Jennifer Harris
@mypbjam.bsky.social
Picture Book Writer. English Prof. http://mypbjam.com (she/her)
#kidlit #SCBWI #CANSCAIP Rep'd by Jackie Kaiser, Westwood
#kidlit #SCBWI #CANSCAIP Rep'd by Jackie Kaiser, Westwood
Pinned
Jennifer Harris
@mypbjam.bsky.social
· Nov 13
Hi #kidlitchat! I'm a pb author and professor--they even let me teach pb writing. I also run a FB group on marketing/publicity for traditionally published kidlit authors. Always happy to chat
I was fortunate to do a fall course with Kyo Maclear, and also attended CANSCAIP in Toronto, where you can do one-on-one meetings with editors. Both turned into community building opportunities. This is what I love about Bookish, which I host--I meet fabulous people and learn so much #kidlitchat
November 12, 2025 at 2:20 AM
I was fortunate to do a fall course with Kyo Maclear, and also attended CANSCAIP in Toronto, where you can do one-on-one meetings with editors. Both turned into community building opportunities. This is what I love about Bookish, which I host--I meet fabulous people and learn so much #kidlitchat
Picture books usually come out 3 years after the contract is signed, so what's on shelves now doesn't reflect a current trend, so much as 2022. But I can say in terms of my own manuscripts, it's the more unusual ones editors have liked in 2024/2025. So maybe now's the time to go weird?! #kidlitchat
November 5, 2025 at 2:07 AM
Picture books usually come out 3 years after the contract is signed, so what's on shelves now doesn't reflect a current trend, so much as 2022. But I can say in terms of my own manuscripts, it's the more unusual ones editors have liked in 2024/2025. So maybe now's the time to go weird?! #kidlitchat
Reposted by Jennifer Harris
Light up the night sky with these #BookRecs 🔦
✨ WHO NEEDS THE DARK?
✨ MOON POPS
✨ ELEANOR'S MOON
✨ THE MIDNIGHT CLUB
✨ THE KEEPER OF STARS
✨ LITTLE MOMENTS IN A BIG UNIVERSE
✨ THE JELLYFISH BUS
✨ I WONDER ABOUT WORLDS
#Nighttime #Storytime #KidLit #BookSky
✨ WHO NEEDS THE DARK?
✨ MOON POPS
✨ ELEANOR'S MOON
✨ THE MIDNIGHT CLUB
✨ THE KEEPER OF STARS
✨ LITTLE MOMENTS IN A BIG UNIVERSE
✨ THE JELLYFISH BUS
✨ I WONDER ABOUT WORLDS
#Nighttime #Storytime #KidLit #BookSky
November 4, 2025 at 1:40 PM
Light up the night sky with these #BookRecs 🔦
✨ WHO NEEDS THE DARK?
✨ MOON POPS
✨ ELEANOR'S MOON
✨ THE MIDNIGHT CLUB
✨ THE KEEPER OF STARS
✨ LITTLE MOMENTS IN A BIG UNIVERSE
✨ THE JELLYFISH BUS
✨ I WONDER ABOUT WORLDS
#Nighttime #Storytime #KidLit #BookSky
✨ WHO NEEDS THE DARK?
✨ MOON POPS
✨ ELEANOR'S MOON
✨ THE MIDNIGHT CLUB
✨ THE KEEPER OF STARS
✨ LITTLE MOMENTS IN A BIG UNIVERSE
✨ THE JELLYFISH BUS
✨ I WONDER ABOUT WORLDS
#Nighttime #Storytime #KidLit #BookSky
Reposted by Jennifer Harris
Make the most of those early sunsets with snuggly reads. We love a book list, and we love seeing Maggie Knaus' ELEANOR'S MOON and @mypbjam.bsky.social's THE KEEPER OF STARS on this one✨
Light up the night sky with these #BookRecs 🔦
✨ WHO NEEDS THE DARK?
✨ MOON POPS
✨ ELEANOR'S MOON
✨ THE MIDNIGHT CLUB
✨ THE KEEPER OF STARS
✨ LITTLE MOMENTS IN A BIG UNIVERSE
✨ THE JELLYFISH BUS
✨ I WONDER ABOUT WORLDS
#Nighttime #Storytime #KidLit #BookSky
✨ WHO NEEDS THE DARK?
