Heather Shumaker
@heathershumaker.bsky.social
Children's book author. Voracious reader. Nature defender & early childhood renegade. One time my address was the South Pole. I still like ice - now learning to curl.
Do you love kids and play? I don't often look to ads for inspiration, but this one gives serious food for thought. www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Q2W....
Free the Kids - Dirt is Good
YouTube video by PersilUK
www.youtube.com
November 6, 2025 at 3:18 PM
Do you love kids and play? I don't often look to ads for inspiration, but this one gives serious food for thought. www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Q2W....
A picture book about book banning "What Happened When the Books Disappeared." Led to a cancelled author visit. #kidlit @scbwi-mi.bsky.social bookriot.com/the-day-the-...
Why Did These Authors Have Their School Visit Canceled? They Were Talking About Their Book About Book Bans.
Country Club Elementary School in California's Bay Area canceled an author visit moments before it began. Why? It covered book bans.
bookriot.com
November 5, 2025 at 2:53 PM
A picture book about book banning "What Happened When the Books Disappeared." Led to a cancelled author visit. #kidlit @scbwi-mi.bsky.social bookriot.com/the-day-the-...
Jodi Picoult reacts to Indiana high school canceling performance of "Between the Lines" musical. "It's a colossal problem when one parent makes the decision for everyone." Banning books is creeping into wider freedom of expression.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=S7Iy... #kidlit @scbwi-mi.bsky.social
www.youtube.com/watch?v=S7Iy... #kidlit @scbwi-mi.bsky.social
Author Jodi Picoult speaks out after Indiana high school cancels play based off her book
YouTube video by FOX59 News
www.youtube.com
October 28, 2025 at 12:02 PM
Jodi Picoult reacts to Indiana high school canceling performance of "Between the Lines" musical. "It's a colossal problem when one parent makes the decision for everyone." Banning books is creeping into wider freedom of expression.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=S7Iy... #kidlit @scbwi-mi.bsky.social
www.youtube.com/watch?v=S7Iy... #kidlit @scbwi-mi.bsky.social
I was re-reading Raymie Nightingale thinking - wouldn't it be great to ask Kate how she came up with her characters? She told me here. open.spotify.com/show/4SkkjZC... @scbwi-mi.bsky.social
New Episode of BookSmitten! Conversation with Kate DiCamillo, celebrating 25 years of "Because of Winn Dixie" and all things Kate. Ever want to ask how Kate creates her characters? Listen - open.spotify.com/show/4SkkjZC...
@scbwi-mi.bsky.social @jackcheng.bsky.social #kidlit #MGlit
@scbwi-mi.bsky.social @jackcheng.bsky.social #kidlit #MGlit
October 21, 2025 at 6:19 PM
I was re-reading Raymie Nightingale thinking - wouldn't it be great to ask Kate how she came up with her characters? She told me here. open.spotify.com/show/4SkkjZC... @scbwi-mi.bsky.social
Reposted by Heather Shumaker
Censorship is so 1984. Read for your rights.
Today kicks off #BannedBooksWeek, and this year's theme reminds us that the right to read belongs to all of us, that censorship has no place in contemporary society, and that we must defend our rights.
https://www.ala.org/bbooks.
Today kicks off #BannedBooksWeek, and this year's theme reminds us that the right to read belongs to all of us, that censorship has no place in contemporary society, and that we must defend our rights.
https://www.ala.org/bbooks.
October 5, 2025 at 7:37 PM
Censorship is so 1984. Read for your rights.
Today kicks off #BannedBooksWeek, and this year's theme reminds us that the right to read belongs to all of us, that censorship has no place in contemporary society, and that we must defend our rights.
https://www.ala.org/bbooks.
Today kicks off #BannedBooksWeek, and this year's theme reminds us that the right to read belongs to all of us, that censorship has no place in contemporary society, and that we must defend our rights.
https://www.ala.org/bbooks.
