Another Aerospace Valley District Event on the books! Each year, my dad and I volunteer as queuers (me as lead queuer) for FIRST Robotics, making sure teams get to their scheduled matches on time. We managed 92 matches over 2 days. The volunteers, kids, mentors, & coaches are amazing #firstrobotics

What if the back pages of your nonfiction book were secretly its most powerful part? 🦎 I had the best conversation with @annettewhipple.bsky.social about back matter: how to plan it, write it, and make it work for readers AND publishers. Watch here → https://youtu.be/Rtpdoa0wZmg #KidLit

Exciting news: THE FIRE OF STARS is now available in Chinese! 🇨🇳✨ STAR FIRE: Astronomer Cecilia Payne and the Story of the Discovery of Stellar Ingredients (per Google Translate) by me illustrated by Katherine Roy translated by Miao Qian So grateful to see Cecilia Payne’s story reach new readers!

Spotted in the wild by my crit partner, Kelly at McLean and Eakin Booksellers in Petroskey, MI. Thanks for sharing THIS IS HOW YOU KNOW, a book about how science happens and why it matters. @cornelia-illo.bsky.social  #indiebookstores #scienceforkids #scienceisforeveryone

Thanks for the lovely endorsement!

How do you write 50+ kids books without an agent? @aubreandrus.bsky.social shares her work-for-hire journey—networking with editors, writing fast, and building an author career outside traditional publishing. 🎧 youtube.com/watch?v=fjXCJjRkho0 #KidLit #WorkForHire #WritingCommunity

Excited to have this book in the world. Thanks for the support 12x12.

So excited that The Fire of Stars, written by me, illus. by Katherine Roy, is a California Young Reader Medal nominee for picture books for older readers! 🌟 Kids in CA will read and vote for their faves! Details: https://www.californiayoungreadermedal.org/nominees @chroniclekidsbooks.bsky.social

If you’ve ever thought about writing true stories for kids, Telling It True shows you how. From picture books to YA, magazines, and the educational market, this how-to guide walks you through the full process. 👉 Get your copy: https://bit.ly/4sY8OrI

I love love love talking craft! And @kirstenwlarson.bsky.social is a fabulous interviewer as well as writer!

I learned so much speaking with Deborah on the podcast. Thanks for sharing this episode, Melissa!

Launch time! 📚 If Reimagining Your Nonfiction Picture Book helped you revise, Telling It True helps you decide what to write, where it fits, and how to draft it. Covers PB–YA, magazines & ed market, from idea to draft. 👉 https://www.amazon.com/Telling-True-Nonfiction-Reimagine-Writing/dp/B0GHNWX7W3/

The amazing Kirsten W. Larson (@kirstenwlarson.bsky.social ) has a new craft book to guide nonfiction children's book writers. She teaches from a wealth of knowledge and an open heart. Congratulations, Kirsten, and thanks for all you give to writers! I'm off to read . . . #kidlit #pbwriters

🤗 #kidlit / #YA #nonfiction writers 🤗 Wouldn't it be a relief to have an experienced NF writer guide you step-by-step through the process of building a great manuscript? @kirstenwlarson.bsky.social does just that in TELLING IT TRUE, out now from Amazon: a.co/d/e7jfqZK Coming soon on Bookshop!🔥

What makes 12 x 12 so unique? Charter member and published author @kirstenwlarson reveals the core of the 12 x 12 culture. Be part of the friendliest writing community on Earth! Join today: www.12x12challenge.com #amwriting #picturebook #kidlit #12x12pb #booksky #writingcommunity

Oh my heart!!!! This makes me so happy. Thank you for sharing, Katie!

