LBYR School & Library

Happy Halloween! And What Better Time for a Pumpkin Princess Q&A with Steven Banbury? Visit a land that's more like,

Happy Halloween from THE PUMPKIN PRINCESS! Check out this Q&A with Steven Banbury to get in the spirit.🎃
afuse8production.slj.com/2025/10/31/h...

Today we celebrate Halloween, and tomorrow, we invite you to join the invisible parade and celebrate Día de Muertos! @lbardugo and @johnpicacio's bestselling picture book, a breathtaking exploration of grief, family, and courage, is the perfect story for the season.⁣

We're thrilled to see @johnpicacio.bsky.social, Leigh Bardugo, Tasha Spillett, Daniel Ramirez, Mangeshig Pawis-Steckley, Regina Linke, @authorgracelin.bsky.social, Aubrey Hartman, @jewellparkerrhodes.bsky.social, Raúl the Third, Quartez Harris, and @gordoncjamesart.bsky.social on this list!

THIS IS NOT A SLEEPY BEAR BOOK is anything but a bedtime book! Available November 11, this picture book is sure to become a storytime favorite.

Thank You To my family: my mom and dad, who have always been there for me with words of love, advice, and an offer of a place to stay regardless of why I needed it; my twin brother and sister, who I hope to be close with until my dying day; my grandparents and cousins and aunts and uncles who always buy my books even though they don’t read comics and don’t necessarily understand why I’ve chosen this life. My family is complicated, and large, and they have their own struggles (as we all do), and I know that sometimes I add to them, but I hope they know how much I love them all from the bottom of my heart. To my editor, Andrea, who challenged me to make this book so much better than it would’ve been if I had gone it alone, and to my publisher for taking a chance on a subject that isn’t easy. To my agent, Kurestin, who championed it from the first email I sent with a paragraph-long description and a plea for the go-ahead to work on this new thing, despite having just finished a different pitch. To my friends Scout and Ryan, who worked by my side every day, read every iteration, helped me struggle through problems and plot holes; who get me revved up and excited to work, but also makes sure I take breaks when I’m going too hard; who always made me feel like I was good enough to do it, even when I was struggling with symptoms and having a hard time hearing it. I hope they know how much I love and appreciate them. Especially Scout, because as the person who’s closest to me on a day-to-day basis, he’s been burdened with the role of caretaker at times, and I hope that this book exemplifies how deeply important friendship is in the face of severe mental illness. To my many sensitivity readers and consultants, for helping to ensure this book could be as healing and less harmful as possible, and to my friends and community with psychotic mental illness who have made me feel so much less alone over the years. Thank you for your vulnerability and strength, and thank you for…

To my alt program teachers, Patti and Wanda, who got me through high school when I was struggling with my own undiagnosed and increasingly serious mental illness. They allowed me to read comics when I was supposed to be doing book reports, and never made me feel diminished for it. They weathered mine--and the other troubled kids they care for, some of whom are no longer with us--with unforgettable grace and caring. Without their gentleness and understanding that I was not at my best, but also encouragement to do the best I could anyway, I would not be here today. To all the sidewalk cats I got to pet while I was walking around outside, daydreaming up scene ideas for this book. Thank you for head-bumping my legs and saying hi. (Especially Michi I love you Michi) And to my Nana, who will never get to read this book, because I started writing it as she was dying; but who helped raise me, inspired me, made me laugh, and always supported me. I inherited a lot from her--my short height, my love of Rumors by Fleetwood Mac, our shared illness. She was the first person in my family who I told about my own diagnosis. I think she would have appreciated this book as an ode to both the hardship, and the profound love that can come out of that struggle, and despite coming from an era where talking about such things was taboo, she would have been proud of me, because no matter what my own struggles entailed, she was always, always proud of me.

oh yeah so i didn't get room to put any thanks into hello sunshine (and this would've probably been way too longwinded to include anyway haha) but i wanted to share what i wrote up a while ago anyway!!

