Today I am not in a library or a school, I’m still in bed, and my body thanks me.

Its #NationalPoetryDay! Head to our website, and see what incredible poets and publications we have. Poetry is one of the foundations of Troika. Come in a explore our catalogue! #childrenspoetry #poetryforchildren #poetry #poetrylovers www.troikabooks.com

Teacher:Does anyone remember what Coral does for a job? Yr1 boy: She’s a poemer. I would like, from this day forward, to be known as a poemer.

Of course they have.

Poetry By Heart competition 2026 is live. Register today and follow our tips for running your school competition, and maybe we'll see you at the Grand Finale at Shakespeare's Globe on Monday 6th July 2026! poetrybyheart.org.uk/the-competit...

The boys who won performed a brilliant poem called ‘Gamer’, written by that there @joshuaseigal.bsky.social

Last day of my residency at Beatrix PotterPrimary School, centred around the P-Factor. There were lights, there was dancing, there was clapping and stomping. Wonderful performances from spectacularly talented kids. I have LOVED my time at this very special school.

Happy National Poetry Day! I’m on my way to London for my last day as Poet in Residence at Beatrix Potter Primary. What a perfect place to celebrate NPD!

Seriously thinking of bowing out of @bsky.app. I get very little meaningful interaction, compared to other platforms, but I do get some very strange people following me! I never seem to see the posts of my writing buddies, even when I use hashtags.

Unbeknown to Gus, a wolf is watching his sunbathing. 😱 Photo credit goes to my son.

"Being read to when you’re very young is such a great boost." Great to see our Waterstones #ChildrensLaureate @frankcottrellboyce.bsky.social @ #LabourConference2025 talking the importance of shared reading & our #ReadingRights report on @news.sky.com. 📺 From 52 mins: news.sky.com/sunday-morni...

I don’t usually stroke fellow passengers, but I give you Mousse and Laika . . .

The sun is still shining in London and all my train connections worked seamlessly today. What a wonderful world!

Lovely @bardymum.bsky.social has brought this to my attention. Thank you @booksfortopics.bsky.social , for including Little Light. (If you want to buy a signed copy . . . 😬)

Gus has run out of sofa.

I’m so pleased the NPD theme highlights this important truth. It is not a frivolous waste of classroom time. Instead, it can open a new door of understanding for many children.

Oooh! Look what’s next in my tbr stack!

Oooh! Look what’s next in my tbr stack!

Today I asked yr4 kids to tell me about a family member, using only a simile. Boy: My gran flies like a bird. Me: Aww, that’s lovely. Is she carefree? Boy: No. when she lifts up her arms her skin hangs down like wings. (Note to self, long sleeves for the rest of the residency)

So sad to hear of the death of Tony Harrison. He was a superb poet & extraordinary man. A highlight of my career was filming & interviewing him for @EngMediaCentre Poetry Station. t.co/XlYb3HQ2oL 1/

The Call for Papers for the 2026 UKLA International Conference! Are you an academic working in researching literacy? Or a teacher with a passion for encouraging reading for pleasure in the classroom? Submit a paper and share your expertise with us! We hope you'll join us! ukla.org/internationa...

This trolley has been with me for donkey’s years, negotiating the ups and downs of journeys, and has only just given up the ghost. Let that be a lesson to us all!

Today I asked yr4 kids to tell me about a family member, using only a simile. Boy: My gran flies like a bird. Me: Aww, that’s lovely. Is she carefree? Boy: No. when she lifts up her arms her skin hangs down like wings. (Note to self, long sleeves for the rest of the residency)

Just finished Letters from the Upside and wow — Katya Balen does it again! Her writing is tender, powerful, and full of heart. One of the finest children's authors out there. Every book is a gift, and this one truly soars. Literally one of the best writers around 📚 #KatyaBalen

A child at this school has told me she has a zip wire in her garden. So very jealous.

