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Only Picture Books @onlypicturebooks.bsky.social · 05/10/2026

Today on OPB: Austin McKinley and I review Tessa Blackham's picture book THE RIBBON. Almost no words in the story but still a lot to talk about! www.onlypicturebooks.com/2026/10/05/p... #kidlit #picturebooks #bookreview #mondayblogs

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Only Picture Books @onlypicturebooks.bsky.social · 30/09/2026

Did you catch this week's interview with FSG editor Joy Peskin? We covered mentoring, snails, AI, guinea pigs, and plenty more! www.onlypicturebooks.com/2026/09/28/e... #kidlit #picturebooks #publishing

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Only Picture Books @onlypicturebooks.bsky.social · 21/09/2026

The Pigeon has oodles of reasons why he shouldn’t have to go to school. Today on OPB: Reading Activities for The Pigeon HAS to Go to School! by Mo Willems. www.onlypicturebooks.com/2026/09/21/r... #kidlit #picturebooks #MondayBlogs

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Only Picture Books @onlypicturebooks.bsky.social · 14/09/2026

A cat in pants somehow led to a picture book career. Today on OPB, Suzy Levinson talks about poetry and the weird creative sparks that turn into published books. www.onlypicturebooks.com/2026/09/14/a... #kidlit #picturebooks #poetry #Mondayblog #authorinterviews

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Only Picture Books @onlypicturebooks.bsky.social · 07/09/2026

5 picture books. 5 five-word reviews. One accidental theme: mud! September’s OPB review roundup is now live. www.onlypicturebooks.com/2026/09/07/p... #kidlit #Mondayblogs #picturebooks #bookreview

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Only Picture Books @onlypicturebooks.bsky.social · 31/08/2026

Today on OPB...a list of 12 fun picture books for kids who see a cardboard box and get Big Plans. www.onlypicturebooks.com/2026/08/31/p... #picturebooks #kidlit #mondayblogs

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Only Picture Books @onlypicturebooks.bsky.social · 24/08/2026

I discovered a good picture book Substack this weekend: Katie Dwyer’s Picture Book Studio. It digs pretty deep into the art and process of making them. www.onlypicturebooks.com/2026/08/24/i... #picturebooks #mondayblogs #kidlit #illustration

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Only Picture Books @onlypicturebooks.bsky.social · 17/08/2026

Revisiting THE DAY YOU BEGIN. What a great book about walking into a room and not quite fitting in. Enjoy some fresh reading prompts and activities for it. www.onlypicturebooks.com/2026/08/17/r... #mondayblogs #picturebooks #kidlit

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Only Picture Books @onlypicturebooks.bsky.social · 10/08/2026

I chose Christian Robinson for this week's creator spotlight. Swing by the post to find out what I love about his writing and art! www.onlypicturebooks.com/2026/08/10/c... #kidlit #picturebooks #Mondayblogs

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Only Picture Books @onlypicturebooks.bsky.social · 03/08/2026

The August batch of five-word picture book reviews is up. Here are five recent releases from my stack. www.onlypicturebooks.com/2026/08/03/p... #kidlit #picturebooks #bookreviews

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Only Picture Books @onlypicturebooks.bsky.social · 27/07/2026

I sat down with Mela Bolinao, founder of MB Artists, to talk about how agents spot new talent and the specific portfolio missteps artists need to avoid. Check out the interview here: www.onlypicturebooks.com/2026/07/27/a... #kidlit #picturebooks #kidlitart #amwriting

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Only Picture Books @onlypicturebooks.bsky.social · 20/07/2026

Revisiting Cherry Mo's Home in a Lunchbox today. It's a terrific example of trusting the art to do the talking. Here are some new activities and discussion prompts for it. www.onlypicturebooks.com/2026/07/20/r... #picturebooks #Mondayblogs #teachingideas #educators

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Only Picture Books @onlypicturebooks.bsky.social · 13/07/2026

Whenever I teach a picture book writing class, Oge Mora’s books are almost always on the syllabus. I put a few reasons why on the blog today. www.onlypicturebooks.com/2026/07/13/b... #KidLit #PictureBooks #WritingCommunity #Mondayblog

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Only Picture Books @onlypicturebooks.bsky.social · 29/06/2026

