Author | Lightnews

Natasha B Padhiar @natashabpadhiar.bsky.social · Aug 7

Summer vibes for #kidlitartpostcard day! I’m an author & illustrator focusing on SEL stories and everyday wonder and warmth.

Currently querying agents with a couple of PBs, seeking representation as an author/illustrator!
💼: brightandbluestudio.com

Poster illustration with text in large letters saying S is for summer, with characters in various poses around it, on a colorful sunny background.

4 images of children/families enjoying summer. 1st is a dad and daughter having ice cream next to an ice cream truck, 2nd is a boy sipping on a juice box next to his scooter, 3rd is a boy playing in sand at the beach and the 4th is a mom and child in a pool.

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Reposted by Natasha B Padhiar

Laurie Raye @ohmwu.bsky.social · Jun 3

Happy Pride month, all! Way back in 2018 I made these galaxy pride flags. They were shared many thousands of times, featured on Vice, and even made their way onto book covers and into video games.

Here are the original ones I created (in no particular order!) so Bluesky can have them too. 💙

Asexual flag made from photos of galaxies

Non-binary flag made from photos of galaxies

New Pride flag made from photos of galaxies

Transgender flag made from photos of galaxies

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Reposted by Natasha B Padhiar

Eric Smith @ericsmithrocks.bsky.social · Jun 4

Neighborhood Literary is ready. Me and @beccapodos.bsky.social will see you there. 💜

#DVpit - Diverse Voices Pitch @dvpit.bsky.social · Jun 2

DVpit is officially coming back on October 8th, 2025 and we have over 50 agents and editors excited to participate. Follow this account for all announcements and check out dvpit.carrd.co for more details and information!

#dvpit #writersky #booksky #weneeddiversebooks

Mark Your Calendars #DVpit is returning October 8, 2025. The original pitch event for creators from marginalized communities. Now on Bluesky! Follow us at @dvpit.bsky.social for more updates

Agents and Editors participating in DVpit 2025 on Bluesky. Here is an initial list of some of the participating agents and editors

Gallt & Zacker:
Marietta Zacker
Beth Phelan
Linda Camacho
Erin Casey Westin
Sandra Proudman
Saribel Pages
Andrea Brown Literary:
Kelly Sonnack
Jemiscoe Chambers-Black
Jennifer March Soloway
Saritza Hernández
Analía Cabello
Paige Terlip
Azantian Literary:
Shelly Romero
Carey Blankenship-Kramer
Dystel, Goderich & Bourret:
Michaela Whatnall
Folio Literary:
John Cusick
Gelfman Schneider:
Penelope Burns
HG Literary:
Wendi Gu
Jill Grinberg Literary:
Katelyn Detweiler
Mad Woman Literary:
Alex Brown
Danielle Burby
Chelsea Hensley
Neighborhood Literary:
Eric Smith
Rebecca Podos
New Leaf:
Jo Volpe
Suzie Townsend
Sophia M. Ramos
Trinica Sampson-Vera
Jordan Hill
Page Street Publishing
Tamara Grasty
Park, Fine & Brower:
Pete Knapp
Stuti Telidevara
Root Literary:
Melanie Figueroa
Samantha Fabien
Simon & Schuster:
Rebecca Kuss
Sourcebooks:
Mikaela Luke
Triada US:
Brent Taylor
Uwe Stender
Ashley Reisinger
Moe Ferrara
Writers House:
Alexandra Levick
Andrea Morrison

Follow us at #dvpit.bsky.social for more updates!

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Natasha B Padhiar @natashabpadhiar.bsky.social · Jun 4

A LOOK at my recent passion project come to life, “Look! What do you see? A game of wonder…” inspired by walks of awe with my toddler, as well as my time as an Reggio-based educator! Learn more at brightandbluestudio.com

A flatlay of my Reggio-inspired activity book, “Look” a game of wonder…”

An outdoor shot of my travel size activity book, Reggio-inspired, in the grass.

A prompt from my book-meets-game, Look! What do you see?…”

Natasha B Padhiar @natashabpadhiar.bsky.social · Apr 22

Happy Earth Day! I’m excited to share a new project all about connecting with the world around us, and prompting moments of awe, wonder, creativity and more.

Preorder here: brightandbluestudio.com/goods/

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Natasha B Padhiar @natashabpadhiar.bsky.social · Apr 3

Happy #weneeddiversebooksday and #kidlitartpostcard day!

I write/illustrate PBs filled with wonder and warmth, focusing on socio-emotional learning, and creating opportunities of representation in authentic ways.

I’m currently querying agents!

💼: www.brightandbluestudio.com

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Reposted by Natasha B Padhiar

That Librarian: Amanda Jones @librarianjones.com · Apr 2

The relentless attacks on library workers, educators, and community members are meant to create an environment of fear.

For #RightToReadDay, we’re asking you to celebrate — and defend — the freedoms that are found in our libraries!

uniteagainstbookbans.org/right-to-rea...

Right to Read Day

The right to read is under attack. On Right to Read Day, April 7, 2025, take action to support your library and protect your freedom to read.

uniteagainstbookbans.org

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Natasha B Padhiar @natashabpadhiar.bsky.social · Mar 25

Spotted my pal Kush at the library! 😬 so grateful 🫶🏼

My picture book, Quiet Kush, on the shelves at the library.

Natasha B Padhiar @natashabpadhiar.bsky.social · Mar 21

There should be room for all of it—they are equally important!

