Ode to the Recorder!

Happy World Horse Day! 🐴 🌎 Today, we're trotting across continents with Around the World on 80 Horses by Jill Newton, a beautifully illustrated journey that celebrates incredible equines from all over the globe. More via our bio + fun downloadable activities

Forgot how much I love Indy Car racing! Lifting my #MugoftheDay to cheer today’s wild Indianapolis 500.

Orange vehicle = Never losing it in a parking lot! I’m also easy to see in a snowstorm.

Woo hoo! Just when I was a bit in the dumps on the querying treadmill, @mindyalyseweiss.bsky.social announced the Honorable Mentions for #PBParty! Grateful for the boost and positive vibes for ARE WE THERE YET? Highly encourage PB writers to enter and try, try again. This was my 3rd year. 😊

Oh, Baby! New friends on the front porch. 🪺

She’s baaaaack! To discover the idea that sparked MARY HAD A LITTLE JAM, check out my latest Picture Book Builders post. ➡️➡️Repost for a chance to win a signed copy. This book is my attempt to bring a little harmony into this world. 🎶🎵🎶🎵 picturebookbuilders.com/2025/03/mary...

I am an enormous advocate for early intervention for a reason: This guy. 18 years after “he may never walk or talk” he gets to be an example for others of why these programs are critical for children with developmental challenges. A picture truly worth a thousand words.

Nature’s lovely heads-up for the next few days.

Got a kick out of a gaggle of high schoolers trying on prom dresses at my favorite re-sell shop this morning. One of them squealed from the dressing room, “THIS ONE HAS POCKETS!!” Day made. 😆

Saturday tea with a nod to the master. #MugoftheDay #Kidlit

Have I mentioned how much I ❤️ StoryStorm? Is 100% why I look forward to January every year. Big thanks to @taralazar.bsky.social and her inspiring team of idea magicians! 🪄

The best #MugoftheDay for my leaf water. #TedLasso #TeamRoy

Love this reminder from @museumofbroadway.bsky.social that there's always a lot of work behind art that might look breezy & effortless. Check out Oscar Hammerstein's brainstorming for "The Surrey With the Fringe on Top."

Picture books and critiques? Yes, please!

Y’all. I picked up this color sample as a joke, but it looks really good in my living room. Think my house might honestly need More Cowbell! @Valspar #NeedsMoreCowbell

#MugoftheDay A classic favorite…filled with my favorite potion.

This is a pinnable post for the #KidLitMegaFeed, a collab (multiple curated #KidLit lists). Admins: @boringstorybook.com @charlenedraws.bsky.social @debbieohi.com. READ THIS re: how to be added, how to post. Pls: 📌Save/pin the feed if you enjoy 🔁Repost to share bsky.app/profile/debb...

Inspired by @authorgracelin.bsky.social and @alvinaling.bsky.social to pick a word for 2025. Mine is Brave. Made it official in my sketch journal this morning.

Here are some Lindor chocolate wrapper ballerinas to start your day. Pen: Pentel Pocket Brush, one of my favourite sketching tools - love how I can vary the line width, plus it's sometimes liberating to try without the safety net of an eraser or Un-Do. #FoundObjectArt #Uplift

Year of the Snake papercut design take 2! It is not as difficult as it looks but I’m going have a simpler, less challenging version as well. I’ll have it all available in my next newsletter so please make sure you sign up if you haven’t already: lp.constantcontactpages.com/su/kEmJMT3/n...

A #Mugoftheday Snow Day!! Shout out to my friends at @SCBWIOKAR. I know you all have a similar view today. ❄️ ⛄️

Expecting nine inches of snow today! I grew up in CO where that would be another day at the office. But here in AR it is Snowmageddon. I may be the only person on my block who owns a snow shovel.

