A.J. Irving πŸ©·πŸ’œπŸ’™'s Avatar

A.J. Irving πŸ©·πŸ’œπŸ’™

@ajirving.bsky.social

Mama. Wordsmith. Kidlit enthusiast. Lambda Literary Award Finalist. DANCE LIKE A LEAF, THE WISHING FLOWER, THE BI BOOK β€’ Rep: @thejordache.bsky.social β€’ she/her πŸ³οΈβ€πŸŒˆ https://ajirving.com/

2,376 Followers  |  1,834 Following  |  686 Posts  |  Joined: 06.08.2023  |  2.0948

Latest posts by ajirving.bsky.social on Bluesky

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Jail library patron ❀️ #ilovemyjob

18.10.2025 15:31 β€” πŸ‘ 7    πŸ” 1    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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Trick Or Treat with Tara J. Hannon! Hi readers, writers, and ghosties of all sorts! We're thrilled to have author and illustrator Tara J. HannonΒ back on our blog today sharing her newest chapter book series, perfect for fright-filled re...

If you or your child loves a good chapter book, that's your cue to head on over to #seasonofkidlit for the latest post with the amazing author/illustrator Tara J. Hannon. www.seasonsofkidlit.com/post/trick-o...

11.10.2025 23:47 β€” πŸ‘ 2    πŸ” 1    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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Inspired by an @scbwi_nohio conference session with Kelly Pelsue on drawing vehicles with meaning, here’s an illustration from one of my favorite core memoriesβ€” my dad’s old β€œmator”. #kidlitart #ownvoices #diversevoices

16.10.2025 14:14 β€” πŸ‘ 11    πŸ” 3    πŸ’¬ 2    πŸ“Œ 0
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Been super busy polishing up a dummy + full illustrations the past couple weeks, so I’ve barely had time to look at all this month’s fabulous prompts! Sharing an oldie but goodie for #ABLArtfest - this week’s prompt is β€œGhostly Encounters.”
Happy weekend, friends! πŸ§‘πŸ–€
#ablartfest2025 #kidlitart

17.10.2025 19:30 β€” πŸ‘ 24    πŸ” 7    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 0

Thrilled to be working with @lanaishagemini.bsky.social on her YA thriller HOW TO BURY BITCHES BEFORE THE END OF THE WORLD!

A queer Black teen plots revenge on the girl who got away with murderβ€”ten days before the world ends.

Editors, GET READY! Very excited for this one!

16.10.2025 18:56 β€” πŸ‘ 13    πŸ” 4    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
A graphic promoting 25 percent off the paperback edition of I Am Strong Just Being Me by Laura Dockrill and Kip Alizadeh

A graphic promoting 25 percent off the paperback edition of I Am Strong Just Being Me by Laura Dockrill and Kip Alizadeh

Delighted to say that from the 14th-17th Oct you can get 25% off pre-orders of the paperback edition of I Am Strong Just Being Me, due out next year πŸ₯³ 🀩

www.waterstones.com/book/i-am-st...

@littletigeruk.bsky.social

#KidLit

14.10.2025 09:56 β€” πŸ‘ 5    πŸ” 2    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 0
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Young readers will love the playful, rhyming text by @monizahossain.bsky.social & the vibrant, adorable art by Wastana Haikal. STREET PUPPY, MASJID CAT is an engaging read-aloud that shows the beauty of kindness and compassion in a way that will resonate deeply with little ones! #kidlit #booksky

15.10.2025 13:03 β€” πŸ‘ 7    πŸ” 1    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
Tiny autumn fairy carrying a heavy acorn, tripping over her pet ladybug

Tiny autumn fairy carrying a heavy acorn, tripping over her pet ladybug

A boy in a DnD tshirt surprised and delighted to see a tiny warrior elf popping out of his nintendo switch

A boy in a DnD tshirt surprised and delighted to see a tiny warrior elf popping out of his nintendo switch

Cover design for my picture book dummy, FLORA'S PERFECTLY FINE FACE

Cover design for my picture book dummy, FLORA'S PERFECTLY FINE FACE

Two panel comic highlighting the similarities and differences in cat-calling when a girl is skinny vs when she is fat. In short, they both suck.

Two panel comic highlighting the similarities and differences in cat-calling when a girl is skinny vs when she is fat. In short, they both suck.

Happy #PortfolioDay! I'm a #KidLit illustrator of the Kirkus-starred picture book LIKE THAT ELEANOR (written by Lee Wind), and author of the upper middle-grade novel MAEVE MULVANEY HAS HAD ENOUGH.

14.10.2025 13:06 β€” πŸ‘ 14    πŸ” 6    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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Happy #PortfolioDay! I’m a Korean illustrator based in the UK. I illustrate PB-MG & would love to work on stories about ordinary brave girls✨Finding & helping community✨Folktales!

Repped by Susan Hawk @ Upstart Crow Literary

πŸ–ΌοΈ sojungkimmccarthy.art
βœ‰οΈ sojungkimmccarthy@gmail.com

#KidLitArt

14.10.2025 20:53 β€” πŸ‘ 35    πŸ” 9    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 1
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I’ll leave this here in case anyone needs autumn greetings cards… Comes in pack of 1 or 3 🍁 πŸ‚ sojungkimmccarthy.bigcartel.com/product/wood...

#kidlitart

14.10.2025 09:54 β€” πŸ‘ 9    πŸ” 4    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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Incredible presentation by @shannonhale.bsky.social for Salt Lake County Library staff day! Thank you so much! πŸ’•

13.10.2025 22:03 β€” πŸ‘ 6    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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Celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month with Ana Siqueira I am thrilled to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month with Ana Siqueira, the author of If Your Babysitter Is a Bruja, Bella’s Recipe for Success, Vera La Valiente Is Scared, Sticky Hermana, as well as…

I'm thrilled to share my interview with Ana Siqueira! Her book If Your Babysitter is a Bruja is perfect for Halloween, and her new book Sticky Hermana comes out this month! πŸ₯°πŸ§™β€β™€οΈπŸŽƒ @asiqueira.bsky.social patbrownbooks.com/2025/10/13/c...

