iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Paula Holmes @qsprite.bsky.social · 27/09/2026

It’s #worldkidlitmonth so another excuse for me to shout out ODDS AND ENDS Finnish PB by Maija Hurme tr by Mia Spangenberg from @enchantedlion.bsky.social 🥰 I hope that it wins a Batchelder

Cover of ODDS AND ENDS. SUPPORT independent publishers and purchase at https://enchantedlion.com/all-books/odds-and-ends

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Paula Holmes @qsprite.bsky.social · 16/09/2026

In 1968 the 1st @wearealsc.bsky.social #BatchelderAward went to THE LITTLE MAN by Erich Kästner illus by Rick Schreiter tr by James Kirkup published by Alfred A Knopf it needs a seal which I can fix & taking a walk back in time reading it now during #worldkidlitmonth

Cover of THE LITTLE MAN on top of a box of matches which is made into a little bed, sits a small man in a stripe sportcoat holding a top hat
along with the title, the words, “the biggest littlest artiste in the circus firmament with Hokus Von Pokus, professor, and past master of applied magic courtesy of Stilke’s Circus” framed illustration. The corners of the cover feature doves, a rabbit and a top hat and gloves.

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Paula Holmes @qsprite.bsky.social · 13/09/2026

Sunday morning reading #worldkidlitmonth BENEATH THE MISTS by Camilla Sten & Viveca Sten tr by A.A. Prime book two The Whispering Sea Mysteries - if it’s as good as the first I am in for a treat and will be unavailable until I am finished ☺️

Cover of BENEATH THE MISTS Tuva stands at the edge of the water lantern in hand. The bow of a boat is behind, in front swirling mist barren trees and glowing eyes are in front of a large hill far in the background

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Paula Holmes @qsprite.bsky.social · 09/09/2026

I’m so excited by this upcoming book from @ebyrbooks.bsky.social put in an order at the bookstore for copies to share - THIS IS HOW TO SPOT ANIMALS! by Aline Portman tr by Laura Watkinson 🤩 for those who always seem to be looking the wrong way when what they are seeking passes by this book sees you

Cover of This is How to Spot Animals! Bear sits on a rock with his thermos nearby, holding his binoculars up to the sky squirrel is below him and three ants are carrying leaves from the plant near the rock. From Eerdmans Books for Young Readers

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Paula Holmes @qsprite.bsky.social · 06/09/2026

During #WORLDKIDLITMONTH I am rereading one of my favorites #Batchelder Honor Book RUN FOR YOUR LIFE by Silvana Gandolfi tr by Lynne Sharon Schwartz from Yonder:Restless Books for Young Readers 🥰 MG Suspense

Cover of RUN FOR YOUR LIFE
A boy is running through the streets of Italy at night. You only see his legs and one arm the arm is tightly grabbing a necklace with a pendant. The cover has the Batchelder honor Book seal on the front.

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Paula Holmes @qsprite.bsky.social · 02/09/2026

September is Gynecological Cancer Awareness Month and #WorldKidLitMonth both causes I support 🥰 I can highly recommend this cancer journey graphic novel MY TRIP WITH DRIP by Josephine Mark tr by Andrew Shields fr Helvetiq

Cover of my trip with drip a wolf drives a motorcycle with a side car, carrying a small bunny attached to chemotherapy bags racing away from

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Paula Holmes @qsprite.bsky.social · 01/09/2026

Today is the first day of #worldkidlitmonth and book mail delivers!!! VAMPIRE GIRL CONQUERS THE NIGHT @levinequerido.bsky.social by Bettina González & Mariana Ruiz Johnson tr by Antonio Gonzalez Cerna so excited 🥰 I saw this book at ALA and knew I needed it!

Cover of VAMPIRE GIRL CONQUERS THE NIGHT vampire girl looks out the window of a small house, creatures of the night stalk the roof, all with crescent moon shaped faces

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Paula Holmes @qsprite.bsky.social · 27/07/2026

Airport reading #worldkidlit THE NECKLACE OF SEVEN SOULS by Hooda Shawna tr by Nour Jaljuli & Sawad Hussain from Yonder Restless Books for Young Readers - beautiful endpapers so an excellent start 🥰

Cover of THE NECKLACE OF SEVEN SOULS a young woman carrying a bag of art supplies is standing in front of a picture in a gallery from the picture frame behind her a woman reaches out draping a necklace around her.

