FAQ

All Duck Duck Books are printed by our approved factory in Shenzhen, China, which guarantees 100% environmentally-friendly materials. We use FSC®-certified paper, and soy based ink from Japan. 

Each book is created and designed by American people of color, which creates job opportunities in the communities that we live in.

Duck Duck Books’ mission is to build a diverse and sustainable community for the next generation. It is important for parents and teachers to have the tools to help raise caring, confident, mindful kids. We make all of our read-aloud videos in English, Spanish, Traditional Chinese / Mandarin, Simplified Chinese / Mandarin, and Cantonese free for all, which you can access on our website or on TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube @duckduckbooks. At Duck Duck Books, we promote early emotional learning by covering topics like

• Self-esteem and confidence
• Diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI)
• Empathy, kindness, compassion
• Love languages
• Growth mindset
• Mental health and emotional well-being, feelings and coping mechanisms
• And so much more! 

As our world becomes ever more diverse, it is of utmost importance to engage your child in a culturally responsive educational experience. Children who grow up seeing themselves and seeing others who are different from them, whether in real life or in books, are more likely to achieve higher self-confidence, academic achievement and career success. This is because exposure to multiculturalism at an young age increases children’s awareness, appreciation, and inclusion of diverse beliefs and cultures. They are able to have higher social and emotional skills, which is key to mental wellbeing. 

Bilingual education is in demand because it increases cognitive function, improves cultural and social skills, improves memory and recall abilities, and provides economic advantage in the global economy. Research also shows that bilingual students score higher in social and emotional learning skills compared to their monolingual peers. Bilingual children have shown advantages in executive function tasks that are important to school readiness. Ages 0-5 — also known as Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS)—are the most important developmental stage for cultivating language skills. This is why Duck Duck Books creates social emotional learning books for kids in multiple languages, so parents and educators have more quality resources, regardless of the adult’s fluency in the target language.

Duck Duck Books strives to become the premiere independent publisher of multilingual and multicultural children’s board books. We are committed to provide the most culturally relevant and age appropriate resources on social emotional learning for babies, toddlers, and preschoolers between 0-5 years old. We partner with U.S.-based authors, illustrators and designers to make award winning children’s books on social emotional learning (SEL), and aim to publish about 10 books a year (2 titles, in 5 languages). We have more books and more languages in the pipeline! 

At Duck Duck Books, we utilize a special technique called “Transcreation”, which is the process of adapting content from one language to another while maintaining the existing tone, intent and style. Our team of specialists, each with more than a decade of experience in multicultural advertising, marketing communications, and design, are professional transcreators by trade. We work in teams, with multiple intricate and connected workstreams, to ensure we preserve the difference of each culture and language, rather than generalizing them based on commonality. While all of our books' themes are cross-cultural, which means they are relevant in multiple cultures, the image and language used to convey could be different. At each of the transcreation workstreams, our team members representing their culture and background are adding layers of cultural nuance that makes our final product so unique.

Duck Duck Books’ founder, Serena Y. Li, regularly speaks at industry conferences about the process of Transcreation and best practices. We are happy to help other self-published authors create more culturally relevant books for the next generation through editing, transcreation, design or creative direction services. Please contact us for self-publishing services.

Fear not, we got you covered in the gift department! Visit our Gifting page for inspiration and ideas. From award winning multicultural and multilingual books, to one-of-a-kind eco-friendly backpacks and giftwraps, the gift bundles are affordable, hassle free, and ready to ship!

Would you like a gift message to be included? Please leave us a note in the seller note section upon check-out, and we will do our very best to accommodate any special requests. Gift tags with names, or cards with handwritten notes are free with every gift order. 

Last minute gifting? Try our e-gift card! Simply forward the gift card to your lucky recipient, and they can redeem for any products on our website. Our eco-friendly e-Gift does not expire and does not have any fees after purchase.

Certainly you can! Language learning can start at any age, and it’s common for children and parents to learn together! Our Spanish kids books are bilingual, so you can read in both English or Spanish. Feeling a bit rusty with pronunciation? Lean on our read-aloud videos to help! Our read-aloud Spanish videos are read by native speakers and creators of the books, which you can access on our website or on our TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube @duckduckbooks.  

