A.J. Irving 🩷💜💙
@ajirving.bsky.social
Mama. Wordsmith. Kidlit enthusiast. Lambda Literary Award Finalist. DANCE LIKE A LEAF, THE WISHING FLOWER, THE BI BOOK • Rep: @thejordache.bsky.social • she/her 🏳️🌈 https://ajirving.com/
Pinned
A.J. Irving 🩷💜💙
@ajirving.bsky.social
· Nov 19
Happy news! THE BI BOOK by Cynthia Alonso and me made ALA Booklist’s 2025 Editors’ Choice Books for Youth list! We are honored! Congratulations to all the creators of these fantastic books! ✨ tinyurl.com/5xkyavh6 #kidlit #booksky
Reposted by A.J. Irving 🩷💜💙
On Read Your World Day, we celebrate @kidlitcollective.bsky.social stories that celebrate diversity from our friends @writerjolene.bsky.social @jnwieder.bsky.social and @charlottewatson.bsky.social
#kidlit #kidlitart #booksky #picturebooks #diversity #EduSky
#kidlit #kidlitart #booksky #picturebooks #diversity #EduSky
January 29, 2026 at 5:35 PM
On Read Your World Day, we celebrate @kidlitcollective.bsky.social stories that celebrate diversity from our friends @writerjolene.bsky.social @jnwieder.bsky.social and @charlottewatson.bsky.social
#kidlit #kidlitart #booksky #picturebooks #diversity #EduSky
#kidlit #kidlitart #booksky #picturebooks #diversity #EduSky
Reposted by A.J. Irving 🩷💜💙
I haven't had the energy to keep up with posting work updates lately, but wanted to say my heartfelt thanks to the American Library Association for including MY LITTLE GOLDEN BOOK ABOUT PRIDE (written by @kylelukoff) on their Rainbow Book List 2026 top 10 LGBTQIA+ books for young readers ❤️
January 29, 2026 at 7:57 PM
I haven't had the energy to keep up with posting work updates lately, but wanted to say my heartfelt thanks to the American Library Association for including MY LITTLE GOLDEN BOOK ABOUT PRIDE (written by @kylelukoff) on their Rainbow Book List 2026 top 10 LGBTQIA+ books for young readers ❤️
Reposted by A.J. Irving 🩷💜💙
If WATERCRESS made you think, “I want to write stories that hit like this,” you’re in luck—Newbery Honor winner Andrea Wang is a #PBRisingStars mentor!
#kidlit #kidlitwriter #amwriting #mentorship #picturebook #author #kidlitart #illustrator #illustration
#kidlit #kidlitwriter #amwriting #mentorship #picturebook #author #kidlitart #illustrator #illustration
January 29, 2026 at 1:53 PM
If WATERCRESS made you think, “I want to write stories that hit like this,” you’re in luck—Newbery Honor winner Andrea Wang is a #PBRisingStars mentor!
#kidlit #kidlitwriter #amwriting #mentorship #picturebook #author #kidlitart #illustrator #illustration
#kidlit #kidlitwriter #amwriting #mentorship #picturebook #author #kidlitart #illustrator #illustration
Reposted by A.J. Irving 🩷💜💙
Is that THREE-TIME #PBRS mentor Livia Blackburne, I see?!
Livia’s the best at bringing out the heart of a story, and elevating universal themes that appeal to both kids AND adult readers. She’s a great sounding board for new ideas and she has TONS of publishing to share.
Livia’s the best at bringing out the heart of a story, and elevating universal themes that appeal to both kids AND adult readers. She’s a great sounding board for new ideas and she has TONS of publishing to share.
January 28, 2026 at 9:14 PM
Is that THREE-TIME #PBRS mentor Livia Blackburne, I see?!
Livia’s the best at bringing out the heart of a story, and elevating universal themes that appeal to both kids AND adult readers. She’s a great sounding board for new ideas and she has TONS of publishing to share.
