OUR STORY

When friends Lauren Kelley, a writer, and Emmy Mitchell, an illustrator, couldn’t find the perfect books to help teach life lessons to their kids, they decided to do something about it! Together they started Books with Purpose, a series of children’s books designed to support parents as they teach their little ones lessons of love, safety, and healthy habits to last their lifetimes.

LAUREN KELLEY

Lauren Kelley writes stories for pre-readers and early readers. She earned her degree in English, with a minor in Disability Studies, at The Ohio State University, where she co-edited the opening book of the Deaf Lives Series, Alone in the Mainstream, and contributed to the introduction. She started her career as a public relations professional for a Fortune 100 health care company, but left her corporate role to pursue her love of writing while traveling the world. She ended up back in her hometown of Columbus, Ohio, after realizing her best friend was also her soul mate. They married and moved to Powell, Ohio with children Leo, Beckett, and Blake.

EMMY MITCHELL

Emmy Mitchell earned an MFA in the Interdisciplinary Studio Program at PennDesign, but left her studio work behind to begin a career as a graphic designer. After 10 years under her belt, she decided it was time to return to one of her passions; illustration. She lives in her hometown of Columbus, Ohio, where she and Lauren founded Books With Purpose, and serves as an art director for The On Our Sleeves Movement For Children’s Mental Health—a nonprofit that raises awareness and creates free resources for children’s mental health. She enjoys dance parties and reading with her amazing twin boys.