Brand new award to “recognise young people who have overcome challenge to discover the joy of reading.” Fine-looking initiative from @barringtonstoke.bsky.social & @sla.org.uk (& fabulous bookish prizes!) #KidLitUK

“Over the past 3 years the government has diverted more than £53 million away from frontline teaching&resources to increase staffing and investment in its quango, Oak”Dan Conway @publishersassoc.bsky.social Scope of Oak National Academy judicial review widens. www.thebookseller.com/news/scope-o...

Introducing Children's Chatter...✍️✨ Your one stop digest for children’s writers, illustrators, librarians, publishers and readers. Sign up! 👉 www.thebookseller.com/maili...

“We must help children become critical thinkers and doers…Is there any better way to do this than through stories? Is there any better way to empower them to prepare for their role in this era or any era than through books?” ⚡️Flashback to 2018! @andreabeatyauthor.bsky.social & David Roberts…

“A fun, bounce-along, narrative full of Eagleton’s trademark lightness of touch which nevertheless bundles up content-rich ideas around belonging and identity” Our review of @ianeagletonauthor.bsky.social The Dad Trap: www.letterboxlibrary.com/product-page... @scholasticuk.bsky.social #KidLitUK

3 days left to buy books and feel properly 💞good💞 and purposeful about your book buying choices😄 @bookshop-org-uk.bsky.social #ReadItForward

Catching up on last year’s #LittleRebelsAward Shortlistees: @sflayzell.bsky.social Cottonopolis rubbing spines with those plain old bad heroines and the like in @ruebaldry.bsky.social ‘s “10 Lesbian Novels” recs for #LGBTHistory 2026 @northodoxpress.bsky.social @schoolsoutuk.bsky.social #KidLitUK

“A fun, bounce-along, narrative full of Eagleton’s trademark lightness of touch which nevertheless bundles up content-rich ideas around belonging and identity” Our review of @ianeagletonauthor.bsky.social The Dad Trap: www.letterboxlibrary.com/product-page... @scholasticuk.bsky.social #KidLitUK

📣Teachers: We’ve just updated our LGBTQ+ Book Packs for KS1, KS2 and combined. Bringing you our reviewers’ recent top choices for #lgbtq+ representation in contemporary #KidLitUK ➡️Peek here: www.letterboxlibrary.com/product-page... ➡️And see our Insta reel for a little preview of the contents.

To You: a taped up blocky brown box. To Us: a Gender Equality, Black History and LGBTQ+ Book Pack off to a special school in Wales. #KidLitUK

"Contemporary novelists including Helen Hoang, Corinne Duyvis and Elle McNicoll have demonstrated that emotionally powerful storytelling and neurodivergence are not opposites but companions. And a commercially successful formula." Fab Comment by author @greensolitaire.bsky.social ..

“Celebrating the diverse voices in poetry for children is important because..all children can find a voice that speaks to them&..discover that poetry is their personal gateway into the power of their own words” ( #CLiPPA Judge Nicola Davies) Phoebe Demeger @theclpe.bsky.social ‘s Poetry Award Prize

A wonderful win. Dean Atta’s verse transformed in to a cinematic treasure- And you can catch it on @channel4news.bsky.social

Pets & Tigers! Nikhil and Jay are back! Lovely. @otterbarrybooks.bsky.social have signed two more in Chitra Soundar’s Nikhil and Jay early reader series. Illustrated by @soofiya.bsky.social #KidLitUK www.bookbrunch.co.uk/page/article...

From 🐻bears to 👶🏼babies via 🐧birds… How fabulous. Look at this dazzling spread of Longlistees for the #KlausFluggePrize 2026. #KidLitUK

“100% of authors said they felt well prepared..to deliver events..had grown in confidence in managing the practical business elements..&shared that they had seen an increase in book sales” @bexlibrarian.bsky.social on Year 1 of GLL Literary Foundation #KidLitUK booksforkeeps.co.uk/article/one-...