If you've been wanting to write children's nonfiction but keep getting stuck, Reimagine Insiders gives you structure and support to move through the entire process. First coaching call 1/9 @ 3 p.m. ET. $5/month. Join us: writers.kirstenwlarson.com #NonfictionWriting #WritingCommunity #Kidlit

🎙️ NEW: Award-winning author Deborah Heiligman (LOUDMOUTH: Emma Goldman Versus America (a love story)) shares her process for writing gripping narrative nonfiction! Learn about primary source research, finding your book's "mantra" & crafting scenes that read like fiction. https://youtu.be/ctbExUwTG-0

By Dec 2026, you could have a completed children's nonfiction manuscript. Reimagine Insiders is a year-long community for children's NF writers. $5/month (join any time) First call: January 9, 3pm ET writers.kirstenwlarson.com/b/insiders #WritingCommunity #Kidlit #NonfictionWriting #ChildrensBooks

In her research for Living Bridges, author @authorsandhya.bsky.social  captured emotion and sensory details by writing list poems as a "parking space." 🎧 Watch: https://youtu.be/yCbSD3iCqVg  #KidLit #NonfictionWriting #WritingTips #ChildrensBooks #WritingCommunity

This classroom-ready lesson helps students notice details, ask meaningful questions & record their discoveries in science notebooks Integrates inquiry-based learning, writing, & scientific thinking 👉🏼 www.patriciamnewman.com?p=13126 @kirstenwlarson.bsky.social @cornelia-illo.bsky.social #edusky

@colleenpaeff.bsky.social @kirstenwlarson.bsky.social @alishagabriel.bsky.social @jessicafgwrites

As a children’s bookseller I spent quite some time every week explaining two things - why visual literacy is important and why comic books are ‘real’ books. And why certain books are better read when a child is older and more able to understand the emotional complexity on the page.

I loved joining Crayola for their Read Along, Draw Along episode featuring THIS IS HOW YOU KNOW with illustrator @cornelia-illo.bsky.social ! Such a joy to share science, art, and curiosity. Watch here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fznD65c1kCY #kidlit #picturebooks #STEM

What an incredible few days at #NCTE 2025 in Denver! 💙 I loved reconnecting with my Soaring 20s crew, dinner with @12x12challenge.bsky.social  friends, signing THIS IS HOW YOU KNOW at the Little Brown booth, and presenting on using STEM books to teach 21st-century soft skills.  #kidlit #STEMbooks

Thank you so much for sharing this book!

libresbooksmi.blogspot.com/2025/11/this... @kirstenwlarson.bsky.social @littlebrownyr.bsky.social #InternationalSchools #IBPYP #PrimaryYearsProgramme #InquiryBasedLearning #BookReview #pypchat #MISchoolLibrary @michiganmasl.bsky.social

🎁 Holiday shopping is here! I'm offering signed & personalized copies of my books through @shoponceuponatime.bsky.social -- perfect gifts for young readers! Order now! https://shoponceuponatime.com/autographed-books-kirsten-w-larson #HolidayGifts #SignedBooks #ChildrensBooks

Excited to share that I’ll be signing THIS IS HOW YOU KNOW at NCTE 2025! 📅 Friday, Nov. 21 ⏰ 4:30–5:00 PM 📍 Little, Brown Booth 725 If you’re attending, I’d love to say hi and talk about science, curiosity, and creating nonfiction for kids. #NCTE25 #KidLit #STEMBooks #NonfictionKidLit @ncte.org

It was such a pleasure being on your podcast @kirstenwlarson.bsky.social and to share the stage (or rather screen) with you and @valeriebolling.bsky.social was such an honor 🤩

New episode! 🎙️ I chat with @marziehabbas.bsky.social  and @valeriebolling.bsky.social  about writing across genres and age groups—from board books to middle grade to books for adults. So much wisdom! 🎧 🔗 [https://youtu.be/c0RE5ZpzIjg] #KidLit #WritingCommunity #NonfictionKidLit #AmWriting

Ever wondered how science really happens? I just chatted with Kansas Public Radio's Dan Skinner about that in my new picture book with @cornelia-illo.bsky.social  “This Is How You Know” — now live!  🎧 Listen → https://tinyurl.com/3467fe85 #KidLit #ScienceForKids #STEM

