Hey #BookSky! The Language of Birds is here to pre-order! ✨🐦 Mira has always loved birds, but finds that people are a more confusing animal. When a new boy at school loves trees the way she loves birds, with help from the birds, Mira finds a way to connect that transcends words.

Q&Q 2025 Fall Preview presents the picture books we’re most excited about this fall, featuring a debut from Howie Shia, Award–winning illustrator Jacques Goldstyn and fan favourite Yolanda T. Marshall. This fall’s slate of picture books has something for every reader. bit.ly/3J1MRFG #kidlit

✨🐦👀Thrilled to see THE LANGUAGE OF BIRDS in such stellar company in the @quillandquire.bsky.social 2025 Fall Preview: Books for Young People! quillandquire.com/omni/2025-fa... #KidlitCommunity #CanKidLit #booksky

“Mostly, the kids at school left Mira alone. So she spent recesses sitting under a maple tree, feeding seeds to a crow.” 🐦‍⬛ Sharing a snippet from THE LANGUAGE OF BIRDS, available to preorder now 😊 Illustrations by: Zach Manbeck DEC/2025 Random House Studio. #picturebook #booksky #kidlit

Just over 8 months to wait ... but in the publishing world, that feels like tomorrow! Thrilled to share the cover of my next book THE LANGUAGE OF BIRDS, illustrated by #ZachManbeck & published by Random House Studio. A story about friendship & connection, in the many forms it can take! #CanKidLit

Excited to share the #coverreveal for my next #picturebook THE LANGUAGE OF BIRDS! Illus. by Zach Manbeck. Landing in bookstores 12/16/2025. Available for preorder now! penguinrandomhouse.com/books/740739/the-language-of-birds-by-jon-erik-lappano-illustrated-by-zach-manbeck #kidlit #kidsbook #birds

Our Zoe, Queen of the cats, has the most luminous green eyes. I’m certain she can travel between realms. We all show her great deference.

My writing process is usually: a) I got this b) well, fuck c) wait that part was real good d) wait no that part sucks e) I am a god of this place f) the fuck is this shit, who do I think I am, why am I here g) oh man I just figured it all out h) mistakes were made I) existential dread

Two stages of writing: 1) This shouldn't take too long 2) Oh no

Can you feel that frost on the air yet? ❄️ Here’s a book for cozy winter nights, about a hopeful child and a long-forgotten song to call the snow home. #kidlit #snow

Realizing my latest picture book draft would work better as a middle grade, my latest middle grade draft would be better as a graphic novel, and my 120,000 word literary fiction should really have just been an email.

I really hope the cure for walking pneumonia is chicken parm

Since I’m new on here, wanted to share my next book. “ALL THE LITTLE MONSTERS” is a mental health memoir, out January 21. Preorder: www.harpercollins.ca/978144347240...

For those interested in following #Canadian authors & illustrators of books for young people, I just created a starter pack. I probably should have broken into several but it'll be a good start for those who want to follow great writers & artists of books for children and teens. go.bsky.app/2Ys743U

If even just 1% of my followers decide to buy one of my books, I will have sold… *calculates* 1 books

It’s #FungiFriday apparently, so I’m wishing a very good day to these most formidable fungi. A few favourites I’ve encountered in the near northern Ontario woods.

Started this starter pack with energy justice & climate justice folks. Let me know who I should add to it. go.bsky.app/HXiuKJ5 (P.S. yes this is my way of finding my friends that migrated to bluer skies) @costasamaras.com @menrywy.bsky.social @leahstokes.bsky.social @sidersadapts.bsky.social

My manuscript in my head vs my manuscript first draft

Good morning! Anyone else dreaming of that first snowfall? SONG FOR THE SNOW, w beautiful illustrations by Byron Eggenschwiler, is a story about Freya, who misses the winters that used to blanket her town in snow. With a snow globe and an ancient song, she tries to call the snow home. #kidlit

Deep in my dad era. Reliable heel hole in black socks. Same three outfits for decades. Forever fixing the same rattling doorknob.

Having experienced them all: Bluesky > Threads > Staring into the middle distance in longing > the emptiness inside > twitter

Can you feel that frost on the air yet? ❄️ Here’s a book for cozy winter nights, about a hopeful child and a long-forgotten song to call the snow home. #kidlit #snow

Hi 👋 a bit more about me: I write books for kids, mostly about wild imagination and childhood connections to the natural world. Here are a few of my books:

*leans awkwardly against a pillar, takes sip of a long-ago empty drink

*walks in