Keila V. Dawson
@keilavdawson.bsky.social
Author & educator📚Keila charges $5 to answer "Where are you from?" 📚NO BRAIN THE SAME '26📚Out now: ⚜️ YUMBO GUMBO & El gumbo más delicioso 🌏 NO WORLD TOO BIG 🚘 OPENING THE ROAD 📢 NO VOICE TOO SMALL 👑KING CAKE BABY 📚 🔗 https://www.keiladawson.com/
Blog post about timelines in picture books. Great examples from our KidLit author group. I talk about why there's one in OPENING THE ROAD and the clever illustrated timeline created by @beamingbooksmn.bsky.social Link to a free downloadable poster size copy!
groggorg.blogspot.com/2025/11/what...
groggorg.blogspot.com/2025/11/what...
November 20, 2025 at 5:25 PM
Blog post about timelines in picture books. Great examples from our KidLit author group. I talk about why there's one in OPENING THE ROAD and the clever illustrated timeline created by @beamingbooksmn.bsky.social Link to a free downloadable poster size copy!
groggorg.blogspot.com/2025/11/what...
groggorg.blogspot.com/2025/11/what...
Proofs! NO BRAIN THE SAME, the third book in our young activists series with @lindsayhmetcalf.bsky.social and @jbradley.bsky.social coming June 2 to a shelf near you. The poems: inspirational. The art: spectacular. 💕📚💕
#NBTS #poetry #pb #neurodivergence #edusky #librarians #teachers #allies #book
#NBTS #poetry #pb #neurodivergence #edusky #librarians #teachers #allies #book
November 15, 2025 at 3:50 PM
Proofs! NO BRAIN THE SAME, the third book in our young activists series with @lindsayhmetcalf.bsky.social and @jbradley.bsky.social coming June 2 to a shelf near you. The poems: inspirational. The art: spectacular. 💕📚💕
#NBTS #poetry #pb #neurodivergence #edusky #librarians #teachers #allies #book
#NBTS #poetry #pb #neurodivergence #edusky #librarians #teachers #allies #book
Farm fresh! Traded tomatoes for another cabbage and snagged seconds for sauce and salsa. But today is Monday, so y'all know what we had for dinner...tomorrow...farm to table. #mondaymotivation #redbeansandrice #farmtotable #farmfresh
August 19, 2025 at 1:41 AM
Farm fresh! Traded tomatoes for another cabbage and snagged seconds for sauce and salsa. But today is Monday, so y'all know what we had for dinner...tomorrow...farm to table. #mondaymotivation #redbeansandrice #farmtotable #farmfresh
What's for dinner? Farm fresh Creole Louisiana Cabbage! When folks at the farm put their heads in the swap basket, I collect them. Hubby is like "When ya gonna make that cabbage?" When I have a few hours, dude! Voilà! #Foodlover #cooking #Farmfresh #homecooking #CreoleLouisiana #Recipe
July 20, 2025 at 9:43 PM
What's for dinner? Farm fresh Creole Louisiana Cabbage! When folks at the farm put their heads in the swap basket, I collect them. Hubby is like "When ya gonna make that cabbage?" When I have a few hours, dude! Voilà! #Foodlover #cooking #Farmfresh #homecooking #CreoleLouisiana #Recipe
Re-cap! Memories and takeaways from NCTE/NCTM Joint Conference 2025 and how the theme Gather, Grow, and Learn Together flowed through every session, conversation, and connection. Finding inspiration is easy when spending time with people who care about kids. #LitMath2025 #NCTE/NCTM2025 #edusky
June 26, 2025 at 2:07 PM
Re-cap! Memories and takeaways from NCTE/NCTM Joint Conference 2025 and how the theme Gather, Grow, and Learn Together flowed through every session, conversation, and connection. Finding inspiration is easy when spending time with people who care about kids. #LitMath2025 #NCTE/NCTM2025 #edusky
My co-presenter, an early childhood bilingual Pre-K teacher and I will discuss the importance of linguistically and culturally relevant texts and math books, like YUMBO GUMBO, for early learners on June 16th, 2:45pm-3:45pm, Salon C7 & 8. @charlesbridge.bsky.social #edusky #earlyeducation #math
