✨ Happy book birthday to these two incredible titles! 📚ENCORE! 📚AXOLOTL-ELLA: A Sort-of Cinderella Story Available now at your local library and wherever books are sold! 🥳 @ksonnack.bsky.social @literaticat.bsky.social @katemessner.com

It's a star for AXOLOTL-ELLA: A Sort-of Cinderella Story by Kate Messner, illustrated by Lian Cho! ⭐ Read the full Horn Book starred review on our IG! In stores and libraries everywhere June 2, and available to preorder now! @katemessner.com @literaticat.bsky.social

“The decline actually ended years ago, and the latest numbers from the American Booksellers Association show independent stores expanding at a pace not seen this century.” abcnews.com/Business/wir...

Hope you had a great long weekend! Time to get back at it! Last week, HR 2616 grabbed some book banning language from HR 7661 & passed the House. What is HR 2616? Don't feel bad if this is the first you've heard of it because Republicans moved fast on it. Here's the deal...

🎨 Sabina Hahn is today's ABLA illustrator spotlight! Sabina is represented by Jennifer Laughran and is open to illustration opportunities for picture books, B&W or color interiors and covers for all ages. For more of Sabina's portolio, take a look at her illustrator page on our website!

Call. Even your GOP sens/reps. Use their local offices as most of them are in their districts right now. If they know their district does not support this headed into the general, they'll keep quiet and not run on banning books.

@eileenwrobinson.bsky.social Eileen I can’t DM you — can you message or email me your email addy? I HAVE TO SEND YOU AN EMAIL 😭

Ok we all know that the Zojirushi rice cooker is the best rice cooker BUT it does have one flaw (at least my model does!) — the paddle it comes with is small and the holder is flimsy AF, so it falls over all the time. Enter the solution: A STANDING RICE PADDLE! shop.nijiya.com/products/mar...

I planted a cherry tomato (sungold), a big heirloom tomato (pineapple premier), 4 watermelons (sugar baby), various pots o’ flowers + herbs: mint, basil, parsley, chives, rosemary, thyme. I sprinkled wildflower seeds in the rest of the raised beds because I’m too tired to be a farmer this year 👩🏻‍🌾

by the by, I’m watching “The Other Bennet Sister” (BBC iPlayer / Britbox) and it’s ADORABLE. Basically Pride and Prejudice but from MARY’S pov. 😭 poor Mary always gets the fuzzy end of the lollipop 😭

Sometimes people want to ask me questions about word count like I DIDN'T already write the definitive post on that topic. "It's from 2011, it's certainly outdated" -- lemme stop you right there, whippersnappers: I'VE BEEN UPDATING IT THE WHOLE TIME! literaticat.blogspot.com/2011/05/word...

What in the Island of Dr Moreau is going on at Douglas Toys?

People in my neighborhood are doing fireworks. Which is weird for two reasons: IT IS MAY. and also IT IS RAINING. wtf????

AI dudes will go “you MUST use AI! The revolution is HERE!” Nah bro. Why would I want AI to read and write and draw for me? Reading and writing and drawing are FUN. I’ll use AI as soon as it can clean my house. But given its proclivities, I expect it would “clean my house” by setting it on fire.

When you were a kid, did you want a job you saw on TV? I wanted to be an advertising executive because of Darrin on Bewitched. (But I also wanted to be a WITCH because of Samantha on Bewitched). I guess my show would be MAD MEN: OOPS ALL WITCHES

🎨 Cindy Derby is today's ABLA illustrator spotlight! Cindy is represented by Jennifer Laughran and is open to picture book and middle grade illustration opportunities. For more of Cindy's portolio, take a look at her illustrator page on our website! @literaticat.bsky.social

The dentist said I have a “very young mouth” which sounds a little disturbing in retrospect but hey 👄 💅

Five years. Thousands of bans. Countless students impacted. Read what we’ve learned from five years of book ban data & why the fight for the freedom to read is far from over. The numbers tell a powerful story about censorship, access & who gets targeted most. bookriot.com/5-years-of-b...

Contrary to what many think, banning books doesn't boost sales or interest in that book. It makes the books much harder for people to get. And almost always, it leads to erasure of marginalized stories, especially Black & brown and queer people.

I had to call the US Copyright Office this morning. I'd girded myself for frustration, being on hold, an endless robot phone tree. Surprise! They picked up the phone and handled my questions with grace and humor, giving me useful, frank info and a path forward. Shout out to Eric! I APPRECIATE YOU!

One more bit of awesomeness: THEE Rick Riordan announced his new series, CAMP HALF-BLOOD. Each book is being co-written by a different amazing author, and my client Annabelle Oh / aka @jowhittemore.bsky.social is co-writing the first book! And you can pre-order it! bookshop.org/a/809/979821...

In stores now: @garethhinds.bsky.social's beloved graphic novel adaptation of the Odyssey is available for the first time in a deluxe hardcover with sprayed edges - you will want to give it as a gift AND keep one for yourself. (and get ready for the movie!) ⚔️⚱️🌊 bookshop.org/a/809/978153...

It's release week for JIA HAS A DOG PROBLEM, illustrated by @isabellakung.bsky.social, written by Stephanie Ellen Sy! It's an absolutely adorable picture book about a little girl who is afraid of dogs... and a dog who is afraid of little girls. 🐶💜 bookshop.org/a/809/978059...

And while we're talking about Texas, it's not just opinion polls, it's election results too. Anti-book ban candidates swept many of the non-partisan school board races across the state of Texas last week.