Back from teaching at the WIFYR conference! I put a quick photo recap on the blog today. (Spoiler: there was a lot of root beer involved.) www.onlypicturebooks.com/2026/06/29/c... #KidLit #WritingCommunity #MondayBlogs

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Only Picture Books @onlypicturebooks.bsky.social · 08/06/2026

The new Creator Spotlight is up. If you want to study how to balance visual storytelling with simple text, join me in looking at a few of Corey R. Tabor's books. www.onlypicturebooks.com/2026/06/08/b... #PictureBooks #KidLit #WritingCommunity #Mondayblogs

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Only Picture Books @onlypicturebooks.bsky.social · 01/06/2026

The June review roundup is live! I’m back at it with the five-word review challenge for a new batch of picture books. Curious which new release earned its score in "seabed sighs" or "bacon breakfasts"? Check out the list. www.onlypicturebooks.com/2026/06/01/p... #KidLit #PictureBooks #Mondayblogs

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Only Picture Books @onlypicturebooks.bsky.social · 25/05/2026

This week's Industry Insights post is live. If you write or teach nature-focused picture books, I found a great online resource. Head over to the blog to see the site I'm recommending this week! www.onlypicturebooks.com/2026/05/25/i... #PictureBooks #KidLit #WritingCommunity #Mondayblogs

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Only Picture Books @onlypicturebooks.bsky.social · 18/05/2026

Need a gentle way to get kids interested in the dirt? Today's post has discussion questions and hands-on projects for Kari Percival's How to Say Hello to a Worm. www.onlypicturebooks.com/2026/05/18/r... #KidLit #PictureBooks #readingactivities #MondayBlogs

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Only Picture Books @onlypicturebooks.bsky.social · 12/05/2026

Who's in the Creator Spotlight this month? It's Matt Forrest Esenwine. If you want to study how to blend poetry, pacing, and visual storytelling, his work is well worth the read. www.onlypicturebooks.com/2026/05/11/b... #KidLit #PictureBooks #MondayBlogs

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Only Picture Books @onlypicturebooks.bsky.social · 04/05/2026

The May review roundup is live! I gave five spring picture books the five-word review treatment. Come see which new releases earned what on the "polite refusals" or "fish hats" rating scale. www.onlypicturebooks.com/2026/05/04/p... #KidLit #PictureBooks #Mondayblogs

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Only Picture Books @onlypicturebooks.bsky.social · 27/04/2026

If you're the kind of creator who appreciates great endpapers and spine design... On the blog today, I wrote a post about why Mel Schuit's site, Let's Talk Picture Books, is a must-read. Check out my thoughts here: www.onlypicturebooks.com/2026/04/27/i... #KidLit #PictureBooks

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Only Picture Books @onlypicturebooks.bsky.social · 20/04/2026

Need some fresh classroom activities? I just posted a batch of discussion questions and writing prompts for Ryan T. Higgins's MOTHER BRUCE. (Plus a few read-alikes for when they inevitably ask for more!) www.onlypicturebooks.com/2026/04/20/r... #KidLit #PictureBooks

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Only Picture Books @onlypicturebooks.bsky.social · 13/04/2026

Today, I'm kicking off a brand new series: Creator Spotlight! First up is Pat Zietlow Miller. We're studying three of her picture books to see how she nails "kid logic," grounds big themes, and keeps concept books playful. www.onlypicturebooks.com/2026/04/13/b... #KidLit #PictureBooks

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Only Picture Books @onlypicturebooks.bsky.social · 06/04/2026

April is here, and so is a new batch of five-word picture book reviews. Check out the roundup on the blog, and let me know your own five-word takes in the comments. www.onlypicturebooks.com/2026/04/06/p... #KidLit #PictureBooks #BookReviews

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Only Picture Books @onlypicturebooks.bsky.social · 30/03/2026

For today's Bonus post, I’m highlighting a fantastic kidlit site that's all about how picture books and music work together. Really thoughtful stuff for teachers and writers alike. www.onlypicturebooks.com/2026/03/30/i... #PictureBooks #KidLit

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Only Picture Books @onlypicturebooks.bsky.social · 23/03/2026

From Scottish folklore to high school English to agenting at Howland Literary... Ashlee MacCallum has an incredible background. And yes, she wants your "creepy" picture books. 👻 www.onlypicturebooks.com/2026/03/23/a... #KidLit #MSWL #WritingCommunity #AmQuerying

