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Meridth McKean Gimbel

@hellomeridth

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Award winning writer/illustrator 🌟 Here to steal your left sock 🧦 Rep:@AllieLevick @writershouseagency 📕GETTING TO KNOW YOUR TRANSCESTORS in 2028🏳️‍⚧️

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🏳️‍🌈 October is LGBTQ History Month, a time dedicated to the celebration and teaching of LGBTQ history, achievements, influence, and icons. We've gathered a collection of stories spanning age categories, formats, and genres that celebrate the amazing diversity and incredible history of the queer community.

Use the titles and free resources at the link in our bio to start conversations about LGBTQ history and experiences, human rights, and the people who have been instrumental in shaping the world around us.

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August is Transgender History Month, and I've added some books to the West Roxbury Diversity & Anti-Racist Little Library to honor the month and help make transgender history and stories more visible on our shelves.

Transgender History Month is observed throughout August. It was first officially recognized in San Francisco in 2021, after activist Jupiter Peraza and the Transgender District led efforts to establish the observance. California expanded the recognition statewide in 2023.

August was chosen in part because of the Compton's Cafeteria Riot of August 1966, when transgender women, drag queens, and other queer community members resisted police harassment at a San Francisco gathering place. The uprising came three years before Stonewall and is an important part of the history of transgender resistance and activism.

The purpose of Transgender History Month is to recognize the history, contributions, resilience, and experiences of transgender people, while remembering the activists and community members who helped create the movements and communities that exist today.

I'm glad to add more books that help tell those stories and broaden the representation on our shelves. Transgender history isn't just history from the past. It's living history, and these stories deserve to be shared all year long.

#TransgenderHistoryMonth
#TransHistory
#LittleLibrary
#ReadDiverse
#BooksForAll

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🎨How should I pick my color palettes?

🧑‍💻What are some tips for scanning work?

🧑‍❤️‍💋‍🧑 How do you get a girlfriend?

I had a great time chatting with my new friend Meridth McKean Gimbel @hellomeridth. We got serious and we got very silly, so there’s something for everyone!

Go get their book DOOR BY DOOR asap!

Take a gander at us chatting about:
• How we draw ourselves
• Trying to break into the industry for hundreds and thousands of years
• Loving dark & weird books & movies as a kid
• Roald Dahl, Quentin Blake, Richard Scarry, Shel Silverstein & Jack Prelutsky
• Labyrinth, The Dark Crystal, The Secret of NIMH, The NeverEnding Story
• How well Canada subsidizes the arts
• People who can’t afford to break into the #kidlit industry
• Soccer is the universal language of love
• “My brother was traumatized by me farting in his face, and here we are”
• Not dropping babies
• Being bored by small talk and relieved by canceled plans
• Psychoanalyzing exotic dancers
• Counting ugly babies at the art museum
• @TheMuseumOfBadArt, weird museums
• Beast Jesus forever!
• “How to Get a Girlfriend”
• New Gab ‘n’ Doodle segment! *Lauren’s List* starring my wife @mrshoffy
• How I pick my color palettes
• Tips for scanning work
• Recent inspirational moments
• …and so much more!

Materials:
🎨 Meridth used:
@Procreate on a tablet

🎨I used:
@HolbeinArtistMaterials acrylic gouache
@LiquitexOfficial acrylic & acrylic gouache
@CaranDache Supracolor & Fluo, @Prismacolor Premier & @FaberCastellGlobal colored pencils
@Posca_USA markers
@CrescentCardboard illustration board
@StrathmoreArt 50lb tracing paper
@Fiskars Easy Action Shears
@ElmersProducts Glue Stick

#kidlitart #childrensbookillustration #balletillustration #middlegradeillustration

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Meridth McKean Gimbel is a powerhouse in the #kidlit community. Not only are they a great artist but also a great supporter of great causes. Their work inspires me to be a better person

Join me in welcoming @hellomeridth this Thursday day at 6pm Eastern, on insta, on Gab ‘n’ Doodle.

#kidlit #kidlitart #illustration #kidlitillustration

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SAVE THE DATES!!! June is officially summer in my books and we have officially cool illustrators this month on insta.

LORIS LORA Wed June 3, 2pm et @loris_lora
GALE GALLIGAN Thursday June 11, 6pm et @robochai
PABLO LUEBERT Wed June 17, 2pm et @luebert
MERIDTH MCKEAN GIMBEL Thur June 25, 6pm et @hellomeridth

#kidlitart
#kidlitillustration
#kidlit
#kidlitillustrators
#kidlitartists

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Women’s History Month is here! 📣 Celebrate by picking up a book (or a few) about women who are making history 💚

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🏳️‍⚧️ Today is Transgender Day of Remembrance (TDOR), a time to remember those whose lives were lost to acts of violence simply because they were being themselves. We should remember their lives and loas, while also raising awareness of the discrimination transgender people face.

Visibility matters! For transgender and gender-nonconforming kiddos, seeing themselves reflected in joyful, affirming stories is crucial for self-acceptance and building pride.

