iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Reposted by Ann Marie Stephens

Andrea Brown Literary Agency @andreabrownlit.bsky.social · 04/05/2026

It's a star from School Library Journal for MY FATHER, MI PADRE by Raúl the Third! ⭐ Read the full SLJ review here. In stores and libraries everywhere tomorrow, May 5! 🎉 @raulthethird.bsky.social @literaticat.bsky.social @versifybooks.bsky.social

MY FATHER, MI PADRE has received a starred review from SLJ!

083

Reposted by Ann Marie Stephens

John Schu @mrschureads.bsky.social · 02/04/2026

Cover Reveal: Frog Face by Blythe Russo mrschureads.blogspot.com/2026/04/frog...

0101

Ann Marie Stephens @amstephens.bsky.social · 30/03/2026

CATapult hits shelves in 3 months! 🐈 💫 Preorder where books are sold. #jennharney #astrayoungreaders #stem #math #kidlit

040

Reposted by Ann Marie Stephens

Debbie Ridpath Ohi @debbieohi.com · 19/03/2026

If you love a book, write a nice review. It gives the author encouragement for bad days when they want to take up scorpion petting. - @lianabrooks.bsky.social #WriterSky #BookSky #ReaderSky

Handwritten quote on a white sheet with an illustrated face at the bottom and pink hearts around the text. The quote reads:
"If you love a book, write a nice review. It gives the author encouragement for bad days when they want to take up scorpion petting."
— Liana Brooks

117149

Reposted by Ann Marie Stephens

Debbie Ridpath Ohi @debbieohi.com · 15/03/2026

What not to say to a picture book author. Thanks to Catherine Bailey for the caption help! #KidLit

Cartoon of a man in a turtleneck drinking wine and a woman holding a glass. Man says, “I think I’m going to write children’s books. Thought I’d start with something easy, like a picture book.” Woman replies, “I think I’m going to be a cage fighter. Thought I’d start with something easy, like a guy in a turtleneck.” Text at bottom: ©Debbie Ridpath Ohi (DebbieOhi.com) & Catherine Bailey (CatherineBaileyBooks.com).

423936

Ann Marie Stephens @amstephens.bsky.social · 26/01/2026

My former first grade student!!! 🧡🤗🎉

081

Ann Marie Stephens @amstephens.bsky.social · 05/01/2026

My first #kidlit purchases of January are full of love and coziness. 🤍🩵 #laurensoloy #vernkousky 👍🏼📚

021

Reposted by Ann Marie Stephens

John Schu @mrschureads.bsky.social · 01/01/2026

"Wombat Waiting tells the story of a 'Destiny Dog': a dog determined to find her person, against all odds — even deadly fires sweeping through southern California." — @kaaauthor.bsky.social mrschureads.blogspot.com/2025/10/cove...

2193

Reposted by Ann Marie Stephens

Dev Petty @devpetty.bsky.social · 02/01/2026

Our first ⭐️ starred ⭐️ review for CLAYDATE, the long-awaited followup to CLAYMATES, from Kirkus! ⭐️ “A sublime blend of the snarky and sweet.” You can find this madcap silliness by me and @eldridgestudio.bsky.social in April. Available for preorder now! #kidlit #picturebooks

Kirkus review with an image of the cover of CLAYDATE by Dev Petty and Lauren Eldridge. The cover shows an anthropomorphic potato and purple and green unicorn dragon and reads:

The two balls of clay introduced in Claymates (2017)—one brown, one gray—now play god, with mixed results.

While the gray ball slumbers, the brown one creates a whole new blob made of blue and green clay. “I take a short nap and you make a new friend?” asks the uncertain gray ball. When it becomes clear that the new creation prefers to take the shape of a unicorn dragon, the gray ball decides to make an accompanying knight to do battle. Unfortunately, it turns out that the brown one is better at making things than its friend. Kids with peers or siblings whose artistic talents exceed their own will instantly sympathize with the gray’s increasing frustration at its inability to make a cool sword (it looks like a banana), a knight (his resemblance to a lumpy tuber lands him the nickname Sir Potato), or a horse (don’t ask). Happily, innate talent is less important than fun when it comes to using one’s imagination—a message that goes down easy, accompanied by a heavy dose of wit and whimsy. Once more, Eldridge’s sculpted creations, photographed against an artist’s desk, charm; her visual gags meld effortlessly with Petty’s written ones, rendering this book just as marvelous a read-aloud for groups as for lapsit storytimes. Additionally, Eldridge’s gift for wresting keen facial expressions—from glee to overt horror—out of her clay creations is without compare.