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Only Picture Books @onlypicturebooks.bsky.social · 16/03/2026

Ever wonder what a dancing octopus or a sleeping salamander dreams about? 🐙🦎 This week’s reading activities feature EVERY DREAMING CREATURE by Brendan Wenzel. www.onlypicturebooks.com/2026/03/16/r... #KidLit #PictureBooks #BrendanWenzel

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Only Picture Books @onlypicturebooks.bsky.social · 09/03/2026

Just finished a picture book draft? Before you start revising, step back and look at the foundation. Today on the blog, I'm sharing 5 key questions to ask your early draft. www.onlypicturebooks.com/2026/03/09/b... #WritingTips #KidLit #PictureBooks

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Only Picture Books @onlypicturebooks.bsky.social · 02/03/2026

What do lace-up shoes have to do with growing up? Quite a bit, actually. Fred Koehler joined me to take a closer look at Caldecott Honor winner Jashar Awan’s new picture book, Loops. Here’s our full review: www.onlypicturebooks.com/2026/03/02/p... #mondayblogs #picturebooks #bookreview

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Only Picture Books @onlypicturebooks.bsky.social · 23/02/2026

In picture books, every spread needs to do heavy lifting. Today on the blog, I explain why you should cut the setup and start one beat later. www.onlypicturebooks.com/2026/02/23/i... #PictureBooks #KidLit #AmWriting #PublishingAdvice

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Only Picture Books @onlypicturebooks.bsky.social · 16/02/2026

We were saddened to hear of the passing of Hudson Talbott. To honor him, this week’s reading activities focus on his autobiographical picture book book, A Walk in the Words. www.onlypicturebooks.com/2026/02/16/r... #PictureBooks #KidLit #HudsonTalbott #ReadingActivities

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Only Picture Books @onlypicturebooks.bsky.social · 09/02/2026

Is your picture book idea "too small"? Does your draft feel rushed at the end? 🤔 Today on the blog, I’m addressing 3 of the most common early-draft worries. www.onlypicturebooks.com/2026/02/09/b... #WritingTips #KidLit #PictureBooks #AmWriting

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Only Picture Books @onlypicturebooks.bsky.social · 02/02/2026

February’s Five-Word Reviews are here! We’re keeping it brief this week with 5 new picture books you should have on your radar. www.onlypicturebooks.com/2026/02/02/p... #KidLit #PictureBooks #BookReview #Mondayblogs

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Only Picture Books @onlypicturebooks.bsky.social · 26/01/2026

Confession: If your cover letter is longer than your picture book manuscript, I probably won’t read it. 🫣 Today’s Industry Insights post offers a solution: The Two-Sentence Cover Note. www.onlypicturebooks.com/2026/01/26/i... #WritingCommunity #KidLit #Querying #MondayBlogs

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Only Picture Books @onlypicturebooks.bsky.social · 20/01/2026

This week on the blog, we’re stepping into the 1920s with Flora and the Jazzers by Astrid Sheckels. I’ve created a new set of reading activities to go with it. www.onlypicturebooks.com/2026/01/19/r... #PictureBooks #KidLit #Music #ReadingActivities

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Only Picture Books @onlypicturebooks.bsky.social · 12/01/2026

As an editor, I see the same specific mistakes in the slush pile over and over. Today, I’m sharing 10 resolutions that actually made a difference. www.onlypicturebooks.com/2026/01/12/b... #PictureBooks #WritingTips #KidLit #MondayBlogs

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Only Picture Books @onlypicturebooks.bsky.social · 05/01/2026

The first batch of reviews for 2026 is live! We’ve got Jory John’s latest Food Group book, winter vibes from the Pumphrey brothers, and hiccups. Lots of hiccups. www.onlypicturebooks.com/2026/01/05/f... #KidLit #PictureBooks #BookReview #MondayBlogs

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Only Picture Books @onlypicturebooks.bsky.social · 29/12/2025

The OPB Best of 2025 list is live! 📚✨ www.onlypicturebooks.com/2025/12/29/2... #KidLit #BestOf2025 #PictureBooks #MondayBlogs

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Only Picture Books @onlypicturebooks.bsky.social · 22/12/2025