Our Up North Michigan SCBWI Shop Talk is hosting a community wide event "Storytelling with an Invisible Partner." Free and virtual. www.scbwi.org/events/commu.... @scbwi.bsky.social @scbwi-mi.bsky.social
October 2, 2025 at 1:55 PM
Our Up North Michigan SCBWI Shop Talk is hosting a community wide event "Storytelling with an Invisible Partner." Free and virtual. www.scbwi.org/events/commu.... @scbwi.bsky.social @scbwi-mi.bsky.social
Yesterday had the wonderful chance to chat with Kate DiCamillo. She is as full of heart as her books. And yes, she cries and laughs as she writes them. Listen to the new episode of BookSmitten to be released later this month. #kidlit @scbwi.bsky.social @scbwi-mi.bsky.social @booksmitten.bsky.social
September 4, 2025 at 4:08 PM
Yesterday had the wonderful chance to chat with Kate DiCamillo. She is as full of heart as her books. And yes, she cries and laughs as she writes them. Listen to the new episode of BookSmitten to be released later this month. #kidlit @scbwi.bsky.social @scbwi-mi.bsky.social @booksmitten.bsky.social
Enjoyed this "Mixed-Up Files" post welcoming Carter Hasegawa to the agenting side of life.
Check out an interview I did with "Mixed-Up Files" about MG fiction:
fromthemixedupfiles.com/meet-carter-...
fromthemixedupfiles.com/meet-carter-...
Meet Carter Hasegawa, Literary and Illustration Agent - From The Mixed Up Files
"Literary agent Carter Hasegawa discusses his transition from editor to agent, his passion for children's books, and what he looks for in submissions."
fromthemixedupfiles.com
September 4, 2025 at 3:22 PM
Enjoyed this "Mixed-Up Files" post welcoming Carter Hasegawa to the agenting side of life.
If you're an author, one of the best things you can do is join the Authors Guild. Major win this week protecting authors who got NEH grants. Authors Guild stands up for authors and free speech. @authorsguild.bsky.social
authorsguild.org/news/ag-wins...
authorsguild.org/news/ag-wins...
Authors Guild Wins Major First Amendment Victory in NEH Ruling - The Authors Guild
The Authors Guild and eight scholar-authors* won a major First Amendment victory yesterday when a New York federal court blocked the government’s unprecedented termination of 1,400 research grants to ...
authorsguild.org
August 3, 2025 at 10:11 PM
If you're an author, one of the best things you can do is join the Authors Guild. Major win this week protecting authors who got NEH grants. Authors Guild stands up for authors and free speech. @authorsguild.bsky.social
authorsguild.org/news/ag-wins...
authorsguild.org/news/ag-wins...
Best way to show your love for your country this Fourth of July week - Call your reps with @5calls.org. I just called again. You should too! 5calls.org
5 Calls
Spend 5 minutes. Make 5 calls. Make your voice heard.
5calls.org
July 2, 2025 at 4:17 PM
Best way to show your love for your country this Fourth of July week - Call your reps with @5calls.org. I just called again. You should too! 5calls.org
Here is the fake reading list in all its infamous glory.
May 20, 2025 at 5:15 PM
Here is the fake reading list in all its infamous glory.
Oh my. The Philadelphia Inquirer and the Chicago Sun-Times both ran a feature on summer reading that lists fake book titles. Nine fake books? More and more of this will be cropping up. arstechnica.com/ai/2025/05/c...
Chicago Sun-Times prints summer reading list full of fake books
Reading list in advertorial supplement contains 66% made up books by real authors.
arstechnica.com
May 20, 2025 at 5:13 PM
Oh my. The Philadelphia Inquirer and the Chicago Sun-Times both ran a feature on summer reading that lists fake book titles. Nine fake books? More and more of this will be cropping up. arstechnica.com/ai/2025/05/c...
