Elayne Crain
LightNews LightNews
banner
elaynecrain.bsky.social
Elayne Crain
@elaynecrain.bsky.social
990 followers 1.1K following 180 posts
Writer of childish things. Fan of sidequests. THERE'S SOMETHING ODD ABOUT THE BABYSITTER (w/ John Ledda, Feiwel & Friends). #scbwi #12x12pb #kidlit #☕ #📚 elaynecrain.com/books + elaynecrain.substack.com
Posts Replies Media Videos
elaynecrain.bsky.social
WA #scbwi folk: the annual SCBWI WWA summer potluck is this Sunday, August 17! Please bring a dish to share (or a picnic for yourself) and maybe a camp chair or picnic blanket. We'll provide the beverages, plates/utensils/napkins, and the company. Hope to see you there! #kidlit #washington
SCBWI Western Washington Kidlit Summer Potluck Picnic - This Sunday! August 17, 11 a.m.-2 p.m. at Luther Burbank Park. The Meadow at 2040 84th Ave SE, Mercer Island
August 14, 2025 at 10:39 PM
elaynecrain.bsky.social
Not sure how those amazing indie #booksellers pick the "Other Children's Indie Favorites" corner book, but gosh, we're SO honored they shared our tale of three tails (conspicuously poking out of a trench coat) with such impressive, storied company! Thank you, @americanbookseller.bsky.social!!
July 23, 2025 American Indie Bestseller List flyer, with the picture book "There's Something Odd About the Babysitter" featured in the corner as "Other Children's Indie Favorites"
July 29, 2025 at 8:32 PM
elaynecrain.bsky.social
Today's #ChewyReviewy is "To Catch a Ghost" by
@rachmakesbooks.bsky.social‬.
You are advised: catch this one!
Online review here, Insta, Amazon & Goodreads!
#kidlit #bookrecs #pb #humor #heart #visualstorytelling #showandtell
www.goodreads.com/book/show/21...
Cover of Rachel Michelle Wilson's picture book, "To Catch a Ghost," which features a kid with a ghost caught in a net.
July 4, 2025 at 3:06 PM
elaynecrain.bsky.social
Today's #ChewyReviewy is "Blue" by @suzannekaufmanart.bsky.social.
The perfect bedtime read!
Online review here, Insta, Amazon & Goodreads!
#kidlit #bookrecs #pb #heart #visualstorytelling
www.goodreads.com/review/show/...
Five-star review of the picture book, "Blue" by Suzanne Kaufman (click to follow link to read actual review content).
June 13, 2025 at 5:43 PM
elaynecrain.bsky.social
Today's #ChewyReviewy is "Every Monday Mabel" by @jashar.bsky.social.
Five (!) starred reviews already say it, but I might as well pick up the rear: the charms of this book are anything but routine.
#kidlit #bookrecs #pb #heart #joy #anticipation
www.goodreads.com/review/show/...
5-star review of Every Monday Mabel by Jashar Awan.
May 23, 2025 at 1:18 PM
elaynecrain.bsky.social
Today's #ChewyReviewy is "You Are a Raccoon!" by
@lauriethompson.com and Jay Fleck.
Perfect for budding backyard naturalists--and a great read-aloud!
#kidlit #bookrecs #pb #stem #backyardnaturalist #readaloud
www.goodreads.com/review/show/...
5-star review of "You Are a Raccoon!" (part of the "Meet Your World" series)
May 9, 2025 at 5:00 PM
elaynecrain.bsky.social
Today's #ChewyReviewy is "The Reindeer Remaineders" by @kateywrites.bsky.social and @mariehermansson.bsky.social.
A hopeful story of overcoming division.
#kidlit #bookrecs #pb #stem #heart #inclusion
www.goodreads.com/review/show/...
5-star review of The Reindeer Remainders by Katey Howes and Marie Hermansson.
May 2, 2025 at 6:10 PM
elaynecrain.bsky.social
Aww, thank you so very much, Kelli! :)
April 30, 2025 at 11:33 PM
elaynecrain.bsky.social
Today's #ChewyReviewy is "Tumblebaby" by Adam Rex and
@audreyhelenweber.bsky.social.
Give it to your own tumblebaby, as they roll out into the world.
#kidlit #bookrecs #pb #humor #heart #parenting
www.goodreads.com/review/show/...
5-star review of Tumblebaby by Adam Rex and Audrey Helen Weber.
April 25, 2025 at 5:12 PM
elaynecrain.bsky.social
Western Washington and Oregon #SCBWI, peeps, there are still spots at our May #irl "unconference." I heard rumors there will be coffee, and there will definitely be good #kidlit conversation. Register at www.scbwi.org/events/scbwi...
April 24, 2025 at 4:20 PM
elaynecrain.bsky.social
Today's #ChewyReviewy is "Bearsuit Turtle Makes a Friend" by @bobshea.bsky.social.
Bearsuit Turtle cannot disguise its charming humor.
#kidlit #bookrecs #pb #humor #heart
www.goodreads.com/review/show/...
Five Star picture book review of Bob Shea's "Bearsuit Turtle Makes a Friend"
April 11, 2025 at 5:18 PM
elaynecrain.bsky.social
Find out more and register at: www.scbwi.org/events/the-r... #scbwi #kidlit #poetry
"SCBWI Western Washington presents, The Rat in the Woodpile: a poetry workshop with Eric Ode, April 5 on Zoom"
March 30, 2025 at 1:07 AM
elaynecrain.bsky.social
Today's #ChewyReviewy is "Whistle for Willie" by Ezra Jack Keats.
A classic truly worth the whistle.
Online review on Amazon & Goodreads!
#kidlit #bookrecs #pb #heart #humor
www.goodreads.com/review/show/...
Five-star review of Ezra Jack Keats's "Whistle for Willie."
March 28, 2025 at 6:21 PM
elaynecrain.bsky.social
Publishing Red Flags with SCBWI WW and Agent Kelly VanSant of @ktliterary.bsky.social is happening on March 26! Find out more and register at www.scbwi.org/events/red-f...
March 14, 2025 at 10:42 PM
elaynecrain.bsky.social
Today's #ChewyReviewy is "Animal Albums from A to Z" by Cece Bell.
This off-the-(musical)-charts offering is truly one for the record books! 😍
5-star online review on Amazon & Goodreads!
#kidlit #bookrecs #pb #humor #visualstorytelling #musicappreciation
www.goodreads.com/review/show/...
Five star review of "Animal Albums from A to Z" by Cece Bell.
March 14, 2025 at 5:57 PM
elaynecrain.bsky.social
Today's #ChewyReviewy is "Soy Sauce!" by
@lauragleestudio.bsky.social.
Talk about awesome sauce!
Online review on Amazon & Goodreads!
#kidlit #bookrecs #pb #heart #history #food
www.goodreads.com/book/show/21...
5 Star Review for Soy Sauce!, a picture book by Laura G. Lee.
February 7, 2025 at 7:41 PM
elaynecrain.bsky.social
SCBWI WW is delighted to host acclaimed novelist @sheelachari.bsky.social for "How Deep is Your Mystery," a webinar all about crafting an unputdownable whodunit or otherwise mysterious story! March 8; register (or learn more) at www.scbwi.org/events/how-d...

