Harold Underdown
@hunderdown.bsky.social
2.7K followers 250 following 1.8K posts
I'm a children's book editor, teacher and workshop presenter, owner of The Purple Crayon website -- www.underdown.org I post about #kidlit, but I do have opinions about other things and will share them as well.
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hunderdown.bsky.social
A reminder: NEXT week I will be offering "Publishing Trends, Market Shifts, and Opportunities," online via @highlightsfound.bsky.social, October 14 and 16, recording available, and resources included. $59

See the screenshot below for details or go here: www.highlightsfoundation.org/workshop/pub...
Banner graphic for "Publishing Trends, Market Shifts, and Opportunities."

October 14 and 16, 7-8:15 PM Eastern

with Harold Underdown Workshop details:

Another reminder, because I think this is going to be very useful, and I don't want anyone who would benefit to miss it: NEXT week is when I will be offering "Publishing Trends, Market Shifts, and Opportunities," online via The Highlights Foundation, on the evenings of October 14 and 16, with a recording available, and resources included. $59
On Tuesday, I'll be covering:
--different kinds of change in publishing, from fads to trends to market shifts, and how to respond to them
--how to do your own research into trends
--a short history of market shifts in children's publishing, from circa 1960 to today
--a look at the big market shift of this century
On Thursday, I'll move on to:
--the trends! from picture books to young adult, fiction and nonfiction
--the changes in publishing from outside of it, mainly
--diverse voices and banned books,
--technology, and especially AI
Reposted by Harold Underdown
aawayne.bsky.social
“Oklahomans would lose their mind if Pritzker in Illinois sent troops down to Oklahoma during the Biden administration.”

The Republican chair of the National Governors Association breaks with Trump.

www.nytimes.com/2025/10/09/u...
Oklahoma’s Republican Governor Criticizes National Guard Deployment in Chicago
www.nytimes.com
Reposted by Harold Underdown
hunderdown.bsky.social
A reminder: NEXT week I will be offering "Publishing Trends, Market Shifts, and Opportunities," online via @highlightsfound.bsky.social, October 14 and 16, recording available, and resources included. $59

See the screenshot below for details or go here: www.highlightsfoundation.org/workshop/pub...
Banner graphic for "Publishing Trends, Market Shifts, and Opportunities."

October 14 and 16, 7-8:15 PM Eastern

with Harold Underdown Workshop details:

Another reminder, because I think this is going to be very useful, and I don't want anyone who would benefit to miss it: NEXT week is when I will be offering "Publishing Trends, Market Shifts, and Opportunities," online via The Highlights Foundation, on the evenings of October 14 and 16, with a recording available, and resources included. $59
On Tuesday, I'll be covering:
--different kinds of change in publishing, from fads to trends to market shifts, and how to respond to them
--how to do your own research into trends
--a short history of market shifts in children's publishing, from circa 1960 to today
--a look at the big market shift of this century
On Thursday, I'll move on to:
--the trends! from picture books to young adult, fiction and nonfiction
--the changes in publishing from outside of it, mainly
--diverse voices and banned books,
--technology, and especially AI
hunderdown.bsky.social
This excludes my entire family on one side or the other!
hunderdown.bsky.social
For me this raises a question: Is this relevant if you don't have a swimming pool in your workplace?
hunderdown.bsky.social
A reminder: NEXT week I will be offering "Publishing Trends, Market Shifts, and Opportunities," online via @highlightsfound.bsky.social, October 14 and 16, recording available, and resources included. $59

See the screenshot below for details or go here: www.highlightsfoundation.org/workshop/pub...
Banner graphic for "Publishing Trends, Market Shifts, and Opportunities."

