When you're looking for great kids books...here are four of the best picture books, new out, from @walkerbooksuk.bsky.social ! A new twist on an old favourite nursery rhyme; a retelling of a Chinese myth; a story to soothe worries & dinosaurs are back! fallenstarstories.wordpress.com/2025/09/18/p...

Do you know a young reader (16-24) who could help us select the next Laureate na nÓg? Applications close next Friday - we'd particularly love to hear from young people from underrepresented backgrounds or communities. More information + application form childrenslaureate.ie/young-reader...

Milo and the Mountain by Jamie Carroll:touching tale of dreaming big dreams, facing fears & the meaning of friendship; Charming, reassuring, intriguing, engaging; a “feel-good”, freeing story for us all. @theobrienpress.bsky.social #FallenStarStories fallenstarstories.wordpress.com/2025/09/16/g...

We are thrilled to present the Legends of Irish Children’s Literature in The Whale Theatre in Greystones on Sat Oct 18th: Tom McCaughren, Marita Conlon-McKenna and Don Conroy - in conversation with Laureate na nÓg, Patricia Forde. Tickets available here whaletheatre.ticketsolve.com/ticketbooth/...

Since DAWN...

And I applaud every single one of them.

Bedford Row Limerick. #saoirsedonphalaistín #Ireland

True Friends at Fernside by Sheena Wilkinson: 2nd in the Fernside House series; Fernside becomes a welcoming place to escape into. Engaging, thought-provoking, thoroughly enjoyable; full of friendship, community & heart. @theobrienpress.bsky.social fallenstarstories.wordpress.com/2025/09/12/b...

Daily Bear: LB has an adorable new picture book for the littlest readers. Fraidy Dog by Kate Sheehy; will he learn not to be afraid? Funny, reassuring, silly, utterly delightful; a sweet; perfect story to with the littlies. @theobrienpress.bsky.social fallenstarstories.wordpress.com/2025/09/11/a...

A second boat in the #GlobalSumudFlotilla was struck by a drone last night.

Cass and the Bubblestreet Gang are back with a brand new cover! The Clubhouse Mystery by Erika McGann; fast-paced & loaded with fun; speckled throughout with engaging illustrations and a gorgeous new cover. Just brilliant! @theobrienpress.bsky.social fallenstarstories.wordpress.com/2025/09/09/c...

It’s only because if its American sugar daddy that Israel thinks it is untouchable. It is the bully calling other kids names while hiding behind the legs of his rich dad.

Review: Oxford Blood by Rachael Davis-Featherstone: academic elitism, social class issues; a plot with plenty of layers; brilliantly crafted, clever, sharp; this is edge-of-your-seat stuff; you won’t be able to put it down. @walkerbooksuk.bsky.social fallenstarstories.wordpress.com/2025/09/09/o...

Thee lead boat "Family Boat" of the Global Sumud Flotilla was attacked by a drone strike with in post at Tunis. Authorites are denying this was a drone attack, but footage clearly shows a "luminous flying object" striking the boat with smoke rising moments layer. #AllEyesOnGlobalSumudFlotilla

Small Wonder by @mossmontmomery.bsky.social : The adventure of a lifetime; all the hallmarks of a classic childrens’ book; brave, intriguing, heartfelt, dramatic. A story that will stay with you for a very long time. @walkerbooksuk.bsky.social fallenstarstories.wordpress.com/2025/09/06/s...

September being #WorldKitLitMonth, the excellent suggestion was made to use #KidsBooksFriday to highlight some excellent kids books from across the globe. Here's a few... #KidLit @worldkidlit.bsky.social

So far, September is looking like a very busy, joyous month for reading! There's been #bookpost from @theobrienpress.bsky.social , @walkerbooksuk.bsky.social and today, one from @littleislandbooks.bsky.social ... I am so happy! Thank you, one and all! #BookPostIsTheBestPost #FallenStarStories

A moving interview with author Nicola Pierce.

An important update from Francesca Albanese, special UN Rapporteur on Palestine. The flotilla fully complies with International Law. Any attempt to violate the flotilla’s mission is a violation of International Law which @vonderleyen.ec.europa.eu has said she will uphold. Empty words, Ursula?

Penny Wong warns that there may be no Palestine left to recognise. How easily the press ignored Palestinians, including myself, who made this exact point for years. Israel didn’t kill the two-state solution alone; journalists helped them along by providing cover.

Writers Sarah Clancy and Naoise Dolan to sail with the flotilla setting sail today. www.thejournal.ie/aid-flotilla...

The first contingent of the #globalsumudflotilla🇵🇸 sets sail today. Support them. Folllow them. Repost their posts. "...we cannot wait for governments...no peacekeepers boarding planes...no leaders who dare to say every life is precious,, so it will have to be us." (The Summons; #ProtectPalestine🇵🇸

In which I share my most recently published reviews with Childrens Books Ireland/Inis Magazine (online)...2 fantastic picture books: The Glass Heart by SallyGardner and The Tantrum by Louie Stowell, illustrated by Isobel Lundie...& I love them both! fallenstarstories.wordpress.com/2025/08/29/f...

#globalstrikeforgaza #GlobalStrike Every Thursday. This is an act of global resistence. Avoid all kinds of purchases, don't pay or spend money anywhere. If you can, don't work. It's one day a week & makes a diffetence. #gaza #palestine #ProtectPalestine #FreePalestine #StopFundingGenocide

This is what it was always about for Israel - erasing Palestine - www.rte.ie/news/world/2...

