Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

SandyBrehl @sandybrehl.bsky.social · 6d

What a terrific start! And it just keeps getting better.

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SandyBrehl @sandybrehl.bsky.social · 6d

Terrific start for day one at #scbwiOhioNorth conference!
thx to all !

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SandyBrehl @sandybrehl.bsky.social · 20d

A delightful way to begin the week: WHERE THE DEER SLIP THROUGH by @Kateywrites@ and Beth Hommes, frome Lane Books
#picturebook #nature

unpackingpicturebookpower.blogspot.com/2025/09/natu...

Nature Calls... In the Best of Ways: WHERE THE DEER SLIP THROUGH

Some things, particularly NATURE, are reliably calming to me. I often hear the same is true for many others. In any of its glorious forms (a...

unpackingpicturebookpower.blogspot.com

SandyBrehl @sandybrehl.bsky.social · Sep 8

When a #nonfiction #picturebook carries a heartfelt story about pursuing dreams, it deserves extra attention. Help spread the word:

unpackingpicturebookpower.blogspot.com/2025/09/foll...

Following Dreams: TO SEE AN OWL

The picture books i feature here are among those I consider the best of the best. THere's no denying that my choices are highly subjective, ...

unpackingpicturebookpower.blogspot.com

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SandyBrehl @sandybrehl.bsky.social · Aug 19

It’s no surprise that I love #picturebooks by Jill Esbaum, but this latest is a-maize-ing! #ItsCornPickingTime

unpackingpicturebookpower.blogspot.com/2025/08/its-...
#nonficiton

IT'S CORN PICKING TIME! A Must-Harvest New Picture Book

In case you are unfamiliar, I want to call out author JILL ESBAUM as a master of rhymed text in picture books. Click on her name to see ful...

unpackingpicturebookpower.blogspot.com

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SandyBrehl @sandybrehl.bsky.social · Aug 14

My posts are reviews and interviews about picture books. On Bluesky but not constantly. Https://unpackingpicturebookpower.Blogspot.com

SandyBrehl @sandybrehl.bsky.social · Aug 10

Fans of @patzmiller.bsky.social DON’T miss this ng new age, #ONECANBE from @beamingbooksmn.bsky.social . What a beauty and joy!

unpackingpicturebookpower.blogspot.com/2025/08/what...

What ONE CAN BE... Take a Look

Some, (actually, quite a few) picture book authors reliably create books that quickly become not only successful but special. Pat Z Miller ...

unpackingpicturebookpower.blogspot.com

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SandyBrehl @sandybrehl.bsky.social · Jul 12

Terrific morning start @thewritingbarn.bsky.social with #PH #WBPITCH.Thx to all involved!

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SandyBrehl @sandybrehl.bsky.social · Jul 11

Summer #picturebook challenge: Check out #SPOOKYLAKES unpackingpicturebookpower.blogspot.com/2025/07/spoo...

SPOOKY LAKES: Does That Get Your Attention?

ABRAMS BOOKS FOR YOUNG READERS 2024 SPOOKY LAKES: 25 Strange and Mysterious Lakes That Dot Our Planet is written and illustrated by Geo Rut...

unpackingpicturebookpower.blogspot.com

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SandyBrehl @sandybrehl.bsky.social · Jun 22

If you haven’t heard, #CYBILSAWARDS has news: cybilsawards.substack.com/p/were-takin...

We're Taking a Break, Sort-of

Since you’ve been living in the same world we have, you know that books and stories have turned into the toxic rope in an aggressive cultural tug-of-war.

cybilsawards.substack.com

SandyBrehl @sandybrehl.bsky.social · May 6

You won’t want to miss this interview with @marshadianearnold.bsky.social about her latest release!
#Trains #nonfiction #picturebooks #Writingmentor

unpackingpicturebookpower.blogspot.com/2025/05/as-p...

