Deborah Kerbel
LightNews LightNews
banner
deborahkerbel.com
Deborah Kerbel
@deborahkerbel.com
1.1K followers 510 following 130 posts
Award-Winning 🇨🇦 #kidlit author of 30 books
(picture books, graphic novels, middle grade, young adult, non-fiction)
https://linktr.ee/deborahkerbel
NEW in 2025:
NO HUDDLES FOR HELOISE (Orca)
WHAT ABOUT AN ELEPHANT? (Owlkids)
COMMUNITY SNOWMAN (Groundwood)
Posts Replies Media Videos
deborahkerbel.com
So happy the news is officially official!
PLUFFY & BORB CATCH A FRIEND -- written by me, illustrated by @naomispractice.bsky.social, and pubbed by @kidscanpress.bsky.social is coming to bookshelves in Fall 2027 🎉
essiewhite.bsky.social Essie White @essiewhite.bsky.social · Sep 17
What a fun project this is going to be! I think everyone is going to fall in love w/ PLUFFY and BORB! a new #GN by @deborahkerbel.com & illustrated by @naomispractice.bsky.social sky.social I'm so fortunate to work w/ such talented #kidlit people @kidscanpress.bsky.social @stormliterary.bsky.social
September 17, 2025 at 2:56 PM
deborahkerbel.com
Very grateful to @debbieohi.com for this 'cool' review of COMMUNITY SNOWMAN, our upcoming (Oct 8/25) wordless picture book, published by @groundwoodbooks.bsky.social & illustrated by Tine Modeweg-Hansen). Thank you, Debbie!! 🥰
debbieohi.com Debbie Ridpath Ohi @debbieohi.com · Sep 17
COMMUNITY SNOWMAN by @deborahkerbel.com & Tine Modeweg-Hansen is a sweet, wordless picture book that celebrates kindness and community uplift. Love the loose, expressive art! Launches from @groundwoodbooks.bsky.social 2025/10/07. Thx Groundwood for the sneak peek! 🇨🇦🩷
#KidLit #EduSky #CanKidLit 📚👍🏽
Book cover titled Community Snowman by Deborah Kerbel and Tine Modeweg-Hansen. The illustration shows people of different ages and a dog rolling large snowballs in the snow.
September 17, 2025 at 2:53 PM
deborahkerbel.com
🐾 Gotcha Day Cover Reveal 🐾
⁠Adorably illustrated by Udayana Lugo & pubbed by @orcabook.bsky.social this heartfelt story about a stray dog finding their fur-ever home was inspired by our family’s experience with our sweet rescue pup, Freddie.

In bookstores March 17/26 & available for pre-order now
July 23, 2025 at 3:59 PM
deborahkerbel.com
I was thrilled to discover IGGY INCLUDED on the list of Red Cedar Fiction nominees for 2025/26!

Huge thanks to the selection committee and my fellow Red Cedar nominee @annarosner.bsky.social for the heads up!

#bookawards #nominee #middlegradebooks #canlit #ireadcanadian #Iwritecanadian #kidlit
July 21, 2025 at 4:03 PM
deborahkerbel.com
And just like that, a brand new children's book springs to life 🌱

More details coming soon 😊

#thisnevergetsold #picturebook #canlit #Ireadcanadian #iwritecanadian #amwriting #writersofbluesky #bookcontract #kidlit
July 21, 2025 at 1:40 PM
Reposted by Deborah Kerbel
menderist.bsky.social
Summer Reads for Kids 8 to 18: looking for mental health-themed books for your children to read? See our list of 19 titles, including books by ‪@kerncarter.bsky.social | @sharigreen.bsky.social | @deborahkerbel.com | @kloshaughnessy.bsky.social‬ menderist.com/summer-readi...
Summer Reading: 19 Children's Books with Mental Health Themes - Menderist
Parents can help their children before the teenage years by sharing books about common youth mental health challenges.
menderist.com
July 18, 2025 at 4:11 PM
deborahkerbel.com
“A little space, please!”

Got a kiddo who craves a bit of personal space?

Bought a copy of NO HUDDLES FOR HELOISE or taken it out from the library?

DM me your address & proof of purchase/library loan and I’ll send you a custom door hanger (with art by illustrator Udayana Lugo).

