Welcome To Akunna Publishing

At Akunna Publishing, we believe every story has the power to inspire, uplift, and spark a lifelong love of reading.
We are a proudly independent publishing company dedicated to creating imaginative, heartfelt books for young readers — and to celebrating the power of diverse voices.

Our stories, like Bakari's Brave Heart and Cookie the Detective, are filled with adventure, friendship, and important life lessons — designed to make readers smile, think, and dream big.

We're just getting started, and we're excited to grow with you!
Stay tuned for new stories, fun merchandise, and creative ways to bring our characters into your home.

Thank you for being part of our journey.
Welcome to the Akunna family. 📚✨

Top image of a cute cartoon monkey sitting on a tree branch surrounded by leaves. Bottom image of a cartoon dog dressed as a detective holding a magnifying glass, standing on a sidewalk in a suburban neighborhood at night, with "Akunna Publishing" logo in the corner.

Now Available on Amazon & Kindle!

Now Available on Amazon & Kindle!

Animated animals in a forest scene, including a zebra, lion, chimpanzees, leopard, and two young monkey characters. The title 'Bakari Belongs' and the author's name 'Shani Z. Nesmith' are overlaid.

The Adventures of Bakari Continues…

We’re thrilled to announce that Bakari Belongs, the newest story in the Bakari series, is available in print and eBook formats on Amazon!


Join Bakari as he embarks on a journey of self-discovery, learning that family is more than who you’re born to—it’s the ones who stand by you. This heartfelt story is perfect for young readers who love meaningful adventures and animal characters with big hearts.

Contact Us

Questions? Interested in working together? Fill out some info and we will be in touch shortly. We can’t wait to hear from you!