Not a topic, but an idea: remember children's birthday parties in the party room at McDonald's? I want bookstores to have party rooms for adults, with books and Happy Hour instead of toys and Happy Meals. #kidlitchat

I want to normalize EVERYONE reading picture books. Not because I am a picture book writer. But because I am a picture book READER - and a childless one, at that. But alas, even my own family only reads my picture books and no one else's. They're missing out - and so are too many others.

This is VERY cool.

I'll be teaching a webinar on crafting irresistible nonfiction book proposals this Saturday, March 14, for the @scbwicanadaeast.bsky.social Digging Deeper series! Join me at 1 pm ET or register for the recording. More information can be found here: www.scbwi.org/events/craft... #kidlit #CanKidLit

I was modelling for my students how I come up with picture book ideas. So I tossed out a REALLY ridiculous idea. Then, of course, I had to write it and revise it, as part of the exercise. For fun, I made it SOOO over the top, because how could I not? And now... I think it might sell?! #kidlitchat

In these times it can feel like writing low selling children's books isn't the biggest help for the world, but then I remember the kid I've never met many timezones away who reads This Wolf Was Different each night before bed as their comfort book, and I remember... it's helping someone's world. ❤️

In the midst of chaos and uncertainty, it's worth remembering that writing for children is a hopeful act. It's a way of nurturing and supporting the growth and emotional needs of children. I'm all for celebrating acts of hope #kidlitchat

Want to pick a timely name for a protagonist? Or convince the largest volume of grandparents to buy a book, because the protagonist shares the same name as a beloved grandchild? Check the Social Security Baby Name tracker. #kidlitchat www.ssa.gov/oact/babynam...

Some of our books are on the Children's Book Council Winter 2026 Showcase: Dream A Little Dream 🌙 THE MIDNIGHT CLUB MOON POPS ELEANOR’S MOON WHO NEEDS THE DARK? THE KEEPER OF STARS Thank you to the Children's Book Council for featuring us amongst a lovely list 💙 #Winter2026Showcase #CBCShowcase

‼️ IT'S OUR BIRTHDAY 🎂 (and a big one) ‼️ We're kicking it off with our #AnniversaryLogoReveal, featuring OWL's original Owl! 🦉 Stay tuned all year for fun content ... we look forward to celebrating with you! ❤️🎉 #Birthday #Anniversary #50 #50Years #OWL #1976 #2026

I have a few openings on my School Librarian Advisory Team for 2026 – if you're interested in taking the occasional survey, getting early copies of new books, & taking a peek behind the scenes of making kids’ books, it might be a good fit for you & your readers! Details: forms.gle/mkA9L5EuvjTu...

I took a publishing course this fall, and learned that while editors say they don't care about social media, publishing and marketing do--and they have a more significant voice at acquisitions than many realize. #KidLitChat

Someone made me a custom button of one of my book covers for its launch, and it was so sweet. If you want to buy an author a gift, what about an enamel pin with their favourite book cover? Or jewellery of the same? Etsy is great for this! #kidlitchat

Structuring a picture book can be tied to the emotional arc of a character, the pacing of the plot, the rhythm of language, or any combination of the 3. But above all, you’re bound by the formal constraints: roughly 13 page spreads. Form is like the Jillian Michaels of pbs: merciless #kidlitchat

I was fortunate to do a fall course with Kyo Maclear, and also attended CANSCAIP in Toronto, where you can do one-on-one meetings with editors. Both turned into community building opportunities. This is what I love about Bookish, which I host--I meet fabulous people and learn so much #kidlitchat

Picture books usually come out 3 years after the contract is signed, so what's on shelves now doesn't reflect a current trend, so much as 2022. But I can say in terms of my own manuscripts, it's the more unusual ones editors have liked in 2024/2025. So maybe now's the time to go weird?! #kidlitchat

Light up the night sky with these #BookRecs 🔦 ✨ WHO NEEDS THE DARK? ✨ MOON POPS ✨ ELEANOR'S MOON ✨ THE MIDNIGHT CLUB ✨ THE KEEPER OF STARS ✨ LITTLE MOMENTS IN A BIG UNIVERSE ✨ THE JELLYFISH BUS ✨ I WONDER ABOUT WORLDS #Nighttime #Storytime #KidLit #BookSky

Make the most of those early sunsets with snuggly reads. We love a book list, and we love seeing Maggie Knaus' ELEANOR'S MOON and @mypbjam.bsky.social's THE KEEPER OF STARS on this one✨

In Toronto and feeling witchy? Here's the event for you! @picturebookseh.bsky.social

My undergrad English class on Young Adult Literature has just decreed Isaac Blum’s THE LIFE AND CRIMES OF HOODIE ROSEN meets the criteria for Young Teen Lit.... Thoughts? @youngteenlit.bsky.social

Not to freak you out about being half way through summer or anything, but here's a reminder that if you're planning to teach The Power of Sympathy in the coming year, @mypbjam.bsky.social and I are happy to Zoom into your classroom!

Reading is transformative so I’m 100% behind a National Year of Reading but instead of shaming parents/carers (“put our phones down and pick up a book”) let’s focus on access and choice for children. That includes reversing library closures and funding cuts. #readingforpleasure

Feeling lucky for this fantastic review! @picturebookseh.bsky.social @canscaip.bsky.social

An angle to explore: "Novels are empathy machines: they invite you to imagine what it might be like to be somebody else. So they are, at least potentially, an antidote to the misogynistic influence of the manosphere" www.theguardian.com/books/2025/j...

