What could be better than an octopus escaping from an aquarium?! Thor Hanson tells a true story about Inky while weaving in many octopus facts, while Galia Bernstein illustrates intriguing scenes. Rhyme keeps this story light-hearted and keeps readers rooting for Inky long after he’s gone. #PBreview

I love the first line in this @jwbottom.bsky.social book: “When Ruth Patrick was five years old, she fell in love with pond scum.” The paintings by Susan Reagan contain marvelous details of aquatic life. Patrick’s fortitude against gender discrimination in science will inspire all ages. #PBreview

Lynn Burnell expertly weaves facts into a story about a whale’s life offering the reader so much to learn about a marine ecosystem. @authorjasonchin.bsky.social paintings amplify the beauty of this life cycle and bring clarity to a complex subject. A book that lives up to all its awards. #PBreview

“Don’t be afraid to share your work. The trajectory of learning is exponential …. It’s not always easy to find the right critique group, but when you do find the right combination, it’s pretty magical.” —Donna Barba Higuera Couldn’t agree more. My critique peeps make my work so much better!

Julia Donaldson’s story entertains readers with delightful rhyming phrases about Jonty’s journey in search of his true home. The bright illustrations from Axel Scheffler add to the enjoyment (plus a Gruffalo!). I love the diversity of humans and animals in the scenes, and kids will too. #PBreview

Renée Watson writes a lovely ode to summer that speaks of her like a cherished friend. A girl wakes to a sunny morning seeking all the joys the day can bring. Bea Jackson’s illustrations pop with bright colors and dynamic compositions. Summer Is Here welcomes the season with open arms. #PBreview

A story about Japanese deliverymen who peddled towering stacks of soba noodle orders while bicycling in Tokyo traffic. @kyomaclear.bsky.social words paired with Gracey Zhang’s artwork convey the thrill of this vocation. Such a culturally historic and fun topic to share with kids! #PBreview

A humorous Old McDonald origin story from @underwoodwriter.bsky.social about a man who enjoys his tidy home and dislikes animals. Until a cat shows up at his door, and another cat, and a dog, and a duck, and then a menagerie! LeUyen Pham adorns each spread with charming illustrations. #PBreview

Some wonderful pearls of wisdom from my @highlightsfound.bsky.social ghts retreat: • The right book will keep you company when you need it most. • Faith in your art & writing is essential. • Belief fosters persistence which helps you get through obstacles.

I love the simplicity of this story. Amy Hest chose each word with care, and the bears use the same intention to prepare for a day of fishing. @erinstead.bsky.social paintings are pure perfection. Readers will learn that a day of fishing is really about quality time with one another. #PBreview

This book shares practical activities people around the world are doing to improve natural habitats in their communities. Lyrical verses by @ericasauthor.bsky.social engage the ears while artwork by @ginniehsu.bsky.social delights the eyes. Sure to inspire young, rewilding activists! #PBreview

Continuing my quest to read Newbery winners I missed as a child. This quote from a 1940s Danish Resistance member in NUMBER THE STARS by Lois Lowry remains relevant: "... the dream for you all, young and old, must be to create an ideal of human decency, and not a narrow-minded and prejudiced one."

Just read this insightful quote in TIME: “It’s about seeing each other. What am I doing as a creative? It’s about getting people to think, maybe helping people think differently. You know, that’s all I can do. The macro I can’t take care of. But I can take care of the micro.” —Colman Domingo

Uri was a prime example of someone making the most of their lot in life. His CHANCE memoir left quite an impression and showed me how our gifts are, first and foremost, for ourselves but can do so much more when we share them with others. Thank you for your tremendous gifts to the kidlit world.

What you can do it help: pick one or more books each week and help boost? Be sure to tag author/illus if you quote-post. Also to sometimes help boost the first post in this thread, which links to the archives and guidelines? Thanks so much! debbieohi.com/2025/02/kidl... #KidLit #KidLitLaunches

Augusta Braxton Baker cultivated a love of story during her life. This librarian’s effect on kid lit is mirrored in the bold colors and patterns of April Harrison’s artwork. Breanna McDaniel’s book belongs in every library where it can influence literary inclusivity, just like Baker did. #PBreview

I am nerding out on @libib.com! Such a great tool for tracking & organizing books. The phone app scans ISBNs and the online/desktop version creates rich catalog views. You can create multiple libraries and then use tags to make even more subsets. Now I'll know what I “need” from the bookstore!

