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brookebaum.bsky.social
Brooke Baum
@brookebaum.bsky.social
1.4K followers 2K following 1K posts
🌟 2025 #PBRisingStars Mentee
🎨 #kidlit author-illustrator
📚 Former children's bookseller and school librarian
😴 Current tired mom
🤓 Self-taught and still self-teaching

Represented by Marissa Brown at Pippin Properties

brookebaum.com
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brookebaum.bsky.social
Check out this lineup, y’all. SO many amazing mentors, you can’t go wrong, but I have to give a special shout out to the AMAZING @jamills.com, who just might be the best mentor ever?!?!

I highly encourage all eligible creators to apply to the LAST year of PB Rising Stars!!!

#kidlit #kidlitart
pbrisingstars.bsky.social PB Rising Stars @pbrisingstars.bsky.social · 2d
⭐️Announcing 40 INCREDIBLE MENTORS! ⭐️

Just look at some of the books from our 2026 mentors!! Miss the big announcement? Follow the link to kidlit 411 to see the news!
.

www.kidlit411.com/2026/01/the-...

How are you feeling?
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#picturebook #pbrisingstars #kidlitillustration #kidlit #amwriting
January 23, 2026 at 7:03 PM
brookebaum.bsky.social
I’ve been feeling really homesick for California lately. No idea why. In unrelated news, it’s going to be -40 tomorrow in Madison.
January 22, 2026 at 3:24 PM
brookebaum.bsky.social
You know those reaction videos of kids finding out they got into their dream college? They should have that, but it’s parents finding out their kid got a spot in daycare.
January 20, 2026 at 5:56 PM
Reposted by Brooke Baum
dj-acid-reflux.bsky.social
One thing you will never think after reading a great book or listening to a great album or seeing a great piece of art is, “I’m really glad this person remained cautious while they were making this and guarded against being perceived as weird.”
December 13, 2025 at 7:29 AM
Reposted by Brooke Baum
milifayart.bsky.social
Ellen, a born ballerina, dances problems away — a monster in her room, misbehaving integers, school bullies…

At fourteen, a car accident lands her in a wheelchair. If Ellen is no longer a dancer, then… Who is she?

TINY DANCER meets ELLIE IN FIRST POSITION.
#bluepit💥 #MG #Q #SP #GN #BluePit

TBC
Mili Fay’s “Just Dance!” Concept Art featuring the main character Ellen, a sad, blond 14-year-old girl, whose hair is pink at the edges, sitting in a wheelchair dressed in a tutu. The background is teal blue, green and pink, featuring water lilies covered in rain. Water lilies symbolize purity, rebirth, enlightenment and resilience. Mili Fay’s “Just Dance!” Chapter 6: BFF Graphic Novel chapter cover final art. It shows Ellen, Christopher and Ellen’s dog Lulu walking against a white background. The decorative frame is constructed from a variety of flowers that represent devoted friendship. Mili Fay’s “Just Dance!” Graphic Novel Chapter 6: Page 01 final art showing a montage of Ellen’s and Christopher’s growing friendship. Mili Fay’s “Just Dance!” Graphic Novel Chapter 6: Page 02 final art showing a montage of Ellen’s and Christopher’s growing friendship. Page 03 beginning of a sequence: Ellen comes to school, looking sad.
January 13, 2026 at 5:47 AM
Reposted by Brooke Baum
boringstorybook.com
#BluePit 📖 #pb When two overtired kids resist bedtime, Dad uses a secret weapon: INCREDIBLY BORING STORIES. If the reader stays awake, they’ll witness a showdown between the world‘s most tedious dad and kids who hold out hopes for dracula vs. dinosaur battles. #OS BrianKirbyStudio.com
Two cartoon kids going wild and the text around them reads THEY REJECT BEDTIME! THEY GO.. BONKERS UNTIL... BrianKirbyStudio.com Repetitive cartoon panels show a dad brushing his teeth. The text reads: BUT FIRST I BRUSHED MY TEETH. BRUSH BRUSH BRUSH GARGLE GARGLE This really is boring. MORE GARGLING Below the panels are two kids faces, observing “This is the most boring page in this book.”
January 13, 2026 at 8:24 PM
Reposted by Brooke Baum
boringstorybook.com
#BluePit 📖 #pb After Melody spots a COW ON A BALLOON, the Internet explodes with wild speculation. As the world loses its mind, Melody keeps hers, proving that in a frenzy of clicks, clout and chaos, creative problem solving can save the day (and keep a cow grounded). #OS BrianKirbyStudio.com
Colorful picture book illustrations of a girl in overalls as a spot illustration next to a full page of a cow tied to a red balloon that is floating over a city as hands hold up phones that are recording video BrianKirbyStudio.com
January 13, 2026 at 7:10 PM
brookebaum.bsky.social
✨Reminder: PB Rising Stars (a FREE picture book mentorship) has their ice cream social TONIGHT for prospective applicants, the curious, vibe checkers, and ice cream enthusiasts. ✨

Check it out. PBRS changed my life!!!

