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Debra Collins

@thewritedebrac.bsky.social

School psychologist, children's author rep'd by @JenNewens; SEL PB blogger. Co-author, S.T.O.P. and Relax therapeutic yoga curriculum. Website: www.thewritedebracollins.com @ChildrensBookAc; #SCBWI; #RYS, @writeforkids Insider Coaching Club.

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Debra Collins@thewritedebrac.bsky.social · 3d ago

Happy to share this upcoming Picture Book in a Day workshop (Sept 19) with Dr. "Miracle Mira" Reisberg, a most marvelous mentor, and her fabulous guest faculty! LOTS of extras are being offered with this event. childrensbookacademy.com/products/pic...

Live Workshop: Craft Your Picture Book in a Day - Sept. 19, 2026

Turn your picture book idea into a brilliant picture book that only you can write in just one inspiring afternoon (with a little before and after help). Join Dr. Mira Reisberg, founder of the Children...

childrensbookacademy.com

Debra Collins@thewritedebrac.bsky.social · last mo.

Delighted to share my interview with the SU School of Education's connectED program, discussing S.T.O.P. and Relax, a program for building self-regulation and resilience. I earned my Ph.D. at SU. They are committed to promoting effective, inclusive education. www.linkedin.com/feed/update/...

Debra Collins' Mindfulness Program for Developmental Challenges | Syracuse University School of Education posted on the topic | LinkedIn

Using her years of experience in different classroom settings across two countries, Debra Collins, Ph.D., G'79, G'81, co-developed the S.T.O.P. and Relax Program to help people of all ages, but partic...

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Debra Collins@thewritedebrac.bsky.social · 2mo ago

Welcome to July! My spotlight this month, "Hurricanes and Hopes," features Lupita's Hurricane Palomitas. Author Alexandra Alessandri @apalessandri.bsky.social illuminates SEL skills by showing how Lupita both gives and receives TLC. www.thewritedebracollins.com/spotlights-b...

Hurricanes and Hopes

June-November is hurricane season where I live. We keep an eye on the tropics, paying attention to storm watches and warnings. Whether planning our evacuation routes and destinations, packing for a...

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Debra Collins@thewritedebrac.bsky.social · 3mo ago

The three SEL PB's I spotlight in my June blog post, "THE UNLIKEABLE CHARACTER: Comeuppance, or Come Around?" show the paths and outcomes for main characters who are bullies. #PictureBooks #SEL #KidLit tinyurl.com/kzh546zn Shout out to @danielmiyares.bsky.social

THE UNLIKEABLE CHARACTER: Comeuppance, or Come Around?

“Make your main character likeable. Even if they are unlikeable, show something likeable about them.” This is common advice for writing a story with an unappealing protagonist. By showing the...

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Debra Collins@thewritedebrac.bsky.social · 4mo ago

Today I was at an outdoor cafe for lunch. A woman came by, carrying a paper grocery bag. As she passed, she reached into the bag and pulled out a long-stemmed white rose, which she gave to me...for no reason! She just smiled and walked on, giving people roses. Here's the rose. Share the joy!

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Debra Collins@thewritedebrac.bsky.social · 4mo ago

Perhaps you know a young perfectionist. "May" I invite you to my blog post, Restraint Becomes Unbridled Joy, featuring THE GIRL WHO NEVER MADE MISTAKES...Another great PB with a strong social-emo message #PictureBooks #SEL #KidLit www.thewritedebracollins.com/spotlights-b...

RESTRAINT BECOMES UNBRIDLED JOY

Imagine that your every action must be perfect. It’s paralyzing!   I observed a third-grade teacher leading her class in discussing “Sam,” the main character of a book they were reading. The...

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Debra Collins@thewritedebrac.bsky.social · 5mo ago

Hello, Spring! For April, Spotlights blog is "WHEN HOLDING ON HOLDS YOU BACK" starring the book "Ready to Smile Again" by Katie Lee Reinert. #PictureBooks $SEL #KidLit www.thewritedebracollins.com/spotlights-b...

WHEN “HOLDING ON” HOLDS YOU BACK

When events are spinning out of control, when loss is unbearable, we strive to steady ourselves. Cling to a lifeline. Find firm ground and plant our feet. Ideally, we find the strength and comfort we....

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Debra Collins@thewritedebrac.bsky.social · 5mo ago

Yippee! My story, Game Changer, received an Honorable Mention in the 2026 #50PreciousWords! Congrats to all the winners and HMs. Thanks @viviankirkfield.bsky.social & colleagues for this annual event! #KidLit viviankirkfield.com/2026/03/31/50preciouswords-2026-prize-winners-honorable-mentions/

#50PRECIOUSWORDS 2026 PRIZE WINNERS & HONORABLE MENTIONS

What an incredibly successful event!!! Thank you to everyone who participated…whether you entered with a story, donated one of the 67 prizes, helped judge the 677 entries, or just stopped by …

viviankirkfield.com

Lynne Marie - Holiday Book Author, RYS Director@literallylynne.bsky.social · 6mo ago

Here is our very first March On With Mentor Text post! Join in the fun, fundamentals and PRIZES!! It's a worthwhile event for writers and authors so please share far and wide to support the cause! Comment on the blog for a chance to win those prizes! www.rateyourstory.org/post/mowmt-1...

