Emily Starr
@emilystarr.bsky.social
1.2K followers 1.6K following 21 posts
#Kidlit author | StarrMatica CEO | Science curriculum and PD writer | IA State Science Leadership Team Member | Nonfiction fanatic | Elementary #STEM advocate SCBWI | 12x12
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What a thrill it was to have the opportunity to "talk science" with my mentor, Kirsten Larson!
🌟 New episode! Kids are naturally curious. @emilystarr.bsky.social  joins me on the podcast to talk about NGSS, inquiry-based learning, and how authors can create STEM books that truly support teachers. 🎙️ Watch here 👉 https://youtu.be/Yl7Kk7Jy1kE
#STEMbooks #KidLit #NGSS #STEMeducation #Nonfiction
I just polished the slides for the first webinar in my K-5 Science Deep Dive. There is still time to sign up to explore the science and engineering practices at 11 am CDT. All webinars are recorded, and the handouts are stellar! Learn more: www.starrmatica.com/kidlitscienc...
When I am here, it is to share something exciting!

Do you write STEM-themed nonfiction or fiction? Join me for a deep dive into K-5 science! Attend 1 session or all 5 in this webinar series designed to help #kidlit creators master the seismic shifts in science ed.
starrmatica.com/kidlitscienc...
Thank you for reposting, Carrie! I've been wanting to offer this deep dive for awhile. I can't wait to share!
Do you write STEM picture books? Come learn about the inner workings of elementary science classrooms to strengthen your partnership with educators and deepen your positive impact on young readers!

You can learn more and register here: www.starrmatica.com/kidlitscience
Laptop! Hand cramps are a real thing...though so is carpal tunnel from too much typing. :-)
My nearest indie bookstore is an hour and a half drive from my home, so I always seek one out when traveling. Next Page Books in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, filled me with wonder and delight. Of course, I bought two favorites from a fellow Iowa author!
Peacocks! What a strange call they make. I have now visited two farms within a few miles of my home that have peacocks!
I need to keep a spotlight in the back of my car. This would have made for a very interesting photograph before the sun went down. Make a prediction and then check the comments to see what wildlife was making a ruckus in this tree near my home in Iowa last night.
Reposted by Emily Starr
Sometimes your books take you the most amazing places and give you the most incredible opportunities... #lovemyjob
I'm a LEGO Minifigure! Check out this video to learn how this happened www.youtube.com/shorts/VBhFe...
And learn about World Book Day in London next March! #kidlitcommunity #science
It has been a fantastic week of learning! Thank you!
It is a few years old, so I was in need of a new one/ Thank goodness for Black Friday deals! Copying and pasting every "l" is slowing me down! I've been using a / instead of the period and doing a find and replace/ 😊
I also apparently need to clean my keyboard!
When you write so much that two keys call it quits... I guess I need to make more exclamations and ask an uncomfortable number of questions in the near future!
It is fun to celebrate the successes of agent siblings!
Releasing a book into the world is fun and scary—will anyone connect? I’m so grateful that a reviewer at Kirkus gave ONE STEP FORWARD a starred review! ⭐️
A photo of the book cover One Step Forward by Marcie Flinchum Atkins. Kirkus starred review. Versify 2025 “Four sisters support one another in the turbulent fight for women’s right to vote in early-20th-century America. Successfully conveys the grit, trauma, and violence of the times, adeptly emphasizing the activists’ doubt, pride, persistence, and exhaustion. Atkins’ skillful use of concrete poetry greatly enhances the work. Powerful, necessary reading."
It blew my mind when I first learned about it! I need to know what happened!!
This is such a great phenomenon for kids to notice and wonder about My favorite geologic mystery is The Great Unconformity where 250 to 1200 million years of the rock record are missing! 😶
Butt-breathing turtles, Mars mountains, and ninja sea urchins fill the pages of this week's Five Friday Favorites!
starrmatica.com/five-friday-...
What were your favorite reads this week?

#KidsLoveNonfiction #kidlit #EduSky #teachers #librarians
Five nonfiction book covers are shown on a graphic titled: Five Friday Favorites. Also shown is a graphic of a girl hugging a stack of books.
One of the most powerful, yet simple, nonfiction strategies I share is engaging students in noticing and wondering with science phenomena before a read aloud. Check out a few examples on my blog:

starrmatica.com/engaging-stu...

#STEMForKids #teachers #librarians #KidsLoveNonfiction #kidlit
Image title: Engaging with Science Phenomena in Ela Images include: Screen shots of a map, the picture book "Make Way for Animals" and elk crossing a road next to a clip art graphic of an open book and science objects.
Reposted by Emily Starr
It's Time for the Sibert Smackdown!
Introduce students to great nonfiction titles that may win the ALA Youth Media Award's Sibert Medal.
tinyurl.com/y7ka7dp8
#edusky #kidlit #kidslovenonfiction
Every Friday on StarrMatica's blog, I share five favorite nonfiction picture books I read (or re-read!) the previous week. Are any of these new to you?

starrmatica.com/five-friday-...
Reposted by Emily Starr
The #PBParty finalist showcase is open. Wahoooo!

I can't wait for you to read the incredible entries & see the stunning illustrations.

Comments are for agent/editor/AD requests only.

mindyalyseweiss.com/...

Author/illus entries are at the end before the Illustration Showcase