MIXD Reality
MIXD Reality is transforming how children experience stories through immersive, inclusive, and interactive learning. We are the creators of Just Like Me Books, the UK’s first line of picture books that use Augmented Reality to bring stories to life—especially for children often underrepresented in literature.
Founded by husband-and-wife team Pamela Aculey (award-winning author) and Alex Kosminsky (product designer), MIXD Reality was born from a deeply personal place. As parents of three mixed-heritage children, two of whom are autistic, we saw how few picture books allowed our children to see themselves reflected in the pages. We believe all children—regardless of background, ethnicity, or ability—should feel seen, supported, and inspired by what they read.
Through our AR-enhanced books, we blend print, illustration, sound, animation, and narration to create experiences that engage neurodiverse learners, support children with speech or language delays, learning difficulties, or who are non-speaking. We partner with schools, authors, and educational establishments to embed our stories in the curriculum, and we are building tools that help bring inclusive storytelling to scale.
Our goal is not only to entertain, but to build understanding, empathy, and confidence in all learners. We measure our impact in children who recognise themselves in our characters, in schools that adopt our books, and in how we shift what reading can look like when every child is included.
Our debut title, Buster Finds His Beat, is the UK’s first inclusive augmented reality picture book featuring a mixed-heritage autistic protagonist. It has been recognised nationally, featured in The Independent’s Top 10 Children’s Books That Celebrate Diversity, and showcased on Good Morning Britain, The BBC, and The Guardian.
MIXD Reality and Just Like Me Books have also received significant recognition within both the publishing and tech sectors. We are proud winners of the Great British Entrepreneur Awards, Black Tech Achievement Awards, Women in Tech Awards, Innovation Awards, Community, Culture and Corporate Awards, and the Faber Publishing Prize, as well as finalists at The National Diversity Awards.
These accolades highlight both the cultural and technological impact of our work, as we continue to innovate at the intersection of inclusive storytelling, education, and immersive technology.