Chiara Colombi
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chiaracolombi.com
Chiara Colombi
@chiaracolombi.com
1.4K followers 580 following 410 posts
Scruffy-looking word herder. PB + YA author. 🚀 ROCKET SHIP, SOLO TRIP (Viking, '24). ROCKET BEAMS, LUNAR DREAMS (Viking, '25). 🇮🇹 | 🏳️‍🌈🩷💚💙 | She/Her | Photo credit: Lauren Barkume

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Chiara Colombi @chiaracolombi.com · Feb 4
We are go for translunar orbit! ROCKET BEAMS, LUNAR DREAMS by me + Scott Magoon has landed on shelves! A lunar mission, yes, but what is this book really about? It's about how we respond when things don’t go our way. When our dreams don’t come true. Or when things take a turn for the unexpected... 🧵
A graphic featuring an illustration of the Moon against a starry background. Overlayed on the Moon is: the cover of the picture book ROCKET BEAMS, LUNAR DREAMS; a lunar lander with a cloud of dust rising around him; and the words “LANDED!” and “On sale now”. In the upper right corner, against the starry sky is a rocket ship, gazing down at the Moon.
chiaracolombi.com
Trust me, you're gonna want to climb into this book. Congratulations to my incredibly talented CP and dear friend, @juliamoss.bsky.social!!
juliamoss.bsky.social Julia Moss @juliamoss.bsky.social · Nov 20
Thrilled to share this story with the world and see it come to life through stunning illustrations by Chaaya Prabhat! This one is inspired by cargo bike family life - piling on kids and friends, pizza and music. But since it's a picture book things get to be extra wild 🚲
November 21, 2025 at 7:36 AM
chiaracolombi.com
So grateful for all the positive feedback + messages I've received in response to my 12x12 webinar on #kidlit and #AI. It's a gnarly topic that needs a lot of untangling so we can all stay informed + equipped to advocate for our work. Check out the replay and let me know if you have any questions!
lynnbaldwinwrites.bsky.social Lynn Baldwin @lynnbaldwinwrites.bsky.social · Jun 3
Wow! I just watched the @12x12challenge.bsky.social webinar on AI for #kidlit with @chiaracolombi.com! I have to admit that I've been very reticent about AI, but this webinar did such a great job of explaining it and positioning it as a tool. Thank you!
June 3, 2025 at 6:06 PM
chiaracolombi.com
Thank you, @12x12challenge.bsky.social, for creating such an incredible space within the #kidlit community for critical conversations and meaningful connections. I'm so grateful to have had the opportunity to give back to a community that has helped me in so many ways!
12x12challenge.bsky.social 12 x 12 Picture Book Writing Challenge @12x12challenge.bsky.social · May 20
Huge thanks to @chiaracolombi.com‬ for an amazing #12x12PB webinar about how kidlit creators can effectively & ethically use AI & how to protect our work!

We loved this conversation & all the insights shared! Members, check yesterday's email for the link!

#amwriting #kidlit #picturebooks
May 21, 2025 at 4:34 AM
chiaracolombi.com
NH friends, don't miss this chance to celebrate libraries and space all at once with ROCKET SHIP's illustrator @scottymagoon.bsky.social! 🤩
scottymagoon.bsky.social Scott Magoon @scottymagoon.bsky.social · Apr 18
🚀 Celebrate National Space Day at Portsmouth Public Library! I'll read and draw from ROCKET BEAMS, LUNAR DREAMS by @chiaracolombi.com, illustrated by me.

🎟️ Free mission patch stickers & activity sheets
📚 Book sales & signing by G. Willikers.
👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Families welcome

Hope to see you on 🌎. Link in bio!
April 19, 2025 at 12:56 AM
chiaracolombi.com
For anyone who has ever suffered from "I'm-not-a-math-person" issues (🙋🏻‍♀️) or knows a kid who does, this book is for you!

