Our story

The best books, videos, links, gift baskets, and more, for children, parents, teachers and their community

Our Vision	History: How I Got Started
The vision for my daughter Jessica is my vision for all children. When Jessica was born I made a promise to keep her close to the light with which she was born. This light that would live in her and allow her to see the world in her innocence would grow to show her the path to enlightenment, empowering her to maximize her human incarnation. In this vision I see a world of spiritually and culturally enlightened children who will one day lead the world on a path to true power based on peace and harmony with self and the world in which we live. I see children as young as infants being introduced to the concepts and practices of spiritual and cultural enlightenment using simple, familiar tools like picture books, videos and audio tapes. Living in the light! Light years ahead! I welcome you to join my daughter and me on this path!	My efforts to educate and enlighten my daughter Jessica started before she was born in 1994 in the form of library building. I vowed to build a library that had enough depth and vision to be a legacy to pass on to generations. Everywhere I traveled I searched for books that built character while introducing various cultures and spiritual techniques and practices. I wanted more than books that told the traditional fairy tales or pictured people of color while teaching nothing of their culture or, worse yet, scaring children or teaching them unrealistic goals. I left the telling of the traditional tales of Mother Goose, Snow White, Cinderella and the like to others. As a result Jessica's library includes books, videos, audio tapes and other resources that introduce world cultures and religions, affirmations, yoga, ecology, sign language, self-esteem and other essential character builders in simple enjoyable formats. When I realized that others were interested in a similar vision and wanted ideas for books to read to their children, I began to log Jessica's library of books in my computer. In 1999 this grew into a recommended reading list and the business, LightYears Children, Inc. (LYC, Inc.), was created. As it grows, LYC, Inc. will promote the vision including products and services distributed through direct sales and the Internet. These will include recommended reading lists of books already published by other companies, books published by LYC, Inc., book (gift) baskets, and a newsletter promoting multicultural and inspirational concepts, educational tools, events and activities for children and families.
These Are Not Your Average Recommended Reading Lists	About the Founder
In our travels and experiences we have found more than 300 books, tapes, videos and other resources that expose our children to and enhance their perspective of the beauty and diversity of the world that surrounds them. To encourage early learning we search and find books, tapes and videos that are informative and enjoyable for children preschool to 12 years of age. For example, in our database you will find books that introduce affirmations, yoga, world religions, multiethnic celebrations, the origin of Chinese characters, bilingual bedtime stories, and Native American Indian, Asian and Indian folklore to children as young as preschool. We also include books written for adults that may help you enlighten yourself and be the best role model for your children. Most of our books and resources are available only in independent bookstores or by special order. Our association with Amazon.com has made many of them available through our web site. To encourage reading by all we include many books that are available in the local library system. With the help of our "parent's guide" one can search their public library for these books and enjoy them without purchasing them. Click here to find out more about how we select our products.	I am Karen McMillan, creator of LightYears Children. My heritage is multicultural , with relatives from the United States, the Caribbean, Europe and India. I was born in The Big Apple, enjoyed three winters in Chicago, Illinois, and now enjoy life with my daughter in North Carolina. I hold a BA in psychology from Vassar College, New York, spent three years as a substitute teacher in elementary schools, and enjoyed a successful twenty-year career in management positions in corporate marketing and product development. What gives me the most pleasure is being a mom and sharing the light of life, playing and learning with my young daughter, Jessica. I truly believe that being a good parent is less about what we teach our children and more about what they teach us and how we are both enlightened by the experience. In an effort to share what I have gained, I currently sit on the board of a local preschool cooperative, am a member of the Mecklenburg Air Quality Commission, the recently formed Carolinas Clean Air Coalition, the Sierra Club, the Catawba Lands Conservancy, the Charlotte Chamber of Commerce, and a Girl Scout Troop Leader. Each of these endeavors helps to keep me in touch and inspired to be a true steward of our children and our environment.