Debra Collins

Wow, our worlds seem to be in sync!

My November blog post, "Common Ground," spotlights THE FORT by Laura Perdew. From conflict to community, a shout-out to @lmperdew.bsky.social #PictureBook #KidLit #SEL
Here's the link: www.thewritedebracollins.com/spotlights-b...

And a shout-out to the author, @joanapastro.bsky.social !

FROM PASSIVELY PRETTY TO PRETTY DARN POWERFUL Why do I write this blog? As a school psychologist, I’ve worked to foster children’s social-emotional development. Referencing the CASEL framework, I highlight character-driven stories that...

This month SPOTLIGHTS blog, titled FROM PASSIVELY PRETTY TO PRETTY DARN POWERFUL, shines on a glorious picture book: LILLYBELLE, A Damsel NOT in Distress, author Joana Pastro, illo Jhon Ortiz. #PB #KidLit #SEL
www.thewritedebracollins.com/spotlights-b...

My September blog, "I See Myself in You," suggests picture books offer wisdom for adults, not only children. It features A MOON FOR MOE AND MOE (Jane Breskin Zalben, Mehrdokt Amini) and THAT FLAG (Tameka Fryer Brown, Nikkolas Smith). #PIctureBooks #SEL www.thewritedebracollins.com/spotlights-b...

SPOTLIGHT blog ​You may know the fable of the blind folk who were shown an elephant. They surrounded the animal, each touching a different part. Coming away with very different perceptions, they argued...

It's already August! This month I spotlight picture books that cultivate the capacity to take another person's perspective: DUCK! RABBIT! by Amy Krouse Rosenthal and XO, Exoplanet by @underwoodwriter.bsky.social #SEL #PIctureBooks
www.thewritedebracollins.com/spotlights-b...

SAFE ENOUGH TO BE BRAVE ​Children who are easily overwhelmed have narrow comfort zones. It is far too easy for everyday situations to trigger self-protective “fight or flight” reactions, whereby the autonomic nervous...

Hello, all! For July, my spotlighted PB is JUST LIKE MILLIE by Lauren Castillo.#KidLit #SEL #PictureBooks Find my post, SAFE ENOUGH TO BE BRAVE, at www.thewritedebracollins.com/spotlights-b...

Time for my happy dance! My debut picture book is announced! SCAT, CAT! A Story of MItzvahs, forthcoming from Kar-Ben, illustrated by Billie Michaels. #KidLit #PictureBooks #JewishJoy

CARING FOR THE CARER by Dr. Debra Collins

Also posted at Children's Book Academy, childrensbookacademy.weebly.com/blogfish/car...

CARING FOR THE CARER A popular quote (author unknown) begins, “Your kindness is never wasted. Even when it goes unnoticed, even when it's taken for granted.” How nice, though, when it IS noticed. Even nicer, when it...

Happy June! My featured PB this month is A HAT FOR MRS. GOLDMAN by Michelle Edwards @michellejedwards.bsky.social, illustrated by G. Brian Karas. #KidLit #SEL #PictureBooks Find my post, "Caring for the Carer," at www.thewritedebracollins.com/spotlights-b...

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#KidLit #ChildrenBooks #KidsBooks

SPOTLIGHT blog This month’s book highlights and nurtures social-emotional capacities of Social Awareness and Relationship Skills through metaphor, rather than a character-driven plot.

Hi, Debbie! I am a PB author (my debut book will be announced in a few months). I'd love to # my blog posts to this feed. It's a monthly blog re PBs with SEL. www.thewritedebracollins.com/spotlights-b... (my posts also appear on Children's Book Academy).

SPOTLIGHT blog This month’s book highlights and nurtures social-emotional capacities of Social Awareness and Relationship Skills through metaphor, rather than a character-driven plot.

For May, my "SPOTLIGHT" warmly welcomes everyone to gather under THE BIG UMBRELLA by Amy June Bates. #KidLit #SEL #PictureBooks Check in at childrensbookacademy.com/blogs/kidlit...
or at my website,
www.thewritedebracollins.com/spotlights-b...

My pleasure! I enjoyed it.

BLOGFISH by Dr. Debra Collins

This post is also at childrensbookacademy.weebly.com/blogfish

SPOTLIGHT blog Last month’s spotlight featured a character with attributes that truly were quite different from his peers’.  In this month’s story, PAULA’S PATCHES, a girl who believes her situation is...