Livia’s the best at bringing out the heart of a story, and elevating universal themes that appeal to both kids AND adult readers. She’s a great sounding board for new ideas and she has TONS of publishing to share.
Reposted by A.J. Irving 🩷💜💙
Meet our next #PBRisingStars mentor: the brilliant Steph Littlebird ✨
She’s an Indigenous author-illustrator bringing contemporary Native culture, history, and heart to the page.
#kidlit #amwriting #mentorship #picturebook #author #kidlitart #illustrator #illustration
She’s an Indigenous author-illustrator bringing contemporary Native culture, history, and heart to the page.
#kidlit #amwriting #mentorship #picturebook #author #kidlitart #illustrator #illustration
January 28, 2026 at 2:08 PM
Meet our next #PBRisingStars mentor: the brilliant Steph Littlebird ✨
She’s an Indigenous author-illustrator bringing contemporary Native culture, history, and heart to the page.
#kidlit #amwriting #mentorship #picturebook #author #kidlitart #illustrator #illustration
She’s an Indigenous author-illustrator bringing contemporary Native culture, history, and heart to the page.
#kidlit #amwriting #mentorship #picturebook #author #kidlitart #illustrator #illustration
Reposted by A.J. Irving 🩷💜💙
Honored to be a #pbrisingstars Mentor, particularly for the 5th and final year of this amazing program! Thank you to @kidlit411.bsky.social for hosting our announcement! Check out the incredible 40 mentors that will be participating. Best of luck to all prospective applicants!! pbrisingstars.com
January 28, 2026 at 5:58 AM
Honored to be a #pbrisingstars Mentor, particularly for the 5th and final year of this amazing program! Thank you to @kidlit411.bsky.social for hosting our announcement! Check out the incredible 40 mentors that will be participating. Best of luck to all prospective applicants!! pbrisingstars.com
Reposted by A.J. Irving 🩷💜💙
Next up on our #PBRisingStars mentor spotlights: Kim Rogers!
Kim’s all about bringing a big-picture lens to mentorship. She’s here to help you think boldly and take risks with your work AND think strategically about the business side of publishing. 1/3
Kim’s all about bringing a big-picture lens to mentorship. She’s here to help you think boldly and take risks with your work AND think strategically about the business side of publishing. 1/3
January 27, 2026 at 1:56 PM
Next up on our #PBRisingStars mentor spotlights: Kim Rogers!
Kim’s all about bringing a big-picture lens to mentorship. She’s here to help you think boldly and take risks with your work AND think strategically about the business side of publishing. 1/3
Kim’s all about bringing a big-picture lens to mentorship. She’s here to help you think boldly and take risks with your work AND think strategically about the business side of publishing. 1/3
Reposted by A.J. Irving 🩷💜💙
A little good news in amongst all the heavy stuff:
MAEVE MULVANEY HAS HAD ENOUGH was selected for the 2026 Rise: Feminist Book List!
You can see the complete 2026 booklist here: www.ala.org/srrt/2026-ri...
MAEVE MULVANEY HAS HAD ENOUGH was selected for the 2026 Rise: Feminist Book List!
You can see the complete 2026 booklist here: www.ala.org/srrt/2026-ri...
January 27, 2026 at 1:14 AM
A little good news in amongst all the heavy stuff:
MAEVE MULVANEY HAS HAD ENOUGH was selected for the 2026 Rise: Feminist Book List!
You can see the complete 2026 booklist here: www.ala.org/srrt/2026-ri...
MAEVE MULVANEY HAS HAD ENOUGH was selected for the 2026 Rise: Feminist Book List!
You can see the complete 2026 booklist here: www.ala.org/srrt/2026-ri...
Reposted by A.J. Irving 🩷💜💙
Reposted by A.J. Irving 🩷💜💙
⭐️ Sound the alarm: Janelle Harper is back as a TWO-TIME #PBRisingStars MENTOR!
Want help with creating satisfying read-alouds, perfecting pace, and cutting the fluff? Then run–don’t walk–to apply to be Janelle’s mentee!