As an author, I just signed this Author's Guild petition to reinstate the Register of Copyrights. Restore integrity to the US Copyright Office. Stand up for the Library of Congress. Protect all authors. @authorsguild.bsky.social authorsguild.org/petition-to-...
Petition to Reinstate Shira Perlmutter as Register of Copyrights - The Authors Guild
Last Saturday, the White House abruptly fired Register of Copyrights Shira Perlmutter, a renowned expert with deep knowledge of the importance of copyright for authors’ livelihoods. In her place, the ...
authorsguild.org
May 14, 2025 at 5:30 PM
As an author, I just signed this Author's Guild petition to reinstate the Register of Copyrights. Restore integrity to the US Copyright Office. Stand up for the Library of Congress. Protect all authors. @authorsguild.bsky.social authorsguild.org/petition-to-...
Keep NPR and all our beloved local public radio stations on the air. Strong public media is essential to democracy. If you're concerned about this, use 5 Calls to protect Corporation for Public Broadcasting funding. @iprnews.bsky.social
@5calls.org 5calls.org
@5calls.org 5calls.org
May 2, 2025 at 5:27 PM
Keep NPR and all our beloved local public radio stations on the air. Strong public media is essential to democracy. If you're concerned about this, use 5 Calls to protect Corporation for Public Broadcasting funding. @iprnews.bsky.social
@5calls.org 5calls.org
@5calls.org 5calls.org
I LOVE our inter-library loan system, and use MelCat for research for all of my books. Proudly part of the 1 million books checked out through MelCat last year. www.tadl.org/imlsfunding @milibraries.bsky.social
April 21, 2025 at 2:05 PM
I LOVE our inter-library loan system, and use MelCat for research for all of my books. Proudly part of the 1 million books checked out through MelCat last year. www.tadl.org/imlsfunding @milibraries.bsky.social
This will be heartening for many kids, my own included. Dyslexic brains are amazing. Congrats Rachael Allen!
April 21, 2025 at 1:50 PM
This will be heartening for many kids, my own included. Dyslexic brains are amazing. Congrats Rachael Allen!
I just called my reps with @5calls.org, you should too: 5calls.org
5 Calls
Spend 5 minutes. Make 5 calls. Make your voice heard.
5calls.org
April 15, 2025 at 7:41 PM
I just called my reps with @5calls.org, you should too: 5calls.org
Reposted by Heather Shumaker
If you're concerned about the continuing problem of #bannedbooks you should check out @freedomreadproject.bsky.social's feed today where they're recognizing citizens and groups working to fight censorship in communities across the US!
Today we’re recognizing our Right to Read Advocates–literary trailblazers who are ordinary citizens doing extraordinary work. Every voice matters in the fight against censorship. They help protect intellectual freedom and ensure that all kids can see themselves & others through the power of books.
April 7, 2025 at 8:04 PM
If you're concerned about the continuing problem of #bannedbooks you should check out @freedomreadproject.bsky.social's feed today where they're recognizing citizens and groups working to fight censorship in communities across the US!
THANK YOU to all who stood up for books and kids in Iowa! Books back on the shelves is a huge win. Thank you! @authorsguild.bsky.social @halseanderson.bsky.social @jodipicoult.bsky.social @johngreensbluesky.bsky.social @malindalo.bsky.social #kidlit #booksky
authorsguild.org/news/federal...
authorsguild.org/news/federal...
Federal Court Blocks Iowa's Book Ban Law: A Victory for Authors - The Authors Guild
The Authors Guild celebrates a significant victory for free expression, as a federal court has granted a preliminary injunction blocking Iowa’s controversial Senate File 496, which requires schools to...
authorsguild.org
April 7, 2025 at 12:44 PM
THANK YOU to all who stood up for books and kids in Iowa! Books back on the shelves is a huge win. Thank you! @authorsguild.bsky.social @halseanderson.bsky.social @jodipicoult.bsky.social @johngreensbluesky.bsky.social @malindalo.bsky.social #kidlit #booksky
authorsguild.org/news/federal...
authorsguild.org/news/federal...