For all children, these books are powerful windows that build empathy, understanding, and respect for their peers and the world around them.

That empathy and understanding is the best way to prevent future violence.

💬 Comment VISIBLE for a shoppable link to this essential, affirming book list!

✨ (Ages 2-8) Being You: A First Conversation About Gender, Megan Madison + Jessica Ralli + Anne/Andy Passchier
✨ (Ages 4-10) Born Ready: The True Story of a Boy Named Penelope, Jodie Patterson + Charnelle Pinkney Barlow
✨ (Ages 4-8) Calvin, JR Ford + Vanessa Ford + Kayla Harren
✨ (Ages 4-8) Door by Door: How Sarah McBride Became America’s First Openly Transgender Senator, Meeg Pincus +Meridth McKean Gimbel
✨ (Ages 4-8) I Am Jazz, Jessica Herthel + Jazz Jennings + Shelagh McNicholas
✨ (Ages 3-7) Julián Is a Mermaid, Jessica Love
✨ (Ages 4-8) My Rainbow, Jessica Ralli + DeShanna Neal + Art Twink
✨ (Ages 3-6) Not Quite Narwhal, Jessie Sima
✨ (Ages 4-8) One day in June: a story inspired by the life and activism of Marsha P. Johnson, Tourmaline + Charlot Kristensen
✨ (Ages 4-8) Sam Is My Sister, Ashley Rhodes-Courter + MacKenzie Haley
✨ (Ages 4-8) Sylvia and Marsha Start a Revolution! The Story of the Trans Women of Color Who Made LGBTQ+ History, Joy Michael Ellison + Teshika Silver
✨ (Ages 4-8) When Aidan Became a Brother, Kyle Lukoff + Kaylani Juanita

#TransDayOfRemembrance #TDOR #TransRepresentation #LGBTQKids #TransRights #Transgender #PictureBooks #SELBooks #SocialEmotionalLearning #InclusiveBooks #DiverseBooks #KidsBookstagram #ReadAloud #ParentingTips #StopTheHate #RaisingReaders

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What a fabulous @scbwisf very last Illustrator’s Day (❤️😭) this past weekend. The @scbwi @scbwisf illustrator Day each year since 2009 (?!) has been my absolute favorite event as I embarked on an illustration career. I truly credit it for pushing me to create new artwork for a fresh portfolio to share each year, and for all of the amazing critiques & industry stars who came to share their wise & helpful words, and industry advice. So many friends have been made through the years, for which I am grateful! This year, I loved the wisdom and inspiration from @alizarhoo @robsayart and @eugeniayoh ‘s presentations; loved seeing my buddy @lauragleestudio ‘s workshop painting with soy sauce😍, and hearing amazing @cindobindo ‘s session on graphic novels! The team did a fantastic job hosting at Santa Clara University on a fun weekend out. I loved seeing dear pals, amazing portfolios (congrats @hellosansu @emmafisherdraws @artbyjoycho 🎉), meeting new illustrators and authors, and getting to spend time behind the scenes volunteering and bringing some of my husband’s delish wine. Thank you Nena and Danielle @nhyboyer @dheitmuller (the co-illustrator RA’s), Emily Jiang and @anitatranillustration (co-RA’s), @seinawedlick and @susancabael (co-assistant RA’s)! Thank you to Candy Mae @canziedoodles for helping with the timing, and for your fabulous photos, and @lunaludraws for the social media work, always great seeing you! Photo credits: Susan Cabael, Candy Mae Estalilla, Laura G.Lee, and me. Last pic, looking forward to @scbwinortheastbay ‘s Oktoberfest with awesome @marzkim_illustrated and team coming up. Let me know if I’ll get to see you there!

So grateful for these irl events as I work on the book project of my ❤️, and continue to wish for better days for all who are hurting and in need, especially the children and families in Gaza. I continue to hurt for the local communities especially impacted by IcE raids here in the Bay Area and continue to follow and support @authorsagainstbookbans @globalsumudflotilla @the_ilrc @ufwupdates and so many organizations helping our world and its creatures. Sending 🙏🕊️❤️ from here. #scbwisf #scbwisfsouth #scbwi #illustratorsday

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This was the month of finally getting around to books that I've been meaning to read, and I'm so glad I did! The Ministry of Time is totally worth all the hype, I loved it. Our Women on the Ground is such an impactful collection of essays from female Arab reporters. I love Meghan Giddings and don't know why I waited so long on the witchy The Women Could Fly - it's outstanding! The Vera Kelly books are a great, queer mystery series, highly recommended. The Employees is creepy and unsettling in the best way, just like its incredible cover. Definitely listen to Molly Shannon narrating the audiobook of her memoir, it's worth it. I loved Door by Door, a picture book biography of Congresswoman @sarahemcbride. And The Observologist is the perfect book for anyone who loves going outdoors and looking closely at the minutae of the natural world.
#whatthelibrarianreads

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Only by truly studying American history can we make positive progress in who we are as a country. ✊🏾🇺🇸

So many vital stories are just waiting to be told that build understanding, foster awareness, and promote inclusiveness. We are in such need of that #inclusiveness and #equity right now, and some of us are desperately fighting to keep them.

