Harold Underdown
@hunderdown.bsky.social
I'm a children's book editor, teacher and workshop presenter, owner of The Purple Crayon website -- www.underdown.org
I post about #kidlit, but I do have opinions about other things and will share them as well.
I post about #kidlit, but I do have opinions about other things and will share them as well.
Pinned
Kindling Words is holding an auction to benefit our scholarship fund, with signed #kidlit and #yalit books, consultations, critiques, and more!
See what's being offered here: www.32auctions.com/KindlingWords
See what's being offered here: www.32auctions.com/KindlingWords
A success story: www.theguardian.com/environment/...
‘We like it a lot’: how Romania created the largest deposit return scheme in the world
In the two years since the system was launched, beverage-packaging collection and recycling has risen to 94%
www.theguardian.com
November 27, 2025 at 5:32 PM
A success story: www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Reposted by Harold Underdown
Nov. 27, 1775: "I am more and more convinced that Man is a dangerous creature, and that power whether vested in many or a few is ever grasping, and like the grave cries give, give." Abigail Adams offer her husband, John Adams, some ideas on governing if a separation from Britain comes. 1/4
November 27, 2025 at 2:53 PM
Nov. 27, 1775: "I am more and more convinced that Man is a dangerous creature, and that power whether vested in many or a few is ever grasping, and like the grave cries give, give." Abigail Adams offer her husband, John Adams, some ideas on governing if a separation from Britain comes. 1/4
Reposted by Harold Underdown
big late breaking news: the market monitor for the largest energy grid in the u.s., covering much of the midwest and mid-atlantic, has called to block new data centers connections to the grid, saying current course of growth assures regular blackouts
No more PJM data centers unless they can be reliably served: market monitor
The PJM Interconnection’s market monitor urged the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to rule that large data centers can only come online if the grid operator can still meet reliability metrics.
www.utilitydive.com
November 27, 2025 at 1:17 AM
big late breaking news: the market monitor for the largest energy grid in the u.s., covering much of the midwest and mid-atlantic, has called to block new data centers connections to the grid, saying current course of growth assures regular blackouts
Reposted by Harold Underdown
Also, I’m just going to say it, if your objective is national security, I don’t think telling tens of thousands of combat-hardened veterans (and their many American brothers-in-arms) that you’re going to betray them and send them to die in their country, which you destabilized, is a great idea
Every time a US veteran snaps people fall all over each other to point out the effects of war and literal physical changes that PTSD triggers, but one Afghan veteran snaps and we’re going to shut down immigration for all Afghans forever and I bet they’re working on revoking parole wholesale
November 27, 2025 at 3:21 PM
Also, I’m just going to say it, if your objective is national security, I don’t think telling tens of thousands of combat-hardened veterans (and their many American brothers-in-arms) that you’re going to betray them and send them to die in their country, which you destabilized, is a great idea
Reposted by Harold Underdown
Hugely important from Daniel Hunter:
We’re entering a new phase of the resistance
We’re entering a new phase of the resistance
We’re entering a new phase of the resistance
Mapping the shift from shock to the beginnings of mass action over the last 10 months of the anti-authoritarian struggle in the U.S.
wagingnonviolence.org
November 27, 2025 at 11:47 AM
Hugely important from Daniel Hunter:
We’re entering a new phase of the resistance
We’re entering a new phase of the resistance
Reposted by Harold Underdown
Hugely useful
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
A year on from Trump’s victory, resistance is everywhere | Rebecca Solnit
Americans have shown a tremendous amount and variety of opposition – more than some may realize
www.theguardian.com
November 26, 2025 at 6:45 PM
Hugely useful
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Reposted by Harold Underdown
Hurrah! I TRUCK by @krschmittwrites.bsky.social and Jam Dong won the The ‘Look Closely’ Award A.K.A. The Walter Wick Award. Love that this book was recognized by both the Undies and the Endies!!
100scopenotes.com/2025/11/26/a...
100scopenotes.com/2025/11/26/a...
And the 2025 Endies Endpaper Awards Go To . . .
Announcing the winners of the 2025 Endies Endpaper Awards.
100scopenotes.com
November 26, 2025 at 5:34 PM
Hurrah! I TRUCK by @krschmittwrites.bsky.social and Jam Dong won the The ‘Look Closely’ Award A.K.A. The Walter Wick Award. Love that this book was recognized by both the Undies and the Endies!!
100scopenotes.com/2025/11/26/a...
100scopenotes.com/2025/11/26/a...
Grants for nightlife! How very New York: gothamist.com/arts-enterta...
NYC distributes first-ever nightlife grants, totaling over $350K
Cultural organizations across all five boroughs received awards.
gothamist.com
November 26, 2025 at 6:32 PM
Grants for nightlife! How very New York: gothamist.com/arts-enterta...
