Do you design MG book covers or have a say in what your book’s cover looks like? If so, you need to read this post by Afoma Umesi!😳 open.substack.com/pub/readingm...

Introducing: The Kid Cover Test

Babyish, boring, or worth picking up? Our reviewers rate six covers a month.

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“You don't need to overhaul everything; you can pick one bottleneck that's actually costing you time or energy, and you build a system around just that.” Great advice in this post from @why-edify.bsky.social! www.jeremyajorgensen.com/one-good-sys...

One Good System Beats Five Half-Built Ones

Before you overhaul your whole classroom — read this. One well-crafted system is enough.

jeremyajorgensen.com

Favorite pics from today’s walk in the backyard! The second one is a Zethus spinipes. Females live and hunt entirely alone and they tend to recycle abandoned insect homes rather than build new ones. Interesting! #AlwaysWonder #InsectsAreCool

What a great interview with Debra Kempf-Schumaker! Adding her books to my next library haul! Thanks for another interesting post @jpuglow.bsky.social! open.substack.com/pub/ugronews...

Debra Kempf Schumaker Shares Her Creative Point of View!

August 2, 2026, Vol. 2, Issue 9 | uGROnews shines a light on the garden of ideas that grow into books for children.

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Have you wondered about anything today? If so, your brain was doing some amazing things behind the scenes! Find out more and check out some of my favorite first week #PictureBooks to lay the #STEM mindset foundation. kimcollazo.substack.com/p/always-won...

🤔The science behind wondering is fascinating! I wrote about it in my newest post. Thoughts? #STEM #KidLit #BackToSchool #TeachersOfBsky kimcollazo.substack.com/p/always-won...

Always Wonder!

Far from a cliche!

kimcollazo.substack.com

🌟Brand new post! 🌟Brand new website! 👀Curious? Take a peek! kimcollazo.substack.com/p/always-won...

Always Wonder!

Far from a cliche!

kimcollazo.substack.com

Found this lovely little nest under one of our huge sycamore trees. I’m not a bird expert…are we thinking Hummingbird?🪹 #AlwaysWonder #STEM

Fungi have the coolest kingdom! These three different species were 3 steps away from each other on our pond dam today. Nature’s magic!🪄 #AlwaysWonder #STEM

Who knew?! July is #WatercolorMonth! Thanks for the heads-up, @flashlightpress.bsky.social with all your beautiful books. I have a favorite illustrator who is a MASTER at watercolor. @jilliande.bsky.social brought #EmersynBlake to life with her magical gift!

🥰Yesterday! NC State’s Summer Engineering Camp for 1st & 2nd grdrs chose MY BOOK for the challenge focus! I read Beasties to 60 STEMsters, & they circulated thru 3 amazing stations designed & facilitated by the tching staff! They even 3D printed a Beastie for the test step!👹

“If you’re a middle grade author reading this, there are only two takeaways: Listen to your readers and keep getting better at the craft.” 🔥Another jam-packed article from Afoma Umesi that we writers had better read! readingmiddlegrade.substack.com/p/what-makes...

What makes a great middle grade book (according to kids)

What our kid reviewers, ages 8 to 13, say makes a book great—and what makes them put it down.

readingmiddlegrade.substack.com

#MG #KidLit writing friends, if you’re not subscribed to Afoma’s SubStack you’re missing out on some great “primary source” research she shares every post! open.substack.com/pub/readingm...

One Year on Substack: 10 Things I Learned About How Kids Really Read

Inside a year of answering "what should my kid read next?"

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😍Look at sweet little Posey in my @SCBWICarolinas newsletter! Way to go @lizziebrooks.bsky.social , she’s a star!

Calling all primary teachers! @lindsayamoretti.bsky.social has compiled all of her Play Schemas information into a valuable booklet—complete with related #PictureBook suggestions. Perfect to place inside your new lesson planner for this year!🤩 kidlitgrove.substack.com/p/introducin...

Introducing the Play Schema Guide

Everything from the Play Schemas series, including picture book pairings, playful invitations, and practical support gathered into one resource.

kidlitgrove.substack.com

I love that my town’s brand new public library has to put this sign at its entrance!📚❤️

Having so much fun judging this year's entries in the #BestofSTEM awards program. Some AMAZING #STEM companies are creating very cool, relevant, and engaging products for our students and educators!😍

🚌 Educator friends! As the school year creeps steadily into the corners of your mind, make sure you don’t miss this update from #KidLitGrove! 📚And author friends, connect with @lindsayamoretti.bsky.social to inquire about adding your book and supporting resources. open.substack.com/pub/kidlitgr...