✨ MOON POPS
✨ ELEANOR'S MOON
✨ THE MIDNIGHT CLUB
✨ THE KEEPER OF STARS
✨ LITTLE MOMENTS IN A BIG UNIVERSE
✨ THE JELLYFISH BUS
✨ I WONDER ABOUT WORLDS
#Nighttime #Storytime #KidLit #BookSky
November 4, 2025 at 8:42 PM
Make the most of those early sunsets with snuggly reads. We love a book list, and we love seeing Maggie Knaus' ELEANOR'S MOON and @mypbjam.bsky.social's THE KEEPER OF STARS on this one✨
In Toronto and feeling witchy? Here's the event for you! @picturebookseh.bsky.social
October 15, 2025 at 5:02 PM
In Toronto and feeling witchy? Here's the event for you! @picturebookseh.bsky.social
My undergrad English class on Young Adult Literature has just decreed Isaac Blum’s THE LIFE AND CRIMES OF HOODIE ROSEN meets the criteria for Young Teen Lit.... Thoughts? @youngteenlit.bsky.social
October 2, 2025 at 2:50 PM
My undergrad English class on Young Adult Literature has just decreed Isaac Blum’s THE LIFE AND CRIMES OF HOODIE ROSEN meets the criteria for Young Teen Lit.... Thoughts? @youngteenlit.bsky.social
Reposted by Jennifer Harris
Not to freak you out about being half way through summer or anything, but here's a reminder that if you're planning to teach The Power of Sympathy in the coming year, @mypbjam.bsky.social and I are happy to Zoom into your classroom!
Jennifer Harris (@mypbjam.bsky.social) and I are pleased to share the release of our @broadviewpress.bsky.social edition of William Hill Brown's THE POWER OF SYMPATHY (1789). Here's a short thread about the book, which its original printer, Isaiah Thomas, marketed as the first American novel. 🧵🗃️
July 14, 2025 at 7:46 PM
Not to freak you out about being half way through summer or anything, but here's a reminder that if you're planning to teach The Power of Sympathy in the coming year, @mypbjam.bsky.social and I are happy to Zoom into your classroom!
Reposted by Jennifer Harris
Reading is transformative so I’m 100% behind a National Year of Reading but instead of shaming parents/carers (“put our phones down and pick up a book”) let’s focus on access and choice for children. That includes reversing library closures and funding cuts. #readingforpleasure
A National Year of Reading will take place in 2026 aimed at curtailing the reading crisis among children and young people. The initiative was launched by education secretary, Bridget Phillipson ahead of a reception to be held at 10 Downing Street 👇 #BookSky
Trade comes together for government backed National Year of Reading
ebx.sh
July 9, 2025 at 7:14 AM
Reading is transformative so I’m 100% behind a National Year of Reading but instead of shaming parents/carers (“put our phones down and pick up a book”) let’s focus on access and choice for children. That includes reversing library closures and funding cuts. #readingforpleasure
Feeling lucky for this fantastic review! @picturebookseh.bsky.social @canscaip.bsky.social
Out yesterday from Jennifer Harris @mypbjam.bsky.social is THE WITCHING HOUR, illus by Adelina Lirius, from Tundra. It's a story of a witches' family but it could be that of any family trying to calm a baby. Their chaos, however, is unique. canlitforlittlecanadians.blogspot.com/2025/06/the-...
June 27, 2025 at 10:58 AM
Feeling lucky for this fantastic review! @picturebookseh.bsky.social @canscaip.bsky.social
Reposted by Jennifer Harris
An angle to explore: "Novels are empathy machines: they invite you to imagine what it might be like to be somebody else. So they are, at least potentially, an antidote to the misogynistic influence of the manosphere" www.theguardian.com/books/2025/j...
‘One kid at a time’: How children’s books on male friendship could combat toxic masculinity
From Margaret McDonald’s Glasgow Boys to Nathanael Lessore’s King of Nothing, boys take centre stage in this year’s Carnegie-winning titles. Let’s hope that the male protagonists persuade more boys to...
www.theguardian.com
June 24, 2025 at 8:13 AM
An angle to explore: "Novels are empathy machines: they invite you to imagine what it might be like to be somebody else. So they are, at least potentially, an antidote to the misogynistic influence of the manosphere" www.theguardian.com/books/2025/j...
Reposted by Jennifer Harris
Please join us!
🍁Picture Books, Eh! is hosting the spring edition of The Great Canadian Picture Book Party on Monday, June 16th at 7pm.
Tune in to hear some amazing new books!
@picturebookseh.bsky.social @canscaip.bsky.social
#kidlit #CanKidLit #EduSky
Tune in to hear some amazing new books!
@picturebookseh.bsky.social @canscaip.bsky.social
#kidlit #CanKidLit #EduSky
May 26, 2025 at 9:12 PM
Please join us!
Reposted by Jennifer Harris
"A family of witches desperately tries to entertain a cranky baby in this delightful picture book for fans of Little Witch Hazel and Go the F**k to Sleep."
