Christopher Helton
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achrishelton.bsky.social
Christopher Helton
@achrishelton.bsky.social
690 followers 410 following 74 posts
Books mostly.

https://pluckedfromthestacks.wordpress.com/
Posts Replies Media Videos
Reposted by Christopher Helton
benjbrantley.bsky.social
I remember Stoppard, for the New York Times.
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/29/t...
The Language of Tom Stoppard, Ablaze With Energy and Urgency
www.nytimes.com
November 29, 2025 at 11:55 PM
Reposted by Christopher Helton
cybilsawards.bsky.social
We’re thankful for books, the amazing people who create them, and the readers who love them. #kidlitchat
November 26, 2025 at 3:09 AM
Reposted by Christopher Helton
cybilsawards.bsky.social
Cybils team member @roesolo.bsky.social recently reviewed a powerful picture book from @highwaterpress.bsky.social, Miya Wears Orange by Wanda John-Kehewin and illustrated by Erika Rodriguez Medina.

Find the full review on her blog: momreadit.com
A book cover, slightly tilted, in the center of the image with eight copies of the book surrounding it. The book is Miya Wears Orange by Wanda John-Kehewin and illustrated by Erika Rodriguez Medina. Some text, slightly tilted, in the center of the image that reads, "... Miya Wears Orange belongs in library collections everywhere." There are four orange dots under the text followed by the blog name "Mom Read It". Eight copies of Miya Wears Orange by Wanda John-Kehewin and illustrated by Erika Rodriguez Medina surround it.
November 24, 2025 at 10:27 PM
Reposted by Christopher Helton
cybilsawards.bsky.social
November is in full swing, so it's time for the latest Cybils Scribbles. In this edition:

📚 Celebrating National Native American Heritage Month
📚 A social justice book list for Nonfiction November
📚 News about a new film adaptation of a children’s book classic
📚 And more!
A block of text that reads: "Cybils Scribbles November Edition: Native Heritage Book List, Social Justice Book List, News & More!" Eight books surround the text, each with a white border. The books are: Bud Finds Her Gift by Robin Wall Kimmerer & illustrated by Naoko Stoop, Faye and the Dangerous Journey by Kim Sigafus, Fierce Aunties by Laurel Goodluck & illustrated by Steph Littlebird, Legendary Frybread Drive-In edited by Cynthia Leitich Smith, Moon Song by Michaela Goade, Of the Sun by Xelena González & illustrated by Emily Kewageshig, Our Ancestors' Kitchen by Willie Poll & illustrated by Shaikara David, and Sisters in the Wind by Angeline Boulley.
November 23, 2025 at 11:34 PM
Reposted by Christopher Helton
cybilsawards.bsky.social
It's October, and our team is on the hunt for books that go bump in the night.

Fortunately, @anndavilacardinal.bsky.social's newest YA horror novel, You've Awoken Her, more than delivers.

Check out this glowing review from @roesolo.bsky.social: momreadit.com/2025/07/25/c...
The book You've Awoken Her by Ann Dávila Cardinal laying on torn paper and a smoky purple background. A torn piece of paper on top of a purple hazy background. Written on the paper are the words: "DON'T MISS THIS BOOK - IT'S A GOOD ONE". Then there's a separator line followed by more writing that says: "MOM READ IT".
October 10, 2025 at 8:26 PM
Reposted by Christopher Helton
cybilsawards.bsky.social
We don’t have a uniform, but… 👀
extrapetite.bsky.social Victoria @extrapetite.bsky.social · Sep 9
My next #knitting project is this library card vest. 😍 For oldies like me who knew what a borrower’s card looked like. Hahaha. #booksky
October 5, 2025 at 9:53 PM
Reposted by Christopher Helton
acuthberto.bsky.social
If I can share one of my favourite Patricia Routledge moments, it's her singing Noel Coward's "I Went to a Marvellous Party."

