The time has come to bring you the 2026 UKLA Book Awards Shortlist! This year's list features a range of accessible and inclusive titles that really encourage reading for pleasure. Find out more here: ukla.org/ukla-book-aw... #kidslit #bookawards

Frank the Monster by Mats Strandberg, illustrated by Sofia Falkenhem, translated by Julia Marshall, is a quirky story full of warmth about a boy called Frank who accidentally turns into a werewolf. An original take on exploring fears and finding where you fit in. @geckopress.bsky.social

Kitty and Mary by Julia Gray and @imogenrw.bsky.social is a book I already know is my kind of book. Cannot wait to read this dual voice story written through letters and journals. 12+ Pub: 10th Sept 2026 @andersenpress.bsky.social

It’s North Wales, 1980s and a Northern Soul nightclub at the end of the pier. I read Wonderland by Patience Agbabi in one sitting: loved the immersive feel of this YA verse novel and the voice of the main character. It’s so vividly told I felt I was there! @fireflypress.bsky.social

The Magic Feather by Julia Donaldson and Catherine Rayner is a dream team partnership. A beautifully illustrated rhyming fairytale involving a magic feather, talking birds and a girl saving their nests from the queen’s woodcutters. A classic in the making.

Full of fun and brightly illustrated I Want Everything by Sophie Henn asks us to think about what really does make us happy. Great to spark conversations with young children.

The Heart of the Storm by Teresa Heapy and Kate Read is an adventure story showing how in the face of adversity two forest enemies become friends. A story beautifully illustrated, filled with generosity, courage and kindness. @otterbarrybooks.bsky.social

The Brave Little Whale by Charlotte Manning is a beautifully illustrated story where we are invited on the amazing & often dangerous journey of a family of humpback whales, filled with facts along the way. I loved seeing the migration route map at the end too! @otterbarrybooks.bsky.social

The Library of Lost Stories by @eloisewilliams.bsky.social went straight to the top of my reading pile.This is a story about the power of stories, communities & friendships; how stories shape both us & the places we live in. It will stay with me for a long time. @fireflypress.bsky.social

Mo’s Stick by Fiona Lumbers is a celebration of children’s imagination and the joy that can be had with the simplest things. Mo’s stick is gone so all the adventures they have with it have gone too. A joy of a book! @littletigeruk.bsky.social

Fans of Bear and Bird stories will absolutely love this prequel from Jarvis showing us how their friendship began. It has the heart and soul we see in all the Bear and Bird stories and the lovely gentle humour too. Love it! @walkerbooksuk.bsky.social

The Future Book by Mac Barnett & Shawn Harris is such an innovative book. Children are going to have so much fun talking in the language of the future & making up their own! I mean why would we call it a supermarket when it could be a ‘bolly bolly hoo hoo” 😀 Highly recommended!

If you ever wondered how cities across the world are bringing nature into urban spaces Catherine Barr & Christiane Engel’s Cities Going Wild to Save the planet by is the book for you. Sky forests, bird-friendly cities, rain gardens & much more. Highly recommended! @otterbarrybooks.bsky.social

The Shortlist for the #Carnegies2026 Medal for Illustration is here! 💫Showcasing a diverse range of unique artistic styles, these illustrations will capture your heart. Congratulations to all the talented illustrators. 🎨 https://carnegies.co.uk/2026-shortlists-announced/

The Shortlist for the #Carnegies2026 Medal for Writing is here! 📖 With subversive storytelling, reimagined folklore, and inventive verse and chronology, this shortlist has a story for everyone. 📚 Congratulations to the talented writers. https://carnegies.co.uk/2026-shortlists-announced/

The Children of Wolf Rock by Natasha Farrant sees a return Stormy Loch Academy. Set in beautiful outdoors of the Scottish Highlands, full of friendships, bravery, mystery & adventure. Brilliant. I loved the nod to characters from Voyage of Sparrowhawk too! Pub 4th June @faberchildrens.bsky.social

What an utter delight Josephine by Chloé Alméras is. A playful board book about a giraffe discovering a world full of interesting things through the seasons and nature. One to read again and again. @geckopress.bsky.social

22. The Map of Me Nicola Davies & Olga Shtonda Thanks to @jobowers.bsky.social for this recommendation. A beautiful picture book about the uncertainties brought about by moving to live somewhere else…but connections can be found. A lovely one to share in class.

