iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

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Lori Tecler @loritecler.bsky.social · 13/05/2026

Unraveling like the tales he's famous for, @senickel.bsky.social's THE TRUE UGLY DUCKLING gives readers insight into story behind legendary storyteller Hans Christian Anderson. Detailed cut paper illustrations by Calvin Nicholls take the story to the next level! #kidlit @levinequerido.bsky.social

Cover of picture book THE TRUE UGLY DUCKLING by Sandra Nickel with art by Calvin Nicholls. Cover features a cut paper image of a man standing between two large white ducklings.

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kidsbookaday.bsky.social @kidsbookaday.bsky.social · 15/05/2026

Introduce kids to innovative artists Hans Christian Anderson and Stephen Sondheim in these fascinating and beautifully illustrated new picture books. @senickel.bsky.social kidsbookaday.com/2026/05/14/t...

kidsbookaday.com

Two innovative artists

The True Ugly Duckling: How Hans Christian Andersen Became a Swan by Sandra Nickel, illustrated by Calvin Nicholls (Levine Querido, 32 pages, grades K-3). Hans Christian Andersen’s life is pr…

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Jeanne Walker Harvey @jeannewharvey.bsky.social · 12/07/2026

"As he took his scissors from his pocket, they hushed their voices. And as he weaved magic with his words and scissors, he felt like the most beautiful swan of all."- @senickel.bsky.social My post of this beautiful book: www.jeannewalkerharvey.com/single-post/... @eastwestlit.bsky.social

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The Horn Book @thehornbook.bsky.social · 17/06/2026

⭐ #Nonfiction #HBReviewoftheWeek THE TRUE UGLY DUCKLING by @senickel.bsky.social ; illus. by Calvin Nicholls (Levine/ @levinequerido.bsky.social ): "The striking illustrations echo Andersen’s own art while giving the scenes a sculptural depth and tactile warmth" www.hbook.com/story/review...

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Judy Bradbury #KidlitAuthor @judybradbury.bsky.social · 05/05/2026

THE TRUE UGLY DUCKLING by @senickel.bsky.social illus by Calvin Nicholls brims with examples of Hans Christian Andersen’s fortitude & how neurodiversity played a part. Interview & more on Children’s Book Corner. #KidLit #EduSky #Libsky @levinequerido.bsky.social www.judybradbury.com/biography/th...

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Sandra Nickel 📚 @senickel.bsky.social · 26/04/2026

Come join me & Anney Matlock at the Smithsonian National Postal Museum’s Virtual Story Time! Mon, April 27 at 11am EST. We’ll be talking about #HansChristianAndersen, the #stamps he inspired, and, of course, I’ll be reading The True Ugly Duckling! It's free! postalmuseum.si.edu/virtual-stor...

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Jeanne Walker Harvey @jeannewharvey.bsky.social · 21/04/2026

"Books are Harry's greatest escape. They spark imagination. They bring the past to life. They make home feel like home. Books transformed a poor, unknown boy into the great Houdini..." - @barbrosenstock.bsky.social 📚My post: www.jeannewalkerharvey.com/single-post/...

jeannewalkerharvey.com

Houdini's Library

How Books Created the World's Greatest MagicianA TRUE TALE WITHA CHERRY ON TOPKnopf Books for Young Readers(pub. 2.17.2026)48 pagesAges 4 - 8Author: Barb Rosenstock Illustrator: Mar DelmarCharacter:...

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Deborah Kalb @deborahkalb.bsky.social · 23/04/2026

Q&A with Lauren H. Kerstein about her new children's picture book, HOPE RODE. #partnership #hoperode deborahkalbbooks.blogspot.com/2026/04/q-wi... @laurenkerstein.bsky.social

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Vicky Fang | Kidlit Author & Illustrator @fangmousbooks.bsky.social · 23/04/2026

The first review for ONE MAD CAT AND THE MISSING BOOK is in and it's a great one from School Library Journal! I love that they pick up on the SEL discussion possibilities, because sometimes we all get a little mad...⁠ Releases July 11, available for pre-order now: vickyfang.com/books/one-ma...

“An early reader chapter book with lots of SEL discussion possibilities.”