What’s New in the Children’s Book Resource Hub: Back to School Edition

The Hub is growing! Find fresh resources to begin the school year with books at the center.

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🤩 So exciting when you have a new line of fun FREE things you’re developing for elementary educators! #STEM 💥Big reveal on my NEW website…coming soon! (It’s also rewarding to learn to build things on your own! Like a website!)

Stay Tuned with Shea Whitney

ALT: Stay Tuned with Shea Whitney

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Another great short read from @WhyEdifyGuy! Love this quote from @BreneBrown.💕 www.jeremyajorgensen.com/thrive-this-...

I’ve been working on recreating my entire website…more modern, more professional, more inviting! Learning so much and am now officially addicted!🤣

Peyton List as Madison Nears: Still a Work in Progress

ALT: Peyton List as Madison Nears: Still a Work in Progress

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Many helpful posts popped into my inbox today! If you don’t subscribe to fellow creatives’ newsletters, you should. Amazing tips shared daily!🔥 Today’s top posts from @jpuglow.bsky.social, @darcypattison.bsky.social @robincurrie.bsky.social, & @aprilberrybooks.bsky.social #PictureBookPostcards 🥰

You've Got Mail

ALT: You've Got Mail

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🤯 20 MILLION more words people! #PBs and reading to children matter! open.substack.com/pub/children...

Picture Books Matter More Than Most People Realise (the Research Will Surprise You)

The KidLit Creator’s Chronicle - Issue #59

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Happy Birthday, America!🇺🇸 Want another fun way to celebrate this historic day? Make sure you read today’s #SeasonsOfKidlit post featuring @roxannetroup.bsky.social and Jennifer Doehring’s beautiful new #PB Happy Birthday America! www.seasonsofkidlit.com/post/celebra...

Celebrate 4th of July & America's 250th Birthday with Roxanne Troup - PLUS Critique, Book or AMA Giveaway!

Happy 4th of July, readers, writers, and stars-and-stripes story lovers, too! ✨ Get ready to let freedom read as we celebrate America's birthday with a picture book that's sure to make your heart spar...

seasonsofkidlit.com

🥺I feel so bad for this little hardworking bird! She built the same beautiful nest under the hood of my car again. Sorry, feathered friend, that’s just not a safe spot! And no, I’ve never seen her (assuming it’s a her…). #AlwaysWonder

I may need to invest in a Turtle Crossing sign for my front yard! 🐢 We’ve got eggs buried everywhere!🤣🤣 #AlwaysWonder

I may need to invest in a Turtle Crossing sign for my front yard! 🐢 We’ve got eggs buried everywhere!🤣🤣 #AlwaysWonder

KidLit Grove’s Bookshelf is up! This is a free, living collection of the hundreds of #kidlit books I’ve recommended and used in my curriculum, organized by theme. It will continue to grow with each new resource, season, and new book release. open.substack.com/pub/kidlitgr... 📚👍🏻 #edusky #edulib

KidLit Grove’s Bookshelf

A living collection of curated children’s books used in KidLit Grove’s curriculum, organized by theme.

open.substack.com

Hey friends! Especially my primary educator friends! Make sure you bookmark this amazing resource being curated by @lindsayamoretti.bsky.social. Need a #PictureBook for a particular topic/unit? This collection will be the first place you look! open.substack.com/pub/kidlitgr...

KidLit Grove’s Bookshelf

A living collection of curated children’s books used in KidLit Grove’s curriculum, organized by theme.

open.substack.com

Honored to be mentioned in @lindsayamoretti.bsky.social’s recent post celebrating water stories!💦 #EmersynBlake and the Spotted Salamander focuses on the magic of the pond ecosystem.🦎 If you haven’t joined #KidlitGrove’s Storybook Summer Camp! Make sure you do.🏕️ open.substack.com/pub/kidlitgr...

Storybook Summer Camp: Water Stories

A bookish adventure through vernal pools, waterways, and the ever-changing journey of water.

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