Many years ago, I began a prose novel for teens that just never worked, even after multiple rewrites. Later, I tried writing it as a novel in letters. Finally, I began writing it as a verse novel. It took a while to learn this new-to-me form. (1 of 4) #kidlit

This makes me think of @karenkrossing.com @debbieohi.com taking on big feelings like sadness or being bored and putting them into picture books to share SEL.

What a terrific review of THE CLOUD STUCK by @karenkrossing.com and illustrated by @doroleung.bsky.social! Kirkus Reviews calls it, "A heartwarming and convincing tale for kids seeking to ride out life’s rainclouds." www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews...

I just received a great review of THE CLOUD THAT STUCK, written by me & illustrated by @doroleung.bsky.social! Here's what Kirkus Reviews said: "A young girl is troubled by an annoyingly persistent cloud.... A heartwarming and convincing tale for kids seeking to ride out life’s rainclouds." #kidlit

Do you have a #picturebook manuscript to revise? Please check out my guest post "Deconstruction & Reconstruction: A Primer on Picture Book Revision” on Jesse Weiner's Inksations blog. BTW, Jesse's newsletter is worth subscribing to. Writing calls, gigs, articles, interviews, and more! #kidlit

Presenting ASHA AND BAZ MEET MARY ANNING at the OLA Superconference at the CANSCAIP Booktasting Friday Jan 30 at 10:30am. It's at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre at the Idea Hub (The Idea Hub is in the back corner of the Exhibit Hall - near the washrooms - yes, very me to know that). #kidlit

#kidlitart chat is today! Set your reminders, tell friends! #kidlit

agree - great stuff here for #kidlit folks & readers, and a way to help out in this moment of manufactured, mean-spirited chaos...

Friends! The auction to raise funds to support immigrant communities and those impacted by ICE is open! Link to bid on pb critique: www.32auctions.com/organization... There's a ton of other really cool stuff to bid on! Thank you! #kidlit

Publishing For Minnesota is going on right now, and there are so many amazing items you can bid on! Proceeds from this auction will support organizations providing legal aid, emergency assistance, food, and community resources to those in urgent need. www.32auctions.com/publishingfo...

I'm excited for this book!

I’m honored by this advanced praise for THE CLOUD THAT STUCK from two people I admire. BTW, the photo is mine. The sky can be so dramatic sometimes, and these storm clouds fit with our book, which is expressively illustrated by @doroleung.bsky.social. Coming from @charlesbridge.bsky.social in April.

Been telling my students and parents exactly this point. Want to be a better reader? You have to read. What to be a better writer? You have to read. Analytical reading and writing is the most important skill we can teach and model. We are all teachers of reading.

Looking forward to watching the #ALAYMA this morning and cheering for my colleagues! And like always - I'm sharing my poem "What Happened to Your Book Today." A reminder of why we make books for young readers. ❤️https://katemessner.com/what-happened-to-your-book-today-a-poem-for-after-the-ala-awards/

This snow drift is my writing companion today. #snowmageddon

On Jan. 30, you can find me at the Ontario Library Association's Super Conference, where I’ll be emceeing @canscaip.bsky.social's Book Tastings and sharing two of my own books! Please join us to hear about new titles from the mouths of the creators. #OLASC

THE CLOUD THAT STUCK is in a list of Inspirational Picture Books to Ring in 2026 from Maya Lé (MaiStoryBook)! “A gentle, hopeful picture book about mental health and resilience.” Written by me & illustrated by @doroleung.bsky.social. Coming from @charlesbridge.bsky.social in April!

It's wonderful when a reviewer gets your book. And it's not easy to please Kirkus Reviews. So I'm thrilled with their review of ONE COSMIC ROCK, written by me and illustrated by @dreamist.bsky.social. Coming Feb. 17 from @owlkids.bsky.social! "A joyous, lyrical celebration of planetary life."

A brief break from grey winter clouds at #sunrise today. #skyphotograhy

Arriving on Earth in February 2026: ONE COSMIC ROCK, written by me and illustrated by @dreamist.bsky.social. A rock is like a book. When you open it, it tells you a story of where it’s been. The story of this rock is out of this world. Available for preorder now! @owlkids.bsky.social #kidlit #stem

For those who do care about what's happening in the world, but who sometimes need an #Uplift: bsky.app/profile/debb... Hand-curated by yours truly. Criteria unapologetically subjective, but esp: word nerds • acts of kindness • crafty • obscure interest deep-dives • alt-text

I am putting together an anonymous survey about book promotion & social media, for posting across all social media platforms I currently use. #KidLit #AuthorSky Q. Any suggestions for questions I should ask? (but pls read thread first 👇🏽) Aggregate results of the survey will be shared publicly.

Hooray for this good news!

Kid Lit Art Postcard is THIS Thursday!!! If you have trouble with remembering the right hashtag, just copy and paste this: #KidLitArtPostcard

Shout out to the parents, teachers, and kids navigating the first day back from winter break. 🫩 #teachers #parenting #edusky

A wonderful historical MG novel!