Bilingual learning is all about exposure, and consistency is key. We understand teaching a foreign language could feel daunting at first, that’s why we make sure all of our bilingual Chinese kids books contain a pronunciation guide (Pinyin), which is the official romanization system of Standard Mandarin Chinese in China, Singapore, and Malaysia. If you need a refresher, our read-aloud Chinese videos read by native speakers and creators of the books can help! You can access on our website or on our TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube @duckduckbooks.  

Our Cantonese bilingual kids books are made by authentic native speakers, and utilize colloquial Cantonese with traditional characters which is what we normally speak, rather than written Cantonese which is rarely spoken. To help with pronunciation, we included Jyutping which is a romanisation system for Cantonese developed by the Linguistic Society of Hong Kong (LSHK). Immerse your child in a Cantonese speaking environment by reading along with our read-aloud Cantonese videos. You can access on our website or on our TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube @duckduckbooks.

We understand that raising a child is very expensive! Duck Duck Books is passionate about making early social emotional learning accessible for every child, so that every child can have an opportunity to succeed regardless of their parents’ ability to pay. 

We offer different options: 

• Our books are priced between $9.99 - $14.99, never over fifteen dollars. Bookmaking is costly, especially when our American team of diverse creators are paid at the fair market wage. However, we see Duck Duck Books as an investment for our next generation. 
• We offer one of the most affordable bilingual book subscription services at $9.00 per delivery, where you will receive one (1) book every 3 months, with free shipping. This option provides a saving between 10-40% off the MSRP, plus savings on shipping. 
• We offer affordable options for schools with e-books or paperback options. You can contact us for more details, and information on how to order through your approved distributor.
• We offer free read-aloud videos, so the learning can be accessible by all. You can access on our website or on our TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube @duckduckbooks.

Our Duck Duck Backpack, invented by our founder Serena Y. Li, is a one of a kind, convertible kid’s backpack that utilizes Out of the Woods’ Supernatural Paper which is made of tree cellulose from FSC®-certified forests. Because trees are a renewable resource, it has a lower carbon footprint compared to many other materials used for bags, particularly those derived from petroleum-based products. The mission of Forest Stewardship Council® (FSC®) is to promote environmentally sound, socially beneficial and economically prosperous management of the world’s forests. The backpack is built to last more than conventional backpacks. It grows with the child, offering the opportunity to remove all backpack straps to turn into an insulated lunch bag that’s washable and durable. The connectors such as the carabiners and the cotton tether are also reusable as a pet leash. 

Our Duck Duck GiftSwaddle is a product inspired by Furoshiki, a traditional Japanese wrap used in the Nara period (710 - 794). The term, which literally translates to “bath (furo) spread (shiki)”, is a versatile, environmentally-friendly way to carry bottles, food, and everyday necessities, and has also become a modern alternative to holiday gift-wrapping. Most gift wrapping papers, especially those with tape, or glitter and foil are not recyclable, which creates trash. By comparison, the GiftSwaddle is a square piece of cloth that is washable and has many uses. For care instruction, and ideas to reuse the Swaddle, please visit our GiftSwaddle page.

Supernatural Paper™ is a material made with tree cellulose from responsibly and sustainably managed forests. And because cellulose is a renewable resource, Supernatural Paper™ has an improved environmental profile compared to petroleum-based materials. This unique material is both washable and water repellent, which means you can safely clean the exterior or even get caught in the rain without worrying about damaging your bag. Supernatural Paper™ is also 100% animal-free but has the same look and performance of leather.

Supernatural Paper™ is a material made with tree cellulose from responsibly and sustainably managed forests. And because cellulose is a renewable resource, Supernatural Paper™ has an improved environmental profile compared to petroleum-based materials. This unique material is both washable and water repellent, which means you can safely clean the exterior or even get caught in the rain without worrying about damaging your bag. Supernatural Paper™ is also 100% animal-free but has the same look and performance of leather.

