Maria van Lieshout
@vanlieshoutstudio.bsky.social
Dutch-American illustrator and graphic novelist. SF Bay Area. National Book Award longlist🐦⬛
songofablackbird.com
instagram.com/vanlieshoutstudio
linktr.ee/vanlieshoutstudio
songofablackbird.com
instagram.com/vanlieshoutstudio
linktr.ee/vanlieshoutstudio
Pinned
All the support has lifted me up and strengthened my resolve to keep reminding teens to do what’s right, even (especially!) when that is hard. I consider the thoughtful reviews and year-end lists as as a call to even more action. THANK YOU.
Oh thank you, John! @mrschureads.bsky.social
January 13, 2026 at 7:14 AM
Oh thank you, John! @mrschureads.bsky.social
Blackbird’s 6 stages of Resistance. Where you at?
1. Margot’s seduce into submission
2. Gus’s mock them with swagger and flair
3. Henriette’s quietly plot to rescue our neighbors
4. Emma’s now you poked the bear
5. Erik’s let’s start the revolution
6. Margot’s scorched earth let’s burn it all down
1. Margot’s seduce into submission
2. Gus’s mock them with swagger and flair
3. Henriette’s quietly plot to rescue our neighbors
4. Emma’s now you poked the bear
5. Erik’s let’s start the revolution
6. Margot’s scorched earth let’s burn it all down
January 12, 2026 at 12:55 AM
Blackbird’s 6 stages of Resistance. Where you at?
1. Margot’s seduce into submission
2. Gus’s mock them with swagger and flair
3. Henriette’s quietly plot to rescue our neighbors
4. Emma’s now you poked the bear
5. Erik’s let’s start the revolution
6. Margot’s scorched earth let’s burn it all down
1. Margot’s seduce into submission
2. Gus’s mock them with swagger and flair
3. Henriette’s quietly plot to rescue our neighbors
4. Emma’s now you poked the bear
5. Erik’s let’s start the revolution
6. Margot’s scorched earth let’s burn it all down
Way to make an author feel like a superstar! The Albany Middle School librarian Linda Perez made this sign to mark my parking spot today. Librarians promote reading and learning and THEY are the superstars. And the eighth graders? They rocked! Keep reading and asking questions, guys!
January 10, 2026 at 4:51 PM
Way to make an author feel like a superstar! The Albany Middle School librarian Linda Perez made this sign to mark my parking spot today. Librarians promote reading and learning and THEY are the superstars. And the eighth graders? They rocked! Keep reading and asking questions, guys!
She also had her dog in the car. And a glove compartment filled with stuffed animals for her young son.
Be on the side with the whistles, not on the side with the guns. Because the side of the guns will come for you next🐦⬛
Be on the side with the whistles, not on the side with the guns. Because the side of the guns will come for you next🐦⬛
January 10, 2026 at 4:43 PM
She also had her dog in the car. And a glove compartment filled with stuffed animals for her young son.
Be on the side with the whistles, not on the side with the guns. Because the side of the guns will come for you next🐦⬛
Be on the side with the whistles, not on the side with the guns. Because the side of the guns will come for you next🐦⬛
Reposted by Maria van Lieshout
NEW
The Best Books for Teens and Young Adults of 2025, recommended by Susannah Richards, specialist in literature for youth fivebooks.com/best-books/t...
The Best Books for Teens and Young Adults of 2025, recommended by Susannah Richards, specialist in literature for youth fivebooks.com/best-books/t...
The Best Books for Teens and Young Adults of 2025
The best new books for teens and young adults of 2025, as recommended by Dr. Susannah Richards, specialist in literature for youth
fivebooks.com
January 8, 2026 at 3:00 PM
NEW
The Best Books for Teens and Young Adults of 2025, recommended by Susannah Richards, specialist in literature for youth fivebooks.com/best-books/t...
The Best Books for Teens and Young Adults of 2025, recommended by Susannah Richards, specialist in literature for youth fivebooks.com/best-books/t...
Reposted by Maria van Lieshout
Browse all our 'best books of 2025' lists (both fiction and nonfiction):
fivebooks.com/books/best-b...
fivebooks.com/books/best-b...
The Best Books of 2025 - Five Books Expert Recommendations
The best books of 2025, our annual best-of-the-year lists including fiction and nonfiction, history and historical fiction, philosophy and many more
fivebooks.com
December 16, 2025 at 4:02 PM
Browse all our 'best books of 2025' lists (both fiction and nonfiction):
fivebooks.com/books/best-b...
fivebooks.com/books/best-b...
