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Elayne Crain

@elaynecrain

Writer of childish things. Fan of sidequests. THERE'S SOMETHING ODD ABOUT THE BABYSITTER (w/ John Ledda, Feiwel & Friends). #scbwi #12x12pb #kidlit #β˜• #πŸ“š elaynecrain.com/books + elaynecrain.substack.com

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27.09.2023
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Latest posts by Elayne Crain @elaynecrain

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a woman in a floral dress is standing in a kitchen and saying very early . ALT: a woman in a floral dress is standing in a kitchen and saying very early .

Nice! So you are perpetually early, in fact!

25.01.2026 18:56 πŸ‘ 1 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 1 πŸ“Œ 0
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three raccoons are standing on top of a white container ALT: three raccoons are standing on top of a white container

Janet, I'm so sorry I've been so bad about keeping up with my Bluesky @s! But thank you so much, and I'm so glad you enjoyed it. :) Have a lovely end of January!

25.01.2026 18:55 πŸ‘ 1 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0

I'm admittedly biased, but *whatever* John used, worked! Ha ha ha! :) I truly love the art in this book.

31.12.2025 19:01 πŸ‘ 1 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0

Definitely!! Team trophy!! :) And still prominently displayed through 2026 (though it will be moved to a wall when we finally get the tree down). :)

31.12.2025 18:58 πŸ‘ 2 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 1 πŸ“Œ 0
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Congrats John Ledda, illus. THERE'S SOMETHING ODD ABOUT THE BABYSITTER by @elaynecrain.bsky.social
WINNER / 2025 Undies Awards 100scopenotes.com/2025/11/24/a... via
@100scopenotes.bsky.social
Feiwel & Friends

05.12.2025 00:48 πŸ‘ 2 πŸ” 1 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
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ANNOUNCEMENT! We've been working hard behind the scenes this year to revamp our approach to our scholarship program. It's now ready and applications for our 2026 scholarship program are LIVE! forms.gle/Pe2qKyaGMH67...

06.11.2025 17:41 πŸ‘ 13 πŸ” 16 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 1
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a girl in a pink sweater is raising her arms in the air while standing in front of a group of people . ALT: a girl in a pink sweater is raising her arms in the air while standing in front of a group of people .

Huzzah!

26.09.2025 19:08 πŸ‘ 1 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0

So very excited for this long time writing buddy! Go, Kara, go!

26.09.2025 18:51 πŸ‘ 2 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 1 πŸ“Œ 0

Sure, thank you!

21.09.2025 21:40 πŸ‘ 1 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 1 πŸ“Œ 0

Aww, thank you so very much for sharing, @lisasbilla.bsky.social! Hugs!

21.09.2025 21:40 πŸ‘ 2 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
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#PictureBookPlaces with Elayne Crain β€” Heather Dawn Torres Join me today on #PictureBookPlaces as we chat with author Elayne Crain about her newest picture book There’s Something Odd About the Babysitter!

Picture Book Giveaway Alert! 🚨Interview and giveaway of "There's Something Odd About the Babysitter" over at #picturebookplaces with @hdtorresauthor.bsky.social! (Thank you for hosting, Heather! So nice to meet you!)

19.09.2025 00:48 πŸ‘ 6 πŸ” 1 πŸ’¬ 2 πŸ“Œ 2
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Mommy's New Friend Mommy's New Friend is a heartfelt, lyrical story about …

Today's #ChewyReviewy is "Mommy's New Friend" by
Shelley Tougas and Sara Palacios.
A tough subject, handled with care and authenticity throughout.
Online review here, Insta, Amazon & Goodreads!
#pb #mirrorsandwindows #toughsubjects #divorce #newfamily #classroom
www.goodreads.com/book/show/11...

05.09.2025 17:42 πŸ‘ 2 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0

Aww, thanks for sharing, Kelli! :) Hope your September is off to a lovely start!

02.09.2025 05:52 πŸ‘ 0 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0

You can also look up "icebox cakes" online--lots of them use cookies instead of cake layers, but after everything sets, you can't much tell. You might use graham crackers, chocolate chip cookies, or wafer cookies, for example, and they sort of "fluff up" in the freezer once layered.

