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Keila V. Dawson

@keilavdawson.bsky.social

1.1K followers 1.4K following 110 posts

Author & educator📚Keila charges $5 to answer "Where are you from?" 📚NO BRAIN THE SAME '26📚Out now: ⚜️ YUMBO GUMBO & El gumbo más delicioso 🌏 NO WORLD TOO BIG 🚘 OPENING THE ROAD 📢 NO VOICE TOO SMALL 👑KING CAKE BABY 📚 🔗 https://www.keiladawson.com/

www.keiladawson.com

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Keila V. Dawson @keilavdawson.bsky.social · Jul 23

Honored Paulette Bethel, PhD, featured me in her article where I discuss writing, reimagining #midlife and creative becoming—how my New Orleans roots, and global experiences led to this #author life. bit.ly/44Y7ji7

To all of my friends & fellow #writers "of a certain age". #NeverGiveUp #WritersLife

The Art of Becoming: Creativity, Cultural Wisdom & the Stories We Carry - cultursmag

For women who’ve lived across cultures, creativity, artistry and craft often becomes the sacred brushstroke that reveals who we are now.

bit.ly

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Keila V. Dawson @keilavdawson.bsky.social · 5d

Lots of gold nuggets in this post! #edusky #elementary #teachers #STEM #STEAM

Beth Anderson @bandersonwriter.bsky.social · 5d

Especially for #Educators: "From Story to #STEAM: Building #ProjectBasedLearning from #PictureBooks" by @lindsayamoretti.bsky.social
Super post! 🥳 And terrific #GIVEAWAY! 📘🔬📕⛭ #edusky

bethandersonwriter.com/2025/10/03/e...

Especially for Educators: “From Story to STEAM: Building Project-Based Learning from Picture Books” by Lindsay Moretti

If you’re not familiar with Lindsay Moretti’s endeavor for educators called KIDLIT GROVE, please…read on! In this post, she shares her process of using picture books as a springbo…

bethandersonwriter.com

Reposted by Keila V. Dawson

Kidlit For Growing Minds @kl4gm.bsky.social · 7d

The Oct. newsletter, article by educator & activist @zeenamar.bsky.social is ready to read! Find a booklist of STEM/STEAM titles by members to celebrate science, math and more. Find book news, teaching tips, inspiration, oh my! 📚 tinyurl.com/t4dwhca7
#edusky #booksky #schoollibrarians #skybrarian

Place-based Learning/Place-based Writing

By Zeena M. Pliska

tinyurl.com

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Reposted by Keila V. Dawson

Teresa Robeson @teresarobeson.com · 19d

Want to win a copy of @lisaljrogers.bsky.social’s beautiful new #picturebook? Check out her post on @bandersonwriter.bsky.social’s blog that is helpful for #educators - bethandersonwriter.com/2025/09/19/e...

Especially for Educators: “Who Helps You Shine? Embracing a Growth Mindset to Reach Your Dreams” by Lisa Rogers

Here’s another fantastic book from one of the Kid Lit for Growing Minds members! In this post for educators and librarians, author Lisa Rogers, a former library teacher, shares how WOODY&#821…

bethandersonwriter.com

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Keila V. Dawson @keilavdawson.bsky.social · Sep 5

A #backtoschool gem from #KL4GM members! #nonfiction #STEM #picturebook #edusky #birders #naturelovers #treelovers @lynnstreetbooks.bsky.social

Beth Anderson @bandersonwriter.bsky.social · Sep 5

Don't miss this post about #primarysources and GIVEAWAY! #Nonfiction #Nature #PictureBook @lynnstreetbooks.bsky.social
@kl4gm.bsky.social #edusky
@annehunterstudio.bsky.social
@12x12challenge.bsky.social
@steamteambooks.bsky.social
#birds #forests #nature
#kidlit #STEM #science

Behind the Scenes: “How Primary Sources Can Grow Your Nonfiction Nature Picture Book” by Lynn Street

It’s quite amazing when you find primary sources that provide the seed, or acorn, that allows you to tell a story that for a while seemed lifeless. Check out this great post from debut author…

bethandersonwriter.com

Keila V. Dawson @keilavdawson.bsky.social · Sep 4

Congratulations, my friend! Write on!

