Books for Keeps, the online children's books review journal
@booksforkeeps.bsky.social
Launched in 1980, we review hundreds of new children’s books each year and publish articles on every aspect of writing for children. Explore new issues and our 40 year archive for free on our website www.booksforkeeps.co.uk
Pinned
Out now! #BfK275, our seasonal special & it's a bumper issue: Books of the Year, unmissable gift guides incl #poetry & non-fiction. Authorgraph interview with Christopher Edge, Petr Horacek Windows into #Illustration, Nicolette Jones interviews Lauren Child 🎁🎁🎁
booksforkeeps.co.uk/issue/bfk-27...
booksforkeeps.co.uk/issue/bfk-27...
Reposted by Books for Keeps, the online children's books review journal
SCHOOLS GIVEAWAY ends TOMORROW 5pm.
And it’s an exceptional one 🤗
And it’s an exceptional one 🤗
1/2 ⭐️SCHOOLS!
⭐️BOOK PACK #giveaway
Author @sophieanderson.bsky.social is kindly gifting 1 UK-based Primary School a Reflecting Realities Book Pack.
TO ENTER:
1] follow
2] reply “ ⛄️ ”
3] sign up to our quarterly newsletter letterboxlibrary.com/subscribers
CLOSES 5PM 26th November
#KidLitUK
…
⭐️BOOK PACK #giveaway
Author @sophieanderson.bsky.social is kindly gifting 1 UK-based Primary School a Reflecting Realities Book Pack.
TO ENTER:
1] follow
2] reply “ ⛄️ ”
3] sign up to our quarterly newsletter letterboxlibrary.com/subscribers
CLOSES 5PM 26th November
#KidLitUK
…
November 25, 2025 at 11:56 AM
SCHOOLS GIVEAWAY ends TOMORROW 5pm.
And it’s an exceptional one 🤗
And it’s an exceptional one 🤗
Poetry By Heart @poetrybyheart.bsky.social has opened its annual Festive Showcase, an advent calendar of seasonal poems perfect to learn by heart, share and perform aloud. This year’s list features not the usual 24, but 31 poems, one for each day of December #Poetry
poetrybyheart.org.uk/showcase/8
poetrybyheart.org.uk/showcase/8
November 25, 2025 at 5:18 PM
Poetry By Heart @poetrybyheart.bsky.social has opened its annual Festive Showcase, an advent calendar of seasonal poems perfect to learn by heart, share and perform aloud. This year’s list features not the usual 24, but 31 poems, one for each day of December #Poetry
poetrybyheart.org.uk/showcase/8
poetrybyheart.org.uk/showcase/8
Could you play a strategic role in supporting and enhancing the vital services delivered by the library, knowledge, and information profession as a member of #CILIP's new Intellectual Freedom Committee?
Find out more: www.cilip.org.uk/news/713670/...
Find out more: www.cilip.org.uk/news/713670/...
November 25, 2025 at 5:08 PM
Could you play a strategic role in supporting and enhancing the vital services delivered by the library, knowledge, and information profession as a member of #CILIP's new Intellectual Freedom Committee?
Find out more: www.cilip.org.uk/news/713670/...
Find out more: www.cilip.org.uk/news/713670/...
Reposted by Books for Keeps, the online children's books review journal
Our #BlackFriday sale is now on! 🖤 📚
Enjoy 25% off children's and YA books with the code 'BF25' - only at littleisland.ie until 2 Dec 2025.
#books #BlackFriday2025 #BlackFridayDeals #childrensbooks #kidsbooks #YAbooks #booksale #bookstagram #booktok
Enjoy 25% off children's and YA books with the code 'BF25' - only at littleisland.ie until 2 Dec 2025.
#books #BlackFriday2025 #BlackFridayDeals #childrensbooks #kidsbooks #YAbooks #booksale #bookstagram #booktok
November 25, 2025 at 9:35 AM
Our #BlackFriday sale is now on! 🖤 📚
Enjoy 25% off children's and YA books with the code 'BF25' - only at littleisland.ie until 2 Dec 2025.
#books #BlackFriday2025 #BlackFridayDeals #childrensbooks #kidsbooks #YAbooks #booksale #bookstagram #booktok
Enjoy 25% off children's and YA books with the code 'BF25' - only at littleisland.ie until 2 Dec 2025.
