Shala Howell
@shalahowell.bsky.social
Reader, writer, curious person, librarian in training. Author of What's That, Mom? Also on🧵@shalahowell & @[email protected]. Blog: http://caterpickles.com
Pinned
Shala Howell
@shalahowell.bsky.social
· Nov 9
Guess who was not prepared for how hard it would be to juggle a job and home life?
My job is amazing, and I love working with both middle schoolers and books, but I do have a tendency to use up all my words at work. But we have a day off today, so I thought I’d spent at lea…
caterpickles.com
Hello, new followers! I’ve gotten a fair number of you lately so thought I’d reintroduce.
I’m a writer & parent whose pandemic project involved doing a stint working in the library at my local public middle school.
Absolutely loved it. caterpickles.com/2021/11/11/g...
So… 1/
I’m a writer & parent whose pandemic project involved doing a stint working in the library at my local public middle school.
Absolutely loved it. caterpickles.com/2021/11/11/g...
So… 1/
Reposted by Shala Howell
Libraries defeat every argument.
These are pretty naked -- and therefore instructive -- examples of the sorts of defenses that people offer to try and get off the hook
November 26, 2025 at 5:49 PM
Libraries defeat every argument.
Reposted by Shala Howell
"Universities must resist the temptation to reduce the library to a digital archive and study space and ensure that these structures remain spaces for rigorous research, critical reading, intellectual discovery and knowledge creation, rather than just digital repositories or study halls."
"...what I am witnessing is the unfortunate proletarianization of the library profession, with access to tenure increasingly restricted and librarians being treated as peripheral to the academic mission."
Lots to think about. Read more: www.insidehighered.com/opinion/colu...
Lots to think about. Read more: www.insidehighered.com/opinion/colu...
What’s gained, what’s lost in the evolving university library
What’s gained, what’s lost.
www.insidehighered.com
November 26, 2025 at 2:13 PM
"Universities must resist the temptation to reduce the library to a digital archive and study space and ensure that these structures remain spaces for rigorous research, critical reading, intellectual discovery and knowledge creation, rather than just digital repositories or study halls."
Reposted by Shala Howell
A Database of Paper Airplane Designs: Hours of Fun for Kids & Adults Alike
A Database of Paper Airplane Designs: Hours of Fun for Kids & Adults Alike
Though we can trace the history of paper aircraft back 2000 years to the Chinese and their kites, and into the 19th century with the French and their imaginary airships, the origin of the modern paper...
www.openculture.com
November 25, 2025 at 11:15 PM
A Database of Paper Airplane Designs: Hours of Fun for Kids & Adults Alike
Reposted by Shala Howell
This is brilliant.
For me these pictures also illustrate the reaction of people when you
(try to) persuade them through data
vs
persuade them through narrative
For me these pictures also illustrate the reaction of people when you
(try to) persuade them through data
vs
persuade them through narrative
November 26, 2025 at 12:13 AM
This is brilliant.
For me these pictures also illustrate the reaction of people when you
(try to) persuade them through data
vs
persuade them through narrative
For me these pictures also illustrate the reaction of people when you
(try to) persuade them through data
vs
persuade them through narrative
Reposted by Shala Howell
Just over a week left on this Storybundle!
Check out this month's Storybundle curated by Charlotte E English -- featuring fantasy with strong female leads! a great way to pick up new reads including my own Power & Majesty
storybundle.com/fantasy
storybundle.com/fantasy
November 25, 2025 at 6:39 PM
Just over a week left on this Storybundle!
Reposted by Shala Howell
As an author, I don't make a whole lot of money, but at the same time I need to read a lot of books to stay aware of trends and support my fellow authors. Obviously if I spend all my profits on other people's books, I'm not coming out ahead!
So: ways to read lots of indie books for cheap.
So: ways to read lots of indie books for cheap.
November 25, 2025 at 1:18 AM
As an author, I don't make a whole lot of money, but at the same time I need to read a lot of books to stay aware of trends and support my fellow authors. Obviously if I spend all my profits on other people's books, I'm not coming out ahead!
So: ways to read lots of indie books for cheap.
So: ways to read lots of indie books for cheap.
