Free Spirit Publishing

Promotional image that congratulates the Latino Voices in Children's Literature Writing Contest winners for 2025: 1st place: Maria Kim, for My Mother Is a Bridge; 2nd place: Rachel Garcia, for Grandma Olivia's Magical Soup Pot; 3rd place: Linda Reeves, for Even Luchadores Cry

Congrats to the winners of the 2025 Latino Voices in Children’s Literature writing contest, cosponsored with Con Todo Press!

More details and excerpts of the winning stories here: www.teachercreatedmaterials.com/latino-voice...

@mkimwrites.bsky.social

cover of Jake Lockett's picture book for the Disability Books for Kids series. My Life as an Asthmanaut by Jake Lockett and illustrated by Adriana Predoi. Two little boys are featured on the cover, one dressed as a superhero and the other as an astronaut.

This year, I decided to start doing book reviews on my socials. First up, @jlockettauthor1.bsky.social! I received an ARC of Jake’s picture book, MY LIFE AS AN ASTHMANAUT, that will be published by @freespiritbooks.bsky.social soon! Read the comments for the ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ review!

I just got my first copy of my book, Uncommonly Curious, Eternally Autistic. It’s exciting to hold it in my hands! Uncommonly Curious, Eternally Autistic is part of a set of own voice picture books about disability! Enjoy this tiny video with music by Mohamed Sharhabil. @jlockettauthor1.bsky.social

I received an advanced copy of My Life as an Asthmanaut by Jake Lockett, & highly recommend this book! It empowers children to take control of their asthma in an imaginative, kid-friendly way. It's coming in April! 😊 @jlockettauthor1.bsky.social @freespiritbooks.bsky.social

I work with such talented individuals which typically make nearly every day better. I love #PB's and I especially love them with great art. Excited to see @cpark.bsky.social tied to this relevant and timely book by @mbgriffinbooks.bsky.social YOUR COZY CASTLE @freespiritbooks.bsky.social #SEL

Q&A with Mary Rand Hess and Randy Preston about their new children's book series, MINI-MUSICAL TALES FROM BIRD MOUNTAIN SCHOOL.
tinyurl.com/26rvm5e4

This past Friday Charlotte Country Day School in NC invited me to speak as their Distinguished Diversity Author for this year. It was an honor to share I THINK I THINK A LOT and talk about how having #OCD inspired me.

@freespiritbooks.bsky.social @joseebisaillon.bsky.social
@esckeyes.bsky.social

Thank you @pwkidsbookshelf.bsky.social for highlighting Mabel's Mitzvah in your rights report. I've loved working with @freespiritbooks.bsky.social and can't wait to show everyone Yaara's beautiful artwork.

Screenshot of a page from the book in which a bird is flying and a girl's face can be seen.

I'll be flying to Charlotte this week! I was invited to speak about the people who make books, and to share I THINK I THINK A LOT with Country Day School students and many public schools, too.

Illust. by @joseebisaillon.bsky.social, pub. by @freespiritbooks.bsky.social

@esckeyes.bsky.social

How Neurodiversity Affirming Practices Support Students Neurodiversity Affirming Schools encourages us to reevaluate practices and consider neurodiversity as a permanent, valuable component of equitable education.

REVIEW: Affirming Neurodiversity to Support Every Student.

"Neurodiversity Affirming Schools" encourages us to reevaluate our practices and consider neurodiversity as a permanent, valuable component of equitable education. #edusky @freespiritbooks.bsky.social

www.middleweb.com/52739/affirm...

Wow, I'm delighted that Parents featured I THINK I THINK A LOT in a piece about books celebrating neurodiversity. Many other titles across all kidlit age categories are included--too many to tag! @joseebisaillon.bsky.social @esckeyes.bsky.social @freespiritbooks.bsky.social

At left a journal with a smile on it. Text says how it started, the experiences that inspired the book. At right the book I think I think a lot and the text "how it's going." The author, a woman, site behind both.

I THINK I THINK A LOT bears the message that sometimes on the underside of something bad there is something good.

This photo proves that idea on the meta level...

#ocdawarenessweek #ocd #anxiety #kidlit #picturebook

@joseebisaillon.bsky.social @esckeyes.bsky.social @freespiritbooks.bsky.social

Graphic that has this quote: "I think i think a lot is a powerful story of empathy, compassion, and acceptance. Whipple writes beautifully of OCD from a child's perspective and invites the reader into the intricacies of this world. I love this book so much because Whipple makes us think a lot, too, and we're so much better because of it. - Jordan Scott, poet and author of I talk like a river.

It's #OCDAwarenessWeek so I'll share poet and author Jordan Scott's very kind blurb about I THINK I THINK A LOT. It's inspired by my own #OCD.

