Debra Kempf Shumaker
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debrakshumaker.bsky.social
Debra Kempf Shumaker
@debrakshumaker.bsky.social
1.3K followers 690 following 300 posts
Children's Writer. Avid Reader. Repped by James McGowan & Sophie Sheumaker, BookEnds Literary. Member of @steamteambooks.bsky.social & @kl4gm.bsky.social.
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debrakshumaker.bsky.social
So excited to join 19 other amazing authors at @vaasl.bsky.social next week! #librarians we'll be pitching our Author Visits at 2 sessions. And find us in the Exhibit Hall where we will be signing our books! (Bookworm Central will be selling them.)

#vaaslgold #vaasl2025 #librariesrock
October 28, 2025 at 4:47 PM
debrakshumaker.bsky.social
Another post reminded me of a gem of a #PB —ME. . . JANE by Patrick McDonnell. It came out just as I started writing picture books. An absolute must read today as we hear of Jane Goodall's passing.

But if I may also suggest PECULIAR PRIMATES be me, ill. by Claire Powell. Jane's work inspired me.
October 1, 2025 at 10:03 PM
debrakshumaker.bsky.social
Excited to partner with @annmsbooks.bsky.social at @scrawlbooks.bsky.social this Saturday, Sept 6 at 11 am!

Join us as we celebrate nature with our books WIND IS A DANCE and FANTASTIC FLORA and an activity!

#kidlit #nature
September 3, 2025 at 10:26 PM
debrakshumaker.bsky.social
Thrilled to share WIND IS A DANCE is a 2025 Crystal Kite Honor Book for the SCBWI Atlantic Region! Humbled to be selected from so many amazing books. Grateful to @joseebisaillon.bsky.social's art, @kidscanpress.bsky.social and @jmcgowanbks.bsky.social!

#scbwi #scbwi25ck #CrystalKiteAward
July 28, 2025 at 2:15 PM
debrakshumaker.bsky.social
Today is #nationalcatfishday! Did you know catfish that live in African freshwater rivers can zap! They have electric organs they use to stun prey. For more fun facts about fish, grab a copy of FREAKY, FUNKY FISH, published by Running Press Kids, illustrated by Claire Powell.

#nfforkids
National Catfish Day is June 25th. A screenshot of the page "Some fish zap" from the picture book FREAKY, FUNKY FISH is displayed along with author Debra Shumaker's website www.debrashumaker.com.
June 25, 2025 at 5:24 PM
debrakshumaker.bsky.social
Another #PB is in the works! FIRE IS A CHORUS, illustrated by Isabella Fassler, publishing w/ @kidscanpress.bsky.social will hit bookshelves in Spring 2027!

Grateful to my agents @jmcgowanbks.bsky.social, @sophiesheumaker.bsky.social and editor Kathleen Keenan for championing this book!
Graphic with announcement of picture book FIRE IS A CHORUS stating Kathleen Keenan at Kids Can Press has bought world right to FIRE IS A CHORUS by Debra Kempf Shumaker, illustrated by Isabella Fassler, which explores the many ways we experience fire, from a flicker atop a birthday candle to the blast-off of a rocket ship. Publication is set for spring 2027; Sophie Sheumaker and James McGowan at BookEnds Literary represented Debra.
May 20, 2025 at 9:58 PM
debrakshumaker.bsky.social
Had SO much fun reading WIND IS A DANCE at the Gaithersburg Book Festival and enjoyed sharing the stage with @susanstockdale.bsky.social & Gaia Cornwall and their books. Grateful to the volunteers and to the parents who bring their kids to feed the spark for books!
@kidscanpress.bsky.social
Photo of myself, Susan Stockdale, and Gaia Cornwall on stage at Gaithersburg Book Festival. Photo of me and a screen with a picture of my picture books FREAKY, FUNKY FISH, TELL SOMEONE, PECULIAR PRIMATES, WIND IS A DANCE, and PECULIAR PRIMATES.
May 19, 2025 at 2:09 PM
debrakshumaker.bsky.social
Join me at the Gaithersburg Book Festival Sat., 5/17 at 10:15 am in the Jim Henson Pavilion. I'll be reading WIND IS A DANCE while kids make ribbons dance like the wind. I'm sharing the stage with @susanstockdale.bsky.social & Gaia Cornwall.

