Congratulations all! And yay in particular for @lantanapub.bsky.social X 2, @florisbooks.bsky.social and @postwavebooks.bsky.social !

New, monthly inclusive reading lists featuring stories from different independent children’s book publishers. We 💜love💜 this new initiative from @lantanapub.bsky.social supporting the indie publishing sector- the ‘quieter’ voices who deserve megaphoning! #KidLitUK

We are delighted to share the news that #ThePlaydate and #FreedomBraids has been longlisted for The Carnegie Medal for Illustration – congratulations #Carnegies2026

From Monique Duncan, the author of FREEDOM BRAIDS published by @lantanapub.bsky.social www.hbook.com/story/articl...

Watch this space. 📚✨ It’s the National Year of Reading, and something collaborative is coming 💛 www.lantanapublishing.com/post/indie-publishers-unite-for-the-national-year-of-reading-launching-our-monthly-inclusive-reading-lis

A quiet game of Chinese chess, neighbours pausing to think, talk and connect ♟️💬 In Mama’s Special Wonton Soup by Wai Mei Wong & Xinyue Zhu, small moments like this bring a village to life — celebrating community, kindness and slowing down 🍲✨ 👉 uk.bookshop.org/a/291/978191...

✨ Our first ever blog post is live! ✨ We’re launching our Meet the Author series with Shiko Nguru, author of the Intasimi Warriors. 📖 Read the full interview. www.lantanapublishing.com/post/meet-the-author-shiko-nguru-on-reading-children-s-fiction-and-the-intasimi-warriors-series

An absolute gem from @lantanapub.bsky.social

📣 @usbby.bsky.social has published its Outstanding International Book List 2026. UK entries include some of our faves: ⭐️Tyger/ @whatsfsaid.bsky.social ⭐️ @lantanapub.bsky.social Play date ⭐️Atinuke/Brooksbank M Is for Mango @walkerbooksuk.bsky.social www.usbby.org/2026oib.html #KidLitUK

A last little push before the day ends 📚✨ Still a few hours to squeeze in some calm, joyful reading — A to Zen is perfect for helping children wind down, refocus, and hit those reading goals before bedtime. Every page is a small moment of mindfulness 💛 uk.bookshop.org/a/291/978191...

✨ It’s live! ✨ Our brand-new Lantana website has launched — and with it, a shiny new blog 🎉 Explore our books, access teaching resources, and come read along with us as we open up new conversations through story. 💛 👉 lantanapublishing.com

A small step outside & everything feels different. In Tomorrow by Nadine Kaadan, Yazan sneaks out, but the empty street frightens him. A quiet moment that reflects what many children are forced to experience today: uncertainty, fear, & sudden change. 👉 uk.bookshop.org/a/291/978191...

A behind-the-scenes look at character development ✏️ From first sketches to final design, this shows how Ana was shaped through exploration, movement and feedback — a great example of visual storytelling in practice. 👉 uk.bookshop.org/a/291/978191...

The Playdate is a USBBY 2026 Outstanding International Book 🌍 A rich picture book for classroom discussion—exploring friendship, perspective, and economic inequality through text & illustration. A powerful tool for close reading and visual literacy. uk.bookshop.org/a/291/978183...

From @lantanapub.bsky.social Mai Story notes “As a young girl watches her mother march for justice, she learns that change can be made with courage, community, and even ‘with your feet’”

Soni and the Life Drinkers by Shiko Nguru Tthis middle-grade fantasy explores courage, friendship and self-sacrifice in a world where monsters aren’t the only things lurking in the shadows. @pubspotlight.bsky.social @lantanapub.bsky.social #BookSky #MGLit

This illustration from Taking Time is a beautiful prompt for slowing down and noticing. Ideal for mindfulness moments, PSHE, or quiet reflection, it invites children to practise observation, empathy and care for the world around them. 📚 👉https://uk.bookshop.org/a/291/9781911373087

Congratulations to @usbby.bsky.social #OutstandingInternationalBookAward winners from @toonbooks.bsky.social @geckopress.bsky.social @florisbooks.bsky.social @lantanapub.bsky.social @littleislandbooks.bsky.social @postwavebooks.bsky.social @redcometpressbooks.bsky.social @transitbooks.bsky.social

MAMA’S SPECIAL WONTON SOUP is “sweet and would be perfect for elementary school-aged children. The illustrations are drawn and colored in muted colors with a mustard yellow background and are pleasing to the eye” @lantanapub.bsky.social manhattanbookreview.com/product/mama...