As Promised: Marsha Diane Arnold Interview About Big Boy 4014

Marsha Diane Arnold A recent review of the remarkable nonfiction picture book, BIG BOY 4014, can be read, HERE. My remarks and those of man...

unpackingpicturebookpower.blogspot.com

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SandyBrehl @sandybrehl.bsky.social · Apr 30

Fans of #trains, @marshadianearnold.bsky.social and amazing writing and images will love this new #Nonfiction #@picturebook, releasing MAY 1! #BigBoy4014 #STEM #Steam

unpackingpicturebookpower.blogspot.com/2025/04/make...

Make Way for a WONDER: BIG BOY 4014!

Readers: Here's a preliminary note about this book before my review. Arnold opens the account with this information, and it says so much ab...

unpackingpicturebookpower.blogspot.com

SandyBrehl @sandybrehl.bsky.social · Apr 11

Wrapping up #LibraryMonth with this absolutely wonderful #picturebook. No need to #shush anyone about it-0 give a cheer and share widely!

unpackingpicturebookpower.blogspot.com/2025/04/thre...

Three Cheers for LIBRARY MONTH! (Shhh...) ORSON and the WORLD'S LOUDEST LIBRARY

I grew up in the era of silent libraries. I have been SHUSHED more than once (or dozens of times) while using a library. So I'm delighted ...

unpackingpicturebookpower.blogspot.com

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SandyBrehl @sandybrehl.bsky.social · Apr 9

Here’s what a #Cellphone #Ban looks like in one district: hechingerreport.org/knitting-che...
@NCSS

Knitting, cheerleading, fishing: This is what a cellphone ban looks like in one school district

“No cellphones” is the message that students get in the Spokane, Washington, school district, where the devices are banned. But the district has also invested in extracurriculars to engage students “i...

hechingerreport.org

SandyBrehl @sandybrehl.bsky.social · Apr 8

Feel a need for a strong dose of #HOPE? #RabbitsFeat will entertain, inspire, and delight you. #picturebook #inspiration #SEL

unpackingpicturebookpower.blogspot.com/2025/04/hope...

HOPE Is a Thing With Wings... and Ears: RABBIT's FEAT

HIPPO PARK (Astra Books) 2025 Spring is the season of change, of hope, of... rabbits! Whether you welcome them or dread their nibbling intru...

unpackingpicturebookpower.blogspot.com

SandyBrehl @sandybrehl.bsky.social · Mar 29

#boardBookj alert- These new offerings are not just for infants. Such gorgeous design, sturdy construction, and delightful #nonfiction content:

unpackingpicturebookpower.blogspot.com/2025/03/a-bo...

A BOARD BOOK Beauty That IS NEVER BORING

Board books are a specific and appealing format of picture books. Parents, teachers, and librarians will confirm that they are among the fa...

unpackingpicturebookpower.blogspot.com

SandyBrehl @sandybrehl.bsky.social · Mar 11

Your remarks are humbling, but your new book is thrilling!

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SandyBrehl @sandybrehl.bsky.social · Mar 11

LA folks? Heads up!
March 22, noon to 4:00 PM, two hear @jpuglow.bsky.social in live presentation at the La Brea GIRLS IN #STEM event. Joyce will talk about her book, read it, lead activities, and provide a discussion guide.

unpackingpicturebookpower.blogspot.com/2025/03/inte...

INTERVIEW with Author JOYCE UGLOW: STUCK!

STUCK! The Story of La Brea Tar Pits, written by Joyce P. Uglow and illustrated by Valerya Milovanova. Bushel and Peck Books, 2025 Ful...

unpackingpicturebookpower.blogspot.com

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SandyBrehl @sandybrehl.bsky.social · Mar 11

Don’t miss out on this interview with debut #picturebook #Author @jpuglow.bsky.social. @SCBWI #Wisonsin #nonfiction

unpackingpicturebookpower.blogspot.com/2025/03/inte...

INTERVIEW with Author JOYCE UGLOW: STUCK!

