Jolene Gutiérrez | Kidlit Author & Teacher Librarian
@writerjolene.bsky.social
#Kidlit writer 📚 #SCBWI member 📚 Teacher librarian in a haunted library 👻 TOO MUCH! AN OVERWHELMING DAY '23 ✨ THE OFRENDA THAT WE BUILT '24 ✨ MAMIACHI AND ME '25 ✨ UNBREAKABLE: A JAPANESE AMERICAN FAMILY IN AN AMERICAN INCARCERATION CAMP '26 ✨
I'm incredibly excited to present at the National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE) annual conference November 21-23 in Denver alongside many other amazing teachers and authors! I'll also be doing signings with Abrams and Chronicle--more details in the first image.
#teacher #author #kidlit
#teacher #author #kidlit
November 16, 2025 at 3:43 AM
It's time to PARTY! If you're like Birdy and find parties overwhelming, PARTY PANIC might be the book for you!
I'm so excited to have another book with Angel Chang through Abrams Kids and am so grateful to Kaitlyn Sanchez for helping make it possible!
I'm so excited to have another book with Angel Chang through Abrams Kids and am so grateful to Kaitlyn Sanchez for helping make it possible!
November 12, 2025 at 3:27 AM
It's time to PARTY! If you're like Birdy and find parties overwhelming, PARTY PANIC might be the book for you!
I'm so excited to have another book with Angel Chang through Abrams Kids and am so grateful to Kaitlyn Sanchez for helping make it possible!
I'm so excited to have another book with Angel Chang through Abrams Kids and am so grateful to Kaitlyn Sanchez for helping make it possible!
Last week, during my fall break from Denver Academy, I was fortunate to have Shaian come present about ofrendas and read our book The Ofrenda That We Built with me at Meadowlark School! It was such a beautiful morning of community and connection--the kids and teachers were amazing!
October 25, 2025 at 2:10 AM
Last week, during my fall break from Denver Academy, I was fortunate to have Shaian come present about ofrendas and read our book The Ofrenda That We Built with me at Meadowlark School! It was such a beautiful morning of community and connection--the kids and teachers were amazing!
I'm so honored that Elizabeth Weiss Verdick interviewed me for Bookology Magazine! I LOVE so many of Elizabeth's books, but MAKE WAY FOR HARRIET AND MAY is a special book with similarities to my book TOO MUCH! AN OVERWHELMING DAY. We discuss that & more here
www.bookologymagazine.com/interviews/g...
www.bookologymagazine.com/interviews/g...
October 15, 2025 at 2:54 AM
I'm so honored that Elizabeth Weiss Verdick interviewed me for Bookology Magazine! I LOVE so many of Elizabeth's books, but MAKE WAY FOR HARRIET AND MAY is a special book with similarities to my book TOO MUCH! AN OVERWHELMING DAY. We discuss that & more here
www.bookologymagazine.com/interviews/g...
www.bookologymagazine.com/interviews/g...
THIS Saturday, October 4 at 10:30 am at the Denver Botanic Gardens Helen Fowler Library! We'll be doing a special ofrenda-themed storytime featuring THE OFRENDA THAT WE BUILT by Shaian, @gabbyzapata.bsky.social, and me!
#kidlit #kidlitart #picturebooks #storytime #ofrenda #diademuertos #teacher
#kidlit #kidlitart #picturebooks #storytime #ofrenda #diademuertos #teacher
October 2, 2025 at 11:44 AM
THIS Saturday, October 4 at 10:30 am at the Denver Botanic Gardens Helen Fowler Library! We'll be doing a special ofrenda-themed storytime featuring THE OFRENDA THAT WE BUILT by Shaian, @gabbyzapata.bsky.social, and me!
#kidlit #kidlitart #picturebooks #storytime #ofrenda #diademuertos #teacher
#kidlit #kidlitart #picturebooks #storytime #ofrenda #diademuertos #teacher
Spotted on the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators blog: The SCBWI Crystal Kite Award Winners, including The Ofrenda That We Built by Shaian Gutiérrez, @gabbyzapata.bsky.social, and me! Thanks to Justin Campbell and Holly Thompson for blogging! 🥰🎉
scbwi.blogspot.com/2025/08/the-...
scbwi.blogspot.com/2025/08/the-...
August 21, 2025 at 11:54 AM
Spotted on the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators blog: The SCBWI Crystal Kite Award Winners, including The Ofrenda That We Built by Shaian Gutiérrez, @gabbyzapata.bsky.social, and me! Thanks to Justin Campbell and Holly Thompson for blogging! 🥰🎉
scbwi.blogspot.com/2025/08/the-...
scbwi.blogspot.com/2025/08/the-...