Reposted by Shala Howell
This is not the way, and @cnygren.bsky.social and I lay out in detail why it isn’t in this essay here. static1.squarespace.com/static/55577...
November 24, 2025 at 1:16 PM
This is not the way, and @cnygren.bsky.social and I lay out in detail why it isn’t in this essay here. static1.squarespace.com/static/55577...
Reposted by Shala Howell
We always see a surge of infectious disease, including COVID, RSV, etc etc around Thanksgiving and Christmas. Unless you want to gift your fam with a few weeks sick this year, mask up as you travel!
November 24, 2025 at 12:24 AM
We always see a surge of infectious disease, including COVID, RSV, etc etc around Thanksgiving and Christmas. Unless you want to gift your fam with a few weeks sick this year, mask up as you travel!
Reposted by Shala Howell
Top holiday week energy in this story
Short story Sunday:
There once was a California newt heading down a leafy trail 1/??
There once was a California newt heading down a leafy trail 1/??
November 23, 2025 at 8:42 PM
Top holiday week energy in this story
Reposted by Shala Howell
University of Glasgow Library has a remarkably generous visiting research fellowship scheme - come hang out with me in Glasgow! Get funded! www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/li...
University of Glasgow - MyGlasgow - Library - Research Fellows
www.gla.ac.uk
November 20, 2025 at 11:22 AM
University of Glasgow Library has a remarkably generous visiting research fellowship scheme - come hang out with me in Glasgow! Get funded! www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/li...
Reposted by Shala Howell
Hey Library Kids & Book Lovers, This Knit Vest Pattern Is For You - It's A Borrowing Card! 👉 tidd.ly/4fIdLOv - designed by Jennifer Peacock of Pretty Grandpa and would make a perfect gift for the Gen-Xer on your list! #knitting #GenX #librarylove #handmade #etsy #affiliate #giftidea 📚❤️🧶
November 21, 2025 at 4:57 PM
Hey Library Kids & Book Lovers, This Knit Vest Pattern Is For You - It's A Borrowing Card! 👉 tidd.ly/4fIdLOv - designed by Jennifer Peacock of Pretty Grandpa and would make a perfect gift for the Gen-Xer on your list! #knitting #GenX #librarylove #handmade #etsy #affiliate #giftidea 📚❤️🧶
Reposted by Shala Howell
I have, so should everyone else. @littlebadger.bsky.social is extraordinary.
I think there's a very good chance you've read this, but if you haven't, I'm gonna say Elatsoe by Darcie Little Badger.
November 21, 2025 at 5:16 PM
I have, so should everyone else. @littlebadger.bsky.social is extraordinary.
Reposted by Shala Howell
Thinking a lot lately about the simple fact that college allows people to spend about 15 weeks immersed in a disciplinary conversation with an expert in that field. And what a special thing that is.
November 21, 2025 at 1:33 PM
Thinking a lot lately about the simple fact that college allows people to spend about 15 weeks immersed in a disciplinary conversation with an expert in that field. And what a special thing that is.
Reposted by Shala Howell
I had to find out how cute this was. Turns out: incredibly cute and I needed to know this. I put some time into these alt-tags
November 21, 2025 at 3:24 AM
I had to find out how cute this was. Turns out: incredibly cute and I needed to know this. I put some time into these alt-tags
Reposted by Shala Howell
I’m sure you are already well aware of this but I find it extremely charming that villages bringing cows down from the Alps in the fall have a little party and decorate the cows with flowers and do a parade.
November 21, 2025 at 2:00 AM
I’m sure you are already well aware of this but I find it extremely charming that villages bringing cows down from the Alps in the fall have a little party and decorate the cows with flowers and do a parade.
Ok, so helping people with luggage in the overhead bin. Fine. Excellent, even.
But don’t ask me to dress up to be crammed into a middle seat with no knee or elbow room. You want me to dress up? Tell the airlines to give me an experience worth dressing up for.
But don’t ask me to dress up to be crammed into a middle seat with no knee or elbow room. You want me to dress up? Tell the airlines to give me an experience worth dressing up for.
November 21, 2025 at 12:03 AM
Ok, so helping people with luggage in the overhead bin. Fine. Excellent, even.
But don’t ask me to dress up to be crammed into a middle seat with no knee or elbow room. You want me to dress up? Tell the airlines to give me an experience worth dressing up for.