@joseebisaillon.bsky.social @freespiritbooks.bsky.social @esckeyes.bsky.social

Q&A with Christine Alemshah about her new children's picture book, BEA'S BALIKBAYAN BOX OF TREASURES.
tinyurl.com/4eb86s9m
@christinealemshah.bsky.social

Sunday was a blast at the Baltimore Book Festival 📚

@freespiritbooks.bsky.social

Join me at the Baltimore Book Festival this Sunday, September 14.

Making a Difference Starts with Me
Sun, September 14 at 1pm
Kids Stage at 30th St (Corner of Barclay & 30)

@freespiritbooks.bsky.social

Promotional image for the Latino Voices in Children's Literature Writing Contest, sponsored by Free Spirit Publishing and Con Todo Press.

The Latino Voices in Children's Literature Writing Contest is now open!

The contest's mission is to elevate authentic, culturally relevant children's stories written by and about Latino people. There are cash prizes!

Details & submission info: go.teachercreatedmaterials.com/free-spirit/...

I Love Harriet Kippley won a National Parenting Product Award! 😍

@freespiritbooks.bsky.social

My Life as an Asthmanaut: A Book about Asthma A Book about Asthma

As September starts, so does #AsthmaPeakMonth when attacks & ER visits from #asthma symptoms are highest. Want to learn more about this lung condition? Pre-order my book from @freespiritbooks.bsky.social‬ ! #health #lunghealth #asthmatic #breathe #SeptemberAsthmaPeak bookshop.org/a/115186/979...

#BookFestival time is here!

Meet me at the #BaltimoreBookFestival in September
And at the #CrozetBookFest this October.

See here for more: www.writebetween.com/events

@freespiritbooks.bsky.social
@charlesbridge.bsky.social

A scene from the book of children at a birthday party and the text CELEBRATING TWO YEARS

I THINK I THINK A LOT has been out for 2 years today! If you've borrowed it, bought it, read it, shared it, opened it up to flip through the pages, talked about it, or you're simply following me here, thank you. @joseebisaillon.bsky.social @esckeyes.bsky.social @freespiritbooks.bsky.social

🔎 We spy Hi, Worry. Bye, Worry!

This month I THINK I THINK A LOT will have been out for two years!

I wrote it to show how sometimes if we look on the underside of what's troubling we can find something beautiful. #OCD #anxiety

Illust. by
@joseebisaillon.bsky.social

Pub: @freespiritbooks.bsky.social
@esckeyes.bsky.social

Don't miss debut author @christinealemshah.bsky.social's sneak peek at her touching & imaginative picture book releasing in August. www.mariacmarshall.com/single-post/... @freespiritbooks.bsky.social Dream Chen @pb25vibes.bsky.social #interview #kidlit #traditions

Sometimes Stormy swag is here! Bookmarks and Art Prints for all those who preorder a signed copy through The Silver Unicorn Bookstore!🎨📚#shoplocal ⬇️
www.silverunicornbooks.com/item/iO57odv...
…
#kidlit #kidlitart #preorder #indiebookstores #kidsbooks @freespiritbooks.bsky.social

I’ve been having a blast celebrating mending and creating with Paula’s Patches!

If you’re in Loudoun County, Virginia, please come see me at your local branch. We’ll be reading Paula’s Patches and having fun with fabric crafts! 📚 (see pic for schedule)

@freespiritbooks.bsky.social

Story Time & Craft Event: Loudoun County, VA

📚 Brambleton Library. July 7
📚Ashburn Library. July 9
📚Gum Spring Library. July 10
📚Purcellville Library. July 14
📚Lovettsville Library. July 15

All at 3pm
@freespiritbooks.bsky.social

Today is the last day of school here in Fairfax, VA. But I’m already looking forward to this summer program with Loudoun County. 😎

We’ll be reading Paula’s Patches, celebrating different ways of repairing and reusing, and making our very own pouches from fabric.

@freespiritbooks.bsky.social

Building Neurodiversity-Affirming Schools Affirming neurodiversity involves deeply reshaping educational practices and school culture to consistently acknowledge and respect our neurological differences.

AFFIRMING NEURODIVERSITY THROUGH OUR PRACTICES

Affirming neurodiversity means reshaping educational practices & school culture to consistently acknowledge & respect our neurological differences. #edusky #neurodiversity @amandamorin.bsky.social @freespiritbooks.bsky.social

www.middleweb.com/52270/

This month’s Together We Grow session was all about turning off screens and turning up connection. Families read “Screen Time Is Not Forever,” made memory boxes, and explored fun, meaningful ways to play and learn together. 🧡

#ParentSupport #EarlyLearning

@freespiritbooks.bsky.social