iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Reposted by Deborah Kerbel

Picture books, eh! @picturebookseh.bsky.social · 04/05/2026

An opportunity for workshops and feedback!

Deborah Kerbel @deborahkerbel.com · 03/05/2026

I'm thrilled to be @vaughanpl.bsky.social Writer-in-Residence this spring! I'll be coaching, encouraging, & inspiring writers through workshops, manuscript consults, & drop-in sessions - 100% FREE to Vaughan residents. Hope to see you at VPL soon! Go to vaughanpl.info/wir or scan the QR code below.

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Reposted by Deborah Kerbel

Picture books, eh! @picturebookseh.bsky.social · 26/04/2026

Hear Canadian creators read from their new picture books at the first Great Canadian Picture Book Party of 2026. Join the fun via Zoom on Monday, April 27 from 7-8:30pm ET. Sign up through CANSCAIP. If you're not a member, message picturebookseh@gmail.com for the link. #CANkidlit #kidlit

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Reposted by Deborah Kerbel

Vaughan Public Libraries @vaughanpl.bsky.social · 13/04/2026

We're pleased to announce that @deborahkerbel.com will be VPL's first Writer-in-Residence! ✍️ Deborah is an award-winning author, having published more than thirty books across genres, from picture books and graphic novels to young adult fiction.

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Reposted by Deborah Kerbel

Andrea L. Mack @andreamack.bsky.social · 17/03/2026

In a few cleverly rhymed words, GOTCHA DAY, written by @deborahkerbel.com, illustrated by @udayana-lugo.bsky.social and published by @orcabooks, tells the story of how a stray dog comes to find their owner. I love the way this book introduces new vocabulary! A fun read. #kidlit 📚👍🏻 #edusky

Girl hugging a shaggy dog in a green field over the book title

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Reposted by Deborah Kerbel

Helen Kubiw ❤️ 🇨🇦 📚 @hkubiw.bsky.social · 15/12/2025

Busy prepping Jan1st post re #youngCanLit upcoming releases (let me know if you've a 2026 title) but still catching up on wonderful fall releases like COMMUNITY SNOWMAN by @deborahkerbel.com & Tine Modeweg-Hansen from @groundwoodbooks.bsky.social canlitforlittlecanadians.blogspot.com/2025/12/comm...

canlitforlittlecanadians.blogspot.com

Community Snowman

Promoting children's and YA books by Canadian authors and illustrators

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Deborah Kerbel @deborahkerbel.com · 17/09/2025

So happy the news is officially official! PLUFFY & BORB CATCH A FRIEND -- written by me, illustrated by @naomispractice.bsky.social, and pubbed by @kidscanpress.bsky.social is coming to bookshelves in Fall 2027 🎉

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Deborah Kerbel @deborahkerbel.com · 17/09/2025

Very grateful to @debbieohi.com for this 'cool' review of COMMUNITY SNOWMAN, our upcoming (Oct 8/25) wordless picture book, published by @groundwoodbooks.bsky.social & illustrated by Tine Modeweg-Hansen). Thank you, Debbie!! 🥰

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Deborah Kerbel @deborahkerbel.com · 23/07/2025

🐾 Gotcha Day Cover Reveal 🐾 ⁠Adorably illustrated by Udayana Lugo & pubbed by @orcabook.bsky.social this heartfelt story about a stray dog finding their fur-ever home was inspired by our family’s experience with our sweet rescue pup, Freddie. In bookstores March 17/26 & available for pre-order now

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Deborah Kerbel @deborahkerbel.com · 21/07/2025

I was thrilled to discover IGGY INCLUDED on the list of Red Cedar Fiction nominees for 2025/26! Huge thanks to the selection committee and my fellow Red Cedar nominee @annarosner.bsky.social for the heads up! #bookawards #nominee #middlegradebooks #canlit #ireadcanadian #Iwritecanadian #kidlit

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Deborah Kerbel @deborahkerbel.com · 21/07/2025

And just like that, a brand new children's book springs to life 🌱 More details coming soon 😊 #thisnevergetsold #picturebook #canlit #Ireadcanadian #iwritecanadian #amwriting #writersofbluesky #bookcontract #kidlit

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Reposted by Deborah Kerbel

Menderist.com @menderist.bsky.social · 18/07/2025

Summer Reads for Kids 8 to 18: looking for mental health-themed books for your children to read? See our list of 19 titles, including books by ‪@kerncarter.bsky.social | @sharigreen.bsky.social | @deborahkerbel.com | @kloshaughnessy.bsky.social‬ menderist.com/summer-readi...

menderist.com

Summer Reading: 19 Children's Books with Mental Health Themes - Menderist

Parents can help their children before the teenage years by sharing books about common youth mental health challenges.

