A.J. Irving 🩷💜💙
@ajirving.bsky.social
Mama. Wordsmith. Kidlit enthusiast. Lambda Literary Award Finalist. DANCE LIKE A LEAF, THE WISHING FLOWER, THE BI BOOK • Rep: @thejordache.bsky.social • she/her 🏳️🌈 https://ajirving.com/
Pinned
Happy news! THE BI BOOK by Cynthia Alonso and me made ALA Booklist’s 2025 Editors’ Choice Books for Youth list! We are honored! Congratulations to all the creators of these fantastic books! ✨ tinyurl.com/5xkyavh6 #kidlit #booksky
Reposted by A.J. Irving 🩷💜💙
An oldie but goodie - little froggo going for a skate on the pond ! 🤍
#kidlitart #illustration #cuteart #froggo
#kidlitart #illustration #cuteart #froggo
December 2, 2025 at 6:03 PM
An oldie but goodie - little froggo going for a skate on the pond ! 🤍
#kidlitart #illustration #cuteart #froggo
#kidlitart #illustration #cuteart #froggo
Reposted by A.J. Irving 🩷💜💙
It's not a badge of honor when books get banned. It stinks for everyone. For the book creators, who worked hard to create something special that now won't be shared. The kids who miss out. The librarians and teachers who are treated like criminals. And taxpayers who have to pay for this nonsense.
December 2, 2025 at 11:48 PM
It's not a badge of honor when books get banned. It stinks for everyone. For the book creators, who worked hard to create something special that now won't be shared. The kids who miss out. The librarians and teachers who are treated like criminals. And taxpayers who have to pay for this nonsense.
Reposted by A.J. Irving 🩷💜💙
Hello! 🐋🌟 I'm an illustrator & writer who is addicted to nature & neon and loves creating wild stories! 🛼🤖
heycrystalsmith.com
IG@ hey.crystal.illustrates
Rep'd by @jemiscoe.bsky.social at Starling Literary + Media @starlingliterary.bsky.social
PBs - MAYBE A WHALE | MOTHER ASPEN
#kidlitart
heycrystalsmith.com
IG@ hey.crystal.illustrates
Rep'd by @jemiscoe.bsky.social at Starling Literary + Media @starlingliterary.bsky.social
PBs - MAYBE A WHALE | MOTHER ASPEN
#kidlitart
December 2, 2025 at 11:50 PM
Hello! 🐋🌟 I'm an illustrator & writer who is addicted to nature & neon and loves creating wild stories! 🛼🤖
heycrystalsmith.com
IG@ hey.crystal.illustrates
Rep'd by @jemiscoe.bsky.social at Starling Literary + Media @starlingliterary.bsky.social
PBs - MAYBE A WHALE | MOTHER ASPEN
#kidlitart
heycrystalsmith.com
IG@ hey.crystal.illustrates
Rep'd by @jemiscoe.bsky.social at Starling Literary + Media @starlingliterary.bsky.social
PBs - MAYBE A WHALE | MOTHER ASPEN
#kidlitart
Reposted by A.J. Irving 🩷💜💙
Seriously, I'm crying.
Happy news! THE BI BOOK by Cynthia Alonso and me made ALA Booklist’s 2025 Editors’ Choice Books for Youth list! We are honored! Congratulations to all the creators of these fantastic books! ✨ tinyurl.com/5xkyavh6 #kidlit #booksky
December 2, 2025 at 5:50 PM
Seriously, I'm crying.
Reposted by A.J. Irving 🩷💜💙
So lovely to see TWO Bookhive picture books on this wonderful list from Mombian! THE BI BOOK and I WANT TO DANCE IN PANTS!
Stoked to see THE BI BOOK by Cynthia Alonso & me included in this fabulous holiday gift guide of 2025 LGBTQ+ picture books and chapter books! Thank you, @mombian.bsky.social! 🌈 📚 🎁 #kidlit #queerkidlit #booksky
What you should be reading
December 1, 2025 at 9:21 PM
So lovely to see TWO Bookhive picture books on this wonderful list from Mombian! THE BI BOOK and I WANT TO DANCE IN PANTS!
Reposted by A.J. Irving 🩷💜💙
⭐️Today is the day! ⭐️
Every single important #PBRisingStars 2026 date is officially live on our website!
So run, don’t walk, to pbrisingstars.com to learn more and see what our FIFTH and FINAL year of mentorship has in store!
#kidlit #kidlitart #kidlitillustration #kidlitartist #kidlitpostcard
Every single important #PBRisingStars 2026 date is officially live on our website!
So run, don’t walk, to pbrisingstars.com to learn more and see what our FIFTH and FINAL year of mentorship has in store!
