Michelle Cusolito ❌👑
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mcusolito.bsky.social
Michelle Cusolito ❌👑
@mcusolito.bsky.social
2.5K followers 810 following 670 posts
Award-winning author of books for kids. Educator. Science Communicator. Ocean Evangelist. Preorder JELLYFISH SCIENTIST and IN THE WORLD OF WHALES. Adjunct @SimmonsUniversity MFA. Rep: @jmcgowanbks #SciComm she/her
https://linktr.ee/mcusolito
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mcusolito.bsky.social
These are the books I assigned for week two of our study of picture books. We expanded our learning to include some early readers. (This is for Writing 1 in the @simmonsuniversity MFA in writing for Children and Young Adults). #ChildrensLiterature #KidLit #Picturebooks
Books pictured: Meet Yasmin! by Saadia Faruqi, illustrated by Hatem Aly I Am Invited to a Party by Mo Willems Fox and Chick: A Quiet Boat Ride and Other Stories by Sergio Ruzzier They All Saw A Cat by Brendan Wenzel Noodles on a Bicycle by Kyo Maclear, illustrated by Gracey Zhang Swashby and the Sea by Beth Ferry, illustrated by Juana Martinez-Neal. Escargot by Dashka Slater, illustrated by Sydney Hanson Do You Remember? By Sydney Smith Finison, Carrie. Dozens of Doughnuts by Carrie Finnison, illustrated by Brianne Farley I Want My Hat Back by Jon Klassen
November 4, 2025 at 7:26 PM
mcusolito.bsky.social
Today is #WorldJellyfishDay! A great day to introduce young readers to Maude Delap, a pioneering scientist from rural Ireland who was the first person to raise them in captivity through their full life cycle. She did this back in 1899! #kidslovenonfiction #STEAM #JellyfishScientist
#SteamTeamBooks
Cover of the book shows the title, Jellyfish Scientist: Maude Delap and her Mesmerizing Medusas by Michelle Cusolito, illustrated by Ellen Rooney. Maude looks out at the reader through a bell jar holding a jellyfish medusa. A JLG medal is on the bottom right.
November 3, 2025 at 12:38 PM
mcusolito.bsky.social
Last week I kicked off our study of picture books in my Writing 1 class. These are the books I shared with my students.
#PictureBooks #ChildrensLiterature #KidLit
Books pictured: A Different Pond by Bao Phi, illus by Thi Bui. At the Mountain’s Base by Tracy Sorell, illus: Weshoyot Alvitre. Crown: An Ode to the Fresh Cut by Derrick Barnes, illus by Gordon C. James Dreamers by Yuyi Morales Homeland: My Father Dreams of Palestine. By Hannah Moushabek, illus by Reem Madooh. Home in a Lunchbox by Mo Cherry Knuffle Bunny by Mo Willems The Adventures of Beekle: The Unimaginary Friend by Dan Santat Watercress by Andrea Wang illus. by Jason Chin
October 27, 2025 at 9:09 PM
mcusolito.bsky.social
Still harvesting cayennes, eggplant, and celery.
A silver bowl of red cayenne peppers sitting in the grass alongside three vibrant purple eggplant on top of a bundle of bright green celery.
October 25, 2025 at 9:41 PM
mcusolito.bsky.social
#NOKings in the USA.
October 18, 2025 at 11:14 AM
mcusolito.bsky.social
I may have grown a few too many cayenne peppers. And there are loads more still ripening. 😂
A large bowl of bright red cayenne peppers in a clear bowl resting on a lawn.
October 5, 2025 at 8:04 PM
mcusolito.bsky.social
It's time for the Massachusetts legislature to pass An Act Regarding Free Expression (H.3594/S.2328). Protect librarians + educators from harassment; and protects authors, creators, booksellers, + publishers from economic harm due to censorship. #MassFreedomToRead link in bio. #BannedBooksWeek
IT's BANNED BOOKS WEEK! It's time for the MA Legislature to pass a Freedom to Read bill that protests librarians + educators from harassment; and protects authors, creators, booksellers, + publishers from economic harm due to censorship. I support An Act Regarding Free Expression (H. 3594/S. 2328). #MassFreedomToRead Red White and Blue MassFreedomtoRead Logo with a patriot holding an open book and the text BANNED BOOKS WEEK written in black on a yellow banner across a red book.
October 5, 2025 at 12:37 PM
mcusolito.bsky.social
Cancelled.
September 21, 2025 at 1:37 AM
mcusolito.bsky.social
#ByeHulu. I care about #FreedomOfSpeech. Big corporations only listen to our $. Hit them where it hurts. #DitchHulu #DropDisney
September 21, 2025 at 1:30 AM
mcusolito.bsky.social
Today’s harvest! (Plus enough basil to make 6 cups of pesto!)
A large metal bowl overflowing with tomatoes, eggplant, and cayenne peppers.
September 6, 2025 at 6:18 PM
mcusolito.bsky.social
Today’s Thai basil harvest. This is from one plant.
A large bunch of Thai basil with deep purple flowers resting in a large oval Nantucket basket.
