Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Reposted by Books for Keeps, the online children's books review journal

Nicolette Jones @nicolettejones.bsky.social · 7h

#NewIllustrationOfTheDay by author/illustrator Holly Surplice from her first novel The Horse Dreamer, set in the Outer Hebrides. A girl dreams up a horse who helps her through grief. Merryn & her horse are conjured with a wild inky navy blue line. Chicken House 9 Oct. @chickenhousebooks.bsky.social

1 5 23

Books for Keeps, the online children's books review journal @booksforkeeps.bsky.social · 9h

Recommended reading & particularly on #WorldSightDay, ELLA JONES VS THE BATTLE NOISE, latest in Lucy Edwards' mythology inspired adventures starring 12 year old Ella. Ella, like Lucy, is blind. Reviewed by #BfK reviewer Rebecca Butler. @scholasticuk.bsky.social

booksforkeeps.co.uk/review/ella-...

2 1

Books for Keeps, the online children's books review journal @booksforkeeps.bsky.social · 1d

New @ibc-reads.bsky.social Excluded Voices report 'highlights the huge missed opportunity to show children, through high-quality, authentic storytelling, that everybody belongs and everybody adds value to society.’

booksforkeeps.co.uk/inclusive-bo...

1 2

Reposted by Books for Keeps, the online children's books review journal

Nicolette Jones @nicolettejones.bsky.social · 10d

Giving an illustrated talk about local and national hero Samuel Plimsoll in Folkestone for the New Folkestone Society on 25th October, 2pm. Details on this poster. @littlebrown.bsky.social #Folkestone #merchantshipping #socialhistory #plimsollmark #plimsolls #safetyatsea #lotsofpictures #teaandcakes

3 3

Reposted by Books for Keeps, the online children's books review journal

Big Green Books (Simon) @biggreenbooks.bsky.social · 1d

"The Big Green Books 500 Club".

UPDATE

We reached our first £500!

I contacted the first school to let them know I was going to send them £500 of books.

They sent me a long list of stuff they want.

I'm posting the books tomorrow.

I LOVE THIS!

Thanks!!

www.biggreenbookshop.com/big-green-bo...

4 17 45

Reposted by Books for Keeps, the online children's books review journal

Big Green Books (Simon) @biggreenbooks.bsky.social · 1d

I started "The Big Green Books 500 Club" at the end of July.

I really love it & I'm so pleased it's working.

The idea is people can set up a £1 a week donation (or send some cash) & once we reach £500, we send books to a school!

INFO HERE. www.biggreenbookshop.com/big-green-bo...

Big Green Books 500 Club - 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

5 14

Reposted by Books for Keeps, the online children's books review journal

Mostly Book Talk @mostlybooktalk.bsky.social · 1d

📙 Episode 35: Dr Julie Blake on Poetry By Heart and Ross Montgomery’s Latest Books 🔗 Listen here: https://loom.ly/73Rh2H4

#ChildrensBooks #ChildrensPoetry #Teachers #Schools

4 3

Reposted by Books for Keeps, the online children's books review journal

Margaret McDonald @margaretmcdonald.bsky.social · 1d

I’m genuinely so honoured and so excited to read the debuts that will shape the future of children’s literature. A total dream!

Books for Keeps, the online children's books review journal @booksforkeeps.bsky.social · 2d

The #BranfordBoaseAward, 'a barometer of developments in children’s books' opens for submissions today with the announcement of this year's panel of judges. They will be led by 2025 winner Margaret McDonald. #writing #editing #KidLitUK

booksforkeeps.co.uk/margaret-mcd...

Graphic with photographs of the four judges of this year's Branford Boase Award, awarded to author and editor of the year's outstanding debut novel for children and young people. They are Anjali Patel, Katherine Woodfine, Margaret McDonald and Stephen Dilley. The award is supported by ALCS and Walker Books.

2 4

Reposted by Books for Keeps, the online children's books review journal

Poetry By Heart @poetrybyheart.bsky.social · 6d

Poetry By Heart competition 2026 is live. Register today and follow our tips for running your school competition, and maybe we'll see you at the Grand Finale at Shakespeare's Globe on Monday 6th July 2026!

poetrybyheart.org.uk/the-competit...