A sublime blend of the snarky and sweet.

2196

Reposted by Ann Marie Stephens

Veronica Bartles @vbartles.com · 10/12/2025

Yes! I just read CATERWAUL by @amstephens.bsky.social and it's adorable (it's one of a series, but works totally on its own, so you can have options!) bookshop.org/a/8835/97816... It was my #KidLitConfections recommendation last week. i-am-so-grateful.blogspot.com/2025/12/pean... #KidLitChat

i-am-so-grateful.blogspot.com

Sorting Sweets: KidLit Confections Peanut Butter Chocolate Mousse Pie

131

Reposted by Ann Marie Stephens

BookBreak @bookbreak4schools.bsky.social · 02/12/2025

Happy book birthday to: 🎂 Gabby Torres Is the Best Winner Ever by Angela Dominguez 🐈 CATerwaul! by Ann Marie Stephens @amstephens.bsky.social We can’t wait to read them! Thank you for being part of BookBreak!

021

Reposted by Ann Marie Stephens

Veronica Bartles @vbartles.com · 02/12/2025

Happy book birthday to CATERWAUL by @amstephens.bsky.social and @jennharknee.bsky.social <3 I sorted through all of my yummy dessert recipes to find the perfect #KidLitConfections recipe to share with this! Peanut Butter Chocolate Mousse Pie! Recipe & blog post coming later today...

illustrated cover of CATERWAUL by Ann Marie Stephens and Jenn Harney. Several kittens are helping to pack stacks and stacks of boxes, many of which are labeled with various sorting tags like "red" and "blue" or "keep" and "donate." The kittens aren't being as helpful as you would hope. Two are unspooling rolls of toilet paper and winding it around themselves and everything else. Two are making a ruckus by banging on pots and pans. Others are more interested in playing with the boxes than putting things inside them. The title, CATERWAUL! is displayed in a bold, red and orange font that looks like wide paintbrush strokes diagonally across the top third of the cover.

close-up photo of Peanut Butter and Chocolate Mousse Pie: a full pie in a pink glass pie plate, with one slice missing. The pie has a flaky, chocolate crust, with thick, fluffy layers of peanut butter mousse, dark chocolate mousse, and vanilla whipped cream.

021

Reposted by Ann Marie Stephens

Veronica Bartles @vbartles.com · 03/12/2025

I've been posting my #KidLitConfections recipes more regularly (I posted one just minutes ago! Peanut Butter Chocolate Mousse Pie, which pairs well with CATERWAUL by @amstephens.bsky.social & @jennharknee.bsky.social) i-am-so-grateful.blogspot.com/2025/12/pean... #KidLitChat

photo of a close-up cropped photo of a slice of Peanut Butter and Chocolate Mousse Pie on a white plate with a pink and green floral border. The pie has a flaky, chocolate crust, with thick, fluffy layers of peanut butter mousse, dark chocolate mousse, and vanilla whipped cream. Behind the slice of pie, slightly out of focus, is a full pie with one slice removed.

7141

Reposted by Ann Marie Stephens

Melissa Stewart @mstewartscience.bsky.social · 25/10/2025

Woo-hoo! I'm thrilled to finally share the cover plus an interior spread of my upcoming book. Young dinosaur lovers will be captivated. @randomhousekids.bsky.social #educsky #TLsky #Skybrarian #kidlit #dinosaurs

1144

Reposted by Ann Marie Stephens

Mychal Threets @mychal3ts.bsky.social · 04/10/2025

Reading Rainbow… is back! 🥹 This LeVar Burton/Reading Rainbow raised human is feeling all of the library joy. We hope your kids believe they belong in books, just like you ✨ Take a look, it’s in a book 📚🌈🦋🌌 youtu.be/gHAIjSkmnYI?...

youtu.be

No Cats In The Library 🐱📚 | Reading Rainbow 📖 🌈 | Full Episode | @Kidzuko

YouTube video by Kidzuko

452757962

Reposted by Ann Marie Stephens

John Schu @mrschureads.bsky.social · 04/10/2025

Cover Reveal: The Dinosaur and the Bird: A Tale of Prehistoric Friendship by Richard Ho and Jamie Green mrschureads.blogspot.com/2025/09/the-...

