Chris Barton
@bartography.bsky.social
Author—THE DAY-GLO BROTHERS, SHARK VS. TRAIN, WHOOSH! & WE MATCH! Freelance editor—fiction/nonfiction. VP—Texas Institute of Letters. Loves visiting schools. https://linktr.ee/bartography
Seeing how full the #NCTE25 schedule is makes me realize how dependent I’ll be on friends’ posts to let me know which sessions to attend—and how helpful it might be to put that info out there myself.
So, here’s where I’ll be on Saturday. What should I see in the meantime?
So, here’s where I’ll be on Saturday. What should I see in the meantime?
November 20, 2025 at 5:55 PM
Seeing how full the #NCTE25 schedule is makes me realize how dependent I’ll be on friends’ posts to let me know which sessions to attend—and how helpful it might be to put that info out there myself.
So, here’s where I’ll be on Saturday. What should I see in the meantime?
So, here’s where I’ll be on Saturday. What should I see in the meantime?
(I’m so glad we didn’t name this character “Billings” or “Missoula”!)
November 20, 2025 at 12:41 PM
(I’m so glad we didn’t name this character “Billings” or “Missoula”!)
WE MATCH! is big in Bozeman, Montana, the home city of illustrator Sharon Glick. Folks there have shown our book loads of love at our August launch and at our three public library and elementary school events this past week. Thank you, Bozeman! www.bozemandailychronicle.com/arts_and_ent...
November 20, 2025 at 12:38 PM
WE MATCH! is big in Bozeman, Montana, the home city of illustrator Sharon Glick. Folks there have shown our book loads of love at our August launch and at our three public library and elementary school events this past week. Thank you, Bozeman! www.bozemandailychronicle.com/arts_and_ent...
That’s some good company — thank you so much, Nancy!
(Ernie is listening, too.)
(Ernie is listening, too.)
October 29, 2025 at 9:25 PM
That’s some good company — thank you so much, Nancy!
(Ernie is listening, too.)
(Ernie is listening, too.)
I've got some great news: It is thoroughly satisfying to share what I hope will be my last-ever update on the 2023 Texas book ban, a.k.a. House Bill 900, a.k.a. the READER Act, which is that a federal judge has stopped the law with a permanent injunction.
chrisbarton.info/the-case-aga...
chrisbarton.info/the-case-aga...
October 23, 2025 at 4:02 PM
I've got some great news: It is thoroughly satisfying to share what I hope will be my last-ever update on the 2023 Texas book ban, a.k.a. House Bill 900, a.k.a. the READER Act, which is that a federal judge has stopped the law with a permanent injunction.
chrisbarton.info/the-case-aga...
chrisbarton.info/the-case-aga...
Axolotl attendees, and I think they’ll agree: The No Kings march in Austin has been a joy.
I saw fellow church members, former coworkers, another children’s author, an actual rock star, and above all a diverse, peaceful, and good-natured assembly of people who love this country passionately.
I saw fellow church members, former coworkers, another children’s author, an actual rock star, and above all a diverse, peaceful, and good-natured assembly of people who love this country passionately.
October 18, 2025 at 9:37 PM
Axolotl attendees, and I think they’ll agree: The No Kings march in Austin has been a joy.
I saw fellow church members, former coworkers, another children’s author, an actual rock star, and above all a diverse, peaceful, and good-natured assembly of people who love this country passionately.
I saw fellow church members, former coworkers, another children’s author, an actual rock star, and above all a diverse, peaceful, and good-natured assembly of people who love this country passionately.
And how about this one:
"Darn it, I gave away all of my Spanish books and of course now I’m trying to learn it again. How can a person ever get rid of a book, I ask you, and yet I must because I need room on my shelves."
Did Deborah Heiligman say that, or did I?
"Darn it, I gave away all of my Spanish books and of course now I’m trying to learn it again. How can a person ever get rid of a book, I ask you, and yet I must because I need room on my shelves."
Did Deborah Heiligman say that, or did I?
October 15, 2025 at 3:25 PM
And how about this one:
"Darn it, I gave away all of my Spanish books and of course now I’m trying to learn it again. How can a person ever get rid of a book, I ask you, and yet I must because I need room on my shelves."
Did Deborah Heiligman say that, or did I?
