Cynthia Harmony
LightNews LightNews
banner
cynthiaharmony.bsky.social
Cynthia Harmony
@cynthiaharmony.bsky.social
920 followers 510 following 58 posts
#Kidlit Author
Latest: A Flicker of Hope /Un Aleteo de Esperanza 🦋
Upcoming: Apapacho Love '26
Forest en Familia '26
Row Sow Grow '26
Hasta Pronto is a Promise '27

linktr.ee/cynthiaharmony
Posts Replies Media Videos
Pinned
cynthiaharmony.bsky.social
Cynthia Harmony @cynthiaharmony.bsky.social · Nov 27
Amazing news! 🥳
penguinschoollib.bsky.social Penguin School & Library @penguinschoollib.bsky.social · Nov 25
Congratulations to our #NCTE award winners! Find out more about these Charlotte Huck and Notable Poetry and Verse book selections. #NCTE24
www.penguinclassroom.com/blog/ncte-20...
NCTE 2025 Award-Winners - Penguin Classroom Portal
www.penguinclassroom.com
cynthiaharmony.bsky.social
Librarian, educators & bookseller friends... APAPACHO LOVE Digital Arc is now available on Edelweiss. Hope you can take a look and give some 💗 to this book about love, when we need it most! Coming out in 7 weeks from @fsgbooks.bsky.social Gracias y apapachos 🤗

www.edelweiss.plus#keywordSearc...
October 23, 2025 at 4:42 PM
cynthiaharmony.bsky.social
Tucson friends join us!

#tucsonevents #kidlit #diademuertos
October 21, 2025 at 3:45 PM
Reposted by Cynthia Harmony
aventurasenesl.bsky.social
New picture book on the 5 love languages 🥰💝
weneeddiversebooks.bsky.social We Need Diverse Books @weneeddiversebooks.bsky.social · Oct 10
🛻 COVER REVEAL! 🛻 WNDB is excited to give you all a first look at the cover for WAYS PAPI SAYS I LOVE YOU by Delia Ruiz and Carlos Vélez Aguilera, a heartfelt picture book celebrating the father-daughter bond forthcoming from Charlesbridge on March 24th, 2026!

✨ bit.ly/WaysPapiSays
Graphic with a background image depicting a clear, bright blue sky over green rolling hills in the countryside. At the center of the graphic is the cover for the upcoming picture book “Ways Papi Says I Love You” written by Delia Ruiz and illustrated by Carlos Vélez Aguilera. The cover illustration depicts an old pick up truck sitting on a countryside road. Sitting on the edge of the truck bed is a young Mexican girl with her hair in two braids and wearing overalls. Next to her and leaning on the edge of the truck bed is a Mexican rancho wearing a broad straw hat, a long sleeve shirt, and jeans. At his feet there is a dog sitting, with its tongue hanging out of its mouth. At the top of the graphic is the release date: March 24th, 2026. At the bottom of the graphic is a tagline for the book that says, “A heartfelt celebration of the father-daughter bond.” Graphic with a background image depicting a clear, bright blue sky over green rolling hills in the countryside. The graphic contains a book summary, which reads in part: “How many ways can Papi say I love you without saying the words? Through actions big and small, his love shines during their road trip. A heartfelt celebration of the father-daughter bond—ideal for fans of My Papi Has a Motorcycle. When Papi, who is always busy working at el rancho, asks Maricruz to jump in the truck with him to go get groceries for Mami, she grabs the list and sprints! Inspired by the author’s own truck rides with her father through a ranch in Mexico, Ways Papi Says I Love You connects the love languages between a father and daughter and shows the many ways love can be expressed and received. Written and illustrated by a Latine duo, Ways Papi Says I Love You is available in English and in Spanish.”
October 11, 2025 at 1:00 AM
cynthiaharmony.bsky.social
First bookish newsletter! 🥳 Short read with updates, links, book recs, discount code and giveaways to come...