I can't wait for you to discover the heart + humor of my brilliant CP's debut picture book: DEAR MATH, WE'RE NOT FRIENDS. Congratulations, @linahaldar.bsky.social! ❤️🧮

#kidlit 📚👍🏻
linahaldar.bsky.social Lina Chopra Haldar, PhD @linahaldar.bsky.social · Mar 13
So excited! Thanks to @beamingbooksmn.bsky.social and my amazing agent, Saba Sulaiman at Talcott Notch, this story will be making kids everywhere smile about math.

A huge thank you to @chiaracolombi.com and @juliamoss.bsky.social for all your love and support. We have the best writing group! 💜
March 14, 2025 at 4:46 AM
chiaracolombi.com
They should make a drink for writers called Someone Who Believes In My Stories, so when a writer gets a rejection and their friend says, "Can I get you something? A cocktail? Wine? Beer?" the writer can reply "Someone Who Believes In My Stories" and actually get what they want. On the rocks.
March 5, 2025 at 7:00 AM
chiaracolombi.com
Rocket's launch event at @lindentree.bsky.social this weekend was a veritable planet parade of special crewmates, between the young space enthusiasts gathered for story time, Linden Tree’s stellar staff, and the conjunction of two #kidlit #space authors beaming in the glow of each other’s books!
A photo from the launch event for Rocket Beams, Lunar Dreams at Linden Tree Books. The event is taking place on the sidewalk in front of the bookstore, where there is outdoor furniture and a big window opening onto the store. The author, a while woman with long brown hair, holds up the book to an audience of young kids and grownups. Along the top of the photo is a banner of stars and moons, and the words “Rocket Beams, Lunar Dreams” with a heart-shaped graphic linking the book’s title to the store’s name on the front of the store. Sitting in Linden Tree’s window, author Chiara Colombi reads from and holds up a spread from ROCKET BEAMS, LUNAR DREAMS, showing the rocket’s flight trajectory to the Moon. Another photo from the reading, with the audience in the foreground. The author is imitating the nervous face of the Lunar Lander in the story. Author Chiara Colombi presents the lunar phases to the audience outside of Linden Tree Books.
February 27, 2025 at 4:14 PM
chiaracolombi.com
Such a stellar treat to celebrate ROCKET BEAMS, LUNAR DREAMS with fellow #kidlit #space author @rienealwriter.bsky.social at @lindentree.bsky.social today! More event pics to come, but in the meantime check out Rie's early chapter series ASTRID THE ASTRONAUT—perfect for kids with big lunar dreams!
rienealwriter.bsky.social Rie Neal (she/her) @rienealwriter.bsky.social · Feb 23
Congrats to my friend Chiara Colombi on her newest picture book release: Rocket Beams, Lunar Dreams! 🎉 Your books are the perfect marriage of technical spacey knowledge and deep emotional arcs. ❤️ Had a blast celebrating with you at Linden Tree Books! #kidlit
Two white women (Chiara Colombi & me) smile for the camera, each holding up our books inside a children’s bookstore. Chiara has long brown hair and is wearing a sweater-blouse and jeans. She’s holding up her two picture books: Rocket Ship, Solo Trip and Rocket Beams, Lunar Dreams. I have red hair in a high ponytail and glasses, and am wearing a maroon blouse and jeans. I’m holding three of the four Astrid the Astronaut chapter books. There are bookshelves around and behind us. Chiara holds a small sphere meant to represent the Moon, as she speaks to a gathering of young children and their parents on the front patio at Linden Tree Books in downtown Los Altos, CA. A close-up of Chiara, reading from her newest picture book, Rocket Beams, Lunar Dreams.
February 23, 2025 at 11:34 PM
chiaracolombi.com
2 more Bay Area lunar launch events this weekend! Join me at Banter Bookshop on Sat + Linden Tree Books on Sun to touch down on the Moon with ROCKET BEAMS, LUNAR DREAMS by Scott Magoon + me! We’ll read Rocket’s 2nd mission, then explore the phases of the Moon. Mission patch stickers for all!
