Phil Bildner

Those who seek to restrict access to books — to ban books — have never been on the right side of history. Never. Bad people ban books.

July 24th is the anniversary of my coming out as gay. Each year, I commemorate the occasion, and last year, the date had particular meaning, so I wrote a post about it. If you have a few minutes, I hope you'll take the time to read and perhaps share it. theauthorvillage.com/phil-bildner...

Empathy is not a trait of weakness, despite what he and his followers believe.

And now... Elizabeth Acevedo wins the Kirkus Prize for ANGER IS ONLY A SHADOW... absolutely incredible!

**New Picture Book Alert** Congratulations to Newbery Honor winning author @kylelukoff.bsky.social on the release of his latest picture book, THE VICIOUS CYCLE: A STORY OF HEALING with illustrations by Priscilla Tey. Welcome to the World! theauthorvillage.substack.com/p/the-viciou...

He’s telling us in real time he will do anything — anything — not to lose the midterm elections. January 6th was the darkest and most consequential moment in the history of the nation.

Just imagine if a Black president with a Muslim sounding name who one time wore a tan suit ever made a glib or not-so-glib comment about approving of Iran bombing San Diego and Los Angeles. MAGA, Republicans, and Fox News would’ve Benghazi-ed it for the next decade.

Thank you for posting about Banned Books Week. Now please commit to contacting your representatives regularly and implore them to protect book access and the right to read. Please commit to attending a local school board meeting and implore the members to protect book access and the right to read.

VOTE Choosing not to vote in the midterm elections is a choice. Choosing not to vote is a vote for Trump and his regime of monstrous evildoers. We can do something about this. We can start to right these wrongs and undo their cruelty. It's up to us. All of us. No one is coming to save us. VOTE

Thanks to the Newburgh Free Library in the Ramapo Catskill Library System, I have my reads for the week! Looking forward to reading ABSENT by Rex Ogle and MIND VS. MACHINE by Steve Sheinkin and Maurice Ashley and art by Thien Pham.

**COVER REVEAL -- ¡Vamos! Let’s Go to School by Raul the Third** Yes, @raulthethird.bsky.social!! The sixth picture book in his Eisner Award Nominated World of ¡Vamos! series, is coming soon. Learn all about the new book and the series here: theauthorvillage.substack.com/p/cover-reve...

I am so glad I’m reading THE DISAPPEARERS by Marlon James. I’ll also be so glad when I’m done. An essential ordeal.

WOW!! Congratulations to Elizabeth Acevedo, winner of the 2027 Neustadt Prize for Children’s Literature! The winner receives a medallion, certificate, and check for $50,000 at a public ceremony next year!