"Darn it, I gave away all of my Spanish books and of course now I’m trying to learn it again. How can a person ever get rid of a book, I ask you, and yet I must because I need room on my shelves."
Did Deborah Heiligman say that, or did I?
And who said this one?
"That ties into one of my all-time favorite music nonfiction books, a John Lennon biography by Ray Coleman—just titled Lennon—that I read over and over when I was in high school, just as I’d done with the Great Brain books several grades earlier."
Me, or Victor Piñeiro?
"That ties into one of my all-time favorite music nonfiction books, a John Lennon biography by Ray Coleman—just titled Lennon—that I read over and over when I was in high school, just as I’d done with the Great Brain books several grades earlier."
Me, or Victor Piñeiro?
October 15, 2025 at 3:14 PM
And who said this one?
"That ties into one of my all-time favorite music nonfiction books, a John Lennon biography by Ray Coleman—just titled Lennon—that I read over and over when I was in high school, just as I’d done with the Great Brain books several grades earlier."
Me, or Victor Piñeiro?
"That ties into one of my all-time favorite music nonfiction books, a John Lennon biography by Ray Coleman—just titled Lennon—that I read over and over when I was in high school, just as I’d done with the Great Brain books several grades earlier."
Me, or Victor Piñeiro?
The matter-of-fact wallop of the last paragraph here:
October 7, 2025 at 12:50 PM
The matter-of-fact wallop of the last paragraph here:
Sample "How Do WE Match?" questions with Martha Brockenbrough & Antwan Eady:
What did you *think* you were going to become?
Did you collect anything as a kid?
Water, coffee, or tea?
Are you saying that you have canine companionship as we’re chatting?
chrisbarton.info/labels/how-d...
What did you *think* you were going to become?
Did you collect anything as a kid?
Water, coffee, or tea?
Are you saying that you have canine companionship as we’re chatting?
chrisbarton.info/labels/how-d...
September 29, 2025 at 4:55 PM
Sample "How Do WE Match?" questions with Martha Brockenbrough & Antwan Eady:
What did you *think* you were going to become?
Did you collect anything as a kid?
Water, coffee, or tea?
Are you saying that you have canine companionship as we’re chatting?
chrisbarton.info/labels/how-d...
What did you *think* you were going to become?
Did you collect anything as a kid?
Water, coffee, or tea?
Are you saying that you have canine companionship as we’re chatting?
chrisbarton.info/labels/how-d...
I just finished two new "How Do WE Match?" chats that I'll be sharing soon, but first I want to mention that Wednesday morning I'll be picking four winners of this pair of books, in conjunction with my most recent chats. There's still time to get in the running: chrisbarton.info?s=how+do+we+...
September 29, 2025 at 4:55 PM
I just finished two new "How Do WE Match?" chats that I'll be sharing soon, but first I want to mention that Wednesday morning I'll be picking four winners of this pair of books, in conjunction with my most recent chats. There's still time to get in the running: chrisbarton.info?s=how+do+we+...
We invite eligible works published in 2025 across 14 categories—including a brand new one for Best First Book of Nonfiction—with over $25,750 in prizes going to the winners.
September 28, 2025 at 5:55 PM
We invite eligible works published in 2025 across 14 categories—including a brand new one for Best First Book of Nonfiction—with over $25,750 in prizes going to the winners.
If there’s an author you appreciate, one of the simplest, most helpful, least expensive things you can do for them is ask your public library to add that author’s newest book to their collection.
Many library websites have a form for that. So give it a try, and make an author’s day!
Many library websites have a form for that. So give it a try, and make an author’s day!
September 26, 2025 at 12:52 PM
If there’s an author you appreciate, one of the simplest, most helpful, least expensive things you can do for them is ask your public library to add that author’s newest book to their collection.
Many library websites have a form for that. So give it a try, and make an author’s day!
Many library websites have a form for that. So give it a try, and make an author’s day!
This is a big week for illustrator Sharon Glick and me, because every public-school 1st grader in Bozeman, MT, is receiving a copy of WE MATCH! HUGE thanks to the local school foundation for making that happen, and for bringing our story of joyfully discovering common ground to so many readers.
September 25, 2025 at 6:43 PM
This is a big week for illustrator Sharon Glick and me, because every public-school 1st grader in Bozeman, MT, is receiving a copy of WE MATCH! HUGE thanks to the local school foundation for making that happen, and for bringing our story of joyfully discovering common ground to so many readers.