Catching up on some craft reading… #kidlit #writingcommunity

A friend shared this Slate article on the value of reading physical books, not only as kids, but as adults. I personally need to spend more time reading, and will make a plan to do so. Join me! slate.com/life/2025/01...

ok everyone instead of a new years resolution lets all each set a secret insane goal that you only whisper to the covered well in the middle of the forest and hold close to your one heart like the last ember of a dying fire that is still too hot to touch ready let's go!!!

Finally posted my review for Ginny Sain’s upcoming YA novel - When the Bones Sing. In short, I loved it. Action-packed, haunting, rich with atmosphere. My favorite since her debut novel that made me a fan. Worth pre-ordering! #ginnymyerssain #penguinteen www.goodreads.com/review/show/...

Ate my black-eyed peas at a party last night so I’m all filled up with 2025 good luck. 🍀👍

My favorite lists of the year!!

Y’all. Am I the only person who loves Turkish Delight? It is one of my fave treats and people are disparaging it on social media. This pistachio type is especially delicious! 😋 And it is a Narnia staple!

Alternative New Year's Resolutions: -age better than your exes -be healthier than your parents -sleep 8 hours a night -charge your phone outside of your bedroom -wear sunscreen every day -donate 10 items you never use -make plans with a new friend every month -dance more often -be proud of yourself

I ❤️ Storystorm! My 2025 notebook is ready to go! #Storystorm2025

“Every great dream begins with a dreamer. Always remember, you have within you the strength, the patience, and the passion to reach for the stars to change the world.” Harriet Tubman #kindness

Looking forward to tonight’s event - Leftover Thursday at my friend’s house. Because none of want to cook a darn thing for the rest of the week!

Love this Mindy Kaling wisdom from my planner today. Lip gloss? ✅ Psyched? ✅ ✅

Every year someone sends a Christmas ham to my neighbor. And every year it gets mis-delivered to our house and we take the ham to said neighbor. …For eight years. My question: Is there a rule on ham-forwarding?Like if they haven’t corrected the address after 10 years, can I keep it?

Cover of the Year, Gatefold of the Year, Dedication of the Year: It’s time to take a look back at the year that was in children’s lit miscellanea. 100scopenotes.com/2024/12/10/2...

I have truly found my people on BlueSky. #OxfordCommaForever

We've been saying "See you later, Alligator" for decades, when "Sayonara, Capybara" was right there.

I’m bringing the broccoli dish for Thanksgiving…which is hilarious. It was my least favorite, made me gag, absolutely refused food as a kid. My Grandma Jo is definitely cracking up in heaven to see this day. 🥦

I ❤️ cake! (And cake-baking monsters)

So cute. 🥰 Bet he could really gobble up something good to read at the library. 📚 🦃

It’s time for my ever-growing thread of tax write-offs for authors & illustrators to keep in mind as we head into year-end. ✨ Book-related travel ✨ New computer/equipment ✨ Internet / office space ✨ Paper, office stuff, packaging items, stamps ✨ Software like Word, Scrivener, Canva Pro etc.

If you are legacy published (meaning traditionally published) and your book has gone out of print, can you bring it back? Yes! This post is for you! www.indiekidsbooks.com/p/back-in-pr... #kidlit #backinprint #lovemybook

Definition of a good day: Reading an advance copy of Ginny Sain’s spooky new YA book set in the Ozarks…while IN the Ozarks! Y’all. I’m never gonna look at these hills and hiking trails the same way. *shiver* 🦴 #WhenTheBonesSing #Arkansas @PenguinTeen @ginnymyerssain.bsky.social

These sprayed edges are so gorgeous! Can’t wait to get my copy. Just have to decide on my pre-order swag …sticker or pin? 🤔

www.cnn.com/2024/05/31/h... "Research shows that art experiences, whether as a maker or a beholder, transform our biology by rewiring our brains and triggering the release of neurochemicals, hormones and endorphins."

These may look like sci-fi stills, but they’re real creatures from the deep ocean. This incredible, little-explored world faces big threats like #bottomtrawling and deep-sea mining. We must fight to #DefendTheDeep. Credit: NOAA

Ooooo! This could be my new obsession…#fashionhistory