Harold Underdown
@hunderdown.bsky.social
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.
I post about #kidlit, but I do have opinions about other things and will share them as well.
Pinned
Kindling Words is holding an auction to benefit our scholarship fund, with signed #kidlit and #yalit books, consultations, critiques, and more!
See what's being offered here: www.32auctions.com/KindlingWords
See what's being offered here: www.32auctions.com/KindlingWords
Reposted by Harold Underdown
More elections are already around the corner, mere days.
And Democrats have opportunities to build on their November gains by flipping more offices: in Tennessee, in Georgia, in Florida.
And that's just the tip of a busy election month.
My new guide, just out:
And Democrats have opportunities to build on their November gains by flipping more offices: in Tennessee, in Georgia, in Florida.
And that's just the tip of a busy election month.
My new guide, just out:
The 25 Elections to Watch This December - Bolts
On the heels of their sweeping wins in November, Democrats have opportunities to gain further ground in December runoffs and special elections. They’re hoping for upsets in conservative territory, fro...
boltsmag.org
November 25, 2025 at 6:01 PM
More elections are already around the corner, mere days.
And Democrats have opportunities to build on their November gains by flipping more offices: in Tennessee, in Georgia, in Florida.
And that's just the tip of a busy election month.
My new guide, just out:
And Democrats have opportunities to build on their November gains by flipping more offices: in Tennessee, in Georgia, in Florida.
And that's just the tip of a busy election month.
My new guide, just out:
Reposted by Harold Underdown
I’ve been running around asking tech execs and academics if language was the same as intelligence for over a year now - and, well, it isn’t. @benjaminjriley.bsky.social explains how the bubble is built on ignoring cutting-edge research into the science of thought www.theverge.com/ai-artificia...
November 25, 2025 at 1:54 PM
I’ve been running around asking tech execs and academics if language was the same as intelligence for over a year now - and, well, it isn’t. @benjaminjriley.bsky.social explains how the bubble is built on ignoring cutting-edge research into the science of thought www.theverge.com/ai-artificia...
Kindling Words is holding an auction to benefit our scholarship fund, with signed #kidlit and #yalit books, consultations, critiques, and more!
See what's being offered here: www.32auctions.com/KindlingWords
See what's being offered here: www.32auctions.com/KindlingWords
November 25, 2025 at 7:14 PM
Kindling Words is holding an auction to benefit our scholarship fund, with signed #kidlit and #yalit books, consultations, critiques, and more!
See what's being offered here: www.32auctions.com/KindlingWords
See what's being offered here: www.32auctions.com/KindlingWords
Reposted by Harold Underdown
This is appalling: the jury system is a fundamental aspect of the British approach to justice, ensuring that individuals are judged by their peers & not just by a legal professional.
Essentially, it keeps justice in the hands of the people
Essentially, it keeps justice in the hands of the people
Jury trials could be scrapped except in most serious cases
Jury trials could be scrapped except in most serious cases
Only cases of alleged murder, rape or manslaughter will be decided by a jury under new proposals to cut court backlogs.
www.bbc.com
November 25, 2025 at 5:35 PM
This is appalling: the jury system is a fundamental aspect of the British approach to justice, ensuring that individuals are judged by their peers & not just by a legal professional.
Essentially, it keeps justice in the hands of the people
Essentially, it keeps justice in the hands of the people
Reposted by Harold Underdown
This is what AABB has been talking about. This is a truly insane overreach, and people on the ground are really scared.
1. In Tennessee, public libraries have closed for up to a week to facilitate a Trump-inspired book purge.
Tennessee Secretary of State Tre Hargett (R) has ordered most of the state's public librarians to remove children's books with LGBTQ characters or themes.
Tennessee Secretary of State Tre Hargett (R) has ordered most of the state's public librarians to remove children's books with LGBTQ characters or themes.
Tennessee public libraries close for Trump-inspired book purge
One hundred and eighty-one public libraries in Tennessee are reviewing their children’s collections after Tennessee Secretary of State Tre Hargett (R) ordered them to remove books with LGBTQ themes…
popular.info
November 25, 2025 at 5:07 PM
This is what AABB has been talking about. This is a truly insane overreach, and people on the ground are really scared.
Reposted by Harold Underdown
You pull yourself up by your boostraps. Me? I DESERVE free money from the government, and so do my rich friends bsky.app/profile/cwar...
November 25, 2025 at 4:21 PM
You pull yourself up by your boostraps. Me? I DESERVE free money from the government, and so do my rich friends bsky.app/profile/cwar...
