Joanna Sholem
@bookjo.bsky.social
Pinned
Taking off my Stepping Into Stories Staff T-shirt after work was bittersweet because ooof! I am cream-crackered and very proud, but sad it’ll be another year before I wear it again. Look at my beautiful team in theirs.
Reposted by Joanna Sholem
And this morning the Shed is a garden gate, singing the songs of springtime…
February 11, 2026 at 8:37 AM
And this morning the Shed is a garden gate, singing the songs of springtime…
Reposted by Joanna Sholem
The UK government is proposing radical and punitive changes to settlement rules. This is settlement, not citizenship. The consultation is open until 12 February; please respond to it and oppose these evil proposals. Amnesty have a good guide: www.amnesty.org.uk/resources/gu...
Guidance for responding to 'A Fairer Pathway to Settlement' consultation
We are Amnesty International UK. We are ordinary people from across the world standing up for humanity and human rights.
www.amnesty.org.uk
January 22, 2026 at 10:22 AM
The UK government is proposing radical and punitive changes to settlement rules. This is settlement, not citizenship. The consultation is open until 12 February; please respond to it and oppose these evil proposals. Amnesty have a good guide: www.amnesty.org.uk/resources/gu...
Reposted by Joanna Sholem
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 💜love💜 this new initiative from @lantanapub.bsky.social supporting the indie publishing sector- the ‘quieter’ voices who deserve megaphoning!
#KidLitUK
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
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
February 10, 2026 at 1:41 PM
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 💜love💜 this new initiative from @lantanapub.bsky.social supporting the indie publishing sector- the ‘quieter’ voices who deserve megaphoning!
#KidLitUK
Taking off my Stepping Into Stories Staff T-shirt after work was bittersweet because ooof! I am cream-crackered and very proud, but sad it’ll be another year before I wear it again. Look at my beautiful team in theirs.
February 9, 2026 at 4:23 AM
Taking off my Stepping Into Stories Staff T-shirt after work was bittersweet because ooof! I am cream-crackered and very proud, but sad it’ll be another year before I wear it again. Look at my beautiful team in theirs.
Reposted by Joanna Sholem
As grown-ups we can often fall into the trap of leaning towards serious or ‘issue heavy’ kid’s books, forgetting that kids also need and deserve books that just bring joy.
So for #KidsBooksFriday this week, what are your top fun / silly / joyful book recommendations?
#KidLitUK #UKKidLit #KidLit
So for #KidsBooksFriday this week, what are your top fun / silly / joyful book recommendations?
#KidLitUK #UKKidLit #KidLit
February 6, 2026 at 7:43 AM
As grown-ups we can often fall into the trap of leaning towards serious or ‘issue heavy’ kid’s books, forgetting that kids also need and deserve books that just bring joy.
So for #KidsBooksFriday this week, what are your top fun / silly / joyful book recommendations?
#KidLitUK #UKKidLit #KidLit
So for #KidsBooksFriday this week, what are your top fun / silly / joyful book recommendations?
#KidLitUK #UKKidLit #KidLit
Reposted by Joanna Sholem
People of London, I am coming to see you! Next Sunday (Feb 8th) I'll be in Dulwich hosting a live episode of #DrawWithRob, telling stories, talking about Ringo (my dog), and I will give the first EVER public reading from my brand new book The Last Wolf! Come! Tickets 👉https://tinyurl.com/56jawbbb
January 31, 2026 at 7:45 AM
People of London, I am coming to see you! Next Sunday (Feb 8th) I'll be in Dulwich hosting a live episode of #DrawWithRob, telling stories, talking about Ringo (my dog), and I will give the first EVER public reading from my brand new book The Last Wolf! Come! Tickets 👉https://tinyurl.com/56jawbbb
Can’t wait to listen to this episode.
I’m so lucky to work with the extraordinary Mo O’Hara on Stepping Into Stories.*
*the festival starts on Wednesday, and tickets are still available for the weekend’s public events www.steppingintostories.org/public-progr...
I’m so lucky to work with the extraordinary Mo O’Hara on Stepping Into Stories.*
*the festival starts on Wednesday, and tickets are still available for the weekend’s public events www.steppingintostories.org/public-progr...
February 1, 2026 at 8:33 AM
Can’t wait to listen to this episode.
I’m so lucky to work with the extraordinary Mo O’Hara on Stepping Into Stories.*
*the festival starts on Wednesday, and tickets are still available for the weekend’s public events www.steppingintostories.org/public-progr...
I’m so lucky to work with the extraordinary Mo O’Hara on Stepping Into Stories.*
*the festival starts on Wednesday, and tickets are still available for the weekend’s public events www.steppingintostories.org/public-progr...
