I'm thrilled to be partnering with illustrator Scott Magoon and Simon & Schuster on a delightful picture book project--THE SPAW DAY--coming Summer 2027! Follow me on Instagram for updates, at @hethfeth.
There's a fun poetry contest going on right now, over on the Little Thoughts Press blog - www.littlethoughtspress.com/post/2025sil...
Enter by then end of the day Feb 14!
#sillylovesonnets
@littlethoughtspress.com
Hey Middle Grade book fans! Check out my year-end wrap-up of the MG market, hot off the presses! All the data you didn't know you wanted to know. 🤓
www.samsubity.com/mg-landscape...
Recommended: www.vox.com/pages/logoff...
"In addition to helping you manage the torrent of Trump news, we will close every edition with something — a video, a podcast, a story — that will help you refocus your thoughts away from Trump, and into a more productive headspace as you log off for the day.
Congratulations @heatherkinser.bsky.social Jasu Hu and Astra Books for Young Readers! Amazing book in the making.
If anyone wants to know more about the all-volunteer organization co-founded by Gordon Hempton to protect quiet places in nature, it's called Quiet Parks International, and you can find them here--https://www.quietparks.org/
I'm pleased to announce my latest book deal, with Calkins Creek - A VOICE FOR THE QUIET - a lyrical picture-book biography of acoustic ecologist and cofounder of Quiet Parks International, Gordon Hempton. Coming fall 2027, with artwork by the ultra-talented Jasu Hu.
#kidlit #picturebooks
Thanks @loritecler.bsky.social!
Melissa, this pic of my books in your classroom/library makes my heart leap. You’re welcome. Thank YOU for sharing my #STEM #picturebooks with your students!
I've read 193 #picturebooks so far this year. Better go get 7 more before December 31!
I'm excited to be participating in #WRAD on February 5, 2025. #teachers & #librarians, you could snag a quick free presentation & reading of one of my #picturebooks - NATURE IS A SCULPTOR, IN A CAVE, or SMALL MATTERS. Check out Kate's fantastic list of participating authors (details below). ⬇️📚
Holiday gift suggestion: picture book + rock collection ⬇️
I’m on Kate’s #wrad list! #teachers & #librarians, sign up for Kate’s newsletter, consult the author list, then email your favorite author(s) to set up a short, free, virtual school visit next February 5, on World Read-Aloud Day.
Teachers, librarians, & homeschoolers! Now's the time to sign up for my email newsletter if you'd like the list of authors volunteering for Zoom read alouds for World Read Aloud Day! It's going out later this afternoon! katemessner.us20.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=...
Got my signed copy of @kellyconroy.bsky.social’s sweet new #picturebook. Check out her cute elephant signature!
Cover of IN A CAVE by Heather Ferranti Kinser with art by Bonnie Kelso. Title is in black capital letters against a flashlight lit background. Three people are descending a staircase inside a cave, with one holding a flashlight that reveals the inside of the cave.
IN A CAVE by @heatherkinser.bsky.social w/art by @bonniekelso.bsky.social features lyrical text & beautiful illustrations that highlight structures & creatures found in caves & reinforce importance of respecting ecosystems existing in these spaces. Great intro to caves for young readers! #kidlit 📚👍🏻
Adult: The Madness of Crowds, by Louise Penny
Picturebook: The Dinosaur Next Door, by David Litchfield
Shout out to this charming & funny rhyming #picturebook, THE BALLAD OF CACTUS JOE, by Lily Murray & Clive McFarland. Fabulous, fun rhyme with great characterizations and story structure. Captivating art style with fun pops of neon. To top it all off, there’s backmatter about desert wildlife. Wow!
Just want to give a shout out to this excellent #picturebook, THE TOP SPOT, by Frank Weber. Simple, clear, dramatic. Deadpan humor. Thought-provoking. Captivating illustrations. Totally re-readable! All that a picture book should be.
Oops, had the wrong handle for Lori. Congrats @loritecler.bsky.social! You won a book! Look for my DM.
What a beautiful book! Curiosity piqued!
Okey-dokey. That was fun! I've got two lovely teachers/librarians who put their name in the hat...and they are my winners. Congratulations @melissadarrow.bsky.social and @loritecler! I'll DM you about the details.
I was obsessed with WHERE THE SIDEWALK ENDS.
CORDUROY! Love it!
And when I had kids of my own, I re-purchased copies of my other childhood must-haves: WHOSE MOUSE ARE YOU? (by Robert Kraus and Jose Aruego) [what a groovy vibe!] and MOTHER MOTHER I FEEL SICK SEND FOR THE DOCTOR QUICK QUICK QUICK (by Remy Charlip and Burton Supree). Both have eye-catching art!
A book that really spoke to my heart, when I was a child, was THE LITTLE BRUTE FAMILY (by Russell and Lillian Hoban). It's an early chapter book and does such a tender job of personifying a feeling.
Never mind...I found a synopsis. This is IT! I need to get a copy. I'm curious to see what it was that fascinated me so much in 6th grade.
Oh wow. I remember reading a book called "The Velvet Room," from my elementary school library around 6th grade. For a while (as an adult) I tried looking for it on the Internet, but gave up. Can you post a synopsis? I can't remember any details, except a thrilling sense of mystery.
If you like my books, you’ll love these California caves and rocky places, and wonderful geology-related #picturebook recommendations.
