LesterLaminack

I enjoyed listening and meeting Oge Mora and Lester Laminack, two amazing authors who presented at the annual Florida Literacy Conference in Orlando in January 2025. It was so powerful to learn how everyday simple things, people, and experiences led them to write their children’s books.

I’m excited to reveal the cover of my latest picture book, which has earned a Kirkus Starred Review!

⭐️ A CAT LIKE THAT ⭐️
Written by Lester L. Laminack

In stores January 7, 2025

#kirkusstarredreview #kirkusreviews #coverreveal #picturebooks #picturebookillustration #kidlit #kidlitart

'What you fear as a writer is probably the area your students don't trust you to teach.'
Lester Laminack

Two Writing Teachers Podcast Promo Image The Writing Roundtable: The Evolving Landscape of Writing Instruction

ICYMI: Lester Laminack shares his Ferris wheel of education concept. Discover how it relates to the future of writing instruction.
Listen to #TWTPod now! https://www.buzzsprout.com/2027003/episodes/16574965

Two Writing Teachers Podcast Promo Image The Writing Roundtable: The Evolving Landscape of Writing Instruction

This week, we welcome Lester Laminack to the Writing Roundtable!
Our chat examines the evolving landscape of writing pedagogy and explores the future of writing education.
Listen to #TWTPod now! https://www.buzzsprout.com/2027003/episodes/16574965

A copy of A CAT LIKE THAT by Lester L. Laminack and Nicole Wong against a green and granite background.

@painternik.bsky.social has lots of books forthcoming, but today I'm celebrating that the first one we've worked on together, A CAT LIKE THAT, is officially on shelves. Get your copy here: bookshop.org/p/books/a-ca...

lester laminack katie kelly quote

We must create safe spaces where students can engage in critical conversations about topics that arise in literature and in life. From Reading to Make a Difference: spr.ly/63324Anno0

#readingteacher #reading #loveofreading #childrensliterature #childrensbooks

I look forward to being with you all.

Big news!
Our keynote speakers are here: Lester Laminack and Antero Garcia!
They’ll challenge and inspire us to build a world where the joy of literacy belongs to everyone.
Don’t miss it — 2026 WSRA Conference is where inspiration begins.
bit.ly/4gLNsZh

EDUCATOR friends:
docs.google.com/.../1FAIpQLS...
The Tyrolia Institute in Waco, TX 6/22-25 is FREE thanks to a generous grant. Your only obligation is transportation & hotel. Naomi Shihab Nye, Kylene Beers, Chris Crutcher, Penny Kittle, Bob Probst, Linda Rief, and me. Application is due May 5th!

Improving reading across Europe: More reading! More talking! | European School Education Platform Reading scores were down in almost every European nation that participated in the PISA 2022 tests – often by the largest margin ever. How can this trend be reversed?

Pause a moment to read this:
school-education.ec.europa.eu/en/discover/...

Happy Birthday

it was a wonderful conference.

Statement on IMLS Staff Administrative Leave IMLS is responsible for distributing Federal Funding for libraries. This action will interrupt IMLS's vital, congressionally funded work. We cannot allow IMLS to be dismantled by executive action.

IMLS staff were placed on administrative leave following the Trump Administration’s Executive Order, which eliminated federal funding for libraries.

Take action today!

www.everylibrary.org/statement_im... via @everylibrary.bsky.social

Trump Just Fired the National Archivist! We can expect more retaliatory attacks on our institutions throughout this administration.

Trump fired her in retaliation for the stolen documents case.

The only problem is that she wasn't in charge of the national archives at the time!

bit.ly/3WTxJ1s via @everylibrary.bsky.social

Wow! One month out and this sassy cat is going into a second print run! Thanks for all your support
@painternik.bsky.social
#kidlit
#kidlitart
#picturebooks
#cats

Excellent!

Another wonderful review of
A CAT LIKE THAT
from @readbookpage.bsky.social

@lesterlaminack.bsky.social @jmcgowanbks.bsky.social

#bookpagereview #picturebookreview #picturebooks #kidlit #kidlitart #cats

Florida lawmakers cancel special session on immigration called by DeSantis Lawmakers say they will take up their own bills on the topic later this week.

The Florida House and Senate opened and then immediately adjourned a special session called by Gov. Ron DeSantis to deal with his slate of immigration bills — a rare rebuke of the GOP governor by the GOP supermajority in the legislature.

Congratulations, @amedyckman.bsky.social and Mark Teague!

We’ve got two Stonewall Honor Winners in the house. Immense congratulations to my clients, @joelleretener.bsky.social and @deelasheeart.bsky.social for this huge accomplishment. It’s a rare honor to work on both sides of a picture book and these two deserve this more than I can say.

This year’s Caldecott Honor Books are: HOME IN A LUNCHBOX by Cherry Mo; MY DADDY IS A COWBOY, illus. by CG Esperanza; NOODLES ON A BICYCLE, illus. by Gracey Zhang; and UP, UP, EVER UP, illus. by Yuko Shimizu #ALAyma

Congratulations to Lynn Brunelle, recipient of this years Robert F. Sibert Informational Book Medal for LIFE AFTER WHALE: THE AMAZING ECOSYSTEM OF A WHALE FALL

@ksonnack.bsky.social

I KNEW IT!!! Louder Than Hunger is a Schneider Family Book Award Honor winner! CONGRATS! #ALAYMA #TLSkyChat #KidLit

This sassy cat had her first conference appearance at the Florida Literacy Association
If you’d like a personalized autographed copy contact City Lights Bookstore in Sylva, NC.

Thanks Scholastic for your sponsorship at this event.
@painternik.bsky.social
@margaretquinlin.bsky.social

Told ya it’s a gem.

🔥 📚 NEW event with @librarianjones.com! Register: https://www.bookelicious.com/events/ 2-27-25 @ 7:30p EST Join Bestselling Author Amanda Jones for a courageous conversation about "That Librarian: The Fight Against Book Banning in America". @bloomsburybooksus.bsky.social @bloomsburybooks.bsky.social

🔥 📚 NEW event with @librarianjones.com!
Register: www.bookelicious.com/events/

2-27-25 @ 7:30p EST

Join Bestselling Author Amanda Jones for a courageous conversation about "That Librarian: The Fight Against Book Banning in America".

@bloomsburybooksus.bsky.social @bloomsburybooks.bsky.social

This sounds awesome.

I’m in love with the art by @painternik.bsky.social in our new book

Love your art