#kidlit #kidlitart #kidlitillustration #kidlitartist #kidlitpostcard
December 1, 2025 at 2:39 PM
⭐️Today is the day! ⭐️
Every single important #PBRisingStars 2026 date is officially live on our website!
So run, don’t walk, to pbrisingstars.com to learn more and see what our FIFTH and FINAL year of mentorship has in store!
#kidlit #kidlitart #kidlitillustration #kidlitartist #kidlitpostcard
Every single important #PBRisingStars 2026 date is officially live on our website!
So run, don’t walk, to pbrisingstars.com to learn more and see what our FIFTH and FINAL year of mentorship has in store!
#kidlit #kidlitart #kidlitillustration #kidlitartist #kidlitpostcard
Reposted by A.J. Irving 🩷💜💙
HAPPY HOLIDAY SEASON! I've got three books out in the world that you can get your hot little hands on. They are great for kiddos ages 10-14 (but there are SECRET messages for older people). It would be SUPER COOL if you ordered them from your local indie bookstore!
November 28, 2025 at 9:03 PM
HAPPY HOLIDAY SEASON! I've got three books out in the world that you can get your hot little hands on. They are great for kiddos ages 10-14 (but there are SECRET messages for older people). It would be SUPER COOL if you ordered them from your local indie bookstore!
Reposted by A.J. Irving 🩷💜💙
November 28, 2025 at 1:48 PM
Stoked to see THE BI BOOK by Cynthia Alonso & me included in this fabulous holiday gift guide of 2025 LGBTQ+ picture books and chapter books! Thank you, @mombian.bsky.social! 🌈 📚 🎁 #kidlit #queerkidlit #booksky
November 28, 2025 at 4:24 PM
Stoked to see THE BI BOOK by Cynthia Alonso & me included in this fabulous holiday gift guide of 2025 LGBTQ+ picture books and chapter books! Thank you, @mombian.bsky.social! 🌈 📚 🎁 #kidlit #queerkidlit #booksky
Happy birthday to my Mama! 💕❤️💕
November 27, 2025 at 7:38 PM
Happy birthday to my Mama! 💕❤️💕
Reposted by A.J. Irving 🩷💜💙
Super excited to finally share this beautiful character art I commissioned from the wonderful @camishroom.bsky.social !
Enjoy this little intro to the main characters of CULL ME, MAYBE, Raff & Essa!
Enjoy this little intro to the main characters of CULL ME, MAYBE, Raff & Essa!
November 26, 2025 at 2:41 PM
Super excited to finally share this beautiful character art I commissioned from the wonderful @camishroom.bsky.social !
Enjoy this little intro to the main characters of CULL ME, MAYBE, Raff & Essa!
Enjoy this little intro to the main characters of CULL ME, MAYBE, Raff & Essa!
Reposted by A.J. Irving 🩷💜💙
PEN America has joined @readfreelyal.bsky.social and 6 other library and LGBTQ advocacy groups in expressing alarm at new anti-trans book ban policy in Alabama. pen.org/press-releas...
Advocates Alarmed Over New Alabama Ban On Youth Access To Trans Books In Libraries
Read Freely Alabama, Alabama Transgender Rights Action Coalition, PEN America, EveryLibrary, Authors Against Book Bans, National Coalition Against Censorship, American Booksellers for Free Expression,...
pen.org
November 21, 2025 at 8:23 PM
PEN America has joined @readfreelyal.bsky.social and 6 other library and LGBTQ advocacy groups in expressing alarm at new anti-trans book ban policy in Alabama. pen.org/press-releas...
Reposted by A.J. Irving 🩷💜💙
#FolktaleWeek Day 6: Storm
In Greek mythology, harpies personified the destructive power of storm winds. They're often characterized as ugly (as ferocious women often are), but I've always found them oddly beautiful.
@folktaleweek.bsky.social
#FolktaleWeek2025
#FolktaleweekStorm
In Greek mythology, harpies personified the destructive power of storm winds. They're often characterized as ugly (as ferocious women often are), but I've always found them oddly beautiful.
@folktaleweek.bsky.social
#FolktaleWeek2025
#FolktaleweekStorm
November 22, 2025 at 1:58 PM
#FolktaleWeek Day 6: Storm
In Greek mythology, harpies personified the destructive power of storm winds. They're often characterized as ugly (as ferocious women often are), but I've always found them oddly beautiful.
@folktaleweek.bsky.social
#FolktaleWeek2025
#FolktaleweekStorm
In Greek mythology, harpies personified the destructive power of storm winds. They're often characterized as ugly (as ferocious women often are), but I've always found them oddly beautiful.
