Laura Bontje | Preorder Marian's Big Dig!
@laurabontje.bsky.social
Fiction Editor | Author: WAS IT A CAT I SAW? (Amicus), WHEN THE AIR SANG (Annick), MARIAN'S BIG DIG (Groundwood), and more | she/her | Rep: James McGowan, BookEnds | No AI https://bio.site/laurabontje
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 · 2w agoSneak 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 · 2mo agoWith 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 · 5mo agoYou 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 · 5mo 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 · 7mo agoYay! ✨💫🧑🏽🚀🤿 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 · 11mo agoURGENT 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
I'm tremendously honored to have been selected from among the many incredible volunteers I've gotten to know over the years.
Editors/Réviseurs Canada@editorscanada.bsky.social · last yr.Editors Canada has announced that Laura Bontje of London, Ontario, is the recipient of the 2025 Lee d'Anjou Volunteer of the Year Award! editors.ca/news/laura-b... @laurabontje.bsky.social
Congrats to my friend, @laurabontje.bsky.social, on her newest picture book, WHEN THE AIR SANG, a beautiful, intergenerational celebration of cicadas! Perfect for curious kids. #KidLit
Starting soon! I look forward to reading to you all ❤️
The Canadian Society of Children's Authors, Illust & Performers.@canscaip.bsky.social · last yr.Great Canadian Picture Book Party is back with its Spring 2025 edition on Monday June 16 at 7:00pm ET. Hosted by @picturebookseh.bsky.social and supported by CANSCAIP, this event will feature 10 Canadian creators. Register for this event: www.canscaip.org/event-6194607
It's release day! When the Air Sang is officially on shelves! Five years ago, I saw my first cicada, and now ... I couldn't be prouder of how this story has come together. @anderkaya.bsky.social and Annick Press, you've outdone yourselves.
I just discovered that my debut picture book (Was It a Cat I Saw?) received a media review last year that I hadn’t known about. Right away, I excitedly emailed my family. Then I saw the reviewer's other headlines, and my excitement turned to indignation. (🧵)
Save the date! If you're in #LdnOnt, I hope you'll join @anderkaya.bsky.social and me on April 12 to celebrate our new #PictureBook, When the Air Sang! There'll be remarks & a draw at 2:45. Sound in Motion Studio: 1570 Highbury Ave N. (Shoes are left at the door, so wear your fave socks!)
It's hard to believe it's been a full year since my very first book came out! Thank you to everyone who has read it over the past year; it means so much to see people enjoying it. And many thanks to Emma Lidia Squillari, @jmcgowanbks.bsky.social, and the team at @amicuspublishing.bsky.social!
Happy publication day to this beautiful biography! I loved working on this book and learning more about Grace Lee Boggs. Congratulations, Songju!
Songju Daemicke - Grace Lee Boggs: Gardens of Hope@songjudaemicke.bsky.social · last yr.⭐⭐Hooray! It's PUBLICATION DAY ⭐⭐ 🌺🌷Grace Lee Boggs: Gardens of Hope !!! 💐🍀 by me, Lin @albertwhitman.bsky.social Thank you, @janinele.bsky.social @picturebookgold.bsky.social Bookshop: bit.ly/3SNq5mm Amazon: bit.ly/3TcR7EZ Barnes & Noble: bit.ly/49s4S8M #kidlit #k12 #nonfiction #bio #bookposse
One of the things I find perplexing about billionaires is that they're all so utterly desperate to be loved but also utterly unable to comprehend that they could become heroes across the world by spending even a fraction of their obscene wealth on others.
