I may be in charge of the words, but when I read my picture books aloud, I'm also responsible for helping kids engage with the illustrators' incredible art. Here's an example of what that can look like.

Picture books, eh!@picturebookseh.bsky.social · 2d ago

New blog! "Reading the Pictures," by @laurabontje.bsky.social on her #PB MARIAN'S BIG DIG, illus by @ritchiescot.bsky.social "At a literary festival..., a very young child asked me a very good question: “Why doesn’t the picture on the front happen in the story?” #kidlit @groundwoodbooks.bsky.social

Promo via @authorsbooking.bsky.social! 📚👍🏼Discover these new #kidlit books! Creators include: @parentclub.bsky.social @mahtabnarsimhan.bsky.social @karenautio.bsky.social @Reganmacaulay @heathercamlot.bsky.social @oksanna.bsky.social @mahtabnarsimhan.bsky.social @nikkibergstresser.bsky.social

Do you have any special plans for the long weekend? My weekend will start with a cozy story time at one of my favorite little bookstores. If you're in town, I hope to see you there! 🎉 Marian's Big Dig (by me and @ritchiescot.bsky.social) came out this week from @groundwoodbooks.bsky.social.

Huge congratulations to the clients and friends who've made the shortlist! 🎉

The Canadian Society of Children's Authors, Illust & Performers.@canscaip.bsky.social · 2w ago

The CANSCAIP Writing for Children Competition Shortlist has been announced - members and friends check your emails :-)

What do playgrounds, doctors' offices, and Sofia Valdez, Future Prez have to do with Marian's Big Dig? Find out in my interview with @jenanbenton.bsky.social!

Jena Benton@jenanbenton.bsky.social · 2w ago

Marian loves rocks and is absolutely convinced that she has found a dinosaur fossil in the backyard. When her geologist mom has doubts, she sets out to prove it’s true! 📚👍🏽 #KidLit #picturebook #interview #bookblogger jenabenton.com/2026/09/29/s...

Preorders are so important to authors, so if you've already ordered Marian's Big Dig, I'd love to thank you! Let me know, and I'll send you stickers and a signed bookplate: tinyurl.com/m2ay43dz What's under Marian's sheet? Find out Oct. 6! @ritchiescot.bsky.social | @groundwoodbooks.bsky.social

Summer's ending, so here's one last #CanLitSummer novel. [CW: IVF, stillbirth] I read this quickly, moving from one POV to the next to see how each woman's decisions evolved as they lived through the news that their embryos were swapped during IVF. Setting: Halifax, NS By @charlenecarr.bsky.social

Are you a horror reader (💀) or does horror creep you out (😱)? Book club's all about discovering new things, and it turns out ... I can enjoy horror more than I thought! My latest #CanLitSummer read is this fascinating, funny, gruesome, complex story by Lindsay Wong. I really enjoyed it!

As an editor, I offer free sample edits, and I've talked about why in this post. But others have different approaches. What's yours?

Editors/Réviseurs Canada@editorscanada.bsky.social · 2mo ago

It's #ThrowbackThursday! How do freelance editors decide whether or not to offer sample edits? In this week’s #EditorsWeekly, we take you back to @laurabontje.bsky.social’s discussion of the pros and cons involved. blog.editors.ca/throwback-th...

📚What's your favorite book set in your hometown? I loved Natalie Sue's first book (also set in Calgary!), so on a trip back home, I picked up her latest: a charming look at the assumptions we make about the people around us and what it really means to form a community of neighbors. #CanLitSummer

A #CanLitSummer quick read for anyone interested in a behind-the-scenes look at what it means to run a bookstore—from the arrival of big bookstore chains through global pandemics—written by the longtime owner of my favorite hometown shop, Calgary's Owl's Nest Books! What are you reading this week?

Oh, how I loved my latest #CanLitSummer read! It's a warm, summery middle-grade graphic novel that explores friendship, family, gentrification, and queerness in a small town. What graphic novel have you enjoyed recently? Author: @kagcomix.bsky.social Setting: Milforth, Ontario

Crystal is working magic on this book. I already love the roughs, and I'm so excited to see how it continues to evolve! 😍 #Kidlit #CanLit @owlkids.bsky.social

Hey Crystal Smith Illustrates@crystalsmithart.bsky.social · 3mo ago

Sneak peek at rough thumbnails for a new book I'm working on - all about astronauts and aquanauts and how they work together to train and research! Inspired especially by the latest NASA mission to the moon! Manuscript by @laurabontje.bsky.social

Tell me in the comments: Are you a ... 🐕 dog person 🐈‍⬛ cat person 🐍 other Here are some #CanLitSummer recommendations for my fellow cat people! (My fluffy cloud Nimbus helped out.) [Bluesky tags: @charlenedraws.bsky.social, @susinnielsen.bsky.social, @ashleybarron.bsky.social] #KidLit #PictureBooks

What are you reading right now? My first #CanLitSummer read was a social commentary on race, class, family, love, and life under capitalism, told through the perspective of Damani, a queer Tamil driver for a ride-sharing app. Author: Priya Guns Setting: An unnamed city

#CanLitSummerChat Our first two discussion questions about about Canadian classics! Drop an emoji to vote or reply with another option! Q1: What's your go-to when you want to enjoy Anne of Green Gables? 📕 The book 📚 One of the sequels 🎞️ The TV movies with Megan Follows 📺 Anne with an E