#kidlit
open.substack.com/pub/cynthiah...
First bookish newsletter!
Hola, so happy you’re joining me in this journey sharing love and pride for my culture and community through the eyes of beautiful diverse characters who finally get to be protagonists of all kinds of...
open.substack.com
October 12, 2025 at 5:04 PM
Reposted by Cynthia Harmony
gabino.bsky.social
Dear parents:

You see all this stupidity going around? Please read to your kids. Let them see you reading. Keep books around. Buy them books if you can. Show them how cool the library is. Tell them book banning is bad. Make reading part of their lives. It helps make good people.
June 17, 2025 at 1:59 PM
Reposted by Cynthia Harmony
brucehinze.bsky.social
“No Kings” demonstration, Ocean Beach, San Francisco
June 14, 2025 at 7:24 PM
Reposted by Cynthia Harmony
weneeddiversebooks.bsky.social
We’re thrilled to share a first look at the beautiful cover for APAPACHO LOVE, written by @cynthiaharmony.bsky.social and illustrated by @erikadraws.bsky.social!

APAPACHO LOVE will be published by FSG Young Readers and released on January 13th, 2025.

📖 Learn more: bit.ly/4kkpl4s
Graphic with a swirling background made up of alternating light pink and dark pink stripes. At the top, in curved yellow letters are the words, “Cover Reveal.” Beneath is a thumbnail image of the book cover for “Apapacho Love,” written by Cynthia Harmony and illustrated by Erika Meza. The cover shows a Latine child embracing their parent in a warm hug, as yellow sparks and squiggles emerge from behind them. At the bottom of the graphic is the book’s release date, which is January 13th, 2026. Graphic with a swirling background made up of alternating light pink and dark pink stripes. At the center is a pink box with rounded corners containing a brief synopsis for the upcoming picture book, “Apapacho Love,” written by Cynthia Harmony and illustrated by Erika Meza. The summary reads as follows: “Every day for Luna starts and ends with Mami’s apapachos. Her warm cuddles fill Luna's heart, like stars fill the sky. They make her feel safe. They make her feel seen. But, oh no, Mami has to take a trip! What will Luna do without Mami's hugs? Maybe…apapachos can come from other people, too. Like Abue’s, which makes Luna feel brave. And Daddy’s, which makes her giggle. Not to mention her dog, Benito’s wet nuzzle which tells her to rise and shine with a smile. It turns out even when Mami’s far away, her love is all around. Apapacho love is everywhere! A gorgeous picture book featuring a Mexican American family that’s as comforting as a warm embrace – great for Valentine’s Day, Mother’s Day, and baby gifts!”
May 14, 2025 at 2:34 PM
cynthiaharmony.bsky.social
Tucson friends: workshop for children Saturday March 15th 2.30pm Education Room 349 and book signing, see you soon! #kidlit #booksigning #tucsonfestivalofbooks
March 11, 2025 at 3:38 PM
Reposted by Cynthia Harmony
literaticat.bsky.social
Here’s what I (truly!!!) don’t understand — why? Isn’t? There? Backlash???! Like WHY IS IT ALLOWED??? TO JUST REVERSE??? A CENTURY OF DIPLOMACY??? OFFEND OUR ALLIES??? SIDE WITH OUR ENEMIES??? WHAT THE ACTUAL FUCK IS HAPPENING????
March 1, 2025 at 4:45 PM
Reposted by Cynthia Harmony
gabino.bsky.social
Monthly reminder: Many people have a book in them, but it takes a special kind of freak to leave the Land of Laziness, cross the Plains of Procrastination and Insecurity Mountain, find the Blade of No One Made You Do This, and use it to cut your chest open and yank that book out.
March 1, 2025 at 5:07 PM
Reposted by Cynthia Harmony
scalzi.com
For the record, do I think a one-day boycott is going to make much of an economic impact? No. Do I think that a sort of "Baby's First Boycott," performative though it is, might be useful to make some folks aware of the impact of their economic power, and how it might be wielded politically? Maybe.
February 28, 2025 at 3:35 PM
Reposted by Cynthia Harmony
adamserwer.bsky.social
Striking how easily you can get millions of people to vote for a boot on their own face just by lying to them about the boot going on someone else's face.
February 26, 2025 at 4:49 PM
cynthiaharmony.bsky.social
Because young people dream, hope, and dare. I was one of them when I voted in my first presidential election in Mexico, my generation didn’t listen to the “adults” and ended a 70 yo corrupt regime. Young people hold change and stories can reaffirm and strengthen that truth.
brianlarossa.com Brian LaRossa @brianlarossa.com · Feb 4
Hey #kidlit, with everything going on in the world I think we could all use a collective reminder.

