Today's review...'The Map of me' by Nicola Davies, illustrated by Olga Shtonda #KidLitUK Out on the 29th January, this is a very special book. throughthebookshelf.com/reviews/the-...

My Brain: "Psst, here's a great idea for your book." Me: "I'm busy. I'll write it down later. I'll remember it." Morgan Freeman: "But he did not remember it, for his brain soon moved on to wonder how cottage cheese gets made." #WritingCommunity #BookSky #WriteSky

I wish I didn’t have to share this. But the BBC has decided to censor my first Reith Lecture. They deleted the line in which I describe Donald Trump as “the most openly corrupt president in American history.” /1

📢FELLOW AUTHORS📢 I've seen several social media posts from authors who have replied to AI phishing emails, either with responses along the lines of “Please remove me from your contact list or I'll report you for fraud" or more humorously. Here's why REPLYING TO SCAM EMAILS IS A BAD IDEA. … 🧵

For Armistice Day, here's a letter my great uncle wrote to his old school in 1914 about the Christmas truce

Today's review...'Swanfall' by Sophie Kirtley @kidsbloomsbury.bsky.social A fabulous read! www.throughthebookshelf.com/reviews/swanfall

#NewIllustrationOfTheDay by Jane Ray from Anya‘s Quest, the story, based on Hindu mythology, of a girl trying to save the planet. By Jasbinder Bilan, Walker Books 6 Nov. Ravishing and magical use of colour and decoration and fantastical Hindu imagery. @walkerbooksuk.bsky.social @janeray.bsky.social

A great story about the ability of reading to transform lives, from my hometown of Nottingham. #ReadingForPleasure www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

I'd watch breathless marathon runners as a kid & thought you just had to gather enough air beforehand. I loved feeling the wind through the open window when driving. My father said if I kept my mouth open I'd get enough air to run a marathon. Great way to quieten a talkative child on a family drive.

A lovely giveaway!

Do you have a dad that needs a story read to him today? Here's an oldie but I like to think a goodie, read by me www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pr4g...

Thank you for including My Must-Have Mum! 💕

I’m not seeing much about this book but it’s easily one of the most uplifting and compassionate poetry books for children and adults that I’ve read. It should be winning the prizes and selling like crazy @graffegbooks.bsky.social

No pudding for Russia then. Or there probably will be... they know you're just bluffing

This is really good. Quotes my mate Ali, who produced the brilliant Phoenix Rise just a couple of years ago. It's absolutely desperate out here

First school visit this week. Waiting to go into the class, a child turned round and shouted, ARTHUR! I turned round too, but... no one was there...

All I saw was sandwich for at least 15 seconds

Protestors met JD Vance in Vermont when he went to vacation there today. This is a good one:

It's been obvious since January 6 that he was an enemy of the USA, the UK & the whole of the free world. Everybody still in his camp understands this as completely as everybody against it. They just prioritise personal interest over the national & international. And they know it. They all know it.

oday's review...'The Appletree Animal Agency' by Katya Balen, illustrated by Gill Smith @walkerbooksuk.bsky.social A little bit of joy for a rainy day! throughthebookshelf.com/reviews/the-...

Can’t tell you how thrilled I am about this cover, by Anna Morrison who did Anne Enright’s The Wren, The Wren. Out May 15th but you can preorder a signed and dedicated copy from @mrbsemporium.bsky.social mrbsemporium.com/shop/uncateg...

1 WEEK UNTIL PETERS CHILDREN'S BOOK OF THE YEAR! 🎉 If you work at a school or library and haven't yet cast your vote, you've got until the end of Friday this week to choose your favourite. Whoever is crowned, it will be because of you! Vote before 28 Feb: peters.co.uk/pboty2025-vote

Reading is such a wonderful thing to do with your children. It gives me great pleasure to celebrate it on @worldbookdayuk.bsky.social which is next week! 😃

Another zinger from Brian 👏

There's only a few days left of @bookshop-org-uk.bsky.social's #ReadItForward campaign with @booktrust.org.uk and @scottishbooktrust.bsky.social where 10% of all Children's book sales in February go towards vulnerable families across the UK. 📚 Browse our recs here: uk.bookshop.org/lists/staff-...?

www.thebookseller.com/comment/non-... Anonymous Writer makes some good points here - just as we're yanking on our performance faces!

