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Nancy Hudgins

@nancyhudgins.com
1.7K followers 2.2K following 683 posts

🎈Celebrating🎈 Books Good Enough For You: The Storied Life of Ursula Nordstrom, Editor of Extraordinary Children's Books Rep’d: Rachel Orr, Prospect Agency #MG #SCBWI #BoydsMill #InkedVoices #nonfictionkidlit

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Nancy Hudgins @nancyhudgins.com · 19/09/2026
If you’d like an insight into Suzy Levinson’s vibe, this interview is your way in.
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Nancy Hudgins @nancyhudgins.com · 19/09/2026
OTD in 1970 IN THE NIGHT KITCHEN, written and illus. by Maurice Sendak, was published. Diapers painted on Mickey caused #UrsulaNordstrom to rally against censorship. Today, sadly, blue jean shorts are still being painted on Mickey. Ch. 19, BOOKS GOOD ENOUGH FOR YOU. #kidlitnonfiction #TheRightToRead
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Nancy Hudgins @nancyhudgins.com · 18/09/2026
STUART LITTLE was published on 9/17/45. Originally, E.B. White had written some of the stories for his nieces and nephews. #UrsulaNordstrom and White worked with Garth Williams on the art. #kidlit More at BOOKS GOOD ENOUGH FOR YOU, ch. 3. #kidlitnonfiction
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The Whimsical Muse @whimsicalmuse.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
Whenever I meet someone who supports the Oxford comma, I find myself encouraged, delighted, and hopeful.
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Nancy Hudgins @nancyhudgins.com · 16/09/2026
I also missed GOODNIGHT MOON’s book birthday: 9/3/47. 🎈Happy Birthday Month!🎈 By Margaret Wise Brown, illus. by Clement Hurd. #kidlit 79 years ago. Timeless. The story of how it was made is in ch. 5 of BOOKS GOOD ENOUGH FOR YOU. #kidlitnonfiction
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Nancy Hudgins @nancyhudgins.com · 15/09/2026
NATIONAL VOTER REGISTRATION DAY is today! If you're not registered, or recently moved, or not sure, or want to check and make sure, check out: www.voterizer.org
voterizer.org
Voterizer
Voterizer - Your Voting Information Resource
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Nancy Hudgins @nancyhudgins.com · 15/09/2026
Somehow I missed A HOLE IS TO DIG’s book birthday—9/3/52. 🎈Happy Birthday Month!🎈 By Ruth Krauss, illus. by Maurice Sendak. Happily, HarperCollins has just re-issued it! #kidlit. More at BOOKS GOOD ENOUGH FOR YOU, ch. 9. #kidlitnonfiction I love this book!
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Nancy Hudgins @nancyhudgins.com · 15/09/2026
Allison Tyra asked smart questions. I enjoyed our discussion. And check out her website--her database has at least 10,000 women listed. Upwards toward infinity.
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Nancy Hudgins @nancyhudgins.com · 15/09/2026
OTD in 1950, 🎈John Steptoe🎈 was born! When he was 16, he showed his portfolio of paintings to #UrsulaNordstrom. She urged him to write a story to go with his art. Three years later, STEVIE was published, in 1969. #kidlit. More at BOOKS GOOD ENOUGH FOR YOU, ch. 16. #kidlitnonfiction
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Nancy Hudgins @nancyhudgins.com · 26/08/2026
Somehow, I missed🎈 #NationalWaffleDay. 🧇🧇🧇 As a confirmed waffle consumer, I recommend Ole's Waffle Shop in Alameda, CA. Crisp. Small indentations (old school), served with pecans on top. And maple syrup. The best I've eaten! Yum! Celebrating with waffles for dinner tonight!
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Nancy Hudgins @nancyhudgins.com · 17/08/2026
Hi, all! Letting you know I've dipped my toe into Instagram. You can follow me at nancyhudginsbooks. I'm still testing it out--but--Reels coming this fall! #kidlit #kidlitnonfiction
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Nancy Hudgins @nancyhudgins.com · 17/08/2026
Calling all young poets! @sfpubliclibrary.bsky.social has extended the due date to 8/28 to be mentored. You must live in #SF and be 14-19 years old. Workshops every two weeks for 6 months and $$ in a college savings account. Best wishes! #poetry #writingcommunity sfpl.org/books-and-me...
sfpl.org
San Francisco Youth Poet Laureate
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Nancy Hudgins @nancyhudgins.com · 12/08/2026
📚 Newsletter rec: #MG #kidlitnonfiction HOW TO BUILD A HUMAN: IN SEVEN EVOLUTIONARY STEPS, by Pamela S. Turner, art by John Gurche. Turner’s steps: standing up, smashing rocks, getting swelled heads, taking a hike, inventing barbecue, starting to talk and becoming storytellers (!) Fun!