🚨 LAST CHANCE TO REGISTER! 🚨
✏️ Join Newbery Medalist JERRY CRAFT for a virtual author event!

ℹ️ www.bookelicious.com/bp

📅 11-5-25 @ 1:30p ET

@jerrycraft.bsky.social @lbschool.bsky.social

⭐ "This will pair wonderfully with traditional trickster tales from other cultures for storytime and school units." THE TRICKSTER SHADOW by Mangeshig Pawis-Steckley is @ala-booklist.bsky.social's review of the day! www.booklistonline.com/products/981...

It's today! Register for this live virtual event with @eedwardswrites.bsky.social, @keezyyoung.bsky.social, Julia Drake, and @allshewrotebks.bsky.social: www.crowdcast.io/c/queerallye...

Marie Arnold's SPLIT THE SKY is up to three starred reviews! This powerful YA novel about social justice, legacy, and a touch of magic is available on shelves now. ⭐

RUBY MAPS HER WORLD is both a fun and informative picture book that "will most certainly inspire young cartographers to chart their own worlds." (Kirkus Reviews) Get your copy today!
vimeo.com/1083674363

Coming to a Shelf Near You: Susan Haas and Lexi Haas on FOOLED Co-authors Susan and Lexi Haas introduce their imaginative middle grade novel, FOOLED.

Happy book birthday to FOOLED by Susan and Lexi Haas! Bring a little magic into your life with this "eye-opening and heartwarming" (Kirkus) new middle grade novel. 🪄
vimeo.com/1083663372

* "Gill presents a beautiful coming-of-age story." —School Library Journal * "Bewitching." —Shelf Awareness HEKATE Nikita Gill

THE #1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER Hekate: The Witch Nikita Gill

@nikitagill.bsky.social's HEKATE is going strong with two starred reviews and four weeks on the New York Times bestsellers list! ✨

✏️ Join Newbery Medalist JERRY CRAFT for a virtual author event!

ℹ️ Learn more & register!: www.bookelicious.com/bp

📅 11-5-25 @ 1:30p ET

@jerrycraft.bsky.social @lbschool.bsky.social @littlebrownyr.bsky.social

Big Enough Regina Linke's

#CallingCaldecott: Shelley Isaacson on BIG ENOUGH by Regina Linke (@littlebrownyr.bsky.social): "The art is distinguished for the ways in which it challenges boundaries and achieves harmony between traditional and contemporary, reality and fantasy, big and little." www.hbook.com/story/big-en...

In THE TEAR COLLECTOR, @rmromeroauthor.bsky.social explores memory, fear, and hope at the end of the world. Pick up this middle grade novel now, and read the author's interview about climate change anxiety and more with A Novel Mind:
www.anovelmind.com/post/r-m-rom...

Register: www.crowdcast.io/c/queerallye...

The next #LBYRExtraCredit virtual event is just around the corner! Join moderator Christina Pascucci-Clampa (owner of @allshewrotebks.bsky.social) and authors @eedwardswrites.bsky.social, @keezyyoung.bsky.social, and Julia Drake for a conversation on queer YA fiction. Register at the link below!

Indigenous Resistance and Resilience: A Trickster Shadow Q&A with Mangeshig Pawis-Steckley Nanaboozhoo stories, Carl Jung’s ideas on dream psychology, and struggles with depression and anxiety all inform this stunning (and fun) picture book of the ultimate rez dog trickster.

Indigenous Resistance and Resilience: A Trickster Shadow Q&A with Mangeshig Pawis-Steckley
afuse8production.slj.com/2025/07/10/i...

How Elegant the Elephant Megan Dowd Lambert discusses Marla Frazee's illustrations for How Elegant the Elephant: Poems about Animals and Insects, written by Mary Ann Hoberman:

#CallingCaldecott: Megan Dowd Lambert on HOW ELEGANT THE ELEPHANT (@littlebrownyr.bsky.social): "@marlafrazee.bsky.social takes Mary Ann Hoberman’s varied, playful verses and expands upon them to create a fully realized world that invites imaginative escape for readers" www.hbook.com/story/how-el...

