iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Christopher Silas Neal @csneal.bsky.social · 07/07/2026

The original art and lettering for AVI's Loyalty back in 2022. We ended up making a few nips and tucks and the publisher added a different, cool type treatment but I always have a soft spot for hand lettering.

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Christopher Silas Neal @csneal.bsky.social · 28/04/2026

I'm selling this as a print and its currently 15% off at @inprnt.com www.inprnt.com/gallery/csne...

A person in blue puffy coat and their little dog in a doggy jacket take a wintery walk with wintery breath. The piece was made using cut paper, graphite, and collage. I'm selling as a print and its currently 15% off at inprnt.com

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Judy Bradbury #KidlitAuthor @judybradbury.bsky.social · 20/04/2026

UNDER ONE ROOF by @mirandapaul.bsky.social & Baptiste Paul, illus by @csneal.bsky.social sheds light on ways families prepare for bed. Interview and resources, plus new collections for Poetry Month & Earth Day on Children's Book Corner. #Kidlit #EduSky #Libsky www.judybradbury.com/social-emoti...

judybradbury.com

Under One Roof - Judy Bradbury

This comforting rhyming picture book sheds light on the many ways families prepare for bed, and what we have in common as we do.

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Christopher Silas Neal @csneal.bsky.social · 15/04/2026

Revisiting this illustration from 2013 for John Chu’s short story (Tor Books). @johnchu.bsky.social @torbooks.bsky.social In the near future water falls from the sky whenever someone lies. This makes life difficult for Matt as he maneuvers how best to "come out" to his traditional Chinese parents.

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Christopher Silas Neal @csneal.bsky.social · 13/03/2026

Honored that We Leap Together is included in the ALSC 2026 list of notable children’s books. Thank you to the librarians who support this book and believe a child’s life will be enriched having read it! @randomhousekids.bsky.social @amlibraryassoc.bsky.social @wearealsc.bsky.social

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Christopher Silas Neal @csneal.bsky.social · 27/02/2026

Realizing that receiving a book award or getting on a list means there’s one librarian who believes in your book, thinks a child’s life will be enriched having read it, and champions your book in committees. So to the librarians who believe in my books, THANK YOU 🙏 #librarian

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Christopher Silas Neal @csneal.bsky.social · 15/01/2026

Thank You @bklynlibrary.bsky.social for including We Leap Together in your 2026 Mock Caldecott List 💙 discover.bklynlibrary.org?booklist=753... @randomhousekids.bsky.social @aaknopf.bsky.social

Cover for picture book: We Leap Together by Christopher Silas Neal. A mama whale and her calf leaping out of the water while a boy and his Mom watch from the deck of a boat. New York City skyline in the background.

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Christopher Silas Neal @csneal.bsky.social · 15/12/2025

Use code DBHLAO and get 10% off all of my prints through 01/09/26. www.inprnt.com/gallery/csne...

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Christopher Silas Neal @csneal.bsky.social · 10/12/2025

Happy Holidays everyone! For those of you still shopping for the little ones in your life, my book shop is open. Every purchase from my shop at bookshop.org financially supports independent bookstores. bookshop.org/lists/pictur...

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Jennifer Robin Barr @jrbarr.bsky.social · 18/11/2025

Thrilled to share THUNDER AND MERCY! Female spies, a 1970s Philadelphia setting, and a surprise Revolutionary mystery, all woven through middle-grade friendship and belonging. Published by Astra/Calkins Creek with gorgeous cover art by @csneal.bsky.social. Coming July 2026. Pre-orders are open!

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Christopher Silas Neal @csneal.bsky.social · 18/07/2025

A peek inside We Leap Together. Available on-line, in book stores and directly from my shop: bookshop.org/lists/pictur... "Readers should leap at the chance to acquire this winning tale."—Kirkus, starred review

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Kate Messner @katemessner.com · 27/06/2025

⭐ The first review for OVER AND UNDER THE CORAL REEF is in - and it's a star from Kirkus with special praise for @csneal.bsky.social's amazing illustrations! Look for this one in August from @chroniclebooks.bsky.social - or better yet, preorder today! bookshop.org/p/books/over...

Book cover OVER AND UNDER THE CORAL REEF with a brown-skinned father and son snorkeling in bright tuquoise water, with a red and yellow coral reef below, teeming with colorful fish and a small green sea turtle. Graphic is set against a darker blue background with a yellow star and bright light blue text that reads "Another triumph for two masters of picture-book nonfiction" - Kirkus starred review

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Jody Jensen Shaffer @jodywrites4kids.bsky.social · 17/06/2025

Thanks @christinevanzandt.bsky.social for featuring Creep, Leap, Crunch! A Food Chain Story on #TeachersTuesdays! Free discussion/activity guide/song on website! facebook.com/christine.va... instagram.com/christinevan... linkedin.com/in/christine... @csneal.bsky.social @randomhousekids.bsky.social

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Christopher Silas Neal @csneal.bsky.social · 16/05/2025

Another lettering experiment. Which color is best?

