Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Deborah Kerbel @deborahkerbel.com · 24d

So happy the news is officially official!
PLUFFY & BORB CATCH A FRIEND -- written by me, illustrated by @naomispractice.bsky.social, and pubbed by @kidscanpress.bsky.social is coming to bookshelves in Fall 2027 🎉

Essie White @essiewhite.bsky.social · 24d

What a fun project this is going to be! I think everyone is going to fall in love w/ PLUFFY and BORB! a new #GN by @deborahkerbel.com & illustrated by @naomispractice.bsky.social sky.social I'm so fortunate to work w/ such talented #kidlit people @kidscanpress.bsky.social @stormliterary.bsky.social

2 2

Deborah Kerbel @deborahkerbel.com · 24d

It's officially official!! Hooray!! 🙌

1

Deborah Kerbel @deborahkerbel.com · 24d

Very grateful to @debbieohi.com for this 'cool' review of COMMUNITY SNOWMAN, our upcoming (Oct 8/25) wordless picture book, published by @groundwoodbooks.bsky.social & illustrated by Tine Modeweg-Hansen). Thank you, Debbie!! 🥰

Debbie Ridpath Ohi @debbieohi.com · 24d

COMMUNITY SNOWMAN by @deborahkerbel.com & Tine Modeweg-Hansen is a sweet, wordless picture book that celebrates kindness and community uplift. Love the loose, expressive art! Launches from @groundwoodbooks.bsky.social 2025/10/07. Thx Groundwood for the sneak peek! 🇨🇦🩷
#KidLit #EduSky #CanKidLit 📚👍🏽

Book cover titled Community Snowman by Deborah Kerbel and Tine Modeweg-Hansen. The illustration shows people of different ages and a dog rolling large snowballs in the snow.

2

Deborah Kerbel @deborahkerbel.com · Jul 23

🐾 Gotcha Day Cover Reveal 🐾
⁠Adorably illustrated by Udayana Lugo & pubbed by @orcabook.bsky.social this heartfelt story about a stray dog finding their fur-ever home was inspired by our family’s experience with our sweet rescue pup, Freddie.

In bookstores March 17/26 & available for pre-order now

2

Deborah Kerbel @deborahkerbel.com · Jul 21

I was thrilled to discover IGGY INCLUDED on the list of Red Cedar Fiction nominees for 2025/26!

Huge thanks to the selection committee and my fellow Red Cedar nominee @annarosner.bsky.social for the heads up!

#bookawards #nominee #middlegradebooks #canlit #ireadcanadian #Iwritecanadian #kidlit

4

Deborah Kerbel @deborahkerbel.com · Jul 21

And just like that, a brand new children's book springs to life 🌱

More details coming soon 😊

#thisnevergetsold #picturebook #canlit #Ireadcanadian #iwritecanadian #amwriting #writersofbluesky #bookcontract #kidlit

1 8

Reposted by Deborah Kerbel

Menderist.com @menderist.bsky.social · Jul 18

Summer Reads for Kids 8 to 18: looking for mental health-themed books for your children to read? See our list of 19 titles, including books by ‪@kerncarter.bsky.social | @sharigreen.bsky.social | @deborahkerbel.com | @kloshaughnessy.bsky.social‬ menderist.com/summer-readi...

Summer Reading: 19 Children's Books with Mental Health Themes - Menderist

Parents can help their children before the teenage years by sharing books about common youth mental health challenges.

menderist.com

2 3 6

Deborah Kerbel @deborahkerbel.com · Jul 21

Thank you so much for including LIKE A DUCK!

1

Deborah Kerbel @deborahkerbel.com · Jun 13

🥰🥰🥰

1

Deborah Kerbel @deborahkerbel.com · Jun 11

“A little space, please!”

Got a kiddo who craves a bit of personal space?

Bought a copy of NO HUDDLES FOR HELOISE or taken it out from the library?

DM me your address & proof of purchase/library loan and I’ll send you a custom door hanger (with art by illustrator Udayana Lugo).

*🇨🇦 residents only

1 2

Reposted by Deborah Kerbel

Caroline Fernandez @parentclub.bsky.social · May 22

🎉IODE Violet Downy Book Award Short List

⭐A Galaxy of Whales H Fawcett Tundra

⭐Iggy Included @deborahkerbel.com Scholastic
⭐Plague Thieves @parentclub.bsky.social @cormorantbooks.bsky.social

⭐The Outsmarters D Ellis @groundwoodbooks.bsky.social

⭐Tig HT Smith Rocky Pond

#KidLit #CanKidLit

🎉Three cheers for the IODE Violet Downy Book Award 2025 Short List! The winner will be announced at the @iode.canada AGM May 31st.