“This is his voice, passed to the children, so his playful spirit may live on in them." (Qian Zephaniah) Hachette Children to publish two new illustrated books of Benjamin Zephaniah’s work. www.thebookseller.com/rights/hache... #KidLitUK

😍Just look at this gorgeous collection of picture books highlighted through the 2026 Empathy Lab Collection: #KidLitUK

The February edition of our newly launched newsletter is out! 🌼Updates on our popular school/early years book packs. 🌼Tips on selecting inclusive books. 🌼Diary round up: where the Letterbox elves have been. 🌼Unique offers Feel you’re missing out? 😄: www.letterboxlibrary.com/subscribers #KidLitUK

💜Love indie bookshops? 💜Love literacy charities? Checking you got the memo: #ReadItForward Buy ANY children's book IN FEB. @bookshop-org-uk.bsky.social AND 10% will go to @booktrust.org.uk @scottishbooktrust.bsky.social Start with our shop front! ➡️ uk.bookshop.org/shop/letterb... #KidLitUK

🪧✊🏽📣Dear fans of social justice children’s books: You likely heard that the #LittleRebelsAward for Radical Children’s Fiction is on ⏸️/seeking funding. The smallest thing you can do to offer support is to follow the award at @littlerebsprize.bsky.social + Insta Thank you! #KidLitUK

The award which “seeks to celebrate authors who go above & beyond to champion literacy & to support children, young ppl or adults to develop their literacy skills & to build a lifelong love for reading” 🤩 @maisiechanwrites.bsky.social 🤩 Nathanael Lessore 🤩 @laurahallain.bsky.social on the list! 🙂

The judges for the CLiPPA (CLPE Poetry Award) 2026 have been announced! Chaired by Nicola Davies, the panel includes Colette Hiller, Jake Hope, Lisa Mead and Anjali Patel. CLiPPA 2026 starts here – follow for shortlist and Shadowing Scheme news. #CLiPPA2026

1/3 Thanks to Brixton Library for a fabulous tribute to The Brixton Bard, Alex Wheatle, last week. See lambeth_libraries and our insta accounts for the full celebration! Highlights included: 🌟readings of Alex’s work by Nathanael Lessore, Ken Wilson Max, Ramzee, @emilydrabs.bsky.social … #KidLitUK

New, monthly inclusive reading lists featuring stories from different independent children’s book publishers. We 💜love💜 this new initiative from @lantanapub.bsky.social supporting the indie publishing sector- the ‘quieter’ voices who deserve megaphoning! #KidLitUK

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...

“Every decision, from brush choice to colour was guided by the emotional tone of the story.” Artist Alea Marley in the latest @booksforkeeps.bsky.social on illustrating Auntie’s Bangles by Dean Atta. @hachettechildrens.bsky.social booksforkeeps.co.uk/article/wind... #KidLitUK

📣📣📣Fans of the Little Rebels Award for Radical Children’s Fiction📣📣📣 The award organisers, ourselves & @housmansbookshop.bsky.social , are pressing PAUSE this year. For updates please follow at @littlerebsprize.bsky.social #KidLitUK

Last week saw the launch of The Big Green by Ken Wilson-Max, published @otterbarrybooks.bsky.social A wonderful evening for a special book. See how we captured the evening on our Insta reel. AND read our review (& support a not-for-profit!) here: www.letterboxlibrary.com/product-page... #KidLitUK

The Reading Crisis Episode 2 @mostlybooktalk.bsky.social Takeaways for me included: @darrenchetty.bsky.social reflecting on the use of phonics when he was a primary teacher: “a lot of emphasis went on the capacity to decode, but not to make meaning.” #KidLitUK podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/m...

“She should have just kept walking on that moor.” @lawrencepatrice.bsky.social talks to the Island of Brillianters re: Jane Eyre rewriting, Crosstown Doughnuts & harnessing rage. @nadiashireen.bsky.social @frankcottrellboyce.bsky.social #KidLitUK podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/t...

1/2 The shortlist for the Waterstones Children’s Book Prize is out! “This is a list which prioritises reading for pleasure, with picture books bursting with charm which adults will adore reading to little ones on repeat, &novels which are destined to be #KidLitUK www.waterstones.com/the-watersto...

