Francisca Staines
@franciscawrites.bsky.social
Author of MG & Picture Books • https://franciscastaines.com/
🇲🇽 All around book nerd with a weakness for mystery, fantasy, dogs & tacos.
Rep'd by @michelle4laughs.bsky.social @StormLiterary
🇲🇽 All around book nerd with a weakness for mystery, fantasy, dogs & tacos.
Rep'd by @michelle4laughs.bsky.social @StormLiterary
Post your favorite "Lord of the Rings" character. Wrong answers only.
November 29, 2025 at 5:41 PM
Post your favorite "Lord of the Rings" character. Wrong answers only.
I've been experimenting with #no-knead #bread #baking.
Very satisfied with the results.
Ten minutes of active work, which is less than it takes to bike to the local bakery in these snowy times, to get a delicious loaf of bread.
The last three bakes, same recipe, different size and scoring placement.
Very satisfied with the results.
Ten minutes of active work, which is less than it takes to bike to the local bakery in these snowy times, to get a delicious loaf of bread.
The last three bakes, same recipe, different size and scoring placement.
November 28, 2025 at 1:17 PM
Reposted by Francisca Staines
Now for some sports news...
(this week's cartoon for @theguardian.com books pages)
(this week's cartoon for @theguardian.com books pages)
November 24, 2025 at 2:14 PM
Now for some sports news...
(this week's cartoon for @theguardian.com books pages)
(this week's cartoon for @theguardian.com books pages)
Better late than never so... my #FolktaleWeek2025 entries gathered together, telling the story of the night the Princess Moon learned how to swim.
#kidlit #kidlitart #childrenslit #illustrations #Folktaleweek #shortstories
#kidlit #kidlitart #childrenslit #illustrations #Folktaleweek #shortstories
November 27, 2025 at 6:08 PM
Better late than never so... my #FolktaleWeek2025 entries gathered together, telling the story of the night the Princess Moon learned how to swim.
#kidlit #kidlitart #childrenslit #illustrations #Folktaleweek #shortstories
#kidlit #kidlitart #childrenslit #illustrations #Folktaleweek #shortstories
#FolkTaleWeek Day 7: Dawn
7. The stars and the Princess Moon dance to welcome the new day, and Brother Sun says a quick hello before the others go to bed.
In the Princess Moon's crown a gem shines. It tells of the adventures to come, once they all go swimming in the dark of the night sky.
#KidLit
7. The stars and the Princess Moon dance to welcome the new day, and Brother Sun says a quick hello before the others go to bed.
In the Princess Moon's crown a gem shines. It tells of the adventures to come, once they all go swimming in the dark of the night sky.
#KidLit
November 27, 2025 at 3:49 PM
#FolkTaleWeek Day 7: Dawn
7. The stars and the Princess Moon dance to welcome the new day, and Brother Sun says a quick hello before the others go to bed.
In the Princess Moon's crown a gem shines. It tells of the adventures to come, once they all go swimming in the dark of the night sky.
#KidLit
7. The stars and the Princess Moon dance to welcome the new day, and Brother Sun says a quick hello before the others go to bed.
In the Princess Moon's crown a gem shines. It tells of the adventures to come, once they all go swimming in the dark of the night sky.
#KidLit
#FolkTaleWeek Day 6: Storm
5. "Come get me, my Sisters!" the little Fallen Star calls.
A storm of bright light transforms the night sky.
Fallen Star, charm in hand, repeats the spell she's uncovered.
Soon, the Princess Moon will join them, swimming, diving, & splashing the hours away.
#KidLit
5. "Come get me, my Sisters!" the little Fallen Star calls.
A storm of bright light transforms the night sky.
Fallen Star, charm in hand, repeats the spell she's uncovered.
Soon, the Princess Moon will join them, swimming, diving, & splashing the hours away.
#KidLit
November 27, 2025 at 8:29 AM
#FolkTaleWeek Day 6: Storm
5. "Come get me, my Sisters!" the little Fallen Star calls.
A storm of bright light transforms the night sky.
Fallen Star, charm in hand, repeats the spell she's uncovered.
Soon, the Princess Moon will join them, swimming, diving, & splashing the hours away.
#KidLit
5. "Come get me, my Sisters!" the little Fallen Star calls.
A storm of bright light transforms the night sky.
Fallen Star, charm in hand, repeats the spell she's uncovered.
Soon, the Princess Moon will join them, swimming, diving, & splashing the hours away.
#KidLit
#FolkTaleWeek Day 5: Charm
5. Treasures are weird things. They hurt you if you trip over them, but they can also surprise you.
"What a strange thing..." The little Fallen Star say, casually flipping through pages. "To find such a rare gem, and in a book of spells nonetheless!"