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Deborah Kerbel @deborahkerbel.com · 11/06/2025

“A little space, please!” Got a kiddo who craves a bit of personal space? Bought a copy of NO HUDDLES FOR HELOISE or taken it out from the library? DM me your address & proof of purchase/library loan and I’ll send you a custom door hanger (with art by illustrator Udayana Lugo). *🇨🇦 residents only

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Reposted by Deborah Kerbel

Caroline Fernandez @parentclub.bsky.social · 22/05/2025

🎉IODE Violet Downy Book Award Short List ⭐A Galaxy of Whales H Fawcett Tundra ⭐Iggy Included @deborahkerbel.com Scholastic ⭐Plague Thieves @parentclub.bsky.social @cormorantbooks.bsky.social ⭐The Outsmarters D Ellis @groundwoodbooks.bsky.social ⭐Tig HT Smith Rocky Pond #KidLit #CanKidLit

🎉Three cheers for the IODE Violet Downy Book Award 2025 Short List! The winner will be announced at the @iode.canada AGM May 31st.

⭐A Galaxy of Whales
Written by @heather_fawcett
Published by @tundrabooks

⭐Iggy Included
Written by @deborahkerbel.books
Published by @scholasticcda

⭐Plague Thieves
Written by @parentclub
Published by @cormorantbooks

⭐The Outsmarters
Written by Deborah Ellis
Published by @groundwoodbooks

⭐Tig
Written by @heather.t.smith
Published by @rockypondbooks

IODE Violet Downey: https://www.iode.ca/2025-violet-downey---short-list.html

#CanKidLit #KidLit #VioletDowneyAward #MGBooks

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Reposted by Deborah Kerbel

Debbie Ridpath Ohi @debbieohi.com · 14/05/2025

You can browse the 2025 #ForestOfReading nominees here: forestofreading.com/nominated-li... Congrats @grickle.bsky.social & @deborahkerbel.com on their #SilverBirch Fiction Honours! bsky.app/profile/hkub...

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Reposted by Deborah Kerbel

Helen Kubiw ❤️ 🇨🇦 📚 @hkubiw.bsky.social · 14/05/2025

Congrats to #SilverBirch Fiction Honour Book winners @grickle.bsky.social and @deborahkerbel.com! Young readers know wonderful #CDN books.

Forest of Reading Festival congratulations for 2025 Forest of Reading Silver Birch Fiction Honour Books Eerie Tales from the School of Screams and Iggy Included

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Deborah Kerbel @deborahkerbel.com · 03/04/2025

With shrinking review outlets for 🇨🇦 kidlit, the loss of CM Reviews leaves quite a void. Feeling grateful for all their years of steadfast support for 🇨🇦 kids books & sad to see it end. A review of NO HUDDLES FOR HELOISE appears in the latest (& possibly final 😔) issue. Thank you for everything, CM!

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Deborah Kerbel @deborahkerbel.com · 31/03/2025

I’m excited to share a sneak peek of the adorable 'book sibling' for WHAT ABOUT AN OCTOPUS? WHAT ABOUT AN ELEPHANT? will be stomping into bookstores August 2025 😊 Illustrated by Dawn Lo & published by @owlkids.bsky.social 🐘🐙📚🇨🇦 #ireadcanadian #informationalpicturebook #picturebook #fall2025 #kidlit

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Deborah Kerbel @deborahkerbel.com · 28/03/2025

Canadian #kidlit creators, if you're not following @hkubiw.bsky.social yet, you should be. Her outstanding book review blog is one of the most viewed & influential in our community. Thank you for your hard work and dedication to Canadian children's books, Helen. You're a rockstar 🤩 🇨🇦 📚

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Reposted by Deborah Kerbel

Alison McGauley @alisonmcgauley.bsky.social · 27/03/2025

If you like penguins—and who doesn’t?—then check out this new picture book, NO HUDDLES FOR HELOISE, by @deborahkerbel.com & @udayana-lugo.bsky.social! #penguins #kidlit #EduSky #CanKidLit @picturebookseh.bsky.social @orcabook.bsky.social

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Deborah Kerbel @deborahkerbel.com · 20/03/2025

Here's to new seasons, fresh starts, & finding little sprigs of hope at a time when they've never been more needed. Bring on the light...and happy first day of spring, friends 🌱 (Art by @joseebisaillon.bsky.social from WHIRL, published by @owlkids.bsky.social) #picturebook #wordless #spring

