Colleen Paeff
@colleenpaeff.bsky.social
Rhymes with laugh | Sibert Honor author of THE GREAT STINK | Next up: FIREFLY SONG 6/25 and RAINBOW TRUCK 3/26 | School visits are my favorite! | Los Angeles, CA
www.colleenpaeff.com
Agent: @steelworksliterary.bsky.social
www.colleenpaeff.com
Agent: @steelworksliterary.bsky.social
Pinned
Colleen Paeff
@colleenpaeff.bsky.social
· Jun 10
FIREFLY SONG is out today! I can't wait for you to read the true story of the woman who discovered the first documented species of synchronous fireflies in the Western Hemisphere! #amightygirl #tennessee #GSMNP #fireflies @simonkids.bsky.social @ssedlib.bsky.social @steelworksliterary.bsky.social
BOXER BABY BATTLES BEDTIME by @pragmaticmom.bsky.social and Kai Gietzen is my new go-to gift for baby showers and toddler birthday parties. It’s fun and funny and it really does sound like a boxing match! Even better, there’s a glossary of boxing lingo. So! Much! Fun! #boxing #figurativelanguage
October 25, 2025 at 12:13 AM
BOXER BABY BATTLES BEDTIME by @pragmaticmom.bsky.social and Kai Gietzen is my new go-to gift for baby showers and toddler birthday parties. It’s fun and funny and it really does sound like a boxing match! Even better, there’s a glossary of boxing lingo. So! Much! Fun! #boxing #figurativelanguage
Nonfiction picture books are hard enough to write in prose, but @lindsayhmetcalf.bsky.social manages to delight and inform in RHYME! Pick up OUTDOOR FARM, INDOOR FARM as an alternative to the standard children's book about farm life and discover a whole new world, beautifully illustrated by Xin Li.
October 24, 2025 at 9:03 PM
Nonfiction picture books are hard enough to write in prose, but @lindsayhmetcalf.bsky.social manages to delight and inform in RHYME! Pick up OUTDOOR FARM, INDOOR FARM as an alternative to the standard children's book about farm life and discover a whole new world, beautifully illustrated by Xin Li.
Adorable. Cozy. Comforting. Funny. If you're looking for a book that's both hilarious and heart-warming, this is it. @abicushman.com and Charlotte Offsay create the best kind of noise in The Quiet Forest.
October 24, 2025 at 8:30 PM
Adorable. Cozy. Comforting. Funny. If you're looking for a book that's both hilarious and heart-warming, this is it. @abicushman.com and Charlotte Offsay create the best kind of noise in The Quiet Forest.
Reposted by Colleen Paeff
🎙️New podcast episode! Where's the line between nonfiction vs informational fiction in #kidlit?
@colleenpaeff.bsky.social & I explore why "Firefly Song" stayed nonfiction while "Pufflings Fly Free" needed fictional elements. 🐧
Plus Obsidian research tips!
🎧YouTube link: https://youtu.be/ic5E9T5LUzk
@colleenpaeff.bsky.social & I explore why "Firefly Song" stayed nonfiction while "Pufflings Fly Free" needed fictional elements. 🐧
Plus Obsidian research tips!
🎧YouTube link: https://youtu.be/ic5E9T5LUzk
August 1, 2025 at 3:01 PM
🎙️New podcast episode! Where's the line between nonfiction vs informational fiction in #kidlit?
@colleenpaeff.bsky.social & I explore why "Firefly Song" stayed nonfiction while "Pufflings Fly Free" needed fictional elements. 🐧
Plus Obsidian research tips!
🎧YouTube link: https://youtu.be/ic5E9T5LUzk
@colleenpaeff.bsky.social & I explore why "Firefly Song" stayed nonfiction while "Pufflings Fly Free" needed fictional elements. 🐧
Plus Obsidian research tips!