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Keila V. Dawson @keilavdawson.bsky.social · Aug 29

Hard to believe it's been 20 years. And for many, those years have been hard. Let the flood of memories keep us aware of what needs to be done to keep my hometown of New Orleans and her residents safe. #Katrina20 #NewOrleans #ClimateChange

WWL-TV (Unofficial) @wwltv-mirror.bsky.social · Aug 29

20 years later, New Orleans remembers Hurricane Katrina, the lives lost, and the resilience that carried the city forward. 💛⚜️ #Katrina20

Coverage here: https://www.wwltv.com/katrina20

Reposted by Keila V. Dawson

Lindsay | KidLit Grove @lindsayamoretti.bsky.social · Aug 19

Each week, I’m highlighting a resource you can find in the Children’s Book Resource Hub. This week, I’d like to showcase the treasure trove of educational content created by Kidlit for Growing Minds.

Go give them a look!
#kidlit #edusky #booksky #teachers

kidlitforgrowingminds.substack.com

Kidlit for Growing Minds | Substack

Supporting teachers and librarians, and inspiring curious kids with the power of story for real world learning. Click to read Kidlit for Growing Minds, a Substack publication with hundreds of subscrib...

kidlitforgrowingminds.substack.com

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Keila V. Dawson @keilavdawson.bsky.social · Aug 19

Farm fresh! Traded tomatoes for another cabbage and snagged seconds for sauce and salsa. But today is Monday, so y'all know what we had for dinner...tomorrow...farm to table. #mondaymotivation #redbeansandrice #farmtotable #farmfresh

Keila V. Dawson @keilavdawson.bsky.social · Aug 13

Food fight! Happy book birthday to TOMATOES ON TRIAL. Congrats @lindsayhmetcalf.bsky.social! #TeamVegetable #kidlit #nonfiction #GiveawayAlert 🥳📚🍅

Lindsay H. Metcalf @lindsayhmetcalf.bsky.social · Aug 12

It’s a book birthday #giveaway!

TOMATOES ON TRIAL: The Fruit V. Vegetable Showdown hits shelves today, and I’ll choose FIVE winners of free copies on Friday, 8/15. (U.S. entries only.)

To enter, by sharing the image of your choice, tag and follow @lindsayhmetcalf. LET THE FOOD FIGHT BEGIN!!!!!

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Keila V. Dawson @keilavdawson.bsky.social · Aug 6

"What do authors do to promote their books at events?" asked @christinevanzandt.bsky.social for the SCBWI Kite Tales blog, #AskanEditor. I and other authors answered! #authorlife #bookpromotion #SCBWI #kidlit #writingcommunity scbwikitetales.com/2025/08/06/ask-an-editor-advice-for-selling-at-tables/

Ask an Editor: Advice for Selling at Tables

“Ask an Editor” is a forum wherein SCBWI members submit questions that are answered quarterly as part of our Kite Tales blog. Hi Christine – I’m selling my book for the first time a…

scbwikitetales.com

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Keila V. Dawson @keilavdawson.bsky.social · Aug 5

Happy book birthday to @kl4gm.bsky.social member @lynnstreetbooks.bsky.social! It's a beautiful book! #edusky #newrelease #STEM #nonfiction #kidlit

Lynn Street Books @lynnstreetbooks.bsky.social · Aug 4

Thanks to School Library Journal for recommending THE BLUE JAYS THAT GREW A FOREST as "educational and visually stunning." www.schoollibraryjournal.com/review/the-b...
@annehunterstudio.bsky.social
@steamteambooks.bsky.social
@12x12challenge.bsky.social
#picturebook #nonfiction #kidlit #birds

Keila V. Dawson @keilavdawson.bsky.social · Aug 3

You are way ahead of us! Getting those jars ready. Our garden is blooming!

