ASTRO by @manuelmarsol translated by @lizzie_davis_ This picture book is going on my favorite existential kids book shelf and honestly helped me keep going. A planet. A traveler. An arrival. A curious narrator. A friendship. A loss. Questions, despair, grief. And then… http://dlvr.it/TQP3hG

Two picture books with kids fighting for rights! VIVA’S VOICE by @raqueldonosobooks and @carlosvelez_ilustra & ALEJANDRA FIGHTS BACK! by Leticia Hernández-Linares and @robert_tres, translated by Carla España. One about fighting for the rights of bus drivers on strike, one… http://dlvr.it/TQLcNd

The first of hopefully many picture book creators I admire. First up, Donald Crews! This year I discovered (very late as it’s from 1992) SHORTCUT here in LA at @otherbooksla. It is such a gem of suspense and storytelling. And his others! Gems as well of color, composition,… http://dlvr.it/TQJkP0

A JOURNEY TOWARD HOPE written by Victor Hinojosa and Cory Voorhees with illustrations by Susan Guevara. This picture book is about four migrant/refugee children traveling north from their respective countries on their own just like over 50,000 kids do every year. They have… http://dlvr.it/TQGpqc

Shared my most influential reads (and a few quotes) in my latest newsletter, PSA from Danielle Davis. Here are books that made an impact: middle grade fiction, picture books (as a writer and reader), adult fiction, and non-fiction + a few quotes in the mix! What is one fave… http://dlvr.it/TQFqnp

Invisible and external milestones and intentions for the year past and presently unfolding. I believe it’s important to celebrate our wins the way we do with children. I believe it’s even more important to celebrate our INVISIBLE or internal wins and not just the ones that are… http://dlvr.it/TQCXvF

Auntie + faves visit to handmade gingerbread houses at @thediscoverycube. 🍭🍪 http://dlvr.it/TQ9Nrx

MR. LEPRON’S MYSTERY SOUP by @giovannazoboli and @machi_dg : an anticapitalist kids’ book. Why this picture book? It shows how more and more, bigger and bigger—solo endeavors and factories and global reach—are not ultimately satisfying. It’s basically an anti-capitalist… http://dlvr.it/TQ8dW3

WITNESS by the children of The Children’s Village of @phrc_ps. How do you describe a book like this? “Children share what they witness—loved ones lost, homes destroyed, lives shattered…What Palestinian children are seeing today is not new. When my life began in 1989, children… http://dlvr.it/TQ7k20

🔥🐴 🌹😜Gonna keep the fire going, gonna keep galloping as best we can in the year of our reality 2026. Change is inevitable. 📷: @sydstudios.photo who we connected to via @agoodusedbook and is fantastic! http://dlvr.it/TQ6CTS

Another winter solstice, another solstice anniversary spent hiking and dinner-ing at our fave @chifa_la. Another year—perhaps the most challenging and growth-inducing ever—of being partners, friends, family, comrades, collaborators. Another year of loving and discovering and… http://dlvr.it/TPyTbd

Special solstice outing. Art + astronomy + sunset + dear ones. 🌅 Thank you to the @la.astronomical.society for the tip about Gestation III in Santa Monica at Palisades Park, a sculpture by Baile Oakes that aligns with the winter solstice on and around December 21st in the… http://dlvr.it/TPxfMg

MOON SONG by @michaelagoade. This picture book is perfect for the winter solstice. A gorgeous invitation for today, for winter. “Come! Haagú! Follow the light” on Sheet’ka or Sitka, Alaska. And bask in the dark too. Brother and sister, warm family, discovery, dazzling magic… http://dlvr.it/TPxZgQ

Over the last two years+ @campsbreakerz has had an amazing food initiative, Et’aam @cbcrew_etaam, delivering—by miracle!—food to 25 CB families in Nuseirat in Gaza. Now, they are turning to art therapy. You can follow and support Colors of Hope @colorsofhope.cb for more on… http://dlvr.it/TPtz39

Had a chance to visit @coritaartcenter a couple of weekends ago. It’s free (by appointment) and it’s a very special space with special art-books-prints from or about Corita Kent that makes you want to make…change! http://dlvr.it/TPtG85

NOT LIKE EVERY DAY: Finding calm during school lockdown drills written by @grubreport illustrated by @gabriellegrimard_illustratrice. This picture book is a comfort in a world where things exist that shouldn’t (hate, unsafety, injustices, rampant guns). It centers children. It… http://dlvr.it/TPryC8

I consider collaborating with writers on their stories to be sacred work. It’s true! It’s an honor when writers on any stage of their path trust me with their projects and process as mentor, editor, and motivator—as coach. :) I’m so struck, especially on video calls or in… http://dlvr.it/TPpGHJ

