iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

MrsPowellsBooks @mrspowellsbooks.bsky.social · 30/09/2026

My illustrator & his wife have become great #kidlit creative partners. While critique partners are crucial for getting the words right, the art brings manuscripts to life. We've had several "oh no, that's not what I meant" moments but far more "Wow, NOW people will get it" miracles. 🙂

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MrsPowellsBooks @mrspowellsbooks.bsky.social · 13/09/2026

Jaxon and I get to read at the new Clovis Crossings B&N! We will be sharing HEROES NEED HELP for #ChildhoodCancerAwarenessMonth (It’s a picture book that explains chemo in a kid-friendly way and demonstrates how to support peers and loved ones.) #kidlit #chemo #braintumor #GoGold

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MrsPowellsBooks @mrspowellsbooks.bsky.social · 10/09/2026

Brain tumors have taken his time, vision, & facial symmetry. This is yesterday - Zooming into a missed college class while waiting to learn if starting year #18 of #chemo is medically necessary. He won this round! 3 months without chemo or surgery. #Childhoodcancerawareness #kidlitchat #kidlit

A college student in a black concert T shirt is in a hospital waiting room, using his phone to virtually attend college courses.

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MrsPowellsBooks @mrspowellsbooks.bsky.social · 09/09/2026

I chose to stop the querying process and author-publish instead. I understand that it is not a financially viable option for most people, but for me, it was the quickest way to share hope with chemo kids. HEROES doesn't have the polish of a trad book, and my audience is okay with that. #kidlitchat

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MrsPowellsBooks @mrspowellsbooks.bsky.social · 09/09/2026

For our 1st library read aloud, I chose WHERE ARE MY BOOKS? by @debbieohi.com. I love its bookjoy & showing my “I can’t read” kids how great they are at reading pictures. I asked TK how they think I would feel if a child wrote in it. They were right. I probably would cry. We have signed copies!

A picture taken inside a school library includes shelves of books and section of the library bulletin board. The board has a vibrant red background and displays authors the school has Zoomed with. The section with Debbie Ridpath Ohi has photos of screen shots taken during Zooms, two illustrations drawn during a video session, and stickers. Dev Petty and Jaqueline Jules are included too.

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MrsPowellsBooks @mrspowellsbooks.bsky.social · 05/09/2026

Happy #Caturday from Boots! Yes, she’s sitting on a Pippi Longstocking book. Curious what parts of the series appealed to me so strongly as a child. And wondering if I should tap into those feelings for my Library Kitty chapter book.

A messy, unmade bed with a tuxedo cat sitting on two chapter books.

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MrsPowellsBooks @mrspowellsbooks.bsky.social · 02/09/2026

Our new library bulletin board brings joy. The students point to creators they zoomed with & excitedly ask about bookswag. (During many Zooms, I’ve been so focused on the presentation I forgot to take pictures. And others, we’ve had #WRAD chats multiple years, so there was more to share.) #books

Bulletin board has red background fabric that reads, “We love illustrators and authors!” The board showcases pictures of authors who have interacted with our library via Zoom and/or sending book swag.

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MrsPowellsBooks @mrspowellsbooks.bsky.social · 01/09/2026

What font would you use to create elementary school library bulletin board letters including the word “lIlustrators” so that it doesn’t appear to start with 3 lines? I’m also hoping to find one with a single story lower cased A. #teachers #skybrarians #illustrators

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MrsPowellsBooks @mrspowellsbooks.bsky.social · 26/08/2026

3+ hours late to the conversation… I write to answer questions my students ask. “Do you have an easy book?” inspired Library Kitty at 2 academic levels to help them see they prefer stories with “juicy details.” “I heard our friend disappeared because she has cancer” expedited HEROES. #kidlitchat

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MrsPowellsBooks @mrspowellsbooks.bsky.social · 26/08/2026

#Author Publishing has its challenges, but being able to meet the illustrator & work together as a team is a perk. Loving his sketches for HOSPITAL HACKS, to be released in 2027.

