blog - Tamara Ellis Smith

tamaraellissmith

Writer of children's books | Believer of empathy inspiring action | Mother of 4 | Student of all

To be honest, I never love my birthday. I never ev

To be honest, I never love my birthday. I never even really like it. Especially these last few years. Grief I can't shake. Fear of the future. A longing to contribute more to the kid lit world. Fresh disbelief and heartache every day at the cruelty of this country.

But this year—today—I'm embracing @mattzhaig's wise suggestion: "Don't think of it as getting older. Just think of it as getting closer to who you are." I don't know Matt, and he doesn't know me, and yet—I feel connected to him.

And I think that's the whole point.

We wake up every day and try to get just a little bit closer to who WE are, so that we can connect with other people who are trying to get closer to who THEY are. Those moments of alchemy create something new from the grief, the fear, the longing, the heartache. Something that entwines with love, gratitude, and curiosity.

So, on my birthday this year, I want to celebrate everyone who is getting closer to who they are—and touching me deeply while they do it. Whether you know it or not, I adore you.

(This is me smiling with gratitude—for you all and for my running partner Pax. A sweet way to start the day.)

PS. As my brains warms up, this list will grow 😂🩷

@mattzhaig @alisonmcgheewriter @agentemurph @refugeingrief @patricknessbooks @jspark3000 @elanakarnold @bethkephartnow @as_king_ @kirstencappy @hyperbolebooksvt (Maria), @alicepollvogt @karawires @mollydugan8 @slydogstudio @feedkidswell @caikman2023 @mlescaze @iamicaniwillido @calliedepina @nancyillustrator @lizgardensalad @feministabulous @officialtraecrowder @coxy.official @heathercoxrichardson @audrey_vernick @maria_gianferrari_author @cvbest20 @jessmacsmith11 @danielllsmith4 @lucaiah @zorysmithmio @tavia.sm @anniescholl @katieflindallart @kt_mather @jad_aaah @claudiasherman_ @ellie_churchill @finnryn08 cooper_wyman07 @jordyallard24 @tlcalder_ @evelyn_daviddi @maine_diaz @dottyg77 @andersoncooper @mychal3ts @erinentrada @cylevinson @nickcaveofficial @heatherdemetrios @julie_falatko @fairytaleevolution @lizkostandinu @olins.habits @markdfreeman @miaadamssings @sharrywright @sharonsaysso @swtomp @kellybennettwrites @cindyfaughnan @anders_ripley

A few moments from my book launch for BUBBLE TOWN,

A few moments from my book launch for BUBBLE TOWN, a @chooseyourownadventure jr. interactive story! What a wonderful adventure we all had! (The only thing missing was a visit from amazing artist @maine_diaz!)

1. See me inside, prepping for the party?
2. Sidewalk scene
3. Fact: I’ve never seen all of books together before! @schwartzandwadebooks, @barefootbooks, @chroniclekidsbooks, and @chooseyourownadventure 🩷
4. Cookies compliments of @sweetvttreats (Yum!)
5. Friends and family
6. BUBBLE TOWN was @hyperbolebooksvt’s first book launch! What an honor! Maria Brown, heartful and hilarious owner of Hyperbole, has made so many of us so happy! A bookstore in our town!
7. Writing BUBBLE TOWN was freeing and so fun, but it was hard to keep track of all those story lines! (Thank you, @zorysmithmio, for helping me hold the story map!)
8. Should we blow the bubbles? You choose!
9. Should we help Stuart the duck and his friends save their home? You choose!
10. Meeting some new readers 📘🩷
11. We all made blueprints of inventions for making animals’ lives better! (This one is a smeller sensor, to help bees find flowers faster 🌼🐝)

Book Launch for BUBBLE TOWN! Come to @hyperboleboo

Book Launch for BUBBLE TOWN! Come to @hyperbolebooksvt this Saturday (June 21, 2025) from 11-12:30 for an adventure filled with books 📘 and bubbles 🫧 and cookies 🍪 and crafts 🎨

ABOUT THE BOOK:
“Developers are trying to destroy the local riverside ecosystem but the animals are hoping to stop it…and YOU are their secret weapon! For ages 5-8. Come join the adventure!

@maine_diaz
@agentemurph
@chooseyourownadventure

Today is Empathy Day, a culminating event of the w

Today is Empathy Day, a culminating event of the week-long Empathy Day Festival put on by the brilliant @empathylabuk, along with many children’s lit writers, educators, and volunteers.

Let’s make Empathy Day every day.

And let’s turn empathy into action every day. Saturday (6/14/25) is No Kings Day. A great example of E➡️A.

Let’s make No Kings Day every day too.

@nokingsdaymarch
@indivisibleteam
@empathylabuk
#empathyintoaction
#empathyinaction
#childrensliterature

Yes! Welcome to the world, Stuart, Eleanor, and YO

Yes! Welcome to the world, Stuart, Eleanor, and YOU! My new chapter book BUBBLE TOWN is available everywhere as of today, June 3. I was lucky enough to be asked by the brilliant folks at Choose Your Own Adventure if I wanted to take this cool idea—a duck that can talk to a girl…it has something to do with bubbles—and turn it into a story. I did! And here it is!

Developers are trying to destroy the local riverside ecosystem, but the animals are hoping to stop it . . . and YOU are their secret weapon! For ages 5-8 🫧 Come join the adventure!