🎧YouTube link: https://youtu.be/ic5E9T5LUzk
THE GREAT STINK got a mention in the @washingtonpost.com!
Q: My 6-year-old son loves encyclopedia-type books, such as the DK Eyewitness books. This makes bedtime reading particularly challenging for me as a fiction lover. How can I get my curious son into stories?
Answer:
Q: My 6-year-old son loves encyclopedia-type books, such as the DK Eyewitness books. This makes bedtime reading particularly challenging for me as a fiction lover. How can I get my curious son into stories?
Answer:
September 3, 2025 at 5:34 PM
THE GREAT STINK got a mention in the @washingtonpost.com!
Q: My 6-year-old son loves encyclopedia-type books, such as the DK Eyewitness books. This makes bedtime reading particularly challenging for me as a fiction lover. How can I get my curious son into stories?
Answer:
Q: My 6-year-old son loves encyclopedia-type books, such as the DK Eyewitness books. This makes bedtime reading particularly challenging for me as a fiction lover. How can I get my curious son into stories?
Answer:
GIVEAWAY! I'm giving away a copy of the fabulous field guide to fireflies, written by Lynn Faust, plus a copy of FIREFLY SONG, my picture book biography of Lynn (who discovered a synchronous species of firefly in the Smoky Mnts!). Sign up for my newsletter to be entered to win! www.colleenpaeff.com
I wish I could send everyone who's been posting about fireflies (or lightning bugs) in their yards a copy of Lynn Frierson Faust's fabulous field guide--but there are too many of you! However, I CAN give away a copy to one of my newsletter subscribers. Sign up by 7/15 to enter! www.colleenpaeff.com
July 9, 2025 at 6:47 PM
GIVEAWAY! I'm giving away a copy of the fabulous field guide to fireflies, written by Lynn Faust, plus a copy of FIREFLY SONG, my picture book biography of Lynn (who discovered a synchronous species of firefly in the Smoky Mnts!). Sign up for my newsletter to be entered to win! www.colleenpaeff.com
When I have an idea for a book, if it doesn't have four specific qualities, it's probably not a good fit for a picture book. Find out what those qualities are in this interview!
Q&A with Colleen Paeff about her new children's picture book, FIREFLY SONG.
tinyurl.com/mvpxcxm2
@colleenpaeff.bsky.social
tinyurl.com/mvpxcxm2
@colleenpaeff.bsky.social
July 9, 2025 at 4:51 PM
When I have an idea for a book, if it doesn't have four specific qualities, it's probably not a good fit for a picture book. Find out what those qualities are in this interview!
High praise for FIREFLY SONG! Thanks for spreading the word, Simon! 💚
This is a brilliant book about Scientific discovery.
“Firefly Song” by @colleenpaeff.bsky.social and #JiHyukKim tells the wonderful story of Lynn Frierson Faust who from noticing and observing as a child went on to make an amazing discovery about synchronous fireflies. Magical. #PicturebookPage
“Firefly Song” by @colleenpaeff.bsky.social and #JiHyukKim tells the wonderful story of Lynn Frierson Faust who from noticing and observing as a child went on to make an amazing discovery about synchronous fireflies. Magical. #PicturebookPage
July 9, 2025 at 4:43 PM
High praise for FIREFLY SONG! Thanks for spreading the word, Simon! 💚
I wish I could send everyone who's been posting about fireflies (or lightning bugs) in their yards a copy of Lynn Frierson Faust's fabulous field guide--but there are too many of you! However, I CAN give away a copy to one of my newsletter subscribers. Sign up by 7/15 to enter! www.colleenpaeff.com
July 2, 2025 at 2:58 PM
I wish I could send everyone who's been posting about fireflies (or lightning bugs) in their yards a copy of Lynn Frierson Faust's fabulous field guide--but there are too many of you! However, I CAN give away a copy to one of my newsletter subscribers. Sign up by 7/15 to enter! www.colleenpaeff.com
Who else will be at ALA Annual this weekend!? Come find me on Friday from 6-6:30 at the @simonkids.bsky.social booth #405 and drop a comment here to let me know where I can find YOU! Big thanks to @ssedlib.bsky.social for making this signing happen! ❤️ #ALAAC25 #ALA25 @steelworksliterary.bsky.social
June 25, 2025 at 10:43 PM
Who else will be at ALA Annual this weekend!? Come find me on Friday from 6-6:30 at the @simonkids.bsky.social booth #405 and drop a comment here to let me know where I can find YOU! Big thanks to @ssedlib.bsky.social for making this signing happen! ❤️ #ALAAC25 #ALA25 @steelworksliterary.bsky.social
Reposted by Colleen Paeff
35 Picture Book Fiction Series Perfect for Comfort and Discovery
Comfort and Discovery: 35 Picture Book Fiction Series
These bright additions to picture book series will allow children to go on new adventures with familiar characters.