8 9

Books for Keeps, the online children's books review journal @booksforkeeps.bsky.social · 2d

The #BranfordBoaseAward, 'a barometer of developments in children’s books' opens for submissions today with the announcement of this year's panel of judges. They will be led by 2025 winner Margaret McDonald. #writing #editing #KidLitUK

booksforkeeps.co.uk/margaret-mcd...

3 11

Books for Keeps, the online children's books review journal @booksforkeeps.bsky.social · 2d

James Mayhew talks about this book in the Authorgraph interview in the latest issue of #BfK. #KidLitUK @otterbarrybooks.bsky.social

booksforkeeps.co.uk/article/auth...

Authorgraph 274: James Mayhew – Books For Keeps

booksforkeeps.co.uk

1

Reposted by Books for Keeps, the online children's books review journal

Nicolette Jones @nicolettejones.bsky.social · 2d

#NewIllustrationOfTheDay by James Mayhew from his collection of 10 stories, My Book of Classic Nursery Tales. Characterful creatures in an image from The Tortoise and the Hare, made with collage using paper printed with patterns and textures. Otter-Barry Books 9 October @otterbarrybooks.bsky.social

1 8 34

Reposted by Books for Keeps, the online children's books review journal

Little Rebels Award @littlerebsprize.bsky.social · 3d

1/2 A fabulous Little Rebels Award Shortlistee Panel at our award night last week. Thank you @darrenchetty.bsky.social for your always-thoughtful & inquisitive chairing. And thank you @sarahhaggerholt.bsky.social @ellemcnicoll.bsky.social @sflayzell.bsky.social &Cathy Jenkins..
#KidsLitUK
#UKKidsLit

Author SF Layzell holds a mic & is talking. To her left is author Cathy Jenkins. To her right is author Elle McNicholl and, next to her, author Sarah Hagger-Holt. All are sat down, front facing. Everyone is smiling.

Author Sarah Hagger-Holt has the mic now and is gesturing with her other hand, legs crossed, in a casual pose. To her right is a big board with a kids book illustration (red riding hood?) To her left is Elle McNicholl who is turned towards her and laughing. To her left we can just see SF Layzell.

Now Elle holds the mic. The other panellists are all laughing.

1 4 4

Reposted by Books for Keeps, the online children's books review journal

Andrea Reece @reeceandrea.bsky.social · 2d

Terrific episode of Mostly Book Talk with special guest Julie Blake of @poetrybyheart.bsky.social Inspired by #NationalPoetryDay and keen to embed #poetry in your school? Tune in!

mostlybooktalk.buzzsprout.com/2301206/epis...

Episode 35 - Poetry by Heart, an interview with Dr Julie Blake - Mostly Book Talk

Just in time for National Poetry Day, we have an interview with Dr Julie Blake the founder and co-director of Poetry by Heart. Working with schools across the whole of England, over 128,000 pupils tak...

mostlybooktalk.buzzsprout.com

1 3

Books for Keeps, the online children's books review journal @booksforkeeps.bsky.social · 3d

Date for the diary, #comics fans: the 2026 Phoenix Fest will take place in Oxford 25-26 April, a weekend of interactive fun & community with live comic artist shows, draw-a-longs & meet the artist sessions. Tickets on sale January @dfbstoryhouse.bsky.social

booksforkeeps.co.uk/the-phoenix-...

Photo of young people enjoying an event at a Phoenix Fest

Photograph of smiling young comics enthusiast watching Neill Cameron drawing at a Phoenix Comics Festival.

1 4

Books for Keeps, the online children's books review journal @booksforkeeps.bsky.social · 3d

We were delighted to interview @amyclarkinwrites.bsky.social about book one in this chilling series booksforkeeps.co.uk/article/an-i...

An Interview with Amy Clarkin – Books For Keeps

booksforkeeps.co.uk

1 2

Reposted by Books for Keeps, the online children's books review journal

Amy Clarkin @amyclarkinwrites.bsky.social · 3d

My third book is officially out in the world today and I am being very normal and chill about it. Where The Shadows Hide is the third book in The PSI Investigations series, published by @theobrienpress.bsky.social and dare I say it’s the best one yet.

