iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Karen Autio @handle.invalid · 25/09/2026

I’m doing short virtual visits with students on I Read Canadian Day, November 4! What timing as my picture book SKATING DAY! for ages 3-7 releases the day before. 😊 Canadian authors and illustrators & educators can SIGN UP by September 30! ireadcanadian.com/day/ #IReadCanadian #AuthorVisit #KidLit

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Karen Autio @handle.invalid · 17/09/2026

A waiting-room bear with #orthotics at my daughter's orthotist = a fun welcome for young clients. SKATING DAY! will join I CAN, TOO! there, with copies on order to be shared with young clients. Thank you! Illustrations @laura-jane-watson.bsky.social @picturebookseh.bsky.social #PictureBook #skating

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Karen Autio @handle.invalid · 12/08/2026

Families exploring the Cochrane Ranche can now enjoy a #StoryWalk of I Can, Too! by Karen Autio, illustrated by Laura Watson. The I Can, Too! StoryWalk will remain at the Cochrane Ranche until Aug. 19. @laura-jane-watson.bsky.social #Cochrane #PictureBook #mobility

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Karen Autio @handle.invalid · 10/06/2026

Mailbox surprise! Advance copies of my new #PictureBook in English (Scholastic Canada) and #French (as ALLONS PATINER! by Éditions Scholastic). Available in Scholastic Canada Book Fairs this fall! Illustrations by @laura-jane-watson.bsky.social @picturebookseh.bsky.social #skating #ParaIceHockey

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Karen Autio @handle.invalid · 08/06/2026

Nov 4 Canadian authors & illustrators are volunteering for FREE short virtual readings of their books in classrooms & libraries across Canada on #IReadCanadian Day & I’m signed up! @laura-jane-watson.bsky.social #IReadCanadian #IWriteCanadian #CanKidLit #ChildrensBooks www.ireadcanadian.com/day/

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Karen Autio @handle.invalid · 05/06/2026

How exciting to see the Indonesian edition of I CAN, TOO! The ebook AKU JUGA BISA is now part of a collection on the Indonesian Ministry of Education’s website for educators. A huge thank you to Scholastic Canada & the Indonesian translation team! @laura-jane-watson.bsky.social

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Karen Autio @handle.invalid · 01/06/2026

It's #NationalAccessAbilityWeek (May 31-June 6) & in Canada, June is National Spina Bifida Awareness Month. The inspiration for my disability-inclusive picture books comes from my daughter who was born with #SpinaBifida. Build a Strong, Accessible Canada! @laura-jane-watson.bsky.social #NAAW2026

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Karen Autio @handle.invalid · 15/04/2026

So exciting to see these copies of my KAH-LAN AND THE STINK-INK on their way to a local school to be used for literature circles! We otter take good care of our ocean 🦦🌊 #ocean #SeaOtter #ChapterBook #LitCircle

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Picture books, eh! @picturebookseh.bsky.social · 12/03/2026

#GIVEAWAY To celebrate the launch of #PictureBooksEh 2026, we’re giving away 4 manuscript crits & many PBs! Details on website below. To enter: 1. Follow @picturebookseh.bsky.social 2. Like + repost this post (extra entry for tagging a friend) 3. Winners announced Mar. 27 at 9 am #kidlit #cankidlit

picturebookseh.weebly.com

Picture Books, Eh! launches in 2026!

There are many wonderful places where readers of all ages, including teachers, librarians and booksellers, can discover new Canadian picture books, and Picture Books, Eh! is one of them! We are...