Thank you @TroikaBooks for this article. @BardyMum www.troikabooks.com/blog/books-b...

Blue skies in London again today. Makes the 3 trains to get here and 3 to get back, less of a chore!

Been working with Yr today at @beatrixpottersc. Thoroughly enjoyed their renditions of ‘Throw a Ball’ @michaelrosenyes.bsky.social and ‘Touch the Sky’ @joshuaseigal.bsky.social They’re learning these play poems for a P Factor competition on NPD. Great school.

We're proud to have contributed to this fantastic report. We focused on the early years and highlighted the power of shared enjoyment in reading. Engaging parents and carers is critical, because we know that when they and their children enjoy reading together, they're more likely to keep doing it!

A sunny morning in Earlsfield , and look how the senior team here welcome their staff -

Visited a few libraries over the past 2 weeks, as the #SummerReadingChallenge ends. Libraries provide an invaluable service, so please support yours, however small. I’ve also been impressed with the work of @readingagency.bsky.social Have a look at what else they do readingagency.org.uk

Still sitting in bed. 🙂Early train tomorrow. 😳I have the huge privilege of being poet in residence at BeatrixPotterPrimary School, from Mon until the end of NPD. Let there be rabbits!

Had a chance to read this today. That’s one of the perks of running workshops in libraries. This picture book is a pure and utter delight- beautiful illustrations and delicate, magical poetic text. @walkerbooksuk.bsky.social

📆 #StorySharerWeek is coming, and we have a great webinar lined up for you! We'll be exploring how early shared reading can play a vital role in building key skills like attention, emotional understanding, flexible thinking and self-control. Sign up 👇 https://bit.ly/4gtIqjI

Such a wonderful, roomy space!

I’m going to be having a grand time with some otterly delightful children at Chelsea Library, tomorrow and Saturday. If you have an otterly delightful child, and live nearby, come along!

📢 NEW: Today we are proud to launch our brand new five-year strategy, Reading For a Brighter Future. It sets out our ambitious vision of a world where no child misses out on the lifelong, transformative benefits of reading. Find out more: https://bit.ly/4gnjYAv

Try our #OURfP Reading Surveys for KS2! ✨ Why not use our class surveys to better understand your pupils' attitudes and perspectives towards RfP? 📚🍎💙 👉https://ourfp.org/2023/01/26/pupils-reading-surveys/ #readingforpleasure #literacy #RfP #Reading

Michaela Morgan: All Together Now! childrenspoetrysummit.com/2025/09/18/m...

I’m going to be having a grand time with some otterly delightful children at Chelsea Library, tomorrow and Saturday. If you have an otterly delightful child, and live nearby, come along!

Knee deep in ideas and planning. Starting a 2 week residency on Monday and I’m still straightening out my thoughts!

'The Caterpillar is the sort of magazine I would have devoured as a young person’ – Liz Brownlee Hungry for funny poems, mind-blowing stories, and art that will make you want to pick up a pencil? Back issues from just €5, this way... 🐆 bit.ly/caterpillarbackissues

Oh my, thank you @uklitassociation.bsky.social ! So many of my favourite authors are here - what an honour to be longlisted alongside them. AND what joy to see Troika buddy, Sarah Zimman in the mix!

We are delighted that two Troika books have made it to the @uklitassociation.bsky.social awards longlist. Congratulations to @coralrumble.bsky.social and @bardymum.bsky.social for #JakubsOtter and #WhyDidMyBrainMakeMeSayIt - brilliant publications, and well deserved. 🥂

Oh my, thank you @uklitassociation.bsky.social ! So many of my favourite authors are here - what an honour to be longlisted alongside them. AND what joy to see Troika buddy, Sarah Zimman in the mix!

Your 2026 UKLA Book Awards Longlists are here - the only national children’s book awards judged by teachers! This year they feature books in translation, past winners, exciting debuts and a huge range of genres and themes. Click here to see the full Longlists: ukla.org/ukla-book-aw...