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Paula Holmes @qsprite.bsky.social · 06/07/2026

Coffee & #worldkidlit THE SECRET OF HELMERSBRUK MANOR by Finnish author Eva Frantz Illus by Elin Sandström tr by A.A. Prime fr @pushkinpress I woke up to learn this translation is an IBBY honour book 2026 www.ibby.org/fileadmin/us... 🥰🥳

Cover of THE SECRET OF HELMERSBRUK MANOR a Christmas Mystery snow covered trees arch framing a three story house that looks neglected. The sky is full of stars and a large glowing moon is above the house.

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Paula Holmes @qsprite.bsky.social · 30/06/2026

This book didn’t make someone’s post office box so is now my airplane reading. Crossing my fingers otherwise I am playing Canasta on my phone for two hours

Cover of THE NIGHT’S CHOSEN women looking back (in huge ballgown) races along the castle walls -the castle and night sky are in the background

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Paula Holmes @qsprite.bsky.social · 30/06/2026

Airport reading THE MAGIC COIN by Daan Remmerts de Vries illus by Marije Tolman tr by Nancy Forest-Flier #worldkidlit @levinequerido.bsky.social I am a huge fan of Marije Tolman (LITTLE FOX & QUILL THE FOREST KEEPER) 🥰

Cover of THE MAGIC COIN goldfish holds a magic coin that starts as a quarter. https://www.levinequerido.com/products/goldfish?variant=58397008527441

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Paula Holmes @qsprite.bsky.social · 29/06/2026

Highly recommend finding the @pushkinpress.com booth at #alaac26 Totally immersed myself in MONSTERS this afternoon MG translation by Stéphane Servant beautifully illus by Nicolas Zouliamis Translated by Sarah Ardizzone #worldkidlit just the right amount of scary with plot twists - still pondering ❤️

Cover of MONSTERS children with lanterns search for an escaped monster https://us.pushkinpress.com/book/monsters/

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Paula Holmes @qsprite.bsky.social · 28/06/2026

Cutest cat at #alaac26 MOOZ MOOSE @groundwoodbooks.bsky.social Written & Illustrated By: Mangeshig Pawis-Steckley tr by Mary Ann Corbiere #worldkidlit

Cover of MOOZ MOOSE featuring a smiling cat https://houseofanansi.com/products/mooz-moose

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Paula Holmes @qsprite.bsky.social · 28/06/2026

I found @helenwanglondon.bsky.social translation YULU’S LINEN at #alaac26 #workdkidlit by Cao Wenxuan and Suzy Lee so excited 😆 crossing my fingers it gets lots of love, stars and awards Don’t forget to feel the texture of the pages ❤️

Cover of YULU’S LINEN surrounded by other books in book display booth at ALA https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Yulus-Linen/Cao-Wenxuan/9781665931199

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Paula Holmes @qsprite.bsky.social · 27/06/2026

Visited @ebyrbooks.bsky.social champions of #worldkit at #alaac26 Booth 3031 to see @lawrenceschimel.bsky.social tr of PUMA CONCOLOR author René Araneda illus Julio Antonio Blasco 🥰

https://www.eerdmans.com/9781467470698/puma-concolor/

Cover with PUMA CONCOLOR
PUMA and kits sun in the background

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Paula Holmes @qsprite.bsky.social · 27/06/2026

Spending time with NOBODY BUT ME by Sara Lundberg tr by @bjwoodstein.bsky.social at #alaac26 #worldkidlit Booth 2234-c Triangle Square

Cover of NOBODY BUT ME child floats in a raft under the trees surrounded by water lilies https://www.sevenstories.com/books/4799-nobody-but-me

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Paula Holmes @qsprite.bsky.social · 27/06/2026

Stopped by #restlessbook booth 4148 #alaac26 love seeing some of my favorite books and translators #worldkidlit can’t wait for @averyudagawa.bsky.social next translation