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MrsPowellsBooks @mrspowellsbooks.bsky.social · 25/08/2026

For many, today is #book release day. For us, it’s tumor board day. The day the amazing specialists (some who have known my kid 20 years) discuss his latest MRI & decide if his request to postpone chemo till he acclimates to his final fall semester of dorm life is safe. #cancer #chemo

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MrsPowellsBooks @mrspowellsbooks.bsky.social · 24/08/2026

If you hear of children impacted by a #cancer diagnosis, please let them know that the teacher (or parent) may request a free Zoom reading of HEROES NEED HELP via the Contact form at academicplaybooks.com #braintumors #chemotherapy

academicplaybooks.com

Home - Academic Play Books

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MrsPowellsBooks @mrspowellsbooks.bsky.social · 15/08/2026

One of my favorite website pages is this incomplete list of Medically Inclusive Books. I love that it continues to adapt and grow as more SEL books are shared. The more I learn, the better the page gets. What other books should I add? academicplaybooks.com/inclusive-pi...

academicplaybooks.com

Inclusive Picture Books - Academic Play Books

Inclusive Picture Books

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MrsPowellsBooks @mrspowellsbooks.bsky.social · 14/08/2026

Of all the rejections involved in getting a book to its intended audience, the ones that hurt most are from Jaxon’s own children’s hospitals. Individual staff members have been amazing, so we try to focus on people who uplift rather than administration. Sadly, the same can be said of my school. 🧐

A 25 year old wearing a red polo is on a medical clinic, holding the picture book he helped create. His facial features reveal a smile and evidence of muscle weakness caused by a brain tumor. The book is light blue and depicts two children with infusion poles whose shadows are superheroes.

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MrsPowellsBooks @mrspowellsbooks.bsky.social · 12/08/2026

If you want (or need) to see an optimistic chemo themed picture book, join our Zoom Storytime on Thursday, 5:30pm PST. My college kid and I wrote HEROES NEED HELP during year 17 of his infusions & Jason Greco brought it to life with his illustrations. #cancer #Skybrarians #kidlitchat #braintumor

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MrsPowellsBooks @mrspowellsbooks.bsky.social · 12/08/2026

My attempts at a professional presence involve a website and posting on socials. In person events are more successful for me - like vendor fairs. I'm giving Zoom a try Thursday to follow up with some of the conversations started at an evening market - and for anyone else who wants to listen.

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MrsPowellsBooks @mrspowellsbooks.bsky.social · 10/08/2026

Celebrated National Book Lover’s Day by playing with my collection. I don’t yet have everything cataloged into the Bookshelf app, it’s getting closer. Today I added a cancer themed middle grade. I appreciate how accurately the feelings associated with a diagnosis are represented. #kidlit

Three bookshelves are filled with (primarily picture) books and Kohls Cares stuffies.

An entry for WE ARE NOT ALONE in the Bookshelf app. In the upper left corner there is a cover picture including two 8th graders, back to back. The way the font is angled hints an alien theme.

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MrsPowellsBooks @mrspowellsbooks.bsky.social · 05/08/2026

Children's literature is the best! It's universal, includes important themes, & picture books are filled with art! Beautiful art! I love reading it. Collecting it. Sharing it. Showing others how loving #kidlit makes life better. And now I get to create it with the help of spectacular illustrators! ❤️

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MrsPowellsBooks @mrspowellsbooks.bsky.social · 04/08/2026

It’s been a month and this is still true. 😢

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MrsPowellsBooks @mrspowellsbooks.bsky.social · 01/08/2026

When our school #WRAD Zoomed with @breannacarzoo.bsky.social & @debbieohi.com, they utilized a 2nd screen so students could see them and the book at the same time. Does anyone know of a tutorial that teaches this? I must be searching the wrong terms. 😢 #Skybrarian #kidlitchat #author

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MrsPowellsBooks @mrspowellsbooks.bsky.social · 28/07/2026

Have you ever used the Clio app to learn about history and art near you? It’s a free download. No risk. All gain. I’m trying out the KC airport’s walking tour. I especially love seeing more info about the City of lights sculpture and “Hello and Goodbye” by Kathy Liao.

A screenshot of the Clio app’s Kansas City walking tour available in text and audio.

A section of “Hello and Goodbye” by Kathy Liao - a painting depicting a mother waiting for the bus and other moments of arriving and departing.