#books #BlackFriday2025 #BlackFridayDeals #childrensbooks #kidsbooks #YAbooks #booksale #bookstagram #booktok
Reposted by Books for Keeps, the online children's books review journal
#NewIllustrationOfTheDay by Guy Parker-Rees from a new board book edition of Giraffes Can’t Dance: Jingle Bells, with text by Giles Andreae. Anthropomorphic drawing that looks casual but convincingly gives animals unlikely moves. Orchard Books. @hachetteuk.bsky.social @guyparkerrees.bsky.social
November 25, 2025 at 7:39 AM
#NewIllustrationOfTheDay by Guy Parker-Rees from a new board book edition of Giraffes Can’t Dance: Jingle Bells, with text by Giles Andreae. Anthropomorphic drawing that looks casual but convincingly gives animals unlikely moves. Orchard Books. @hachetteuk.bsky.social @guyparkerrees.bsky.social
Reposted by Books for Keeps, the online children's books review journal
It’s still non-fiction November, and a good time to remember that LOTS of children actually prefer non-fiction to fiction and LOVE the sort of information they can learn from a book like this.
Did you know a "jiffy" is a real unit of time? Physicists define it as the time it takes light to travel a distance of one femtometre, which is a millionth of a millionth of a millimetre. This was my co-author's favourite fact she learned from working on "About Time". Read more in this interview:
About Time by Alom Shaha and Rebecca Struthers
We welcome co-authors Alom Shaha and Rebecca Struthers to the blog in an interview style format! Gain some insight into their work on About Time. Rebecca
fcbg.org.uk
November 25, 2025 at 7:39 AM
It’s still non-fiction November, and a good time to remember that LOTS of children actually prefer non-fiction to fiction and LOVE the sort of information they can learn from a book like this.
Reposted by Books for Keeps, the online children's books review journal
⭐"A story of refugee and asylum stands out on several counts... full humanity...strength, dignity and warmth" #BfK275 p27
⭐Thank you Fen Coles @letterboxlibrary.bsky.social @booksforkeeps.bsky.social brilliant review of
KENDE! KENDE! KENDE! by Kirsten Cappy, Yaya Gentille, @rahanabanana.bsky.social
⭐Thank you Fen Coles @letterboxlibrary.bsky.social @booksforkeeps.bsky.social brilliant review of
KENDE! KENDE! KENDE! by Kirsten Cappy, Yaya Gentille, @rahanabanana.bsky.social
November 24, 2025 at 1:16 PM
⭐"A story of refugee and asylum stands out on several counts... full humanity...strength, dignity and warmth" #BfK275 p27
⭐Thank you Fen Coles @letterboxlibrary.bsky.social @booksforkeeps.bsky.social brilliant review of
KENDE! KENDE! KENDE! by Kirsten Cappy, Yaya Gentille, @rahanabanana.bsky.social
⭐Thank you Fen Coles @letterboxlibrary.bsky.social @booksforkeeps.bsky.social brilliant review of
KENDE! KENDE! KENDE! by Kirsten Cappy, Yaya Gentille, @rahanabanana.bsky.social
Reposted by Books for Keeps, the online children's books review journal
Going to try and send out a newsletter every Sunday now, let’s see how long I manage. Is Sunday a terrible day to send out a newsletter, let’s find out. Anyway, ICYMI:
A round-up of Exciting News, International Developments and Good Comics recommendations over on this week’s substack! open.substack.com/pub/neillcam...
¡Conquistar el mundo!
One European nation at a time.
open.substack.com
November 24, 2025 at 9:51 AM
Going to try and send out a newsletter every Sunday now, let’s see how long I manage. Is Sunday a terrible day to send out a newsletter, let’s find out. Anyway, ICYMI:
Reposted by Books for Keeps, the online children's books review journal
Books are great Christmas presents.
Easy to wrap.
Low in calories.
Usually somewhere in that not terrible £10-£20 bracket.
Available in many colours.
Can be posted easily (unlike a hoover or two hoovers for example)
Personal to both you and the recipient.
Available to buy from me.
Easy to wrap.
Low in calories.
Usually somewhere in that not terrible £10-£20 bracket.
Available in many colours.
Can be posted easily (unlike a hoover or two hoovers for example)
Personal to both you and the recipient.
