Hilary McKay
@hilarymckay.bsky.social
Children's author since before the internet was invented.
That's nice, Sam, thank you. Especially for the comparison with the beautiful Song of Lewis Carmichael. I love that book.
It's taken me too long to get around to reading Rosa by Starlight from @hilarymckay.bsky.social. It's quiet, brave & magical, just like Rosa. It's a certain sort of book for a certain sort of child, it reminds me of texts likes The Song of Lewis Carmichael or, more recently Jakub's Otter ❤️ ❤️
October 27, 2025 at 8:56 PM
That's nice, Sam, thank you. Especially for the comparison with the beautiful Song of Lewis Carmichael. I love that book.
Thank you for the shout for 'Saffy's Angel,' Nicolette. Really appreciated.
My Sunday Times piece about summery children’s books. “Each day had a tranquillity, a timelessness about it so that you wished it would never end.” £ @thetimesbooks.
www.google.com/url?rct=j&sa...
www.google.com/url?rct=j&sa...
www.google.com
July 28, 2025 at 2:18 PM
Thank you for the shout for 'Saffy's Angel,' Nicolette. Really appreciated.
Reposted by Hilary McKay
A note on #NewIllustrationOfTheDay. These daily posts aim to demonstrate the range and quality of children’s book illustration today. But they are also, I hope, an oasis of skill and beauty/humour/curiosity in everyone’s day, whatever else is happening. Please share with anyone who might enjoy that.
July 28, 2025 at 6:08 AM
A note on #NewIllustrationOfTheDay. These daily posts aim to demonstrate the range and quality of children’s book illustration today. But they are also, I hope, an oasis of skill and beauty/humour/curiosity in everyone’s day, whatever else is happening. Please share with anyone who might enjoy that.
Thank you so much, Sam. So pleased to hear that you enjoyed meeting Rosa.
It's taken me too long to get around to reading Rosa by Starlight from @hilarymckay.bsky.social. It's quiet, brave & magical, just like Rosa. It's a certain sort of book for a certain sort of child, it reminds me of texts likes The Song of Lewis Carmichael or, more recently Jakub's Otter ❤️ ❤️
July 13, 2025 at 9:16 AM
Thank you so much, Sam. So pleased to hear that you enjoyed meeting Rosa.
Reposted by Hilary McKay
Stop whatever it is you’re doing:
I HAVE YELLOW LOOSESTRIFE BEES ON MY DOTTED LOOSESTRIFE.
I learned about these gorgeous beings years ago in @brigitstrawbridge.bsky.social’s wonderful Dancing with Bees and have dreamed of having them in my garden ever since.
Life will never be the same.
I HAVE YELLOW LOOSESTRIFE BEES ON MY DOTTED LOOSESTRIFE.
I learned about these gorgeous beings years ago in @brigitstrawbridge.bsky.social’s wonderful Dancing with Bees and have dreamed of having them in my garden ever since.
Life will never be the same.
June 30, 2025 at 8:44 AM
Stop whatever it is you’re doing:
I HAVE YELLOW LOOSESTRIFE BEES ON MY DOTTED LOOSESTRIFE.
I learned about these gorgeous beings years ago in @brigitstrawbridge.bsky.social’s wonderful Dancing with Bees and have dreamed of having them in my garden ever since.
Life will never be the same.
I HAVE YELLOW LOOSESTRIFE BEES ON MY DOTTED LOOSESTRIFE.
I learned about these gorgeous beings years ago in @brigitstrawbridge.bsky.social’s wonderful Dancing with Bees and have dreamed of having them in my garden ever since.
Life will never be the same.
Sarah van Fleet just opening in the garden here. This is J L Carr's #AMonthInTheCountry Rose.
June 2, 2025 at 8:18 PM
Sarah van Fleet just opening in the garden here. This is J L Carr's #AMonthInTheCountry Rose.
Thanks for this, The Authors Guild.I have 6 books with these people, all with advances earned out.For years it has been very difficult to obtain payments & statements.
Posted for in particular other UK authors who may not be aware of the news.
@authorsguild.bsky.social @albertwhitman.bsky.social
Posted for in particular other UK authors who may not be aware of the news.
@authorsguild.bsky.social @albertwhitman.bsky.social
The @authorsguild.bsky.social has retained attorneys to represent AG members in the Albert Whitman bankruptcy (article includes an email address for contact) authorsguild.org/news/albert-...
Albert Whitman Bankruptcy Update - The Authors Guild
The Authors Guild is continuing to work on behalf of its member authors in the Albert Whitman bankruptcy. During the past week, we have retained bankruptcy attorneys from Royer Cooper Cohen Braunfeld ...
authorsguild.org
May 31, 2025 at 8:44 AM
Thanks for this, The Authors Guild.I have 6 books with these people, all with advances earned out.For years it has been very difficult to obtain payments & statements.