www.slj.com
June 25, 2025 at 7:24 PM
35 Picture Book Fiction Series Perfect for Comfort and Discovery
Congratulations to my critique partner @drliztracy.bsky.social!!! I love this book (and its author) so much. #amightygirl #soapboxderby #womeninSTEM #engineering #EDUsky
Congratulations to STEAM Team member Liz Tracy on her debut picture book! MYSTERY DRIVER (illustrated by Anna Aronson) tells the story of how Alice Johnson placed in the very first soap box derby race (even though it was just for boys). 🏁 @drliztracy.bsky.social
drliztracy.com/books/myster...
drliztracy.com/books/myster...
MYSTERY DRIVER - Elizabeth Tracy, PhD
The Story of Alice Johnson and the First Soap Box Derby Illustrated by Anna Aronson AVAILABLE NOW Alice is determined to build the fastest car in the boys-only soap box derby in this empowering true t...
drliztracy.com
June 24, 2025 at 5:33 PM
Congratulations to my critique partner @drliztracy.bsky.social!!! I love this book (and its author) so much. #amightygirl #soapboxderby #womeninSTEM #engineering #EDUsky
Reposted by Colleen Paeff
AABB-RI co-chair @jbradley.bsky.social was on @wgbh.org ‘s Under the Radar with Callie Crossley tonight as part of a round table discussion about the impact of censorship on authors. If you missed it live, stream it here (The whole series is great!) www.wgbh.org/culture/book...
Unbound Pages: Authors Against Book Bans fights for the freedom to read
The organization brings together authors from all genres and for all ages in support of the freedom to read.
www.wgbh.org
June 23, 2025 at 1:03 AM
AABB-RI co-chair @jbradley.bsky.social was on @wgbh.org ‘s Under the Radar with Callie Crossley tonight as part of a round table discussion about the impact of censorship on authors. If you missed it live, stream it here (The whole series is great!) www.wgbh.org/culture/book...
Sign up to receive my newsletter by July 2 for a chance to win FIREFLY SONG: LYNN FRIERSON FAUST & THE GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAIN DISCOVERY, plus a copy of FIREFLIES, GLOW-WORMS & LIGHTNING BUGS, Lynn's field guide to N. American fireflies! www.colleenpaeff.com #fireflies #STEMeducation #EDUsky
June 23, 2025 at 8:08 PM
Sign up to receive my newsletter by July 2 for a chance to win FIREFLY SONG: LYNN FRIERSON FAUST & THE GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAIN DISCOVERY, plus a copy of FIREFLIES, GLOW-WORMS & LIGHTNING BUGS, Lynn's field guide to N. American fireflies! www.colleenpaeff.com #fireflies #STEMeducation #EDUsky
FIREFLY SONG was mentioned as a "Hot read for long summer days" in the Lansing State Journal! Thank you to the librarians of the Capital Area District Library! #summerreadsforkids #nonfictionforkids #fireflies
www.lansingstatejournal.com/story/life/2...
www.lansingstatejournal.com/story/life/2...
