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Claire Linney Author

@clairelinney.bsky.social

1.6K followers 290 following 720 posts

🇬🇧📚Black British history enthusiast, children’s author and avid reader of diverse and inclusive children’s and YA books.

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Claire Linney Author @clairelinney.bsky.social · Apr 22

It’s publication day for Time Tub Travellers: Circus Mystery. If you enjoy time travel, adventure, the thrilling world of the Victorian circus and you don’t know who Pablo Fanque is…you need this book. Suitable for 8+ year olds and wise adults who know the joy of reading kids books. #kidlituk

The book Time Tub Travellers: Circus Mystery by Claire Linney is nestled on red and white stars on a patterned African print fabric background

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Claire Linney Author @clairelinney.bsky.social · 1h

I don’t think any of this is a surprise and yet it’s still extremely concerning. Really shows the lack of commitment the industry has to improving and sustaining diverse representation in children’s literature. For things to be back sliding when they weren’t even where they needed to be…

Alom Shaha @alomshaha.bsky.social · 22h

#kidlitUK #UKKidLit Children’ Books People! You might find this report on “Own Voice representation in the creation of UK children’s books” interesting / enraging. HT @clairelinney.bsky.social

Excluded Voices report

Is UK publishing diverse? Read the Excluded Voices report, our latest research into the number of Own Voice authors and illustrators creating children’s books.

www.inclusivebooksforchildren.org

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Claire Linney Author @clairelinney.bsky.social · 2h

Continuing sharing a whole month of great Black authored kids books. Today is Onyeka and the Academy of the Sun - one of the first books that really got me into reading middle grade. I mean it’s Balck girl scifi and her Afro hair is her superpower. I could not love this series more.

Onyeka and the Academy of the Sun by Tola Okogwu

Claire Linney Author @clairelinney.bsky.social · 1d

It is!! I highly recommend

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Claire Linney Author @clairelinney.bsky.social · 2d

Next up for my month of Black kids books is another double - both by Clare Weze. She blends real world social issues with elements of magic and science creating unique and wonderful adventures. Up Above The City is her latest book and highlights the hidden plight of refugee communities.

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Reposted by Claire Linney Author

Sophie Anderson @sophieanderson.bsky.social · 4d

FIVE DAYS until the third Elemental Detectives Mystery publishes! This series is incredible - thrilling action, magnificent world building, beautiful writing and dazzling magic. It has it all! Written by the brilliant @lawrencepatrice.bsky.social with striking cover art by Paul Kellum 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

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Claire Linney Author @clairelinney.bsky.social · 3d

I was going to post a Black book every day this month and here we are on the 5th and I’m only just starting….its been a WEEK! But let’s go. The brilliant 10 Children who changed the world by Paterson Joseph. A wonderful way to bring Black British history to life for kids 9+

10 children who changed the world by Paterson Joseph and in the background the Secret Diaries of Charles Ignatius Sancho.

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Claire Linney Author @clairelinney.bsky.social · 7d

That is a BIG pile!!

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Claire Linney Author @clairelinney.bsky.social · 7d

Is there a collective noun for a group of Black British history books?

Claire, a Black woman lies back on a bed covered in loads of books, fiction and non fiction, about Black British history.

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Claire Linney Author @clairelinney.bsky.social · 9d

And the addressing of chronic underfunding for schools that will enable them to staff, support and maintain libraries ongoing along with properly embedding a culture of reading for pleasure will also accompany this I assume…otherwise it’s just a headline!

Government pledges funding for a library in every primary school by 2029.

Reposted by Claire Linney Author

Lucy Lapinska / LD Lapinski 💛🤍💜🖤 @ldlapinski.bsky.social · Sep 9

WORLD BOOK WEEK OFFER

Are you a school in the Scottish islands? Would you like an author visit with no author fees? Step this way and check out the alt text below….

