Only Picture Books
LightNews LightNews
banner
onlypicturebooks.bsky.social
Only Picture Books
@onlypicturebooks.bsky.social
760 followers 11 following 93 posts
OPB is where picture books, authors, and illustrators go to thrive. Writers, readers, and PB fans of all ages--be part of the weekly rumpus! www.OnlyPictureBooks.com
Posts Replies Media Videos
onlypicturebooks.bsky.social
This week's post is all about the slimy, sweet, and very funny monster bedtime book, Sleep Tight, Disgusting Blob by Huw Aaron! To celebrate, I've created a new set of reading activities.

www.onlypicturebooks.com/2025/11/17/r...

#PictureBooks #KidLit #BedtimeStories #Monsters #ActivitiesForKids
November 17, 2025 at 7:15 PM
onlypicturebooks.bsky.social
Super Bowl champion Keyshawn Johnson & singer/voice actress Bettina Bush discuss their new picture book, Once Upon a You. Learn about their creative process, friendship, and passion for empowering kids.

www.onlypicturebooks.com/2025/11/10/a...

#KidLit #OnceUponAYou #KeyshawnJohnson
November 10, 2025 at 4:09 PM
onlypicturebooks.bsky.social
It's the first Monday of the month, and a new list of five-word reviews is live! It's a great batch of funny, strange, and beautiful books here.

www.onlypicturebooks.com/2025/11/03/5...

#PictureBooks #BookReviews #KidLit
November 3, 2025 at 10:16 PM
onlypicturebooks.bsky.social
New Industry Insights post, fresh from the hiring trenches! I just hired an editorial assistant & am sharing the 11 green lights (and 5 red flags) I saw in the submissions pile.

www.onlypicturebooks.com/2025/10/27/i...

#Publishing #JobSearch #CareerAdvice #KidLit
October 27, 2025 at 12:33 PM
onlypicturebooks.bsky.social
This week’s post is about The Glass Pyramid, the inspiring story of architect I.M. Pei and his vision for the Louvre. To go with it, I've developed a new set of reading activities. Enjoy!

www.onlypicturebooks.com/2025/10/20/t...

#KidLit #PictureBooks #Architecture #STEM #ReadingActivities
October 20, 2025 at 12:32 PM
onlypicturebooks.bsky.social
This week's interview is with Joan Schoettler, whose new book BOOKS TRAVEL THE WORLD I had the honor of editing. We discuss her journey from professor to author & her passion for cross-cultural stories.

www.onlypicturebooks.com/2025/10/13/a...

#AuthorInterview #WritingCraft #KidLit #PictureBooks
October 14, 2025 at 2:07 AM
onlypicturebooks.bsky.social
A new batch of five-word reviews is up! This week's list features a must-see from Stephen King & Maurice Sendak (!), plus heroism with "snotty flair," a daring duck, and more.

www.onlypicturebooks.com/2025/10/06/p...

#KidLit #StephenKing #PictureBooks #BookReview
October 6, 2025 at 3:40 PM
onlypicturebooks.bsky.social
It's that time of year when the light shifts and the air thins. To capture that unique mood, I've curated a new list of 12 picture books that feel just like September.

www.onlypicturebooks.com/2025/09/29/p...

#PictureBooks #BookList #KidLit #AutumnReads #September
September 29, 2025 at 2:38 PM
onlypicturebooks.bsky.social
Does every spread in your picture book have a job?

New post on the blog, inspired by my class this week, shares a checklist to help you dummy-test your manuscript.

www.onlypicturebooks.com/2025/09/22/i...

#WritingTips #KidLit #PictureBooks #AmWriting
September 22, 2025 at 6:22 PM
onlypicturebooks.bsky.social
This week’s post dives into the gorgeous book THE TRUTH ABOUT DRAGONS by Julie Leung, a lyrical look at biracial identity. To go with it, I’ve developed a full set of reading activities.

www.onlypicturebooks.com/2025/09/15/r...

#PictureBooks #KidLit #Identity #AAPIHeritage #ActivitiesForKids
September 15, 2025 at 5:12 PM
onlypicturebooks.bsky.social
Thrilled to share a new author interview with the brilliant Susan Hughes! We discuss her journey writing books, and as a freelance editor, she shares common pitfalls she sees in manuscripts.

www.onlypicturebooks.com/2025/09/08/a...

#AuthorInterview #PictureBooks #WritingCraft #KidLit
September 9, 2025 at 2:05 AM
onlypicturebooks.bsky.social
New on the blog: Five-word reviews for five new picture books! It's my way of capturing the spark of a story in a nutshell. Check out all the quick takes right here!

www.onlypicturebooks.com/2025/09/01/p...

#PictureBooks #KidLit #BookReviews #NewBooks
September 1, 2025 at 2:55 PM
onlypicturebooks.bsky.social
Here's a great picture book tip from our ACQUIRED! workshop, courtesy of guest illustrator Fred Koehler. It's called "illustrator bait"—writing lines that give artists room to invent and create magic.

www.onlypicturebooks.com/2025/08/25/i...