@pbrisingstars.bsky.social #kidlit #kidlitart

us06web.zoom.us/webinar/regi...
Welcome! You are invited to join a webinar: 2026 PB Rising Stars Informational Ice Cream Social . After registering, you will receive a confirmation email about joining the webinar.
Bring your favorite ice cream, learn more about the program, and ask the leadership team your questions!!! We will be spilling everything you need to know about our fifth and final year of PB Rising ...
us06web.zoom.us
January 13, 2026 at 8:25 PM
Reposted by Brooke Baum
boringstorybook.com
#PortfolioDay today! 🎨
I'm Brian, picture book author/illustrator rep'd by @kaitlynleann17.bsky.social at @bradfordagents.bsky.social - you can see what I’m up to at briankirbystudio.com
Cartoon of a vampire unicorn turning away from a large stained glass window, bats flapping outside. Text reads COUNT RAINBOW BRiANKiRBYSTUDIO.COM A 3x3 grid of cartoons of a little girl with black hair and pigtails. 5 panel cartoon of a mysterious silhouetted kid getting out of bed at 5:58 and startling a mom & dad in their bed A tired dad sits up with a wide-awake baby in a dark nursery, a lady is seen sleeping soundly in the room across the hall
January 13, 2026 at 6:28 PM
brookebaum.bsky.social
Happy #PortfolioDay! ✨

I’m Brooke and I love creating goofball art for goofball kids. I’m available for picture book, early reader, and graphic novel projects!

I’m rep’d by Marissa Brown at Pippin Properties!

brookebaum.com

#kidlit #kidlitart
January 13, 2026 at 6:07 PM
Reposted by Brooke Baum
mdashow.bsky.social
Hi #PortfolioDay , I’m Mike and I love drawing fun, colorful characters, animals, and situations.

I'm repped by @vickyweberbooks.bsky.social
and I'm especially looking for middle grade cover work.

See more of my work at mdashow-kidlitart.carrd.co or www.michaeldashow.com

#kidLitArt #gameArt
In a dark nighttime hallway with huge arched windows, a girl and a werewolf (also a girl) are sneaking around. Both are wearing school uniforms, although the werewolf's has ripped a bit from her transformation. She has just knocked over a small table and broken a vase and the girl is shushing her. Through one of the large windows, we see more school buildings and a full moon. The book cover title is "Boarding School Werewolf" by Jo Barnett. At the top of the cover, it says "School can be a transformative experience." An illustration of three happy dogs wearing human-type clothing, all exchanging gifts. The gifts are all wrapped but it's clear that they're all things that dogs love: A ball, a stick, and a bone. The picture is all in tans and browns, except for the gift-wrapping, which is all blue. An illustration from my upcoming indie game Puzzle Spy International, drawn in a mid-century modern style. It's a red control room with LCD-green screens and a world map. In the foreground is Agent Epsilon looking worried. She's in a teal and charcoal mod dress and has dark skin and short black hair. Behind her are two mysterious figures: A woman in white robes which cover everything but her eyes (it's called a haik) and a white man in a dark suit and turtleneck and thick rimmed glasses. He looks unhappy, and his hands and fingers are steepled.
January 13, 2026 at 5:14 PM
Reposted by Brooke Baum
gregpincus.bsky.social
Guess what? It’s #kidlitchat day (aka Tuesday). Join us #kidlit folk here on Bluesky at 9pm Eastern/6pm Pacific for an hour of yakking and community. Easy parking, beautifully decorated space, and ample (virtual) treats! What’s not to love? I hope you can make it!
January 13, 2026 at 4:26 PM
brookebaum.bsky.social
Easy mode: Packing lunch for your preschooler
Hard mode: But you should have left the house 10 minutes ago
Final Boss: And your preschooler wants to help
January 13, 2026 at 3:59 PM
Reposted by Brooke Baum
marchsoloway.bsky.social
Dear #Querying #Writers,

Come join me here on #Bluesky for an #AskMeAnything session, this coming Wednesday, January 14, from 5pm - 6pm PT / 8p.m. - 9pm ET.

Happy to share #tips for #Writing #Revising #Querying + anything I can to help you succeed.

See you Wednesday evening!

#StarlingLit
January 12, 2026 at 10:05 PM
Reposted by Brooke Baum
bluepit.bsky.social
#BluePit is ready to kick off 2026! Creators in the #WritingCommunity, #GameDev & #IndieDev, #TTRPG, and #Comic communities get ready to pitch or promote your projects!

#BluePit will be taking place on Jan 13th, 2026!

And #BluePitHype starts January 8th!