September 1, 2025 at 6:29 PM
mcusolito.bsky.social
6 stars for IN THE WORLD OF WHALES! 🐳@thehornbook.bsky.social review went live last week, so it’s official! ⭐️ Thank you Horn Book! (Read all six reviews at link in bio). @jmcgowanbks.bsky.social #STEAM #KidsLoveNonfiction #Whales #animals #kidlitbooknews #SteamTeamBooks 🌊
Light blue background. Heading in black says: 6 STARS! Above the cover of IN THE WORLD OF WHALES, which shows two adult sperm whales supporting a calf at the surface while a freediver holding a camera dives below them. Quotation reads “…a brief yet powerful moment of intimacy, inspiration, and awe…” Kirkus reviews. ⭐️Publisher’s Weekly ⭐️Kirkus ⭐️Booklist ⭐️School Library Journal ⭐️Book Page ⭐️The Horn Book
August 25, 2025 at 1:29 PM
mcusolito.bsky.social
Today’s moment of zen. #Nature #VitaminN
Photo of a lake in a calm day. A bright blue sky with puffy clouds is reflected in the flat surface of the water. Trees are visible at the horizon on the opposite shore and on the left side of the image. A rocky shoe is visible in the foreground.
August 19, 2025 at 7:03 PM
mcusolito.bsky.social
Lovely evening for a walk along the Cape Cod Canal.
The train bridge, which spans the canal, is being lowered so the train can cross. The sun has nearly set and casts a warm glow. The Bourne bridge, which is for cars, spans the canal further down from the train bridge. People can be seen walking along the path on the left side of the canal.
August 16, 2025 at 1:56 AM
mcusolito.bsky.social
Upcoming events. Details: link in bio.
8/18/25: 10:00, Unlikely Story, Plainville, MA
8/20/25: 1:00, WHOI Discovery Center, Falmouth, MA
8/23/25: 11:00, Porter Square Books, Cambridge, MA
9/27/25: 10:30, Charter Books, Newport, RI. 🌊🐋
#KidsLoveNonfiction #STEAM #KidLit #SteamTeamBooks #nonfiction
Flyer shows dates of upcoming events along with the cover of IN THE WORLD OF WHALES, Written by Michelle Cusolito and illustrated by Jessica Lanan. All event details listed in caption.
August 12, 2025 at 8:44 PM
mcusolito.bsky.social
Photo of me in DC last fall at an immersive STEAM exhibit at Artechouse.
August 12, 2025 at 2:14 AM
mcusolito.bsky.social
Been a busy month and I haven’t posted about recent book events.
First up: Storytime at Book Love in Plymouth, MA. My former 4th grade student, Dan, came with his wife and two kids! Such a sweet moment for me.
#KidsLoveNonfiction #BookLove #STEM #STEAM #Whales #KidLit
Michelle stands with her former student who holds a copy of IN THE WORLD OF WHALES. Both wear black shirts. Dan wears a ball cap and has a bushy reddish brown beard. Michelle sits at the front of a space facing a group of young children who sit facing her on a rug for story time.
July 30, 2025 at 11:55 AM
mcusolito.bsky.social
I'm off to the Massachusetts State House to show my support for two Freedom to Read bills (H.3594 and S.2328 Both titled "An Act Regarding Free Expression"). If you support the freedom to read, please contact your legislators and tell them. #MassFreedomtoRead #AuthorsAgainstBookBans
Red, white, and blue logo of a patriot holding a book with the words Mass Freedom to Read.
July 22, 2025 at 1:17 PM
mcusolito.bsky.social
Thank you @readbookpage.bsky.social for awarding In the World of Whales a 5th Star!
#KidsLoveNonfiction #Whales #Nature #MarineLife #MarineMammals #STEM #STEAM🌊🐋
www.bookpage.com/reviews/in-t...
BookPage logo with tagline "Discover your next great book." Cover of In the World of Whales by Michelle Cusolito Illustrated by Jessica Lanan. Cover shows a man freediving below a sperm whale calf being held up at the surface by two adult whales. The man holds an underwater camera. A JLG medal is on the book cover.
July 16, 2025 at 4:35 PM
mcusolito.bsky.social
Tomorrow morning! Plymouth, MA.
June 28, 2025 at 12:39 AM
mcusolito.bsky.social
Seen on my walk today. ♥️
A mailbox with a slot for newspapers. Hand- lettered, kid made sign hung below says, “DO NOT put mail in the lower trough their is a birds nest.”
June 24, 2025 at 5:44 PM
mcusolito.bsky.social
Several of my vegetable beds look kinda sad this year, but my greens and snap peas look amazing!
A row of snap peas grows along the back of a rectangular bed and climb up a wire support. In front there are lush rows of arugula, mixed greens, spinach, romaine.
June 21, 2025 at 3:15 PM
mcusolito.bsky.social
Gorgeous ending to the longest day of the year. Happy Solstice!
June 21, 2025 at 11:27 AM
mcusolito.bsky.social
It’s book launch day for IN THE WORLD OF WHALES! I signed preorders & a pile of stock at 8 Cousins Books. Also took a pic in the ABC chair. (Note my octopus arm earrings & whale fluke necklace!) 🐳#KidsLoveNonfiction #SteamTeamBooks #MarineScience #STEAM #STEM
#kidlitbooknews #Whales #SpermWhales.
Michelle sits in the ABC CHAIR in front of Eight Cousins books holding IN THE WORLD OF WHALES. A stack of copies of IN THE WORLD OF WHALES.
June 18, 2025 at 12:13 AM
mcusolito.bsky.social
#BostonPride #NoKings
Masked man wearing a hat holds a sign saying No king George. No king Donald. Person holds a sign that says “keep the immigrants. Deport the fascists.” A pride flag and a US flag are visible behind them.
June 15, 2025 at 12:44 PM