*Why* do you choose to make books for children?
February 4, 2025 at 3:22 PM
Reposted by Cynthia Harmony
penamerica.bsky.social
PEN America: Trump Administration’s EO, 'Ending Radical Indoctrination in K-12 Schooling,' claims to undo indoctrination, but in fact enforces its own ideological conformity on public education and poses a serious threat to free expression in education. pen.org/press-releas...
White House Executive Order Risks Pushing Diverse Viewpoints, Identities and Histories Out of Classrooms Nationwide - PEN America
The Trump Administration’s Executive Order, ‘Ending Radical Indoctrination in K-12 Schooling’, claims to undo indoctrination, but in fact enforces its own ideological conformity on public education an...
pen.org
January 30, 2025 at 10:58 PM
Reposted by Cynthia Harmony
mrpepper.bsky.social
“President Trump issued an executive order to find out what education funds he can legally rescind based on curriculum he doesn’t like. Existing law already answers that question — nothing.”
- California Dept. Of Education
January 30, 2025 at 10:39 AM
Reposted by Cynthia Harmony
heykellyjensen.bsky.social
What can you do about book banning? How can you support essential public institutions of democracy like public libraries and public schools? Want to understand why "school choice" is an outright lie?

I've got OVER FOUR YEARS of those answers and more in this pinned thread.
heykellyjensen.bsky.social kelly jensen @heykellyjensen.bsky.social · Nov 10
A massive thread of resources, history, information, and material to help you not only fight and understand book censorship but protect the incredible democratic institutions of public libraries and public education.

This is updated regularly!
Image of the tops of books in a herringbone pattern. They are in a rainbow gradient. The center of the image has a green textbox with the words "Resources for fighting book censorship, library challenges, and more."
January 30, 2025 at 3:04 PM
cynthiaharmony.bsky.social
Friends, A Flicker of Hope is an ALA Notable book!! #kidlit
Thank you @wearealsc.bsky.social

@devonholzwarth.bsky.social
@jmcgowanbks.bsky.social
@penguinschoollib.bsky.social