Reposted by Joanna Sholem
Today, we’re proud to open our Comic Corner, a space filled with curiosity, laughter, and imagination. This corner is dedicated to our young readers, where reading begins with joy.
You can also send comics and books for our members from their amazon Wishlist- amazon.in/hz/wishlist/...
You can also send comics and books for our members from their amazon Wishlist- amazon.in/hz/wishlist/...
January 8, 2026 at 1:38 PM
Today, we’re proud to open our Comic Corner, a space filled with curiosity, laughter, and imagination. This corner is dedicated to our young readers, where reading begins with joy.
You can also send comics and books for our members from their amazon Wishlist- amazon.in/hz/wishlist/...
You can also send comics and books for our members from their amazon Wishlist- amazon.in/hz/wishlist/...
Reposted by Joanna Sholem
These wonderful people not only have a great shop window but they now have a pile of books signed by me. I did also write the books, if you’re worried – I don’t just go in and sign random books, they frown on that. Anyway, get your books from them.
@booksellercrow.bsky.social booksellercrow.co.uk
@booksellercrow.bsky.social booksellercrow.co.uk
December 11, 2025 at 4:55 PM
These wonderful people not only have a great shop window but they now have a pile of books signed by me. I did also write the books, if you’re worried – I don’t just go in and sign random books, they frown on that. Anyway, get your books from them.
@booksellercrow.bsky.social booksellercrow.co.uk
@booksellercrow.bsky.social booksellercrow.co.uk
Reposted by Joanna Sholem
Walker Books is proud to be supporting the National Year of Reading! 📚
Whether it's football, music, baking, family-time, sci-fi, or...anything, reading helps you get more out of the things you love.
www.walker.co.uk/walker-books...
#GoAllIn2026 #NationalYearOfReading2026
Whether it's football, music, baking, family-time, sci-fi, or...anything, reading helps you get more out of the things you love.
www.walker.co.uk/walker-books...
#GoAllIn2026 #NationalYearOfReading2026
January 13, 2026 at 4:15 PM
Walker Books is proud to be supporting the National Year of Reading! 📚
Whether it's football, music, baking, family-time, sci-fi, or...anything, reading helps you get more out of the things you love.
www.walker.co.uk/walker-books...
#GoAllIn2026 #NationalYearOfReading2026
Whether it's football, music, baking, family-time, sci-fi, or...anything, reading helps you get more out of the things you love.
www.walker.co.uk/walker-books...
#GoAllIn2026 #NationalYearOfReading2026
Reposted by Joanna Sholem
Our Co-CEO @dianajgerald.bsky.social and Director of Children's Books Lizzie Catford were delighted to attend the #NationalYearOfReading2026 launch today!
We're proud to be leading on early years for the National Year of Reading - find out more:
https://bit.ly/3LERDuF #GoAllIn2026
We're proud to be leading on early years for the National Year of Reading - find out more:
https://bit.ly/3LERDuF #GoAllIn2026
January 13, 2026 at 4:20 PM
Our Co-CEO @dianajgerald.bsky.social and Director of Children's Books Lizzie Catford were delighted to attend the #NationalYearOfReading2026 launch today!
We're proud to be leading on early years for the National Year of Reading - find out more:
https://bit.ly/3LERDuF #GoAllIn2026
We're proud to be leading on early years for the National Year of Reading - find out more:
https://bit.ly/3LERDuF #GoAllIn2026
Reposted by Joanna Sholem
#NewIllustrationOfTheDay by Ruchi Mhasane: The Beautiful Layers of Me. Engaging visual storytelling about a child made to feel bad about traditional dress. On yesterday’s Inclusive Books for Children shortlists. Text by Sophia Payne, Walker Books. @walkerbooksuk.bsky.social @ibc-reads.bsky.social
January 13, 2026 at 10:32 AM
#NewIllustrationOfTheDay by Ruchi Mhasane: The Beautiful Layers of Me. Engaging visual storytelling about a child made to feel bad about traditional dress. On yesterday’s Inclusive Books for Children shortlists. Text by Sophia Payne, Walker Books. @walkerbooksuk.bsky.social @ibc-reads.bsky.social
Reposted by Joanna Sholem
The category winner for the Nero Book Awards are announced sometime today/any minute. I’m on the shortlist for Fiction, in pretty amazing company. Casting a small spell over my morning coffee and grateful to the judges for shortlisting the Two Roberts. Bobby and Robert chuffed also.
January 13, 2026 at 8:55 AM
The category winner for the Nero Book Awards are announced sometime today/any minute. I’m on the shortlist for Fiction, in pretty amazing company. Casting a small spell over my morning coffee and grateful to the judges for shortlisting the Two Roberts. Bobby and Robert chuffed also.
