BOOK GIVEAWAY!!! I'm not on social media much at the moment, working hard on my new book, which I feel sure will be my best one yet when it's done! In the meantime, I'm giving away signed copies of all my books so far. Follow & repost to enter, and say which book you'd like & why. Closes Dec 5!

Join the campaign to Trump-proof the BBC www.libdems.org.uk/bbc

It's not the first time Reform UK councillors have been caught failing to properly declare their financial interests, as I covered in my On the Ground column for @bylinetimes.bsky.social this month in print... subscribe.bylinetimes.com/edition/79/o...

Here's a small selection of the poppies made by children for Remembrance Day using one of my simple cardboard projects. Both methods just use recycled, paper-based materials, allowing them to be recycled too (no plastic) Both videos are on my YouTube channel. (my name) www.darrellwakelam.com #edusky

After last year's success, I'm doing more online Christmas workshops this year. So, if you want to do some festive making with your class, get in touch. You choose what we make, I'll show you the skills, then off you go! One-hour sessions am/pm 15th - 19th December 🙂 www.darrellwakelam.com #edusky

Autumn running, jogging, slipping and sliding has commenced. #EduRunners

I have a brand new and very exciting episode of #DrawWithRob Icons for you tomorrow, particularly if you're a fan of Studio #Ghibli. My #Totoro drawalong drops tomorrow at 10am...

📣 Teachers and school librarians, we want to hear from you! 📣 We want to know how best to support schools with our free downloadable resources. Please take a minute to complete our survey so that we can make sure our classroom materials are the best they can be! forms.gle/yiQq3f5d366o...

Sussex Wildlife Trust celebrates success in legal battle to stop Marine Conservation Zone dumping as licence is quashed sussexwildlifetrust.org.uk/news/sussex-... Short-snouted Seahorse © Paul Naylor

After over 3 yrs on an autism pathway with the NHS, we have now been delayed AGAIN. Son is yr 5. specialist secondary school needs a diagnosis to accept him so needs a diagnosis by June. Has an EHCP and is severely dyslexic. Feeling broken by this system and I’m a teacher! #autism

The scrubland by our river has been completely razed. Feeling a little confused as this was a haven for wildlife. @lukebmtb.bsky.social do you know anything about this area of land? Ownership etc? @ouseadurrt.bsky.social @wsccnews.bsky.social @sussexwildlife.bsky.social

Someone has repurposed the recently closed Model Bakery in the nearest town as the Model Bikery (by putting an 'i' over the 'a'). Offering bike repairs, a bike loan scheme plus help with DIY repairs. Hope it goes well for them. steyningbicyclerepair.co.uk/irepair/

The @empathylabuk.bsky.social conference on Thu 27th Nov is going to be superb. The links between reading and empathy are very powerful. Fantastic speakers, including @michaelrosenyes.bsky.social, @teresacremin.bsky.social and @amdassu.bsky.social. More info here: empathylab.uk/raising-gene...

Sights from the local beach: lesser spotted dog fish, grass hoppers and common lizards. @sussexwildlife.bsky.social

Last year, we offered Book Advent Calendars to schools. These contain 24 books, all individually wrapped & numbered. A list of books can be provided. These were really popular and we're offering again - a great way to boost libraries and classrooms. Private orders also welcome ❤️

I'm running a webinar about adaptive teaching after half term with lots of practical advice on inclusive approaches to teaching. Grateful for reposts. Many thanks to everyone who has shared this already! 😘 www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/the-ultima...

Are you joining us for our upcoming webinar about the importance of book choice in primary schools? We'll be joined by our Writer in Residence Matt Goodfellow and @debbiethomas.bsky.social from @openuni-rfp.bsky.social for research, practical insights and more 👇 https://bit.ly/4qvcFv8

Got kids aged 8+? Get them my latest book! It's a chaotic rollercoaster ride through the Stone Age -- it's tonnes of fun, full of the latest scientific discoveries, is cowritten with the expert archaeologist @brennawalks.bsky.social, and is illustrated by @rikinparekh.bsky.social. Cheers!

NHS trust pleads guilty after teenage girl absconded from 24-hour care and killed herself

Introducing ‘Egg Box Monsters’ . . . just in time for half-term and Halloween. One egg box, no leftovers, totally recyclable. What I call ‘Pure Making’. Full instructions are on the website here . . . www.darrellwakelam.com/news/egg-box... #edusky #halloween

Important piece from @booktrust.org.uk and @openuni-rfp.bsky.social about the value of book choice for pupils and how to help promote it in the classroom. Do have a read! files.booktrust.org.uk/docs/documen... @teresacremin.bsky.social @richardruddick.bsky.social

Beautiful 5km run. Spotted two of my favourite birds, Kingfishers, along the river. I am so grateful to be able to get out and enjoy where we live.

I’ve been up to Lickey End First School in Bromsgrove this week, helping the children to rebuild their lovely little school, from cardboard! 😁😮 Every child has taken part, remember the oldest is only 7! darrellwakelam.com #edusky #schooldisplay

You spoke, I listened. Several brand new, exquisitely crafted art prints will be available in my shop soon (in very limited editions). More details to follow in the next few days...

