Andrea L. Mack

@andreamack

PB & MG writer. Kidlit book blogger (www.andrea-mack.blogspot.com). Grade 1 teacher. #12x12PB member. Mixed media collage artist. My writing projects often combine my love of baking, birds and board games with my passion for caring for our Earth. She/her.

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Andrea L. Mack@andreamack· 18d

#MG novel in verse NO MATTER WHAT THE DISTANCE by @cindybaldwinbooks.bsky.social was one I couldn’t put down. Lots of emotions with reading this, and a better understanding of cystic fibrosis or chronic health issues. Love thinking about what makes a friend. #kidlit #librarysky #teacherlibrarian 📚👍🏻

Coloured and line illustration of head on view of girl and father in a kayak, below the title, silhouette of dolphin curving over them and the title, bluish water and sunrise or sunset sky

Andrea L. Mack@andreamack· 20d

THE LAST HOPE SCHOOL FOR MAGICAL DELINQUENTS by Nicki Pau Preto reminded me of Harry Potter in structure. I especially liked how the MC learned about herself, becoming more confident. Loved the friendships, collaboration, over the top magic gone wrong. #edusky #kidlit #librarysky #middlegrade 📚👍🏻

Illustration of group of kids on a staircase in the shadows

Andrea L. Mack@andreamack· 21d

I really liked this nonfiction picture book DON’T CALL ME FiSH written by Charlotte Guillain and illustrated by Sally Agar. It IS confusing that so many creatures have fish in their names but aren’t actually fish. Great concept and fun facts. Will share with my Grade 1 students. 📚👍🏻 #kidlit #edusky

Cute drawing of jellyfish under the title

Andrea L. Mack@andreamack· 28d

TURN THE TIDE by Elaine Dimopoulos — #MGlit in verse is about finding way to belong in a new place and being true to what’s important to you. A girl moves to an island and takes on the challenge of eliminating plastic bags, while trying to develop friendships.📚👍🏻 #kidlit #librarysky #schoollibrarian

Illustration of three kids standing behind a large wave dotted with fish under the title

Andrea L. Mack@andreamack· Jul 6

Enjoyed this lovely #picturebook FIREFLY GALAXY by Sarah Nelson, all about protecting and celebrating fireflies. I especially loved the cut paper collage illustrations created by Estrellita Caracol. Would be great for preschool or K. #kidlit 📚👍🏻 #librarysky @barefootbooks.bsky.social

Paper collage illustration of three children at night with tiny glowing fireflies over their heads. The middle girl holds a jar and looks up.

Andrea L. Mack@andreamack· Jun 20

Loved this MG about protecting nature and learning to live with loss. A PROMISE TO PROTECT by Nikki Bergstresser has so many elements MG readers will connect with—school troubles, siblings, bullies, community. A diverse cast of characters that feel like real people. #CanKidLit #kidlit #edusky #📚👍🏻

Illustrated child with arm around very large tree trunk that has a banner with the title

Andrea L. Mack@andreamack· May 30

Really enjoyed TOUCHING GRASS by Kristy Jackson. Loved the premise of a boy who doesn’t like the outdoors learning about the land. Emotional, funny, great voice and lots of interesting details. Definitely a good one for a school collection!! 📚👍🏻 #kidlit #MGlit #cankidlit #SchoolLibrarian #edusky

Comic style Indigenous boy wearing a backpack and looking up from tablet with a stressed expression against a background that suggests trees, beneath the title

Andrea L. Mack@andreamack· Apr 5

Enjoyed this novel, Wild People Quiet, about a Métis woman beginning to reconnect with her past and her culture through the art of beading. #booksky #canlit

Prairie landscape of sky with clouds and field created using beadwork with book title overlaid on top

Andrea L. Mack@andreamack· Mar 30

Love how this early middle grade novel, THE ANXIOUS EXILE OF SARA SALT” shows how writing letters helps one girl make a difference to others and herself. A great read aloud for a junior classroom! 📚👍🏻 #cankidlit #kidlit #edusky #ireadcanadian @orcabook.bsky.social

Illustration of girl in shorts holding a notebook in front of a lying down dog, against a backdrop of city buildings.