A graphic featuring an illustration of the Moon against a starry background, with the event details for author story times at Banter Bookshop and Linden Tree Books, two picture book covers, and an author photo overlayed on the surface of the Moon. Along the top of the Moon are the words “Rocket Ship Events”, and along the bottom are the words “Reading + signing, + free mission patch stickers”. The event details are shared in the thread.
February 13, 2025 at 4:05 PM
chiaracolombi.com
Join me at @hicklebees.bsky.social in San Jose tomorrow Feb. 8 at 11am as we launch ROCKET BEAMS, LUNAR DREAMS by me + Scott Magoon! I can’t wait to connect with Hicklebee’s community of readers. We’ll read Rocket’s 2nd mission + explore the phases of the Moon with models galore. Stickers for all!
A graphic featuring an illustration of the Moon against a starry background, with the event details for an author story time at Hicklebee’s bookstore, two picture book covers, and an author photo overlayed on the surface of the Moon. Along the top of the Moon are the words “Rocket Ship Events”, and along the bottom are the words “Reading + signing, + free mission patch stickers”. The event details are shared in the image caption.
February 7, 2025 at 5:29 PM
chiaracolombi.com
What a special treat to kick off #WRAD with a virtual visit at a school just a hop, skip, and a jump from where I grew up. Thank you, @loritecler.bsky.social and Drew Elementary, for inviting me to share ROCKET BEAMS with your bright-eyed readers. I'm happy they were the first to hear it! 🚀🌔
loritecler.bsky.social Lori Tecler @loritecler.bsky.social · Feb 5
Our kindergarten students were honored to be the first to hear a readaloud of the brand new, out today ROCKET BEAMS, LUNAR DREAMS by @chiaracolombi.com w/art by Scott Magoon for World Read Aloud Day. The book got rave reviews from our students--don't miss it! #kidlit #WorldReadAloudDay
Slide with a starry sky filled background that says Hello, Drew Elementary. A white rocketship with red stripes is pointed towards the top right corner of the slide. Cover of ROCKET BEAMS, LUNAR DREAMS by Chiara Colombi with art by Scott Magoon. Rocket ship hovers over the moon with rainbow beams stretching from the bottom of the ship to the moon. A lunar rover is on the moon's surface beneath the rocket.
February 5, 2025 at 6:19 AM
chiaracolombi.com
We are go for translunar orbit! ROCKET BEAMS, LUNAR DREAMS by me + Scott Magoon has landed on shelves! A lunar mission, yes, but what is this book really about? It's about how we respond when things don’t go our way. When our dreams don’t come true. Or when things take a turn for the unexpected... 🧵
A graphic featuring an illustration of the Moon against a starry background. Overlayed on the Moon is: the cover of the picture book ROCKET BEAMS, LUNAR DREAMS; a lunar lander with a cloud of dust rising around him; and the words “LANDED!” and “On sale now”. In the upper right corner, against the starry sky is a rocket ship, gazing down at the Moon.
February 4, 2025 at 4:09 PM
chiaracolombi.com
Kicking off launch week with some wonderful news: ROCKET BEAMS, LUNAR DREAMS is an Amazon Editors’ Pick, among the Best Books of the Month for February! 🤩 Thank you, Amazon editors, for giving Scott Magoon’s and my book an extra booster as we gear up for launch!
An illustration of the character Lunar Lander from the picture book ROCKET BEAMS, LUNAR DREAMS. Lander is standing on the Moon and holding up a copy of the book, and Rocket is soaring by in the background. Against the starry sky are the Amazon logo and the words “Editors’ Pick, Best Books Ages 3-5”.
February 3, 2025 at 4:29 PM
Reposted by Chiara Colombi
kidlitforla.bsky.social
Only five hours left!

Bidding closes tonight at 8pm PST (11pm EST).

No time to dawdle. Make decisions now about what you really want and get ready to BID!

