The next episode of the Folklore Podcast is the deepest of dives into that classic folkloric children’s tale THE BOX OF DELIGHTS I’ll be joined by the playwright of the stage adaptation, @pierstorday.bsky.social , BBC documentary maker Chris Chapman and Masefield biographer Phil Errington

Lastly tonight it's the Ruth Rendell Award for Services to Literacy. This award was launched by us and @literacy-trust.bsky.social to recognise the writer or author who has had the most significant influence on literacy in the UK over the past year 💖 #ALCSAwards

Jonathan Douglas CEO @literacy-trust.bsky.social on this year's incredible shortlist - shout-out to @maisiechanwrites.bsky.social @pierstorday.bsky.social @nmgarrard.bsky.social Nathanael Lessore, Maz Evans, MC Grammar, @robbiddulph.bsky.social @laurahallain.bsky.social on the valuable work they do!

Honoured to have been shortlisted the for The Ruth Rendell Award 2026. Run by @alcs.co.uk and the National Literacy Trust, it recognises the writer who has had the most significant influence on literacy in the UK over the past year.Congratulations to all! booksforkeeps.co.uk/eight-author...

A few recommendations: +Inkbound: Meticulous Jones and the Skull Tattoo by @prleathley.bsky.social +Dracula & Daughters by @emcarrollauthor.bsky.social +Spirit Warriors by Ashley Thorpe +Midnight Treasure by @pierstorday.bsky.social +Heartseer: The Tale of Anise Star by Rowan Foxwood

Tree Thing by @pierstorday.bsky.social and #MatthewTaylorWildon is as beautifully told as it is illustrated. It’s a read-aloud story, that feels like a classic. A thought-provoking story about the beauty of nature and a plea to protect it. @hachettechildrens.bsky.social

I'll be chatting with Phil Errington, expert on John Masefield and author of Opening the Box of Delights, and @pierstorday.bsky.social who adapted the book for the stage. I'll feature the best of your thoughts on the show too, so make sure to give permission when you email your recordings

#NewIllustrationOfTheDay by Matthew Taylor Wilson from Tree Thing, a fable by Piers Torday. Shadowy monochrome spread of a boy who climbs a tree to save it from woodcutters. From aptly named Quercus Books (though these aren’t oak leaves), 15 Jan. @quercusbooks.bsky.social @pierstorday.bsky.social

I picked up a signed copy of #TreeThing in my local @waterstoneskids.bsky.social today. I’ve read the first chapter and know this is going to be a special book. Absolutely stunning illustrations. @pierstorday.bsky.social #MatthewTaylorWilson

So thrilled with this NY gift of a first review for Tree Thing - out on the 15th! “Thought-provoking and powerful, ‘Tree Thing’ is a story deeply rooted in the beauty of the natural world. It carries a plea for its protection and bursts with hope for change. It is quite extraordinary.” 🌳🌳🌳

Next up from my pile of books to work on is this one. Having just finished a rewatch of the classic BOX OF DELIGHTS this is a book full of promise, from probably the leading expert on John Masefield, and with an inciteful foreword by @pierstorday.bsky.social Episode planning to follow, I suspect!

I had no idea so many animals consider Christmas trees a tasty snack!

... And more wonderful new stories for ages 7+/9+ from 2025! (4/5) @gill-lewis.bsky.social @writerdavidlong.bsky.social @jasbinderbilan.bsky.social @tanyalandman.bsky.social @lthompsonwrites.bsky.social @hilarymckay.bsky.social @lesleyparr.bsky.social @pierstorday.bsky.social

Spare a thought for the socially awkward this Christmas as we try to pop cards through our neighbour’s letterboxes while desperately hoping they’re not in.