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The Horn Book @thehornbook.bsky.social · 02/04/2026

THE TRUE UGLY DUCKLING (Levine/ @levinequerido.bsky.social ) by @senickel.bsky.social ; illus. by Calvin Nicholls will receive a starred review in the May/June 2026 #HornBookMagazine. Congratulations! #HBMag #HBStars www.hbook.com/story/may-ju...

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Erin Dealey--> Kidlit Author*Playwright @erindealey.bsky.social · 02/04/2026

To celebrate— go check out @senickel.bsky.social’s new bio of HCA : THE TRUE UGLY DUCKLING illus. Calvin Nicholls (Levine Querido) 🌟TODAY there’s a #Kidlit Book Launch—April 2nd at 6pm at Books of Wonder in New York City! Go say HI & get a signed copy. sandranickel.com/books/the-tr...

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Sandra Nickel 📚 @senickel.bsky.social · 01/04/2026

YABC is having an amazing Spring Buzzworthy Books #Giveaway! It's your chance to win a copy of THE TRUE UGLY DUCKLING, along with 14 other #newrelease #kidlit #books! You can enter HERE: yabookscentral.com/yabcs-buzzwo...

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Sandra Nickel 📚 @senickel.bsky.social · 26/03/2026

It’s a star from School Library Journal! Thank you so very much! And thanks to the entire True Ugly Duckling Team! @LevineQuerido #books #newbook #hanschristianandersen #uglyduckling #fairytale #kidlit #kidlitillustration

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Bianca Schulze: The Children's Book Review @tcbrbookreview.bsky.social · 24/03/2026

What if the things that made you feel like you didn't belong were actually your greatest gifts? 🦢 Author @senickel.bsky.social joins the podcast to talk about Hans Christian Andersen, neurodiversity, and writing for the child who feels "too much." thechildrensbookreview.com/from-an-ugly...

thechildrensbookreview.com

From an Ugly Duckling to Storytelling Swan: Sandra Nickel on Hans Christian Andersen

Author Sandra Nickel offers a fairy-tale-like portrait of how a misunderstood child grew into one of the world’s most beloved storytellers.

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Sandra Nickel 📚 @senickel.bsky.social · 20/03/2026

Join me in celebrating The True Ugly Duckling on April 2 at @booksofwonder.bsky.social! And, yes, those are our cookies! If you can’t make it & would like a signed book, you can order at booksofwonder.com/products/978... Please come & bring friends! #booklaunch #newbook #celebration #cookies #books

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Jilanne Hoffmann | Kidlit @jilanne.bsky.social · 11/11/2025

When I read the full review of THE OCEAN'S HEART I cried (tears of joy)...Okay, I'm still crying. The reviewer connected with this book on every level. I hope other readers will, too. ❤️@steelworksliterary.bsky.social @lernerbooks.bsky.social @carolhinz.bsky.social #Edusky #Skybrarians #kidlit

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Jilanne Hoffmann | Kidlit @jilanne.bsky.social · 19/03/2026

❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️📚

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Sandra Nickel 📚 @senickel.bsky.social · 18/03/2026

Such book love! Betsy Bird has included The True Ugly Duckling in her Caldecott 2027 Spring Prediction Edition. Thank you, Betsy! 💙 #picturebookillustration #caldecottprediction #newbook #books #booklove #kidlit #kidlitillustration

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Deborah Kalb @deborahkalb.bsky.social · 18/03/2026

Q&A with Garrett Curbow about his new novel, WHISPERS OF INK AND STARLIGHT. tinyurl.com/mr3a35u4

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Vicky Fang | Kidlit Author & Illustrator @fangmousbooks.bsky.social · 18/03/2026

This week on Kidlit Survival Guide (the Substack I write with @christinenevans.bsky.social), I talk about when a book goes out of print. (Ouch.) kidlitsurvivalguide.substack.com/p/when-a-boo...

kidlitsurvivalguide.substack.com

When a Book Goes Out Of Print

Ouch.

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John Schu @mrschureads.bsky.social · 17/03/2026

Happy book birthday to @kaaauthor.bsky.social and Lita Judge's The Littlest Elephant: A One and Only Ruby Story! mrschureads.blogspot.com/2025/06/cove...

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John Schu @mrschureads.bsky.social · 17/03/2026

I added Dr. @grantdraws.bsky.social's The Year I Stopped Drawing to my 2026 Books I Love presentation: www.pinterest.com/mrschureads/...

