Author Padma Venkatraman
@padmatv.bsky.social
THE BRIDGE HOME, BORN BEHIND BARS, SAFE HARBOR, A TIME TO DANCE. WNDB Walter Award winning writer, reader, poet, oceanographer, yoga teacher. K-12 Education. Science, nature, music, art. DEI. “Stories are ships on which we sail oceans of hope.”
Some mornings just feel so heavy. Last night I dreamt about the kids who have survived the terrible violence in Palestine but who will continue to suffer from it all thier lives www.bbc.com/news/article...
What growing up in war does to a child's brain - and their future
Fergal Keane has met thousands of traumatised children while reporting on conflicts. Here, he researches the long-term effect on them - and what, if anything, can help.
www.bbc.com
February 3, 2026 at 12:00 PM
Some mornings just feel so heavy. Last night I dreamt about the kids who have survived the terrible violence in Palestine but who will continue to suffer from it all thier lives www.bbc.com/news/article...
Important article by Kelly Jensen:
Must read for #authors #illustrators #editors #publishers #kidlitcommunity about anti-egalitarian anti-truth clauses that go against #FReadom & deny #science
bookriot.com/texas-esc-1-...
@heykellyjensen.bsky.social @bookriot.bsky.social @bookriotpod.bsky.social
Must read for #authors #illustrators #editors #publishers #kidlitcommunity about anti-egalitarian anti-truth clauses that go against #FReadom & deny #science
bookriot.com/texas-esc-1-...
@heykellyjensen.bsky.social @bookriot.bsky.social @bookriotpod.bsky.social
New Consulting Contracts in Texas Will Muzzle Authors and Harm Students
New discriminatory contracts in one Texas Educational Service Center will deny authors, students, and educators inclusive opportunities.
bookriot.com
February 2, 2026 at 4:00 PM
Important article by Kelly Jensen:
Must read for #authors #illustrators #editors #publishers #kidlitcommunity about anti-egalitarian anti-truth clauses that go against #FReadom & deny #science
bookriot.com/texas-esc-1-...
@heykellyjensen.bsky.social @bookriot.bsky.social @bookriotpod.bsky.social
Must read for #authors #illustrators #editors #publishers #kidlitcommunity about anti-egalitarian anti-truth clauses that go against #FReadom & deny #science
bookriot.com/texas-esc-1-...
@heykellyjensen.bsky.social @bookriot.bsky.social @bookriotpod.bsky.social
Reposted by Author Padma Venkatraman
Two Questions and Two Sentence Starters with Newbery Medalist Renée Watson mrschureads.blogspot.com/2026/01/newb...
Newbery Medalist Renée Watson
I asked Renée Watson, Karina Yan Glaser, María Dolores Águila, Daniel Nayeri, and Aubrey Hartman to each answer two questions and finish two...
mrschureads.blogspot.com
January 31, 2026 at 4:25 PM
Two Questions and Two Sentence Starters with Newbery Medalist Renée Watson mrschureads.blogspot.com/2026/01/newb...
So proud of our daughter, who led a #walkout at her school yesterday to raise awareness about #ICEviolence.
Here’s a spread inspired by a photo taken at the first #protest she organized many years ago (in Daddy Speaks Love, Leah Henderson, illustrator EBLewis , publisher @nancyrosep @penguinkids ).
Here’s a spread inspired by a photo taken at the first #protest she organized many years ago (in Daddy Speaks Love, Leah Henderson, illustrator EBLewis , publisher @nancyrosep @penguinkids ).
January 31, 2026 at 3:55 PM
So proud of our daughter, who led a #walkout at her school yesterday to raise awareness about #ICEviolence.
Here’s a spread inspired by a photo taken at the first #protest she organized many years ago (in Daddy Speaks Love, Leah Henderson, illustrator EBLewis , publisher @nancyrosep @penguinkids ).
Here’s a spread inspired by a photo taken at the first #protest she organized many years ago (in Daddy Speaks Love, Leah Henderson, illustrator EBLewis , publisher @nancyrosep @penguinkids ).