@folktaleweek.bsky.social
#FolktaleWeek2025
#FolktaleweekStorm
Reposted by A.J. Irving 🩷💜💙
So very excited to be sharing this news! !My story about a lovestruck wizard trying to “cure” death and the beautiful grim reaper who slowly falls in love with being alive is slated to be published with Ace Books (Penguin Random House) in 2027!
November 20, 2025 at 4:26 PM
So very excited to be sharing this news! !My story about a lovestruck wizard trying to “cure” death and the beautiful grim reaper who slowly falls in love with being alive is slated to be published with Ace Books (Penguin Random House) in 2027!
Reposted by A.J. Irving 🩷💜💙
ANOTHA ONE
November 21, 2025 at 4:21 PM
ANOTHA ONE
Reposted by A.J. Irving 🩷💜💙
Y'ALL. @madeleinegunhart.bsky.social has been with me for years and we've had so many near misses. Last year I told her "Maybe try a cozy fantasy?" and CULL ME, MAYBE was born.
So thrilled for Madeleine and can't wait for more people to read this fantastic book.
AND! This is my first ADULT deal!
So thrilled for Madeleine and can't wait for more people to read this fantastic book.
AND! This is my first ADULT deal!
So very excited to be sharing this news! !My story about a lovestruck wizard trying to “cure” death and the beautiful grim reaper who slowly falls in love with being alive is slated to be published with Ace Books (Penguin Random House) in 2027!
November 20, 2025 at 5:56 PM
Y'ALL. @madeleinegunhart.bsky.social has been with me for years and we've had so many near misses. Last year I told her "Maybe try a cozy fantasy?" and CULL ME, MAYBE was born.
So thrilled for Madeleine and can't wait for more people to read this fantastic book.
AND! This is my first ADULT deal!
So thrilled for Madeleine and can't wait for more people to read this fantastic book.
AND! This is my first ADULT deal!
We get messages like this every day. Jail library patron ❤️ #ilovemyjob
November 22, 2025 at 1:30 AM
We get messages like this every day. Jail library patron ❤️ #ilovemyjob
Reposted by A.J. Irving 🩷💜💙
#FolktaleWeek Day 5: Charm
"Come away, O human child, to the waters and the wild, with a fairy, hand in hand. For the world's more full of weeping than you can understand." ~WB Yeats
@folktaleweek.bsky.social
#FolktaleWeek2025
#FolktaleweekCharm
@debrastyer
@louve.draws
@matejalukezic.bsky.social
"Come away, O human child, to the waters and the wild, with a fairy, hand in hand. For the world's more full of weeping than you can understand." ~WB Yeats
@folktaleweek.bsky.social
#FolktaleWeek2025
#FolktaleweekCharm
@debrastyer
@louve.draws
@matejalukezic.bsky.social
November 21, 2025 at 11:38 AM
#FolktaleWeek Day 5: Charm
"Come away, O human child, to the waters and the wild, with a fairy, hand in hand. For the world's more full of weeping than you can understand." ~WB Yeats
@folktaleweek.bsky.social
#FolktaleWeek2025
#FolktaleweekCharm
@debrastyer
@louve.draws
@matejalukezic.bsky.social
"Come away, O human child, to the waters and the wild, with a fairy, hand in hand. For the world's more full of weeping than you can understand." ~WB Yeats
@folktaleweek.bsky.social
#FolktaleWeek2025
#FolktaleweekCharm
@debrastyer
@louve.draws
@matejalukezic.bsky.social
Reposted by A.J. Irving 🩷💜💙
Honoring Children's Grief
Awareness Day with @ajirving.bsky.social and Claudia Navarro's #PB
DANCE LIKE A LEAF and
@jolenegutierrez.bsky.social, Shaian Gutierrez, and Gaby Zapata's #PB THE OFRENDA THAT WE BUILT. The perfect books for kids experiencing loss.
#kidlit #kidlitart #grief #loss
Awareness Day with @ajirving.bsky.social and Claudia Navarro's #PB
DANCE LIKE A LEAF and
@jolenegutierrez.bsky.social, Shaian Gutierrez, and Gaby Zapata's #PB THE OFRENDA THAT WE BUILT. The perfect books for kids experiencing loss.
#kidlit #kidlitart #grief #loss
November 20, 2025 at 10:55 PM
Honoring Children's Grief
Awareness Day with @ajirving.bsky.social and Claudia Navarro's #PB
DANCE LIKE A LEAF and
@jolenegutierrez.bsky.social, Shaian Gutierrez, and Gaby Zapata's #PB THE OFRENDA THAT WE BUILT. The perfect books for kids experiencing loss.
