"The artist used scanned watercolor textures, pencil, and digital pencil to create the illustrations for this book." -Bela and Lily (2025) by @natashakhankazi.bsky.social 🔎 #CopyrightPageArtNotes

December's topic for #KidLitArt chat will be - Year End Roundup: All About Hope Join your hosts on Dec 18, 9pm EST/6pm PST for an hour-long chat about hope! Banner art by @anneappert.bsky.social

12 x 12 member @natashakhankazi.bsky.social brought down the house with her marketing webinar! Here she shares one book marketing tip for making your content go viral. #writer #write #author #picturebook #picturebooks #kidlit #writingforkids #writingcommunity

Dear @natashakhankazi.bsky.social, I just wanted to thank you again for this webinar. The content was VERY helpful to me as I planned/implemented the launch of my FIRST EVER author newsletter (a creative goal that has been challenging me for quite some time), I especially appreciated your... 1/2

There are only a few days left to watch this replay!! So chock full of info that has really gotten me thinking. Thanks @natashakhankazi.bsky.social and #12x12PB #kidlit

If you missed this live, be sure to catch the replay. It was amazing! Thanks @natashakhankazi.bsky.social #12x12

Thanks Natasha for a brilliant 12x12 October Webinar!! @natashakhankazi.bsky.social @12x12challenge.bsky.social

Upcoming #12x12PB members-only webinar! 📚 Join us 10/16 at 1pm ET / 10am PT for ""Marketing Tactics That Don’t Make You Feel Icky."" with @natashakhankazi.bsky.social. Replay will be available for members who can’t attend live! #kidlit

🎉 Happy Book Birthday to @natashakhankazi.bsky.social! 🎉 📚BELA AND LILY, also illustrated by Natasha and published by Kokila, an imprint of Penguin Random House, is here! Find it here: buff.ly/XbOYn4g #kidlit #12x12PB

Such a sweet book about making friends with kids from different cultural backgrounds and who speak different languages -- so important! Congratulations @natashakhankazi.bsky.social on beautiful text and illustrations! #kidlit

Happy Book Birthday to @natashakhankazi.bsky.social as we welcome Bela and Lily into the world. You will fall in Love with Bela and Lily as they learn you don’t need to speak the same language to discover beautiful friendships are universal and get a glimpse at the Bengali language! #kidlit

BELA AND LILY was inspired by a childhood memory in a Dallas park, and every page was drawn at my desk in Los Angeles. So it’s only fitting that I’m celebrating the launch in both cities I love. 🌼 💛 to my team at Kokila, @penguinkids.bsky.social, @childrensbookworld.bsky.social bit.ly/NKK-Events

pbspree Join us in celebrating GROUCHO The Grouchy Grounhog. Written by @lydialukidis.bsky.social and illustrated by #TaraHannon! Way to go-kids are going to love this book!

Another beautiful book by author @jyotigopal.bsky.social hits the shelves today! Illustrated by #DishkaaPawaskar. in the Mangroves is an enchanting and multilayered picture book about the interconnected animals of the Sundarbans Mangrove Forest. Congratulations!

Happy Book Birthday to #ErikaLynneJones with the release of her author/illustrator debut of ZARA IN THE MIDDLE, published by @harpercollins.bsky.social Congratulations on your beautiful book! #pb #writingcommunity #pbspree

Happy Book Birthday to #KimberlyLee and #MichelleJingChan! 100 Days is out in the world and in the hands of young readers everywhere? Congratulations! What a beautiful book! #pb #writingcommunity #pbspree

It's time to ASK @natashakhankazi.bsky.social anything!!!! Today only until 9 PM Eastern Time, comment your questions and Natasha will pop in today to answer!!! Questions about publishing? An artist interested in writing? Let us know below!!! #kidlit #kidlitart #askmeanything #pbrisingstars

Dear Educators, it's gonna be May 😁 and #AANHPIHeritageMonth. 🌸 As a small gift to celebrate, I'm sharing the LULU IN THE SPOTLIGHT Teacher's Guide, a FREE resource for grades K–3. ⬇️ natashakhankazi.com/lulu-in-the-... @harperstacks.bsky.social @versifybooks.bsky.social #teacherresources #iteach

HAPPY BOOK BIRTHDAY to @pbspree.bsky.social's @kdmaz.bsky.social. Her book MAYBE JUST ASK ME is out today🎉🎉🎉!!!! It's a "clever and heartfelt book, following a young girl who wants to bring discussion of her disability into the open." A much needed addition to everyone's shelves!

