Sign in

Deborah Freedman

@deborahfreedman.net
1.1K followers 319 following 447 posts

author & illustrator of children's picture books, + gardener, woods walker, cloud & bird watcher www.deborahfreedman.net

PostsRepliesMedia
Deborah Freedman @deborahfreedman.net · 09/09/2026
This makes me so happy to see, Colby, that Carl the earthworm is helping you build your classroom community. Please tell your students I said hello! #CarlAndTheMeaningofLife @penguinschoollib.bsky.social
042
Deborah Freedman @deborahfreedman.net · 09/09/2026
Did you know stanza means room in Italian? 🏠💗
010
Deborah Freedman @deborahfreedman.net · 25/08/2026
You never know what kind of wildlife will cross your path. ID, anyone?
log that looks like a whale or elephant face
020
Deborah Freedman @deborahfreedman.net · 25/08/2026
From the Dept. of Good News yesterday (still looking for today...): www.wshu.org/connecticut-...
wshu.org
Nearly all of CT’s kids will have access to free breakfast this year
$12 million from the state budget will go toward funding the program.
010
Reposted by Deborah Freedman
Sarah Steinbacher, Ed.D. (she/they) @sarahsteinbacher.bsky.social · 08/07/2026
Have you ever felt small or unheard? Check out TINY DINO. Then, read my interview with author-illustrator @deborahfreedman.net at www.sarahsteinbacher.com/blog/intervi... #kidlit #picturebooks #kidlitauthor #booksky #BeAnAmbassador
The image discusses children’s literature and features Deborah Freedman’s picture book TINY DINO, an illustrated children’s book about a small bird that’s determined to tell his friends that he’s a living dinosaur. Against a pale pastel cream, brown, and blue background, the title reads: “Tiny Dino Roars!” On the top right is a large image of the cover of Deborah Freedman’s picture book, TINY DINO. Around the book to the left and below are 4 reviews, each with the reviewer’s icon. The top starred review from Publishers Weekly says: “Balancing the informative and the wondrous, the book offers a tribute to the way the interconnections among species ensure that the past remains present.” The second starred review from Booklist says: “an absolute delight to learn and laugh with this curious animal crew.” The third starred review from Kirkus says: “an innovative introduction to the relatedness of all animals that will delight budding biologists and dino mavens alike.” The bottom review from School Library Journal says: “another charmer from Freedman, seamlessly mixing nonfiction, humor, a meditation on interconnections, and a lot of heart.”  To the bottom left is a quote from Deborah that reads: "I’m hoping that kids will be inspired by this tiny creature with a strong sense of self. This hummingbird knows exactly who he is—and has the facts to back it up. ~Deborah Freedman." At the bottom right is “Exclusive Interview” with an arrow pointing to: https://www.sarahsteinbacher.com/blog/interview-deborah-freedman
081
Deborah Freedman @deborahfreedman.net · 13/07/2026
Drifting curiosity... isn't that basic to creativity? "... curiosity puts the entire brain into a mode of heightened receptivity — not just for the specific thing you want to know, but also for everything around it... @neuranne.bsky.social @nytopinion.nytimes.com www.nytimes.com/2026/07/08/o...
nytimes.com
100
Deborah Freedman @deborahfreedman.net · 02/07/2026
Dear anyone thinking of writing an AI-assisted, 1000 word email, Why would I spend more time reading it than you spent writing? You look spammy even if you are legit. Sorry.
040
Deborah Freedman @deborahfreedman.net · 02/07/2026
The time for celebrating good news is always.
0121
Deborah Freedman @deborahfreedman.net · 25/06/2026
"... a paean to creativity and art... In addition to inspiring kids to use their own imaginations, the story also demonstrates how homemade gifts, made with love, are a wonderful alternative to store-bought presents." 🌸💗🌸 @penguinschoollib.bsky.social @penguinkids.bsky.social
140
Deborah Freedman @deborahfreedman.net · 14/06/2026
Picture books are for all ages!
281
Deborah Freedman @deborahfreedman.net · 11/06/2026
At this point the spam has become so ridiculous, it's almost entertaining... like today's "Official Nomination" to be a "Headline Feature" at a "Literary Luminary Showcase," where I'm promised, among other things: "The Signature Micro-Spotlight" "The Archival Feature Asset" and (my favorite)...