Andrea L. Mack@andreamack· Mar 18

This early reader, Supervillains in Training: The Fantastic Freeze Ray, is so much fun! My grade 1 students will love it—lots of action, great illustrations and kid relatable problems. Great for a primary classroom! 👍🏻📚#kidlit #scholastic #edusky @kaileipewbooks.bsky.social

Andrea L. Mack@andreamack· Mar 17

In a few cleverly rhymed words, GOTCHA DAY, written by @deborahkerbel.com, illustrated by @udayana-lugo.bsky.social and published by @orcabooks, tells the story of how a stray dog comes to find their owner. I love the way this book introduces new vocabulary! A fun read. #kidlit 📚👍🏻 #edusky

Girl hugging a shaggy dog in a green field over the book title

Andrea L. Mack@andreamack· Feb 28

It was fun to try some balanced or busy activities from the teacher guide for the #picturebook I'M BUSY with my Gr 1 students. We ended up discussing being mindful of how time is spent on devices. (The guide is on @debbieohi.com.) #edusky #SchoolLibrarians @marciecolleen.bsky.social

Cartoony illustration of girl looking anxious, carrying and trailing a collection of papers and books under the book title with concerned flamingo friend looking on

Andrea L. Mack@andreamack· Feb 25

Thanks @12x12challenge.bsky.social and @heidieys.bsky.social for the wonderful AMA session. It was so inspiring!! "Do it because you love how...the creating feels." I'm looking forward to reading Heidi's MG verse novel, The Poetry of Car Mechanics. #kidlit #amwriting

Black silhouette of back to back human face and bird face against a weathered green background that has hints of trees. Illustration is below the title.

Andrea L. Mack@andreamack· Feb 24

Yay! So excited for the launch of I’M BUSY, illustrated by my friend @debbieohi.com and written by @michaelianblack.bsky.social. A busy girl, a flamingo and a potato trying to cope with life stresses — so great for discussions about emotions! #kidlit #edusky debbieohi.com/book/book-im...

Cartoon style illustration of girl trailing large pile of papers with concerned looking flamingo and book title in red

Andrea L. Mack@andreamack· Feb 19

So excited for I'M BUSY by Michael Ian Black and @debbieohi.com! I'm looking forward to reading this to my grade 1 students and trying out the cute door hanger craft (look for it on debbieohi.com) #kidlit #edusky #picturebook

Decorated paper door hanger that says I'm Busy Creating and has collage paper scraps stuck to it.

Cartoon style illustration of girl looking anxious trailing a collection of papers under the title I'm Busy

Andrea L. Mack@andreamack· Feb 17

Such an inspiring talk by @dangemeinhart.bsky.social via the Middle Grade Writers Group this evening. Now I’m excited to revise the opening of my MG. Also looking forward to reading Busted!

Illustration of dark haired kid with a black eye hanging out window of car below the title

Andrea L. Mack@andreamack· Feb 13

I’m so happy to be back in the 12 x 12 Picture Book Challenge again! I love how it motivates me to write more picture book drafts. If you're interested, find out more at www.12x12challenge.com/membership. (Registration ends 2/15/26.) #12x12PB #kidlit @12x12challenge.bsky.social

Andrea L. Mack@andreamack· Jan 26

I love stories about stuffed toys and pets, so I expected to enjoy this, but I especially liked the cat’s mission and how history was woven into this story. #kidlit #edusky #librarysky 📚👍🏻

Illustration of cute looking teddy bear in centre with cat’s face next to it, both under the title

Andrea L. Mack@andreamack· Jan 20

A recent collage I made during Collage Breakthrough with Catherine Rains. Making art always helps me get through difficult times. "Tomorrow never comes."

