iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Abi Cushman @abicushman.com · 01/10/2026

Happy #KidlitArtPostcard Day! It's October, which means it’s time for for pumpkins, leaf piles, and… penguins! My book, PENGUINS DON’T WEAR PANTS, comes out in just two weeks on Oct 13! I’m Abi, and I love drawing cute, funny, and expressive animals. Rep'd by Kendra Marcus at BookStop Literary.

Abi Cushman: Author-Illustrator, abicushman.com. Penguin in leaf pile behind three pumpkins.

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Abi Cushman @abicushman.com · 04/09/2026

Meet the Maned Wolf! The maned wolf is NOT a wolf. And no, it doesn’t matter that the maned wolf’s favorite food is a fruit called the wolf apple. Still not a wolf. He has a face like a fox, a glorious mane, and long legs like a deer. But he's not a fox or a deer either. #weirdanimals #notawolf

Illustration of a maned wolf saying, Just look at my glorious mane! Wolf apples at feet.

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Abi Cushman @abicushman.com · 03/09/2026

Happy #KidlitArtPostcard Day! This is a scene from my upcoming book, PENGUINS DON'T WEAR PANTS. I'm Abi, an author-illustrator of funny kids' books. I'm open to illustration projects featuring cute, funny and expressive animals. I'm repped by Kendra Marcus at BookStop Literary. ⭐ abicushman.com

Penguins in band uniforms, baker penguin, and penguin on toilet running away from something. Scene from Penguins Don't Wear Pants by Abi Cushman - Author-Illustrator. abicushman.com

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Abi Cushman @abicushman.com · 16/08/2026

This book will make you want to go on Puffling Patrol to rescue baby puffins! I loved PUFFLINGS FLY FREE! by @colleenpaeff.bsky.social and #LindaOlafsdottir. It's a really sweet story about a community coming together in Iceland to capture baby puffins and release them to the open ocean. #puffins

Book cover: Pufflings Fly Free! A Rescue Tale from Iceland by Colleen Paeff and Linda Olafsdottir. A girl is releasing a baby puffin into the sky.

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Abi Cushman @abicushman.com · 20/07/2026

Hooray! The first review is in for PENGUINS DON’T WEAR PANTS! Kirkus calls it “A chewy, crowd pleasing treat.” Which probably makes you wonder why it’s chewy if you haven’t read the book yet and thought it was *just* about pantless penguins. ✨ www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews...

"A chewy, crowd-pleasing treat." ~Kirkus Reviews. Image of pants on hangers, a chef penguin, and the book Penguins Don't Wear Pants by Abi Cushman. Coming October 13, 2026 from Greenwillow Books

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Abi Cushman @abicushman.com · 22/06/2026

Come join us! I'll be with superstar author @joshfunkbooks.bsky.social at Barrington Books in Rhode Island on Sunday at 11am. We'll do a double storytime featuring THE DINO DOOR and THE QUIET OCEAN, and then I'll show everyone how to draw some sea creatures. www.barringtonbooks.com/events?contr...

Barrington Books presents Storytime & Draw Along Illustration Demo with Josh Funk and Abi Cushman. And the Kick Off to our 40th Birthday Summer Reading Program. Sunday, June 28, 11am.

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Abi Cushman @abicushman.com · 03/06/2026

I loved EVEN STEVEN by @carriefinison.bsky.social and #DanielWiseman! It talks about the nuances of fairness and sharing but in a really lighthearted and funny way. I loved all the awkward situations Steven gets into when he tries to make everything exactly even and can't. #SELbooks #TLSky

Book cover of EVEN STEVEN: A Book about Sharing by Carrie Finison and Daniel Wiseman. Purple cover with kids sharing blocks, noodles, and book.

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Abi Cushman @abicushman.com · 13/05/2026

I got a sneak peek at STILL FRIENDS by @troystory.bsky.social and #MikeDeas, a sweet, funny friendship story about a dog and a statue in the park. The words share the dog's point of view while the pictures sometimes share a different perspective, resulting in a lot of funny moments. Out May 19!

