@mrspowellsbooks.bsky.social
K-2nd grade librarian & Author of THE LIBRARY KITTY book duo and HEROES NEED HELP (a chemo themed picture book written with my college kid).
@mrspowellsbooks.bsky.socialI was excited to read this in PW today. š
Itās unique enough that I canāt even think of a comp title for it!
(I wish publishing worked faster! Picture book public speaking advice is exactly what I need before my presentation at next Fridayās library conference!)
@amedyckman.bsky.social
@mrspowellsbooks.bsky.socialAnyone planning to sign up for the 2027 Sacramento Bookfest? I'm trying to decide if should be an author, publisher, or a retailer. (My business permit was designed to allow any of those three.) If I'm a retailer, I could sell other author's books...
#kidlitchat
@mrspowellsbooks.bsky.socialWe have had spectacular experiences with Zooms for World Read Aloud Day. They are only 20 minutes, but my students feel like they've met every author we've Zoomed with. It absolutely improves an author's circulation in my tiny town. #WRAD #kidlitchat
@mrspowellsbooks.bsky.socialOn the subject of visits, I offer free Zoom visits of HEROES NEED HELP for any English-speaking classroom impacted by a chemo-requiring diagnosis. (Classmate, staff member, or family member, etc.) If we can't coordinate schedules, I can send a recording. #kidlitchat
@mrspowellsbooks.bsky.socialYes. This. We are teaching to the test. The teacher's schedules this year are in 5 minute increments. They have 20 minutes of discretionary time, scattered throughout the day, like the transition time before & after lunch. Library time isn't viewed as academic. It's a distraction from curriculum. š
@mrspowellsbooks.bsky.socialThe fear of inappropriate content is why my admin said the district would have to meet and "vet" any author I brought in. An extra visit months in advance? It was too much to ask the author who volunteered to visit without charge. #kidlitchat
@mrspowellsbooks.bsky.socialMusically interactive presentations would motivate schools to hire you annually. Great idea!
@mrspowellsbooks.bsky.socialVisits are my retirement plan! Or, they would be in part time library workers had retirement. When I am ready to move on, I will embrace my presentation era. Being in a tiny town's school library from 8-Noon makes physical visits tough. I do weekend pop up events & bookstores. No charge, just sales.
@mrspowellsbooks.bsky.socialYay! Thank you! The more the merrier!
@mrspowellsbooks.bsky.socialItās both science fair AND cafeteria! Plus by the author of āIām a Gluten Sniffing Service Dogā! Looks like a great fit! Thanks!
@mrspowellsbooks.bsky.socialI would love to use images from actual books at an upcoming conference. However, my brain thinks in words not pictures. And online searches suggest AI slop.
Can anyone think of a dynamic picture book that includes #sciencefair or cafeteria chaos?
#Skybrarian #kidlit #teacher
@mrspowellsbooks.bsky.socialSome of my best āgrandma momentsā have been the nocturnal onesā¦ As a grandma, I know there will be time to nap later, so I can savor them. As a mom, I rarely had that kind of freedom.
@mrspowellsbooks.bsky.socialFeedback showing they "misunderstand so badly" is a red flag! A high school student visiting our picture book carousel asked why a cat was purring. It presented the opportunity to add "purrs with joy" and the opportunity to learn that some cats purr due to anxiety.
@mrspowellsbooks.bsky.socialThat was a big ask! The current emphasis on fewer words is a challenge! Congratulations on creating a book you still loved when the edits were complete!
@mrspowellsbooks.bsky.socialBrilliance in action! Sounds like I need to create a powerpoint for the next school board meeting!!!!
@mrspowellsbooks.bsky.socialGreat response! Wow. Level headed. One that can be shared with all parties. And, if you were being recorded (as students do these days when situations escalate), no one would have anything to critique!
@mrspowellsbooks.bsky.socialThat is a great question! With a scenerio we didn't used to have to train for! Kids these days! Do you think I could get away with "What koolaid were they serving at the admin conference when you all decided that fluency passages repeated 12 times a week are superior to daily picture book checkout?"
@mrspowellsbooks.bsky.socialCommunication is the best perk of non-traditional authorship. Our books aren't as manicured as others, but no one will doubt they are human made!
@mrspowellsbooks.bsky.socialYes - questions are a great approach. I'm learning that questions help with real life tricky conversations too (like trying to communicate with new administrators).
@mrspowellsbooks.bsky.socialMy illustrator & his wife have become great #kidlit creative partners. While critique partners are crucial for getting the words right, the art brings manuscripts to life. We've had several "oh no, that's not what I meant" moments but far more "Wow, NOW people will get it" miracles. š
