About John Zander

Hello, I’m John Zander, founder of Chilkibo Publishing, author of personalized children’s books, and writer of educational content published on the Chilkibo Publishing website.

I founded Chilkibo Publishing in 2020 with one goal. Create personalized picture books designed specifically for toddlers and preschoolers.

My interest in children’s books began early. My parents read to me often, and I spent hours looking through picture books. Even before I could read on my own, I enjoyed studying the illustrations and following the stories. Those experiences showed me how books help children learn, build curiosity, and create lasting memories.

As I explored the children’s book market, I noticed that many personalized books focused on older children. There were fewer options created for toddlers, whose learning needs are different. Young children benefit from short sentences, repetition, bright illustrations, and opportunities to interact with the person reading the story.

That observation shaped every book I have written.

While developing our personalized books, I paid close attention to how children responded during shared reading. Parents often told me their children smiled when they heard their own name, pointed to themselves in the story, and wanted to read the same book again and again. Those experiences reinforced my decision to make personalization a natural part of every page instead of limiting it to the cover or dedication.

Today, I continue writing and expanding our collection of personalized books while working to improve every new edition. I also manage the Chilkibo Publishing website, where I write and review articles about children’s books, reading with young children, literacy, gift ideas, and book publishing.

Every article begins with research. When writing educational content, I review reliable sources, including pediatric literacy organizations and child development resources. When an article includes factual claims or research findings, I cite the original source so readers can explore the information themselves.

My goal is simple. Publish books and educational content that help parents choose engaging books, enjoy reading together, and build positive reading habits from an early age.

You can learn more about our books and our mission on the About Chilkibo Publishing page.

Connect with me on Linkedin.