Thanks to the wonderful @saraharonson.bsky.social for her inspiring, lively and informative @scbwi-illinois.bsky.social presentation, THE POWER OF THE PICTURE BOOK SPREAD last week.
If you're interested in watching the recording (available until 5/9), see link: www.scbwi.org/events/scbwi...
To write an unputdownable, rereadable #picturebook, think in terms of spreads! In this interactive discussion, @saraharonson.bsky.social will offer ideas & inspiration to craft your story.
Bring a manuscript and questions for a picture book party!
@scbwi-illinois.bsky.social #Kidlit
We are thrilled to share that our Human Authored scheme is now live.
This scheme has been designed for the benefit of SoA members, to help identify works written by humans in a market increasingly flooded by AI-generated books.
Lunar New Year books for children and teens. 📚👍🏼
schoolreadinglist.co.uk/genres/lunar...
#kidlit
Lunar New Year books for children and teens with titles by Grace Lin, Malinda Lo, Geraldine McCaughrean, Gene Luen Yang, Sue Lynn Tan, Adeline Yen Mah...
Competition for children's attention is real. Yet "kids still love stories. Text may have jumped from page to screen where it explodes like eye-candy glitter bombs, but children are still engaging with words and stories." #kidlit @booktrust.org.uk
www.booktrust.org.uk/resources/fi...
"Editors are drawn to lyrical picture books — and why read-aloud appeal can make the difference between a manuscript that’s “nice” and one that’s memorable and marketable." (CBI)
Join the Rhyme Doctors for a workshop on Feb 24th.
writeforkids.lpages.co/mastering-th...
"If you don’t read, you’re missing out on one of the best things human beings have ever created." I'll be curious to try out this new podcast next week…
#Kidlit #WritingCommunity #BookSky #bookrecommendations
www.independent.co.uk/voices/domin...
Courtesy of @goodwilllibrarian.bsky.social
What a great event last night! Dandelion Bookshop was packed for our @scbwi-illinois.bsky.social network presentation, How To Make An Agent Fall In Love With You, by @jennaschmenna.bsky.social. Engaging entertaining & informative! A recording will be available soon via: www.scbwi.org/regions/illi...
Looking forward to co-hosting this @scbwi-illinois.bsky.social network event with agent/author @jennaschmenna.bsky.social. All are welcome! #kidlit
As a Brit, adjusting to Midwest winters can be something of a challenge. This year, I'm trying to re-vision what winter means, inspired by the Scandinavian outlook. These artists capture the essence of this reframing beautifully.
www.bbc.com/culture/arti...
Monetisation
The advert said
MONETISE YOUR FOLLOWERS
so he thought
he would respond
by painting them
in the changing light,
like waterlilies
in a pond.
“I know nothing in the world that has as much power as a word. Sometimes I write one, and I look at it, until it begins to shine.”
Emily Dickinson, #BornOnThisDay in 1830 📚❤️
Take advantage of this prize, celebrating the best work from members of diverse and underrepresented communities within our own. Application opens February 1, free to all Illinois members!
More info on our website:
www.scbwi.org/regions/illi...
Yes! It was wonderful to hear the audience roar with applause for children's literature.
Thrilled to celebrate #kidlit today at the ALA Youth Media Awards 2026 with @lisakatzenberger.bsky.social @jeanreidy.bsky.social & @sarashacter.bsky.social. Congratulations to the winners and nominees! 👏🎉📚
See: americanlibrariesmagazine.org/blogs/the-sc...
I've had several discussions of late about how to nurture creative processes in the new year. There's some wonderful inspiration in this @artinstitutechi.bsky.social blog about artists & designers who used scrapbooks as visual diaries to catalog their unique practices.
www.artic.edu/articles/123...
Thanks for sharing and we're delighted you might be joining us!
Looking forward to co-hosting this FREE #kidlit @scbwi-illinois.bsky.social event at Dandelion Bookshop! All are welcome.
dandelionbookshop.com
Looking forward to co-hosting this #kidlit event. All welcome!
Ah! Good answer. Yes, fantasy often runs longer (and I love a good fantasy, too). I enjoy some of the novels in verse with short chapters, like Sarah Crossnan's ONE for instance.
Found this intriguing sign on the bookshelves at the La Grange Public Library. We all have busy schedules these days, are used to short bursts of information on social media and so on. What do you think is an ideal chapter length? I'm curious.
#kidlt #WritingCommunity #BookSky
#bookrecommendations
Why would you want to write picture books? Just discovered the @picturebooksummit.bsky.social Podcast and loved this recent episode by @authorgracelin.bsky.social who discusses her answer to this question. #kidlit open.spotify.com/episode/14oD...
Still on a high from seeing AMADEUS last night at @steppenwolfthtr.bsky.social. What a treat! chicagocultureauthority.com/2025/11/17/i...
Hey illustrators/agents!
I’m a #kidlit art director starting work on a new picture book—we’re looking for: expressive, commercial, human characters; fantasy; magic; AND Mahjong! The tiles! The drama!
Please respond w/ samples + folio link.
Please no emails/DMs.
💙❤️ #artcommissions
Credit: Tiina Menzel.
In-Between Days are some of my favorite days, too.
@brianbilston.bsky.social
I ❤️ new book recs. Some of my recent gifts incl. ROOFTOPPERS & IMPOSSIBLE CREATURES by the remarkable Katherine Rundell, Frances Hardinge's creative UNRAVELLER (I come from Lincolnshire and its folktales influenced the story) & Michelle Jabès Corpora's Egyptian-inspired HIS FACE IS THE SUN. And you?
