An amazing video to share with kids discussing the St Georges flag. Brilliantly has the history and how things can be used on one hand to celebrate and on thebither to threaten. youtu.be/mAMOP4-dES4?...

The Snow Girl is publishing in paperback on November 6th, with a brand new cover illustrated by Melissa Castrillon ❄️💙

If anyone is going to the Black Writer’s Guild conference tomorrow come say hi!

Three new books out this month. Loved Champions of the Galaxy (we need more Black scifi esp for kids), Everything Amplified is a teen graphic novel and love letter to music. And Role Model is a powerful book about being autistic daughter of the new prime minister by @ellemcnicoll.bsky.social

A gentle reminder that you can ask (as in pay) Black people to talk about Black British history any month of the year. Not just October…

Looking for a spooky middle grade read? (Especially if you’re adult who can’t handle adult horror) - this was a treat. Hold onto your cassava seeds and enjoy a dose of Caribbean folklore . For ages 8+

Given that Black Tudors was the reason I started writing children’s books I’m approaching Miranda Kaufmann’s new book Heiresses with some caution - but also very excited!

Trying to explain to the six year old why we did a 15 min detour in the rain to see a small statue of a boy peeing…

Apart from the joy that is this cover (illustrated by Stephanie Andre) this was a lot of fun. Lots of teenage friendship angst, sibling squabbling and also Black girls in a rock band. So that’s a winner. For ages 12+ AD|PR Gifted.

Favourite fact of the Belgium trip so far is that there were special cups to protect your moustache from hot chocolate. That’s my dad’s Christmas present sorted.

My son getting a proof of a book written by Hunter McNeil who is ten. We read an early pdf which we both loved and his reaction when he realised a kid was the author was amazing. I could literally see the 💡 pre order from @kirstinauthor.bsky.social

This book is wonderful - a powerful look at Black history and civil rights through a dystopian lens for ages 10+ and I 💯 ordered this from the US because I was obsessed with the cover art by Ohab TBJ.

Question for kids authors - do you have an agreement/ deal memo you send to schools to sign for author visits. I’ve never had any issues or misunderstandings but wondering if this is something I should be doing?

Obsessed with the Huda F series. The third one gets into dating, divorce and school pressures - all through the lens of the hugely entertaining Huda. Very funny but makes some very astute points about religion and prejudice. For ages 12+

This has been sitting on my shelf for two years and I finally picked it up and 🤯. Stunning but tackles some heavy issues. Beautiful blend of verse, poetry and illustrations. It’s about friendship, family and dealing with grief. For ages 13+

Join us tomorrow for some kidlit chat on Ashley’s new book Spirit Warriors! @ashleythorpe.bsky.social

The only thing I need AI for as an author….

I cannot tell you how much this means to have Time Tub Travellers long-listed in the Diverse Book Awards. As a self published author I’m excluded from entering most awards so this was just…amazing. And 10 of the other books long-listed for teens and kids I’ve read and loved.

Oh the fragility of white men…I can’t even!

Never get me to answer questions under pressure 🤣

One of my most anticipated reads for the rest of the year!!

I grew up constantly watching England’s disappointments on the world football stage and feeling uncomfortable with the patriotism around the games. With the Lionesses I get to experience England winning and it’s nice to feel a positive association with the 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 for once. Tonight they were legends!

I had the absolute privilege of interviewing debut YA author Asli Jenson last night about her upcoming romance Love on Sight. This delves into so many interesting themes around faith, race, culture, food and heritage. And the romance at the heart is cute but grounded. Perfect for older teens.

My book finally hit the no 1 bestseller spot!!! Albeit in the somewhat niche category of renaissance historical fiction for kids. But you take the wins right?

How am I only just discovering Nimona when it’s been out for TEN years. This is everything I want in a graphic novel - knights, subversive humour, sharks, comedy names and a surprisingly emotional core at the centre. I also loved the film version. Less unaliving but still v good. For ages 13+

Wrote 3000 words today. Were they the best 3000 words? Probably not. But you can’t polish a turd until you’ve laid the turd.

If you love young adult books in verse and you want something that leans into Caribbean folklore, colourism, heritage and family then this book (apart from having a cover that I want to frame on my wall) is incredible. This was sharp, dark, complex and stunning.

