Do you love kids and play? I don't often look to ads for inspiration, but this one gives serious food for thought. www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Q2W....

A picture book about book banning "What Happened When the Books Disappeared." Led to a cancelled author visit. #kidlit @scbwi-mi.bsky.social bookriot.com/the-day-the-...

Jodi Picoult reacts to Indiana high school canceling performance of "Between the Lines" musical. "It's a colossal problem when one parent makes the decision for everyone." Banning books is creeping into wider freedom of expression. www.youtube.com/watch?v=S7Iy... #kidlit @scbwi-mi.bsky.social

I was re-reading Raymie Nightingale thinking - wouldn't it be great to ask Kate how she came up with her characters? She told me here. open.spotify.com/show/4SkkjZC... @scbwi-mi.bsky.social

Censorship is so 1984. Read for your rights. Today kicks off #BannedBooksWeek, and this year's theme reminds us that the right to read belongs to all of us, that censorship has no place in contemporary society, and that we must defend our rights. https://www.ala.org/bbooks.

Our Up North Michigan SCBWI Shop Talk is hosting a community wide event "Storytelling with an Invisible Partner." Free and virtual. www.scbwi.org/events/commu.... @scbwi.bsky.social @scbwi-mi.bsky.social

Yesterday had the wonderful chance to chat with Kate DiCamillo. She is as full of heart as her books. And yes, she cries and laughs as she writes them. Listen to the new episode of BookSmitten to be released later this month. #kidlit @scbwi.bsky.social @scbwi-mi.bsky.social @booksmitten.bsky.social

Enjoyed this "Mixed-Up Files" post welcoming Carter Hasegawa to the agenting side of life.

If you're an author, one of the best things you can do is join the Authors Guild. Major win this week protecting authors who got NEH grants. Authors Guild stands up for authors and free speech. @authorsguild.bsky.social authorsguild.org/news/ag-wins...

Best way to show your love for your country this Fourth of July week - Call your reps with @5calls.org. I just called again. You should too! 5calls.org

Here is the fake reading list in all its infamous glory.

Oh my. The Philadelphia Inquirer and the Chicago Sun-Times both ran a feature on summer reading that lists fake book titles. Nine fake books? More and more of this will be cropping up. arstechnica.com/ai/2025/05/c...

As an author, I just signed this Author's Guild petition to reinstate the Register of Copyrights. Restore integrity to the US Copyright Office. Stand up for the Library of Congress. Protect all authors. @authorsguild.bsky.social authorsguild.org/petition-to-...

Keep NPR and all our beloved local public radio stations on the air. Strong public media is essential to democracy. If you're concerned about this, use 5 Calls to protect Corporation for Public Broadcasting funding. @iprnews.bsky.social @5calls.org 5calls.org

I LOVE our inter-library loan system, and use MelCat for research for all of my books. Proudly part of the 1 million books checked out through MelCat last year. www.tadl.org/imlsfunding @milibraries.bsky.social

This will be heartening for many kids, my own included. Dyslexic brains are amazing. Congrats Rachael Allen!

I just called my reps with @5calls.org, you should too: 5calls.org

If you're concerned about the continuing problem of #bannedbooks you should check out @freedomreadproject.bsky.social's feed today where they're recognizing citizens and groups working to fight censorship in communities across the US!

THANK YOU to all who stood up for books and kids in Iowa! Books back on the shelves is a huge win. Thank you! @authorsguild.bsky.social @halseanderson.bsky.social @jodipicoult.bsky.social @johngreensbluesky.bsky.social @malindalo.bsky.social #kidlit #booksky authorsguild.org/news/federal...

Welcome to Traverse City for our Battle of the Books, Lindsay! Looking forward to being with you next week. @lindsayncurrie.bsky.social #kidlit

To recap the highlights of the past month in publishing economics: * Libraries’ budgets to buy new materials are destroyed * The cost of printing books overseas skyrockets * Meta stole the copyrighted work of almost every author Happy Friday, book gang!

I've been reading "Red Scarf Girl" and other kidlit about the Cultural Revolution. What's fascinating is that "both sides" in America today are referencing the Cultural Revolution. What does that tell us about ourselves? #kidlit #Booksky @scbwi.bsky.social

Congratulations Wisconsin!

You are not alone, Cory Booker. So many topics you could speak for 71 days.

"Ms. Ozturk received a master’s degree from the developmental psychology program with a focus in children’s media...she co-founded an independent children’s media initiative...In her free time, you can find Rumeysa reading picture books." Kid lit researcher. Missing. www.nytimes.com/2025/03/26/u...