October 14 and 16, 7-8:15 PM Eastern

with Harold Underdown Workshop details:

Another reminder, because I think this is going to be very useful, and I don't want anyone who would benefit to miss it: NEXT week is when I will be offering "Publishing Trends, Market Shifts, and Opportunities," online via The Highlights Foundation, on the evenings of October 14 and 16, with a recording available, and resources included. $59
On Tuesday, I'll be covering:
--different kinds of change in publishing, from fads to trends to market shifts, and how to respond to them
--how to do your own research into trends
--a short history of market shifts in children's publishing, from circa 1960 to today
--a look at the big market shift of this century
On Thursday, I'll move on to:
--the trends! from picture books to young adult, fiction and nonfiction
--the changes in publishing from outside of it, mainly
--diverse voices and banned books,
--technology, and especially AI
Reposted by Harold Underdown
radleybalko.bsky.social
Nothing remotely resembling an insurrection is happening anywhere in the country. Any violence associated with protest has been isolated, mild, and, in nearly every case, instigated by federal law enforcement. If we let Trump get away with calling dissent an insurrection, our republic is over.
BREAKING: Trump Admin 'Seriously' Considering Using the Insurrection Act, Reports NBC
President Trump is "seriously" considering invoking the Insurrection Act in order to more easily deploy National Guard troops to major cities as part of crime crackdown, NBC reported on Wednesday
www.mediaite.com
Reposted by Harold Underdown
gavinyamey.bsky.social
“A study, published on Wednesday in the New England Journal of Medicine, showed that last season’s 2024–2025 mRNA COVID vaccines reduced people’s risk of emergency department visits by 29%, their risk of hospitalizations by 39% & their risk of death by 64%”

Benefits were seen even if 0 risk factors
sorenlarsen.bsky.social
Annual COVID Vaccines Protect People against Severe Disease, Even with Prior Immunity

"The new research also “calls into question the idea that younger individuals and those without risk factors don’t need the vaccine,” Viswanathan says."
Annual COVID Vaccines Save Lives, New Study Shows
A new study shows that receiving an updated COVID vaccine reduced people’s risk of severe disease and death in all age groups, regardless of immunity from prior infection or vaccination
www.scientificamerican.com
Reposted by Harold Underdown
jenswanbooks.bsky.social
Day 2 of my Atlas Obscuras Explorer's Guide to Inventing the World tour! I met with sooo many amazing students, teachers, and educators. Plus a stop at @childrensbookworld.bsky.social! Huge thanks to @workmanpubkids.bsky.social for setting this up! #sciencerocks #readingrocks #stembooksforkids
hunderdown.bsky.social
If you can, take the battery out. Let it dry for as long as possible--I would give it a couple of days. You want to make sure that it's *completely* dry inside.
Reposted by Harold Underdown
leguinbot.bsky.social
You cannot buy the revolution. You cannot make the revolution. You can only be the revolution. It is in your spirit, or it is nowhere.
hunderdown.bsky.social
And if you want to talk about someone with a "broader audience"... I mean, Bad Bunny is a global superstar!
Reposted by Harold Underdown
chris-bh.bsky.social
#HillfortsWednesday
Between 1795-1816 the hillforts of #Dorset were part of a chain of visual shutter relay telegraph stations for the Admiralty connecting Plymouth to London. The chain included the high Hillforts of Lewesdon, Bulbarrow and Hambledon and at the racetrack by Badbury Rings
1/14
hunderdown.bsky.social
In NYC, it's Houston Street.
Reposted by Harold Underdown
redgoldsparks.bsky.social
It's Banned Books Week. If you are an author, please join @authorsabb.bsky.social! If you work in the publishing industry, please join @pubprosabb.bsky.social! Canadian authors, you can now join Canadian Authors & Illustrators Against Book bans: linktr.ee/caiabb. Working together feels good! 📚✍️👏
The black and white cover of a zine titled Do you make books? Yes? I want YOU to join Authors Against Book Bans! By Maia Kobabe. The image shows author Maia Kobabe holding a stack of books and pointing at the reader
WHAT IS AABB? 
A coalition of writers, illustrators, editors & other book creators, standing united against the unconstitutional movement to limit the freedom to read. We support the availability of diverse voices in our libraries, in our schools, & in our culture. We pledge to band together against the oppression of literature, to speak when our voices are silenced, to go where our bodies are needed, & to fight to ensure this freedom.

Our concern is not only for the books, but for the children, families, educators,
librarians, & communities who suffer when the freedom to read is challenged and taken away.

