Happy 1st birthday to HOPE RODE! TY #beccastadtlander for embarking on this journey w/ me! And TY @eastwestlit.bsky.social @unionsquarekids.bsky.social @scbwirockymtn.bsky.social & @tcbrbookreview.bsky.social for believing in these fearless #librarians! laurenhkerstein.substack.com/p/and-just-l...

Nonfiction writers: what do you do when your research contradicts the story you want to tell? @laurenkerstein.bsky.social faced this head-on while writing Hope Rode, about the librarians who rode horseback to deliver books. Read on Writers' Rumpus: writersrumpus.com/2026/08/11/r...

Researching and Writing Nonfiction

Guest Post by Lauren H. Kerstein I am beyond thrilled to be here. I’ve long enjoyed reading Writers’ Rumpus posts and am excited to share a bit of my journey researching and writing nonfiction. Hop…

writersrumpus.com

Tomorrow marks HOPE RODE's ONE YEAR #bookbirthday! I'm excited to celebrate this milestone on the @writersrumpus.bsky.social blog talking about researching & writing nonfiction. writersrumpus.com/2026/08/11/r... #kidlit #kidlitart @unionsquarekids.bsky.social @eastwestlit.bsky.social

Researching and Writing Nonfiction

Guest Post by Lauren H. Kerstein I am beyond thrilled to be here. I’ve long enjoyed reading Writers’ Rumpus posts and am excited to share a bit of my journey researching and writing nonfiction. Hop…

writersrumpus.com

Epstein survivors released this video today urging senators to block the confirmation of Todd Blanche for Attorney General. They’re trying to get to 20,000 signatures on their petition to send a message to the Senate. ujoin.co/campaigns/45...

@scbwi.bsky.social members - Please don't forget to vote! There are so many wonderful books in the final round in every region. You can vote for books in ALL regions! #kidlit #kidlitart #childrensauthors #amwriting @eastwestlit.bsky.social

#NationalILoveHorsesDay #hoperode @eastwestlit.bsky.social @unionsquarekids.bsky.social #kidlit #kidlitart

@scbwi.bsky.social members - Please don't forget to vote! There are so many wonderful books in the final round in every region. You can vote for books in ALL regions! #kidlit #kidlitart #childrensauthors #amwriting @eastwestlit.bsky.social

I am so honored that HOPE RODE made it to the final round of voting! It is wonderful to see it alongside so many wonderful books! #SCBWI #kidlit #kidlitart @unionsquarekids.bsky.social @eastwestlit.bsky.social

I loved spending time on Jena's blog! @eastwestlit.bsky.social @unionsquarekids.bsky.social #kidlit

Bianca Schulze: The Children's Book Review@tcbrbookreview.bsky.social · 2mo ago

A book that sings. Women who endured. Illustrations that take your breath away. HOPE RODE by @laurenkerstein.bsky.social is a lyrical tribute to Kentucky's packhorse librarians. Read @jenanbenton.bsky.social's Simply 7 interview → jenabenton.com/2026/06/09/s... #KidLit #PictureBooks #LibrariansRock

The latest #quickread #craftytips are up! Tips to UNSTICK Yourself in This Stuck World open.substack.com/pub/laurenhk... #kidlit #kidlitart @eastwestlit.bsky.social @scbwirockymtn.bsky.social

Quick-Read Crafty Tips: Frozen

Tips to UNSTICK Yourself in This Stuck World

open.substack.com

Thank you so much, Joyce!

Joyce Uglow, award-winning kidlit picture book poet@jpuglow.bsky.social · 3mo ago

You’ll want to add these #kidlit books to your #tbr list. @laurenkerstein.bsky.social Lauren’s Substack post is right on. open.substack.com/pub/laurenhk...