STUCK! The Story of La Brea Tar Pits, written by Joyce P. Uglow and illustrated by Valerya Milovanova. Bushel and Peck Books, 2025 Ful...

unpackingpicturebookpower.blogspot.com

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SandyBrehl @sandybrehl.bsky.social · Mar 5

It’s a thrill to celebrate this DEBUT at #1 news for #STUCK by @jpuglow.bsky.social . Read about it here and BUY YOUR COPY today!
Congrats @BushelandPeckBooks

unpackingpicturebookpower.blogspot.com/2025/03/happ...

Happy Book Birthday to STUCK!

Bushel and Peck Books, 2025 Happy Book Birthday to STUCK! The Story of La Brea Tar Pits , written by Joyce Uglow and illustrated by Val...

unpackingpicturebookpower.blogspot.com

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SandyBrehl @sandybrehl.bsky.social · Feb 22

Spring has its hand on the gate latch and animals are making their HOMES for a new season. Don’t miss this masterful mix of #poetry, #kidlitart, #Science.
Great job, EerdmansBYR bhttp://unpackingpicturebookpower.blogspot.com/2025/02/quick-note-no-place-like-home.html

QUICK NOTE: No Place Like HOME!

Eerdman's Books for Young Readers 2024 When a picture book gains wide acclaim, I realize that I need to squeeze in my own "AMEN!". That's...

unpackingpicturebookpower.blogspot.com

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SandyBrehl @sandybrehl.bsky.social · Feb 12

FYI- When it gets this easy, try it out!

Manuscript Wish List® @manuscriptwishlist.bsky.social · Feb 12

Good news! You can search Bluesky #MSWL just as well as Twitter Advanced Search.

We recommend searching #MSWL with:

* Your genre

* Possible comp titles

* Date range (if you do frequent searches)

* Keywords related to your book

Demo here! youtu.be/LnZt1MCjKZE

How To Search #MSWL On Bluesky: Genre, Comps, Date, Keywords

YouTube video by The Manuscript Academy, LLC

youtu.be

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SandyBrehl @sandybrehl.bsky.social · Feb 12

Always my honor to take take part in celebrating your books. This one is truly exciting (page-turning) and an inspiring look at ways one womn managed to put her talent and intelligence to work, despite social limits!
#WOMEN #HISTORY #Lincoln

Beth Anderson @bandersonwriter.bsky.social · Feb 11

Feeling honored by this thoughtful review of HIDING IN PLAIN SIGHT 😍
@kl4gm.bsky.social @edusky.bsky.social

SandyBrehl @sandybrehl.bsky.social · Feb 11

@bandersonwriter.bsky.social has released yet another remarkable #Nonfiction #historical #picturebook.
Don't miss it! #lincoln #assassination attempt!t
unpackingpicturebookpower.blogspot.com/2025/02/hidi...

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SandyBrehl @sandybrehl.bsky.social · Feb 11

@bandersonwriter.bsky.social has released yet another remarkable #Nonfiction #historical #picturebook.
Don't miss it! #lincoln #assassination attempt!t
unpackingpicturebookpower.blogspot.com/2025/02/hidi...

HIDING IN PLAIN SIGHT: Edge of Your Seat Suspense

Calkins Creek, ASTRA BOOKS, 2025 Buckle up for this thrilling account from mid-nineteenth century history, a little known tale of American s...

unpackingpicturebookpower.blogspot.com

SandyBrehl @sandybrehl.bsky.social · Feb 10

Take a listen (I think it is the second segment) to author @jerrianneh.bsky.social speak about upcoming #biography for #MGLIT #VelPhillips #FairHousing #CivilRights

www.wuwm.com/show/lake-ef...

Monday 2/10/25: Capitol Notes, library kitchens, historic recipes

How Wisconsin politicians are reacting to the Trump administration’s actions. Books and Beyond goes from the stacks to the stove at the Cargill Community Kitchen. Milwaukee Public Library’s Historic R...

www.wuwm.com