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Karen Autio @handle.invalid · 04/03/2026

COVER REVEAL! SKATING DAY! Illustrator: Laura Watson Scholastic Canada For ages 3-7 Releases Nov. 1, 2026 With a little support from great friends, skating day can be fun for everyone! Available for pre-order now. @laura-jane-watson.bsky.social #NewPictureBook #AdaptiveSport #DisabilityBooksForKids

Three friends skating at rink, two using skates, one using a sledge/sled

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Cynthia Mackey, Butterfly Sea, out now! @booksbycindy.bsky.social · 09/02/2026

4 🇨🇦 books full of ❤️ Friendship, family, and ❤️ for 🍃 Play date Surprise by @karenautio.bsky.social and Laura Watson Kenzie’s Little Tree by @alisonmcgauley.bsky.social and Emilie Leduc Butterfly Sea by me and @marielaurecouet.bsky.social If a Bumblebee Lands on Your Toe by me and Vikki Zhang

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Karen Autio @handle.invalid · 02/02/2026

AUTHOR BOOK SIGNING Coles – Cherry Lane Shopping Centre in Penticton, BC, on ProD Day February 13 11am – 3pm featuring GROWING UP IN WILD HORSE CANYON Okanagan history I CAN, TOO! and PLAYDATE SURPRISE Inclusion, accessibility & friendship KAH-LAN AND THE STINK-INK Sea otter adventure

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Caroline Fernandez @parentclub.bsky.social · 11/11/2025

Remembrance day #kidlit (1 of 2) Stealing Home @jtorrescomics.bsky.social What if Soliders... @heathercamlot.bsky.social Making Bombs.. @marshaskrypuch.bsky.social September 17 Amanda West Lewis Sabotage @karenautio.bsky.social #remembrancedaybooksforkids

My Remembrance day #kidlit recommendations:

Picture Books:
Girl Takes a Drastic Step by Jillian Dobson
Sergeant Billy by Mireille Messier
Two Pieces of Chocolate by Kathy Kacer
I Didn't Stand Up by Lucy Falcone (inspired by the poem First They Came – by Pastor Martin Niemöller)

Middle grade books:
Stealing Home by J Torres
What if Soliders Fought With Pillows by Heather Camlot
Making Bombs for Hitler by Marsha Skrypuch
September 17 by Amanda West Lewis
Sabotage by Karen Autio

#KidLit #remembrancedaybooksforkids

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Karen Autio @handle.invalid · 05/11/2025

Happy I Read Canadian Day! Today is a national celebration of Canadian books for young people, with the goal of elevating the genre and celebrating the breadth and diversity of these books. I read (and write) Canadian! #IReadCanadianDay #PictureBooks #ChapterBooks #MiddleGradeNovels #Canadian

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Karen Autio @handle.invalid · 30/10/2025

Mighty fine addition to the cover of PLAYDATE SURPRISE! 😊Thank you, Scholastic Canada for the updated cover. WINNER The Word Award 2025 Books – Children – General Market! thewordguild.com/wp-content/u... @laura-jane-watson.bsky.social #inclusion #accessibility #DisabilityPictureBook #BookAwards

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Karen Autio @handle.invalid · 05/10/2025

I’m thrilled that my disability-inclusive picture book PLAYDATE SURPRISE has WON The Word Award 2025 for Books – Children – General Market and finalist for Best Book Cover & Debra Fieguth Social Justice Award. Thanks & congrats to my illustrator @laura-jane-watson.bsky.social & Scholastic Canada!

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Karen Autio @handle.invalid · 13/08/2025

I’m excited to announce that my disability-inclusive picture book PLAYDATE SURPRISE illustrated by Laura Watson has been shortlisted for The Word Award 2025 for Books – Children – Christian & General Market! #Shortlisted #BookAward #TheWordAward

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Karen Autio @handle.invalid · 07/07/2025

It’s Disability Pride Month and I have a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ book to highly recommend! OWNING IT * Honest & vibrant childhood stories by 22 international authors * Diverse disabilities #BookReview #DisabilityLife #DisabilityBookWeek #ChildrensNonfiction #KidsWithDisabilities #DisabilityPrideMonth #disability

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Karen Autio @handle.invalid · 03/07/2025

A Little Like Magic by Sarah Kurpiel It’s #DisabilityPrideMonth and I have a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐book to recommend! A lovely, authentic, empowering picture book. Stretching out of one’s comfort zone can be worth it—a truth universally applicable. Next time can even be enjoyable. #BookReview #DisabilityKidLit

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Karen Autio @handle.invalid · 24/06/2025

Immersive & illuminating—chapter books that show how Lauren perceives the world & intentions of others, & how people and things affect her. She lives with Autism Spectrum Disorder. I appreciate that author Sara Leach is writing such engaging books with a character with ASD. Highly recommended!