The Blitz Sisters: A story set across WW2, told in 3 parts, from the perspective of 3 sisters, interwoven beautifully together. I loved this story, couldn’t put it down. Full of warmth & captures a wonderful community. Highly recommended @juditheagle.bsky.social @faberchildrens.bsky.social

An early review! Fresh is on offer at Waterstones at the moment: www.waterstones.com/book/fresh/r... Use code FEB26 to get 25% off

📣 librarians, EY practitioners & primary teachers 🥳 2️⃣0️⃣2️⃣6️⃣ marks the 4️⃣0️⃣years of 📖 The Jolly Postman by Janet & Allan Ahlberg. The Postal Museum in London, UK invites schools to join the celebrations & send them some Fairy Tale Mail inspired by the book 🔗 www.postalmuseum.org/visit-us/sch...

I have loved Ruth Brown books for many years. If you love cats, this one’s for you: a simple story with beautiful nostalgic illustrations of a cat’s day from waking up until bedtime filled with rhyme like a tick of of a clock that will have you joining-in. Delightful! @scallywagpress.bsky.social

Poetry collections from @otterbarrybooks.bsky.social are always highly anticipated. Poetry Pizza by Simon Mole is a full of witty poems with word games and jokes alongside quiet and thoughtful ones too with fantastic illustrations by Tom McLaughlin.

Poetry collections from @fireflypress.bsky.social are always brilliant and Fresh by @rhiannonoliver.bsky.social is no exception! Full of lively poems about friendship, kindness and the natural world and what a treat: striking illustrations by Chris Ridell. Pub. 9th April Highly Recommended!

100 Goats and Granny is out in paperback! A joyous, counting book from Atinuke. Full of warmth, humour and energy, with fabulous illustrations from @laurenlhinds.bsky.social This is an interactive rhyming book that everyone will want to join in with. @walkerbooksuk.bsky.social

Wild Apprentice by Sarah Roberts, illustrated by Marianne Van Der Walker is a great book for all wildlife, environmental enthusiasts as it’s filled with all the wildest, adventurous careers in the world. Full of facts, including soundbites from those working in the field. @scholasticuk.bsky.social

The longlists for the 2026 Carnegie Medals have been announced. 19 books are on the Illustration Medal longlist, including 17 illustrators longlisted for the very first time. Which would you choose for the shortlist? @CarnegieMedals #Carnegies2026 booksforkeeps.co.uk/carnegie-med...

They're here: the longlists for the #Carnegies2026. 19 books are on the longlist for the Carnegie Medal for Writing, including 5 past winners. Is your favourite here? Which of these books would you choose for the shortlist? @CarnegieMedals #booksky booksforkeeps.co.uk/carnegie-med...

🎉 The 2026 #ReadForEmpathy collection is here! Celebrating 10 years with 65 diverse, brilliant books for ages 3–16+, curated to reflect our world and spark meaningful conversations during the National Year of Reading. 📖 Download our free guides (link in bio) 🗓️ Join our FREE webinar: 12 Feb, 4pm

Tree Thing by @pierstorday.bsky.social and #MatthewTaylorWildon is as beautifully told as it is illustrated. It’s a read-aloud story, that feels like a classic. A thought-provoking story about the beauty of nature and a plea to protect it. @hachettechildrens.bsky.social

Books from @fireflypress.bsky.social that I’m really looking forward to reading in the coming weeks…

