Plug - take a look at my newsletter, Book History Bite - subscribe if you like, etc. Next edition will be out this month, so make sure your inbox is ready :) bookhistorybite.substack.com

Always a joy to celebrate a new book by @pennychrimes.bsky.social - and what a lovely launch for Hero, The Highway Girl! New from @fireflypress.bsky.social - Hero is a fast-paced adventure in the wildnerness of C18th London. It has wolves, secret caves, gargoyles, chandeliers and great outfits.

119. The Seamaiden's Odyssey by @berliedoherty.bsky.social, illustrated by @hobslantern.bsky.social An enchanting tale of the deep sea with utterly gorgeous illustrations!

Tamsin Rosewell is an British artist, historian and broadcaster with a background in politics. As an an illustrator she uses various techniques to tell stories in her work, such as mathematics and geometry for composition, and color and silhouette figures to convey emotions and stories.

We need an award like this back! it's perfect. I often think when looking at Greenaway winners that the text AND the art should get a prize because they're so integrated...this prize or similar would be perfect. Anyone wanna set one up? #KidLitUK en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kurt_Ma...

Stonehenge all red and stormy for a hot midsummer’s day. #SummerSolstice #Midsummer #Solstice #Stonehenge #Linocut #Printmaking

I loved this too. And the Joan Aiken comparison is well made.

Thankyou so much @hobslantern.bsky.social! Joan Aiken is my writing heroine, so that means so much. Love the red silk - just like Hero's dress! @fireflypress.bsky.social #kidslit

I LOVED this wild and wonderful adventure by @pennychrimes.bsky.social. It reminded me of the joy and excitement of Joan Aiken's writing: wolves and hidden caves, secrets in old houses, inheritances to be found and claimed - and some splendid villains. Out in September from @fireflypress.bsky.social

This was was glorious. A heart-filled pistol-flash of an adventure, filled with daring deeds, odious villains, and amazing hats. A wronged girl with her vengeful wolf meets an outlaw boy with a stallion only he can ride? Yes please! Thank you @fireflypress.bsky.social and @pennychrimes.bsky.social

Just made the move over from X! 🎉🎊 We are an independent museum based in Eyam, Derbyshire, telling the story of how we got the plague from London in 1665-6, and our local history. Interested? Head to our website at www.eyam-museum.org.uk to find out more.

Thank you to @uclanpublishing.bsky.social for the paperback review copy of The Seamaiden's Odyssey by @berliedoherty.bsky.social with stunning illustrations by @hobslantern.bsky.social🧜‍♀️ #TheSeamaidensOdyssey #MG #TeenFiction #fantasy #folklore #ukteenchat

Thank you to @uclanpublishing.bsky.social for the paperback review copy of The Seamaiden's Odyssey by @berliedoherty.bsky.social with stunning illustrations by @hobslantern.bsky.social🧜‍♀️ #TheSeamaidensOdyssey #MG #TeenFiction #fantasy #folklore #ukteenchat

Here’s a quick flick-through of my illustrations for Becoming Grace by the wonderful #hilarymckay. Hilary brings to life the world Grace Darling knew before her fame - the hardships and excitement of growing up in a lighthouse, with her large family and a dog called Happy. Out April 10th!

Happy book birthday to @afharrold.com for The Pocket Book of Pocket Poems. Out today! We love dipping into it in school and choosing a random poem. Some of the children have been learning them and performing them back to the class.

Thank you so much for the lovely photo @thomastaylor.bsky.social - it was a lovely audience, and the first public group to see the actual paintings too!

A great evening at the Cartoon Museum yesterday, hearing Berlie Doherty and @hobslantern.bsky.social talk about their collaboration on ‘Seamaiden’s Odyssey’. It was wonderful to hear Berlie’s thoughts on the changes she’s seen in publishing. Makes me want to travel back and be a writer in the 80s!

