Welcome to Ashima
Ashima means limitless and without boundaries, and that is the world we envision for our children. We create books, toys and media that encourage exploration and highlight the beauty and diversity of the world around us.
We’re a children’s media company. We create books, toys, and custom amenities focused on travel and cultural exchange to inspire children to explore, to be curious, and to learn more about the world they live in. We believe in breaking down barriers, building bridges of understanding, being open to other perspectives, and forging new friendships!
Our signature collection is The Amazing Adventures of Aya & Pete, a children's book series that shares with children the magic and wanderlust of different cities and countries around the world.
In each story, we explore the geography, food, languages, art, culture, currency, and landmarks that children may find in those places. With vibrant illustrations and engaging narratives, our books and amenity offerings spark children's curiosity and imagination about the world beyond their doors. We are inspiring the next generation of global citizens, one story at a time.
Ashima is a 100% women owned WBENC certified and NMSDC minority certified business. Our founder, Serena Minott, is a 2021 Tory Burch Foundation Fellow, a 2024 Goldman Sachs NYU Stern Black in Business Scholar, and a UBS Project Entrepreneur/Hello Alice grant award recipient.
About Aya & Pete
Our signature publication is The Amazing Adventures of Aya & Pete book series, inspired by the real life experiences of mother-daughter duo Serena Minott and Asha Gore, and beautifully illustrated by Carolina Búzio. The Amazing Adventures of Aya & Pete takes children on exciting adventures around the world as they follow along with a little girl named Aya, and her stuffed sloth, Pete!
The first three books in the Aya & Pete travel series find our adorable characters visiting three of the most beloved cities in the world. Children will love exploring Paris, London, and New York City with our vibrant hardcover book collection.
Our books are written and illustrated to take children on visual learning adventures around the world. Explore French language learning, Parisian cafe culture, and the Eiffel Tower in our Paris book. Then take a stroll through the staterooms of Buckingham Palace and ride the Eye in London. Then, get lost in New York City on a whirlwind tour of the Big Apple with Aya & Pete. Our three-book gift box set is a bestseller, featuring all three books in a cute carrying case.
The newest book of the series, The Amazing Adventures of Aya & Pete in Mexico takes children on an exciting adventure to explore the magic and wonder of Mexico as Aya & Pete visit Mexico City, the Yucatan, and Oaxaca. The Amazing Adventures of Aya & Pete in Mexico is now available!
Meet the Authors
Hello and welcome! We created these books because we noticed that there was a gap in the market for these kinds of stories.
As a young family with a passion for exploration and reading, we found very few books that shared fun information about different places from a child's perspective, and certainly none with a multicultural lens. So we set about creating goods that not only reflected our personal experiences, but that also inspired values we wanted, and that we believe others would want, for our children - knowledge, curiosity, adaptability, acceptance, compassion and empathy. The result is an artful collection of globally inspired goods that teach children about the beauty and diversity of the world around us.
After many years traveling as a family and living in different countries and continents, we have seen how much the world has to teach young children. Since a young age, Asha (now with her baby brother) has met children all around the world, seen how they live, heard the languages they speak, learned the games they play, and tasted the foods they eat. In writing these stories, we hope to spark the curiosity of other children, and encourage them to learn more about the world they live. We want all children to know it's a big world out there, and that they belong in it as much as anyone.
Awards & Certifications
Our Mission
At Ashima, we believe travel informs, but education transforms. We are committed to donating 5% of our profits to organizations that empower women and girls through education and entrepreneurship. Learn More
