Ritu Hemnani
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rituhemwrites.bsky.social
Ritu Hemnani
@rituhemwrites.bsky.social
710 followers 1.2K following 35 posts
Children's Author
LION OF THE SKY: HarperCollins/Balzer+Bray MG Novel in Verse '24 THEIR STORY IS OUR STORY: Chronicle Books NNF PB '26
Represented by Rubin Pfeffer
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rituhemwrites.bsky.social
Ritu Hemnani @rituhemwrites.bsky.social · Nov 17
Thrilled to announce that @sfchronicle.bsky.social Chronicle Books will publish my debut narrative non-fiction picture book, THEIR STORY IS OUR STORY - a reimagined story of Partition, and that the insanely talented @viplovsingh.bsky.social will illustrate!
rituhemwrites.bsky.social
So grateful to @bankstreetlibrary.bsky.social @bankstreet.edu for this honor! Thank you to @kidlit247s.bsky.social for the shoutout!
kidlit247s.bsky.social The 24/7s @kidlit247s.bsky.social · Jun 10
Congrats to Dionna Mann, Anna Lapera, @rituhemwrites.bsky.social and @jenniferannrichter.bsky.social whose books have been included in the 2025 edition of @bankstreet.edu's Bank Street Best Children’s Books!
June 18, 2025 at 5:56 PM
Reposted by Ritu Hemnani
colbysharp.bsky.social
Books My 5th Graders Are Reading on Spring Break
youtu.be/7cVVWJu8TyA
Books My 5th Graders Are Reading on Spring Break
YouTube video by Colby Sharp
youtu.be
March 20, 2025 at 11:10 PM
Reposted by Ritu Hemnani
colbysharp.bsky.social
Must Read 2025 Graphic Novels
youtu.be/jWXs7Qdk4eo
Must Read 2025 Graphic Novels
YouTube video by Colby Sharp
youtu.be
March 22, 2025 at 3:41 PM
Reposted by Ritu Hemnani
katherinemarsh.bsky.social
Folks still sharing my @theatlantic.com piece. Educator recently told me old idea was learn to read in elementary and read to learn in middle. Realizing now we need to continue to teach reading in middle. My next piece? @jeffreygoldberg.bsky.social can share directly with what's left of Dept of Ed.
Why Kids Aren’t Falling in Love With Reading
Hint: It’s not just the screens.
www.theatlantic.com
March 25, 2025 at 1:26 PM
Reposted by Ritu Hemnani
katemessner.com
If you're new to Bluesky, don't forget to turn on the "Require alt text" option in your preferences so you get a reminder to make sure your photos & graphics are accessible to all. It only takes a minute or two, even for graphics that require a bit more alt text.
At the top of the graphic, a yellow banner with two orange stars flanking the blue text reads "starred review" and the quote below in black text reads "An adventurous work whose authentic voice celebrates the outdoors and everyday heroism." - Kirkus The book cover, at bottom right, shows a yellow title: THE TROUBLE WITH HEROES, against a blue sky with puffy white clouds. Above the title, white text reads: New York Times Bestselling Author Kate Messner. The cover art shows a middle school boy with an orange backpack standing on a rocky mountaintop with a Bernese mountain dog gazing up at him and a monarch butterfly flying past. The background shows rolling green mountains dotted with lakes. At the bottom of the graphic, an orange banner with white text reads: on sale April 29, 2025. White background with white "alt text" text highlighted in black that reads: At the top of the graphic, a yellow banner with two orange stars flanking the blue text reads "starred review" and the quote below in black text reads "An adventurous work whose authentic voice celebrates the outdoors and everyday heroism." - Kirkus The book cover, at bottom right, shows a yellow title: THE TROUBLE WITH HEROES, against a blue sky with puffy white clouds. Above the title, white text reads: New York Times Bestselling Author Kate Messner. The cover art shows a middle school boy with an orange backpack standing on a rocky mountaintop with a Bernese mountain dog gazing up at him and a monarch butterfly flying past. The background shows rolling green mountains dotted with lakes. At the bottom of the graphic, an orange banner with white text reads: on sale April 29, 2025.
February 2, 2025 at 9:09 PM
Reposted by Ritu Hemnani
debbieohi.com
Looking for *kind* volunteers to help answer newbie questions in an UNOFFICIAL BLUESKY HELP THREAD. To newbies: pls post your questions below & hopefully someone will answer. Pls search my Unofficial Guide To Bluesky first: (publish.obsidian.md/debbieohi/se...)
Search Tips - Debbie Ridpath Ohi - Obsidian Publish
Search Tips How To Search This Unofficial Guide Overwhelmed and can't find the info you want in this Guide? I strongly encourage you to use the built-in Search field. On a desktop browser, look for …
publish.obsidian.md
February 23, 2025 at 8:15 PM
Reposted by Ritu Hemnani
diannewrites.bsky.social
Interested in writing picture books? Join me for PICTURE BOOK 1.