MOWMT 1: Fair-Weather Fairytales with Lynne Marie

You might have heard that, as far as stories, everything has been done before, and that there’s nothing truly new under the sun. Well, that’s not exactly true! Yes, it’s correct that with most tales, ...

rateyourstory.org

Debra Collins@thewritedebrac.bsky.social · 6mo ago

Welcome to March, everyone! In my blog this month, see how kids' Know-How is shown in NANCY BESS HAD A DRESS by Claire Noland. Let's not underestimate kids! @claireannette.bsky.social www.thewritedebracollins.com/spotlights-b... #PictureBooks #SEL #KidLit

KNOW-HOW

It’s amazing what kids can do. Take, for example, this story of a young woman named Victoria who turns discarded, unwanted clothing into lovely, lively, fashionable pieces that are sold to fund a...

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Debra Collins@thewritedebrac.bsky.social · 7mo ago

Every month I spotlight a PB with SEL benefit. My blog post this month, "From Coddled to Competent," features THE PALACE RAT. Shout-out to author Lynne Marie @literallylynne.bsky.social #PictureBooks #KidLit #SEL www.thewritedebracollins.com/spotlights-b...

FROM CODDLED TO COMPETENT

Picture the shining eyes of a child celebrating another milestone. “I can do it, all by myself!”   What of a pampered child who never needs to lift a finger? Does such indulgence make them...

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Debra Collins@thewritedebrac.bsky.social · 8mo ago

"Breaking Out of Self-Doubt," the new post on my SPOTLIGHTS blog, features"Perfectly Imperfect Mira" by Faith Pray, a picture book story of growing self-awareness and self-management. #PictureBooks #KidLit #SEL www.thewritedebracollins.com/spotlights-b...

BREAKING OUT OF SELF-DOUBT

When working with kids who are afraid of trying, lest they fail, I tell them I have a “perfect” necklace made of gold. They agree that it’s valuable. Then I ask them to look closely at my...

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Debra Collins@thewritedebrac.bsky.social · 9mo ago

December's here! My "SPOTLIGHTS" blog post, "What Shall We Celebrate?" features the true Christmas-Hanukkah story JACKIE'S GIFT. Sharon Robinson, daughter of the great Jackie Robinson, authored this interfaith tale. #PictureBooks #SEL #KidLit www.thewritedebracollins.com/spotlights-b...

WHAT SHALL WE CELEBRATE?

Every day, we grown-ups are inundated with messages urging us to mistrust, exclude, and expel certain people.     How do we “grow up” to this? Children do not find these attitudes modeled in...

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Debra Collins@thewritedebrac.bsky.social · 11mo ago

This month SPOTLIGHTS blog, titled FROM PASSIVELY PRETTY TO PRETTY DARN POWERFUL, shines on a glorious picture book: LILLYBELLE, A Damsel NOT in Distress, author Joana Pastro, illo Jhon Ortiz. #PB #KidLit #SEL www.thewritedebracollins.com/spotlights-b...

FROM PASSIVELY PRETTY TO PRETTY DARN POWERFUL

Why do I write this blog? As a school psychologist, I’ve worked to foster children’s social-emotional development. Referencing the CASEL framework, I highlight character-driven stories that...

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Debra Collins@thewritedebrac.bsky.social · last yr.

It's already August! This month I spotlight picture books that cultivate the capacity to take another person's perspective: DUCK! RABBIT! by Amy Krouse Rosenthal and XO, Exoplanet by @underwoodwriter.bsky.social #SEL #PIctureBooks www.thewritedebracollins.com/spotlights-b...

SPOTLIGHT blog

​You may know the fable of the blind folk who were shown an elephant. They surrounded the animal, each touching a different part. Coming away with very different perceptions, they argued...

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Debra Collins@thewritedebrac.bsky.social · last yr.

Happy June! My featured PB this month is A HAT FOR MRS. GOLDMAN by Michelle Edwards @michellejedwards.bsky.social, illustrated by G. Brian Karas. #KidLit #SEL #PictureBooks Find my post, "Caring for the Carer," at www.thewritedebracollins.com/spotlights-b...

CARING FOR THE CARER

A popular quote (author unknown) begins, “Your kindness is never wasted. Even when it goes unnoticed, even when it's taken for granted.” How nice, though, when it IS noticed. Even nicer, when it...

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Debra Collins@thewritedebrac.bsky.social · last yr.

For May, my "SPOTLIGHT" warmly welcomes everyone to gather under THE BIG UMBRELLA by Amy June Bates. #KidLit #SEL #PictureBooks Check in at childrensbookacademy.com/blogs/kidlit... or at my website, www.thewritedebracollins.com/spotlights-b...

SPOTLIGHT blog

This month’s book highlights and nurtures social-emotional capacities of Social Awareness and Relationship Skills through metaphor, rather than a character-driven plot.

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