Book cover of picture book, Still Friends by Troy Wilson and Mike Deas. Dog sitting on top of a statue's head with three pigeons on her lap.

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Abi Cushman @abicushman.com · 07/05/2026

Happy #KidLitArtPostcard Day! I'm an author-illustrator who enjoys illustrating expressive animals and funny scenes. I love working on board books, picture books, and early readers! 🎨: abicushman.com This mischievous mouse and rattled rabbit are from the book, THE QUIET FOREST.

Mouse landing in whipped cream on pancake stack, surprising a bunny. Abi Cushman Author-Illustrator abicushman.com

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Abi Cushman @abicushman.com · 06/05/2026

LOTS AND LOTS OF OCELOTS by @fangmousbooks.bsky.social and #angelchang is a fun, interactive book that will have kids putting their finger on the book and counting along! With rhyming text and whimsical illustrations, this is a great kid-friendly intro to skip counting. Pubs Aug 11! #kidlit #edusky

Cover of Lots and Lots of Ocelots by Vicky Fang and Angel Chang. Green book with five ocelots

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Abi Cushman @abicushman.com · 05/05/2026

It's Pub Day for THE QUIET OCEAN, words by Charlotte Offsay & pictures by me! I had so much fun drawing squids in bathtubs, sharks who knit and more. Featuring: 🐡 Sound words & alliteration 🐡 Funny chaos + helpful calming techniques @simonkids.bsky.social @ssedlib.bsky.social #kidlitart #kidlit

Interior spread of The Quiet Ocean, featuring a pufferfish playing with a bubble.

Interior of The Quiet Ocean, featuring a sea turtle being blasted by squid ink while sitting in a beach chair

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Abi Cushman @abicushman.com · 02/05/2026

So this is a first for me! THE QUIET OCEAN is an Amazon Editors' Pick for Best Books Ages 3-5. Thrilled to share this honor with Charlotte Offsay. Our book comes out in just a few days on May 5. #EduSky #kidlit

Screenshot of The Quiet Ocean (by Charlotte Offsay and Abi Cushman) Amazon page showing it is an Editors' Pick for Best Books Ages 3-5

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Abi Cushman @abicushman.com · 01/05/2026

THE QUIET OCEAN releases on May 5, which means it's your last chance to take advantage of my pre-order promo! All pre-orders from my local indie come with a signed print featuring art from the book. Details: abicushman.com/books/the-quiet-ocean @ssedlib.bsky.social @simonkids.bsky.social

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Abi Cushman @abicushman.com · 24/04/2026

The first review came in for THE QUIET OCEAN, and it's a ⭐! "This book is highly recommended for its clear, interesting writing, appealing format, and engaging illustrations." ~ School Library Journal Starred Review Pubs May 5. #booksky #kidlit @simonkids.bsky.social @ssedlib.bsky.social

"This book is highly recommended for its clear, interesting writing, appealing format, and engaging illustrations." - School Library Journal Starred Review. Book cover: The Quiet Ocean by Charlotte Offsay and Abi Cushman. Underwater scene with fish tail.

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Abi Cushman @abicushman.com · 15/04/2026

Don't miss your chance to get a free signed print featuring art from THE QUIET OCEAN! I'm doing a special pre-order promo for THE QUIET OCEAN with my local indie, Bank Square Books. Learn more here: abicushman.com/books/the-quiet-ocean @ssedlib.bsky.social @simonkids.bsky.social

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Abi Cushman @abicushman.com · 14/04/2026

Happy #PortfolioDay! I'm Abi and I love drawing expressive animals for picture books, early readers, board books, chapter books, and magazines. Open for new projects: abicushman.com #kidlitart #kidlit #illustration #childrensbooks