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Keila V. Dawson @keilavdawson.bsky.social · Aug 1

Our KidLit For Growing Minds back-to-school newsletter written by moi is ready to read! Find book news, teaching tips, inspiration, and more. Subscribe to receive an INDEX TO BACK MATTER CONTENT for books by our members!

bit.ly/3JcVwoR
#edusky #freebie #schoollibrarians #skybrarian #nonfiction

A New School Year to Grow and Learn, Together

by Keila V. Dawson

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Keila V. Dawson @keilavdawson.bsky.social · Jul 28

YAY! Exciting news!

Keila V. Dawson @keilavdawson.bsky.social · Jul 28

Congratulations! It's a beautiful book!

Debra Kempf Shumaker @debrakshumaker.bsky.social · Jul 28

Thrilled to share WIND IS A DANCE is a 2025 Crystal Kite Honor Book for the SCBWI Atlantic Region! Humbled to be selected from so many amazing books. Grateful to @joseebisaillon.bsky.social's art, @kidscanpress.bsky.social and @jmcgowanbks.bsky.social!

#scbwi #scbwi25ck #CrystalKiteAward

Keila V. Dawson @keilavdawson.bsky.social · Jul 24

What a great take on a monster tale! I sure loved the Hulk and his hooman. Guess kids just understand that sometimes, you gotta just let it go. HA!

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Keila V. Dawson @keilavdawson.bsky.social · Jul 24

Right? And the leftovers...da bomb!

Keila V. Dawson @keilavdawson.bsky.social · Jul 23

The Art of Becoming: Creativity, Cultural Wisdom & the Stories We Carry - cultursmag

For women who’ve lived across cultures, creativity, artistry and craft often becomes the sacred brushstroke that reveals who we are now.

bit.ly

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Keila V. Dawson @keilavdawson.bsky.social · Jul 20

What's for dinner? Farm fresh Creole Louisiana Cabbage! When folks at the farm put their heads in the swap basket, I collect them. Hubby is like "When ya gonna make that cabbage?" When I have a few hours, dude! Voilà! #Foodlover #cooking #Farmfresh #homecooking #CreoleLouisiana #Recipe

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Keila V. Dawson @keilavdawson.bsky.social · Jul 15

‪Happy Book Birthday, DISGUSTOLOGY! 🤢😱🤮

Teresa Robeson @teresarobeson.com · Jul 15

Today is the day - DISGUSTOLOGY is out in the world! Be prepared to be grossed out, entertained, and learn a cool fact or forty 😉 from @annamariajung.bsky.social’s art and my text! Oh, and your middle grader will like it, too 😄

@mackidssl.bsky.social @bookendsliterary.bsky.social

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Keila V. Dawson @keilavdawson.bsky.social · Jun 26

Re-cap! Memories and takeaways from NCTE/NCTM Joint Conference 2025 and how the theme Gather, Grow, and Learn Together flowed through every session, conversation, and connection. Finding inspiration is easy when spending time with people who care about kids. #LitMath2025 #NCTE/NCTM2025 #edusky

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Keila V. Dawson @keilavdawson.bsky.social · Jun 25

Great interview! Books with BIPOC and LGBT characters are getting banned. "What does it mean when somebody says they want to protect children but what they're doing is removing the identity of a character..." @jbradley.bsky.social #edusky #FreedomToRead #FightBookBans www.wgbh.org/culture/book...

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Reposted by Keila V. Dawson

Abi Cushman @abicushman.com · May 30

NO WORLD TOO BIG, edited by @lindsayhmetcalf.bsky.social, @keilavdawson.bsky.social & @jbradley.bsky.social is such an empowering book! Through poems and beautiful illustrations, it showcases the many ways kids around the world are making a difference in their own communities and beyond. 😍🌎

No World Too Big: Young People Fighting Global Climate Change book cover - Three children holding up the world.

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Keila V. Dawson @keilavdawson.bsky.social · May 30

Thanks for sharing, Abi! 💞📢💞📚💞🌏

Keila V. Dawson @keilavdawson.bsky.social · May 21

My co-presenter, an early childhood bilingual Pre-K teacher and I will discuss the importance of linguistically and culturally relevant texts and math books, like YUMBO GUMBO, for early learners on June 16th, 2:45pm-3:45pm, Salon C7 & 8. @charlesbridge.bsky.social #edusky #earlyeducation #math

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