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Reposted by Deborah Kerbel

Karen Krossing @karenkrossing.com · 12/03/2025

You know why these authors are happy? Because they're celebrating their new @orcabook.bsky.social books at Mabel's Fables Children's Bookstore! Congrats on a wonderful launch, Erin Silver, @alisonmcgauley.bsky.social, @deborahkerbel.com & @mkbirmingham.bsky.social! #kidlit #CanKidLit #picturebooks

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Deborah Kerbel @deborahkerbel.com · 11/03/2025

My 30th kids book publishes today 🎉 NO HUDDLES FOR HELOISE is about respecting personal space, accepting differences, & finding creative ways to support the people you love. May she waddle her way into ❤️ of kids who see themselves in her quest for ‘alone time’ in a world full of huddlers.

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Deborah Kerbel @deborahkerbel.com · 08/03/2025

Happy #internationalwomensday! May we continue having our voices heard, our words known, our opinions valued, and our work recognized. May we always remember our strength and our worth. And may we be blessed with a community of sisters who uplift each other whenever possible 💪

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Deborah Kerbel @deborahkerbel.com · 05/03/2025

Shout-out to all my fellow Canadian creators...let's continue to support each other as well as our incredible Canadian publishing community 🇨🇦 Thanks to @carolmatas.bsky.social for this timely reminder ❤️

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Reposted by Deborah Kerbel

Alison McGauley @alisonmcgauley.bsky.social · 19/02/2025

🥳 GROUP BOOK LAUNCH! 📚 We are excited to visit with friends & family as we share our new books at Mabel’s Fables Children’s Bookstore, March 11th from 6:30-8 pm. 🩷 We’d love to see you there! @picturebookseh.bsky.social @pb25vibes.bsky.social #kidlit @deborahkerbel.com @mkbirmingham.bsky.social

A yellow background with green vines. The title reads GROUP BOOK LAUNCH! The subheading reads: Join Orca authors Maria Birmingham, Deborah Kerbel, Alison McGauley, and Erin Silver as they launch their new books. Chat with the authors and get books signed! Four book covers are featured: PLANT ATTACK!, KENZIE’S LITTLE TREE, NO HUDDLES FOR HELOISE, AND CAN WE TALK? At the bottom, we see the details: When: March 11th from 6:30-8p.m. Where: Mabel’s Fables (662 Mount Pleasant Road, Toronto, ON)

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Deborah Kerbel @deborahkerbel.com · 17/02/2025

❄️ ☃️ COVER REVEAL ☃️ ❄️ Who's ready for more snow? (No shovelling required 😉 ) COMMUNITY SNOWMAN will be rolling into bookstores in #fall2025. (Illustrated by uber-talented Tine Modeweg-Hansen and published by the wonderful team at @groundwoodbooks.bsky.social)

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Deborah Kerbel @deborahkerbel.com · 11/02/2025

With just 1 month to go until NO HUDDLES FOR HELOISE officially hatches, I'm happy to share the news that Turkish & traditional Chinese language rights have been sold! So excited for kids around the world to meet Heloise the introverted penguin! 🐧 (Art: Udayana Lugo. Pubbed: @orcabook.bsky.social)

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Deborah Kerbel @deborahkerbel.com · 10/02/2025

Getting mail from young readers is one of my favourite parts of this job. I mean, how cute is this letter?? 🥰🥰🥰

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Deborah Kerbel @deborahkerbel.com · 04/02/2025

It is a truth universally acknowledged that an author in possession of a forthcoming book, must be stressing out about reviews. I am, thus, SUPER grateful for this sweet advance review of NO HUDDLES FOR HELOISE from @ala-booklist.bsky.social. Thank you, Booklist! 😍 🐧 (Coming to stores March 11)

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Reposted by Deborah Kerbel

Jennifer Harris @mypbjam.bsky.social · 02/02/2025

Children's writers have done a great job of building online community--but sometimes meeting people in person is exactly what you need @karenkrossing.bsky.social @danachurchwriter.bsky.social @lanabutton.bsky.social @deborahkerbel.com @jessicavitalis.bsky.social @nadialhohn.bsky.social

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Deborah Kerbel @deborahkerbel.com · 30/01/2025

Sending out a Newfoundland-sized 'thank you' to Storytime with Stephanie for this wonderful review of IGGY INCLUDED 🥰 🐾 🙏 #middlegrade #IReadCanadian #bookstagram #bookreviews #canlit #kidlit #mysteries #dogbooksforkids #middlegradefiction #newfoundlanddog #silverbirch #forestofreading

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Deborah Kerbel @deborahkerbel.com · 25/01/2025

I’m very grateful to have recently received a recommender grant for my WIP. Sending out a heartfelt thank you to @ontarioarts.bsky.social and @groundwoodbooks.bsky.social 🙏

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Deborah Kerbel @deborahkerbel.com · 20/01/2025

🐧 It's Penguin Awareness Day 🐧 Heloise the introverted penguin avoids crowds, huddles & other social gatherings, but loves giving rocks to let her penguin pals know she cares 💛 NO HUDDLES FOR HELOISE (art by Udayana Lugo & published by @orcabook.bsky.social) is available to pre-order now!