Baby whale giving mama whale a kiss: illustration by Abi Cushman

Squid inking into bathtub with pufferfish flipping: illustration by Abi Cushman

Crowd of penguins: illustration by Abi Cushman

Penguin in sparkly purple pants: illustration by Abi Cushman

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Abi Cushman @abicushman.com · 09/04/2026

THE QUIET OCEAN, written by Charlotte Offsay & illus. by me, pubs on May 5, and I'm doing a special pre-order promo. If you pre-order from my local indie, you'll get a free signed print! Details: abicushman.com/books/the-quiet-ocean #kidlitart @ssedlib.bsky.social @simonkids.bsky.social

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Abi Cushman @abicushman.com · 08/04/2026

There's a new early reader series coming from @fangmousbooks.bsky.social! ONE MAD CAT AND THE MISSING BOOK is so cute and fun. Mad Cat may have a long list of hilarious dislikes, but she'll solve a mystery for her friends. Comes out July 7!

One Mad Cat and the Missing Book cover by Vicky Fang. Mad cat (white cat with orange patches) looking at reader against a red background.

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Abi Cushman @abicushman.com · 08/04/2026

I was lucky enough to read an ARC of SNOW GEESE SEASON by #AngelaBurkeKunkel and @ebgoodale.bsky.social. What a beautiful book about a grandfather and grandson sharing a special moment watching a flock of snow geese on a cold winter morning! Highly recommend! Releases Sept. 29. #booksky #kidlit

Grandfather and grandson watching snow geese: Cover of SNOW GEESE SEASON by Angela Burke Kunkel and E.B. Goodale

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Abi Cushman @abicushman.com · 03/04/2026

Ever see a penguin wearing pants? Would you like to? Thrilled to share the cover of PENGUINS DON'T WEAR PANTS, launching Oct. 13 from Greenwillow / @harperkids.bsky.social! Huge thanks to @mrschureads.bsky.social for hosting me on his blog: mrschureads.blogspot.com/2026/04/peng... #coverreveal

Cover of Penguins Don't Wear Pants by Abi Cushman. Features a crowd of penguins in various hats and one penguin wearing purple pants.

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Abi Cushman @abicushman.com · 02/04/2026

Happy #KidLitArtPostcard Day! I'm an author-illustrator who loves illustrating expressive animals. abicushman.com This dapper little penguin is from a book coming out on Oct. 13 from Greenwillow called PENGUINS DON'T WEAR PANTS. 🌟 Cover reveal tomorrow! 🌟 #kidlitart #picturebook #illustration

Penguin looking down at very sparkly, very purple pants he's wearing. Illustration by Abi Cushman - Author-Illustrator. abicushman.com

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Abi Cushman @abicushman.com · 04/03/2026

BEATRICE AND THE NIGHTINGALE by @patricianewman.bsky.social and #IsabelleFollath is an incredible true story about Beatrice Harrison, a cellist who played duets with nightingales in the 1920s. It's a really engaging read with beautiful illustrations. Highly recommend it! #edusky #TLSky

Book cover of Beatrice and the Nightingale by patricia Newman and Isabelle Follath. Woman (Beatrice Harrison) playing the cello at night with a nightingale.

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Abi Cushman @abicushman.com · 02/02/2026

If you have an emerging reader, check out the BEST BUDDIES series by @fangmousbooks.bsky.social and #LuisaLeal. It is seriously so cute, featuring a cat and dog duo named Scratch and Sniff. The vocabulary is carefully chosen so your little one won't get frustrated reading it.

Cover: Best Buddies: Save The Duck by Vicky Fang and Luisa Leal. Dog and Cat trying to reach rubber ducky.