Today's review...'Wolf Crown' @pierstorday.bsky.social Fabulous sequel to the equally fabulous 'Midnight Treasure'! www.throughthebookshelf.com/reviews/wolf-crown

Gordon Johnstone, Scottish AI Alliance & Piers Torday The Society of Authors on AI & Sustainability. #GenerativeAI may be a transformational force - but it comes at a huge physical cost to the planet thro' data centre power & water usage, rare minerals, human rights. #GreenLibraries

I’ve updated my Halloween book recommendations blogpost, adding in some recently published titles. Happy spooky season reading! #UkKidLit vsviewfromthebookshelves.home.blog/2025/10/25/h...

@pierstorday.bsky.social at #LibraryCon #QUB with us @librariesni.bsky.social talking about writing for children, werewolves, vampires and the thrill of the dark With #RBKelly and @petercinnamond.bsky.social

I’m a fourth-generation Londoner. My great-grandparents came here in the 1890s and 1900s fleeing persecution in Eastern Europe. Those who didn’t flee then all died in the Holocaust. London has been a welcoming, exciting, forward-looking, opportunity-filled, richly INTERESTING home for 135 years.

That sounds amazing,perfect timing for Halloween! 🎃 Love how you’re blending courage, hope, and storytelling for kids.

I don't just make this stuff up. This is a wee taster of the very real @pierstorday.bsky.social talking about writing for children and for theatre - and in the full ep sharing some lovely and funny stories about all the fails before the success. Ep is right here: offcutsdrawer.com/piers-torday

Calling ALL SCHOOLS 📢 Next month I will be doing a FREE virtual webinar with @waterstoneskids.bsky.social Yrs 5 -7, presenting #MidnightTreasure & #WolfCrown, just in time for Halloween! Courage, hope & how to tell your own story. Sign up below + pls share! www.waterstones.com/events/virtu...

New podcast ep klaxon! Award-winning children's author & playwright @pierstorday.bsky.social shares the fascinating failures that led to his writing success with clips performed by @joxvox.bsky.social @kennyblyth.bsky.social @helgwyn.bsky.social & David Lane Pusey offcutsdrawer.com/piers-torday

The real 'two tier' divide in British politics is between the wife of a Conservative councillor calling for refugees to be burnt alive, being treated as a brave 'political prisoner', and the protestors calling for the end of mass starvation and genocide, being treated as domestic terrorists

Finished all tasks for the working week, so it’s time to relax and continue to read about rabbits and a great Terribleness! Excellent storytelling by @pierstorday.bsky.social

A very fun #mg read about a boy who really wants a dog from thedogs home so writes it a letter...And then receives a reply!👦🐶📝 #BookReview: #LettersToADog by Piers Torday @pierstorday.bsky.social #AliceMcKinley @barringtonstoke.bsky.social buff.ly/NajKOJk #bookblogger #books #childrensbooks

"This funny, heartbreaking and uplifting short novel brims with the emotional intelligence we expect from a master storyteller and animal lover." Amazing to see @pierstorday.bsky.social's #LettersToADog in the @newstatesman.com's best children's books for summer! www.newstatesman.com/culture/book...

along with a grown up - it has charming illustrations too. The AdventureMice series by Philip Reeve and Sarah McIntyre are brilliant, funny, richly illustrated plot and character driven stories that are good for bedtime or for children just starting to read independently. Their island location make

You don't need us for that Piers! However, so you can say that it isn't JUST you for the recommendations, For the very young, Big Red Dragon by Jane Newberry has rhymes for all around the year including some summer holiday themed poems, with suggested actions, that young children can learn to chant

Sharing reading tips on @listentotimesradio.bsky.social in about an hour or so… any great summer reads for children to recommend? #kidsbooksuk

If you’re looking for something fun, mysterious, mind-boggling, or just generally amazing to read this month, then head over to our website and check out what we were reading in June! We just know that you’ll find something great on our list 😍 www.libraries4schools.com/2025/07/08/b... #BookSky

It was an absolute treat to get to pop up again at Chalke #HistoryFestival yesterday - nice big audience and lots of really smart questions! h/t to @pierstorday.bsky.social for the pics. #CHF2025

Great launch last night for @cressidacowell.bsky.social's new book, HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DRAGON SCHOOL. Here we are with @pierstorday.bsky.social

