Jen Arena
@jenarena.bsky.social
Kids book author and kids book editor
Check out some of my books! Acorn Was a Little Wild (S&S), Besos for Baby (Little Brown), GIVE (Knopf), Marta! Big and Small (Roaring Brook)
agent: Stephanie Fretwell-Hill, Red Fox
jenarenabooks.com
Check out some of my books! Acorn Was a Little Wild (S&S), Besos for Baby (Little Brown), GIVE (Knopf), Marta! Big and Small (Roaring Brook)
agent: Stephanie Fretwell-Hill, Red Fox
jenarenabooks.com
Pinned
Jen Arena
@jenarena.bsky.social
· May 30
I'm still in shock that this is happening!
MerryMakers is making a plush toy of the Acorn from Acorn Was a Little Wild! They captured Jessica Gibson's art perfectly.
MerryMakers sent me a prototype--it's the cutest little nut ever!
🌱🌳📗😍
MerryMakers is making a plush toy of the Acorn from Acorn Was a Little Wild! They captured Jessica Gibson's art perfectly.
MerryMakers sent me a prototype--it's the cutest little nut ever!
🌱🌳📗😍
I had a blast at the Louisiana Book Festival in Baton Rouge this weekend!
Thank you to everyone I got to meet at my panel, program, and signing and thank you to the young readers who voted for Acorn Was a Little Wild as their favorite picture book of the year!
Thank you to everyone I got to meet at my panel, program, and signing and thank you to the young readers who voted for Acorn Was a Little Wild as their favorite picture book of the year!
November 3, 2025 at 4:50 PM
I had a blast at the Louisiana Book Festival in Baton Rouge this weekend!
Thank you to everyone I got to meet at my panel, program, and signing and thank you to the young readers who voted for Acorn Was a Little Wild as their favorite picture book of the year!
Thank you to everyone I got to meet at my panel, program, and signing and thank you to the young readers who voted for Acorn Was a Little Wild as their favorite picture book of the year!
Reposted by Jen Arena
Technically, this is a book of spells.
October 24, 2025 at 3:08 PM
Technically, this is a book of spells.
Love this! Watch the whole thing. 😊
For over 50 years, the Booker Prizes have recognised the best fiction for adults. Now, we're delighted to announce the Children’s Booker Prize, supported by AKO Foundation.
Find out more: thebookerprizes.com/children
Find out more: thebookerprizes.com/children
October 24, 2025 at 4:51 PM
Love this! Watch the whole thing. 😊
My inner 8-year-old got super excited when I opened Impossible Creatures and saw the absolutely beautiful illustrations. 😍
More of this please!
More of this please!
October 23, 2025 at 5:55 PM
My inner 8-year-old got super excited when I opened Impossible Creatures and saw the absolutely beautiful illustrations. 😍
More of this please!
More of this please!
I love that if I like a post on BlueSky, I know my feed won't be flooded with similar posts.
I liked a few #NoKings posts on IG and now that's all it shows me.
I check Denis Philips for hurricane reports on Facebook and now it feeds me every two-bit midwest weather forecaster.
Thank you, Bluesky!
I liked a few #NoKings posts on IG and now that's all it shows me.
I check Denis Philips for hurricane reports on Facebook and now it feeds me every two-bit midwest weather forecaster.
Thank you, Bluesky!
October 20, 2025 at 11:57 AM
I love that if I like a post on BlueSky, I know my feed won't be flooded with similar posts.
I liked a few #NoKings posts on IG and now that's all it shows me.
I check Denis Philips for hurricane reports on Facebook and now it feeds me every two-bit midwest weather forecaster.
Thank you, Bluesky!
I liked a few #NoKings posts on IG and now that's all it shows me.
I check Denis Philips for hurricane reports on Facebook and now it feeds me every two-bit midwest weather forecaster.
Thank you, Bluesky!
Reposted by Jen Arena
$41 million: The amount of money we’ve raised for indie bookstores since 2020.
$0: The amount of money Amazon has raised for indie bookstores since 1994.
$0: The amount of money Amazon has raised for indie bookstores since 1994.