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Karen Autio @handle.invalid · 20/06/2025

Summer Book Signing Saturday, July 5! Lorna Schultz Nicholson signing #hockey #mystery novel RHAPSODY SMITH ICE ANGEL Karen Autio signing PLAYDATE SURPRISE See you there! 1 – 3 pm Mosaic Books, 411 Bernard Ave., Kelowna, BC #BookSigning #NewBook #MGNovel #Okanagan #PictureBook #inclusion

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Karen Autio @handle.invalid · 03/06/2025

I’m delighted to see UNE SURPRISE MERVEILLEUSE receive a positive review in the Quebec magazine LURELU! Thank you for the lovely write-up! @laura-jane-watson.bsky.social #inclusion #friendship #CritiqueDeLivre #accessibility #BookReviews #DisabilityAwareness #DisabilityPictureBook #disability

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Karen Autio @handle.invalid · 01/06/2025

It’s the 20-year anniversary of my first book! SECOND WATCH involves the actual Empress of Ireland steamship disaster 111 years ago in the St. Lawrence. In libraries and as print-on-demand from Amazon. #EmpressOfIreland #HistoricalNovel #MGNovel #CanadianHistory #IWriteCanadian #history

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Karen Autio @handle.invalid · 26/04/2025

My independent bookstores are huge supporters of local authors and illustrators! Show your support for independent bookstores every day but especially celebrate and thank them today on #CanadianIndependentBookstoreDay! Once Upon a Bookstore Mosaic Books #CIBD #CIBD2025

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K.A. Wiggins (Kaie) @kaiewrites.bsky.social · 19/04/2025

Prepping for another year at #STAConvention with @cwillbc.bsky.social friends on Friday!🔥 Meet BC kidlit creators @bradenhallett.bsky.social @lpcreates.bsky.social @karenautio.bsky.social @nikkibergstresser.bsky.social @anthonynerada.bsky.social & more at our workshops or tables staconvention.ca/ 📚

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Laura Watson @laura-jane-watson.bsky.social · 20/03/2025

Babies on the move in all different ways! From I Can, Too! By @karenautio.bsky.social and published by Scholastic Canada. The 1st in what will soon be a series of 3! I'm just getting started on Kayla and Piper's next adventure. Hint: ⛸️🛷💖 #inclusivechildrensbooks #kidlitart #illustration #diversity

Two babies who learn to move in diverse ways from children’s book about friends who have different abilities

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Tidewater Books & Browsery @tidewaterbooks.bsky.social · 06/03/2025

A joyful story of friendship & the simple things we can do to make the world a more accessible place! 'Playdate Surprise' by @karenautio.bsky.social & @laura-jane-watson.bsky.social is today's Featured #CanLit #KidLit in-store! 💕🇨🇦📚🧑‍🦽💕 tidewaterbooks.ca 💕🇨🇦📚 #IndieBookstoreCA #ShopSmall

Books in French and English: /Playdate Surprise' by Karen Autio and Laura Watson. Canadian maple leaf. Tidewater Books bookmark. #CanLit

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Karen Autio @handle.invalid · 03/03/2025

I’m honoured and delighted to have PLAYDATE SURPRISE be a Recommended Book on the Disability Book Week website. disabilitybookweek.org #DisabilityBookWeek #DisabilityInclusion #BookRecommendations #PictureBookRecommendations #StoriesHavePower #inclusion #mobility #accessibility #disability

