Author | Lightnews

Carren Jao @carrenjao.bsky.social · 7h

We can't really write to trends, but it is worth taking up the challenge to see if there are ways to add more layers. I write about multiple cultures, but I also want others to see something more in those stories, whether it's handling their emotions (SEL) or learning more about the world (STEM)

Carren Jao @carrenjao.bsky.social · 7h

Oof! Time change! It always takes some getting used to. I am on and off on trends. Most of the time, I don't have the bandwidth to pay attention, but sometimes I do dip my toes in. #kidlitchat 1/2

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Carren Jao @carrenjao.bsky.social · 7d

For any #kidlit creators wondering, "What am I going to do for my book event?" @christineevans.bsky.social has this awesome guide!

kidlitsurvivalguide.substack.com/p/how-to-hol...

How to Hold an Engaging Book Event

From panels and conversations to crafts and live drawing

kidlitsurvivalguide.substack.com

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Carren Jao @carrenjao.bsky.social · Sep 20

Cool! Thank you for a new version of rice :) I thought I had tried most of them!

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Carren Jao @carrenjao.bsky.social · Sep 20

A PSA from the folks at #AmWriting. Check your copyrights, especially if you're looking at all these #AI lawsuits. Thank you, Jessica Lahey, Sarina Bowen, and @kjda.bsky.social Btw, a PSA to Copyright your works, or check if your publisher has! amwriting.substack.com/p/publishing...

Publishing Nerd Corner: Your Copyright and the Anthropic Settlement

Sarina updates us on the class action suit, explains your copyright, and offers advice on protecting your work

amwriting.substack.com

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Carren Jao @carrenjao.bsky.social · Sep 7

Looks really good! I've never had pressed rice before..now I'm curious! Is it toasty and crisp or soft?

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Reposted by Carren Jao

Writing & Editing @wrtrstat.bsky.social · Sep 7

#Writing: It's always worth the frustrations endured when you see your final work. As hard as the writing can be sometimes, persistence in writing is the key. - Wrtr #amwriting #amediting #Writer #Author ~ #AuthorSky #BookSky

If there’s any single talent a writer needs, it’s persistence. If you can keep at your writing and you can learn as you write, you can tell any story you want to tell. - Octavia Butler - Writing. ~ One of my favorite quotes. ~ Background photo shows the tidal waters surrounded by large rocks.

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Carren Jao @carrenjao.bsky.social · Sep 7

Of course! It's such a thoughtful story 💕🥰

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Carren Jao @carrenjao.bsky.social · Aug 29

📚👍 "Soy Sauce!" by Laura G. Lee is a vibrant, rhyming picture book that explores how soy sauce is made in China, Japan, and Korea. Lee’s playful watercolors—painted with real soy sauce!—and upbeat text make this an umam-ful celebration of food, family, and culture.

A wave of soy sauce where 3 children are riding on

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Carren Jao @carrenjao.bsky.social · Aug 22

📚👍 Rocket Ship, Solo Trip by @chiaracolombi.com and Scott Magoon is a rhyming, heart-filled adventure about a rocket’s first solo journey and the bravery it takes to try something new. #kidlit

An inside spread of "Rocket Ship, Solo Trip" that shows an illustrated cartoon of a rocket preparing to launch.

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Carren Jao @carrenjao.bsky.social · Aug 12

📚👍 @jbradley.bsky.social ‘s “Something Great” reminds us that even the simplest things can have big, beautiful possibilities! #kidlit

An inside page for “Something Great” that shows a child up in a tree

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Carren Jao @carrenjao.bsky.social · Aug 12

I also love co-writing, but sometimes find it hard to stop from gossiping/chatting, which is another pro/con in itself!

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Carren Jao @carrenjao.bsky.social · Aug 11

📚👍An unconventional story about a seemingly boring reference book like the dictionary is magical in “The Dictionary Story” by Oliver Jeffers and Sam Winston #kidlit

An inside page for a book called “The Dictionary Story”

Carren Jao @carrenjao.bsky.social · Jul 16

Oooh! The Misfits books by @lisayee.bsky.social and @dansantat.bsky.social . So entertaining and action packed! It's secret agent kids on a mission.

