An opportunity for workshops and feedback!

Deborah Kerbel@deborahkerbel.com · 3mo ago

I'm thrilled to be @vaughanpl.bsky.social Writer-in-Residence this spring! I'll be coaching, encouraging, & inspiring writers through workshops, manuscript consults, & drop-in sessions - 100% FREE to Vaughan residents. Hope to see you at VPL soon! Go to vaughanpl.info/wir or scan the QR code below.

I'm thrilled to be @vaughanpl.bsky.social Writer-in-Residence this spring! I'll be coaching, encouraging, & inspiring writers through workshops, manuscript consults, & drop-in sessions - 100% FREE to Vaughan residents. Hope to see you at VPL soon! Go to vaughanpl.info/wir or scan the QR code below.

Hear Canadian creators read from their new picture books at the first Great Canadian Picture Book Party of 2026. Join the fun via Zoom on Monday, April 27 from 7-8:30pm ET. Sign up through CANSCAIP. If you're not a member, message picturebookseh@gmail.com for the link. #CANkidlit #kidlit

We're pleased to announce that @deborahkerbel.com will be VPL's first Writer-in-Residence! ✍️ Deborah is an award-winning author, having published more than thirty books across genres, from picture books and graphic novels to young adult fiction.

In a few cleverly rhymed words, GOTCHA DAY, written by @deborahkerbel.com, illustrated by @udayana-lugo.bsky.social and published by @orcabooks, tells the story of how a stray dog comes to find their owner. I love the way this book introduces new vocabulary! A fun read. #kidlit 📚👍🏻 #edusky

Busy prepping Jan1st post re #youngCanLit upcoming releases (let me know if you've a 2026 title) but still catching up on wonderful fall releases like COMMUNITY SNOWMAN by @deborahkerbel.com & Tine Modeweg-Hansen from @groundwoodbooks.bsky.social canlitforlittlecanadians.blogspot.com/2025/12/comm...

Community Snowman

Promoting children's and YA books by Canadian authors and illustrators

canlitforlittlecanadians.blogspot.com

So happy the news is officially official! PLUFFY & BORB CATCH A FRIEND -- written by me, illustrated by @naomispractice.bsky.social, and pubbed by @kidscanpress.bsky.social is coming to bookshelves in Fall 2027 🎉

Essie White@essiewhite.bsky.social · 11mo ago

What a fun project this is going to be! I think everyone is going to fall in love w/ PLUFFY and BORB! a new #GN by @deborahkerbel.com & illustrated by @naomispractice.bsky.social sky.social I'm so fortunate to work w/ such talented #kidlit people @kidscanpress.bsky.social @stormliterary.bsky.social

Very grateful to @debbieohi.com for this 'cool' review of COMMUNITY SNOWMAN, our upcoming (Oct 8/25) wordless picture book, published by @groundwoodbooks.bsky.social & illustrated by Tine Modeweg-Hansen). Thank you, Debbie!! 🥰

Debbie Ridpath Ohi@debbieohi.com · 11mo ago

COMMUNITY SNOWMAN by @deborahkerbel.com & Tine Modeweg-Hansen is a sweet, wordless picture book that celebrates kindness and community uplift. Love the loose, expressive art! Launches from @groundwoodbooks.bsky.social 2025/10/07. Thx Groundwood for the sneak peek! 🇨🇦🩷 #KidLit #EduSky #CanKidLit 📚👍🏽

🐾 Gotcha Day Cover Reveal 🐾 ⁠Adorably illustrated by Udayana Lugo & pubbed by @orcabook.bsky.social this heartfelt story about a stray dog finding their fur-ever home was inspired by our family’s experience with our sweet rescue pup, Freddie. In bookstores March 17/26 & available for pre-order now

I was thrilled to discover IGGY INCLUDED on the list of Red Cedar Fiction nominees for 2025/26! Huge thanks to the selection committee and my fellow Red Cedar nominee @annarosner.bsky.social for the heads up! #bookawards #nominee #middlegradebooks #canlit #ireadcanadian #Iwritecanadian #kidlit

And just like that, a brand new children's book springs to life 🌱 More details coming soon 😊 #thisnevergetsold #picturebook #canlit #Ireadcanadian #iwritecanadian #amwriting #writersofbluesky #bookcontract #kidlit

Summer Reads for Kids 8 to 18: looking for mental health-themed books for your children to read? See our list of 19 titles, including books by ‪@kerncarter.bsky.social | @sharigreen.bsky.social | @deborahkerbel.com | @kloshaughnessy.bsky.social‬ menderist.com/summer-readi...

Summer Reading: 19 Children's Books with Mental Health Themes - Menderist

Parents can help their children before the teenage years by sharing books about common youth mental health challenges.

menderist.com

“A little space, please!” Got a kiddo who craves a bit of personal space? Bought a copy of NO HUDDLES FOR HELOISE or taken it out from the library? DM me your address & proof of purchase/library loan and I’ll send you a custom door hanger (with art by illustrator Udayana Lugo). *🇨🇦 residents only

🎉IODE Violet Downy Book Award Short List ⭐A Galaxy of Whales H Fawcett Tundra ⭐Iggy Included @deborahkerbel.com Scholastic ⭐Plague Thieves @parentclub.bsky.social @cormorantbooks.bsky.social ⭐The Outsmarters D Ellis @groundwoodbooks.bsky.social ⭐Tig HT Smith Rocky Pond #KidLit #CanKidLit

You can browse the 2025 #ForestOfReading nominees here: forestofreading.com/nominated-li... Congrats @grickle.bsky.social & @deborahkerbel.com on their #SilverBirch Fiction Honours! bsky.app/profile/hkub...