13.10.2025 16:54 β€” πŸ‘ 6    πŸ” 4    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 1
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Monday morning snuggles 🐾 ❀️

13.10.2025 12:55 β€” πŸ‘ 9    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 0
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So proud of @grubreport.bsky.social! NYT bestseller!!! Two displays at B&N! I told staff in the children’s section & at check out that she’s friend ❀️ They thought that was rad! I do, too! They love ZOMBIE AND BRAIN ARE FRIENDS! I do, too! Congratulations, Stephanie & Laan! πŸŽ‰πŸ§Ÿ 🧠 πŸŽ‰ #kidlit #booksky

12.10.2025 21:22 β€” πŸ‘ 10    πŸ” 1    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 1
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This book hit close to home, touched my heart, and made me cry. SOMETIMES STORMY by @amandadavisart.bsky.social will help so many children and families. I am grateful this compassionate and incredibly important picture book about addiction exists. Thank you for creating it πŸ’™ #kidlit #booksky

12.10.2025 17:14 β€” πŸ‘ 9    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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a cartoon character is holding a red heart shaped object ALT: a cartoon character is holding a red heart shaped object
12.10.2025 16:32 β€” πŸ‘ 1    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0

Thank you so much, Jilanne! ❀️

12.10.2025 13:52 β€” πŸ‘ 1    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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Today is National Coming Out Day. It’s also Let Freedom Read Day and the final day of Banned Books Week. Keep shining! Keep creating! Keep fighting! Much love from little me and grown-up me πŸ³οΈβ€πŸŒˆπŸ’–πŸ³οΈβ€βš§οΈ

#nationalcomingoutday #letfreedomread #bannedbooksweek #kidlit #booksky

11.10.2025 17:54 β€” πŸ‘ 33    πŸ” 8    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 0
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Wait, whaaaat?! There are only 10 days left before Grayson T. Squirrel scampers his way into your heart?! πŸ’š

Please pre-order online or from your local bookstore (πŸ”— in bio!) or request it at your local library. πŸ“š

#booksky #edusky #kidlit

11.10.2025 17:27 β€” πŸ‘ 7    πŸ” 1    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0

The Bigfoot Kid's Book Fest is happening TODAY!
I'll be signing from 1-4
www.bigfootkidsbookfestival.com

11.10.2025 17:43 β€” πŸ‘ 9    πŸ” 3    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 1
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It’s #WorldHomelessDay & I thought I’d share a few of the Soup Kitchen Portraits series that I’ve been making. These sitters are all clients I’ve met at my local community kitchen & have experienced homelessness & food poverty. They’re going through tough times, yet they give me the best smilesπŸ’–

10.10.2025 19:33 β€” πŸ‘ 14    πŸ” 5    πŸ’¬ 2    πŸ“Œ 0

Thank you so much, Sonya! ❀️

11.10.2025 17:36 β€” πŸ‘ 1    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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Last night I attended the 2025 Utah Book Awards. @kipalizadeh.net & I are honored our LGBTQ+ inclusive picture book, THE WISHING FLOWER, was selected as a finalist! All children deserve to see themselves in books. All children deserve to feel seen, safe, and loved. πŸ’œ #kidlit #booksky

11.10.2025 16:20 β€” πŸ‘ 27    πŸ” 5    πŸ’¬ 2    πŸ“Œ 0
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With gorgeous, expressive art by Parvati Pillai and lovely, kid-relatable text by @namrataag.bsky.social, THE MITHAI BOX IS NOT EMPTY is a wonderful picture book about traditions, sharing, kindness, and community! #kidlit #booksky

10.10.2025 14:00 β€” πŸ‘ 3    πŸ” 1    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 1
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Jail library patron ❀️ #ilovemyjob

10.10.2025 02:02 β€” πŸ‘ 10    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 0
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Happy 5 year book birthday to @writerjolene.bsky.social 's BIONIC BEASTS!

07.10.2025 15:43 β€” πŸ‘ 5    πŸ” 2    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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Did you know that October is Sensory Awareness Month! Let's celebrate with @writerjolene.bsky.social and TOO MUCH! An Overwhelming Day

07.10.2025 15:40 β€” πŸ‘ 6    πŸ” 2    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0

Congratulations, Michelle!!!

09.10.2025 12:04 β€” πŸ‘ 0    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0

HUGE congratulations to @michellejingchan.bsky.social on her author-illustrator debut, WEIWEI'S WINTER SOLSTICE, about the customs and traditions of the Chinese holiday Dongzhì, and a little girl finding comfort and warmth in celebrating it with her family.

ORDER NOW!
bookshop.org/p/books/weiw...

08.10.2025 20:28 β€” πŸ‘ 2    πŸ” 1    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
Book cover: Sofia Valdez future prez

Book cover: Sofia Valdez future prez

Book cover: all boys aren’t blue

Book cover: all boys aren’t blue

Book cover: Pride puppy

Book cover: Pride puppy

Book cover: last night at the telegraph club

Book cover: last night at the telegraph club

Librarians, booksellers, & educatorsβ€” when you talk about banned books, please focus on the thousands of CONTEMPORARY books that are being banned right now.

For example….
#BannedBooksWeek

07.10.2025 10:47 β€” πŸ‘ 99    πŸ” 59    πŸ’¬ 15    πŸ“Œ 4

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