#KidLit #KidLitArt
5. Treasures are weird things. They hurt you if you trip over them, but they can also surprise you.
"What a strange thing..." The little Fallen Star say, casually flipping through pages. "To find such a rare gem, and in a book of spells nonetheless!"
#KidLit #KidLitArt
November 23, 2025 at 8:59 PM
#FolkTaleWeek Day 5: Charm
5. Treasures are weird things. They hurt you if you trip over them, but they can also surprise you.
"What a strange thing..." The little Fallen Star say, casually flipping through pages. "To find such a rare gem, and in a book of spells nonetheless!"
#KidLit #KidLitArt
5. Treasures are weird things. They hurt you if you trip over them, but they can also surprise you.
"What a strange thing..." The little Fallen Star say, casually flipping through pages. "To find such a rare gem, and in a book of spells nonetheless!"
#KidLit #KidLitArt
#FolkTaleWeek Day 4: Book
4. Strolling around, feet on soft sand, has its advantages. You see lots of new things, and if your lucky, you can even find a long lost treasure.
"Ouch!" the Fallen Star tripped over something flat and hard. "Who can have left this here? Reckless, that's who.
#KidLit
4. Strolling around, feet on soft sand, has its advantages. You see lots of new things, and if your lucky, you can even find a long lost treasure.
"Ouch!" the Fallen Star tripped over something flat and hard. "Who can have left this here? Reckless, that's who.
#KidLit
November 21, 2025 at 8:22 PM
#FolkTaleWeek Day 4: Book
4. Strolling around, feet on soft sand, has its advantages. You see lots of new things, and if your lucky, you can even find a long lost treasure.
"Ouch!" the Fallen Star tripped over something flat and hard. "Who can have left this here? Reckless, that's who.
#KidLit
4. Strolling around, feet on soft sand, has its advantages. You see lots of new things, and if your lucky, you can even find a long lost treasure.
"Ouch!" the Fallen Star tripped over something flat and hard. "Who can have left this here? Reckless, that's who.
#KidLit
#FolkTaleWeek Day 3: Rain
3. An angry cloud breaks the quiet into tiny loud pieces.
The Princess Moon jumps startled.
Big drops plunge into the sea. Bigger waves to come out to play.
"Oh, no!" The Fallen Star's fins are carried away. "Well, no better place to be than the bottom of the sea."
#KidLit
3. An angry cloud breaks the quiet into tiny loud pieces.
The Princess Moon jumps startled.
Big drops plunge into the sea. Bigger waves to come out to play.
"Oh, no!" The Fallen Star's fins are carried away. "Well, no better place to be than the bottom of the sea."
#KidLit
November 20, 2025 at 8:13 PM
#FolkTaleWeek Day 3: Rain
3. An angry cloud breaks the quiet into tiny loud pieces.
The Princess Moon jumps startled.
Big drops plunge into the sea. Bigger waves to come out to play.
"Oh, no!" The Fallen Star's fins are carried away. "Well, no better place to be than the bottom of the sea."
#KidLit
3. An angry cloud breaks the quiet into tiny loud pieces.
The Princess Moon jumps startled.
Big drops plunge into the sea. Bigger waves to come out to play.
"Oh, no!" The Fallen Star's fins are carried away. "Well, no better place to be than the bottom of the sea."
#KidLit
#FolkTaleWeek Day 2: Echo
2. In the quiet of the late hours, the Princess Moon sleeps.
Far, far away from the sky, the fallen star bobs in the waves.
Up and down she goes, listening to the bubbling echoes of the passerby fish. Pop, pop, pop!
#KidLit #KidLitart
2. In the quiet of the late hours, the Princess Moon sleeps.
Far, far away from the sky, the fallen star bobs in the waves.
Up and down she goes, listening to the bubbling echoes of the passerby fish. Pop, pop, pop!
#KidLit #KidLitart
November 19, 2025 at 4:44 PM
#FolkTaleWeek Day 2: Echo
2. In the quiet of the late hours, the Princess Moon sleeps.
Far, far away from the sky, the fallen star bobs in the waves.
Up and down she goes, listening to the bubbling echoes of the passerby fish. Pop, pop, pop!
#KidLit #KidLitart
2. In the quiet of the late hours, the Princess Moon sleeps.
Far, far away from the sky, the fallen star bobs in the waves.
Up and down she goes, listening to the bubbling echoes of the passerby fish. Pop, pop, pop!