Word of the Day is ‘ingordigiousness’ (18th century): extreme greed at the expense of principles.

Just to cheer up your day, here's a video of two baby pandas trying to get into a hammock, which I added the Benny Hill theme tune to.

Here with the magnificent @maudiesmith.bsky.social @rachelwardbooks.bsky.social @hapfairy.bsky.social and many more. #Bathlibrary #Banesfestival

Writers of middle grade fiction! Join us on Saturday 10th May in the inspiring grounds of @arnosvalecemetery.bsky.social for our first #Writers Day for adults. With workshops, panel discussion and chat, meet @racheldelahaye.bsky.social Ash Bond, Emma Reed, Sophie Kirtley, @joannanadin.bsky.social

If you haven't - please do fill this in. If you are a creative of any sort. The ALCS guidelines are very useful as the questions become more impenetrable. Also - you don't have to answer it all. www.alcs.co.uk/news/your-ri...

Went for a lovely walk. Him Indoors talked savings and pensions while I pointed out flat rats and and other deceased wildlife. Catkins were also available

Half term coming up. You and your little ones can join me in Chippenham for stories,fishy craft and some dramatic antics with hats!

If you have a #KidLit book launching Feb.10-16, reply with book cover (use alt text), title, author & illustrator, publisher, launch date, LINK where people can find more info. Pls add good karma to universe by helping to boost! It's a tough time to launch books. #KidLitLaunches #Edusky More 👇

Something wonderful happened yesterday. My still life painting has been accepted into the Royal Institute of Painters in Water Colours annual exhibition at the Mall Galleries in London (26 March - 5 April)! It's beyond my wildest artistic dreams! Up to and including then, I will be walking on air!

I bet Donald Trump doesn't buy fair trade bananas Back story, I just ate one 🍌

We’ve been watching Wolf Hall, a fascinating study of how the fragile male ego of a fickle, greedy despot creates a culture of deep cruelty and mistrust, where everyone lives in fear of saying the wrong thing. Thank goodness we’ve moved on from those times.

It's been a busy month in the world of children's books. Here's your chance to catch up with what you may have missed. My Reading Matters round up includes book awards, free events, resources and new books to tempt you. #UKKidLit alibrarylady.blog/2025/02/01/r...

Excellent piece on BookBrunch about the importance of books to pre-schoolers and in early years. www.bookbrunch.co.uk/page/free-ar...

Quite tricky to use this poo bin, but I managed to cram it in eventually

If your New Year's resolution is to write a crime novel next year, my book Write Your Cozy Mystery is a sensible, easy to follow guide with lots of writing exercises to help you on your way. amazon.co.uk/Write-Your-C...

The @societyofauthors.bsky.social is calling for celebrities, publishers and agents to acknowledge the writers behind celebrity books, particularly for children societyofauthors.org/2024/12/09/c...

Make sure you tune in folks. ☺️

I'm looking for London bookshops/libraries to host my show, Fairytale Musical Mash Up next February Half Term. Ages 4+ In the show, we turn one of these picture books into a big smash hit West End Musical using a ukulele, a keyboard, a trumpet & the audience. Drop me a line to discuss how it works.

When global news is full of worrying things, let's remember to teach children to see the good right in front of them, too. 👀💛 Our new COMMUNITY-themed booklist features stories about togetherness, kindness, helping out and the value of communities: www.booksfortopics.com/booklists/to...

guardianbookshop.com/a-hat-full-o... such a lovely wodge of review quotes here for A Hat Full of Sea!

Run!!!

Did you know that by substituting your morning coffee with green tea, you can eliminate up to 93% of what little joy you have left?