Available to buy from me.
November 23, 2025 at 8:23 PM
Books are great Christmas presents.
Easy to wrap.
Low in calories.
Usually somewhere in that not terrible £10-£20 bracket.
Available in many colours.
Can be posted easily (unlike a hoover or two hoovers for example)
Personal to both you and the recipient.
Available to buy from me.
Easy to wrap.
Low in calories.
Usually somewhere in that not terrible £10-£20 bracket.
Available in many colours.
Can be posted easily (unlike a hoover or two hoovers for example)
Personal to both you and the recipient.
Available to buy from me.
Reposted by Books for Keeps, the online children's books review journal
Old Oak Tree, Valerie Greeley.
November 22, 2025 at 10:55 AM
Old Oak Tree, Valerie Greeley.
The new #BfK Book of the Week is ROAD TO TRUE NORTH by Sarah Holding #KidLit #BookSky
booksforkeeps.co.uk/review/road-...
booksforkeeps.co.uk/review/road-...
November 22, 2025 at 2:08 PM
The new #BfK Book of the Week is ROAD TO TRUE NORTH by Sarah Holding #KidLit #BookSky
booksforkeeps.co.uk/review/road-...
booksforkeeps.co.uk/review/road-...
Reposted by Books for Keeps, the online children's books review journal
✏️PENCILS AT THE READY, TEAM! In this brand new episode of #DrawWithRob we're drawing a BLOBFISH 🐟! So grab some paper and something to draw with and let's do this! Remember to share your pictures using the #DrawWithRob hashtag. GOOD LUCK!
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gbr5...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gbr5...
#DrawWithRob 187 Blobfish
YouTube video by Draw With Rob
www.youtube.com
November 22, 2025 at 10:05 AM
✏️PENCILS AT THE READY, TEAM! In this brand new episode of #DrawWithRob we're drawing a BLOBFISH 🐟! So grab some paper and something to draw with and let's do this! Remember to share your pictures using the #DrawWithRob hashtag. GOOD LUCK!
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gbr5...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gbr5...
Reposted by Books for Keeps, the online children's books review journal
My piece in The Sunday Times about toys that come to life. Considering The Velveteen Rabbit & Other Classic Children’s Stories, my selection for Macmillan Collector’s Library. ‘What Buzz Lightyear owes to the Velveteen Rabbit.’ @panmacmillan.bsky.social @thetimes.com www.thetimes.com/culture/book...
November 21, 2025 at 8:36 AM
My piece in The Sunday Times about toys that come to life. Considering The Velveteen Rabbit & Other Classic Children’s Stories, my selection for Macmillan Collector’s Library. ‘What Buzz Lightyear owes to the Velveteen Rabbit.’ @panmacmillan.bsky.social @thetimes.com www.thetimes.com/culture/book...
Reposted by Books for Keeps, the online children's books review journal
Sometimes you immediately hit upon a cover design that works. Other times, it takes a while to get there. I made over thirty cover designs for I FOLLOW THE FOX. Here is the very first attempt (made before I even wrote the book), one from the middle of the process and, finally, the eventual winner.
November 20, 2025 at 8:02 PM
Sometimes you immediately hit upon a cover design that works. Other times, it takes a while to get there. I made over thirty cover designs for I FOLLOW THE FOX. Here is the very first attempt (made before I even wrote the book), one from the middle of the process and, finally, the eventual winner.
Reposted by Books for Keeps, the online children's books review journal
Congratulations to Jamila Gavin, Patrice Lawrence, Struan Murray and Jenny Pearson, shortlisted in the Children's Fiction category of the still new but already prestigious Nero Book Awards 🎉 👏 🎆 🎉 #KidLitUK #bookawards
booksforkeeps.co.uk/nero-book-aw...
booksforkeeps.co.uk/nero-book-aw...
November 20, 2025 at 1:02 PM
Reposted by Books for Keeps, the online children's books review journal
Not been a great week so far but some good news this morning from my Australian publisher - there will be Chinese and Taiwanese editions of "How to Find a Rainbow". Wonderful that even a few years after publication (written during Covid for my daughters) it is finding new audiences.