October 7, 2025 at 8:05 PM
$41 million: The amount of money we’ve raised for indie bookstores since 2020.
$0: The amount of money Amazon has raised for indie bookstores since 1994.
$0: The amount of money Amazon has raised for indie bookstores since 1994.
Is there any warmer welcome than going to a new city and a new bookstore and finding lots of copies of your books?
Thank you so much, Austin and @bookpeople.com!
Thank you so much, Austin and @bookpeople.com!
October 6, 2025 at 8:23 PM
Is there any warmer welcome than going to a new city and a new bookstore and finding lots of copies of your books?
Thank you so much, Austin and @bookpeople.com!
Thank you so much, Austin and @bookpeople.com!
I'm visiting Austin for the first time soon! I can't wait to go to @bookpeople.com because I've heard it's such a wonderful bookstore. 😊 📚
But what else should I do?
Where should I go?
And what should I eat?
But what else should I do?
Where should I go?
And what should I eat?
September 27, 2025 at 12:16 PM
I'm visiting Austin for the first time soon! I can't wait to go to @bookpeople.com because I've heard it's such a wonderful bookstore. 😊 📚
But what else should I do?
Where should I go?
And what should I eat?
But what else should I do?
Where should I go?
And what should I eat?
Reposted by Jen Arena
Thirty years ago tonight, a monumental event: the first installment of PRIDE AND PREJUDICE premiered on BBC One. @cristinabeltran.bsky.social & I have watched the five-hour series . . . how many times? A dozen? Two dozen?
Pride and Prejudice (1995) Trailer (1080p)
YouTube video by British Secret Agent 007
youtu.be
September 24, 2025 at 3:26 PM
Thirty years ago tonight, a monumental event: the first installment of PRIDE AND PREJUDICE premiered on BBC One. @cristinabeltran.bsky.social & I have watched the five-hour series . . . how many times? A dozen? Two dozen?
Reposted by Jen Arena
The 25 Greatest Picture Books of the Past 25 Years | Slate
The 25 Greatest Picture Books of the Past 25 Years
There’s been a revolution in children’s storytelling—and it’s not just that the stories are more diverse.
buff.ly
September 22, 2025 at 12:30 PM
The 25 Greatest Picture Books of the Past 25 Years | Slate
Apparently today is World Car Free Day!
Tonight I'm going to ride the FREE #1 bus to downtown and back. What should we do there?
1) Check out the '80s bar.
2) Walk the Riverwalk.
3) Get really bad Tampa pizza. (New Yorkers, you have no idea how lucky you are!)
Tonight I'm going to ride the FREE #1 bus to downtown and back. What should we do there?
1) Check out the '80s bar.
2) Walk the Riverwalk.
3) Get really bad Tampa pizza. (New Yorkers, you have no idea how lucky you are!)
September 20, 2025 at 7:56 PM
Apparently today is World Car Free Day!
Tonight I'm going to ride the FREE #1 bus to downtown and back. What should we do there?
1) Check out the '80s bar.
2) Walk the Riverwalk.
3) Get really bad Tampa pizza. (New Yorkers, you have no idea how lucky you are!)
Tonight I'm going to ride the FREE #1 bus to downtown and back. What should we do there?
1) Check out the '80s bar.
2) Walk the Riverwalk.
3) Get really bad Tampa pizza. (New Yorkers, you have no idea how lucky you are!)
Thinking about the idea that you need to do something 10,000 times to become good at it. With so many kids using AI for school assignments, and even to write texts, where will the next generation of writers and editors come from?
September 16, 2025 at 3:14 PM
Thinking about the idea that you need to do something 10,000 times to become good at it. With so many kids using AI for school assignments, and even to write texts, where will the next generation of writers and editors come from?
Reposted by Jen Arena
Students in Louisville, Ky., are checking out library books at record rates after their public school district instituted a cellphone ban | WAVE
School cell phone ban creates surge in JCPS library visits
District leaders are calling it a culture shift within Jefferson County Public Schools.
buff.ly
September 8, 2025 at 3:30 PM
Students in Louisville, Ky., are checking out library books at record rates after their public school district instituted a cellphone ban | WAVE
Reposted by Jen Arena
🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏
AI advocates have warned that if every author in the class action filed a claim, it would "financially ruin" the entire industry.