What an honor! Too Much! An Overwhelming Day by @angelchang.bsky.social and me and published by Abrams is one of 20 Sakura Medal nominees this school year. Kids at International Schools in Japan will read the nominees and vote for the winner! 🎉
#kidlit #picturebook #teacher #librarian #library
#kidlit #picturebook #teacher #librarian #library
August 16, 2025 at 3:39 AM
What an honor! Too Much! An Overwhelming Day by @angelchang.bsky.social and me and published by Abrams is one of 20 Sakura Medal nominees this school year. Kids at International Schools in Japan will read the nominees and vote for the winner! 🎉
#kidlit #picturebook #teacher #librarian #library
#kidlit #picturebook #teacher #librarian #library
We're back to school and here's my first book review of the school year. I can't WAIT to share this one with my students! @stephaniegibeault.bsky.social is such a powerful nonfiction writer, and this true story brings so much heart as well. My review is here:
www.goodreads.com/review/show/...
www.goodreads.com/review/show/...
August 14, 2025 at 2:29 AM
We're back to school and here's my first book review of the school year. I can't WAIT to share this one with my students! @stephaniegibeault.bsky.social is such a powerful nonfiction writer, and this true story brings so much heart as well. My review is here:
www.goodreads.com/review/show/...
www.goodreads.com/review/show/...
I am SO honored to share the #coverreveal for a book I co-authored with Minoru Tonai, illustrated by Chris Sasaki, edited by Meredith Mundy, and published by ABRAMS Books.
Join us on the amazing Vivian Kirkfield's blog to learn more: viviankirkfield.com/2025/08/11/c...
🎉
Join us on the amazing Vivian Kirkfield's blog to learn more: viviankirkfield.com/2025/08/11/c...
🎉
August 11, 2025 at 12:26 PM
I am SO honored to share the #coverreveal for a book I co-authored with Minoru Tonai, illustrated by Chris Sasaki, edited by Meredith Mundy, and published by ABRAMS Books.
Join us on the amazing Vivian Kirkfield's blog to learn more: viviankirkfield.com/2025/08/11/c...
🎉
Join us on the amazing Vivian Kirkfield's blog to learn more: viviankirkfield.com/2025/08/11/c...
🎉
I had an amazing time with the LIFE (Library is for Everyone) patrons at the Fort Lupton Library this week! We read my books and talked about how I used my own experiences to inspire those stories.
Then, we made our own books! The Fort Lupton Library is such a beautiful resource for its community!
Then, we made our own books! The Fort Lupton Library is such a beautiful resource for its community!
July 31, 2025 at 5:25 AM
I had an amazing time with the LIFE (Library is for Everyone) patrons at the Fort Lupton Library this week! We read my books and talked about how I used my own experiences to inspire those stories.
Then, we made our own books! The Fort Lupton Library is such a beautiful resource for its community!
Then, we made our own books! The Fort Lupton Library is such a beautiful resource for its community!
I'm honored that THE OFRENDA THAT WE BUILT by Shaian, @gabbyzapata.bsky.social, & me won the Crystal Kite Award for the SW Division!
I'm grateful to my SCBWI friends for supporting this book of our hearts and so happy to see so many other friends' books on the awards list! Congratulations to all!
I'm grateful to my SCBWI friends for supporting this book of our hearts and so happy to see so many other friends' books on the awards list! Congratulations to all!
July 28, 2025 at 9:42 PM
I'm honored that THE OFRENDA THAT WE BUILT by Shaian, @gabbyzapata.bsky.social, & me won the Crystal Kite Award for the SW Division!
I'm grateful to my SCBWI friends for supporting this book of our hearts and so happy to see so many other friends' books on the awards list! Congratulations to all!
I'm grateful to my SCBWI friends for supporting this book of our hearts and so happy to see so many other friends' books on the awards list! Congratulations to all!
My friends who are @scbwi.bsky.social members, it's time to vote for the Crystal Kite Award finalists in any/all regions! Voting ends on July 18.
THE OFRENDA THAT WE BUILT by Shaian, @gabbyzapata.bsky.social, and me is a SW division finalist:
Learn more/vote here: www.scbwi.org/crystal-kite...
THE OFRENDA THAT WE BUILT by Shaian, @gabbyzapata.bsky.social, and me is a SW division finalist:
Learn more/vote here: www.scbwi.org/crystal-kite...
July 15, 2025 at 4:50 PM
My friends who are @scbwi.bsky.social members, it's time to vote for the Crystal Kite Award finalists in any/all regions! Voting ends on July 18.