Helen Kubiw ❤️ 🇨🇦 📚@hkubiw.bsky.social · last yr.

Congrats to #SilverBirch Fiction Honour Book winners @grickle.bsky.social and @deborahkerbel.com! Young readers know wonderful #CDN books.

Congrats to #SilverBirch Fiction Honour Book winners @grickle.bsky.social and @deborahkerbel.com! Young readers know wonderful #CDN books.

Let’s see if this works…🤞 #gettingcreative #parentingsolutions

With shrinking review outlets for 🇨🇦 kidlit, the loss of CM Reviews leaves quite a void. Feeling grateful for all their years of steadfast support for 🇨🇦 kids books & sad to see it end. A review of NO HUDDLES FOR HELOISE appears in the latest (& possibly final 😔) issue. Thank you for everything, CM!

I’m excited to share a sneak peek of the adorable 'book sibling' for WHAT ABOUT AN OCTOPUS? WHAT ABOUT AN ELEPHANT? will be stomping into bookstores August 2025 😊 Illustrated by Dawn Lo & published by @owlkids.bsky.social 🐘🐙📚🇨🇦 #ireadcanadian #informationalpicturebook #picturebook #fall2025 #kidlit

Canadian #kidlit creators, if you're not following @hkubiw.bsky.social yet, you should be. Her outstanding book review blog is one of the most viewed & influential in our community. Thank you for your hard work and dedication to Canadian children's books, Helen. You're a rockstar 🤩 🇨🇦 📚

Helen Kubiw ❤️ 🇨🇦 📚@hkubiw.bsky.social · last yr.

I'm w Heloise in new #picturebook NO HUDDLES FOR HELOISE by @deborahkerbel.com & illus by @udayana-lugo.bsky.social From @orcabook.bsky.social Heloise is true to her introverted nature & her friends find a way to accommodate it. #CanKidLit ❤️🇨🇦📚 canlitforlittlecanadians.blogspot.com/2025/03/no-h...

If you like penguins—and who doesn’t?—then check out this new picture book, NO HUDDLES FOR HELOISE, by @deborahkerbel.com & @udayana-lugo.bsky.social! #penguins #kidlit #EduSky #CanKidLit @picturebookseh.bsky.social @orcabook.bsky.social

Here's to new seasons, fresh starts, & finding little sprigs of hope at a time when they've never been more needed. Bring on the light...and happy first day of spring, friends 🌱 (Art by @joseebisaillon.bsky.social from WHIRL, published by @owlkids.bsky.social) #picturebook #wordless #spring

You know why these authors are happy? Because they're celebrating their new @orcabook.bsky.social books at Mabel's Fables Children's Bookstore! Congrats on a wonderful launch, Erin Silver, @alisonmcgauley.bsky.social, @deborahkerbel.com & @mkbirmingham.bsky.social! #kidlit #CanKidLit #picturebooks

My 30th kids book publishes today 🎉 NO HUDDLES FOR HELOISE is about respecting personal space, accepting differences, & finding creative ways to support the people you love. May she waddle her way into ❤️ of kids who see themselves in her quest for ‘alone time’ in a world full of huddlers.

Happy #internationalwomensday! May we continue having our voices heard, our words known, our opinions valued, and our work recognized. May we always remember our strength and our worth. And may we be blessed with a community of sisters who uplift each other whenever possible 💪

Shout-out to all my fellow Canadian creators...let's continue to support each other as well as our incredible Canadian publishing community 🇨🇦 Thanks to @carolmatas.bsky.social for this timely reminder ❤️

Carol Matas@carolmatas.bsky.social · last yr.

Today is #BuyCanadian day. Zevi Takes the Spotlight is set in #Vancouver and is published by @orcabook.bsky.social a #Canadian #publisher and written by a #Manitoba #Children'sbook #author, me. Buy a Canadian book today! Fred and Marjorie written @deborahkerbel.com by @owlkids.bsky.social #kidlit

🥳 GROUP BOOK LAUNCH! 📚 We are excited to visit with friends & family as we share our new books at Mabel’s Fables Children’s Bookstore, March 11th from 6:30-8 pm. 🩷 We’d love to see you there! @picturebookseh.bsky.social @pb25vibes.bsky.social #kidlit @deborahkerbel.com @mkbirmingham.bsky.social

❄️ ☃️ COVER REVEAL ☃️ ❄️ Who's ready for more snow? (No shovelling required 😉 ) COMMUNITY SNOWMAN will be rolling into bookstores in #fall2025. (Illustrated by uber-talented Tine Modeweg-Hansen and published by the wonderful team at @groundwoodbooks.bsky.social)

Starting #Valentines Day reading with @deborahkerbel.com wonderful #NoHuddlesForHeliose!

With just 1 month to go until NO HUDDLES FOR HELOISE officially hatches, I'm happy to share the news that Turkish & traditional Chinese language rights have been sold! So excited for kids around the world to meet Heloise the introverted penguin! 🐧 (Art: Udayana Lugo. Pubbed: @orcabook.bsky.social)