Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Kathy Fork @babyfork.bsky.social · 5d

Having fun with Mike Lowery’s “Big List of Spooky Sketch Book Stuff” for the month of October. Today’s prompt was “a spooky bat.” Maybe mine is more cute bat…rhymes with fruit bat!

A doodle a day keeps the doldrums away!

A pen & ink drawing of a bat holding a pumpkin trick or treat bucket.

4

Kathy Fork @babyfork.bsky.social · 8d

‘Tis the season for spooky picture books! 👻🎃☠️

Here’s a nice selection at Grass
Roots Books in Corvallis, Oregon.

(And I’ve got a manuscript that would fit perfectly in that empty spot!) 🧙‍♀️

Halloween picture books on a shelf at Grass Roots Books in Corvallis, Oregon.

1 3

Kathy Fork @babyfork.bsky.social · Sep 1

I read and reread Harriet the Spy when I was a kid. Harriet’s routine included drinking an egg cream at her favorite luncheonette. Finally tried one at Junior’s in NYC. An egg cream contains no egg or cream. It’s made with seltzer water, milk and Fox’s U-Bet chocolate syrup. It was good!

1

Kathy Fork @babyfork.bsky.social · Sep 1

A monstrously good selection of picture books at Alice’s Little Haunted Bookshop in Olde Mistick Village!

Exterior photo of Alice’s little haunted bookshop

2

Reposted by Kathy Fork

BookPeople @bookpeople.com · Aug 4

Bring your young and future readers on September 13th for a special storytime with Liz Garton Scanlon where she'll be reading her newest picture book, BIG LITTLE BABY.

More info + RSVP: www.eventbrite.com/e/bookpeople...

@lizgardensalad.bsky.social

BookPeople Events Presents Liz Garton Scanlon (author of ALL THE WORLD) in a storytime and signing celebrating BIG LITTLE BABY on September 13th at 10:30AM

1 3

Kathy Fork @babyfork.bsky.social · May 9

I just won another honorable mention in #PBParty! 🥳 I now have four: 2025, 2024, 2022, and 2021. Over 1,000 entries are received each year, and my picture books have consistently placed in the top tier. Thanks for running this fantastic contest, @mindyalyseweiss.bsky.social & judges! #amquerying

PBParty 2025 Honorable Mention badge with cartoon animals wearing party hats.

10

Reposted by Kathy Fork

Unite Against Book Bans @uabookbans.bsky.social · Apr 6

Send an electronic #DrawnToFreedom postcard to your local library to let them know you support them and the freedom to read. Your message can be a powerful tool to build support for libraries. The form is live now—you don’t have to wait for #RightToReadDay!
uniteagainstbookbans.org/right-to-rea...

Image showing a postcard with an illustration of people outside a public library and things that can be found in the library: books, computers, cooking classes, music classes, tools, ideas, voting, community. Postcard reads Drawn to Freedom at the top. Artwork by Nate Powell. Unite Against Book Bans.

36 54

Kathy Fork @babyfork.bsky.social · Apr 2

Some much needed great news!!

1

Reposted by Kathy Fork

KQED Forum @kqedforum.bsky.social · Mar 22

🎧 Listen to the podcast!

Children's book authors @aidawrites.bsky.social, @lauragleestudio.bsky.social & Mac Barnett, the Library of Congress’s new National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature, spoke with @alexis-madrigal.bsky.social about the vital role of picture books in literacy.

Mac Barnett on Why Picture Books Are Real Literature

KQED's Forum · Episode

buff.ly

3 5

Kathy Fork @babyfork.bsky.social · Mar 21

If you’re a SCBWI member you can register to get access to watch the film and attend an online Q&A with Yuyi Morales on April 5. 🌷

Mac Barnett & Jon Klassen on Substack

A FILM ABOUT LOOKING AT PICTURE BOOKS

substack.com

2

Kathy Fork @babyfork.bsky.social · Mar 19

I’m full of rage every day! 🤬😖

1

Reposted by Kathy Fork

Chris Barton @bartography.bsky.social · Mar 6

It is beyond disappointing that Texas State Senator Royce West—one of only two Democrats on the Senate Committee on Education K-16—voted in favor of book-banning SB13. What was he thinking? If you're his constituent & you appreciate the freedom to read, ASK HIM. www.texastribune.org/2025/03/05/t...

