Science, Naturally

What Science, Naturally does

Science, Naturally is a Washington, DC-based children's book publisher operating as an imprint of Platypus Media, LLC, founded in 2006. The company specializes in STEM and math literacy content for children ages 0-14, publishing picture books, activity books, early-childhood textbooks, and book sets covering topics including biology, chemistry, physics, engineering, medicine, astronomy, geology, and math problem-solving. Its proprietary catalog includes the Science Wide Open series (featuring women in STEM fields), the My First Science Textbook series (introducing concepts like atoms and electrons to children as young as 2-7), and the 101 Things Everyone Should Know series. Notable technical features include a reversible bilingual flip-book format (English/Spanish), ASL-translated editions produced in partnership with Atomic Hands, and accessible eBook editions with reflowable text, detailed alt text, high-contrast displays, and text-to-speech compatibility for children with visual impairments.

The company generates revenue through a diversified multi-channel model anchored on direct-to-consumer e-commerce via its website sciencenaturally.com, supplemented by institutional sales through the First Book Marketplace (offering 50-90% off retail to educators serving families in need), international shipping, and tiered bulk/wholesale pricing for large orders (e.g., $2.95/unit at 1,000+ copies). Individual titles are priced from $8.95 to $21.95, with bundled sets ranging from $17.95 to $83.95. Products are distributed globally in at least eight languages including English, Spanish, Bengali, Mandarin, Korean, Haitian Creole, Dutch, Hebrew, and Washoe. End customers span parents, homeschool families, classroom teachers, librarians, and institutional buyers, with multiple products earning recognition including NSTA recommendations, Tillywig awards, and Kids' Book Choice Awards finalist status. The company operates with 1-10 employees, has no disclosed external funding, and is led by founder Dia L. Michels.

Name

Science, Naturally

Legal name

Science, Naturally

Website

https://sciencenaturally.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2006

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Science, Naturally is a Washington, DC-based children's book publisher and imprint of Platypus Media, LLC, producing multilingual, accessible STEM and math literacy picture books and textbooks for children ages 0-14, sold via direct e-commerce, institutional channels, and bulk wholesale.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Children's Educational Book Publishing

NAICS

Book Publishers (513130), Book Publishers (51313)

SIC

Books: Publishing Or Publishing & Printing (2731), Miscellaneous Publishing (2741)

akta.pro primary industry

Children’s Educational & Curriculum Publishing (MPAJAFAF)

akta.pro secondary industries

Children’s Nonfiction Educational (Science, History, Nature) (EDAGAIAC), Children’s Activity & Practice Books (Workbooks, Puzzles, Handwriting) (EDAGAIAE), Digital Reading Content & eBooks (Leveled Readers, Libraries) (EDAFACAH)

Keywords

• Children's book publishing
• STEM educational books
• Bilingual children's literature
• Accessible educational content
• Math literacy books

Headquarters

HQ city

Washington

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain, Others

Revenue model

1. Direct Book Sales: One-time purchase revenue from selling individual books, book sets, puzzles, and activity books directly to consumers, educators, and institutions through the company's e-commerce website. Prices range from $8.95 to $54.95 depending on format and content type.
2. Institutional Sales via First Book Marketplace: Sales to qualified educators and program leaders through the First Book Marketplace at 50-90% off retail pricing, targeting organizations serving families in need.
3. Bulk/Wholesale Orders: Volume-based sales to institutions and organizations, with tiered bulk pricing (e.g., Babies Nurse: Buy 1000+ at $2.95 each, Buy 500-999 at $3.25 each).
4. Custom Bulk Publishing: Customization services for bulk orders, including potential private labeling or custom content for institutional clients.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Science, Naturally publishes multilingual children's picture books, activity books, and book sets focused on STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) and math literacy for children ages 0-14. The company sells individual titles, themed book sets, puzzles, and eBooks directly through its e-commerce website, with specialized formats including reversible English/Spanish bilingual flip books, ASL-translated editions for the deaf and hard of hearing, and reflowable accessible eBooks for children with visual impairments. It also supplies institutions and educators via the First Book Marketplace and bulk/wholesale ordering channels.

Product overview

Science, Naturally is a children's book publisher specializing in STEM and math literacy education. The company offers a diverse portfolio of picture books, activity books, and book sets designed for children from ages 0-14. Core products include the My First Science Textbook series (teaching atoms, electrons, protons, and neutrons), the Science Wide Open series (featuring women in Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Engineering, Medicine, and Botany), reversible bilingual books in English/Spanish, and the 101 Things Everyone Should Know math and science reference series. The company also produces ASL-accessible storybooks in partnership with Atomic Hands and offers books in multiple languages including Spanish, Bengali, Korean, Haitian Creole, Hebrew, Dutch, and Washoe. Products are sold as individual titles, themed book sets, and classroom collections, with formats including paperback, hardback, board books, and eBooks.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Platypus Media: Parent company and sibling imprint of Science, Naturally!