Some good news to kick off 2026! Blackbird is a 2025 Blue Ribbon Book by the Bulletin of the Center of Children’s books. Thank you, BCCB and to all readers who have bought, borrowed and read the book since it published almost a year ago!
#songofablackbird #kidlit #graphicnovel #ww2 #bccb
#songofablackbird #kidlit #graphicnovel #ww2 #bccb
January 7, 2026 at 6:00 PM
Some good news to kick off 2026! Blackbird is a 2025 Blue Ribbon Book by the Bulletin of the Center of Children’s books. Thank you, BCCB and to all readers who have bought, borrowed and read the book since it published almost a year ago!
#songofablackbird #kidlit #graphicnovel #ww2 #bccb
#songofablackbird #kidlit #graphicnovel #ww2 #bccb
The people who start wars are never the ones to suffer from it, but often the ones who profit from it.
Trump started this war without notifying Congress, which represents the American people. He took this decision alone. This is not how a democracy works.
Trump started this war without notifying Congress, which represents the American people. He took this decision alone. This is not how a democracy works.
January 3, 2026 at 5:52 PM
The people who start wars are never the ones to suffer from it, but often the ones who profit from it.
Trump started this war without notifying Congress, which represents the American people. He took this decision alone. This is not how a democracy works.
Trump started this war without notifying Congress, which represents the American people. He took this decision alone. This is not how a democracy works.
We watched The Greatest Night in Pop last night (Netflix).
It's about the incredible uniting power of music and art, which is something we can rely on in these times. I hope you will read more books, listen to more music and make more art in 2026.
I will be taking that energy with me into 2026.
It's about the incredible uniting power of music and art, which is something we can rely on in these times. I hope you will read more books, listen to more music and make more art in 2026.
I will be taking that energy with me into 2026.
December 31, 2025 at 5:57 PM
We watched The Greatest Night in Pop last night (Netflix).
It's about the incredible uniting power of music and art, which is something we can rely on in these times. I hope you will read more books, listen to more music and make more art in 2026.
I will be taking that energy with me into 2026.
It's about the incredible uniting power of music and art, which is something we can rely on in these times. I hope you will read more books, listen to more music and make more art in 2026.
I will be taking that energy with me into 2026.
All the support has lifted me up and strengthened my resolve to keep reminding teens to do what’s right, even (especially!) when that is hard. I consider the thoughtful reviews and year-end lists as as a call to even more action. THANK YOU.
December 15, 2025 at 5:15 AM
All the support has lifted me up and strengthened my resolve to keep reminding teens to do what’s right, even (especially!) when that is hard. I consider the thoughtful reviews and year-end lists as as a call to even more action. THANK YOU.
WOOT! So happy that @thehornbook.bsky.social has included Song of a Blackbird🐦⬛ in their Fanfare list of best books of 2025 (under Fiction). Thank you, Horn Book!
December 9, 2025 at 10:08 PM
WOOT! So happy that @thehornbook.bsky.social has included Song of a Blackbird🐦⬛ in their Fanfare list of best books of 2025 (under Fiction). Thank you, Horn Book!
Reposted by Maria van Lieshout
⭐ Stargaze with MacKids ⭐
SONG OF A BLACKBIRD is a National Book Award longlist selection that weaves together two timelines (1943 & 2011) to reveal how art, in the face of political upheaval and adversity, can become our greatest lifeline. bit.ly/4pkttUR
@vanlieshoutstudio.bsky.social
SONG OF A BLACKBIRD is a National Book Award longlist selection that weaves together two timelines (1943 & 2011) to reveal how art, in the face of political upheaval and adversity, can become our greatest lifeline. bit.ly/4pkttUR
@vanlieshoutstudio.bsky.social
December 8, 2025 at 6:04 PM
⭐ Stargaze with MacKids ⭐
SONG OF A BLACKBIRD is a National Book Award longlist selection that weaves together two timelines (1943 & 2011) to reveal how art, in the face of political upheaval and adversity, can become our greatest lifeline. bit.ly/4pkttUR
@vanlieshoutstudio.bsky.social
SONG OF A BLACKBIRD is a National Book Award longlist selection that weaves together two timelines (1943 & 2011) to reveal how art, in the face of political upheaval and adversity, can become our greatest lifeline. bit.ly/4pkttUR
@vanlieshoutstudio.bsky.social
To read more about what it is like to be nominated for the National Book Award (and about what a tough racket the publishing biz is), read my latest Blackbird Express newsletter!
open.substack.com/pub/mariavan...
open.substack.com/pub/mariavan...
