Shala Howell
@shalahowell.bsky.social
Reader, writer, curious person, librarian in training. Author of What's That, Mom? Also on🧵@shalahowell & @shalahowell@mastodon.social. Blog: http://caterpickles.com
Pinned
Shala Howell
@shalahowell.bsky.social
· Nov 9
Guess who was not prepared for how hard it would be to juggle a job and home life?
My job is amazing, and I love working with both middle schoolers and books, but I do have a tendency to use up all my words at work. But we have a day off today, so I thought I’d spent at lea…
caterpickles.com
Hello, new followers! I’ve gotten a fair number of you lately so thought I’d reintroduce.
I’m a writer & parent whose pandemic project involved doing a stint working in the library at my local public middle school.
Absolutely loved it. caterpickles.com/2021/11/11/g...
So… 1/
I’m a writer & parent whose pandemic project involved doing a stint working in the library at my local public middle school.
Absolutely loved it. caterpickles.com/2021/11/11/g...
So… 1/
Reposted by Shala Howell
Hey Library Kids & Book Lovers, This Knit Vest Pattern Is For You - It's A Borrowing Card! 👉 tidd.ly/4fIdLOv - designed by Jennifer Peacock of Pretty Grandpa and would make a perfect gift for the Gen-Xer on your list! #knitting #GenX #librarylove #handmade #etsy #affiliate #giftidea 📚❤️🧶
November 21, 2025 at 4:57 PM
Hey Library Kids & Book Lovers, This Knit Vest Pattern Is For You - It's A Borrowing Card! 👉 tidd.ly/4fIdLOv - designed by Jennifer Peacock of Pretty Grandpa and would make a perfect gift for the Gen-Xer on your list! #knitting #GenX #librarylove #handmade #etsy #affiliate #giftidea 📚❤️🧶
Reposted by Shala Howell
I have, so should everyone else. @littlebadger.bsky.social is extraordinary.
I think there's a very good chance you've read this, but if you haven't, I'm gonna say Elatsoe by Darcie Little Badger.
November 21, 2025 at 5:16 PM
I have, so should everyone else. @littlebadger.bsky.social is extraordinary.
Reposted by Shala Howell
Thinking a lot lately about the simple fact that college allows people to spend about 15 weeks immersed in a disciplinary conversation with an expert in that field. And what a special thing that is.
November 21, 2025 at 1:33 PM
Thinking a lot lately about the simple fact that college allows people to spend about 15 weeks immersed in a disciplinary conversation with an expert in that field. And what a special thing that is.
Reposted by Shala Howell
I had to find out how cute this was. Turns out: incredibly cute and I needed to know this. I put some time into these alt-tags
November 21, 2025 at 3:24 AM
I had to find out how cute this was. Turns out: incredibly cute and I needed to know this. I put some time into these alt-tags
Reposted by Shala Howell
I’m sure you are already well aware of this but I find it extremely charming that villages bringing cows down from the Alps in the fall have a little party and decorate the cows with flowers and do a parade.
November 21, 2025 at 2:00 AM
I’m sure you are already well aware of this but I find it extremely charming that villages bringing cows down from the Alps in the fall have a little party and decorate the cows with flowers and do a parade.
Ok, so helping people with luggage in the overhead bin. Fine. Excellent, even.
But don’t ask me to dress up to be crammed into a middle seat with no knee or elbow room. You want me to dress up? Tell the airlines to give me an experience worth dressing up for.
But don’t ask me to dress up to be crammed into a middle seat with no knee or elbow room. You want me to dress up? Tell the airlines to give me an experience worth dressing up for.
November 21, 2025 at 12:03 AM
Ok, so helping people with luggage in the overhead bin. Fine. Excellent, even.
But don’t ask me to dress up to be crammed into a middle seat with no knee or elbow room. You want me to dress up? Tell the airlines to give me an experience worth dressing up for.
But don’t ask me to dress up to be crammed into a middle seat with no knee or elbow room. You want me to dress up? Tell the airlines to give me an experience worth dressing up for.
Reposted by Shala Howell
The President of the United States just called for Democratic members of Congress to be executed. "HANG THEM", he posted.
If you're a person of influence in this country and you haven't picked a side, maybe now would be the time to pick a fucking side.
If you're a person of influence in this country and you haven't picked a side, maybe now would be the time to pick a fucking side.
November 20, 2025 at 4:15 PM
The President of the United States just called for Democratic members of Congress to be executed. "HANG THEM", he posted.
If you're a person of influence in this country and you haven't picked a side, maybe now would be the time to pick a fucking side.
If you're a person of influence in this country and you haven't picked a side, maybe now would be the time to pick a fucking side.
Reposted by Shala Howell
Once again asking you to please order your handmade pottery early if you want holiday delivery: littleedenpottery.etsy.com
November 20, 2025 at 3:27 AM
Once again asking you to please order your handmade pottery early if you want holiday delivery: littleedenpottery.etsy.com
I am so excited for this book!
