50% of my Etsy sales this month will be donated to the Portland Immigrant Rights Coalition to support their fight for immigrant justice. Order notebooks, bookmarks, zines, and wall art and help support an important cause! Link in bio, thank you! #Crafts #WritingCommunity #WritingLife

Marbled revolutions 🎨🌀 Taking some retro colors for a spin around the marbling tray. Wishing you a happy Marbled Monday! #papercrafts #badbunny #marbling

Last night I got to see Mac Barnett and Carson Ellis read and talk about their new retelling of Rumpelstiltskin and my heart is full from hearing them share about this incredible book 💜

I wrote a blog about #StoryStorm, picture books, poetry, and the benefits of creative challenges! Check it out here: stefankarlssonwrites.wixsite.com/author/post/... #KidLit #PictureBooks #PoetryCommunity

This was my second year completing #StoryStorm, and it’s become my favorite annual tradition. Thank you to @taralazar.bsky.social and all of the guest contributors for offering inspiration and encouragement 💜 #KidLit

Here are the picture books I read for this January’s #StoryStudy reading challenge that I started, inspired by @taralazar.bsky.social’s #StoryStorm writing challenge. Thank you for following along, & a BIG thank you @mlapointemalchik.bsky.social for joining me in sharing wonderful PBs! 💜 #KidLit

Melted ice marbling pattern 🌀Cool colors nonpareil marbled paper 🎨 Throughout February, I’ll be donating 50% of all proceeds from my Etsy shop to Portland Immigrant Rights Coalition, a non-profit org that fights for immigrant justice in Oregon. Thanks for your support! #marbling #art #crafts

It's finally here!🎉 My new book CHASMS is now available. A special thank you to my editor Red & to the Alien Buddha Press. 'Chasms is a soul steeped in sunlight.' #booklaunch #Chasms #Poetry #NewRelease #CarmelladeKeyser #intersections @alienbuddhapress.bsky.social www.amazon.co.uk/CHASMS-Carme...

For the month of February, I’ll be donating 50% of all proceeds from my Etsy shop to Portland Immigrant Rights Coalition, a non-profit org that fights for immigrant justice in Oregon. Order notebooks, zines, bookmarks, and/or wall art and support a good cause! Link in bio, thx! #Portland #craftsky

For Day 31 of my PB reading challenge, I read THE LIBRARY IN THE WOODS by Calvin Alexander Ramsey & R. Gregory Christie. A poignant, award-winning book about family, libraries, & the Black community creating real-life magic. The best ending to my month-long reading challenge 💜 #StoryStudy #KidLit

For Day 30 of my PB reading challenge I was deeply moved by MAMA’s NIGHTINGALE by Edwidge Danticat & Leslie Staub, a story of family separation that shows the harm of inhumane immigration practices & also the power of the imagination & collective action to overcome them. #StoryStudy #KidLit

#NationalShutdown #IceOut

For Day 29 of my PB reading challenge I enjoyed BEAR by Natalia Shaloshvili, a funny & relatable #PictureBook about sharing & bottling up emotions. I was inspired to read it after seeing @mlapointemalchik.bsky.social share a different bear PB for today’s challenge! 🐻🧸😊 #StoryStudy #KidLit

For Day 28 of my PB reading challenge I was moved by Angie Kang’s Caldecott Honor book OUR LAKE. A deep & poignant portrait of family & loss. Such a beautiful book 💙 #StoryStudy #KidLit

For Day 27 of my PB reading challenge I took flight with BLUE and A FRIEND FOR GHOST by @suzannekaufmanart.bsky.social. I love these beautifully illustrated & magical stories of unlikely friendship 🪽💙👻🎈 #StoryStudy #KidLit #PictureBooks

Thrilled to appear alongside @stefankarlsson.bsky.social @attielime.bsky.social & Jacqueline on @brianmosespoet.bsky.social blog celebrating reading @nationalliteracytrust #goallin @booktrust.org.uk brian-moses.blogspot.com?m=1

For Days 25-26 of my PB reading challenge I read WHAT IS A REFUGEE? and KILLER UNDERWEAR INVASION! by @elisegravel.bsky.social. I love Gravel’s commitment to social justice & whimsy, and I wish more adults would read these powerful children’s books! #StoryStudy #KidLit