Nominated for the National Book Award! What's it like?
About how stories from our past can open eyes, minds and hearts, by the creator of the historical graphic novel Song of a Blackbird🐦⬛
open.substack.com
December 1, 2025 at 8:03 PM
To read more about what it is like to be nominated for the National Book Award (and about what a tough racket the publishing biz is), read my latest Blackbird Express newsletter!
open.substack.com/pub/mariavan...
open.substack.com/pub/mariavan...
So grateful and proud that School Library Journal selected Song of a Blackbird as one of the best books of 2025, under graphic novels! Thank you @SLJ.com for this wonderful honor!
#kidlit #SLJ #graphicnovels #songofablackbird #ww2 #bestof2025
#kidlit #SLJ #graphicnovels #songofablackbird #ww2 #bestof2025
November 21, 2025 at 8:11 PM
So grateful and proud that School Library Journal selected Song of a Blackbird as one of the best books of 2025, under graphic novels! Thank you @SLJ.com for this wonderful honor!
#kidlit #SLJ #graphicnovels #songofablackbird #ww2 #bestof2025
#kidlit #SLJ #graphicnovels #songofablackbird #ww2 #bestof2025
Hope as a Warrior Emotion. Read about how belief in a better future is the best antidote to complacency, desperation and cynicism.
Open mind. Open heart🐦⬛
open.substack.com/pub/mariavan...
#blackbird #hope #songofablackbird #kidlit #graphicnovel #resistance
Open mind. Open heart🐦⬛
open.substack.com/pub/mariavan...
#blackbird #hope #songofablackbird #kidlit #graphicnovel #resistance
November 18, 2025 at 7:38 PM
Hope as a Warrior Emotion. Read about how belief in a better future is the best antidote to complacency, desperation and cynicism.
Open mind. Open heart🐦⬛
open.substack.com/pub/mariavan...
#blackbird #hope #songofablackbird #kidlit #graphicnovel #resistance
Open mind. Open heart🐦⬛
open.substack.com/pub/mariavan...
#blackbird #hope #songofablackbird #kidlit #graphicnovel #resistance
Are you going to NCTE25? Still around Sunday or Monday?Come find me! Would love to connect!
Sunday 11/23 5PM-6:30PM
ALAN reception Four Seasons Ballroom 2-3
Monday 11/24 8:30AM-8:55AM
Stand UP & Fight panel
Sunday 11/23 5PM-6:30PM
ALAN reception Four Seasons Ballroom 2-3
Monday 11/24 8:30AM-8:55AM
Stand UP & Fight panel
November 16, 2025 at 11:24 PM
Are you going to NCTE25? Still around Sunday or Monday?Come find me! Would love to connect!
Sunday 11/23 5PM-6:30PM
ALAN reception Four Seasons Ballroom 2-3
Monday 11/24 8:30AM-8:55AM
Stand UP & Fight panel
Sunday 11/23 5PM-6:30PM
ALAN reception Four Seasons Ballroom 2-3
Monday 11/24 8:30AM-8:55AM
Stand UP & Fight panel
Making book plates for NCTE/ALAN at NCTE25! I will be giving the book plates away with my MAKE ART stickers. Are you going? Come find me!
Sunday 11/23 5PM-6:30PM
ALAN reception Four Seasons Ballroom 2-3
Monday 11/24 8:30AM-8:55AM
Stand UP & Fight panel
#ncte #kidlit #teachers
Sunday 11/23 5PM-6:30PM
ALAN reception Four Seasons Ballroom 2-3
Monday 11/24 8:30AM-8:55AM
Stand UP & Fight panel
#ncte #kidlit #teachers
November 13, 2025 at 9:10 PM
Left: a scene from my graphic novel Song of a Blackbird about how Hitler branded the BBC as LYING PRESS for reporting on gas chambers.
On the right: The Trump administration labels BBC FAKE NEWS for reporting about the January 6 insurrection.
I’ll let you draw your own conclusions.
On the right: The Trump administration labels BBC FAKE NEWS for reporting about the January 6 insurrection.
I’ll let you draw your own conclusions.
