FIVE WORDS THAT ARE MINE words by @melissaseronrichardson illustrations by @addy.illo. 🛹This picture book is a force of power and delight. It’s about a skater. A search for words to describe her, “cinco palabras” that “fit just right.” They will not be the words that bully… http://dlvr.it/TPJw1K

THE CITY’S MEMORY by @mariam__m._kh is part of the @zinesfromgaza project, and it is full of amazing writing and recallings and imagery and feelings. It keeps her home, her community alive. “In the end, Gaza’s archive is not a book locked in a library. It is the market’s… http://dlvr.it/TPJ7TK

AND YET YOU SHINE: THE KOHINOOR DIAMOND, COLONIZATION, AND RESISTANCE by @supriya.kelkar.
Why this picture book?
The story of the Kohinoor diamond told with gorgeous mixed media and collage is really the story of colonization, reminding readers that current and historical… http://dlvr.it/TPGg10

🪴🌱📷+ market at @familygoods.la with artisans like @joohwa.archives @houseofmena_ @jumieceramics @soulvintagecollective over the weekend. Because art because community because breaks are useful. Photo @friendsplantshop 🙏. http://dlvr.it/TPCfft

A quartet of picture books that show we are better as a collective.
WE ARE STARLINGS: Inside the Mesmerizing Magic of a Murmuration.
From I AM WE: How Crows Come Together to Survive:
“With one thousand-two thousand-ten thousand-with uncountable eyes, we just might survive.”… http://dlvr.it/TPBPBp

LOVE IS STILL WINNING/ El Amor Siempre Triunfa, story by @bailabomba Art by @authorjdelavega. Why this picture book? It shows how community shows up in the face of hate with the kind of love that accepts, gives, works, helps, welcomes, speaks, listens, hopes, and sings. In… http://dlvr.it/TP5Q6S

Writing books for kids means infusing them with your values. These deeper meanings come through whether or not they’re right there on the surface. These are examples that, I think, reflect their creator’s values including: community care, the vitality of heritage and history,… http://dlvr.it/TP4Qmw

Starts Thursday and you can sign up through Saturday!
WHAT? My online class, Writing and Revising Your Picture Book at @writersdigest! (Videos, feedback, office hours, community discussion board, and final critique.)
WHO IT’S FOR: anyone with an idea or a draft.
WHY TAKE… http://dlvr.it/TP44jJ

CHASING DREAMS CROSSING BORDERS:
PERSIGUIENDO SUENOS
CRUZANDO FRONTERAS by @nidiamerino and Pamela Montero. This picture book tells one family’s immigration story and alludes to and portrays many others. Check out the small, local LA press who published it… http://dlvr.it/TP3JFQ

And…this class starts in one week! WRITING AND REVISING YOUR PICTURE BOOK:
FROM CONCEPT TO POLISHED PROJECT online at Writer’s Digest University @writersdigest with me (because picture books are my second language).
STARTS NOVEMBER * 6 WEEKS ONLINE! A huge thank you if you’d… http://dlvr.it/TNzXtj

WE’RE HAVING A PARTY (FOR EVERYONE) by @katievernonart.
Why this picture book?
Imagination + inclusivity featuring a gathering with unexpected, fun, and wacky invitees—bonus, it’s a sweet how-to for party-throwers. http://dlvr.it/TNzCyh

BELA AND LILY by @natashakhankazi. This sweet, personal picture book is about language and how friendship transcends the different words we use—and was created by a friend of mine! “Her words race like rickshaws on the dusty streets of Dhaka. Where I am from, words are… http://dlvr.it/TNyVbN

Some nice stuff folks who’ve taken my Writer’s Digest University class have said. 😊✏️ Starts November 6 online for 6 weeks of videos, assignments, feedback, and support! You’re invited to: “Writing and Revising Your Picture Book: from concept to polished project.” Link in bio… http://dlvr.it/TNy4zy

ZOHRAN WALKS NEW YORK by @millievonplaten. How delightful is this picture book? And it’s out as of today! Inspired by the person in the title @zohrankmamdani : his 13-mile walk during his campaign for mayor as well as his love for food, the Mets, public transit, green spaces,… http://dlvr.it/TNxP9T

Children’s book people (creators, writers, illustrators, editors, agents, readers, educators, caregivers)
need to be about, speak about, plea for, create safety and a better, more loving, equitable world for children. It’s in our job description; it is part of our calling and… http://dlvr.it/TNtQVQ

Picture books are…portals

to worlds known and new.

