Time has gotten away from me. My next picture book, THE GREATEST BEDTIME STORY EVER, is out in just 6 months! 📚🐲

In honor of Banned Books Week, we’re partnering with our friends at @simonandschuster.bsky.social to give away 100 Banned Book bundles to LFL stewards & fans in the U.S.! https://lflib.org/books Each bundle includes HARRIET GETS CARRIED AWAY by Jessie Sima & AUTOBOYOGRAPHY by Christina Lauren.

It’s Banned Books Week, and I don’t need you to buy my book as a solve for it (but buy it if you want to! That’s still extremely cool of you)—I need you to show up for your public libraries and your schools!

I have multiple friends whose books have been banned or whose school visits have been cancelled by a few angry parents. Meanwhile kids are struggling to read, their school libraries have been emptied, and their librarians fired. This is a tough time to be an author.

Thank you to everyone who celebrated the launch of SNOW KID with me today! Especially the kids who helped design this absolutely haunting snow person. The eyes look deep into your soul. And they never blink...

❄SNOW KID, comes out next Tuesday and is available for pre-order now! Twig was a fun character to work on, and I hope you enjoy their story. It's about change (internal and external) and how we can keep becoming ourselves throughout our lives. AND about playing in the snow.

The American Library Association is pleased to announce that they are now accepting applications for the 2026 Jason Reynolds / Simon & Schuster Travel Grant. Learn more here: www.ala.org/news/2025/09... #EduSky #LibrarianSky

❄ My next picture book, SNOW KID, comes out in one week and is available for pre-order now at your local indie or online! You can even pre-order signed and personalized copies from Books of Wonder: booksofwonder.com/products/978...

One easy way to support a banned book: Tell the world you're reading it! If you share on social media include a link to somewhere people can get it. Word of mouth is a powerful way to draw attention to books & that takes readers like you shouting about the books you love!

I have spent weeks struggling with this book. WEEKS of not being able to figure out what I hated about it. And guess what... AI can't fix that. I had to think through the issues, I had to problem solve my way through the prose. And the satisfaction of doing it? unironically had me like this lmao

A little intro to Twig ❤️⛄ Snow Kid is out September 16 and is available for pre-order now at your local indie or online! You can even pre-order signed and personalized copies from Books of Wonder: booksofwonder.com/products/978...

City of Ghosts is still on Netflix, if y’all need something to watch to remind you the power we have to bring light into the world (it’s about Los Angeles and history and ghosts but not in a scary way). Probably will make you cry, but I’ve been told it’s healthy/ happy tears.

Mister Rogers never misses

❄ I've been away from social media lately, but I wanted to share that you can pre-order signed/personalized copies of my next picture book, SNOW KID, from Books of Wonder! booksofwonder.com/products/978...

Hello #kidlitartpostcard I write and illustrate books on migration, statelessness, war, art, friendship, and often a deep love of the Middle East and it's intricacies. zahramarwan.com

I enjoyed this Kidlit Happy Hour episode with Namrata Tripathi. "Voice" is a difficult topic, but I really liked their discussion about what it is and isn't: podcastindex.org/podcast/6565...

I picked up a maple tree seed while walking my dog and I put it in a small pot by the window and yesterday a seedling popped out of the soil! I don't know anything about growing trees, but it's really nice to see this little sprout. It's amazing that something so small and tender can grow so large.

art is not about being correct, it is about a journey, it is a conversation with yourself, with the things that you've seen, with your understanding of them it is interpretation

people think that you can't make art unless you go to school and learn it but we were making art before we made schools

Anyway, how does book banning/censorship affect writers? It's a direct silencing of our work, our voices. It may have a chilling effect on other writers, especially those who are LGBTQ+ and trans, whose work is disproportionately targeted for banning. It is a violation of our First Amendment rights.

Happy #NationalUnicornDay! Unicorns have had a special place in my life since childhood – as the worn out VHS of The Last Unicorn will attest. I was a unicorn kid, who grew into an adult who has written/illustrated 3 unicorn books.

Let's start our week of posting with something positive. A number of major publishers joined together to send a letter to Congress in support of the IMLS global.penguinrandomhouse.com/announcement...

#NationalLibraryWeek kicks off today! It’s a time to celebrate the places that welcome everyone, spark curiosity, and strengthen our communities. This week, take a moment to discover—or rediscover—what makes your library special. What draws you to the library? ilovelibraries.org/national-lib...