This wordsearch is inspired by If I Were Prime Minister — where a child reimagines the world with humour, care, and big ideas. 🧩 There are four jobs hidden. The first one you spot… might just be your calling 👀💭 A book for dreamers of all ages. 👉 uk.bookshop.org/a/291/978191...

Meet my Momo-la 🖼️ She’s full of stories… but you’ll have to read on to discover them. 📖✨ 👉 uk.bookshop.org/a/291/978191...

An illustration from My Mummy Marches that works beautifully as a classroom prompt for discussions around peaceful protest, civic engagement and values. Great for PSHE & citizenship.

📚 Rainbow Hands is a gentle picture book celebrating self-expression, acceptance and care. Praised by @theguardian.com, it’s a thoughtful choice for classroom reading, PSHE discussions and supporting children to feel seen, valued and free to be themselves. uk.bookshop.org/a/291/978191...

"MAMA'S SPECIAL WONTON SOUP is a charming story about sharing with...peaceful rural life portrayed, and the restful color pallet of the storytelling illustrations" published by @lantanapub.bsky.social kissthebookjr.blogspot.com/2025/12/mama...

Listen to translator Daniel Hahn discussing the project of bringing THE INVISIBLE STORY to English language readers for @lantanapub.bsky.social youtu.be/H1-In-IKdvQ?...

Proud to support the @Literacy_Trust National Year of Reading as part of #GoAllIn2026 📚💚 goallin.org.uk We’re all in for reading for pleasure — helping children find joy, confidence and connection through stories that truly speak to them.

In the Land of the Crescent Moon, a boy no bigger than a pine nut and a little blue bird dare to dream. 💙🌙 This scene from Azizi and the Little Blue Bird captures the moment hope begins to rise. Inspired by the Jasmine Revolution in Tunisia. US only: lernerbooks.com/shop/show/25...

If you’ve got children who are nervous about speaking in their school play this Christmas, you might like our gentle, reassuring picture book VIOLET’S TEMPEST! #KidLit #BookSky #PrimaryEduSky uk.bookshop.org/p/books/viol... @lantanapub.bsky.social

THROUGH THE FOREST 🌿✨ A lost boy, a guide called Emptiness, and a journey through memories—good and bad—that lead him toward healing. A powerful tale about embracing the past. 💛 uk.bookshop.org/a/291/978191...

AZIZZI AND THE LITTLE BLUE BIRD from @lantanapub.bsky.social is a “contemporary fairy tale is set in the Land of the Crescent Moon…. a powerful narrative about freedom and resistance for young readers” omnilibros.com/2025/11/15/a...

“A powerful read… for parents and children whose upbringings are radically different.” — NYT Letters in Charcoal follows a determined girl who learns to read and discovers that letters are everywhere. A beautiful story about literacy, courage, and new beginnings. ✨📖

Your community needs different people to help it grow. The people there don't have to look, act, believe, or be the same to create a beautiful, healthy place ...

Meet Cindy, our brilliant new Publishing Trainee! ✨ We’re thrilled to welcome her to the Lantana team. Huge thanks to Creative Access and the Mo Siewcharran Fund for helping make this opportunity possible!