In case you hadn't heard...a HUGE well done to @sineadohart.bsky.social , @rurooie.bsky.social & EVERYONE who donated & supported. €9000 raised for @medicalaidpal.bsky.social !!!!! You are all the very best of humans.

In which I offer a few of my favourite teen/YA books (across the last few years) as we wrap up the summer and head into autumn. All of them are fabulous and a little something for everyone. fallenstarstories.wordpress.com/2025/08/19/a...

Incredible! Just incredible!

Well this is strange and beautiful. I did not plant this gladiola and have no idea why it's here. But thank you. I needed that. #gladioli #summer2025 #itsthesimplethings

The Museum of Lost Umbrellas by Marie-Louise Fitzpatrick: get ready for the most magical journey; well-crafted, exquisitely told; fantastical, adventurous, mysterious, captivating, inspiring curiosity & imagination and utterly & completely enchanting. fallenstarstories.wordpress.com/2025/08/14/m...

Tonight, organised by the NUJ and Dublin NUJ, Protest apartheid Israel's murder of 6 more Palestinian journalists overnight. The entire Al Jazeera Gaza City crew and another journalist. These war crimes cannot go unpunished. Meet at The Spire at 6pm. #GazaGenocide

This is why I think KidLit people are the very, very best people. They give with their hearts. They support the important things. (And well done, @rurooie.bsky.social & @sineadohart.bsky.social ...a brilliant idea, well executed & so incredibly urgent.) SIX. THOUSAND. EURO. 💖📚🇵🇸

Five. Thousand. Euro. 🤯 Raised by children's books, and going straight to @medicalaidpal.bsky.social. I can't get over the generosity of the KidLit community - thank you all. The ##IrishKidLitForPalestine fundraiser remains open until Aug 17th, so please: keep giving! @rurooie.bsky.social 💜

The very definition of ethnic cleansing. apple.news/AIPtMWzxhRt6...

Just. Children's Books Folks are the best. €3000 raised for @medicalaidpal.bsky.social in a DAY AND A HALF Yee are going through it so fast we had to raise our target to 5k. Now wouldn't that be something.

This is such a rare gem in the #IrishKidLitForPalestine fundraiser. How often can you say you have an ORIGINAL piece of artwork that a whole book was made from?

The Irish KidLit for Palestine, in support of Medical Aid for Palestine is happening NOW! Your donations, large or small will make so much difference. #IrishKidLitForPalestine #MedicalAidForPalestine @rurooie.bsky.social @sineadohart.bsky.social fallenstarstories.wordpress.com/2025/08/04/i...

Irish children's authors & others have come together to raise funds for Palestine. Organised by @sineadohart.bsky.social & @rurooie.bsky.social I'll be hosting a Picture Book event with @chrishaughton.bsky.social Paddy Donnelly & Patricia Forde - check it all out: www.ruthennis.com/irish-kidlit...

One for the young readers...Ivy and Bearlock Homes: The Case of the Missing Flower by Kristyna Litten: great story with gorgeous, child-friendly illustrations, puzzles & mazes; truly engaging, interactive book; utterly charming. #MagicCatPublishing fallenstarstories.wordpress.com/2025/08/04/i...

A joyous and blessed Lughnasadh! Let's celebrate the harvest this year is bringing...Enjoy and share all good gifts. And dance! Dance with the abundance of life! May you all be blessed, wherever you are. #lughnasadhblessings

R.I.P. Allan Ahlberg. I have loved every single one of the books...a cherished legacy. 💔

An urgent press conference will be held tomorrow, 28 July, to announce the largest civilian maritime mission to Gaza since the Israeli siege began in 2007, organised by the Global Sumud Flotilla.

I have posted this previously. But now, today, it's even more pertinent & poignant. A Map for Falasteen: A Palestinian Childs' Search for Home by @maysaodeh & Aliaa Betawi; Compassionate, empathetic,and true. @theobrienpress.bsky.social #Palestine fallenstarstories.wordpress.com/2024/11/07/a...

My heart is shattered. This is unconscionable. This is genocide, right before our eyes; day after day after day. Keep talking, keep marching, keep contacting your representatives. Keep posting to support those brave souls who put themselves on the line to. Most of all,keep watching. Don't look away.

The Handala-Freedom Flotilla has been intercepted at sea by Israeli forces. All crew and humanitarian aid workers have been abducted. Put pressure on your representatives NOW to demand their immediate release and an end to this insane blockade...ALL EYES ON HANDALA. @freedomflotillafr.bsky.social

In which I suggest somegreat not-so-new adventures (8-11 age range) to get lost in as we approach August. (Great to read together, too.) @theobrienpress.bsky.social @littleislandbooks.bsky.social @walkerbooksuk.bsky.social @foxandinkbooks.bsky.social fallenstarstories.wordpress.com/2025/07/26/s...

Join the #Handala surveillance team - watch the live feed from the boat here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=M2lr...

In which I share some of my not-brand-new fave picture books to help you create a fabulous, book-filled, memorable summer. Wherever you go. @theobrienpress.bsky.social @graffegbooks.bsky.social @flyingeyebooks.bsky.social @walkerbooksuk.bsky.social fallenstarstories.wordpress.com/2025/07/18/p...

This...

READING FOR PLEASURE has the biggest positive impact of any factor on children’s life chances. So whatever else you do, please never stop helping kids find books to read & love. Never stop sharing books, talking about books, celebrating books & reading. It will change their lives! #literacy