My "Spotlights" blog post for April features PAULA'S PATCHES by Gabriella Aldeman (Author) and Rocío Arreola Mendoza (Illustrator). See it on my website, www.thewritedebracollins.com/spotlights-b...

CONGRATS to Winners and Honorable Mentions from @viviankirkfield.bsky.social 2025's #50PreciousWords contest! Shout-outs to Winners and HM's I've studied with: @susaninez.bsky.social, @jessicammilo.bsky.social, @charlinebarger.bsky.social, @donnarossman.bsky.social, @robincurrie.bsky.social,

Did you know that school libraries not only foster a love of reading and literacy in kids, but also impact their level of academic achievement, including test scores and graduation rates?

School libraries matter!! 🩷
#kidlit #WritingCommmunity #literacy #schoollibrary #BookHero

MOWMT: Playing with Point of View by Roxanne Troup March 4, 2025[Note: Click on Titles to Buy Books]Point of view (POV) is the lens with which we tell a story. But choosing the right point of view can be a challenge. Occasionally, we get it right the ...

"POV is the lens with which we tell a story. But choosing the right point of view can be a challenge." Check out this craft post with PB mentor texts to study (by me!).
#kidlit #mentortexts #storytelling #writerstoolbox

www.rateyourstory.org/single-post/...

Who else is enjoying March On with Mentor Texts? Thanks for hosting this, #RYS, @literallylynne.bsky.social

FITTING IN WHEN YOU’RE UNIQUE ​Forming a group, by definition, involves making many into one. It’s a unit made up of multiple, non-identical elements. For the group to run smoothly, the purpose or expectations of the unit...

My March picture-book blog post, FITTING IN WHEN YOU’RE UNIQUE, features Helen H. Wu's book, LONG GOES TO DRAGON SCHOOL (Yeehoo Press). On my website at www.thewritedebracollins.com/spotlights-b... and at Children's Book Academy, childrensbookacademy.weebly.com/blogfish/fit... #kidlit #PB #SEL

Hooray for #50PreciousWords 2025! Sharing my post here, as well. There's still time to enter, until 11:59pm ET tonight, 3/3!
viviankirkfield.com/2025/03/02/5...

The Movement The People's Union USA

To clarify: the correct web page for the 24-Hour Economic Blackout on February 28 theonecalledjai.com/command-cent... The other website you've shown is a different organization with a similar name.

For February, my blog post "HEARTS with Heart!" shines a spotlight on LOVE WILL TURN YOU AROUND (Mary Munson and Kate Talbot) and LOVING KINDNESS (Deborah Underwood and Tim Hopgood)
www.thewritedebracollins.com/spotlights-b... and
childrensbookacademy.weebly.com/blogfish #kidlit #PB #SEL

Since April, I've been spotlighting picture books with social-emotional themes (I'm a school psychologist) - some with Jewish themes as well (because I am). Monthly, at www.thewritedebracollins.com/spotlights-blog and at childrensbookacademy.weebly.com/blogfish #kidlit #picturebooks #SEL

Coming Out On Top by Dr. Debra Collins “I am right!” “I am better!”Competition demands striving to place ourselves above.To be the highest, not the lowest.To be at the top, not the bottom.How can children learn that co...

Hi, my #SEL #PB #KidLit blog post this month features learning about competition in the context of Hanukkah. The book is Hanukkah Upside Down by Elissa Brent Weissman and Omer Hoffmann. childrensbookacademy.com/blogs/kidlit...

a. Welcome - Debbie Ridpath Ohi - Obsidian Publish Welcome to Debbie's Unofficial Guide To Bluesky Greetings to those finding me via the recent Vox post about Bluesky! You may already be familiar with my Bluesky tips blog post, Bluesky article in Sch…

@debbieohi.com, your helpful guides and packs are most appreciated! publish.obsidian.md/debbieohi/bl...

Does anyone else LOVE revising? I'm amazed and delighted to discover the improvements that are possible.

Anxiety taught me to practice relaxation and meditation. These habits have enriched everything, including my writing and work as a psychologist. I keep notes I call "No Expectations." Here's the first one.

FREE workshopping webinar: 50 FIRST WORDS Adults all over the world, learn to write, illustrate and traditionally publish best-selling award-winning children's books. With Board Books, Picture Books, Chapter Books and Middle Grade novels, CBA...

An interactive FREE workshop to refine the first 50 words of my PB manuscript? With an industry expert, an agent, and prizes? Yes, Please! Maybe I'll see you there! Dec 14. childrensbookacademy.com/pages/free-w... #PB #KidLit