iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Ebony Lynn Mudd (she/her) @ebonylynnmudd.bsky.social · 04/06/2026

Have yall met @clayadamah.bsky.social ?? What better way than to meet them through their art and a little bit of their childhood!

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PB Rising Stars @pbrisingstars.bsky.social · 14/03/2026

⭐️Applications for PB Rising Stars Are Now Closed⭐️ Sound off in the comments: did you apply? We want to thank every person who trusted us with their work for the last five years. Whether you were an applicant, an honorable mention, a runner up, or a mentee of mentor, you mean the world to us.

2026 mentee applications closed. Thanks for applying

2026 pb rising stars mentees will be announced live on May 12th at 8:00 pm wasted time. Runners up and honorable mentions will also be announced live in May. Register now at www.pbrisingstars.com

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PB Rising Stars @pbrisingstars.bsky.social · 13/03/2026

⭐️Ready For a Challenge?⭐️ #pbrisingstars applications close TONIGHT at 11:59 pm Eastern Time for the fifth and FINAL time. That means this is your LAST chance at joining our community. #kidlit #kidlitart #picturebook #author

A graphic with a spaceship and person in a spacesuit holding a microphone against a galaxy background. Text says “ONE MORE APP!”

Mentee applications close TONIGHT 11:59 pm eastern.

Last chance to apply to be a 2026 PB Rising Asgard Mentee

Apply at www.pbrisingstars.com/mentors

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PB Rising Stars @pbrisingstars.bsky.social · 12/03/2026

⭐️Tomorrow is your LAST chance to apply to be a #pbrisingstars mentee⭐️ So let’s chat! Tell us: - have you applied yet or are you waiting til the final moments? #kidlit #illustration #kidlitart #picturebook

Image Description:
An orange and yellow graphic that says:
Mentee applications close tomorrow!

Will you look at our mentors one more time?

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PB Rising Stars @pbrisingstars.bsky.social · 09/03/2026

Do you create lyrical picture book stories or art? Then we want to see them at #pbrisingstars! If gorgeous language, poetic devices, rhythmic cadence, imagery, and more are your things? Then these mentors are right for you! #kidlit #author #writing #illustrator

A yellow and orange graphic with a space suite holding a sign. Text says:
6 days left to apply.

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PB Rising Stars @pbrisingstars.bsky.social · 08/03/2026

Time for another chance to help us spread the word about the fifth and FINAL year of #pbrisingstars ✨ Do you know a friend who writes picture book manuscripts with that special “it” factor? #kidlit #author #picturebook #writer

A graphic introducing mentor Tonya Duncan Ellis and her book, THEY BUILT ME FOR FREEDOM

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PB Rising Stars @pbrisingstars.bsky.social · 08/03/2026

⭐️ SEL Picture Book Creators: take note ⭐️ If your work has a layer of social-emotional learning, these mentors want to see it! SEL books are truly important, so of course our #PBRisingStars mentors are excited about them too! #kidlit #author #picturebook #illustrator

A yellow and orange graphic with a space suite holding a sign. Text says:
5 days left to apply

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PB Rising Stars @pbrisingstars.bsky.social · 07/03/2026

⭐️ if you’re funny and you know it, raise your hand! ⭐️ This year we have LOTS of mentors wanting to see your humorous text and/or art! So if you’re making kids laugh and ready to take it to the next level, make sure to add these mentors to your list of who to apply to! #kidlit #author #illustrator

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PB Rising Stars @pbrisingstars.bsky.social · 06/03/2026

Spread the #pbrisingstars love! Tag a friend who you know NEEDS to apply to work with Steph Littlebird! For the final week that applications are open, we will be highlighting one mentor and encouraging you to apply and tag your friends who NEED to to know about this program!

7 days left until mentee applications close.

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PB Rising Stars @pbrisingstars.bsky.social · 03/03/2026

One of the things we’re most proud of at #pbrisingstars is our commitment to create a space that reflects what publishing SHOULD look like! That’s why we hope our BIPOC applicants will apply widely to every mentor they are eligible for! #kidlit #picturebook #author #illustrator

A yellow and orange graphic with a space suite and star balloon. Text says:
Apply now
February 27-March 13

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PB Rising Stars @pbrisingstars.bsky.social · 01/03/2026

⭐️Calling all Cultural Picture Book Creators⭐️ Are you ready to level up your craft? Do you need help taking your story or art where you want it to go? A guiding hand to help you find the voice, the heart, and more?