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Christopher Silas Neal @csneal.bsky.social · 12/05/2025

A new one for my spouse who is a dancer.

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Christopher Silas Neal @csneal.bsky.social · 08/05/2025

A cover from awhile back for Little Brown. I love where we ended up but also enjoyed the energy in some of these comps. AD Lucy Kim

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Jody Jensen Shaffer @jodywrites4kids.bsky.social · 07/05/2025

"Just when you think you have come to terms with the harsh realities of the forest food chain ecosystem, there is a delightful twist that brings the book a clever sense of playfulness." Thanks so much, Mary Duffy #justreadjournal! @csneal.bsky.social @penguinschoollib.bsky.social

The engaging text and illustrations in this nonfiction picture book make it stand out as different than others in this category. The illustrations are full of bright colors, textures and movement. These illustrations, along with the rhythm and rhyme of the text, help the reader feel as if they are observing mother nature first-hand. Just when you think you have come to terms with the harsh realities of the forest food chain ecosystem, there is a delightful twist that brings the book a clever sense of playfulness. At the back of the book, you will find a helpful glossary where terms are defined in a way that will appeal to elementary aged readers. This book will grab readers’ attention and will be a treat to read aloud!
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Creep Leap Crunch: A Food Chain Story with Words by Jody Jensen Shaffer and Art by Christopher Silas Neal @csilasneal
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#jodyjensenshaffer #csilasneal #christophersilasneal #creepleapcrunch #stempicturebooks #kidlit #picturebook #schoollibrary #nonfictionpicturebook #cybilsawards #cybils2024

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Christopher Silas Neal @csneal.bsky.social · 29/04/2025

I needed a break from drawing characters and animals and stuff so I made these two lettering experiments inspired by the musician Thundercat. My rules for myself: hand-lettered and no representational drawings. I'm selling them as prints. lnkd.in/ebewwYzA Which band / musician should I do next?

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Christopher Silas Neal @csneal.bsky.social · 28/04/2025

One I did awhile back about declining brain function for the New York Times.

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Jody Jensen Shaffer @jodywrites4kids.bsky.social · 23/04/2025

Hey, look! A storywalk with Creep, Leap, Crunch! A Food Chain Story at Mary Roberts Rinehart Nature Park in Pennsylvania! April 18-May 11. Thanks #LeetsdaleBorough #SewickleyPublicLibrary! @csneal.bsky.social @randomhousekids.bsky.social

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Christopher Silas Neal @csneal.bsky.social · 18/04/2025

I've always liked these unused book jacket ideas, circa 2016.

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Christopher Silas Neal @csneal.bsky.social · 16/04/2025

A new book jacket for Ballantine Books, out this April.

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Christopher Silas Neal @csneal.bsky.social · 15/04/2025

Help spread the word, please consider leaving a review of We Leap Together on Amazon. Reviews help my book get noticed on the algorithm and my book could use all the help it can get! Thanks to everyone for your support! a.co/d/eqz41Re

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Jody Jensen Shaffer @jodywrites4kids.bsky.social · 04/04/2025

"There’s nothing more exciting (and a little scary) than the food chain, making Creep, Leap, Crunch! a thrilling (and educational) addition to any kids’ bookshelf...Neal’s illustrations...are captivating and interactive. Don’t creep; leap to get this book young readers will enjoy." shorturl.at/2dslY

Creep, Leap, Crunch! A Food Chain Story by Jody Jensen Shaffer, illustrated by Christopher Silas Neal. Published by Knopf Books for Young Readers/Penguin Random House.

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Christopher Silas Neal @csneal.bsky.social · 24/03/2025

Hi Folks, Here's a list of book signings and story times happening this April including an Earth day Celebration at the Natural History Museum! Links to all of my events can be found at: www.csneal.com/about

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Kate Messner @katemessner.com · 21/03/2025

Guess what?! @csneal.bsky.social who illustrates our popular OVER AND UNDER nature books has a new book coming out on April 1st - he's both author and illustrator, and it looks amazing. Congrats, Chris!! bookshop.org/p/books/we-l...

bookshop.org

We Leap Together

Check out We Leap Together - <b>An awe-inspiring nonfiction picture book, perfect for animal lovers, that reveals how a mama whale and a mama person care for their young in remarkably similar ways, fr...

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Christopher Silas Neal @csneal.bsky.social · 20/03/2025

Teachers! Jody has put together a fantastic activity packet for our book.

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Christopher Silas Neal @csneal.bsky.social · 18/03/2025

Just received samples of We Leap Together, out April 1st, 2025 on @randomhousekids.bsky.social Pre-order: bookshop.org/a/10043/9780...

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Christopher Silas Neal @csneal.bsky.social · 12/03/2025

More kind words about We Leap Together! Pre-Order from the links below: My bookshop bookshop.org/a/10043/9780... My publisher Random House www.rhcbooks.com/books/747755... Books are Magic www.booksaremagic.net/item/p5lAnqx...