R.M. Romero: The Tear Collector (Climate, Mental Health) Set after the end of the world, this darkly fantastical climate change tale explores hope, memory, and what really makes a monster.ANM: Welcome to A Novel Mind, Ms. Romero! Please introduce yourself! ...

In THE TEAR COLLECTOR (out today!), @rmromeroauthor.bsky.social explores anxiety and hope in the face of a climate apocalypse. Read the interview about this lyrical and heartfelt middle grade novel with A Novel Mind:
www.anovelmind.com/post/r-m-rom...

In honor of Indigenous Peoples' Day, follow the beat of your heart and find your inner strength with THE TRICKSTER SHADOW by Mangeshig Pawis-Steckley (Anishinaabe). This vibrant and empowering new picture book is available on shelves now!

www.hachettebookgroup.com/titles/mange...

Congratulations to New York Times bestsellers @clintsmithiii.bsky.social and @sonjacherrypaul.bsky.social!

Buy HOW THE WORD IS PASSED (ADAPTED FOR YOUNG READERS): www.hachettebookgroup.com/titles/clint...

Moon Song Cuddle up with this celebration of winter and explore the wonders of nature’s light with Moon Song from Caldecott Medalist Michaela Goade. On an island a...

⭐ “A soothing and appreciative ode.” —Kirkus⁣
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⭐ “Stunning artwork.” —Booklist⁣
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⭐ “A moving testament to the deep interconnectedness of the world.” —Horn Book

www.hachettebookgroup.com/titles/micha...

Book Chat with the Illustrator Featuring Michaela Goade for MOON SONG Caldecott Medalist Michaela Goade shares insight on how light and dark interact in her new book MOON SONG.

Michaela Goade is back with a breathtaking follow-up to Caldecott Honor and AIYLA Honor book BERRY SONG! In MOON SONG, marvel at the beauty of a winter night in Michaela Goade's cozy, luminous illustrations. ⁣🌙

vimeo.com/1118219093

YouTube video by EveryLibrary Celebrating Love, Identity, and Community with Todd Parr and A.J. Sass

Thursday, 10/9 @ 5 PM ET: @toddparr.bsky.social and @sassinsf.com on celebrating Love, Identity, and Community
www.youtube.com/watch?v=hdHW...

YouTube video by EveryLibrary Finding Your Voice: Friendship, Love, and Identity with Charlotte Sullivan Wild and Katherine Locke

TONIGHT (10/7) @ 7 PM ET: @katherinelocke.bsky.social with Gigi Howard and Charlotte Sullivan Wild on friendship, love, and identity⁣
www.youtube.com/watch?v=SVTX...

October 5-11 is Banned Books Week, an opportunity to resist censorship and celebrate the freedom to read. Tune in to panels with LBYR authors @katherinelocke.bsky.social, @toddparr.bsky.social, and @sassinsf.com for @everylibrary.bsky.social's virtual Banned Books Week Festival. 🧵

Closeup of cover image of How Sweet the Sound: A Soundtrack for America. By Kwame Alexander. Illus. by Charly Palmer

Finding joy and expression through creating or performing art is a common theme among these top 10 books about the arts. Get inspired by this year's Top 10 Arts Books for Youth: bit.ly/46Flv1L

4 Tales of Immigrant Courage for Young Readers | Kirkus Reviews In dark times, these powerful children’s books remind us all that immigrants matter.

"@rajanilarocca.bsky.social stresses that no matter what trajectory newcomers take (“Some of us are invited to study or work… Some flee war, oppression, poverty”), all enrich their new homes with their presence."

Thanks to Kirkus for featuring SOME OF US!
www.kirkusreviews.com/news-and-fea...

Banned Books Week 2025 Resources to Educate, Inspire Action These resources and ideas from ALA, Unite Against Book Bans, the National Coalition Against Censorship, and others will help plan for Banned Books Week Oct. 5-11.

Banned Books Week 2025 Resources to Educate, Inspire Action
www.slj.com/story/Banned...