🌟EVENT: THE CARTOON MUSEUM, LONDON🌟 THE SEAMAIDEN'S ODYSSEY: A Glimpse Behind the Scenes. THURS 13th MARCH, 7pm. Wells St, (nr Oxford Circus) 🎟 @cartoonmuseum.bsky.social shop.beyonk.com/1wz1m3el/exp... @berliedoherty.bsky.social @uclanpublishing.bsky.social @bouncemarketing.bsky.social

🌟EVENT: THE CARTOON MUSEUM, LONDON🌟 THE SEAMAIDEN'S ODYSSEY: A Glimpse Behind the Scenes THURS 13th MARCH, 7pm. WELLS STREET, LONDON (near Oxford Circus). 🎟TICKETS: shop.beyonk.com/1wz1m3el/exp... @berliedoherty.bsky.social @uclanpublishing.bsky.social @cartoonmuseum.bsky.social

'He jumped down from the cupboard. Joe heard the clump of his feet. He sat up and saw Kit's back reflected in the tall mirror. In the mirror Kit was running toward the door next to the chimney.' Treacle Walker, by Alan Garner Lino print, silhouette and paper cut-work.

On 26th Feb I will give a (free online) talk for @blakesociety.bsky.social in which I will re-examine the importance of Urizen in Blake's mythological structure. For more details see: blakesociety.org/product/uriz...

Blake Soc Trustee @johnnyriordan.bsky.social had a fun afternoon yesterday wandering the charter'd streets of London with Joe of @sketchpoetry.bsky.social Listen to the results at open.spotify.com/episode/0h7t...

THE URIZEN CYCLE, Wed 26 February, 7:30 PM (UK time) on zoom. Dr Annise Rogers discusses Blake's central character Urizen, and proposes 'the Urizen Cycle' as a new way of understanding his mythological system. All are welcome. More info and free registration at blakesociety.org/product/uriz...

A designer asked me recently if I could get a good range of colours working in botanical and mineral pigments, so I made them this.. Botanical ink, mineral inks, clay, chalk, ground brick, and gold leaf.

We're both really looking forward to this!

And here's our #conference line up in full! Don't miss out - it's where connections are made and opportunities found! Perfect for aspiring #cartoonists, new graduates, students, professionals and anyone interested in the subject. Lunch provided! #cartoons Tickets: shop.beyonk.com/1wz1m3el/exp...

Today we are excited to launch our NEW exhibition CATS IN CARTOONS - opening 5 April! Featuring artists from all over the world and insight into the work of Battersea Dogs & Cats Home and how they rescue, rehabilitate and rehome cats and their London centre. Join us in April for a fun feline time!

🌟EVENT: THE CARTOON MUSEUM, LONDON🌟 THE SEAMAIDEN'S ODYSSEY: A Glimpse Behind the Scenes. THURSDAY 13th MARCH. Wells Street, London (near Oxford Circus). More info & tickets: shop.beyonk.com/1wz1m3el/exp... @cartoonmuseum.bsky.social @berliedoherty.bsky.social @uclanpublishing.bsky.social

Soot Wolf on Blackheath Soot ink and London chalk on paper #london #Wolf #ink

✨ Ready to feel more confident with school visits? Join @lizflanagan.bsky.social and @hobslantern.bsky.social for an engaging online event ✨ Don’t miss out on insider tips and expert advice. 📅 Get your tickets: bit.ly/419cI5l #SchoolVisits #PublishingCentreofExcellence

It was a wonderful afternoon! I'd like to invite the #Februarty people to watch it! I shared some stories about water Orishas and @hobslantern.bsky.social talked about her amazing mermaid illustrations for her book. You'll all be truly inspired!

C/1858 L1 Donati This comet decided to become an abstract study in geometry. Ink on canvas. #comet #astronomy #ink #celestial #stars

A video of our post-AGM chat about Blake's notebook AKA The Rossetti Manuscript, led by @hobslantern.bsky.social and @johnnyriordan.bsky.social is now up at blakesociety.org/product/agm-...

