iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

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Wendy Garland @wendygarland.bsky.social · 13/02/2026

We are wrapping up our #SibertSmackdown at our early childhood center. Teams of students are poring over the illustrations in Washed Ashore by @kellycrull.bsky.social to find the hidden pictures. I think these 3 and 4 year olds are better at this than my 3rd & 4th graders! #TLSky #SchoolLibraries

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Kelly Crull 🦊 @kellycrull.bsky.social · 03/02/2026

A dinosaur is loose in the library! 🦖 Today is publication day! 📚🎉 @eastwestlit.bsky.social #dinosaur #kidlit #kidsbook www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/799077...

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Carol Hinz @carolhinz.bsky.social · 13/01/2026

Love that THE BLACK MAMBAS by @kellycrull.bsky.social and REVOLUTIONS ARE MADE OF LOVE by @sunyungshin.bsky.social, Melina Mangal, and Leslie Barlow are included in such great company!

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eastwestlit.bsky.social @eastwestlit.bsky.social · 08/01/2026

SLJ @fuse8.bsky.social TOP PICK SIBERT MEDAL”Mambas…a truly nuanced read..about an anti-poaching unit, yet manages to humanize the poachers while ALSO making it clear that they can’t continue to do what they do.” @kellycrull.bsky.social @carolhinz.bsky.social afuse8production.slj.com/2026/01/06/s...

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eastwestlit.bsky.social @eastwestlit.bsky.social · 10/12/2025

Congratulations @kellycrull.bsky.social THE BLACK MAMBAS 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 @carolhinz.bsky.social Lerner Books

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Carol Hinz @carolhinz.bsky.social · 02/12/2025

Thrilled to have 3 books on this year's NSTA-CBC Outstanding Science Trade Book list: THE BLACK MAMBAS by @kellycrull.bsky.social, REWRITING THE RULES by @drzathome.bsky.social and @joseebisaillon.bsky.social, and THE BIG EMPTY by Kirbi Fagan! 🎉 www.nsta.org/outstanding-...

Front cover of The Black Mambas: The World's First All-Woman Anti-Poaching Unit by author and photographer Kelly Crull. A photograph fills the full cover, showing a white pickup truck with dark-skinned women wearing camouflage uniforms sitting on the hood, inside of it, and standing in the bed of the truck, one of whom is scanning the landscape through binoculars. The women are silhouetted with streaks of red, orange, yellow, and blue created by the setting sun behind them. The landscape is primarily green with grass, bushes, and short trees visible beyond the truck.

Front cover of the picture book Rewriting the Rules: How Dr. Kathleen Friel Created New Possibilities for Brain Research and Disability. It features Dr. Friel, a pale-skinned woman with rosy cheeks and shoulder-length brown hair, wearing a white lab coat. Her right arm and leg are turned inward and her right hand is curled under due to her cerebral palsy. One her right is a child with light brown skin and medium brown hair, wearing a yellow striped t-shirt, blue pants, and blue shoes. He uses black forearm crutches. To Dr. Friel's left is a child with dark brown skin and black hair that goes midway down their back, wearing a pale blue polka dotted shirt and a red-orange knee-length skirt. The child is blowing on a dandelion to send the seeds flying. Surrounding the three human figures are dandelions (which are associated with cerebral palsy) and fantastical flowers and trees that incorporate the shapes of neurons.

Front cover of The Big Empty: A Sagebrush Survival Story by Kirbi Fagan. The word EMPTY in white looms in the background of a sparse scene with brown ground, a few small pushes, and a big sagebrush plant in the distance, under which a small, dark brown horse is grazing. A vast blue sky is in the background.
Front cover of The Big Empty: A Sagebrush Survival Story by Kirbi Fagan. The word EMPTY in white looms in the background of a sparse scene with brown ground, a few small pushes, and a big sagebrush plant in the distance, under which a small, dark brown horse is grazing. A vast blue sky is in the background.