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PB Rising Stars @pbrisingstars.bsky.social · 27/02/2026

⭐️IT’S TIME⭐️ #pbrisingstars applications are now open! Are you ready to improve your craft as a picture book creator, working with an experienced mentor for FREE?? Then our program is for you!

A graphic with orange and yellow swirls with a space suit clip art holding a star balloon.

Text says: Aoply Now February 27 to March 13

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PB Rising Stars @pbrisingstars.bsky.social · 23/02/2026

Looking for a mentor who helps you see the big picture? Meet #PBRisingStars mentor Jasmine Fang! ✨ She shines at finding the heart of a story, big-picture edits, and guiding creators through querying, acquisitions, and the author-agent relationship #kidlit #author #picturebook #writer .

A graphic with yellow and orange buttons and a photo introducing PB Rising Stars Mentor, Jasmine Fang

Text says:

Unagented authors may apply.
Www.pbrisingstars.com/jasmine

Wish list:
Diverse Voices
Family/Tradition
Community
Humor with heart
Whimsy
Hard Topics

This is only a snapshot. Please visit Jasmine’s mentor page for a full wishlist at

www.pbrisingstars.com/jasmine

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PB Rising Stars @pbrisingstars.bsky.social · 23/02/2026

Make some noise for FOUR-TIME #PBRisingStars mentor Anne Appert! 🎉 Anne is an award-winning artist who thrives on whimsy, humor, bold color, and authentic storytelling #kidlit #illustrator #kidlitart #picturebook

A graphic with yellow and orange buttons and a photo introducing PB Rising Stars Mentor, Anne Appert

Text says:

Unagented illustrators and author-illustrators from any background may apply. Unagented trans or non binary text only authors may also apply.
Www.pbrisingstars.com/anne

Wish list:
Creators working with a variety of genres/styles
Creators working in Procreate or Photoshop
Illustrators who work in water colors or gouache
Humor
Subversive stories/art
Stories about anxiety and mental health

This is only a snapshot. Please visit Anne’s mentor page for a full wishlist at

www.pbrisingstars.com/anne

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PB Rising Stars @pbrisingstars.bsky.social · 24/02/2026

Surprise!! We are thrilled to announce that Kathryn Rammell is joining the 2026 #PBRisingStars mentors!! Kathryn was a 2022 mentee, became a mentor in 2024, and is back for our fifth and FINAL year!! Talk about a full circle moment! #kidlit #kidlitart #author #illustrator

A graphic with yellow and orange buttons and a photo introducing PB Rising Stars Mentor, Kathryn Rammell

Text says:

Unagented author-illustrators may apply.
Www.pbrisingstars.com/kathryn

Wish list:
Family fun
Low word count/wordless
Whimsical/imaginative/fantasy
Humor
Retellings
Flawed characters

This is only a snapshot. Please visit Kathryn’s mentor page for a full wishlist at

www.pbrisingstars.com/kathryn

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PB Rising Stars @pbrisingstars.bsky.social · 15/02/2026

We’re beyond excited to introduce award-winning #PBRisingStars mentor Gwendolyn Wallace! 🎉 Gwendolyn blends STEM, history (especially Black history), and genre storytelling into kid-friendly, compelling books—and as a Gen Z author, she knows how to use social media to grow an author platform.

A graphic with yellow and orange buttons and a photo introducing PB Rising Stars Mentor, Gwendolyn Wallace

Text says:

Unagented authors may apply
Www.pbrisingstars.com/gwendolyn

Wish List:
Historical fiction
Black history
Cultural
STEM
Stories that explore abolition and world building
Radical imagination

This is only a snapshot. Please visit Gwendolyn’s mentor page for a full wishlist at

www.pbrisingstars.com/gwendolyn

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PB Rising Stars @pbrisingstars.bsky.social · 14/02/2026

Today we’re welcoming back–and reintroducing you to–TWO-TIME #pbrisingstars mentor, Tonya Duncan Ellis! Tonya is a lyrical writing BOSS, and her knack for developing strong hooks in unparalleled.

A graphic with yellow and orange buttons and a photo introducing PB Rising Stars Mentor, Tonya Duncan Ellis

Text says:

Unagented authors may apply
Www.pbrisingstars.com/tonya

Wish list:
Lyrical writing
Fiction
Historical fiction
Nonfiction
BIPOC Voices

This is only a snapshot. Please visit Tonya’s mentor page for a full wishlist at
www.pbrisingstars.com/tonya

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PB Rising Stars @pbrisingstars.bsky.social · 25/01/2026

Say hello to our next #pbrisingstars mentor! Adam Rex is the award-winning author of more than 40 picture books, and he’s a humor WIZARD — on the page AND in the art.