*🇨🇦 residents only
June 11, 2025 at 8:56 PM
Reposted by Deborah Kerbel
parentclub.bsky.social
🎉IODE Violet Downy Book Award Short List

⭐A Galaxy of Whales H Fawcett Tundra

⭐Iggy Included @deborahkerbel.com Scholastic
⭐Plague Thieves @parentclub.bsky.social @cormorantbooks.bsky.social

⭐The Outsmarters D Ellis @groundwoodbooks.bsky.social

⭐Tig HT Smith Rocky Pond

#KidLit #CanKidLit
🎉Three cheers for the IODE Violet Downy Book Award 2025 Short List! The winner will be announced at the @iode.canada AGM May 31st. ⭐A Galaxy of Whales Written by @heather_fawcett Published by @tundrabooks ⭐Iggy Included Written by @deborahkerbel.books Published by @scholasticcda ⭐Plague Thieves Written by @parentclub Published by @cormorantbooks ⭐The Outsmarters Written by Deborah Ellis Published by @groundwoodbooks ⭐Tig Written by @heather.t.smith Published by @rockypondbooks IODE Violet Downey: https://www.iode.ca/2025-violet-downey---short-list.html #CanKidLit #KidLit #VioletDowneyAward #MGBooks
May 22, 2025 at 3:40 PM
Reposted by Deborah Kerbel
debbieohi.com
You can browse the 2025 #ForestOfReading nominees here: forestofreading.com/nominated-li...

Congrats @grickle.bsky.social & @deborahkerbel.com on their #SilverBirch Fiction Honours!

bsky.app/profile/hkub...
hkubiw.bsky.social Helen Kubiw ❤️ 🇨🇦 📚 @hkubiw.bsky.social · May 14
Congrats to #SilverBirch Fiction Honour Book winners @grickle.bsky.social and @deborahkerbel.com! Young readers know wonderful #CDN books.
Forest of Reading Festival congratulations for 2025 Forest of Reading Silver Birch Fiction Honour Books Eerie Tales from the School of Screams and Iggy Included
May 14, 2025 at 5:54 PM
Reposted by Deborah Kerbel
hkubiw.bsky.social
Congrats to #SilverBirch Fiction Honour Book winners @grickle.bsky.social and @deborahkerbel.com! Young readers know wonderful #CDN books.
Forest of Reading Festival congratulations for 2025 Forest of Reading Silver Birch Fiction Honour Books Eerie Tales from the School of Screams and Iggy Included
May 14, 2025 at 4:42 PM
deborahkerbel.com
Let’s see if this works…🤞
#gettingcreative #parentingsolutions
April 4, 2025 at 4:48 PM
deborahkerbel.com
With shrinking review outlets for 🇨🇦 kidlit, the loss of CM Reviews leaves quite a void.
Feeling grateful for all their years of steadfast support for 🇨🇦 kids books & sad to see it end.
A review of NO HUDDLES FOR HELOISE appears in the latest (& possibly final 😔) issue.
Thank you for everything, CM!
April 3, 2025 at 4:03 PM
deborahkerbel.com
I’m excited to share a sneak peek of the adorable 'book sibling' for WHAT ABOUT AN OCTOPUS?

WHAT ABOUT AN ELEPHANT? will be stomping into bookstores August 2025 😊 Illustrated by Dawn Lo & published by @owlkids.bsky.social 🐘🐙📚🇨🇦

#ireadcanadian #informationalpicturebook #picturebook #fall2025 #kidlit
March 31, 2025 at 4:50 PM
deborahkerbel.com
Canadian #kidlit creators, if you're not following @hkubiw.bsky.social yet, you should be. Her outstanding book review blog is one of the most viewed & influential in our community.
Thank you for your hard work and dedication to Canadian children's books, Helen. You're a rockstar 🤩 🇨🇦 📚
March 28, 2025 at 3:13 PM
Reposted by Deborah Kerbel
alisonmcgauley.bsky.social
If you like penguins—and who doesn’t?—then check out this new picture book, NO HUDDLES FOR HELOISE, by @deborahkerbel.com & @udayana-lugo.bsky.social!

#penguins #kidlit #EduSky #CanKidLit @picturebookseh.bsky.social @orcabook.bsky.social
A blue-green background with the title “Book Recommendations” and Alison McGauley’s logo. The front cover of the picture book No Huddles for Heloise by Deborah Kerbel and Udayana Lugo along with a five-star review that reads: Kids will adore this picture book! It features vibrantly hilarious illustrations, sledding, friends, fish popsicles, and of course, penguins! I mean, who doesn’t love penguins? NO HUDDLES FOR HELOISE, full of humor and heart, is a fun and gentle reminder of the importance of personal space. My kids and I highly recommend this book. Featured in the graphic is also a picture of a penguin.
March 27, 2025 at 10:55 AM
deborahkerbel.com
Here's to new seasons, fresh starts, & finding little sprigs of hope at a time when they've never been more needed.

