & Company
What does Albert Whitman & Company do?
Albert Whitman & Company is an independent children's book publisher that produces and sells print and digital books across multiple age groups (infants through teens), formats (picture books, board books, middle grade novels, young adult fiction), and languages (English and Spanish). The company generates revenue through direct online sales, major online retailers, independent bookstores, and institutional wholesale channels serving schools and libraries in the US and Canada.
Is Albert Whitman & Company a public or private company?
Albert Whitman & Company is a private company. It is classified as unknown and is currently operating.
When was Albert Whitman & Company founded?
Albert Whitman & Company was founded in 1919. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Albert Whitman & Company based?
Albert Whitman & Company is headquartered in Park Ridge, United States, in the North America region.
How does Albert Whitman & Company make money?
One revenue line is on record: book Sales.
Who are Albert Whitman & Company's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Chronicle Books, Penguin Random House Children's and Scholastic. Direct peers are Tilbury House Publishers, Charlesbridge, Lee & Low Books, Boyds Mills Press, Candlewick Press and Sleeping Bear Press. Follett School Solutions is listed as an others.
Does Albert Whitman & Company have an API?
No public API is recorded for Albert Whitman & Company.
What industry is Albert Whitman & Company in?
Albert Whitman & Company's product category is Children's Book Publishing. Its primary akta.pro industry code is MPAJAFAA, Picture Book Publishing, with a secondary code of MPAJAAAD, Mass Market & Paperback Publishing. Its NAICS code is 51313 and its SIC code is 2731.