#scbwi #writing #mystery
SCBWI Western Washington presents How Deep Is Your Mystery? with Sheela Chari, Sat. March 8.
February 6, 2025 at 9:32 PM
elaynecrain.bsky.social
Baby book's first % off ad! 🥹

-----
📚+❤! B&N has preorders 25% off--including THERE'S SOMETHING ODD ABOUT THE BABYSITTER! 👦🏽+ 🦝🦝🦝+25% off= 😍

The discount's for B&N Rewards members, BUT it's free to enroll! Search ODD BABYSITTER @ bn.com.

#BNPreorder @mackidsbooks.bsky.social @barnesandnoble.com
25% off preorders through Feb. 7 at bn.com -- including on THERE'S SOMETHING ODD ABOUT THE BABYSITTER by Elayne Crain and John Ledda
February 5, 2025 at 3:36 PM
elaynecrain.bsky.social
Today's #ChewyReviewy is "It Came In the Mail" by Ben Clanton.
Ironically, nothing was "mailed in" in this letterbox-themed charmer.
Online review on Amazon & Goodreads!
#kidlit #bookrecs #pb #humor #heart #semiepistolary
www.goodreads.com/book/show/27...
5 Star Review of It Came in the Mail by Ben Clanton
January 31, 2025 at 5:07 PM
elaynecrain.bsky.social
Today's #ChewyReviewy is "Doña Flor" by Pat Mora and Raúl Colón.
The story of a giant with a heart to match.
Online review on Amazon & Goodreads!
#kidlit #bookrecs #pb #heart #retelling #taletale
www.goodreads.com/book/show/17...
Five star review for Doña Flor, by Pat Mora and Raúl Colón
January 24, 2025 at 2:19 PM
elaynecrain.bsky.social
Today's #ChewyReviewy is "Goldilocks and the Three Dinosaurs" by Mo Willems.
A great example of SO MANY comedy techniques--darn it.
Online review on Amazon & Goodreads!
#kidlit #bookrecs #pb #humor
www.goodreads.com/book/show/13...
Five star review of Goldilocks and the Three Dinosaurs by Mo Willems.
January 17, 2025 at 5:48 PM
elaynecrain.bsky.social
Today's #ChewyReviewy is "Neighbors" by Kasya Denisevich.
Captures the strange-yet-tingly-yet-overwhelming feeling of moving to a new city (and reminded me of a Doors' song)
Online review on Amazon & Goodreads!
#kidlit #bookrecs #pb #heart
www.goodreads.com/book/show/51...
Five-star review of the picture book Neighbors by Kasya Denisevich
January 10, 2025 at 7:08 PM
elaynecrain.bsky.social
SCBWI WW is excited to have Janet Wong sharing "Making Poetry Part of Your Everyday Life." Virtual event is on Sat., Jan. 18; there's still time to register!

www.scbwi.org/events/makin...
January 9, 2025 at 4:15 PM
elaynecrain.bsky.social
Today's #ChewyReviewy is "I Know How to Draw an Owl" by Hilary Horder Hippley and Matt James.
Unflinching and yet lit with hope, beauty, and owl-fueled wonder.
Online review on Amazon & Goodreads!
#kidlit #bookrecs #pb #heart
www.goodreads.com/book/show/20...
Five-star review of I Know How to Draw and Owl.
December 20, 2024 at 6:40 PM
elaynecrain.bsky.social
Today's #ChewyReviewy is "Iggy Who Breathes Fire" by @carriekruck.bsky.social and @erikadraws.bsky.social.
The story of a natural spitfire.
Online review on Amazon & Goodreads!
#kidlit #bookrecs #pb #heart
www.goodreads.com/book/show/20...
5 Star Review of Iggy Who Breathes Fire
December 6, 2024 at 7:01 PM