0142

Reposted by Ann Marie Stephens

John Schu @mrschureads.bsky.social · 13/09/2025

Happy birthday, @annbraden.bsky.social!

171

Reposted by Ann Marie Stephens

The Unter Agency @unteragency.bsky.social · 14/08/2025

Congratulations to @suefliess.bsky.social, @amstephens.bsky.social, and @tiffanyeverett.bsky.social on their latest deal with @sourcebooks.bsky.social. We can't wait for BABY BOOT CAMP to hit the shelves! #rhyming #BoardBook #PictureBook

Deal announcement screenshot for BABY BOOT CAMP with author and illustrator headshots on light blue background.

062

Reposted by Ann Marie Stephens

Gina Perry @ginaperry.bsky.social · 24/07/2025

From axolotl to whale shark, I have made a LOT of drawing sheets. I make a new one each month for my author newsletter: ginaperry.beehiiv.com What should I make for August? #kidlit #printables

1145

Reposted by Ann Marie Stephens

Melissa Taylor @imaginationsoup.bsky.social · 28/07/2025

My talented friend @laurenkerstein.bsky.social honors librarians and celebrates her forthcoming librarian picture book, HOPE RODE. Check out her inspiring collection of books here: imaginationsoup.net/librarians-o... #kidlit

imaginationsoup.net

Librarians Open New Worlds One Book at a Time

The Glen Rock Library was a place of pure magic. I’m betting it still is! When I was younger, they offered a reading challenge, as...

032

Reposted by Ann Marie Stephens

Debbie Ridpath Ohi @debbieohi.com · 12/07/2025

You never know what will come out of a #BrokenCrayon. #Uplift #FoundObjectArt

Light blue broken crayon arranged in an L-shape, with a drawing of a girl floating on her back in a blue puddle. The illustration is integrated with the crayon mark, and the crayon label reads “periwinkle / florecita azul claro / pervenche.” Artwork is signed “D. Ohi.”

210016

Reposted by Ann Marie Stephens

John Schu @mrschureads.bsky.social · 10/07/2025

"Picture books are magic because they speak a universal language with images we all understand and feel." — @torreymaldonado.bsky.social mrschureads.blogspot.com/2025/07/just...

0286

Reposted by Ann Marie Stephens

Lynn Becker @lynnbbooks.bsky.social · 30/06/2025

Today on the blog: June’s Book of the Month is JIM! SIX TRUE STORIES ABOUT ONE GREAT ARTIST: JAMES MARSHALL, creatively written and illustrated by Jerrold Connors. lynnbeckerbooks.blogspot.com/2025/06/june...

053

Reposted by Ann Marie Stephens

Kara LaReau @karalareau.bsky.social · 30/06/2025

Pics of my witchy baby in the @randomhousekids.bsky.social booth at #ALAAC25! If you were there, did you take a peek? 🌙🧁🐚💙 #kidlit #librarians #booksky

A photo of the Random House Children's Books booth at ALA, highlighting a copy of WITCHYCAKES on the shelf.

A photo of the Random House Children's Books booth at ALA, with a closeup of a copy of WITCHYCAKES on the shelf.

131

Reposted by Ann Marie Stephens

Ginger Park @gingerparkwrites.bsky.social · 09/06/2025

Whimsical world of books. So nice to see SUKA'S FARM in the classroom.

042

Reposted by Ann Marie Stephens

The Unter Agency @unteragency.bsky.social · 04/06/2025

@melissadassori.bsky.social's GRETA EVER AFTER has been named a #JuniorLibraryGuild selection. Congratulations, Melissa! #MiddleGrade #MG #fantasy