1/3
#kidlit #amwriting #picturebook #author #mentorship
Want help with creating satisfying read-alouds, perfecting pace, and cutting the fluff? Then run–don’t walk–to apply to be Janelle’s mentee!
1/3
#kidlit #amwriting #picturebook #author #mentorship
January 26, 2026 at 1:54 PM
⭐️ Sound the alarm: Janelle Harper is back as a TWO-TIME #PBRisingStars MENTOR!
Want help with creating satisfying read-alouds, perfecting pace, and cutting the fluff? Then run–don’t walk–to apply to be Janelle’s mentee!
1/3
#kidlit #amwriting #picturebook #author #mentorship
Want help with creating satisfying read-alouds, perfecting pace, and cutting the fluff? Then run–don’t walk–to apply to be Janelle’s mentee!
1/3
#kidlit #amwriting #picturebook #author #mentorship
Reposted by A.J. Irving 🩷💜💙
Say hello to our next #pbrisingstars mentor!
Adam Rex is the award-winning author of more than 40 picture books, and he’s a humor WIZARD — on the page AND in the art.
Adam Rex is the award-winning author of more than 40 picture books, and he’s a humor WIZARD — on the page AND in the art.
January 25, 2026 at 9:04 PM
Say hello to our next #pbrisingstars mentor!
Adam Rex is the award-winning author of more than 40 picture books, and he’s a humor WIZARD — on the page AND in the art.
Adam Rex is the award-winning author of more than 40 picture books, and he’s a humor WIZARD — on the page AND in the art.
Reposted by A.J. Irving 🩷💜💙
Remember in elementary school when we all stood in a circle and held a bit of the big parachute? We spread out evenly, each lifting our own little part, and together we made a beautiful rainbow dome? Right now, we’re standing in a circle around the world. Keep holding your part of the parachute.
January 25, 2026 at 4:07 PM
Remember in elementary school when we all stood in a circle and held a bit of the big parachute? We spread out evenly, each lifting our own little part, and together we made a beautiful rainbow dome? Right now, we’re standing in a circle around the world. Keep holding your part of the parachute.
Reposted by A.J. Irving 🩷💜💙
Meet our first #PBRisingStars mentor, Nada Shawish Dutka! ✨
Nada loves both literary AND commercial PBs—especially stories that spotlight underrepresented characters. She’s all about moody, spooky vibes 👻, sharp dialogue, immersive settings, and making BIG themes feel accessible to kids. 1/3
Nada loves both literary AND commercial PBs—especially stories that spotlight underrepresented characters. She’s all about moody, spooky vibes 👻, sharp dialogue, immersive settings, and making BIG themes feel accessible to kids. 1/3
January 25, 2026 at 1:57 PM
Meet our first #PBRisingStars mentor, Nada Shawish Dutka! ✨
Nada loves both literary AND commercial PBs—especially stories that spotlight underrepresented characters. She’s all about moody, spooky vibes 👻, sharp dialogue, immersive settings, and making BIG themes feel accessible to kids. 1/3
Nada loves both literary AND commercial PBs—especially stories that spotlight underrepresented characters. She’s all about moody, spooky vibes 👻, sharp dialogue, immersive settings, and making BIG themes feel accessible to kids. 1/3
Reposted by A.J. Irving 🩷💜💙
⭐️Get Ready To Prep Those Applications! ⭐️
Starting tomorrow we will highlight one or two mentors every day so you can get to know them and see a snapshot of their wishlists! We hope you will consider EVERY mentor that you are eligible for. Make sure to visit their FULL profile.
#kidlit #kidlitart
Starting tomorrow we will highlight one or two mentors every day so you can get to know them and see a snapshot of their wishlists! We hope you will consider EVERY mentor that you are eligible for. Make sure to visit their FULL profile.
#kidlit #kidlitart
January 24, 2026 at 3:35 PM
⭐️Get Ready To Prep Those Applications! ⭐️
Starting tomorrow we will highlight one or two mentors every day so you can get to know them and see a snapshot of their wishlists! We hope you will consider EVERY mentor that you are eligible for. Make sure to visit their FULL profile.