LOVE YOUR LIBRARY. #ForOurLibraries #Booksky

Congrats to author Joyce Uglow! I'm excited this picture book is out - all about one of my favorite sites - the La Brea Tar Pits. Called a "STEM gem." #kidlit @jpuglow.bsky.social @scbwi.bsky.social #Booksky

Wish we could get a copy of Peg Kehret's excellent polio autobiography into every child's hands. Then we'd raise a new generation who is awestruck and grateful for vaccines! Sobering and amazing. #kidlit #Booksky

This week a conservative man I knew died. He devoted his entire professional life to promoting vaccines & eradicating diseases like polio and German measles. Going backwards rapidly.

If you're looking for an age-appropriate book to help kids understand what forces are going on the world right now, try "Breaking Stalin's Nose." I can't say enough good things about this book. Newbery Honor. Sobering and heartfelt. Takes place over the course of 2 days. #kidlit #Booksky

Excited to celebrate Brianne Farley at Horizon Books this weekend! I have a special spot for worm composting in my heart, and I saw Brianne take this book from the beginning. #kidlit @scbwi.bsky.social #Booksky

Really appreciated the chance to read this story from Jordanian author Haya Saleh. Middle Grade following the radicalization of a young boy. The translation allows us inside another view of the world. #kidlit #middlegrade #BookSky

The richest men take on the world's poorest children. It takes so long to build effective relationships and programs. So fast to destroy them.

If you are looking for ways to turn that crippling dread into action, take 5 minutes and make 5 calls. They give you the phone numbers to your senators and a script to call about numerous issues. That’s how I’m starting my day today. ☕️📲👏 apps.apple.com/us/app/5-cal...

Putting this out there for those of you who might need it - How to Respond to Law Enforcement Requests for Library Records and User Information: Suggested Guidelines

I found this journal from 2015. At the time I was in a deep depression. I don’t remember writing this, but it is a letter to myself. Sending it to you in case you need it. 💕

Tag Your Dialogue with Big-Time Power! "I’m in the camp of writing experts who recommend avoiding words like said and asked. They may be somewhat invisible, but they’re annoying in audio books. And they add zero subtext." writersinthestormblog.com/2025/01/tag-...

What an amazing idea! We always knew the kidlit world had big hearts. Join in and bid for LA Wildfire relief. #kidlit @scbwi.bsky.social

Wish all the stamps the PO sells were amazing illustrations from children's books! We'd never run out of good ones.

Fun to see BookSmitten podcast among the list of top Children's Literature podcasts. Discover a few more favorites - podcast.feedspot.com/children_lit... @booksmitten.bsky.social @scbwi.bsky.social #kidlit

Teachers covering their classroom library books with brown paper to disguise them? Proud I'm a member of groups like the Authors Guild that stand up against book banning. authorsguild.org/news/ag-file...

If you're ready for some midwinter learning, I'm part of this 4-day FREE summit Camp Renegade Play - full of some great play advocates! www.kristenrbpeterson.com/a/2148039229...

When I'm starting a new book, I keep this in mind. I'm in the soul stage right now. #kidlit @scbwi.bsky.social

"The novel is such a daunting task; you have to do whatever helps you move forward, and not worry about being wrong, or about changing your mind." thecreativeindependent.com/people/novel...

Here's some more background on these bills. thebuckeyeflame.com/2024/12/09/h... @scbwi-ohionorth.bsky.social #kidlit #MGLit

Meet the next BookSmitten podcast host - Jack Cheng! Jack is the author of SEE YOU IN THE COSMOS and his newest book featuring Andy Zhou, dragon dances and his hometown of Detroit. Listen on BookSmitten booksmitten.us/episodes/the... #MGLit #Author @booksmitten.bsky.social @scbwi.bsky.social

I find so many good books through Imagination Soup! Thanks, Melissa! And I read all the time, but not yet 200 a year. @imaginationsoup.bsky.social #Author #kidlit #MGLit #middlegrade

The BookSmitten podcast all about children's books is moving to Bluesky! Get to know your four hosts. Here's an interview from the summer with author and co-host Kelly J Baptist. booksmitten.us/episodes/sum... @booksmitten.bsky.social @jackcheng.bsky.social #Author #MGLit #kidlit

My first time meeting a rougarou, and greatly enjoyed this debut by Rachel Marsh. Well done introducing us to ole fuzzy! And the fifolet too. @lmpnk.bsky.social #Author #kidlit #MGLit