Maria van Lieshout
@vanlieshoutstudio.bsky.social
Dutch-American illustrator and graphic novelist. SF Bay Area. National Book Award longlist🐦⬛
songofablackbird.com
instagram.com/vanlieshoutstudio
linktr.ee/vanlieshoutstudio
songofablackbird.com
instagram.com/vanlieshoutstudio
linktr.ee/vanlieshoutstudio
Pinned
So grateful and proud that School Library Journal selected Song of a Blackbird as one of the best books of 2025, under graphic novels! Thank you @SLJ.com for this wonderful honor!
#kidlit #SLJ #graphicnovels #songofablackbird #ww2 #bestof2025
#kidlit #SLJ #graphicnovels #songofablackbird #ww2 #bestof2025
November 21, 2025 at 8:11 PM
So grateful and proud that School Library Journal selected Song of a Blackbird as one of the best books of 2025, under graphic novels! Thank you @SLJ.com for this wonderful honor!
#kidlit #SLJ #graphicnovels #songofablackbird #ww2 #bestof2025
#kidlit #SLJ #graphicnovels #songofablackbird #ww2 #bestof2025
Congratulations to Daniel Nayeri for winning the National Book Award for the exquisite Teacher of Nomad Land!
November 20, 2025 at 2:51 AM
Congratulations to Daniel Nayeri for winning the National Book Award for the exquisite Teacher of Nomad Land!
Hope as a Warrior Emotion. Read about how belief in a better future is the best antidote to complacency, desperation and cynicism.
Open mind. Open heart🐦⬛
open.substack.com/pub/mariavan...
#blackbird #hope #songofablackbird #kidlit #graphicnovel #resistance
Open mind. Open heart🐦⬛
open.substack.com/pub/mariavan...
#blackbird #hope #songofablackbird #kidlit #graphicnovel #resistance
November 18, 2025 at 7:38 PM
Hope as a Warrior Emotion. Read about how belief in a better future is the best antidote to complacency, desperation and cynicism.
Open mind. Open heart🐦⬛
open.substack.com/pub/mariavan...
#blackbird #hope #songofablackbird #kidlit #graphicnovel #resistance
Open mind. Open heart🐦⬛
open.substack.com/pub/mariavan...
#blackbird #hope #songofablackbird #kidlit #graphicnovel #resistance
Are you going to NCTE25? Still around Sunday or Monday?Come find me! Would love to connect!
Sunday 11/23 5PM-6:30PM
ALAN reception Four Seasons Ballroom 2-3
Monday 11/24 8:30AM-8:55AM
Stand UP & Fight panel
Sunday 11/23 5PM-6:30PM
ALAN reception Four Seasons Ballroom 2-3
Monday 11/24 8:30AM-8:55AM
Stand UP & Fight panel
November 16, 2025 at 11:24 PM
Are you going to NCTE25? Still around Sunday or Monday?Come find me! Would love to connect!
Sunday 11/23 5PM-6:30PM
ALAN reception Four Seasons Ballroom 2-3
Monday 11/24 8:30AM-8:55AM
Stand UP & Fight panel
Sunday 11/23 5PM-6:30PM
ALAN reception Four Seasons Ballroom 2-3
Monday 11/24 8:30AM-8:55AM
Stand UP & Fight panel
Making book plates for NCTE/ALAN at NCTE25! I will be giving the book plates away with my MAKE ART stickers. Are you going? Come find me!
Sunday 11/23 5PM-6:30PM
ALAN reception Four Seasons Ballroom 2-3
Monday 11/24 8:30AM-8:55AM
Stand UP & Fight panel
#ncte #kidlit #teachers
Sunday 11/23 5PM-6:30PM
ALAN reception Four Seasons Ballroom 2-3
Monday 11/24 8:30AM-8:55AM
Stand UP & Fight panel
#ncte #kidlit #teachers
November 13, 2025 at 9:10 PM
Left: a scene from my graphic novel Song of a Blackbird about how Hitler branded the BBC as LYING PRESS for reporting on gas chambers.
On the right: The Trump administration labels BBC FAKE NEWS for reporting about the January 6 insurrection.
I’ll let you draw your own conclusions.
On the right: The Trump administration labels BBC FAKE NEWS for reporting about the January 6 insurrection.
I’ll let you draw your own conclusions.
November 8, 2025 at 11:56 PM
Left: a scene from my graphic novel Song of a Blackbird about how Hitler branded the BBC as LYING PRESS for reporting on gas chambers.
On the right: The Trump administration labels BBC FAKE NEWS for reporting about the January 6 insurrection.
I’ll let you draw your own conclusions.
On the right: The Trump administration labels BBC FAKE NEWS for reporting about the January 6 insurrection.