In her 90s just smashing it. An icon. I love her.
(Official) Dame Patricia Routledge - "I Went to a Marvellous Party" by Noël Coward
YouTube video by Noël Coward
www.youtube.com
October 3, 2025 at 12:32 PM
Reposted by Christopher Helton
cybilsawards.bsky.social
It's one of our favorite days of the month. If you haven't yet, scroll through #kidlitartpostcard and be in awe of the amazing skill (and future books?) on display.
October 2, 2025 at 9:07 PM
Reposted by Christopher Helton
cybilsawards.bsky.social
On this Random Acts of Poetry Day, here's a little poem for your feed.
A white box with a poem in the top left corner that read, "Roses are red Violets are blue, We read good books And share them with you." The bottom left corner reads, "www.cybils.com". The bottom right corner is a logo for the Cybils Awards.
October 1, 2025 at 10:21 PM
Reposted by Christopher Helton
cybilsawards.bsky.social
September is coming to an end, so it's time for the latest Cybils Scribbles over on our Substack. In this edition:

📚 Celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month
📚 A World Beach Day book list
📚 A look at how the Cybils is different this year
📚 & more!

Check it out: cybilsawards.substack.com/p/september-...
A block of text that reads: "Cybils Scribbles September Roundup: Latine Books List, Beach Day Book List, News & More!" Eight books surround the text, each with a white border. The books are A Sea of Lemon Trees, An Encantadora's Guide to Monstros and Magic, Dreaming of a Quinceañera, Marisol Acts the Part, A Hero's Guide to Summer Vacation, Lost on Doll Island; Bold, Brilliant, and Latine; and The Golden Boy's Guide to Bipolar.
September 30, 2025 at 6:39 PM
Reposted by Christopher Helton
thegentlemanbat.bsky.social
I made two pop-up cards copying mechanisms from Jan Pienkowski’s very cool Haunted House book, one not pictured, but here’s my spider. We also recommend this gross and silly Monster’s Lunchbox, with touch-and-feel details. #popupcard #kidlit #picturebook #bats
June 27, 2025 at 2:21 AM
Reposted by Christopher Helton
senickel.bsky.social
It's here! Making Light Bloom, with words by me & illustrations by Julie Paschkis is here! It tells the story of the hidden genius behind the Tiffany lamps & has received 3 starred reviews. To learn more, go to sandranickel.com/books/making... #STEAM #kidlit #tiffanylamps #picturebooks #nonfiction
June 24, 2025 at 1:04 PM
Reposted by Christopher Helton
iamlisako.bsky.social
The AI book list and general enshittification reminded me that I've been credited as blurbing hundreds of books I never have, including books by Patti Smith, Amy Tan, Sidney Sheldon, Joyce Maynard, and Elmore Leonard? And I can't get these fake blurbs taken off publisher and bookstore websites?
Blurbs attributed to "Lisa Ko, author of the leavers" for Elmore Leonard, Sidney Sheldon, Joyce maynard, Peter Maas, Amy Tan, and Patti Smith
May 20, 2025 at 3:49 PM
Reposted by Christopher Helton
jerroldconnors.bsky.social
Did I mention the prizes include a signed copy of James Marshall's Hansel and Gretel that features an ORIGINAL James Marshall sketch? 👀👀👀

Come to the party! Sign up here!!

us02web.zoom.us/meeting/regi...
a copy of James Marshall's picture book Hansel and Gretel sits on a wooden desk An ink sketch of a cartoon witch on red paper. The drawing is signed "James Marshall".
May 16, 2025 at 12:21 PM
Reposted by Christopher Helton
jerroldconnors.bsky.social
What's that? You're running out of ways to transport your favorite James Marshall picture books? May I suggest this vintage Viola Swamp tote bag? 🖤🖤

Come to my Zoom party for a chance to win this rare bit of picture book merch! Register below 👇

us02web.zoom.us/meeting/regi...
A split image. The left side is of a tall man browsing books in a bookstore. He stands in the middle of a long corridor bordered by shelves full of books. Over his shoulder is a tote back decorated with a cartoon illustration. The right side is a closeup of that illustration. It's of a severe looking woman with her hair parted in the middle and set into two side buns. Text on the illustration reads: VIOLA SWAMP IS WATCHING YOU AND DON'T YOU FORGET IT!
May 19, 2025 at 7:01 PM
Reposted by Christopher Helton
mnateshyamalan.bsky.social
wife: how was guarding the two paths today, honey?