Reposted by Harold Underdown
I can't think of a worse way to defeat fascism than pretending it's not here
OPINION: "Calling the president a fascist does nothing to advance the Democrats’ cause — and more of the party’s leaders would do well to realize that." — Jonathan Zimmerman
To defeat Trump, stop calling him names
Calling the president a fascist does nothing to advance the Democrats’ cause — and more of the party's leaders would do well to realize that, Jonathan Zimmerman writes.
www.inquirer.com
November 25, 2025 at 1:42 PM
I can't think of a worse way to defeat fascism than pretending it's not here
Reposted by Harold Underdown
All DOGE accomplished was purging critical government staff, handing private data to outsiders, and sentencing thousands in developing countries to death by gutting USAID.
I don’t say this lightly: if there were any justice in this world, the people responsible for this devastation would be in jail
I don’t say this lightly: if there were any justice in this world, the people responsible for this devastation would be in jail
DOGE 'doesn't exist' with eight months left on its charter
U.S. President Donald Trump's Department of Government Efficiency has disbanded with eight months left to its mandate.
www.cnbc.com
November 25, 2025 at 11:37 AM
All DOGE accomplished was purging critical government staff, handing private data to outsiders, and sentencing thousands in developing countries to death by gutting USAID.
I don’t say this lightly: if there were any justice in this world, the people responsible for this devastation would be in jail
I don’t say this lightly: if there were any justice in this world, the people responsible for this devastation would be in jail
Reposted by Harold Underdown
Good study from KCL: “Terms like 'bots' or 'trolls' no longer capture the full variety of online manipulation. Today, we observe a spectrum of actors ranging from fully automated accounts to 'cyborgs'…co-ordinated troll farms, and loyalist users who…become part of orchestrated campaigns.”
This is useful recent research on how the “bot” category breaks down into people and actual bots - “inauthentic participation” is the unifier www.kcl.ac.uk/orchestrated...
Orchestrated Crowds: Rethinking Inauthentic Participation in Digital…
What is driving online communication today?
www.kcl.ac.uk
November 24, 2025 at 9:34 PM
Good study from KCL: “Terms like 'bots' or 'trolls' no longer capture the full variety of online manipulation. Today, we observe a spectrum of actors ranging from fully automated accounts to 'cyborgs'…co-ordinated troll farms, and loyalist users who…become part of orchestrated campaigns.”
Reposted by Harold Underdown
And the 2025 Undies Case Cover Awards Go To . . . 100scopenotes.com/2025/11/24/a... @100scopenotes.bsky.social
And the 2025 Undies Case Cover Awards Go To . . .
Announcing the winners of the 2025 Undies Case Cover Awards!
100scopenotes.com
November 24, 2025 at 8:22 PM
And the 2025 Undies Case Cover Awards Go To . . . 100scopenotes.com/2025/11/24/a... @100scopenotes.bsky.social
Reposted by Harold Underdown
People who pirate books: “I just think art and literature should be FREE to everyone!”
Yes, I too would love to live in a world where art is accessible freely to all and yet artists are paid a living wage, but as this magical wagical pixie wixie land does not exist, please don’t steal from us.
Yes, I too would love to live in a world where art is accessible freely to all and yet artists are paid a living wage, but as this magical wagical pixie wixie land does not exist, please don’t steal from us.
November 24, 2025 at 4:40 PM
People who pirate books: “I just think art and literature should be FREE to everyone!”
Yes, I too would love to live in a world where art is accessible freely to all and yet artists are paid a living wage, but as this magical wagical pixie wixie land does not exist, please don’t steal from us.
Yes, I too would love to live in a world where art is accessible freely to all and yet artists are paid a living wage, but as this magical wagical pixie wixie land does not exist, please don’t steal from us.
Reposted by Harold Underdown
Honored to serve on Mayor-elect @zohrankmamdani.bsky.social Transition Committee on Technology. For too long, too many New Yorkers have been left behind. NYC deserves governance that centers affordability, equity, and the public good-looking forward to the work ahead. www.cbsnews.com/newyork/news...
NYC Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani announces transition committees
New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani announced Monday the creation of 17 transition advisory committees made up of more than 400 people.
www.cbsnews.com
November 24, 2025 at 10:52 PM
Honored to serve on Mayor-elect @zohrankmamdani.bsky.social Transition Committee on Technology. For too long, too many New Yorkers have been left behind. NYC deserves governance that centers affordability, equity, and the public good-looking forward to the work ahead. www.cbsnews.com/newyork/news...
Reposted by Harold Underdown
1. A landmark study was just published in The Journal of Pediatrics.
It found a 68% reduction in suicidality for trans youth getting HRT.
It also found only 7 of more than 400 stopped taking HRT... and of those that did, 4 still identified as gender-diverse.