2 pm
RI statehouse
Jan 30
RI statehouse
Jan 30
January 29, 2026 at 9:11 PM
2 pm
RI statehouse
Jan 30
RI statehouse
Jan 30
Reposted by Author Padma Venkatraman
Yesterday was a good day. A picture book I art directed received an ALA American Indian Youth Literature Award Honor. Grateful to have been part of this one. Jacket and case covers below.
💙❤️ #kidlit
💙❤️ #kidlit
January 27, 2026 at 1:18 PM
Yesterday was a good day. A picture book I art directed received an ALA American Indian Youth Literature Award Honor. Grateful to have been part of this one. Jacket and case covers below.
💙❤️ #kidlit
💙❤️ #kidlit
Look forward to this event hosted by #LitArtsRI at which I will discuss, along with other authors, the continuing fight for #FreedomToRead and the incredible contributions of my co-leader @ri_aabb @jbradley.bsky.social who unfortunately won’t be there in person.
January 28, 2026 at 1:10 PM
Look forward to this event hosted by #LitArtsRI at which I will discuss, along with other authors, the continuing fight for #FreedomToRead and the incredible contributions of my co-leader @ri_aabb @jbradley.bsky.social who unfortunately won’t be there in person.
Back home after a trip to India and back to protesting against injustice.
Want to join me for this #Indivisible Rhode Island event? #StopFundingIce
mobilize.us/s/lLY9BU
Want to join me for this #Indivisible Rhode Island event? #StopFundingIce
mobilize.us/s/lLY9BU
Reed & Whitehouse: Not One More Cent for ICE · Indivisible Rhode Island
On Saturday, Jan. 24, Trump’s fascist attack squad, ICE, murdered Alex Pretti, a 37-year-old VA nurse trying to assist a woman in distress.
This assault on Minneapolis is out of control. This assault...
mobilize.us
January 26, 2026 at 1:55 PM
Back home after a trip to India and back to protesting against injustice.
Want to join me for this #Indivisible Rhode Island event? #StopFundingIce
mobilize.us/s/lLY9BU
Want to join me for this #Indivisible Rhode Island event? #StopFundingIce
mobilize.us/s/lLY9BU
Pulled out of line for a domestic flight and asked to show my passport. Did so and still pulled to the side and told the supervisor needs to check this out.
January 24, 2026 at 11:47 PM
Pulled out of line for a domestic flight and asked to show my passport. Did so and still pulled to the side and told the supervisor needs to check this out.
Reposted by Author Padma Venkatraman
Looking for ways to support the people of Minneapolis?
STAND WITH MINNESOTA has created an excellent database of carefully vetted (except for the individual GoFundMe pages) ways to provide assistance.
Our neighbors need our help. This is how we can.
www.standwithminnesota.com?fbclid=IwY2x...
STAND WITH MINNESOTA has created an excellent database of carefully vetted (except for the individual GoFundMe pages) ways to provide assistance.
Our neighbors need our help. This is how we can.
www.standwithminnesota.com?fbclid=IwY2x...
Stand With Minnesota Donation Directory
Stand With Minnesota is a hub for supporting, learning, and taking action to support Minnesotans impacted by ICE and federal enforcement.
www.standwithminnesota.com
January 20, 2026 at 12:08 PM
Looking for ways to support the people of Minneapolis?
STAND WITH MINNESOTA has created an excellent database of carefully vetted (except for the individual GoFundMe pages) ways to provide assistance.
Our neighbors need our help. This is how we can.
www.standwithminnesota.com?fbclid=IwY2x...
STAND WITH MINNESOTA has created an excellent database of carefully vetted (except for the individual GoFundMe pages) ways to provide assistance.
Our neighbors need our help. This is how we can.
www.standwithminnesota.com?fbclid=IwY2x...
Reposted by Author Padma Venkatraman
Library workers are burned out, and they're clear on what's creating some of the worst mental health conditions both inside and outside the library.
Here's what they had to say, as well as ways and means by which library worker mental health can be improved. This is a call to action.
Here's what they had to say, as well as ways and means by which library worker mental health can be improved. This is a call to action.
Last summer, I surveyed library workers about the ways library work impacts their mental health, and they responded.
“Pizza Parties Don’t Fix Burnout”: The State of Librarian Mental Health:
bookriot.com/the-state-of...
“Pizza Parties Don’t Fix Burnout”: The State of Librarian Mental Health:
bookriot.com/the-state-of...
