Free Spirit Publishing

Helping Kids Grow into Confident, Capable, and Caring Individuals

Whether at home, school, or out in the world, all kids face challenges in their lives. For more than 40 years, Free Spirit has provided children and teens—and the adults who care for and about them—with the tools they need to think for themselves, overcome challenges, and make a difference in the world.

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About Free Spirit Publishing

Our Mission

Our Mission

For more than 40 years, Free Spirit Publishing has stayed true to a simple, powerful mission: to give children and teens—and the adults who care for them—the tools they need to think for themselves, manage life’s challenges, and make a positive difference in their world. Whether at home, in early childhood settings, or in classrooms and counseling offices, our books meet young people where they are, not where we wish they were. We focus on helping kids develop practical life skills, resilience, confidence, and a positive outlook so they can reach their full potential.
Our History

Our History

Free Spirit Publishing was founded in 1983 by Judy Galbraith, a former classroom teacher and gifted-education specialist who saw a gap in kid-friendly, honest resources that spoke directly to children and teens about the real issues in their lives. What began as a small, mission-driven independent publisher has grown into a trusted leader in resources rooted in child development, family engagement, and practical life skills.

In December 2021, Teacher Created Materials (TCM) acquired Free Spirit Publishing. Today, as an imprint of TCM, Free Spirit offers a robust and growing list of more than 450 award-winning titles and products, with over 30 new titles published every year.

Throughout our history, Free Spirit has pushed boundaries on behalf of children and teens. That impact can be seen in Hands Are Not for Hitting, one of our best-selling titles and a cornerstone of the Best Behavior®️ series, with over 1 million copies in print. We pioneered the use of the term "learning differences" instead of "learning disabilities" to emphasize strengths and potential. And we are recognized as a leader in serving gifted and talented children and teens, with classic titles such as The Survival Guide for Gifted Kids and The Gifted Teen Survival Guide, which together have helped hundreds of thousands of young people feel seen, understood, and supported.
How Our Books Help
Problems Our Books Help Solve
Kids today are navigating big feelings and complex situations—from anxiety, anger, grief, and friendship troubles to school pressure, identity questions, and family changes. Our books provide practical, affirming, and developmentally appropriate support for:

Managing big emotions (anger, sadness, worry, stress)

Building social skills and healthy friendships

Developing self-esteem, self-advocacy, and growth mindset

Handling bullying, conflict, and peer pressure

Coping with grief, loss, and major life changes

Understanding learning differences and giftedness

Supporting mental health and overall well-being

Our Mission

For more than 40 years, Free Spirit Publishing has stayed true to a simple, powerful mission: to give children and teens—and the adults who care for them—the tools they need to think for themselves, manage life’s challenges, and make a positive difference in their world. Whether at home, in early childhood settings, or in classrooms and counseling offices, our books meet young people where they are, not where we wish they were. We focus on helping kids develop practical life skills, resilience, confidence, and a positive outlook so they can reach their full potential.

Our History

Free Spirit Publishing was founded in 1983 by Judy Galbraith, a former classroom teacher and gifted-education specialist who saw a gap in kid-friendly, honest resources that spoke directly to children and teens about the real issues in their lives. What began as a small, mission-driven independent publisher has grown into a trusted leader in resources rooted in child development, family engagement, and practical life skills.

In December 2021, Teacher Created Materials (TCM) acquired Free Spirit Publishing. Today, as an imprint of TCM, Free Spirit offers a robust and growing list of more than 450 award-winning titles and products, with over 30 new titles published every year.

Throughout our history, Free Spirit has pushed boundaries on behalf of children and teens. That impact can be seen in Hands Are Not for Hitting, one of our best-selling titles and a cornerstone of the Best Behavior®️ series, with over 1 million copies in print. We pioneered the use of the term "learning differences" instead of "learning disabilities" to emphasize strengths and potential. And we are recognized as a leader in serving gifted and talented children and teens, with classic titles such as The Survival Guide for Gifted Kids and The Gifted Teen Survival Guide, which together have helped hundreds of thousands of young people feel seen, understood, and supported.

Problems Our Books Help Solve

Kids today are navigating big feelings and complex situations—from anxiety, anger, grief, and friendship troubles to school pressure, identity questions, and family changes. Our books provide practical, affirming, and developmentally appropriate support for:

Managing big emotions (anger, sadness, worry, stress)
Building social skills and healthy friendships
Developing self-esteem, self-advocacy, and growth mindset
Handling bullying, conflict, and peer pressure
Coping with grief, loss, and major life changes
Understanding learning differences and giftedness
Supporting mental health and overall well-being

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Free Spirit Publishing

Helping Kids Grow into Confident, Capable, and Caring Individuals

About Free Spirit Publishing

Our Mission

Our History

Problems Our Books Help Solve

Our Mission

Our History

Problems Our Books Help Solve

Featured Products

Hands Are Not For Hitting

Ages 1–4

It Won’t Ever Be the Same

Ages 11+

Thank You, Night

Grades PK–4

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