#kidlit #booksky #TLSky #EduSky #Skybrarians #writers #authors #illustrators

www.32auctions.com/kidlitforlos...
January 28, 2025 at 11:00 PM
chiaracolombi.com
Iconic Bay Area #kidlit bookstore @hicklebees.bsky.social has joined Bluesky!! Well worth following them for all their great events and book spotlights!
hicklebees.bsky.social Hicklebee Bookstore Inc. @hicklebees.bsky.social · Jan 28
Hi Bluesky!
Your friendly neighborhood children's bookstore taking our noses out of a book and onto a new corner of the internet to say hi and bring you more of the best in Children's literature. We've been around since 79' and are excited to see what this new adventure has in store!
Hicklebee's Bookstore Inc Logo in an Arch over an illustration of the shop front with the address and phone number underneath. 1378 Lincoln Ave, San Jose CA 95125 | (408) 292-8880
January 28, 2025 at 9:03 PM
chiaracolombi.com
ROCKET BEAMS, LUNAR DREAMS by me + Scott Magoon releases in just 1 week!! I’m so excited for you to meet (the most adorable) Lunar Lander (that has ever existed) (with many thanks to Scott!). Pre-order details for signed books with exclusive stickers in the thread!
An illustration of a waxing gibbous moon against a starry background. On the light side of the moon is a large number 1 and illustrations of a lunar lander descending toward the lunar surface. On the dark side of the moon is the rocket ship that deployed the lander. A graphic featuring the cover of picture book ROCKET BEAMS, LUNAR DREAMS, hovering above the illustrated surface of the Moon and a starry background. Around the book cover are the words “PRE-ORDER LINK IN BIO” and the date “2.4.25”. Alongside the book cover is the book cover of the series’s first book ROCKET SHIP, SOLO TRIP.
January 28, 2025 at 4:00 PM
chiaracolombi.com
Book bans are not a hoax. All kids deserve to see themselves in stories. Here are just a few of the many books I’m grateful to have on the shelves at home and at my local indie Banter Bookshop.

#readfreely #diversebooksopenminds
A photo of me, a white woman with long brown hair, smiling and sitting in the kids section of my local bookstore, holding up three picture books.
January 26, 2025 at 1:51 AM
chiaracolombi.com
Hello #Teachers, #Librarians, + #edusky! I still have slots available for virtual story time visits on Feb 4 + Feb 5 to celebrate #WorldReadAloudDay, including evening times for international schools! 🗺️

Check out the link to my schedule and how to contact me via the post below 👇
chiaracolombi.com Chiara Colombi @chiaracolombi.com · Dec 19
Hi #teachers, #librarians, + #edusky! To celebrate my 2nd 🚀 picture book's release on Tues, Feb 4, + World Read Aloud Day on Wed, Feb 5, I'm offering free virtual visits both days!

View my availability, *including evening times for international schools* 🌎🌍🌏: bit.ly/25wrad