I’ve curated a collection of stories today that are #patriotic in a different, more profound way. These diverse books showcase the real landscape of the American people. They tell the stories of the BIPOC, Women, and LGBTQ+ Americans who fought for every right, every scrap of respect, and their rightful place in our society.

Without them, America would not be America. We would do well to remember that.
Stay strong. Be loud. Take up space. Be American!

Celebrate a truer #IndependenceDay with these powerful reads:

✨ We Are a Garden: A Story of How Diversity Took Root in America, Written by Lisa Westberg Peters and Illustrated by Victoria Tentler-Krylov
✨ My America, Written and Illustrated by Karen Katz
✨ Equality’s Call: The Story of Voting Rights in America, Written by Deborah Diesen and Illustrated by Magdalena Mora
✨ We Are Still Here! Native American Truths Everyone Should Know, Written by Traci Sorell and Illustrated by Frane Lessac
✨ Strong Voices: Fifteen American Speeches Worth Knowing, Written by Cokie Roberts and
Tonya Bolden and Illustrated by Eric Velasquez
✨ That Flag, Written by Tameka Fryer Brown and Illustrated by Nikkolas Smith
✨ Dreamers, Written and Illustrated by Yuyi Morales
✨ Enough: 20 Protesters Who Changed America, Written by Emily Easton and Illustrated by Ziyue Chen
✨ Door by Door: How Sarah McBride Became America’s First Openly Transgender Senator, Written by Meeg Pincus and Illustrated by Meridth McKean Gimbel
✨ A Journey Toward Hope, Written by Coert Voorhees and Victor Hinojosa and Illustrated by
Susan Guevara
✨ Yes We Will: Asian Americans Who Shaped This Country, Written and Illustrated by Kelly Yang

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I have you read any LGBTQ+ biographies? These are just a few diverse and insightful books to learn more about people in the community.

Do you know any of these notable LGBTQ+ folks?

❤️🧡💛💚💙💜

Drawing On the Walls

Author: Matthew Burgess @matthewburgessj
Illustrator: Josh Cochran @joshcochran
Publisher: @enchantedlion

Pride

Author: Rob Sanders @robsanderswrites
Illustrator: Steven Salerno
Publisher: @randomhousekids

Sandor Katz and the Tiny Wild

Author: Jacqueline Briggs Martin and June Jo Lee @foodethnographer
Illustrator: Julie Wilson
Afterward: Sandor Katz
Publisher: @readerstoeaters

Door By Door

Author: Meeg PIncus
Illustrator: Meridth McKean Gimbel @hellomeridth
Publisher: @randomhousekids

A Song for the Unsung

Author: Carole Boston Weatherford @caroleweatherford and Rob Sanders
Illustrator: Byron McCray
Publisher: @henryholtbooks

Sharice’s Big Voice

Author: Sharice Davids @shariceforcongress and Nancy K. Mays
Illustrator: Joshua Mangeshig Pawis-Steckley @mangeshig
Publisher: @harperkids

I am Billie Jean King

Author: Brad Meltzer @bradmeltzer
Illustrator: Christopher Eliopoulos @chriseliopoulos
Publisher: @penguinkids

RuPaul

Author: Maria Isabel Sanchez Vegara @mariaisabelsanchezvegara
Illustrator: Wednesday Holmes @hellomynameiswednesday
Publisher: @flcbooks

Elton John

Author: Maria Isabel Sanchez Vegara @mariaisabelsanchezvegara
Illustrator: Sophie Beer @sophiebeerdraws
Publisher: @flcbooks

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🎉Hello Fellow Illustrators!
It is that time again - our bi-annual 🌟Illustrator Day 2025🌟 will soon open for registration on Monday, June 16th!

We have an exciting line-up of faculty, in-person critique options and a new location to meet with other kidlit illustrators in our community!

DATE: Saturday, September 6th, 2025
TIME: 8 AM - 5 PM, PST
LOCATION: Guadalupe Hall, Santa Clara University
✅REGISTER HERE: https://www.scbwi.org/events/SFSouth-Illustrator-Day-2025

With your registration, you also get free access to our VIRTUAL Pre-event Webinar on Preparation and Tips for Making a Great Portfolio! on July 19th! With the free chance to also submit your digital portfolio for a possible LIVE critique!

Cant make the in-person but still interested in the virtual webinar?
✅REGISTER HERE: https://www.scbwi.org/events/illustrator-day-2025-virtual-webinar-only

#kidlitillustration #kidlit #childrensbookillustration #illustrators #authorillustrator #scbwi #scbwiillustrators
@robsayart @alizarhoo @eugeniayoh @abigailsamoun @cindobindo @lauragleestudio

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