Today on the blog: January Recommendations! lynnbeckerbooks.substack.com/p/january-re... @writerjolene.bsky.social @lorindragon.bsky.social @northsouthbooks.bsky.social @stephlaubooks.com

On Read Your World Day, we celebrate @kidlitcollective.bsky.social stories that celebrate diversity from our friends @writerjolene.bsky.social @jnwieder.bsky.social and @charlottewatson.bsky.social #kidlit #kidlitart #booksky #picturebooks #diversity #EduSky

ICE is out of control. Killing people, separating families, and terrorizing our communities. I’m a NO on the DHS funding bill.

One of the best things I’ve read in a while:

WOW! It's a FOURTH star for Unbreakable: A Japanese American Family in an American Incarceration Camp, written by Minoru Tonai and me, illustrated by Chris Sasaki, and published by Abrams. Thank you, @publisherswkly.bsky.social #kidlit #history #picturebook

It's International Mariachi Day and a great day to celebrate authors @writerjolene.bsky.social, Dakota Gutièrrez, #illustrator @msmirelle.bsky.social, and their #picturebook MAMIACHI & ME. #kidlit #kidlitart #EduSky #booksky #kidlitcommunity @kidlitcollective.bsky.social

Happy Birthday to you, MAMIACHI & ME! We are so excited to celebrate you with @writerjolene.bsky.social, Dakota Gutiérrez and #illustrator @msmirelle.bsky.social. What a great first year you've had! #kidlit #kidlitart #picturebook #bookbirthday #booksky #kidsbook @kidlitcollective.bsky.social

Here’s my 2025 wrap up! 👇👇 I can’t wait to see what’s in store for 2026! #writingcommunity #kidlit @bookfairyangus.bsky.social @ymwjpodcast.bsky.social

What’s it like to co-write a picture book? 👯♀️ @sarahollyackerman.bsky.social, @writerjolene.bsky.social, Kirsti Call & @valeriebolling.bsky.social share what makes partnerships work. ✨ Save 25% on Writing Partnerships thru 12/31 w/ code PARTNER25: buff.ly/Ghohw0M #12x12PB #kidlit

It was a honor to be a part of this group! You don't want to miss the chance to learn more about writing partnerships AND save 25%:

Thinking about co-writing a picture book? ✍️ Join @sarahollyackerman.bsky.social, @writerjolene.bsky.social, Kirsti Call & @valeriebolling.bsky.social as they share how collaboration fuels creativity. 🎉 25% off Writing Partnerships thru 12/31 with code PARTNER25: buff.ly/Ghohw0M #12x12PB #kidlit

Can’t wait! Come write with me, @writerjolene.bsky.social @schaubwrites.bsky.social and Laura Purdie Salas with the crew from the Southern Nevada Writing Project! Friday 12:30-1:45 #kidlit

Looking forward to participating on this publishing panel next Sunday, Nov. 23 at 1 p.m. at #MountKiscoLibrary! #publishing #books #authorlife

We are pleased to host a giveaway of the picture book, HOPE RODE by @laurenkerstein.bsky.social, illustrated by Becca Stadtlander (Union Square Kids) To enter, L + RP and confirm your entry in our Friday weekly update: kidlit411.com/2025/11/the-... (+ more ways to win)

Our weekly big list of kid lit links is up (Nov 14): kidlit411.com/2025/11/the-... Inside: Writing Scenes with Senses, Tabling Comic Shows, Crowdfunding webinar, more. Thanks @heatherbell37.bsky.social for the illustration, Manu Delpech and @laurenkerstein.bsky.social for the PB giveaways.

Fingers crossed that flights to @ncte.org are not canceled or delayed because I am SO excited to be presenting with @writerjolene.bsky.social @tcbrbookreview.bsky.social @nadiasalomon.bsky.social #NyashaWilliams & signing copies of ONE GIRL'S VOICE at the Astra booth #922 on 11/21 at 1:30-2pm

I'm incredibly excited to present at the National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE) annual conference November 21-23 in Denver alongside many other amazing teachers and authors! I'll also be doing signings with Abrams and Chronicle--more details in the first image. #teacher #author #kidlit

The #ReVISIONweek prize post is UP! TY contributors! @meganefreeman.bsky.social @tcbrbookreview.bsky.social @imaginationsoup.bsky.social @juliefhedlund.bsky.social @writerjolene.bsky.social #JimAverbeck @literallylynne.bsky.social & @shannonstocker.bsky.social #kidlit #kidlitart #writingcommunity

Announcing new deals for @myahariel.bsky.social @alexandravivelo.bsky.social @writerjolene.bsky.social @cylev.bsky.social + more buff.ly/3T4zIin

It's time to PARTY! If you're like Birdy and find parties overwhelming, PARTY PANIC might be the book for you! I'm so excited to have another book with Angel Chang through Abrams Kids and am so grateful to Kaitlyn Sanchez for helping make it possible!