Transgender care saves lives.
It found a 68% reduction in suicidality for trans youth getting HRT.
It also found only 7 of more than 400 stopped taking HRT... and of those that did, 4 still identified as gender-diverse.
Transgender care saves lives.
Study In The Journal Of Pediatrics Finds Trans Youth Care Lowers Suicidality, Few Detransition
The groundbreaking study found that suicidality dropped for transgender youth receiving hormone therapy by nearly 70%, with only 7 patients of 432 discontinuing treatment.
www.erininthemorning.com
November 24, 2025 at 11:01 PM
1. A landmark study was just published in The Journal of Pediatrics.
It found a 68% reduction in suicidality for trans youth getting HRT.
It also found only 7 of more than 400 stopped taking HRT... and of those that did, 4 still identified as gender-diverse.
Transgender care saves lives.
It found a 68% reduction in suicidality for trans youth getting HRT.
It also found only 7 of more than 400 stopped taking HRT... and of those that did, 4 still identified as gender-diverse.
Transgender care saves lives.
Reposted by Harold Underdown
I have long had an obscure, complex theory about Susan Collins that explains these things.
Susan Collins is terrible and anyone who ever suggested she is a moderate is a liar or a rube.
That's it. That's the whole thing.
Susan Collins is terrible and anyone who ever suggested she is a moderate is a liar or a rube.
That's it. That's the whole thing.
In case anyone is wondering what kind of campaign Collins intends to run next year, now we know. No achievements, only hate:
Susan Collins backs referendum to overturn Maine’s protections for transgender students
www.bangordailynews.com/2025/11/24/p...
Susan Collins backs referendum to overturn Maine’s protections for transgender students
www.bangordailynews.com/2025/11/24/p...
Susan Collins backs referendum to overturn Maine’s protections for transgender students
Collins' office said she signed onto the petition because she agrees with President Donald Trump’s interpretation of Title IX.
www.bangordailynews.com
November 24, 2025 at 11:15 PM
I have long had an obscure, complex theory about Susan Collins that explains these things.
Susan Collins is terrible and anyone who ever suggested she is a moderate is a liar or a rube.
That's it. That's the whole thing.
Susan Collins is terrible and anyone who ever suggested she is a moderate is a liar or a rube.
That's it. That's the whole thing.
Reposted by Harold Underdown
What a cornucopia of goodies for #writers! Treat yourself. Give one as a gift. Bid now. #kidlit #MegaKidLitFeed
www.32auctions.com/KindlingWords
www.32auctions.com/KindlingWords
KW Scholarship Silent Auction
Silent auction 'KW Scholarship Silent Auction' hosted online at 32auctions.
www.32auctions.com
November 24, 2025 at 8:09 PM
What a cornucopia of goodies for #writers! Treat yourself. Give one as a gift. Bid now. #kidlit #MegaKidLitFeed
www.32auctions.com/KindlingWords
www.32auctions.com/KindlingWords
Reposted by Harold Underdown
Helme Heine, creator of 'Friends' and many other picture books, has died at age 84 | MSN buff.ly/4mCaXjv
MSN
www.msn.com
November 24, 2025 at 7:30 PM
Helme Heine, creator of 'Friends' and many other picture books, has died at age 84 | MSN buff.ly/4mCaXjv
Reposted by Harold Underdown
this dumb shit is what i mean when i say this is a purely aesthetic “politics.” yeah man, why can’t we have a fusion of cosmopolitan social democracy and revanchist hierarchies of wealth and privilege? tough question.
Matt Stoller: “..Trump & Mamdani defeated establishment in their own way, representing hunger of voters on the right & left who want something different. If those sides cd come together.. that would be a sea change in how we organize our political economy”.
www.thebignewsletter.com/p/monopoly-r...
www.thebignewsletter.com/p/monopoly-r...
Monopoly Round-Up: Why the Establishment Freaked Out Over a Mamdani-Trump Press Conference
Meta wins its antitrust case, there are now two fire truck antitrust claims, the stock market got wobbly, and Larry Summers was exiled from the establishment, at least for now.
www.thebignewsletter.com
November 24, 2025 at 7:04 PM
this dumb shit is what i mean when i say this is a purely aesthetic “politics.” yeah man, why can’t we have a fusion of cosmopolitan social democracy and revanchist hierarchies of wealth and privilege? tough question.
Reposted by Harold Underdown
So many highlights from NCTE this year, but I am especially proud that DREAMS TO ASHES by Livia Blackburne and Nicole Xu is an Orbis Pictus Honor book and THE BLACK MAMBAS by @kellycrull.bsky.social and KAHO'OLAWE by @kamalani3.bsky.social and Harinani Orme are Recommended Books!