#kidlit #kidlitart
Starting tomorrow we will highlight one or two mentors every day so you can get to know them and see a snapshot of their wishlists! We hope you will consider EVERY mentor that you are eligible for. Make sure to visit their FULL profile.
#kidlit #kidlitart
Thrilled to be a @pbrisingstars.bsky.social mentor! Big thanks to @kidlit411.bsky.social for hosting our announcement! 40 incredible mentors! It’s going to be an epic summer! Find my full wishlist here: www.pbrisingstars.com/ajirving & head over to kidlit411.com & pbrisingstars.com for more info!
January 24, 2026 at 2:15 AM
Thrilled to be a @pbrisingstars.bsky.social mentor! Big thanks to @kidlit411.bsky.social for hosting our announcement! 40 incredible mentors! It’s going to be an epic summer! Find my full wishlist here: www.pbrisingstars.com/ajirving & head over to kidlit411.com & pbrisingstars.com for more info!
Reposted by A.J. Irving 🩷💜💙
⭐️Announcing 40 INCREDIBLE MENTORS! ⭐️
Just look at some of the books from our 2026 mentors!! Miss the big announcement? Follow the link to kidlit 411 to see the news!
.
www.kidlit411.com/2026/01/the-...
How are you feeling?
.
#picturebook #pbrisingstars #kidlitillustration #kidlit #amwriting
Just look at some of the books from our 2026 mentors!! Miss the big announcement? Follow the link to kidlit 411 to see the news!
.
www.kidlit411.com/2026/01/the-...
How are you feeling?
.
#picturebook #pbrisingstars #kidlitillustration #kidlit #amwriting
January 23, 2026 at 2:32 PM
⭐️Announcing 40 INCREDIBLE MENTORS! ⭐️
Just look at some of the books from our 2026 mentors!! Miss the big announcement? Follow the link to kidlit 411 to see the news!
.
www.kidlit411.com/2026/01/the-...
How are you feeling?
.
#picturebook #pbrisingstars #kidlitillustration #kidlit #amwriting
Just look at some of the books from our 2026 mentors!! Miss the big announcement? Follow the link to kidlit 411 to see the news!
.
www.kidlit411.com/2026/01/the-...
How are you feeling?
.
#picturebook #pbrisingstars #kidlitillustration #kidlit #amwriting
Reposted by A.J. Irving 🩷💜💙
Our weekly big list of kid lit links is up (Jan 23): kidlit411.com/2026/01/the-... Inside: @pbrisingstars.bsky.social mentor program, Story Stakes, Following Up with Agents, more. Thanks to @sjwinklerart.bsky.social for the illustration, @carriefinison.bsky.social for the PB giveaway.
The Weekly 411 (1/23/26)
A one-stop place for all your kid lit information needs.
kidlit411.com
January 23, 2026 at 2:25 PM
Our weekly big list of kid lit links is up (Jan 23): kidlit411.com/2026/01/the-... Inside: @pbrisingstars.bsky.social mentor program, Story Stakes, Following Up with Agents, more. Thanks to @sjwinklerart.bsky.social for the illustration, @carriefinison.bsky.social for the PB giveaway.
Reposted by A.J. Irving 🩷💜💙
January 22, 2026 at 6:02 PM
Reposted by A.J. Irving 🩷💜💙
My client @robin-gow-poet.bsky.social's latest middle grade novel SABER-TOOTH publishes next week and has picked up THREE starred reviews and is a January/February @indiebound.bsky.social Indie Next Pick!
Have you pre-ordered yet?
awfulagent.com/saber-tooth-...
Have you pre-ordered yet?
awfulagent.com/saber-tooth-...
January 22, 2026 at 7:22 PM
My client @robin-gow-poet.bsky.social's latest middle grade novel SABER-TOOTH publishes next week and has picked up THREE starred reviews and is a January/February @indiebound.bsky.social Indie Next Pick!