@chooseyourownadventure
@maine_diaz

COMING SOON: BUBBLE TOWN written by @tamaraellissm

COMING SOON: BUBBLE TOWN written by @tamaraellissmith, illustrated by @maine_diaz, and pubbed by @chooseyourownadventure. Developers are trying to destroy the local riverside ecosystem, but STUART is determined to stop it…and only YOU can do it! For ages 5-8. Available 6/3 wherever books are sold.

A little late in the day, but hey, every day is in

A little late in the day, but hey, every day is indy bookstore day for me. Thank you to the local bookstores of my heart — @hyperbolebooksvt @bearpondbooks, @phoenixbooksvt, and @bridgesidebooks — and to all of the indy bookstores everywhere. We need you now more than ever.

@chooseyourownadventure
@maine_diaz

Trees hold the soil in place. Without them, soil e

Trees hold the soil in place. Without them, soil erodes, floods are more frequent, pollutants spread—and Stuart the duck’s friends and family will lose their homes! Will you CHOOSE to join their ADVENTURE and help them save their beloved tree in BUBBLE TOWN?

@maine_diaz
@chooseyourownadventure

If you had the chance to save the world, would you

If you had the chance to save the world, would you?

Will you CHOOSE to save Stuart the duck, Eleanor the owl, and Ancient Mother Maple on your ADVENTURES in BUBBLE TOWN?

Coming June 3, 2025 from @chooseyourownadventure, @maine_diaz, and me 🌍

How lucky am I? I got to write a CYOA book with @m

How lucky am I? I got to write a CYOA book with @maine_diaz and the amazing crew at @chooseyourownadventure! Coming June 3, 2025, BUBBLE TOWN is funny and full of my heart—now more than ever, Stuart and his friends, the river and the trees all need us.

We’re in this together.

Thanks to @philbildner for reminding me about toda

Thanks to @philbildner for reminding me about today. He asked, “What are you reading this week?”

I’ll ask too. What are you reading this week? I’m reading @wolk.lauren’s BEYOND THE BRIGHT SEA.

HANDS OFF protest in South Royalton, VT. My mom an

HANDS OFF protest in South Royalton, VT. My mom and me.

Shirley Jefferson spoke, the Vice President of Community Engagement and Government Relations @vtlawschool. She met Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. in Selma, AL where she lived and marched with the amazing John Lewis too.

Fired up and ready to go, said VP Jefferson. Fired up and ready to go.

HANDS ON OUR BOOKS. HANDS OFF OUR DEMOCRACY. Toda

HANDS ON OUR BOOKS.
HANDS OFF OUR DEMOCRACY.

Today @clifonline held their annual Community Literacy Conference. A room full of librarians, teachers, writers, and book lovers. It was hopeful and heartful and fierce.

Kenneth Cadow, author of National Book Award Finalist GATHER, gave the keynote. Beautiful and brilliant. A perfect day before a protest.

Thank you, @westsidecurrent and Julie Cederbaum (u

Thank you, @westsidecurrent and Julie Cederbaum (uscsocialwork). Great guidance. Beautiful book list. I hope these books help. @nancyillustrator @emliterary @chroniclekidsbooks

Margaret Holmes, @tompercivalbooks, @scaredysquirrelsos, @britneywinnlee, @theinvisiblestringinsta, @mhclarkwrites, Carrie Barnes, @corinnaluyken, @oliverjeffers, holly_thompson_writes

Thank you @thecoloradosun and @thebookiesbookstore

Thank you @thecoloradosun and @thebookiesbookstore for recommending @nancyillustrator’s and my picture book 🩷 Gratitude to you all as this Thanksgiving week winds down 🩷

@chroniclekidsbooks
@agentemurph

Today is the day. Let's do this. For our ancestors

Today is the day. Let's do this. For our ancestors. For our kids. For us. For future generations. For our planet.

When we fight, we win.
We are in this together.
Harris&Walz. Joy&Liberty.
Keep Kamala and carry onala.

#harriswalz

Join @meganfemery of @thehealinglibrary and me at

Join @meganfemery of @thehealinglibrary and me at the @colibrariesforearlyliteracy conference today! We’ll be talking about strategies and resources for self-care and the kids you care about as you tackle trauma-touched topics 🩷 We’re all in this together 🩷

2024 CLEL Bell award-winning authors:
Sandra Lamouche
@huili_illo
Dinalie Dabarera
@fidgets.and.fries
@mrschureads

@chooseyourownadventure has been NOMINATED for the

@chooseyourownadventure has been NOMINATED for the second year in a row as a finalist for @museumofplayroc’s TOY HALL OF FAME! If you have fond memories of reading a Choose book, or if you enjoy them right this minute, would you take a minute and vote for them?

museumofplay.org/players-choice-ballot/

From @kidlitforkamala: a list from Diverse Bookfin

From @kidlitforkamala: a list from Diverse Bookfinder of picture books, middle grade, and YA about characters of Haitian ethnicity. Check it out at diversebookfinder.org/ethnicity/haitian/

I brought this list to the librarians in my kids’ schools and they’re making displays and passing the idea along to other local libraries.

It is one way to take action. To challenge lies. To nurture connection.

@ibizoboi
@the.awakened.teacher
@kendaleyart
@phildiederich
@duttonbooks
@candlewickpress
@harperteenbooks

Yup, today is natlvoterregday! If you haven't regi

Yup, today is natlvoterregday! If you haven't registered, today is the perfect day!

(So is tomorrow and the day after that and, you know, the day after that...)

@csoontornvat

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