I’ll let you draw your own conclusions.
So excited Blackbird is soaring high on this list of PW's best Young Adult novels!
#BestBooks2025 #kidlit #BooksOfTheYear #PW #graphicnovel
#BestBooks2025 #kidlit #BooksOfTheYear #PW #graphicnovel
Raise your hand if you could use a pick-me-up 📚
PW’s editors have selected the 150 Best Books of 2025—from our Top 10 (featuring Vauhini Vara and Helen DeWitt) to standout picks across every genre, plus 50 amazing books for kids & teens.
👉 buff.ly/Rb5UaS6
#BestBooks2025 #Publishing #BooksOfTheYear
PW’s editors have selected the 150 Best Books of 2025—from our Top 10 (featuring Vauhini Vara and Helen DeWitt) to standout picks across every genre, plus 50 amazing books for kids & teens.
👉 buff.ly/Rb5UaS6
#BestBooks2025 #Publishing #BooksOfTheYear
October 26, 2025 at 1:08 AM
So excited Blackbird is soaring high on this list of PW's best Young Adult novels!
#BestBooks2025 #kidlit #BooksOfTheYear #PW #graphicnovel
#BestBooks2025 #kidlit #BooksOfTheYear #PW #graphicnovel
October 19, 2025 at 5:45 PM
Reposted by Maria van Lieshout
America-hating Antifa showing up for a *second* time today.
Sharing this 102 year old WW2 Vet who is fighting fascism a second time.
October 19, 2025 at 1:45 AM
America-hating Antifa showing up for a *second* time today.
Reposted by Maria van Lieshout
We’ve lived 15 years under Citizens United, watching billionaires and corporations shape democracy with their wallets. Reform once seemed impossible. But now, a group in Montana is asking a radical question: What if states simply stopped granting corporations the power to spend in politics?
Could We End Corporate Money In Politics?
Backers of a referendum before Montana voters next year believe they’ve found a vulnerability on Citizen United
thinkbigpicture.substack.com
October 14, 2025 at 8:18 PM
We’ve lived 15 years under Citizens United, watching billionaires and corporations shape democracy with their wallets. Reform once seemed impossible. But now, a group in Montana is asking a radical question: What if states simply stopped granting corporations the power to spend in politics?
Blackbirds are magic! Read about the meaning attributed to the birds by druids, mystics and by pop culture icons Paul McCartney and Beyonce. Link in bio/linktree.
open.substack.com/pub/mariavan...
#blackbirds #mythology #beyonce #paulmccartney #blackbiird #symbolism #ww2 #songofablackbird
open.substack.com/pub/mariavan...
#blackbirds #mythology #beyonce #paulmccartney #blackbiird #symbolism #ww2 #songofablackbird
October 1, 2025 at 7:23 PM
Blackbirds are magic! Read about the meaning attributed to the birds by druids, mystics and by pop culture icons Paul McCartney and Beyonce. Link in bio/linktree.
open.substack.com/pub/mariavan...
#blackbirds #mythology #beyonce #paulmccartney #blackbiird #symbolism #ww2 #songofablackbird
open.substack.com/pub/mariavan...
#blackbirds #mythology #beyonce #paulmccartney #blackbiird #symbolism #ww2 #songofablackbird
Thank you to Noa and Zakir, librarians extraordinaires at the International School Utrecht, for welcoming me into the school.
Meeting the ISU students was such a joy!
#authorvisit #schoolvisit #internationalschool #kidlit #graphicnovel
Meeting the ISU students was such a joy!
#authorvisit #schoolvisit #internationalschool #kidlit #graphicnovel
September 26, 2025 at 8:36 PM
Thank you to Noa and Zakir, librarians extraordinaires at the International School Utrecht, for welcoming me into the school.
Meeting the ISU students was such a joy!
#authorvisit #schoolvisit #internationalschool #kidlit #graphicnovel
Meeting the ISU students was such a joy!
#authorvisit #schoolvisit #internationalschool #kidlit #graphicnovel
Thank you so much to @kimtyodickerson.bsky.social and the librarian team at the International School Amsterdam for the wonderful author visit. What a privilege to visit your beautiful school. Till next, my friends!
#kidlit #authorvisit #schoolvisit #amsterdam #graphicnovel
#kidlit #authorvisit #schoolvisit #amsterdam #graphicnovel
September 25, 2025 at 10:29 PM
Thank you so much to @kimtyodickerson.bsky.social and the librarian team at the International School Amsterdam for the wonderful author visit. What a privilege to visit your beautiful school. Till next, my friends!
#kidlit #authorvisit #schoolvisit #amsterdam #graphicnovel
#kidlit #authorvisit #schoolvisit #amsterdam #graphicnovel
Thank you, Janet, for this lovely review of Song of a Blackbird!
