iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Emily Starr @emilystarr.bsky.social · 08/09/2026

August's STEM nonfiction new releases are up on my Facebook Page. I can't wait to read Stone by Stone by fellow Iowa Author Melissa Koch, and I always love Catherine Barr's eloquent explanations! www.facebook.com/starrmatica #ELAteacher #KidLit

030

Emily Starr @emilystarr.bsky.social · 06/08/2026

Does anyone else constantly connect experiences to picture books? In my latest blog post, I share my family's trip along Lake Superior as told though picture books! starrmatica.com/a-family-tri... #ELAteacher #KidLit #STEM #picturebooks

020

Emily Starr @emilystarr.bsky.social · 13/07/2026

June's STEM nonfiction new releases are up on my Facebook Page - fifteen titles! This month I included browseable books. www.facebook.com/starrmatica #ELAteacher #KidLit

071

Emily Starr @emilystarr.bsky.social · 24/06/2026

SCIENCE NOTEBOOK ACTIVITY #2: Wondering While Wandering 1. Read: Buzzing with Questions by Janice N. Harrington 2. Go on a walk. Write 10 questions. Share your favorites! Ours: * Why are ants so fast? * Why do trees make a new ring each year? * What are cows saying? Will we ever have a translator?

010

Emily Starr @emilystarr.bsky.social · 20/06/2026

Join me and my boys for a science notebook summer! SCIENCE NOTEBOOK ACTIVITY #1 1. Read: Tiny Perfect Things by M.H. Clark 2. Grab a notebook and document a tiny perfect thing. 3. Watch the first episode of John Muir Law's Nature Journal Connection: johnmuirlaws.com/the-nature-j...

000

Emily Starr @emilystarr.bsky.social · 18/06/2026

This is one of my favorite strategies to share! If you need phenomenon ideas for a specific picture book, DM me!

010

Emily Starr @emilystarr.bsky.social · 06/04/2026

Watching the historic Artemis II fly by! www.youtube.com/nasa A local school district asked me to create a list of STEM picture books to accompany their traveling planetarium. You can share these engaging read alouds with your space-curious students! starrmatica.com/wp-content/u...

021

Emily Starr @emilystarr.bsky.social · 06/04/2026

How to Hatch is the perfect STEM read aloud for spring! BEFORE READING: Cultivate curiosity and create a shared experience by noticing and wondering about this egg hatching video: www.youtube.com/watch?v=akAF... Here is a see, think, wonder template: thinkingpathwayz.weebly.com/uploads/1/0/...

000

Emily Starr @emilystarr.bsky.social · 04/03/2026

Now that you know the many benefits of reading aloud. . . (If you don't check out my last post: starrmatica.com/want-to-stre...) . . . let's talk about how to find more time to read aloud. I suggest The Sprinkle Method: starrmatica.com/the-sprinkle...

000

Emily Starr @emilystarr.bsky.social · 22/02/2026

Are you a teacher that loves to read aloud, yet feels like you are somehow "taking a break?" You are not. You are doing important brain building work, and now you have the research to prove it! Check out my blog post and be sure to grab the printable! starrmatica.com/want-to-stre...

012

Emily Starr @emilystarr.bsky.social · 06/01/2026

Need some STEM-spiration in the new year? Join me next week to mine every K-5 science standard for ideas and insights to fuel your 2026 manuscripts! Learn more and register here: starrmatica.com/k5standards/

010

Emily Starr @emilystarr.bsky.social · 10/10/2025

What a thrill it was to have the opportunity to "talk science" with my mentor, Kirsten Larson!

281

Emily Starr @emilystarr.bsky.social · 29/09/2025

I just polished the slides for the first webinar in my K-5 Science Deep Dive. There is still time to sign up to explore the science and engineering practices at 11 am CDT. All webinars are recorded, and the handouts are stellar! Learn more: www.starrmatica.com/kidlitscienc...