I'm the face behind the Bluesky account for @picturebookseh.bsky.social. Please enjoy our new Starter Pack including our 2026 authors and illustrators! #CANkidlit #kidlit

When a child finally meets a barred owl only his grandfather has ever seen, it's a wondrous connection. OWL by Kara Griffin, illus. by K. Shawn Larson from @acornpress.bsky.social Thanks for sharing @nimbuspub.bsky.social Great for #STEM too canlitforlittlecanadians.blogspot.com/2025/12/owl.... 👍🇨🇦📚

Hooray! It’s an impressive list, and wow, a lot to organize. Thank you, Helen! I look forward to reading my way through many of these titles and launching my new books!

What a ton of work goes into these amazing lists! I like seeing which books I’ve already read and adding to my to-read pile. Thanks, @fuse8.bsky.social!

Wild rice pudding with black currant compote and birch syrup. Topped with toasted pumpkin seeds. A new recipe that worked out well!

VOTE NOW for your favourite Black Canadian book, author, illustrator, bookstore, organization, and influencer. Voting opens December 20, 2025 to January 10, 2026. Winners will be announced in January 2026. Vote here: forms.gle/5EAH7Pi5dNko... or at link in bio.

I’m honored by this article in @kidsbookcentre.bsky.social BOOKNEWS magazine, written with sensitivity by author @heathercamlot.bsky.social. In it, Heather speaks with illustrator Cathie Jamieson and me about how our unconventional teamwork shaped our new book MY STREET REMEMBERS. #kidlit

It’s fitting that my advanced copy of THE CLOUD THAT STUCK arrived on this rainy day. This book will be published in April – the month of rainstorms – but today’s weather somehow knew this book needed a rainstorm to announce its arrival. Dorothy Leung's illustrations are so emotive!

Busy prepping Jan1st post re #youngCanLit upcoming releases (let me know if you've a 2026 title) but still catching up on wonderful fall releases like COMMUNITY SNOWMAN by @deborahkerbel.com & Tine Modeweg-Hansen from @groundwoodbooks.bsky.social canlitforlittlecanadians.blogspot.com/2025/12/comm...

Such a great book for all ages! Highly recommended!

Thank you eduquer differemmentle podcast for our discussion on how authors can partner with educators. Interview in English but subtitles in French. Link www.youtube.com/watch?v=RNyu...

Days 15-16 prompt for Jehane’s Twelve Days of Christmas is TAWNY OWL, done in Procreate . . . #illustration #editorialillustration #kidlit #illustrationart #ipadart #picturebook #greetingcards #jehanestwelvedays #jehanestwelvedays2025

Thank you, Winnipeg Free Press, for including MY STREET REMEMBERS as a best book of 2025! "Local history comes alive when we think back to who lived on the land before our houses were built." — Harriet Zaidman #kidlit @groundwoodbooks.bsky.social

Day #11 of 31 Days, 31 Lists: 2025 Message (SEL) Books. These titles have something to say to kids, and not only are they unafraid to say it, they do it in the best possible way. #31Days31Lists #kidlit 📚👍 afuse8production.slj.com/2025/12/11/3...

I *love* hearing when educators and librarians use my books in the classroom, do readalouds with students etc. If you are one of these, please do tag me if you post about it? #EduSky #PrimarySky This is the one thing I really miss from the Other platform. cont'd

It’s time for my final quote of the year for the teens in my creative writing classes, and comes from Dorothy Allison: “Storytelling can be a strategy to help you make sense out of your life.” More on my blog: kendrakandlestar.wordpress.com/2025/12/11/w...

I'm excited to read this!

REVISE YOUR PICTURE BOOK MANUSCRIPTS Do you have #picturebook manuscripts you’d like to revise with a committed group of writers? BUILD-YOUR-OWN MENTORSHIP Are you seeking a one-on-one mentorship with an MFA-level faculty member? Visit www.whalerockworkshops.com or message me to chat. #kidlit

You never know what will come out of a broken crayon. #Uplift More broken crayons, classroom activities: debbieohi.com/resources/re... #EduSky #FoundObjectArt

Thank you, @quillandquire.bsky.social, for including MY STREET REMEMBERS as a Notable Book of 2025! Illustrated by Cathie Jamieson and written by me. Check out all the great books here: quillandquire.com/omni/canadas.... @groundwoodbooks.bsky.social #CANkidlit #kidlit #EduSky

New blog post: Christmas in the Dark: The Ice Storm that Birthed a Story by @lauraalary.bsky.social! “No one expected to spend Christmas 2013 in the dark…” Read the whole post here: picturebookseh.weebly.com/blog/christm... #CANkidlit #kidlit

I'm honored by this review of ONE COSMIC ROCK, written by me & illustrated by @dreamist.bsky.social. Thanks to @profpaulbarrett.bsky.social of England's Natural History Museum. He's an expert in the evolutionary palaeobiology of dinosaurs & other critters. ☄Available for preorder! #CANkidlit #kidlit

Call out to traditionally published Canadian picture book creators with books coming out in 2026! Picture Books, Eh! is inviting anyone interested in joining our co-promotional community to get in touch: [email protected]. @canscaip.bsky.social @kidsbookcentre.bsky.social #CANkidlit #kidlit