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MrsPowellsBooks @mrspowellsbooks.bsky.social · 19/07/2026

Thank you Abraham! And thanks for sharing! ❤️📚

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MrsPowellsBooks @mrspowellsbooks.bsky.social · 16/07/2026

I love what Riss_Design created using Jason Greco's "Library Kitty" spread & my previous website attempts! Now AcademicPlayBooks.com is personalized & practical. This also demonstrates why "Author Publisher" is more fitting than "Self." Book creation & promotion are too big for one person. #kidlit

academicplaybooks.com

Home - Academic Play Books

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MrsPowellsBooks @mrspowellsbooks.bsky.social · 15/07/2026

I love this book! It’s loaned to a friend. 🙂

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MrsPowellsBooks @mrspowellsbooks.bsky.social · 15/07/2026

I missed another #kidlitchat. 😢 I was peddling my wares (and other people’s) to help my little publishing company’s finances. The IRS expects a business to turn a profit in 3 of 5 years - unless horse breeding is involved. I wish we had their 7 years to earn out. Book creation takes time too. 🙃

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MrsPowellsBooks @mrspowellsbooks.bsky.social · 13/07/2026

What exactly is Midnight trying to tell me? 🐈‍⬛ #cats

A black cat is stretched across a blue floral skirt in front of a sewing machine.

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MrsPowellsBooks @mrspowellsbooks.bsky.social · 30/06/2026

Excited to be a vendor at Riverbank’s Tuesday market, sharing my books (& little bookfair) with another community of amazing Californians. (PSA - For those outside the state who primarily hear the negative, amazing things happen here too. And there are spectacular people with a variety of beliefs!)

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Reposted by MrsPowellsBooks

Ryan Estrada @ryanestrada.com · 29/06/2026

The most overlooked opportunity in comics is the ALA Annual artist alley. They give FREE tables and admission to cartoonists in exchange for a piece of art for a charity auction. If you make books that end up in libraries, that is the room you want to be in, and you can do it at no cost.

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MrsPowellsBooks @mrspowellsbooks.bsky.social · 22/06/2026

I helped my college kid write a picture book based on the things he learned during 17 years of chemotherapy. This week he has an MRI and oncology appointment that will likely lead to resuming chemo. It’s difficult to focus on book promotion while researching clinical trials. #kidlit #chemo

A young man with a partially shaved head and fresh surgical wound is smiling in his hospital bed as he holds a copy of his HEROES NEED HELP. The picture book features two children, each attached to an IV pole. Their shadows are depicted as super heroes.

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MrsPowellsBooks @mrspowellsbooks.bsky.social · 18/06/2026

Had a fun day of visiting NorCal libraries & found these gems. This Friends of the Library gift shop had far more than donated books! And I’m curious about this 55+ collection… #Skybrarian ❤️📚

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MrsPowellsBooks @mrspowellsbooks.bsky.social · 17/06/2026

Have you ever read HAMMER AMD NAILS by Josh Bledsoe & Jessica Warrick? It is one of my favorite Daddy-Daughter picture books! ❤️📚

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MrsPowellsBooks @mrspowellsbooks.bsky.social · 06/06/2026

HEROES NEED HELP has only one review. 😢 Are there any #querying or #PAL writers who want an elementary school librarian’s perspective on a new manuscript? (I’m a #SCBWI member & author if that helps. 🙃) Would you want to say nice things about my books in return for a critique? If so, DMs are open.

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MrsPowellsBooks @mrspowellsbooks.bsky.social · 05/06/2026

The afternoon librarian and computer lab friend have both moved on to better paying jobs, so our last day of school selfie didn’t happen. (Not jealous. I get to side hustle with my books.) New plan - end of the year shelfie! Like my students I can see how much I grow each year! #kidlit #Skybrarian

A librarian holds her light blue chemo themed picture book - HEROES NERD HELP while sitting next to the shelf where her LIBRARY KITTY books (which are peeking out at a diagonal) are kept.

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MrsPowellsBooks @mrspowellsbooks.bsky.social · 02/06/2026

Learned something fun today! HEROES NEED HELP had 6 orders in Germany. #kidlit #chemo #cancer I hope they write reviews. The book needs people to say nice things about it, and a review from another country would have been a bingo square if I had thought of it. #Skybrarians

A light blue picture book cover depicts two children holding IV poles. Their shadows are superheroes.

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MrsPowellsBooks @mrspowellsbooks.bsky.social · 01/06/2026

I read to three adorable families at an indie bookstore on Saturday. The photos my husband took include many awkward facial expressions and hand gestures. But they also show that I’m “all in” when reading to kids. #Kidlit #PictureBooks #Caturday

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Reposted by MrsPowellsBooks

Stan Yan - Kidlit Graphic Novelist @zombicatures.bsky.social · 01/06/2026

When you want to give an author a gift, consider a review! I wanted to give Dustin Resch a gift so I decided to review his hilarious, cute, and informative debut picture book, Octavio on both Goodreads and Amazon. Check it out if you haven't read it. Review it if you have! #kidlit

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MrsPowellsBooks @mrspowellsbooks.bsky.social · 26/05/2026

It was fun to add @phyllisharris.bsky.social’s CLAUDE to my at-home Bookshelf. Does anyone know of other titles I should add? #kidlit (With the way our district’s school fiscal year works, I will need to wait till my April bookfair money comes through to order CLAUDE for our library’s collection.)