A jumping goose for #KidLitArtPostcard day. I'm an author/illustrator of picture books, represented by Thao Le. www.jessiesima.com #kidlit #kidlitart

Are you a published or publishing writer/illustrator/translator? You can join Authors Against Book Bans. We share knowledge, resources, & mobilization opportunities at both the national & local levels. Don't fight for the right to read alone!

In case you want some sweet news today. I’m volunteering at the book fair at my kid’s school, and discovered Dav Pilkey paid for the whole thing. For the entire school. Every kid pre-k through fifth grade (the whole school) goes home with two free books.

I had the honor of being Kim's PBChat mentor (thanks @justincolonbooks.bsky.social) and I'm so excited that her SPOOKY SCOUTS are going to be published Fall 2026! Congrats, Kim!

I listen to a lot of audio books while drawing and @libro.fm has been so great!

Hey! It's my first time participating in #KidLitArtPostcard day. I'm an author/illustrator of picture books, and I'm working on putting together a portfolio for older age groups. Represented by Thao Le. www.jessiesima.com #kidlit #kidlitart

protect the vulnerable

Heart. Hair. Hands. #bhm days 4,5 and 6. Black History Month might need to last all year for me to do these posts, but I’m ok w/that. We’re gonna need some timeline cleanses over the next couple months. Take a break from doomscrolling and look at these cuties inspired by my recent school visits.

I’m a scientist working on dark matter and neutron stars and I wouldn’t be who I am today without Langston Hughes, Duke Ellington, Haile Germima, Toni Morrison, Jane Austen, A.A. Milne, Errol Morris, Star Trek, Herman Melville, Lorna Simpson, Edward Lear, Tina Turner, and so many others.

Hey, artists, in case you were wondering if your work matters: I'm a scientist working on climate change and biodiversity, and I would not be who I am today without The Lorax, The Secret of NIMH, Watership Down, The Last Unicorn, and The X-Files. I know I'm not alone. Thank you for all you do.

I should make a nicer post with a graphic for this, but before I forget - if anyone wants me for virtual presentations for #AAPI Heritage Month (US) or Asian Heritage Month (CAN) this year, I do have availability! Pls DM or send me an email if interested! #kidlit #edusky #libsky #canlit

I think it would be fun to do a book with super anthropomorphized creatures. 🐱🐶 #kidlit #kidlitart

Please please PLEASE request books from your local libraries! Those are some of our most important sales as authors!

Friday Game Recommendation: PAPER TRAIL The world is made of sheets of paper that you fold in order to move forward and solve environmental puzzles. It gave my brain a similar sensation to when I played Monument Valley (one of my absolute favorite games.) www.papertrailgame.com#about

Emmy's book about Arnold Lobel is so beautiful and lovingly made. Check out the cover and then pre-order or request at your local library!

❄️ A tiny painting of Twig I did on a piece of cereal box last Winter when I was trying to figure out colors for Snow Kid. It feels a little like this outside now, except it's all ice... #kidlit

Quick recommendation if you live in an area that gets super icy. I tried these for the first time yesterday and they made a HUGE difference: kahtoola.com/traction/nan...

I enjoyed playing The Last Campfire. It's very calming and has nice puzzles: www.nintendo.com/us/store/pro...

I don't think I've ever shared this LOVE, Z development sketch, but I've always liked it. The story ended up taking on a different shape, but there was a time where it ended with a robot heart parade (I think? It's been a long time.) ❤️‍🤖 Happy Valentine's Day #kidlit

*New* on my blog: Basic FAQ abt #KidLitLaunches threads: why I created them, how to use them, how to help. Also a list of links to all the weekly Bluesky launch threads (current and past): debbieohi.link/kidlitlaunches I'll keep this page updated as I post more wkly #KidLit book launch threads.

Random Indie Video Game Recommendation: Grunn store.steampowered.com/app/2720950/...

❄️ Barnes & Noble members can get 25% off of pre-orders with code PREORDER25 until Feb. 7th. It's a great time to pre-order the B&N exclusive edition of SNOW KID which will have some extra sparkle on the cover and a big sticker inside! www.barnesandnoble.com/w/snow-kid-j...

Hello new and old #kidlit - Tomorrow is #KidLitArtPostcard day! You can read all about the monthly #kidlitart event here: www.ginaperry.com/postcard