Happy Pub Day to LULU IN THE SPOTLIGHT by @natashakhankazi.bsky.social Lulu has the BEST plan to win her favorite wedding game- joota chupai, AKA operation steal the groom’s shoes! Follow her story in this lively celebration of South Asian wedding traditions and self-confidence! #versifybooks

We can't wait for storytime this Sunday at 9:30am with the very talented @natashakhankazi.bsky.social !!

A mom pointed to LULU IN THE SPOTLIGHT and whispered to her daughter, “She has brown skin and curly hair like you.” I had chills because I understood. Every child deserves to see themselves as the beloved hero of a great adventure. 💗 the kids who inspired Lulu's lively crew #kidlit #diversebooks

Plight of the Pelican publishes today! 🥳✨ Written by @jstremer.bsky.social illustrated by @gordywright.bsky.social and published by Holiday House books. HAPPY BOOK BIRTHDAY!

Hi #DMV friends, I’m not feeling particularly joyful right now. But meeting young readers always renews my spirit, purpose, and hope. I hope we can share stories and hugs at my #Nova and #MD events. 🩷✨ natashakhankazi.com/events/ #kidlit #DC #authorvisit #diversebooks #childrensbooks #bookstore

✨We have THREE #pbrisingstars mentors looking to EXCLUSIVELY work with BIPOC and/or marginalized PB authors, illos, or author-illos! IS THAT YOU?! APPLY: www.pbrisingstars.com/mentors #kidlit #kidlitcommunity #kidlitart #kidlitartchat #kidlitpostcard #kidlitartpostcard #kidlitmegapeed #bipocartist

AGENTED and UNAGENTED PB authors, illustrators, & author-illustrators who want big laughs from kids, please HUMOR us and apply to these mentors!🤣 APPLY: www.pbrisingstars.com/mentors #kidlit #kidlitmegafeed #kidlitcommunity #kidlitpostcard #kidlitart #kidlitartpostcard #kidlitartchat #pbrisingstars

These SIX mentors are not only pros of prose—they're also incredible visual storytellers that can teach you how to perfectly blend words + art! Apps close in SEVEN days! APPLY NOW: www.pbrisingstars.com/mentors #kidlit #kidlitart #kidlitartchart #kidlitpostcard #kidlitmegafeed #bipoc #artists

⭐PB Rising Stars Mentee apps are officially OPEN now - March 21 at 11:59 PM ET!!! Are you an unagented OR agented PB author, illo, or author-illo without an agent-repped PB deal? Then this is for you!! Apply: www.pbrisingstars.com/mentors #kidlitmegafeed #kidlit #kidlitart #pbrisingstars #pbparty

Outside, it was a rainy day in LA. Inside, 115 3rd graders made it sunshine & rainbows. Some say “author talk and workshop,” but I say motivational speaker to young people. 😀 They embody hope, curiosity, and empathy in a world that needs it. 💜 #authorvisit #kidlit #DEI @harperstacks.bsky.social

Dear Librarians, thank u for creating mirrors & windows. #MoonsRamadan is 2! So I had to mail special postcards to libraries across the U.S. More on sharing Ramadan in the library bit.ly/educators-librarians #librariansofinstagram #librarylife #diversebooks #readacrossamerica #kidlitartpostcard

Hello Friends! Welcome to #MSWL Day 2025! 🎉 This is our first #MSWL Day on Bluesky, and we have new features to share! Rather listen than read? Here’s a how-to! vimeo.com/1055984106 Here’s our Bluesky search guide: youtu.be/LnZt1MCjKZE?...

