LightYears Children is Reborn
curated multicultural book lists and activities for children eight and under
Enjoy a preview of the curated category lists being created
LYC ORigINALS
Where it all began.
The first titles I discovered and shared with my daughter, Jessica.
Jessica's "double,double" favorites
Jessica's original 13 favorite, most-read books from our curated list. Some may be out of print, yet still available at your local or digital library, or at resale sources like AbeBooks.com
Love, Friendship,family
Books we read together, often while hugging. Feel-good books about family, love, and friendship.
Self-love and character-builders
Books with words and images that reinforce self-love, values, and character.
Kids yoga, relaxation & health
Includes asanas (animal poses), philosophy, and sanskrit terms. Books and videos.
KIds cook
Books created for preschoolers to cook with the guidance of older children and adults. Some offer images to describe the process. Others are prepared without cooking (heat).
More curated lists of multicultural books (by category, as we grow)
Can't wait to peruse the curated lists?
Buy online.
Click on the book covers displayed above to view links to available options on bookshop.org or abebooks.com.
Some titles may only be available on eBay. Others may be high-priced, out-of-print collectable versions.
Remember to check your local and digital libraries
Of course, visit your local and digital libraries to enjoy many of the titles at no charge. With a library card, you may be able to enjoy several of the titles on the Hoopla or Libby app.
Where it all began.
Meet the Founder and Creator, Karen McMillan
the Founder's Story
Me in 2007
What brings me great pleasure is being a mom, creating and learning with my talented daughter, Jessica, and “keeping her close to the light with which she was born”.
I am Karen D. McMillan, creator of LightYears Children.
My heritage is multicultural since I can count relatives in the United States, the Caribbean, Europe, and India. My travels have included a good part of the USA & Alaska, Europe, the Caribbean, and Japan. Although my studies of Spanish through High School, French at college, Portuguese while at Avon, and Italian and Japanese language tapes were not enough to render me fluent, they served to enhance my appreciation for and sensitivity to the diversity of our world. It also allowed me to converse just enough to broaden my cultural perspective and show respect to the people on the less-beaten paths of the countries I visited.
I hold a BA in psychology from Vassar College, spent three years as a substitute teacher in elementary schools, enjoyed a successful ten-year career in marketing and product development, and, after 200+ hours of study, received my International Coach Federation certification. If you are reading this in 2026, I am in the process of attaining my 300-hour certification as a decolonized yoga teacher and Yoga Social Justice with Ignite Yoga.
In my spare time, I enjoy philosophy and the practice of various forms of spirit and energy work such as Patanjali’s yoga, Jin Shin Jyutsu, Buddhist meditation, and T'ai Chi - having studied as an official lineage student of the A.C.C.S. (American Center for Chinese Studies) with Master Sbarge. When time and travel allow, I find peace in our oceans as a Master SCUBA diver.