A graphic with yellow and orange buttons and a photo introducing Adam Rex.

Text says:
Unagented AND agented text only authors, illustrators, and author-illustrators may apply
Www.pbrisingstars.com/adam

Wish list:
Illustrators who work in most mediums
Photoshop and procreate
Experimental text and illustration
Humor
Prose
Rhyming poetry

This is only a snapshot. Please visit Adam’s mentor page for a full wishlist at

Www.pbrisingstars.com/adam

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PB Rising Stars @pbrisingstars.bsky.social · 25/01/2026

Meet our first #PBRisingStars mentor, Nada Shawish Dutka! ✨ Nada loves both literary AND commercial PBs—especially stories that spotlight underrepresented characters. She’s all about moody, spooky vibes 👻, sharp dialogue, immersive settings, and making BIG themes feel accessible to kids. 1/3

A graphic with yellow and orange buttons and a photo introducing Nada Shawish Dutka.

Text says:
Unagented authors may apply
Www.pbrisingstars.com/nada

Wish list:
Fiction
Moody manuscripts
Scary adventures
Multigenerational
Big heart
Fairy and folktales

This is only a snapshot. Please visit Nada’s mentor page for a full wishlist at

Www.pbrisingstars.com/nada

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PB Rising Stars @pbrisingstars.bsky.social · 24/01/2026

⭐️Get Ready To Prep Those Applications! ⭐️ Starting tomorrow we will highlight one or two mentors every day so you can get to know them and see a snapshot of their wishlists! We hope you will consider EVERY mentor that you are eligible for. Make sure to visit their FULL profile. #kidlit #kidlitart

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PB Rising Stars @pbrisingstars.bsky.social · 23/01/2026

⭐️Announcing 40 INCREDIBLE MENTORS! ⭐️ Just look at some of the books from our 2026 mentors!! Miss the big announcement? Follow the link to kidlit 411 to see the news! . www.kidlit411.com/2026/01/the-... How are you feeling? . #picturebook #pbrisingstars #kidlitillustration #kidlit #amwriting

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Ebony Lynn Mudd (she/her) @ebonylynnmudd.bsky.social · 31/12/2025

🎉Me and @mychal3ts.bsky.social are throwing a New Year’s Day family-friendly, bookish celebration tomorrow! And it’s virtual & FREE!!! The DOUBLE THE BOOK JOY PREORDER PARTY will have draw-alongs, surprise guests, read alouds, and more! Register here: www.ebonylynnmudd.com/bookjoyparty #kidlit

On a rainbow background, Ebony lynn Mudd and Mychal Threets hold up their debut picture books and smile. Text reads double the book joy preorder party in big letters and a virtual family new years celebration in smaller letters under their photo.

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PB Rising Stars @pbrisingstars.bsky.social · 29/12/2025

⭐️As we WRAP up 2025, take a look at our #PBRisingStars wrapped! ⭐️ Swipe through to see what happened with PBRisingStars in 2025! And don’t miss our big news with a sneak peek for 2026 on the last slide! Are you hoping to snag one of those slots?? . #kidlit #kidlitpostcard #picturebook #illustrator

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PB Rising Stars @pbrisingstars.bsky.social · 08/12/2025

⭐️ Interested in being a 2026 #pbrisingstars Mentee for our fifth and FINAL year? ⭐️ Check your eligibility below and let us know if you're applying! Any questions? Leave a comment, and we’ll answer them! Check out website out here: www.pbrisingstars.com/mentees #kidli #kidlitart #kidlitpostcard

⭐️ Calling all 2026 #PBRisingStars applicants! ⭐️

Make sure to check your eligibility before preparing those applications!

In order to apply you:

⭐️ Must be 18 years or older

⭐️ Must be a PICTURE BOOK creator

⭐️ May be Unagented OR agented but must not have a PICTURE BOOK deal sold by an agent

⭐️ Must not have been or be scheduled to be a PICTURE BOOK MENTEE in another program any time between January 2025 and September 2026

⭐️ Must not use AI engines to create art, text, or application responses

Any questions about eligibility? Drop them in the comments below and we’ll answer them!

