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Shruthi Rao

@shrurao.bsky.social
735 followers 532 following 74 posts

Author, US and India #12x12PB #STEAM #NF WHEN SCIENCE STOOD STILL (McElderry/S&S, 2025) THE FIRST GIRL ON STAGE (Yali, 2025) INDIA IN TRIANGLES (PRH India, 2025) KADOOBOO! (Page Street, 2024) shruthi-rao.com Rep: @kristinostby Salky Literary

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Maggie Tokuda-Hall @maggietokudahall.bsky.social · 28/05/2026
Member of @authorsabb.bsky.social @jerroldconnors.bsky.social came through in the best way and assembled this for us all! Know thine shitty bills!
Three poop colored circles in a Venn diagram, 8705: mandates teaching propagandistic US history, HR 7661: will banned undefined "sexually oriented" materials, HR 2616 will mandate teachers to put trans and nb students. ALL 3 will ban books. ALL THREE are transphobic bs.
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Sylvia Chen 余愛莉 @sylviaichen.bsky.social · 05/06/2026
🤩📚🌟 So happy to share this next #PBStudyBuddy feature for BENEATH THE SAME ROUND MOON, WHEN SCIENCE STOOD STILL, and BROKEN. Love these stellar picture books! 💫 📚👍🏼 #PBStudyBuddy* #Kidlit #Edusky *For a closer-up view and more, visit pbstudybuddy.com
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Kristin Ostby @kristinostby.bsky.social · 26/02/2026
My kingdom for this readalike! #MSWL
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Kristin Ostby @kristinostby.bsky.social · 26/02/2026
Please send me your upmarket, cozy adult mysteries! #MSWL
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Shruthi Rao @shrurao.bsky.social · 31/01/2026
I’m reading WHEN SCIENCE STOOD STILL on Feb 7 at Banter Bookshop, Fremont CA. Looking forward to meeting kids (and adults) who like stories of space, black holes, science and scientists, discovery, and satisfying stories of people who finally get the recognition they deserve!
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Sambasivan & Parikh @sambasivanparikh.bsky.social · 24/01/2026
Congratulations, @shrurao.bsky.social and Devika Joglekar for this wonderful review from Kirkus🥳🎉 “. . . a sweet story about determination . . . Joglekar’s illustrations are phenomenal; the style is simple but the use of color shines . . . which make them seem to leap off the page.”-Kirkus Reviews
A charming tale of pursuing a dream that features marvelous images.—Kirkus Reviews for THE FIRST GIRL ON THE STAGE, background shows interior art from the book
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Becky Levine @beckylevine.bsky.social · 27/01/2026
I've donated a copy of my book THE WRITING & CRITIQUE GROUP SURVIVAL GUIDE, plus a critique of one non-rhyming picture book to #publishingforminnesota. Take a look, but make sure to browse around, too--there are so many fantastic things to bid on! #kidlit www.32auctions.com/organization...
32auctions.com
WRITING & CRITIQUE GROUP GUIDE + CRITIQUE
Auction item 'WRITING & CRITIQUE GROUP GUIDE + CRITIQUE' hosted online at 32auctions.
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Sylvia Liu @sylvialiu.bsky.social · 14/01/2026
The news is dire, but books uplift. I’m giving away these PBs and MG books- some new ARCs and some older gems. To enter, L + RP and leave a comment for an extra entry. US only, ends 1/21.
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Shruthi Rao @shrurao.bsky.social · 29/12/2025
Surreal. I use this nonfiction list every year to find mentor texts and to learn how to do nonfiction well. And now our book is on this list. Can't get over this!
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Shruthi Rao @shrurao.bsky.social · 25/12/2025
What an absolute delight to be on a Betsy Bird list! Her words about WHEN SCIENCE STOOD STILL have absolutely warmed my heart.
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Cynthia Leitich Smith (Native Books for Young Readers & More) @cynleitichsmith.bsky.social · 15/12/2025
Congratulations to the Cynsational authors and illustrators of 2025! The annual Cynsational books list is complied by the Cynsations team. Books by team members or the Heartdrum imprint at HarperChildren’s, for which Cynthia Leitich Smith serves as author-curator, are not eligible for consideration.
