SandyBrehl
@sandybrehl.bsky.social
Reader, author, thinker. #bookposse Author MG, PB, and Poetry Blog UnPacking the Power of Picture Books CYBILS Awards Panelist- support! www.SandyBrehlBooks.com
Take a moment to #Congratulate books named as Regional #CRYSTALKITE winners, then read each and every one! www.scbwi.org/crystal-kite...
Crystal Kite Awards 2026 winners
Each year we recognize great books from around the world. The Crystal Kite Awards are chosen by other children’s book writers and illustrators, making them the only peer-given awards in publishing fo...
scbwi.org
Let’s commemorate this #250th by dedicating ourselves to the kind of renewal of life and spirit that nature models for us: unpackingpicturebookpower.blogspot.com/2026/07/a-fo...
A FOREST BEGINS ANEW: FIRES VS FUTURES
If you didn't catch my recent notes about JUST ONE OAK , feel free to read that or other posts-from-the-past in praise of books that revea...
unpackingpicturebookpower.blogspot.com
A #picturebook that celebrates life in specific circumstances. I hope you’ll read #TheCouchInTheYard and maybe even add your own distinct family memories from summer nights. unpackingpicturebookpower.blogspot.com/2026/06/the-...
THE COUCH IN NTHE YARD: A Surreal Summer Escapade
I'm living in my home state of Ohio again, after living elsewhere for many decades. Since my return I'm often reminded of the distinctly dif...
unpackingpicturebookpower.blogspot.com
If you’ve ever longed for a #quietplace, a moment to just do NOTHING, little Silver the mouse is a kindred spirit. Even the most outgoing among us have those moments, right? unpackingpicturebookpower.blogspot.com/2026/05/a-pl...
A PLACE JUST FOR ME: Priceless.
The words of Virginia Wolff resonated from the moment they first appeared in her 1929 extended essay: A ROOM OF ONE'S OWN . That piece is ...
unpackingpicturebookpower.blogspot.com
Thinking about writing? in them midst of a project? Take a break and read Caroline Starr Rose’s blog post today: carolinestarrrose.com/i-am-the-tea...
I am the teacher and the student. - Caroline Starr Rose
Recently I taught a class about the research process. I thought it might be fun to share some of the things I covered. One of my favorite things about writing books that involve research is being both...
carolinestarrrose.com
Do yourself a favor: Read this new #Nonfiction #picturebook account of the #GallaudetEleven, @nasaspaceflight.com's all-#DEAF #Spacetravel #Volunteers: unpackingpicturebookpower.blogspot.com/2026/04/the-...
THE GALLAUDET ELEVEN: The Story of NASA's Deaf Bioastronauts
Little Brown, & Company, 2026 I first learned about the remarkable GALLAUDET ELEVEN several years ago when Gallaudet University mounted a ...
unpackingpicturebookpower.blogspot.com
Perfect time of year for this release of WHO IS SINGING by @janethalfmann.bsky.social LOVE IT! unpackingpicturebookpower.blogspot.com/2026/04/who-... #picturebook #Nonfiction @OAEYC #PReschool
WHO IS SINGING?
When an important and delightful nonfiction picture book released some years back, I was invited to write a blurb. It was an honor to do so,...
unpackingpicturebookpower.blogspot.com
How does #AI fit in Authentic learning? This article is a great example of teacher-led use of generative AI: #NCSS #socialstudies #middlegrade www.middleweb.com/53174/civics...
Civics: Writing Letters to Politicians with AI's Help
Sarah Cooper's civics lesson requires students to make requests of politicians. Adding AI to the research process resulted in letters that were markedly better.
middleweb.com
Take a close look at the brilliance in this seemingly simple picture book #DontTrustFish. Consider joining me for a webinar on #UnreliableNarrators next week (link is in the post) @SCBWI #illustrators #PBwriters #MGlit unpackingpicturebookpower.blogspot.com/2026/02/dont...
DON'T TRUST FISH: Unreliable Narrators
I appreciate hearing from readers here, directly or in comments, but I am so enthralled with picture books that I'd post even if no one...
unpackingpicturebookpower.blogspot.com
Join me in supporting and spreading every aspect of #BLACKHISTORYMONTH, in social media and in personal lives. The truth of our shared history must not be erased. That’s been tried. unpackingpicturebookpower.blogspot.com/2026/02/so-m...
SO MANY YEARS: A Juneteenth Story
No, it's not the brutal midwest snow that has me sharing a JUNETEENTH picture book on February first. And it's not (only) due to this being ...
unpackingpicturebookpower.blogspot.com
Readers, writers, illustrators… any interest in any upcoming webinar on #UnrelaibleNarrators offered thru @SCBWI #Wisconsin? Here’s a link www.scbwi.org/events/feb-1... @scbwi-ohionorth.bsky.social
Feb 17, 2026 WI Trust Unreliable Narrators
Trust Unreliable Narrators (and Characters) to Attract Readers: Tips, Techniques, and Traps webinar presented by Author and Book Reviewer Sandy Brehl
scbwi.org
Based on a true story, this is fun, inspiring, #haiku account of kids being kids! #LeafTownForever unpackingpicturebookpower.blogspot.com/2026/01/new-...