000

Emily Starr @emilystarr.bsky.social · 03/09/2025

When I am here, it is to share something exciting! Do you write STEM-themed nonfiction or fiction? Join me for a deep dive into K-5 science! Attend 1 session or all 5 in this webinar series designed to help #kidlit creators master the seismic shifts in science ed. starrmatica.com/kidlitscienc...

053

Emily Starr @emilystarr.bsky.social · 23/02/2025

Do you write STEM picture books? Come learn about the inner workings of elementary science classrooms to strengthen your partnership with educators and deepen your positive impact on young readers! You can learn more and register here: www.starrmatica.com/kidlitscience

194

Emily Starr @emilystarr.bsky.social · 14/12/2024

My nearest indie bookstore is an hour and a half drive from my home, so I always seek one out when traveling. Next Page Books in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, filled me with wonder and delight. Of course, I bought two favorites from a fellow Iowa author!

040

Emily Starr @emilystarr.bsky.social · 04/12/2024

I need to keep a spotlight in the back of my car. This would have made for a very interesting photograph before the sun went down. Make a prediction and then check the comments to see what wildlife was making a ruckus in this tree near my home in Iowa last night.

150

Reposted by Emily Starr

JenSwanBooks STEM Author @jenswanbooks.bsky.social · 25/11/2024

Sometimes your books take you the most amazing places and give you the most incredible opportunities... #lovemyjob I'm a LEGO Minifigure! Check out this video to learn how this happened www.youtube.com/shorts/VBhFe... And learn about World Book Day in London next March! #kidlitcommunity #science

051

Emily Starr @emilystarr.bsky.social · 23/11/2024

When you write so much that two keys call it quits... I guess I need to make more exclamations and ask an uncomfortable number of questions in the near future!

260

Emily Starr @emilystarr.bsky.social · 23/11/2024

It is fun to celebrate the successes of agent siblings!

120

Emily Starr @emilystarr.bsky.social · 22/11/2024

Butt-breathing turtles, Mars mountains, and ninja sea urchins fill the pages of this week's Five Friday Favorites! starrmatica.com/five-friday-... What were your favorite reads this week? #KidsLoveNonfiction #kidlit #EduSky #teachers #librarians

Five nonfiction book covers are shown on a graphic titled: Five Friday Favorites. Also shown is a graphic of a girl hugging a stack of books.

030

Emily Starr @emilystarr.bsky.social · 22/11/2024

One of the most powerful, yet simple, nonfiction strategies I share is engaging students in noticing and wondering with science phenomena before a read aloud. Check out a few examples on my blog: starrmatica.com/engaging-stu... #STEMForKids #teachers #librarians #KidsLoveNonfiction #kidlit

Image title: Engaging with Science Phenomena in Ela Images include: Screen shots of a map, the picture book "Make Way for Animals" and elk crossing a road next to a clip art graphic of an open book and science objects.

000

Reposted by Emily Starr

Melissa Stewart @mstewartscience.bsky.social · 14/11/2024

It's Time for the Sibert Smackdown! Introduce students to great nonfiction titles that may win the ALA Youth Media Award's Sibert Medal. tinyurl.com/y7ka7dp8 #edusky #kidlit #kidslovenonfiction

0228

Emily Starr @emilystarr.bsky.social · 15/11/2024

Every Friday on StarrMatica's blog, I share five favorite nonfiction picture books I read (or re-read!) the previous week. Are any of these new to you? starrmatica.com/five-friday-...

040

Reposted by Emily Starr

Mindy Alyse Weiss @mindyalyseweiss.bsky.social · 25/03/2024

The #PBParty finalist showcase is open. Wahoooo! I can't wait for you to read the incredible entries & see the stunning illustrations. Comments are for agent/editor/AD requests only. mindyalyseweiss.com/... Author/illus entries are at the end before the Illustration Showcase

1186

Emily Starr @emilystarr.bsky.social · 22/03/2024

A first post should be epic, right? I think this qualifies! Chosen out of nearly 1100 picture book manuscripts, the top 55 (including my entry!) can be browsed along with the illustrator showcase starting this Monday. mindyalyseweiss.com/pbparty-2024...

130