What could be more timely than these two inspiring books that tell the stories of women creating and saving art, bringing light to a dark world. @vanlieshoutstudio.bsky.social @erinmcguire.bsky.social @01firstsecond.bsky.social kidsbookaday.com/2025/09/25/c...
Courageous women of World War II
The Spy in the Museum: How Rose Valland Saved Art from the Nazis by Erin McGuire (Beach Lane Books, 40 pages, grades 2-5). Rose Valland loved art. As curator of Paris’s Jeu de Paume Museum, s…
kidsbookaday.com
September 25, 2025 at 8:18 PM
Thank you, Janet, for this lovely review of Song of a Blackbird!
So this happened…
#nationalbookaward #longlist #graphicnovel #kidlit #youngpeoplesliterature #songofablackbird #fightHATEmakeART
#nationalbookaward #longlist #graphicnovel #kidlit #youngpeoplesliterature #songofablackbird #fightHATEmakeART
September 23, 2025 at 2:07 PM
Read today’s post/newsletter to learn about that time when a David Lynch-loving ninth grader taught me the art of revealing a secret. A secret hiding in Song of a Blackbird...
#graphicnovel #davidlynch #kidlit #hiddensecrets #ww2 #dropcaps
mariavanlieshout.substack.com/p/the-art-of...
#graphicnovel #davidlynch #kidlit #hiddensecrets #ww2 #dropcaps
mariavanlieshout.substack.com/p/the-art-of...
September 3, 2025 at 9:34 PM
Read today’s post/newsletter to learn about that time when a David Lynch-loving ninth grader taught me the art of revealing a secret. A secret hiding in Song of a Blackbird...
#graphicnovel #davidlynch #kidlit #hiddensecrets #ww2 #dropcaps
mariavanlieshout.substack.com/p/the-art-of...
#graphicnovel #davidlynch #kidlit #hiddensecrets #ww2 #dropcaps
mariavanlieshout.substack.com/p/the-art-of...
Reposted by Maria van Lieshout
Song of a Blackbird is coming to Amsterdam🐦⬛ Join me at the American Book Center where I’ll share the story behind the book and sign/personalize copies. Dutch and American editions will be available.
Reserve here: abc.nl/events/event...
#WW2 #kidlit #bookevent #amsterdam #graphicnovel #historical
Reserve here: abc.nl/events/event...
#WW2 #kidlit #bookevent #amsterdam #graphicnovel #historical
August 5, 2025 at 8:53 PM
Song of a Blackbird is coming to Amsterdam🐦⬛ Join me at the American Book Center where I’ll share the story behind the book and sign/personalize copies. Dutch and American editions will be available.
Reserve here: abc.nl/events/event...
#WW2 #kidlit #bookevent #amsterdam #graphicnovel #historical
Reserve here: abc.nl/events/event...
#WW2 #kidlit #bookevent #amsterdam #graphicnovel #historical
Reposted by Maria van Lieshout
★★★★★5 STARRED REVIEWS!!! I'm grateful to
@publisherswkly.bsky.social, @KirkusReviews.com,
@slj.com, @ala-booklist.bsky.social and @thehornbook.bsky.social. The past has much to teach us, and I’m here to do my part.
#fightHATE #makeART #battlehymn #songofablackbird #graphicnovel #ww2
@publisherswkly.bsky.social, @KirkusReviews.com,
@slj.com, @ala-booklist.bsky.social and @thehornbook.bsky.social. The past has much to teach us, and I’m here to do my part.
#fightHATE #makeART #battlehymn #songofablackbird #graphicnovel #ww2
February 7, 2025 at 4:00 PM
★★★★★5 STARRED REVIEWS!!! I'm grateful to
@publisherswkly.bsky.social, @KirkusReviews.com,
@slj.com, @ala-booklist.bsky.social and @thehornbook.bsky.social. The past has much to teach us, and I’m here to do my part.
#fightHATE #makeART #battlehymn #songofablackbird #graphicnovel #ww2
@publisherswkly.bsky.social, @KirkusReviews.com,
@slj.com, @ala-booklist.bsky.social and @thehornbook.bsky.social. The past has much to teach us, and I’m here to do my part.
#fightHATE #makeART #battlehymn #songofablackbird #graphicnovel #ww2
My first Cape and Cowl Con is in the books! It will certainly not be my last. Met so many comics lovers and book people, and got to hang out with old friends and new ones (@thiendog.bsky.social and @brianabreaks.bsky.social ). Thank you @capecowlcomics.bsky.social!
