Come and join me and @finlaysonpalmer.bsky.social on her brilliant #ukteenchat tonight, where we will be chatting #books, #writingtechniques and #songbirds!

Here’s our selection of top new titles coming out during the Spring term of 2026 and available to buy or preorder in January, February and March 2026. schoolreadinglist.co.uk/new-book-rel...

Our research shows children's enjoyment of reading drops when they start school - and this continues through childhood. We work with brilliant school staff, offering support as they work to reverse this trend. Find out more in our latest Impact Report 👇 https://bit.ly/4pSWXZM

I am so looking forward to this. Thank you @finlaysonpalmer.bsky.social for inviting me to join you. Can't wait to chat about The Songbird Army with you all on Tuesday. bird🐦🪺🦅

“A powerful message: kindness, courage and unity can drown out even the loudest bullies.” I am thrilled with this review of #TheSongbirdArmy youngpageturners.co.uk/the-songbird... #AntiBullying #StopBullying #BeKind #ChooseKindness #WellbeingInSchools #Safeguarding #StandUpToBullies

✨ December’s Book of the Month: Swanfall by Sophie Kirtley! ❄️ Magical winter landscapes, folklore, friendship, and mystery await. Read my full review and discover why this is a must-read this season. www.juliablackburn.co.uk/swanfall KidsBloomsbury #Swanfall #middlegradebooks #childrensbooks

I am thrilled with @MissG_Primary‘s review of #TheLostDragonflies over on Instagram. “The combination of magical elements, nature, and bursts of action kept me hooked!” #TeachersOfBluesy #LibrariansOfBluesy #ChildrensLit #StorytimeMagic #ClassroomReads #MagicalAdventures #BooksForKids #NatureStories

Absolutely thrilled to be joining @tinytreebooks.bsky.social for my first author-illustrated book 📚🎉📚🎉📚🎉 #kidlit #writing #writerslife #author #illustrator #writementor #MG

I am delighted with this review of #TheSongbirdArmy by the fabulous @lindasbookbag.bsky.social.

@jennyquintana.bsky.social look where I am! Thought of you x

It's #WorldDownSyndromeDay, and we have such a lovely treat for you! George Webster is reading us an extract from his brilliant new book George and the Mini Dragon, featuring a mischievous dragon and an art class in chaos. Watch on #BookTrustHomeTime: www.booktrust.org.uk/hometime

Some news! A new book is on its way … A Poem for Every Question consists of 100 new poems, written in answer to the curious questions that kids will ask. Questions such as: Are unicorns real? How many stars exploded in the Universe today? Was Blackbeard a real pirate? Can it rain fish?

DK has launched its first children’s fiction imprint, DK flip, “dedicated to publishing flippin’ marvellous fiction”, having previously only published children’s non-fiction 👇 #BookSky

There are so many amazing children's books published that don't get the recognition they deserve. How To Be More Hedgehog by Anne-Marie Conway is definitely one. Every child that I've been able to get to read it says it's one of their favourite books. Which others have slipped through the net?

Happy #WorldBookDay everyone! The books we love when we're young are the ones that make us readers, and change our lives FOREVER. So whatever else you do, please never stop reading books with kids, and encouraging them to read. There is nothing more important! #WorldBookDay2025

Beavers released into the wild in Britain! About time, too www.theguardian.com/environment/...

I love that BLOOMSCROLLING is now A THING #bloomscrolling

Children turn to audiobooks as traditional reading falls away www.thetimes.com/article/06dc...

The Faber Children’s team is looking for a Project Editor to work on children’s titles from picture books up to YA. The successful candidate will be a meticulous, with a keen eye for detail and great communication skills. https://faber.co.uk/careers/childrens-project-editor-maternity-cover/

AUTHORS & ILLUSTRATORS please add your name to this open letter against the modification of our copyright law in favour of AI! #kidlitUK #HandsOffOurCopyright docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...

We are delighted to share the longlist for the 2025 Carnegie Medal for Writing! 🏅🖋️ Highlighting empathy and diversity, these 19 works range from gripping dystopian adventures to stories about navigating grief and self-esteem. ✍️💫 #Carnegies2025 carnegies.co.uk/2025-longlis...

