A.J. Irving 🩷💜💙
@ajirving.bsky.social
Mama. Wordsmith. Kidlit enthusiast. Lambda Literary Award Finalist. DANCE LIKE A LEAF, THE WISHING FLOWER, THE BI BOOK • Rep: @thejordache.bsky.social • she/her 🏳️🌈 https://ajirving.com/
Pinned
Happy news! THE BI BOOK by Cynthia Alonso and me made ALA Booklist’s 2025 Editors’ Choice Books for Youth list! We are honored! Congratulations to all the creators of these fantastic books! ✨ tinyurl.com/5xkyavh6 #kidlit #booksky
Reposted by A.J. Irving 🩷💜💙
PEN America has joined @readfreelyal.bsky.social and 6 other library and LGBTQ advocacy groups in expressing alarm at new anti-trans book ban policy in Alabama. pen.org/press-releas...
Advocates Alarmed Over New Alabama Ban On Youth Access To Trans Books In Libraries
Read Freely Alabama, Alabama Transgender Rights Action Coalition, PEN America, EveryLibrary, Authors Against Book Bans, National Coalition Against Censorship, American Booksellers for Free Expression,...
pen.org
November 21, 2025 at 8:23 PM
PEN America has joined @readfreelyal.bsky.social and 6 other library and LGBTQ advocacy groups in expressing alarm at new anti-trans book ban policy in Alabama. pen.org/press-releas...
Reposted by A.J. Irving 🩷💜💙
#FolktaleWeek Day 6: Storm
In Greek mythology, harpies personified the destructive power of storm winds. They're often characterized as ugly (as ferocious women often are), but I've always found them oddly beautiful.
@folktaleweek.bsky.social
#FolktaleWeek2025
#FolktaleweekStorm
In Greek mythology, harpies personified the destructive power of storm winds. They're often characterized as ugly (as ferocious women often are), but I've always found them oddly beautiful.
@folktaleweek.bsky.social
#FolktaleWeek2025
#FolktaleweekStorm
November 22, 2025 at 1:58 PM
#FolktaleWeek Day 6: Storm
In Greek mythology, harpies personified the destructive power of storm winds. They're often characterized as ugly (as ferocious women often are), but I've always found them oddly beautiful.
@folktaleweek.bsky.social
#FolktaleWeek2025
#FolktaleweekStorm
In Greek mythology, harpies personified the destructive power of storm winds. They're often characterized as ugly (as ferocious women often are), but I've always found them oddly beautiful.
@folktaleweek.bsky.social
#FolktaleWeek2025
#FolktaleweekStorm
Reposted by A.J. Irving 🩷💜💙
So very excited to be sharing this news! !My story about a lovestruck wizard trying to “cure” death and the beautiful grim reaper who slowly falls in love with being alive is slated to be published with Ace Books (Penguin Random House) in 2027!
November 20, 2025 at 4:26 PM
So very excited to be sharing this news! !My story about a lovestruck wizard trying to “cure” death and the beautiful grim reaper who slowly falls in love with being alive is slated to be published with Ace Books (Penguin Random House) in 2027!
Reposted by A.J. Irving 🩷💜💙
ANOTHA ONE
November 21, 2025 at 4:21 PM
ANOTHA ONE
Reposted by A.J. Irving 🩷💜💙
Y'ALL. @madeleinegunhart.bsky.social has been with me for years and we've had so many near misses. Last year I told her "Maybe try a cozy fantasy?" and CULL ME, MAYBE was born.
So thrilled for Madeleine and can't wait for more people to read this fantastic book.
AND! This is my first ADULT deal!
So thrilled for Madeleine and can't wait for more people to read this fantastic book.
AND! This is my first ADULT deal!
So very excited to be sharing this news! !My story about a lovestruck wizard trying to “cure” death and the beautiful grim reaper who slowly falls in love with being alive is slated to be published with Ace Books (Penguin Random House) in 2027!
November 20, 2025 at 5:56 PM
Y'ALL. @madeleinegunhart.bsky.social has been with me for years and we've had so many near misses. Last year I told her "Maybe try a cozy fantasy?" and CULL ME, MAYBE was born.
So thrilled for Madeleine and can't wait for more people to read this fantastic book.
AND! This is my first ADULT deal!
So thrilled for Madeleine and can't wait for more people to read this fantastic book.
AND! This is my first ADULT deal!