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Carol Hinz @carolhinz.bsky.social · 24/11/2025

Amazing to see English teachers getting excited about THE BLACK MAMBAS! There were audible "ooohs" when @kellycrull.bsky.social revealed the case cover under the jacket! 😍

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Carol Hinz @carolhinz.bsky.social · 24/11/2025

So many highlights from NCTE this year, but I am especially proud that DREAMS TO ASHES by Livia Blackburne and Nicole Xu is an Orbis Pictus Honor book and THE BLACK MAMBAS by @kellycrull.bsky.social and KAHO'OLAWE by @kamalani3.bsky.social and Harinani Orme are Recommended Books!

Photograph of a slide that reads Dreams to Ashes: The 1871 Los Angeles Chinatown Massacre by Livia Blackburne, illustrated by Nicole Xu. Carolrhoda Books, an imprint of Lerner Publishing Group, 2025 Orbis Pictus Honor Books. It also includes the book cover, which prominently features a brightly colored dragon used in Chinese New Year parades.

A slide featuring 8 book covers and the text "2026 Orbis Pictus Award Recommended Books." The books include The Black Mambas by Kelly Crull and Kaho'olawe: The True Story of an Island and Her People by Kamalani Hurley, illustrated by Harinani Orme.

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eastwestlit.bsky.social @eastwestlit.bsky.social · 21/11/2025

Day 1 of @ncte 2025 —with @kellycrull.bsky.social THE BLACK MAMBAS & @carolhinz.bsky.social @lernerbooks.bsky.social 🌟📚🌟📚🌟📚🌟📚🌟📚

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eastwestlit.bsky.social @eastwestlit.bsky.social · 21/11/2025

More #ncte meetups & fun! Lezlie Evans GOATS AFLOAT & fans; @nicolemhewitt.bsky.social SONG OF ORPHAN’S GARDEN; Literacy heroes with @kellycrull.bsky.social & Lezlie Evans. @ncte.org

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Katie McEnaney @katiemcenaney.bsky.social · 21/11/2025

Highlights from #ncte25 Curiosity --> Learning --> Advocacy & thinking of all the ways environmental picture books can inspire kids! ♥️🌍 Thanks, @xeniahadj.bsky.social @annebroyles.bsky.social @kellycrull.bsky.social @juanamartinezn.bsky.social @mstewartscience.bsky.social @macappiello.bsky.social

NCTE panel work Xenia Hadjioannou, Mary Ann Cappiello, Ann Brotles, Melissa Stewart, Juana Martinez-Neal, & Kelly Crull

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Carol Hinz @carolhinz.bsky.social · 29/10/2025

Hooray! Thrilled to see THE BLACK MAMBAS by @kellycrull.bsky.social on this list alongside @lernerbooks.bsky.social titles THE PECAN SHELLER by Lupe Ruiz-Flores and I'M A DUMBO OCTOPUS by @annelambelet.bsky.social! 🎉

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Melissa Stewart @mstewartscience.bsky.social · 11/11/2025

Teachers! Librarians! It's time for the Sibert Smackdown. The perfect Mock Sibert activity for kids who love nonfiction. tinyurl.com/3c9harym @epartridge.bsky.social @kellycrull.bsky.social @gordoncjamesart.bsky.social @4nikkolas.bsky.social @jessicalanan.bsky.social @chrishsu1861.bsky.social

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Wendy Garland @wendygarland.bsky.social · 14/11/2025

Today a student discovered that a past favorite (Washed Ashore) was created by today's author. We used Washed Ashore for our Students Rebuild project two years ago. Kelly Crull creates a beautifully researched & presented title that is engaging for students. Thank you @kellycrull.bsky.social #TLSky

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Carol Hinz @carolhinz.bsky.social · 17/11/2025

Ahhhh, so thrilled to see both THE BLACK MAMBAS by @kellycrull.bsky.social and REWRITING THE RULES by @drzathome.bsky.social and @joseebisaillon.bsky.social on the Chicago Public Library Best Books list! Full list here: www.chipublib.org/news/cpl-bes...