WORK IN PROGRESS The pandemonium that is Victorian London, painted in London brick, charcoal, chalk, copper ink, and soot. I'll add more detail, more pandemonium...and one figure; the ultimate urban legend. #london @paintingsoflondon.bsky.social #victorianlondon #folklore #urbanlegend

fantastic @blakesociety.bsky.social talk on Blake's Notebook MS by @hobslantern.bsky.social & @johnnyriordan.bsky.social

BLAKE'S NOTEBOOK Wed 29 January, 7.30 PM (UK time), ONLINE & free Illustrator @hobslantern.bsky.social and comic artist @johnnyriordan.bsky.social will discuss the notebook of William Blake, AKA The Rossetti Manuscript. ALL WELCOME More info and registration blakesociety.org/product/agm-... ...

THE ROSSETTI MANUSCRIPT Weds 29th January, 7.30pm ONLINE & free On Wednesday, comic artist John Riordan and I will be discussing the notebook of William Blake, known as The Rossetti Manuscript. ALL WELCOME: More info and registration: blakesociety.org/product/agm-... @blakesociety.bsky.social

The AGM will last about half an hour and be followed by a discussion of the Notebook, or The Rossetti Manuscript, inspired by its recent publication in facsimile by SP Books. The discussion will be led by Blake Soc trustees and illustrators @hobslantern.bsky.social and @johnnyriordan.bsky.social

People ask why I didn’t do the cover art for my Eerie-on-Sea books, and, fact is, I did have a go. Here’s the result, unearthed as I tidy my studio. Book covers are hard work, subject to enormous scrutiny, so I’m glad George Ermos took on the burden in the end. But nice to find this again.

Stargazer. My small homage to both William Blake and Maurice Sendak - realised in my love of painting astonomical events. Comet over Allamanda. Ink on canvas. #astomony #constellations #gemini #comet #williamblake #mauricesendak #orbital

There is now a lovely pile of fresh, sparkly Seamaidens at @waterstones.bsky.social Leamington Spa - which I've just signed and drawn little fish in. Each one is different. 🐟🐠🪸🧜🏻‍♀️🐚🐟🪼🐠🪸🧜🏻‍♀️🐚🐟🪼

Very delighted INDEED to see The Seamaiden's Odyssey in the @theguardian.com books round up of 2024. Thank you @imogenrw.bsky.social @uclanpublishing.bsky.social @bouncemarketing.bsky.social

Last kids roundup of 2024 - gorgeous 📚 from @karlnewson.bsky.social @littleislandbooks.bsky.social @michaelrosenyes.bsky.social @martinimpey.bsky.social @hilarymckay.bsky.social @anjasusanj.bsky.social @chrisvickwrites.bsky.social @andy-p.bsky.social and more ✨ www.theguardian.com/books/2024/d...

Inspired by Alan E Cober's illustrations to the The Dark is Rising (1973), I created a few of my own. Ink and chalk on paper. 'The dark branches of Herne's antlers curved up over Will, the moonlight glinting on their velvety sheen.." SUSAN COOPER, THE DARK IS RISING. #TheDarkIsRising #Solstice

Mother Willow Tree. Ink on canvas. This tells the story of the hunted hare protected by Mother Willow, who transforms hunters' blood into hare's blood, ensuring that they learn to live as the hare does. Both story and music are by wonderful musician, Ange Hardy, from her album Bare Foot Folk.

📚✨️WATERSTONES, LEAMINGTON SPA.📚✨️ On Thursday 12th December, from 5pm, I'll be taking original artwork from The Seamaiden's Odyssey to Waterstones for their Christmas signing event. Come along and chat and browse - there will be mince pies and general Christmassyness! @uclanpublishing.bsky.social

This was one of the many objects that inspired me @britishmuseum.bsky.social exhibition when I was writing Moonshifter

So finally got house back to myself after building work and now the wonderful SOOT TIGER picture that @hobslantern.bsky.social created after reading TIGER HEART @hachettechildrens.bsky.social has pride of place in the hall so EVERYONE sees it. London brick dust and chalk and Thames silt. Amazing.