"Greenwild" by Paris Thomson. The Morrigan Crow books by Jessica Townsend. They're both magical world building books. #kidlitchat

Greg Pincus @gregpincus.bsky.social · Jul 16

TOPIC: What are some recent #kidlit books you think should get the full on movie treatment (from #picturebooks to #ya)? Which recent book-to-film adaptations have you loved? Do you 'cast' your work when you're creating it? And... heck... let's have some popcorn and have us a #kidlitchat!

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Carren Jao @carrenjao.bsky.social · Jul 12

📚👍 Being Home by @tracisorellauthor.bsky.social‬ and Michaela Goade celebrates the joy of family, community, and Cherokee traditions through vibrant storytelling and dreamlike illustrations. #kidlit

Illustration from Being Home showing silhouettes of people dancing joyfully under a canopy of pink and purple flowers and trees, with the text “No more faraway family. Close enough to gather, eat, laugh, dance, and share.”

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Carren Jao @carrenjao.bsky.social · Jul 7

📚👍There is beauty and poetry in science that @lesliebarnardbooth.bsky.social‬ and Marc Martin bring to life in “A Stone Is a Story.” #kidlit

An inside page for a book called “A Stone Is a Story” that shows a mountain range with birds flying overhead done in watercolor.

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Carren Jao @carrenjao.bsky.social · Jul 2

#Kidlit reminds me of the important things in life. It's so easy to get wrapped up in jargon and adult-ing, but the world through a kid's eyes often reveals what's truly significant. #kidlitchat

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Carren Jao @carrenjao.bsky.social · Jul 2

Yes, love them! They're so action-packed :)

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Carren Jao @carrenjao.bsky.social · Jun 24

📚👍 Filled with humor and earnestness, this book by @debbieohi.coml follows Hana on her quest to find the answers to everything. Can she do it?” #kidlit

An inside page for a book called “I Want to Read Alll the Books” that shows a girl reading a big book with some complicated words floating around her.

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Carren Jao @carrenjao.bsky.social · May 21

#kidlitchat The perfect summer read is one that leaves you inspired, ready to go! I'm checking out The Misfits books by @lisayee.bsky.social and @dansantat.bsky.social . Love the action and adventure!

Greg Pincus @gregpincus.bsky.social · May 21

TOPIC: As we in the US head into the Memorial Day weekend and the unofficial start of summer, what's on your summer reading list? And how do you describe your perfect summer read? #kidlitchat

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Carren Jao @carrenjao.bsky.social · May 14

So true! I've realized that I also don't have to walk readers through each and every turn. Like giving them two different frames, their minds connect it naturally! #kidlitchat

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Carren Jao @carrenjao.bsky.social · May 14

Such a great question! After I write my terrible first draft, I try to reread with pacing in mind. Then ask myself the difficult question, "Can I cut that part out?" #kidlitchat

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Reposted by Carren Jao

Greg Pincus @gregpincus.bsky.social · May 13

Somehow it is Tuesday again, and that means that it's #kidlitchat again! Join us tonight at 9 PM Eastern/6 PM Pacific to chat with #kidlit folks (hence our name). We'd love to have you and the room (aka Bluesky) can hold us all! So come chat or lurk or both, I say. And we'll see you then!

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Reposted by Carren Jao

Liz Lazar (she/her) @lizlazarlit.bsky.social · May 5

Hi #writers, our monthly Zoom critique group seeks a new member! We meet on Fridays 11:15am - 1:15pm EST. We're seeking someone who's either agented, traditionally published or both.
12x12 forum post for more info: juliehedlund.vanillacommunity.com/discussion/3...
#kidlit #picturebook #critique

Sign In

juliehedlund.vanillacommunity.com

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Carren Jao @carrenjao.bsky.social · Apr 25

MAYA BREAKS IT DOWN combines my love for breaking (not my skill!) and basic coding principles. Thank you for being such great collaborators @aphelandraw.bsky.social Alexandra McKenzie @charlesbridge.bsky.social @heathercashman.bsky.social See you by the bookshelves 2027! #kidlit

A book publishing announcement with the graphic of a boombox

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