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Jeanne Walker Harvey @jeannewharvey.bsky.social · 17/03/2026

Inspire children with a fun STEAM activity tied to our picture book biography, THE GLASS PYRAMID: A Story of the Louvre Museum and Architect I.M. Pei. Plus other fun activities available too: jeannewalkerharvey.com/projects @ssedlib.bsky.social @eastwestlit.bsky.social @kidlittv.bsky.social

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Deborah Kalb @deborahkalb.bsky.social · 08/03/2026

Q&A with Miriam Chernick about her middle grade novel, THE ZUZU SECRET. tinyurl.com/4mcbb3zj @miriamchernick.bsky.social

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Erin Dealey--> Kidlit Author*Playwright @erindealey.bsky.social · 13/03/2026

LOVE seeing excited #librarian pals get their preorders of SQUIRREL DRAWS BIG FEELINGS— Illus. @lucianaillustra.bsky.social @beamingbooksmn.bsky.social @eastwestlit.bsky.social —hooray!!!! Thanks Mrs. Baker 🌟📚🌟 #kidlit

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Erin Dealey--> Kidlit Author*Playwright @erindealey.bsky.social · 13/03/2026

"The instinct toward #creativity in difficult moments is not incidental. It is the brain’s attempt to restore coherence, & may be one of the most human things about us." @psychologytoday.com In the pb Squirrel Draws BIG Feelings, #ART "feels like a quiet hug." @lucianaillustra.bsky.social #kidlit

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Sandra Nickel 📚 @senickel.bsky.social · 12/03/2026

"The True Ugly Duckling is one of the most beautifully written and illustrated biographies I’ve come across... Every library, public, school or home, should have a copy of The True Ugly Duckling." Thank you @crackingthecover.bsky.social! www.crackingthecover.com/28013/the-tr... #newbook #kidlit

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John Schu @mrschureads.bsky.social · 10/03/2026

"Our story begins when Finnegan is lost in the woods, injured and alone. But a human happens upon him, and this human takes Finn to the most unlikely of places—the zoo! Here, Finn is given a new job . . ." —Jasmine Warga mrschureads.blogspot.com/2025/05/the-...

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Jilanne Hoffmann | Kidlit @jilanne.bsky.social · 11/03/2026

Completing Mr. Schu's sentences (and reading his book, The Gift of Story) made me think deeply about the way I work. And I am so very grateful for that, because that changed my lens and how I focus it on all of my projects. #kidlit #poetry #writingcommunity #versenovel #fiction

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Jeanne Walker Harvey @jeannewharvey.bsky.social · 09/03/2026

Wonderful selection! ❤️

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Jeanne Walker Harvey @jeannewharvey.bsky.social · 09/03/2026

Inspire creativity! I'm happy to share fun downloadable activities tied to my picture book biographies of creative people! Several activities for each book: www.jeannewalkerharvey.com/projects I've used them at my events at museums, libraries, schools, bookstores! Popular! @eastwestlit.bsky.social

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Erin Dealey--> Kidlit Author*Playwright @erindealey.bsky.social · 07/03/2026

“Unboxing & holding our book will never cease to be a highlight for me, no matter how many books I illustrate.” @lucianaillustra.bsky.social the amazing Illus of SQUIRREL DRAWS BIG FEELINGS @erindealey.bsky.social @beamingbooksmn.bsky.social @eastwestlit.bsky.social Yayyy! It’s here!

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Erin Dealey--> Kidlit Author*Playwright @erindealey.bsky.social · 09/03/2026

Review: SQUIRREL DRAWS BIG FEELINGS @beamingbooksmn.bsky.social @lucianaillustra.bsky.social #kidlit "A cute squirrel battles to handle its over-powering emotions in a meaningful way...Then, there's the warmth of friendship and being there for others..." www.bookwormforkids.com/2026/03/squi...

bookwormforkids.com

Squirrel Draws Big Feelings by Erin Dealey

Discover the latest children's books—picture books, middle grade, young adult and more

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Candace Spizzirri 📚 @candacespizzirri.bsky.social · 09/03/2026