#KidLit #KidLitart
Starting a little late but trying to catch up #FolkTaleWeek
Day 1: Night
1. The Princess Moon, who had never learned how to swim, envy the little stars, who dive, splash, and float in the endless sea of the night sky.
#KidLit #KidLitart
Day 1: Night
1. The Princess Moon, who had never learned how to swim, envy the little stars, who dive, splash, and float in the endless sea of the night sky.
#KidLit #KidLitart
November 19, 2025 at 1:46 PM
Starting a little late but trying to catch up #FolkTaleWeek
Day 1: Night
1. The Princess Moon, who had never learned how to swim, envy the little stars, who dive, splash, and float in the endless sea of the night sky.
#KidLit #KidLitart
Day 1: Night
1. The Princess Moon, who had never learned how to swim, envy the little stars, who dive, splash, and float in the endless sea of the night sky.
#KidLit #KidLitart
The days are getting cold. The trees have lost their leaves. Autumn says hello to Winter with a dance of browns and oranges.
A new illustration of my I'm-learning-how-to-draw series.
#kidlitillustrations #autumn
A new illustration of my I'm-learning-how-to-draw series.
#kidlitillustrations #autumn
November 17, 2025 at 5:22 PM
The days are getting cold. The trees have lost their leaves. Autumn says hello to Winter with a dance of browns and oranges.
A new illustration of my I'm-learning-how-to-draw series.
#kidlitillustrations #autumn
A new illustration of my I'm-learning-how-to-draw series.
#kidlitillustrations #autumn
It's sunny, and the farmer is getting ready to sow white mustard in the field across from our house. I love white mustard, lovely living mulch.
#gardening #farmwork #wintercrops
#gardening #farmwork #wintercrops
November 4, 2025 at 2:34 PM
It's sunny, and the farmer is getting ready to sow white mustard in the field across from our house. I love white mustard, lovely living mulch.
#gardening #farmwork #wintercrops
#gardening #farmwork #wintercrops
I'm having a hard time deciding which one to read first.
Thoughts?
💙📚 #horror #spookyreads #booksky #diversebooks
Thoughts?
💙📚 #horror #spookyreads #booksky #diversebooks
October 29, 2025 at 4:00 PM
I'm having a hard time deciding which one to read first.
Thoughts?
💙📚 #horror #spookyreads #booksky #diversebooks
Thoughts?
💙📚 #horror #spookyreads #booksky #diversebooks
This is half of what I hope will become my naturalistic garden. The 340 little plants, I put in the ground this month. Each plant grown from seed. Mostly natives (or non-invasive naturalized) species. Only a beginning, but it took lots of effort (and time).
#Gardening #FallPlanting #Wildlifegarden
#Gardening #FallPlanting #Wildlifegarden
October 29, 2025 at 3:34 PM
This is half of what I hope will become my naturalistic garden. The 340 little plants, I put in the ground this month. Each plant grown from seed. Mostly natives (or non-invasive naturalized) species. Only a beginning, but it took lots of effort (and time).
#Gardening #FallPlanting #Wildlifegarden
#Gardening #FallPlanting #Wildlifegarden
A lovely sunny afternoon, going home.
October 15, 2025 at 1:41 PM
A lovely sunny afternoon, going home.
💙📚🌎 #kidlit
There is magic, and truth, and so much beauty in #kidlit
"If no one tell's the stories anymore, if no one learns the magic anymore, our ways will disappear from the world. Then all we'll have left is what other people think of us."
― Eden Royce, Root Magic
#BookSky 💙📚🌎 #childrensbooks #fantasy
"If no one tell's the stories anymore, if no one learns the magic anymore, our ways will disappear from the world. Then all we'll have left is what other people think of us."
― Eden Royce, Root Magic
#BookSky 💙📚🌎 #childrensbooks #fantasy
October 15, 2025 at 8:52 AM
💙📚🌎 #kidlit
Reposted by Francisca Staines
Did u know?Winter prep for our wildlife garden has turned towards our bee hotels.The greatest enemy of baby bees is damp,which causes mould & mite infestations.I take them into my summer house where it's cool & dry.All sorts of houses & materials for all sorts of different bees.Note the sign.🌿🌱🇬🇧🌱🪲🐝🌍
October 12, 2025 at 5:17 AM
Did u know?Winter prep for our wildlife garden has turned towards our bee hotels.The greatest enemy of baby bees is damp,which causes mould & mite infestations.I take them into my summer house where it's cool & dry.All sorts of houses & materials for all sorts of different bees.Note the sign.🌿🌱🇬🇧🌱🪲🐝🌍
Reposted by Francisca Staines
Favorite quotes from favorite books.