What makes Finding Life stand out is there is just enough information on each of the 13 historical periods to capture the interest of the curious reader and the list of creatures Sophie Williams gives the reader to find in the beautiful detailed illustrations. Highly recommended from Cicada Books

Amazing Shark by @michaelstavaric.bsky.social is a truly stunning nonfiction book about sharks. It’s full to the brim with shark facts, beautifully illustrated, written with an original voice, witty, asking the curious reader questions, with interesting activities! @pushkinchildrens.bsky.social

For everyone who loves Margery Williams classic story, The Velveteen Rabbit, @dc-litchfield.bsky.social has illustrated a new picturebook version. It’s as delightful and charming as the original. A must-have book for all who love this poignant tale and everyone else too! @scholasticuk.bsky.social

This gentle story from Wales’ Children’s Laureate, Nicola Davies, about how maps help a young girl’s move to a new country and stimulates conversations with children about managing changes, making connections and mapping a better world. @templarbooks.bsky.social

Stop the Ball by Susanne Strasser is a wonderful interactive board book that builds and builds with animal after animal joining in to chase a runaway ball to a very satisfying end. And so much fun with sound words to have with young children. Highly recommend! @geckopress.bsky.social

Bedtime stories just got better with Bear’s Nap by Emily Gravett A wonderful interactive story where you’ll find out that crows go caw-caw, owls twit-twoo and much more but will you find out who is keeping Bear awake… Utterly joyous and a classic to read over and over! @twohootsbooks.bsky.social

Four ducks set out on a lake for an adventure. One is nervous, he’s heard there’s a monster lurking beneath. He tags along & does indeed see something! The deadpan humour of the disbelieving ducks is utterly brilliant as is the world Leo Timmers has created in the lake! @geckopress.bsky.social

And here they are in all their glory... Picture Fiction for Early Readers Shortlist 2026! ✨📚🏆 #Spark6Shortlist

Our guest category: Non-Fiction Shortlist 2026! ✨📚🏆 #Spark6Shortlist

7+ Fiction Shortlist 2026! ✨📚🏆 #Spark6Shortlist

9+ Fiction Shortlist 2026! ✨📚🏆 #Spark6Shortlist

11+ Fiction Shortlist 2026! ✨📚🏆 #Spark6Shortlist

Just when I thought there wasn’t another WW2 story for 9+ that could stop me in my tracks, The Lions Run by Sara Pennypacker comes along. An incredible story about the rights of children & mothers, the treatment of animals & with characters at its heart that makes it impossible to put down.

Just finished Murder at the Ivy Hotel by Emily Hourican. Loved it. Full of suspense and intrigue this is a page-turning whodunnit for readers 9+. It feels like this could be the start of a series and I’m hoping very much that it is! @scholasticuk.bsky.social

We are pleased to announce the longlist for the 2026 #BranfordBoase Award, recognising the year's outstanding debut writers for children AND their editors 👏#kidlit #booksky Thank you to @alcs.co.uk & @walkerbooksuk.bsky.social for their support. branfordboaseaward.org.uk/2026-longlist/

Giveaway! I’m giving one lucky person the chance to pick one shelf of books from our Bertvent bookcase. Follow and repost by midday on Saturday 27th and I’ll pick someone at random! Which shelf will you choose? (UK only)

🌟COVER REVEAL🌟 #Wonderland from #PatienceAgbabi is a YA verse novel, and a celebration of Northern Soul music and culture in 1980s north Wales. 🎨 Cover designed in-house 📚️ HITTING BOOKSHOPS 14 MAY 2026 📚️ @bouncemarketing.bsky.social #NorthernSoul #ColwynBayPier #WiganCasino #1980s #UKYA #80sYA

Here's a nice readaloud idea for Parents/Teachers in the buildup to Christmas. Wrap all Xmas/Winter books up individually and read 1 a day from Dec 1st. @mariannedoherty.bsky.social @martingalway.bsky.social @charliehacking.bsky.social @nikkigamble.bsky.social @jobowers.bsky.social #ChristmasReads