110
Deborah Freedman @deborahfreedman.net · 11/06/2026
What do you see when you look at clouds? It's the perfect school's-out season to look at the sky, and imagine... and wonder... ⛅ An interview, ICYMI—https://www.sarahsteinbacher.com/blog/interview-deborah-freedman #clouds #edusky @penguinschoollib.bsky.social @penguinkids.bsky.social
120
Deborah Freedman @deborahfreedman.net · 05/06/2026
"The “knowing” has been outsourced to a machine; we just retrieve the bits we want and leave the rest behind... one of the truly astonishing things about this moment is the fact that so many people are perfectly happy to know so little." #writing
072
Deborah Freedman @deborahfreedman.net · 13/05/2026
Check out @librarianchica.bsky.social 's feed for more wonderful mom-book recommendations! I've added a bunch to my to-read list... 🌸💗🌸
000
Deborah Freedman @deborahfreedman.net · 09/05/2026
Love (and honored by) this pairing! 🌸💕🌸
030
Reposted by Deborah Freedman
YAbookscentral @yabookscentral.bsky.social · 09/05/2026
#kidlit #bookreview FLOWERS FOR MAMA at YABC! yabookscentral.com/kid-review-f... #Mama #mothersday #love #kittens
021
Deborah Freedman @deborahfreedman.net · 04/05/2026
Case(wrap) of the Mondays vimeo.com/1184561382?f...
vimeo.com
Flowers for Mama by Deborah Freedman
Viking Books for Young Readers, March 2026
000
Reposted by Deborah Freedman
Sarah Steinbacher, Ed.D. (she/they) @sarahsteinbacher.bsky.social · 01/05/2026
Get FLOWERS FOR MAMA in time for Mother’s Day! And read my #interview with @deborahfreedman.net at www.sarahsteinbacher.com/blog/intervi... Up next on the #blog, Jenna Elyse Johnson on 5/4. #picturebooks #kidlit #author #kidlitauthors #authorillustrator #booksky #mothersday #mothersdaygift
Against a pink background with scattered flowers and hearts, the title reads: “Just in time for Mother’s Day.” On the left is a large image of the cover of Deborah Freedman’s picture book, FLOWERS FOR MAMA. To the left of the book are 2 reviews, each with the reviewer’s icon. The top starred review from Kirkus says: “an enchanting story that honors both the artistic journey and the blooms that—eventually-result.” The bottom review from Publishers Weekly says: “multidimensional art expansively showcases myriad ways to say ‘I love you.’”  Below the reviews is a quote from Deborah that reads: "I decided to make a book that celebrates the varied ways and naturally exuberant way [kids] already express themselves, a book full of art that they could imagine making immediately. ~Deborah Freedman." At the bottom left is “Exclusive Interview” with an arrow pointing to: https://www.sarahsteinbacher.com/blog/interview-deborah-freedman
4162
Deborah Freedman @deborahfreedman.net · 20/04/2026
Why yes, of course I read this @sciam.bsky.social article and now plan to read The Story of Birds, about why birds were the only dinosaurs to survive "the asteroid apocalypse"...
TINY DINO, a picturebook by wuthor & illustrator Deborah Freedman
030
Reposted by Deborah Freedman
Jena Benton @jenanbenton.bsky.social · 17/04/2026
#NationalPoetryMonth Day 17: Celebrate children's #poetry with Mary Ann Hoberman and Marla Frazee in this wonderful collection. 📚👍🏽 #KidLit #picturebook #bookblogger jenabenton.com/2026/04/17/n...
jenabenton.com
NPM 2026 Day 17: HOW ELEGANT THE ELEPHANT
Mary Ann Hoberman, former children’s poet laureate, passed away in 2023. And yet, as is common in publishing, here we have a lovely collection of her words illustrated by the brilliant Marla …
0122
Deborah Freedman @deborahfreedman.net · 07/04/2026
"... I write quickly, for fear that at any moment I might be killed. Writing under such urgency demands an economy of words. If I have only a few more minutes left of my life... What should I put down on the page as some kind of trace of myself in this world, or as a document of our time?"
055
Deborah Freedman @deborahfreedman.net · 31/03/2026
🌷🌷🌷🌷!
