I’ve been thinking a lot about how we first fall in love with language – what causes the spark that helps us to understand that words are there for enjoyment as well as communication.  Of cour…

The more short-form content a person watches on social media, the poorer their cognitive performance, the study found

Writing Ideas for Christmas (Happy to provide all these ideas for free but if you find them useful, maybe you could buy one of my books fo...

In another of our series of Editors’ Profiles, we asked Roy Johnson of Troika Books to tell us what he and Troika are up to right now. Who are you and which publisher do you work for? Roy Johnson, …

Image © Liz Brownlee Tigers are one of my favourite animals, and I have been thinking about them lately. A few years ago, after their mother died from a blocked intestine in Ranthambhore Tiger Reserve in Rajasthan, India, experts feared for her two recently-weaned female cubs, only 4 months old. It was thought they would die without support within a matter of days. Nothing was seen of them for a couple of months - but then, caught on a series of camera trap pictures, a most amazing sight - their father, the dominent male of the area, walking with and caring for the cubs.

Who are you? Hi, I’m Attie Lime. I write poetry for children. I love sharing my poems during school visits and at festivals. I have been called an Adventure Poet, a Performance Poet and a Pop…

All Together Now by Michaela Morgan, Illustrated by Nick Sharratt, Otter-Barry Books Michaela Morgan is not just a favourite poet of mine – she is also a favourite person, so it has been an a…

All Together Now by Michaela Morgan, Illustrated by Nick Sharratt, Otter-Barry Books Michaela Morgan is not just a favourite poet of mine - she is also a favourite person, so it has been an absolute pleasure to review her latest collection. Michaela has a wonderful ability to tell an interesting story and in very few words lay out its emotional truth in a way that resonates straight into the heart of the reader (Malala). But she can also write a tongue-twistery Llama alarmer lullaby inspired by a news story (

As readers of this blog will be aware, it takes work to write a decent rhyming poem. It’s easy for those who haven’t tried it to think otherwise – rhymes are easy, right? Tight, light, fight,…

On Saturday 11 October 2025, folk across the UK will once again celebrate Bookshop Day, an annual event organised by the Booksellers Association through its Books Are My Bag campaign. Somehow, I ha…

YouTube video by Liz Brownlee Poet

It's National Poetry Day, the theme is play, and is here is my NPD poem - the most playful of woodland creatures that most of us see regularly in a playful shape! Happy National Poetry Day everyone - I hope you all find a poem that speaks to you.

YouTube video by Attie Lime