Inspired by @silverpebble2.bsky.social and our autumnal walks, the boys and I created this leaf display. #autumn

Do you like scary movies? With animals in? Have resurrected some prints. Signed, A3 and available from Fiveways Arts and Crafts, Brighton. Online here: fivewaysartsandcrafts.com/search?q=nad...

Liquidambar leaf palette just now👇🏼. Pause for a moment if you’re feeling anxious-your brain’s likely to release dopamine due to a positive response to colour gradation, certain bright colours & looking at images our brains find appealing. A pause here will make your day slightly easier to tackle 🍁

On Monday 20th October, I'm running an online session with the brilliant @joshuaseigal.bsky.social all about raising the profile of poetry in the primary classroom. It will start at 3:45pm and end at 5:00pm. More information here: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/i-dont-lik...

We are excited to watch Hamza's Hidden Wild Isles on BBC One tonight. Hamza Yassin is travelling around the UK to uncover hidden wildlife spectacles. Hamza filmed some of the first episode amongst the Bluebells at Ebernoe Common Nature Reserve.

If you're looking for a perfect Halloween class book for Y5/6 that can be read in a week, you won't do better than The Last Day of October by Phil Hickes. Creepy and atmospheric, with a fantastic cliffhanger at the end of each chapter. @oriolvidal.bsky.social @barringtonstoke.bsky.social

Useful advice on how to get rid of default AI searches on Google Chrome opus.ing/posts/how-to...

Happy #BookshopDay! 🎉 Bookshops are brilliant places to get reading recommendations and give children choice in what they read. Here are a few ways you can celebrate and support your local bookshop: 📚 Visit your local bookshop 📚 Attend a bookshop event 📚 Follow their social media 📚 Write a review

Happy Bookshop Day! There are over 200 independent children's bookshops on my map so do pay your local one a visit. It's regularly updated but please let me know of any more I could add. padlet.com/Jon_Biddle/r...

✏️PENCILS AT THE READY, TEAM! In this brand new episode of #DrawWithRob we're drawing toy fox as featured in my book I FOLLOW THE FOX 🦊! So grab some paper and a pen/pencil and let's do this! Share your pictures using the #DrawWithRob hashtag. GOOD LUCK! 👉https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ygw5gZ4BpgM

Happy Bookshop Day! To celebrate I'll be in Book Nook Hove at 2pm talking, reading, signing and generally hanging out and celebrating my favourite type of shop. Come and join me. It’s free.

With the IBC Excluded Voices report making for sober reading this week, let’s use #KidsBooksFriday to celebrate brilliant books from global majority writers. #KidLitUK #UKKidLit #KidLit www.inclusivebooksforchildren.org/excluded-voi...

Today’s Black authored book is this gem. do love a Benjamin Dean book - (especially his YA) but he writes fantastic middle grade books. This adventure about demons who fall from the sky, an extra-ordinary friendship and a controlling authority is amazing.

Let's make hope normal again. Join.greenparty.org.uk

WINNER of the #CrimeFest Best Crime Fiction Award for Children (8-12) is: Rosie Raja: Undercover Codebreaker! Congratulations to author @sufiyaahmed.bsky.social !🎉

By total chance - Just read this excellent book by @sufiyaahmed.bsky.social #UnderFire so clear, so interesting #kidsBooksFriday #sharedhistory - review here with a link to buy: www.waterstones.com/book/under-f...

It’s Bookshop Day on Saturday. To celebrate I’ll be popping in to my local, Booknookhove at 2pm to talk timetravel and trains. Come along and say Hi. It’s free. I’ll sign stuff and read stuff, it’ll be fun! 😃

OUT TODAY IN PAPERBACK! 'I Follow the Fox' is finally out in soft cover form. "Thrilling" said the Guardian. "A beautiful and emotive story" said the Telegraph. "His best book yet" said Rob's wife. Get your copy now. 🦊 👉https://tinyurl.com/4r72h79v

We now have 195,000 children (via their schools) signed up for this:

The Green Party for the last few days have gained 1000 new members every single day. We've just reached 87,000 members!!!! Let's make hope normal again. Join.greenparty.org.uk

Here is a roundup of my rhyming reviews over the summer. Some epic reads and completely memorable books! Check it out for some reading inspiration and bang average poetry. 🙈 tomsbookcorner.wordpress.com/2025/10/04/s...

Got the go-ahead for a cover reveal. Just doing some scheming with the lovely illustrator. Then almost all my book-related secrets will be out in the open. 🎉☀️

🎃👻 Spooky news! I’ll be at Tring Book Fest this #HALLOWEEN performing a spine-tingling show full of stories, monsters and a live episode of Draw With Rob! Join me at 2:30pm – the perfect precursor to a night of trick-or-treating! Get your tickets via the link below… if you dare! tinyurl.com/54vzh6h5

#Competition Time. Win a signed copy of my new Picture book ‘My Friend Billy Whiskers’. All you have to do is Like, Repost and Follow me to be in with a chance. I’ll pick at random a winner on Monday 6th October. Good Luck all 🤞🦁👦🏻 #giveaway #picturebook