Catching up with the @mostlybooktalk.bsky.social latest series The Reading Crisis. Loving the cross-profession input. Episode 1 includes @charliehacking.bsky.social contextualising phonics and thoughts from authors @dapsdraws.bsky.social & Tim Palmer. #KidLitUK

🎉 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

Support #ReadItForward this month! Buy any children's book through our @bookshop-org-uk.bsky.social page You'll support us(a not for profit!) + 10% will go to @booktrust.org.uk @scottishbooktrust.bsky.social To start you off-here’s our latest booklist ➡️ uk.bookshop.org/lists/new-be... #KidLitUK

Black Poets/BtSG column in @booksforkeeps.bsky.social Inspired by a new poetry collection @darrenchetty.bsky.social & @ksandsoconnor.bsky.social look back at previous anthology iterations&publication challenges faced-incl. the diminishing of dialect: #KidLitUK booksforkeeps.co.uk/article/beyo...

📣 @usbby.bsky.social has published its Outstanding International Book List 2026. UK entries include some of our faves: ⭐️Tyger/ @whatsfsaid.bsky.social ⭐️ @lantanapub.bsky.social Play date ⭐️Atinuke/Brooksbank M Is for Mango @walkerbooksuk.bsky.social www.usbby.org/2026oib.html #KidLitUK

🍒Here’s Sweet Cherry Publishing and now… …also introducing imprint: www.salaamcherry.com , books “embracing the richness of Muslim experiences across cultures” incl children’s books.

LIVERPOOL! I'm going to be doing a free event about the Tiger Warrior on Sat 21st Feb 11am - 12pm at the Central Library in Liverpool. Perfect for the Lunar new year - aimed at 6+ cultureliverpool.co.uk/events/maisi...

Applications are closing soon for City Lit's 26-27 @malorieblackman scholarships for Unheard Voices! Win £1,000 for study on creative writing courses at our college in Central London and online. Application deadline: Sun 8th Feb Learn more & apply: www.citylit.ac.uk/malorie-blac... Good luck!

⭐️ The 2026 Read for Empathy collection launches TOMORROW! ⭐️ We have an EMPATHY-TASTIC array of books ready for you to discover. Dive deeper with our FREE learning webinar on 12 Feb, 4pm. Explore the books on the collection and how you can use them at home, school or in your community setting.

The 2026 Henrietta Branford Competition is open! This year’s theme is inspired by Margaret McDonald's novel, GLASGOW BOYS. The competition aims to encourage writers of the future, as Henrietta wanted. Anyone under the age of 19 can enter. #writing Find out more: branfordboaseaward.org.uk/hbwc/

The @yabookprize.bsky.social is ‘live’ and submissions are invited right now up until 5th March. #KidLitUK

Coming soon! Actor and writer Paterson Joseph and I will be in conversation with Dr Darren Chetty at the Story Museum in Oxford on 16th February. More details below. Hope to see you there. 😊 #noughtsandcroses www.storymuseum.org.uk/whats-on/exp...

1/2 Do book bans ever create a spike in sales..? The real financial impact of book bans on authors, including children’s book creatives having to cancel school visits/a not insignificant % of their income +being taken off invite lists for lit. festivals (N America) #KidLitUK pen.org/steep-price-...

The nuances, complexities & impossibilities of claiming ‘moral neutrality’ within the publishing industry. It would be an injustice to quote any section out of context! By @bookwormvaught.bsky.social in @bookbrunch.bsky.social www.bookbrunch.co.uk/page/free-ar...

Help the brilliant @scottishbooktrust.bsky.social and @booktrust.org.uk by buying your children's and YA books from @bookshop-org-uk.bsky.social where 10% of each book will be donated uk.bookshop.org/shop/MaisieC...

Lovely to join HLTA and school librarian Mrs Cleveland to chat about THE DAD TRAP! missclevelandsreading.com/2026/02/01/t... #KidLit #BookSky #PrimaryEduSky If anyone else would like to interview me for their bookish blogs, just let me know! 💓✨

Fantastic indie publisher @lantanapub.bsky.social has a new website- and a blog! Latest blog from author Shiko Nguru on blending East African history and fantasy thrillers in her Intasimi Warriors series. #KidLitUK