Reposted by Natasha B Padhiar

Reactor Magazine @reactorsff.bsky.social · Mar 18

April 3 is officially We Need Diverse Books Day!!

The nonprofit org We Need Diverse Books works to promote books which reflect our world–and on their 10th anniversary, they're sharing resources on how to do the same. Check out their recommendations!

reactormag.com/celebrate-in...

This April, Celebrate the Inaugural “We Need Diverse Books Day” - Reactor

The non-profit We Need Diverse Books (WNDB) is turning ten this year, and to celebrate the occasion—as well as highlight the importance of reading books that reflect our beautifully diverse world—the ...

reactormag.com

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Natasha B Padhiar @natashabpadhiar.bsky.social · Mar 5

It’s been one year that my picture book, Quiet Kush, has been out in the world! To celebrate, I made a paper-sculpted chocolate cake, and am currently hosting a giveaway on IG.

I’m also going to be doing a school visit this Friday and I’m so excited! #kidlit

A photo of my picture book—Quiet Kush—with a paper sculpted birthday cake and party hat, surrounded by hand lettered text reading “Happy first birthday” with hand drawn balloons and party banners, to celebrate one year of my book release date.

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Natasha B Padhiar @natashabpadhiar.bsky.social · Feb 12

Here’s my little reading his new book!

Child pointing to a page in a book during storytime

Natasha B Padhiar @natashabpadhiar.bsky.social · Feb 12

This effort and sacrifice toward nurturing my love of reading is a big part of who I am today. I am so grateful for that, and I hope to never say no when my little one wants to buy the book. 3/3 #kidlit

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Natasha B Padhiar @natashabpadhiar.bsky.social · Feb 12

Yet, despite my weekly library haul, every book fair that came along, I got to pick out a few books from the paper “catalog”, and also given some to buy a book at the fair. 2/3 #kidlit

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Natasha B Padhiar @natashabpadhiar.bsky.social · Feb 12

My little has a book fair this week, and he spotted a book he liked! He was so excited to read it, so I bought it. I thought about my childhood and how my hard-working immigrant parents never said no when it came to books. I thought about how tough it must have been financially for them, 1/3 #kidlit

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Natasha B Padhiar @natashabpadhiar.bsky.social · Feb 12

💼: brightandbluestudio.com
IG: brightandbluestudio

A scenic view of the snow with the trees and sun on the horizon, and a boy bundled up in a hat and coat, shown in three stages: first standing in awe, then crouching down to play, and then pointing into the far distance ready to explore what is next.

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Natasha B Padhiar @natashabpadhiar.bsky.social · Feb 6

Excited about this sweet freebie that will be included in this month’s newsletter. Hint: it’s a game! #kidlitthreads

Reposted by Natasha B Padhiar

404 Media @404media.co · Feb 5

You can’t post your way out of fascism

Authoritarians and tech CEOs now share the same goal: to keep us locked in an eternal doomscroll instead of organizing against them

🔗 www.404media.co/you-cant-pos...

You Can’t Post Your Way Out of Fascism

Authoritarians and tech CEOs now share the same goal: to keep us locked in an eternal doomscroll instead of organizing against them, Janus Rose writes.

www.404media.co

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Reposted by Natasha B Padhiar

Victoria K. Chapman (she/her) @weyakindesigns.bsky.social · Feb 6

It’s #KidLitArtPostcard day! And I’m here to keep showing up with LOVE! I love stories about nature, animals, the earth, mindfulness, & imagination. Illustrator/author of PBs & more. Rep: @joycesweeney.bsky.social & Rosa Frazier @seymouragency.bsky.social.
weyakindesigns.com
#kidlit #kidlitart

A graphic watercolor illustration with text that reads: “LOVE IS AN ACT OF RESISTANCE”. The LOVE is purple with blue figures on top. One is stuck in the hole of the L and another is reaching a hand down to help. The rest hold a rope to pull them up, including a dog. The postcard text reads: “Victoria K. Chapman. Artist, Author, Teacher. Represented by Joyce Sweeney and Rosa Frazier at the Seymour Agency. www.WeyakinDesigns.com. weyakin@weyakindesigns.com”.

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Natasha B Padhiar @natashabpadhiar.bsky.social · Feb 6

Happy #kidlitartpostcard day! I’m an author/illustrator who focuses on the little everyday joys and highlighting SEL through my work. #kidlit

Currently seeking representation!
💼: www.brightandbluestudio.com

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Natasha B Padhiar @natashabpadhiar.bsky.social · Jan 31

This article was written in 1990, and it’s just as important a reminder today: scenicregional.org/wp-content/u...

Natasha B Padhiar @natashabpadhiar.bsky.social · Jan 27

Keep on writing because your story matters! #kidlit #kidlitart

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Natasha B Padhiar @natashabpadhiar.bsky.social · Jan 22

The January freebie from my newsletter! #illustrator Www.brightandbluestudio.com/newsletter

Natasha B Padhiar @natashabpadhiar.bsky.social · Dec 19

#artvsartist2024 I didn’t create as much new work as I would have liked to this year, but that’s starting to change more recently! 🫶🏼✨

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Natasha B Padhiar @natashabpadhiar.bsky.social · Dec 17

I’m a better writer than I am a speaker, I think, but I got to share my thoughts on true diversity over tokenism, as well as storytelling and creativity from an educator/parent perspective! Listen at the link below (also available on Apple Podcasts)

open.spotify.com/episode/7qFO...

S1 Ep 3: Passing the Torch

Zubaani: South-Asian Parenting Tips and Storytelling · Episode

open.spotify.com