🌱 The Wall and the Wild is a powerful classroom read for exploring inclusion, difference & growth. Through Ana’s story, pupils learn to value what doesn’t “fit,” embrace diversity, and look beyond the wall to understand others. A brilliant pick for #DisabilityHistoryMonth 💛

This Disability History Month, The Invisible Story reminds us that not all stories are read with the eyes. A blind reader brings a forgotten book to life through touch — captured beautifully in Wen Hsu Chen’s artwork. ✨📚 shop.scholastic.co.uk/products/155...

Congratulations to @lantanapub.bsky.social and to @barefootbooks.bsky.social each of whose #kidsbooks received Honor designations last night in the #CharlotteHuckAwards ceremony at #NCTE25!

Slip into someone else’s shoes and see the world through their eyes… now in paperback! 👟✨ Step Into My Shoes is a gentle, hopeful story about what happens when we pause long enough to imagine life from another person’s path. 🌍💛 uk.bookshop.org/a/291/978191...

“Loving others is the loudest language of all.” — The New York Times Thank you to @nytimes.com for this thoughtful review of Listening to the Quiet. 🤟✨ uk.bookshop.org/a/291/978191...

For #DisabilityHistoryMonth, consider sharing My Must-Have Mum — a warm, inclusive story about a boy who worries he’ll be “upcycled” next, only to learn he’s perfect as he is. Ideal for classroom conversations about identity, belonging, and family. uk.bookshop.org/a/291/978191...

My day, my rights. ✨ #UNChildrensDay Every child deserves to celebrate who they are and feel proud in their own skin. 💛 uk.bookshop.org/a/291/978191...

Yijing Li was once cheered by classmates as she drew in kindergarten. Years later, a group of children secretly gathered behind her and applauded again — a moment that brought the memory rushing back. It was then she chose to become an illustrator. 🎨💛 uk.bookshop.org/a/291/978191...

“Originally published in Flemish, this allegorical fairy tale is inspired by the Tunisian Jasmine Revolution. An incisive social justice picture book” AZIZI AND THE LITTLE BLUE BIRD translated by David Colmer and published by @lantanapub.bsky.social www.booklistonline.com/products/981...

When the rain gets really serious, you build a boat big enough for you, your friends, and a dragon. 🐉🌧 From Sunday Rain — a warm story about imagination and making friends. ✨ uk.bookshop.org/a/291/978191...

We are thrilled to see that this year, @theclpe.bsky.social reports a more healthy landscape for inclusive representation in their annual report. Though there is still work to be done, we are committed, now and always, to contribute to that work. ⭐ Read more: clpe.org.uk/research/clp...

👟 Step Into My Shoes is a brilliant classroom read for teaching empathy & understanding. Through Matou’s playful curiosity, children learn what it really means to “walk in someone else’s shoes.” ✨ Perfect for PSHE, assemblies & discussion starters! 💛 uk.bookshop.org/a/291/978191...

Aren’t we all just a little bit jealous of Afiya and her magical dress? ✨💛 From A Story About Afiya by James Berry & Anna Cunha — a lyrical celebration of childhood, memory, and imagination. 🌈 uk.bookshop.org/a/291/978191...

“The artwork is expressive and oozes joy.” — @Booktrust ✨ We love this beautiful review for The Great Henna Party by Humera Malik and Sohali Zohra — a vibrant celebration of family, creativity, and love. 🎨 uk.bookshop.org/a/291/978183...

We’re so excited to share that Freedom Braids (illustrated by Oboh Moses) and The Playdate (illustrated by Clara Dackenberg) have both been nominated for the @carnegiemedals.bsky.social for Illustration! ✨ Two stunning stories, two incredible illustrators 💫 #Booksky #Carnegies2026

What a delight to see so many of our #kidsbook friends recognized with these nominations including @littleislandbooks.bsky.social @lantanapub.bsky.social @nosycrow.bsky.social @florisbooks.bsky.social @scallywagpress.bsky.social Congratulations all! carnegies.co.uk/nominations-...

Not all shadows are scary. 🌑✨ SHADOW is a tender modern fairy tale about facing fear and finding light. A perfect not-so-scary read for #Halloween. 👻 lernerbooks.com/shop/show/18...