Hello community, I wanted to share an opportunity to support mutual aid efforts for a beloved Palestinian family’s sustenance and evacuation efforts this weekend starting tomorrow, Friday 12/12- Sunday 12/14 with over thirty artists & creatives. I am donating a one-hour… http://dlvr.it/TPmbVv

This trio is picture books explores bullying and the power of words in vastly different, fascinating ways. 🪨🛹🪄A bird insults a rock who stays firm in who/what they are anyway. A skater girl finds words that serve her regardless of the harmful ones others serve. And a child… http://dlvr.it/TPj8Kk

Calling all current and future picture book writers!✏️ I’ve done a re-vision and revamp of my coaching and critique services, and I hope you’ll check them out to see if working together could be a fit. I speak picture books, and I love sharing that second language with writers… http://dlvr.it/TPfvmH

THE SLEEPER TRAIN by Mick Jackson illustrated by @blahjinder. This picture book is so special and Baljinder Kaur’s illustrations are always incredible: the colors, the patterns, the delightful characters. When a child boards a sleeper train with her parents and can’t sleep in… http://dlvr.it/TPdTN6

It’s Read Palestine Week, and reading creates citizens of solidarity. Check out a few of my fave Palestinian picture books. http://dlvr.it/TPXJDP

I AM ON INDIGENOUS LAND by m Katrina M. Phillips illustrated by Sam Zimmerman @cranesuperior . Why this picture book? IT’S GORGEOUS! And shows us 13 natural wonders we might walk, ride, or fish on and the 13 Indigenous lands on which they reside: from a field of flowers on… http://dlvr.it/TPTsMx

Et’aam Food Initiative @cbcrew_etaam is part of what @campsbreakerz does to support the kids of Nuseirat Camp through breaking, activities, trauma processing, and also food deliveries to nourish families. And you can support what they’re doing. “Et’aam currently distributes… http://dlvr.it/TPTcS0

Gift these books to grown-ups part two: vital stories for how to go forward in the world. Each of these tells anyone of any age something vital about how to create a better world and live in it via creativity, ritual, new ideas, community care. http://dlvr.it/TPSsy6

WHAT’S THAT? written by @imkarenchan illustrated by @basiatran. What a treat to hear from publishers including Karen Chan of @gloobooks at the Indie-Pendent Voices author and zine event at @lapubliclibrary yesterday! And to snatch up a copy of this book she wrote! It’s about… http://dlvr.it/TPQgsm

Gift these books to grown-ups part one: gorgeous, illuminating stories for making connections. Back in the day on my blog This Picture Book Life I made an annual picture books for grownups gift guide. I wanted to bring that spirit here. Why? Because picture books have… http://dlvr.it/TPQCkh

A CITY DREAM words by @b.sharise illustrations by @trudihemansillu. This picture book empowers a child to change her neighborhood in Baltimore, inspiring all kids to dream big about their cities and communities and get adults to listen. Bright, bold, and full of belief!… http://dlvr.it/TPPSnf

FIVE WORDS THAT ARE MINE words by @melissaseronrichardson illustrations by @addy.illo. 🛹This picture book is a force of power and delight. It’s about a skater. A search for words to describe her, “cinco palabras” that “fit just right.” They will not be the words that bully… http://dlvr.it/TPJw1K

THE CITY’S MEMORY by @mariam__m._kh is part of the @zinesfromgaza project, and it is full of amazing writing and recallings and imagery and feelings. It keeps her home, her community alive. “In the end, Gaza’s archive is not a book locked in a library. It is the market’s… http://dlvr.it/TPJ7TK

AND YET YOU SHINE: THE KOHINOOR DIAMOND, COLONIZATION, AND RESISTANCE by @supriya.kelkar. Why this picture book? The story of the Kohinoor diamond told with gorgeous mixed media and collage is really the story of colonization, reminding readers that current and historical… http://dlvr.it/TPGg10

🪴🌱📷+ market at @familygoods.la with artisans like @joohwa.archives @houseofmena_ @jumieceramics @soulvintagecollective over the weekend. Because art because community because breaks are useful. Photo @friendsplantshop 🙏. http://dlvr.it/TPCfft

A quartet of picture books that show we are better as a collective. WE ARE STARLINGS: Inside the Mesmerizing Magic of a Murmuration. From I AM WE: How Crows Come Together to Survive: “With one thousand-two thousand-ten thousand-with uncountable eyes, we just might survive.”… http://dlvr.it/TPBPBp

LOVE IS STILL WINNING/ El Amor Siempre Triunfa, story by @bailabomba Art by @authorjdelavega. Why this picture book? It shows how community shows up in the face of hate with the kind of love that accepts, gives, works, helps, welcomes, speaks, listens, hopes, and sings. In… http://dlvr.it/TP5Q6S