Texas may change how schools select library books. Critics say it could lead to more bans.

Senate Bill 13 would create school library advisory councils largely made up of parents. It would give school boards, rather than librarians, the final say over new books.

www.texastribune.org

4 15 11

Reposted by Kathy Fork

American Library Association @amlibraryassoc.bsky.social · Mar 6

“Everyone should be able to find something on the shelf that reflects their experience, their identity and their beliefs — and we’re seeing that attacked as a concept.”
— Deborah Caldwell-Stone, ALA Office for Intellectual Freedom
#UniteAgainstBookBans
www.texastribune.org/2025/03/05/t...

Texas may change how schools select library books. Critics say it could lead to more bans.

Senate Bill 13 would create school library advisory councils largely made up of parents. It would give school boards, rather than librarians, the final say over new books.

www.texastribune.org

14 110 370

Kathy Fork @babyfork.bsky.social · Feb 18

I use italics within brackets. I try hard to only use them when absolutely necessary, but it can depend on the piece. One picture book manuscript might only have a couple while another has more. My mentor said that she heard editors aren’t as opposed to them as they used to be. 🤷‍♀️

1

Reposted by Kathy Fork

American Association of School Librarians (AASL) @aaslala.bsky.social · Feb 14

Creating and Protecting Unknowable Connections in Children’s Literature: bit.ly/4hX6I5j #AAASLkq

K.A. Holt smiling, holding two copies of the book "Redwood and Ponytail" at a book fair booth with various children's books displayed in the background.

3 12

Kathy Fork @babyfork.bsky.social · Feb 13

🙋‍♀️😬😆

1

Reposted by Kathy Fork

Kristin Falleroni @kfalleroni.bsky.social · Feb 13

Hi #picturebook friends! Just a reminder that the #valentiny and #sillylovesonnets contests are both going on right now with a deadline of 2/14 at 11:59 pm - in case you need a little break from stalking #PBParty for updates. 😂🙃

2 3 16

Reposted by Kathy Fork

Manuscript Wish List® @manuscriptwishlist.bsky.social · Feb 12

Hello Friends! Welcome to #MSWL Day 2025! 🎉

This is our first #MSWL Day on Bluesky, and we have new features to share!

Rather listen than read? Here’s a how-to! vimeo.com/1055984106

Here’s our Bluesky search guide: youtu.be/LnZt1MCjKZE?...

#MSWL Day 2025: Search Tips & Features

This is "#MSWL Day 2025: Search Tips & Features" by The Manuscript Academy on Vimeo, the home for high quality videos and the people who love them.

vimeo.com

16 200 510

Kathy Fork @babyfork.bsky.social · Feb 6

My PB is dual POV and I think both my MCs would enjoy making (and eating) s’mores together! 🐲🔥🍫🗡️

1

Kathy Fork @babyfork.bsky.social · Feb 5

I’d love to be added as well! This is my fifth year entering #pbparty! 🥳

6

Kathy Fork @babyfork.bsky.social · Feb 5

Got this one!

Kathy Fork @babyfork.bsky.social · Feb 4

It's an annual picture book brainstorming event created and hosted by @taralazar.bsky.social on her blog during the month of January. You register at the beginning of the month and if, at the end, you've come up with 31 new PB ideas, you are entered to win cool writing-related prizes.

Storystorm 2025 Registration is Closed!

It’s that time of the year again! Welcome to STORYSTORM 2025 Registration! Eight years ago I changed the name and month of my annual writing challenge, from Picture Book Idea Month (PiBoIdMo)…

taralazar.com

1 1

Kathy Fork @babyfork.bsky.social · Feb 4

#storystorm

Kathy Fork @babyfork.bsky.social · Feb 4

I love StoryStorm! I now have 31 new picture book ideas to explore!🥳

2 3

Kathy Fork @babyfork.bsky.social · Feb 4

Thank you!!