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Only Picture Books
@onlypicturebooks.bsky.social
770 followers 11 following 95 posts
OPB is where picture books, authors, and illustrators go to thrive. Writers, readers, and PB fans of all ages--be part of the weekly rumpus! www.OnlyPictureBooks.com
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onlypicturebooks.bsky.social
What happens when leftover Halloween candy crashes the holidays? 🍬🎄

I'm joined by illustrator Edna Cabcabin Moran (@kidlitedna) to review CANDY CORN CHRISTMAS by Jonathan Fenske. Read our thoughts about it right here:

www.onlypicturebooks.com/2025/12/01/p...

#PictureBooks #KidLit #BookReview
December 1, 2025 at 4:23 PM
onlypicturebooks.bsky.social
Your picture book needs to answer one question fast: So what?

If you can't answer it, neither can an editor (or a sales rep, or a buyer). Today's post explains exactly how to fix that.

www.onlypicturebooks.com/2025/11/24/i...

#PictureBooks #WritingTips #KidLit
November 24, 2025 at 5:46 PM
onlypicturebooks.bsky.social
This week's post is all about the slimy, sweet, and very funny monster bedtime book, Sleep Tight, Disgusting Blob by Huw Aaron! To celebrate, I've created a new set of reading activities.

www.onlypicturebooks.com/2025/11/17/r...

#PictureBooks #KidLit #BedtimeStories #Monsters #ActivitiesForKids
November 17, 2025 at 7:15 PM
onlypicturebooks.bsky.social
Super Bowl champion Keyshawn Johnson & singer/voice actress Bettina Bush discuss their new picture book, Once Upon a You. Learn about their creative process, friendship, and passion for empowering kids.

www.onlypicturebooks.com/2025/11/10/a...

#KidLit #OnceUponAYou #KeyshawnJohnson
November 10, 2025 at 4:09 PM
onlypicturebooks.bsky.social
It's the first Monday of the month, and a new list of five-word reviews is live! It's a great batch of funny, strange, and beautiful books here.

www.onlypicturebooks.com/2025/11/03/5...

#PictureBooks #BookReviews #KidLit
November 3, 2025 at 10:16 PM
onlypicturebooks.bsky.social
New Industry Insights post, fresh from the hiring trenches! I just hired an editorial assistant & am sharing the 11 green lights (and 5 red flags) I saw in the submissions pile.

www.onlypicturebooks.com/2025/10/27/i...

#Publishing #JobSearch #CareerAdvice #KidLit
October 27, 2025 at 12:33 PM
onlypicturebooks.bsky.social
This week’s post is about The Glass Pyramid, the inspiring story of architect I.M. Pei and his vision for the Louvre. To go with it, I've developed a new set of reading activities. Enjoy!

www.onlypicturebooks.com/2025/10/20/t...

#KidLit #PictureBooks #Architecture #STEM #ReadingActivities
October 20, 2025 at 12:32 PM
onlypicturebooks.bsky.social
This week's interview is with Joan Schoettler, whose new book BOOKS TRAVEL THE WORLD I had the honor of editing. We discuss her journey from professor to author & her passion for cross-cultural stories.

www.onlypicturebooks.com/2025/10/13/a...

#AuthorInterview #WritingCraft #KidLit #PictureBooks
October 14, 2025 at 2:07 AM
onlypicturebooks.bsky.social
A new batch of five-word reviews is up! This week's list features a must-see from Stephen King & Maurice Sendak (!), plus heroism with "snotty flair," a daring duck, and more.

www.onlypicturebooks.com/2025/10/06/p...

#KidLit #StephenKing #PictureBooks #BookReview
October 6, 2025 at 3:40 PM
onlypicturebooks.bsky.social
It's that time of year when the light shifts and the air thins. To capture that unique mood, I've curated a new list of 12 picture books that feel just like September.

www.onlypicturebooks.com/2025/09/29/p...

#PictureBooks #BookList #KidLit #AutumnReads #September
September 29, 2025 at 2:38 PM
onlypicturebooks.bsky.social
Does every spread in your picture book have a job?

New post on the blog, inspired by my class this week, shares a checklist to help you dummy-test your manuscript.

www.onlypicturebooks.com/2025/09/22/i...

#WritingTips #KidLit #PictureBooks #AmWriting
September 22, 2025 at 6:22 PM
onlypicturebooks.bsky.social
This week’s post dives into the gorgeous book THE TRUTH ABOUT DRAGONS by Julie Leung, a lyrical look at biracial identity. To go with it, I’ve developed a full set of reading activities.

www.onlypicturebooks.com/2025/09/15/r...

#PictureBooks #KidLit #Identity #AAPIHeritage #ActivitiesForKids
September 15, 2025 at 5:12 PM
onlypicturebooks.bsky.social
Thrilled to share a new author interview with the brilliant Susan Hughes! We discuss her journey writing books, and as a freelance editor, she shares common pitfalls she sees in manuscripts.

www.onlypicturebooks.com/2025/09/08/a...

