Yay! TOVA’S SWEET SOLUTION (Red Comet Press, 4/21/26) was featured on today’s Indie Kids Book Buzz hosted by @fuse8.bsky.social ! #kidlit

Janna Morishima shares the highlights from my school visit workshop: kidscomicsunite.com/how-to-set-u.... #kidlit

Such a fun morning teaching about school visits for Janna Morishima’s Kids Comics Unite! 😄 @kidscomicsunite.bsky.social #kidlit

Brilliant October books: I love this inspiring picture book that shows the power of horses to help a child feel more confident and grow as a reader! RAIN AND THE READING HORSE is written by Maria Gianferrari and illustrated by Hannah Salyer. (Me with FredBob.) #kidlit

I’ve read 25 November new release children’s books this afternoon and found 0 that I like enough to recommend to you. It makes me grumpy. Hopefully the next stack is better!

I'm HORRIFIED that someone I used to admire believes and quotes AI as if it's a legitimate source of information! AI answers are either made up or stolen. Cite the source of the research. UNSUBSCRIBE.

I’m always happy at the barn. Add in riding lessons and I’m never going to stop smiling! 😍

Indigenous and Native American Heritage Month is coming up in November. Here are picture books that celebrate Native North American and Native Canadian traditions, cultures, and languages in the present day. imaginationsoup.net/picture-book... #kidlit

I'm beyond thrilled that my first picture book, TOVA'S SWEET SOLUTION (Red Comet Press, 4/21/26), has been selected for the Junior Library Guild Gold Standard program! There's still six months until release day but you can preorder any time! www.abramsbooks.com/product/tova... #kidlit

Author interview with the AMAZING Dusti Bowling. She shares how she thought of this new story idea, her writing process, her advice for writers, why she choose the topics in the book, plus MORE! imaginationsoup.net/author-inter... #kidlit

Kidlit writers, this is what I gave out in my workshop about book launches this past weekend. Remember there are many paths. You get to choose which one works for you. Enjoy the journey! Celebrate your book! #kidlit

Do these books make me look younger? They're NEW, & FABULOUS!! imaginationsoup.substack.com/p/fabulous-n... #kidlit

Sora, the AI-generated social media platform, is terrifying, and the world is probably ending. Read more: substack.com/home/post/p-....

I love fall days! 🧡

Every school visit I watch gives me new ideas for my clients. Loved seeing the incredible Dusti Bowling today!! #schoolvisits #kidlit

Kidlit writers, are you looking for a mentor? You can apply to the Michelle Begley 2026 mentorship program now until November 3, 2025 at 11:59 pm! You can select ME or any one of the amazing mentors. ✏️Get the scoop here: www.scbwi.org/regions/rmc/....

Since AI steals bloggers' content and 90% of the bloggers I know who used to make a living from blogging in ALL industries have taken other jobs and stopped blogging, who will AI steal from now? (My own new posts are now behind a paywall.) Will it just make up more stuff? Steal from non-experts?

Check out these 10 new kidlit books you NEED to know about. Also, I share the benefits of being a beginner. (Because I looked up the research to encourage myself.) #kidlit imaginationsoup.substack.com/p/impressive...

Graphic novelists, take this course and set yourself up for success! kidscomicsunite.com/how-to-launc... (Also, I'm teaching the school visits session-- it's going to be packed with info!) #kidlit

Excited for this comic magazine for kids from @joshuasmeaton.bsky.social designed to get kids reading! www.kickstarter.com/projects/com...

@abbywhitewrites.bsky.social generously shares an interactive (and brilliant) idea for a bookstore event. A choose-your-own adventure! If you're an author or illustrator, you'll want to read this! open.substack.com/pub/melissat... #bookmarketing #kidlit

Have you seen the new & improved Imagination Soup newsletter on Substack? Here are my picks for September middle grade books—https://imaginationsoup.substack.com/p/favorite-new-middle-grade-books-september #kidlit

BIG NEWS! I've moved my Imagination Soup newsletter with all my new book reviews to Substack! If you’re a children’s book-loving literacy advocate parent, grandparent, teacher, or librarian, join me for good books, printable resources, giveaways, and more! open.substack.com/pub/imaginat... #kidlit

"To be able to take experiences we have lived and owned and thought about deeply...and share our understanding of truth with the rest of the world is an incredible privilege, as well as a responsibility." - @sydneydunlap.bsky.social imaginationsoup.net/writing-abou... #kidlit

Want to get preorders for your next book? What are your options, and is it worth it? #bookmarketing #kidlit open.substack.com/pub/melissat...

