I enjoyed listening and meeting Oge Mora and Lester Laminack, two amazing authors who presented at the annual Florida Literacy Conference in Orlando in January 2025. It was so powerful to learn how everyday simple things, people, and experiences led them to write their children’s books.

I’m excited to reveal the cover of my latest picture book, which has earned a Kirkus Starred Review! ⭐️ A CAT LIKE THAT ⭐️ Written by Lester L. Laminack In stores January 7, 2025 #kirkusstarredreview #kirkusreviews #coverreveal #picturebooks #picturebookillustration #kidlit #kidlitart

'What you fear as a writer is probably the area your students don't trust you to teach.' Lester Laminack

ICYMI: Lester Laminack shares his Ferris wheel of education concept. Discover how it relates to the future of writing instruction. Listen to #TWTPod now! https://www.buzzsprout.com/2027003/episodes/16574965

This week, we welcome Lester Laminack to the Writing Roundtable! Our chat examines the evolving landscape of writing pedagogy and explores the future of writing education. Listen to #TWTPod now! https://www.buzzsprout.com/2027003/episodes/16574965

@painternik.bsky.social has lots of books forthcoming, but today I'm celebrating that the first one we've worked on together, A CAT LIKE THAT, is officially on shelves. Get your copy here: bookshop.org/p/books/a-ca...

We must create safe spaces where students can engage in critical conversations about topics that arise in literature and in life. From Reading to Make a Difference: spr.ly/63324Anno0 #readingteacher #reading #loveofreading #childrensliterature #childrensbooks

I look forward to being with you all.

Big news! Our keynote speakers are here: Lester Laminack and Antero Garcia! They’ll challenge and inspire us to build a world where the joy of literacy belongs to everyone. Don’t miss it — 2026 WSRA Conference is where inspiration begins. bit.ly/4gLNsZh

EDUCATOR friends: docs.google.com/.../1FAIpQLS... The Tyrolia Institute in Waco, TX 6/22-25 is FREE thanks to a generous grant. Your only obligation is transportation & hotel. Naomi Shihab Nye, Kylene Beers, Chris Crutcher, Penny Kittle, Bob Probst, Linda Rief, and me. Application is due May 5th!

Pause a moment to read this: school-education.ec.europa.eu/en/discover/...

IMLS staff were placed on administrative leave following the Trump Administration’s Executive Order, which eliminated federal funding for libraries. Take action today! www.everylibrary.org/statement_im... via @everylibrary.bsky.social

Trump fired her in retaliation for the stolen documents case. The only problem is that she wasn't in charge of the national archives at the time! bit.ly/3WTxJ1s via @everylibrary.bsky.social

Wow! One month out and this sassy cat is going into a second print run! Thanks for all your support @painternik.bsky.social #kidlit #kidlitart #picturebooks #cats

Another wonderful review of A CAT LIKE THAT from @readbookpage.bsky.social @lesterlaminack.bsky.social @jmcgowanbks.bsky.social #bookpagereview #picturebookreview #picturebooks #kidlit #kidlitart #cats

The Florida House and Senate opened and then immediately adjourned a special session called by Gov. Ron DeSantis to deal with his slate of immigration bills — a rare rebuke of the GOP governor by the GOP supermajority in the legislature.

Congratulations, @amedyckman.bsky.social and Mark Teague!

We’ve got two Stonewall Honor Winners in the house. Immense congratulations to my clients, @joelleretener.bsky.social and @deelasheeart.bsky.social for this huge accomplishment. It’s a rare honor to work on both sides of a picture book and these two deserve this more than I can say.

This year’s Caldecott Honor Books are: HOME IN A LUNCHBOX by Cherry Mo; MY DADDY IS A COWBOY, illus. by CG Esperanza; NOODLES ON A BICYCLE, illus. by Gracey Zhang; and UP, UP, EVER UP, illus. by Yuko Shimizu #ALAyma

Congratulations to Lynn Brunelle, recipient of this years Robert F. Sibert Informational Book Medal for LIFE AFTER WHALE: THE AMAZING ECOSYSTEM OF A WHALE FALL @ksonnack.bsky.social

This sassy cat had her first conference appearance at the Florida Literacy Association If you’d like a personalized autographed copy contact City Lights Bookstore in Sylva, NC. Thanks Scholastic for your sponsorship at this event. @painternik.bsky.social @margaretquinlin.bsky.social

🔥 📚 NEW event with @librarianjones.com! Register: www.bookelicious.com/events/ 2-27-25 @ 7:30p EST Join Bestselling Author Amanda Jones for a courageous conversation about "That Librarian: The Fight Against Book Banning in America". @bloomsburybooksus.bsky.social @bloomsburybooks.bsky.social

I’m in love with the art by @painternik.bsky.social in our new book

I am honored to be included.

Celebrating I love this art.

Happy book birthday to @lesterlaminack.bsky.social and @painternik.bsky.social's A Cat Like That!

Happy Book Birthday January 7, 2025 A CAT LIKE THAT

INBOX: “Stop the Voucher Scam: Virtual Town Hall - January 7th at 7ET” SOCM/PublicSchoolStrong statewide virtual town hall on @GovBillLee’s voucher scam and its potential impact on Tennessee students. Link: bit.ly/tnvoucherscam

The sad reality is, the overwhelming majority of Americans don't know there's a voter for the Speaker going on, don't care & won't be able to name him after the vote. This is what happens in a country where civics education is no longer universal. Its absence lets darkness settle in over democracy.

Happy New Year I wish you peace, hope, and joy.

I’m looking forward to seeing this book out in the world. I hope you can join me for this event!

Not sure tomorrow will be lighter, but let's cross that bridge when we arrive there.

I have always loved public libraries, but having young children has exponentially increased my gratitude and sense of indebtedness to them. Our local library is such a huge part of our lives. The books, the programming, the very intentionally curated kids’ section. It’s all such a gift.

When you have a new book coming out, and it's your first novel in five years and your first-ever novel in verse, well...early reviews like this one mean absolutely everything. ❤️

This

The Best Kids’ Books on Mental Health of 2024 childmind.org/article/the-... @childmindinstitute.bsky.social

I’m in love with this art. And I’m so eager for this cat to make its debut

Wow! This sassy cat has STARS (plural) in her eyes. Yep, she just got her second starred review. One from Kirkus and now a new one from Booklist. #kidlit #picturebook #starredreviews

How to Write Like a Scholar (and Not Like a Student) radicalscholarship.com/2024/12/05/h...

I hope you’ll join me to celebrate the release of my new book, A Cat Like That #picturebook #booklaunch #kidlit #childrensbookwriters

Join me and Kylene Beers in helping rebuild classroom libraries destroyed by hurricane Helene in one small school in Yancey County

Join Kylene Beers & me in helping a Yancey County NC school rebuild classroom libraries destroyed by Hurricane Helene. Click the link, choose a grade level & books to donate. Goal: 100 books per class. Thanks Bookelicious www.bookelicious.com/blog/book-by...

Zooming out to Bermuda this morning to meet with young readers and writers across Bermuda for my last event of 2024. #authorvisit #Kidlit #picturebooks

Welcome December #December

#timeflies #endoftheyear #gettingolder

Yesterday we enjoyed a post-Thanksgiving gathering with a few friends