@joseebisaillon.bsky.social @kidscanpress.bsky.social
Banner with art and cover from picture book WIND IS A DANCE and the Gaitersburg Book Festival logo and photo of author Debra Shumaker.
May 15, 2025 at 5:12 PM
debrakshumaker.bsky.social
May 7th is Beaufort Scale Day! A perfect day to #giveaway a copy of my #PB —WIND IS A DANCE, ill. by @joseebisaillon.bsky.social —a lyrical ode to the wind and the wind scale in the backmatter. Follow me and reply/repost to enter. Ends Sunday 5/11. US only.

@kidscanpress.bsky.social #stemforkids
May 7, 2025 at 1:04 PM
debrakshumaker.bsky.social
#teachers #librarians: I am booking #authorvisits for 2025/2026 school year! I love exciting kids about #science, #reading, and #writing!

Check out my website for details and a downloadable brochure: debrashumaker.com/author_visits/
Photo of me in front of an assembly of kids and a powerpoint slide talking about the scientific process.
May 1, 2025 at 5:52 PM
debrakshumaker.bsky.social
Excited to be a featured author at the Gaithersburg Book Festival on May 17! Join me for a day of books, ideas, and literary fun. I'll be presenting at 10:15 am in the Jim Hensen Pavilion.

@kidscanpress.bsky.social @joseebisaillon.bsky.social
#GBF2025 #BookFestival
Banner with picture of the cover of WIND IS A DANCE and the details of the Gaithersburg Book Festival which is May 17. I'll be presenting at 10:30 am at the Jim Hensen Pavilion.
April 26, 2025 at 6:57 PM
debrakshumaker.bsky.social
Beyond thrilled that WIND IS A DANCE, written by me, art by @joseebisaillon.bsky.social, is a 2026 Nominee for the Bill Martin, Jr. Picture Book Award! What an honor to be among 9 other amazing #PBs. Check the list here:
www.emporia.edu/teachers-col...

@kidscanpress.bsky.social @kl4gm.bsky.social
Image with a book cover of the picture book WIND IS A DANCE and a heading stating it is nominated for the 2026 Bill Martin, Jr. Picture Book Award awarded by Emporia State University in Kansas.
April 17, 2025 at 11:21 PM
debrakshumaker.bsky.social
Since April is #NationalPoetryMonth, it seems like a good time to reshare that WIND IS A DANCE is an NCTE 2025 Notable Poetry Book!

Check out the entire list here:
shorturl.at/oZfB9

@kidscanpress.bsky.social @joseebisaillon.bsky.social @ncte.org

#poetry #weather #picturebook
A graphic showing the cover of the picture book WIND IS A DANCE and a banner that it is a National Council of Teachers of English 2025 Notable Poetry Book.
April 9, 2025 at 11:27 PM
debrakshumaker.bsky.social
@joseebisaillon.bsky.social is such a talented artist! She illustrated WIND IS A DANCE written by me and I am so in love with her art!
The cover of the picture book, WIND IS A DANCE. A young girl stands on a rock with leaves blowing around her.
April 2, 2025 at 5:16 PM
debrakshumaker.bsky.social
Interested in learning more about writing rhyming nonfiction picture books? Join me online next week Tuesday, March 25th, for "Rhyme & Facts: Building Nonfiction Picture Books".
Info and registration here:
www.scbwi.org/events/rhyme...

@kl4gm.bsky.social
A graphic with the webinar info: Rhyme & Facts: Building Fun Nonfiction Picture Books. March 25, 2025 from 7:00 - 8:15 PM, Eastern. Registration at www.scbwi.org/events.
March 18, 2025 at 11:16 PM
debrakshumaker.bsky.social
Interested in writing rhyming nonfiction picture books? Join me for a webinar with @scbwi.bsky.social: Rhyme & Facts: Building Fun Nonfiction Picture Books on March 25th from 7 - 8:15 pm EST.

