Debra Kempf Shumaker
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debrakshumaker.bsky.social
Debra Kempf Shumaker
@debrakshumaker.bsky.social
1.3K followers 690 following 300 posts
Children's Writer. Avid Reader. Repped by James McGowan & Sophie Sheumaker, BookEnds Literary. Member of @steamteambooks.bsky.social & @kl4gm.bsky.social.
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debrakshumaker.bsky.social
Excited to reveal the cover of my next picture book—SUNDAY SCARIES features Josie who gets the Sunday Scaries every week. It's illustrated by Lavanya Naidu. If you think this cover is incredible, wait until you see the entire book coming out Aug 4, 2026!

#picturebooks
@aaknopf.bsky.social
November 25, 2025 at 12:24 AM
debrakshumaker.bsky.social
So excited to head to Denver this week for @ncte.org! I'm presenting a panel with 4 amazing authors. On Saturday you can find me at the Children's Book Awards Luncheon and a Roundtable for the 2025 Notable Books of Poetry with my picture book WIND IS A DANCE.

@kidscanpress.bsky.social
States I will be presenting at a panel "Using Historical and Informational Picture Books Across Grade Levels to Spark Dreams on Friday, November 21st at 3:30 pm at the NCTE Conference. I'm presenting with Nancy Churnin, Lisa Katzenberger, Amy S. Hansen, and Tina Cho. Graphic stating I am part of the Children's Book Awards Luncheon on Saturday, 11/22 at 12:30 pm and a Cultivating Dreams with the 2025 Notable Poetry Books and Verse Novels Round Table at 5:45 pm.
November 19, 2025 at 7:32 PM
debrakshumaker.bsky.social
So excited to join 19 other amazing authors at @vaasl.bsky.social next week! #librarians we'll be pitching our Author Visits at 2 sessions. And find us in the Exhibit Hall where we will be signing our books! (Bookworm Central will be selling them.)

#vaaslgold #vaasl2025 #librariesrock
October 28, 2025 at 4:47 PM
debrakshumaker.bsky.social
Another post reminded me of a gem of a #PB —ME. . . JANE by Patrick McDonnell. It came out just as I started writing picture books. An absolute must read today as we hear of Jane Goodall's passing.

But if I may also suggest PECULIAR PRIMATES be me, ill. by Claire Powell. Jane's work inspired me.
October 1, 2025 at 10:03 PM
debrakshumaker.bsky.social
Excited to partner with @annmsbooks.bsky.social at @scrawlbooks.bsky.social this Saturday, Sept 6 at 11 am!

Join us as we celebrate nature with our books WIND IS A DANCE and FANTASTIC FLORA and an activity!

#kidlit #nature
September 3, 2025 at 10:26 PM
debrakshumaker.bsky.social
Thrilled to share WIND IS A DANCE is a 2025 Crystal Kite Honor Book for the SCBWI Atlantic Region! Humbled to be selected from so many amazing books. Grateful to @joseebisaillon.bsky.social's art, @kidscanpress.bsky.social and @jmcgowanbks.bsky.social!

#scbwi #scbwi25ck #CrystalKiteAward
July 28, 2025 at 2:15 PM
debrakshumaker.bsky.social
Today is #nationalcatfishday! Did you know catfish that live in African freshwater rivers can zap! They have electric organs they use to stun prey. For more fun facts about fish, grab a copy of FREAKY, FUNKY FISH, published by Running Press Kids, illustrated by Claire Powell.

#nfforkids
National Catfish Day is June 25th. A screenshot of the page "Some fish zap" from the picture book FREAKY, FUNKY FISH is displayed along with author Debra Shumaker's website www.debrashumaker.com.
June 25, 2025 at 5:24 PM
debrakshumaker.bsky.social
Another #PB is in the works! FIRE IS A CHORUS, illustrated by Isabella Fassler, publishing w/ @kidscanpress.bsky.social will hit bookshelves in Spring 2027!