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Melissa Stewart @mstewartscience.bsky.social · 28/10/2025

Woo-hoo! It's publication day. @charlesbridge.bsky.social Signed copies available at @silverunicornbooks.bsky.social Thank you to the third grader who inspired the book.

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Carol Hinz @carolhinz.bsky.social · 09/07/2025

I always tell people that nonfiction is at the heart of what we do here at @lernerbooks.bsky.social. Having four (!) titles on @slj.com's Elementary NF starred review list for this year definitely affirms that! Full list: www.slj.com/story/35-imp...

The front cover of the picture book Dreams to Ashes: The 1871 Los Angeles Chinatown Massacre by Livia Blackburne, illus. by Nicole Xu. The cover features a large dragon's head primarily in shades of red, orange, and yellow, with green and blue accents of the type you might see parading down the street for Chinese New Year. In the background is a hint of a tan-colored building with thin lighter tan columns and a couple of indistinct figures wearing long-sleeve shirts or jackets and dark pants.

Front cover of the nonfiction picture book Kaho'olawe: The True Story of an Island and Her People by Kamalani Hurley, illustrated by Harinani Orme. Collage artwork depicts three people looking out at the viewer, all of whom have various shades of brown skin and medium to dark brown hair. In the background, three more indistinct figures are planting some sort of vegetation. Behind the figures is a stylized depiction of the Pacific ocean with swirls of blue. Behind that is a reddish-brown small island, and near the top of the cover is a rainbow.

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Cheryl A. Johnson @cherylajohnson.bsky.social · 01/07/2025

FAVE FOUR If you'd like to see other kidlit recommendations, pop on over to cherylajohnsonwrites.weebly.com. @chanastiefel.bsky.social @jstremer.bsky.social @gordywright.bsky.social @kellycrull.bsky.social #kidlit #kidlitbookstack #kidlitrecommendation

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Betsy Bird @fuse8.bsky.social · 22/06/2025

Are you an illustrator coming to #ala25 next week? Would you like a fun soiree to attend? It appears that Mr. Brian Biggs is local to the area and he's organizing a get together. Come! Hang out! More info here: www.eventbrite.com/e/ala-illust...

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John Schu @mrschureads.bsky.social · 05/06/2025

Pa. Center for the Book's 'Baker’s Dozen' children's booklist announced for 2025 www.psu.edu/news/univers...

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Brian LaRossa @brianlarossa.com · 29/05/2025

My interview with @creativeboom.com—specifically about @bsky.app, and how I’ve made it work for me—is now out from behind the paywall and publicly available via YouTube. It’s an hour long, but I share a ton of concrete tips and tricks. 💙❤️ www.youtube.com/watch?v=fsVJ...

youtube.com

Cracking BlueSky: Brian LaRossa’s Guide to Making It Work

YouTube video by Creative Boom

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Megan E. Freeman @meganefreeman.bsky.social · 29/05/2025

Really excited to be going back to my roots for this event in Pasadena on Saturday! I’d love to see you there. @simonkids.bsky.social @scbwirockymtn.bsky.social @scbwirockymtn.bsky.social @scbwirockymtn.bsky.social

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Debbie Ridpath Ohi @debbieohi.com · 26/05/2025

A book bracelet!!!!! 🩷📚 #BookSky #WriterSky #KidLit

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Gina Perry @ginaperry.bsky.social · 27/05/2025

Next Thursday, June 5th, is the 3rd birthday of #KidLitArtPostcard Day! Illustrators: get that work ready (new or gold!). Art Directors, Editors, and Agents: get ready to make some new connections! #kidlit #kidlitart

Illustration of a goat and child birthday party at a playground. It looks like springtime and goats are nibbling flowers, cups, and gifts. Kids are swinging, sliding, and arriving with balloons. Art by Gina Perry

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Melissa Stewart @mstewartscience.bsky.social · 24/05/2025

Teachers! Librarians! Parents! I've just updated these materials with sections especially for you. Kids Love Nonfiction: A Library of Resources tinyurl.com/4jxhu9uc #edusky #kidlit

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eastwestlit.bsky.social @eastwestlit.bsky.social · 19/05/2025

ICYMI --> Our April Newsletter— Book Birthdays: Brynne Barnes @patricianewman.bsky.social Anna Dewdney @kellycrull.bsky.social Safa Suleiman, Thomas Gonzalez, Kwame Alexander; #Bestseller @meganefreeman.bsky.social and so much GOOD news! mailchi.mp/eastwestlite... #kidlit #authors #illustrators

mailchi.mp

Good News from East to West!

