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Reposted by Laura Bontje | Out now: When the Air Sang

Authors' Booking Service @authorsbooking.bsky.social · 25d

Thinking of inviting a Canadian #kidlit author or illustrator to visit your readers?

Trending today: @jlbaileybooks.bsky.social @laurabontje.bsky.social @susanhughes.bsky.social @marcuscutler.bsky.social and more!

authorsbooking.com

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Laura Bontje | Out now: When the Air Sang @laurabontje.bsky.social · Sep 4

When I was a student in Alberta, I read a variety of enriching books in IB English classes. Many would no longer be considered "appropriate" for schools.

Also, these policies often target books that offer rep. to LGBTQIA+ students who deserve to see themselves in literature. Please sign. #CAIABB

〰️ julie mclaughlin 〰️ @whatwouldjuliedraw.bsky.social · Sep 3

URGENT CALL TO ACTION: please sign and share our petition, tell the Alberta Gov’t you don’t support book bans! Censorship escalates rapidly, put pressure on the gov’t now to ensure it doesn’t take hold in Canada.

Change.org/AB-book-ban

#CAIABB #ABbookban #FreedomToRead #NoBansInCanada

Sign the Petition

Tell the Alberta Government: No Book Bans

Change.org

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Laura Bontje | Out now: When the Air Sang @laurabontje.bsky.social · Aug 26

Want to get professional feedback on your query package and also support a good cause? Check out the #KidLit4Ceasefire summer auction: www.32auctions.com/organization...

First Chapter + Query Critique from Laura Bontje

Auction item 'First Chapter + Query Critique from Laura Bontje' hosted online at 32auctions.

www.32auctions.com

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Laura Bontje | Out now: When the Air Sang @laurabontje.bsky.social · Jul 13

I'm tremendously honored to have been selected from among the many incredible volunteers I've gotten to know over the years.

Editors/Réviseurs Canada @editorscanada.bsky.social · Jun 23

Editors Canada has announced that Laura Bontje of London, Ontario, is the recipient of the 2025 Lee d'Anjou Volunteer of the Year Award! editors.ca/news/laura-b...
@laurabontje.bsky.social‬

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Laura Bontje | Out now: When the Air Sang @laurabontje.bsky.social · Jul 13

Thank you so much, Katharine!

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Reposted by Laura Bontje | Out now: When the Air Sang

Margaret Kingsbury @areaderlymom.bsky.social · Jun 8

Congrats to my friend, @laurabontje.bsky.social, on her newest picture book, WHEN THE AIR SANG, a beautiful, intergenerational celebration of cicadas! Perfect for curious kids. #KidLit

1. My hand holds the book in front of trees. The white cover shows a brown skinned, black haired child running through an oversized garden, a cicada on a yellow flower.

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Laura Bontje | Out now: When the Air Sang @laurabontje.bsky.social · Jun 18

Thank you for sharing, and for everything you've done to make this book what it is!

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Laura Bontje | Out now: When the Air Sang @laurabontje.bsky.social · Jun 16

Starting soon! I look forward to reading to you all ❤️

The Canadian Society of Children's Authors, Illust & Performers. @canscaip.bsky.social · Jun 9

Great Canadian Picture Book Party is back with its Spring 2025 edition on Monday June 16 at 7:00pm ET.

Hosted by @picturebookseh.bsky.social and supported by CANSCAIP, this event will feature 10 Canadian creators.

Register for this event: www.canscaip.org/event-6194607

CANSCAIP - Great Canadian Picture Book Party

www.canscaip.org

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Laura Bontje | Out now: When the Air Sang @laurabontje.bsky.social · Jun 3

Go see Sarah at #TCAF!

Sarah Whang @anderkaya.bsky.social · Jun 2

This year, to celebrate @laurabontje.bsky.social and my book WHEN THE AIR SANG, I will be doing a signing at the Annick Press publisher table at 10-11AM on Sunday, so stay tuned!

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Laura Bontje | Out now: When the Air Sang @laurabontje.bsky.social · May 11

Thank you! 🐞❤️

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Laura Bontje | Out now: When the Air Sang @laurabontje.bsky.social · Apr 15

❤️🌳🐞

Joëlle Retener (they/them) 🏳️‍🌈 ♿️ @joelleretener.bsky.social · Apr 15

My tree hugging, bug loving, inner child came alive reading this gorgeous book. OUT NOW!