www.ala.org/alsc/awardsg...
Notable Children's Books - 2025 under construction
Each year a committee of ALSC identifies the best of the best in children's books. According to the Notables Criteria, "notable" is defined as: Worthy of note or notice, important, distinguished, outs...
www.ala.org
January 29, 2025 at 7:55 PM
Reposted by Cynthia Harmony
aabbri.bsky.social
Authors Against Book Bans responds to the DOE statement supporting book banning in American public schools
The Authors Against Book Bans statement about the DOE rollback on Book Bans is on our Instagram account now, and will be disseminated to media outlets tomorrow. AUTHORS AGAINST BOOK BANS RESPONSE TO THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION’S STATEMENT SUPPORTING BOOK BANS IN AMERICAN SCHOOLS Today, the Department of Education announced plans to dismiss eleven outstanding complaints against book bans, and to eliminate the position of Book Ban Coordinator at the Office of Civil Rights (OCR). This distortion of the intended work of the OCR–the protection of civil rights and students’ freedoms in our nation's schools–is negligent, grossly un-American, and in direct conflict with freedom of speech, a bedrock right enshrined in the Constitution. Authors Against Book Bans unequivocally stands against all such attempts at censorship and discrimination. We stand with families, students and educators across the country who exercise free speech every time they open a book, and with the 71% of Americans who are opposed to book bans. Book bans do not protect children; history teaches us that they are a terrifying step toward tyranny.
January 25, 2025 at 1:49 PM
Reposted by Cynthia Harmony
saraharonson.bsky.social
In case you missed this quote:
donalynbooks.bsky.social Donalyn Miller @donalynbooks.bsky.social · Dec 31
On this last day of 2024, I’m focusing on the good in the world and the promise that hope brings. I’m taking comfort from Howard Zinn and his encouragement. Happy New Year!
January 17, 2025 at 3:04 PM
Reposted by Cynthia Harmony
jenniferlmeyer.bsky.social
Book people!!
Check this out about getting books to LA❤️
January 12, 2025 at 6:16 PM
cynthiaharmony.bsky.social
One of my favorite #picturebooks of 2024 (we read the Spanish edition) recommended! @elizakinkz.bsky.social @jesustrejo.bsky.social
pwkidsbookshelf.bsky.social Children's Bookshelf @pwkidsbookshelf.bsky.social · Sep 11
Actor and comedian Jesús Trejo and illustrator Eliza Kinkz spoke via Zoom about their new companion picture book, 'Mamá’s Magnificent Dancing Plantitas,' Mexican cultural representation, and the uplifting power of comedy
In Conversation: Jesús Trejo and Eliza Kinkz
Comedian Jesús Trejo and illustrator Eliza Kinkz spoke about their new picture book, 'Mamá’s Magnificent Dancing Plantitas,' companion to 'Papá’s Magical Water-Jug Clock,' and the uplifting power of…
buff.ly
January 8, 2025 at 5:56 PM
cynthiaharmony.bsky.social
Amazing news! 🥳
penguinschoollib.bsky.social Penguin School & Library @penguinschoollib.bsky.social · Nov 25
Congratulations to our #NCTE award winners! Find out more about these Charlotte Huck and Notable Poetry and Verse book selections. #NCTE24
www.penguinclassroom.com/blog/ncte-20...
NCTE 2025 Award-Winners - Penguin Classroom Portal
www.penguinclassroom.com
November 27, 2024 at 6:07 PM
cynthiaharmony.bsky.social
A FLICKER OF HOPE wins an NSTA Outstanding Science Trade Book award!! And it was also included in the Chicago Public Library Best Books of 2024! 🎉 🎉 www.nsta.org/outstanding-...
www.chipublib.org/news/cpl-bes...
#kidlit
Outstanding Science Trade Books for Students K–12 2025
www.nsta.org
November 23, 2024 at 10:47 PM
Reposted by Cynthia Harmony
runwithskizzers.bsky.social
(ugh, has exacerbated***)

it's a messy time to be a creator, so as always, my plea to you is to be vocal about the art you enjoy -- like excessively vocal. support creators in whatever way you can: sign up for newsletters, repost their work, request books/comics from your local indies & libraries
September 13, 2024 at 5:21 PM
Reposted by Cynthia Harmony
brianlarossa.com
To complete the causal chain: 1) Writing/illustrating children's books is noble. 2) It's noble because it can lead children to become readers. 3) Readers benefit from reading. 4) Nations benefit from readers. 5) An electorate who reads freely and for pleasure is less likely to fall prey to fascism.
brianlarossa.com Brian LaRossa @brianlarossa.com · Sep 10
I LOVE speaking to SCBWI chapters, btw. Striving to write and/or illustrate children's books is a very noble pursuit, and I want to help. If you're a coordinator for your SCBWI chapter, I would love to speak to your members, either remotely or in person. 💙❤️ #kidlit
September 10, 2024 at 3:42 PM