Booth 4148 at ALA in Chicago Restless is the home of Yonder Restless Books for Young Readers

https://restlessbooks.org/yonder

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Paula Holmes @qsprite.bsky.social · 27/06/2026

Highlight of the evening #alaac26 seeing ODDS AND ENDS by Maija Hurme tr Mia Spangenberg from @enchantedlion.bsky.social with so many stars 🤩⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️🇫🇮 #worldkidlit

Cover of Odds and Ends taped on pictures of lasts giving a scrapbook feel https://enchantedlion.com/all-books/odds-and-ends

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Paula Holmes @qsprite.bsky.social · 26/06/2026

On the way to #alaac26 #worldkidlit reading! KEPLER62: The Invitation by Timo Parvela Bjørn Sortland illus by Pasi Pitkänen tr by Owen Witesman from Arctis Books

Cover of Book One KEPLER62 Two brothers holding hands walking through large metal doors with an eagle painted on them an airplane is flying away in the background

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Paula Holmes @qsprite.bsky.social · 25/06/2026

Coffee & Kidlit before I head to #alaac26 #worldkidlit MY TRIP WITH DRIP by Josephine Mark tr by Andrew Shields from @helvetiq.bsky.social there aren’t many kids books about the cancer journey & one’s that give a moment of laughter are even fewer - everyone needs a friend through chemotherapy ☺️

Cover of MY TRIP WITH DRIP
Wolf is escaping on a motorcycle down the road with clouds of smoke whooshing out the back with rabbit in the side car hooked up to its IV dri
Seal on book designating it is a Max and Moritz Award winner

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Paula Holmes @qsprite.bsky.social · 23/06/2026

I’m in love with ODDS AND ENDS from 🇫🇮 & want it finds its way to the hands of readers - The #BatchelderAward helps bring new audiences to translations & crossing my fingers the committee loves Maija Hurme & tr Mia Spangenberg title from @enchantedlion.bsky.social as much as I do #worldkidlit

Cover of ODDS & ENDS small illustrations of “lasts” are taped on the cover giving the look of a scrapbook https://enchantedlion.com/all-books/odds-and-ends

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Paula Holmes @qsprite.bsky.social · 22/06/2026

I’m pondering the #BatchelderAward this morning 🤔 I have a couple of #worldkidlit favorites for the 1st half of 2026. Definitely YULU’S LINEN by Cao Wenxuan illus by Suzy Lee tr by Helen Wang fr Atheneum Books for Young Readers - extra special delight ❤️ the page texture feels like artist canvas

Cover of YULU’S LINEN - Yulu stands in front of an art supply store window - in the middle of the window on an easel is the perfect canvas for a self portrait

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Paula Holmes @qsprite.bsky.social · 17/06/2026

This morning’s coffee & KidLit THE LADY OF SHADOWS the Moonwind Mysteries by Johan Rundberg tr by A.A. Prime 🇸🇪this is the fourth in this MG Swedish historical mystery ❤️ I am counting on Mika’s adventures to have me on the edge of my seat like the last 3 #worldkidlit

The cover shows a silhouette of a girl in front of a large house. There was a silhouette of a woman in the upstairs window the sun is setting and the street lights have just turned on. Roses bloom at the front gate and leaves are swirling.

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Paula Holmes @qsprite.bsky.social · 12/06/2026

This morning’s coffee and #kidlit KEPLER62: The Countdown by Bjørn Sortland, Timo Parvela illus by Pasi Pitkänen tr from the Finnish by Owen Witesman from Arctis Books - just ordered the rest this MG series #worldkidlit

Book two of the Kepler62 series cover features Marie, who has arrived at Area51 for training, encountering “the Whisper” an alien who looks part insect part dragon with many centipede like tentacles spreading out from its tubular prison

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Paula Holmes @qsprite.bsky.social · 09/06/2026

Coffee and KidLit with this month’s Transit Children’s Editions Book Club arrival THE MUÉGANOS by Jaque Jours @transitbooks.bsky.social it is also available in Spanish LOS MUÉGANOS #worldkidlit I love this subscription as I never miss out on new books from this high quality publisher.