Laura Bontje | Out now: When the Air Sang @laurabontje.bsky.social · Apr 8

It's release day! When the Air Sang is officially on shelves!

Five years ago, I saw my first cicada, and now ... I couldn't be prouder of how this story has come together. @anderkaya.bsky.social and Annick Press, you've outdone yourselves.

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Laura Bontje | Out now: When the Air Sang @laurabontje.bsky.social · Apr 15

You are too kind! I'm glad you enjoyed it!

Laura Bontje | Out now: When the Air Sang @laurabontje.bsky.social · Apr 15

Thank you!

Laura Bontje | Out now: When the Air Sang @laurabontje.bsky.social · Apr 15

Thank you for sharing!!

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Laura Bontje | Out now: When the Air Sang @laurabontje.bsky.social · Apr 15

Thank you, Iva!

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Laura Bontje | Out now: When the Air Sang @laurabontje.bsky.social · Apr 15

Thank you!

Laura Bontje | Out now: When the Air Sang @laurabontje.bsky.social · Apr 8

Thank you to my agent, @jmcgowanbks.bsky.social, and my editor, Jieun Lee. Huge thanks to Dr. Gene Kritsky ("the Indiana Jones of cicadas," say some articles!), who taught me so much about cicadas. And to all the people who helped me through the 25+ drafts: I couldn't have done it without you.

Two copies of the book When the Air Sang are open to the interior. One shows the endpapers, covered in a child's sketchbook and nature art. The other shows an interior spread with Annie running alongside her grandma, and a flashback photo to her grandma running through the trees as a child.

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Laura Bontje | Out now: When the Air Sang @laurabontje.bsky.social · Apr 8

It's release day! When the Air Sang is officially on shelves!

Five years ago, I saw my first cicada, and now ... I couldn't be prouder of how this story has come together. @anderkaya.bsky.social and Annick Press, you've outdone yourselves.

Two copies of the book When the Air Sang (by Laura Bontje and Sarah Whang) are surrounded by cicada sculptures and real cicada husks. Text says "Some things are worth the wait. Available now."

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Laura Bontje | Out now: When the Air Sang @laurabontje.bsky.social · Mar 26

(4/4) My debut may fall on the “fun” side, but that doesn’t mean every book should. Kids NEED books that push back against prejudice. Kids need books about activism.

All kids benefit from reading them. And all authors should stand up for the importance of them.

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Laura Bontje | Out now: When the Air Sang @laurabontje.bsky.social · Mar 26

(3/4) I assume the reviewer found palindromes and friendship inoffensive.

Would their opinion of my inoffensiveness have changed if they knew we discussed inclusivity during my book's development? If they knew I've hired sensitivity readers for some of my manuscripts?

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Laura Bontje | Out now: When the Air Sang @laurabontje.bsky.social · Mar 26

(2/4) The person who reviewed my book has also lamented the lack of books celebrating the right wing.

They think book bans stop indoctrination. They describe the trans community in words I won’t repeat.

They seem to support apolitical kids’ books. But nothing is apolitical.

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Laura Bontje | Out now: When the Air Sang @laurabontje.bsky.social · Mar 26

I just discovered that my debut picture book (Was It a Cat I Saw?) received a media review last year that I hadn’t known about. Right away, I excitedly emailed my family.

Then I saw the reviewer's other headlines, and my excitement turned to indignation. (🧵)

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Laura Bontje | Out now: When the Air Sang @laurabontje.bsky.social · Mar 21

Thanks for sharing!

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Laura Bontje | Out now: When the Air Sang @laurabontje.bsky.social · Mar 17

Thank you, Audrey!

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Laura Bontje | Out now: When the Air Sang @laurabontje.bsky.social · Mar 17

Save the date! If you're in #LdnOnt, I hope you'll join @anderkaya.bsky.social and me on April 12 to celebrate our new #PictureBook, When the Air Sang! There'll be remarks & a draw at 2:45.

Sound in Motion Studio: 1570 Highbury Ave N. (Shoes are left at the door, so wear your fave socks!)

"Launch Party!" Surrounding the cover of the picture book When the Air Sang, the following text appears in colorful snippets: "Meet the author, meet the illustrator, door prizes, snacks and coloring, see a real cicada husk, support a local bookstore!" In a text box, "Saturday, April 12, 2:30-3:30 pm. Sound in Motion Studio, London, Ontario. This is a shoes-off facility. See post for info."

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