Blog Writer – Children’s Book Reviews
Overview
Blog Writer – Children’s Book Reviews (Volunteer)
PromisePress | Editorial & Publishing Office — Mentor A Promise (MAP)
Location: Remote with NYC-based collaboration as needed
Type: Volunteer (Editorial Writing Role)
About Mentor A Promise & PromisePress
Mentor A Promise (MAP) is a New York City–based nonprofit serving children and youth ages 5–18 experiencing housing instability through mentorship, literacy, social-emotional learning, and creative expression.
PromisePress is MAP’s publishing and editorial division. Through books, blogs, and critical writing, PromisePress helps families, educators, and communities understand children’s literature as a tool for healing, representation, literacy, and emotional development.
Role Overview
The Blog Writer – Children’s Book Reviews contributes thoughtful, accessible reviews of children’s books to MAP’s blog and publishing platforms. Reviews focus on literary quality, age appropriateness, representation, emotional safety, and trauma-informed storytelling, with particular attention to books that support children experiencing instability or adversity.
This role helps guide parents, educators, and caregivers toward books that reflect dignity, care, and imagination.
- Key Responsibilities
- Write clear, engaging blog posts reviewing children’s books
- Evaluate books for
- Age and developmental appropriateness
- Emotional tone and safety
- Representation and inclusivity
- Alignment with trauma-informed and dignity-centered values
- Provide thoughtful analysis while remaining accessible to general audiences
- Collaborate with editorial leadership on tone, structure, and revisions
- Meet agreed-upon writing deadlines
- Support MAP’s broader literacy and publishing mission
- Qualifications
- Strong writing and critical reading skills
- Interest in children’s literature, literacy, or education
- Ability to write clearly for parents, educators, and community readers
- Sensitivity to trauma-informed, child-centered storytelling
- Reliability and openness to editorial feedback
- Alignment with MAP’s mission and values
- Preferred Skills
- Background in education, librarianship, publishing, or writing
- Experience reviewing or blogging about books
- Familiarity with picture books, early readers, or middle-grade literature
- Experience working with or supporting children and families
- Commitment
- Volunteer editorial role
- Approximately 5–10 hours per week
- Minimum 6-month commitment preferred
- Fully remote with optional NYC-based collaboration
- What You’ll Gain
- Published writing experience with a mission-driven nonprofit
- Editorial feedback and mentorship through PromisePress
- Professional references and letters of recommendation
- The opportunity to influence how families and educators choose books
- A meaningful role in promoting literacy, care, and representation
How To Apply
- Interested candidates must apply directly through Idealist and submit
- Resume (required)
- Cover letter (required) describing interest in children’s literature and MAP’s mission
- Writing sample (book review or similar piece preferred)
Help amplify books that help children feel seen, safe, and inspired—one review at a time.
Thank you for your interest in volunteering with our organization. At this time, volunteer opportunities are limited to individuals based in the United States due to legal, safeguarding, data-privacy, and programmatic requirements. We appreciate your interest in our mission and your understanding of these constraints.
Apply Now
Apply Now