"Sanity is a valuable possession; I hoard it the way people once hoarded money. I save it, so I will have enough, when the time comes.”
― Margaret Atwood, The Handmaid’s Tale
💙📚 #BookSky
"Sanity is a valuable possession; I hoard it the way people once hoarded money. I save it, so I will have enough, when the time comes.”
― Margaret Atwood, The Handmaid’s Tale
💙📚 #BookSky
February 5, 2025 at 11:15 AM
Favorite quotes from favorite books.
"Sanity is a valuable possession; I hoard it the way people once hoarded money. I save it, so I will have enough, when the time comes.”
― Margaret Atwood, The Handmaid’s Tale
💙📚 #BookSky
"Sanity is a valuable possession; I hoard it the way people once hoarded money. I save it, so I will have enough, when the time comes.”
― Margaret Atwood, The Handmaid’s Tale
💙📚 #BookSky
Reposted by Francisca Staines
Wishing everyone a wonderful weekend.
May the winds of life take your papalote to new highs!
#papalotes #flyingonpaperwings #flyingkites #illustration
May the winds of life take your papalote to new highs!
#papalotes #flyingonpaperwings #flyingkites #illustration
June 7, 2025 at 12:07 PM
Wishing everyone a wonderful weekend.
May the winds of life take your papalote to new highs!
#papalotes #flyingonpaperwings #flyingkites #illustration
May the winds of life take your papalote to new highs!
#papalotes #flyingonpaperwings #flyingkites #illustration
Reposted by Francisca Staines
August 29, 2025 at 6:45 AM
Reposted by Francisca Staines
My latest cartoon for @newscientist.com
p.s. My new book of science cartoons 'Physics for Cats' is out this week. Details at www.tomgauld.com
p.s. My new book of science cartoons 'Physics for Cats' is out this week. Details at www.tomgauld.com
October 7, 2025 at 3:21 PM
My latest cartoon for @newscientist.com
p.s. My new book of science cartoons 'Physics for Cats' is out this week. Details at www.tomgauld.com
p.s. My new book of science cartoons 'Physics for Cats' is out this week. Details at www.tomgauld.com
Reposted by Francisca Staines
When #kidlit says what you needed to hear to face the day.
"Sometimes things happen and sometimes they're terrible and unfair. But they don't erase the awesome stuff. They don't erase the stuff we love."
―Jennifer Maschari, The Remarkable Journey of Charlie Price.
#booksky 💙📚 #MGbooks
"Sometimes things happen and sometimes they're terrible and unfair. But they don't erase the awesome stuff. They don't erase the stuff we love."
―Jennifer Maschari, The Remarkable Journey of Charlie Price.
#booksky 💙📚 #MGbooks
April 4, 2025 at 9:22 AM
Reposted by Francisca Staines
When #YA says, "hold my beer,"
"The things you name do grow in power, but others that are not ever whispered claw at one's heart anyway, rip it to shreds even if a syllable does not escape the lips."
― Silvia Moreno-Garcia, Gods of Jade and Shadow.
#kidlit #booksky #fantasy 💙📚
"The things you name do grow in power, but others that are not ever whispered claw at one's heart anyway, rip it to shreds even if a syllable does not escape the lips."
― Silvia Moreno-Garcia, Gods of Jade and Shadow.
#kidlit #booksky #fantasy 💙📚
April 18, 2025 at 1:25 PM
Reposted by Francisca Staines
Great reporting and writing about a terrible situation.
“Deportations like Sergio’s — to fixtures of the community — are making people think, ‘This could be me next, or my favorite place next, or somebody who I talk to every day.’”
wacobridge.org/2025/10/06/d...
“Deportations like Sergio’s — to fixtures of the community — are making people think, ‘This could be me next, or my favorite place next, or somebody who I talk to every day.’”
wacobridge.org/2025/10/06/d...
‘Why Sergio?’ Deportation ends 36-year dream for celebrated Waco chef and family - The Waco Bridge
Sergio Garcia and his wife, Sandra, spent 36 years building a reputation for regional Mexican cuisine in Waco. It ended when ICE came to call.
wacobridge.org
October 7, 2025 at 12:47 PM
Great reporting and writing about a terrible situation.
“Deportations like Sergio’s — to fixtures of the community — are making people think, ‘This could be me next, or my favorite place next, or somebody who I talk to every day.’”
wacobridge.org/2025/10/06/d...
“Deportations like Sergio’s — to fixtures of the community — are making people think, ‘This could be me next, or my favorite place next, or somebody who I talk to every day.’”
wacobridge.org/2025/10/06/d...