This 10-week UCLA Ext. course - completely online - begins April 2nd!

To learn more and register now, check out the link: www.uclaextension.edu/writing/crea...

#picturebook #writingpicturebooks #writingclass #onlinelearning
Picture Book I | UCLA Extension
Learn the basics of writing picture books for children in this introductory workshop.
www.uclaextension.edu
March 26, 2025 at 10:40 PM
Reposted by Ritu Hemnani
cynthiaharmony.bsky.social
Amazing news! 🥳
penguinschoollib.bsky.social Penguin School & Library @penguinschoollib.bsky.social · Nov 25
Congratulations to our #NCTE award winners! Find out more about these Charlotte Huck and Notable Poetry and Verse book selections. #NCTE24
www.penguinclassroom.com/blog/ncte-20...
NCTE 2025 Award-Winners - Penguin Classroom Portal
www.penguinclassroom.com
November 27, 2024 at 6:07 PM
Reposted by Ritu Hemnani
thetobiasagency.bsky.social
We LOVE when our clients get collaborative.

Check out this interview between children's book authors Dionna L. Mann and Michael F. Stewart, with included illustrations from Caroline McPherson all of whom are part of the @kellydhouse.bsky.social crew!

www.dionnalmann.com/interviews-b...
Interviews, Blog Parties & More
(c) Caroline McPherson,  carolinemcphersonillustration.com
www.dionnalmann.com
March 19, 2025 at 5:30 PM
Reposted by Ritu Hemnani
thinkingautism.com
The nonprofit We Need Diverse Books (WNDB) @weneeddiversebooks.bsky.social is launching its inaugural “We Need Diverse Books Day” April 3 to highlight the importance of access to inclusive reading:

www.usatoday.com/story/entert...
Exclusive: ‘We Need Diverse Books’ announces inaugural reading day April 3
Nonprofit We Need Diverse Books will host the first "We Need Diverse Books Day" April 3 to encourage inclusive books in classrooms and bookshelves.
www.usatoday.com
March 25, 2025 at 5:24 PM
Reposted by Ritu Hemnani
cynleitichsmith.bsky.social
Congratulations, Byron Graves, author of REZ BALL (Heartdrum, 2023), on winning the Oklahoma Library Association’s Sequoyah Award! #booksky #basketball #youngadultbooks #indigenous #ojibwe @harperkids.bsky.social @weneeddiversebooks.bsky.social
Cover art for Rez Ball (Ojibway boy in red jersey and black shorts holding basketball to his hip--title above, byline above that; award medallions for the Morris Award and American Indian Youth Literature Award) to the right, title "High School Sequoyah Book Award Winner" and lower the Oklahoma Library Association logos for the award (with Sequoyah in profile) and association (open book with OLA in center). Background has muted tree; pink against peach background.
March 26, 2025 at 4:17 PM
Reposted by Ritu Hemnani
padmatv.bsky.social
When superstars like @jenniferlagarde.bsky.social and @alizawerner.bsky.social create #TeacherResources for your book and provide a #SafeHarbor ( @nancyrosep.bsky.social @penguinrandomhouse.bsky.social ) for you to talk about your #SafeHarborBook you are overwhelmed with gratitude 🙏🏾
March 19, 2025 at 10:17 PM
Reposted by Ritu Hemnani
johannamation.bsky.social
🏳️‍⚧️ TRANS COMICS/GNs BY TRANS CREATORS FOR TRANS DAY OF VISIBILITY 🏳️‍⚧️ (thread)

💫 GALAXY (Jadzia Axelrod & Vash Taylor)
📣 CHEER UP: LOVE & POMPOMS (Crystal Frazier & Val Wise)
👕 BOYS RUN THE RIOT (Keito Gaku)
💬 FINE: A COMING ABOUT GENDER (Rhea Ewing)
Front cover of GALAXY, THE PRETTIEST STAR (Jadzia Axelrod & Vash Taylor) Front cover of CHEER UP: LOVE & POMPOMS (Crystal Frazier & Val Wise) Front cover of BOYS RUN THE RIOT (Keito Gaku) Front cover of FINE: A COMING ABOUT GENDER (Rhea Ewing)
March 29, 2024 at 4:36 PM
Reposted by Ritu Hemnani
johannamation.bsky.social
🏳️‍⚧️ TRANS GNs BY TRANS CREATORS FOR #TRANSDAYOFVISIBILITY (PART 3) 🏳️‍⚧️