guard: [looking away] fine

wife: did something happen?

guard: [tearing up] no

wife: would the other guard tell me something happened?
May 18, 2025 at 9:13 PM
Reposted by Christopher Helton
clberner.bsky.social
so sad to hear that charles strouse has passed. lots of tributes will talk about annie and bye bye birdie, but i’d be remiss not to thank this man one more time for writing RAGS, an absolute gem of a score and show

youtu.be/o4Y8mpIq-_Q?...
RAGS Teresa Stratas "Children of the Wind"
YouTube video by aurora spiderwoman
youtu.be
May 15, 2025 at 9:05 PM
achrishelton.bsky.social
Carla Hayden has been an amazing advocate for libraries. To be pushed aside like this is disgraceful.
morelle.house.gov Joe Morelle @morelle.house.gov · May 9
Tonight, President Trump fired a patriotic public servant.

The Librarian of Congress, Dr. Carla Hayden, has spent her entire career serving people—from helping kids learn to read to protecting some of our nation’s most precious treasures. She is an American hero.
May 9, 2025 at 1:07 AM
achrishelton.bsky.social
I’m sorry, a bookstore called BODACIOUS is pulling books due to content?
joyurcaba.bsky.social Jo Yurcaba @joyurcaba.bsky.social · May 5
Current and former employees of Bodacious Bookstore said that what began as a purge of purportedly profane materials quickly escalated into the quiet removal of more than 60 books, many of them LGBTQ-related, from the store.

By Dakota Parks for @nbcnews.com:
www.nbcnews.com/nbc-out/out-...
Beloved Florida indie bookstore faces backlash after removal of LGBTQ titles
Escambia County, where Bodacious Bookstore & Café is located, has become a battleground in the national fight over book bans and censorship.
www.nbcnews.com
May 6, 2025 at 8:28 PM
achrishelton.bsky.social
At a time when kids are being targeted with slop content at an unprecedented rate, PBS continues to provide them with high-quality, thoughtful programming. It’s incredibly frustrating to see their public funding attacked yet again.
May 3, 2025 at 1:21 AM
Reposted by Christopher Helton
slj.com
Teen librarian Karen Jensen shares an outline for a tween and teen program that teaches tech skills and encourages participants to create their own recipe cards for posterity.
MakerSpace: Preserving Family Recipes in the Library
Teen librarian Karen Jensen shares an outline for a tween and teen program that teaches tech skills and encourages participants to create their own recipe cards for posterity
teenlibrariantoolbox.com
May 1, 2025 at 12:21 AM
Reposted by Christopher Helton
paperbackparadise.bsky.social
the only way out is to read
April 5, 2025 at 5:24 PM
Reposted by Christopher Helton
pwkidsbookshelf.bsky.social
Children’s author Mac Barnett wants the U.S. to appreciate picture books | SF Chronicle
Children’s author Mac Barnett wants the U.S. to appreciate picture books
Recently named the new National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature, acclaimed Oakland writer shares why he believes picture books deserve more respect.
buff.ly
February 21, 2025 at 7:30 PM
achrishelton.bsky.social
Massive congratulations to all the winners, finalists, and nominees. There were so many amazing books this year. The judges were truly spoiled for choice, and it’s a testament to the high level of talent and skill found in children’s and YA publishing today.
cybilsawards.bsky.social Cybils Awards @cybilsawards.bsky.social · Feb 14
Happy #BookLove day ! It's time to present the 2024 CYBILS Awards winners! #cybils2024 📚👍🏼

Read why the judges chose these books here:
www.cybils.com/2025/...

#booksky
February 15, 2025 at 12:58 AM
Reposted by Christopher Helton
cybilsawards.bsky.social
Happy #BookLove day ! It's time to present the 2024 CYBILS Awards winners! #cybils2024 📚👍🏼

Read why the judges chose these books here:
www.cybils.com/2025/...

#booksky
February 14, 2025 at 5:20 PM