Please join us!

"A family of witches desperately tries to entertain a cranky baby in this delightful picture book for fans of Little Witch Hazel and Go the F**k to Sleep." Enter to win a copy of Jennifer Harris / @mypbjam.bsky.social & Adelina Lirius' "The Witching Hour" from Tundra Books #💙📚

I sold one #pb this year (phew!)--that's 2028 covered. Working on 2029--but the pb market is slow. So focusing on what I can do to uplift and bring joy. On that note, hosting another virtual pb event for SCBWI this month! Tell me about your favourite pbs with ambiguous endings #kidlitchat

There's a moment when I get the first line in my head, and I know it's gold. That's all I need--one line, and it drives the whole pb manuscript. I know people who force themselves to write--but I could never force that line #kidlitchat

I queried my agent before researching query letters (whoops). But I was teaching professional writing at the time, and pulled out every trick. It worked! Be sensible, be persuasive, be clear. Also: research who you’re sending the letter to, but remember: don’t look like a stalker. #kidlitchat

I asked my spouse how many #picturebooks I’d need to publish to be taken seriously as an author. He guessed three. When I hit that it still didn’t quite sink in. I signed a contract for my sixth book recently, and am feeling very real now! #kidlitchat

A nice little blog post about WHEN A TREE FALLS. Thanks for having me, Sue! #kidlit @chroniclebooks.bsky.social @lookingglasslit.bsky.social @theremaybecats.bsky.social @picturebookseh.bsky.social @naomikirsten.bsky.social archimedesnotebook.blogspot.com/2025/04/when...

Pajama Press is excited to announce that we are opening our submissions for middle-grade and YA fantasy, science fiction, and historical fiction. Please visit the Pajama Press submission page on our website for more details. #opensubmission #YAbooks #middlegrade #fantasy #scifi #historicalfiction

Thanks @secondstory.bsky.social for sharing #picturebook THE WARMEST BLANKET IN THE WORLD by Tamara Levine and @elliearscott.bsky.social. It certainly is a cozy read of family and sharing. (I also learned about qiviut.) canlitforlittlecanadians.blogspot.com/2025/04/the-... 👍🇨🇦📚

In order to stay creative, I need to make time to read. I'm holding too much in my head related to my day job, volunteering, parenting, etc. Books are a palate cleanser for my brain. Latest obsession below! #kidlitchat

Just me, over on Instagram, @mypbjam, talking about Easter witches, shark girls, picture books, and what kidlit editors are apparently looking for in this weird moment... #kidlit #picturebooks

🌷At Picture Books, Eh! we're thrilled to share our spring releases! 🌧️☀️Read these books inside on a rainy afternoon, or outside on a sunny day picnic! #kidlit #EduSky #CanKidLit #ireadcanadian #teachers #librarians #parents @picturebookseh.bsky.social

Check out these Spring releases from Picture Books, Eh! #CanKidLit #kidlit

Looking for a kidlit critique group or hoping for one that better aligns with your interests? The Kidlit 2025 Critique Match is here: forms.gle/HsoHLUbQnMEH...

'Bluesky has overtaken its flailing rival X in hosting posts related to new academic research, indicating the platform is fast becoming the go-to place for scholars to share their work.'

I run a wild instagram account where I talk about children's books by staging scenes with dolls. Every week, my family brainstorms ideas, builds furniture, sets, and props. Handle there is also @mypbjam #kidlitchat

I WOULD GIVE YOU MY TAIL from Tanya Tagaq and illus by Qavavau Manumie, both of Nunavut, (from Tundra Books) puts the emphasis of happiness coming from gratitude but never in a preachy way. It's quite lovely and serene. canlitforlittlecanadians.blogspot.com/2025/04/i-wo... 👍🇨🇦📚

Children's Writers: Check out this PW article about the current state of the middle grade market. The editor of my debut MG novel, Eileen Robinson, is quoted. #kidlit #middlegrade #writingcommunity @charlesbridge.bsky.social www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/...

I think the question is: how don't picturebook writers use poetic techniques? Cadence, assonance, consonance, and more--all crucial for a successful read-aloud picturebook #kidlitchat

If you live in Canada and support independent bookstores, please make your voice heard! #CanKidLit #IndieBookstores #CanLit #BookSky

For anyone who needs to laugh: The Good Little Mermaid's Guide to Bedtime (Sumner and Gregory), We Are Definitely Human (Fang), and The Spider int he Well are all wonderfully funny recent picturebooks #kidlitchat

TOPIC: We all need a good laugh . . . right? Which kid's books would you nominate for Best in Funny, either recent or classic? (Extra points for your own books if comedy is your thing!) And how do you use humor in your work, if at all? #kidlitchat

The CBC is an important institution, beholden to no large US media giants. It advances Canadian literature, art, and music, not to mention ensuring Canadian representation. Support the CBC #cankidlit

To those posting about 🇨🇦 books for young people: add #CanKidLit #CanYALit #IReadCanadian or a related keywd to your posts (posts only, replies not incl) & it will be be pushed to CanKidLit feed: bsky.app/profile/debb... If you notice anyone pushing NON-🇨🇦 #KidLit content to feed, pls let me know.

Looking for Canadian #KidLit #YALit authors, illustrators, organizations as well as book bloggers who focus on boosting #CanKidLit? I've created a Starter Pack to help get you started: go.bsky.app/CzuFhAd