Enter to win a copy of Jennifer Harris / @mypbjam.bsky.social & Adelina Lirius' "The Witching Hour" from Tundra Books #💙📚
Enter to win a copy of Jennifer Harris / @mypbjam.bsky.social & Adelina Lirius' "The Witching Hour" from Tundra Books #💙📚
June 11, 2025 at 2:40 PM
"A family of witches desperately tries to entertain a cranky baby in this delightful picture book for fans of Little Witch Hazel and Go the F**k to Sleep."
Enter to win a copy of Jennifer Harris / @mypbjam.bsky.social & Adelina Lirius' "The Witching Hour" from Tundra Books #💙📚
Enter to win a copy of Jennifer Harris / @mypbjam.bsky.social & Adelina Lirius' "The Witching Hour" from Tundra Books #💙📚
I sold one #pb this year (phew!)--that's 2028 covered. Working on 2029--but the pb market is slow. So focusing on what I can do to uplift and bring joy. On that note, hosting another virtual pb event for SCBWI this month! Tell me about your favourite pbs with ambiguous endings #kidlitchat
June 4, 2025 at 1:08 AM
I sold one #pb this year (phew!)--that's 2028 covered. Working on 2029--but the pb market is slow. So focusing on what I can do to uplift and bring joy. On that note, hosting another virtual pb event for SCBWI this month! Tell me about your favourite pbs with ambiguous endings #kidlitchat
There's a moment when I get the first line in my head, and I know it's gold. That's all I need--one line, and it drives the whole pb manuscript. I know people who force themselves to write--but I could never force that line #kidlitchat
TOPIC: What's your favorite part of the creative process? And what part is the hardest for you to work through? #kidlitchat
May 28, 2025 at 1:17 AM
There's a moment when I get the first line in my head, and I know it's gold. That's all I need--one line, and it drives the whole pb manuscript. I know people who force themselves to write--but I could never force that line #kidlitchat
I queried my agent before researching query letters (whoops). But I was teaching professional writing at the time, and pulled out every trick. It worked! Be sensible, be persuasive, be clear. Also: research who you’re sending the letter to, but remember: don’t look like a stalker. #kidlitchat
TOPIC: Let's talk... queries! What are your best tips for writing it great query? What do you avoid or, if you receive queries, reallllly dislike seeing? And... who and what are you querying these days? #kidlitchat
May 7, 2025 at 1:19 AM
I queried my agent before researching query letters (whoops). But I was teaching professional writing at the time, and pulled out every trick. It worked! Be sensible, be persuasive, be clear. Also: research who you’re sending the letter to, but remember: don’t look like a stalker. #kidlitchat
I asked my spouse how many #picturebooks I’d need to publish to be taken seriously as an author. He guessed three. When I hit that it still didn’t quite sink in. I signed a contract for my sixth book recently, and am feeling very real now! #kidlitchat
TOPIC: What are some of the key moments in your career/writing/illustrating journey? What are the moments or events that moved you forward or were turning points? And what has been "the best thing ever!" moment for you so far? #Kidlitchat
April 30, 2025 at 1:07 AM
I asked my spouse how many #picturebooks I’d need to publish to be taken seriously as an author. He guessed three. When I hit that it still didn’t quite sink in. I signed a contract for my sixth book recently, and am feeling very real now! #kidlitchat
Reposted by Jennifer Harris
A nice little blog post about WHEN A TREE FALLS. Thanks for having me, Sue! #kidlit @chroniclebooks.bsky.social @lookingglasslit.bsky.social @theremaybecats.bsky.social @picturebookseh.bsky.social @naomikirsten.bsky.social archimedesnotebook.blogspot.com/2025/04/when...
When a Tree Falls....
archimedesnotebook.blogspot.com
April 20, 2025 at 5:06 PM
A nice little blog post about WHEN A TREE FALLS. Thanks for having me, Sue! #kidlit @chroniclebooks.bsky.social @lookingglasslit.bsky.social @theremaybecats.bsky.social @picturebookseh.bsky.social @naomikirsten.bsky.social archimedesnotebook.blogspot.com/2025/04/when...
Reposted by Jennifer Harris
Pajama Press is excited to announce that we are opening our submissions for middle-grade and YA fantasy, science fiction, and historical fiction.
Please visit the Pajama Press submission page on our website for more details.
#opensubmission #YAbooks #middlegrade #fantasy #scifi #historicalfiction
Please visit the Pajama Press submission page on our website for more details.
#opensubmission #YAbooks #middlegrade #fantasy #scifi #historicalfiction
April 11, 2025 at 7:27 PM
Pajama Press is excited to announce that we are opening our submissions for middle-grade and YA fantasy, science fiction, and historical fiction.
Please visit the Pajama Press submission page on our website for more details.
#opensubmission #YAbooks #middlegrade #fantasy #scifi #historicalfiction
Please visit the Pajama Press submission page on our website for more details.
