Amazing how much more interesting our maths lesson was today when they were working out the cost of all the new books they want to buy. Apologies to all the parents who are greeted with a wish list as a result!

Over David Attenborough’s lifetime the natural world has become ever more eroded. On his 100th birthday let’s use #KidsBooksFriday to celebrate children’s books that carry on his environmental legacy, help us delight in nature and encourage us to protect its future. #KidLitUK #UKKidLit #KidLit

We all love getting great books into the hands of kids. But there’s nothing quite so wonderful as a child discovering books they love and recommending them back to us. Which books/authors have been championed by the kids in your life? #KidsBooksFriday #KidLitUK #UKKidLit #KidLit #EduSky

As a celebration of all those going above and beyond to help kids develop a love of reading, and working so hard to get great books into the hands of kids - this week’s #KidsBooksFriday theme is Teamwork. What great books about #teamwork would you recommend? #KidLitUK #UKKidLit #KidLit #EduSky

I’m hoping #Bluesky will be in more robust health for this today. 🤞 It’s been a bit of a week, made brighter with pockets of immense kindness. So for #KidsBooksFriday this week, I thought we could celebrate books that highlight the importance of kindness. #KidLitUK #UKKidLit #KidLit #Kindness

Last week I treated myself to Joe Todd Stanton’s newest picture book which is just gorgeous. 😍 It got me thinking we need a #KidsBooksFriday celebrating illustrators. Which illustrators do you love? And which of their books show of the best of their style? #KidLitUK #UKKidLit #KidLit

New class favourite has revived and it has some absolutely stunning edges to go with it.

Not sure why it took me so long to get round to reading book two and it did not disappoint. Superb pacing and some of the most beautiful artwork you’ll see. Guess it’s time to get through the next couple much quicker!

A little slow to start and packed with a lot of dense storytelling, but it all paid off at the end. Suitable for all of KS2, but best served in UKS2 due to its slightly more complex story. One for the fans of Lightfall and amulet.

Lovely little reading delivery today.

Loved this second book in the series and was a great read to start the day. Plenty of thought provoking story telling, but also plenty of turtle bearing people up as well which is always the highlight.

Starting the day off with this. Predator Badlands was a blast, so that was the perfect excuse to finally pick this up.

Get 25% off when you pre-order Meet the Invisibles! It's a very cool science book about tiny things! Written by Mike Barfield and illustrated by me!

Perfect time to secure some cracking future reads. That front cover is going to lure in so many readers you can tell.

Plenty of gems here to keep me entertained.

It's Publication Day for Pets Tell Tales: Ancient Rome, baby!

As grown-ups we can often fall into the trap of leaning towards serious or ‘issue heavy’ kid’s books, forgetting that kids also need and deserve books that just bring joy. So for #KidsBooksFriday this week, what are your top fun / silly / joyful book recommendations? #KidLitUK #UKKidLit #KidLit

Only TEN more days until "Pets Tell Tales: Ancient Rome" will be on shelves in bookstores! You can also order it now: tinyurl.com/PetsRome A kids' comic by @rikworth.bsky.social & me that tackles some of the big topics of the ancient world of humans, from the perspective of animals.

Well worth the wait, but now I have an agonising wait for the final book. Top class storytelling and a series that deserves so much more praise and attention. A great option for year 6.

Starting the day with this stunner and can see straight away why it came so highly recommended.

Just finished reading the farm trilogy by @lucyknisley.bsky.social which is always a series I recommend in class. Not only was it a beautifully constructed ending, but there was some wonderful advice for aspiring creators at the back, which you just know is going to help so many future creators.

Dream On by Shannon Hale and Marcela Cespedes is one of the best children's graphic novels I've read in a long time. It's warm and funny. It's about friendship and the perils of growing up. It's full of empathy and heart. It's just great.

The novel was a masterpiece, so fascinated to see how this version compares.

Updated both my padlet and my bookshop list for the New Year. Have a look if you want some new reading inspiration. padlet.com/rruddick9zra... uk.bookshop.org/shop/gnlist (both primary and secondary)

Samurai robots are the finest way to start any day.