Hot reads for long summer days: CADL literary experts share recommendations
Literary experts at the Capital Area District Libraries recommend these titles to jumpstart your summer reading
www.lansingstatejournal.com
June 18, 2025 at 9:16 PM
FIREFLY SONG was mentioned as a "Hot read for long summer days" in the Lansing State Journal! Thank you to the librarians of the Capital Area District Library! #summerreadsforkids #nonfictionforkids #fireflies
www.lansingstatejournal.com/story/life/2...
www.lansingstatejournal.com/story/life/2...
Check out @patricianewman.bsky.social's LitLinks for a free activity on the art of persuasive letter writing! www.patriciamnewman.com/litlinks-how...
#biology #amightygirl #edusky #persuasivewriting #womeninstem #LitLink #writingresource #fireflies #GSMNP #elkmont #synchronousfireflies
#biology #amightygirl #edusky #persuasivewriting #womeninstem #LitLink #writingresource #fireflies #GSMNP #elkmont #synchronousfireflies
June 18, 2025 at 6:24 PM
Check out @patricianewman.bsky.social's LitLinks for a free activity on the art of persuasive letter writing! www.patriciamnewman.com/litlinks-how...
#biology #amightygirl #edusky #persuasivewriting #womeninstem #LitLink #writingresource #fireflies #GSMNP #elkmont #synchronousfireflies
#biology #amightygirl #edusky #persuasivewriting #womeninstem #LitLink #writingresource #fireflies #GSMNP #elkmont #synchronousfireflies
Reposted by Colleen Paeff
This week, NPR is focusing reports on the climate. Here's my contribution to climate information for kids! #stem #climate #NPR #kidlit #edusky #TLSky #readaloud #steamteambooks
CLIMATE: How Wladimir Köppen Studied Weather and Drew the First Climate Map
Elementary science history. Who created the idea for climate? How do we track climate change? By looking at maps created by meteorologist Wladimir Koppen! Come read this story that explains weather an...
mimshousebooks.com
June 16, 2025 at 6:51 PM
This week, NPR is focusing reports on the climate. Here's my contribution to climate information for kids! #stem #climate #NPR #kidlit #edusky #TLSky #readaloud #steamteambooks
I love Vicky Fang's interactive A to Z book, ALPHABOT! It's so much more than an alphabet book! Highly recommended for young robot fans, grown-up luddites, and everyone in between! Build robots and learn stuff!
#robots #creativity #STEM #STEAM #robotics #CSed
bookshop.org/p/books/alph...
#robots #creativity #STEM #STEAM #robotics #CSed
bookshop.org/p/books/alph...
AlphaBot
Check out AlphaBot - <b>Even the youngest robotocists will love flipping the flaps to create their own robot—while exploring a simple <i>A</i> to <i>Z</i> roundup of robotics terms. </b><br><br>...
bookshop.org
June 17, 2025 at 2:01 AM
I love Vicky Fang's interactive A to Z book, ALPHABOT! It's so much more than an alphabet book! Highly recommended for young robot fans, grown-up luddites, and everyone in between! Build robots and learn stuff!
#robots #creativity #STEM #STEAM #robotics #CSed
bookshop.org/p/books/alph...
#robots #creativity #STEM #STEAM #robotics #CSed
bookshop.org/p/books/alph...
Reposted by Colleen Paeff
Explore summer with Firefly Song, the new nonfiction picture book by Sibert Honoree @colleenpaeff.bsky.social. THIS Saturday, June 14th at 2 pm, Colleen will read her story, share her writing process, answer questions from the audience, and then sign books. Best for ages 4+.
June 14, 2025 at 12:50 AM
Explore summer with Firefly Song, the new nonfiction picture book by Sibert Honoree @colleenpaeff.bsky.social. THIS Saturday, June 14th at 2 pm, Colleen will read her story, share her writing process, answer questions from the audience, and then sign books. Best for ages 4+.