But don’t ask me to dress up to be crammed into a middle seat with no knee or elbow room. You want me to dress up? Tell the airlines to give me an experience worth dressing up for.
Reposted by Shala Howell
The President of the United States just called for Democratic members of Congress to be executed. "HANG THEM", he posted.
If you're a person of influence in this country and you haven't picked a side, maybe now would be the time to pick a fucking side.
If you're a person of influence in this country and you haven't picked a side, maybe now would be the time to pick a fucking side.
November 20, 2025 at 4:15 PM
The President of the United States just called for Democratic members of Congress to be executed. "HANG THEM", he posted.
If you're a person of influence in this country and you haven't picked a side, maybe now would be the time to pick a fucking side.
If you're a person of influence in this country and you haven't picked a side, maybe now would be the time to pick a fucking side.
Reposted by Shala Howell
Once again asking you to please order your handmade pottery early if you want holiday delivery: littleedenpottery.etsy.com
November 20, 2025 at 3:27 AM
Once again asking you to please order your handmade pottery early if you want holiday delivery: littleedenpottery.etsy.com
I am so excited for this book!
Big news: I’m writing a book!!
I’ll be writing & illustrating a beginner’s guide to appreciating wildlife in cities/suburbs, & how all of us can make our neighborhoods better for those animals.
Thank you to my book agent @ericsmithrocks.bsky.social & the folks at Storey for believing in this book!
I’ll be writing & illustrating a beginner’s guide to appreciating wildlife in cities/suburbs, & how all of us can make our neighborhoods better for those animals.
Thank you to my book agent @ericsmithrocks.bsky.social & the folks at Storey for believing in this book!
November 20, 2025 at 2:33 PM
I am so excited for this book!
Reposted by Shala Howell
Good news: I'm getting better and will start posting again on monday. Awesome news: THE PLUSHIES ARE BACK!
They're back! By popular demand we have the Foxes in Love Plushies back in stock! Bring this adorable pair home for the holidays while they last! fenrispublishing.com/fil
November 20, 2025 at 6:09 AM
Good news: I'm getting better and will start posting again on monday. Awesome news: THE PLUSHIES ARE BACK!
Reposted by Shala Howell
How awful. This is outright health disinformation, lying to the American people. Not only is there massive evidence showing no link between vaccines & autism, there’s not even a plausible mechanism based on what we’ve learned about the genetics of autism, some environmental exposures in pregnancy
HEADS UP: CDC website now officially asserts that vaccines may cause autism.“Studies supporting a link have been ignored by health authorities.” Also says the “vaccines do not cause autism” header remains b/c of an agreement with Cassidy.
November 20, 2025 at 3:18 AM
How awful. This is outright health disinformation, lying to the American people. Not only is there massive evidence showing no link between vaccines & autism, there’s not even a plausible mechanism based on what we’ve learned about the genetics of autism, some environmental exposures in pregnancy
Reposted by Shala Howell
Josh really doesn't get enough credit as a digital journalism pioneer — and as an entrepreneur who built something meaningful and lasting.
PHOTOS: TPM Celebrates Our 25-Year Anniversary in NYC talkingpointsmemo.com/gallery/phot...
PHOTOS: TPM Celebrates Our 25-Year Anniversary in NYC
We rang in our 25th anniversary in style last week, hosting a...
talkingpointsmemo.com
November 19, 2025 at 8:47 PM
Josh really doesn't get enough credit as a digital journalism pioneer — and as an entrepreneur who built something meaningful and lasting.
Reposted by Shala Howell
This is a librarian appreciation post.
Librarians are book angels 😇
Librarians are book angels 😇
November 19, 2025 at 6:27 PM
This is a librarian appreciation post.
Librarians are book angels 😇
Librarians are book angels 😇
Reposted by Shala Howell
If you're the parent of a disabled kid, I just want to tell you I know it's hard and I know you feel like you're failing constantly, but you're doing it and you're doing the best you can and your kid absolutely loves you for it.
November 18, 2025 at 12:51 PM
If you're the parent of a disabled kid, I just want to tell you I know it's hard and I know you feel like you're failing constantly, but you're doing it and you're doing the best you can and your kid absolutely loves you for it.