Just a few of our authors' signings and events at fabulous independent bookshops this year! @lindsaygalvin.bsky.social @booknookhove.bsky.social @welbooks.bsky.social @pierstorday.bsky.social @dansmithauthor.bsky.social @drakebookshop.bsky.social @booksaremybag.bsky.social (2/3)

Which books were we discussing in our celebration assembly yesterday with children, staff & families? 📖 Our Wartime Street 📖 Rise of Invisidog @puffinbooksuk.bsky.social 📖 Letters to a Dog @pierstorday.bsky.social 📖 Reggie Rabbit: The Great Carrot Heist 📖 Felix and the Future Agency 📖 Wild

I am so delighted and proud to finally reveal that The Last Wild is going to be a PLAY - adapted by Jude Christian and directed by Rachel Bagshaw, Artistic Director of the Unicorn Theatre, who are co-producing the show with @nationaltheatre.org.uk -to open in London 2027 then tour primary schools

So important to me to show boys learning to express complex, vulnerable and honest feelings in stories - thanks @checkemoutbooks.bsky.social for highlighting that in Letters to a Dog ❤️🐶

For the wonderful Eva Ibbotson's 100 birthday, I talked to her children about her. www.thetimes.com/culture/book...

This is such a beautiful book of letters from Jamie in hospital waiting for a big operation to Dog languishing in a Dogs' Home. About grief, love and communication, it's warm, genuine and funny. Adults beware: it will make you cry! @pierstorday.bsky.social #AliceMcKinley @barringtonstoke.bsky.social

"A gorgeous novella...very, very funny and utterly heartbreaking" - thanks to @jacquisydney.bsky.social for this fabulous review of my @barringtonstoke.bsky.social debut, #LetterstoaDog, out next month!

Happy Earth Day! Thrilled to launch the Sustainable Story Award from World of Books!📚🌍 Delighted to be a judge for this £25k prize pot for writers whose work inspires real change, helping bring more brilliant, sustainability-focused books into the world 💚 Click here to learn more: bit.ly/44BRY8q

Books from @barringtonstoke.bsky.social just keep getting better. These four from @jasbinderbilan.bsky.social, @lesleyparr.bsky.social, @lthompsonwrites.bsky.social & @pierstorday.bsky.social encourage empathy, compassion and hope in young readers. scopeforimagination.co.uk/2025/04/15/m...

Eek! Very excited to receive a copy of @pierstorday.bsky.social’s Letters to a Dog, illustrated by Alice McKinley. Piers is one of my very favourite authors and I cannot wait to read his debut for @barringtonstoke.bsky.social. Out 08/05 for 9+ readers, huge thanks go to Poppy for sending 🐾

Delighted to be at the LAI CILIP library conference in Cork. Inspiring welcome from Eileen Morrissey, the President of the LAI & a mind-blowing talk from @pierstorday.bsky.social about sustainability in publishing. Obsessed with the new innovations in typeface with sustainable serif #laicilipire25

Spring is here and so are finished copies of LETTERS TO A DOG! Stunning cover and illustrations from Alice McKinley, published by @barringtonstoke.bsky.social next month. Our own dog is curious…

Extremely well put @pierstorday.bsky.social

@pierstorday.bsky.social at today’s protest, on the importance of protecting copyright law in light of the Meta’s scraping of unlicensed works to train their AI systems. #MetaBookTheives #DoTheWriteThing

SOME NEWS: It's been a honour and a joy to have devised this celebration of the glorious life, work and wit of P.G. Wodehous, hosted by Sir Stephen Fry, with guest stars including Alexander Armstrong and Stephen Mangan. Tuesday 20th May, Wilton's Music Hall, in aid of the National Literacy Trust.

I was sent Recycling Day by @nosycrow.bsky.social (published a couple of weeks ago). Illustrated by #KlasFahlen, it shows the people, processes and vehicles involved in recycling paper, glass, plastic, food and more ♻️ Really great for school, thank you! #KidLitUK

They’ll ALL be ones that they made earlier.