Find out more about books, events, and good news from East West Literary Agency's talent.

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Carol Hinz @carolhinz.bsky.social · 15/05/2025

Hooray for spreading the word about THE BLACK MAMBAS by @kellycrull.bsky.social: "Rarely have I read a blog post and thought, 'I must instantly go and procure this very title.' But I thought exactly that in this case."

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Heather Stigall @heatherstigall7.bsky.social · 09/05/2025

Picture Book Pals @kellycrull.bsky.social 's newest book, THE BLACK MAMBAS is highlighted in today's Picture Book Builders blog post! #kidlit. #picturebooks #picturebookbuilders #picturebookpals picturebookbuilders.com/2025/05/a-bo...

picturebookbuilders.com

A book, a blog post and a podcast: Things to check out if you’re a kidlit fan

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Amanda McCoy @illinimccoy.bsky.social · 08/05/2025

Wendy has a plethora of creative ideas for infusing more nonfiction into our library programs!

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Carol Hinz @carolhinz.bsky.social · 05/05/2025

So moved and grateful for this review! BLACK MAMBAS was a joy to work on with @kellycrull.bsky.social, editor Jesseca Fusco, and art director @dcarnito.bsky.social!!

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Patricia Newman @patricianewman.bsky.social · 15/04/2025

Thank you @slj.com for including GIANT RAYS OF HOPE in your Earth Month round-up. The rays and I are in terrific company 💙 @lernerbooks.bsky.social @carolhinz.bsky.social @kellycrull.bsky.social @nancycastaldobooks.bsky.social @annettewhipple.bsky.social @sandramarkle.bsky.social #greensky #edusky

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Carol Hinz @carolhinz.bsky.social · 09/04/2025

Excellent article--I love that @kellycrull.bsky.social discussed research, including spending time with the Black Mambas anti-poaching unit in South Africa: "Bringing together years of conversation with a rare opportunity to document their work resulted in a book we are all proud to share."

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A.J. Irving 🩷💜💙 @ajirving.bsky.social · 11/04/2025

THE BLACK MAMBAS: THE WORLD’S FIRST ALL-WOMAN ANTI-POACHING UNIT by @kellycrull.bsky.social is engaging, powerful, and inspiring. The incredible photography, passionate text, and interactive elements made me eager to turn each page. And some spreads made me tear up! #kidlit

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Kirsten Pendreigh @kirstenpendreigh.bsky.social · 04/04/2025

Signed copies of WHEN A TREE FALLS now available at Iron Dog Books. A wonderful Vancouver independent bookstore!

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Kelly Crull 🦊 @kellycrull.bsky.social · 03/04/2025

K-5 teachers! 🐾🌍 Want to connect your students with real-world conservation? I created a free teaching guide for The Black Mambas! Hands-on activities + Common Core & NGSS aligned. Grab it here: kellycrull.com/wp-content/u... #WildlifeConservation #FreeTeachingResource @carolhinz.bsky.social

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Carol Hinz @carolhinz.bsky.social · 01/04/2025

Congratulations to @saraclevinebooks.bsky.social, Rebekah Taussig, Kirbi Fagan, @kellycrull.bsky.social, @patricianewman.bsky.social, Becca Hall, and Sandra Markle!

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Vivian Kirkfield @viviankirkfield.bsky.social · 26/01/2025

Many have heard my story: at the age of 64, I jumped out of a plane and jumped into the world of writing for children. What did I do that made the biggest impact on my writing journey? I joined the 12x12 Challenge. Sign ups are happening right now...please check it out: www.12x12challenge.com

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