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Rachel G. Payne (she/they)

@rpayne.bsky.social

5.6K followers 8.7K following 180 posts

Early literacy librarian, SLJ columnist, Horn Book board book reviewer, play advocate, and debut author of Let's Rumble from Rise x Penguin Workshop (July 2025). Rep: Kathleen Rushall at Andrea Brown Lit. She/they RachelGPayne.com

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Rachel G. Payne (she/they) @rpayne.bsky.social · Jul 8

It’s a #bookbirthday for Let’s Rumble! Like, repost, tag, or follow for a chance to win the #bookgiveaway! #kidlit #edusky #picturebook #letsrumblebook

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Rachel G. Payne (she/they) @rpayne.bsky.social · Aug 19

Yay! Thanks for all the support. I love notes from readers. Check out my website for activity ideas: RachelGPayne.com/kids

RachelGPayne.com

Reposted by Rachel G. Payne (she/they)

🐝aREADER @reyeh.bsky.social · Aug 4

#BookMail is the best mail. #KidLit #PictureBooks Thank you so much. Can’t wait to share w our student.s. ❤️ the postcard. We collect postcards! The students will b so excited. They ❤️ notes from the authors!

Postcard stating Ezra Keats the Snow Day w snow & people.

Picture book Let’s Rumble on top a mailing envelope.

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Rachel G. Payne (she/they) @rpayne.bsky.social · Jul 23

I would put James Talarico, state rep from TX, in that category as well

Rachel G. Payne (she/they) @rpayne.bsky.social · Jul 22

Congrats! You won the book giveaway! Thanks for all the support! I’ll send you a DM!

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Reposted by Rachel G. Payne (she/they)

jose pimienta @jopi.bsky.social · Jul 14

it's #nonbinaryday and @rpayne.bsky.social's and I'd book #Let'sRumble features three siblings playing at home and letting their imagination go wild. The oldest has advice for their younger sister and brother. Check it out!

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Rachel G. Payne (she/they) @rpayne.bsky.social · Jul 8

It’s a #bookbirthday for Let’s Rumble! Like, repost, tag, or follow for a chance to win the #bookgiveaway! #kidlit #edusky #picturebook #letsrumblebook

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Reposted by Rachel G. Payne (she/they)

John Schu @mrschureads.bsky.social · Jul 8

Happy book birthday to @rpayne.bsky.social and @jopi.bsky.social's Let's Rumble!

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Rachel G. Payne (she/they) @rpayne.bsky.social · Jul 8

Thank you so much!

Rachel G. Payne (she/they) @rpayne.bsky.social · Jul 7

#BookGiveaway! Like, repost, comment, follow, or tag a friend for a chance to win a signed copy of Let’s Rumble! A Rough-and-Tumble Book of Play illustrated by @jopi.bsky.social and releasing tomorrow from Rise x Penguin Workshop. #kidlit #picturebook #play #edusky #pb

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Reposted by Rachel G. Payne (she/they)

Children's Bookshelf @pwkidsbookshelf.bsky.social · Jul 3

Culture writer, poet, and children’s librarian Taylor Hunsberger reflects on the ways that horror stories provide children with a vital testing ground to face their real-life fears

Horror Offers Young Readers Safe Spaces in Scary Times

Taylor Hunsberger, a children’s librarian at the East Flatbush branch of the Brooklyn Public Library, reflects on the ways that horror stories provide children with a vital testing ground to face their...

buff.ly

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Rachel G. Payne (she/they) @rpayne.bsky.social · Jul 6

It’s a #bookgiveaway! Like, comment, share, or follow to win a signed copy of my #debut #picturebook Let’s Rumble! A Rough-and-Tumble Book of Play illustrated by Jose Pimienta and published by Rise x Penguin Workshop in 2 days!! Winner selected July 15! #letsrumblebook #kidlit #play #pb

Rachel G. Payne (she/they) @rpayne.bsky.social · Jul 5

Oops! Spelled the publisher's name wrong-- Penguin Workshop!

Rachel G. Payne (she/they) @rpayne.bsky.social · Jul 5

My son loved to roughhouse, I mean rumble. So it was born of necessity.

