Maria van Lieshout
@vanlieshoutstudio.bsky.social
Dutch-American illustrator and graphic novelist. SF Bay Area. National Book Award longlist🐦⬛
songofablackbird.com
instagram.com/vanlieshoutstudio
linktr.ee/vanlieshoutstudio
songofablackbird.com
instagram.com/vanlieshoutstudio
linktr.ee/vanlieshoutstudio
So grateful and proud that School Library Journal selected Song of a Blackbird as one of the best books of 2025, under graphic novels! Thank you @SLJ.com for this wonderful honor!
#kidlit #SLJ #graphicnovels #songofablackbird #ww2 #bestof2025
#kidlit #SLJ #graphicnovels #songofablackbird #ww2 #bestof2025
November 21, 2025 at 8:11 PM
So grateful and proud that School Library Journal selected Song of a Blackbird as one of the best books of 2025, under graphic novels! Thank you @SLJ.com for this wonderful honor!
#kidlit #SLJ #graphicnovels #songofablackbird #ww2 #bestof2025
#kidlit #SLJ #graphicnovels #songofablackbird #ww2 #bestof2025
Congratulations to Daniel Nayeri for winning the National Book Award for the exquisite Teacher of Nomad Land!
November 20, 2025 at 2:51 AM
Congratulations to Daniel Nayeri for winning the National Book Award for the exquisite Teacher of Nomad Land!
Hope as a Warrior Emotion. Read about how belief in a better future is the best antidote to complacency, desperation and cynicism.
Open mind. Open heart🐦⬛
open.substack.com/pub/mariavan...
#blackbird #hope #songofablackbird #kidlit #graphicnovel #resistance
Open mind. Open heart🐦⬛
open.substack.com/pub/mariavan...
#blackbird #hope #songofablackbird #kidlit #graphicnovel #resistance
November 18, 2025 at 7:38 PM
Hope as a Warrior Emotion. Read about how belief in a better future is the best antidote to complacency, desperation and cynicism.
Open mind. Open heart🐦⬛
open.substack.com/pub/mariavan...
#blackbird #hope #songofablackbird #kidlit #graphicnovel #resistance
Open mind. Open heart🐦⬛
open.substack.com/pub/mariavan...
#blackbird #hope #songofablackbird #kidlit #graphicnovel #resistance
Are you going to NCTE25? Still around Sunday or Monday?Come find me! Would love to connect!
Sunday 11/23 5PM-6:30PM
ALAN reception Four Seasons Ballroom 2-3
Monday 11/24 8:30AM-8:55AM
Stand UP & Fight panel
Sunday 11/23 5PM-6:30PM
ALAN reception Four Seasons Ballroom 2-3
Monday 11/24 8:30AM-8:55AM
Stand UP & Fight panel
November 16, 2025 at 11:24 PM
Are you going to NCTE25? Still around Sunday or Monday?Come find me! Would love to connect!
Sunday 11/23 5PM-6:30PM
ALAN reception Four Seasons Ballroom 2-3
Monday 11/24 8:30AM-8:55AM
Stand UP & Fight panel
Sunday 11/23 5PM-6:30PM
ALAN reception Four Seasons Ballroom 2-3
Monday 11/24 8:30AM-8:55AM
Stand UP & Fight panel
Making book plates for NCTE/ALAN at NCTE25! I will be giving the book plates away with my MAKE ART stickers. Are you going? Come find me!
Sunday 11/23 5PM-6:30PM
ALAN reception Four Seasons Ballroom 2-3
Monday 11/24 8:30AM-8:55AM
Stand UP & Fight panel
#ncte #kidlit #teachers
Sunday 11/23 5PM-6:30PM
ALAN reception Four Seasons Ballroom 2-3
Monday 11/24 8:30AM-8:55AM
Stand UP & Fight panel
#ncte #kidlit #teachers
November 13, 2025 at 9:10 PM
Left: a scene from my graphic novel Song of a Blackbird about how Hitler branded the BBC as LYING PRESS for reporting on gas chambers.
On the right: The Trump administration labels BBC FAKE NEWS for reporting about the January 6 insurrection.
I’ll let you draw your own conclusions.
On the right: The Trump administration labels BBC FAKE NEWS for reporting about the January 6 insurrection.
I’ll let you draw your own conclusions.
November 8, 2025 at 11:56 PM
Left: a scene from my graphic novel Song of a Blackbird about how Hitler branded the BBC as LYING PRESS for reporting on gas chambers.
