Refe Tuma
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Refe Tuma
@refe.blue
1.1K followers 470 following 630 posts
Writer, dinosaur photographer. Author of FRANCES AND THE WEREWOLVES OF THE BLACK FOREST, a Page Turner Award winner and Bram Stoker Award nominee, and the bestselling WHAT THE DINOSAURS DID pb series. Rep: Marie Lamba, Kristyn Benton.
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refe.blue
Democracy is dying but don't worry we have
A box of Cheez-it brand pizza.
October 5, 2025 at 10:40 PM
refe.blue
Final night at the lake.
An orange moon shimmers on the dark blue waters of a large lake at night.
August 6, 2025 at 3:00 PM
refe.blue
Boris the water dog*

*definitely NOT a water dog
A white dog with black patches around its eyes sits regally on a sandy beach with the lake behind him and clear skies.
August 5, 2025 at 3:08 PM
refe.blue
Lake, day three.
A photo of geese landing on the water in the distance. The lake takes up the entire bottom third of the frame, with the sun just out of frame at the top sending rays straight down and resting a halo affect on the water at the horizon line.
August 5, 2025 at 1:38 PM
refe.blue
Oh, hey, another lake photo.
A girl in a dress standing in Lake Michigan silhouetted by the gray sky behind her.
August 4, 2025 at 3:47 PM
refe.blue
Another version.
A wide shot of four kayakers on Lake Michigan. The air is hazy and foggy. The horizon is barely visible, with the sky and the water nearly the same color gray.
August 3, 2025 at 5:47 PM
refe.blue
Endless gray.

Lake Michigan this morning.
A hazy-gray, foggy morning on Lake Michigan. Four kayakers float in the middle distance. The horizon line is barely visible, with the water and the sky nearly the same shade of soupy gray.
August 3, 2025 at 5:23 PM
refe.blue
Apple just recommended my own books to me, so I'd say they have my tastes down pretty well.
An email from Apple Books with the headline, "Want a book you'll love? We've got you covered." Below that, the covers of WHAT THE DINOSAURS DID LAST NIGHT (white with colorful plastic dinosaurs drawing on a wall with crayons,) and WHAT THE DINOSAURS DID AT SCHOOL (green with the same dinosaurs rising paper airplanes and making a mess with glue in a classroom.)
July 16, 2025 at 10:57 PM
refe.blue
I literally gasped when I read the nutrition facts on the packet of tteok bokki my kid brought home from the grocery today.
June 19, 2025 at 2:26 AM
refe.blue
Pretty sure I just sent off the final interior art for WHAT THE DINOSAURS DID ON HALLOWEEN and I am feeling very good about that.
A purple plastic dinosaur holding a green lollipop reclines on a pile of foil candy wrappers that glimmer against a pink background.
June 4, 2025 at 4:24 PM
refe.blue
Pulled a big section of vine off my house and nearly took a small nest down with it. Thankfully, this section was attached securely enough to stay put. I bolstered it with some wire and a few sticks. Fingers crossed it's sturdy enough to hold them until they're ready to fly 🤞
4 newly hatched birds huddled in a tiny nest made from plastic netting.
May 31, 2025 at 12:27 AM
refe.blue
Hiking with Boris and my oldest kiddo. Neither of whom are pictured here. But they were there, I promise.
A panoramic photo of trees in a field of short, green, broad-leafed plants.
May 24, 2025 at 11:04 PM
refe.blue
Last author visit of the year is in the bag. Big thanks to both Prairieview and Elizabeth Ide Elementaries (and their PTOs!) for the double-header this morning!
A selfie by a man with dark hair and beard and a fancy mustache standing in front of a gym full of excited kids.
May 22, 2025 at 10:29 PM
refe.blue
Everyone, please meet Palmilone Platypone (pronounced the vaguely Italian way, in case that isn't clear)
A surreal character in the style of Italian brain rot resembling a palm tree with the head of a grumpy platypus.
May 22, 2025 at 1:00 AM
refe.blue
A very happy, somewhat thirsty Boris.
A large white dog with black patches over his eyes takes a break from hiking on a dirt and gravel trail, framed by green trees in the background.
May 18, 2025 at 9:28 PM
refe.blue
Having a blast at Edison Elementary in Elmhurst, IL! Getting ready for my last session of the day—4th and 5th graders—and signing books. #authorvisit
Stacks of books with yellow post-it notes sticking out of the tops with names on them for personalization.
May 13, 2025 at 6:08 PM
refe.blue
Looks like I'll live to cook another day
A pan full of chicken Parmesan, with golden brown mozzarella cheese and bits of parsley on top.
May 6, 2025 at 12:53 AM
refe.blue
Punta del Este, Uruguay
A green, rocky hillside against a bright blue sky. In the distance, a beach splits the horizon.
May 2, 2025 at 5:40 PM
refe.blue
Made a new friend
A large sea lion stands on a cement pier looking out at colorful boats on the water.
April 29, 2025 at 8:43 PM
refe.blue
Ever feel like you're being watched...?
A tiny black cat peeks its head above a red-tile step with the ocean in the background.
April 29, 2025 at 5:18 PM
refe.blue
Breakfast in Montevideo
Espresso in a clear glass cup on a white plate set on a cafe table.
April 29, 2025 at 12:28 PM
refe.blue
Took the oldest kid out to the trails to get some photography in and came across this spiraled lean to.
A vertical panorama of a girl wearing a camera bag on her back kneeling to photograph a large lean-to, with thin pines towering overhead.
April 14, 2025 at 12:13 AM
refe.blue
Found the cats
A black cat and a black-and-white cat, both with yellow eyes, are chilling under a bed.
April 9, 2025 at 2:31 AM
refe.blue
Not sure we're taking pictures of our food anymore but my breakfast is pretty
A blue plate with cooked green kale, chopped red peppers, and a poached egg.
April 7, 2025 at 3:56 PM
refe.blue
Okay but my parents are awesome/adorable
A man and a woman holding matching Hands Off protest signs featuring illustrations of themselves holding protest signs.
April 5, 2025 at 11:32 PM