Authors celebrate “historic” settlement coming soon in Anthropic class action
Advocates fear such settlements will “financially ruin” the AI industry.
arstechnica.com
August 28, 2025 at 7:30 AM
🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏
I got this box in the mail and my husband was concerned. He knew it probably was the MerryMaker plush for Acorn Was a Little Wild, but calling it "creepy pair of underwear"? He thought that was to discourage porch pirates. 😂
Luckily there were acorns inside!
Luckily there were acorns inside!
August 6, 2025 at 6:55 PM
I got this box in the mail and my husband was concerned. He knew it probably was the MerryMaker plush for Acorn Was a Little Wild, but calling it "creepy pair of underwear"? He thought that was to discourage porch pirates. 😂
Luckily there were acorns inside!
Luckily there were acorns inside!
Reposted by Jen Arena
Grownups, if you are envious of kids Summer Reading contests and are motivated by PRIZES, join me on the @nationalbook.bsky.social ‘s Summer Reading Adventure!
www.nationalbook.org/adventure/
www.nationalbook.org/adventure/
Summer Reading Adventure
Join the National Book Foundation on a Summer Reading Adventure! Whether you loved summer reading challenges as a kid or want to try one out for the first time, we hope that adults everywhere can join...
www.nationalbook.org
July 27, 2025 at 4:35 PM
Grownups, if you are envious of kids Summer Reading contests and are motivated by PRIZES, join me on the @nationalbook.bsky.social ‘s Summer Reading Adventure!
www.nationalbook.org/adventure/
www.nationalbook.org/adventure/
Reposted by Jen Arena
My best advice for writers? Read like a writer. When you love a book, read it again & pay attention to how the author made you love it. What is it about their writing that makes you love the main character (or despise the villain!) or feel so much suspense that you can't wait to turn the page?
August 1, 2025 at 1:26 PM
My best advice for writers? Read like a writer. When you love a book, read it again & pay attention to how the author made you love it. What is it about their writing that makes you love the main character (or despise the villain!) or feel so much suspense that you can't wait to turn the page?
Reposted by Jen Arena
Allen Lane’s @penguinpress.bsky.social published its first ten paperbacks ninety years ago today. In 1935, @theguardian.com gave the series a thumb’s up: “The type is clear; the boards stout enough to stand the wear and tear of pocket or haversack. The enterprise deserves a warm welcome.” #BookSky
Sixpennies: Penguin publishes its first paperback – archive, 1935
On 30 July 1935, Allen Lane published Ariel by Andre Maurois, the first in a batch of 10 Penguin books costing sixpence each
www.theguardian.com
July 30, 2025 at 7:48 PM
Allen Lane’s @penguinpress.bsky.social published its first ten paperbacks ninety years ago today. In 1935, @theguardian.com gave the series a thumb’s up: “The type is clear; the boards stout enough to stand the wear and tear of pocket or haversack. The enterprise deserves a warm welcome.” #BookSky
This is so not important at all, but I've been wondering, why are red hearts black on BlueSky? ❤️❤️
Other hearts retain their color. 💙 💚 🧡
Broken hearts stay red. 💔
(I thought it was me, but I just saw someone else's post with the same thing.)
Other hearts retain their color. 💙 💚 🧡
Broken hearts stay red. 💔
(I thought it was me, but I just saw someone else's post with the same thing.)
July 29, 2025 at 5:35 PM
This is so not important at all, but I've been wondering, why are red hearts black on BlueSky? ❤️❤️
Other hearts retain their color. 💙 💚 🧡
Broken hearts stay red. 💔
(I thought it was me, but I just saw someone else's post with the same thing.)
Other hearts retain their color. 💙 💚 🧡
Broken hearts stay red. 💔
(I thought it was me, but I just saw someone else's post with the same thing.)
