Some children’s books are read once. The best ones live on in childhood memories.
Whimspire Books, an independent press based in California, publishes interactive and emotionally memorable picture books that foster imagination and fuel confidence. From STEM-focused adventures to inspirational stories, our picture books are designed to be revisited again and again, creating meaningful moments of connection and stories children will remember for years to come.
Books are proudly available wherever books are sold and are distributed by Independent Publishers Group (IPG). Want to stay up to date on new books and info? Join the mailing list. Media? Check out the press kit page.
Hello!
I’m Cortney Cino, founder of Whimspire Books, children’s author, healthcare marketer, and mom to three girls who inspire nearly everything I write.
I launched Whimspire Books in the fall of 2023 with a simple but meaningful mission: to create picture books that foster imagination and fuel confidence. The name “Whimspire” is a blend of whimsical and inspiring—two elements that are foundational to everything we create.
Before entering publishing, I spent over 15 years in marketing for the healthcare industry, where I helped promote diagnostic tests and medications. Marketing might sound very different from writing for children, but these two worlds have a lot in common. In healthcare, you're often charged with making complex science clear and compelling—sometimes on just a single page. With picture books, you have about 600 words to tell a complete and emotionally resonant story. The book’s cover and blurb serve much the same function as a product’s headline and key messages: capture attention, deliver value, and be memorable.
Another thing these worlds have in common is that they make me feel like I’m working on something important. Whether I’m helping explain something that can improve a person’s health or writing a story that inspires a child, both feel meaningful.
A few more things about me:
I’ve lived in Boston, MA; Washington, DC; Morehead City, NC; and several towns in Northern California. Each place is different, yet humans are remarkably similar. I’ve learned that what you notice often depends on what you choose to look for.
My husband spent years in the Navy, and our experiences with deployments and homecomings inspired Finally Home. I’m an advocate for military families.
I always have piles of laundry, can never find the right lids for water bottles, and am always picking up tiny socks. But I also know these messy, magical years are fleeting.
I wake up early (before the sun rises). It’s my favorite time to write and the best way to start the day.
Outside of writing and publishing, I spend most of my time bouncing around Northern California with my husband and girls. I love visiting schools and participating in community events. Please reach out if you’re interested in arranging a collaboration.
(If you are from a biotech, pharmaceutical, or diagnostics company and are interested in partnering to create a custom children’s book for your young patients, please click here.)
