Rachel Reeves pledges a library in every primary school in England. Here at CILIP we hope that means trained library staff too #GreatSchoolLibraries www.theguardian.com/politics/202...

Attn. Scots! It's Dyslexia Awareness Week (29 September – 5 October) and to kick things off @barringtonstoke.bsky.social is offering a 20% website discount - on all its books not just my own.

Authors, academics, anyone who writes professionally, needs to sign up to @alcs.co.uk now to get their fair share of royalties. (Today is the day for anyone who already did this.)

@leughleabhar.bsky.social Genuinely so pleased that two of my books will be coming out in Gaelic next year.

#OTD in 1940 Witold Pilecki allowed himself to be captured and sent to Auschwitz in order to gather information which he later smuggled out of the camp. His truly remarkable story is one of more than 30 extraordinary real-life adventures I was thrilled to recount in this book.

Well-received by reviewers and readers alike, David Long’s engaging, imaginative and well-informed books reflect an unquenchable thirst for those events and personalities that illuminate the past. These have been translated into more than two dozen languages and won multiple awards. An author and…

#OTD in 1830 the death of William Huskisson MP who was hit by a train and is now remembered as the world's first ever railway fatality. The accident horrified the public but dramatically increased interest in and awareness of this new-fangled technology and its potential for the future.

Apologies for the self-trumpet but this is now available for pre-order, a series of thrilling and informative true stories which go on sale 9th October.

Authors all love their foreign eds, especially the unusual ones even though these are usually the least remunerative. This week I’ve heard two of mine are coming out in Gaelic next year and I’m delighted.

Calling all teachers and librarians! We've collected useful videos, reading lists and other resources at collins.co.uk/pages/teache... to help you support your students with accessible reads and boost reading for pleasure.

Published today, August 14: two very different books offering young readers the chance to explore history in a way which is fact-packed and full of adventure.

Out 14/08, What it was like to be an Ancient Greek by @writerdavidlong.bsky.social, illustrated by Stefano Tambellini, is a really interesting and accessible exploration of a civilisation that still fascinates today. @barringtonstoke.bsky.social worldssmallestlibrary.wordpress.com/2025/08/12/w...

Can’t wait to read Blitzers by @alastairc.com illustrated by Francesca Ficorilli, and What it was like to be an Ancient Greek by @writerdavidlong.bsky.social illustrated by Stefano Tambellini. Both out 14/08 for 9+ readers, huge thanks go to Poppy @barringtonstoke.bsky.social 😊

#OTD in 1620 the Mayflower set sail from Southampton carrying would-be settlers to North America. It did so 37 years to the day after Sir Humphrey Gilbert had established the first English colony on the continent, at St. John's, Newfoundland.

Just completing another book on London (my 15th) and I do like this quotation from a wonderfully nostalgic half-hour: "One of the real troubles with London is that it's like a party where people won't spread out properly." www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/epis...

Today is the only day in history to have witnessed the deaths of two different Roman emperors. After 99 days on the throne Balbinus and Pupienus were tortured and hacked to death in 238 AD.

Author Kate DiCamillo: “I don't know what I'm doing. And I think that that's a helpful message for everybody to get because you never quite figure it out.”

So pleased to receive advance copies of two new books. Both available for pre-order now and published on August 14.

A big #OTD today. At sea: in 1797 Admiral Nelson lost his arm at the Battle of Santa Cruz de Tenerife. On land: in 1894 Albert Lemaître won the first ever motor race (Paris to Rouen). In the air: in 1933 Wiley Post completed the first solo flight around the world, in 7 days, 18 hours and 49 minutes.

#OTD in 1969 Apollo astronaut Neil Armstrong became the first person to walk on the Moon, followed less than 20 minutes later by 'Buzz' Aldrin.

I like the idea of a year that prioritises reading. Let’s make 2026 the year we reopen closed libraries, open new ones and reverse the loss of school librarians.

Happy 432nd Birthday, Artemisia Gentileschi.