Have you pre-ordered yet?
awfulagent.com/saber-tooth-...
Have you pre-ordered yet?
awfulagent.com/saber-tooth-...
Reposted by A.J. Irving 🩷💜💙
Ban bombs, borders, and billionaires, not books! Stories (and the power they contain) should belong to everyone! Cutting off access to art means stifling what makes us human, especially when the biggest targets are marginalized voices.
@authorsabb.bsky.social
@authorsabb.bsky.social
January 16, 2026 at 9:57 PM
Ban bombs, borders, and billionaires, not books! Stories (and the power they contain) should belong to everyone! Cutting off access to art means stifling what makes us human, especially when the biggest targets are marginalized voices.
@authorsabb.bsky.social
@authorsabb.bsky.social
Reposted by A.J. Irving 🩷💜💙
January 20, 2026 at 5:01 PM
Reposted by A.J. Irving 🩷💜💙
It's been SIX years since @kidlitcollective.bsky.social's first #picturebooks debuted. This year we celebrate those books that brought us together starting with Nanette Heffernan's EARTH HOUR (1/21/20) and @jnwieder.bsky.social's THE PASSOVER MOUSE (1/28/20). #kidlit #kidlitart #booksky #EduSky
January 20, 2026 at 7:02 PM
It's been SIX years since @kidlitcollective.bsky.social's first #picturebooks debuted. This year we celebrate those books that brought us together starting with Nanette Heffernan's EARTH HOUR (1/21/20) and @jnwieder.bsky.social's THE PASSOVER MOUSE (1/28/20). #kidlit #kidlitart #booksky #EduSky
Reposted by A.J. Irving 🩷💜💙
It's International Mariachi Day and a great day to celebrate authors @writerjolene.bsky.social, Dakota Gutièrrez, #illustrator @msmirelle.bsky.social, and their #picturebook MAMIACHI & ME. #kidlit #kidlitart #EduSky #booksky #kidlitcommunity @kidlitcollective.bsky.social
January 20, 2026 at 2:46 PM
It's International Mariachi Day and a great day to celebrate authors @writerjolene.bsky.social, Dakota Gutièrrez, #illustrator @msmirelle.bsky.social, and their #picturebook MAMIACHI & ME. #kidlit #kidlitart #EduSky #booksky #kidlitcommunity @kidlitcollective.bsky.social
Reposted by A.J. Irving 🩷💜💙
Today we're celebrating the 4th book birthday of our favorite mermaid! Happy Birthday to MERMAID KENZIE and creators @charlottewatson.bsky.social and @gdbee.bsky.social. #kidlit #kidlitart #picturebook #edusky #booksky @kidlitcollective.bsky.social
January 18, 2026 at 3:31 PM
Today we're celebrating the 4th book birthday of our favorite mermaid! Happy Birthday to MERMAID KENZIE and creators @charlottewatson.bsky.social and @gdbee.bsky.social. #kidlit #kidlitart #picturebook #edusky #booksky @kidlitcollective.bsky.social
Reposted by A.J. Irving 🩷💜💙
thrilled to get a ⭐ starred ⭐ review for A Celebration of You by @joshfunkbooks.bsky.social and I from @slj.com !
You can read the review here www.slj.com/review/a-cel...
and see all the other books with stars here!
www.schoollibraryjournal.com/story/38-exc...
#KidLit
You can read the review here www.slj.com/review/a-cel...
and see all the other books with stars here!
www.schoollibraryjournal.com/story/38-exc...
#KidLit
January 17, 2026 at 5:30 PM
thrilled to get a ⭐ starred ⭐ review for A Celebration of You by @joshfunkbooks.bsky.social and I from @slj.com !
You can read the review here www.slj.com/review/a-cel...
and see all the other books with stars here!
www.schoollibraryjournal.com/story/38-exc...
#KidLit
You can read the review here www.slj.com/review/a-cel...
and see all the other books with stars here!
www.schoollibraryjournal.com/story/38-exc...
#KidLit