Check out this cool game day graphic. Can’t wait to see our Philly boys win it all! 🦅

This touching story highlights the camaraderie between a school bus and her community. Loren Long’s illustrations focus color only on the bus. The Yellow Bus feels destined to become a classic with appeal for all ages. A wonderful tale about love, devotion, and new beginnings. #PBreview

Alicia Keys slayed her acceptance speech at the Grammys for the 2025 Global Impact Award. Brought me to tears. Stay strong, and stay creative everyone. youtu.be/htJum8qT8Lc?...

The 2025 #PBParty contest entry window is officially open... until 8 pm Eastern. 🎉 The judges and I are sending tons of good luck wishes your way and can't wait to read your submissions. ✨✨✨✨ How many entries do you think we'll have this year? mindyalyseweiss.com/...

Mindy shares some great tips for writers even if you aren’t entering the contest.

A heartfelt Christmas story by @tavaresbooks.bsky.social. Kids will enjoy rooting for the impatient Dasher when she travels alone and loses sight of the North Star guiding her home. This book reminds readers to be brave, kind, and thoughtful—grand notions for the holiday season. #PBreview

FLAT CAT shows readers we often don’t know what we want until we try something new. @taralazar.bsky.social uses fun language like splish-splosh and fuzzy-wuzzy, while the illustrations by Pete Oswald push the humor even further. Kids will love seeing Flat Cat in a waffle maker—pure fun! #PBreview

This story by @armyvet5.bsky.social is a wonderful way to introduce kids to voting. A girl and her grandmother pick up neighbors on their long walk to a voting site. E. B. Lewis’ paintings depict the diversity of the urban community and the hope in their hearts to carry out this call. #PBreview

The Bright Side by Chad Otis tells a story about an unhoused boy living in a bus and shows us that kids are both adaptable and resilient. Staying positive through adversity often requires imagination, something available to children if they are loved, no matter where they sleep at night. #PBreview

This @saraoleary.bsky.social book highlights the Brontë siblings’ imagination and the storytellers they embodied. Briony May Smith’s timeless illustrations enrich the story and back matter gives a deep dive into the history of the family. A wonderful literary bio tackled in a unique way. #PBreview

This bio about Robert McCloskey will make readers chuckle when viewing Becca Stadtlander’s paintings of duck antics paired with Emma Bland Smith’s tales of the havoc they caused in an apartment. What an impressive effort by McCloskey to ensure his illustrations were authentic. #PBreview

A poem containing layers of meaning mirrored in the collages by Melissa Sweet. Children will want to read this book over and over again. Kwame Alexander sums it up in the author’s note when he says that he and Deanna Nikaido “wrote this poem to remind us all that words are fun…” #PBreview

Since sharing this yesterday, we're up to 61 agents and editors for the 2025 #PBParty showcase. Wahooooooo! It's going to be another epic year. I can't wait to see all the magical matches. 🎉

Sometimes the other birds are too noisy, so Only flys off on their own to read. This book shows how some of us need quiet or alone time, but no one wants to be lonely. Kids will see new ways to enjoy friendships and will love the details in the @airlieanderson.bsky.social paintings. #PBreview

abicushman.com excels at drawing animals with expressive faces. In this book she pairs her images with hilarious dialogue and somehow gets NF animal facts in there too. Kids won’t realize how much they’re learning! Wombats are indeed pretty weird, and a whole lot of fun. #PBreview

I love how @judithhenderson.bsky.social & Ellen Yeomans built this story around a simple, mysterious yellow envelope. It’s full of spunky Gmas and bright colors by Rashin Kheiriyeh. GRANDMOTHERS GALORE! has a Grammy, Abuela, Nana, Nonna, Bibi, Nai Nai, Bubbie, plus a whole lot of heart. #PBreview

Kids will love the silliness @karilavellewrites.bsky.social brings to her picture book about animal heads and heinies. Readers are sure to giggle while gaining knowledge that’s often accompanied by a pun. Butt or Face? provides a fun, interactive way to introduce children to NF topics. #PBreview

Local peeps, come out and support my critique partner at this gem of a bookshop!

Ms. Mouse is a brilliant architect who designs imaginative dwellings for creatures throughout the world (detailed illus by Smith). The re-printing of Mendoza’s book by @nyrb-imprints.bsky.social is a gift to the PB community, sure to resonate with future generations as it did mine. #PBreview

Hello Blueskyers! I just switched over to this platform and am excited to reconnect with the Kidlit community here. My first skeets will be repostings of the books I shared last year on that other platform that shall not be named.