Y’all, I’ve been going down this rabbit hole all day of information that suggests that those gifted and talented programs of the late 90’s and early 2000’s were really for neurodivergent kids, and baby… the information is kinda spilling.
I’m gagged a bit.
Listening to my 6yo complain that he has a live today instead of all the lessons being recorded because of some mystery reader this morning.
I’m the mystery reader. 😂
While you’re here, if you have young readers in your life, I tend to write characters who are heavily represented on this chart in one way or another—especially Xavier, the main character in my picture book coming out October 8th:
Xavier's Voice
“Write every day.”
Well who is going to watch these kids, work this job, cook these meals, get this rest, work this side job, preserve this mental health, conquer this laundry...
(Yeah, write when your life permits .)
Genuine question because I’m tired of wondering:
Do white picture book authors find it a little weird when their main characters are illustrated as POC?
Me-Go ahead and log in.
(8yo trying not to laugh)
Teacher-Hello friends, are we ready for our mystery reader?
6yo-😤Yeah but I have NO idea who it is.
Teacher-Mystery reader are you ready?
Me- (slides Chromebook over) Yup!
8yo-🤣
6yo-
I’m just a mom already emailing and asking for her son to get an alternate assignment about 9/11 that maybe doesn’t say Islamic terrorist so many times without any differentiation of actual Islam and that there is a difference that needs to be stressed. Words matter.
Aaliya Jaleel’s artwork is simply stunning! 😍 I can’t express how overjoyed I was when she agreed to illustrate my first story featuring a Black Muslim boy.
Thank you, Aaliya, for blessing THE MASJID KAMAL LOVES with your talents.
#coverreveal
(1/3)
today ❤️i feel so honored to have been invited to the white house this easter to read to the children the little mermaid “make a splash”💕✨🥹this was my first time ever seeing this book in person and watching the kids reaction to the story was my favorite part of it all 💗…
Did it get any better? Nope!
But it did also end with a high five and him saying “I’m glad you were the mystery reader today.”
I’ll take that as a win. Kids, huh?🤣💕
Reset my author goals & asked myself 2 questions:
1- “How bad do you want it?”
2- “How hard are you willing to work?”
So here I am, up early in my writing tent living the answers to these questions.
Today is my first swimming lessons ever. I am a bundle of nerves.
But…I found a swimming cap to fit ALL my locs, and it doesn’t feel like it’s squeezing my brain.
Winning!
I did it! Spent an hour a swimming and playing in the pool with my kids.
That’s one of the most meaningful things I’ve done with the money I’ve received from my books—
a couple years of swimming lessons for my kids, and I started 6 or so months ago.
Joy.☺️😆
It’s hard to believe that NOT QUITE SNOW WHITE came out 2 years ago.
Thanks to the teachers, librarians, parents, and readers big & small who embraced this book and continue to look forward to Tameika’s next story.
💗
@artsyebby
for her brilliant illustrations!
@HarperChildrens
I want y’all to know that the shade continued as I was reading. I foolishly asked this child if he wanted to help hold the book as I read.
He took it as an opportunity to air ALL his grievances.
Me:How many of you have stuffed animals like Tameika?
6yo: I used to have like 23.
Me: That’s awesome!
6yo: Yeah, but I only have like 3 now since you made me get rid of some.
Me:😒😒
One of the best things I’ve been able to do with the income I’ve made from writing is put my boys in swimming lessons twice a week. It’s a little thing but also a big thing.
One of my favorite pix from today’s author visit! Shoutout to my mom for the cape. Shout to
@chicotlrsd
for being a wonderful host—wonderful students & spectacular energy. They stole my heart.
If the kids in my novels (wip) appear to have overly smart mouths to you, I was stretching w/ my 7yo:
“😂Why are your legs so small. Like…you’re not even a real sized grown up. You’re like 3ft. tall right? Our legs like the same length.”
9yo- This book was amazing. Is there another one?
Me-Not that I know of.
9yo-What?! 😱Don’t you have writing friends? Ask her!😤
Me-We don’t ALL know each other.😩
The book in question:
@angiecthomas
I am not typically a confrontational person on social media. It's really just not my thing. I tend to stay in my own lane and try not to make too many waves.
However, something happened that recently made me speak up.
Sometimes…I just wish there were writing retreats that came with like a voucher or “fly your kids to their nearest relatives on us” perk.
Being an author mom with no immediate family around is wildly hard sometimes. I’m lying. It’s hard most times.
Let’s hear it for me having no sense of direction!
I totally got lost in the library and look who I ran into! He was the absolute nicest, and I think I fangirled a respectable amount😂
It’s a good day for a 🚨Cover Reveal! 🚨
To check out the cover of BETTER TOGETHER, CINDERELLA (illustrated by
@artsyebby
) head on over to
@taralazar
’s blog & see Tameika in true royal fashion:
@HarperChildrens
@KatRushall
Today’s the day! Thanks to everyone who helped usher this book into the world.
And if you haven’t been watching the cartoon, what are you waiting for?!
#MoonGirlAndDevilDinosaur
I…I got a chance to meet
@HalleBailey
yesterday, and she is absolutely delightful.
#kidlit
for the win. Let’s go picture book writers! 🎉
Grab
#TheLittleMermaid
: Make a Splash if you haven’t already.
@EyeOfTheBerger
It was either on here or Instagram—one of those times where I saved the image, went to read more, and it was lost to an unintended refresh.😫
Me: Alright, after today, I'll be done revising these 3 picture book manuscripts and can really dig into my MG novel.
Also me: *jots down 4 new picture book manuscript ideas*
Almost forgot this gem from last night!
Me:Bedtime!
5:Why?
Me:Because it’s getting late and I told you it was almost time.
5:No!
Me:🤨😒😠
5:😤😫*runs to his room* I HOPE A MOSQUITO & A BEAR EAT YOUR BUTT! BEAR EATS ONE SIDE. MOSQUITO THE OTHER & YOU’LL BE LIKE OH NO, MY BUTT!