It's Comic-Con week! When I'm not wandering one of these places, you can find me in a panel room (so many writing and horror panels!!), cruising the show floor (my shopping list is nuts), or at one of the many off-sites. Come say hi! CON IS ON!!

Creators share examples from their work, educators discuss classroom use, and time is reserved for Q&A. I really look forward to seeing you at the Shiley Special Events Suite in the San Diego Central Library on Friday, July 24th at 1 PM! #SDCC #educomix

Will I see you at ALA today at 9:30 AM? Join me, Red, Katie, and Matthew Loux as we talk about the unique things comics have to offer readers - from the reluctant to the proficient and everyone in between. See you at the graphic novel/gaming stage (#1343)! #ala #educomix

There's also a lot of waffle ironing in Shaun Tan's THE ARRIVAL with a few departures for a double panel (rectangle), a splash page, or a double page spread.

Join @wendyparrisauthor.bsky.social , @cynthiapelayo.bsky.social, Katherine Riley, Becky Spratford & I as we discuss THE THRILL OF THE CHILL: TURNING FEAR INTO A CATALYST FOR CREATIVITY. Join us @C2E2 on Friday, 3/27 at 3:15 PM in room S402-B & at our signing at Anderson's #163. See you there!

I've been sitting on this announcement for a little while, but I can now officially confirm that Animal Rescue Friends: Friends Fur-Ever has been chosen as the One Book, One Batavia Youth Selection for Batavia Public Library District!

I just finished my very first book nook! I would definitely invest in some fine tweezers for the next one & would take the instruction booklet's advice to do all the gluing first, but I think it turned out lovely. I did take a little artistic license on the book covers and pictures, though. 😁

In the next month, I will be at *three* boozy bookfairs! These events are all ages with everything from picture books to adult nonfiction, every genre and book type in between. I hope to see you there!

Join me, Dr. Jason DeHart (@wordsimagesworlds.bsky.social), Dr. Christian Hines (@hinessolo.bsky.social ), Kane Lynch (@kaneicaruslynch.bsky.social), & the legendary Scott McCloud (@scottmccloud.bsky.social) as we discuss graphic texts for social emotional learning. Jason, Kane, & I will sign after.

Calling all #educomix folks attending #SDCC! Come attend this *incredible* panel at the Comic Conference for Educators and Librarians at the San Diego Central Library held alongside San Diego Comic Con! #kidlit #educomix

Ripley is back home and on the mend! Her sisters are giving her welcome home sniffs through the bars of her pen, where she (and I) will be for the foreseeable future. 🩷

Ripley is done with her surgery and on the good drugs. The surgeon had to improvise a bit because in addition to her luxated patella, she also had a torn ACL and a torn meniscus. Woof. Luckily, the recovery time and rehab plan is similar, and we look forward to having her home tomorrow. 🩷

Please send healing vibes toward my dog, Ripley, who is getting knee surgery today. And ulcer-soothing ones for me.

We pitched it as the first book in the series, and I will always hold out hope for a season 2 to get the green light. Until then, I hope you all enjoy the adventure with the students from Shackleton's School for Seekers. Aut inveniam viam aut faciam, my friends.

It's also about understanding that the gifts you've been given don't erase the challenges that come with them or those hardships that just happen to the same person.

Today, SEEKER SOCIETY hit stores, & readers can have a copy in their hands. If you or someone in your life who wants to read about shipwrecked superpowered kids trying desperately to survive & solve riddles about the mysterious island they've been stranded on, SEEKER SOCIETY is the book for you.

Over the years since that conversation, we pitched, got notes & revised under the guidance of Matthew Cody, the art of Zack Giallongo, & the colors of Whitney Cogar. The story hit Epic, & I watched my students check it out, but it didn't look like it was going to move to print... until last summer.

I hopped on board quickly, recognizing the app it would be published on as one I personally used with my students but unsure of the ultimate reach a digital library of books would have on students. This conversation took place in December 2019.

Welcome to the (print) world, SEEKER SOCIETY! A few years ago, Kyle Higgins and I met for drinks over Christmas, and he asked if I would be interested in co-writing a children's graphic novel.

Since I'm not seeing Disney push ads for this anywhere on social media, I'll do it for them. Ironheart premieres June 24th on Disney+ so make sure you tune in! Chicago, you better show up for your hometown show!! #ironheart #chicago

One of my jobs in college was working at the Barnes & Noble in downtown Naperville. I spent slow times writing stories on the back of receipt paper and borrowed just about everything with a dust jacket I could get my hands on.

Happy Free Comic Book Day, all! Check out your local comic shop and buy a few while you're out. #FCBD

I just finished CHILDREN OF VIRTUE AND VENGEANCE by @tomiadeyemi.bsky.social this morning, and now I'm just supposed to go to work? All day?🤯😡😭

See also: if you don't know what to serve for your wedding dinner. Ten years on, guests still bring it up as the best wedding dinner ever.

I got to sign a very beat up copy of my first book, ANIMAL RESCUE FRIENDS: FRIENDS FUR-EVER today. My heart is so full. 🩷🐕📚

I also got a print from local artist Brianna Boyd who also happened to be there enjoying the festivities! I can't wait to hang it in my classroom. 🩷

I had a wonderful evening at Yellow Bird Books in Aurora, IL, this past week for their first Galentine's Day celebration. There were art stations for needle felting, paper crafts, and bead art plus hot cocoa, tea, and other sweet snacks.

Happy (belated) 9th birthday to our first fur baby, Ripley! The fur may be getting whiter, but the snores are just as loud, the food thievery just as quick, and the cuddles just as sweet. Thanks for putting up with all of these dogs we keep bringing into your house.

I support all DEIA initiatives except for the increasing number of cats I have to look at while watching the ✨PUPPY✨ BOWL. 🐕‍🦺🐕🐩🐶