iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Maria van Lieshout @vanlieshoutstudio.bsky.social · 28/09/2026

Are you a middle/high school teacher or university professor? Do you teach Art, English, or History? Macmillan asked the whip-smart youth librarian Kit Ballenger to make a teacher guide for Song of a Blackbird, and BOY, did she knock it out of the quad! Download: www.vanlieshoutstudio.com/teachers/

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Maria van Lieshout @vanlieshoutstudio.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

Calling Arkansas educators! If you are a teacher or librarian near Fayetteville, Ark., come listen to me talk about Song of a Blackbird and participate in a workshop for teachers about visual storytelling Thursday Oct 1. For more info about this, check the link! news.uark.edu/articles/829...

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Maria van Lieshout @vanlieshoutstudio.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

I am a firm believer in the power of INSPIRATION. I believe in it so much that I let it narrate my graphic novel. Hear me talk about that and why I chose a blackbird as the embodiment of this powerful force. Interview with Kyle Kellams of NPR-affiliate Ozarks at Large: www.kuaf.com/show/ozarks-...

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Maria van Lieshout @vanlieshoutstudio.bsky.social · 10/07/2026

Have you ever thought about making a historical graphic novel? Consider signing up for the @scbwi.bsky.social summer virtual conference! I will be teaching a breakout session August 1 @ 1:30pm PST (4:30pm EST) about creating emotional impact in a historical graphic novel. Hope to see you there!

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Maria van Lieshout @vanlieshoutstudio.bsky.social · 04/07/2026

The Declaration of Independence is what the United States was founded on 250 years ago. The government has one job: to protect its people. If it does not do that, the people must change the government. The government serves THE PEOPLE, not the other way around. The power lies with THE PEOPLE, folks.

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Maria van Lieshout @vanlieshoutstudio.bsky.social · 18/06/2026

I am beside myself with excitement. I have written (and re-written) my Printz acceptance speech, I’ve bought a dressy thing (for the first time in years) and I am chomping at the bit to go to the Chicago. Will you be there? Come find me! @mackidssl.bsky.social #ALA2026 #printz #kidlit #chicago

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Maria van Lieshout @vanlieshoutstudio.bsky.social · 18/06/2026

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Maria van Lieshout @vanlieshoutstudio.bsky.social · 11/06/2026

WOOT!!! Blackbird is included on @bankstreet.edu Best Children’s Books of 2025 (with a * for outstanding merit) along with a bunch of other great books. I feel so very honored and grateful to have Blackbird included. Thank you, Bank Street for this wonderful honor! #kidlit #yabooks #bankstreet

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Maria van Lieshout @vanlieshoutstudio.bsky.social · 04/06/2026

Thank you, Marjane Satrapi, for the inspiration, understanding and wisdom you gave us. Rest in peace.

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Maggie Tokuda-Hall @maggietokudahall.bsky.social · 26/05/2026

Here's a video explainer for the now THREE federal book banning bills that could impact EVERY PUBLIC SCHOOL IN THE NATION.

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Maria van Lieshout @vanlieshoutstudio.bsky.social · 10/05/2026

Curious about my personal story, and how it influences my work? Check out my latest Substack, along with the best bit of writing advice I ever received (thank you, Jim Averbeck!) substack.com/@blackbirdex...

substack.com

MY STORY

Discover Maria's personal story, and how it influences her work🐦‍⬛

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Maria van Lieshout @vanlieshoutstudio.bsky.social · 12/04/2026

Is it a good idea to elevate individuals to hero status in books for kids/teens, or is it more honest and inspiring to focus on the movement behind the individuals? Read my thoughts (and those of @Yuyimorales) in my latest newsletter. Link in bio/Linktree #herosjourney substack.com/@blackbirdex...

substack.com

Everyone loves a hero

About how stories from our past can open eyes, minds and hearts, by the creator of the award-winning graphic novel Song of a Blackbird🐦‍⬛

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American Library Association @amlibraryassoc.bsky.social · 09/04/2026

MORE NEWS: ALA & our co-plaintiff @afscme.bsky.social have prevailed in our lawsuit to preserve the Institute of Museum & Library Services (IMLS)! Our binding settlement agreement with the Dept. of Justice protects the agency and its congressionally mandated work. More: www.ala.org/news/2026/04...

ALA Prevails in Federal Lawsuit to Preserve IMLS. ALA 150, American Library Association.

ALA and our co-plaintiff AFSCME have signed a binding settlement agreement with the federal government, keeping the Institute of Museum & Library Services (IMLS) intact. This marks the conclusion of ALA's lawsuit - and victory for library supporters. The settlement follows the dismissal earlier this week of the appeal in a separate, related case. But the fight isn't over.

