Debra Kempf Shumaker
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debrakshumaker.bsky.social
Debra Kempf Shumaker
@debrakshumaker.bsky.social
Children's Writer. Avid Reader. Repped by James McGowan & Sophie Sheumaker, BookEnds Literary. Member of @steamteambooks.bsky.social & @kl4gm.bsky.social.
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#teachers #librarians: I am booking #authorvisits for 2025/2026 school year! I love exciting kids about #science, #reading, and #writing!

Check out my website for details and a downloadable brochure: debrashumaker.com/author_visits/
Don't miss the November newsletter from Kidlit for Growing Minds! Learn about the power of small actions, more behind @lynnstreetbooks.bsky.social's THE BLUEJAYS THAT GREW A FOREST, and some really great teacher resources.

#kidlit #teacherresources #teachers #librarians
November 1, 2025 at 10:52 PM
So excited to join 19 other amazing authors at @vaasl.bsky.social next week! #librarians we'll be pitching our Author Visits at 2 sessions. And find us in the Exhibit Hall where we will be signing our books! (Bookworm Central will be selling them.)

#vaaslgold #vaasl2025 #librariesrock
October 28, 2025 at 4:47 PM
Don't miss this latest newsletter by @kl4gm.bsky.social. The opening article by @zeenamar.bsky.social is absolutely fascinating! And the "There's a Book For That" section lists some great reads to celebrate important/fun dates in November!
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
October 1, 2025 at 10:06 PM
Another post reminded me of a gem of a #PB —ME. . . JANE by Patrick McDonnell. It came out just as I started writing picture books. An absolute must read today as we hear of Jane Goodall's passing.

But if I may also suggest PECULIAR PRIMATES be me, ill. by Claire Powell. Jane's work inspired me.
October 1, 2025 at 10:03 PM
Reposted by Debra Kempf Shumaker
Shining a spotlight on a Children’s Book Resource Hub entry: @bandersonwriter.bsky.social “Especially for Educators” blog—packed with lessons, activities, & insights to make nonfiction shine in classrooms.

bethandersonwriter.com/category/esp...

#kidlit #edusky #kidlitgrove #nonfiction #teachersky
Especially for Educators – Beth Anderson, Children's Writer
blog posts directly related to teachers and classrooms
bethandersonwriter.com
September 23, 2025 at 10:34 AM
Excited to partner with @annmsbooks.bsky.social at @scrawlbooks.bsky.social this Saturday, Sept 6 at 11 am!

Join us as we celebrate nature with our books WIND IS A DANCE and FANTASTIC FLORA and an activity!

#kidlit #nature
September 3, 2025 at 10:26 PM
Reposted by Debra Kempf Shumaker
Our Sept. newsletter, article by @lisaljrogers.bsky.social, and #giveaway is ready to read! Find book news, teaching tips, inspiration, & more. Subscribe to receive a special download and bio book list by our KL4GM creatives! 💕📚💕

#edusky #booksky #schoollibrarians #skybrarian tinyurl.com/2yzd9orb
Picture Book Biographies: Teaching Tools Full of Possibility
By Lisa Rogers
tinyurl.com
September 1, 2025 at 5:09 PM
Another great newsletter from KidLit for Growing Minds is up! #teachers #librarians check out how to use picture book biographies in your classrooms. Don't miss
"There's a Book for That" for October or the book bundle giveaway!
kidlitforgrowingminds.substack.com/p/picture-bo...
Picture Book Biographies: Teaching Tools Full of Possibility
By Lisa Rogers
kidlitforgrowingminds.substack.com
September 1, 2025 at 7:07 PM
Reposted by Debra Kempf Shumaker
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
August 19, 2025 at 7:46 PM
Reposted by Debra Kempf Shumaker
Readers love rhyming picture books! But the pieces need to add up -- stellar story, marvelous meter, and really good rhymes.
If you write in rhyme, we can help you make your manuscript shine! www.rhymedoctors.com
@schaubwrites.bsky.social @eileenmeyerbooks.bsky.social @patriciatoht.bsky.social
August 11, 2025 at 8:21 PM
Love being part of this group. #teachers #librarians Check out KidLit For Growing Minds!
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
bit.ly
August 1, 2025 at 10:03 PM
Just sent out my latest Author Newsletter. Interested in hearing news about my books, recent picture books I love, and have a chance to win a picture book?