On the right: The Trump administration labels BBC FAKE NEWS for reporting about the January 6 insurrection.
I’ll let you draw your own conclusions.
On the right: The Trump administration labels BBC FAKE NEWS for reporting about the January 6 insurrection.
I’ll let you draw your own conclusions.
October 19, 2025 at 5:45 PM
Blackbirds are magic! Read about the meaning attributed to the birds by druids, mystics and by pop culture icons Paul McCartney and Beyonce. Link in bio/linktree.
open.substack.com/pub/mariavan...
#blackbirds #mythology #beyonce #paulmccartney #blackbiird #symbolism #ww2 #songofablackbird
open.substack.com/pub/mariavan...
#blackbirds #mythology #beyonce #paulmccartney #blackbiird #symbolism #ww2 #songofablackbird
October 1, 2025 at 7:23 PM
Blackbirds are magic! Read about the meaning attributed to the birds by druids, mystics and by pop culture icons Paul McCartney and Beyonce. Link in bio/linktree.
open.substack.com/pub/mariavan...
#blackbirds #mythology #beyonce #paulmccartney #blackbiird #symbolism #ww2 #songofablackbird
open.substack.com/pub/mariavan...
#blackbirds #mythology #beyonce #paulmccartney #blackbiird #symbolism #ww2 #songofablackbird
Thank you to Noa and Zakir, librarians extraordinaires at the International School Utrecht, for welcoming me into the school.
Meeting the ISU students was such a joy!
#authorvisit #schoolvisit #internationalschool #kidlit #graphicnovel
Meeting the ISU students was such a joy!
#authorvisit #schoolvisit #internationalschool #kidlit #graphicnovel
September 26, 2025 at 8:36 PM
Thank you to Noa and Zakir, librarians extraordinaires at the International School Utrecht, for welcoming me into the school.
Meeting the ISU students was such a joy!
#authorvisit #schoolvisit #internationalschool #kidlit #graphicnovel
Meeting the ISU students was such a joy!
#authorvisit #schoolvisit #internationalschool #kidlit #graphicnovel
Thank you so much to @kimtyodickerson.bsky.social and the librarian team at the International School Amsterdam for the wonderful author visit. What a privilege to visit your beautiful school. Till next, my friends!
#kidlit #authorvisit #schoolvisit #amsterdam #graphicnovel
#kidlit #authorvisit #schoolvisit #amsterdam #graphicnovel
September 25, 2025 at 10:29 PM
Thank you so much to @kimtyodickerson.bsky.social and the librarian team at the International School Amsterdam for the wonderful author visit. What a privilege to visit your beautiful school. Till next, my friends!
#kidlit #authorvisit #schoolvisit #amsterdam #graphicnovel
#kidlit #authorvisit #schoolvisit #amsterdam #graphicnovel
So this happened…
#nationalbookaward #longlist #graphicnovel #kidlit #youngpeoplesliterature #songofablackbird #fightHATEmakeART
#nationalbookaward #longlist #graphicnovel #kidlit #youngpeoplesliterature #songofablackbird #fightHATEmakeART
September 23, 2025 at 2:07 PM
Read today’s post/newsletter to learn about that time when a David Lynch-loving ninth grader taught me the art of revealing a secret. A secret hiding in Song of a Blackbird...
#graphicnovel #davidlynch #kidlit #hiddensecrets #ww2 #dropcaps
mariavanlieshout.substack.com/p/the-art-of...
#graphicnovel #davidlynch #kidlit #hiddensecrets #ww2 #dropcaps
mariavanlieshout.substack.com/p/the-art-of...
September 3, 2025 at 9:34 PM
Read today’s post/newsletter to learn about that time when a David Lynch-loving ninth grader taught me the art of revealing a secret. A secret hiding in Song of a Blackbird...
#graphicnovel #davidlynch #kidlit #hiddensecrets #ww2 #dropcaps
mariavanlieshout.substack.com/p/the-art-of...
#graphicnovel #davidlynch #kidlit #hiddensecrets #ww2 #dropcaps
mariavanlieshout.substack.com/p/the-art-of...
My first Cape and Cowl Con is in the books! It will certainly not be my last. Met so many comics lovers and book people, and got to hang out with old friends and new ones (@thiendog.bsky.social and @brianabreaks.bsky.social ). Thank you @capecowlcomics.bsky.social!