Reposted by Joanna Sholem
Unsolicited writing advice, no. 13:
Wrting a short story is no easier than writing a novel. In fact, it's somewhat harder, because the form is less forgiving: you can get away with a certain amount of bagginess in a novel, but a short story needs to be perfectly structured; not a word out of place.
Wrting a short story is no easier than writing a novel. In fact, it's somewhat harder, because the form is less forgiving: you can get away with a certain amount of bagginess in a novel, but a short story needs to be perfectly structured; not a word out of place.
January 13, 2026 at 4:59 PM
Unsolicited writing advice, no. 13:
Wrting a short story is no easier than writing a novel. In fact, it's somewhat harder, because the form is less forgiving: you can get away with a certain amount of bagginess in a novel, but a short story needs to be perfectly structured; not a word out of place.
Wrting a short story is no easier than writing a novel. In fact, it's somewhat harder, because the form is less forgiving: you can get away with a certain amount of bagginess in a novel, but a short story needs to be perfectly structured; not a word out of place.
Reposted by Joanna Sholem
“A profound wish that we make a better, fairer future for us all”(Eileen Primary Teacher)
A Powerful Retelling of the British Empire Through 20 True Stories
@imperialhistorian.bsky.social
&ChaoTayiana &Alexander Mostov @quartokids.bsky.social
Full review:
www.letterboxlibrary.com/product-page...
A Powerful Retelling of the British Empire Through 20 True Stories
@imperialhistorian.bsky.social
&ChaoTayiana &Alexander Mostov @quartokids.bsky.social
Full review:
www.letterboxlibrary.com/product-page...
January 13, 2026 at 1:28 PM
“A profound wish that we make a better, fairer future for us all”(Eileen Primary Teacher)
A Powerful Retelling of the British Empire Through 20 True Stories
@imperialhistorian.bsky.social
&ChaoTayiana &Alexander Mostov @quartokids.bsky.social
Full review:
www.letterboxlibrary.com/product-page...
A Powerful Retelling of the British Empire Through 20 True Stories
@imperialhistorian.bsky.social
&ChaoTayiana &Alexander Mostov @quartokids.bsky.social
Full review:
www.letterboxlibrary.com/product-page...
Reposted by Joanna Sholem
The scene that basically became my whole subconscious/dream/fantasy since. You can even trace my studying 18C Brit lit to this moment when I was 10 years old.
This was where I met Bowie, my forever love. I would meet him again, and again, until he ran out of time. 🌌
youtu.be/4nBjvElCzAw?...
This was where I met Bowie, my forever love. I would meet him again, and again, until he ran out of time. 🌌
youtu.be/4nBjvElCzAw?...
January 8, 2026 at 7:25 PM
The scene that basically became my whole subconscious/dream/fantasy since. You can even trace my studying 18C Brit lit to this moment when I was 10 years old.
This was where I met Bowie, my forever love. I would meet him again, and again, until he ran out of time. 🌌
youtu.be/4nBjvElCzAw?...
This was where I met Bowie, my forever love. I would meet him again, and again, until he ran out of time. 🌌
youtu.be/4nBjvElCzAw?...
Reposted by Joanna Sholem
It's the national year of reading in the uk in 2026. Instead of asking "why don't kids read any more", ask "how can I help them find the stories (and non fic) they will fall in love with". Less "get off my lawn whippersnappers" and more "come, sit on the lawn, here's a comic".
January 1, 2026 at 9:47 AM
It's the national year of reading in the uk in 2026. Instead of asking "why don't kids read any more", ask "how can I help them find the stories (and non fic) they will fall in love with". Less "get off my lawn whippersnappers" and more "come, sit on the lawn, here's a comic".
Reposted by Joanna Sholem
Happy New Year #WritingCommunity! 🎊
It's time for #WriteCBC, share your writing goal for 2026. Tell us in the replies to this post and you might win a course worth £230! Enter by 10am Fri 9 Jan.
Get some inspiration (and read T&Cs) here:
www.curtisbrowncreative.co.uk/blog/10-writ...
It's time for #WriteCBC, share your writing goal for 2026. Tell us in the replies to this post and you might win a course worth £230! Enter by 10am Fri 9 Jan.
Get some inspiration (and read T&Cs) here:
www.curtisbrowncreative.co.uk/blog/10-writ...
January 1, 2026 at 11:01 AM
Happy New Year #WritingCommunity! 🎊
It's time for #WriteCBC, share your writing goal for 2026. Tell us in the replies to this post and you might win a course worth £230! Enter by 10am Fri 9 Jan.