Writing books for kids means infusing them with your values. These deeper meanings come through whether or not they’re right there on the surface. These are examples that, I think, reflect their creator’s values including: community care, the vitality of heritage and history,… http://dlvr.it/TP4Qmw

Starts Thursday and you can sign up through Saturday! WHAT? My online class, Writing and Revising Your Picture Book at @writersdigest! (Videos, feedback, office hours, community discussion board, and final critique.) WHO IT’S FOR: anyone with an idea or a draft. WHY TAKE… http://dlvr.it/TP44jJ

CHASING DREAMS CROSSING BORDERS: PERSIGUIENDO SUENOS CRUZANDO FRONTERAS by @nidiamerino and Pamela Montero. This picture book tells one family’s immigration story and alludes to and portrays many others. Check out the small, local LA press who published it… http://dlvr.it/TP3JFQ

And…this class starts in one week! WRITING AND REVISING YOUR PICTURE BOOK: FROM CONCEPT TO POLISHED PROJECT online at Writer’s Digest University @writersdigest with me (because picture books are my second language). STARTS NOVEMBER * 6 WEEKS ONLINE! A huge thank you if you’d… http://dlvr.it/TNzXtj

WE’RE HAVING A PARTY (FOR EVERYONE) by @katievernonart. Why this picture book? Imagination + inclusivity featuring a gathering with unexpected, fun, and wacky invitees—bonus, it’s a sweet how-to for party-throwers. http://dlvr.it/TNzCyh

BELA AND LILY by @natashakhankazi. This sweet, personal picture book is about language and how friendship transcends the different words we use—and was created by a friend of mine! “Her words race like rickshaws on the dusty streets of Dhaka. Where I am from, words are… http://dlvr.it/TNyVbN

Some nice stuff folks who’ve taken my Writer’s Digest University class have said. 😊✏️ Starts November 6 online for 6 weeks of videos, assignments, feedback, and support! You’re invited to: “Writing and Revising Your Picture Book: from concept to polished project.” Link in bio… http://dlvr.it/TNy4zy

ZOHRAN WALKS NEW YORK by @millievonplaten. How delightful is this picture book? And it’s out as of today! Inspired by the person in the title @zohrankmamdani : his 13-mile walk during his campaign for mayor as well as his love for food, the Mets, public transit, green spaces,… http://dlvr.it/TNxP9T

Children’s book people (creators, writers, illustrators, editors, agents, readers, educators, caregivers) need to be about, speak about, plea for, create safety and a better, more loving, equitable world for children. It’s in our job description; it is part of our calling and… http://dlvr.it/TNtQVQ

Picture books are…portals to worlds known and new. 🟤 http://dlvr.it/TNqNrv

You’re invited to WRITING AND REVISING YOUR PICTURE BOOK: FROM CONCEPT TO POLISHED PROJECT, a course at Writer’s Digest University with me! * STARTS NOVEMBER 6 * FOR 6 WEEKS ONLINE * 📝 Hope you can join us, and please do pass this post along if you know someone who wants to… http://dlvr.it/TNnXHJ

EVERYTHING GROWS IN JIDDO’S GARDEN read by the author, storyteller @jenan.matari hosted by wonderful @belcantobooks and @sawasocal at @kubo.lb in Long Beach with community coming out to support and hear a picture book about memory, traditions, and homeland and plant seeds… http://dlvr.it/TNnB2k

ARE CATS MUSLIM? Written by Nusheen Ameenuddin @namdwrites Illustrated by Rizki Amalia Salsabila @rizkiamalias Why this picture book? It’s hilarious! And speaks to the practice and fruits of faith (around the globe) as well as social justice—all via CATS! 🐈🐈‍⬛ “Cats… http://dlvr.it/TNkpF4

WÔPANÂAK SEASONS written by Carrie Ann Vanderhoop illustrated by @mangeshig. This picture book shows us the seasons of the land precious to its author and the people of Aquinnah and tells us a child’s experiences of those times of year, sometimes in Wôpanáak. “Qununon,… http://dlvr.it/TNfggY

Birthday = special, beautiful, favorite, generous soul-filling people + favorite place that feels like home + hand-drawn monster party hats. 🌈✨🌻🍨🦌❤️🩷🧡 I can’t express how much I needed this gathering to remember and settle into connection to precious, healing, inspiring… http://dlvr.it/TNfJ38

I consider it sacred work to coach picture book writers (and illustrators), so here is the latest testimonial from one of my Picture Book Practitioner clients who it’s been a treat to work with for a month (actually two consecutive months!) of editing, mentoring, motivating:… http://dlvr.it/TNcpDB