Children's audiobook expert Emily Connelly brings you her selection of the best audiobooks for a family road trip:

Great selection here meaning my tbr list has just got even longer!

Excited to offer this opportunity for those of you who write for children. Come and hear editors and commissioning editors talk about middle grade books, and ask them your questions! Tickets only £10. All going to Alzheimer's Research UK. Pls spread the word! www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/fundraisin...

Do you have insights to offer other creative writers on the production of picturebooks? On the making of Middle Grade? On the way to write YA? We're open to submissions of scholarly articles on the practice of writing for young people. Get in touch! leafjournal.org/for-authors #ukkidlit #academicsky

These look stunning!

Join me to chat all things character in my one-off online workshop with @writersandartists.bsky.social: www.writersandartists.co.uk/events-and-c... #amwriting

#PictureBooks can help children deal with feelings, problems & situations in which they may need support. I've chosen 10 books that can help children understand that all emotions are valid, positive or negative 😀😢 storysnug.com/2025/02/know... #ChildrensMentalHealthWeek #BooksThatHelp #UKKidLit

Hi keep writing those books! Here are some things that @beltpublishing.bsky.social would like to receive queries about 🧵

“There are common threads that run through the children’s books. If I were to draw up a list it would include: autonomy, peril, justice, secrets, small jokes, large jokes, revelations, animals, multitudinous versions of love, inventions – and food.” Katherine Rundell www.lrb.co.uk/the-paper/v4...

Currently editing a fantastic YA dual narrative romantasy. A thrilling story with two strong pov’s. The writer’s asked for dual narrative YA background reading while she awaits notes. I’ve got ‘To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before’. Any other suggestions would be hugely welcome. I’m a bit stumped! #YA

I have created a starter pack specially for some writing buddies who have just joined. Aren't I kind @danhobdenwrites.bsky.social and @juliathumwrites.bsky.social 🤣 I got up to a 100 people. Might do a part 2 later. go.bsky.app/4SqEiyp

This isn’t really new news but a heads-up for aspiring children’s authors - publishers are increasingly asking for shorter texts especially in MG. Try to keep your ms shorter than 50k words. If it’s at 40k even better! 😊 (I know. It’s hard!)

Read It Forward is GO! Buy ANY children’s book via Bookshop.org during February and we’ll donate 10% of the sale to the leading children’s reading charities, @booktrust.org.uk and @scottishbooktrust.bsky.social 📚 Every sale supports independent bookshops 📚 bit.ly/RIFEB25

It's been a busy month in the world of children's books. Here's your chance to catch up with what you may have missed. My Reading Matters round up includes book awards, free events, resources and new books to tempt you. #UKKidLit alibrarylady.blog/2025/02/01/r...

This looks amazing xxx

The Lucy Cavendish Fiction Prize now for the "unputdownable" novel f RT on unpublished women. The winner will receive a £1,500 prize, and all shortlisted authors get a one-on-one consultation with a literary agent. Please share. www.lucy.cam.ac.uk/fictionprize

I don't believe in "good reading" & "bad reading". Comic books, graphic novels, manga, picture books, joke books, sports reports, all kinds of poetry & prose: it's all reading, and it's all good! Let kids read for pleasure - and they'll be readers FOREVER! #reading #literacy (Art: Bill Watterson)

Please share

Hello! Reposting a thread of starter packs to help anyone spending their Sunday trying to find UK children’s book people. Most are being updated so if you checked them before, you may find new additions. #kidlitUK These two are (mainly) UK children's authors go.bsky.app/GLnmxCv go.bsky.app/3hvsJPY

My map of children's independent bookshops is updated regularly. Most provide an online service and they're all run by people who can make well-informed book recommendations. Make sure you support your local one if you want to keep it. Any missing, please let me know. padlet.com/Jon_Biddle/r...

Not just a fabulously attractive author, I also lead Creative Writing at the University of Bristol. I've taught many prizewinning, bestselling authors. To celebrate my migration to Bluesky, I'll read the first 2K words of a new novel and arrange an online chat. Follow & repost to enter by 29 Nov.

Updated version of the second author variety pack. I think we're on the home straight now! #starterpack #booksky