Get some inspiration (and read T&Cs) here:
www.curtisbrowncreative.co.uk/blog/10-writ...
It's time for #WriteCBC, share your writing goal for 2026. Tell us in the replies to this post and you might win a course worth £230! Enter by 10am Fri 9 Jan.
Get some inspiration (and read T&Cs) here:
www.curtisbrowncreative.co.uk/blog/10-writ...
Reposted by Joanna Sholem
𝘈𝘳𝘦 𝘠𝘰𝘶 𝘛𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘎𝘰𝘥? 𝘐𝘵’𝘴 𝘔𝘦, 𝘔𝘢𝘳𝘨𝘢𝘳𝘦𝘵. by Judy Blume was first published #OTD in 1970.
The NYT selected it the Outstanding Book of the Year. TIME: "Blume turned millions of pre-teens into readers. She did it by asking the right questions—and avoiding pat, easy answers." #booksky #literature #litsky
The NYT selected it the Outstanding Book of the Year. TIME: "Blume turned millions of pre-teens into readers. She did it by asking the right questions—and avoiding pat, easy answers." #booksky #literature #litsky
January 1, 2026 at 7:47 PM
𝘈𝘳𝘦 𝘠𝘰𝘶 𝘛𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘎𝘰𝘥? 𝘐𝘵’𝘴 𝘔𝘦, 𝘔𝘢𝘳𝘨𝘢𝘳𝘦𝘵. by Judy Blume was first published #OTD in 1970.
The NYT selected it the Outstanding Book of the Year. TIME: "Blume turned millions of pre-teens into readers. She did it by asking the right questions—and avoiding pat, easy answers." #booksky #literature #litsky
The NYT selected it the Outstanding Book of the Year. TIME: "Blume turned millions of pre-teens into readers. She did it by asking the right questions—and avoiding pat, easy answers." #booksky #literature #litsky
Reposted by Joanna Sholem
I advise you never to make these. Or at the very least go into making them with your eyes wide open. Because they are basically the biscuit equivalent of crack.
Parmesan shortbreads are the perfect accompaniment to any festive fizz you may be uncorking to celebrate the New Year. They’re #RecipeOfTheDay now in case you want a get a head start on them, but they’re neither difficult nor time-consuming to make. www.nigella.com/recipes/parm...
Parmesan Shortbreads
This is an Italian-inspired recipe that comes to me from Australia via Brazil. To explain: a Brazilian friend, and the best cook I know, Helio Fenerich made it for me, and I had to keep (rudely) askin...
www.nigella.com
December 29, 2025 at 12:42 PM
I advise you never to make these. Or at the very least go into making them with your eyes wide open. Because they are basically the biscuit equivalent of crack.
Reposted by Joanna Sholem
"The Peek-Through Nature series by author Patricia Hegarty and Britta Teckentrup gives young children an early introduction to the natural world" www.readingzone.com/authors/expl...
December 29, 2025 at 11:33 AM
"The Peek-Through Nature series by author Patricia Hegarty and Britta Teckentrup gives young children an early introduction to the natural world" www.readingzone.com/authors/expl...
Reposted by Joanna Sholem
The storm could bring snow and high speed winds to parts of the northern Midwest on Sunday and Monday.
Another Winter Storm Threatens Midwest With Blizzard Conditions—Snarls Air Travel With 6,000+ Delays
The storm could bring snow and high speed winds to parts of the northern Midwest on Sunday and Monday.
www.forbes.com
December 28, 2025 at 8:45 PM
The storm could bring snow and high speed winds to parts of the northern Midwest on Sunday and Monday.
Reposted by Joanna Sholem
Monday Motivation!
Do your little bit of good where you are; it's those little bits of good put together that overwhelm the world.
#MotivationMonday
Do your little bit of good where you are; it's those little bits of good put together that overwhelm the world.
#MotivationMonday
December 29, 2025 at 7:30 AM
Monday Motivation!
Do your little bit of good where you are; it's those little bits of good put together that overwhelm the world.
#MotivationMonday
Do your little bit of good where you are; it's those little bits of good put together that overwhelm the world.
#MotivationMonday
Reposted by Joanna Sholem
I could not love this transport poster more.
December 28, 2025 at 1:23 PM
I could not love this transport poster more.
Reposted by Joanna Sholem
Unsolicited writing advice, no. 867:
Don't make your writing all about you. Leave some space for your readers to also make it about themselves.
Don't make your writing all about you. Leave some space for your readers to also make it about themselves.
December 28, 2025 at 12:21 PM
Unsolicited writing advice, no. 867:
Don't make your writing all about you. Leave some space for your readers to also make it about themselves.
Don't make your writing all about you. Leave some space for your readers to also make it about themselves.