Today and tomorrow we are celebrating Dia De los Muertos or Day of the Dead, with THE OFRENDA THAT WE BUILT written by @writerjolene.bsky.social and Shaian Gutierrez with art by @gabbyzapata.bsky.social. This holiday honors the lives of the deceased. #DiaDeLosMuertos #dayofthedead #picturebook

¡Feliz Día de los Muertos! — Happy Day of the Dead!🕯️🏵️ Let's celebrate today with The Ofrenda That We Built, written by @writerjolene.bsky.social & Shaian Gutiérrez, with illustrations by @gabbyzapata.bsky.social🧡 Available here: smarturl.it/TheOfrendaThatWeBuilt

Last week, during my fall break from Denver Academy, I was fortunate to have Shaian come present about ofrendas and read our book The Ofrenda That We Built with me at Meadowlark School! It was such a beautiful morning of community and connection--the kids and teachers were amazing!

Shout out to @writerjolene.bsky.social for her donation to #FallWritingFrenzy. You can support her by pre-ordering her books, Unbreakable: A Japanese American Fsmily in an American Incarceration Camp.

I'm so honored that Elizabeth Weiss Verdick interviewed me for Bookology Magazine! I LOVE so many of Elizabeth's books, but MAKE WAY FOR HARRIET AND MAY is a special book with similarities to my book TOO MUCH! AN OVERWHELMING DAY. We discuss that & more here www.bookologymagazine.com/interviews/g...

Happy 5 year book birthday to @writerjolene.bsky.social 's BIONIC BEASTS!

Did you know that October is Sensory Awareness Month! Let's celebrate with @writerjolene.bsky.social and TOO MUCH! An Overwhelming Day

Thank you all the supporters for #FallWritingFrenzy. @sylvialiu.bsky.social @natashakhankazi.bsky.social @writerjolene.bsky.social @davidmcmullin.bsky.social @carolynbfraiser.bsky.social @alexgino.bsky.social @professoraixa.bsky.social

THIS Saturday, October 4 at 10:30 am at the Denver Botanic Gardens Helen Fowler Library! We'll be doing a special ofrenda-themed storytime featuring THE OFRENDA THAT WE BUILT by Shaian, @gabbyzapata.bsky.social, and me! #kidlit #kidlitart #picturebooks #storytime #ofrenda #diademuertos #teacher

The leaves are changing color. There’s a chill in the air. Celebrate the first day of autumn with members @ajirving.bsky.social’s DANCE LIKE A LEAF, @nrpaulson.bsky.social’s NILA’S PERFECT COAT, & @writerjolene.bsky.social’s THE OFRENDA THAT WE BUILT! #kidlit #booksky #firstdayoffall

Congrats to our 2025 #CrystalKite winning #12x12PB members! We are so proud of you, @sarahkurpiel.bsky.social, @evawongnava.bsky.social, @steenahernandez.bsky.social, @writerjolene.bsky.social, @cwrobinson.bsky.social, @sylviaichen.bsky.social, & Anita Yasuda! #amwriting #picturebook #kidlit

It’s a Grand day! Happy #GrandparentsDay! Celebrate with our beautiful books that feature grandparents: @ajirving.bsky.social’s DANCE LIKE A LEAF, @candacespizzirri.bsky.social’s FISHING WITH GRANDPA AND SKYE, Rashmi Bismark’s FINDING OM, & @writerjolene.bsky.social’s THE OFRENDA THAT WE BUILT!

On this #InternationalLiteracyDay, we’re so excited that members @ajirving.bsky.social, @mollyruttan.bsky.social, and @writerjolene.bsky.social’s books are available in other languages! Check out the multilingual versions of these fantastic picture books! #kidlit #booksky

In honor of Grief Awareness Day, we recommend two of our @kidlitcollective.bsky.social books...DANCE LIKE A LEAF by @ajirving.bsky.social and Claudia Navarro and THE OFRENDA THAT WE BUILT by @writerjolene.bsky.social, Shaian Gutiérrez and @gabbyzapata.bsky.social. #kidlit #kidlitart #picturebooks

Spotted on the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators blog: The SCBWI Crystal Kite Award Winners, including The Ofrenda That We Built by Shaian Gutiérrez, @gabbyzapata.bsky.social, and me! Thanks to Justin Campbell and Holly Thompson for blogging! 🥰🎉 scbwi.blogspot.com/2025/08/the-...