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Abi Cushman @abicushman.com · 08/01/2026

Happy #KidLitArtPostcard Day! Here's a sneak peek at THE QUIET OCEAN (written by Charlotte Offsay, ill. by me), coming out May 5 from Beach Lane Books. I love illustrating funny kids' books and expressive animals. Portfolio: abicushman.com Rep: Kendra Marcus / BookStop Lit #kidlitart #kidlit

Mama and baby whale kissing. Abi Cushman - Author-Illustrator, abicushman.com

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Abi Cushman @abicushman.com · 01/01/2026

I had a very busy 2025 drawing lots of cute and funny animals! Here are a few bits from books coming out in 2026 and beyond. Can't wait to share more! 🐡 The Quiet Ocean: May 5, 2026 🐧 Penguins Don't Wear Pants: Fall 2026 #artvartist #artvartist2025

Illustrator Abi Cushman (center), various illustrations surrounding: Whale and whale calf kissing, penguin in pants, The Quiet Ocean cover, dapper penguin in pants, pufferfish scaring squid in bathtub, penguins looking up at sky, scared dolphin in bike helmet, cat and bobcat snuggling.

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Abi Cushman @abicushman.com · 10/12/2025

If you've ever been curious about how fortune cookies came to be, then may I suggest: FORTUNE COOKIES FOR EVERYONE by @pragmaticmom.bsky.social and @kongsavage.bsky.social! It's beautifully written and illustrated, and there were a lot of things that surprised me. Check it out! 🥠 #kidlit

Cover of Fortune Cookies for Everyone: The Surprising Story of the Tasty Treat We Love to Eat. Grandma and grandkids with bowl of fortune cookies sitting outside.

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Abi Cushman @abicushman.com · 04/12/2025

Happy #KidLitArtPostcard Day! Here's a sneak peek at a scene from PENGUINS DON'T WEAR PANTS, coming out Fall 2026 from Greenwillow. I love illustrating funny kids' books, expressive animals, and penguins on toilets. Portfolio: abicushman.com Rep: Kendra Marcus / BookStop Lit #kidlitart #kidlit

Scene from Penguins Don't Wear Pants by Abi Cushman: 4 penguins looking up at sky as an asteroid approaches.

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Abi Cushman @abicushman.com · 10/11/2025

If you see this, post your bird art 🐦 (This is from my book, Flamingos Are Pretty Funky, describing flamingos' bright red crop milk and the fact that flamingo parents lose their pink coloring when they're raising chicks.) #flamingos #birds

Flamingo with bright red crop milk coming out of their mouth. Scene from Flamingos Are Pretty Funky by Abi Cushman

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Abi Cushman @abicushman.com · 06/11/2025

Hello #KidlitArtPostcard! I'm Abi Cushman, and I love illustrating stories with funny animal characters. I'm represented by Kendra Marcus at BookStop Literary Agency. Portfolio: abicushman.com #kidlit #kidlitart

Illustration by Abi Cushman of Bear hula hooping in puddle. Scene from Soaked!

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Abi Cushman @abicushman.com · 04/11/2025

In THE TRAVELING TACO by @pragmaticmom.bsky.social and #KimberlieClinthorneWong, kids can learn about where some of their favorite foods came from (not just tacos). I love that it's very browsable with bright, bold illustrations & bite-sized pieces of text. 😍🌮 @redcometpressbooks.bsky.social

Book cover of The Traveling Taco: The Amazing & Surprising Journey of Many of Your Favorite Foods by Mia Wenjen and Kimberlie Clinthorne-Wong. Various food illustrated: ice cream, pasta, french fries, tacos, fish, onion, shrimp, orange

Interior spread of The Traveling Taco book. Illustrations and text about where ice cream came from.

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Abi Cushman @abicushman.com · 23/10/2025

So excited to share the cover of THE QUIET OCEAN (words by Charlotte Offsay, pictures by me)! Splashing onto shelves on May 5, 2026 from @simonkids.bsky.social / @ssedlib.bsky.social. 🐠 Pre-order: abicushman.com/books/the-qu... #coverreveal #kidlitart

Cover of The Quiet Ocean by Charlotte Offsay and Abi Cushman. Pufferfish in ocean surrounded by dolphin, whale, squid, turtle, and shark.