#comics #graphicnovels #kidlit
#comics #graphicnovels #kidlit
August 25, 2025 at 8:07 PM
My first Cape and Cowl Con is in the books! It will certainly not be my last. Met so many comics lovers and book people, and got to hang out with old friends and new ones (@thiendog.bsky.social and @brianabreaks.bsky.social ). Thank you @capecowlcomics.bsky.social!
#comics #graphicnovels #kidlit
#comics #graphicnovels #kidlit
I’ll be at @capecowlcomics.bsky.social Cape and Cowl Con on August 24th! It will be at Faction in Alameda.
Come out to say hi, and check out my graphic novel Song of a Blackbird🐦⬛
@firstsecond.bsky.social
#comiccon #factionbrewing #Alameda #graphicnovels #kidsbooks #yabooks
Come out to say hi, and check out my graphic novel Song of a Blackbird🐦⬛
@firstsecond.bsky.social
#comiccon #factionbrewing #Alameda #graphicnovels #kidsbooks #yabooks
August 13, 2025 at 6:20 PM
I’ll be at @capecowlcomics.bsky.social Cape and Cowl Con on August 24th! It will be at Faction in Alameda.
Come out to say hi, and check out my graphic novel Song of a Blackbird🐦⬛
@firstsecond.bsky.social
#comiccon #factionbrewing #Alameda #graphicnovels #kidsbooks #yabooks
Come out to say hi, and check out my graphic novel Song of a Blackbird🐦⬛
@firstsecond.bsky.social
#comiccon #factionbrewing #Alameda #graphicnovels #kidsbooks #yabooks
I am an immigrant. My friends are immigrants. My neighbors are immigrants... An immigrant takes my naturalization exam when I become a US citizen. She smiles when I pass because she knows what it means. She gives me a little American flag. She is what makes America great.
#Iamanimmigrant
#Iamanimmigrant
August 5, 2025 at 11:24 PM
I am an immigrant. My friends are immigrants. My neighbors are immigrants... An immigrant takes my naturalization exam when I become a US citizen. She smiles when I pass because she knows what it means. She gives me a little American flag. She is what makes America great.
#Iamanimmigrant
#Iamanimmigrant
Song of a Blackbird is coming to Amsterdam🐦⬛ Join me at the American Book Center where I’ll share the story behind the book and sign/personalize copies. Dutch and American editions will be available.
Reserve here: abc.nl/events/event...
#WW2 #kidlit #bookevent #amsterdam #graphicnovel #historical
Reserve here: abc.nl/events/event...
#WW2 #kidlit #bookevent #amsterdam #graphicnovel #historical
August 5, 2025 at 8:53 PM
Song of a Blackbird is coming to Amsterdam🐦⬛ Join me at the American Book Center where I’ll share the story behind the book and sign/personalize copies. Dutch and American editions will be available.
Reserve here: abc.nl/events/event...
#WW2 #kidlit #bookevent #amsterdam #graphicnovel #historical
Reserve here: abc.nl/events/event...
#WW2 #kidlit #bookevent #amsterdam #graphicnovel #historical
STOP STARVING CHILDREN. Killing children is always evil. When we stop feeling RAGE about the killing of innocent young lives, we have been influenced by the most sinister propaganda that aims to divide us, to make us feel hatred, fear, contempt or INDIFFERENCE towards other human beings.
July 26, 2025 at 10:45 PM
STOP STARVING CHILDREN. Killing children is always evil. When we stop feeling RAGE about the killing of innocent young lives, we have been influenced by the most sinister propaganda that aims to divide us, to make us feel hatred, fear, contempt or INDIFFERENCE towards other human beings.
The fine folks at @teachingbooks.bsky.social asked me to talk about Song of a Blackbird, specifically, what inspired the book, and how I talk about it when I visit schools. Have a listen!
#teachingbooks #schools #graphicnovel #kidlit #youngadult #ww2
school.teachingbooks.net/book_reading...
#teachingbooks #schools #graphicnovel #kidlit #youngadult #ww2
school.teachingbooks.net/book_reading...
July 17, 2025 at 5:03 PM
The fine folks at @teachingbooks.bsky.social asked me to talk about Song of a Blackbird, specifically, what inspired the book, and how I talk about it when I visit schools. Have a listen!
#teachingbooks #schools #graphicnovel #kidlit #youngadult #ww2
school.teachingbooks.net/book_reading...
#teachingbooks #schools #graphicnovel #kidlit #youngadult #ww2
school.teachingbooks.net/book_reading...
MAKE ART. Fight hate. Making art (and supporting art and books and music) is RESISTANCE. Read about why and how in my latest newsletter (link in Linktree/bio).