⭐A Galaxy of Whales
Written by @heather_fawcett
Published by @tundrabooks

⭐Iggy Included
Written by @deborahkerbel.books
Published by @scholasticcda

⭐Plague Thieves
Written by @parentclub
Published by @cormorantbooks

⭐The Outsmarters
Written by Deborah Ellis
Published by @groundwoodbooks

⭐Tig
Written by @heather.t.smith
Published by @rockypondbooks

IODE Violet Downey: https://www.iode.ca/2025-violet-downey---short-list.html

#CanKidLit #KidLit #VioletDowneyAward #MGBooks

2 1 6

Deborah Kerbel @deborahkerbel.com · May 22

Thanks and YAY...love seeing our covers together on this great list of MG books 🎉

1 1

Reposted by Deborah Kerbel

Debbie Ridpath Ohi @debbieohi.com · May 14

You can browse the 2025 #ForestOfReading nominees here: forestofreading.com/nominated-li...

Congrats @grickle.bsky.social & @deborahkerbel.com on their #SilverBirch Fiction Honours!

bsky.app/profile/hkub...

Helen Kubiw ❤️ 🇨🇦 📚 @hkubiw.bsky.social · May 14

Congrats to #SilverBirch Fiction Honour Book winners @grickle.bsky.social and @deborahkerbel.com! Young readers know wonderful #CDN books.

Forest of Reading Festival congratulations for 2025 Forest of Reading Silver Birch Fiction Honour Books Eerie Tales from the School of Screams and Iggy Included

1 2 7

Deborah Kerbel @deborahkerbel.com · May 15

Thank you so much, Debbie...I'm thrilled!! Such a fabulously joyous day 🥰

1

Reposted by Deborah Kerbel

Helen Kubiw ❤️ 🇨🇦 📚 @hkubiw.bsky.social · May 14

Congrats to #SilverBirch Fiction Honour Book winners @grickle.bsky.social and @deborahkerbel.com! Young readers know wonderful #CDN books.

1 2 6

Deborah Kerbel @deborahkerbel.com · May 15

Thank you, Helen!! What a day! I'm still on Cloud 9...might not ever come down 😊

1 1

Deborah Kerbel @deborahkerbel.com · Apr 6

Is it optimism? Or self-delusion? Only time will tell, Valerie.
But there is currently a defiantly-unwashed utensil sitting next to my sign...a clear shot across the bow.

1

Deborah Kerbel @deborahkerbel.com · Apr 4

Let’s see if this works…🤞
#gettingcreative #parentingsolutions

1 5

Deborah Kerbel @deborahkerbel.com · Apr 3

Yes...they announced in September that they would be discontinuing publication at the end of the year. I'd thought that might mean 'school year'...but it looks like the Dec 27th issue was their last 😔

Deborah Kerbel @deborahkerbel.com · Apr 3

With shrinking review outlets for 🇨🇦 kidlit, the loss of CM Reviews leaves quite a void.
Feeling grateful for all their years of steadfast support for 🇨🇦 kids books & sad to see it end.
A review of NO HUDDLES FOR HELOISE appears in the latest (& possibly final 😔) issue.
Thank you for everything, CM!

1 1 4

Deborah Kerbel @deborahkerbel.com · Apr 1

Thanks so much, Jane 🥰

Deborah Kerbel @deborahkerbel.com · Apr 1

Too cute!! 🥰

1

Deborah Kerbel @deborahkerbel.com · Mar 31

I’m excited to share a sneak peek of the adorable 'book sibling' for WHAT ABOUT AN OCTOPUS?

WHAT ABOUT AN ELEPHANT? will be stomping into bookstores August 2025 😊 Illustrated by Dawn Lo & published by @owlkids.bsky.social 🐘🐙📚🇨🇦

#ireadcanadian #informationalpicturebook #picturebook #fall2025 #kidlit

2 2 21

Deborah Kerbel @deborahkerbel.com · Mar 28

Canadian #kidlit creators, if you're not following @hkubiw.bsky.social yet, you should be. Her outstanding book review blog is one of the most viewed & influential in our community.
Thank you for your hard work and dedication to Canadian children's books, Helen. You're a rockstar 🤩 🇨🇦 📚

Helen Kubiw ❤️ 🇨🇦 📚 @hkubiw.bsky.social · Mar 27

I'm w Heloise in new #picturebook NO HUDDLES FOR HELOISE by @deborahkerbel.com & illus by @udayana-lugo.bsky.social From @orcabook.bsky.social Heloise is true to her introverted nature & her friends find a way to accommodate it. #CanKidLit ❤️🇨🇦📚 canlitforlittlecanadians.blogspot.com/2025/03/no-h...

No Huddles for Heloise

Promoting children's and YA books by Canadian authors and illustrators

canlitforlittlecanadians.blogspot.com

2 8

Deborah Kerbel @deborahkerbel.com · Mar 28

Maybe I should have titled it No Huddles for Helen?? 😉

1 2