WHAT CAN AABB OFFER YOU? 
- Regional groups working on legislation to protect authors & the freedom to read state-by-state
- Online trainings on digital security, public speaking, & how to counter book challenges in your community
-Affinity groups for BIPOC authors, queer authors, authors with disabilities, indie, nonfiction, romance writers & more
-Support if your book is challenged or your school visit is canceled!
-A very active discord community
Person: What if my book hasn’t been challenged? 
Maia: JOIN!
Person: Ok, but what if I’m really busy and can’t do much organizing right now? 
Maia: JOIN ANYWAY! 

Even if all you do is sign up, your membership will help lend weight to the letters & statements AABB sends out. As of fall 2025, AABB has nearly 5000 members. Check out the open letter to publishers on AABB’s socials & feel free to share it with your publishing & industry contacts. 

An Open Letter to Our Publishers- instagram.com/p/DCzYmKcR8uq
Maia: I’ve been facing intense challenges to my book since 2021. Knowing that I am not alone in the fight against censorship is what keeps my spirits up! 

Watching the folks in AABB share information, co-write legislation, show up to library & school board meetings, & speak up to publishers about the need to protect diverse books & minority authors has been amazing! 

This is a weird & scary time to be an author, but you are not alone! Join thousands of us fighting for the freedom to read, the freedom to write, the freedom to teach, the freedom to learn, & the freedom to share our stories!
-Maia Kobabe, 2025
Reposted by Harold Underdown
mychal3ts.bsky.social
🎶 Take a look, it's in a book 🎶

🥹 After nearly 20 years... Reading Rainbow is returning to motivate, help, and encourage kids to become avid readers with new episodes, new friends, new projects, and of course... new books! Make sure to follow the rainbow 📚🌈

#FollowTheRainbow
hunderdown.bsky.social
So, that video clip is from 2019. Is that when he said that, or did he say that in 2025? Thanks.
Reposted by Harold Underdown
atrupar.com
Pritzker: "It's unconscionable. This has never happened before. They're calling out troops onto the streets of a state that doesn't want them and they're not even telling us where they're gonna go, what they're gonna do. This hasn't happened I don't think since the Civil War."
Reposted by Harold Underdown
cherylklein.bsky.social
Many years ago I wrote on Twitter that I wanted to publish a MG novel about scoliosis (which I wore a brace for from ages 10-16). @katemckean.bsky.social said “I rep a manuscript for that!”, she sent it to me & I bought it, & it became BRACED, the debut by now-bestselling author Alyson Gerber.
conradhackett.bsky.social
Has anything great happened in your life because of social media?
Reposted by Harold Underdown
kidlitgn.bsky.social
#Agents, #editors & #publishers we have SO MANY kids-YA graphic novel pitches at kidlitgn.com! Reply to any pitch you want to see with your sub guidelines, or add your guidelines here: kidlitgn.com/submission-d... #KidLitGN's 2025 pitch event ends Oct. 31 #pitchevent #kidlit
KidLitGN – Hosting Pitch Events For Creators of Kids through YA Graphic Novels
kidlitgn.com
Reposted by Harold Underdown
atrupar.com
Johnson: "He has defunded our education system. He has defunded our transportation system. He's firing black women across this country. He's defunding our healthcare system. This president is absolutely out of control... Chicago is going to stand firm in protecting humanity."
Reposted by Harold Underdown
ddayen.bsky.social
So this is funny.
The administration just issued a rule slashing foreign agricultural worker wages. And to justify it, in a public filing, Trump's Labor Department alleges that Trump's immigration enforcement has devastated the Ag workforce and caused a "risk of supply shock-induced food shortages."
Trump Labor Department Says His Immigration Raids Are Causing a Food Crisis
In a filing in the Federal Register, the Labor Department argues there are “immediate dangers to the American food supply” due to a lack of migrant agricultural workers.
prospect.org
Reposted by Harold Underdown
heykellyjensen.bsky.social
Today's big story. Today's reminder that yes, state library associations *can* do something.

South Carolina school librarians have been fighting incredibly hard against the censorship bring brought across the state by their Education Superintendent and not being seen for it.
heykellyjensen.bsky.social
**NEW**

Today, the ACLU of South Carolina filed a lawsuit on behalf of public school students and school librarians. They're challenging the constitutionality of the state's book banning law and a memo outlining the state's content censorship policy.

bookriot.com/aclu-sc-laws...
Image of lady justice beside a stack of books.