When you protest-cancel a subscription, take a moment to let ‘em know why.
September 25, 2025 at 1:34 PM
When you protest-cancel a subscription, take a moment to let ‘em know why.
#TLSkyChat I mean, here was what I remembered of nonfiction books from when I was a kid:
September 25, 2025 at 12:57 AM
#TLSkyChat I mean, here was what I remembered of nonfiction books from when I was a kid:
A8 The nonfiction book for kids that changed how I thought about... nonfiction books for kids was THE DINOSAURS OF WATERHOUSE HAWKINS, which came out just as I was getting started writing books for young readers. It made me realize just how much better things had gotten since I was a kid. #TLSkyChat
September 25, 2025 at 12:55 AM
A8 The nonfiction book for kids that changed how I thought about... nonfiction books for kids was THE DINOSAURS OF WATERHOUSE HAWKINS, which came out just as I was getting started writing books for young readers. It made me realize just how much better things had gotten since I was a kid. #TLSkyChat
A6 #TLSkyChat I don't know that kids require much convincing that NF is amazing, unless they've picked up a negative impression from adults with zero understanding of what NF for kids has been like in the 21st century. Too many grownups still make what I call nonfiction face:
September 25, 2025 at 12:45 AM
A6 #TLSkyChat I don't know that kids require much convincing that NF is amazing, unless they've picked up a negative impression from adults with zero understanding of what NF for kids has been like in the 21st century. Too many grownups still make what I call nonfiction face:
September 24, 2025 at 3:08 PM
Big doings in Austin this coming weekend! I’m excited to be leading the “Bursts of Firsts” picture book workshop for the @scbwiatx.bsky.social Mini MFA Conference.
#atxscbwiconf25
#atxscbwiconf25
September 22, 2025 at 3:37 PM
Big doings in Austin this coming weekend! I’m excited to be leading the “Bursts of Firsts” picture book workshop for the @scbwiatx.bsky.social Mini MFA Conference.
#atxscbwiconf25
#atxscbwiconf25
Draft email from Bureau of Labor Statistics…
September 5, 2025 at 3:57 PM
Draft email from Bureau of Labor Statistics…
I played How Do WE Match? recently with author friends Antwan Eady and Martha Brockenbrough, and it was fun to figure out a few things we had in common (and to give away copies of their new books).
September 3, 2025 at 7:06 PM
I played How Do WE Match? recently with author friends Antwan Eady and Martha Brockenbrough, and it was fun to figure out a few things we had in common (and to give away copies of their new books).
Now’s the time of year when I feel about as smart as I ever get, for having recorded my last few author presentations in the spring so I can listen back and remember just what it is I do when standing in front of hundreds of elementary students this morning for my first school visit of 2025-26.
September 3, 2025 at 11:33 AM
Now’s the time of year when I feel about as smart as I ever get, for having recorded my last few author presentations in the spring so I can listen back and remember just what it is I do when standing in front of hundreds of elementary students this morning for my first school visit of 2025-26.
I’m always glad to see librarian and #kidlit specialist Sylvie Shaffer answer questions from Washington Post readers, but her mention of my nonfiction picture book about glitter next to The Great Stink makes me even happier. (Btw there’s a VERY SUBTLE poop reference in my book.) wapo.st/41zVf61
September 1, 2025 at 10:59 PM
I’m always glad to see librarian and #kidlit specialist Sylvie Shaffer answer questions from Washington Post readers, but her mention of my nonfiction picture book about glitter next to The Great Stink makes me even happier. (Btw there’s a VERY SUBTLE poop reference in my book.) wapo.st/41zVf61
I’m teaming up again with my GLITTER EVERYWHERE! editor & publisher to provide another scientific, historical & cultural overview of an everyday something that we have strong, conflicting feelings about: sweetness and sweeteners. Coming in 2027 & illustrated by the terrific Irene Chan, it’s SWEET!
August 21, 2025 at 10:34 PM
I’m teaming up again with my GLITTER EVERYWHERE! editor & publisher to provide another scientific, historical & cultural overview of an everyday something that we have strong, conflicting feelings about: sweetness and sweeteners. Coming in 2027 & illustrated by the terrific Irene Chan, it’s SWEET!