🟤 http://dlvr.it/TNqNrv

You’re invited to WRITING AND REVISING YOUR PICTURE BOOK:
FROM CONCEPT TO POLISHED PROJECT, a course at Writer’s Digest University with me!
* STARTS NOVEMBER 6 * FOR 6 WEEKS ONLINE * 📝 Hope you can join us, and please do pass this post along if you know someone who wants to… http://dlvr.it/TNnXHJ

EVERYTHING GROWS IN JIDDO’S GARDEN read by the author, storyteller @jenan.matari hosted by wonderful @belcantobooks and @sawasocal at @kubo.lb in Long Beach with community coming out to support and hear a picture book about memory, traditions, and homeland and plant seeds… http://dlvr.it/TNnB2k

ARE CATS MUSLIM?
Written by Nusheen Ameenuddin
@namdwrites Illustrated by Rizki Amalia Salsabila @rizkiamalias
Why this picture book?
It’s hilarious! And speaks to the practice and fruits of faith (around the globe) as well as social justice—all via CATS! 🐈🐈‍⬛
“Cats… http://dlvr.it/TNkpF4

WÔPANÂAK SEASONS written by Carrie Ann Vanderhoop illustrated by @mangeshig. This picture book shows us the seasons of the land precious to its author and the people of Aquinnah and tells us a child’s experiences of those times of year, sometimes in Wôpanáak. “Qununon,… http://dlvr.it/TNfggY

Birthday = special, beautiful, favorite, generous soul-filling people + favorite place that feels like home + hand-drawn monster party hats.
🌈✨🌻🍨🦌❤️🩷🧡
I can’t express how much I needed this gathering to remember and settle into connection to precious, healing, inspiring… http://dlvr.it/TNfJ38

I consider it sacred work to coach picture book writers (and illustrators), so here is the latest testimonial from one of my Picture Book Practitioner clients who it’s been a treat to work with for a month (actually two consecutive months!) of editing, mentoring, motivating:… http://dlvr.it/TNcpDB

THIS IS HIP-HOP and Other Street Dances. Words by @rekhasrajan art by @chris_d_park. And…I love this picture book. That we learn about breaking, DJ, and freestyling, AND other kinds of street dancing: Kuthu and Conchero too! “Street dance is for everyone!” http://dlvr.it/TNbybb

SITTI’S KEY Written by Sahar Khader Ali, Illustrated by Noor Alshalabi @nooralshalabi. A girl, Amal. Her Sitti, Grandmother. A special embroidered dress called a thoub. And a key that tells Sitti’s story of being forcefully removed from home and land, a brother taken away… http://dlvr.it/TNW6DB

Thank you to all the speakers and attendees at the inaugural @storysunbirds Summit yesterday! And my huge gratitude to these inspiring panelists in our Unique Path conversation about navigating barriers to publishing and rule-breaking to find channels and community for stories… http://dlvr.it/TNV0nn

Giving away these 3 gorgeous Spanish-language picture books courtesy of @penguinkids ! If you’re in the US, follow, comment, and your hat is in the ring to receive this bundle of beauties!
POLVO SOLAR @zpvisual Rubí Orozco Santos 🌵
SER UNA FAMILIA Dan Saks Brooke Smart… http://dlvr.it/TNSXXg

THE PRINCE OF STARS: Ulugh Beg’s Quest to Map the Stars and Seasons written by @moyuksel.author illustrated by @zelmaafr. ✨✨This picture book is about a real prince, and one who was so much more, who looked to the stars and skies with questions that awakened not only his… http://dlvr.it/TNMVdw

The @storysunbirds virtual summit is one week from today, “The Children are Always Ours.” You’re invited to a full day of panels, conversations, and community spaces—come to one, some, or all! It’s donation-based, “pay what you can,” and all donations go to @thepcrf. I’m… http://dlvr.it/TNKfR5

SKY LUCK written by @ericaleewrites illustrated by @silkydags. This picture book is luminous, oh-so-lyrical, and full of meaning. 💫 An uncle, a shooting star, and a child full of longing. He searches for his own shooting star, his bit of “sky luck.” When he doesn’t find it, he… http://dlvr.it/TNJnkG

The first Story Sunbirds Summit is less than two weeks away (Sat 10/4!), and you’re invited! There are so many speakers and panelists to tune in for! I’m truly honored to moderate a panel “Finding a Unique Path That’s True to You—Outside of Norms, Rules, and Traditional… http://dlvr.it/TNDCM5