Yellow background, Cynsational Books of 2025 (neon font); cover art for Words Matter: The Story of Hans and Sophie Scholl, and the White Rose Resistance by Anita Pazner, illustrated by Sophia Casson (Groundwood Books, 2025)

Cynsations Team: Gayleeen Rabakukk, Suma Subramaniam, AJ Eversole, Mitu Malhotra, Gail Vannelli.
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Leah Moser @leahmoserwrites.bsky.social · 10/12/2025
This time of year sure is busy 😵‍💫 Even still, we needed one final small and sweet #KidLit book stack of 2025. Picture books make the best gifts! I AM A THUNDERCLOUD is perfect for the kids (& adults) in your life who sometimes have stormy feelings 🌩️ www.hachettebookgroup.com/titles/leah-...
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Science Friday @scifri.bsky.social · 04/12/2025
From black hole theory to a butterfly’s “goo” phase: Explore 11 recommended reads from kid lit experts @mahnazdar.bsky.social and @jenswanbooks.bsky.social. Plus, recommendations for picking great STEM books for youth. 🤩 📚
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2025’s Best Science Books For Kids
Kid lit experts weigh in on some of the year's best science titles. Plus, what to look for when choosing a book for the child in your life.
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LibraryThing @librarything.com · 14/11/2025
"One girl stepped into the spotlight . . . and started a movement..." Enter to win a copy of @shrurao.bsky.social & Devika Joglekar's "The First Girl on Stage: Tunga Dances the Yakshagana" from Yali Books 💙📚 #Booksky
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Shruthi Rao @shrurao.bsky.social · 13/11/2025
It’s going be my first time at NCTE. Honored to be on panels with other illustrious writers and educators. I’m also looking forward to meeting a whole lot of writer friends, and my editor! If you’ll be there, please say hi!
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12 x 12 Picture Book Writing Challenge @12x12challenge.bsky.social · 06/11/2025
🎉 Happy Book Birthday to @shrurao.bsky.social! 🎉 📚THE FIRST GIRL ON STAGE: TUNGA DANCES THE YAKSHAGANA, illustrated by Devika Joglekar & published by Sambasivan&Parikh, is here! Find it here: buff.ly/fMyqkFn #kidlit #12x12PB
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Becky Levine @beckylevine.bsky.social · 22/10/2025
Spent a few minutes in @hicklebees.bsky.social today and picked up a copy of this absolutely lovely picture book biography by @shrurao.bsky.social. Written beautifully around complex science and complex emotional paths, as clear and engaging as a PB bio should be. ❤️
Book cover showing a young boy and a young man against a background of space and stars in blues, golds, and pink Title: WHEN SCIENCE STOOD STILL: HOW S. CHANDRASEKHAR PREDICTED THE EXISTENCE OF BLACK HOLES. Author: Shruthi Rao; Illustrator: Srinidhi Srinivasan
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SandyBrehl @sandybrehl.bsky.social · 21/10/2025
Take a moment to “:meet” @shrurao.bsky.social and learn more about her latest released: unpackingpicturebookpower.blogspot.com/2025/10/inte...
unpackingpicturebookpower.blogspot.com
INTERVIEW with SHRUTHI RAO, Author of WHEN SCIENCE STOOD STILL
Last week I posted a review and commentary on an important new non-fiction biographic picture book written by SHRUTHI ROA and illustrated ...
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SandyBrehl @sandybrehl.bsky.social · 14/10/2025
HAPPY #BOOKBIRTHDAY to @shrurao.bsky.social for this terrific new #nonficiton #picturebook #biography unpackingpicturebookpower.blogspot.com/2025/10/when...
unpackingpicturebookpower.blogspot.com
WHEN SCIENCE STOOD STILL (Not a Reference to Current Events)
I had the pleasure of working (virtually) with the author of this book while we shared responsibilities on a nonfiction CYBILS AWARDS panel....
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Nancy Castaldo Books @nancycastaldobooks.bsky.social · 15/10/2025
Congratulations @shrurao.bsky.social ! nancycastaldonaturespeak.blogspot.com/2025/10/cong...
nancycastaldonaturespeak.blogspot.com
Congratulations, Shruthi Rao, on WHEN SCIENCE STOOD STILL!