Ask the Agent Question of the Day: What should I study in college that would be helpful for being a writer? My advice: GO TO TRADE SCHOOL. jk jk (sort of) (but also, kinda for reals.) www.tumblr.com/literaticat/...

It's a starred review for JIA HAS A DOG PROBLEM by Stephanie Ellen Sy, illustrated by Isabella Kung! ⭐ Read the full Kirkus review here. In stores and libraries everywhere on May 12! Available for preorder now! @isabellakung.bsky.social @literaticat.bsky.social

Please preorder my next two picture books, perfect for the future scientist or absolute monkey in your family: Bathtime for Snowmonkeys: www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/824982... What Do People Do in the Science Museum: www.barnesandnoble.com/w/what-do-pe...

I'm just going to keep sharing this interview series that Meg Medina did as National Ambassador for Children's Literature during the previous term. This is what lifting up children's literature looks like. www.youtube.com/playlist?lis...

For avoidance of doubt, I don’t agree with the “crud” quote, I think it was a jackass thing to *think* and should certainly not have been immortalized in print, and my post was not meant to DEFEND IT, just to explain a bit further and share helpful links to other ppl who have good thoughts about it!

Are you... CRUDDY? @marthabee.bsky.social martha-brockenbrough.squarespace.com/martha-store...

I've been thinking a lot today about how much I treasure so many of my colleagues and their work in children's lit and so here's a very casual thread of some books I've really loved reading with my kids:

we all in his business have a choice. we can strive to make the literature better by opening doors and lifting people up, or we can diminish and demean it, make it smaller. I believe the first centers the reader, the second centers ourselves.

And if we have learned but one thing today, friends, let it be the maxim: “Some thoughts are INSIDE thoughts.”

Ok. We all had our day to talk shit and be angry. But it's Wednesday now and I'd love to encourage the kidlit community to focus on our real fight. There are now 2 book banning bills introduced on the federal level. 7661, which we largely know about but now 2616, too. It's call your reps o'clock!

The thing IS actually, there are so many incredible books that do serve children, speak to children, are exciting for children to read -- but those books die the death of invisibility. The industry doesn't give them material marketing/publicity support, and gatekeepers don't find them.

I love the way Meg Medina used her time as National Ambassador for Young People's Literature to lift up so many voices in our amazing community of creators. Such a great example of what leaders do when they're offered a platform. Check out her interview series here: www.youtube.com/playlist?lis...

A post about the whole Mac Barnett sitch that people are talking about. (I got several “asks” about this so put everything in one post, with links to smarter people than me!) www.tumblr.com/literaticat/...

Happy book birthday to these amazing ABLA titles, all available now at your local library and bookstores! 📚🎉 Which ones are you going to read next?

Utensil Family: Dinner Fork: Father (he/him) Tablespoon: Mother (she/her) Salad Fork: Son (he/him) Teaspoon: Daughter (she/her) Spork: Nonbinary Child (they/them) whose bestie is Cake Fork (they/them). Ladle (metal): Maternal Grandma (she/her) (1/?)

every mushroom foraging guidebook: This is Woodland Pot Roast, a tasty little mushroom that adds a delightful flavour to soups and stews. Note that it is often mistaken for Satan’s Fistula, a mushroom that erases the last 9 generations of your family from God’s ledgers.

Somebody on fbook said, in reply to this, "is it sad that a popular lit agent has time to make butter"? Actually, no, it would be sad if a lit agent DIDN'T have ten minutes of free time to make food in a day. This is not a commentary on the state of the publishing industry. It's just BUTTER, bro

It's a star from School Library Journal for MY FATHER, MI PADRE by Raúl the Third! ⭐ Read the full SLJ review here. In stores and libraries everywhere tomorrow, May 5! 🎉 @raulthethird.bsky.social @literaticat.bsky.social @versifybooks.bsky.social

Ask The Agent (classic edition): Why do so many writers and agents give the advice to NOT open your book with dialogue? My answer (with example!): www.tumblr.com/literaticat/...

THE WHALE'S TALE AND THE OTTER’S SIDE OF THE STORY by Kate Messner, illustrated by Brian Biggs, is an instant indie bestseller!! 🥳 Congratulations, Kate and Brian! @literaticat.bsky.social @katemessner.com @brianbiggsstudio.bsky.social @jenrofe.bsky.social

🎨 Today's illustrator spotlight is on Giselle Potter! Giselle is represented by Jennifer Laughran and open to both fiction and nonfiction illustration opportunities. Check out Giselle's illustrator page for more! @literaticat.bsky.social

I have to give the dog a bath — her (and my!) least favorite thing. She gets so scared she just shakes like a leaf and the groomer won’t wash her anymore because she nipped 😭 so now they will still give her a haircut but only if I wash her first 😭. Any advice or general well-wishes appreciated! 🐶

I saw this girl on tiktok make butter by shaking heavy cream in a mason jar. I had heavy cream. I had a mason jar. Most importantly, I had ten minutes and a desire for butter. Babes I MADE ACTUAL BUTTER WITH JUST CREAM AND A MASON JAR AND BRUTE STRENGTH I’M BASICALLY A PILGRIM 😭😭😭😭😭😭

I'm so happy that reviewers love Blanche and Eleanor -- hope you do too!

Another point to show that most people do not want book bans. The outrage (as usual) is manufactured.

An instant New York Times Bestseller!! I COULD GIVE YOU THE MOON by Ann Liang debuts at #5! Congratulations, Ann!! 🥳🎉