So exciting to see our own @jilanne.bsky.social and @brennajeanneret.bsky.social's books on this list!
#kidlit #picturebooks

Light from an open door spills into the darkness

A feisty heroine rendered in graffiti

A small yellow plant grows out of a rock

We each have our own way of throwing light into the world. Whatever yours is, keep doing it. 💥

“So light the winter fire,
and watch as the flames grow higher.
We'll gather up our fears
and face down all the coming years,
and all that they destroy...
and in their face we throw our joy.”

“Joy,” sung by Tracey Thorn.

🔥Let’s throw some joy in 2026!

A dog sits on the couch with a laptop in the foreground

It’s a strange feeling that school has started and I’m not there. Yes, I miss the shiny faces, sparkly backpacks, and new lunch boxes, and the hope and excitement of new beginnings. But I have my writing companion with me, and those little faces are with me too, as I work on my stories and poems. 💕

3 firefighters read to a group of children and parents

A firefighter in gear speaks to a young child

A firefighter answers a young girl’s question

Families with children gather around a fire truck

Today I watched the local fire department deliver an amazing Firefighter Storytime at the library, complete with a visit to the fire truck! My book about a busy firehouse, TRUCKS, BOOTS, AND BELLS, comes out in a year and I’m hoping to plan fun events like this for little ones! ❤️🚒📚 #firefighters

Child’s arm with temporary tattoo that says “Mom and Mom.”

Here’s to us, lesbian moms! 💕
Pride Month🏳️‍🌈

Child’s art with rainbow flag and “our flag is a sign of love” written in crayon

Good morning and Happy Pride Month! 💕🏳️‍🌈

Selection from poem: “You lift me up. You have no doubt. ‘You've got this. Yes, you can!’ you shout. Because of you, and all you do, I'm starting to believe it too.”

What a poetry moment today! A child showed me a page she likes from WHAT IS A FAMILY -a poetry anthology by @pomelobooks.bsky.social. She’s living in a foster home right now, and she read aloud the poem “Encouragement” by @rebeccaglevington.bsky.social.
Your poem reached a child today, Rebecca. ❤️‍🩹

I love that! ❤️🚒

Man at beach with back to camera, wearing FDNY shirt

Mug imprinted with PW announcement of TRUCKS, BOOTS, AND BELLS: FIREHOUSE POEMS by Mary E. Cronin, illustrated by Aaron Marin. Holiday House 2026.

Remembering my dad this morning on his birthday as I drink my Irish tea out of my new mug, celebrating the upcoming publication of my book TRUCKS, BOOTS, AND BELLS. April 29 brought us Dan Cronin, and what a good life he lived. ❤️
Holiday House Books
~fall 2026. @steelworksliterary.bsky.social

Exciting! I love endpapers!

😍🤣

Thank you, Meghan!

Meghan, why? Is it due to ownership or policies of Substack?

With my broken foot I’m not up for roadside protesting, so we took a few spins around the Hyannis Rotary to cheer the protesters on! 💥 #capecod

Two photos of Boston’s Old North Church with illuminated massages. First: Let the warning tide forth once more: tyranny is at our door. 2nd photo: One of by land, two if by D.C.

Thank you, Cindy! 🚒❤️

Photo of Mary E. Cronin and Lee Bennett Hopkins

PW announcement of Trucks, Boots, and Bells: Firehouse Poems by Mary E. Cronin, illustrated by Aaron Marin (Holiday House Books, 2026), Cronin represented by SteelWorks Literary.

“There is something about this manuscript that cries out for publication. It may take you a while to 'get there' but you must.”
~poet/anthologist Lee Bennett Hopkins, re
my poetry collection, TRUCKS, BOOTS, AND BELLS (Holiday House, 2026). On his birthday, I remember Lee with gratitude.

It’s a wonderful book, sensitively written ❤️‍🩹

That's one thing I'm resting on. We are a global society. They will never be able to eradicate any aspect of knowledge the way they imagine they can.

I went to NZ and met a scholar who had written her master's thesis of Whoopi Goldberg's comedy. There is a Langsron Hughes society in Japan.

Statement from detained student Rümeysa Öztürk dictated to her attorneys while jailed at the South Louisiana ICE facility:

“Efforts to target me because of my op-ed in the Tufts Daily calling for the equal dignity and humanity of all people will not deter me”

@theintercept.com

Child’s hand using magnetic letters to spell “poetry.”

Poetry Month is getting off to a great start! Today I am taking the day off from my usual job so I can be the Visiting Poet at Barnstable-West Barnstable Elementary School. Can't wait to dive into poetry with the second graders! Thanks to
@belongingbooks.bsky.social for arranging my visit.

Three girls with pink backpacks hold hands and enter an elementary school

Children make the world a better place.
Elementary schools make our world a better place.
Immigrants make our country a better place.
Friendship is a precious life raft that keeps us afloat.
And sparkles help, too. ✨

Perfect choice!!

A few years ago, someone on twitter (it might have been you) said that the best thing that one can do for writers that they like is to preorder because it gives publishers confidence in the book, so I’ve done so ever since. Plus, it’s nice to get a gift I’ve forgotten about from past me.

I could spend the day mourning my mother, who left this earth 18 years ago; instead I’ll celebrate my daughter, who uses her power for good. She sent me a box of PRH books for our K-3 school. The generations roll on, the circle is unbroken. 💖 @penguinrandomhouse.bsky.social @rosecrojack.bsky.social

Mary E. Cronin signing copies of poetry anthology WHAT IS FAMILY?

Preparing to be Visiting Poet at a local school, signing books and soaking in the lively energy of Cape Cod’s newest bookstore, @belongingbooks.bsky.social! I love that my poem is included in the Pomelo Books anthology WHAT IS FAMILY?

Group of writers holding stones with various words on them

Highlights Foundation sign

I'm heading home today after a peaceful and productive few days at Highlights with the clients of @steelworksliterary.bsky.social, led by agent Lori Steel. And I got to celebrate my TRUCKS, BOOTS, AND BELLS book announcement with this wonderful group of writers! ❤️🚒✨

Book announcement- TRUCKS, BOOTS, AND BELLS: FIREHOUSE POEMS, illustrated by Aaron Marin, to be published by Holiday House in fall 2026.

So proud to see this announcement of the book of my heart! TRUCKS, BOOTS, AND BELLS: FIREHOUSE POEMS was inspired by my father's long career in the FDNY, and cheered along by many writing partners, teachers, my family, and my agent Lori Steel. 🚒 @steelworksliterary.bsky.social 🚒 @fdny.bsky.social