#streetart #makeart #fighthate #stickers #resistance
mariavanlieshout.substack.com/p/nazis-are-...
#streetart #makeart #fighthate #stickers #resistance
mariavanlieshout.substack.com/p/nazis-are-...
July 9, 2025 at 5:23 PM
MAKE ART. Fight hate. Making art (and supporting art and books and music) is RESISTANCE. Read about why and how in my latest newsletter (link in Linktree/bio).
#streetart #makeart #fighthate #stickers #resistance
mariavanlieshout.substack.com/p/nazis-are-...
#streetart #makeart #fighthate #stickers #resistance
mariavanlieshout.substack.com/p/nazis-are-...
Explain the DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE to me like I’m four.
“All men (and women) are EQUAL and entitled to LIFE, FREEDOM and HAPPINESS.
It’s THE SINGLE MOST IMPORTANT job of our government to make this happen.
When it does not, the PEOPLE must form a NEW GOVERNMENT.”
That’s it, folks.
#4thofjuly
“All men (and women) are EQUAL and entitled to LIFE, FREEDOM and HAPPINESS.
It’s THE SINGLE MOST IMPORTANT job of our government to make this happen.
When it does not, the PEOPLE must form a NEW GOVERNMENT.”
That’s it, folks.
#4thofjuly
July 3, 2025 at 10:28 PM
Explain the DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE to me like I’m four.
“All men (and women) are EQUAL and entitled to LIFE, FREEDOM and HAPPINESS.
It’s THE SINGLE MOST IMPORTANT job of our government to make this happen.
When it does not, the PEOPLE must form a NEW GOVERNMENT.”
That’s it, folks.
#4thofjuly
“All men (and women) are EQUAL and entitled to LIFE, FREEDOM and HAPPINESS.
It’s THE SINGLE MOST IMPORTANT job of our government to make this happen.
When it does not, the PEOPLE must form a NEW GOVERNMENT.”
That’s it, folks.
#4thofjuly
I hope you will subscribe to Blackbird Express 🐦⬛, about how stories from our past can open eyes, minds and hearts, by the creator of the historical graphic novel Song of a Blackbird.
mariavanlieshout.substack.com
#substack #newsletter #graphicnovel #history #historicalnovel
mariavanlieshout.substack.com
#substack #newsletter #graphicnovel #history #historicalnovel
June 24, 2025 at 1:01 AM
I hope you will subscribe to Blackbird Express 🐦⬛, about how stories from our past can open eyes, minds and hearts, by the creator of the historical graphic novel Song of a Blackbird.
mariavanlieshout.substack.com
#substack #newsletter #graphicnovel #history #historicalnovel
mariavanlieshout.substack.com
#substack #newsletter #graphicnovel #history #historicalnovel
Hurray! The Dutch edition of Song of a Blackbird🐦⬛ is on the shortlist for the Thea Beckman Award, given to the best historical youth book in the Netherlands!
#kidlit #historicalfiction #YAbooks #graphicnovel #award
#kidlit #historicalfiction #YAbooks #graphicnovel #award
June 23, 2025 at 11:35 PM
Hurray! The Dutch edition of Song of a Blackbird🐦⬛ is on the shortlist for the Thea Beckman Award, given to the best historical youth book in the Netherlands!
#kidlit #historicalfiction #YAbooks #graphicnovel #award
#kidlit #historicalfiction #YAbooks #graphicnovel #award
Quote by Iranian-French graphic novelist Marjane Satrapi. This is just about the best time I can think of to re-read her incredible graphic novel Persepolis.
#marjanesatrapi #persepolis #iran #war #graphicnovel
#marjanesatrapi #persepolis #iran #war #graphicnovel
June 22, 2025 at 8:56 PM
Quote by Iranian-French graphic novelist Marjane Satrapi. This is just about the best time I can think of to re-read her incredible graphic novel Persepolis.
#marjanesatrapi #persepolis #iran #war #graphicnovel
#marjanesatrapi #persepolis #iran #war #graphicnovel
As someone raised by parents whose lives were impacted profoundly by living through war as young children, I have seen what war does to children and the adults they grow into.
#fightHATE #makeART #warisbadforchildren
#fightHATE #makeART #warisbadforchildren
June 22, 2025 at 6:46 PM
As someone raised by parents whose lives were impacted profoundly by living through war as young children, I have seen what war does to children and the adults they grow into.
#fightHATE #makeART #warisbadforchildren
#fightHATE #makeART #warisbadforchildren