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

There are not one, but two picture books about little skaters coming out on November 11! How cool is that? I can't wait to read @brittanyjthurman.bsky.social's COME CATCH A DREAM, it sounds wonderful.

Great news! This November you can snag the Opal Watson: Private Eye ebook for $4.99 & digi audio for $6.99 or less from your fav audio retailers! The audio is narrated by Maya Graves! Maya voices Opal in the podcast! @galltzacker @harpercollins @harperkids @pinnaaudio #novels #books #kidlit

🔍 60 2025 Middle Grade Mystery and Detective Stories 🔍 popgoesthereader.com/60-2025-midd... #BookSky #KidLit #MGLit

LOUISVILLE! Are you on the case? Join me @ BLAK Koffee Cafe Saturday, May 24th 11am-12pm for a special ‘Meet the Author!’ In celebration of Opal Watson: Private Eye, the first 8 readers to purchase will receive a special ‘Spy Kit’, complete with everything a young sleuth needs to crack a case!

Hi Everyone! If you’re in need of a query critique, AMA call, bookmarks or social banners, 50-page critiques, Canva website, or a date-with-a-book, I’m continuing to fundraise here: www.32auctions.com/KL4CAuction <3 Sandra

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Last night, I had the honor of speaking at the Jefferson County Association for School Librarians Awards Banquet. I shared how librarians have guided my path as an author. I’m grateful to each of you for all that you do. Happy National Library Week! @galltzacker.bsky.social #nationallibraryweek

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...

Hey, so it's National Library Week. You're going to see a lot of calls to get a library card and check out books. All well and good. But I'm going to ask you to do something a little more supportive: speak up.

“Hello sunshine So glad to see you sunshine. Hello sunshine It's been dark (RAINY!!) for a very long time” -ARETHA

🎉 🎉 We are thrilled to announce the recipients of our 2025 scholarships! 🎉 🎉 These talented #kidlit storytellers are dedicated to creating works that inspire, educate, and inform children. We're honored to support them in their journeys to enrich children's literature!

I am sooo thrilled to share this @sljournal review of Opal Watson: Private Eye, coming April 15th, 2025! 🔎 3 Weeks!!! 🔍 PREORDER now from your favorite indie & watch this space for more Opal news! @galltzacker.bsky.social #opalwatson

Check out these titles including Opal Watson: Private Eye! April 15, 2025 Preorder today!

Literally every Black person who comes to DC visits the NMAAHC and it’s a big source of pride among a very broad swathe of people. Censoring the work there won’t be as frictionless as people imagine.

Many libraries have Friends of the Library organizations that work as fundraisers & advocates. Libraries are going to need more friends than ever, so be sure to join your local chapter.

Look. The world we're living in right now can be mighty challenging when it comes to creative work. But truly, we need your art right now. Here are some small ways to focus that will keep you moving forward on the work that matters to you. (thread)

There’s a giveaway happening on @goodreads for Opal Watson: Private Eye! Head on over and enter to win! @galltzacker @harperkids @pinnaaudio @realmmedia_ #opalwatson #mystery #book #giveaway #kidlit #bookgiveaway #entertowin

1 month away from Opal Watson: Private Eye! Thank you @kirkus_reviews for the beautiful words & all who helped bring Opal to the page. Dig into Opal’s life and the hidden gems of this mystery. Preorder from your fav indie! @galltzacker.bsky.social #harperkids #mysterynovels #opalwatson

✨⛸️ 📖BOOK NEWS📖⛸️✨ I’m excited to share my next pb, Come Catch a Dream, illustrated by Islenia Mil! ⛸️+dreams+perservence+joy! This vibrant work hits shelves this November! Many thanks to my wonderful editor @marthamihalick.bsky.social and agent @agentzacker.bsky.social @galltzacker.bsky.social

New projects coming from Brittany J. Thurman, Islenia Mil, Stefanie Foster Brown, Sam Smith + more https://buff.ly/4k5Rahv

Check out our exclusive cover reveal for Newbery Honor author Derrick Barnes’s ‘The Incredibly Human Henson Blayze,’ his first middle-grade novel in more than a decade

28 Days Later is "A Black History Month celebration of children's literature....Brown Bookshelf contributors "profile a different children’s or young adult author and children’s illustrator...the best new and unnoticed works by African-Americans." thebrownbookshelf.com/28daysyears/... #kidlit

They want to ban and censor our stories. They want us to disappear from the narrative of this country. Then we need to keep telling our stories. We can not let them erase us! Writers, artists, musicians - this is the most important time to keep creating our art!