Cover of THE MUÉGANOS sitting on a table with a cup of coffee. Cover shows a table with five chairs and activities in front of each chair above are five framed portraits of the family (that look like rabbits but note the father has very bushy eyebrows and mustache)
hanging above each chair

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Paula Holmes @qsprite.bsky.social · 08/06/2026

My morning coffee & KidLit has me starting GIRAFFE ISLAND by Sofia Chanfreau &Amanda Chanfreau tr by Julia Marshall @geckopress.bsky.social winner of the Finlandia Junior prize #worldkidlit I am in search of my top ten kids’ books from Finland from the last ten years 🔎

Cover of GIRAFFE ISLAND shows the magical creatures of Giraffe Island that only Vega sees rabbits with multiple ears, tiny camels and elephants (one wearing glasses) and owl with two sets of eyes from Gecko Press translated from the Swedish from Finland

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Paula Holmes @qsprite.bsky.social · 06/06/2026

I couldn’t resist the Moomin display at Barnes and Noble #worldkidlit. Got a new Little My mug 🥰

Display of Moomin books, plush Moomintroll, and Little My figures at Barnes and Noble display window

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Paula Holmes @qsprite.bsky.social · 05/06/2026

Coffee & Kidlit this morning Little Yu & the Treelings LOST IN PEACH BLOSSOM PARADISE by Xiong Liang tr by Chloe Garcia Roberts from Elsewhere Editions @archipelagobooks.bsky.social #worldkidlit

Cover of LOST IN PEACH BLOSSOM PARADISE a winding river surrounded by dense forest frames Little Yu holding a giant peach looking across the river at a trekking with its arms crossed https://archipelagobooks.org/book/little-yu-the-treelings-lost-in-peach-blossom-paradise/

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Paula Holmes @qsprite.bsky.social · 04/06/2026

I have gotten behind on my #worldkidlit reading so I have decided to start my mornings outside with coffee & a book This morning WHO HID THE STARS? How Light Pollution Changes Our World by Valentina Gottardi, Macie J Michno & Danio Miserocchi tr by Sylvia Notini @ebyrbooks.bsky.social 🥰

Cover of WHO HID THE STARS? A lamppost with three lanterns in n front of the night sky a bird has made a nest in one lantern while a crow is perched on another moths are drawn to the light https://www.eerdmans.com/9780802856517/who-hid-the-stars/

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Paula Holmes @qsprite.bsky.social · 03/06/2026

Getting ready to attend the @wearealsc.bsky.social awards on June 29th rereading #BatchelderHonorBook THE ADVENTURES OF CIPILLINO by Gianni Rodari Illus by Dasha Tolstokova tr by Antony Shugaar from @enchantedlion.bsky.social #worldkidlit

Cover of THE ADVENTURES OF CIPOLLINO Cipollino’s head is an onion and is wearing a striped shirt with a handkerchief tied around his neck https://enchantedlion.com/all-books/the-adventures-of-cipollino

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Paula Holmes @qsprite.bsky.social · 30/04/2026

My copy of CHIRRI & CHIRRA AMONG THE CHERRY BLOSSOMS by Kaya Doi tr by David Boyd has arrived! I love this series about the adventures of bike riding twins published by @enchantedlion.bsky.social Dring-dring, dring-dring! 🚲🚲🌸🌸🥰

Cover of Chirri and Chirra featuring two bike riding twins riding their bikes under the sakura tree from Enchanted Lion

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Paula Holmes @qsprite.bsky.social · 26/02/2026

My copy of YULU’S LINEN by Cao Wenxuan illustrated by Suzy Lee & tr by @helenwanglondon.bsky.social arrived 🥰 #worldkidlit a beautiful book in every way! Pages feels like an artist canvas & the illustrations perfectly capture the text Yulu’s process of creating will resonate with all children ⭐️

Yulu stares at a blank canvas on an easel in the window of an art supply store https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Yulus-Linen/Cao-Wenxuan/9781665931199

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Paula Holmes @qsprite.bsky.social · 31/01/2026

Forthcoming from @enchantedlion.bsky.social ODDS AND ENDS from Maija Hurme Tr by Mia Spangenberg is a Finnish book that enchanted me at first sight originally published by Etana Editions #workdkidlit #finnishkidlit This is the book that I will be talking about for 2026!