Rachel G. Payne (she/they) @rpayne.bsky.social · Jul 5

#BookGiveaway
Like, repost, comment, or repost to win a signed copy of my #debut #picturebook Let’s Rumble! A Rough-and-Tumble Book of Play illustrated by @jopi.bsky.social from Rise x Penguin Worksop. #kidlit #edusky #booksky #books #unboxing

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Rachel G. Payne (she/they) @rpayne.bsky.social · Jul 4

It’s a #bookgiveaway of my #debut picture book, Let’s Rumble! illustrated by @jopi.bsky.social! It’s all about #play and #roughhousing. Like, repost, comment, or follow before July 15 for a chance to win a signed copy. The more you do the more chances to win! #booksky #kidlit #edusky #picturebooks

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Rachel G. Payne (she/they) @rpayne.bsky.social · Jul 1

Got to present with rock stars Pat Scales, Vera Ahiyya, & Jessica Ralli at #alaac25 & they wrote it up in American Libraries Magazine! Thanks @wearealsc.bsky.social for the opportunity & Sourcebook and Penguin for books to giveaway! #kidlit #bannedbooks americanlibrariesmagazine.org/blogs/the-sc...

Free Children Read Freely | American Libraries Magazine

Librarians, educators, and authors share age-appropriate resources for introducing kids to banned books and celebrating autonomy.

americanlibrariesmagazine.org

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Reposted by Rachel G. Payne (she/they)

PB Jamboree @pbjamboree.bsky.social · Jun 26

So, will we see you at #ALA2025?? If you're planning to attend, please make sure you say hi! My friends and I from the PB Jamboree group (pb_2023 on IG) would love to meet you!
#skybrarians #edusky @kdmaz.bsky.social @rpayne.bsky.social @mattforrestvw.bsky.social #kidlit #childrensbooks

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Rachel G. Payne (she/they) @rpayne.bsky.social · Jun 25

But you seem to be making the GOP argument. A candidate like Mamdani may not have wide appeal in a general election, but he’s doing some things right Democratic candidates could learn from, like engage with new media and speak to people’s needs & frustrations.

Rachel G. Payne (she/they) @rpayne.bsky.social · Jun 25

And we know Trump always selects “all the best people.” Mamdani has served in state government, at least. All Trump requires is a loyalty and experience be damned.

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Reposted by Rachel G. Payne (she/they)

D.M. Schmeyer @dmschmeyer.bsky.social · Jun 25

Sexual harassment should be disqualifying and its a good thing that the sexual harasser lost.

We have to get back to a point where we care about that shit again.

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Rachel G. Payne (she/they) @rpayne.bsky.social · Jun 21

Thanks! Now on to lots of events

Rachel G. Payne (she/they) @rpayne.bsky.social · Jun 21

It’s here! We unboxed the author copies of my debut picture book, Let’s Rumble: A Rough-and-Tumble Book of Play illustrated by @jopi.bsky.social from Rise x Penguin Workshop! @penguinrandomhouse.bsky.social
#kidlit #picturebook #picturebooks #pb #play #kids
#unboxing #roughhousing #letsrumblebook

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Rachel G. Payne (she/they) @rpayne.bsky.social · Jun 20

Going to @amlibraryassoc.bsky.social's #ALAAC25 in Philadelphia? Stop by @bklynlibrary.bsky.social's #BooksUnbanned Booth (135) for these stickers, fun schwag, and information on our brand-spanking new Freedom to Read Storytime Guide, which I will be presenting on on Sat 6/28 at 11 AM! #BannedBooks

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Reposted by Rachel G. Payne (she/they)

Bradford William Davis @bwd.bsky.social · Jun 20

ICE arrested Job Garcia while he was running errands in LA. Job is a US citizen, a scholar, and a brilliant photographer. He’s also my friend. But none of that should determine his humanity.

ICE must release Job Garcia immediately.

Bradford, job and two friends hanging at dodger stadium

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PB Jamboree @pbjamboree.bsky.social · Jun 17

We're celebrating a momentous occasion in the U.S. with some of our favorite #picturebooks about the history of slavery and #Juneteenth.

Any you think we should have included?

#Juneteenth2025 #childrensbooks #AmericanHistory

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