Thank you so much for sharing the release of “WHEN SCIENCE STOOD STILL: How S Chandrasekhar Predicted the Existence of Black Holes” with us!...
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Srinidhi Srinivasan | Kidlit Illustrator @srinidhidraws.bsky.social · 16/10/2025
When Science Stood Still is now out in the world!! @shrurao.bsky.social #kidlitart #kidlit #steambooks #science
Picture book illustration Picture book artPage from when science stood stillIllustrator with her copy
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Shruthi Rao @shrurao.bsky.social · 14/10/2025
RELEASE DAY! WHEN SCIENCE STOOD STILL: How S Chandrasekhar Predicted the Existence of Black Holes This book about a brilliant scientist and his mindblowing discovery that was decades ahead of its time, is now out in the world!
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Maria Marshall @mmarshallauthor.bsky.social · 08/10/2025
5 fabulous @steamteambooks.bsky.social authors w/new STEM books releasing in October. www.mariacmarshall.com/single-post/... @meganclendenan.bsky.social @jenswanbooks.bsky.social @shrurao.bsky.social @carlamooney25.bsky.social @mstewartscience.bsky.social #kidlit #nonfiction 📚👍
mariacmarshall.com
The Picture Book Buzz - October 2025 Interview with STEAM Team Books Members
Five fantastic STEAM Team Books authors share their inspiration and insights into their five STEM picture books releasing in October 2025.
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Sambasivan & Parikh @sambasivanparikh.bsky.social · 03/10/2025
We are excited to reveal the cover and open pre-orders for THE FIRST GIRL ON STAGE by @shrurao.bsky.social and Devika Joglekar! This gorgeous picture book is a tribute to the pioneering women of yakshagana, a traditional performance art from South India: www.sambasivanandparikh.com/products/the...
Little Tunga dressed in made-up yakshagana costume. Text overlay: This Fall, we are celebrating the courageous women of yakshagana who stepped into the spotlight and started a movement  Front cover for The First Girl on Stage. Pre-orders at SambasivanAndParikh.com
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Srinidhi Srinivasan | Kidlit Illustrator @srinidhidraws.bsky.social · 02/10/2025
Happy #kidlitartpostcard day! Sharing one of my favourite spreads from our upcoming book When Science Stood Still written by @shrurao.bsky.social published by McElderry Books/ Simonkids out on October 14, 2025 View more of my work from my website www.srinidhidraws.com #kidlitart #steambooks
Spread from when science stood stillCover of when science stood still coming out on oct 14
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Debbie Ridpath Ohi @debbieohi.com · 17/08/2025
If you love a book, write a nice review. It gives the author encouragement for bad days when they want to take up scorpion petting. - @lianabrooks.bsky.social #WriterSky #BookSky #KidLit
Handwritten quote on a white sheet with an illustrated face at the bottom and pink hearts around the text. The quote reads:
"If you love a book, write a nice review. It gives the author encouragement for bad days when they want to take up scorpion petting."
— Liana Brooks

Illustration and lettering by Debbie Ridpath Ohi. A paintbrush lies across the page on a wooden surface.
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Shruthi Rao @shrurao.bsky.social · 11/08/2025
Announcement! I'm now represented by Kristin Ostby of Greenhouse Literary Agency. Excited and optimistic about our partnership!
Picture of a South Asian woman with black hair and a dark pink dress, against a green background, with the words "Shruthi Rao is now represented by Kristin Ostby of Greenhouse Literary Agency"
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12 x 12 Picture Book Writing Challenge @12x12challenge.bsky.social · 16/04/2025
#NationalHumorMonth! Enjoy these books by #12x12PB members: TRICKY CHOPSTICKS by @sylviaichen.bsky.social SHEEPWRECKED by @ashleybelote.bsky.social WALKIES by @estrelalourenco.bsky.social KADOOBOO! by @shrurao.bsky.social ALPACAS MAKE TERRIBLE LIBRARIANS by @kristimahoney.bsky.social buff.ly/BZcPnbU
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Shruthi Rao @shrurao.bsky.social · 08/04/2025
WHEN SCIENCE STOOD STILL is a Junior Library Guild Gold Star Selection! Illustrator: @srinidhidraws.bsky.social Publisher: McElderry/Simon and Schuster Editor: @nicolefios.bsky.social @jrlibraryguild #goldstandardselection #JLGgoldstandard #juniorlibraryguild #thebestbooks
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Jennifer Laughran @literaticat.bsky.social · 24/03/2025
Ask the Agent Question of the Day: What makes a story "High Concept" --is that the same thing as "commercial"? My answer (with examples): www.tumblr.com/literaticat/...