How To Find a Rainbow
“This charming story can be read on two levels – that of two sisters in search of a physical rainbow and that of emerging from a gloomy emotional episode and beginning to find joy again. It …
alomshaha.com
November 20, 2025 at 6:48 AM
Not been a great week so far but some good news this morning from my Australian publisher - there will be Chinese and Taiwanese editions of "How to Find a Rainbow". Wonderful that even a few years after publication (written during Covid for my daughters) it is finding new audiences.
Reposted by Books for Keeps, the online children's books review journal
Recently we posted our overall response to the CAR. Here @mediamagemc.bsky.social editor Claire Pollard summarises the key points for Media specialists.
Note repurposing of logo in true Media Studies fashion. How many teachers are old enough to remember C&A?!
englishandmedia.co.uk/blog/a-brief...
Note repurposing of logo in true Media Studies fashion. How many teachers are old enough to remember C&A?!
englishandmedia.co.uk/blog/a-brief...
EMC Media response to Curriculum and Assessment Review
Thoughts about the likely impact for Media Studies and media in English of the 2025 Curriculum and Assessment Review's final report
englishandmedia.co.uk
November 20, 2025 at 9:50 AM
Recently we posted our overall response to the CAR. Here @mediamagemc.bsky.social editor Claire Pollard summarises the key points for Media specialists.
Note repurposing of logo in true Media Studies fashion. How many teachers are old enough to remember C&A?!
englishandmedia.co.uk/blog/a-brief...
Note repurposing of logo in true Media Studies fashion. How many teachers are old enough to remember C&A?!
englishandmedia.co.uk/blog/a-brief...
I Am Wishing Every Minute for Christmas also graces the cover of our new issue and don't miss the interview with Lauren Child by @nicolettejones.bsky.social #KidLitUK #BookSky
booksforkeeps.co.uk/issue/bfk-27...
booksforkeeps.co.uk/issue/bfk-27...
November 20, 2025 at 9:42 AM
I Am Wishing Every Minute for Christmas also graces the cover of our new issue and don't miss the interview with Lauren Child by @nicolettejones.bsky.social #KidLitUK #BookSky
booksforkeeps.co.uk/issue/bfk-27...
booksforkeeps.co.uk/issue/bfk-27...
Reposted by Books for Keeps, the online children's books review journal
#NewIllustrationOfTheDay by Lauren Child from I am Wishing Every Minute for Christmas. How advent calendars are meant to be. This echoes the calendar on the previous page & so is Lola imagining herself into the scene. Perfect for the Xmas build-up. Out from Simon & Schuster.
@simonkids.bsky.social
@simonkids.bsky.social
November 20, 2025 at 8:45 AM
#NewIllustrationOfTheDay by Lauren Child from I am Wishing Every Minute for Christmas. How advent calendars are meant to be. This echoes the calendar on the previous page & so is Lola imagining herself into the scene. Perfect for the Xmas build-up. Out from Simon & Schuster.
@simonkids.bsky.social
@simonkids.bsky.social
Congratulations to Jamila Gavin, Patrice Lawrence, Struan Murray and Jenny Pearson, shortlisted in the Children's Fiction category of the still new but already prestigious Nero Book Awards 🎉 👏 🎆 🎉 #KidLitUK #bookawards
booksforkeeps.co.uk/nero-book-aw...
booksforkeeps.co.uk/nero-book-aw...
November 20, 2025 at 7:15 AM
Congratulations to Jamila Gavin, Patrice Lawrence, Struan Murray and Jenny Pearson, shortlisted in the Children's Fiction category of the still new but already prestigious Nero Book Awards 🎉 👏 🎆 🎉 #KidLitUK #bookawards
booksforkeeps.co.uk/nero-book-aw...
booksforkeeps.co.uk/nero-book-aw...
Reposted by Books for Keeps, the online children's books review journal
Manchester Libraries Trust, Read Manchester and Manchester #Libraries have launched a Christmas book appeal.
The appeal will help public libraries in the city gift books to children who need them most.
A terrific example of libraries' work in the community.
www.justgiving.com/campaign/boo...
The appeal will help public libraries in the city gift books to children who need them most.
A terrific example of libraries' work in the community.
www.justgiving.com/campaign/boo...
November 18, 2025 at 9:50 AM
Manchester Libraries Trust, Read Manchester and Manchester #Libraries have launched a Christmas book appeal.