#comics #graphicnovels #kidlit
#comics #graphicnovels #kidlit
August 25, 2025 at 8:07 PM
My first Cape and Cowl Con is in the books! It will certainly not be my last. Met so many comics lovers and book people, and got to hang out with old friends and new ones (@thiendog.bsky.social and @brianabreaks.bsky.social ). Thank you @capecowlcomics.bsky.social!
#comics #graphicnovels #kidlit
#comics #graphicnovels #kidlit
Reposted by Maria van Lieshout
I’ll be at @capecowlcomics.bsky.social Cape and Cowl Con on August 24th! It will be at Faction in Alameda.
Come out to say hi, and check out my graphic novel Song of a Blackbird🐦⬛
@firstsecond.bsky.social
#comiccon #factionbrewing #Alameda #graphicnovels #kidsbooks #yabooks
Come out to say hi, and check out my graphic novel Song of a Blackbird🐦⬛
@firstsecond.bsky.social
#comiccon #factionbrewing #Alameda #graphicnovels #kidsbooks #yabooks
August 13, 2025 at 6:20 PM
I’ll be at @capecowlcomics.bsky.social Cape and Cowl Con on August 24th! It will be at Faction in Alameda.
Come out to say hi, and check out my graphic novel Song of a Blackbird🐦⬛
@firstsecond.bsky.social
#comiccon #factionbrewing #Alameda #graphicnovels #kidsbooks #yabooks
Come out to say hi, and check out my graphic novel Song of a Blackbird🐦⬛
@firstsecond.bsky.social
#comiccon #factionbrewing #Alameda #graphicnovels #kidsbooks #yabooks
Big love for teachers and librarians. Since Song of a Blackbird was published, I’ve been visiting middle and high schools. Lmk if you are interested in having me speak to your middle or high schoolers!
#authorvisit #schoolvisit #ww2 #kidlit #GraphicNovel
www.vanlieshoutstudio.com/author-visit/
#authorvisit #schoolvisit #ww2 #kidlit #GraphicNovel
www.vanlieshoutstudio.com/author-visit/
Author visits Maria van Lieshout
“Author visit”
www.vanlieshoutstudio.com
August 21, 2025 at 12:25 AM
Big love for teachers and librarians. Since Song of a Blackbird was published, I’ve been visiting middle and high schools. Lmk if you are interested in having me speak to your middle or high schoolers!
#authorvisit #schoolvisit #ww2 #kidlit #GraphicNovel
www.vanlieshoutstudio.com/author-visit/
#authorvisit #schoolvisit #ww2 #kidlit #GraphicNovel
www.vanlieshoutstudio.com/author-visit/
I’ll be at @capecowlcomics.bsky.social Cape and Cowl Con on August 24th! It will be at Faction in Alameda.
Come out to say hi, and check out my graphic novel Song of a Blackbird🐦⬛
@firstsecond.bsky.social
#comiccon #factionbrewing #Alameda #graphicnovels #kidsbooks #yabooks
Come out to say hi, and check out my graphic novel Song of a Blackbird🐦⬛
@firstsecond.bsky.social
#comiccon #factionbrewing #Alameda #graphicnovels #kidsbooks #yabooks
August 13, 2025 at 6:20 PM
I’ll be at @capecowlcomics.bsky.social Cape and Cowl Con on August 24th! It will be at Faction in Alameda.
Come out to say hi, and check out my graphic novel Song of a Blackbird🐦⬛
@firstsecond.bsky.social
#comiccon #factionbrewing #Alameda #graphicnovels #kidsbooks #yabooks
Come out to say hi, and check out my graphic novel Song of a Blackbird🐦⬛
@firstsecond.bsky.social
#comiccon #factionbrewing #Alameda #graphicnovels #kidsbooks #yabooks
Thank you, @multcolib.bsky.social!
Looking for "Help with getting almost 3 year old to wean from the pacifier"? Check out Bye-Bye Binky by @vanlieshoutstudio.bsky.social. #AskALibrarian
Bye-bye Binky — Multnomah County Library
Bye-bye Binky — Van Lieshout, Maria, — A little girl explains that she does not need a pacifier anymore, because she is a big kid now.
multcolib.bibliocommons.com
August 8, 2025 at 3:36 PM
Thank you, @multcolib.bsky.social!
I am an immigrant. My friends are immigrants. My neighbors are immigrants... An immigrant takes my naturalization exam when I become a US citizen. She smiles when I pass because she knows what it means. She gives me a little American flag. She is what makes America great.
#Iamanimmigrant
#Iamanimmigrant
August 5, 2025 at 11:24 PM
I am an immigrant. My friends are immigrants. My neighbors are immigrants... An immigrant takes my naturalization exam when I become a US citizen. She smiles when I pass because she knows what it means. She gives me a little American flag. She is what makes America great.
#Iamanimmigrant
#Iamanimmigrant