I made an interactive map! This is a look at the effects Tx book-banning laws have had just *since the end of last school year*. I made it because it's easy to hear a shocking story about a book ban and then forget it and lose the larger picture. www.google.com/maps/d/viewe...

like 75% of dem messaging right now should be “the party led by epsteins best friend is breaking into pre-k childcare centers so they can record your toddlers and put the videos on internet”

if you still use Twitter please understand that you are enabling and supporting this. It’s only going to get worse, so you may as well leave now and start rebuilding your “following” anywhere else.

6/ There's tons more interesting information in the full survey — more than I had space to write up! For example, here are the genres Americans say they read, and which ones men and women say they read!

#BluePit is ready to kick off 2026! Creators in the #WritingCommunity, #GameDev & #IndieDev, #TTRPG, and #Comic communities get ready to pitch or promote your projects! #BluePit will be taking place on Jan 13th, 2026! And #BluePitHype starts January 8th! #WriteSky #Writers #AmAgenting #LitAgents

As some of you already know, my father passed just a few weeks ago. Now that I'm back in Las Vegas, I wanted to share some thoughts on his death, his life, and what I see as his legacy. christullbane.com/2025/11/18/m...

Healing words

Are you baking Christmas cookies? 🎄 #cookies #homemade #christmas #tasty

Every Christmas, when I see Santa Claus for the first time, I always say, "Hi Santa, how long has it been?" And he always replies, “A year!

Episodes 257 My Creative Life, my guest is @patzmiller.bsky.social author of Sophie's Squash and One Can Be. I met Pat in person at the SCBWI Southern Breeze Conference. ❤️ To listen to the interview: Source: Apple Podcasts share.google/2JDVmKqkwYSt... #kidlit #writer #writingcommunity #author

Dear Friends, My daughter’s violin was stolen from our home by a cleaning service and I know that it is a long shot, but I am desperately seeking it.

@ellenlwrites.bsky.social @dellarossferreri.bsky.social THE MOUSE BUFFET: A CHRISTMAS TREAT ellenleventhal.com/2025/11/dell...

The government’s social media storytelling doesn’t always match what’s happening in the across the city and suburbs. The diverging sources of information are creating “parallel universes,” professor Nick Cull says.

NPR's data analysis shows that the DOJ has tended to fire judges with immigrant defense backgrounds in its recent rounds of dismissals. n.pr/47uKYeQ

I was interviewed on Kare 11 TV today with editor Naomi Krueger from @beamingbooksmn.bsky.social about our picture book, ONE CAN BE. #megakidlit #booksky #skybrarian Here’s the clip. tinyurl.com/nhe2nkcy

#questpitch Explore prairie fields & meadows, stitched together to create a prairie quilt underneath 1 vast sky–an important endangered ecosystem. Discover plants & unique animals living in harmony-1 biome. Learn how they depend on each other in a symbiotic relationship in THE PRAIRIE QUILT. #Q #PB

#questpitch The Paul Bunyan legend continues. The giant lumberjack seeks a big-sized gal in the MN Northwoods in a tall tale twist in a GIGANTIC LOVE STORY: PAUL AND LUCETTE Will Lucette say "Yes" to the big-sized fella? Will Paul need to adjust his thinking to care for the earth to = love? #Q #PB

#questpitch Deep in the Arctic is the world’s largest bank with valuables from around the world. A massive vault. Temperatures below freezing. Preserve seeds to safeguard crop diversity & secure the world’s future food supply. #NF SEEDS FOR FOOD SECURITY: THE SVALBARD GLOBAL SEED VAULT #Q #PB

#questpitch Discover the story of Swedish cyclist in the #NF biography, STÅLFARFAR: STEEL GRANDAD AND THE TOUR OF SWEDEN. The judges said 66 yo Gustav Håkansson was too old to participate. The Sverigeloppet, a 6-day event, a 1,000+ mile ride, 1951. Will Gustav say no? Struntprat! Nonsense! #Q #PB

I’m delighted to share Abuelita’s Gift is the Gold Medal winner for Best Children’s Fiction Picture Book in English - International Latino Book Awards Thank you Empowering Latino Futures for this recognition & for your valuable work on uplifting latin voices in literature.♥️

Federal agents raided the WRONG HOME in Portland—no warrant, guns drawn on a family with a baby. ICE still arrested 2 people after realizing the mistake. ICE official on the aggressive tactics: "If people interpret that as aggressive, so be it."

Cuts to federal funding are already making impacts in communities nationwide. Library workers worry about domino effects: https://spectrumlocalnews.com/us/snplus/politics/2025/10/13/librarians-sound-alarm-as-trump-administration-takes-aim-at-agency-that-supports-museums--libraries #ForOurLibraries

We are pleased to host a giveaway of the picture book, THE ZOMBEES, by @justincolonbooks.bsky.social, illustrated by Katy Quarles (Simon & Shuster BFYR), out now. To enter, L + RP & confirm your entry in our Friday weekly update: kidlit411.com/2025/10/the-... (+ more ways to win)

SNAP, the country's largest anti-hunger program, dates back to the Great Depression and has never been disrupted this way. Most recipients are seniors, families with kids, and those with disabilities. n.pr/48PNNIt

I've got some great news: It is thoroughly satisfying to share what I hope will be my last-ever update on the 2023 Texas book ban, a.k.a. House Bill 900, a.k.a. the READER Act, which is that a federal judge has stopped the law with a permanent injunction. chrisbarton.info/the-case-aga...