So excited to be hosting this Q&A with debut YA author Asli Jensen on Friday 25th July. Tickets are free but please book. Love on Sight is a great YA romance that highlights mixed heritage, London’s diverse cultures, food and second chances. www.eventbrite.com/e/dark-matte...

I talk to Soad often but still it is so hard to imagine how frightening this must be, how insecure. Please can you help Soad and Omar her little son - share their story and donate a little if you can this month?

I spend too much time photographing myself with stacks of books. But this stack is particularly good. All my recommended teen reads for summer. And all from diverse authors…obviously.

@gitaralleigh.bsky.social I’m sure you were the one who strongly recommended this. I loved it but blimey!! Victor LaValle doesn’t like you to get comfortable does he! I’m just very, very glad I didn’t read this when my son was still a baby. 😳

I had a book buying cheat day and I refuse to engage with any shame. I was good for 6 months and I deserve to celebrate! 🥳

Just on my way home from the launch event for Running My Own Race by Abena Eyeson which I really loved. A fantastic boy led coming of age story about race and finding you own path. Out on 25th July.

In case you’ve missed some of the great middle grade books from diverse voices this year here’s a huge stack of my favourite ones!

So lovely to get an invite to the Aesop Queer library in Soho London - it’s open all weekend and you can take home one of the LGBTQAI+ books - FOR FREE - curated by Aesop staff and @gaystheword.bsky.social - it’s a great selection with a big focus on non binary and trans representation this year.

Happy publication day for Runaways, a wonderful children’s book about two kids running away. Wonderful complex and nuanced characters, friendship, positive representation of kids in care and above all about finding your home. @elnorrywriter.bsky.social

Started this today…I loved The Boy who Beat the Gods so very excited for this one! Already love the setting in an alternative Jamaica with magic where they fought off the British!

I have been bikram writing today. 🥵

So thrilled that I got the chance to expand on my favourite subject, why we need more fictional stories around figures from Black British history, in this lovely edition of Shelf Review. And talk about it some of my favourite books that do this brilliantly.

Wonderful first day at The Big Malarkey. I was nervous about having my six year old with me but he was so engaged in my session and has been talking about why the Tudors didn’t build themselves toilets all evening! Off for another day in the Book Love tent!

The death toll of Israel’s ongoing genocide in Gaza is now estimated at 100,000 The list is 1,227 pages long. The first 11 pages are names of babies dead before the age of 6 months. The first 381 pages are all children. archive.is/2025.06.28-0...

If anyone is going to the Big Malarkey this weekend I’ll be in the Book Love tent at 1.30pm Sat and 1pm Sunday talking about all things Time Tub Travellers.

Two queer comics you need in your life - trust me. One is sapphic coming of age with selkies and island life. The other about skateboarding, friendships and non binary identity. Both young adult (ages 12+) and both wonderful!

It’s been one of those weeks on social media when I really understand why David Olusoga needs bodyguards at events. The vitriol you get for bringing up Black British history is really something. Even in the context of a kids books. My blocking finger is worn out! #kidlituk

Another lovely year volunteering at Barnes Children’s literary festival. I love that their tickets sales fund a huge free schools program throughout London. Plus I get to fangirl kids illustrators and authors!

Come and see me delve into Black British history and time travel at the brand new Canterbury Children’s literary festival! www.canterburykidslitfest.co.uk/events-1/tim... #kidlituk

The books we love when we're young are the ones that make us readers. They shape us at the deepest levels, and they stay with us forever. So whatever else you do - please never stop reading books with kids, and encouraging them to read. Please never stop changing lives! #literacy

What will it take for @teamlabouruk.bsky.social @ukgovernment.bsky.social to actually do something? www.theguardian.com/world/2025/j...

Next time I decide to write a kids series set in the past somebody stop me! I am eyeballs deep in Roman York and losing my legionaries from my latrones right about now. Although finding out all their sewers and hygiene practices were nullified by using communal bum sponges, was a highlight.

I think these are all my fav non ‘stale and pale’ vampire books. Buffalo Hunter Hunter was incredible and I still think The Vanquishers is the best vampire series of all time (and suitable for ages 9+). What are yours?