🪨 STONE FRUIT (Lee Lai)
🏫 WELCOME TO ST HELL (Lewis Hancox)
🏳️‍🌈 BE GAY, DO COMICS (Matt Bors, The Nib, et al)
✈️ PAPER PLANES (Jennie Wood & Dozerdraws)
Front cover of STONE FRUIT (Lee Lai) Front cover of WELCOME TO ST HELL, MY TRANS TEEN MISADVENTURE (Lewis Hancox) Front cover of BE GAY, DO COMICS (Matt Bors, The Nib, et al) Front cover of PAPER PLANES (Jennie Wood & Dozerdraws)
March 30, 2024 at 5:40 AM
rituhemwrites.bsky.social
Thank you to my amazing debut group, KidLit247s 💖 What a joy it's been to cheer each other on through 2024!
Dionna L. Mann @monicamancillas.bsky.social @jenniferannrichter.bsky.social @DianaJunYiMa @DeborahLakritz @WriterofCuentos Please do check out all their incredible books!
January 21, 2025 at 10:20 AM
Reposted by Ritu Hemnani
katemckean.bsky.social
Today's Agents & Books 2025 Guide focuses on how to get your book actually done! Click here for helpful posts on editing, deadlines, and the eternal question: *do you have to write everyday?*
open.substack.com/pub/katemcke...
How to Actually Finish Writing a Book
It's this and a kick in the pants. An Agents & Books 2025 Guide
open.substack.com
January 9, 2025 at 3:11 PM
Reposted by Ritu Hemnani
adriannacuevas.bsky.social
Calling all MIDDLE GRADE queer & BIPOC authors with books out in 2025! I’m putting together my tbr and list of books I’m considering for my Friday MG Book Recs and I want to make sure I don’t miss any. Drop yours in the comments so I can add it to my list and so others can know about it! #kidlit
December 30, 2024 at 3:06 PM
Reposted by Ritu Hemnani
cartoonbrew.bsky.social
Many members of the animation community have suffered unimaginable losses due to the LA wildfires – here is how to help displaced individuals in the animation industry. PLEASE SHARE WIDELY SO WE CAN HELP EVERYONE OUT!
How To Help Animation Industry Workers Who Have Been Displaced By The L.A. Wildfires
Many members of the animation community have suffered unimaginable losses – here is how to help them directly.
www.cartoonbrew.com
January 10, 2025 at 4:37 AM
rituhemwrites.bsky.social
I'm excited to kick off 2025 with thrilling news: Lion of the Sky has been named a Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection!

As an educator, this recognition means the world to me. Thank you to JLG for this opportunity!
January 7, 2025 at 9:44 AM
Reposted by Ritu Hemnani
sylviaichen.bsky.social
💝 Full of glittery cheer, I love how A CITY FULL OF SANTAS celebrates the magic of the holidays. The writing plus art throughout are so delightful! 😍🤩📚👍🏼

#PBStudyBuddy* #Kidlit #Edusky
#ACityFullofSantas #JoannaHo @joannahowrites.bsky.social #ThaiMyPhuong @harperkids.bsky.social

*pbstudybuddy.com
December 19, 2024 at 3:47 PM
Reposted by Ritu Hemnani
mrscheidrich.bsky.social
This is a great one if you haven’t read it!! #mglit
cybilsawards.bsky.social Cybils Awards @cybilsawards.bsky.social · Dec 21
If it's Friday, we have a review!

The Tenth Mistake of Hank Hooperman by @choldenko.bsky.social (Knopf BFYR)

Elementary/Middle-Grade Fiction Nominee
#CYBILS2024
1/4
December 21, 2024 at 12:05 AM
Reposted by Ritu Hemnani
theguardian.com
‘It will exist for ever’: Bluey fans fearful and excited for cartoon’s future
‘It will exist for ever’: Bluey fans fearful and excited for cartoon’s future
Hugely popular show to get Disney feature film treatment but creator Joe Brumm will stop writing TV series Bluey fan sites can be quite odd places. In normal times, adult enthusiasts of the wildly successful children’s cartoon post pictures of prime…
www.theguardian.com
December 21, 2024 at 12:06 AM
Reposted by Ritu Hemnani
readjapaneseliterature.com
Pleased to learn about + add Sachiko Kashiwaba's middle-grade classic The Village Beyond the Mist, translated by the truly talented Avery Fischer Udagawa.

Hayao Miyazaki was in talks to adapt this one before he wrote the original screenplay for Spirited Away. It shows.

@averyudagawa.bsky.social
December 12, 2024 at 8:30 PM
Reposted by Ritu Hemnani
fuse8.bsky.social
Day 13: 31 Days, 31 Lists - 2024 Translated Children's Books. Today we're giving a shout out not simply to the translated books that make to American shelves, but also to the hardworking translators who are so good at what they do. #kidlit 📚👍 afuse8production.slj.com/2024/12/13/3...
December 13, 2024 at 2:40 PM
Reposted by Ritu Hemnani
authorkelliebeggs.bsky.social
If you need more resources, these have really helped me.
December 14, 2024 at 12:30 PM