May 21, 2025 at 11:42 PM
My co-presenter, an early childhood bilingual Pre-K teacher and I will discuss the importance of linguistically and culturally relevant texts and math books, like YUMBO GUMBO, for early learners on June 16th, 2:45pm-3:45pm, Salon C7 & 8. @charlesbridge.bsky.social #edusky #earlyeducation #math
Not gonna lie, this made me 😭. Representation matters. #edusky @charlesbridge.bsky.social #mijabooks #bookfair #bilingual #picturebooks
March 21, 2025 at 4:22 PM
Not gonna lie, this made me 😭. Representation matters. #edusky @charlesbridge.bsky.social #mijabooks #bookfair #bilingual #picturebooks
Truth be told, this never gets old! The Smithsonian Green Book traveling exhibition invited me to read OPENING THE ROAD at the DC Public Library Story Time. A perfect weekend. P.S. Librarians rock! 💕📚💕
#edusky #GreenBook #authorvisit @naomijkrueger.bsky.social
@alleannaharris.bsky.social
#edusky #GreenBook #authorvisit @naomijkrueger.bsky.social
@alleannaharris.bsky.social
March 5, 2025 at 6:26 PM
Truth be told, this never gets old! The Smithsonian Green Book traveling exhibition invited me to read OPENING THE ROAD at the DC Public Library Story Time. A perfect weekend. P.S. Librarians rock! 💕📚💕
#edusky #GreenBook #authorvisit @naomijkrueger.bsky.social
@alleannaharris.bsky.social
#edusky #GreenBook #authorvisit @naomijkrueger.bsky.social
@alleannaharris.bsky.social
Drum roll... 🥁 Today's best of the best picture books of 2024 from Betsy Bird's 31 Days, 31 Lists includes YUMBO GUMBO!
"It’s actually one of the cleverer books on the subject I’ve seen, and that’s entirely apart from all the delicious gumbo on its pages."
List in the first comment. #kidlit
December 31, 2024 at 5:08 PM
Drum roll... 🥁 Today's best of the best picture books of 2024 from Betsy Bird's 31 Days, 31 Lists includes YUMBO GUMBO!
"It’s actually one of the cleverer books on the subject I’ve seen, and that’s entirely apart from all the delicious gumbo on its pages."
List in the first comment. #kidlit
DARN! Last month, while in Perth, I passed the Cultural Centre almost daily. Even posted pictures of an interesting exhibit there. I wish I knew my book was in the library!
December 1, 2024 at 1:33 AM
DARN! Last month, while in Perth, I passed the Cultural Centre almost daily. Even posted pictures of an interesting exhibit there. I wish I knew my book was in the library!
I have much to be thankful for this season!🥰 Honored & grateful Yumbo Gumbo made the NSTA-CBC 2025 Best STEM Book List! Art by #KatieCrumpton, published by @charlesbridge.bsky.social .
#educsky #kidlit #STEM
#kidlitforgrowingmindsbook
#StorytellingMath
#educsky #kidlit #STEM
#kidlitforgrowingmindsbook
#StorytellingMath
November 22, 2024 at 8:13 PM
I have much to be thankful for this season!🥰 Honored & grateful Yumbo Gumbo made the NSTA-CBC 2025 Best STEM Book List! Art by #KatieCrumpton, published by @charlesbridge.bsky.social .
#educsky #kidlit #STEM
#kidlitforgrowingmindsbook
#StorytellingMath
#educsky #kidlit #STEM
#kidlitforgrowingmindsbook
#StorytellingMath
Inquiring teaching minds want to know...
Thanks for asking!
@naomijkrueger.bsky.social
@beamingbooksmn.bsky.social
@alleannaharris.bsky.social
Thanks for asking!
@naomijkrueger.bsky.social
@beamingbooksmn.bsky.social
@alleannaharris.bsky.social
November 19, 2024 at 1:05 AM
Inquiring teaching minds want to know...
Thanks for asking!
@naomijkrueger.bsky.social
@beamingbooksmn.bsky.social
@alleannaharris.bsky.social
Thanks for asking!