💫And don’t forget to mark your calendars with our application window: February 27 - March 13 2026. This is our LAST year at PB Rising Stars, so don’t miss your final chance to apply! 💫

#kidli #kidlitart #picturebooks #kidlitillustration #kidlitpostcard

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PB Rising Stars @pbrisingstars.bsky.social · 01/12/2025

⭐️Today is the day! ⭐️ Every single important #PBRisingStars 2026 date is officially live on our website! So run, don’t walk, to pbrisingstars.com to learn more and see what our FIFTH and FINAL year of mentorship has in store! #kidlit #kidlitart #kidlitillustration #kidlitartist #kidlitpostcard

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PB Rising Stars @pbrisingstars.bsky.social · 04/11/2025

Did you miss the live debriefing about our big announcement? No problem! We are answering some of your biggest questions about the FINAL year of #PBRisingStars! Wondering what applicants can expect for the final year of PBRS? Watch the video below to hear! #kidlit #kidlitchat #kidlitpostcard

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Liz Lazar (she/her) @lizlazarlit.bsky.social · 30/10/2025

#pbrisingstars has been the most rewarding experience of my time writing #picturebooks. The organizers, mentors, and community has shaped me both as a professional and as a human being. It’s bittersweet, but I know they’ll be with me for years to come. If you’re on the fence: NOW IS THE TIME!

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Brooke Baum @brookebaum.bsky.social · 31/10/2025

I cannot say enough wonderful things about PBRS. Seriously, it is ✨life-changing✨. If you want to jump-start your PB career, make brilliant and incredible friends, and grow as a creator and person, you NEED to apply next year!!! #kidlit #kidlitart @pbrisingstars.bsky.social

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PB Rising Stars @pbrisingstars.bsky.social · 27/10/2025

✨3 days until our BIG announcement!! We're pulling back the curtain on all things PBRS and giving hints leading up to the final reveal! Read to see what 2022 mentee turned co-director @laylafallah.bsky.social has to say about what makes PBRS so special + a major hint for Thursday! #pbrisingstars

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PB Rising Stars @pbrisingstars.bsky.social · 23/10/2025

⭐️ GIVEAWAY TIME! ⭐️ We’re just ONE WEEK from our big, history-making #PBRisingStars announcement, so let’s celebrate with 4 incredible picture books from past mentors! 📚✨ To enter: 1️⃣ Follow us on Bluesky 2️⃣ Like this post 3️⃣ Tag a friend (1 tag = 1 entry!) Winner announced on 10/30 with our big news!

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PB Rising Stars @pbrisingstars.bsky.social · 20/10/2025

💫 We’re back on Bluesky and on October 30th, we're making our BIGGEST ANNOUNCEMENT EVER at #PBRisingStars! 💫 In 4 years, 78 mentors have helped 95 mentees grow their craft, confidence, & careers. And soon… we’ll cross the ⭐️100 mentee⭐️ milestone! But what's next?👀 www.pbrisingstars.com/subscribe

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April Berry | KidLit @aprilberrybooks.bsky.social · 25/09/2025

OMGoodness, #kidlit friends! You are all so funny. 😂 It was so difficult (yet so very fun) judging the #KidlitChuckleChallenge entries this year! I'm super excited to share that these folks are prize-winning KIDLIT CHUCKLE CHAMPIONS. 🏆✨ Congratulations to this year's winners!🎉

List of the 2025 winners for the Kidlit Chuckle Challenge humor writing contest

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PB Rising Stars @pbrisingstars.bsky.social · 27/05/2025

Think choosing a mentee was easy for our mentors? Think again! Hear what @nellcrossbeckerman.bsky.social had to say about how WOWed she was by the talent and storytelling in her apps, and use this as motivation as you keep writing and revising this summer! #pbrisingstars #kidlit #kidlitmegafeed

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Brooke Baum @brookebaum.bsky.social · 24/05/2025

I created a starter pack of the 2025 #PBRisingStars 2025 Mentees, Runners-Up, and Honorable Mentions. You know you want to follow all these ✨rising stars✨ (and, yes, this is obviously mildly self-serving 😂) If I missed you, DM me! #kidlit #kidlitart go.bsky.app/5beJGx3

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PB Rising Stars @pbrisingstars.bsky.social · 23/05/2025

It's been ONE week since we announced our 2025 #pbrisingstars Mentees! With 2,403 applications, Mentors had impossible decisions to make! Have you wondered what each mentor's process was like?! Check out what Mentor Jackie Morera said about how she chose her mentee below👇🏾 #kitlitmegafeed #kidlit

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PB Rising Stars @pbrisingstars.bsky.social · 19/05/2025

It's time to ASK @natashakhankazi.bsky.social anything!!!! Today only until 9 PM Eastern Time, comment your questions and Natasha will pop in today to answer!!! Questions about publishing? An artist interested in writing? Let us know below!!! #kidlit #kidlitart #askmeanything #pbrisingstars