Grateful to my agents @jmcgowanbks.bsky.social, @sophiesheumaker.bsky.social and editor Kathleen Keenan for championing this book!
Graphic with announcement of picture book FIRE IS A CHORUS stating Kathleen Keenan at Kids Can Press has bought world right to FIRE IS A CHORUS by Debra Kempf Shumaker, illustrated by Isabella Fassler, which explores the many ways we experience fire, from a flicker atop a birthday candle to the blast-off of a rocket ship. Publication is set for spring 2027; Sophie Sheumaker and James McGowan at BookEnds Literary represented Debra.
May 20, 2025 at 9:58 PM
debrakshumaker.bsky.social
Had SO much fun reading WIND IS A DANCE at the Gaithersburg Book Festival and enjoyed sharing the stage with @susanstockdale.bsky.social & Gaia Cornwall and their books. Grateful to the volunteers and to the parents who bring their kids to feed the spark for books!
@kidscanpress.bsky.social
Photo of myself, Susan Stockdale, and Gaia Cornwall on stage at Gaithersburg Book Festival. Photo of me and a screen with a picture of my picture books FREAKY, FUNKY FISH, TELL SOMEONE, PECULIAR PRIMATES, WIND IS A DANCE, and PECULIAR PRIMATES.
May 19, 2025 at 2:09 PM
debrakshumaker.bsky.social
Join me at the Gaithersburg Book Festival Sat., 5/17 at 10:15 am in the Jim Henson Pavilion. I'll be reading WIND IS A DANCE while kids make ribbons dance like the wind. I'm sharing the stage with @susanstockdale.bsky.social & Gaia Cornwall.

@joseebisaillon.bsky.social @kidscanpress.bsky.social
Banner with art and cover from picture book WIND IS A DANCE and the Gaitersburg Book Festival logo and photo of author Debra Shumaker.
May 15, 2025 at 5:12 PM
debrakshumaker.bsky.social
May 7th is Beaufort Scale Day! A perfect day to #giveaway a copy of my #PB —WIND IS A DANCE, ill. by @joseebisaillon.bsky.social —a lyrical ode to the wind and the wind scale in the backmatter. Follow me and reply/repost to enter. Ends Sunday 5/11. US only.

@kidscanpress.bsky.social #stemforkids
May 7, 2025 at 1:04 PM
debrakshumaker.bsky.social
#teachers #librarians: I am booking #authorvisits for 2025/2026 school year! I love exciting kids about #science, #reading, and #writing!

Check out my website for details and a downloadable brochure: debrashumaker.com/author_visits/
Photo of me in front of an assembly of kids and a powerpoint slide talking about the scientific process.
May 1, 2025 at 5:52 PM
debrakshumaker.bsky.social
Excited to be a featured author at the Gaithersburg Book Festival on May 17! Join me for a day of books, ideas, and literary fun. I'll be presenting at 10:15 am in the Jim Hensen Pavilion.

@kidscanpress.bsky.social @joseebisaillon.bsky.social
#GBF2025 #BookFestival
Banner with picture of the cover of WIND IS A DANCE and the details of the Gaithersburg Book Festival which is May 17. I'll be presenting at 10:30 am at the Jim Hensen Pavilion.
April 26, 2025 at 6:57 PM
debrakshumaker.bsky.social
Beyond thrilled that WIND IS A DANCE, written by me, art by @joseebisaillon.bsky.social, is a 2026 Nominee for the Bill Martin, Jr. Picture Book Award! What an honor to be among 9 other amazing #PBs. Check the list here:
www.emporia.edu/teachers-col...

@kidscanpress.bsky.social @kl4gm.bsky.social
Image with a book cover of the picture book WIND IS A DANCE and a heading stating it is nominated for the 2026 Bill Martin, Jr. Picture Book Award awarded by Emporia State University in Kansas.
April 17, 2025 at 11:21 PM
debrakshumaker.bsky.social
Since April is #NationalPoetryMonth, it seems like a good time to reshare that WIND IS A DANCE is an NCTE 2025 Notable Poetry Book!