Best book launch EVER! Thank you @shoponceuponatime.bsky.social for hosting the FIREFLY SONG launch party and thanks to everyone who came out to help me celebrate. What a perfect day!! @steelworksliterary.bsky.social @simonkids.bsky.social @ssedlib.bsky.social
June 16, 2025 at 12:08 AM
Best book launch EVER! Thank you @shoponceuponatime.bsky.social for hosting the FIREFLY SONG launch party and thanks to everyone who came out to help me celebrate. What a perfect day!! @steelworksliterary.bsky.social @simonkids.bsky.social @ssedlib.bsky.social
See you soon!!!
Explore summer with Firefly Song, the new nonfiction picture book by Sibert Honoree @colleenpaeff.bsky.social. THIS Saturday, June 14th at 2 pm, Colleen will read her story, share her writing process, answer questions from the audience, and then sign books. Best for ages 4+.
June 14, 2025 at 4:06 AM
See you soon!!!
FIREFLY SONG is out today! I can't wait for you to read the true story of the woman who discovered the first documented species of synchronous fireflies in the Western Hemisphere! #amightygirl #tennessee #GSMNP #fireflies @simonkids.bsky.social @ssedlib.bsky.social @steelworksliterary.bsky.social
June 10, 2025 at 6:53 PM
FIREFLY SONG is out today! I can't wait for you to read the true story of the woman who discovered the first documented species of synchronous fireflies in the Western Hemisphere! #amightygirl #tennessee #GSMNP #fireflies @simonkids.bsky.social @ssedlib.bsky.social @steelworksliterary.bsky.social
Thank you, Maria, for such a fun interview!
Discover @colleenpaeff.bsky.social 's exquisitely illustrated, lyrical, informational biography of a self-taught naturalist who became a preeminent expert on fireflies. www.mariacmarshall.com/single-post/... Ji-Hyuk Kim Margaret K. McElderry Books #kidlit #biography #picturebook
June 10, 2025 at 6:50 PM
Thank you, Maria, for such a fun interview!
Young naturalists will ❤️ MILKWEED FOR MONARCHS by @christinevanzandt.bsky.social & Alejandra Barajas. It blends lilting rhyme & just-right facts to create a book that will satisfy & delight anyone who's curious about the natural world. @steamteambooks.bsky.social www.beamingbooks.com/store/produc...
Milkweed for Monarchs
In this lyrical account of a monarch butterfly's life cycle and environmental impact, rhythmic prose and intriguing facts bring this beautiful insect flying right off the page.
www.beamingbooks.com
June 8, 2025 at 1:51 AM
Young naturalists will ❤️ MILKWEED FOR MONARCHS by @christinevanzandt.bsky.social & Alejandra Barajas. It blends lilting rhyme & just-right facts to create a book that will satisfy & delight anyone who's curious about the natural world. @steamteambooks.bsky.social www.beamingbooks.com/store/produc...
Have you ever wondered about the story behind the Louvre's glass pyramid? Wonder no more! This fascinating picture book by @jeannewharvey.bsky.social & Khoa Le explains the inspiration, struggles, and successes of this famous structure and the man behind it.
www.simonandschuster.com/books/The-Gl...
www.simonandschuster.com/books/The-Gl...
The Glass Pyramid
Two starred reviews! In this “stunning” (Booklist, starred review) picture book, award-winning picture book biographer Jeanne Walker Harvey tells t...
www.simonandschuster.com
June 7, 2025 at 6:59 PM
Have you ever wondered about the story behind the Louvre's glass pyramid? Wonder no more! This fascinating picture book by @jeannewharvey.bsky.social & Khoa Le explains the inspiration, struggles, and successes of this famous structure and the man behind it.
www.simonandschuster.com/books/The-Gl...
www.simonandschuster.com/books/The-Gl...