"When the administration began shuttering IMLS last year, it set off a chain reaction. Libraries across the country started cutting hours, staff and services people rely on - after school programs, support for jobseekers and connection for older adults. This settlement protects life-changing library services for communities across the country. ALA will continue to defend every American's freedom to read and learn.” - ALA President Sam Helmick

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Maria van Lieshout @vanlieshoutstudio.bsky.social · 08/04/2026

‪I love to talk to middle/high schoolers and college students about the story behind my graphic novel Song of a Blackbird. If you would like to have me come speak to your school or university, check out my website! #authorvisit #graphicnovel #kidlit www.vanlieshoutstudio.com/author-visit/

vanlieshoutstudio.com

Author visits Maria van Lieshout

“Author visit”

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Maria van Lieshout @vanlieshoutstudio.bsky.social · 31/03/2026

Wanna see me get overcome with emotion when ALA/YALSA’s awesome librarian Justin Hofstetter asks me about getting the call from him and the rest of the Printz committee about Blackbird’s selection for Printz Honor? www.youtube.com/watch?v=EqEc...

youtube.com

YouTube

Share your videos with friends, family, and the world

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Maria van Lieshout @vanlieshoutstudio.bsky.social · 09/03/2026

“Concerned” parents are forcing librarians to remove books about and by people not white and straight. But they wouldn’t be so afraid if they weren’t threatened by our changing world. Just like the Nazis in WW2... open.substack.com/pub/mariavan...

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Maria van Lieshout @vanlieshoutstudio.bsky.social · 06/03/2026

BIG feelings are OK in our sideways world. We feel because we care. We care about others and about our world. We feel because we are human. Be human. Also, check on your friends. #behuman (Illustration from Song of a Blackbird, where Emma just witnessed Erik get shot by the SS for resisting).

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Maria van Lieshout @vanlieshoutstudio.bsky.social · 06/03/2026

Thank you, Lisa, for including 🐦‍⬛

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Maria van Lieshout @vanlieshoutstudio.bsky.social · 02/03/2026

Inspiration comes to us in many forms. Injustice, war, propaganda, indifference, oppression.... all these can inspire too. They can inspire action, resistance, expression, compassion, love, ART! #resist #songofablackbird

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Maria van Lieshout @vanlieshoutstudio.bsky.social · 01/03/2026

Quote by Iranian-French graphic novelist Marjane Satrapi. This is just about the best time I can think of to re-read her incredible graphic novel Persepolis. #satrapi #persepolis #iran #war

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Maria van Lieshout @vanlieshoutstudio.bsky.social · 26/02/2026

ART is LOVE. Art that serves humanity and truth endures, while art that serves expectations most often does not, and is propaganda if it serves ideology. open.substack.com/pub/mariavan...

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Maria van Lieshout @vanlieshoutstudio.bsky.social · 17/02/2026

Thank you @oklibs.bsky.social for including Blackbird on the intermediate Sequoyah reading list! I’m thrilled that teens all over Oklahoma will be reading this superb list of books and that they will learn about the artists in the Amsterdam Resistance through Blackbird🐦‍⬛! #oklahoma #kidlit

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Maria van Lieshout @vanlieshoutstudio.bsky.social · 17/02/2026

Happy Lunar New Year! In Song of a Blackbird, we see how Koenji has painted this street poem: Grab our UNBRIDLED FUTURE TIGHTLY by the MANE and RIDE IT like a WILD mustang towards the WORLD we DREAM about. Koenji was channeling FIRE HORSE energy. Let’s GOOOOOOOO! #kidlit #lunarnewyear

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Maria van Lieshout @vanlieshoutstudio.bsky.social · 14/02/2026

The only thing more powerful than HATE is LOVE.” - Bad Bunny Happy Valentine’s Day 🧡

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Ink Radio @inkradio.bsky.social · 06/02/2026

Your Black History Moment Not in The Epstein Files.

President Barrack Obama looking cheekily thoughtful

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Maria van Lieshout @vanlieshoutstudio.bsky.social · 02/02/2026

I joined the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators 25 years ago. It has provided me with a roadmap and with community, which are the two most important things when navigating the world of kidlit. To be recognized by @scbwi.bsky.social means everything. Thank you, my friends! #kidlit

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Bruce Springsteen @brucespringsteen.net · 28/01/2026

I wrote this song on Saturday, recorded it yesterday and released it to you today in response to the state terror being visited on the city of Minneapolis. It’s dedicated to the people of Minneapolis, our innocent immigrant neighbors and in memory of Alex Pretti and Renee Good. Stay free

youtu.be

Bruce Springsteen - Streets Of Minneapolis (Official Audio)

