Michelle Cusolito, M.Ed.

Overhead view of a vibrant bouquet of flowers: bright orange lillies, delicate pink roses, and hot pink and peach gerbera daisies.

I realized how much having flowers around has brightened my days, so I bought myself some when I went grocery shopping yesterday. #cancersucks

I ❤️ the 📸 at the top of this 🧵. That flower came in a bouquet sent to me right after my surgery (the last week in January). The rest of the flowers are long since gone, but this one lives on, brightening my day in a little vase of mine that seems like it was made just for this flower. #cancersucks

I do focus on the good things most of the time. That’s a strength of mine, actually. But being positive all the time isn’t possible, nor would I say, is it healthy. Having cancer sucks. I need to face my emotions in order to stay mentally well. I hope others out there feel safe to do the same.

I guess I’m sharing this so others who might be facing the same thing know they aren’t alone. It’s ok to be in your feelings sometimes, even when others make you feel bad for having a hard day or tell you to only focus on the good things. (I faced that recently).

A lime-green puffball shaped flower sits in a small spherical vase. The vase is two toned: teal at the top and dark brown at the bottom. Light comes in from a window behind the vase.

Yesterday was an emotional day for me. Nothing “bad” happened, per se. It was a day when the reality of my cancer diagnosis and impending radiation treatments weighed heavily. I know this is all normal. And yes, I’m giving myself grace. I know how to take care of myself. #cancersucks

Red house with green front door. Snow banks go half way up the windows.

Omg. This is my house yesterday afternoon. It’s snowing again. 😭 #snowicane #blizzard2026

Incredible shot of Rep. Al Green holding up a "BLACK PEOPLE AREN'T APES!" sign with Trump in the foreground from photographer Kenny Holston (Getty)

Librarian here. We grant library cards to ALL residents, no matter their age or legal status. Our ID requirements pertain to establishing residency only. Do not invoke libraries, which embrace *everyone* in its civic fold, as a precedent for measures designed to *suppress* civic participation.

Image shows the cover of Rooted in Wonder: Celebrating the World's National Trees plus the same text in the comment. Cover illustration is leafed out baobab tree with a fat trunk. A variety of animals swing from the branches such as snakes and monkeys and a warthog is in front of the tree.

Friends in Ireland and the U.K.
Get 25% off ROOTED IN WONDER at Waterstones online (link in bio) or via the app. Just enter the code FEB26 at the checkout.

Sale ends 20th February 2026!

#childrensbooksale #moonandbirdbooks #WPreorder #STEAMTeamBooks #STEM

Happy World Whale Day! Have a whale of a time reading these award-winning picture books!
@mcusolito.bsky.social @lynnbrunellebooks.bsky.social
@steamteambooks.bsky.social @mstewartscience.bsky.social

So, I need to finish healing from surgery and then my next big hurdle will be radiation, which I’m told can lead to significant fatigue that increases as treatments progress.
Unfortunately, that means I’ll be the most fatigued when my next book comes out on March 31st.

My final pathology was all good news: my surgeon got clear margins, and my lymph nodes were clear. I do not need chemo, but I will need radiation which will happen in March.

The short story about my diagnosis: aside from having breast cancer, I have the best-case scenario. One big reason for this is the fact that I get regular mammograms, so it was caught early.
Ladies, PLEASE do not put them off. (I know they aren’t fun, but late-stage breast cancer is far less fun.)

By this past Friday, I was back up to my usual 3 miles a day. Today was the first time I was able to get out in the woods on snowshoes. I only managed about half a mile, (the snow is still deep!) but it felt great to be in the woods. #VitaminN

Michelle stands in a showy woodland wearing snowshoes and holding hiking poles. She’s wearing a purple puffy coat and matching purple hat.

Breast Cancer Update
Thank you to everyone who emailed texted, and DMed me after I shared news of my breast cancer diagnosis. Your messages meant so much.

I’m now two weeks and 5 days weeks post-surgery and I’m doing well. I’ve been slowing building up my stamina since surgery.

Noteables Singing Valentines 2026! surprise your friends and loved ones with a musical message from the noteables!!! (submissions close at 11:59 PM EST February 13th!)

How’s this for a fun fundraiser: send someone a singing valentine! Proceeds benefit my kid’s a capella group. docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...

Noteables Singing Valentines 2026! surprise your friends and loved ones with a musical message from the noteables!!! (submissions close at 11:59 PM EST February 13th!)

How’s this for a fun fundraiser: send someone a singing valentine! Proceeds benefit my kid’s a capella group. docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...

Thanks, Hannah!

Cover image for the book Rooted in Wonder. Several animals, like a vulture, snakes, and koala, surround a Baobab tree.

I'm looking forward to this book about the trees of the world! Coming in March by @mcusolito.bsky.social and Marya Wright.

Aw. Please tell them I said hello. 😊

@mcusolito.bsky.social is a champion of research-driven #storytelling! I’ve added her classroom resources and author visit info to the Children’s Book Resource Hub — perfect for classrooms integrating scientific accuracy, #writing, and #STEM learning. #kidlit
kidlitgrove.substack.com/p/childrens-...

Thank you so much!

Truly!

45-minute Virtual School Vists/AMA Auction item '45-minute Virtual School Vists/AMA' hosted online at 32auctions.

It’s the final 2 hours of the #PublishingforMN auction. I’m hoping to get more bids for my donation. Will you help? www.32auctions.com/organization...

Let’s get those bids up! $500 value. Current bid only $120!

45-minute Virtual School Vists/AMA Auction item '45-minute Virtual School Vists/AMA' hosted online at 32auctions.

I donated a 45 minute virtual school visit or ask me anything call. It’s worth $500.00.
Current bid is only $50!
Can we get it higher? #PublishingforMN

www.32auctions.com/organization...

45-minute Virtual School Vists/AMA Auction item '45-minute Virtual School Vists/AMA' hosted online at 32auctions.

I donated a 45 minute virtual school visit or ask me anything call. It’s worth $500.00.
Current bid is only $50!
Can we get it higher? #PublishingforMN

www.32auctions.com/organization...

A $500.00 value! Current bid is $50.00. Let’s bring that bid up!

Auction is now open! Time to bid generously.

Auction is now open! Time to bid generously.