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Abi Cushman @abicushman.com · 14/10/2025

Everyone! Check out @jerroldconnors.bsky.social's BIG RHINOCEROS, LITTLE RHINOCEROS! It has really inventive flaps, adorable illustrations, and a heartwarming storyline about a baby rhino and parent encountering a scary sound. It's so clever & also has that simple, classic feel. ❤️ 🦏 #kidlitart

Big Rhinoceros, Little Rhinoceros book cover by Jerrold Connors. Big orange rhino on left and little yellow rhino on right.

Interior of Big Rhinoceros, Little Rhinoceros by Jerrold Connors. Red background with orange bigger rhino behind smaller yellow rhino. Yellow rhino is a flap.

Interior spread of Big Rhinoceros, Little Rhinoceros by Jerrold Connors. Red background with orange bigger rhino. Smaller yellow rhino is on a flap that has been turned over.

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Abi Cushman @abicushman.com · 09/10/2025

I had the privilege of reading an advance copy of NUNU AND THE SEA by @isabellakung.bsky.social. I hope everyone gets a chance to read this when it comes out on 10/14. It's an absolutely beautiful book with breathtaking art. ❤️

Nunu and the Sea by Isabella Kung book cover: Girl with glasses in an origami boat

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Abi Cushman @abicushman.com · 02/10/2025

Happy Spooky #KidLitArtPostcard Day! I am an author/illustrator and love drawing expressive animals. Agent: Kendra Marcus / BookStop Literary Portfolio: abicushman.com #kidlit #kidlitart

Parent and child raccoon on rock pointing at moon reflection. Illustration by Abi Cushman.

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Abi Cushman @abicushman.com · 28/09/2025

Quote with your yellow art! 💛 (This is from my book, Animals Go Vroom!) #kidlitart #childrensbooks

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Abi Cushman @abicushman.com · 26/09/2025

BOOK COVER ARTISTS QRP with your book covers 📚 #kidlitart #childrensbooks #illustration

Bear with badger and bunny climbing on him under an umbrella. Cover of SOAKED! by Abi Cushman

Three wombats standing close to one another with baby wombat in foreground. One wombat combing nose hair and holding mirror. Cover of WOMBATS ARE PRETTY WEIRD by Abi Cushman

Mouse on rock, deer, moose, bunny, bear in background in forest. Cover of THE QUIET FOREST by Charlotte Offsay, illustrated by Abi Cushman

Two snakes in a yellow car. Cover of ANIMALS GO VROOM! by Abi Cushman

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Abi Cushman @abicushman.com · 04/09/2025

Happy #KidLitArtPostcard Day! I am an author/illustrator and love drawing expressive animals. This is from a scene in a book coming out next summer called THE QUIET OCEAN (written by Charlotte Offsay). Agent: Kendra Marcus / BookStop Literary Portfolio: abicushman.com #kidlit #kidlitart

Illustration by Abi Cushman showing a whale calf swimming in a sunbeam

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Abi Cushman @abicushman.com · 03/09/2025

All of @hopelim.bsky.social's books are seemingly simple, but they make you feel and think. AT THE WINDOW, illustrated beautifully by #QinLeng, is about a girl seeing her neighbor at her big apartment window everyday. It is a sweet story that challenges you to see things from a new perspective.

AT THE WINDOW book cover by Hope Lim and Qin Leng. A girl walking her dog past a neighbor at her window.

Three panels showing a girl walking her dog past her neighbor's empty apartment. The girls sees a For Sale sign.

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Abi Cushman @abicushman.com · 03/09/2025

TOMATOES ON TRIAL by @lindsayhmetcalf.bsky.social & #EdwinFotheringham is about the Supreme Court case that decided whether a tomato was a fruit or vegetable. And it is FUN! Cheeky text and humorous illustrations make this book a treat to read.

Tomatoes on Trial: The Fruit v. Vegetable Showdown picture book cover written by Lindsay H. Metcalf and illustrated by Edwin Fotheringham.