YouTube video by Bruce Springsteen

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School Library Journal @slj.com · 26/01/2026

"Fireworks is distinguished by the way it captures the rhythm of a summer day," Caldecott committee chair Jewel Davis said. "It is a rare book that trusts the quiet, lived-in moments of childhood to be just as spectacular as the main event." www.slj.com/story/All-Bl...

slj.com

'All the Blues in the Sky' by Renée Watson Wins Newbery; 'Fireworks', illustrated by Cátia Chien, Earns Caldecott at 2026 Youth Media Awards | School Library Journal

All the Blues in the Sky by Renée Watson wins the Newbery; Fireworks, illustrated by Cátia Chien, earns the Caldecott and Legendary Frybread Drive-In: Intertribal Stories, an anthology edited by Cynth...

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kelly jensen @heykellyjensen.bsky.social · 26/01/2026

Here are all of this year's Youth Media Award winners and honorees. What a great day to celebrate something, and how nice that it is youth literature. bookriot.com/2026-youth-m...

bookriot.com

The ALA Youth Media Awards Are Here: Meet the Latest Award-Winning Books for Young Readers

Here are the 2026 Youth Media Award winners and honorees, highlighting the best of the best in youth literature.

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taylr @taylordahlin.com · 27/01/2026

brass solidarity band performing “stand by me” in the streets of whittier next to alex pretti’s memorial. the crowd started chanting “the people united will never be defeated” so they incorporated it into the song. i love minneapolis

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Maria van Lieshout @vanlieshoutstudio.bsky.social · 27/01/2026

Today is Holocaust Remembrance Day. Let us never forget what we as humans are capable of when we let our darkest impulses rule us. #holocaustremembrance #neverforget

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Maria van Lieshout @vanlieshoutstudio.bsky.social · 03/09/2025

Read today’s post/newsletter to learn about that time when a David Lynch-loving ninth grader taught me the art of revealing a secret. A secret hiding in Song of a Blackbird... #graphicnovel #davidlynch #kidlit #hiddensecrets #ww2 #dropcaps mariavanlieshout.substack.com/p/the-art-of...

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Maria van Lieshout @vanlieshoutstudio.bsky.social · 23/01/2026

“In spite of everything I still believe that people are really good at heart.” -Anne Frank Mural by Eduardo Kobra in Amsterdam North.

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Maria van Lieshout @vanlieshoutstudio.bsky.social · 22/01/2026

Many of the historic photos in Song of a Blackbird are not just historical records. They were acts of resistance. A group of resistance photographers risked their lives to document the occupied city🐦‍⬛ substack.com/@blackbirdex... #ww2 #resistance #photography #amsterdam #graphicnovel

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Maria van Lieshout @vanlieshoutstudio.bsky.social · 19/01/2026

Let’s remember Martin Luther King’s words today and always. #mlk #martinlutherkingday #ihaveadream

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Maria van Lieshout @vanlieshoutstudio.bsky.social · 12/01/2026

Blackbird’s 6 stages of Resistance. Where you at? 1. Margot’s seduce into submission 2. Gus’s mock them with swagger and flair 3. Henriette’s quietly plot to rescue our neighbors 4. Emma’s now you poked the bear 5. Erik’s let’s start the revolution 6. Margot’s scorched earth let’s burn it all down

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Maria van Lieshout @vanlieshoutstudio.bsky.social · 10/01/2026

Way to make an author feel like a superstar! The Albany Middle School librarian Linda Perez made this sign to mark my parking spot today. Librarians promote reading and learning and THEY are the superstars. And the eighth graders? They rocked! Keep reading and asking questions, guys!

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Maria van Lieshout @vanlieshoutstudio.bsky.social · 10/01/2026

She also had her dog in the car. And a glove compartment filled with stuffed animals for her young son. Be on the side with the whistles, not on the side with the guns. Because the side of the guns will come for you next🐦‍⬛

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Five Books - Expert Book Recommendations @fivebooks.com · 08/01/2026

NEW The Best Books for Teens and Young Adults of 2025, recommended by Susannah Richards, specialist in literature for youth fivebooks.com/best-books/t...

fivebooks.com

The Best Books for Teens and Young Adults of 2025

The best new books for teens and young adults of 2025, as recommended by Dr. Susannah Richards, specialist in literature for youth

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Maria van Lieshout @vanlieshoutstudio.bsky.social · 07/01/2026

Some good news to kick off 2026! Blackbird is a 2025 Blue Ribbon Book by the Bulletin of the Center of Children’s books. Thank you, BCCB and to all readers who have bought, borrowed and read the book since it published almost a year ago! #songofablackbird #kidlit #graphicnovel #ww2 #bccb

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