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Nancy Hudgins @nancyhudgins.com · 10/08/2026
📚 Rec from my newsletter: #MG #kidlit ATTACK OF THE BLACK RECTANGLES by Amy Sarig King When the Jane Yolen book Mac’s sixth grade teacher instructs them to read has words covered by black rectangles, he goes on a crusade to stop censorship. I loved this book!
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Nancy Hudgins @nancyhudgins.com · 07/08/2026
So fun to meet local teachers and librarians--and sign copies of my book--at Napa Bookmine's Educator Night!
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Nancy Hudgins @nancyhudgins.com · 06/08/2026
📚 Rec from my newsletter #PB #kidlitnonfiction MANFISH: A STORY OF JACQUES COUSTEAU, by Jennifer Berne, illus. by Éric Puybaret. How Jacques Cousteau became Jacques Cousteau, well-told by a veteran biographer. The art is engaging, especially the pull-out page. One of my favorite #PB #biographies
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Nancy Hudgins @nancyhudgins.com · 05/08/2026
📚 Rec from my newsletter #PB #kidlit BLUE FLOATS AWAY, by @100scopenotes.bsky.social, illus. by @grantdraws.bsky.social. A small iceberg floats away from his parents, starting an adventure that follows the water cycle. “Sneakily educational” said one reviewer. Mixed collage, crayon and painted art.
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Nancy Hudgins @nancyhudgins.com · 04/08/2026
📚 Rec from my newsletter: #MG #Kidlitnonfiction THE FOG OF WAR: MARTHA GELLHORN AT THE D-DAY LANDINGS, by Michelle Jabès Corpora. Gellhorn talked/faked her way onto an LST headed for Normandy on D-Day. She was the only woman reporter on the beach.
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Nancy Hudgins @nancyhudgins.com · 04/08/2026
📚 Rec from my newsletter: #MG #kidlit THE GHOST OF SPRUCE POINT, by @nancytandon.bsky.social Tweens on summer vacation come to believe a house is haunted and set out to prove (or disprove) it. Fast-paced. A great summer read, especially if you're on the coast of Maine, where it takes place.
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Nancy Hudgins @nancyhudgins.com · 02/08/2026
📚 Rec from my newsletter: #PB #nonfictionkidlit Winner of 2026 Lee Bennett Hopkins Poetry Award: THE POET AND THE BEES: A STORY OF THE SEASONS SYLVIA PLATH KEPT BEES, by Amy Novesky, illus. by Jessica Love. A lyrical picture book changing the narrative about Plath. The art is beautiful and lovely.
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Nancy Hudgins @nancyhudgins.com · 01/08/2026
📚 Recommendation from my newsletter: #PB #kidlit THE ROUGH PATCH, written an illustrated by @brianlies.bsky.social. If you know a young one who is grieving a pet's death, you might try this one. A story of friendship, loss and renewal—and so—a happy ending.
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Nancy Hudgins @nancyhudgins.com · 30/07/2026
📚 #MG #nonfictionkidlit rec from my newsletter: TWELVE DAYS IN MAY: FREEDOM RIDE, 1961, by 𝗟𝗮𝗿𝗿𝘆 𝗗𝗮𝗻𝗲 𝗕𝗿𝗶𝗺𝗻𝗲𝗿. Telling the story in the present tense makes it more intense. Compelling narrative. Contemporaneous photographs. Studies in courage. #BeAnAmbassador
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Nancy Hudgins @nancyhudgins.com · 29/07/2026
📚📚📚 #MG rec from my newsletter 365 DAYS TO ALASKA, by @cathycarrwrites.bsky.social Fish-out-of-water story about a girl who is uprooted from her family's off-the-grid existence in Alaska to suburban Connecticut. Well-drawn characters. Affirming. #kidlit #BeAnAmbassador
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Nancy Hudgins @nancyhudgins.com · 28/07/2026
🎈📚 #PB #kidlitnonfiction recommendation from my newsletter HOW TO MAKE A BOOK (ABOUT MY DOG), by #bartography@bsky.social, illus. by @sarahhorne.bsky.social Chris lays out his process from idea through publication. The art is super cute. The dog steals the show. Chris is cute, too. #BeAnAmbassador
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Nancy Hudgins @nancyhudgins.com · 28/07/2026
#PB Recommendation from my newsletter: Fiction: THE RABBIT LISTENED, by author/illus. Cori Doerrfeld. As a former mediator, I love that listening is at the core of this book! Heart-warming. #kidlit #BeAnAmbassador
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Nancy Hudgins @nancyhudgins.com · 26/07/2026
Recommended #kidlit: #MG CITY SPIES, by @jamesponti.bsky.social. A series about MI6-recruited teenagers; each has different strengths. Page-turner. THE WOMAN WHO SPLIT THE ATOM: THE LIFE OF LISE MEITNER, by @marissarmoss.bsky.social. Physics-made-easy, even for me. Cool graphics. WWII. Gripping.
