Pro tip: Traveling with a butternut squash in your carry-on is a great way to get your bag flagged by security. Bernice and I are heading to the South Dakota Festival of Books. #megakidlit #booksky #sophiessquash

A Dolly Parton song and some picture books are the perfect combo on Dolly Parton Day. #dollyparton #9to5 #bookkaraoke #megakidlit #booksky #librarysky

Heads up, Bookworms: There will likely be💀supply chain issues💀 this holiday season. So if there are specific books you have your heart set on for holiday gifting, I strongly suggest you buy/order them ahead of time (✨like now✨) rather than waiting until November/December.

Somehow, I never knew how BIG Brooklyn is. I had several spots to visit. “How far apart can they be?” I naively wondered. Very far indeed. The day I visited Lofty Pigeon Books, I logged 25,000 steps and looked worse for wear. But Lofty Pigeon was worth the walk. #booksky #brooklyn #kidlit

If you’re ever wandering around New York City feeling hot and sweaty, you should wander by Books Are Magic Pam Wells and I visited the Smith Street location yesterday and had a little fun. It’s a very pretty store. And the sweatshirt is coming home with me.

When you visit Grand Valley State University’s Mary Idema Pew Library and find friends who say all the right things. Thanks to everyone on the lovely GVSU campus. And, no worries, Sun Prairie Public Library. I may see other libraries, but I always come home to you. #GVSU #librarysky

If you visit Rolling Rabbit Books in Byron Center, MI, you have to buy celebratory books. Even if it’s NOT your birthday. Rolling Rabbit is doubling its size Sept. 19, and I got a sneak peek. Spoiler: The new space IS COOL. I also signed books that are now on the shelves. #booksky #megakidlit

If you preorder A DAD CAN ... by me, Peter Mutabazi and @tamishaanthony.bsky.social from B&N through Friday, you can get 25 percent off. You'll need a B&N account. Visit barnesandnoble.com, and use code PREORDER25. Ordering now means you'll get it right when it comes out. #megakidlit #booksky

Another bookish video with cameos from Clark and Pam Wells. #booksky #librarysky youtube.com/shorts/tszeD...

What If I Don’t WANT to live like you?

YouTube video by Pat Zietlow Miller

youtube.com

Fun times in Michigan!

It’s Library Card Sign-Up month, and Dolly Parton would be so happy if you got a card or used one you have. Library cards are free. They give you access to physical and online books, videos, music, programs, databases, research help, quiet spaces, computers, friendly faces and more. #librarysky

Did you know books are traditionally released on Tuesday? Here are four recent releases I just received. Happy reading! @audreyvernick.bsky.social @lizgardensalad.bsky.social @danielmiyares.bsky.social @shadras.bsky.social @lesliehelakoski.bsky.social #megakidlit #picturebooks #booksky #kidsky

When you’re hungry, you have to ask for what you want. And, if it’s a cookie, you might need some milk to go with it. How many of the kidlit references did you get? #booksky #librarysky #megakidlit #scbwi

I’m not an artist. When I sign books, I stick to my name and a freeform heart. So I’m super-extremely impressed when I see how artists like Heidi Sheffield sign books. WOW! #booksky #signedbooks #megakidlit #kidlitillustration

I recently received this gorgeous stack of books from Heidi Sheffield. Hobbes and I are very grateful and happy. Check them out yourself! (And watch for a second post where I admire Heidi’s signatures!) #booksky #megakidlit #picturebooks #readalouds

Hobbes really knows how to get behind a good book. #catsky #bookishcats

Thanks to American Family Insurance and Prairie Pages, I signed a lot of books today. BE KIND and BE STRONG are two of my favorite titles. Happy reading! #bekind #bestrong #megakidlit #booksky #picturebooks #librarysky

Walk through the Sun Prairie Public Library at regular speed to explore its new nooks and crannies. (I already tried going over and under, so you can go straight through.) And, check out WE’RE GOING ON A BEAR HUNT for yourself or a child you love. #libraries #librarysky #sunprairiewi #booksky

I was in a bathroom with a sparkly mirror, so I had to capture the moment.

What’s on your refrigerator door? #booksky #kidlit #fridge #refrigeratorart

We took Ollie to the vet today. We got him out of his carrier so he could get a shot and a nail trim and the vet tech said, “First, I have to hug this OTTOMAN!” New nickname unlocked.

Want to read books and ignore people? So do my sister and I. We have a long history of parallel reading that goes back to our childhood. #reading #sisters #bookshop

A video where I answer two of the most frequent questions I get about writing traditionally published picture books: “Do I get to choose the illustrator?”and “Do I get to tell them what to do?” m.youtube.com/watch?v=SHVI... #booksky #megakidlit #picturebooks

How authors and illustrators work together — but separately — to make memorable picture books

YouTube video by Pat Zietlow Miller

m.youtube.com

A chat with my husband, Mark Miller, who loves bookstores and libraries almost as much as I do. #hesaidthat #booksky #megakidlit #reading #booksbooksbooks

There are some benefits to getting older. (Thanks Prairie Pages and Pam Wells.) #booksky #megakidlit #kidlit

My upcoming book with Peter Mutabazi and Tamisha Anthony now can be preordered. It's about all the things dads do and the different ways families look. Preorder links are in the comments. You'll be the first to get the book when it releases in March. #megakidlit #booksky #dads #adoption #fostering

So happy to see Jill Esbaum talk about her new picture book illustrated by Bob Shea — HORNED TOAD HAS A SUPER POWER — at Sidekick Coffee & Books in Iowa City. Awesome author! Awesome store.

I’ve been massively ON DUTY lately. As a daughter, mom, wife and person. I tend to be a fixer, even when I shouldn’t — which leads to more tasks. But this week, as my sweatshirt says, I am OFF DUTY. I’m visiting Iowa for a writing retreat. Here’s to writing, revising and, “Call someone else.”

Wow! Thank you to everyone who helped get ONE CAN BE, my book with Annie May Cron from @beamingbooksmn.bsky.social, into a @littlefreelibrary.bsky.social in every state plus the District of Columbia. It’s been so much fun watching the journey. #booksky #librarysky #megakidlit

If Mark Miller had a job description, “Hauling Pat’s books” would be a key deliverable. And … he would consistently exceed expectations. #husband #megakidlit #raye #library #booksky