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Karen Autio @handle.invalid · 26/02/2025

One of my favourite kind of days is getting to present to eager learners. Today at Peachland Elementary I shared my presentations with grades 1-5.Thank you for a wonderful morning! #AuthorVisit #SchoolPresentation #PictureBooks #ChapterBooks

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Karen Autio @handle.invalid · 11/02/2025

Grateful to know my book is part of this life-enriching program of Scholastic Canada/Éditions Scholastic providing books to children in underserved communities. #InclusionAndDiversity #StoriesHavePower #DiverseBooksForKids #InclusiveBooksForKids #inclusion www.scholastic.ca/aboutscholas...

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Karen Autio @handle.invalid · 05/02/2025

Look at all these amazing new books I got at OLA (and awesome tote bag from my publisher)! Plenty of choices to read aloud today on World Read Aloud Day! Which one(s) do you have on your TO READ list? #WRAD2025 #WordReadAloudDay #CanadianBooks #CanKidLit #BooksForKids #IReadCanadian

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Karen Autio @handle.invalid · 04/02/2025

“A more accessible world harms no one and helps everyone. We cannot give up on fighting for accessibility.” —Emily Ladau in her WORDS I WHEEL BY newsletter PLAYDATE SURPRISE focuses on #accessibility and #inclusion. #Accessible #UniversalDesign #DisabilityKidLit mailchi.mp/eadbd851a6a1...

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Karen Autio @handle.invalid · 31/01/2025

Book and library joy at OLA Super Conference! Signing Playdate Surprise and Une surprise merveilleuse with Laura Watson today at 11 am Scholastic Canada booth 211. See you there! @laura-jane-watson.bsky.social @authorsbooking.bsky.social #BookSigning

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Karen Autio @handle.invalid · 27/01/2025

Thank you École Glenmore Elementary for the fun day sharing I CAN, TOO! and PLAYDATE SURPRISE and my author journey with your Grades 1-3 students! #AuthorVisit #SchoolPresentation #Kelowna #PictureBook #inclusion #friendship #accessibility #reading

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Karen Autio @handle.invalid · 27/01/2025

Looking forward to seeing you at the OLA Super Conference! January 30 10:30 AM book talk at CANSCAIP Book Tasting Idea Hub MTCC Exhibit Hall January 31, 11 AM Author & Illustrator book signing Scholastic Booth 211 @canscaip.bsky.social #PictureBooks #BookTalk #BookSigning olasuperconference.ca

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Picture books, eh! @picturebookseh.bsky.social · 27/01/2025

#GIVEAWAY To celebrate the launch of #PictureBooksEh 2025 we’re giving away manuscript crits and PBs! Details on website (link above). To enter: 1. follow @picturebookseh.bsky.social 2. like + re-post this post (extra entry for tagging a friend) 3. Winners ann. Feb. 10 at 9 am #kidlit #cankidlit

media.tenor.com

a canadian flag with a red maple leaf in the middle

ALT: a canadian flag with a red maple leaf in the middle

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Helen Kubiw ❤️ 🇨🇦 📚 @hkubiw.bsky.social · 16/01/2025

Still catching up on 2024 book reviews. This #picturebook from @karenautio.bsky.social & illus by @laura-jane-watson.bsky.social is all positivity & smiles re friendship & accessibility. PLAYDATE SURPRISE from Scholastic Canada. canlitforlittlecanadians.blogspot.com/2025/01/play...

canlitforlittlecanadians.blogspot.com

Playdate Surprise

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

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Karen Autio @handle.invalid · 10/01/2025

OLA Super Conference January 30 10:30 AM book talk at CANSCAIP Book Tasting Idea Hub MTCC Exhibit Hall January 31, 11 AM Author & Illustrator book signing Scholastic Booth 211 See you there! #PictureBooks #BookTalk #BookSigning olasuperconference.ca

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Karen Autio @handle.invalid · 06/01/2025