Welcome to Traverse City for our Battle of the Books, Lindsay! Looking forward to being with you next week. @lindsayncurrie.bsky.social #kidlit
Hey, new followers! I’m so happy to be finding bookish friends here! I’m Lindsay and I write middle grade mysteries 🔎 Most recent title is THE MYSTERY OF LOCKED ROOMS!
April 4, 2025 at 2:47 PM
Welcome to Traverse City for our Battle of the Books, Lindsay! Looking forward to being with you next week. @lindsayncurrie.bsky.social #kidlit
Reposted by Heather Shumaker
To recap the highlights of the past month in publishing economics:
* Libraries’ budgets to buy new materials are destroyed
* The cost of printing books overseas skyrockets
* Meta stole the copyrighted work of almost every author
Happy Friday, book gang!
* Libraries’ budgets to buy new materials are destroyed
* The cost of printing books overseas skyrockets
* Meta stole the copyrighted work of almost every author
Happy Friday, book gang!
A thing about the IMLS getting defunded, is that book publishers deliberately make libraries pay way more for the ebooks they lend out.
When libraries begin cutting their budgets, their ebook selections are going to be one of the first services hit and hit hardest.
When libraries begin cutting their budgets, their ebook selections are going to be one of the first services hit and hit hardest.
April 4, 2025 at 12:28 PM
To recap the highlights of the past month in publishing economics:
* Libraries’ budgets to buy new materials are destroyed
* The cost of printing books overseas skyrockets
* Meta stole the copyrighted work of almost every author
Happy Friday, book gang!
* Libraries’ budgets to buy new materials are destroyed
* The cost of printing books overseas skyrockets
* Meta stole the copyrighted work of almost every author
Happy Friday, book gang!
I've been reading "Red Scarf Girl" and other kidlit about the Cultural Revolution. What's fascinating is that "both sides" in America today are referencing the Cultural Revolution. What does that tell us about ourselves? #kidlit #Booksky @scbwi.bsky.social
April 2, 2025 at 4:47 PM
I've been reading "Red Scarf Girl" and other kidlit about the Cultural Revolution. What's fascinating is that "both sides" in America today are referencing the Cultural Revolution. What does that tell us about ourselves? #kidlit #Booksky @scbwi.bsky.social
Congratulations Wisconsin!
April 2, 2025 at 4:43 PM
Congratulations Wisconsin!
You are not alone, Cory Booker. So many topics you could speak for 71 days.
I’ve taken the Senate floor and will speak for as long as I’m physically able to lift the voices of Americans who are being harmed and not being heard in this moment of crisis. Watch here:
Live: Speaking on Trump, Musk, and America’s Moral Moment on the Senate Floor | Senator Cory Booker
YouTube video by Senator Cory Booker
youtube.com
April 1, 2025 at 6:57 PM
You are not alone, Cory Booker. So many topics you could speak for 71 days.
Reposted by Heather Shumaker
"Ms. Ozturk received a master’s degree from the developmental psychology program with a focus in children’s media...she co-founded an independent children’s media initiative...In her free time, you can find Rumeysa reading picture books."
Kid lit researcher. Missing.
www.nytimes.com/2025/03/26/u...
Kid lit researcher. Missing.
www.nytimes.com/2025/03/26/u...
Tufts Student Detained by ICE
The university was told that the student’s visa had been terminated, its president said in a late-night email to students and faculty members.
www.nytimes.com
March 26, 2025 at 6:03 PM
"Ms. Ozturk received a master’s degree from the developmental psychology program with a focus in children’s media...she co-founded an independent children’s media initiative...In her free time, you can find Rumeysa reading picture books."
Kid lit researcher. Missing.
www.nytimes.com/2025/03/26/u...
Kid lit researcher. Missing.
www.nytimes.com/2025/03/26/u...