#OTD in 1844 the last pair of great auks was killed off the coast of Iceland. Here's one which was prepared earlier, and can be seen at Glasgow's Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum although the egg's a replica.

British children "are near the top of the global leagues when it comes to the mechanical skill of reading but near the bottom when it comes to reading ‘for pleasure’. We’ve taught them all the steps and the names of all the tunes. But they’re not dancing.” - Frank Cottrell-Boyce.

It's a mistake to forget non-fiction during #NationalCrimeReadingMonth

Sometimes you’re reading a good book and you just gotta plop down right where you are and get after it 🫡

#authors of #bluesky please can you share for me. #Booklit #booksky I'm reaching out to authors & illustrators to ask them to doodle a bookmark for our #BookmarkProject which raises money for a library at Katiyo Primary School in Zimbabwe www.bookmarkproject.co.uk

Every school & every community needs a library & a librarian, to help every single child find the books that will make them readers. Those are the books that will change their lives - and maybe even save their lives! #libraries #librarians #literacy #booksky

Getting children to read isn’t just about stories and literacy – it’s about enjoyment and social connection.

Huzzah! Delighted to announce the arrival of the 5th in a series that is so enjoyable to research and to write. Go Greeks! @barringtonstoke.bsky.social

Happy #independentbookstoreday to everyone running one or supporting one (or more) as a customer #shoplocal

Few seem to care that #OTD in 599 King Uneh Chan of Calakmul attacked Palenque, defeating Queen Yohl Ik'nal before looting her city. The Maya civilisation was a truly extraordinary one - making this a great book to work on - and I'm delighted to see its people are finally on the school curriculum.

Absolutely one of the best resources for teachers, librarians, and parents of curious kids. www.booksfortopics.com #booksky #kidlit

#OTD in 1970 the crew of a badly-damaged Nasa spacecraft returned to Earth safely after an inspiring demonstration of incredible courage, ingenuity and teamwork.

#OTD in 1912 Harriet Quimby became the first woman to fly an aeroplane across the English Channel. Unfortunately her achievement was largely ignored by journalists racing to cover the loss of RMS Titanic a few hours earlier.

Delighted to see this, thank you so much.

I hate to give away the ending but today's the day, 113 years ago.

I'm no good at those unboxing videos but here's an advance copy of a book due for publication in August. Exciting, inspiring real-life adventure stories and available now for preorder. @faberbooks.bsky.social

#OTD in 1858, after the original Big Ben, a 32,000 lb. bell for the Palace of Westminster, had cracked during testing, it was recast into a new 30,300 lb. one at Whitechapel Bell Foundry.

Having devoted a chapter to the Nachthexen (Night Witches) in my book FLIGHT (Faber & Faber) I'm delighted to see these extraordinarily courageous individuals, the only female air force pilots of WW2, are being commemorated on Radio 4 later this afternoon. www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...

I've often reflected on this since switching from motoring journalist (25 years) to children's author (60-odd books).

It is weird:

#OTD in 1968 BOAC Flight 712 catches fire shortly after takeoff. For her astonishing bravery following the incident flight attendant Barbara Harrison is awarded a posthumous George Cross. Hers is still the only George Cross awarded to a woman in peacetime

#OTD in 1968 Buganda's deposed King Mutesa II was found to be living on the dole in Rotherhithe. Friends reportedly slipped him 'the odd fiver every now and then' to help out but a year later he was discovered dead in the rented flat and foul play was not ruled out.

Book reviewers. Do you want to add to this thread? Your Bluesky account, website/instagram/facebook, what type of books you review, whether you're up for book tours, whether you prefer physical or electronic books, and if you're open for request #BookSky 💙📚 #bloggers #BookBloggers #BookReviewer

New US edition published today - an inspiring example of international cooperation wrapped up in a terrific, real-life adventure. @unionsquarekids.bsky.social

The first road test of a Rolls-Royce car took place on April Fool's Day 1904. To avoid any jokes, the company claimed that it had taken place the day before. Exactly 64 years later the Duke of Bedford was banned after 'undertaking' on the M1. Police identified him by his registration mark, DOB 1.