I spy 7 of my books on display in my church library. 😊 One title is signed out and I hope the reader is enjoying Kah-Lan’s tale. Soon the copy of PLAYDATE SURPRISE I donated will be in circulation! #ChurchLibrary #BooksForChildren #BooksForKids #StoriesHavePower #library

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Karen Autio @handle.invalid · 19/12/2024

My interview is up on the Scholastic at School blog! www2.scholastic.ca/scholasticbl... One question was a choice of answering “What books have had the biggest impact on your life?” or “What books were your favourite to read growing up?” How would you answer? ❤️📚

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Karen Autio @handle.invalid · 18/12/2024

I’m thrilled to announce I’ve signed a contract for a third picture book about Kayla and Piper and their friends! Big thanks to Scholastic Canada and Éditions Scholastic! #BooksForKids #inclusion #RepresentationMatters #DisabilityAwareness #NewPictureBook #disability

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Karen Autio @handle.invalid · 12/12/2024

A powerful novel in verse about Effie, a child who is deaf, from a broken home, and finds her voice. Highly recommended. Deer Run Home by Ann Clare LeZotte #OwnVoices #MiddleGradeNovel #MGNovel #PowerOfWriting #disability

Cover of book Deer Run Home (a girl pats a deer with houses in foreground) next to photo of deer sleeping in dry grass with text from the book: “We need the deer, and every gentle creature whose home is broken.”

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Karen Autio @handle.invalid · 11/12/2024

Announcement! I’ll be hitting SEND on my next author newsletter tomorrow with breaking book news and more. You can subscribe using this link: karenautio.us12.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=... #BookNews #AuthorNewsletter #newsletter #ChildrensBooks #KidLit #ChildrensAuthor #PictureBook

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Karen Autio @handle.invalid · 03/12/2024

International Day of Persons with Disabilities disability-inclusive books to recommend: Everybody Plays The Girl Who Figured It Out This is How We Play Let the Games Begin You’re So Amazing! Playdate Surprise #RepresentationMatters #InternationalDayOfPersonsWithDisabilities #idpwd

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Karen Autio @handle.invalid · 25/11/2024

#CraftFair was BUSY, exhausting and full of beyond-book-sales blessings like: -a woman’s niece with spina bifida will have I CAN, TOO in her home library -a teacher will turn her I CAN, TOO copy into a dual visual and Braille book What connections have you had at such events? #BookTable #KidsBooks

Author (white woman with sandy hair wearing red shirt with new book cover on it) hosting her book sales table with red tablecloth and tiny yellow lights strung across the front.

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Karen Autio @handle.invalid · 07/11/2024

After the BC Teacher-Librarians’ conference in Victoria, I had the joy of presenting my Kah-Lan: Sea Otters and a Thriving Ocean presentation to Grades 3-5 at a Vancouver school. Such a fun afternoon author visit! #AuthorVisit #SchoolPresentation #SeaOtters #MarineMammalResue #ocean

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Karen Autio @handle.invalid · 21/10/2024

Hi, I’m the author of these #disability inclusive picture books. I CAN, TOO! highlights #friendship, adaptive equipment, and an all-abilities playground. PLAYDATE SURPRISE celebrates friendship and the simple things we can do to make #playdates more #inclusive and #accessible.

Front covers of Karen’s picture books I Can, Too! (in French Moi aussi, je peux!) and Playdate Surprise (in French Une surprise merveilleuse) on multi-coloured background. “Karen Autio” and “Laura Watson” Below title is Kayla, a Black girl who uses a wheelchair, riding on an accessible merry-go-round in an inclusive playground with her friends Piper (Asian girl), Jackson (young white boy), and Neema (Black girl). Below “Scholastic” Below title is “Karen Autio” and “Laura Watson” Piper holds doggy treat for the small brown dog belonging to her friend Kayla who uses a wheelchair. Girls high-five each other during playdate at Kayla’s house. Below “Scholastic”

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