Posted for in particular other UK authors who may not be aware of the news.
@authorsguild.bsky.social @albertwhitman.bsky.social
Posted for in particular other UK authors who may not be aware of the news.
@authorsguild.bsky.social @albertwhitman.bsky.social
Thanks so much, Pippa. I've just found your ABBA review- so very kind.
My ABBA review of this exceptionally good little book can be found here - awfullybigblogadventure.blogspot.com @barringtonstoke.bsky.social @hilarymckay.bsky.social
May 21, 2025 at 10:47 AM
Thanks so much, Pippa. I've just found your ABBA review- so very kind.
Thank you!
This is an imagining of the early life of Grace Darling, daughter of a lighthouse keeper who famously helped to rescue survivors of the Forfarshire wreck. Written by @hilarymckay.bsky.social, illustrated by @keithrobinson.bsky.social it's powerful and personal. Another keeper from @BarringtonStoke
April 23, 2025 at 9:35 PM
Thank you!
Superb!
#NewIllustrationOfTheDay by Emma Chichester Clark from A Good Night’s Sleep, her picturebook about a girl who outwits wild animals (standing in for worries). Appealing scene-setting, with rich colour and threats that are not too threatening. Pb from Harper Collins 10 April @harpercollins.bsky.social
April 15, 2025 at 10:46 AM
Superb!
Thank you so much, Jacqui.
Wishing the very happiest of book birthdays to Becoming Grace by @hilarymckay.bsky.social, illustrated by @keithrobinson.bsky.social, a fabulous retelling of the story of Grace Darling. Out today for 9+ readers from @barringtonstoke.bsky.social
worldssmallestlibrary.wordpress.com/2025/04/10/b...
worldssmallestlibrary.wordpress.com/2025/04/10/b...
Becoming Grace by Hilary McKay, illustrated by Keith Robinson
Cover illustration © 2025 Keith Robinson Grace Darling’s is a name that will be familiar to many. The story of her courage and selflessness has long been taught in schools and while – f…
worldssmallestlibrary.wordpress.com
April 14, 2025 at 9:07 AM
Thank you so much, Jacqui.
Reposted by Hilary McKay
#NewIllustrationOfTheDay by Jennifer N R Smith, author and illustrator of Life: the Wild Wonders of Biodiversity. A hint of vintage engraving about this plate with a key, including sea otter, harbour seal, blacksmith fish, sea urchins. From Thames & Hudson on 10 April. @thamesandhudson.bsky.social
April 13, 2025 at 7:33 AM
#NewIllustrationOfTheDay by Jennifer N R Smith, author and illustrator of Life: the Wild Wonders of Biodiversity. A hint of vintage engraving about this plate with a key, including sea otter, harbour seal, blacksmith fish, sea urchins. From Thames & Hudson on 10 April. @thamesandhudson.bsky.social
Last call for entries to the #KelpiesPrize for Writing and Illustration 2025!
You have until midnight TOMORROW, Friday 7th March to submit. All the details and links to the entry forms are here: discoverkelpies.co.u...
You have until midnight TOMORROW, Friday 7th March to submit. All the details and links to the entry forms are here: discoverkelpies.co.u...
March 6, 2025 at 3:38 PM
I'm thrilled that Jodie is included in #SparkReading this year.
This fantastic programme from @BookTrust is designed to spark a love of reading in KS3 students, building reading enjoyment through sociable shared reading experiences.
Find out more: booktrust.org.uk/spark-reading
This fantastic programme from @BookTrust is designed to spark a love of reading in KS3 students, building reading enjoyment through sociable shared reading experiences.
Find out more: booktrust.org.uk/spark-reading
February 12, 2025 at 3:14 PM
I'm thrilled that Jodie is included in #SparkReading this year.
This fantastic programme from @BookTrust is designed to spark a love of reading in KS3 students, building reading enjoyment through sociable shared reading experiences.
Find out more: booktrust.org.uk/spark-reading
This fantastic programme from @BookTrust is designed to spark a love of reading in KS3 students, building reading enjoyment through sociable shared reading experiences.
Find out more: booktrust.org.uk/spark-reading
What a treasure of a book.
#NewIllustrationOfTheDay by Britta Teckentrup. From The House on the Canal with text by Thomas Harding. This beautiful picturebook tells the story of the house that hid Anne Frank, from its first construction to the present day, and its occupants. @brittateckentrup.bsky.social
Walker Studio 2 Jan
Walker Studio 2 Jan
January 8, 2025 at 6:40 PM
What a treasure of a book.