Humphrey the Egg-splorer dreamed big He wanted to be an egg-splorer like his grandfather Humpty Dumpty and didn't give in to peer pressure Written by Nadia Ali Illustrations by Valenti Gubianas www.amazon.com/Humphrey-Egg... @seymouragency.bsky.social @joycekay.bsky.social @picnicheist.bsky.social

Thanks to the #sunwritefun donors! #kidlit @lynnstreetbooks.bsky.social @dowphumiruk.bsky.social @nchurnin.bsky.social @literallylynne.bsky.social @writerjolene.bsky.social @jyotigopal.bsky.social @jilanne.bsky.social @buchetbooks.bsky.social @authorhmacht.bsky.social @juliefhedlund.bsky.social

After a school visit last year, students took home squash seedlings. Some got planted outside, and the librarian just sent me pics of the results. SOPHIE’S SQUASH lives on! Want me to visit your school or library? Contact Ellen Shay at schoolvisitdotconnector.com/contact #megakidlit #booksky

My mom & I had fun at Second Star to the Right Books! TY to all who #preordered! I loved signing books & adding stickers & bookmarks! You can still order signed copies at Second Star. TY Becca Stadtlander & Union Square Kids for helping me bring this book to life! #kidlit #hoperode

Bucket list moment unlocked! I’ve always dreamed of visiting Ann Patchett’s legendary bookstore, and now I get to speak there! If you’re in the Nashville area I’d love for you to join me and the amazing Lindsey Kimery at Parnassus Books on Oct 9th. Details here ➡️ parnassusbooks.net/event/2025-1...

What an honor! Too Much! An Overwhelming Day by @angelchang.bsky.social and me and published by Abrams is one of 20 Sakura Medal nominees this school year. Kids at International Schools in Japan will read the nominees and vote for the winner! 🎉 #kidlit #picturebook #teacher #librarian #library

#Librarians enrich our world! Congratulations to @laurenkerstein.bsky.social & @beccastatt.bsky.social on the publication of HOPE RODE, about Kentucky's brave Packhorse librarians! #reading #libraries

We're back to school and here's my first book review of the school year. I can't WAIT to share this one with my students! @stephaniegibeault.bsky.social is such a powerful nonfiction writer, and this true story brings so much heart as well. My review is here: www.goodreads.com/review/show/...

I'm so very excited for this Cover Reveal! Please stop by the blog for the story behind the story of UNBREAKABLE: A Japanese American Family in an American Incarceration Camp written by @writerjolene.bsky.social ^ Minoru Tonai, illus by Chris Sasaki, Abrams Books viviankirkfield.com/2025/08/11/c...

Wise words from @writerjolene.bsky.social ⤵️. Like she says - "Don't miss out!" - still time to enter! #SunWriteFun @kmgreenwald.bsky.social @buchetbooks.bsky.social

Today on my #KidlitLOVEItLists on jpuglow.substack.com I feature fabulous #NF #picturebookbiographies by #jillesbaum and Lisa Rogers @lisaljrogers.bsky.social open.substack.com/pub/jpuglow/...

Today we're celebrating one of our first "book babies"...MAC AND CHEESE AND THE PERSONAL SPACE INVADER by @writerjolene.bsky.social and #illustrator @heatherbell37.bsky.social. HAPPY 5️⃣th BOOK BIRTHDAY!!! @kidlitcollective.bsky.social #EduSky #booksky

Happy Birthday!! Can't believe it's been FIVE years since this debut came out!

I am SO honored to share the #coverreveal for a book I co-authored with Minoru Tonai, illustrated by Chris Sasaki, edited by Meredith Mundy, and published by ABRAMS Books. Join us on the amazing Vivian Kirkfield's blog to learn more: viviankirkfield.com/2025/08/11/c... 🎉

Teachers & librarians! I've put together some low-cost virtual author visits for you & your kids this fall, starting with THE TROUBLE WITH HEROES (grades 4-8) and OVER & UNDER THE CORAL REEF (K-5) on 9/15. Details: katemessner.com/low-cost-vir... (Please tag friends who might be interested, too!)