#kidlit #kidlitart #grief #loss
Awareness Day with @ajirving.bsky.social and Claudia Navarro's #PB
DANCE LIKE A LEAF and
@jolenegutierrez.bsky.social, Shaian Gutierrez, and Gaby Zapata's #PB THE OFRENDA THAT WE BUILT. The perfect books for kids experiencing loss.
#kidlit #kidlitart #grief #loss
Reposted by A.J. Irving 🩷💜💙
Congratulations A.J. and Cynthia!!! 📕🎉🎉🎉❤️💜🩷
Happy news! THE BI BOOK by Cynthia Alonso and me made ALA Booklist’s 2025 Editors’ Choice Books for Youth list! We are honored! Congratulations to all the creators of these fantastic books! ✨ tinyurl.com/5xkyavh6 #kidlit #booksky
November 20, 2025 at 1:45 AM
Congratulations A.J. and Cynthia!!! 📕🎉🎉🎉❤️💜🩷
Reposted by A.J. Irving 🩷💜💙
Shabbat Is and Just Shy of Ordinary made this list!
Gift Guide: Chanukah/Hanukkah 5786
Give a loved one celebrating the Festival of Lights the joy of queer Jewish literature! Kids Just Like Queen Esther by Ari Moffic and Kerry Olitzky (text) and Rena Yehuda Newman (illustration) Atara loves to wear her crown – to the library, to the dentist, even…
Give a loved one celebrating the Festival of Lights the joy of queer Jewish literature! Kids Just Like Queen Esther by Ari Moffic and Kerry Olitzky (text) and Rena Yehuda Newman (illustration) Atara loves to wear her crown – to the library, to the dentist, even…
Gift Guide: Chanukah/Hanukkah 5786
Give a loved one celebrating the Festival of Lights the joy of queer Jewish literature! Kids Just Like Queen Esther by Ari Moffic and Kerry Olitzky (text) and Rena Yehuda Newman (illustration) Atara loves to wear her crown – to the library, to the dentist, even to her swim lessons. It gives her confidence, and shows the world that she is a girl, not a boy, like everyone thought at first.
lgbtqreads.com
November 19, 2025 at 5:44 PM
Shabbat Is and Just Shy of Ordinary made this list!
Reposted by A.J. Irving 🩷💜💙
#FolktaleWeek Day 4: Book
There was a dutiful son whose mother fell gravely ill. He tried everything to get her better, but to no avail. All he could do was pray. One night, he met in his dream a mysterious old man who said that the mother would be cured if she ate 100 small animals. (1/?)
#kidlit
There was a dutiful son whose mother fell gravely ill. He tried everything to get her better, but to no avail. All he could do was pray. One night, he met in his dream a mysterious old man who said that the mother would be cured if she ate 100 small animals. (1/?)
#kidlit
November 20, 2025 at 11:57 AM
#FolktaleWeek Day 4: Book
There was a dutiful son whose mother fell gravely ill. He tried everything to get her better, but to no avail. All he could do was pray. One night, he met in his dream a mysterious old man who said that the mother would be cured if she ate 100 small animals. (1/?)
#kidlit
There was a dutiful son whose mother fell gravely ill. He tried everything to get her better, but to no avail. All he could do was pray. One night, he met in his dream a mysterious old man who said that the mother would be cured if she ate 100 small animals. (1/?)
#kidlit
Reposted by A.J. Irving 🩷💜💙
#FolktaleWeek Day 3: Rain
This young blue frog did everything the opposite way his mom said. If she told him to go right, he would go left. If she said stay in, he would go out. (1/?)
#KidLitArt #KoreanFolktale
This young blue frog did everything the opposite way his mom said. If she told him to go right, he would go left. If she said stay in, he would go out. (1/?)
#KidLitArt #KoreanFolktale
November 19, 2025 at 4:03 PM
#FolktaleWeek Day 3: Rain
This young blue frog did everything the opposite way his mom said. If she told him to go right, he would go left. If she said stay in, he would go out. (1/?)
#KidLitArt #KoreanFolktale
This young blue frog did everything the opposite way his mom said. If she told him to go right, he would go left. If she said stay in, he would go out. (1/?)
#KidLitArt #KoreanFolktale
Happy news! THE BI BOOK by Cynthia Alonso and me made ALA Booklist’s 2025 Editors’ Choice Books for Youth list! We are honored! Congratulations to all the creators of these fantastic books! ✨ tinyurl.com/5xkyavh6 #kidlit #booksky
November 19, 2025 at 12:54 PM
Happy news! THE BI BOOK by Cynthia Alonso and me made ALA Booklist’s 2025 Editors’ Choice Books for Youth list! We are honored! Congratulations to all the creators of these fantastic books! ✨ tinyurl.com/5xkyavh6 #kidlit #booksky