Dream On by @shannonhale.bsky.social is a real must have book for schools. Such a relatable story in so many ways and full of examples that any reader will be able to empathise with. I can’t recommend it enough. @mariannedoherty.bsky.social

I mean this looks like an absolute must have for schools. Kids are desperate to create their own work but often need a little nudge or guidance in the right direction to prevent it being too overwhelming. This is clearly only going to help with that problem!

Why not make your wish list even bigger for the start of the year.

Time to try and squeeze as many of these new reads in as possible before Monday. Battle Beast has to be first choice.

With the National Year of Reading approaching, a few people have asked if I'll be running the online 'Building a Classroom Reading Culture' session again. Will be doing it twice, on Sun 11th Jan at 11:30am and on Mon 12th Jan at 3:45pm. Link below: www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/jon-biddle...

🚀NEW EVENT! I’ll be on stage London 28th March celebrating the release of my new book Megalomaniacs! Come join in, draw along, shout out suggestions, and together we’ll make the most ridiculous comics: www.waterstones.com/events/megal... (And this is the exclusive gig poster available when ordering)

It should be: why has it taken so long for comics to be so popular? It’s taken a while but finally they’re getting their dues.

This series has been an absolute rollercoaster of emotions and may have one of the best endings I’ve ever read. Absolute triumph from the very start to the very end. Furious that it took me so long to read, but well worth the wait. I’m now off to get this dust out of my eyes …

Think there’s quite a few people who could do with hearing this piece of advice. Kick flip by @ldlapinski.bsky.social is a great read and bouquet of wankers might be my new favourite insult. This is definitely a must have text for secondary schools.

Figured I best break up my binging of Locke and Key, so diving into this after lots of people have recommended it.

Couldn’t agree more. It’s so key that readers have someone guiding them towards the right stuff as there’s so much out there for them to enjoy.

Some top recommendations too. Obviously, you also need to add Mega Robo Bros and Donut Squad to the list because they are top reads and readers just can’t get enough of them.

Still time to head over to the shop @scholasticuk.bsky.social and pick up some pretty top notch new releases and get a hefty discount at the same time including these absolute gems pictured. Nina Peanut is fast becoming a must have book in KS2

Balanced book diet. Two new reads for the classroom and two new reads for me. Year 4 have been begging for Case Files after our visit from John Patrick Green in the summer, so can’t see it being in the shelf till 2026

My class have been going absolutely mad for these and are doing a brilliant job of demanding even more graphic novels!! There’s currently a great offer on from @scholasticuk.bsky.social that means you get £10 off if you spend £50 and all of these gems are part of it plus loads of other top titles.

Received this delightful package from @macmillankidsuk.bsky.social for the upcoming Tiny Hercules. I’m only half way through but can already see that this is going to be a massive hit with LKS2, especially fans of Bunny v Monkey and the Investigators. Fast paced and packed with laughs.

If you're looking to build a school collection of graphic novels, @scholasticuk.bsky.social have just launched a great new deal. Their Graphic Novel Book Box is updated every term with ten new graphic novels and loads of bonus posters and bookmarks. Link here: shop.scholastic.co.uk/products/160...

A really powerful read about fasting and how it can affect people during Ramadan. I had three children in my class last year attempting to and this book would have been so helpful for them and more importantly others in the class who were trying to understand.

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

First one was a cracker and can’t wait for this follow up. Just in time to coincide with our Roman topic too.

My class lost their mind when I pulled my copy out today and told them it arrived a day early. Pandemonium when I showed them it was signed too. The most popular series in our school by far.

So many amazing books in this thread that will really help to enhance reading options for schools.

Not mad about this pre order arriving early at the weekend at all! An excellent follow up to the superb original and one that will have readers on the edge of their seats while laughing hysterically!

Here's a UK report of the Graphic Novel market: they hit an all-time high of £20.2m in 2024; on course to obliterate that in 2025. Manga has 56.9% of total GN sales. Would be interesting to know what % of all kids & YA book sales is taken up by GNs & manga. www.thebookseller.com/bestsellers/...