I’m honored to have a poem for kids about a bookish superhero alongside poems by real-life poetry superheroes @attielime.bsky.social, @robwaltonwriter.bsky.social, Jacqueline Shirtliff, & @brianmosespoet.bsky.social on Brian Moses’ poetry blog page! 🦸📚 Check it out: brian-moses.blogspot.com?m=1

For Day 24 of my PB reading challenge I was wowed by FIREWORKS by @matthewburgessj.bsky.social & Cátia Chien. I love the kid’s eyes view of the city’s everyday wonders & the glorious illustrations—& that jaw-dropping “finale” page, WOW. A memorable & mesmerizing PB! 🎆💜 #StoryStudy #KidLit

For Day 23 of my PB reading challenge I was inspired by DREAMERS by Yuyi Morales. Lyrical & beautifully illustrated, this memoir PB about immigrating to the US from Mexico shares a powerful, much-needed message: “We are resilience. We are hope. We are dreamers.” 💜 #StoryStudy #KidLit

For Day 22 of my PB reading challenge I was deeply moved by Allen Say’s classic Caldecott Medal-winning GRANDFATHER’S JOURNEY. A poignant book that feels personal like a family album yet universal & epic in scope, spanning generations & two countries divided by an ocean & a war. #StoryStudy #KidLit

For Day 21 of my PB reading challenge I was in awe of CAT NAP by @brianlies.bsky.social. This book is a monumental work of craftsmanship! Very inspiring to see the dedication to making the illustrations. Not to mention a fun story with a hungry cat 😸 So much to love here! 🎨🐈‍⬛ #StoryStudy #KidLit

A new episode every Wednesday, The Ditty Bag is a lovely little pocket of poetry joy in the week ❤️ A small but perfectly formed poetry podcast for those of us who are big on poetry love but short on time.

All day crows have been gathered around my place so for Day 20 of my PB reading challenge I returned to I AM WE by @lesliebarnardbooth.bsky.social & Alexandra Finkeldey. This PB gem is lyrical, informative, & visually stunning—will change the way you look at these clever birds! #StoryStudy #KidLit

For Day 19 of my PB reading challenge I was moved by SHARING THE DREAM by @sheliapmoses.bsky.social & Keith Mallett, which shows us the March on Washington from a child’s perspective, inspiring readers to keep standing up for a better future. A story we need for #MLKDay & beyond #KidLit #StoryStudy

I received these lovely handmade notebooks from @handsewnbooks.bsky.social! Can’t wait to fill these journals with poems and random musings. Thank you Stephen for your beautifully crafted notebooks! #WritingCommunity #notebooks

For Day 18 of my PB reading challenge I was moved & inspired by SNOW KID by @jessiesima.bsky.social! In this fun & uplifting story, a snow person goes on a journey of self-discovery & learns that it’s a beautiful thing to change, grow, & find new ways of becoming ourselves ❄️☃️💜 #StoryStudy #KidLit

For Day 17 of my PB reading challenge I was delighted to read I’M FROM by @garyrgrayjr.bsky.social & one of my fav PB illustrators @ogemora.bsky.social! Poetic, inspiring, & fun, this book sings & soars off the page 💜 #StoryStudy #KidLit

For Day 16 of my PB reading challenge I enjoyed BODY BEAUTIFUL by Susan Verde & @stephlittlebird.bsky.social! This empowering book celebrates the unique wonders that are each & every one of our bodies. A lyrical book of self-love & body positivity filled with wondrous artwork! #StoryStudy #KidLit

I’m enjoying the humor, wordplay, and delightful illustrations in this poetry zine by @stefankarlsson and @carlburkitt.bsky.social #PoetryFriday #ChildrensPoetry

For Day 15 of my PB reading challenge I roared along with LENA THE CHICKEN (BUT REALLY A DINOSAUR!) by Linda Bailey & K-Fai Steele! What a hilarious spin on dinosaur PBs, with a fierce & lovable main character who never chickens out in the face of danger! 🐓🦖 #KidLit #StoryStudy

What an incredible list of #kidlit books to look forward to this year! Thank you @carolinecarlson.bsky.social for sharing!