Reposted by Harold Underdown
Turns out Mamdani's controversial proposal for government-run supermarkets isn't so novel. Other cities also are toying with the idea to bring fresh, affordable food to communities that do not have easy access to it. Good WSJ read (gift link)
www.wsj.com/real-estate/...
www.wsj.com/real-estate/...
Inside Atlanta’s First Government-Funded Supermarket
The goal is for the store to become profitable without any government subsidy within three years.
www.wsj.com
November 25, 2025 at 3:36 PM
Turns out Mamdani's controversial proposal for government-run supermarkets isn't so novel. Other cities also are toying with the idea to bring fresh, affordable food to communities that do not have easy access to it. Good WSJ read (gift link)
www.wsj.com/real-estate/...
www.wsj.com/real-estate/...
Reposted by Harold Underdown
“When teachers value the polished but anodyne text extruded from these systems over students’ authentic voices, we reinforce harmful linguistic ideologies”- @emilymbender.bsky.social
www.chronicle.com/article/how-...
www.chronicle.com/article/how-...
Opinion Forum | How AI Is Changing Higher Education
The technology is reshaping every aspect of university life. Fifteen scholars weigh in on what happens next.
www.chronicle.com
November 26, 2025 at 4:36 PM
“When teachers value the polished but anodyne text extruded from these systems over students’ authentic voices, we reinforce harmful linguistic ideologies”- @emilymbender.bsky.social
www.chronicle.com/article/how-...
www.chronicle.com/article/how-...
Reposted by Harold Underdown
Psst… he means that poker is considered a masculinity display, as is right wing politics, so they don’t seem to go together. Like if Mamdani drove an F150, or was really into crypto, or Call of Duty.
November 26, 2025 at 3:23 PM
Psst… he means that poker is considered a masculinity display, as is right wing politics, so they don’t seem to go together. Like if Mamdani drove an F150, or was really into crypto, or Call of Duty.
Reposted by Harold Underdown
I mean. Who *hasn't* Petey Thiel accused of being the antichrist at this point?
In newly leaked audio, Peter Thiel admits he urged JD Vance to ignore Pope Leo XIV on moral questions — including the ethical development of AI.
He goes even further, branding Leo “the woke American pope” and suggesting he’s a tool of the Antichrist.
He goes even further, branding Leo “the woke American pope” and suggesting he’s a tool of the Antichrist.
NEW: JD Vance’s Top Donor Suggests Pope Leo XIV is Antichrist
In a leaked lecture, Peter Thiel says he’s urged Vance to ignore the pope on moral questions — and simply pray for him.
www.thelettersfromleo.com
November 26, 2025 at 12:49 PM
I mean. Who *hasn't* Petey Thiel accused of being the antichrist at this point?
I LOVE the Smushkins and I haven't even seen the book yet!
From house hunting to simple picture books to creating large groups of characters, Claudia Rueda details the process that led to her latest series (and why it's so delightful). #kidlit 📚👍 afuse8production.slj.com/2025/11/26/t...
Taking Play and Whimsy Very Seriously: Meet the Smushkins and Claudia Rueda
From house hunting to simple picture books to creating large groups of characters, Claudia details the process that led to her latest series (and why it's so delightful).
afuse8production.slj.com
November 26, 2025 at 3:11 PM
I LOVE the Smushkins and I haven't even seen the book yet!
Reposted by Harold Underdown
Want to avoid AI writing? Turns out Wikipedia has the answer
The best guide to spotting AI writing comes from Wikipedia | TechCrunch
Wikipedia's guide to “Signs of AI writing” is a great resource for learning to spot LLM-generated prose.
techcrunch.com
November 26, 2025 at 2:49 PM
Want to avoid AI writing? Turns out Wikipedia has the answer
Reposted by Harold Underdown
Kindling Words is holding an auction to benefit our scholarship fund, with signed #kidlit and #yalit books, consultations, critiques, and more!
See what's being offered here: www.32auctions.com/KindlingWords
See what's being offered here: www.32auctions.com/KindlingWords
November 25, 2025 at 7:14 PM
Kindling Words is holding an auction to benefit our scholarship fund, with signed #kidlit and #yalit books, consultations, critiques, and more!
See what's being offered here: www.32auctions.com/KindlingWords
See what's being offered here: www.32auctions.com/KindlingWords
Reposted by Harold Underdown
After a nearly 50-year career in publishing with numerous accolades, Neal Porter has announced his retirement from his eponymous imprint at Holiday House. See our exit interview: buff.ly/FzUuB11
November 25, 2025 at 10:15 PM
After a nearly 50-year career in publishing with numerous accolades, Neal Porter has announced his retirement from his eponymous imprint at Holiday House. See our exit interview: buff.ly/FzUuB11
Reposted by Harold Underdown
Author and editorial consultant Deborah Halverson led a webinar for SCBWI members about the state of the children’s market buff.ly/nRipXGR
November 25, 2025 at 10:30 PM
Author and editorial consultant Deborah Halverson led a webinar for SCBWI members about the state of the children’s market buff.ly/nRipXGR
Reposted by Harold Underdown
More elections are already around the corner, mere days.