November 8, 2025 at 11:56 PM
Left: a scene from my graphic novel Song of a Blackbird about how Hitler branded the BBC as LYING PRESS for reporting on gas chambers.
On the right: The Trump administration labels BBC FAKE NEWS for reporting about the January 6 insurrection.
I’ll let you draw your own conclusions.
On the right: The Trump administration labels BBC FAKE NEWS for reporting about the January 6 insurrection.
I’ll let you draw your own conclusions.
So excited Blackbird is soaring high on this list of PW's best Young Adult novels!
#BestBooks2025 #kidlit #BooksOfTheYear #PW #graphicnovel
#BestBooks2025 #kidlit #BooksOfTheYear #PW #graphicnovel
Raise your hand if you could use a pick-me-up 📚
PW’s editors have selected the 150 Best Books of 2025—from our Top 10 (featuring Vauhini Vara and Helen DeWitt) to standout picks across every genre, plus 50 amazing books for kids & teens.
👉 buff.ly/Rb5UaS6
#BestBooks2025 #Publishing #BooksOfTheYear
PW’s editors have selected the 150 Best Books of 2025—from our Top 10 (featuring Vauhini Vara and Helen DeWitt) to standout picks across every genre, plus 50 amazing books for kids & teens.
👉 buff.ly/Rb5UaS6
#BestBooks2025 #Publishing #BooksOfTheYear
October 26, 2025 at 1:08 AM
So excited Blackbird is soaring high on this list of PW's best Young Adult novels!
#BestBooks2025 #kidlit #BooksOfTheYear #PW #graphicnovel
#BestBooks2025 #kidlit #BooksOfTheYear #PW #graphicnovel
October 19, 2025 at 5:45 PM
Reposted by Maria van Lieshout
America-hating Antifa showing up for a *second* time today.
Sharing this 102 year old WW2 Vet who is fighting fascism a second time.
October 19, 2025 at 1:45 AM
America-hating Antifa showing up for a *second* time today.
Reposted by Maria van Lieshout
We’ve lived 15 years under Citizens United, watching billionaires and corporations shape democracy with their wallets. Reform once seemed impossible. But now, a group in Montana is asking a radical question: What if states simply stopped granting corporations the power to spend in politics?
Could We End Corporate Money In Politics?
Backers of a referendum before Montana voters next year believe they’ve found a vulnerability on Citizen United
thinkbigpicture.substack.com
October 14, 2025 at 8:18 PM
We’ve lived 15 years under Citizens United, watching billionaires and corporations shape democracy with their wallets. Reform once seemed impossible. But now, a group in Montana is asking a radical question: What if states simply stopped granting corporations the power to spend in politics?
Blackbirds are magic! Read about the meaning attributed to the birds by druids, mystics and by pop culture icons Paul McCartney and Beyonce. Link in bio/linktree.
open.substack.com/pub/mariavan...
#blackbirds #mythology #beyonce #paulmccartney #blackbiird #symbolism #ww2 #songofablackbird
open.substack.com/pub/mariavan...
#blackbirds #mythology #beyonce #paulmccartney #blackbiird #symbolism #ww2 #songofablackbird
October 1, 2025 at 7:23 PM
Blackbirds are magic! Read about the meaning attributed to the birds by druids, mystics and by pop culture icons Paul McCartney and Beyonce. Link in bio/linktree.
open.substack.com/pub/mariavan...
#blackbirds #mythology #beyonce #paulmccartney #blackbiird #symbolism #ww2 #songofablackbird
open.substack.com/pub/mariavan...
#blackbirds #mythology #beyonce #paulmccartney #blackbiird #symbolism #ww2 #songofablackbird
Thank you to Noa and Zakir, librarians extraordinaires at the International School Utrecht, for welcoming me into the school.
Meeting the ISU students was such a joy!
#authorvisit #schoolvisit #internationalschool #kidlit #graphicnovel
Meeting the ISU students was such a joy!
#authorvisit #schoolvisit #internationalschool #kidlit #graphicnovel
September 26, 2025 at 8:36 PM
Thank you to Noa and Zakir, librarians extraordinaires at the International School Utrecht, for welcoming me into the school.
Meeting the ISU students was such a joy!
#authorvisit #schoolvisit #internationalschool #kidlit #graphicnovel
Meeting the ISU students was such a joy!
#authorvisit #schoolvisit #internationalschool #kidlit #graphicnovel