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If you're part of the kidlit community, you probably already know our current "ambassador" declared in a new book that 94.7 percent of kids' books are "crud." It was a careless and harmful thing for someone in that role to say in this moment, and I've been thinking about where we go from here.

When our current “ambassador” was chosen last year, his hometown newspaper announced he’d been picked to “champion children’s literature across the country.” But today, my social media feed is full of the most amazing artists and illustrators who are feeling the exact opposite of championed.

We may or may not see an apology in the days to come. If we do, it might be one of those “I’m sorry you didn’t understand what I meant” apologies. (PSA for anyone who needs a primer on how to apologize the right way: @kylelukoff.bsky.social I’M SORRY YOU GOT MAD.) bookshop.org/p/books/i-m-...

But regardless, I doubt the diverse group of creators who pour their hearts out making books for kids every day will feel very well represented for the rest of the year. So where does that leave us?

Maybe we can all pitch in on the ambassador front, sharing the wide range of amazing books being published for kids and young adults. The books that show kids that everyone’s story matters.

We can remind kids and their grownups that it’s okay to love funny stories or romance or comics or horror or nonfiction or series or whatever makes you love reading, no matter what some 40-something-year-old man thinks about your favorite books.

And what if we make it a point – say once a week – to share a brand new kids’ book we read and loved? Because there are so many amazing books for kids that are worth championing. #BeAnAmbassador

This is a great idea. I am going to make more of a point to share books as I read them! For example, I just read this amazing book a few days ago and I am still thinking about it daily. ❤️ #KidLit #MGLit @taekeller.bsky.social