#WriteSky #Writers #AmAgenting #LitAgents
#BluePit A Storytelling Hype/Pitch Event What It Is: An event designed to uplift storytellers of any media. All works are welcome, regardless of the stage (e.g., Drafting, Editing, Querying, On Submission, or Published). When: Jan 13, 2026 (24 Hours) #BluePit Rules: Limit 3 posts per WIP; multiple works allowed. Include correct emojis to appear in media specific feeds Use appropriate tags (see Tag list) All images must include ALT text. No AI. Everyone is encouraged to like and repost Use the #BluePit feeds to find and support others. Agents, editors, and publishers are welcome to participate and can also use #BluePit feeds without a BlueSky account Emojis Writing (e.g. “#bluepit 📖”) Game Dev (e.g. “#bluepit 🎮”) Comics (e.g. “#bluepit 💥”) TTRPGS (e.g. “#bluepit 🎲”) Questions? BluePit.Carrd.Co @BluePit.Bsky.Social @ZProspero.bsky.social #BluePit Tags MEDIA: #BluePit 💥 - Comics #BluePit 🎮 - Game Dev #BluePit 🎲 - TTRPGs #BluePit 📖 - Writers STAGE: #W - Work In Progress #Q - Querying #OS - On Submission #P - Published AUDIENCE: #PB - Picture Book #MG - Middle Grade #YA - Young Adult #A - Adult #NA - New Adult REPRESENTATION: #OV - Own Voices #LGBT- LGBTQIA+ #DIS - Disabled Creators #WF - Women's Fiction #POC - Person of Color #ND - Neurodivergent #TR - Transgender GENRE #F - Fantasy #R - Romance #H - Horror #SF - Sci-Fi #M - Mystery #PN - Paranormal #C - Crime #HS - Historical #SP - Speculative #PO - Poetry #NF - Non-Fiction GAME SYSTEM: #D20 - 20-sided die based #D6 - 6-sided die based #D100 - 100-sided die based #NAR - Narrative based #DUN - Dungeon Crawler #RO - Rogue-Like
December 29, 2025 at 4:07 AM
brookebaum.bsky.social
I don’t often get homesick for Southern California, but someone on TV just mentioned In-N-Out animal style fries and now I’m about to book a plane ticket (jk I’m afraid of flying).
January 12, 2026 at 1:39 AM
Reposted by Brooke Baum
johannamation.bsky.social
If you had fun making it, your audience—and in turn, art directors and prospective clients—will have fun looking at it. 🎨 ✍️
galileogb.bsky.social 🦎Galileo🍉 @galileogb.bsky.social · 14d
ARTISTS: quote with some random art advice!!
January 12, 2026 at 12:41 AM
Reposted by Brooke Baum
jameelawahlgren.bsky.social
You don't NEED to go to art school. No one cares whether or not you have a degree, they care about your portfolio. And we don't make enough in this industry to justify what student loans cost.

Try mentorships, online classes, and workshops and save your money
galileogb.bsky.social 🦎Galileo🍉 @galileogb.bsky.social · 14d
ARTISTS: quote with some random art advice!!
January 11, 2026 at 8:58 PM
brookebaum.bsky.social
Honestly, we don’t spend enough time talking about the time Pat Sajak had a cameo on Rugrats.
Terrifying cartoon depiction of Pat Sajak
January 11, 2026 at 1:27 AM
Reposted by Brooke Baum
boringstorybook.com
2026 PBParty info, submissions due March 17 : mindyalyseweiss.com/2026-pbparty...

#kidlit
2026 PBParty Contest ⋆ Mindy’s Writing Wonderland
The annual PBParty contest is for unagented writers and author/illustrators with finished and polished picture book manuscripts. We pick a wide variety of genres for agents/editors to browse in the sh...
mindyalyseweiss.com
January 10, 2026 at 6:02 PM
Reposted by Brooke Baum
studio-yuey.bsky.social
It’s the first #kidlitartpostcard day of 2026!
Let’s make more books for the kids this year.🤍
#kidlitart
January 9, 2026 at 12:05 AM
Reposted by Brooke Baum
jamills.com
Once again it's #kidlitartpostcardday !
I'm Julia and when I was a kid we didn't have snow boots so we would put bread bags on our feet to go sledding!
I dream of making a cozy mouse book!
#kidlitart
#illustrator
#picturebooks
#mice
#postcardday
Two mice put bread bags on their feet
January 8, 2026 at 10:03 PM
Reposted by Brooke Baum
kirstyzw.bsky.social
Hi!
I'm Kirsty, a Franco-British illustrator seeking representation!

I'd love to work on projects related to inclusion and diversity, full of benevolence and kindness 🤍 Because I believe that representation matters, and that kindness is more important than ever in today's world!

#kidlitartpostcard
January 8, 2026 at 6:47 PM
Reposted by Brooke Baum
brianlarossa.com
Hey illustrators/agents!

I’m a #kidlit art director starting work on a new picture book—we’re looking for: expressive, commercial, human characters; fantasy; magic; AND Mahjong! The tiles! The drama!

Please respond w/ samples + folio link.
Please no emails/DMs.

💙❤️ #artcommissions
January 7, 2026 at 8:12 PM
Reposted by Brooke Baum
lizwong.bsky.social
Happy #kidlitartpostcard day!

I'm Liz, and I enjoy illustrating quirky animal stories as well as picture book biographies.

Represented by Alexandra Penfold at Upstart Crow Literary.

lizwongillustration.com

#kidlitart #kidlit
Illustration of a dog waiting at a bus stop, looking up at the full moon. Done in mixed media. Liz Wong, Rep'd by Alexandra Penfold, LizWongIllustration.com
January 8, 2026 at 5:35 PM