We get messages like this every day. Jail library patron ❤️ #ilovemyjob
November 22, 2025 at 1:30 AM
We get messages like this every day. Jail library patron ❤️ #ilovemyjob
Reposted by A.J. Irving 🩷💜💙
#FolktaleWeek Day 5: Charm
"Come away, O human child, to the waters and the wild, with a fairy, hand in hand. For the world's more full of weeping than you can understand." ~WB Yeats
@folktaleweek.bsky.social
#FolktaleWeek2025
#FolktaleweekCharm
@debrastyer
@louve.draws
@matejalukezic.bsky.social
"Come away, O human child, to the waters and the wild, with a fairy, hand in hand. For the world's more full of weeping than you can understand." ~WB Yeats
@folktaleweek.bsky.social
#FolktaleWeek2025
#FolktaleweekCharm
@debrastyer
@louve.draws
@matejalukezic.bsky.social
November 21, 2025 at 11:38 AM
#FolktaleWeek Day 5: Charm
"Come away, O human child, to the waters and the wild, with a fairy, hand in hand. For the world's more full of weeping than you can understand." ~WB Yeats
@folktaleweek.bsky.social
#FolktaleWeek2025
#FolktaleweekCharm
@debrastyer
@louve.draws
@matejalukezic.bsky.social
"Come away, O human child, to the waters and the wild, with a fairy, hand in hand. For the world's more full of weeping than you can understand." ~WB Yeats
@folktaleweek.bsky.social
#FolktaleWeek2025
#FolktaleweekCharm
@debrastyer
@louve.draws
@matejalukezic.bsky.social
Reposted by A.J. Irving 🩷💜💙
Honoring Children's Grief
Awareness Day with @ajirving.bsky.social and Claudia Navarro's #PB
DANCE LIKE A LEAF and
@jolenegutierrez.bsky.social, Shaian Gutierrez, and Gaby Zapata's #PB THE OFRENDA THAT WE BUILT. The perfect books for kids experiencing loss.
#kidlit #kidlitart #grief #loss
Awareness Day with @ajirving.bsky.social and Claudia Navarro's #PB
DANCE LIKE A LEAF and
@jolenegutierrez.bsky.social, Shaian Gutierrez, and Gaby Zapata's #PB THE OFRENDA THAT WE BUILT. The perfect books for kids experiencing loss.
#kidlit #kidlitart #grief #loss
November 20, 2025 at 10:55 PM
Honoring Children's Grief
Awareness Day with @ajirving.bsky.social and Claudia Navarro's #PB
DANCE LIKE A LEAF and
@jolenegutierrez.bsky.social, Shaian Gutierrez, and Gaby Zapata's #PB THE OFRENDA THAT WE BUILT. The perfect books for kids experiencing loss.
#kidlit #kidlitart #grief #loss
Awareness Day with @ajirving.bsky.social and Claudia Navarro's #PB
DANCE LIKE A LEAF and
@jolenegutierrez.bsky.social, Shaian Gutierrez, and Gaby Zapata's #PB THE OFRENDA THAT WE BUILT. The perfect books for kids experiencing loss.
#kidlit #kidlitart #grief #loss
Reposted by A.J. Irving 🩷💜💙
Congratulations A.J. and Cynthia!!! 📕🎉🎉🎉❤️💜🩷
Happy news! THE BI BOOK by Cynthia Alonso and me made ALA Booklist’s 2025 Editors’ Choice Books for Youth list! We are honored! Congratulations to all the creators of these fantastic books! ✨ tinyurl.com/5xkyavh6 #kidlit #booksky
November 20, 2025 at 1:45 AM
Congratulations A.J. and Cynthia!!! 📕🎉🎉🎉❤️💜🩷
Reposted by A.J. Irving 🩷💜💙
Shabbat Is and Just Shy of Ordinary made this list!
Gift Guide: Chanukah/Hanukkah 5786
Give a loved one celebrating the Festival of Lights the joy of queer Jewish literature! Kids Just Like Queen Esther by Ari Moffic and Kerry Olitzky (text) and Rena Yehuda Newman (illustration) Atara loves to wear her crown – to the library, to the dentist, even…
Give a loved one celebrating the Festival of Lights the joy of queer Jewish literature! Kids Just Like Queen Esther by Ari Moffic and Kerry Olitzky (text) and Rena Yehuda Newman (illustration) Atara loves to wear her crown – to the library, to the dentist, even…
Gift Guide: Chanukah/Hanukkah 5786
Give a loved one celebrating the Festival of Lights the joy of queer Jewish literature! Kids Just Like Queen Esther by Ari Moffic and Kerry Olitzky (text) and Rena Yehuda Newman (illustration) Atara loves to wear her crown – to the library, to the dentist, even to her swim lessons. It gives her confidence, and shows the world that she is a girl, not a boy, like everyone thought at first.
lgbtqreads.com
November 19, 2025 at 5:44 PM
Shabbat Is and Just Shy of Ordinary made this list!