19.08.2025 21:51 πŸ‘ 2 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
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a raccoon is standing on its hind legs on a dirt path . ALT: a raccoon is standing on its hind legs on a dirt path .

Aww, so proud "There's Something Odd About the Babysitter" made it into your awesome-looking library haul! :) Hope you enjoy! (And what company!)

19.08.2025 21:46 πŸ‘ 0 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
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a man applauds with the #schitts creek logo behind him ALT: a man applauds with the #schitts creek logo behind him
15.08.2025 05:18 πŸ‘ 1 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
SCBWI Western Washington Kidlit Summer Potluck Picnic - This Sunday! August 17, 11 a.m.-2 p.m. at Luther Burbank Park. The Meadow at 2040 84th Ave SE, Mercer Island

SCBWI Western Washington Kidlit Summer Potluck Picnic - This Sunday! August 17, 11 a.m.-2 p.m. at Luther Burbank Park. The Meadow at 2040 84th Ave SE, Mercer Island

WA #scbwi folk: the annual SCBWI WWA summer potluck is this Sunday, August 17! Please bring a dish to share (or a picnic for yourself) and maybe a camp chair or picnic blanket. We'll provide the beverages, plates/utensils/napkins, and the company. Hope to see you there! #kidlit #washington

14.08.2025 22:39 πŸ‘ 6 πŸ” 1 πŸ’¬ 1 πŸ“Œ 0
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AABB Author Sign-Up Form Hello! We're Authors Against Book Bans, a group of authors who’ve come together to protect and promote the freedom to read on both the national and local levels. We’re creating a network of authors to...

Happy Monday! The bigger our crew the more we can change! If you have an author/illustrator in your life (esp if they're not on #BookSky) make sure they know about us. Share the form to join with them. Thank you!

28.07.2025 14:54 πŸ‘ 34 πŸ” 36 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
July 23, 2025 American Indie Bestseller List flyer, with the picture book "There's Something Odd About the Babysitter" featured in the corner as "Other Children's Indie Favorites"

July 23, 2025 American Indie Bestseller List flyer, with the picture book "There's Something Odd About the Babysitter" featured in the corner as "Other Children's Indie Favorites"

Not sure how those amazing indie #booksellers pick the "Other Children's Indie Favorites" corner book, but gosh, we're SO honored they shared our tale of three tails (conspicuously poking out of a trench coat) with such impressive, storied company! Thank you, @americanbookseller.bsky.social!!

29.07.2025 20:32 πŸ‘ 4 πŸ” 1 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
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a raccoon is looking at a person 's finger and making a funny face . ALT: a raccoon is looking at a person 's finger and making a funny face .
29.07.2025 00:27 πŸ‘ 0 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
A picture book spread from There's Something Odd About The Babysitter. The page depicts a young boy and his dog meeting his new babysitter, who is very obviously three raccoons in a trench coat. 

Text reads: Freddie's nail chewing was interrupted by a grunt. He and the babysitter regarded one another. Hmmm, thought Freddie. There's something odd about this babysitter. 

There's something a bit odd here. (In yellow text, coming from the babysitter's trench coat: Screeeeeech! Hisss! Grrrrr!) The babysitter's belly growled-loudly. "Perhaps it's time to make dinner?" Freddie suggested.

A picture book spread from There's Something Odd About The Babysitter. The page depicts a young boy and his dog meeting his new babysitter, who is very obviously three raccoons in a trench coat. Text reads: Freddie's nail chewing was interrupted by a grunt. He and the babysitter regarded one another. Hmmm, thought Freddie. There's something odd about this babysitter. There's something a bit odd here. (In yellow text, coming from the babysitter's trench coat: Screeeeeech! Hisss! Grrrrr!) The babysitter's belly growled-loudly. "Perhaps it's time to make dinner?" Freddie suggested.

A picture book cover on a dark green background. The title is There's Something Odd About The Babysitter by Elayne Crain, illustrated by John Ledda. 