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Nancy Hudgins @nancyhudgins.com · 25/07/2026
I had a wonderful conversation with @navsaria.bsky.social about #UrsulaNordstrom and BOOKS GOOD ENOUGH FOR YOU. Such a thoughtful, kind man. Check out the Reach Out and Read podcast, wherever you listen. @reachoutandread.bsky.social
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Nancy Hudgins @nancyhudgins.com · 25/07/2026
Recommended kidlit: #PB ANIMALS IN PANTS, by @suzylevinson.bsky.social, illus., by Kristen and Kevin Howdeshell. Laugh-out-loud poems. Fun art. It’s hilarious! HONEYBEE, by Candace Fleming, illus. Eric Rohmann. Amazing hero’s journey. Honeybees seen in an entirely new light. #BeAnAmbassador
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Nancy Hudgins @nancyhudgins.com · 24/07/2026
In the spirit of #BeAnAmbassador, I will be posting recommendations for picture books and middle grade books I’ve been sending out with my newsletter. These are idiosyncratic--books I've run across and enjoyed. #kidlit #PB #MG #nonfictionkidlit As always, feel free to comment.
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Nancy Hudgins @nancyhudgins.com · 27/06/2026
The generous @deborahkalb.bsky.social not only co-hosted me with @marygracemcgeehan.bsky.social on @rereadingpodcast.bsky.social , she kindly interviewed me for her blog. Thanks,🎈Deborah🎈. I appreciate all you do for the #writingcommunity. Great questions!
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Nancy Hudgins @nancyhudgins.com · 26/06/2026
#OTD 🎈Charlotte Zolotow🎈 was born in 1915. #UrsulaNordstrom hired her in the early 1940s as an assistant at Harper & Brothers. Over the next 40 years, Charlotte wrote 70 children’s books and became a colleague, friend, confidante and skillful editor in her own right. #nonfictionkidlit
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Nancy Hudgins @nancyhudgins.com · 25/06/2026
The thing I like best about the #kidlit #writingcommunity, is the generosity and welcoming attitude of so many wonderful creators. Not only is @kirstenwlarson.bsky.social a smart, painstakingly rigorous, successful #nonfictionkidlit author... 🧵1 of 3
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Nancy Hudgins @nancyhudgins.com · 21/06/2026
I’ve been enjoying watching the men play, and I’ll continue cheering them on, and I also like this timely reminder. #USWNT
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Nancy Hudgins @nancyhudgins.com · 19/06/2026
I agree with Mary Grace. A great read! #kidlit
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Nancy Hudgins @nancyhudgins.com · 18/06/2026
This interview was so much fun! #nonfictionkidlit
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Authors Against Book Bans @authorsabb.bsky.social · 08/06/2026
Hello #BookSky! We've got to keep up the pressure against the national book bans currently alive in Congress. Here's a thread with a script for talking to your Representative in the House: Hello, my name is [your name]. I am a resident of [your city/town/county], and my address is [your address]...
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Nancy Hudgins @nancyhudgins.com · 10/06/2026
🎈🎈🎈 #OTD in 1928, #MauriceSendak was born. He was 22 when #UrsulaNordstrom met him and saw his sketches. She offered him his first contract to illustrate a children’s book. After illustrating 20+ books, all sent by Ursula, he wrote and illustrated #WhereTheWildThingsAre. 🧵1 of 3
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Nancy Hudgins @nancyhudgins.com · 08/06/2026
🎈🎈🎈 Attn #SF young adult poets. Apply now for #SFPL's Youth Poet Laureate program. If selected, up 15 San Franciscans (ages 14 to 19) will participate in advanced poetry workshops for 6 months. Two will be selected as SF Youth Poet (and Vice-Poet) Laureates. #poetry #kidlit
sfpl.org
San Francisco Youth Poet Laureate | San Francisco Public Library
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Nancy Hudgins @nancyhudgins.com · 07/06/2026
Thanks, Kirsten! ❤️ What a fun conversation! 🎈
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Nancy Hudgins @nancyhudgins.com · 07/06/2026
#OTD in 1917, Gwendolyn Brooks was born. A Pulitzer Prize-winning poet, she wrote one book of poems for children: BRONZEVILLE BOYS AND GIRLS, edited by #UrsulaNordstrom and published in 1956. In 2007, HarperCollins re-released it with vibrant art by #FaithRinggold. Still in print. #kidlit #poetry
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Nancy Hudgins @nancyhudgins.com · 04/06/2026
Thanks, Abbie!