Reposted by Jen Arena
Writers often focus on outcomes well outside their control, ranging from landing an agent to winning a literary prize or writing a bestseller.
@amylbernstein.bsky.social looks at how to avoid a cycle of disappointment and failure by focusing on perseverance of effort instead.
@amylbernstein.bsky.social looks at how to avoid a cycle of disappointment and failure by focusing on perseverance of effort instead.
The Secret to a Writing Career May Boil Down to Sheer Grit | Jane Friedman
An artist’s life is unpredictable, so tapping into your inner grit will give you and your career a fighting chance to blossom for years to come.
janefriedman.com
July 22, 2025 at 1:50 PM
Writers often focus on outcomes well outside their control, ranging from landing an agent to winning a literary prize or writing a bestseller.
@amylbernstein.bsky.social looks at how to avoid a cycle of disappointment and failure by focusing on perseverance of effort instead.
@amylbernstein.bsky.social looks at how to avoid a cycle of disappointment and failure by focusing on perseverance of effort instead.
ALA in Philly was a blast!
I saw old friends, made new friends, and reconnected with colleagues from all different parts of my publishing life.
Plus I came home with some great books to read! 📚📚📚
I saw old friends, made new friends, and reconnected with colleagues from all different parts of my publishing life.
Plus I came home with some great books to read! 📚📚📚
July 1, 2025 at 12:33 AM
ALA in Philly was a blast!
I saw old friends, made new friends, and reconnected with colleagues from all different parts of my publishing life.
Plus I came home with some great books to read! 📚📚📚
I saw old friends, made new friends, and reconnected with colleagues from all different parts of my publishing life.
Plus I came home with some great books to read! 📚📚📚
I hope someday to write a picture book good enough to earn a review as awesomely enthusiastic and unconventional as these from @fuse8.bsky.social. My TBR list just tripled!
afuse8production.slj.com/2025/06/04/a...
afuse8production.slj.com/2025/06/04/a...
Annoyingly FABULOUS Picture Books of 2025 (So Far): Picture Books Are WAY Too Good This Year and I Am Taking It As a Personal Attack
This ain't a golden age of picture books anymore. We've gone platinum.
afuse8production.slj.com
June 27, 2025 at 7:21 PM
I hope someday to write a picture book good enough to earn a review as awesomely enthusiastic and unconventional as these from @fuse8.bsky.social. My TBR list just tripled!
afuse8production.slj.com/2025/06/04/a...
afuse8production.slj.com/2025/06/04/a...
I love that The Cat Who Saved Books includes a note from the cover illustrator.
I've never seen that before! It seems like a great idea in light of all the AI generated art we've been seeing.
I've never seen that before! It seems like a great idea in light of all the AI generated art we've been seeing.
June 23, 2025 at 9:58 PM
I love that The Cat Who Saved Books includes a note from the cover illustrator.
I've never seen that before! It seems like a great idea in light of all the AI generated art we've been seeing.
I've never seen that before! It seems like a great idea in light of all the AI generated art we've been seeing.
USA Today's 10 Best Indie Bookstores as voted on by readers. 📚📚📚
This is like a TBR list for traveling!
10best.usatoday.com/awards/best-...
This is like a TBR list for traveling!
10best.usatoday.com/awards/best-...
10 best independent bookstores in the US
Wander through shelves of captivating reads that go beyond the bestseller list at these 10 indie bookshops.
10best.usatoday.com
June 20, 2025 at 3:31 PM
USA Today's 10 Best Indie Bookstores as voted on by readers. 📚📚📚
This is like a TBR list for traveling!
10best.usatoday.com/awards/best-...
This is like a TBR list for traveling!
10best.usatoday.com/awards/best-...
My hair stylist told me yesterday that she read 140 books last year. Wow, I love that!
I consider myself a big reader and I read 50 last year.
I consider myself a big reader and I read 50 last year.
June 19, 2025 at 8:20 PM
My hair stylist told me yesterday that she read 140 books last year. Wow, I love that!
I consider myself a big reader and I read 50 last year.
I consider myself a big reader and I read 50 last year.