The cover of ODDS AND ENDS illustrations of memories are taped down from mushrooms, a snowflake, a tooth, a shell to puddle jumping are the collection of lasts. Written and illustrated by Maija Hurme translated by Mia Spangenberg https://enchantedlion.com/all-books/odds-and-ends?rq=Odds%20 https://enchantedlion.com/all-books/odds-and-ends?rq=Odds%20

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Paula Holmes @qsprite.bsky.social · 26/01/2026

So happy for @enchantedlion.bsky.social a small independent publisher of high quality translations for their #BATCHELDER honor book THE ADVENTURES OF CIPOLLINO by Gianni Rodari tr by Antony Shigaar - make sure your library has a copy 🥰

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Paula Holmes @qsprite.bsky.social · 13/12/2025

Toy drive at the Remparts game! Flying stuffed animals everywhere. 🥰

Stuffed animals cover the ice at the Remparts Hockey Game

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Paula Holmes @qsprite.bsky.social · 09/12/2025

My favorite 2025 books that were not translations both from @enchantedlion.bsky.social THE BOY WHO BECAME A PARROT: A Foolish Biography of Edward Lear Who Invented Nonsense by Wolverton Hill & Laura Carlin DON’T EAT ME: The Almost True Story of Belladonna by Kate Finney & Esmé Shapiro #kidlit

Covers of THE BOY WHO BECAME A PARROT a man leans back on a tree surrounded by sketches of animals and a child with a kite. DON’T EAT ME! The belladonna plant fills the cover with a center bloom with a face https://enchantedlion.com/

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Paula Holmes @qsprite.bsky.social · 09/12/2025

My favorite cat books for 2025 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ LATE TODAY by Jungyoon Huh & Myungae Lee tr by Aerin Park @ebyrbooks.bsky.social CAT NAP by @brianlies.bsky.social @harpercollins.bsky.social #worldkidlit 🐈‍⬛🥰

The cover of LATE TODAY with a kitten under the front of a car with rain coming down https://www.eerdmans.com/9780802856494/late-today/

The cover of CAT NAP with a cat lying in the cover of a picture frame reaching out through the book title for a mouse racing off the cover https://www.harpercollins.com/products/cat-nap-brian-lies?variant=43406925889570

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Paula Holmes @qsprite.bsky.social · 09/12/2025

My favorite translations for 2025 that I hope are considered for the Batchelder Award #worldkidlit of course I reserve the right to add more when I receive my latest order of books from the bookstore ❤️

Covers of
HAVE A GOOD TRIP, MOUSSE! by Claire Lebourg tr by Sophie Lewis
MY PRESENTATION TODAY IS ABOUT THE ANACONDA by Bibi Dumon Tak and Annemarie Van Haeringen tr by Nancy Forest-Flier
CROCO by Azul López tr by Kit Maude
THE VILLAGE BEYOND THE MIST by Sachiko Kashiwaba tr by Avery Fischer Udagawa illus by Miho Satake
LATE TODAY by Jungyoon Huh and Myungae Lee tr by Aerin Park

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Paula Holmes @qsprite.bsky.social · 06/12/2025

Getting my @usbby.bsky.social auction art framed today 🥰celebrating my favorite 🐈‍⬛ cat books of 2025 - ❤️ Big love for CAT NAP by @brianlies.bsky.social from Harper Collins Crossing my fingers for a Caldecott win ⭐️

Cover of CAT NAP by Brian Lies cat lies on a picture frame with a paw reaching out for a mouse https://www.brianlies.com/cat-nap

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Paula Holmes @qsprite.bsky.social · 06/12/2025

I was thinking about my favorite cat books of 2025 and I realized that WHAT A SMALL CAT NEEDS comes out January 2026 From @enchantedlion.bsky.social by Natalia Shaloshvili tr by Lena Traer 🥰 I agree with all the ⭐️ reviews #worldkidlit

Cover of WHAT A SMALL CAT NEEDS small kitten holds a bowl of milk with a small penguin nearby https://enchantedlion.com/all-books/what-a-small-cat-needs

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Paula Holmes @qsprite.bsky.social · 18/11/2025

I am loving MY PRESENTATION TODAY IS ABOUT THE ANACONDA by Bibi Dumon Tak illustrations by Annemarie Van Haeringen Tr by Nancy Forest-Flier from @levinequerido putting in my #MockBatchelder pile Finding myself laughing out loud and book talking it any chance I get 🥰🤩

Cover of My Presentation Today is About the Anaconda featuring an Anaconda and the earthworm who is giving the presentation.