Turn It Up: Using Rap in the Classroom twowritingteachers.org/2025/09/18/r...

Behind the Scenes: "The Evolution of a Picture Book Biography from Sub to Pub" by Danna Zeiger, Ph.D. bethandersonwriter.com/2025/10/17/b...

U.S. Faces ‘Expanded and Escalated’ Book Censorship, PEN America Reports www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/...

As book banning sweeps across the U.S. at an unprecedented rate, brave librarians emerge as first responders in the fight for democracy. A film by Kim A. Snyder. Opens UK 9/26 @berthadochouse.bsky.social, US 10/03 @filmforumnyc.bsky.social, rollout to follow. Tix: TheLibrariansFilm.com/screenings

Reading Rainbow… is back! 🥹 This LeVar Burton/Reading Rainbow raised human is feeling all of the library joy. We hope your kids believe they belong in books, just like you ✨ Take a look, it’s in a book 📚🌈🦋🌌 youtu.be/gHAIjSkmnYI?...

Sentence structure and word choice are two of the most important tools in your writer's kit. Vary your sentence structure. Choose evocative words. #amwriting #writingcommunity #writingtips #WIP

Can you believe October begins next week? 🤯 This month flew by (I don't even think I promoted the calendar in September! 😂) Check out all the events this fall and sign up for weekly email alerts: carolynbfraiser.com/kidlit/ #KidLit #picturebooks #middlegrade #youngadult

Teachers! Librarians! How School Librarian Monica DiGiovanni created a Nonfiction Unit Her Grade 3-5 Students Loved tinyurl.com/3etr4ybm #SchoolLibrarians #TLsky #Skybrarian #edusky #kidlit @stenhousepub.bsky.social @lisaljrogers.bsky.social

Steve Inskeep speaks with Illinois Governor JB Pritzker about President Trump's threats to send National Guard troops to Chicago and the future of the Democratic Party.

“the kindest person in the room is often the smartest.” JB Pritzker is a mensch.

Take a peek at how we’re using books as springboards for nurturing early literacy in toddlers and preschoolers though play-based and sensory activities. Read the full post here + free activity calendar, and letter B playdough mats: open.substack.com/pub/kidlitgr... #bookbasedactivities #edusky

Annunciation School Book Drive 5333 Colfax Avenue South Minneapolis, MN 55419 "Please sign your book and send a message of hope and love."

THE TEACHERS I LOVED BEST Written by Taylor Mali Illustrated by Erica Root Penguin Random House, 2023 📚✏️🍎 jamarattigan.com/2025/09/05/i...

From Sarah Baker, SCBWI, "In addition to her having misgivings about the quality of the instant stories and their 'disregard for everything we know about child development.” www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/...

I wish this book list didn’t have to be made. But here we are again. Elizabeth, from the KidLit Mama shares stories that help with scary news, school violence, and more. Give it a look. open.substack.com/pub/thekidli...

Kids don’t just talk to communicate — they move! A wiggle, hop, or stomp is part of their symphony of communication before words. Explore playful critter movement, sensory play, and book recs in KidLit Grove’s newest post: open.substack.com/pub/kidlitgr... #edusky #booksky #ECE

Monday writing tip time. And while it's geared toward picture book writers, it probably applies to all age groups.⁠ ⁠ And yes, Lady Pancake & Sir French Toast was the 12th picture book manuscript I wrote. The other 11 will likely never see the light of day - for good reason. #amwriting #kidlit

I still have more books that would do better in kids' hands than on my shelves, so it's time for another #giveaway. Want to win these 9 picture books (some of which are signed)?⁠ ⁠ To enter: follow, like, & repost and/or comment and tag a friend. #kidlit #booksky #edusky #skybrarian

Michael Rosen and Helen Oxenbury revisit their classic story of a family going on a bear hunt (encountering many obstacles along the way) — and preview their new one, Oh Dear, Look What I Got!

'Comp' titles - what are they, why do we use them, and how to find yours... open.substack.com/pub/honested...

The COwrite classes are live! There are some great workshop opportunities as well as free events and publishing business classes! See all the fall classes here: www.cowritecollective.com/event-list

A win for publishers, authors, and readers. 📚 #freedomtoread #florida #publicschool #libraryshelves www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/...

Listen Back: Jin Xiaojing shares I MISS MY GRANDPA. This stunning picture book examines remembering a lost loved one through the memories and characteristics of other family members. www.matthewcwinner.com/post/listen-... #kidlit #podcast

Are you writing a literary picture book or a commercial one? If you’re not sure what the difference is (or why it matters to publishers), this one’s for you. I break it all down clearly—like a former teacher would 😉 buff.ly/kQyjKTo #pb #WritingCommunity