#CanLitSummer is officially here! Coming up: giveaways, book recommendations, and more. If you want to take part, follow me and check out the FAQ at the post below. What Canadian book is first up on your TBR? www.laurabontje.com/blog/canlitsummer #CanLit #IReadCanadian #CANSCAIP #AmReading

Read and Win Canadian Books with #CanLitSummer! — Laura Bontje

The #CanLitSummer project began as a personal reading goal. This year, I’m extending the invitation to you and adding in discussions, giveaways, and book recommendations!

laurabontje.com

#CanLitSummer is back, and this time, I'm inviting you to join me! Stay tuned for more info (and a giveaway!). In the meantime, tell me: Which of these books from my 2023 #CanLitSummer reading project would you pick up on a summer day? 🍁 #CanLit #CANSCAIP #AmReading

What a great visit to Groundwood Books to see everyone. I felt very welcomed, thank you. 😘 I got to see books I've done over the years, along with my newest, Marian's Big Dig - coming in October😊 @laurabontje.bsky.social @groundwoodbooks.bsky.social

I can't wait to see how our book continues to develop in Crystal's stunning style! 🚀

Hey Crystal Smith Illustrates@crystalsmithart.bsky.social · 4mo ago

With the Artemis III crew being announced today, I am even more excited about my current book. Here's some thumbnails! "Sea of Tranquility" (w/b @laurabontje.bsky.social pub/b @owlkids.bsky.social ) Highlighting both underwater science and space exploration! 🚀🪸 #kidsbooks #kidlit #kidlitart

#ArtemisII launched yesterday, sending humans toward the moon for the first time in over 50 years. In honor of the mission, here are some of my favorite picture books about space! Can you guess them all? See answers in thread!

One more day!

Laura Bontje | Preorder Marian's Big Dig!@laurabontje.bsky.social · 7mo ago

You can get a query package critique AND support a good cause with the Lit for Queer Liberation virtual auction. Two successful bidders will get a critique of their: 📝Query letter 📃Synopsis 📕First chapter (novel) OR manuscript (picture book) Browse the auction: www.32auctions.com/organization...

I'm thrilled to be joining the wonderful authors of #PictureBooksEh for another year of creative Canadian content! 🍁 You can see this year's picture books on the website, and don't forget to enter for a chance to win a critique or picture book! (I've offered a critique for one winner!)

Picture books, eh!@picturebookseh.bsky.social · 7mo ago

#GIVEAWAY To celebrate the launch of #PictureBooksEh 2026, we’re giving away 4 manuscript crits & many PBs! Details on website below. To enter: 1. Follow @picturebookseh.bsky.social 2. Like + repost this post (extra entry for tagging a friend) 3. Winners announced Mar. 27 at 9 am #kidlit #cankidlit

You can get a query package critique AND support a good cause with the Lit for Queer Liberation virtual auction. Two successful bidders will get a critique of their: 📝Query letter 📃Synopsis 📕First chapter (novel) OR manuscript (picture book) Browse the auction: www.32auctions.com/organization...

💫Cover Reveal for Marian's Big Dig💫 What a wonderful story to illustrate, written by the talented @laurabontje.bsky.social If you like dinosaurs, fossils and a clever hero, you'll love Marian's Big Dig. 🦕 Preorder now, wherever books are sold. Published by @groundwoodbooks.bsky.social

I'm excited to share that my 4th picture book is underway! It's lyrical, informational #PB comparing underwater astronaut training at #AquariusReefBase with life on board the ISS. The team at @owlkids.bsky.social has been great, and I can't wait to see what Crystal comes up with for the artwork!

Hey Crystal Smith Illustrates@crystalsmithart.bsky.social · 9mo ago

Yay! ✨💫🧑🏽‍🚀🤿 A new book!! By @laurabontje.bsky.social & pics by me : Spring 2028. I can't wait...the ocean & space? Two of my favorite things. (Who doesn't love the ISS?) @owlkids.bsky.social @jemiscoe.bsky.social @starlingliterary.bsky.social #kidsbooks #kidsbookpublishing #kidlit #Kidlitart

Do you allow "laughed" as a dialogue tag? See my opinion, along with tips on how to format dialogue tags and action beats, in the latest post for my editing blog! #WritingCommunity #WritingTips #AmEditing #KidLit

How to Use Dialogue Tags — Laura Bontje

Learn what goes in a dialogue tag (and what doesn't!), as well as how to format the dialogue tags and action beats in your text.

laurabontje.com

Thinking of inviting a Canadian #kidlit author or illustrator to visit your readers? Trending today: @jlbaileybooks.bsky.social @laurabontje.bsky.social @susanhughes.bsky.social @marcuscutler.bsky.social and more! authorsbooking.com

When I was a student in Alberta, I read a variety of enriching books in IB English classes. Many would no longer be considered "appropriate" for schools. Also, these policies often target books that offer rep. to LGBTQIA+ students who deserve to see themselves in literature. Please sign. #CAIABB

〰️ julie mclaughlin 〰️@whatwouldjuliedraw.bsky.social · last yr.

URGENT CALL TO ACTION: please sign and share our petition, tell the Alberta Gov’t you don’t support book bans! Censorship escalates rapidly, put pressure on the gov’t now to ensure it doesn’t take hold in Canada. Change.org/AB-book-ban #CAIABB #ABbookban #FreedomToRead #NoBansInCanada

Want to get professional feedback on your query package and also support a good cause? Check out the #KidLit4Ceasefire summer auction: www.32auctions.com/organization...

First Chapter + Query Critique from Laura Bontje

Auction item 'First Chapter + Query Critique from Laura Bontje' hosted online at 32auctions.

32auctions.com