After a busy week, yesterday I got to hear wonderful #picturebook authors @coffeycreative.bsky.social @karilavellewrites.bsky.social and @lindsayleslie.bsky.social talking and about the power of critique groups at the @scbwiatx.bsky.social monthly meeting at @bookpeople.com. So good! #scbwi

As the flowers bloom & the sun is shining, check out our favorite Diverse Picture Books About Nature. 🦋☀️🌷📕 www.kidlit.tv/2025/07/dive... @candlewickpress.bsky.social @alexmorssauthor.bsky.social @seantaylorreal.bsky.social @carmenmok.bsky.social @saraoleary.bsky.social @lindsayleslie.bsky.social

I’m celebrating a #bookbirthday today! Welcome to the world, GUS HEARTS THE BUS! May you zoom into young readers’ hearts. 💕 @geetaladi.bsky.social

Whenever I get a chance to connect with @viviankirkfield.bsky.social, it’s a good day! She is such a lifter of writers, educators & librarians, and held dear by all of us in the kidlit community. Thanks for hosting me on your blog, Vivian! viviankirkfield.com/2025/06/28/w...

Will you write for cookies? How about for a Tart Cherry Pie recipe from a former pie company owner? Please don't miss this inspiring interview w/the fabulous @lindsayleslie.bsky.social and snag her NO FAIL CRUST recipe & a chance to win a copy of her newest book viviankirkfield.com/2025/06/28/w...

We are pleased to host a giveaway of the picture book, GUS HEARTS THE BUS by @lindsayleslie.bsky.social, illustrated by @geetaladi.bsky.social (Sleeping Bear Press) out on July 1. To enter, L + RP & confirm your entry in our weekly update: www.kidlit411.com/2025/06/the-... (+ more ways to win)

Thank you @lindsayleslie.bsky.social for the interview!

Our weekly big list of kid lit links is up (June 20): www.kidlit411.com/2025/06/the-... Inside: Messy Characters, POV in Picture Books, Hiring Illustrators, more. Thanks @cyndiharvell.bsky.social for the illustration, @lindsayleslie.bsky.social & @tanyakonerman.bsky.social for the PB giveaways.

When Gus and his family go on an outing and take the city bus to get there, Gus realizes he HEARTS the bus... Join Lindsay Leslie on July 13th discussing and signing her picture book GUS HEARTS THE BUS! More info + RSVP: www.eventbrite.com/e/bookpeople... @lindsayleslie.bsky.social

A little cover reveal for you today… GUS HEARTS THE BUS Illustrated by Geeta Ladi July 1, 2025 Sleeping Bear Books Everyone of us knows a Gus, whether you are Gus, have a Gus, or are acquainted with a Gus. This story is all about passions & pursuing them with abandon!

Join @karilavellewrites.bsky.social and me at the Arlington Public Library this Saturday (3/15) to kick off Spring Break 2025 with: BATTLE OF THE GENRES! It will be good times and loads of fun!! More info here 👉🏻 arlingtontx.libcal.com/event/13910488

I’m gearing up for this fantastic day of all things books w/ all these talented creators!!👇🏻👇🏻👇🏻

Where are my elementary librarians & teachers? I’m giving away paperback copies of SO YOU WANT TO BUILD A LIBRARY! Reply with what is a must-have in your library (besides books!), and you will be entered into a drawing. I’ll pick 3 winners. Good luck!! Ends 1/8 @ 11:59 pm.

It’s almost the most wonderful time of the year: WORLD READ ALOUD DAY! Feb. 5, 2025 If you’d like me to Zoom into your students’ classroom, read a book, book talk, & answer Q&A, I’d love nothing more! Sign up here 👇🏻 m.signupgenius.com#!/showSignUp... #librarians #educators #kidlit #WRAD

A weasel sneakerhead! amp.theguardian.com/world/2024/n...

I had 666 people I was following and needed to immediately change that! 😈 be gone

I’m glad I don’t have to say the word “tweet” or derivations thereof any more.

I made a starter pack of Austin Kid Lit Authors! If you're looking for a bunch of fun, passionate, kid lit writers to follow, this is a great place to start! go.bsky.app/Rke2No5

When reality is far better than fiction. Happy 24th anniversary to my co-author in life: @ryan-leslie.bsky.social!

Anne Wynter is cooking up the perfect story at The Texas Book Festival!!

Doing her BUTT OR FACE? thing at the Texas Book Festival! GO @karilavelle.bsky.social!!!

The many faces of me while reading to kiddos. 😂

I’m going to spend my time making sure kids know the power of books. I’ll be here this weekend, doing just that: www.readingisrevolutionary.org/read-to-me-p...

My very first nonfiction PB is out on sub! (I never thought I would utter those words.) Plz give it a 🤞🤞🤞!!!

This past year has been one of growth for me in my writing. ☑️ Work with novelist husband to create a hilarious fantasy MG graphic novel. Now on sub! ☑️ Research and write my very first nonfiction PB. Now with my critique partners! This old fiction PB writer is learning new tricks.

I’m BEEyond ecstatic to celebrate my BEEloved critique partner’s BEEautiful picture book: THE BEES OF NOTRE DAME!! Go get a copy! Yay, Meghan P. Browne, and what gorgeous illustrations by E.B. Goodale!!

I went to my kiddos’ old elementary school to read to a couple of classes, and arrived to find the lovely librarian reading my friend’s @karilavelle.bsky.social book. So. Much. Fun!

What do you all think about high school class reunions? Do you absolutely go and why? Do you absolutely don’t go…why?

In addition to being a children’s author, I’m also one of the Rhyme Doctors. We offer advice and critiques for those who like to write in rhyme. Today on our HOUSE CALLS blog, I take a look at what makes these three lyrical picture books sing. 🎶🎶🎶 www.rhymedoctors.com/house_calls/...