@naomijkrueger.bsky.social
@beamingbooksmn.bsky.social
@alleannaharris.bsky.social
Fun times at Books by the Banks! 📚
1. Workshopped ideas with a 5th grader.
2. Provided my Jewish tablemate with Catholic consultation.
3. Showcased my 3 award-winning titles.
4. Excited Annabelle's YUMBO GUMBO recipe is going to Disney.
5. Brainstormed OPENING THE ROAD ideas with a music teacher.
1. Workshopped ideas with a 5th grader.
2. Provided my Jewish tablemate with Catholic consultation.
3. Showcased my 3 award-winning titles.
4. Excited Annabelle's YUMBO GUMBO recipe is going to Disney.
5. Brainstormed OPENING THE ROAD ideas with a music teacher.
November 17, 2024 at 8:34 PM
Fun times at Books by the Banks! 📚
1. Workshopped ideas with a 5th grader.
2. Provided my Jewish tablemate with Catholic consultation.
3. Showcased my 3 award-winning titles.
4. Excited Annabelle's YUMBO GUMBO recipe is going to Disney.
5. Brainstormed OPENING THE ROAD ideas with a music teacher.
1. Workshopped ideas with a 5th grader.
2. Provided my Jewish tablemate with Catholic consultation.
3. Showcased my 3 award-winning titles.
4. Excited Annabelle's YUMBO GUMBO recipe is going to Disney.
5. Brainstormed OPENING THE ROAD ideas with a music teacher.
The face of resitance!
November 15, 2024 at 4:53 PM
The face of resitance!
Start spreading news! Bringing the joy of reading to Books by the Banks this Saturday, Nov. 16, at the Cincinnati Public Library Main Branch from 10:00 am - 4:00 pm! THANKS! #YUMBOGUMBO #StorytellingMath #Cincinnati #Ohio #Read
#kidlit
#kidlit
November 13, 2024 at 4:34 PM
Start spreading news! Bringing the joy of reading to Books by the Banks this Saturday, Nov. 16, at the Cincinnati Public Library Main Branch from 10:00 am - 4:00 pm! THANKS! #YUMBOGUMBO #StorytellingMath #Cincinnati #Ohio #Read
#kidlit
#kidlit
I zoomed with schools across Illinois to discuss Opening the Road because students nominated the book for their Reader's Choice Award. A student asked if I met Victor Hugo Green. He was born in 1892! Feeling really old. 🤣 #kidlit #picturebooks #NF
January 27, 2024 at 12:02 AM
I zoomed with schools across Illinois to discuss Opening the Road because students nominated the book for their Reader's Choice Award. A student asked if I met Victor Hugo Green. He was born in 1892! Feeling really old. 🤣 #kidlit #picturebooks #NF
🎶 On the fourth day...🎶
💜💚💛🎭👑🎶⚜️🎺
Celebrate with a song!
#MardiGras
#ItsCarnivalTime
#kingcake
#kingcakebaby
💜💚💛🎭👑🎶⚜️🎺
Celebrate with a song!
#MardiGras
#ItsCarnivalTime
#kingcake
#kingcakebaby
January 8, 2024 at 2:34 PM
🎶 On the fourth day...🎶
💜💚💛🎭👑🎶⚜️🎺
Celebrate with a song!
#MardiGras
#ItsCarnivalTime
#kingcake
#kingcakebaby
💜💚💛🎭👑🎶⚜️🎺
Celebrate with a song!
#MardiGras
#ItsCarnivalTime
#kingcake
#kingcakebaby
Y'all know what day it is! Introducing my 2024 King Cake, baby. It's filled with caramelized Valrhona white chocolate from Tain L'Hermitage, France. Let the eating begin! #kidlit #KingCakeBaby approves this message. Happy Mardi Gras! 💜💚💛🎭👑🎶⚜️
January 6, 2024 at 4:10 PM
Y'all know what day it is! Introducing my 2024 King Cake, baby. It's filled with caramelized Valrhona white chocolate from Tain L'Hermitage, France. Let the eating begin! #kidlit #KingCakeBaby approves this message. Happy Mardi Gras! 💜💚💛🎭👑🎶⚜️
3 more days to king cake season! This year's cake filling is a caramelized white chocolate made from Valrhona, le chocolat partenaire des chefs, from Tain L'Hermitage, France. C'est bon!