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Jody Jensen Shaffer @jodywrites4kids.bsky.social · 08/03/2025

Thank you, Tammy & CJ!! "Alliteration, repetition, nature, science, beauty! Jody and Christopher Silas Neal have created a book that delights AND teaches. Why not build fluency with an enjoyable read that harkens There Was an Old Lady? So. Much. Fun! #picturebookperfection" @csneal.bsky.social

Alliteration, repetition, nature, science, beauty!

@jodywrites4kids
and Christopher Silas Neal have created a book that delights AND teaches.

Why not build fluency with an enjoyable read that harkens There Was an Old Lady?

So. Much. Fun!

#picturebookperfection
Tammy and CJ via Twitter

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Christopher Silas Neal @csneal.bsky.social · 04/03/2025

Hey folks! I wrote and illustrated a book and people have nice things to say about it so far.

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Christopher Silas Neal @csneal.bsky.social · 03/03/2025

Thank you for the kind words about our book series.

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Jody Jensen Shaffer @jodywrites4kids.bsky.social · 03/03/2025

It's #WorldWildlifeDay2025! Go a little wild! ☀️🌿🦗🐀🐍🦅🦊🐻 @csneal.bsky.social @randomhousekids.bsky.social shorturl.at/MyWeU

In this nonfiction picture book, discover how the animal kindgdom’s food chain takes shape, from the cricket to the big, black bear.

There was a blue sky with a bright shining sun,
A dazzling, life-giving, fiery sun.
The day had begun.

Follow along as a day in the life of the food chain begins. From the sun that shines upon the grass and trees to the animals that feed each other, each element in nature has its place. But what happens when the food escapes? This cumulative story will delight, with a surprise ending that all science lovers will enjoy.

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Christopher Silas Neal @csneal.bsky.social · 25/02/2025

The February edition of my Newsletter is live on substack: csneal.substack.com/p/sketchbook...

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Jody Jensen Shaffer @jodywrites4kids.bsky.social · 16/02/2025

Thank you @oklibs.bsky.social for including Creep, Leap, Crunch! A Food Chain Story on the masterlist for the Donna Norvell Book Award! I'm incredibly grateful. @csneal.bsky.social @spanishbroom.bsky.social @randomhousekids.bsky.social Congratulations to the other four nominees! rb.gy/ewvruk

★ "This is an excellent introduction to the food chain, and will be especially popular among elementary science teachers." —School Library Journal, starred review

"A good and read-aloud-ready way of introducing an important natural process." —Kirkus Reviews

"Bright, sound-rich rhyming verse engages throughout as the sun rises, the day progresses, and Jensen Shaffer works her way up the chain." —Publishers Weekly

The Donna Norvell Oklahoma Book Award recognizes a book that has made a significant contribution to the field of literature for children through second grade.

The award honors Donna Norvell’s contributions to the development of the library profession in Oklahoma.

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Christopher Silas Neal @csneal.bsky.social · 16/02/2025

Thank you so much for this thoughtful reflection on our book.

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Christopher Silas Neal @csneal.bsky.social · 04/01/2025

Love this art project inspired by Over and Under the Snow.

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Cybils Awards @cybilsawards.bsky.social · 01/01/2025

Rhythmic and rhyming text introduce readers to the food chain within a deciduous forest. Christopher Silas Neal’s masterful illustrations brings you up close to the action. Highly recommend for any home or classroom library! @csneal.bsky.social @aaknopf.bsky.social @randomhousekids.bsky.social 4/8

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Kate Messner @katemessner.com · 02/01/2025

It’s StoryWalk® season & I love that so many communities are featuring OVER AND UNDER THE SNOW this winter! If you live near the Liberty Hyde Bailey Museum in South Haven, MI, you can check out their StoryWalk® all this month! @csneal.bsky.social www.libertyhydebailey.org/check-out-ou...

OVER AND UNDER THE SNOW StoryWalk ad with book cover, showing a snowy landscape and chipmunk sleeping under the snow. STORY WALK JANUARY 1-31. FREE FAMILY ACTIVITY SCAVENGER HUNT & 3D CRAFTS - JANUARY 20TH 4PM-6PM

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Christopher Silas Neal @csneal.bsky.social · 27/12/2024

A recent illustration for Liberal Education Magazine that debates the merits of student evaluations at universities.

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Kate Messner @katemessner.com · 12/12/2024

OVER AND UNDER THE WETLAND (illus. by @csneal.bsky.social & published by @chroniclebooks.bsky.social) is inspired by Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary in SW Florida, so it was super fun to stop by this week to deliver a finished copies to the experts there who helped with my research & fact checking!

Book cover OVER AND UNDER THE WETLAND shows cypress trees and an alligator in a swamp with a grandparent & child walking past on a boardwalk, against the backdrop of the real boardwalk leading into the swamp.

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