Reposted by A.J. Irving 🩷💜💙
#FolktaleWeek Day 4: Book
There was a dutiful son whose mother fell gravely ill. He tried everything to get her better, but to no avail. All he could do was pray. One night, he met in his dream a mysterious old man who said that the mother would be cured if she ate 100 small animals. (1/?)
#kidlit
There was a dutiful son whose mother fell gravely ill. He tried everything to get her better, but to no avail. All he could do was pray. One night, he met in his dream a mysterious old man who said that the mother would be cured if she ate 100 small animals. (1/?)
#kidlit
November 20, 2025 at 11:57 AM
#FolktaleWeek Day 4: Book
There was a dutiful son whose mother fell gravely ill. He tried everything to get her better, but to no avail. All he could do was pray. One night, he met in his dream a mysterious old man who said that the mother would be cured if she ate 100 small animals. (1/?)
#kidlit
There was a dutiful son whose mother fell gravely ill. He tried everything to get her better, but to no avail. All he could do was pray. One night, he met in his dream a mysterious old man who said that the mother would be cured if she ate 100 small animals. (1/?)
#kidlit
Reposted by A.J. Irving 🩷💜💙
#FolktaleWeek Day 3: Rain
This young blue frog did everything the opposite way his mom said. If she told him to go right, he would go left. If she said stay in, he would go out. (1/?)
#KidLitArt #KoreanFolktale
This young blue frog did everything the opposite way his mom said. If she told him to go right, he would go left. If she said stay in, he would go out. (1/?)
#KidLitArt #KoreanFolktale
November 19, 2025 at 4:03 PM
#FolktaleWeek Day 3: Rain
This young blue frog did everything the opposite way his mom said. If she told him to go right, he would go left. If she said stay in, he would go out. (1/?)
#KidLitArt #KoreanFolktale
This young blue frog did everything the opposite way his mom said. If she told him to go right, he would go left. If she said stay in, he would go out. (1/?)
#KidLitArt #KoreanFolktale
Happy news! THE BI BOOK by Cynthia Alonso and me made ALA Booklist’s 2025 Editors’ Choice Books for Youth list! We are honored! Congratulations to all the creators of these fantastic books! ✨ tinyurl.com/5xkyavh6 #kidlit #booksky
November 19, 2025 at 12:54 PM
Happy news! THE BI BOOK by Cynthia Alonso and me made ALA Booklist’s 2025 Editors’ Choice Books for Youth list! We are honored! Congratulations to all the creators of these fantastic books! ✨ tinyurl.com/5xkyavh6 #kidlit #booksky
Reposted by A.J. Irving 🩷💜💙
#FolktaleWeek prompt #3: Rain
Champ is a cute little monster that lives in Lake Champlain. Seems like a decent bloke to me.
@folktaleweek.bsky.social
#FolktaleWeek2025
#FolktaleweekRain
@debrastyer
@louve.draws
@matejalukezic.bsky.social
Champ is a cute little monster that lives in Lake Champlain. Seems like a decent bloke to me.
@folktaleweek.bsky.social
#FolktaleWeek2025
#FolktaleweekRain
@debrastyer
@louve.draws
@matejalukezic.bsky.social
November 19, 2025 at 11:40 AM
#FolktaleWeek prompt #3: Rain
Champ is a cute little monster that lives in Lake Champlain. Seems like a decent bloke to me.
@folktaleweek.bsky.social
#FolktaleWeek2025
#FolktaleweekRain
@debrastyer
@louve.draws
@matejalukezic.bsky.social
Champ is a cute little monster that lives in Lake Champlain. Seems like a decent bloke to me.
@folktaleweek.bsky.social
#FolktaleWeek2025
#FolktaleweekRain
@debrastyer
@louve.draws
@matejalukezic.bsky.social
Reposted by A.J. Irving 🩷💜💙
#FolktaleWeek prompt #2: Echo
An oracle hearing the echoes of the The Fates (Clotho, Lachesis, and Atropos).
@folktaleweek.bsky.social
#FolktaleWeek2025
#FolktaleweekEcho
@debrastyer
@louve.draws
@matejalukezic.bsky.social
An oracle hearing the echoes of the The Fates (Clotho, Lachesis, and Atropos).