Big news: I’m writing a book!!
I’ll be writing & illustrating a beginner’s guide to appreciating wildlife in cities/suburbs, & how all of us can make our neighborhoods better for those animals.
Thank you to my book agent @ericsmithrocks.bsky.social & the folks at Storey for believing in this book!
I’ll be writing & illustrating a beginner’s guide to appreciating wildlife in cities/suburbs, & how all of us can make our neighborhoods better for those animals.
Thank you to my book agent @ericsmithrocks.bsky.social & the folks at Storey for believing in this book!
November 20, 2025 at 2:33 PM
I am so excited for this book!
Reposted by Shala Howell
Good news: I'm getting better and will start posting again on monday. Awesome news: THE PLUSHIES ARE BACK!
They're back! By popular demand we have the Foxes in Love Plushies back in stock! Bring this adorable pair home for the holidays while they last! fenrispublishing.com/fil
November 20, 2025 at 6:09 AM
Good news: I'm getting better and will start posting again on monday. Awesome news: THE PLUSHIES ARE BACK!
Reposted by Shala Howell
How awful. This is outright health disinformation, lying to the American people. Not only is there massive evidence showing no link between vaccines & autism, there’s not even a plausible mechanism based on what we’ve learned about the genetics of autism, some environmental exposures in pregnancy
HEADS UP: CDC website now officially asserts that vaccines may cause autism.“Studies supporting a link have been ignored by health authorities.” Also says the “vaccines do not cause autism” header remains b/c of an agreement with Cassidy.
November 20, 2025 at 3:18 AM
How awful. This is outright health disinformation, lying to the American people. Not only is there massive evidence showing no link between vaccines & autism, there’s not even a plausible mechanism based on what we’ve learned about the genetics of autism, some environmental exposures in pregnancy
Reposted by Shala Howell
Josh really doesn't get enough credit as a digital journalism pioneer — and as an entrepreneur who built something meaningful and lasting.
PHOTOS: TPM Celebrates Our 25-Year Anniversary in NYC talkingpointsmemo.com/gallery/phot...
PHOTOS: TPM Celebrates Our 25-Year Anniversary in NYC
We rang in our 25th anniversary in style last week, hosting a...
talkingpointsmemo.com
November 19, 2025 at 8:47 PM
Josh really doesn't get enough credit as a digital journalism pioneer — and as an entrepreneur who built something meaningful and lasting.
Reposted by Shala Howell
This is a librarian appreciation post.
Librarians are book angels 😇
Librarians are book angels 😇
November 19, 2025 at 6:27 PM
This is a librarian appreciation post.
Librarians are book angels 😇
Librarians are book angels 😇
Reposted by Shala Howell
If you're the parent of a disabled kid, I just want to tell you I know it's hard and I know you feel like you're failing constantly, but you're doing it and you're doing the best you can and your kid absolutely loves you for it.
November 18, 2025 at 12:51 PM
If you're the parent of a disabled kid, I just want to tell you I know it's hard and I know you feel like you're failing constantly, but you're doing it and you're doing the best you can and your kid absolutely loves you for it.
Reposted by Shala Howell
Part 208 of 200 in historically interesting things to inspire your ttrpg dnd
Ice cream knife and ice cream hatchet. United States, 1880
Ice cream knife and ice cream hatchet. United States, 1880
November 19, 2025 at 1:30 AM
Part 208 of 200 in historically interesting things to inspire your ttrpg dnd
Ice cream knife and ice cream hatchet. United States, 1880
Ice cream knife and ice cream hatchet. United States, 1880
Reposted by Shala Howell
Folks, a famous author isn't ever going to contact you out of the blue to offer you literary services. It's always a scam. Also, speaking as an at least semifamous author, you wouldn't want any services we did offer, we're just barely handling our own shit, much less anyone else's.
I've now heard from 3 authors targeted on X by a scammer impersonating Lois McMaster Bujold. Bujold impersonator refers author to "Eleanor Wood at Spectrum Literary", also an impersonation. Goal: to sell editing svcs. Scam is impersonating multiple authors & agents writerbeware.blog/2025/11/14/i...
If a Famous Author Calls, Hang Up: Anatomy of an Impersonation Scam - Writer Beware
You open your email program one morning. The usual work stuff. Some spam (annoying that it got past your filters!). A couple of newsletters (maybe later). You sip your coffee, scroll down. Wait. What’...
writerbeware.blog
November 16, 2025 at 7:26 PM
Folks, a famous author isn't ever going to contact you out of the blue to offer you literary services. It's always a scam. Also, speaking as an at least semifamous author, you wouldn't want any services we did offer, we're just barely handling our own shit, much less anyone else's.