*LINK to recipe in bio!
🎭 #Epiphany
🎭 #TwelfthNight
🎭 #ThreeKingsDay
🎭 #kingcake
🎭 #kidlit
🎭 #MardiGras
*LINK to recipe in bio!
🎭 #Epiphany
🎭 #TwelfthNight
🎭 #ThreeKingsDay
🎭 #kingcake
🎭 #kidlit
🎭 #MardiGras
January 3, 2024 at 8:43 PM
3 more days to king cake season! This year's cake filling is a caramelized white chocolate made from Valrhona, le chocolat partenaire des chefs, from Tain L'Hermitage, France. C'est bon!
*LINK to recipe in bio!
🎭 #Epiphany
🎭 #TwelfthNight
🎭 #ThreeKingsDay
🎭 #kingcake
🎭 #kidlit
🎭 #MardiGras
*LINK to recipe in bio!
🎭 #Epiphany
🎭 #TwelfthNight
🎭 #ThreeKingsDay
🎭 #kingcake
🎭 #kidlit
🎭 #MardiGras
Get it while it's hot! 🔥 This will never get old. 🤣 #1 in paperback and #13 in hard copy! YUMBO GUMBO coming February 20, 2024!
#kidlit #STEMed #StorytellingMath
#kidlit #STEMed #StorytellingMath
December 14, 2023 at 2:44 PM
Get it while it's hot! 🔥 This will never get old. 🤣 #1 in paperback and #13 in hard copy! YUMBO GUMBO coming February 20, 2024!
#kidlit #STEMed #StorytellingMath
#kidlit #STEMed #StorytellingMath
Hope to see you at NCTE '23!
November 15, 2023 at 11:20 PM
Hope to see you at NCTE '23!
It's gumbo season! ⚜️ Which kind of gumbo will Annabelle's family cook? Chicken, okra, or seafood filé? How will they decide? Learn some Louisiana Creole in this short video about YUMBO GUMBO.
#Kidlit #KidlitArt #StorytellingMath
www.keiladawson.com/what-day-is-...
#Kidlit #KidlitArt #StorytellingMath
www.keiladawson.com/what-day-is-...
October 15, 2023 at 4:32 PM
It's gumbo season! ⚜️ Which kind of gumbo will Annabelle's family cook? Chicken, okra, or seafood filé? How will they decide? Learn some Louisiana Creole in this short video about YUMBO GUMBO.
#Kidlit #KidlitArt #StorytellingMath
www.keiladawson.com/what-day-is-...
#Kidlit #KidlitArt #StorytellingMath
www.keiladawson.com/what-day-is-...
Thank you Cavalier House Books in Denham Springs, LA, for selecting OPENING THE ROAD as a Staff Pick! It's a 2023-24 Louisiana Readers Choice award nominee, too! #kidlit #kidlitart by @alleannaharris.bsky.social, edited by @naomijkrueger.bsky.social, published by Beaming Books. 💕📢💕
October 8, 2023 at 4:19 PM
Thank you Cavalier House Books in Denham Springs, LA, for selecting OPENING THE ROAD as a Staff Pick! It's a 2023-24 Louisiana Readers Choice award nominee, too! #kidlit #kidlitart by @alleannaharris.bsky.social, edited by @naomijkrueger.bsky.social, published by Beaming Books. 💕📢💕
When presenting to a group of public librarians last week about excluding the stories of socially marginalized groups, I recommended THE GREAT BANNED-BOOKS BAKE SALE by Aya Khalil illustrated by Anait Semirdzhyan. A timely tale about children taking action! #ReadBannedBooks #BannedBooksWeek
October 1, 2023 at 3:59 PM
When presenting to a group of public librarians last week about excluding the stories of socially marginalized groups, I recommended THE GREAT BANNED-BOOKS BAKE SALE by Aya Khalil illustrated by Anait Semirdzhyan. A timely tale about children taking action! #ReadBannedBooks #BannedBooksWeek
It's the truth y'all! HAPPY FALL! A message from Neutral Ground News. 😆
September 23, 2023 at 7:34 PM
It's the truth y'all! HAPPY FALL! A message from Neutral Ground News. 😆