Reposted by Hilary McKay
Lots of adorable cat photos on my feed today. Is that because it's #Caturday? I don't own a cat but here are some I drew for Rosa by Starlight, by Hilary McKay.
November 23, 2024 at 12:51 PM
Lots of adorable cat photos on my feed today. Is that because it's #Caturday? I don't own a cat but here are some I drew for Rosa by Starlight, by Hilary McKay.
This is lovely. Thank you @imogenrw.bsky.social for including Rosa By Starlight.
Last kids roundup of 2024 - gorgeous 📚 from @karlnewson.bsky.social @littleislandbooks.bsky.social @michaelrosenyes.bsky.social @martinimpey.bsky.social @hilarymckay.bsky.social @anjasusanj.bsky.social @chrisvickwrites.bsky.social @andy-p.bsky.social and more ✨ www.theguardian.com/books/2024/d...
Children’s and teens roundup – the best new picture books and novels
Sibling rivalry, a massive shark, anti-Nazi resistance in Norway, a brilliant romcom, and a tale of power and betrayal
www.theguardian.com
December 28, 2024 at 5:23 PM
This is lovely. Thank you @imogenrw.bsky.social for including Rosa By Starlight.
Thank you, Keith.
(Still finding my way around these blue skies.)
(Still finding my way around these blue skies.)
It's a pleasure to have illustrated my third book for @hilarymckay.bsky.social, whose writing I love.
BECOMING GRACE is the real life story of Grace Darling, a lighthouse keeper's daughter, who overcame her fear of drowning to rescue stranded survivors on the Forfarshire. #kidlitart
BECOMING GRACE is the real life story of Grace Darling, a lighthouse keeper's daughter, who overcame her fear of drowning to rescue stranded survivors on the Forfarshire. #kidlitart
December 18, 2024 at 6:37 PM
Thank you, Keith.
(Still finding my way around these blue skies.)
(Still finding my way around these blue skies.)
It was a joy to write this story of Grace Darling's family and childhood, and a double joy to have it illustrated by the magnificent Keith Robinson.
December 17, 2024 at 3:31 PM
It was a joy to write this story of Grace Darling's family and childhood, and a double joy to have it illustrated by the magnificent Keith Robinson.
Reposted by Hilary McKay
It’s a huge honour to have illustrated three of the The Times best children’s books of 2024. I know that sounds like an annoying humble-brag, which it is! BUT I also mean it. Thank you @jprosewriter.bsky.social, Ross Montgomery and @hilarymckay.bsky.social for trusting me with your beautiful books 💜
December 2, 2024 at 6:25 PM
It’s a huge honour to have illustrated three of the The Times best children’s books of 2024. I know that sounds like an annoying humble-brag, which it is! BUT I also mean it. Thank you @jprosewriter.bsky.social, Ross Montgomery and @hilarymckay.bsky.social for trusting me with your beautiful books 💜
Reposted by Hilary McKay
If you go to the Illustrators’ Fair at Granary Square, Kings Cross on Sat 7 December, do look for the plaque just off Coal Drops Yard that commemorates Samuel Plimsoll, The Sailors’ Friend, whose history was much bound up in this site. For more about him see my book The Plimsoll Sensation (Abacus).
November 30, 2024 at 9:48 AM
If you go to the Illustrators’ Fair at Granary Square, Kings Cross on Sat 7 December, do look for the plaque just off Coal Drops Yard that commemorates Samuel Plimsoll, The Sailors’ Friend, whose history was much bound up in this site. For more about him see my book The Plimsoll Sensation (Abacus).
Reposted by Hilary McKay
"Bumblebee population increases 116 times over in 'remarkable' Scotland rewilding project."
Read that again: **116** times.
Why are we STILL having to argue the case for rewilding??
www.scotsman.com/hays-way/bum...
Read that again: **116** times.
Why are we STILL having to argue the case for rewilding??
www.scotsman.com/hays-way/bum...
Bumblebee population increases 116 times over in 'remarkable' Scotland project
‘The sound of traffic and a uniform sea of barley have been replaced by the most beautiful meadows, full of wildflowers, young saplings and the buzz of bees’
www.scotsman.com
November 29, 2024 at 7:19 AM
"Bumblebee population increases 116 times over in 'remarkable' Scotland rewilding project."
Read that again: **116** times.
Why are we STILL having to argue the case for rewilding??
www.scotsman.com/hays-way/bum...
Read that again: **116** times.
Why are we STILL having to argue the case for rewilding??
www.scotsman.com/hays-way/bum...