@folktaleweek.bsky.social
#FolktaleWeek2025
#FolktaleweekEcho
@debrastyer
@louve.draws
@matejalukezic.bsky.social
November 18, 2025 at 12:10 PM
#FolktaleWeek prompt #2: Echo
An oracle hearing the echoes of the The Fates (Clotho, Lachesis, and Atropos).
@folktaleweek.bsky.social
#FolktaleWeek2025
#FolktaleweekEcho
@debrastyer
@louve.draws
@matejalukezic.bsky.social
An oracle hearing the echoes of the The Fates (Clotho, Lachesis, and Atropos).
@folktaleweek.bsky.social
#FolktaleWeek2025
#FolktaleweekEcho
@debrastyer
@louve.draws
@matejalukezic.bsky.social
Reposted by A.J. Irving 🩷💜💙
#FolktaleWeek Day 2: Echo
There was once a new king in the ancient kingdom of Shilla. His ears started growing bigger after the coronation, and eventually became like those of the donkeys’. The king was so flustered snd embarrassed by this phenomenon that he kept it a secret. (1/?)
#kidlitart
There was once a new king in the ancient kingdom of Shilla. His ears started growing bigger after the coronation, and eventually became like those of the donkeys’. The king was so flustered snd embarrassed by this phenomenon that he kept it a secret. (1/?)
#kidlitart
November 18, 2025 at 12:21 PM
#FolktaleWeek Day 2: Echo
There was once a new king in the ancient kingdom of Shilla. His ears started growing bigger after the coronation, and eventually became like those of the donkeys’. The king was so flustered snd embarrassed by this phenomenon that he kept it a secret. (1/?)
#kidlitart
There was once a new king in the ancient kingdom of Shilla. His ears started growing bigger after the coronation, and eventually became like those of the donkeys’. The king was so flustered snd embarrassed by this phenomenon that he kept it a secret. (1/?)
#kidlitart
Reposted by A.J. Irving 🩷💜💙
Sending Happy 5th Book
Birthday wishes to BENNY’S TRUE COLORS written by @nrpaulson.bsky.social and illustrated by Andy Passchier!📕🎂🎉🎉🎉❤️
#kidlit #kidlitart
#bookbirthday #kidsbook
#LGBTQ #bookrecommendation
#KidLitCollectiv
Birthday wishes to BENNY’S TRUE COLORS written by @nrpaulson.bsky.social and illustrated by Andy Passchier!📕🎂🎉🎉🎉❤️
#kidlit #kidlitart
#bookbirthday #kidsbook
#LGBTQ #bookrecommendation
#KidLitCollectiv
November 17, 2025 at 11:42 PM
Sending Happy 5th Book
Birthday wishes to BENNY’S TRUE COLORS written by @nrpaulson.bsky.social and illustrated by Andy Passchier!📕🎂🎉🎉🎉❤️
#kidlit #kidlitart
#bookbirthday #kidsbook
#LGBTQ #bookrecommendation
#KidLitCollectiv
Birthday wishes to BENNY’S TRUE COLORS written by @nrpaulson.bsky.social and illustrated by Andy Passchier!📕🎂🎉🎉🎉❤️
#kidlit #kidlitart
#bookbirthday #kidsbook
#LGBTQ #bookrecommendation
#KidLitCollectiv
Reposted by A.J. Irving 🩷💜💙
It’s the first day of #FolktaleWeek2025!
Day 1 Prompt: Night
I’ve always loved Nyx, the primordial goddess of night.
Here I decided to reimagine her as a child.
@folktaleweek.bsky.social
#FolktaleWeek #FolktaleWeekNight
Day 1 Prompt: Night
I’ve always loved Nyx, the primordial goddess of night.
Here I decided to reimagine her as a child.
@folktaleweek.bsky.social
#FolktaleWeek #FolktaleWeekNight
November 17, 2025 at 11:46 AM
It’s the first day of #FolktaleWeek2025!
Day 1 Prompt: Night
I’ve always loved Nyx, the primordial goddess of night.
Here I decided to reimagine her as a child.
@folktaleweek.bsky.social
#FolktaleWeek #FolktaleWeekNight
Day 1 Prompt: Night
I’ve always loved Nyx, the primordial goddess of night.
Here I decided to reimagine her as a child.
@folktaleweek.bsky.social
#FolktaleWeek #FolktaleWeekNight
Reposted by A.J. Irving 🩷💜💙
#FolktaleWeek2025 Day 1: Night
There used to be no sun or moon in the sky, and the nights were darker and scarier. One of those nights, a tiger caught a woman who was walking home from the market by a lonely mountain path. She begged for her life, offering a rice cake from her basket. (1/?)