#WritingCraft #KidLit #PictureBook #WritingCommunity
August 25, 2025 at 4:14 PM
onlypicturebooks.bsky.social
This week's post is all about the fantastic SHARK GIRL by Kate Beaton! To celebrate, I've developed a new set of reading activities for the book.

Find all the fun here: www.onlypicturebooks.com/2025/08/18/r...

#PictureBooks #KidLit #KateBeaton #Reading #ActivitiesForKids
August 18, 2025 at 12:36 PM
onlypicturebooks.bsky.social
New on the blog! I talked with award-winning nonfiction author Lindsay H. Metcalf about the surprising science of Beatrix Potter, and why the Supreme Court once declared tomatoes a vegetable.

www.onlypicturebooks.com/2025/08/11/a...

#KidLit #WritingCommunity #Nonfiction #AuthorInterview #Books
August 11, 2025 at 2:33 PM
onlypicturebooks.bsky.social
It's a new week and a new batch of five-word picture book reviews! See which ones click for you!

www.onlypicturebooks.com/2025/08/04/p...

#PictureBooks #BookReview #KidsBooks #ShortReviews #MondayBlogs #IMWAYR
August 5, 2025 at 1:32 AM
onlypicturebooks.bsky.social
New on Only Picture Books: I'm sharing highlights & Q&A from my "Unlocking the WOW Factor: Elevating Nonfiction Picture Books" session at @WritersDigest Conference!

www.onlypicturebooks.com/2025/07/28/i...

#KidlitWriting #NonfictionPB #WritersDigest #PublishingTips #AuthorLife #MondayBlogs
July 28, 2025 at 10:57 PM
onlypicturebooks.bsky.social
Fresh on Only Picture Books: Activities for Chalk the Walk! Explore the power of imagination and transforming dull spaces with colorful art.

www.onlypicturebooks.com/2025/07/21/r...

#PictureBooks #Creativity #OutdoorPlay #FamilyActivities #Kidlit #MondayBlogs
July 21, 2025 at 12:24 PM
onlypicturebooks.bsky.social
New on Only Picture Books: I'm pulling back the curtain on ghostwriting & IP work in publishing! Should you say yes? This post breaks down the benefits & drawbacks.

www.onlypicturebooks.com/2025/07/14/e...

#KidlitWriting #PublishingIndustry #WriterLife #InvisibleWork #CareerAdvice #MondayBlogs
July 14, 2025 at 1:16 PM
onlypicturebooks.bsky.social
Just posted a review of Where Are You, Brontë? by Tomie dePaola & Barbara McClintock. PLUS, catch my photo diary from #ALAAC25 last week.

www.onlypicturebooks.com/2025/07/07/p...

www.onlypicturebooks.com/2025/06/30/i...

#PictureBooks #KidlitReview #ALAConference #AuthorLife #Reading
July 8, 2025 at 12:05 AM
onlypicturebooks.bsky.social
New on Only Picture Books: Decoding Editorial Feedback! As an Editorial Director & writer, I'm pulling back the curtain on common phrases like "not enough here for a picture book" and "too similar to our list," using real PB examples.

www.onlypicturebooks.com/2025/06/23/i...

#publishingtips
June 23, 2025 at 7:52 PM
onlypicturebooks.bsky.social
Fresh on Only Picture Books: Reading activities for the powerful Are You a Friend of Dorothy? by Kyle Lukoff & Levi Hastings. Ideas for exploring belonging, LGBTQ+ history, and finding your community.

www.onlypicturebooks.com/2025/06/16/a...

#PictureBooks #ReadingIsMagic #MondayBlogs #IMWAYR
June 16, 2025 at 2:04 PM
onlypicturebooks.bsky.social
Got 15 min? I’ve got answers.

$50 = one-on-one advice on writing, pitching, freelancing, ghosting, picture books—whatever you need.

No fluff. No sales pitch. Just me.

Book your AMA call or Zoom: ryangvancleave.com/writing-serv...
June 9, 2025 at 8:03 PM
onlypicturebooks.bsky.social
Today on Only Picture Books: An interview with award-winning author Donna Janell Bowman! Learn about her meticulous research and turning historical figures into compelling stories.

www.onlypicturebooks.com/2025/06/09/a...

#PictureBooks #NonfictionAuthor #KidlitCommunity #MondayBlogs #IMWAYR
June 9, 2025 at 1:04 PM
onlypicturebooks.bsky.social
Double feature on Only Picture Books! 🔥 Read my latest 5-word reviews AND catch last week's deep dive interview with new agent Katie Bircher.

www.onlypicturebooks.com/2025/06/02/p...

www.onlypicturebooks.com/2025/05/26/a...

#PictureBooks #KidlitReviews #AgentAdvice #NewBooks #Reading
June 2, 2025 at 12:01 PM