iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Reposted by Meridth McKean Gimbel

Mark Hoffmann @studiohoffmann.bsky.social · 22/06/2026

Meridth McKean Gimbel is a powerhouse in the #kidlit community. Not only are they a great artist but also a great supporter of great causes. Join me in welcoming @hellomeridth.bsky.social this Thursday day at 6pm Eastern #kidlit #kidlitart #illustration #kidlitillustration

0132

Reposted by Meridth McKean Gimbel

rachel elliott @okieelliott.bsky.social · 31/03/2026

Hi friends! this is still moving through the US Congress. It’s basically an anti-trans censorship bill disguised as “protecting children” (and its worded so vague, a corgi butt could be “obscene”) You wanna do something for #TDOV ? Call your reps. Call for all your trans friends 🤍🩵🩷

0690841

Meridth McKean Gimbel @hellomeridth.bsky.social · 27/03/2026

Awwwwww 🥹 that was really kind of you to say Brian!!

020

Meridth McKean Gimbel @hellomeridth.bsky.social · 19/03/2026

Speak out against the National Book Banning Bill HR 7661 🩷Urge your reps to vote no HR 7661 & to protect kids’ freedom to read. 🤍5calls.org/issue/federal-book-ban-hr7661/ for their script, or see @authorsagainstbookbans or the @americanlibraryassociation statement opposing this bill. /end

022

Meridth McKean Gimbel @hellomeridth.bsky.social · 19/03/2026

To support the Trans Rights Readathon: 🩵 Read books w/ trans MC & by trans authors/illustrators 🩷Uplift trans authors/illustrators 🤍Retweet, repost, highlight &/or positively review these books/creators 🩵Go to @transrightsreadathon for more details, recommendations, &/or donate. 5/

110

Meridth McKean Gimbel @hellomeridth.bsky.social · 19/03/2026

Anyway, there’s a lot going on right now. Give yourself a squeeze, hang in there! And I made you a handy dandy list of quick things you could do to celebrate, uplift, and fight back. I hope you can find the time to do some or all of the suggestions below. (Cookies for those that do!) 4/

100

Meridth McKean Gimbel @hellomeridth.bsky.social · 19/03/2026

This would mean any book featuring trans people would be banned in public schools all across the US. It makes me sad to think that kids would miss out on so many amazing books that would either validate their own lived experience, or it could be a book that makes the world a more tolerant place. 3/

110

Meridth McKean Gimbel @hellomeridth.bsky.social · 19/03/2026

I’ve been thinking about how I see more YA & adult books recs for TRR & we need to include picture books! Especially since we are currently facing a national book ban targeting trans books. The HR 7661 Bill says it would ban any book that “involves gender dysphoria or transgenderism.” 2/

DOOR BY DOOR by Meeg Pincus and art by Meridth Gimbel

121

Meridth McKean Gimbel @hellomeridth.bsky.social · 19/03/2026

Hello lovelies! I’m currently on a deadline, so this post is a double dip.  “Happy Trans Rights Readathon! For those unfamiliar, the goal is to uplift/read/support trans, non-binary, 2Spirit, & gender expansive characters & author/illustrators as well as raise funds for trans causes. 1/

1145

Reposted by Meridth McKean Gimbel

Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani @mayor.nyc.gov · 17/03/2026

Happy St. Patrick's Day, New York.

1008389549564

Meridth McKean Gimbel @hellomeridth.bsky.social · 02/03/2026

Kid me would probably be shocked that I write and illustrate children’s books. With all that’s going on in the world, books will always be my joy, my safe space, and my respite. #thisiswho #kidlit #childrensbookillustrator #childrensbookauthor 1/3

241

Reposted by Meridth McKean Gimbel

Shannon Hale @shannonhale.bsky.social · 23/02/2026

I wrote a piece for an Utah paper about why books that deal with sex and assault are important for teens and shouldn't be labeled as pornography and banned. This is a major issue in my home state where many do not believe sex scenes in books are ever justified. www.sltrib.com/opinion/comm...

sltrib.com

Voices: Reading age-appropriate books about sexual assault would have helped me as a kid. Today’s students deserve better.

“Protecting kids and teens from discussions about sex is not saving them from assaults. And books are not causing the assaults,” writes Shannon Hale in an op-ed. “But books can aid in clarifying what ...

412348

Reposted by Meridth McKean Gimbel

Danielle Froom 🏳️‍🌈 @danifroom.bsky.social · 06/02/2026

"I need AI to make art, human art is only for the rich and privileged-"

Iron Man meme, edited, Obadiah Stane yelling, "Your ancestors made timeless art in a cave! With berries and ash!"