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Chloe Ito Ward @chloeitoward.bsky.social · 18/05/2025

#Kidlit friends 💔 Please share this far and wide Our dear friend, Trenise Sabin, was the victim of a major burglary over the weekend. She and her husband Travis have lost everything— from clothing and appliances to irreplaceable items from their recent wedding and the urn gofund.me/ce50d993

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PB Rising Stars @pbrisingstars.bsky.social · 16/05/2025

PRESENTING: the 2025 PB RISING STARS mentees, runners up, and honorable mentions! 🤩🤩🤩 We’re thrilled to work with our 28 new mentees, and we’re so proud of our RUs and HMs. CONGRATS TO ALL! ⭐️⭐️⭐️

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Maruga Koops illustratie @maruga-koops.bsky.social · 06/02/2025

Hello, hello! My name is Maruga, an illustrator from the Netherlands. I love to create illustrations for children’s books and greeting cards. Diversity and representation are important themes in my work. I especially would love to connect with: #illustrators #artdirectors #editors #booklovers

Illustration of 8 diverse kids looking down in a circle

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PB Rising Stars @pbrisingstars.bsky.social · 15/05/2025

Today’s the BIG DAY!! Tonight, we’ll be announcing our 2025 #PBRisingStars mentees! We’re so blown away by ALL of you who and are in awe of your talent. 🥹🥹🥹 Check out what Mentor Alliah L. Agostini said about reading all of your work, and we’ll see you soon! 👇🏾 #pbrisingstars #kidlit

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PB Rising Stars @pbrisingstars.bsky.social · 13/05/2025

TWO more days until the 2025 PBRS mentees are announced! And this summer, mentees and mentors will get to learn craft from TWO of the best in the game — Jarrett and Jerome Pumphrey! 🤩🤩🤩

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PB Rising Stars @pbrisingstars.bsky.social · 13/05/2025

Three more days until we announce 2025 #PBRisingStars mentees! And did you know? Mentees get THREE things beyond 1:1 mentorship: ⭐️ Craft workshops with the pros ⭐️ Access to PBRS events ⭐️ A private mentee discord Can’t wait to announce who’s joining the PBRS family in 3 days! #kidlit

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PB Rising Stars @pbrisingstars.bsky.social · 08/05/2025

Guess what?! We’re officially ONE WEEK OUT from announcing the class of 2025 #PBRisingStars mentees and WE CANNOT WAIT!!! 🤩 Register now so YOU can be there live when your name is called! 🤞🏾 us06web.zoom.us/webinar/regi... #pbrisingstars #kidlit #kidlitcommunity #amwriting #amillustrating

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PB Rising Stars @pbrisingstars.bsky.social · 07/05/2025

Today we’re screaming THANK YOU to orgs like @scbwi.bsky.social, @kidlit411.bsky.social, @lasmusasbooks.bsky.social, @mindyalyseweiss.bsky.social & the #PBParty team, @subitclub.bsky.social, BCHQ and KidLit In Color for all the support they’ve given in helping us spread the word this year!

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PB Rising Stars @pbrisingstars.bsky.social · 05/05/2025

#PBRisingStars mentor @jmorerabooks.bsky.social has a NEW BOOK dropping in EIGHT days, so let’s run those pre-order numbers up! TOGETHER WE REMEMBER is an imaginative exploration of finding joy amidst grieving, and we can’t wait to read! Pre-order your copy today: bookshop.org/p/books/toge...

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PB Rising Stars @pbrisingstars.bsky.social · 02/05/2025

It’s #FunFriday around these parts, #PBRisingStars friends and family, so we want to play another game! FINISH THE SENTENCE: The PB Rising Stars mentees are… ✍🏽 ✍🏽 ✍🏽 ⭐️Comment below to complete the thought! 👇🏾⭐️ #kidlit #kidlitcommunity #picturebooks #kidlitmegafeed

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Anne Appert (they/them) @anneappert.bsky.social · 30/04/2025

👀👀👀 So excited! Such a hard decision this year, but I can’t WAIT for the mentee class announcement. 🥳🥳🥳 @pbrisingstars.bsky.social, summer 2025 is going to be amazing!

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Ebony Lynn Mudd (she/her) @ebonylynnmudd.bsky.social · 30/04/2025

🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🫵🏾🫵🏾🫵🏾🫵🏾🫵🏾🫵🏾🫵🏾🫵🏾🫵🏾

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