Jen H. Barnes

Recently, salt and pepper popcorn.

Tonight @ 6:30pm! In convo w/2 abstract artists & a reading of JOAN MITCHELL PAINTS A SYMPHONY by me & Stacy Innerst! Sponsored by ArtWellesley @ Wellesley Free Library!

And grab a signed copy of this "simply marvelous" book (TY, Kirkus Reviews)!!
#joanmitchell #abstractart #kidlit #artbooks

Illustrated promotional graphic displaying a light yellow sky dotted with fluffy white clouds. At the bottom of the graphic is an illustration of five young people splayed out atop a grassy hill and reading books. The title text says, “Celebrate We Need Diverse Books Day!” followed by the date April 3rd, 2025.

Illustrated promotional graphic displaying a light yellow sky dotted with fluffy white clouds. At the bottom of the graphic is an illustration of five young people splayed out atop a grassy hill and reading books. At the top of the graphic is title text that says, “What is We Need Diverse Books Day?” followed by a brief description. The description reads as follows: “To celebrate a decade of work, WNDB is launching We Need Diverse Books Day, to be celebrated on April 3rd! This holiday is intended to highlight the importance of reading books that reflect our beautifully diverse world.”

🎉 We Need Diverse Books Day is April 3rd!

#WeNeedDiverseBooksDay was created to celebrate a decade of WNDB’s efforts to diversify the publishing industry. This holiday is intended to highlight the importance of reading books that reflect our beautifully diverse world.

I'm so delighted that this GORGEOUS book by my dear friend @alisongoldberg.bsky.social is coming out next year! It's about climate change and magic and hope, and is more relevant today than I ever could have imagined when she first wrote it. Congratulations, Alison!!

If you join 12 x 12, you get not only amazing resources to guide your picture book writing, you also get Julie, who is a smart, talented, and charming gem of a person and leader. #12x12PB #kidlit #pbwriting

I like to keep it short and spare, but I learned from a ninja critique that there's such a thing as too spare!

I find wonder by zooming way out (gazing at a snowy mountain range, for example) or by zooming way in (like contemplating the tiny spots on a ladybug).

Coffee! And lots of it!

I loved The Last of the Really Great Whangdoodles so much. But I don't think that fits into the categories you mention (more of a MG?), so I'll also say I love love love The Sound of Music!

Oh no! I sympathize. My brother brings me a big box of Frangos every year for the holidays, which is really the main reason that I invite him

Square silver with snowflakes, with red ribbon. 12 Days of Christmas for Writers with Julie Hedlund. Make 2025 Your Best Writing Year Yet! juliehedlund.com/12days

Calling all writers! If you want to end the year with optimism, illumination and inspiration, consider joining my free program, The 12 Days of Christmas for Writers. We start on Jan. 26! #amwriting #writingcommunity #kidlit juliehedlund.com/12days.

My kids love City of Spies! #kidlitchat

I read the lovely PB Small the City by Sydney Smith recently and had to lie down for awhile afterwards to recover, in a good way. #kidlitchat

Optimist: The cup is half full.

Pessimist: The cup is half empty.

Sendak: and the cup was still hot.

a little light bog reading. #tbr #booksky

Updates on the Arc of the Moral Universe “The arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends towards justice.” — Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. - - -The arc of the moral universe is feeling ...

I think I'm going to like Blue Sky. The sun keeps rising.

Thank you!

Please add me. Thanks!

Thank you! Hi!

Thank you! Hi!