Bring on the light...and happy first day of spring, friends 🌱

(Art by @joseebisaillon.bsky.social from WHIRL, published by @owlkids.bsky.social)

#picturebook #wordless #spring
March 20, 2025 at 5:02 PM
Reposted by Deborah Kerbel
karenkrossing.com
You know why these authors are happy? Because they're celebrating their new @orcabook.bsky.social books at Mabel's Fables Children's Bookstore! Congrats on a wonderful launch, Erin Silver, @alisonmcgauley.bsky.social, @deborahkerbel.com & @mkbirmingham.bsky.social!
#kidlit #CanKidLit #picturebooks
March 12, 2025 at 12:45 AM
deborahkerbel.com
My 30th kids book publishes today 🎉
NO HUDDLES FOR HELOISE is about respecting personal space, accepting differences, & finding creative ways to support the people you love.
May she waddle her way into ❤️ of kids who see themselves in her quest for ‘alone time’ in a world full of huddlers.
March 11, 2025 at 3:39 PM
deborahkerbel.com
Happy #internationalwomensday!
May we continue having our voices heard, our words known, our opinions valued, and our work recognized. May we always remember our strength and our worth. And may we be blessed with a community of sisters who uplift each other whenever possible 💪
March 8, 2025 at 5:30 PM
deborahkerbel.com
Shout-out to all my fellow Canadian creators...let's continue to support each other as well as our incredible Canadian publishing community 🇨🇦 Thanks to @carolmatas.bsky.social for this timely reminder ❤️
carolmatas.bsky.social Carol Matas @carolmatas.bsky.social · Mar 4
Today is #BuyCanadian day. Zevi Takes the Spotlight is set in #Vancouver and is published by @orcabook.bsky.social a #Canadian #publisher and written by a #Manitoba #Children'sbook #author, me. Buy a Canadian book today! Fred and Marjorie written @deborahkerbel.com by @owlkids.bsky.social #kidlit
March 5, 2025 at 1:48 AM
Reposted by Deborah Kerbel
alisonmcgauley.bsky.social
🥳 GROUP BOOK LAUNCH!
📚 We are excited to visit with friends & family as we share our new books at Mabel’s Fables Children’s Bookstore, March 11th from 6:30-8 pm.
🩷 We’d love to see you there!
@picturebookseh.bsky.social @pb25vibes.bsky.social #kidlit @deborahkerbel.com @mkbirmingham.bsky.social
A yellow background with green vines. The title reads GROUP BOOK LAUNCH! The subheading reads: Join Orca authors Maria Birmingham, Deborah Kerbel, Alison McGauley, and Erin Silver as they launch their new books. Chat with the authors and get books signed! Four book covers are featured: PLANT ATTACK!, KENZIE’S LITTLE TREE, NO HUDDLES FOR HELOISE, AND CAN WE TALK? At the bottom, we see the details: When: March 11th from 6:30-8p.m. Where: Mabel’s Fables (662 Mount Pleasant Road, Toronto, ON)
February 19, 2025 at 6:39 PM
deborahkerbel.com
❄️ ☃️ COVER REVEAL ☃️ ❄️

Who's ready for more snow? (No shovelling required 😉 )
COMMUNITY SNOWMAN will be rolling into bookstores in #fall2025. (Illustrated by uber-talented Tine Modeweg-Hansen and published by the wonderful team at @groundwoodbooks.bsky.social)
February 17, 2025 at 2:55 PM
Reposted by Deborah Kerbel
Starting #Valentines Day reading with @deborahkerbel.com wonderful #NoHuddlesForHeliose!
February 14, 2025 at 12:34 PM
deborahkerbel.com
With just 1 month to go until NO HUDDLES FOR HELOISE officially hatches, I'm happy to share the news that Turkish & traditional Chinese language rights have been sold!

So excited for kids around the world to meet Heloise the introverted penguin! 🐧 (Art: Udayana Lugo. Pubbed: @orcabook.bsky.social)
February 11, 2025 at 9:35 PM
deborahkerbel.com
Getting mail from young readers is one of my favourite parts of this job.

I mean, how cute is this letter?? 🥰🥰🥰
February 10, 2025 at 4:50 PM