Supernatural Paper has a unique look of well-worn leather while being animal-free and has a lower carbon footprint than other oil or petroleum-based products. It’s also strong and durable and since it’s washable, can have greater use and longevity in many cases.

Out of the Woods Supernatural Paper gets its start in FSC®-managed forests in Europe where we source our tree cellulose which is converted to pulp and ultimately Supernatural Paper.

We know the importance of washing hands, and keeping our bodies clean. However, did you know your kid’s backpack or lunch bag comes in contact with many high-touch areas? A kid’s backpack and lunchbag are subject to cross contamination, especially with the potential for leaky juice and lunchboxes. Using washable reusable bags can protect your child from harmful germs and help your family live a more sanitary life.

Our team of mostly parents with young children care deeply about the safety of our children and yours! Our Duck Duck Backpack which has been named among the best in family-friendly media, products and services by the Mom’s Choice Awards®, as the Gold Award recipient in the Gear & Accessories Category, has obtained the following official safety verification: 

• CPSD-AN-06572-USA, CALIFORNIA PROPOSITION 65 - PASS 
• CPSIA Total Lead Content In Substrate Materials - PASS
• CPSIA Total lead content in Surface Coating - PASS
• CPSIA 8 Phthalates content - PASS

Sewing of Duck Duck Eco Goods’ Gift Swaddle and Backpack is done by hand. 

The GiftSwaddle is sewn in China, while the final construction of our Duck Duck Backpack is done in Vietnam. 

For hot items, the fuller the bag is of warm/hot items, the longer the items will stay warm in the bag. Our insulated Duck Duck Backpack keeps contents warm for approximately 30 minutes. As ‘warm’ is a subjective term, we recommend checking and possibly reheating your food at your destination so the food is at your personally desired temperature. Please also keep the food safety temperature zone of your contents in mind when traveling with food.

Our insulated Duck Duck Backpack does not require usage of ice or ice packs. However, we do recommend that you use them if your bag is not completely full of cold items. As a rule of thumb — the fuller the bag, the cooler it will keep your items for longer. There are other factors that come into play, such as whether or not your bag is sitting in the hot sun or in a hot car, that may affect the ability of the bag to keep items cool for an extended period of time. We recommend ‘playing it safe’ by filling your bag with as many cool/cold items as possible, keeping the bag tightly closed and out of the sun while your little ones are taking the bag to its destination. Dependent on these variable factors, our insulated bags may keep items temperature controlled for approximately three (3) hours.

The insulation is made of multiple layers: PEVA inner lining and PE foam insulation. PEVA (polyethylene vinyl acetate) is a non-chlorinated vinyl.

Duck Duck Books is a sole proprietorship and registered trademark of Serena Y. Li, located in Edmonds, WA. We have a fully remote working team, many are located in the greater Seattle area, but also some team members in other states, and Mexico. All of our team members are American citizens who identify as people of color. We do not yet have a physical storefront, but you can visit one of our retail partners listed on the Stockist page.

Interested in the story behind our books, and more information from the author? You can read our Author Q&A here: 

• I Am Me! Author Q&A
• All Puppies Are Good Puppies Author Q&A
• I Love You More Author Q&A

To encourage more people to try our products, we often offer sales, promo codes, and discounts. Subscribe to our mailing list to be the first to know about our latest promotions. 

We want to make your ordering experience as simple as possible! You can easily purchase our books and eco-friendly products from our own secure website. However, if you’d like to order over the phone, or need any special accommodations, you can contact us and a member of our team will follow up with you via text or a phone call.

Our products are proudly stocked among e-commerce partners, independent bookstores and gift shops in 4 countries within our first year of operation! We’d love to work with you and meet your terms. Please contact us for wholesale inquiries.

We offer generous bulk discounts to daycare, schools, or corporate partners’ employee resource groups! Please contact us for bulk order inquiries.

We have flexible options for non-profit organizations! Please contact us for fundraising inquiries.

Our retail partners are listed on the Stockist page.

We regularly hold in-person events, mostly in the greater Seattle area currently. Stay tuned to our upcoming events by following us on Instagram.