There used to be no sun or moon in the sky, and the nights were darker and scarier. One of those nights, a tiger caught a woman who was walking home from the market by a lonely mountain path. She begged for her life, offering a rice cake from her basket. (1/?)
November 17, 2025 at 12:07 PM
#FolktaleWeek2025 Day 1: Night
There used to be no sun or moon in the sky, and the nights were darker and scarier. One of those nights, a tiger caught a woman who was walking home from the market by a lonely mountain path. She begged for her life, offering a rice cake from her basket. (1/?)
There used to be no sun or moon in the sky, and the nights were darker and scarier. One of those nights, a tiger caught a woman who was walking home from the market by a lonely mountain path. She begged for her life, offering a rice cake from her basket. (1/?)
HANUKKAH 1-2-3! A FIRST COUNTING BOOK by @jnwieder.bsky.social and Aura Lewis is a must-have for baby’s first Hanukkah! Little ones will be drawn to the bright art and rhyming text as they learn about the Festival of Lights in this precious board book! #kidlit #booksky
November 16, 2025 at 8:39 PM
HANUKKAH 1-2-3! A FIRST COUNTING BOOK by @jnwieder.bsky.social and Aura Lewis is a must-have for baby’s first Hanukkah! Little ones will be drawn to the bright art and rhyming text as they learn about the Festival of Lights in this precious board book! #kidlit #booksky
My favorite friendly moose is back! I adore this follow up to FINLEY: A MOOSE ON THE CABOOSE by @candacespizzirri.bsky.social and Chantelle & Burgen Thorne. FINLEY: A MOOSE IN CHARTREUSE is a super fun read aloud with absolutely adorable illustrations. A fantastique PB about a magnifique moose!
November 16, 2025 at 7:55 PM
My favorite friendly moose is back! I adore this follow up to FINLEY: A MOOSE ON THE CABOOSE by @candacespizzirri.bsky.social and Chantelle & Burgen Thorne. FINLEY: A MOOSE IN CHARTREUSE is a super fun read aloud with absolutely adorable illustrations. A fantastique PB about a magnifique moose!
Reposted by A.J. Irving 🩷💜💙
Wonderful news! Congratulations to our @writerjolene.bsky.social on her newly announced book, PARTY PANIC! Woohoo!
📕🎉🎉🎉❤️
📕🎉🎉🎉❤️
It's time to PARTY! If you're like Birdy and find parties overwhelming, PARTY PANIC might be the book for you!
I'm so excited to have another book with Angel Chang through Abrams Kids and am so grateful to Kaitlyn Sanchez for helping make it possible!
I'm so excited to have another book with Angel Chang through Abrams Kids and am so grateful to Kaitlyn Sanchez for helping make it possible!
November 12, 2025 at 2:43 PM
Wonderful news! Congratulations to our @writerjolene.bsky.social on her newly announced book, PARTY PANIC! Woohoo!
📕🎉🎉🎉❤️
📕🎉🎉🎉❤️
Reposted by A.J. Irving 🩷💜💙
It's always a good day to be KIND. Celebrate World Kindness Day with NILA'S PERFECT COAT by @nrpaulson.bsky.social and Maria Mola and THE YOWLERS by @mollyruttan.bsky.social and Stacey Carroll.
#teachers #librarians #parenting #parents #picturebooks #kidsbooks #friendship #kindness #empathy
#teachers #librarians #parenting #parents #picturebooks #kidsbooks #friendship #kindness #empathy
November 13, 2025 at 5:41 PM
It's always a good day to be KIND. Celebrate World Kindness Day with NILA'S PERFECT COAT by @nrpaulson.bsky.social and Maria Mola and THE YOWLERS by @mollyruttan.bsky.social and Stacey Carroll.
#teachers #librarians #parenting #parents #picturebooks #kidsbooks #friendship #kindness #empathy
#teachers #librarians #parenting #parents #picturebooks #kidsbooks #friendship #kindness #empathy
So many kiddos will relate to this sweet and funny sibling story! With charming text & hilarious illustrations, STICKY HERMANA by @asiqueira.bsky.social & @oliviadecastro.bsky.social shows readers the importance of being honest, setting boundaries, & learning to appreciate special sibling moments. 💕
November 11, 2025 at 8:14 PM
So many kiddos will relate to this sweet and funny sibling story! With charming text & hilarious illustrations, STICKY HERMANA by @asiqueira.bsky.social & @oliviadecastro.bsky.social shows readers the importance of being honest, setting boundaries, & learning to appreciate special sibling moments. 💕
