Instead of everybody making the same joke about the FIFA Peace Prize, maybe we could boycott the World Cup?

Not sure the world is ready for this but here we go. 2026 calendar, gifted to me by @natty008.bsky.social Thanks…I think! 😂 January giving Yorkshire vibes, for some reason. 😂

Happy New Year 🥳

Herring Gull with a starfish.

Boxing Day beach walk.

Christmas Day beach walk. Merry Christmas x

Morning all! Ivor remained asleep until 6am, bless him. Just had a look and we tipped 20k, which is magnificent. I’m going to repost some pix that I missed while slumbering. Thank you thank you #DuvetKnowItsChristmas www.gofundme.com/f/duvet-know...

Unbelievably, #DuvetKnowItsChristmas generates such good will on social media that over the years we've raised somewhere approaching a quarter of a million quid for homeless charities. If you can spare a bob or two, sling some to Centrepoint, and here's the link: www.gofundme.com/f/duvet-know...

Tomorrow evening it’ll be my annual duty to vaguely shepherd the activity on the #duvetknowitschristmas hashtag and urge people to give small sums to charity. 7.30pm? Something like that?

Christmas has finally arrived in Chez Baxter!

The further adventures of funny, readable kids books by non-despicable humans. #KidsBooksFriday #KidLitUK #UKKidLit

Even more funny, readable kids books by non-despicable humans. #KidsBooksFriday #KidLitUK #UKKidLit

More funny, readable kids books by non-despicable humans. #KidsBooksFriday #KidLitUK #UKKidLit

I had intended to take this week off #KidsBooksFriday, but somehow I feel a sudden urge to celebrate funny, readable books by folk who are not despicable humans. Please do join me with your recommendations. #KidLitUK #UKKidLit

A German version of “the early bird catches the worm” translates to “the morning hour has gold in its mouth.” A Czech version is “he who does not laze around, gets the greens.” But my favourite is the French “the first cow to the meadow licks up all the dew” (imo, a vache improvement on the others).

Eeekkk! Cover reveal for THE DAD TRAP! Grab a copy from @bookshop-org-uk.bsky.social! uk.bookshop.org/p/books/the-... #KidLit #BookSky #PrimaryEduSky

You learn something every day - turns out that in America, instead of saying 'right wing racist grifting gobshite' they say 'comedian'.

Pax, by Sara Pennypacker, is one of my favourite children's books from the past ten years. I can't even begin to articulate how excited I am to read The Lions' Run. Updates to follow.

A Few Scattered Thoughts on My Latest Reading of The Voyage of the Dawn Treader by C.S. Lewis irresponsiblereader.com/2025/12/05/a...

November and December typically account for 20%+ of an indie bookshop’s annual sales. Our support is needed to help them keep the lights on in the new year. Shop small this holiday season & beyond, so your indie can support your community in 2026 & beyond.

Beach walk.

Beach walk.

No 14 in my #FavePicturebooks25 Firefly Song by @colleenpaeff.bsky.social and #JiHyukKim The magical true story of Lynn Frierson Faust—whose childhood curiosity led to a groundbreaking discovery about synchronous fireflies. A brilliant celebration of science & wonder! #PicturebookPage

Day 1 of my #ChristmasFilmAdvent Klaus

Here we go with #CrochetAdvent2025 Just one for me this year. TOFT advent. A mystery. Huge box this year, with a wood theme. Simple start to Day 1 with a ball of cocoa (dark brown) #EdsAdvent2025 🧶

And so we begin.

Well, here we have it, this year's challenger, and it's a stark departure from previous years.

Hoping @patchworkofregrets.bsky.social has the advent calendar of choice ready for tomorrow.

No. 27 in my #FavePicturebooks25 is My Home is My Backpack by #EugeniaPerella & #AngelaSalerno a poignant, emotional story of displacement that ultimately uplifts. “Our home is special made from the people we love and the things we love doing.”Beautifully told. #PicturebookPage

Not at all surprising. I said this to you @happyheadteacher.bsky.social . Been waiting for mine since Feb. 🙄

I really need to not be this type of person any more.

Morning, A request for help: I recently moved up north (near Bolton) and I’ve been on supply ever since. I need a permanent job. Science teacher. 20yrs exp. Schools don’t always advertise on the TES so if anyone knows anyone, please pass this on? I’d really appreciate it!

No. 29 in my #FavePicturebooks25 is “To See An Owl” by @cordellmatthew.bsky.social — a joyous celebration of passion, persistence & nature. The art is stunning, the story is MAGICAL, and the journey is as beautiful as the destination. #PicturebookPage

Spotted the instantly recognisable silhouette of this grey heron on a rooftop as I was driving. Pulled over into a convenient lay-by take these. @everyheron.bsky.social

My illustrations for The Woman in Black are now available as signed giclee prints. You can view them on my website nicktankard.co.uk I’ll also be making the original illustrations available here on Bluesky, watch this space…The illustrations are in the hardback edition published by Vintage Classics.

Beach walk.

Today I start the 7th decade of my life. I am fine about that. Spent it walking in the sunshine with Jack on Lindisfarne, having coffee and cake at Pilgrims Coffee, chips at Seahouses and visiting @forumbooks.bsky.social .

I will be running something called MIDDLE-GRADE MONDAYS over on Instagram. I’ll be inviting a middle grade author to come onto a live chat with me so we can talk about their books! I’m very excited to announce that the first author will be the amazing SF Said on 3/11 at 12.45! #PrimaryEduSky

Just perfect today. Bit of a strong breeze, blue sky and white clouds echoed by the blue sea and white horses. #Northumberland #DruridgeBay @happyheadteacher.bsky.social @smithsmm.bsky.social @natty008.bsky.social @edfinch.bsky.social @whatonomy.bsky.social

Three years ago today. One of the best decisions I ever made. 🌊

With it being Halloween I guess we need a spooky #KidsBooksFriday. But I am also a total scaredy cat so I’ll be sticking to cosy spooky books thanks. The kids do seem to love a bit of horror though, so do recommend - just don’t expect me to read any! 🙈 👻 #UKKidLit #KidLitUK #KidLit

Can’t beat an #IndieBookshop edition. Collected Book of Dust 3, The Rose Field, from @forumbooks.bsky.social this morning. Came with a free bag and an alethiometer pin badge. And just look at the endpapers and #UnderTheDustJacket 🥰

A proper #Bookcident yesterday @forumbooks.bsky.social Accidental Bookshop.

Beach walk.

The reviewoftheday comes from @f33lthesun.bsky.social and Beth really enjoyed @bbnya.bsky.social _official 2024 finalist ‘Madame Eldridge’s Wayward Home for Unruly Boys’ by @brclothwrites.bsky.social ‘A thoroughly deserved 5th place in the BBNYA 2024 awards.’ bethsbookcase.org/2025/07/07/m...

Ok, I'm gonna need readers with tweens and teens who are fully into the autumnal witchy vibes to get on board with my magical books set in October with ravens, a Norse god and found family vibes. (Written by an anti-AI and gentle queer AuDHD author) Available here: www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B...

2018 Paris and 2023 Rome. Come on #TeamEurope #RyderCup @rydercupeurope.bsky.social

Beach walk.