New Year Resolution: TOUCH GRASS (Leaf Town Forever)
There are so many ways in which I'm "out of the loop" when it comes to social media and current lingo. Am I alone in STILL not understandin...
unpackingpicturebookpower.blogspot.com
Today, every day, we carry our HOMES with us. Some need to do that literally, and I wish them well and support their journeys. @euperlla.bsky.social unpackingpicturebookpower.blogspot.com/2025/11/my-h...
MY HOME IS MY BACKPACK
FLORIS BOOKS, 2025 MY HOME IS MY BACKPACK is written by EUGENIA PERRELLA and illustrated by ANGELA SALERNO . Today, traditional Thanksgivi...
unpackingpicturebookpower.blogspot.com
Let’s pause to recognize the amazing truths about #CROWS! #picturebooks #nonfiction #voice unpackingpicturebookpower.blogspot.com/2025/10/i-am...
I AM WE! (A Crow's Eye View of Unity)
I can't help myself... here's another amazing picture book about BIRDS! CHRONICLE BOOKS, 2025 I AM WE: How Crows Come Together to Survive ...
unpackingpicturebookpower.blogspot.com
Take a moment to “:meet” @shrurao.bsky.social and learn more about her latest released: unpackingpicturebookpower.blogspot.com/2025/10/inte...
INTERVIEW with SHRUTHI RAO, Author of WHEN SCIENCE STOOD STILL
Last week I posted a review and commentary on an important new non-fiction biographic picture book written by SHRUTHI ROA and illustrated ...
unpackingpicturebookpower.blogspot.com
This is #NOKINGS weekend, and I can’t help but connect this fun and funny #picturebook with the bigger picture of treating people as #HUMAN! #WeAreDefinitielyHuman unpackingpicturebookpower.blogspot.com/2025/10/we-a...
WE ARE DEFINITELY HUMAN Swells with Heart and Humor
TUNDRA BOOKS, 2024 Be prepared to suspend your inner cynic to embrace a naive and welcoming attitude in WE ARE DEFINITELY HUMAN by X. Fa...
unpackingpicturebookpower.blogspot.com
HAPPY #BOOKBIRTHDAY to @shrurao.bsky.social for this terrific new #nonficiton #picturebook #biography unpackingpicturebookpower.blogspot.com/2025/10/when...
WHEN SCIENCE STOOD STILL (Not a Reference to Current Events)
I had the pleasure of working (virtually) with the author of this book while we shared responsibilities on a nonfiction CYBILS AWARDS panel....
unpackingpicturebookpower.blogspot.com
Terrific start for day one at #scbwiOhioNorth conference! thx to all !
A delightful way to begin the week: WHERE THE DEER SLIP THROUGH by @Kateywrites@ and Beth Hommes, frome Lane Books #picturebook #nature unpackingpicturebookpower.blogspot.com/2025/09/natu...
Nature Calls... In the Best of Ways: WHERE THE DEER SLIP THROUGH
Some things, particularly NATURE, are reliably calming to me. I often hear the same is true for many others. In any of its glorious forms (a...
unpackingpicturebookpower.blogspot.com
When a #nonfiction #picturebook carries a heartfelt story about pursuing dreams, it deserves extra attention. Help spread the word: unpackingpicturebookpower.blogspot.com/2025/09/foll...
Following Dreams: TO SEE AN OWL
The picture books i feature here are among those I consider the best of the best. THere's no denying that my choices are highly subjective, ...
unpackingpicturebookpower.blogspot.com
It’s no surprise that I love #picturebooks by Jill Esbaum, but this latest is a-maize-ing! #ItsCornPickingTime unpackingpicturebookpower.blogspot.com/2025/08/its-... #nonficiton
IT'S CORN PICKING TIME! A Must-Harvest New Picture Book
In case you are unfamiliar, I want to call out author JILL ESBAUM as a master of rhymed text in picture books. Click on her name to see ful...
unpackingpicturebookpower.blogspot.com
Fans of @patzmiller.bsky.social DON’T miss this ng new age, #ONECANBE from @beamingbooksmn.bsky.social . What a beauty and joy! unpackingpicturebookpower.blogspot.com/2025/08/what...
What ONE CAN BE... Take a Look
Some, (actually, quite a few) picture book authors reliably create books that quickly become not only successful but special. Pat Z Miller ...
unpackingpicturebookpower.blogspot.com
Terrific morning start @thewritingbarn.bsky.social with #PH #WBPITCH.Thx to all involved!
Summer #picturebook challenge: Check out #SPOOKYLAKES unpackingpicturebookpower.blogspot.com/2025/07/spoo...
SPOOKY LAKES: Does That Get Your Attention?
ABRAMS BOOKS FOR YOUNG READERS 2024 SPOOKY LAKES: 25 Strange and Mysterious Lakes That Dot Our Planet is written and illustrated by Geo Rut...
unpackingpicturebookpower.blogspot.com