Check out the entire list here:
shorturl.at/oZfB9

@kidscanpress.bsky.social @joseebisaillon.bsky.social @ncte.org

#poetry #weather #picturebook
A graphic showing the cover of the picture book WIND IS A DANCE and a banner that it is a National Council of Teachers of English 2025 Notable Poetry Book.
April 9, 2025 at 11:27 PM
debrakshumaker.bsky.social
@joseebisaillon.bsky.social is such a talented artist! She illustrated WIND IS A DANCE written by me and I am so in love with her art!
The cover of the picture book, WIND IS A DANCE. A young girl stands on a rock with leaves blowing around her.
April 2, 2025 at 5:16 PM
debrakshumaker.bsky.social
Interested in learning more about writing rhyming nonfiction picture books? Join me online next week Tuesday, March 25th, for "Rhyme & Facts: Building Nonfiction Picture Books".
Info and registration here:
www.scbwi.org/events/rhyme...

@kl4gm.bsky.social
A graphic with the webinar info: Rhyme & Facts: Building Fun Nonfiction Picture Books. March 25, 2025 from 7:00 - 8:15 PM, Eastern. Registration at www.scbwi.org/events.
March 18, 2025 at 11:16 PM
debrakshumaker.bsky.social
Interested in writing rhyming nonfiction picture books? Join me for a webinar with @scbwi.bsky.social: Rhyme & Facts: Building Fun Nonfiction Picture Books on March 25th from 7 - 8:15 pm EST.

For details and to register:
www.scbwi.org/events/rhyme...
The graphic includes the class name of Rhyme & Facts, Building Fun Nonfiction Picture Books. It's an online webinar March 25 from 7 - 8:15 pm.
February 20, 2025 at 12:01 AM
debrakshumaker.bsky.social
Northern Virginia—join me for a Story Time at @barnesandnoble.com in One Loudoun (Ashburn, VA) this Saturday, 2/15 at 12:00 pm. Bring the little ones and we'll have some fun!

#nfforkids #stemforkids #picturebooks #storytime @kidscanpress.bsky.social @runningpressbooks.bsky.social
Graphic with covers of my picture books WIND IS A DANCE, PECULIAR PRIMATES, and FREAKY, FUNKY FISH and text stating the story time at 12:00 pm on February 15 at Barnes & Noble in One Loudoun, VA.
February 12, 2025 at 12:36 AM
debrakshumaker.bsky.social
Had so much fun with #WRAD today! I virtually read to schools in MA, TX, NY, and VA.

I love being a children's author!

#WRAD2025
Photo of my desk with picture books, my computer, and a bookshelf behind it.
February 5, 2025 at 7:46 PM
debrakshumaker.bsky.social
It's February and I have some Story Times happening in Northern VA.
Join me at Pure Green in Vienna on Sun 2/9 at 10 am for WIND IS A DANCE. Kids will wave ribbons as they dance with the wind. Bards Alley will sell books.
Or join me at Barnes & Noble in One Loudoun on Sat 2/15 at 12.
A graphic stating story times at Pure Green, Vienna on Sunday 2/9 at 10 am and Barnes and Noble in One Loudoun on Saturday, 2/15 at 12 pm.
February 1, 2025 at 5:07 PM
debrakshumaker.bsky.social
Maryland and DC friends: I'm excited to be doing a story time with WIND IS A DANCE at People's Book in Takoma Park on Sunday morning, 1/26 at 9:30 am. Hope you can join me! I'll get the kids dancing a bit like the wind. 😀
January 20, 2025 at 3:36 PM
debrakshumaker.bsky.social
When the LA Times Crossword Puzzle has the title of my next picture book in it, it's a good day. (Check 34 Across). Of course, in my book, it's a child who is dreading returning to school. Publishing Summer 2025 with Knopf.

Hubby got the answer because of my book. :-)

#picturebooks #sundayscaries
December 18, 2024 at 6:02 PM
debrakshumaker.bsky.social
#teachers #librarians I have educator guides for my picture book WIND IS A DANCE! Developed by educator/author @kariallenwrites.bsky.social, these guides are great for lessons across the curriculum. They are on my website on my WIND book page and @kidscanpress.bsky.social's, too.
#edusky
December 10, 2024 at 6:17 PM
debrakshumaker.bsky.social
A very exciting day today. I presented at two panels at NCTE with amazing authors about using STEAM books and poetry techniques in the classroom and also found out WIND IS A DANCE is an NCTE 2025 Notable Poetry Book!

#windisadance #stemforkids #ncte #ncte2024
November 24, 2024 at 12:20 AM