Thank you, Kirkus for the lovely book review of Chantelle and Burgen Thorne’s and my upcoming picture book, FINLEY: A MOOSE IN CHARTREUSE! Clippety-clops onto shelves April 28th! Available for pre-orders now! 🫎🫎 #kidlit #picturebooks #finleyamooseincharteuse #moose #paris

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Jilanne Hoffmann | Kidlit @jilanne.bsky.social · 08/03/2026

Just finished The Library of Curiosities, a fantastic #middlegrade! Readers who like mysteries with high stakes, a low scare-factor, and a little magic thrown in may find themselves saying “just one more chapter” past lights out! #kidlit #librarians #teachers @jennylundquist.bsky.social

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Jeanne Walker Harvey @jeannewharvey.bsky.social · 06/03/2026

“They’re not aware of doing this, but kids use books as a kind of rehearsal for real life ... what a book has to say will be different for different readers, because they’ll all bring their own selves to the book, as I have done, and so the book they read is not even the book I wrote."- Lois Lowry

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Vicky Fang | Kidlit Author & Illustrator @fangmousbooks.bsky.social · 07/03/2026

My latest newsletter is out and I share a little bit of author life in between projects. Plus I’m giving away a 20-minute AMA and I share a picture of my kid as a cardboard box. Clearly, you want in on this newsletter. vickyfang.substack.com/p/an-author-...

vickyfang.substack.com

An Author Breathes

What I'm up to between projects!

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Jilanne Hoffmann | Kidlit @jilanne.bsky.social · 07/03/2026

Can these two out-of-sync hearts ever find a common rhythm? #kidlit #middlegrade #fiction #versenovel

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John Schu @mrschureads.bsky.social · 07/03/2026

"HeartLand tells the story of two broken, out-of-sync hearts. One beats with gumption, the other with DRAMA. One works every minute, the other thinks about time to the point of distraction." — @jilanne.bsky.social mrschureads.blogspot.com/2026/03/hear... @lbschool.bsky.social

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John Schu @mrschureads.bsky.social · 07/03/2026

I loved celebrating stories today with 1,100 students at the school where @colbysharp.bsky.social teaches!

Welcome Mr. Schu! This Is a School That Medals in Reading!

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Jilanne Hoffmann | Kidlit @jilanne.bsky.social · 07/03/2026

You'll never look at the ocean the same way again.... #kidlit #picturebooks #nonfiction #ocean

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Sandra Nickel 📚 @senickel.bsky.social · 06/03/2026

I had an incredible talk with Uma Krishnaswami about Hans Christian Andersen, his effect on my childhood & writing The True Ugly Duckling. She has a gift for asking questions that go to the heart. www.umakrishnaswami.com/blog/process.... #neurodivergence #newbook @levinequerido.bsky.social

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Luisa Uribe @lupencita.bsky.social · 05/03/2026

Better late than never! Happy #KidLitArtPostcard day 💚 luisauribe.com

An illustration of a small kid in pajamas with big moth wings, flying over a black background, leaving a trail of stars. The text reads Luisa Uribe - rep'd by Alex Gehringer at the Bright Agency.

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Jess Burbank, author/illustrator @jburbank.bsky.social · 05/03/2026

For #kidlitartpostcard day, I’m highlighting my work illustrating Anatomy Under the Sea: The Adventures of Luna the Loggerhead. I’d 💙to illustrate more like this! Animals, habitats, & conservation…yes please! www.jessburbank.com Rep’d by @arianaphilips.bsky.social at @jvnla.bsky.social

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Deborah Kalb @deborahkalb.bsky.social · 05/03/2026

Q&A with Melissa Stewart and Sarah S. Brannen about their new children's picture book, MONARCH AND MOURNING CLOAK: A BUTTERFLY JOURNAL. @sarahsbrannen.bsky.social @mstewartscience.bsky.social tinyurl.com/mrxphhft

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Theartofpuro @theartofpuro.bsky.social · 05/03/2026

Happy #kidlitartpostcard Day ! My name Is Monica Rondino, I'm a children's illustrator. I worked several years in 2D animation, comics and in these late years in the children's book field. Interested in new projects. #kidlit #kidlitart #illustration #childrensbook #picturebooks

A Crocodile with coat and hat reading a book . He's sitting on a chair. In front of him a squirrel on a branch

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