Ever wonder exactly what defines informational fiction? Join me 11/18 @ 7 p.m. Eastern via Zoom for a 60-minute deep dive. It's just $25—or just $10 for Reimagine Insiders using a special coupon code. Sign up at https://writers.kirstenwlarson.com/b/infofic #WritingCommunity #amwriting #kidlit

Revise your nonfiction picture book with me in a small-group Inked Voices workshop! @inkedvoices.bsky.social  🗓️ Jan 7–Mar 22, 2026 Apply by Nov 2, 2025 Two rounds of critique plus  craft discussion. 🔗 https://app.inkedvoices.com/event/workshop/458 #KidLit #NonfictionPB #WritingCommunity #PictureBook

Melissa Stewart talks the Five Kinds of Nonfiction, the power of hooks, and heartfelt nonfiction writing. 🎙️ Watch on youtube here or wherever you get your podcasts. https://youtu.be/6ItgKQNLzZk #KidLit #Nonfiction #WritingTips #WritersCommunity @mstewartscience.bsky.social @charlesbridge.bsky.social

Hooray! Our first review is in. Kirkus calls THIS IS HOW YOU KNOW “a soaring paean to the scientific method in all its messy, uniquely promising glory.” @cornelia-illo.bsky.social  🔗 https://tinyurl.com/5azscyp4 #KidLit #STEM #PictureBooks #ScienceEducation #Curiosity

What a thrill it was to have the opportunity to "talk science" with my mentor, Kirsten Larson!

This roundtable is 🔥! Join me at NCTE Denver. Learn how books build design thinking, inclusivity, critical thinking, respectful communication & resilience. Walk away with ready-to-use lesson ideas. Nov 21 @ 12:30 PM. #NCTE2025 #STEMeducation #TeacherLife #kidlit

Apparently I don't need a complicated revision plan. Thanks @tiffanyyatesmartin.bsky.social! (INTUITIVE EDITING is a real gem!) #amrevising #writingcommunity

What makes my little author heart happy? Seeing A TRUE WONDER on a list of 5th grader's favorite nonfiction. Thanks for sharing @katiemcenaney.bsky.social @ellenbunn3.bsky.social and @mstewartscience.bsky.social. #tlsky #skylibrarian #schoollibrarians #edusky #kidlit

Thank you so much for this lovely review!

🌟 New episode! Kids are naturally curious. @emilystarr.bsky.social  joins me on the podcast to talk about NGSS, inquiry-based learning, and how authors can create STEM books that truly support teachers. 🎙️ Watch here 👉 https://youtu.be/Yl7Kk7Jy1kE #STEMbooks #KidLit #NGSS #STEMeducation #Nonfiction

Writing is messy. Check out my interview with @writersdigest.bsky.social to learn how I cut a third of my MS and rewrote nearly everything else to find the heart of This Is How You Know. tinyurl.com/5bt6esk8 #WritingProcess #AmWriting #WriterLife #CreativeProcess #kidlit

How do we stay motivated and get the writing done during difficult times? Join me today at 24 Carrot Writing for my top tips. www.24carrotwriting.com/-blog/stayin... #kidlit #amwriting #writingcommunity

Thanks so much for sharing our book, Debra!

Such a fun day at Once Upon a Time Bookstore sharing #STEM and stories with kiddos in support of THIS IS HOW YOU KNOW, my latest book with @cornelia-illo.bsky.social from @littlebrownyr.bsky.social. #kidlit

New episode: Children's book author Darcy Pattison breaks down self-publishing vs traditional - from art direction to Kickstarter campaigns. 70+ books later, she's sharing all her secrets! 🎙️Listen on YouTube or wherever you get your podcasts. https://youtu.be/pPWdQ5_P2AY @darcypattison.bsky.social

Kids ask “why” all the time. Instead of giving answers, what if we flipped the question, joined the wonder, and treated mistakes as clues? Check out my interview with Motherly’s re: scientific inquiry. https://f.mtr.cool/vnslsxmadd #STEM #EverydayLearning

I can’t wait for Saturday! #kidlit

I’m so excited to see this much-needed book out in the world.