What an extraordinary talent. I’ve used his books about teaching reading throughout my career, through all the changes in education. His novels were moving and challenging. He was a wonderful advocate for us librarians. Bless you sir and thank you.

If it’s by Katya Balen, I’m in!!

There are some truly immense poetry books on the CLiPPA 2025 shortlist. It's always heartening to see children's poetry being spotlighted.

Displaying the covers of some of the fantastic books published each year is a simple way to interest children and get them thinking about their future reading. There's real value in the book talk it enables. There's a link to a folder containing the covers I used on my Padlet: shorturl.at/JHXO2

Really enjoyed contributing to this alongside @jakehope.bsky.social, @richardruddick.bsky.social and @rcharlesworth.bsky.social. Graphic novels are an essential part of the classroom reading diet.

@jamescarterpoet.bsky.social The staff and children of Trinity primary, Exeter are looking forward to meeting you next week. The Y2 children enjoyed “spinning the wheel” and reading more of your poems during their library time this afternoon.

Check out these great resources to accompany the launch of the brilliant Adventuremice series. Otters and mice? Surely a winning combination!

@primarynonfiction.bsky.social Interesting article as part of a new series in Books for keeps on illustration in information books by Pam Dix and RuthThomson. Starts in page 14 booksforkeeps.co.uk/wp-content/u...

@richardruddick.bsky.social I am besotted with the Investigators series after your input at the conference at Buckfastleigh. Vocabulary is extraordinary! Bought the latest volume in Sainsbury’s the next day, made a list of vocab and gave it to one of our Y6 teachers; she nearly fell off her chair!

@primarynonfiction.bsky.social I was fascinated by the podcast with Flora Delargy about Gold rush. Who knew that a love of Charlie Chaplin would result in this book being created. What seeds will be sown in the minds of the children to whom we introduce exciting books?

Well this made me laugh out loud! The first book to have been written by a book who is very much in charge of the story. Would read aloud well. I’m guessing not all children will understand what’s going on but I can think of quite a few who will love it!

My copy of Primary Reading Simplified by @suchmo83.bsky.social only arrived a few hours ago. I've already read quite a chunk and it's every bit as good as I hoped it would be. A book that needs to be in all primary schools. Superbly written, clear, practical and thought-provoking. Essential.