For Day 14 of my PB reading challenge I was blown away by THE SNOW THEATER by Ryoji Arai. This wintry PB is brimming with childlike imagination and surreal magic. I always love seeing the books that @enchantedlion.bsky.social releases! ❄️🎭🦋📖 #StoryStudy #KidLit

For Day 13 of my PB reading challenge I was moved by OUTSIDE IN by @underwoodwriter.bsky.social & Cindy Derby🌿 This thoughtful, meditative PB invites us to immerse ourselves in nature, even when we’re inside 💚 #KidLit #StoryStudy

Purple marbled swirls ☂️🌀 with an unexpected light show lol ✨ Idk what was happening with the lighting but I liked this pattern. I’ll probably over-marble it later, so stay tuned to see how it gets transformed with a new layer! #marbling #craftsky #papercrafts #handmade

For Day 12 of my PB reading challenge I cheered while reading EVERY MONDAY MABEL by @jashar.bsky.social! Reading a #picturebook like this that celebrates the small joys and community helpers is the best thing in the world (according to me)! #StoryStudy #KidLit

I wrote a blog sharing my favorite reads of 2025, including adult fiction, poetry, children’s books, & more! Find it here: stefankarlssonwrites.wixsite.com/author/post/... #writingcommunity #readinggoals #kidlit

Yesterday I got to write a little poem on Ursula K. Le Guin’s typewriter 💜 Thank you to @oregoncontemporary.bsky.social for the inspiring exhibit!

For Days 10-11 of my PB reading challenge I read inspiring PB bios written by @lisaljrogers.bsky.social, illus. by Il Sung Na & @cgroenink.bsky.social, respectively. Loved how these books introduce kids to creative icons while showing how music & poetry is all around us! 💜 #StoryStudy #KidLit

River meets river meets soil meets sky. May peace meet me at the delta. #haikusaturday #haiku #poetrycommunity

For Day 9 of my PB reading challenge I was inspired by TOGETHER, UNITED by Tami Charles & Bryan Collier. Lyrical and uplifting, this book’s profound message of unity reminds us how powerful we can be when we come together as a community 💜 #KidLit #StoryStudy

This is your sign to read this inspiring new article by @brianmosespoet.bsky.social about poetry inspired by signs! 🪧✍️😊 #KidLit #poetry

For Day 8 of my PB reading challenge I was thrilled to read Felicita Sala’s much-anticipated new book BORED. Funny, imaginative, whimsical, this book is anything but boring. Such a delight and one I’m excited to return to. 💜 #StoryStudy #KidLit #PictureBook

For Day 7 of my PB reading challenge I travelled back in time thanks to THE HISTORY OF WE by @4nikkolas.bsky.social! This lyrical PB takes us back to the origins of humanity in Africa & celebrates the brilliance of our shared ancestors. The artwork is absolutely breathtaking! #StoryStudy #KidLit

For Day 6 of my PB reading challenge I’m celebrating #PubDay of THE WILDEST THING by Emily Winfield Martin! 🌿 This book is brimming with imagination & wildness. Is it too soon to pick a favorite #picturebook of 2026? Because this book will surely be on my end-of-year list! 💚 #StoryStudy #KidLit

First marbling post of 2026! ✨🎨 Kicking off the new year with some cool-color stones layered over swirling suminagashi styles lines 🌀 #handmade #crafts #papercrafts

For Day 5 of my PB reading challenge I visited THE HIDDEN WORLD OF GNOMES! This whimsical guidebook by Lauren Soloy features gnome traditions, games, recipes, songs, & more. Wonderful for fans of Phoebe Wahl & Moomin stories. I’m excited to check out THE NEWEST GNOME soon! #StoryStudy #KidLit

A man. A beard. And bats! 🦇 Just posted a new silly poem video for kids with marbled animations and lots of weird fun. This poem comes from the Chatting Poems zine made with my friend @carlburkitt.bsky.social! Check it out here 📺 youtu.be/T4ybI-Fyoic?... #kidlit #poetry #poetrycommunity

Day 4 of my PB reading challenge called for some silliness and LITTLE FREDDIE TWO PANTS by Drew Daywalt & Lucy Ruth Cummins was just what I needed! Totally absurd & hilarious, this sweet PB features a lovable pup facing one sartorial challenge after another 🐶👖👖😂 #StoryStudy #KidLit

My pick for day 3 of my PB reading challenge felt timely: STRANGE CREATURES by Cristina Sitja Rubio & Cristóbal León is a wild, poignant, & surprisingly playful tale of deforestation. I loved this book’s irreverence & its powerful message. #StoryStudy #KidLit @kidscanpress.bsky.social