We're pleased to announce that @deborahkerbel.com will be VPL's first Writer-in-Residence! ✍️
Deborah is an award-winning author, having published more than thirty books across genres, from picture books and graphic novels to young adult fiction.
Girl hugging a shaggy dog in a green field over the book title
In a few cleverly rhymed words, GOTCHA DAY, written by @deborahkerbel.com, illustrated by @udayana-lugo.bsky.social and published by @orcabooks, tells the story of how a stray dog comes to find their owner. I love the way this book introduces new vocabulary! A fun read. #kidlit 📚👍🏻 #edusky
How lovely! Thank you so much for these sweet words about Gotcha Day, Andrea 🥰
This made my day, Helen!! Thank you so much for this lovely review of COMMUNITY SNOWMAN ⛄️
Busy prepping Jan1st post re #youngCanLit upcoming releases (let me know if you've a 2026 title) but still catching up on wonderful fall releases like COMMUNITY SNOWMAN by @deborahkerbel.com & Tine Modeweg-Hansen from @groundwoodbooks.bsky.social canlitforlittlecanadians.blogspot.com/2025/12/comm...
So happy the news is officially official!
PLUFFY & BORB CATCH A FRIEND -- written by me, illustrated by @naomispractice.bsky.social, and pubbed by @kidscanpress.bsky.social is coming to bookshelves in Fall 2027 🎉
It's officially official!! Hooray!! 🙌
Very grateful to @debbieohi.com for this 'cool' review of COMMUNITY SNOWMAN, our upcoming (Oct 8/25) wordless picture book, published by @groundwoodbooks.bsky.social & illustrated by Tine Modeweg-Hansen). Thank you, Debbie!! 🥰
🐾 Gotcha Day Cover Reveal 🐾
Adorably illustrated by Udayana Lugo & pubbed by @orcabook.bsky.social this heartfelt story about a stray dog finding their fur-ever home was inspired by our family’s experience with our sweet rescue pup, Freddie.
In bookstores March 17/26 & available for pre-order now
I was thrilled to discover IGGY INCLUDED on the list of Red Cedar Fiction nominees for 2025/26!
Huge thanks to the selection committee and my fellow Red Cedar nominee @annarosner.bsky.social for the heads up!
#bookawards #nominee #middlegradebooks #canlit #ireadcanadian #Iwritecanadian #kidlit
And just like that, a brand new children's book springs to life 🌱
More details coming soon 😊
#thisnevergetsold #picturebook #canlit #Ireadcanadian #iwritecanadian #amwriting #writersofbluesky #bookcontract #kidlit
Summer Reads for Kids 8 to 18: looking for mental health-themed books for your children to read? See our list of 19 titles, including books by @kerncarter.bsky.social | @sharigreen.bsky.social | @deborahkerbel.com | @kloshaughnessy.bsky.social menderist.com/summer-readi...
Thank you so much for including LIKE A DUCK!
🥰🥰🥰
“A little space, please!”
Got a kiddo who craves a bit of personal space?
Bought a copy of NO HUDDLES FOR HELOISE or taken it out from the library?
DM me your address & proof of purchase/library loan and I’ll send you a custom door hanger (with art by illustrator Udayana Lugo).
*🇨🇦 residents only
🎉Three cheers for the IODE Violet Downy Book Award 2025 Short List! The winner will be announced at the @iode.canada AGM May 31st. ⭐A Galaxy of Whales Written by @heather_fawcett Published by @tundrabooks ⭐Iggy Included Written by @deborahkerbel.books Published by @scholasticcda ⭐Plague Thieves Written by @parentclub Published by @cormorantbooks ⭐The Outsmarters Written by Deborah Ellis Published by @groundwoodbooks ⭐Tig Written by @heather.t.smith Published by @rockypondbooks IODE Violet Downey: https://www.iode.ca/2025-violet-downey---short-list.html #CanKidLit #KidLit #VioletDowneyAward #MGBooks
🎉IODE Violet Downy Book Award Short List
⭐A Galaxy of Whales H Fawcett Tundra
⭐Iggy Included @deborahkerbel.com Scholastic
⭐Plague Thieves @parentclub.bsky.social @cormorantbooks.bsky.social
⭐The Outsmarters D Ellis @groundwoodbooks.bsky.social
⭐Tig HT Smith Rocky Pond
#KidLit #CanKidLit
Thanks and YAY...love seeing our covers together on this great list of MG books 🎉
You can browse the 2025 #ForestOfReading nominees here: forestofreading.com/nominated-li...
Congrats @grickle.bsky.social & @deborahkerbel.com on their #SilverBirch Fiction Honours!
bsky.app/profile/hkub...
Thank you so much, Debbie...I'm thrilled!! Such a fabulously joyous day 🥰
Forest of Reading Festival congratulations for 2025 Forest of Reading Silver Birch Fiction Honour Books Eerie Tales from the School of Screams and Iggy Included
Congrats to #SilverBirch Fiction Honour Book winners @grickle.bsky.social and @deborahkerbel.com! Young readers know wonderful #CDN books.
Thank you, Helen!! What a day! I'm still on Cloud 9...might not ever come down 😊
Is it optimism? Or self-delusion? Only time will tell, Valerie.
But there is currently a defiantly-unwashed utensil sitting next to my sign...a clear shot across the bow.
Let’s see if this works…🤞
#gettingcreative #parentingsolutions
Yes...they announced in September that they would be discontinuing publication at the end of the year. I'd thought that might mean 'school year'...but it looks like the Dec 27th issue was their last 😔
With shrinking review outlets for 🇨🇦 kidlit, the loss of CM Reviews leaves quite a void.
Feeling grateful for all their years of steadfast support for 🇨🇦 kids books & sad to see it end.
A review of NO HUDDLES FOR HELOISE appears in the latest (& possibly final 😔) issue.
Thank you for everything, CM!
Thanks so much, Jane 🥰
Too cute!! 🥰
I’m excited to share a sneak peek of the adorable 'book sibling' for WHAT ABOUT AN OCTOPUS?
WHAT ABOUT AN ELEPHANT? will be stomping into bookstores August 2025 😊 Illustrated by Dawn Lo & published by @owlkids.bsky.social 🐘🐙📚🇨🇦
#ireadcanadian #informationalpicturebook #picturebook #fall2025 #kidlit
Canadian #kidlit creators, if you're not following @hkubiw.bsky.social yet, you should be. Her outstanding book review blog is one of the most viewed & influential in our community.
Thank you for your hard work and dedication to Canadian children's books, Helen. You're a rockstar 🤩 🇨🇦 📚
Maybe I should have titled it No Huddles for Helen?? 😉