64147565617

Reposted by Meridth McKean Gimbel

Bethany Black @bethanyblack.bsky.social · 20/10/2025

Them: “no one had pronouns in my day” A TV Character from their day:

240871036

Meridth McKean Gimbel @hellomeridth.bsky.social · 19/12/2025

Glad you’re here! Sending a big hug!!

110

Reposted by Meridth McKean Gimbel

Alexandra Thompson @alexandradraws.bsky.social · 05/12/2025

Hi! 👋 I’m Alexandra Thompson, Maine based author & illustrator. I’m currently working on a few new manuscripts, but always on the lookout for a great story filled with heart and humor to bring to life. 🎨 #kidlitartpostcard Rep’d by the wonderful Hannah Mann at Writers House.

Illustration of a young girl walking her too hound on a snowy evening in the city, looking inside a shop window, where there’s a pink sparkly dress perfect for the holidays.

16413

Reposted by Meridth McKean Gimbel

Meridth McKean Gimbel @hellomeridth.bsky.social · 04/12/2025

Hello lovelies! Posting my #KidLitArtPostcard from me and my ornament eating rescue dog, Artichoke. Hope you all have a jolly holiday! >woof woof!< 💚❤️ 🎄I illustrate & write stories for PB & MG, fiction & NF, & GNs 🎄Website: www.MeridthSaysHello.com 🎄Agent: @AllieLevick at Writers House

Dog climbing a Christmas tree. #kidlitpostcard illustrated by Meridth McKean Gimbel

211514

Meridth McKean Gimbel @hellomeridth.bsky.social · 04/12/2025

Aww thanks!! He’s wonderfully wild and definitely an expressive fur baby.

010

Meridth McKean Gimbel @hellomeridth.bsky.social · 04/12/2025

I bet there are some. I think humans are wired similarly. I haven’t seen other illustrations except yours just now, but nobody creates in a vacuum.

010

Meridth McKean Gimbel @hellomeridth.bsky.social · 04/12/2025

Ooh yes! We’re twinsies! You have great ideas! 😘

110

Reposted by Meridth McKean Gimbel

Lindsay Hornsby @fizzlebit.bsky.social · 04/12/2025

Rescue dogs are so wonderful and cute, even when they chomp on your ornaments ❤️

141

Meridth McKean Gimbel @hellomeridth.bsky.social · 04/12/2025

Haha yes, they are worth it, despite the chaotic destruction.

010

Reposted by Meridth McKean Gimbel

DeAndra Hodge | Illustrator and Designer @deandrahodge.bsky.social · 04/12/2025

Last #KidLitArtPostcard of the year! 🎄 Hello Art Directors, I’m DeAndra and I’m looking for work in picture books, chapter books, YA covers and general illustration projects! Find more of my work at www.deandrahodge.com Rep’d by Christy Tugeau Ewers at The CAT Agency, Inc.

25210

Reposted by Meridth McKean Gimbel

Decomposing Dame (Diandra Mae) @diandramae.com · 04/12/2025

Happy #KidLitArtPostcard Day! I’m an author-illustrator who enjoys creating stories about moments- big and small. You can see more of my work at diandramae.com. I am currently seeking representation. 🎨 #kidlitart #kidlit #illustration

A digital illustration done in bold, chalky lines with bright colors shows two young elephant children working together to roll up a ball of snow. They are going to perhaps build a snowman.

37613

Reposted by Meridth McKean Gimbel

Jacob Souva @jacobsouva.bsky.social · 04/12/2025

Happy #KidLitArtPostcard day to all who celebrate. I'm an author and illustrator rep'd by @jenrofe.bsky.social of @andreabrownlit.bsky.social. ✨ My Work: www.twofishillustration.com This image is from the forthcoming Whirby (by @mollyharris.bsky.social, HarperCollins Feb '26). Proud!

A teacher robot is in conversation with a small yellow robot named Whirby, who has just woken up and is on a medical bed.

06910

Reposted by Meridth McKean Gimbel

Steph Lau (she/her) @stephlaubooks.com · 04/12/2025

Happy #KidLitArtPostcard. I'm Steph, an author-illustrator of PBs & GNs. My debut picture book, The Abominable Snow Dancer (Penguin Workshop) came out last month! ❄️Likes stories with misfits and mischief 🩰Used to be a pastry chef 🦄Loves ice cream Rep @allielevick.bsky.social www.stephlaubooks.com

Otto the Abominable Snow Dancer reads a book about ballet, in a cozy green fabric chair. Behind him is a fox, curled up for a nap. Around him, a lamp with ballet shoed legs for a base (which illuminates a cozy evening scene), a Christmas tree with presents, a log with purple mug on purple doily. In the window, Humberto the unicorn watches with love through a frosty window.

