Carmen Rubin

Carmen is the author of several children’s books, interactive ebooks, apps, and animated children’s programming. For decades, the Rutgers University graduate and former teacher has used her voice to empower youth, promote literacy, and reinforce the importance of keeping music in elementary schools. She has worked diligently to bring diversity and inclusion into literacy and education – allowing children to see themselves in her content.

In 1999, Carmen founded a non-profit organization, One Blue Village, which assists underprivileged high school students in furthering their education. She is the owner of Peppermint Candy Publishing and has supported programs such as the YMCA, Sesame Street, Determined to Educate, Boys and Girls Club of America, Geoffrey Canada’s Harlem Children’s Zone, and Wade’s World Foundation (Dwyane Wade). Carmen’s first book, Ashti Meets Birdman Al, led to a collaboration with Grammy Award winning Jazz artist/musician, Al Jarreau, to promote literacy, and was acknowledged by former First Lady, Michelle Obama. Other titles include, The Gifted Guitar, Social Eyes, and most recently, Honcho Hates Mud.

When the author is not traveling to read to children across the country, she partners with Barnes and Noble donating thousands of books to communities world-wide that have been impacted by natural disasters.

She lives in New Jersey with her husband and has two adult daughters.