I send it out 6 times/year and you can unsubscribe at any time. Read my latest (and subscribe) here:
mailchi.mp/b06dbecd36fb...
Dog Days of Summer + Picture Book Giveaway!
mailchi.mp
July 30, 2025 at 3:50 PM
My son just graduated with a degree in meteorology and this article is spot on. These scientists want desperately to save lives, they've been making progress, and the research funds on the chopping block will negatively impact so much. It is so shortsighted.
July 29, 2025 at 12:45 AM
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
July 28, 2025 at 2:15 PM
Today is #nationalcatfishday! Did you know catfish that live in African freshwater rivers can zap! They have electric organs they use to stun prey. For more fun facts about fish, grab a copy of FREAKY, FUNKY FISH, published by Running Press Kids, illustrated by Claire Powell.

#nfforkids
June 25, 2025 at 5:24 PM
Another #PB is in the works! FIRE IS A CHORUS, illustrated by Isabella Fassler, publishing w/ @kidscanpress.bsky.social will hit bookshelves in Spring 2027!

Grateful to my agents @jmcgowanbks.bsky.social, @sophiesheumaker.bsky.social and editor Kathleen Keenan for championing this book!
May 20, 2025 at 9:58 PM
Reposted by Debra Kempf Shumaker
Did you know that today is World Metrology Day? Today highlights the vital role of measurement science in our daily lives.

I’M LONGER THAN YOU!, written and illustrated by Carolyn Fisher, is a new and incredibly original way to introduce measurement to kids.
May 20, 2025 at 3:27 PM
Had SO much fun reading WIND IS A DANCE at the Gaithersburg Book Festival and enjoyed sharing the stage with @susanstockdale.bsky.social & Gaia Cornwall and their books. Grateful to the volunteers and to the parents who bring their kids to feed the spark for books!
@kidscanpress.bsky.social
May 19, 2025 at 2:09 PM
Reposted by Debra Kempf Shumaker
Will you be at the Gaithersburg Book Festival this weekend? Be sure to stop by and see Kids Can Press authors! Signings to follow.
May 15, 2025 at 5:43 PM
Join me at the Gaithersburg Book Festival Sat., 5/17 at 10:15 am in the Jim Henson Pavilion. I'll be reading WIND IS A DANCE while kids make ribbons dance like the wind. I'm sharing the stage with @susanstockdale.bsky.social & Gaia Cornwall.

@joseebisaillon.bsky.social @kidscanpress.bsky.social
May 15, 2025 at 5:12 PM
May 7th is Beaufort Scale Day! A perfect day to #giveaway a copy of my #PB —WIND IS A DANCE, ill. by @joseebisaillon.bsky.social —a lyrical ode to the wind and the wind scale in the backmatter. Follow me and reply/repost to enter. Ends Sunday 5/11. US only.

@kidscanpress.bsky.social #stemforkids
May 7, 2025 at 1:04 PM
Reposted by Debra Kempf Shumaker
Where in the world do nonhuman primates live? In this lesson, the video is the inspiration piece. It takes you on a tour of the world’s continents to learn where nonhuman primates’ habitats naturally occur and which species live where. Find it here: neprimateconservancy.org/where-primates-live/
May 5, 2025 at 4:10 PM
#teachers #librarians: I am booking #authorvisits for 2025/2026 school year! I love exciting kids about #science, #reading, and #writing!

Check out my website for details and a downloadable brochure: debrashumaker.com/author_visits/
May 1, 2025 at 5:52 PM
Reposted by Debra Kempf Shumaker
The Plot Lab is happening this Friday! Everyone who registers also gets access to Damon Suede's recent webinar, The Genre Plot: Unpacking the Universal Truths of Narrative. A terrific opportunity to dig into the building blocks of Story and apply to your own WIP.
app.inkedvoices.com/event/worksh...
April 28, 2025 at 1:46 PM
Excited to be a featured author at the Gaithersburg Book Festival on May 17! Join me for a day of books, ideas, and literary fun. I'll be presenting at 10:15 am in the Jim Hensen Pavilion.

@kidscanpress.bsky.social @joseebisaillon.bsky.social
#GBF2025 #BookFestival
April 26, 2025 at 6:57 PM