Thank you, #VoyageDenverMagazine for hosting me on your blog! voyagedenver.com/interview/st... #kidlit @EastWestLit #authorlife

I loved listening to @philweiser.bsky.social talk about real issues that matter to real people. His yrs of experience doing the work IN CO FOR CO speaks for itself. As the grandson of a Holocaust survivor, he was raised with mazel, grit, & compassion. Please #vote Weiser for governor. #coloradovotes

❤️📚 #kidlit @fuse8.bsky.social @hellonathanc.bsky.social @mrschureads.bsky.social @pragmaticmom.bsky.social @laurenkerstein.bsky.social @literallylynne.bsky.social @jenanbenton.bsky.social @patricianewman.bsky.social @bookfloodpod.bsky.social @etraintalks.bsky.social erindealey.com/authors-and-...

The Writing Life / Keeping it real: Squirrel Parties, Gratitude, and Insights. - Erin Dealey, Children's Author

In which we answer the Writing Life questions: “What’s it like to be an author?” and “How do I launch my picture book?”

erindealey.com

Great article! 🌟📚🌟 We spy amazing #kidlit books by Lynn Smith, Sarah Scheerger @kbiddle.bsky.social @erindealey.bsky.social @lucianaillustra.bsky.social Gianna Marino @anacrespobooks.bsky.social @sarahandianhoffman.bsky.social Jim Averbeck & @laurenkerstein.bsky.social #SEL #MentalHealthMonth

Lauren H. Kerstein@laurenkerstein.bsky.social · 3mo ago

My latest blog post is up on Substack: laurenhkerstein.substack.com/p/quick-read... YOU MATTER! @eastwestlit.bsky.social #kidlit #kidlitart @scbwirockymtn.bsky.social

Terrific article for #mentalhealth month 🌟📚🌟Thank you @laurenkerstein.bsky.social for including Squirrel Draws BIG Feelings @lucianaillustra.bsky.social @beamingbooksmn.bsky.social @eastwestlit.bsky.social with these wonderful #SEL #kidlit books.

Lauren H. Kerstein@laurenkerstein.bsky.social · 3mo ago

My latest blog post is up on Substack: laurenhkerstein.substack.com/p/quick-read... YOU MATTER! @eastwestlit.bsky.social #kidlit #kidlitart @scbwirockymtn.bsky.social

My latest blog post is up on Substack: laurenhkerstein.substack.com/p/quick-read... YOU MATTER! @eastwestlit.bsky.social #kidlit #kidlitart @scbwirockymtn.bsky.social

Quick-Read Crafty Tips: Mental Health Awareness Month: You Matter

As a mental health clinician and an author whose North Star is to lift up others, help people feel seen, and add light to the world, I want to remind you:

laurenhkerstein.substack.com

I had the opportunity to chat with Dana Eikenberg regarding her journey from Idea to Publication to holding Hank the Brave in her hands. Read this post on Substack for the link to our chat and password: laurenhkerstein.substack.com/p/from-idea-... #kidlit #kidlitart #selfpublishing #picturebooks

From Idea to Publication

Insight Into Self-Publishing with Dana Eikenberg

laurenhkerstein.substack.com

I moved to Substack and my first post is up! Yay! open.substack.com/pub/laurenhk... #kidlit #kidlitart @eastwestlit.bsky.social @unionsqandco.bsky.social

Quick-Read Crafty Tips: National Library Month

A Whirlwind of Book Joy

open.substack.com

I have so enjoyed this virtual book tour! Thank you, @deborahkalb.bsky.social, for being a part of it! #kidlit @unionsquarekids.bsky.social @eastwestlit.bsky.social

Deborah Kalb@deborahkalb.bsky.social · 4mo ago

Q&A with Lauren H. Kerstein about her new children's picture book, HOPE RODE. #partnership #hoperode deborahkalbbooks.blogspot.com/2026/04/q-wi... @laurenkerstein.bsky.social

Let's celebrate #libraries and #librarians this week and EVERY SINGLE DAY! #hoperode #packhorselibrarians Today is the #RighttoReadDay!