041
Deborah Freedman @deborahfreedman.net · 30/03/2026
🌸💕🌸 @penguinkids.bsky.social @penguinschoollib.bsky.social #FlowerReport
061
Deborah Freedman @deborahfreedman.net · 26/03/2026
For my #kidlit friends— a convo today on CT Public Radio between Colin McEnroe and others, including Jon Klassen—"What would it mean if nothing matters? This hour, a look at the philosophy of nihilism, and how it shows up online and in children's books." @npr.org www.ctpublic.org/show/the-col...
ctpublic.org
How nihilism can help us find meaning in this moment
What would it mean if nothing matters? This hour, a look at the philosophy of nihilism, and how it shows up online and in children's books.
040
Deborah Freedman @deborahfreedman.net · 24/03/2026
Congratulations to my hard-working friends at @ctcasl.bsky.social for their very deserved AASL Chapter of the Year Award! www.ala.org/news/2026/03...
ala.org
Connecticut Association of School Librarians receives AASL Chapter of the Year Award
3102
Deborah Freedman @deborahfreedman.net · 24/03/2026
"The art is mixed media. No AI was used in creating this book!" In case you were wondering. ;) www.deborahfreedman.net/flowers-for-... @penguinschoollib.bsky.social @penguinkids.bsky.social #noAI
Copyright page from FLOWERS FOR MAMA, by Deborah Freedman
041
Deborah Freedman @deborahfreedman.net · 20/03/2026
It’s spring! #vernalequinox
Crocus
031
Deborah Freedman @deborahfreedman.net · 14/03/2026
Even in a world of mud, things still bloom... Like my book coming out 3/31, Flowers for Mama. It's about the beauty that children create—whether it's art... or love... www.deborahfreedman.net/flowers-for-...
Kittens drawing flowers with sidewalk chalk.Kittens drawing with sidewalk chalk.Kitten stamping tulips with a fork.Child's painting of flowers; kitten packing a can with dirt.
150
Deborah Freedman @deborahfreedman.net · 22/02/2026
Cannot wait to spend time with amazing CT educators. #nErDcampCT is always such an inspiring day. Please join us!
023
Deborah Freedman @deborahfreedman.net · 18/02/2026
“Lunar New Year reminds me that beginnings do not wait for perfect conditions. It’s naming the season before you even see it…”
020
Reposted by Deborah Freedman
Dino Dad Reviews @dinodadreviews.bsky.social · 10/02/2026
Here’s a children’s book called “Tiny Dino”, in which a hummingbird attempts to convince its animal friends that it is indeed a dinosaur. It makes for a decent introduction to the concept of comparative anatomy! dinodadreviews.com/2026/02/09/t...
dinodadreviews.com
Tiny Dino
A hummingbird attempts to convince its friends that it is a dinosaur.
15016
Deborah Freedman @deborahfreedman.net · 04/02/2026
#WRAD was just what my heart needed— so many thanks to all of the educators who connected me with their kiddos today! ❤️
130
Deborah Freedman @deborahfreedman.net · 15/01/2026
Is this the way out
Painted trail marker on a tree trunk
020
Deborah Freedman @deborahfreedman.net · 11/01/2026
Saturday-night-at-the-timely-movies: "It Was Just an Accident,” a tragicomedy by dissident Iranian director Jafar Panahi, (recently sentenced to prison in absentia for “propaganda activities against the regime”). Have you seen this one? #film @nytimes.com www.nytimes.com/2025/10/15/m...
nytimes.com
‘It Was Just an Accident’ Review: A Liberation Story Straight From Iran
030
Deborah Freedman @deborahfreedman.net · 19/12/2025
"You have to choose: You're either a Steinberg person or a Steig person... All children are Steig people." @lianafix.bsky.social @newyorker.com Love this. Because I'm a Steig person. Which are YOU?