Each Duck Duck Backpack has an inner label detailing recommended care instructions. For our insulated backpacks, hand wash inside and out with warm water and a mild detergent if necessary. Lay flat to dry in a well-ventilated area. Do not submerge in water. Do not machine wash, tumble dry, or dry clean. Do not place it in the dryer.

Finding creases in your GiftSwaddle after using it as a gift wrap? Is your GiftSwaddle soiled after wrapping or wiping your lunch box? Pet got it dirty while frolicking outside with its new favorite bandana? Caring for the Duck Duck GiftSwaddle is simple! We recommend a quick hand wash in cold water. Lay flat to dry. Do not iron. Do not bleach.

We have a U.S.-based team of writers and editors who can ghost write in different languages. We are experienced in writing children’s books, novels, blogs, and social media content. Please contact us for a quote.

Our U.S.-based team of editors, and editor-in-chief, are happy to edit your manuscript in English, Spanish, Traditional Chinese, Simplified Chinese, or Cantonese. Please contact us for a quote.

We provide à la carte, high quality services to authors, whether you need a U.S.-based illustrator, or book designer. If you already have talents lined up, we are also happy to provide creative direction to help make sure you have a worry-free creative process. 

We are happy to discuss options to distribute your books, as long as our missions align. Please contact us for details.

We pride ourselves as the resource for diverse self-publishers for all ages. We currently provide à la carte services in the following areas:

Branding and strategic planning consultation 

• Market research 
• Competitor SWOT analysis
• Brand voice and tone guidelines
• Pricing Strategy

Branding service

• Logo and brand guideline

Ghostwriting

• English, Spanish, Traditional Chinese, Simplified Chinese, Cantonese, Korean, and Vietnamese

Editing

• English, Spanish, Traditional Chinese, Simplified Chinese, Cantonese, Korean, and Vietnamese
• Proofreading
• Editorial assessment and storyline guidance
• Copy editing
• Developmental editing 

Creative and production services

• Illustration 
• Design and layout 
• Art and creative direction
• Animation and video production
• Printing 
• Boothkit design and production
• Podcast production

Go-to-market strategy

Marketing plan for modern day self-publishers (organic social media, PR, paid media, community partnership, event and experiential marketing)

Web development

• Web hosting recommendation 
• UX/UI recommendation 
• Wireframe creation 
• Web copywriting and design services
• Basic accessibility consultation

Organic social media planning and execution

• Keyword and metadata research and recommendations
• Content / post copywriting
• Photography / video service 
• Social media posting 

Paid social media planning and execution

• Paid channels (Meta - FB/IG, Tiktok, Pinterest, Google search, YouTube) recommendation
• Audience recommendation
• Post copy writeup and A/B testing
• Photography / video service 
• Daily campaign management and weekly optimization 
• Biweekly report

Paid media and PR 

• Offline paid channels (print, radio, TV, OOH, DOOH) recommendation and planning 
• Offline paid channel campaign execution and end of campaign recap report
• Guaranteed press coverage - press kit creation and story placement

Sales and distribution 

• Sales strategy and sales training 
• B2B sales and distribution support
• Event planning and staffing 

We understand you’d like to get your money back as quickly as you can. Please review our refund policy, which outlines our terms for refunds or exchanges on our products, gifts, and Duck Duck Book Club / subscription. 

Books are heavy, and shipping has gotten more expensive, especially due to macro-economic factors. However, we are mindful of the final costs for customers, and continue to offer the same $4.99 flat rate shipping for all of our books, and heavily discounted UPS shipping for Duck Duck Backpacks. You can read more in our shipping policy page. 

We are proud of our customer service, and are grateful that we have not had a single refund / return since the launch of Duck Duck Books + Eco Goods. However, if you happen to be our first, please contact us and we will be sure to take care of you.

Duck Duck Book Club is a quarterly kids book subscription that can be canceled at any time, as long as your next book has not been shipped. Simply visit your order page to cancel with one easy button, or contact us and we can cancel for you. Read more in our subscription policy page.