An image including 6 titles inspired by Claude Monet.

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MrsPowellsBooks @mrspowellsbooks.bsky.social · 25/05/2026

Who in the #kidlit world consider children’s literature to be “highly profitable?” Tried to listen to Mac Barnett’s book (library audiobook) as I clean today. I think I’ll save it for next long drive when I need to stay angry to stay awake. I couldn’t even make it through Libby’s sample. #Skybrarian

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MrsPowellsBooks @mrspowellsbooks.bsky.social · 18/05/2026

My reply to “self-published books don’t count” and “cancer is too niche.” Plus the sentiments found in that #crud book. HEROES NEED HELP answers kids questions and #chemotherapy & #cancer. It’s beautifully illustrated. It has an ISBN, LCCN, & Marc records. It is a real book. #kidlit #Skybrarians

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Reposted by MrsPowellsBooks

Johanna Peyton @johannapeyton.bsky.social · 28/01/2026

I’m beyond excited to share the cover reveal of my debut nonfiction picture book ALL BRAINS WELCOME: Embracing ADHD, Autism, Dyslexia, and More, illustrated by the amazing Olga Popova and coming out October 6th, 2026, with Sourcebooks eXplore!! Preorder now at Bookshop, Amazon, or Barnes & Noble.

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MrsPowellsBooks @mrspowellsbooks.bsky.social · 15/05/2026

What I’m reading in the library this week… HEROES NEED HELP is now officially a book and my 2nd graders are ready to grasp its empathy and sadness. For TK-1st I’m reading EVIE’S FIELD DAY by @claireannette.bsky.social & Alicia Teba. With field day coming up, it’s perfect. #kidlit #Skybrarian

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MrsPowellsBooks @mrspowellsbooks.bsky.social · 14/05/2026

Be sure to visit the AcademicPlayBooks booth at this fun #Norcal music festival! It’s family friendly for non drinkers too! #SolanoCounty #bands #kidlit

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MrsPowellsBooks @mrspowellsbooks.bsky.social · 13/05/2026

I’m excited to read this! Our library needs more fiction dog books!

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MrsPowellsBooks @mrspowellsbooks.bsky.social · 12/05/2026

With HEROES NEED HELP’s May 12th release date, we knew it would coincide with Awareness Month for both Neurofibromatosis and brain tumors. What we didn’t know is that it would also be 5 days after brain surgery for the cyst within the #braintumor caused by #Neurofibromatosis. #kidlit

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MrsPowellsBooks @mrspowellsbooks.bsky.social · 11/05/2026

#kidlit shouldn’t teach? Has a surgeon ever signed your head with a sharpie? Or a friend’s? Or family member’s? When a medical crisis hits, we crave didactic books that help us learn and feel seen. That help our friends better understand. Books that help us feel joy.

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MrsPowellsBooks @mrspowellsbooks.bsky.social · 04/05/2026

With a school book fair and a community bookfest in the same week, I am saddened that the parents who spent in $3000 in one evening are not also enthusiastically attending author events. When the amazing #kidlit #author session ended, I was the only one waiting for them to sign their books. 😢

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MrsPowellsBooks @mrspowellsbooks.bsky.social · 30/04/2026

As an author publisher I am having a crash course in printing, paper quality, and machine capabilities. I now comprehend (and deeply feel) the decisions that lead to book delays. As well as things out of a company’s control. (Plus add in a medical challenge interruption for coauthor.) #kidlit

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MrsPowellsBooks @mrspowellsbooks.bsky.social · 28/04/2026

HEROES NEED HELP releases two weeks from today! This picture book offers a kid friendly explanation of chemotherapy and an invitation to better support those needing treatment. This backmatter page shares why the book was written. #Chemotherapy #cancer #kidlit #Skybrarians #books

A bulletin board is displayed with a note about the backstory of the book and four images - a small boy having chemo in 2006, that boy peeking around an IV pole in 2010, him outdoors running while wearing a superhero cape, and one of him in college.

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