These are exhausting times so just remember that a nap can do wonders and a glass of milk and some warm cookies will warm your soul. And then we can go back to kicking these mother fuckers in the nuts.

If you see this, quote post with a beach photo from your gallery.

🎨 2025 has brought us so many incredible book covers! In Pop! Goes The Reader's newest post, I share 25 of my recent favourite 2025 middle grade book covers and the designers and artists responsible for creating them. 🎨 popgoesthereader.com/do-judge-a-b... #BookSky #KidLit #MGLit

I’m sharing Black owned brands I ❤️❤️❤️ I came upon The Trinigee while looking for gifts. My 1st purchase was a sweatshirt with images hairstyles. Currently, I have a T-shirt with a photo of Black kids @ a bookmobile. The Trinigee has everything, check them out! #blackowned #blackhistorymonth

Today's Black History Month illustration is of James Jamerson, one of the most influential bass players in music history. #bhm #blackhistorymonth

This Black History Month & beyond, I’m sharing my favorite Black owned brands. I use Ancient Cosmetics for their body wash, body butters & the coveted Empress Bar. My favorite scents include: 🌸Watch Me Blossom 👩🏾‍🦱Brown “Suga”& 🥭Island Mango. #ancientcosmetics #blackowned #blackhistorymonth

Just a few characters from, How a Story Starts!! We read Fly, retold the story through felt cutouts and made our own characters at the Louisville Free Public Library! Thanks to all who came out to create today! @galltzacker.bsky.social #louisvillefreepubliclibrary #storytime #fly #foreverandalways

HAPPY BLACK HISTORY MONTH!! ✊🏾🎉💕 #blackhistorymonth #365days🙌🏾

Kiah was set to join our faculty at Howard Law School in the Fall. She was a dedicated, brilliant civil rights lawyer poised to make a powerful difference in our world. Our hearts are broken & we pray for her family & friends. www.kwch.com/2025/01/30/c...

Louisville friends! Join me this Saturday for How a Story Starts at the Louisville Free Public Library! In this special storytime, kids will developed a character and craft them out of felt! Saturday, Feb 1st, 2PM South Central Regional Branch

Oh that joyous feeling when you hit send. ✍🏾

28 Picture Books Of Inspiring Black Americans for Black History Month and All Year | @slj.com

Had a wonderful time meeting the awesome kids at @kcdschool yesterday! Keep flying!! 💕✨📖

Kentucky Educators: I would love to visit your school for FREE! Let’s make it happen! Apply through Humanities at the Schools: Your Story Matters now through Jan 31st. kybookfestival.org/humanities-a...

Second school visit of the year ✅!!

I went to my FB settings to check that the app wasn't tracking my off-FB activity . . . and yesterday, apparently, my account spontaneously followed Donald Trump? If you're still there, worth checking your activity yesterday to see if you're now following him too.

Martin, thanks for giving us something beautiful and awe-inspiring to think on tomorrow, and to celebrate! Your memory is a blessing to the world.

Five things to do today: 1. Make time for yoga/meditation, whatever movement or stillness works. 2. Turn off the TV, put your phone down, & go outside. 3. Spend time in nature. 4. Make something. A poem. Art. A cake. 5. Remember that the work will be there tomorrow. Care for yourself today.

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From my school visit yesterday. 💕📖💕

“Creative side pursuits are a great way to relax, find the joy in creativity, and play without that inner critic getting in the way.” Thanks for the shoutout, Kathy!

20 Days / 20 Books Day 15 The Nickel Boys by Colson Whitehead

20 Days / 20 Books that have Stayed with Me Day 14 Buried Beneath the Baobab Tree by Adaobi Tricia Nwaubani

20 Days / 20 Books that have Stayed with Me Day 13 My Monticello by Jocelyn Nicole Johnson