Contact info in thread!
2025 World Read Aloud Day: author Chiara Colombi's schedule
bit.ly
January 23, 2025 at 6:59 AM
chiaracolombi.com
I’m so grateful to the organizers of @kidlitforla.bsky.social for helping the children’s publishing industry unite in raising funds to support wildfire relief efforts in Los Angeles. My donation is one among 380 items in the auction which runs through Sunday, January 26th (until 9pm PST)!
Details about my auction item for the Kidlit for Los Angeles silent auction. The graphic includes the auction’s logo, my author photo, and the covers of my two Rocket Ship picture books. The silent auction item description reads “Don’t miss out! Picture book critique + 30 min Zoom + signed books, from author Chiara Colombi”. Details about the Kidlit for Los Angeles silent auction. The graphic features the auction logo and the text: “Auction raising funds for Los Angeles wildfire relief. Win signed books, original art, school visits, critiques, and AMAs from award-winning authors and illustrators, agents, and editors! Jeff Kinney, Kate DiCamillo, Suzanne Collins, Tui T. Sutherland, Vashti Harrison, Karen M. McManus, Donna Barba Higuera, Alan Gratz, Katherine Applegate, and many more!”
January 22, 2025 at 4:26 PM
chiaracolombi.com
What's your favorite moon phase? While I do love a waxing crescent, there's something mesmerizing about the crisp precision of a quarter moon. Today’s third quarter moon rose just past midnight...and ROCKET BEAMS, LUNAR DREAMS by me and Scott Magoon rises in just 2 weeks!!
An illustration of a quarter moon against a starry background. On the dark side of the moon is a large number 2 and illustrations of a rocket ship deploying a lunar lander. A graphic featuring the cover of picture book ROCKET BEAMS, LUNAR DREAMS, hovering above the illustrated surface of the Moon and a starry background. Around the book cover are the words “PRE-ORDER LINK IN BIO” and the date “2.4.25”. Alongside the book cover is the book cover of the series’s first book ROCKET SHIP, SOLO TRIP.
January 21, 2025 at 4:21 PM
chiaracolombi.com
Yayyyyyy!!! Welcome #kidlit author, @rienealwriter.bsky.social!! 💫🌒👩🏻‍🚀
rienealwriter.bsky.social Rie Neal (she/her) @rienealwriter.bsky.social · Jan 15
Hello Bluesky! 👋🏻
January 16, 2025 at 5:23 AM
chiaracolombi.com
With ROCKET BEAMS, LUNAR DREAMS’s countdown officially underway, I’m excited to announce my February launch events: Rocket Ship + Lunar Lander are heading to the Moon at 3 iconic Bay Area bookstores! I would be so happy to see you + your fellow space enthusiasts at any of these events. #kidlit 🚀🌔
A graphic featuring an illustration of the Moon against a starry background, with a schedule of bookstore events, two picture book covers, and an author photo overlayed on the surface of the Moon. Along the top of the Moon are the words “Rocket Ship Events”, and along the bottom are the words “Reading + signing, + free mission patch stickers”. The schedule of events shows the same details as shared in the thread.
January 15, 2025 at 4:26 PM
chiaracolombi.com
Anyone else gaze up at last night’s full moon and wish they could get just a little bit closer? I couldn’t imagine a better wish to kick off the countdown to Rocket’s next mission. 🌝 ROCKET BEAMS, LUNAR DREAMS, by me + Scott Magoon, lands in bookstores + libraries in just 3 weeks on 2/4/25!!
#kidlit
An illustration of a waxing crescent moon against a starry background. On the dark side of the moon is a large number 3 and illustrations of a rocket ship transporting a lunar lander. A graphic featuring the cover of picture book ROCKET BEAMS, LUNAR DREAMS, hovering above the illustrated surface of the Moon and a starry background. Around the book cover are the words “PRE-ORDER LINK IN BIO” and the date “2.4.25”. Alongside the book cover is the book cover of the series’s first book ROCKET SHIP, SOLO TRIP.
January 15, 2025 at 5:34 AM
chiaracolombi.com
Anyone else know of PB agents who ask for multiple manuscripts in your initial query? Add them to the thread! And check out the podcast to hear why @brennajeanneret.bsky.social, @joshmonkwords.bsky.social, and I think this should be the industry norm. 👀
January 12, 2025 at 5:46 AM
chiaracolombi.com
Of all the magic I’ve experienced since Rocket launched into the world, nothing brings happy tears to my eyes quite like this: I am honored + humbled + so grateful to share that Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library has chosen Rocket Ship, Solo Trip by me + Scott Magoon as one of their 2025 books!!! ☺️
Country singer/songwriter Dolly Parton, smiling, dressed in white, and holding a picture book, against a light blue background. Alongside Dolly is the logo of Dolly Parton's Imagination Library, surrounded by the words "Proud to be a part of Dolly Parton's Imagination Library 2025". An illustration from the picture book Rocket Ship, Solo Trip, featuring Rocket Ship on the launch pad alongside the ground control tower. Rocket Ship is looking up at the night sky and full moon with a smile. The surface of the Moon bears the logo and tagline of Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library. The tagline reads “Dream more, Learn more, Care more, Be more.”
January 8, 2025 at 3:54 PM