November 24, 2025 at 5:44 PM
So many highlights from NCTE this year, but I am especially proud that DREAMS TO ASHES by Livia Blackburne and Nicole Xu is an Orbis Pictus Honor book and THE BLACK MAMBAS by @kellycrull.bsky.social and KAHO'OLAWE by @kamalani3.bsky.social and Harinani Orme are Recommended Books!
Smart framing from Mamdani: gothamist.com/news/mamdani...
Mamdani: New Yorkers were the winners in the meeting with Trump
The meeting between Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani and President Donald Trump centered on talks about affordability and improving the city.
gothamist.com
November 24, 2025 at 5:42 PM
Smart framing from Mamdani: gothamist.com/news/mamdani...
Reposted by Harold Underdown
I wrote about the fake account blowup on X this weekend. A genuine post-truth nightmare and proof that these companies have polluted their platforms so thoroughly and traded reality for profit that they've undermined the very idea of what the internet is supposed to be.
That MAGA Account Might Be a Troll From Pakistan
How X blew up its own platform with a new location feature
www.theatlantic.com
November 24, 2025 at 4:33 PM
I wrote about the fake account blowup on X this weekend. A genuine post-truth nightmare and proof that these companies have polluted their platforms so thoroughly and traded reality for profit that they've undermined the very idea of what the internet is supposed to be.
Reposted by Harold Underdown
Now for some sports news...
(this week's cartoon for @theguardian.com books pages)
(this week's cartoon for @theguardian.com books pages)
November 24, 2025 at 2:14 PM
Now for some sports news...
(this week's cartoon for @theguardian.com books pages)
(this week's cartoon for @theguardian.com books pages)
Reposted by Harold Underdown
Tremendous call to action to fight book banning from by @maggietokudahall.bsky.social at the ALAN Breakfast as she accepts the ALSN Award on behalf of @authorsabb.bsky.social
“The function of literature is not to instill obedience.”
“The function of literature is not to instill obedience.”
November 22, 2025 at 3:15 PM
Tremendous call to action to fight book banning from by @maggietokudahall.bsky.social at the ALAN Breakfast as she accepts the ALSN Award on behalf of @authorsabb.bsky.social
“The function of literature is not to instill obedience.”
“The function of literature is not to instill obedience.”
Reposted by Harold Underdown
Now daydreaming who would go on these stamps in the US (kids’ edition): Dav Pilkey, Raina Telgemeier, Jerry Craft, Jeff Smith, ND Stevenson … I’m sure I’m forgetting people
Canada is releasing a set of stamps celebrating the nation's graphic novelists.
These stamps feature Kate Beaton, Jimmy Beaulieu, Guy Delisle, Julie Doucet, Bryan Lee O’Malley and Michael Nicoll Yahgulanaas, alongside some of their famous works.
These stamps feature Kate Beaton, Jimmy Beaulieu, Guy Delisle, Julie Doucet, Bryan Lee O’Malley and Michael Nicoll Yahgulanaas, alongside some of their famous works.
November 24, 2025 at 3:07 PM
Now daydreaming who would go on these stamps in the US (kids’ edition): Dav Pilkey, Raina Telgemeier, Jerry Craft, Jeff Smith, ND Stevenson … I’m sure I’m forgetting people
One of my favorite awards!
Announcing the winners of the 2025 Undies Case Cover Awards: 100scopenotes.com/2025/11/24/a... @carterhiggins.bsky.social @spikypenelope.bsky.social
And the 2025 Undies Case Cover Awards Go To . . .
Announcing the winners of the 2025 Undies Case Cover Awards!
100scopenotes.com
November 24, 2025 at 3:34 PM
One of my favorite awards!
Reposted by Harold Underdown
"This is the episode of Kate being annoyed by the silliest of things." In honor of the Thanksgiving holiday we tackle a 1987 publication, complete with kohlrabi on the @fuse8nkate.bsky.social podcast. #kidlit 📚👍 afuse8production.slj.com/2025/11/24/f...
Fuse 8 n’ Kate: Alligator Arrived with Apples: A Potluck Alphabet Feast by Crescent Dragonwagon, ill. Jose Aruego and Ariane Dewey
afuse8production.slj.com
November 24, 2025 at 12:12 PM
"This is the episode of Kate being annoyed by the silliest of things." In honor of the Thanksgiving holiday we tackle a 1987 publication, complete with kohlrabi on the @fuse8nkate.bsky.social podcast. #kidlit 📚👍 afuse8production.slj.com/2025/11/24/f...