Illustration of a man in a courtroom giving arguments about why tomatoes are fruits not vegetables from the book Tomatoes on Trial by Lindsay H. Metcalf and Edwin Fotheringham.

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Abi Cushman @abicushman.com · 30/05/2025

NO WORLD TOO BIG, edited by @lindsayhmetcalf.bsky.social, @keilavdawson.bsky.social & @jbradley.bsky.social is such an empowering book! Through poems and beautiful illustrations, it showcases the many ways kids around the world are making a difference in their own communities and beyond. 😍🌎

No World Too Big: Young People Fighting Global Climate Change book cover - Three children holding up the world.

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Abi Cushman @abicushman.com · 28/05/2025

I loved GIANT RAYS OF HOPE by @patricianewman.bsky.social. So many layers to this book about giant manta rays and the people trying to protect them. It lays out real conservation solutions and shows kids making a difference in their communities. Very empowering and inspirational! #schoollibrarians

Giant Rays of Hope: Protecting Manta Rays to Safeguard the Sea book cover featuring giant manta ray

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Abi Cushman @abicushman.com · 02/03/2025

I will be presenting at the New England SCBWI Conference in May. I hope you'll join me for a weekend of kidlit craft and camaraderie. Registration is open now: www.scbwi.org/events/2025-... @newenglandscbwi.bsky.social #kidlit

NESCBWI Spring Conference 2025: May 16-18, 2025, Stamford, CT. Illustration of raccoon, deer, fox, and bear looking at egg. (Artwork by Bridget Bick)

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Abi Cushman @abicushman.com · 27/02/2025

PIGS DIG A ROAD: Another winner from @carriefinison.bsky.social! Love the rollicking rhyming text and the fun, hilarious illustrations from #BrianBiggs.

Cover of Pigs Dig a Road by Carrie Finison and Brian Biggs. Four pigs doing construction.

Interior spread of Pigs Dig a Road. Construction pigs are painting the lines on a road.

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Abi Cushman @abicushman.com · 14/02/2025

Yes, it's true! Something Really Bad happens when penguins wear pants. So of course there are no penguins in pants in my upcoming picture book, PENGUINS DON'T WEAR PANTS. Right? Waddling your way in Fall 2026 from Greenwillow Books / @harperkids.bsky.social. #kidlit

New Book Deal! Virginia Duncan at Greenwillow has acquired world rights to Penguins Don't Wear Pants by Abi Cushman, a humorous picture book alerting readers to the fact that something really bad happens when penguins wear pants. Publication is set for fall 2026; Kendra Marcus at BookStop Literary Agency negotiated the deal. Penguin standing by rocks.

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Abi Cushman @abicushman.com · 04/02/2025

Funny #picturebook Alert! Narrated like a sports announcer doing a play-by-play, BOXER BABY BATTLES BEDTIME by @pragmaticmom.bsky.social and #KaiGietzen is such a fun story to read aloud. Hilarious and relatable for anyone who has tried putting a baby down for a nap. Highly recommend!

Cover of Boxer Baby Battles Bedtime by Mia Wenjen and Kai Gietzen. Features baby in boxing outfit with fist in air.

Baby entering the room wearing boxing outfit.

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Abi Cushman @abicushman.com · 22/01/2025

Hi Brian, I love drawing expressive animals. Here are a few images, and my portfolio is at abicushman.com.

Mouse splatting into pancakes and rabbit

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Abi Cushman @abicushman.com · 29/12/2024

So many hilarious twists and turns in this graphic-novel style picture book, GEODUCK IS NOT A DUCK, by #CandyWellins and @elliepeterson.bsky.social. I learned what a geoduck is in a really fun way. Loved the illustrations!

Book Cover: A GEODUCK IS NOT A DUCK: A Story of a Unique Pacific Northewest Mollusk by Candy Wellins and Ellie Peterson.

Comic panels of a sea star reporter and crab.

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