THE OFRENDA THAT WE BUILT by Shaian, @gabbyzapata.bsky.social, and me is a SW division finalist:
Learn more/vote here: www.scbwi.org/crystal-kite...
THE OFRENDA THAT WE BUILT by Shaian, @gabbyzapata.bsky.social, and me is a SW division finalist:
Learn more/vote here: www.scbwi.org/crystal-kite...
What an honor! 😍
July 10, 2025 at 4:01 PM
What an honor! 😍
If you're an @scbwi member, it's time to vote for the Crystal Kite award finalists! THE OFRENDA THAT WE BUILT by Shaian, @gabbyzapata, and me is a Southwest division finalist: www.scbwi.org/crystal-kite... We'd appreciate your vote for this book of our hearts! 💖🎉
#scbwi #kidlit #crystalkiteaward
#scbwi #kidlit #crystalkiteaward
July 3, 2025 at 10:00 PM
If you're an @scbwi member, it's time to vote for the Crystal Kite award finalists! THE OFRENDA THAT WE BUILT by Shaian, @gabbyzapata, and me is a Southwest division finalist: www.scbwi.org/crystal-kite... We'd appreciate your vote for this book of our hearts! 💖🎉
#scbwi #kidlit #crystalkiteaward
#scbwi #kidlit #crystalkiteaward
Later this week, I'll be heading to ALA in Philadelphia! I'll be presenting and signing books, thanks to Denver Academy, Abrams, and @chroniclebooks.bsky.social! 💖🎉
Check out my schedule and come see me if you're attending!
#teacher #librarian #kidlit #neurodivergent #picturebook #picturebooks
Check out my schedule and come see me if you're attending!
#teacher #librarian #kidlit #neurodivergent #picturebook #picturebooks
June 23, 2025 at 2:50 PM
Later this week, I'll be heading to ALA in Philadelphia! I'll be presenting and signing books, thanks to Denver Academy, Abrams, and @chroniclebooks.bsky.social! 💖🎉
Check out my schedule and come see me if you're attending!
#teacher #librarian #kidlit #neurodivergent #picturebook #picturebooks
Check out my schedule and come see me if you're attending!
#teacher #librarian #kidlit #neurodivergent #picturebook #picturebooks
So much gratitude to Andrea Y. Wang for hosting me on the Picture Book Builders site for an interview about MAMIACHI & ME: MY MAMI'S MARIACHI BAND by Dakota Gutierrez, @msmirelle.bsky.social, and me today! There is a #giveaway!
picturebookbuilders.com/2025/06/mami...
#kidlit #picturebooks #teacher
picturebookbuilders.com/2025/06/mami...
#kidlit #picturebooks #teacher
June 18, 2025 at 3:46 AM
So much gratitude to Andrea Y. Wang for hosting me on the Picture Book Builders site for an interview about MAMIACHI & ME: MY MAMI'S MARIACHI BAND by Dakota Gutierrez, @msmirelle.bsky.social, and me today! There is a #giveaway!
picturebookbuilders.com/2025/06/mami...
#kidlit #picturebooks #teacher
picturebookbuilders.com/2025/06/mami...
#kidlit #picturebooks #teacher
Learn more about The Ofrenda That We Built, the book that Shaian, @gabbyzapata.bsky.social, and I created on Kathy Temean's blog today! There's a #giveaway! kathytemean.wordpress.com/2025/06/10/b...
#kidlit #picturebooks #author #writer #teachers #librarian #libraries #teacherlife
#kidlit #picturebooks #author #writer #teachers #librarian #libraries #teacherlife
June 11, 2025 at 3:13 PM
Learn more about The Ofrenda That We Built, the book that Shaian, @gabbyzapata.bsky.social, and I created on Kathy Temean's blog today! There's a #giveaway! kathytemean.wordpress.com/2025/06/10/b...
#kidlit #picturebooks #author #writer #teachers #librarian #libraries #teacherlife
#kidlit #picturebooks #author #writer #teachers #librarian #libraries #teacherlife
We're just a couple of weeks away from the annual @amlibraryassoc.bsky.social conference in Philadelphia! Thanks to Denver Academy, I'll be presenting, and thanks to Abrams and Chronicle Books, I'll be doing book signings, too! Learn more here: cdmcd.co/3RBkK6
#kidlit #libraries #librarian
#kidlit #libraries #librarian
June 10, 2025 at 3:10 AM
We're just a couple of weeks away from the annual @amlibraryassoc.bsky.social conference in Philadelphia! Thanks to Denver Academy, I'll be presenting, and thanks to Abrams and Chronicle Books, I'll be doing book signings, too! Learn more here: cdmcd.co/3RBkK6
#kidlit #libraries #librarian
#kidlit #libraries #librarian
Do you want to learn more about my writing process and purchase some books that will support a local independent bookstore? Read my interview with 32nd Avenue Books here: 32ndavenuebooks.indiecommerce.com/childrens-bo...
