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/...

This week at work we were chatting about cosy, comforting reads. At the current time, books that help kids find comfort are more important than ever, but might take different forms for different kids. What comforting reads would you recommend for #KidsBooksFriday? #UKKidLit #KidLitUK #KidLit

Very excited to get my hands on a copy of this latest release from @scholasticuk.bsky.social . Been a big Lisa Thompson fan since Goldfish Boy, so very keen to get started on this one.

This series doesn’t get the praise it deserves. Fast paced action at its finest.

Worked my way through the third entry in this series. Lots more world building than the second and really felt fully immersed in the world again. Fans of the first two will be very happy with this new addition.

I have a book out in two weeks. So....one repost of this and I'll drop one fact/spoiler/detail about the book. @walkerbooksuk.bsky.social www.walker.co.uk/978152951581...

Probably a little too much going on for primary but a great text for KS3 that will help settle some transitional fears and most importantly encourage children to be true to themselves

Finally got round to reading the second in this series. Another great entry for UKS2/ KS3 that will help many readers feel seen whether they’re fans of D & D or not.

I just finished the marvellous Beastopia, the first in a new series by @chrissiesains.bsky.social. I think it’s the first book I’ve read with type 1 diabetes rep. Can anyone recommend any other books with good disability /chronic illness representation? #KidsBooksFriday #UKKidLit #KidLit #KidLitUK

Kicking off the day by finally reading this classic.

Schools are back this week in Scotland. So at @samcreighton.bsky.social’s suggestion, this week’s #KidsBooksFriday is about great books to share with a new class of kids. I’m not a teacher but I think these are all great books to read to kids as a first port of call. #UKKidLit #KidLit #KidLitUK

It's summer!! (not so much in the UK) and City of Dragons 3 is almost out worldwide EEK! I hope everyone is able to get their hands on it and enjoy the kids' next adventure in Japan!

Dracula’s reign is over, there’s a new count in town!

Starting the morning off in the right way.

Sums up the start to the summer holidays pretty well.

In honour of the great Allan Ahlberg, who died yesterday, I wanted to use this #KidsBooksFriday to celebrate all the great children’s writers who formed us as readers. For me, along with Ahlberg, it was Pat Hutchins, Judith Kerr and Diana Wynne Jones. Who would you celebrate? #KidLitUK #KidLit

PLR have confirmed that Pets Tell Tales: Ancient Egypt is now on the system, so you can ask your local library to stock it. What a genuinely lovely part of our society. Knowledge and entertainment (I mean in general, not specifically our book) for free, for all!

This day just got significantly better thanks to @scholasticuk.bsky.social . Cannot wait to get started on this.

Book vouchers well spent.

Loved this representation of 80s skate culture. Plus picking up a copy from @okcomics.bsky.social meant getting one of these beautiful signed book plates. Top reading start to the summer.

Despite it saying it doesn’t come out till the November, my pre ordered copy has arrived already! Not complaining about that at all as the first one was an absolute 10/10.

Teachers/educactors/school librarians: If you sign up to my newsletter (Loki news! Fandom chat! Ideas for teachers!) in the next few days, you'll be in with a chance to win a Loki book one class set!!

I’ve been very excited about the release of this book and was delighted when a copy appeared this week courtesy of @hachettechildrens.bsky.social . I loved the bold black and white art style. Both @rikworth.bsky.social and @jordancollver.bsky.social have done a brilliant job with the book 1/2

If you're interested in children's/YA books & writing, one of the best podcasts out there is Booklings Chat with the brilliant librarian & author @lucasjmaxwell.bsky.social. I was delighted to chat with him all about reading and writing for pleasure: podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/e...

Hell of a day with the best people and the best music.

Go and buy it because it’s great and the world needs as much Bumble and Smug as possible.

We’ve been using some of the @authorfy.bsky.social 10 minute challenges this week in year 6. The Alex T Smith one was particularly popular and lead to some brilliant character creations. Basically loves this one just because they put a hat on a chameleon.

I’ve finally got my act together and updated my website with details about all my books and how to buy them from @bookshop-org-uk.bsky.social! thereadingrealm.co.uk/my-books/ #LGBTQ #KidLit #BookSky #PrimaryEduSky

Not sure how it arrived so early, but can’t wait to see what you’ve created this time @markbradley.bsky.social . Year 6 are going to lose their minds tomorrow about this one!

There are some amazing graphic novels coming out in the next few months, and a lot of them are sequels to very popular texts. Be sure to keep an eye out for these as they're going to be very popular in classes. #kidlit @robcrossley4.bsky.social @mariannedoherty.bsky.social @mattobin.bsky.social

The school is still very excited following our visit from @johngreenart.bsky.social yesterday. Thanks to @loveswimming.bsky.social and Waterstones Norwich for making it all happen. An absolute must have series for school libraries that is only getting bigger.

Running an online RfP session on Monday 23rd June at 3:45pm. Will be talking about the importance of peer recommendations, how children choose books, reading identities and as many other things as I can squeeze in. Lots of practical suggestions. More info: www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/jon-biddle...

Massive waves of excitement in the room when I pulled this out my bag today. @scholasticuk.bsky.social have got a very popular series on their hands and it’s a big class favourite at mine.

Interesting talk with my class about which books they'd like more of in school. Biographies came up but not ones about the usual people, ones about skateboarders, darts players, YouTubers, gamers, Olivia Rodrigo and various K-pop bands. People relevant to them and their lives. Publishers, take note!

This is a great option for any KS1 or LKS2 library. Plenty of laughs and action, but most importantly a lot of heart!

Held a very successful book swap this afternoon after school, but can’t believe that no one gave this bestseller a new home.

How can books spark empathy? Still time to sign up for the free @empathylabuk.bsky.social @worldbookdayuk.bsky.social #EmpathyDayFestival webinar featuring the inspirational @teresacremin.bsky.social and @nazneenahmedpathak.bsky.social. More info here: empathylab.uk/festival-pro...

Some fantastic opportunities here to engage with authors and illustrators. Unico is a beloved text in my class and Squid Squad has gone down a storm too. Jim Smith might as well have a shrine with this class by now, he’s untouchable.

Running a few online sessions about classroom reading cultures next term. As well as my own sessions, there'll be one aimed at ECTs (run with my fantastic colleague Charlotte) and one on graphic novels, led by the brilliant @richardruddick.bsky.social. Info: www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/jon-biddle...

I’m thrilled to be doing a free comics workshop with the brilliant @grimmandco.bsky.social on Saturday 31st May at 11:30, as part of their amazing #FestivalofStories! There’s a whole host of other amazing events on, and you can book tickets for mine & the rest here: grimmandco.co.uk/festival-of-...

Celebrating 50 episodes of Comic Boom #podcast with a very special guest @jamiesmart.bsky.social joins me to talk all things comics. Sponsored by ALCS UK with thanks to @dfbstoryhouse.bsky.social #JamieSmart #BunnyvsMonkey #Comics #education #readingforpleasure www.comicboom.co.uk 💥Listen NOW!💥

After waffling on abut graphic novels for an hour myself, it was great to hear the thoughts of @jamiesmart.bsky.social on @comicboom.bsky.social as I drove home. So easy to hear his passion coming through and a great inspiration for aspiring creators.