054

Reposted by Ann Marie Stephens

Rhyme Doctors @rhymedoctors.bsky.social · 28/05/2025

Is your rhyming picture book suffering from ailments like uneven meter, wrenched words, or slant rhyme? The Rhyme Doctors can help! Explore our check-up services at www.rhymedoctors.com/critique-ser... @eileenmeyerbooks.bsky.social @schaubwrites.bsky.social @patriciatoht.bsky.social #KidLitMegaFeed

media.tenor.com

a cartoon character with a stethoscope on his head talks to a little boy

ALT: a cartoon character with a stethoscope on his head talks to a little boy

054

Reposted by Ann Marie Stephens

Heather Dawn Torres @hdtorresauthor.bsky.social · 22/05/2025

Today on #picturebookplaces I’m chatting with the fabulous author duo Sue Fliess and Ann Marie Stephens about their picture book SO MANY BOOKS! Don’t miss the full interview online! Visit heatherdawntorres.com/blog for details! #AuthorInterview #picturebooksforkids #somanybooks

175

Reposted by Ann Marie Stephens

John Schu @mrschureads.bsky.social · 06/05/2025

Happy book birthday to @antwaneady.bsky.social and London Ladd's The Gathering Table!

1143

Reposted by Ann Marie Stephens

Anastasia Suen @anastasiasuen.bsky.social · 09/05/2025

#STEMFriday #kidlit Book of the Day: How Do You Eat Color? #STEM #nonfiction #AANHPIHeritageMonth from @eerdmansyoungreaders asuen.com/how-do-you-e... 📚👍

0141

Reposted by Ann Marie Stephens

Helen Kubiw ❤️ 🇨🇦 📚 @hkubiw.bsky.social · 09/05/2025

A new #MostMagnificent #picturebook from @ashleyspires.bsky.social THE MOST MAGNIFICENT TEAM from @kidscanpress.bsky.social released this week. Our little maker is back & having to learn how to collaborate. Big lessons for all of us. canlitforlittlecanadians.blogspot.com/2025/05/the-...

Book cover of The Most Magnificent Team by Ashley Spires shows two little girls measuring and constructing stuff with a cat and a dog beside them

Illustration from The Most Magnificent Team shows two girls with their backs to the other among their construction materials, as a cat and dog look on

062

Reposted by Ann Marie Stephens

Raul the Third @raulthethird.bsky.social · 29/04/2025

My Mother, Mi Madre a Coco Rocho book is available now from @versifybooks and @harperkids . It’s the perfect book for Mamas and their toddlers. #mothersdaygifts #mothersday #acocorochobook

051

Reposted by Ann Marie Stephens

Sue Fliess @suefliess.bsky.social · 25/04/2025

They’re baaaaaack…See what the buzz is all about and get ready for the next brood (Brood XIV) by checking out my book Cicada Symphony @albertwhitman.bsky.social @garethlucas.bsky.social Find out if you’re one of the 13 states to experience the emergence: www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2025/...

181

Reposted by Ann Marie Stephens

The Unter Agency @unteragency.bsky.social · 28/04/2025

Check out the official book trailer for @suefliess.bsky.social and @amstephens.bsky.social's SO MANY BOOKS! www.youtube.com/watch?v=pY_q...

youtube.com

So Many Books! Official Book Trailer

YouTube video by Sue Fliess

042

Reposted by Ann Marie Stephens

John Schu @mrschureads.bsky.social · 25/04/2025

"With The First State of Being, the question was: how do we live in the present moment when so much is out of our control? Bad things are going to happen, and there’s nothing we can do about it. How do we exist in that space?" — @erinentrada.bsky.social www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/...

publishersweekly.com

In Conversation: Erin Entrada Kelly and Rebecca Stead

We invited Erin Entrada Kelly and Rebecca Stead to discuss their Newbery-winning books, both of which were inspired by another Newbery winner, Madeleine L’Engle's 1964 classic 'A Wrinkle in Time.'

0244

Reposted by Ann Marie Stephens

Sue Fliess @suefliess.bsky.social · 24/04/2025

Excited to see our book trailer for SO MANY BOOKS! is Shelf Awareness’s Book Trailer of the Day! @amstephens.bsky.social @albertwhitman.bsky.social Watch it here: youtu.be/pY_qdurlIg4

241

Reposted by Ann Marie Stephens

John Schu @mrschureads.bsky.social · 20/04/2025

"Heather Brockman Lee’s illustrations are magical. She has captured the essence of Damascus with such remarkable precision and heart." — @nadinepresley.bsky.social mrschureads.blogspot.com/2025/04/the-...

1277

Reposted by Ann Marie Stephens

Ginger Park @gingerparkwrites.bsky.social · 05/04/2025

Spring collection from @albertwhitman.bsky.social

043