Today on the blog, I'm sharing the simple file naming convention that editors actually love (and that keeps your work from getting lost). www.onlypicturebooks.com/2025/12/22/i... #WritingCommunity #KidLit #PublishingAdvice #Querying #picturebooks

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Only Picture Books @onlypicturebooks.bsky.social · 17/12/2025

Whoops! Monday got away from me, but this post is worth the wait. 🕰️ I've created a set of reading activities for GIRLS ON THE RISE by Amanda Gorman & Loveis Wise. Find the post right here. www.onlypicturebooks.com/2025/12/17/r... #KidLit #AmandaGorman #PictureBooks

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Only Picture Books @onlypicturebooks.bsky.social · 08/12/2025

New on the blog: An interview with award-winning poet and author @Irene_Latham! We discuss poetry, collaboration, and THE MUSEUM ON THE MOON, which I had the pleasure of editing. 🌙 www.onlypicturebooks.com/2025/12/08/a... #KidLit #AuthorInterview #Poetry #TheMuseumOnTheMoon

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Only Picture Books @onlypicturebooks.bsky.social · 01/12/2025

What happens when leftover Halloween candy crashes the holidays? 🍬🎄 I'm joined by illustrator Edna Cabcabin Moran (@kidlitedna) to review CANDY CORN CHRISTMAS by Jonathan Fenske. Read our thoughts about it right here: www.onlypicturebooks.com/2025/12/01/p... #PictureBooks #KidLit #BookReview

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Only Picture Books @onlypicturebooks.bsky.social · 24/11/2025

Your picture book needs to answer one question fast: So what? If you can't answer it, neither can an editor (or a sales rep, or a buyer). Today's post explains exactly how to fix that. www.onlypicturebooks.com/2025/11/24/i... #PictureBooks #WritingTips #KidLit

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Only Picture Books @onlypicturebooks.bsky.social · 17/11/2025

This week's post is all about the slimy, sweet, and very funny monster bedtime book, Sleep Tight, Disgusting Blob by Huw Aaron! To celebrate, I've created a new set of reading activities. www.onlypicturebooks.com/2025/11/17/r... #PictureBooks #KidLit #BedtimeStories #Monsters #ActivitiesForKids

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Only Picture Books @onlypicturebooks.bsky.social · 10/11/2025

Super Bowl champion Keyshawn Johnson & singer/voice actress Bettina Bush discuss their new picture book, Once Upon a You. Learn about their creative process, friendship, and passion for empowering kids. www.onlypicturebooks.com/2025/11/10/a... #KidLit #OnceUponAYou #KeyshawnJohnson

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Only Picture Books @onlypicturebooks.bsky.social · 03/11/2025

It's the first Monday of the month, and a new list of five-word reviews is live! It's a great batch of funny, strange, and beautiful books here. www.onlypicturebooks.com/2025/11/03/5... #PictureBooks #BookReviews #KidLit

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Only Picture Books @onlypicturebooks.bsky.social · 27/10/2025

New Industry Insights post, fresh from the hiring trenches! I just hired an editorial assistant & am sharing the 11 green lights (and 5 red flags) I saw in the submissions pile. www.onlypicturebooks.com/2025/10/27/i... #Publishing #JobSearch #CareerAdvice #KidLit

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Only Picture Books @onlypicturebooks.bsky.social · 20/10/2025

This week’s post is about The Glass Pyramid, the inspiring story of architect I.M. Pei and his vision for the Louvre. To go with it, I've developed a new set of reading activities. Enjoy! www.onlypicturebooks.com/2025/10/20/t... #KidLit #PictureBooks #Architecture #STEM #ReadingActivities

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Only Picture Books @onlypicturebooks.bsky.social · 14/10/2025

This week's interview is with Joan Schoettler, whose new book BOOKS TRAVEL THE WORLD I had the honor of editing. We discuss her journey from professor to author & her passion for cross-cultural stories. www.onlypicturebooks.com/2025/10/13/a... #AuthorInterview #WritingCraft #KidLit #PictureBooks

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Only Picture Books @onlypicturebooks.bsky.social · 06/10/2025

A new batch of five-word reviews is up! This week's list features a must-see from Stephen King & Maurice Sendak (!), plus heroism with "snotty flair," a daring duck, and more. www.onlypicturebooks.com/2025/10/06/p... #KidLit #StephenKing #PictureBooks #BookReview

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