#opensubmission #YAbooks #middlegrade #fantasy #scifi #historicalfiction
Reposted by Jennifer Harris
Thanks @secondstory.bsky.social for sharing #picturebook THE WARMEST BLANKET IN THE WORLD by Tamara Levine and @elliearscott.bsky.social. It certainly is a cozy read of family and sharing. (I also learned about qiviut.) canlitforlittlecanadians.blogspot.com/2025/04/the-... 👍🇨🇦📚
The Warmest Blanket in the World
Promoting children's and YA books by Canadian authors and illustrators
canlitforlittlecanadians.blogspot.com
April 14, 2025 at 5:41 PM
Thanks @secondstory.bsky.social for sharing #picturebook THE WARMEST BLANKET IN THE WORLD by Tamara Levine and @elliearscott.bsky.social. It certainly is a cozy read of family and sharing. (I also learned about qiviut.) canlitforlittlecanadians.blogspot.com/2025/04/the-... 👍🇨🇦📚
In order to stay creative, I need to make time to read. I'm holding too much in my head related to my day job, volunteering, parenting, etc. Books are a palate cleanser for my brain. Latest obsession below! #kidlitchat
April 16, 2025 at 1:13 AM
In order to stay creative, I need to make time to read. I'm holding too much in my head related to my day job, volunteering, parenting, etc. Books are a palate cleanser for my brain. Latest obsession below! #kidlitchat
Just me, over on Instagram, @mypbjam, talking about Easter witches, shark girls, picture books, and what kidlit editors are apparently looking for in this weird moment... #kidlit #picturebooks
April 15, 2025 at 11:14 AM
Just me, over on Instagram, @mypbjam, talking about Easter witches, shark girls, picture books, and what kidlit editors are apparently looking for in this weird moment... #kidlit #picturebooks
Reposted by Jennifer Harris
🌷At Picture Books, Eh! we're thrilled to share our spring releases!
🌧️☀️Read these books inside on a rainy afternoon, or outside on a sunny day picnic!
#kidlit #EduSky #CanKidLit #ireadcanadian #teachers #librarians #parents
@picturebookseh.bsky.social
🌧️☀️Read these books inside on a rainy afternoon, or outside on a sunny day picnic!
#kidlit #EduSky #CanKidLit #ireadcanadian #teachers #librarians #parents
@picturebookseh.bsky.social
April 3, 2025 at 11:17 AM
🌷At Picture Books, Eh! we're thrilled to share our spring releases!
🌧️☀️Read these books inside on a rainy afternoon, or outside on a sunny day picnic!
#kidlit #EduSky #CanKidLit #ireadcanadian #teachers #librarians #parents
@picturebookseh.bsky.social
🌧️☀️Read these books inside on a rainy afternoon, or outside on a sunny day picnic!
#kidlit #EduSky #CanKidLit #ireadcanadian #teachers #librarians #parents
@picturebookseh.bsky.social
Reposted by Jennifer Harris
🌷At Picture Books, Eh! we're thrilled to share our spring releases!
🌧️☀️Read these books inside on a rainy afternoon, or outside on a sunny day picnic!
#kidlit #EduSky #CanKidLit #ireadcanadian #teachers #librarians #parents
@picturebookseh.bsky.social
🌧️☀️Read these books inside on a rainy afternoon, or outside on a sunny day picnic!
#kidlit #EduSky #CanKidLit #ireadcanadian #teachers #librarians #parents
@picturebookseh.bsky.social
April 3, 2025 at 10:01 PM
Reposted by Jennifer Harris
Looking for a kidlit critique group or hoping for one that better aligns with your interests? The Kidlit 2025 Critique Match is here: forms.gle/HsoHLUbQnMEH...
Kid Lit Critique Partner Meet-Up 2025
This is for children's writers looking to join an online critique group. Writers will be organized into groups based on common interests and receive an email the first week of May 2025 introducing the...
forms.gle
April 8, 2025 at 12:30 AM
Looking for a kidlit critique group or hoping for one that better aligns with your interests? The Kidlit 2025 Critique Match is here: forms.gle/HsoHLUbQnMEH...
Reposted by Jennifer Harris
'Bluesky has overtaken its flailing rival X in hosting posts related to new academic research, indicating the platform is fast becoming the go-to place for scholars to share their work.'
X’s dominance ‘over’ as Bluesky becomes new hub for research
Data indicates more scholars turning to alternative social media site to post about their work after Elon Musk’s Twitter takeover
www.timeshighereducation.com
April 9, 2025 at 7:14 AM
'Bluesky has overtaken its flailing rival X in hosting posts related to new academic research, indicating the platform is fast becoming the go-to place for scholars to share their work.'