1579

Meridth McKean Gimbel @hellomeridth.bsky.social · 04/12/2025

211514

Meridth McKean Gimbel @hellomeridth.bsky.social · 16/11/2025

Aww thanks Clay! I’m grateful to be a part of creating it. 💛💛

010

Meridth McKean Gimbel @hellomeridth.bsky.social · 16/11/2025

Queer & gender diverse people have always been here. Kids should have the right to read books that celebrate people like themselves & to learn from people that are different from them. I wish I had read books about trans history when I was a kid. That’s why I’m making one 💛 end/ #weneeddiversebooks

250

Meridth McKean Gimbel @hellomeridth.bsky.social · 16/11/2025

I remember as a young adult reading about how the history of Tiananmen Square had been removed from the history books in China. It is disturbing that we are heading in that direction. But we still have room to speak up, fight back, and support banned books. 3/

120

Meridth McKean Gimbel @hellomeridth.bsky.social · 16/11/2025

I’m currently editing my stories and circling back to articles and texts that I had read in the past few years. Shockingly, most of the sources I read from US Government websites have disappeared or been dramatically altered. 2/

110

Meridth McKean Gimbel @hellomeridth.bsky.social · 16/11/2025

I have been researching biographies of historical trans figures for my book GETTING TO KNOW YOUR TRANSCESTORS (@harperkids 2028) for 2.5 years now. (My bibliography is around 10 pages long!) 1/

Library of Congress missing historical article

150

Meridth McKean Gimbel @hellomeridth.bsky.social · 06/11/2025

Hello lovelies! It’s #kidlitpostcard day! Sharing an illo I did of #BillyTipton for the pitch packet of GETTING TO KNOW YOUR TRANSCESTORS (out in winter 2028). Who knows what the illos will look like by then but I’m delighted I get 2 spend the little while geeking out about historical #trans figures

Illustration by Meridth McKean Gimbel of Billy Tipton playing the piano

3223

Meridth McKean Gimbel @hellomeridth.bsky.social · 31/10/2025

Hey there Halloweenies! I’m neck deep in edits, so posting an illo from our hallowed past. Here’s to a hauntingly good day. 💀🍁 #kidlit #kidlitart #childrensbooks #childrensbookillustration #picturebookillustration #itsfall #skeleton #graveyard #halloween #meridthmckeangimbel

0202

Reposted by Meridth McKean Gimbel

Debbie Ridpath Ohi @debbieohi.com · 27/10/2025

Do you have a #KidLit or #YALit book launching this wk? Or do you want to help boost someone else's #PublicationDay #BookBirthday? Reply below with info + link to the post. Only for books launching Oct.27-Nov.2, 2025 #2025-Wk44.

Large text reads “KidLit & YA Book Launches Oct. 27 – Nov. 2, 2025.” Smaller text says “Is your book launching this week? Reply to this thread with info and a link to your Bluesky post.” Bottom line reads “Bluesky launch thread 2025-Wk44 created by @debbieohi.com #KidLit #PublicationDay #BookBirthday.” Bright graphic background shows confetti, ribbons, and candies.

62813

Meridth McKean Gimbel @hellomeridth.bsky.social · 21/10/2025

It’s officially official!!! Courtney Stevenson @harpercollins has bought my book GETTING TO KNOW YOUR TRANSCESTORS!!! (To be released winter 2028.) Eeeeeee!!!! 👀 #kidlit #middlegradebooks #HistoryNerd #GettingToKnowYourTranscestors #Transcestors #TransHistory

Announcing GETTING TO KNOW YOUR TRANSCESTORS by Meridth McKean Gimbel

0161

Reposted by Meridth McKean Gimbel

Kris Easler @kriseasler.bsky.social · 14/10/2025

Hi #portfolioday! I’m Kris Easler, a #kidlitillustrator based in Minnesota who is looking for work in picture through middle grade books. Check out more of my work at www.kriseasler.com Repd by @jenrofe.bsky.social of @andreabrownlit.bsky.social

Color illustration of a girl and an old woman in a hollowed out tree surrounded by birds, watching a glowing egg hatching

Black and white illustration of a kid dressed up as a ghost for trick-or-treating, excitedly conversing with an actual ghost of a girl floating along next to them

Color illustration of two werewolf pups “begging” for treats, while a hand holds out a dog treat

A color illustration of a boy with blank pages around him on the floor, looking lost and frustrated, while a nebulous blue and purple “brain fog” floats above him.

110120