220
Deborah Freedman @deborahfreedman.net · 16/12/2025
@jamellebouie.net I see it's deleted but I'm still filing away "smoothest brain" for future use ;)
000
Deborah Freedman @deborahfreedman.net · 12/12/2025
"...considers it his duty to ensure that all editors have the freedom to decide what they want to publish... rather than having those decision made by the government. “At the end of the day, we stand with the First Amendment...”" Proud to be a @penguinschoollib.bsky.social author. 🙏
041
Deborah Freedman @deborahfreedman.net · 12/12/2025
"AI slop existed long before AI did. It’s all the boring, committee-driven copycat filler... I think that our job as educators is not just to push back on AI slop made by AI, it’s also to push back on AI slop made by humans..." 💥(thanks for the link, @austinkleon.bsky.social)
120
Deborah Freedman @deborahfreedman.net · 07/12/2025
Just watched a little anti-McCarthyism film while waiting until I can stream The Librarians on @pbs.org in February— "I couldn't remove a book because it has ideas you didn't like..." Bette Davis in "Storm Center," 1956...
150
Reposted by Deborah Freedman
Heather Stigall @heatherstigall7.bsky.social · 02/12/2025
📚👍It's #NationalRoofOverYourHeadDay! 🏠 Here's the 2018 review I did of @deborahfreedman.net's beautiful #PB, THIS HOUSE ONCE: www.heatherpiercestigall.com/ramblings--r... #kidlit #PictureBooks #WhatToRead #booksforkids #childrensbooks #bookreview #reading #Literacy #educators #teachers #librarians
heatherpiercestigall.com
Review: It's National Roof Over Your Head Day!
​ TITLE : THIS HOUSE ONCE AUTHOR/ILLUSTRATOR:  Deborah Freedman PUBLISHER : Atheneum Books for Young Readers/2017 OPENING LINE : This door was once a colossal oak tree about three hugs around and...
152
Deborah Freedman @deborahfreedman.net · 02/12/2025
Is it too soon to be thinking about #WorldReadAloudDay? Not if you look forward to it as much as I do! Heads up to educators who would like to have a free, 15-20 minute virtual author visit with me on Wednesday, 2/4/26—this week's newsletter will have a link to sign-up ↓
Virtual author visit with Deborah Freedman
120
Deborah Freedman @deborahfreedman.net · 30/11/2025
I’m not ready to put away the #Thanksgiving decorations
flowers, pumpkins, child's drawing of a turkey
020
Reposted by Deborah Freedman
Porter Square Books in Cambridge & Boston @portersqbooks.bsky.social · 26/11/2025
We know that, for a ton of reasons, a lot of folks don't have as much to spend as they'd like this holiday season. Sooooooo, here's a thread of things you can do that will support your local indie bookstore or other business WITHOUT spending any more than you intended...
118695
Deborah Freedman @deborahfreedman.net · 15/11/2025
I'm so grateful to everyone organizing the resistance— and who made this effort to make it extra-official. 💚
030
Deborah Freedman @deborahfreedman.net · 14/11/2025
""A lot of people who ban 'Flamer' don't talk about how the book is about suicidal ideation and prevention," Curato said. "That's why I made this book, because I know that there are kids out there right now who are going through exactly what I went through in 1995.""
131
Deborah Freedman @deborahfreedman.net · 12/11/2025
Is it too soon to be thinking about World Read Aloud Day? Not if you look forward to it as much as I do! Heads up to educators who would like to have a free, 15-20 minute virtual author visit with me on Wednesday, 2/4/26—a link to sign-ups will be in my next newsletter ↓
330
Deborah Freedman @deborahfreedman.net · 09/11/2025
"It was never the content that was meant to be “safe.” It was always the relationships... Real safety isn’t created by restricting content or limiting the topics we are permitted to raise. Safety is created by establishing caring relationships and a sense of community..." ❤️
031
Deborah Freedman @deborahfreedman.net · 07/11/2025
Every November, these make me happy. And the bees too (can you see them?). #gardening #bloomscrolling #asters
blue asters
060
Deborah Freedman @deborahfreedman.net · 03/10/2025
Oh hi, Emma! One of the best pb editors in kidlit (think we can lure her to Bluesky, @armyvet5.bsky.social @mrschureads.bsky.social?). 🥰
181
Deborah Freedman @deborahfreedman.net · 30/09/2025
"I am not now, nor have I ever been a member of the communist-party. I oppose every form of dictatorship. right or left, because they ultimately destroy the nation in which they operate. They do so by robbing the people of their right to think and create." —from the family archive, 1954
"I am not now, nor have I ever been a member of the communist-
party. I oppose every form of dictatorship. right or left, because they ultimately destroy the nation in which they operate. They do so by robbing the people of their right to think and create."
040