Amy, a white woman with long brown hair, is holding a blue book with an eerie hand reaching through water on the cover. The book is called Where The Shadows Hide and Amy’s expression is wide eyed excitement.

5 7 26

Reposted by Books for Keeps, the online children's books review journal

Barbara Bleiman @barbarableiman.bsky.social · 3d

I'm doing a half-term reading/workshop on my poetry collection 'Snap!' at Saxmundham Library on Tuesday 28th October, as part of Poetry in Aldeburgh Festival. If you're in the area, with small children, why not come along? FREE but booking is required!

1 1

Reposted by Books for Keeps, the online children's books review journal

Nicolette Jones @nicolettejones.bsky.social · 3d

#NewIllustrationOfTheDay by Annie Booker from her debut picturebook The Great Bear about a mythical creature who protects the oceans & teaches a destructive human to protect them too. Handmade image of the towering bear & a tiny figure slumped in shame. Two Hoots 9 Oct. @twohootsbooks.bsky.social

4 43 200

Reposted by Books for Keeps, the online children's books review journal

Hannah Berry @streakofpith.bsky.social · 3d

LAST ORDERS, FOLKS! This closes at midnight tonight!

It’ll take you ten mins, your anonymised answers will be used for the good of the whole comics scene, and you might win £50 to spend in your favourite online comic shop... 💰📕 ✅

Hannah Berry @streakofpith.bsky.social · Sep 5

🌟 IT LIVES! 🌟 The UK Comics Creator Survey is BACK, baby!

Here to gather up, analyse and disseminate your data to help uplift the comics world, like if Robin Hood was a statistician or something.

ukcomicscreators.org.uk

A promotional image for the survey, reading “we’ve got questions; we need answers. Who’s in?” Above a series of illustrated raised hands in various styles. At the bottom is the url ukcomicscreators.org.uk

1 13 11

Reposted by Books for Keeps, the online children's books review journal

School Reading List @schoolreadinglist.bsky.social · 3d

Children's books to encourage critical and creative thinking skills with titles by Oliver Jeffers, Alice James, Alex Frith, Petr Horáček, Hannah Peck, John Condon, Leo Timmers, The School of Life & more. schoolreadinglist.co.uk/genres/think... #kidlit #booktwitter #teachertwitter

Books to encourage critical and creative thinking skills

Children's books to encourage critical & creative thinking skills, with titles by Oliver Jeffers, Petr Horáček, Hannah Peck & more.

schoolreadinglist.co.uk

6 8

Reposted by Books for Keeps, the online children's books review journal

Nicolette Jones @nicolettejones.bsky.social · 4d

#NewIllustrationOfTheDay by Fred Fordham from his graphic novel adaptation of Phil Earle’s wartime story When The Sky Falls. Fiery rooftops, searchlights and bombers in an air raid, vividly evoked in ink and watercolour. Andersen Press 9 October. @andersenpress.bsky.social @philearle.bsky.social

8 64

Reposted by Books for Keeps, the online children's books review journal

Gerry Daly @gerrydalyart.bsky.social · 4d

We always enjoy thinking up endpapers for the Puffling books.

For Puffling and the Stormy Sea (just out from @theobrienpress.bsky.social ) we focused on the basking shark who plays a starring role.

The front endpapers are a wallpaper. Is that a rabbit with a beak? Yes 😊

@erikamcgann.bsky.social

3 4

Books for Keeps, the online children's books review journal @booksforkeeps.bsky.social · 4d

Lovers of gentle romance (and cake) will find our new #BookoftheWeek a delicious treat. Sit down with a cup of tea and enjoy ANY WAY YOU SLICE IT by Méabh McDonnell 🍰 @theobrienpress.bsky.social

booksforkeeps.co.uk/review/any-w...

2 4

Books for Keeps, the online children's books review journal @booksforkeeps.bsky.social · 4d

If you’ve got a teenager in your home – or 30 in your classroom – you know how hard it can be getting young people to open up about ‘difficult’ subjects. Tia Fisher has a suggestion: use stories as a springboard. NEW in #BfK274 @tiafisher.bsky.social #KidLitUK
booksforkeeps.co.uk/article/spri...

1 1