It’s time for another #PBRisingStars mentor spotlight 😎😎😎 If you’re an AGENTED or UNAGENTED ILLO or AUTHOR/ILLO, this one is for YOU! Meet the incredibly talented Aya Ghanameh, who really does it as as a PB creator. Explore her wishlist here: www.pbrisingstars.com/aya

☆A peek into my character design process for LULU IN THE SPOTLIGHT (arriving April 2025 w/ VERSIFY @harperkids.bsky.social ) ☆ From research to final sketches: bit.ly/lulu-charact... #LuluInTheSpotlight #diversebooks #kidlit #characterdesign

Cover Reveal! So much I love in this book: *The Bengali language, 7th most spoken *The magic of first friendships *The city park *Pollinators! Preorder 😊 natashakhankazi.com/bela-and-lily/ 💚 Kokila: Asiya Ahmed, Jasmin R.Zareen Jaffery, Rye W. @pbspree.bsky.social #kidlit #diversebooks

In October, Author/Illustrator, Highlights Foundation Fellow, & #12x12PB member (and marketing guru) @natashakhankazi.bsky.social will present 7 strategies for book marketing and promotion (that won't make you feel gross). Want to attend? Join us at http://12x12challeng...

Happy Book Birthday Kimberly Lee!!!

Happy Book Birthday to Lydia Lukidis’ UP,UP HIGH- a perfect read for both poetry and space lovers!

Introducing PB Spree 2025! We are a diverse group of picture book creators who can’t wait to share our books with you in 2025!!!

After three years on my to-do list, I finally checked off ✅ Self-portrait in my illustration style. #kidlitart

Sharing my 40-page PB thumbnails template. I 💜 using it for manuscript revision as I think through the big picture, pacing, & flow. I also use it in the illustration stage to see my favorite ideas together before sketching full-size. Link: natashakhankazi.com/free-printab... #kidlit #picturebooks

The Highlights Middle Grade Writers Generative Retreat led by @erinentrada.bsky.social and @laurelsnyder.bsky.social was everything I hoped for and more! Here's our group photo in the rock word garden--my rock says "mensch" because I met a bunch of them!

Ahoy! Next Thursday is #KidLitArtPostcard day. October is always a fun one. Get that art ready #kidlit #kidlitart and read more here: www.ginaperry.com/blog/2021/5/...

My latest cartoon for the Guardian. #books #reading #snake

Currently enrolled in the Highlights Foundation Just Do It writing group with @christebbetts.bsky.social and @saraharonson.bsky.social and it’s been the most productive 24 hours I’ve had in a long time. Feeling grateful for small wins. #mginprogress

📍 KidLit Art Feed Pinned Post Art & discussions relating to kidlitart are welcome! To become a contributor: • Make a post that says "#addKidLitArt" • When I add you, I’ll like your post • Once added, you can post to the feed using #kidlitart or the 🎨 emoji Remember to like, save, & pin the feed!

I've compiled all my KidLit/YA Community On Bluesky community threads so far at debbieohi.link/bluesky-kidlit Feel free to promote that link outside of Bluesky! Hopefully will lure more kidlit/YA community over here. 😁

I used try with my author-illustrator TikTok, and maybe got 100 hearts on a good day. But then I posted a random no edit no filter Swiftie adjacent video and got 1000 hearts. And I realized I was working way too hard for the TikTok. Anyone else in picture books still trying the TikTok?

If you haven’t already watched/listened to the August 12 x 12 book chat with Jilanne Hoffman about A RIVER OF DUST, believe me, it’s worth it, #kidlit authors!! juliehedlund.lpages.co/book-chat-re... (Go go go, it expires on 8/31!!) #kidlitcommunity

Are you a kidlit book author or illustrator who enjoys connecting w/schools & libraries? Pls REPLY TO THIS POST, including link to where educators/librarians can find out more info about you & your books. If you do school visits, also mention. I also advise including an image (book cover? etc).