The appeal will help public libraries in the city gift books to children who need them most.
A terrific example of libraries' work in the community.
www.justgiving.com/campaign/boo...
The appeal will help public libraries in the city gift books to children who need them most.
A terrific example of libraries' work in the community.
www.justgiving.com/campaign/boo...
Reposted by Books for Keeps, the online children's books review journal
IT'S WEDNESDAY!
It's #buyastrangerabook day.
The grooviest of all the days.
I'll give out TWO books.
FOR FREE.
If you'd like one, let me know.
Also, if you'd like to #BuyAStrangerABook too, let me know.
It's a thing! Look.
www.biggreenbookshop.com/stuff-you-mi...
UK only.
It's #buyastrangerabook day.
The grooviest of all the days.
I'll give out TWO books.
FOR FREE.
If you'd like one, let me know.
Also, if you'd like to #BuyAStrangerABook too, let me know.
It's a thing! Look.
www.biggreenbookshop.com/stuff-you-mi...
UK only.
Buy A Stranger A Book. #buyastrangerabook - Stuff you might like... - Big Green Bookshop. @biggreenbooks on Twitter. Cheese fan. My Mum says hi.
The Big Green Bookshop an independent online bookshop in selling awesome titles by awesome authors to awesome people
www.biggreenbookshop.com
November 19, 2025 at 12:08 PM
IT'S WEDNESDAY!
It's #buyastrangerabook day.
The grooviest of all the days.
I'll give out TWO books.
FOR FREE.
If you'd like one, let me know.
Also, if you'd like to #BuyAStrangerABook too, let me know.
It's a thing! Look.
www.biggreenbookshop.com/stuff-you-mi...
UK only.
It's #buyastrangerabook day.
The grooviest of all the days.
I'll give out TWO books.
FOR FREE.
If you'd like one, let me know.
Also, if you'd like to #BuyAStrangerABook too, let me know.
It's a thing! Look.
www.biggreenbookshop.com/stuff-you-mi...
UK only.
Reposted by Books for Keeps, the online children's books review journal
There needs to be dedicated inclusion support for publishing content teams: a hands-on ‘creative inclusion’ lead who works across imprints, and combines editorial understanding with inclusion insight and strategic vision, says Beth Cox 👇 #BookSky
In publishing, one DEI role is not enough
ebx.sh
November 19, 2025 at 9:07 AM
There needs to be dedicated inclusion support for publishing content teams: a hands-on ‘creative inclusion’ lead who works across imprints, and combines editorial understanding with inclusion insight and strategic vision, says Beth Cox 👇 #BookSky
Reposted by Books for Keeps, the online children's books review journal
#NewIllustrationOfTheDay by Sarah Warburton from A Christmas Delivery with text by Andy Shepherd. The sequel to The Boy who Grew Dragons. Vertical spread in which a flock of colourful dragons delivers an ice-formed wheelbarrow full of presents. @sarahwarburton.bsky.social @templarbooks.bsky.social
November 19, 2025 at 8:49 AM
#NewIllustrationOfTheDay by Sarah Warburton from A Christmas Delivery with text by Andy Shepherd. The sequel to The Boy who Grew Dragons. Vertical spread in which a flock of colourful dragons delivers an ice-formed wheelbarrow full of presents. @sarahwarburton.bsky.social @templarbooks.bsky.social
"Science books offer strong narratives aimed at explaining the world around us and can be a fantastic way to draw in young readers"
Discover the shortlist for the 2025 @royalsociety.org Young People’s Book Prize, the year's best #science books for under 14s.
booksforkeeps.co.uk/rocks-prehis...
Discover the shortlist for the 2025 @royalsociety.org Young People’s Book Prize, the year's best #science books for under 14s.
booksforkeeps.co.uk/rocks-prehis...
November 19, 2025 at 7:00 AM
"Science books offer strong narratives aimed at explaining the world around us and can be a fantastic way to draw in young readers"
Discover the shortlist for the 2025 @royalsociety.org Young People’s Book Prize, the year's best #science books for under 14s.
booksforkeeps.co.uk/rocks-prehis...
Discover the shortlist for the 2025 @royalsociety.org Young People’s Book Prize, the year's best #science books for under 14s.
booksforkeeps.co.uk/rocks-prehis...