For details and to register:
www.scbwi.org/events/rhyme...
The graphic includes the class name of Rhyme & Facts, Building Fun Nonfiction Picture Books. It's an online webinar March 25 from 7 - 8:15 pm.
February 20, 2025 at 12:01 AM
debrakshumaker.bsky.social
Northern Virginia—join me for a Story Time at @barnesandnoble.com in One Loudoun (Ashburn, VA) this Saturday, 2/15 at 12:00 pm. Bring the little ones and we'll have some fun!

#nfforkids #stemforkids #picturebooks #storytime @kidscanpress.bsky.social @runningpressbooks.bsky.social
Graphic with covers of my picture books WIND IS A DANCE, PECULIAR PRIMATES, and FREAKY, FUNKY FISH and text stating the story time at 12:00 pm on February 15 at Barnes & Noble in One Loudoun, VA.
February 12, 2025 at 12:36 AM
debrakshumaker.bsky.social
Had so much fun with #WRAD today! I virtually read to schools in MA, TX, NY, and VA.

I love being a children's author!

#WRAD2025
Photo of my desk with picture books, my computer, and a bookshelf behind it.
February 5, 2025 at 7:46 PM
debrakshumaker.bsky.social
It's February and I have some Story Times happening in Northern VA.
Join me at Pure Green in Vienna on Sun 2/9 at 10 am for WIND IS A DANCE. Kids will wave ribbons as they dance with the wind. Bards Alley will sell books.
Or join me at Barnes & Noble in One Loudoun on Sat 2/15 at 12.
A graphic stating story times at Pure Green, Vienna on Sunday 2/9 at 10 am and Barnes and Noble in One Loudoun on Saturday, 2/15 at 12 pm.
February 1, 2025 at 5:07 PM
debrakshumaker.bsky.social
Maryland and DC friends: I'm excited to be doing a story time with WIND IS A DANCE at People's Book in Takoma Park on Sunday morning, 1/26 at 9:30 am. Hope you can join me! I'll get the kids dancing a bit like the wind. 😀
January 20, 2025 at 3:36 PM
debrakshumaker.bsky.social
When the LA Times Crossword Puzzle has the title of my next picture book in it, it's a good day. (Check 34 Across). Of course, in my book, it's a child who is dreading returning to school. Publishing Summer 2025 with Knopf.

Hubby got the answer because of my book. :-)

#picturebooks #sundayscaries
December 18, 2024 at 6:02 PM
debrakshumaker.bsky.social
#teachers #librarians I have educator guides for my picture book WIND IS A DANCE! Developed by educator/author @kariallenwrites.bsky.social, these guides are great for lessons across the curriculum. They are on my website on my WIND book page and @kidscanpress.bsky.social's, too.
#edusky
December 10, 2024 at 6:17 PM
debrakshumaker.bsky.social
A very exciting day today. I presented at two panels at NCTE with amazing authors about using STEAM books and poetry techniques in the classroom and also found out WIND IS A DANCE is an NCTE 2025 Notable Poetry Book!

#windisadance #stemforkids #ncte #ncte2024
November 24, 2024 at 12:20 AM
debrakshumaker.bsky.social
A starred review from School Library Journal for WIND IS A DANCE!

I'm beyond honored and excited for my first starred review. They love Josée Bisaillon's art as much as I do. "A first choice for any library."

#nfforkids #stemforkids #wind #weather @steamteambooks.bsky.social @kl4gm.bsky.social
November 19, 2024 at 5:04 PM
debrakshumaker.bsky.social
I had so much fun on Saturday at Cincinnati's Books by the Banks festival. It was so much fun meeting old writing friends and making new ones. I also loved meeting kids and families who love books as much as I do! #bookfestivals rock!

#readingrocks
November 18, 2024 at 1:49 PM