Welcome to Lotus Press Books
At Lotus Press Books, stories uplift voices, celebrate culture, and affirm identity. Founded by award-winning author Dr. Phirin Keo Salinas, an early childhood education professional and community college professor with over two decades of experience alongside her daughter, award-winning young author Yanara Grace. Our publishing work centers diverse representation with a special commitment to honoring Khmer culture, traditions and heritage.
Our Story
Lotus Press Books was founded at the intersection of lived experience and educational purpose. Born in the United States, daughter to Khmer Refugees, as a second-generation Cambodian American, Phirin grew up without access to books that reflected her family’s refugee stories or the richness of her cultural background.
Becoming a mother deepened her commitment. Determined to give her daughter, Yanara, foundational access to meaningful cultural materials, she built a home library filled with stories that reflected diverse identities and experiences around the world.
Yanara’s own creativity, love for storytelling, and deep connection to her Cambodian and Mexican American heritage inspired a shared vision: to create children’s literature that validates lived experiences while expanding children’s understanding of the world around them.
Together, they craft culturally grounded stories that celebrate heritage, build connection, and help young readers see both themselves and others with clarity and respect.
Why Support Lotus Press Books
Supporting Lotus Press Books means investing in:
- Representation: Books where children see themselves reflected.
- Diversity: Stories that honor cultures, languages, and identities.
- Empowerment: Literature that nurtures pride, resilience, and empathy.
Your support advances meaningful access to inclusive children’s literature and helps ensure every child grows up with stories that affirm who they are and celebrate the richness of our shared humanity.
Whether you are a parent, educator or reader, we invite you to walk alongside us in this journey so that every child grows up with books that affirm who they are and celebrate the beauty of who we can be.
With gratitude,
Phirin, Yanara, and The Lotus Press Books Team