"Pizza Parties Don't Fix Burnout": The State of Librarian Mental Health
Library workers are feeling increased pressures to be everything to everyone, and the impact on their mental health matters.
bookriot.com
January 20, 2026 at 3:30 PM
Library workers are burned out, and they're clear on what's creating some of the worst mental health conditions both inside and outside the library.
Here's what they had to say, as well as ways and means by which library worker mental health can be improved. This is a call to action.
Here's what they had to say, as well as ways and means by which library worker mental health can be improved. This is a call to action.
So happy to be part of this! Thanks!
January 20, 2026 at 6:56 AM
So happy to be part of this! Thanks!
Reposted by Author Padma Venkatraman
New blog post: What reading animal are you? Link in comments #bedesreads #goallin #nationalyearofreading2026
January 16, 2026 at 11:42 AM
New blog post: What reading animal are you? Link in comments #bedesreads #goallin #nationalyearofreading2026
Reposted by Author Padma Venkatraman
Seven book censorship court casing playing out right now to keep an eye on in 2026. Here's what they are, where they are, and what's at stake for the freedom to read.
bookriot.com/court-cases-...
bookriot.com/court-cases-...
7+ Court Cases About Book Bans to Watch in 2026: Book Censorship News, January 16, 2026
Are library books considered "government speech?" Can a public library ban LGBTQ+ books? Seven book censorship court cases to watch in 2026.
bookriot.com
January 16, 2026 at 1:26 PM
Seven book censorship court casing playing out right now to keep an eye on in 2026. Here's what they are, where they are, and what's at stake for the freedom to read.
bookriot.com/court-cases-...
bookriot.com/court-cases-...
Reposted by Author Padma Venkatraman
Our weekly big list of kid lit links is up (Jan 16): www.kidlit411.com/2026/01/the-... Inside: What If for PBs, 20 Writing Podcasts, PB conference, more. Thank Katrina Snyder for the illustration, @ebonylynnmudd.bsky.social and @ediblewords.bsky.social for the PB giveaways.
The Weekly 411 (1/16/26)
A one-stop place for all your kid lit information needs.
www.kidlit411.com
January 16, 2026 at 1:39 PM
Our weekly big list of kid lit links is up (Jan 16): www.kidlit411.com/2026/01/the-... Inside: What If for PBs, 20 Writing Podcasts, PB conference, more. Thank Katrina Snyder for the illustration, @ebonylynnmudd.bsky.social and @ediblewords.bsky.social for the PB giveaways.
Reposted by Author Padma Venkatraman
Morning smiles as #scbwiNYC26 begins: Tammy Brown, Laurent Linn, Kim Turrisi, @cuppajolie.bsky.social and @temikatheartist.bsky.social
January 16, 2026 at 3:32 PM
Morning smiles as #scbwiNYC26 begins: Tammy Brown, Laurent Linn, Kim Turrisi, @cuppajolie.bsky.social and @temikatheartist.bsky.social
Reposted by Author Padma Venkatraman
Friday spotlight on our Reviews of the Week. Read the reviews here: www.hbook.com/section/book...
@harperkids.bsky.social @candlewickpress.bsky.social @simonkids.bsky.social
#hbreviewoftheweek #fridayreads #kidlit #yalit
@harperkids.bsky.social @candlewickpress.bsky.social @simonkids.bsky.social
#hbreviewoftheweek #fridayreads #kidlit #yalit
January 16, 2026 at 8:13 PM
Friday spotlight on our Reviews of the Week. Read the reviews here: www.hbook.com/section/book...
@harperkids.bsky.social @candlewickpress.bsky.social @simonkids.bsky.social
#hbreviewoftheweek #fridayreads #kidlit #yalit
@harperkids.bsky.social @candlewickpress.bsky.social @simonkids.bsky.social
#hbreviewoftheweek #fridayreads #kidlit #yalit
Reposted by Author Padma Venkatraman
Resist!
Image by LeUyen Pham
Image by LeUyen Pham
January 12, 2026 at 9:29 PM
Resist!
Image by LeUyen Pham
Image by LeUyen Pham
One of the silliest things traditions I have at @highlightsfound.bsky.social : searching for this coffee mug!
