iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Nancy Hudgins @nancyhudgins.com · 19/09/2026

If you’d like an insight into Suzy Levinson’s vibe, this interview is your way in.

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

He was an amazing writer! I was introduced to Strunk & White in high school. I wrote two chapters about White in my biography of Ursula Nordstrom, his children’s book editor at Harper.

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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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Nancy Hudgins @nancyhudgins.com · 17/09/2026

Nice. Thanks for posting it. Goodnight Moon has a similar backstory. Margaret and her sister Mary shared a room when they were growing up. Lying in bed at night, they would take turns saying good night to objects in their room. This type of backstory is what made researching my book so much fun!

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Reposted by Nancy Hudgins

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

Thanks for the rec! I’ll take a look.

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Nancy Hudgins @nancyhudgins.com · 10/08/2026

I love the agency King gives to Mac, and that the adults in his life encourage it.

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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 · 04/08/2026

I harbor a sneaking suspicion that I get more out of it than they do. Hats off to you for CAT NAP! I'll do a post about it later this summer.

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Nancy Hudgins @nancyhudgins.com · 03/08/2026

I appreciate your widening the scope. Such a lovely book, Brian. My senior rescue dog died last fall (he was a love) which reminded me of your book, so I was thinking more narrowly when I recommended it to my newsletter folks. Not to worry about me--this fall I'm on the hunt for another sr. dog.

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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 · 08/07/2026

Thanks, I hadn’t seen this. I’ll take a look.

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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

Charlotte Zolotow's writing was as elegant as she was. Ursula edited all her books including the ones below. #kidlit

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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 · 26/06/2026

Charlotte Zolotow’s genius was to focus on one emotion and write a frank, candid story around it. In 1997, Zena Sutherland called her “one of the major contemporary writers of realistic books for small children.” Charlotte was elegant in her writing and as a person. #kidlit 🧵 3 of 5

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Nancy Hudgins @nancyhudgins.com · 26/06/2026

Charlotte Zolotow wrote at least 70 children’s books, including MR. RABBIT AND THE LOVELY PRESENT, illus. by #MauriceSendak and WHEN THE WIND STOPS, illus. by Joe Lasker. #UrsulaNordstrom edited all of her books. #kidlit 🧵 2 of 5

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Nancy Hudgins @nancyhudgins.com · 26/06/2026

Charlotte Zolotow’s genius was to focus on just one emotion and write a frank, candid story around it. In 1997, Zena Sutherland called her “one of the major contemporary writers of realistic books for small children.” She was elegant in her writing and as a person. #kidlit 🧵3 of 5

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Nancy Hudgins @nancyhudgins.com · 26/06/2026

Charlotte Zolotow wrote more than 70 children’s books, including MR. RABBIT AND THE LOVELY PRESENT, illus. by #MauriceSendak, WHEN THE WIND STOPS, illus. by Joe Lasker, and WILLIAM’S DOLL, illus. by Wm. Pène du Bois. #UrsulaNordstrom edited all of these books. #kidlit 🧵2 0f 5

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Nancy Hudgins @nancyhudgins.com · 25/06/2026

and, she also hosts a podcast: Nonfiction Kidlit Craft Conversations which platforms #nonfictionkidlit authors and their books. She generously hosted me. We had a fun, wide-ranging conversation about my research. You can find it on your favorite podcast app or here. Thanks, Kirsten! 🧵3 of 3

youtube.com

Writing the Woman Behind Children’s Books: Researching Ursula Nordstrom with Nancy Hudgins Ep. 23

YouTube video by Kirsten W. Larson

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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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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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