Inspiration comes to us in many forms. Injustice, war, propaganda, indifference, oppression.... all these can inspire too. They can inspire action, resistance, expression, compassion, love, ART!
#resist #songofablackbird
Some good news to kick off 2026! Blackbird is a 2025 Blue Ribbon Book by the Bulletin of the Center of Children’s books. Thank you, BCCB and to all readers who have bought, borrowed and read the book since it published almost a year ago!
#songofablackbird #kidlit #graphicnovel #ww2 #bccb
So grateful and proud that School Library Journal selected Song of a Blackbird as one of the best books of 2025, under graphic novels! Thank you @SLJ.com for this wonderful honor!
#kidlit #SLJ #graphicnovels #songofablackbird #ww2 #bestof2025
Hope as a Warrior Emotion. Read about how belief in a better future is the best antidote to complacency, desperation and cynicism.
Open mind. Open heart🐦⬛
open.substack.com/pub/mariavan...
#blackbird #hope #songofablackbird #kidlit #graphicnovel #resistance
Blackbirds are magic! Read about the meaning attributed to the birds by druids, mystics and by pop culture icons Paul McCartney and Beyonce. Link in bio/linktree.
open.substack.com/pub/mariavan...
#blackbirds #mythology #beyonce #paulmccartney #blackbiird #symbolism #ww2 #songofablackbird
So this happened…
#nationalbookaward #longlist #graphicnovel #kidlit #youngpeoplesliterature #songofablackbird #fightHATEmakeART
The Australian edition just arrived on my doorstep! It’s a stunner. Thank you to the talented team at Allen and Unwin for taking a chance on this book and adapting to for Australia and New Zealand!
#graphicnovel #songofablackbird #translation #australia #downunder
Visiting Encinal High School in Alameda was great! I presented to several History classes. These high schoolers made me feel welcome and listened quietly as I told them about the brave folks fighting hate during WW2.
#authorvisit #librariansrock #songofablackbird #ww2 #highschoolhistory
“Hope is the thing with feathers, that perches in the soul.
And sings the tune without the words
and never stops at all.”
- Emily Dickinson
#emilydickenson #poetry #birds #songofablackbird
@thehornbook.bsky.social reviewed Song of a Blackbird, and it’s now live! It’s a ★starred review, and I’m so grateful to Patrick Gall and The Horn Book staff for this lovely review!
www.hbook.com/story/review....
#TheHornBook #bookreview #starredreview #graphicnovel #ww2 #songofablackbird
It is 80 years ago today that Wally van Hall a.k.a. “The Resistance Banker”, and my grandfather’s close friend Frits Nieuwenhuijsen were executed by the Nazis for resisting. They were executed on a busy street corner while neighbors, including children, were forced to watch.
#songofablackbird
★★★★★5 STARRED REVIEWS!!! I'm grateful to
@publisherswkly.bsky.social, @KirkusReviews.com,
@slj.com, @ala-booklist.bsky.social and @thehornbook.bsky.social. The past has much to teach us, and I’m here to do my part.
#fightHATE #makeART #battlehymn #songofablackbird #graphicnovel #ww2
The Reading With Your Kids radio/podcast interview with Jed Doherty is available for download/listening. I enjoyed talking to Jed about Song of a Blackbird, and how to help kids navigate fake news and propaganda.
#podcast #graphicnovel #songofablackbird #interview #propaganda
The Having Read That radio/podcast interview with Brian Vakulsas is available! Brian and I spoke about the impact war has on multiple generation of people affected, and why I used historical photos in my art.
#podcast #graphicnovel #songofablackbird #interview #generationaltrauma #ww2 #holocaust
"Powerful, moving, and utterly unforgettable," from the Kirkus review (starred) about graphic novel Song of a Blackbird.
#kirkus #review #graphicnovel #ww2 #songofablackbird