tumblr.com
Post by @literaticat
What makes a story high concept? I keep seeing this word get tossed around by agents, but want to make sure I’m understanding its meaning. Is high-concept generally just something that can be explain…
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Shruthi Rao @shrurao.bsky.social · 12/03/2025
ICYMI: Our book WHEN SCIENCE STOOD STILL, illustrated by Srinidhi Srinivasan, published by McElderry/S&S releases in October 2025 and is available for preorder now!
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STEAMTeamBooks @steamteambooks.bsky.social · 11/03/2025
Four #STEAMTEAM members have book releases today! Congratulations to @sarahalbee.bsky.social Sara Levine, Curtis Manley and @noranickumbooks.bsky.social
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Shruthi Rao @shrurao.bsky.social · 11/03/2025
This is such a good book!
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STEAMTeamBooks @steamteambooks.bsky.social · 11/03/2025
ZERO!: THE NUMBER THAT ALMOST WASN’T by @sarahalbee.bsky.social and Chris Hsu, published by Charlesbridge, releases today!
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Chiara Colombi @chiaracolombi.com · 13/02/2025
2 more Bay Area lunar launch events this weekend! Join me at Banter Bookshop on Sat + Linden Tree Books on Sun to touch down on the Moon with ROCKET BEAMS, LUNAR DREAMS by Scott Magoon + me! We’ll read Rocket’s 2nd mission, then explore the phases of the Moon. Mission patch stickers for all!
A graphic featuring an illustration of the Moon against a starry background, with the event details for author story times at Banter Bookshop and Linden Tree Books, two picture book covers, and an author photo overlayed on the surface of the Moon. Along the top of the Moon are the words “Rocket Ship Events”, and along the bottom are the words “Reading + signing, + free mission patch stickers”. The event details are shared in the thread.
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Shruthi Rao @shrurao.bsky.social · 30/01/2025
I feel honored that KADOOBOO is on the shortlist of the Clel Bell Awards instituted by Colorado Libraries for Early Literacy. www.clel.org/bells/curren... I love these categories! The final decision is by public vote, so if you feel up to voting for your favorites, the link is in the next post.
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Shruthi Rao @shrurao.bsky.social · 30/01/2025
I have two spots left!
Author Shruthi Rao is offering free book-readings of her PB KADOOBOO for World Read Aloud Day on Feb 5 2025. Sign up at tinyurl.com/WRADShruthi
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Srinidhi Srinivasan | Kidlit Illustrator @srinidhidraws.bsky.social · 30/01/2025
A little sneak peak from our book When Science Stood Still written by @shrurao.bsky.social and edited by @nicolefios.bsky.social will be out on 14/10/2025 It’s available to PREORDER !!! www.simonandschuster.com/books/When-S... #kidlitart #kidlit
A kid gazing at the stars in a beach
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Shruthi Rao @shrurao.bsky.social · 27/01/2025
Delighted to share the stunning cover of our book. releasing on Oct 14, 2025! WHEN SCIENCE STOOD STILL: How S Chandrasekhar Predicted the Existence of Black Holes. Illustrated by @srinidhidraws.bsky.social Editor: @nicolefios.bsky.social Published by Margaret K McElderry Books/S&S
A picture book cover with a young brown man in a blue suit and a boy in a blue shirt (his own childhood self) facing away from each other, gazing at the swirling skies with wonder
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Shruthi Rao @shrurao.bsky.social · 05/12/2024
And now KADOOBOO is on the New York Public Library's 100 Best Books List! Am I dreaming?! www.nypl.org/books-more/r...
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Shruthi Rao @shrurao.bsky.social · 03/12/2024
I'm available for multiple sessions with KADOOBOO on WRAD! Send me a message on my website or on social media. www.shruthi-rao.com
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Shruthi Rao @shrurao.bsky.social · 02/12/2024
This is literally (used in the correct sense, thank you very much) a dream come true for me. I remember thinking that if my books ever made one of these lists, it would mean I'd arrived. So, here's me arriving with KADOOBOO!