Reposted by Shala Howell
My wokest opinion is that every community deserves an extremely well-funded library that’s open to everyone and that librarians and teachers should make like ten times what they make now.
"my least woke opinion is---"
That's enough. We've had enough people indulging in the "thrill of a little conservatism", as a treat. Of considering reactionary thought to be a salacious and taboo in a world descending into reactionary mania.
Give me your MOST woke opinions. We're bringing it back.
That's enough. We've had enough people indulging in the "thrill of a little conservatism", as a treat. Of considering reactionary thought to be a salacious and taboo in a world descending into reactionary mania.
Give me your MOST woke opinions. We're bringing it back.
November 16, 2025 at 10:19 PM
My wokest opinion is that every community deserves an extremely well-funded library that’s open to everyone and that librarians and teachers should make like ten times what they make now.
Reposted by Shala Howell
“Another week survived is another week won.”
November 16, 2025 at 4:49 PM
“Another week survived is another week won.”
Reposted by Shala Howell
Part 139 of 200 in historically interesting things to inspire your ttrpg dnd
Mirror work inside the 1,000-year-old Shah Cheragh Shrine in Shiraz, Iran. One of the holiest sites in Shia Islam.
Mirror work inside the 1,000-year-old Shah Cheragh Shrine in Shiraz, Iran. One of the holiest sites in Shia Islam.
November 15, 2025 at 11:44 PM
Part 139 of 200 in historically interesting things to inspire your ttrpg dnd
Mirror work inside the 1,000-year-old Shah Cheragh Shrine in Shiraz, Iran. One of the holiest sites in Shia Islam.
Mirror work inside the 1,000-year-old Shah Cheragh Shrine in Shiraz, Iran. One of the holiest sites in Shia Islam.
Reposted by Shala Howell
Part 100! of 200 in historically interesting things to inspire your ttrpg
This 14th century door at Exeter Cathedral, UK, is thought to be the oldest existing cat flap.
This 14th century door at Exeter Cathedral, UK, is thought to be the oldest existing cat flap.
November 14, 2025 at 3:41 AM
Part 100! of 200 in historically interesting things to inspire your ttrpg
This 14th century door at Exeter Cathedral, UK, is thought to be the oldest existing cat flap.
This 14th century door at Exeter Cathedral, UK, is thought to be the oldest existing cat flap.
A thread full of wonder for your Saturday afternoon
Long ago on the hell site I made long list of historically interesting things to use in dnd ttrpgs and I'll start dragging them over here starting with
2000 years-old sapphire ring presumably belonged to Roman emperor Caligula, depicting his fourth wife Caesonia.
2000 years-old sapphire ring presumably belonged to Roman emperor Caligula, depicting his fourth wife Caesonia.
November 15, 2025 at 11:22 PM
A thread full of wonder for your Saturday afternoon
Reposted by Shala Howell
I call them distrusters. Maybe gullible distrusters would be better. I describe them here:
upine.medium.com/the-distrust...
upine.medium.com/the-distrust...
The Distrusters Paradox
One of the things I do as a psychologist who studies disinformation is to try to understand how people get hooked on disinformation. The…
upine.medium.com
November 12, 2025 at 7:08 PM
I call them distrusters. Maybe gullible distrusters would be better. I describe them here:
upine.medium.com/the-distrust...
upine.medium.com/the-distrust...
Reposted by Shala Howell
Good statement from the US conference of Catholic Bishops
November 14, 2025 at 2:17 AM
Good statement from the US conference of Catholic Bishops
Reposted by Shala Howell
We keep yelling about the male loneliness crisis and focusing on everything except the harms the system itself is causing. If teen boys don't get mirrors for masculinity, and other kids don't get windows and sliding glass doors, then we're doing kids of all gender identities a major disservice.
November 13, 2025 at 10:41 PM
We keep yelling about the male loneliness crisis and focusing on everything except the harms the system itself is causing. If teen boys don't get mirrors for masculinity, and other kids don't get windows and sliding glass doors, then we're doing kids of all gender identities a major disservice.
Reposted by Shala Howell
Looks useful, but they may not cover an important topic: if you need a #map for your book, where do you go? Many authors, faced with that question, have no idea where to start.
If that’s you, I can help! I draw maps for a living, and specialize in maps for academic books.
surprisedeelmaps.com
If that’s you, I can help! I draw maps for a living, and specialize in maps for academic books.
surprisedeelmaps.com
November 12, 2025 at 11:06 PM
Looks useful, but they may not cover an important topic: if you need a #map for your book, where do you go? Many authors, faced with that question, have no idea where to start.
If that’s you, I can help! I draw maps for a living, and specialize in maps for academic books.
surprisedeelmaps.com
If that’s you, I can help! I draw maps for a living, and specialize in maps for academic books.
surprisedeelmaps.com