And Democrats have opportunities to build on their November gains by flipping more offices: in Tennessee, in Georgia, in Florida.
And that's just the tip of a busy election month.
My new guide, just out:
And Democrats have opportunities to build on their November gains by flipping more offices: in Tennessee, in Georgia, in Florida.
And that's just the tip of a busy election month.
My new guide, just out:
The 25 Elections to Watch This December - Bolts
On the heels of their sweeping wins in November, Democrats have opportunities to gain further ground in December runoffs and special elections. They’re hoping for upsets in conservative territory, fro...
boltsmag.org
November 25, 2025 at 6:01 PM
More elections are already around the corner, mere days.
And Democrats have opportunities to build on their November gains by flipping more offices: in Tennessee, in Georgia, in Florida.
And that's just the tip of a busy election month.
My new guide, just out:
And Democrats have opportunities to build on their November gains by flipping more offices: in Tennessee, in Georgia, in Florida.
And that's just the tip of a busy election month.
My new guide, just out:
Reposted by Harold Underdown
I’ve been running around asking tech execs and academics if language was the same as intelligence for over a year now - and, well, it isn’t. @benjaminjriley.bsky.social explains how the bubble is built on ignoring cutting-edge research into the science of thought www.theverge.com/ai-artificia...
November 25, 2025 at 1:54 PM
I’ve been running around asking tech execs and academics if language was the same as intelligence for over a year now - and, well, it isn’t. @benjaminjriley.bsky.social explains how the bubble is built on ignoring cutting-edge research into the science of thought www.theverge.com/ai-artificia...
Kindling Words is holding an auction to benefit our scholarship fund, with signed #kidlit and #yalit books, consultations, critiques, and more!
See what's being offered here: www.32auctions.com/KindlingWords
See what's being offered here: www.32auctions.com/KindlingWords
November 25, 2025 at 7:14 PM
Kindling Words is holding an auction to benefit our scholarship fund, with signed #kidlit and #yalit books, consultations, critiques, and more!
See what's being offered here: www.32auctions.com/KindlingWords
See what's being offered here: www.32auctions.com/KindlingWords
Reposted by Harold Underdown
This is appalling: the jury system is a fundamental aspect of the British approach to justice, ensuring that individuals are judged by their peers & not just by a legal professional.
Essentially, it keeps justice in the hands of the people
Essentially, it keeps justice in the hands of the people
Jury trials could be scrapped except in most serious cases
Jury trials could be scrapped except in most serious cases
Only cases of alleged murder, rape or manslaughter will be decided by a jury under new proposals to cut court backlogs.
www.bbc.com
November 25, 2025 at 5:35 PM
This is appalling: the jury system is a fundamental aspect of the British approach to justice, ensuring that individuals are judged by their peers & not just by a legal professional.
Essentially, it keeps justice in the hands of the people
Essentially, it keeps justice in the hands of the people
Reposted by Harold Underdown
This is what AABB has been talking about. This is a truly insane overreach, and people on the ground are really scared.
1. In Tennessee, public libraries have closed for up to a week to facilitate a Trump-inspired book purge.
Tennessee Secretary of State Tre Hargett (R) has ordered most of the state's public librarians to remove children's books with LGBTQ characters or themes.
Tennessee Secretary of State Tre Hargett (R) has ordered most of the state's public librarians to remove children's books with LGBTQ characters or themes.
Tennessee public libraries close for Trump-inspired book purge
One hundred and eighty-one public libraries in Tennessee are reviewing their children’s collections after Tennessee Secretary of State Tre Hargett (R) ordered them to remove books with LGBTQ themes…
popular.info
November 25, 2025 at 5:07 PM
This is what AABB has been talking about. This is a truly insane overreach, and people on the ground are really scared.
Reposted by Harold Underdown
You pull yourself up by your boostraps. Me? I DESERVE free money from the government, and so do my rich friends bsky.app/profile/cwar...
November 25, 2025 at 4:21 PM
You pull yourself up by your boostraps. Me? I DESERVE free money from the government, and so do my rich friends bsky.app/profile/cwar...
Reposted by Harold Underdown
I can't think of a worse way to defeat fascism than pretending it's not here
OPINION: "Calling the president a fascist does nothing to advance the Democrats’ cause — and more of the party’s leaders would do well to realize that." — Jonathan Zimmerman
To defeat Trump, stop calling him names
Calling the president a fascist does nothing to advance the Democrats’ cause — and more of the party's leaders would do well to realize that, Jonathan Zimmerman writes.
www.inquirer.com
November 25, 2025 at 1:42 PM
I can't think of a worse way to defeat fascism than pretending it's not here