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Paula Holmes @qsprite.bsky.social · 07/10/2025

Last night went to see Brian Isett and Claudia Biçen talk about their new book THE FORGOTTEN TEACHERS: How nature wrote the story of life at White Whale Bookstore in Pittsburgh from Unruly @enchantedlion.bsky.social Truly a beautiful and fascinating book that combines art and science.

Cover THE FORGOTTEN TEACHERS featuring the tree of life whose branches sprout plants, birds, iguanas, fish, hands, and fungi. From Unruly https://enchantedlion.com/blog/2025/9/30/author-brian-isett-on-the-forgotten-teachers?rq=Forgotten%20

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Paula Holmes @qsprite.bsky.social · 22/09/2025

One of my favorites for fall PUMPKIN ISLAND by Arthur Geisert from @enchantedlion.bsky.social it’s a visual treat!

Cover of PUMPKIN ISLAND showing an ever expanding pumpkin patch https://enchantedlion.com/all-books/pumpkin-island-bg3zl

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Paula Holmes @qsprite.bsky.social · 16/09/2025

Just saying one more time how much I love the Mousse series by Claire Lebourg tr by Sophie Lewis from @transitbooks.bsky.social #worldkidlitmonth Vol 1 A DAY WITH MOUSSE Vol 2 HAVE A GOOD TRIP, MOUSSE! Can’t wait for Volume 3 🥰

Cover of A DAY WITH MOUSSE & HAVE A GOOD TRIP, MOUSSE https://worldkidlit.org/2025/04/03/new-books-old-friends-the-joy-of-a-series/

https://www.transitchildrenseditions.org/books/haveagoodtripmousse

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Paula Holmes @qsprite.bsky.social · 12/09/2025

Tucking in BILLIE AND BEAN AT THE BEACH by Julia Hansson tr by @bjwoodstein.bsky.social into a gift bundle ❤️ love this PB adventure series from @orcabook.bsky.social that includes BILLIE AND BEAN IN THE CITY & BILLIE AND BEAN IN THE MOUNTAINS perfect for encouraging new adventures #worldkidlitmonth

Covers of three books in the BILLIE AND BEAN series each cover features Billie and her dog Bean https://www.orcabook.com/ContributorInfo?ContribId=1365

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Paula Holmes @qsprite.bsky.social · 11/09/2025

I’m putting together a new baby gift. I love including the board book JUMP! by Tatsuhide Matsuoka tr by Cathy Hirano the illustrations are fun and shouting Boing! as you flip the pages is even better #worldkidlitmonth

Cover of JUMP! Show a cat joyfully outstretched jumping with the title across its belly. From Gecko Press

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Paula Holmes @qsprite.bsky.social · 10/09/2025

My copy of FREYA AND THE SNAKE by Fredrick Sonck & @jennylucander.bsky.social tr by B.J. Woodstein arrived today!!! Thank you @fuse8.bsky.social for the recommendation #worldkidlitmonth #finnishkidlit

Cover of FREYA AND THE SNAKE shows a snake with its tongue out wrapped around a smiling Freya as she reaches out to touch it. In the distance Freya’s father is running towards them with a rake and bucket, dressed in heavy boots and gloves prepared for capturing the snake

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Paula Holmes @qsprite.bsky.social · 06/09/2025

Do you have a favorite bookstore destination for #worldkidlitmonth - in NYC I think The Albertine part of The French Institute for Cultural and Education www.albertine.com is absolutely beautiful 😍 last time I found a French translation of a Finnish picture book

Ceiling and second floor of the Albertine bookstore in NYC https://www.albertine.com/

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