Man smiling, wearing a wide-brimmed hat and white shirt with necklace, arms crossed.

Jesse Byrd

Author

Jesse Byrd is an award-winning children's book author, art director, and editor. Through his "Kids Make a Book" workshop, he has helped transform 400+ children into published authors. Hoping to support the work of other artists, Jesse became a literary agent in 2021 and became one of the top-selling agents in the U.S the following year. He is the youngest NPR Foundation Board Member and co-founder of Moonbeam Literary & Media.

If you’re interested in working with Jesse, shoot us an email at hello@moonbeamlm.com

Cover of the book 'Seeking Shanti: A Family's Story of Climate Migration' showing two people in a boat on water, with a house and trees in the background. Illustrations by Mónica Paola Rodríguez.

Featured Release

Seeking Shanti: A Family’s Story of Climate Migration

After Kavya and her family are flooded out of their home in Southeast Asia, they have to make the difficult decision to return and try to rebuild or move away from their native land.

The creators of Seeking Shanti is the same team behind the non-profit Create-Structure and Better Shelter. Over the past five years, Better Shelter has collaborated with leading UN organizations, NGOs, governmental donors and the private sector to provide shelter for the displaced due to climate crises. So far, they have provided 60,000 shelters that benefit displaced families, classrooms and health care facilities in over 60 countries.

Written by Jesse Byrd & Sandy Kaur Gill
Illustrated by Monica Paola Rodrigeuz
Published by Paw Prints Publishing
Illustration of a smiling girl walking a dog on a sandy path, with lush green trees in the background. A boy waves from a colorful boat on a body of water, with raindrops falling over the scene.
Illustration sequence showing a man teaching a girl a trick with a dog outside a tent. The man draws a circle, points, and the girl successfully performs the trick with the dog. Clothes hang on a line, and text reads: 'Baba teaches Kavya a trick to h
Illustration of a family in a boat during a storm, with rain and lightning. They look worried, and a dog is also present. The scene includes turbulent water and fish swimming underneath.
A drawing of a family walking together, including a child with braids and a uniform holding a picture, a man with a mustache holding her hand, a boy carrying wood, a dog walking alongside, a woman with a rope and bag, and an elderly man with a ladder
Illustration of a family in a refugee camp with tents and rain. Members are visibly emotional, some crying or comforting each other. Text on the image describes the scene and mentions names like Chachu, Baba, Dadi, Dada, and Kavya.