Square collage made from rectangular hand painted papers in different sizes, values of shades of Cerulean blue and degrees of pattern. Also includes a blue crayon leaf rubbing and two line flower sketches.

Andrea L. Mack@andreamack· Nov 27

Another great MG read for kids who love animals: A Wolf Called Fire by Rosanne Parry. Emotional and action-filled story about a wolf cub growing up and facing enemy wolves. 📚👍🏻 #kidlit #mgbooks #edusky

Illustration of grown wolf and two small cubs in front of a fiery background

Andrea L. Mack@andreamack· Nov 9

The Legend of the Last Library by Frank L. Cole—Fun middle grade fiction in a world where paper and books are rare. Lots of interesting ideas about the role of technology. Back of the book discussion questions included. #kidlit #librarysky 📚👍🏻

Small illustration of three kids and a dog beneath a giant open book with the novel title, surrounded by bookshelves

Andrea L. Mack@andreamack· Oct 25

So glad this book is still available through my public library! THE WATCHER by Jeanette Winter, published in 2011 by Schwartz & Wade, Random House Children’s, is a lovely book to introduce young children to some of Jane Goodall’s discoveries. 📚👍🏻 #kidlit #edusky

Illustration of woman looking through binoculars pointed directly at the viewer, illustrated chimpanzees hanging inside

Andrea L. Mack@andreamack· Oct 13

Holiday centrepiece with the results of my #gardening this year. A mystery vine produced 9 gourds.

Photo of zinnias, dahlias and snapdragons in a glass vase surrounded by ornamental gourds

Andrea L. Mack@andreamack· Oct 13

I love this cozy early chapter book series, The Heartwood Hotel by Kallie George, illustrated by Stephanie Graegin. The latest, Family Forever, includes a birthday related mystery. Not for every kid but for nature or animal lovers, an absorbing escape from our screen based world. #kidlit 📚👍🏻 #edusky

Illustrated mouse and squirrel inside a heart shape

Andrea L. Mack@andreamack· Oct 13

THOSE SHOES by Maribeth Boelts, illustrated by Noah Z. Jones, is a moving picture book about want vs need, making do and fitting in. Important reading material for all elementary students. #kidlit 📚👍🏻 #edusky #librarysky

Illustration of three boys on the street each wearing black shoes with white stripes and another boy walking by with plan white shoes and a glum expression

Andrea L. Mack@andreamack· Oct 2

Posting for a friend to bring more awareness to this rare inflammatory bone disease that primarily affects children and young adults.

Graphic of bone with purple ribbon over the words CRMO awareness Month (Chronic Recurrent Multifocal Osteomyletis)

Andrea L. Mack@andreamack· Sep 26

Pretty visitor!

Close up photo of monarch butterfly hanging from orange zinnia flower

Andrea L. Mack@andreamack· Sep 13

Love this chapter book, Amina Banana and the Formula for Friendship, about a Syrian girl finding her place in a new country and school! Important underlying themes of kindness and not being afraid to be yourself. Good for read alouds with class discussion. #kidlit #chapterbooks #eduskyprimary

Illustration of girl wearing hijab and backpack with school in the background

Andrea L. Mack@andreamack· Sep 13

What a fun treasure hunt and mystery in The Last Chance Academy: A Study in Secrets by @debbimichiko.bsky.social! I really liked the friendship issues, how the kids worked them out and learned trust. A good classroom book! #MG #kidlit #edusky 📚👍🏻 #childrensbooks

Illustration of girl in school uniform with cat by her feet walking in front of building with windows showing other kids inside

Andrea L. Mack@andreamack· Sep 9

This verse MG novel, All the Blues in the Sky by Renee Watson, about a teen grieving the loss of her best friend is so good! Excellent book to remind young people about getting through the hard parts of life, giving yourself grace and hope. #kidlit 📚👍🏻 #mg #ya #edusky