#kidlit #author #PictureBooks #amwriting #bookstore #bookstagram
#kidlit #author #PictureBooks #amwriting #bookstore #bookstagram
June 9, 2025 at 3:51 AM
Do you want to learn more about my writing process and purchase some books that will support a local independent bookstore? Read my interview with 32nd Avenue Books here: 32ndavenuebooks.indiecommerce.com/childrens-bo...
#kidlit #author #PictureBooks #amwriting #bookstore #bookstagram
#kidlit #author #PictureBooks #amwriting #bookstore #bookstagram
Hi, all! If you're an SCBWI member, it's time to vote for the Crystal Kite awards! THE OFRENDA THAT WE BUILT by Shaian, @gabbyzapata.bsky.social, and me is included in the Southwest Division
www.scbwi.org/crystal-kite... We would appreciate your vote for this book of our hearts! 💖🎉
www.scbwi.org/crystal-kite... We would appreciate your vote for this book of our hearts! 💖🎉
June 6, 2025 at 5:20 PM
Hi, all! If you're an SCBWI member, it's time to vote for the Crystal Kite awards! THE OFRENDA THAT WE BUILT by Shaian, @gabbyzapata.bsky.social, and me is included in the Southwest Division
www.scbwi.org/crystal-kite... We would appreciate your vote for this book of our hearts! 💖🎉
www.scbwi.org/crystal-kite... We would appreciate your vote for this book of our hearts! 💖🎉
Join me this Sunday, June 1, from 10:00-12:00 at Second Star to the Right Books's Farmers Market booth! I'll be signing books and enjoying the gorgeous weather. Learn more here:
events.humanitix.com/authors-at-t...
#kidlit #picturebooks #author #teacher #librarian #libraries
events.humanitix.com/authors-at-t...
#kidlit #picturebooks #author #teacher #librarian #libraries
May 28, 2025 at 1:34 AM
Join me this Sunday, June 1, from 10:00-12:00 at Second Star to the Right Books's Farmers Market booth! I'll be signing books and enjoying the gorgeous weather. Learn more here:
events.humanitix.com/authors-at-t...
#kidlit #picturebooks #author #teacher #librarian #libraries
events.humanitix.com/authors-at-t...
#kidlit #picturebooks #author #teacher #librarian #libraries
I was interviewed by the gracious Belen Ward while I was at @fortluptonlibrary's Cinco de Mayo celebration! Here's the article:
coloradocommunitymedia.com/2025/05/07/l...
#kidlit #storytime #picturebook #cincodemayo #familia #family #authorlife #teachers #librarians #libraries
coloradocommunitymedia.com/2025/05/07/l...
#kidlit #storytime #picturebook #cincodemayo #familia #family #authorlife #teachers #librarians #libraries
May 12, 2025 at 1:45 AM
I was interviewed by the gracious Belen Ward while I was at @fortluptonlibrary's Cinco de Mayo celebration! Here's the article:
coloradocommunitymedia.com/2025/05/07/l...
#kidlit #storytime #picturebook #cincodemayo #familia #family #authorlife #teachers #librarians #libraries
coloradocommunitymedia.com/2025/05/07/l...
#kidlit #storytime #picturebook #cincodemayo #familia #family #authorlife #teachers #librarians #libraries
Last weekend, I was at the Fort Lupton Library sharing Mamiachi & Me and celebrating with the community for Cinco de Mayo AND Dakota Gutierrez and I visited the Castle Rock Library to read Mamiachi & Me and The Ofrenda That We Built and sign books. It was a weekend of library/literary celebrations!
May 11, 2025 at 4:18 AM
Last weekend, I was at the Fort Lupton Library sharing Mamiachi & Me and celebrating with the community for Cinco de Mayo AND Dakota Gutierrez and I visited the Castle Rock Library to read Mamiachi & Me and The Ofrenda That We Built and sign books. It was a weekend of library/literary celebrations!
Dakota and I opened a package from Abrams Publishing together while we were at the Douglas County Library Castle Rock branch today. It was the Spanish version of Mamiachi & Me, Mamiachi Y Yo! It's so beautiful! 😍🎉
#kidlit #spanish #español #musica #libros #books #picturebook #music #familia #family
#kidlit #spanish #español #musica #libros #books #picturebook #music #familia #family
May 4, 2025 at 2:55 AM