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Nancy Hudgins @nancyhudgins.com · 03/06/2026
#PrideMonth! 🎈 Do you know this Gay Icon? URSULA NORDSTROM Head of Harper’s children’s books, she enriched our collective consciousness--editing and publishing Where the Wild Things Are, Goodnight Moon, Charlotte’s Web, Stuart Little and Harold and the Purple Crayon. And, she was gay.
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Nancy Hudgins @nancyhudgins.com · 03/06/2026
Check out The Booke Faire podcast. Not only is Anthony a knowledgeable and gracious host, he also keeeps up on #kidlit news and #bookbanning A tremendous public service.
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Nancy Hudgins @nancyhudgins.com · 23/05/2026
#OTD in 1910 🎈Margaret Wise Brown🎈 was born—“a genius”—according to #UrsulaNordstrom. Ursula had been born earlier that year. They met in 1936 and Ursula edited many of her books. I described the making of The Runaway Bunny and Goodnight Moon in my book: BOOKS GOOD ENOUGH FOR YOU #nonfictionkidlit
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Nancy Hudgins @nancyhudgins.com · 20/05/2026
In May, 1945, Ruth Krauss's THE CARROT SEED, illus. by Crockett Johnson, was published. 🎈Happy Book Birthday!🎈 It's still in print. #UrsulaNordstrom suggested Ruth write for young children. In the #kidlit world, we always talk about agency. Ruth conveys agency in her MC in 101 words.
This is the cover of the 75 years edition, but it is much like the original. The cover is in mustard yellow. The title is in big bold red letters taking up the middle two thirds. The main character is to the right of SEED. He's a boy with a brown cap and brown overalls with a white shirt underneath.
In the top one-sixth it says: Anniversary Edition and Foreword by Kevin Henkes.
In the bottom one-sixth, it says: Story by Ruth Krauss, Pictures by Crockett Johnson, creator of Harold and the Purple Crayon.
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Jody Jensen Shaffer @jodywrites4kids.bsky.social · 17/05/2026
I so enjoyed @nancyhudgins.com’s biography of Ursula Nordstrom, Books Good Enough for You!
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Nancy Hudgins @nancyhudgins.com · 10/05/2026
Award winning recording artist Barbara Rosenblat performed the audiobook for BOOKS GOOD ENOUGH FOR YOU. We met at Sardi’s to celebrate! And yes, she’s as smart and fun in person as she is in her recording. And yes, that is her portrait on the wall behind her. #fun #nonfictionkidlit
I’m standing next to Barbara Rosenblat in front of one of the interior walls of Sardi’s restaurant. All of its walls are adorned with portraits of Broadway actirs. Barbara’s portrait is on the wall behind her.
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Nancy Hudgins @nancyhudgins.com · 06/05/2026
Seen in the wild at the Mall at Short Hills @suzylevinson.bsky.social @100scopenotes.bsky.social
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Nancy Hudgins @nancyhudgins.com · 05/05/2026
Dropped by the wonderful Books of Wonder in NYC today. They surprised me with all these books to sign! 🩷 Thank you !!! @booksofwonder.bsky.social
I’m standing in front of shelves of children’s books holding the 20 books I signed that day.
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Nancy Hudgins @nancyhudgins.com · 01/05/2026
So 🎈exciting🎈 to see my book at Politics and Prose in Washington, D.C. Of course I had to sign it! If you live in, or are visiting, the D.C. metro area, this bookstore has a large, well-curated #kidlitnonfiction You won't want to miss it!
This is a picture I took of my book--BOOKS GOOD ENOUGH FOR YOU--on the shelf at Politics and Prose in Washington, D.C. Its cover is outward-facing and there is a sticker on the lower left hand corner which says: "Politics and Prose: Signed by Author"!
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