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Deborah Kerbel @deborahkerbel.com · 14/01/2025

The annual OLA #Superconference in #Toronto is coming up soon! I’ll be signing copies of IGGY INCLUDED and OPPOSITE IDENTICALS on Friday January 31st — if you’re there too, please find me and say ‘hello’ 👋 📚 #forestofreading #olasc #IReadCanadian #middlegradebooks

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Deborah Kerbel @deborahkerbel.com · 08/01/2025

New year = new books! Delighted to be collaborating again with the brilliant Dawn Lo & the wonderful team @owlkids.bsky.social & thrilled to finally share the cover of our upcoming #fall2025 #informationalpicturebook & companion title to WHAT ABOUT AN OCTOPUS? WHAT ABOUT AN ELEPHANT? - coming Aug/25

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Deborah Kerbel @deborahkerbel.com · 21/12/2024

The most meaningful gifts are often the ones that cost little or no money. Thank you @menderist.bsky.social for inviting me to write about one such gift in your holiday issue 'Gifts of Another Kind' 💙 menderist.com/remembering-...

menderist.com

Remembering Others in Joyful Times - Menderist

A memorable gift celebrates a new baby's arrival and helps others facing difficulties after Hurricane Katrina.

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Deborah Kerbel @deborahkerbel.com · 23/11/2024

I'm about to start writing my first keynote address. The audience will be 500 middle grade students. Any advice or suggestions from those who've done this before would be most welcome 🙏

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Deborah Kerbel @deborahkerbel.com · 22/11/2024

I got reader mail 😊 Of all my books, the Grade 3 kids at Robert Munsch PS chose ‘What About an Octopus?” as their fave! They were even inspired to write ‘story & fact’ books of their own. How awesome is that? Now they can't wait for the 2nd book in the ‘What About?’ series to come out next Fall…🐙 🐘

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Deborah Kerbel @deborahkerbel.com · 19/11/2024

Very grateful to 'sea' this 'inkredible' 5-star review of WHAT ABOUT AN OCTOPUS? in the latest edition of CM 😍 🐙 (Sorry…I’m a ‘sucker’ for silly puns 😆 ) www.cmreviews.ca/node/4240#bo... #picturebook #informationalpicturebook #kidlit #canlit #IReadCanadian #IWriteCanadian #octopus #octopusbooks

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Deborah Kerbel @deborahkerbel.com · 18/11/2024

I received the coziest hand knit blanket for my birthday...and Freddie immediately claimed it for himself. Maybe if I'm lucky he'll let me share it once in a while ☺️

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Deborah Kerbel @deborahkerbel.com · 17/11/2024

My friends got me a pink tool kit for my birthday and it's quite possibly the best present of all time!

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Deborah Kerbel @deborahkerbel.com · 16/11/2024

The Artists Against Antisemitism Auction is live - proceeds go to fighting antisemitism in the arts & supporting Jewish artists. I’ve donated a #picturebook #manuscript #critique. Please share with aspiring #kidlit creators interested in receiving feedback 🙏 💙 📚 event.auctria.com/8801e3af-8d1...

event.auctria.com

Auctria

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Deborah Kerbel @deborahkerbel.com · 15/11/2024

Hello to all my #kidlit community peeps! So nice to see so many of you here in the good place 🥰

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Debbie Ridpath Ohi @debbieohi.com · 06/11/2024

Giving away I'M WORRIED & I'M SAD for #IReadCanadianDay to someone in Canada or the U.S. who is feeling this way right now. To enter, reply with the title of a 🇨🇦 Canadian #KidLit book (pls tag author/illus if they're on Bluesky) that isn't mine. I'll use random number picker to select winner on Sat.

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Deborah Kerbel @deborahkerbel.com · 15/10/2024

Some exciting news… 🎉 IGGY's INCLUDED 🎉 Nominated for the Forest of Reading Silver Birch Fiction Award! The Forest of Reading® Program is the largest recreational reading program in 🇨🇦. Last year, almost 270,000 schools/libraries/individuals participated in this incredible program!

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