Products and services

• Mara Plants A Seed Children's picture book about planting seeds and growth, supporting early STEM education.
• The P Word: A Manual for Mammals Science book exploring mammalian biology and characteristics for children.
• This Is the Ocean / Este es el Mar Bilingual reversible picture book exploring marine ecosystems through detailed illustrations and rhythmic repetition, designed for young children and bilingual families.
• Tiny Tern Takes Flight Children's book depicting the migration of Arctic Terns from the Arctic to the Antarctic, featuring detailed illustrations and educational content about the seabird's migration.
• Charrancito se lanza a volar / Tiny Tern Takes Flight (Reversible Bilingual Edition) Reversible bilingual format book in English and Spanish depicting Arctic Tern migration for young children.
• C Is for Crime Scene: A Forensics A to Z Book Forensics-themed alphabet book introducing children to forensic science concepts.
• How Do You See the World? Book explaining different types of eye conditions and normalizing visual impairments, featuring detailed alt text for accessibility.
• 65 Short Mysteries You Solve With Math! Math mystery book with short scenarios that teach mathematical concepts through problem-solving. NSTA recommends certification.
• The Super Volcano: A Hidden Hero Below Yellowstone National Park Children's book exploring the geology and science of Yellowstone's supervolcano.
• My First Science Textbook: Atoms Early childhood science textbook teaching fundamental concepts about atoms, protons, neutrons, electrons, molecules, and the periodic table. Available in hardback, paperback, and eBook formats.
• My First Science Textbook: Electrons Part of the My First Science Textbook series teaching children about electrons and electrical concepts.
• My First Science Textbook: Protons and Neutrons Part of the My First Science Textbook series teaching children about protons and neutrons.
• Babies Nurse Award-winning picture book showing 13 different mammal babies nursing, with watercolor illustrations and rhyming text. Winner of Parents' Favorite Products Award (2018). A portion of sales is donated to La Leche League International.
• Las mujeres en la física (Women in Physics Spanish Edition) Spanish edition of the Science Wide Open series book introducing physics through inspirational women scientists.
• Las mujeres en la química (Women in Chemistry Spanish Edition) Spanish edition introducing chemistry through inspirational women chemists whose innovations changed the world.
• Women in Medicine Science Wide Open series book teaching children about medicine through the work of women throughout history who gave us medical breakthroughs.
• 101 Things Everyone Should Know About Math Award-winning math reference book using a question-and-answer format to explain math concepts in everyday life contexts. NSTA recommends certification.
• Look Up to See What the Weather Will Be Children's book by TV meteorologist Guy Brown teaching weather forecasting, cloud identification, and how animals adapt to weather. Winner of Tillywig Toys Brain Child Award and Parents' Picks Award; Kids' Book Choice Awards finalist.
• Blended STEM Fiction Book Set Book set combining fiction with science and math concepts including 'Leonardo da Vinci Gets a Do-Over' and 'Ghost in the Water'.
• Science Wide Open Series Book series featuring women in various STEM fields including Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Engineering, Medicine, and Botany.
• ASL STEM Storybooks American Sign Language translated editions of select Science Wide Open titles and My First Science Textbook series, produced in partnership with Atomic Hands, featuring ASL interpreters with careers in STEM.
• My First Science Textbook Series Early childhood science textbook series teaching fundamental STEM concepts including atoms, electrons, protons, and neutrons to children ages 2-7.

Quantifiable outcome

• NSTA recommends certification for 101 Things Everyone Should Know About Math and 65 Short Mysteries You Solve With Science
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Atomic HandscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerScience, Naturally has partnered with Atomic Hands, an organization that produces educational STEM videos in ASL (American Sign Language), to make STEM topics more accessible for children with hearing impairments. ASL-translated editions of select titles from the Science Wide Open series and the My First Science Textbook series are available on the Atomic Hands website, featuring ASL interpreters with careers in STEM.
• First Book MarketplacecoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorThe First Book Marketplace makes Science, Naturally's books available to organizations serving families in need at 50-90 percent off retail price. The marketplace offers educators and program leaders access to award-winning and culturally inclusive books, teacher resources, and educational products for children from birth to 18.
• La Leche League InternationalminorOthersA portion of all sales from the book Babies Nurse is donated to La Leche League International, supporting breastfeeding education and support for mothers worldwide.
• Platypus Media, LLCcoreOthersScience, Naturally is an imprint of Platypus Media, LLC, a Washington DC-based publishing company specializing in educational children's literature. Platypus Media operates as the parent company and administrative entity for Science, Naturally.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Barefoot Books: Independent children's publisher with a globally-minded, multilingual catalog and a mission-driven focus. Comparable on independent-publisher scale, multicultural content, and direct-to-consumer plus institutional sales.
• Charlesbridge: Independent publisher of children's books emphasizing nonfiction, science, math, and diverse voices. Closely comparable on curriculum-aligned nonfiction STEM titles and school/library distribution.
• Lee & Low Books: Independent children's publisher specializing in diverse, multicultural titles with strong school and library distribution. Comparable on mission-driven inclusive catalog and emphasis on reaching underrepresented readers.
• Tumblehome Learning: STEM-focused children's book and activity publisher targeting the same early STEM literacy segment. Highly comparable on audience (ages 0–14), subject matter (science/math), and educator distribution.
• Dawn Publications: Nature- and ecology-focused children's picture book publisher with a strong educator and homeschool following. Comparable on mission-driven science picture books and institutional channels.
• Albert Whitman & Company: Independent children's book publisher with a long-running catalog covering social-emotional and educational themes. Comparable on independent-publisher scale, school/library market focus, and curated backlist.
• Arbordale Publishing: Independent children's book publisher focused on science and nature picture books with strong educator and school-market emphasis. Directly comparable niche: STEM/science storytelling for kids with curriculum-aligned backlist.

Broad incumbents

• National Geographic Kids: Mass-market STEM/kids publishing brand inside a major media company. Comparable product category (science books for kids) but vastly larger catalog, marketing budget, and retail footprint.
• Workman Publishing: Established trade publisher with strong children's and activity-book lines, including STEM-adjacent titles. Comparable on format (picture books, activity books) and broad retail distribution but at meaningfully larger scale.
• Scholastic: Largest US children's book publisher with deep school, book-fair, and library channels. Overlaps heavily with Science, Naturally's educator and classroom markets but operates at vastly greater scale.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/SciNaturally
• Facebookfacebook.com/ScienceNaturally
• Instagraminstagram.com/scinaturally
• TikToktiktok.com/@sciencenaturally
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/science-naturally-

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Science, Naturally