Republican Senators have introduced a nationwide book ban bill in the Senate, S. 4925 and it's a warning of their summer plans. Here's what the bill is, what it does, and how you can take action now. The bill is in the Senate HELP committee. bookriot.com/senate-bill-...

I’m on a gorgeous island in southern Ontario with some friends for a writing retreat. Yesterday started out sunny, by the afternoon smoke from wildfires drifted in. We are safe but have to stay indoors. Meanwhile back in Texas there’s flooding. It’s quite a summer. Hoping all my friends stay safe.

Packed house at @bookpeople.com today for @lizziebrooks.bsky.social and her new picture book IMPERFECTLY PERFECT POSEY. #yoga #kidlit

My office today. It felt great to be back in the studio, laying down vocals and a guitar track.

To my writer friends who are submitting and querying their work… I feel you. #writingcommunity youtu.be/wR_7lWkbjqk?...

This should be required reading for anyone who is writing picture books. HOW A BEAR BECAME A BOOK does a masterful job of showing and telling how an idea becomes a book. #kidlit

Have you annoyed JD Vance today? If not, we gotcha!

Such a thrill to see the descendants of Molly Goodnight’s buffalo herd at Caprock Canyon State Park! Molly rescued orphaned calves when the buffalo were being hunted to extinction. She’s one of 12 trailblazers featured in COURAGEOUS COWGIRLS, coming 10/27 from TCU Press. #kidlit #picturebook

Really worth reading dept: 100% recommend reading this just-now-unsealed shareholder complaint about utter corruption of Trump/Intel deal. Villain #1: Trump et al. Villain #2: Skadden Arps. Doing "pro bono" work for Trump. Check it out. Seriously. papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers....

I can’t move now.

Is this cover gorgeous or what? You can preorder COURAGEOUS COWGIRLS now from TCU Press. I can’t wait for the world to meet these amazing ladies on October 27. tcupress.tcu.edu/9780875659800/

A proud Donna J Bowman with three of her @thewritingbarn.bsky.social students who have books coming out. @debbiezapata.bsky.social - A TAXI FOR EVERYONE - 7/21 Little Bee Books Me! COURAGEOUS COWGIRLS - 10/27 TCU Press Glenn Hightower - LOOK TO THE SKY - Fall 2027 Penguin Random House #kidlit

Not just trees - grass lands can also store lots of carbon and help stave off climate change. 68 Quadrillion Underground Miles of Fungi www.nytimes.com/2026/06/11/s...

Republicans are going to spend hundreds of billions that we don’t have to fund Trump’s endless war and line the pockets of the military industrial complex, which now includes members of Trump’s family. Nothing for you, but a fortune for war.

Albuquerque! Save the date! Tasia Young will read from her debut book in July 23 at Bookworks. #womenshistory #womensequality #newmexico

This week’s library stack of summer reading. @laekanzeakemp.bsky.social @jodikantor.bsky.social Plus an ebook - THE MAY HOUSE by @jilliancantor.bsky.social

Don't Let Congress Censor America's School Libraries @sarahkateellis.bsky.social, the President and CEO of @glaad.bsky.social, and John Chrastka, the Executive Director of @everylibrary.bsky.social, have co-author this important, timely, and must-read op-ed. www.advocate.com/opinion/hr76...

My gardening obsessed kid self would have adored this book. In THE CABBAGE SEED’S COLOSSAL SECRET, a girl plants a seed, grows an enormous cabbage, and shares it with hungry people in her community. Themes of kindness, sharing, and of course gardening! By Karen Greenwald. #picturebook

Trump found a new way to steal. The Trump administration is redirecting at least $90 million in National Park Service fee revenue to Washington, D.C. projects tied to this year’s July 4 and America 250 celebrations. According to published reports, that includes a $1.6 million fireworks

I absolutely love ROSE BY THE SEA by Rebecca Rose Mooradian. Two sisters must flee their home and travel to a strange new country. Lyrical prose and gorgeous art tell the story inspired by the author’s great grandmother. As a great grand daughter of immigrants I was moved. Have a tissue handy.

Buying their complicit in plain sight. Story (paywall): buff.ly/OfP8CeJ

Never in my wildest dreams could I have predicted that my mother & I would publish our debut books the same year. My mother is 91. Her book comes out next month. You can preorder THE CHANGEMAKERS: HOW NEW MEXICO BECAME THE LAND OF WOMEN’S EQUALITY now. Link: www.simonandschuster.com/books/The-Ch...