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Sylvia Chen 余愛莉 @sylviaichen.bsky.social · 28/03/2024
#PBStudyBuddy is back! 🎉 😋😆😍 I lol-LOVE the clever comedy in this #PBStudyBuddy feature: KADOOBOO! (#ShruthiRao @shrurao.bsky.social #DarshikaVarma #PageStreetKids). Let’s #bookboost #KADOOBOO!, #Kidlit! 🥳📚👍🏼   *For a closer-up view and more, visit pbstudybuddy.com
#PBStudyBuddy feature for picture book KADOOBOO!: Picture of Asian American author Sylvia Chen in giant glasses holding the book. The Emoji Arc shows a graph with Y-axis for Tension/Intensity and X-axis for Pages. Emojis with varying emotions plotted on the graph; may vary by reader for this book. Standout Phrase: "Does Kabir still remember the name? Of course he does." and "Was it book-oo-doo?... Buck-a-duck-a-dabba-doo?" Standout Page Turn Text: "I thought it was book-oo-doo," says Josh. Standout Art Detail: Vibrant scenes and a cool cast of kids with mindful representation Starry Book Marks: An engaging and humorous refrain, Clever, tongue-twisting wordplay, and Masterful tension-building.Top-of-Mind Book Hooks: Delicious kadooboo, Memory mistakes, Fun with friends, Entertaining read-aloud, and A funny flip of a South Indian folktale. Fast Facts: Pub Year 2024, Created by Shruthi Rao and Darshika Varma, Imprint/Publisher: Page Street Kids, Word Count (excludes text in art & backmatter): ~430, Backmatter: Author’s Note, Other South Indian Words, and Kadooboo Recipe. Picture of Asian American author Sylvia Chen in giant LED-lit glasses holding the book. For more #PBStudyBuddy features, visit pbstudybuddy.com. Thank you!
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Jena Benton @jenanbenton.bsky.social · 27/03/2024
Thank you @shrurao.bsky.social for the interview!
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12 x 12 Picture Book Writing Challenge @12x12challenge.bsky.social · 18/03/2024
Sign up now for our FREE March Book Chat with @shrurao.bsky.social! We can hardly wait to share the journey of her #picturebook, KADOOBOO!: A SILLY SOUTH INDIAN FOLKTALE, on 3/20 at 8pm ET/5pm PT! Open to everyone! #amwriting #kidlit #12x12PB www.12x12challenge.c...
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12 x 12 Picture Book Writing Challenge @12x12challenge.bsky.social · 11/03/2024
Want to learn how a #picturebook draft becomes a book? #12x12PB member @shrurao.bsky.social will share her journey for her #picturebook, KADOOBOO!: A SILLY SOUTH INDIAN FOLKTALE, on Wednesday, March 20th at 8pm ET / 5pm PT! Book Chats are free and open to everyone!www.12x12challenge.c...
12x12challenge.com
12 x 12 Book Chat with Shruthi Rao
Join us for our March Book Chat as author Shruthi Rao shares the publication journey of her picture book KADOOBOO: A SILLY SOUTH INDIAN FOLKTALE.
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Ramya G Spaulding @rgspaulding.bsky.social · 07/03/2024
Girl biking downhill #watercolor #kidlitartpostcardday #kidlitart #illustration #procreate Repd. By @elisahouot.bsky.social The Seymour Agency
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Srinidhi Srinivasan | Kidlit Illustrator @srinidhidraws.bsky.social · 07/03/2024
#kidlitartpostcard day! Art directors, I enjoy working on warm, funny yet adventurous picture books and chapter books. I’m represented by @mirandapaul.bsky.social at EMLA Visit www.srinidhidraws.com to view my work. #kidlitart #kidlit
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Shruthi Rao @shrurao.bsky.social · 01/03/2024
Link to sign up - booksofwonder.com/blogs/upcomi...
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Shruthi Rao @shrurao.bsky.social · 26/02/2024
Come join us on March 2 for this funny picture book panel with @booksofwonder! booksofwonder.com/blogs/upcomi...
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