Text underneath the cover reads:
"Read. Laugh. Repeat" - Kirkus Reviews
Ages 4-8

A picture book cover on a dark green background. The title is There's Something Odd About The Babysitter by Elayne Crain, illustrated by John Ledda. Text underneath the cover reads: "Read. Laugh. Repeat" - Kirkus Reviews Ages 4-8

Is it us or is there something . . . odd . . . about this babysitter? 🦝

A boy gets more than he bargained for when his babysitter may or may not be a stack of raccoons in a trench coat in this laugh out loud funny picture book that kids will want to read again and again ❀️ @elaynecrain.bsky.social

28.07.2025 15:52 πŸ‘ 8 πŸ” 2 πŸ’¬ 1 πŸ“Œ 0
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Elayne Crain's review of World of Rot 5/5: Last year got away from me, and one elusivity was a lot of outstanding reading I wasn't organized enough to share. Thankfully, as one might expect, "World of Rot: Learn All About the Wriggly, Sli...

Today's #ChewyReviewy is "World of Rot" by
@grumpynaturalist.bsky.social and @brunice.bsky.social.
Spoils its readers rotten with facts and fascinations!
#kidlit #bookrecs #pb #science #nature #visualstorytelling
www.goodreads.com/review/show/...

25.07.2025 18:03 πŸ‘ 0 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
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We are pleased to host a giveaway of the picture book, THERE'S SOMETHING ODD ABOUT THE BABYSITTER by @elaynecrain.bsky.social, illustrated by John Ledda (Feiwel and Friends)

To enter, L + RP & confirm your entry in our Friday update: kidlit411.com/2025/07/the-...

18.07.2025 14:20 πŸ‘ 7 πŸ” 3 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0

Congrats to bimonthly critique partner (and all-around lovely person) @meilinc.bsky.social!! Can't wait to pre-order! πŸ”₯Go, MeiLin, go!!

15.07.2025 22:02 πŸ‘ 3 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 1 πŸ“Œ 0
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The King of Books Check out The King of Books - <p><b>A laugh-out-loud story about an enthusiastic king who learns the power of books!</b><br><br>It’s Book Day, everyone!<br><br>And the King of Books cannot wait to sho...

Hear ye, hear ye! I declare that today is the Book Birthday of THE KING OF BOOKS by @ginaperry.bsky.social, published by @mackidsbooks.bsky.social!

Available everywhere books are sold, including your local indie via bookshop.org/p/books/the-....

Congrats, Gina!!!

15.07.2025 16:24 πŸ‘ 13 πŸ” 6 πŸ’¬ 2 πŸ“Œ 0
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Tiger Time How-to-draw THE KING OF BOOKS drawing sheet, Switzerland vacation recap, Upcoming bookstore and library events, Book and Podcast recommendations.

Only a few more days to enter my #giveaway for a signed copy of THE KING OF BOOKS! Details in the newsletter... ginaperry.beehiiv.com/p/tiger-time #kidlit #kidlitart

12.07.2025 13:39 πŸ‘ 6 πŸ” 1 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
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Elayne Crain's review of Where the Deer Slip Through 5/5: I bought "Where the Deer Slip Through" by Katey Howes and Beth Krommes on the Friday morning of ALA, read it in a hotel room, and have been thinking about its writing, on and off, ever since--its...

Today's #ChewyReviewy is "Where the Deer Slip Through" by @kateywrites.bsky.social and Beth Krommes.
Brilliant use of language to enhance the theme of 'when wild beauty creeps into established structure.'
#kidlit #bookrecs #pb #poem #heart #visualstorytelling
www.goodreads.com/review/show/...

11.07.2025 17:57 πŸ‘ 1 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0

Author-signed copies of "There's Something Odd About the Babysitter" are back in stock at Brick & Mortar bookstore in Redmond, WA!

11.07.2025 17:51 πŸ‘ 1 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0

An absolute pleasure! :) Thank you so much for stocking, sharing (and even recommending) this book! πŸ‘¦πŸ½+ 🦝🦝🦝πŸ§₯= 😍

11.07.2025 17:50 πŸ‘ 2 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
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Tiger Time How-to-draw THE KING OF BOOKS drawing sheet, Switzerland vacation recap, Upcoming bookstore and library events, Book and Podcast recommendations.

It's time for July's Doodle Mail (my author newsletter). This month features a book giveaway, a How-to-Draw The King printable, and a recap of my trip to Switzerland! #kidlit

06.07.2025 19:00 πŸ‘ 12 πŸ” 4 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 1