How does a picture book idea actually become a book? On @bandersonwriter.bsky.social's blog, @laurenkerstein.bsky.social walks through her Mining for Heart process for HOPE RODE — from a single paragraph in a Jojo Moyes novel to a lyrical ode to ...Librarians: bethandersonwriter.com/2026/04/17/m...

Mining for Heart: “The Promise of the Packhorse Librarians” by Lauren Kerstein

I’m hopping on The Children’s Book Review blog tour bandwagon for author Lauren Kerstein and her amazing new release: HOPE RODE: THE PROMISE OF THE PACKHORSE LIBRARIANS! GIVEAWAY! Don&#…

bethandersonwriter.com

Thank you so much for hosting me on your wonderful blog, @bandersonwriter.bsky.social! @eastwestlit.bsky.social @scbwirockymtn.bsky.social @unionsquarekids.bsky.social #kidlit #kidlitart

Beth Anderson@bandersonwriter.bsky.social · 4mo ago

Don't miss this super post from author @laurenkerstein.bsky.social ❤️ Mining for Heart: The Promise of the Packhorse Librarians! 📗 AND be sure to get in on the GIVEAWAY from @tcbrbookreview.bsky.social 🥳 #edusky #skybrarian @scbwirockymtn.bsky.social #ushistory

Thank you so much for the FIVE HEART #review, #countrymamaswithkids, I SO appreciate the HOPE RODE love! #kidlit #kidlitart #picturebooks #horsebooks @eastwestlit.bsky.social #beccastadtlander @unionsquarekids.bsky.social

HOORAY! @loritecler.bsky.social YOU WON a copy of SQUIRREL DRAWS BIG FEELINGS by @erindealey.bsky.social and @lucianaillustra.bsky.social, pub by @beamingbooksmn.bsky.social. You're going to love this book! Please contact me so Erin can send your prize your way! @eastwestlit.bsky.social #kidlit

TY #IceFairy for seeing the heart of HOPE RODE! "Inspiring and informative, Hope Rode makes us aware of the great deeds of Packhorse librarians while fueling our passion for reading and urging us to treasure the resources at our disposal today." icefairystreasurechest.blogspot.com/2026/04/hope...

Hope Rode: The Promise of the Packhorse Librarians Virtual Tour: Review and Prize Pack Giveaway

Family friendly product reviews and giveaways, freebies, contests and sweepstakes, coupons and deals

icefairystreasurechest.blogspot.com

Thank you @tcbrbookreview.bsky.social & #TheFairviewReview! I SO appreciate the HOPE RODE love! fveslibrary.blogspot.com/2026/04/virt... #kidlit #kidlitart @eastwestlit.bsky.social @unionsqandco.bsky.social @hachettechildrens.bsky.social

I had a wonderful chat with @affinitolit.bsky.social on her wonderful podcast!

Bianca Schulze: The Children's Book Review@tcbrbookreview.bsky.social · 5mo ago

During the Great Depression, women rode horses through Appalachian mountains to deliver books to communities that had none. That true story is the heart of HOPE RODE by @laurenkerstein.bsky.social—and @affinitolit.bsky.social digs into all of it here: kidlitlove.substack.com/p/e214-a-lov... #podcast

So thrilled to begin this tour with @tcbrbookreview.bsky.social!

Bianca Schulze: The Children's Book Review@tcbrbookreview.bsky.social · 5mo ago

April is School Library Month 📚 Celebrate with the book tour for Hope Rode by @laurenkerstein.bsky.social, illustrated by Becca Stadtlander—a true story of Kentucky women delivering books on horseback! Win a sweet prize pack: thechildrensbookreview.com/hope-rode-th... @unionsquarekids.bsky.social

Continuing our celebration of #WomensHistoryMonth with Valentines for All, Esther Howland Captures America's Heart by @nchurnin.bsky.social and @monikarozaa.bsky.social ; published by @albertwhitman.bsky.social #valentines #valentinesday @redfoxliterary.bsky.social