Thanks #HighlightsFoundation #WritersRetreat for another magical stay. Don’t know what I’d do without you.
Thanks #HighlightsFoundation #WritersRetreat for another magical stay. Don’t know what I’d do without you.
December 4, 2025 at 2:46 PM
One of the silliest things traditions I have at @highlightsfound.bsky.social : searching for this coffee mug!
Thanks #HighlightsFoundation #WritersRetreat for another magical stay. Don’t know what I’d do without you.
Thanks #HighlightsFoundation #WritersRetreat for another magical stay. Don’t know what I’d do without you.
Reposted by Author Padma Venkatraman
Thank you @heykellyjensen.bsky.social for the opportunity for @padmatv.bsky.social & myself to share what we learned working for Freedom to Read in Rhode Island. Our hope is to make things a little easier for the folks running the next leg of the race!
Three states have anti-book ban bills on deck coming into 2026. Here's what those bills look like, how to get involved, and what the advocates behind the recently-passed freedom to read bill in Rhode Island learned through the process.
bookriot.com/right-to-rea...
bookriot.com/right-to-rea...
What To Know & How to Help Pass Three State-Level Anti-Book Ban Bills for 2026: Book Censorship News, November 21, 2025
Three states have anti-book ban bills on deck for 2026. Here's what they are, why they matter, and how you can get involved in their passage.
bookriot.com
November 21, 2025 at 7:31 PM
Thank you @heykellyjensen.bsky.social for the opportunity for @padmatv.bsky.social & myself to share what we learned working for Freedom to Read in Rhode Island. Our hope is to make things a little easier for the folks running the next leg of the race!
Thanks again to @bookriot.bsky.social for including our suggestions in #KellyJensen’s piece on Literary Activism.
Coleader of RI @aabbri.bsky.social @jbradley.bsky.social and I hope lessons we learned will help others pass more bills to protect #FreedomToRead: bookriot.com/right-to-rea...
Coleader of RI @aabbri.bsky.social @jbradley.bsky.social and I hope lessons we learned will help others pass more bills to protect #FreedomToRead: bookriot.com/right-to-rea...
What To Know & How to Help Pass Three State-Level Anti-Book Ban Bills for 2026: Book Censorship News, November 21, 2025
Three states have anti-book ban bills on deck for 2026. Here's what they are, why they matter, and how you can get involved in their passage.
bookriot.com
November 22, 2025 at 6:52 PM
Thanks again to @bookriot.bsky.social for including our suggestions in #KellyJensen’s piece on Literary Activism.
Coleader of RI @aabbri.bsky.social @jbradley.bsky.social and I hope lessons we learned will help others pass more bills to protect #FreedomToRead: bookriot.com/right-to-rea...
Coleader of RI @aabbri.bsky.social @jbradley.bsky.social and I hope lessons we learned will help others pass more bills to protect #FreedomToRead: bookriot.com/right-to-rea...
11 am Saturday International House New York City #IAACFestival
November 14, 2025 at 3:57 PM
11 am Saturday International House New York City #IAACFestival
🙌🏾 @charlesbridge.bsky.social #NoraShalawayCarpenter @kirkusreviews #Onward #ClimateFiction #YAAnthology
November 14, 2025 at 3:55 PM
🙌🏾 @charlesbridge.bsky.social #NoraShalawayCarpenter @kirkusreviews #Onward #ClimateFiction #YAAnthology
Reposted by Author Padma Venkatraman
Our weekly big list of kid lit links is up (Nov 14): kidlit411.com/2025/11/the-... Inside: Writing Scenes with Senses, Tabling Comic Shows, Crowdfunding webinar, more. Thanks @heatherbell37.bsky.social for the illustration, Manu Delpech and @laurenkerstein.bsky.social for the PB giveaways.
The Weekly 411 (11/14/25)
A one-stop place for all your kid lit information needs.
kidlit411.com
November 14, 2025 at 3:18 PM
Our weekly big list of kid lit links is up (Nov 14): kidlit411.com/2025/11/the-... Inside: Writing Scenes with Senses, Tabling Comic Shows, Crowdfunding webinar, more. Thanks @heatherbell37.bsky.social for the illustration, Manu Delpech and @laurenkerstein.bsky.social for the PB giveaways.