My kid's school is doing a Read-A-Thon this week, and trying to get donations from all 50 states. We're missing South Dakota, Nebraska, Iowa, Arkansas, Indiana, Kentucky and West Virginia. Do I know anyone from those states who could donate like $1 and I'll pay you back via Venmo? Thanks

Pince Eric & Prince Don’s Corruption will not go unpunished substack.com/@anntelnaes @anntelnaes.bsky.social

First swim since my fall on the ice in January. 500 meters!

This week’s stack. #summerreading. Plus an ebook murder mystery Death At The White Hart. @clairebobrow.bsky.social

🚨Bad news. A THIRD National book banning bill has passed committee in the house.🚨 Meet the CHARLIE act that will prohibit the teaching of what they call: equity ideology (not white supremacist jingoistic history) More from @authorsabb.bsky.social when we have it. www.congress.gov/bill/119th-c...

The Talarico ads are pre-made The Republican Party has deleted their ad attacking Ken Paxton's record on crime: "Homicides highest in nearly 30 years under Ken Paxton." Paxton is now the GOP's nominee to represent Texas in the U.S. Senate.

Hello, #booksky! I would be forever grateful if you could spread the word about my debut novel giveaway. Trying to reach 3,000 entries so my publisher doesn't think I'm a has been before the book even releases. THANK YOU! #stressedoutauthor One day left! www.goodreads.com/giveaway/sho...

Missing my sweet Otto. We said goodbye to him yesterday. Kidney failure cut his nine lives short. RIP beautiful boy.

I’m jazzed to be part of this great lineup. My friend Jan Seides is celebrating her long Austin tenure at the New World Deli Friday night. Come on out for some excellent tunes and tasty food and drink.

This week’s Just for Skeets and Giggles is out! Have a great weekend. statuskuo.substack.com/p/just-for-s...

SUBMISSIONS ARE NOW OPEN!! Send me your best work!!!

I’m trying a new poetry form today - a cinquain. Prompt was “Fossil" Portal Map of what was Living creature long gone Tissues crystalized, no longer mortal #nationalpoetrymonth

And here is today’s Haiku Water flows from the tap a flick of the wrist and voila bath fit for a queen #Haiku 21 - in appreciation of our hot water heater which has served its last. We will be getting a new one shortly. #nationalpoetrymonth

No longer frozen I take a breath, let it go Here in this moment. #Haiku 19 #nationalpoetrymonth This began with a prompt - frozen.

#50PreciousWords UPDATE!! Still distributing prizes - but it's TIME for #parents #teachers #librariians to encourage kids to participate in #50PreciousWordsforKids. Every child has a story to tell! Email entries to: [email protected]. I'll post ALL on my special Mother's Day blog on May 10.

Terrified feral Kitten has come a long way To lazy lap cat #Haiku 17 - the story of Otto. #nationalpoetrymonth

The Trump administration is once again planning to install physical border barriers within Big Big National Park in West Texas, according to an updated map of “Smart Wall” projects that now shows plans for a “vehicle barrier system” and “patrol roads” in the park. buff.ly/OLElhPj

Lovely long neck sways Jaws grab lettuce from our hands A giraffe buffet #Haiku 17 - a memory of feeding giraffes at the Fort Worth Zoo. #nationalpoetrymonth

WATCH: Researchers at Stanford University modeled how many people could die or be disabled in 25 years if vaccines for polio, measles, rubella or diphtheria were no longer available.

Eggs over easy Ranchero sauce, melted cheese Breakfast of the gods #haiku 15 #nationalpoetrymonth Huevos Rancheros at Austin Diner. First meal in a restaurant since my adventure on the ice.

First a ⭐ from SLJ - "Highly recommended"... then deemed "evocative" by PW....and now... Booklist calls HEARTLAND "a nuanced portrait of a tween aspiring to find herself in a deeply complex world." I'm feeling lucky in #kidlit land! And now there's a #GIVEAWAY!!! Enter to win! #ReadHeartLand

Breaking: HHS’s ban on gender-affirming care is struck down. Rarely have I read a ruling this sharply worded. “This case is one of a long list of examples of how a leader’s wanton disregard for the rule of law causes very real harm to very real people.” www.advocate.com/politics/nat...

Congratulations @sjohnstontaylor.bsky.social! A great book launch party and two paws up for IF PETS WROTE POEMS. A fun book and great introduction to poetry for kids. #kidlit #poetry #picturebooks

Fancy bed? No thanks. Four walls of cardboard suffice. Sweet sanctuary. #Haiku 14. #nationalpoetrymonth

Criss cross applesauce Excited faces, raised hands A thousand questions #haiku 13 #nationalpoetrymonth Why I love doing school shows.

Purple ruffles flounce Flirty and voluptuous Beckoning the bees. #haiku 12 #nationalpoetrymonth - from my brother’s yard in NM.