#AuthorInterview #PictureBooks #WritingCraft #KidLit
September 9, 2025 at 2:05 AM
onlypicturebooks.bsky.social
New on the blog: Five-word reviews for five new picture books! It's my way of capturing the spark of a story in a nutshell. Check out all the quick takes right here!

www.onlypicturebooks.com/2025/09/01/p...

#PictureBooks #KidLit #BookReviews #NewBooks
September 1, 2025 at 2:55 PM
onlypicturebooks.bsky.social
Here's a great picture book tip from our ACQUIRED! workshop, courtesy of guest illustrator Fred Koehler. It's called "illustrator bait"—writing lines that give artists room to invent and create magic.

www.onlypicturebooks.com/2025/08/25/i...

#WritingCraft #KidLit #PictureBook #WritingCommunity
August 25, 2025 at 4:14 PM
onlypicturebooks.bsky.social
This week's post is all about the fantastic SHARK GIRL by Kate Beaton! To celebrate, I've developed a new set of reading activities for the book.

Find all the fun here: www.onlypicturebooks.com/2025/08/18/r...

#PictureBooks #KidLit #KateBeaton #Reading #ActivitiesForKids
August 18, 2025 at 12:36 PM
onlypicturebooks.bsky.social
New on the blog! I talked with award-winning nonfiction author Lindsay H. Metcalf about the surprising science of Beatrix Potter, and why the Supreme Court once declared tomatoes a vegetable.

www.onlypicturebooks.com/2025/08/11/a...

#KidLit #WritingCommunity #Nonfiction #AuthorInterview #Books
August 11, 2025 at 2:33 PM
onlypicturebooks.bsky.social
It's a new week and a new batch of five-word picture book reviews! See which ones click for you!

www.onlypicturebooks.com/2025/08/04/p...

#PictureBooks #BookReview #KidsBooks #ShortReviews #MondayBlogs #IMWAYR
August 5, 2025 at 1:32 AM
onlypicturebooks.bsky.social
New on Only Picture Books: I'm sharing highlights & Q&A from my "Unlocking the WOW Factor: Elevating Nonfiction Picture Books" session at @WritersDigest Conference!

www.onlypicturebooks.com/2025/07/28/i...

#KidlitWriting #NonfictionPB #WritersDigest #PublishingTips #AuthorLife #MondayBlogs
July 28, 2025 at 10:57 PM
onlypicturebooks.bsky.social
Fresh on Only Picture Books: Activities for Chalk the Walk! Explore the power of imagination and transforming dull spaces with colorful art.

www.onlypicturebooks.com/2025/07/21/r...

#PictureBooks #Creativity #OutdoorPlay #FamilyActivities #Kidlit #MondayBlogs
July 21, 2025 at 12:24 PM
onlypicturebooks.bsky.social
New on Only Picture Books: I'm pulling back the curtain on ghostwriting & IP work in publishing! Should you say yes? This post breaks down the benefits & drawbacks.

www.onlypicturebooks.com/2025/07/14/e...

#KidlitWriting #PublishingIndustry #WriterLife #InvisibleWork #CareerAdvice #MondayBlogs
July 14, 2025 at 1:16 PM
onlypicturebooks.bsky.social
Just posted a review of Where Are You, Brontë? by Tomie dePaola & Barbara McClintock. PLUS, catch my photo diary from #ALAAC25 last week.

www.onlypicturebooks.com/2025/07/07/p...

www.onlypicturebooks.com/2025/06/30/i...

#PictureBooks #KidlitReview #ALAConference #AuthorLife #Reading
July 8, 2025 at 12:05 AM
onlypicturebooks.bsky.social
New on Only Picture Books: Decoding Editorial Feedback! As an Editorial Director & writer, I'm pulling back the curtain on common phrases like "not enough here for a picture book" and "too similar to our list," using real PB examples.

www.onlypicturebooks.com/2025/06/23/i...

#publishingtips
June 23, 2025 at 7:52 PM
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Fresh on Only Picture Books: Reading activities for the powerful Are You a Friend of Dorothy? by Kyle Lukoff & Levi Hastings. Ideas for exploring belonging, LGBTQ+ history, and finding your community.

www.onlypicturebooks.com/2025/06/16/a...

#PictureBooks #ReadingIsMagic #MondayBlogs #IMWAYR
June 16, 2025 at 2:04 PM
onlypicturebooks.bsky.social
Got 15 min? I’ve got answers.

$50 = one-on-one advice on writing, pitching, freelancing, ghosting, picture books—whatever you need.

No fluff. No sales pitch. Just me.

Book your AMA call or Zoom: ryangvancleave.com/writing-serv...
June 9, 2025 at 8:03 PM