Happy birthday @mrschureads.bsky.social ! I hope your next year is wonderful!!

Behind the scenes: September books! 😳 #kidlit

Believe it or not, you can be creative with your book launch. Here are some clever out-of-the-box ideas from some amazing kidlit authors. #kidlit open.substack.com/pub/melissat....

Thrilled to share this informative interview with middle grade graphic novel creators, siblings Chas! Pangburn and Kim Shearer. They talk about ideation, collaboration, the process of writing graphic novels, and more! imaginationsoup.net/author-inter... #kidlit

The author of The Penderwicks series, Jeanne Birdsall, has a new book, THE LIBRARY OF UNRULY TREASURES. In our interview, she talks about writing a new series, world-building, what she hopes her books give to readers, and more. imaginationsoup.net/author-inter... #authorinterview #kidlit

I have BIG, EXCITING, WONDERFUL NEWS! Today, I can officially reveal the cover for my first picture book, TOVA’S SWEET SOLUTION, written by me, illustrated by Aurélie Lise-Anne, and published by Red Comet Press (April 21, 2026). Isn’t it adorable? imaginationsoup.net/cover-reveal... #kidlit

New, lovely picture books about friendship, zombie snails, unhoused day-in-the-life, a festive family, and more! gatheringhttps://imaginationsoup.net/new-picture-books-august-2025/ #kidlit

11 exceptional middle grade novels, August(ish) 2025 -- imaginationsoup.net/middle-grade... #kidlit

Love me some horse time! It does wonders for my mental health. 💕

According to 2025 National Literacy Trust report, fewer than 1 in 5 (18.7%) 8- to 18-year-olds read something daily. 😢 literacytrust.org.uk/research-ser... #reading #kidlit

Teachers: Please name the illustrator when you read to students. Discuss the art. Invite illustrators to visit. Show next generation that art in book was created by a HUMAN, that their work matters. www.picturesmeanbusiness.com/teachers/ #PicturesMeanBusiness Art @sarahmcintyre.bsky.social #EduSky

You're an author or illustrator who does school visits. I want you to fill in the blank. “Seek first to ______________.” What would you put in that blank--what is your overarching school visit goal? Here's what I think you need to know-- #kidlit open.substack.com/pub/melissat...

A prayer for those of us with invisible illnesses, from my doctor... “...on behalf of those suffering with mast cell activation syndrome and other invisible illnesses. You see their struggle, even when others cannot. Grant them strength for each day..." www.jillcarnahan.com/2025/08/08/m...

All edufriends are invited—whether you're an educator, librarian, or lifelong learner. Join us to share the joy of reading, writing, and learning with Kwame, @juliaerin80.bsky.social and me! #TeacherStudy #BackToSchool #TeacherPlanning #SeasonsOfLiteracy www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticket...

Dustin Brady writes one of my favorite MG series. He shares more about why he writes GameLit: "I don’t want to just write books. I want to create readers." Read his full essay here (it's brilliant): imaginationsoup.net/the-power-of.... #kidlit

New children's nonfiction books you'll want to know about-- and share with kids! imaginationsoup.net/new-nonficti... #kidlit

Thank you for celebrating libraries!

Nerves getting the best of you when you're at school visits or other speaking events? Here are some tips to help! melissataylortips.substack.com/p/speaking-t... #kidlit #speakingtips

Moved my newsletter archives over to Substack! Here's one that might be of interest-- melissataylortips.substack.com/p/school-vis... #kidlit #schoolvisits

If your kids or students need a little bibliotherapy for back-to-school (and don't we all), here are 60 read-aloud children's book recommendations about the first day, separation anxiety, making friends, big feelings, and being yourself. imaginationsoup.net/back-to-scho... #kidlit

This summer is made fabulous by estrogen cream and volunteering at a hippotherapy barn!

Loved chatting with my friend Giselle about literacy and movement! Youtube: youtu.be/W6yGHWdudH8?... Apple podcasts: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/0.... #kidlit

My talented friend @laurenkerstein.bsky.social honors librarians and celebrates her forthcoming librarian picture book, HOPE RODE. Check out her inspiring collection of books here: imaginationsoup.net/librarians-o... #kidlit

Book reviews don't sell books, but multiple media mentions (including book reviews) all contribute to selling books. Get the scoop on how to pitch a reviewer here: imagination-soup-llc.kit.com/bd39e6760b #kidlit #bookmarketing

Let's try this again without a spelling mistake...My (adorable) bakery bear with food allergies story will be here in the Spring of 2026! TOVA’S SWEET SOLUTION @redcometpressbooks.bsky.social #kidlit