Please get in touch via my website contact form 📚🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

@scottishbooktrust.bsky.social @asls.org.uk @slgscotland.bsky.social

WORLD BOOK WEEK OFFER

Are you a school in the Scottish islands? Would you like an author visit with no author fees? Step this way….

To get to know my new home better, I am waiving my school visit fee for schools in the Scottish islands during World Book Week 2026 (2nd - 6th March).

Organisers must cover transport and accommodation. I am based on the Black Isle, and able to drive to Inverness airport, Ullapool ferry port, Oban, and Aberdeen. I can supply books to sell, if given plenty of notice!

Please get in touch via my website contact form 📚🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

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Claire Linney Author @clairelinney.bsky.social · 14d

In case you’re looking for the latest anti Trump reading list. These are all amazing books for kids and teens venturing autistic and neurodiverse protagonists. Autism is not a disease, it’s a neurotype. And there is no conclusive scientific evidence that paracetamol whilst pregnant causes autism.

Stack of books including:

Vivi Conway and the Sword of Legend by Lizzie Huxley Jones. The Inifnite by Patience Agbabi.A Kind of Spark by Elle McNicoll. Keedie by Elle McNicoll. Role model by Elle McNicoll. Murder for Two by Niyla Farook (not pictured). Vanya and the Wild Hunt by Sangu Mandanna. Owning it: Our disabled childhoods in our own words edited by Jen Campbell, James and Lucy Catchpole. The Spirit Bares it Teeth by Andrew Joseph White. Compound Fracture by Andrew Joseph White

Reposted by Claire Linney Author

Wonderland Bookshop @wonderlandbookshop.bsky.social · 14d

Okay, but who is going to be the first to order Heartstopper Volume 6 by Alice Oseman via our website? #kidlituk

Holding cover of Heartstopper Volume 6 by Alice Oseman.

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Claire Linney Author @clairelinney.bsky.social · 14d

Wait wait wait what? How did I miss this!!!

Claire Linney Author @clairelinney.bsky.social · 14d

This was such a lovely day and as always going into schools and talking to kids is the best thing!

Learn to Love to Read @l2l2r.bsky.social · 14d

A big thank you to @clairelinney.bsky.social for visiting another 2 partner schools & helping develop a love of reading. Wonderful to hear her inspiration behind becoming a writer and learn more about Black history. We loved hearing the children's ideas for their own time travelling adventures

Claire Linney Author @clairelinney.bsky.social · 17d

An amazing video to share with kids discussing the St Georges flag. Brilliantly has the history and how things can be used on one hand to celebrate and on thebither to threaten. youtu.be/mAMOP4-dES4?...

Brown skinned man in glasses and a blue suit sits at a desk. The title is How to talk to children about the St George’s Flag | Free School resource

Reposted by Claire Linney Author

Sophie Anderson @sophieanderson.bsky.social · 19d

The Snow Girl is publishing in paperback on November 6th, with a brand new cover illustrated by Melissa Castrillon ❄️💙

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Claire Linney Author @clairelinney.bsky.social · 19d

If anyone is going to the Black Writer’s Guild conference tomorrow come say hi!

Claire Linney Author @clairelinney.bsky.social · 22d

Three new books out this month. Loved Champions of the Galaxy (we need more Black scifi esp for kids), Everything Amplified is a teen graphic novel and love letter to music. And Role Model is a powerful book about being autistic daughter of the new prime minister by @ellemcnicoll.bsky.social

Champions of the Galaxy by Tola Okogwu. A black boy in a purple jumpsuit loos behind him in front of an alien landscape on the cover

Everything amplified by Sarah Lippett and Ziggy Hanaor. An illustrated teenager sits on a large amplifier on the cover

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Claire Linney Author @clairelinney.bsky.social · 26d

See you soon!

Claire Linney Author @clairelinney.bsky.social · 28d

It’s Black History Month in the U.K…

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Claire Linney Author @clairelinney.bsky.social · 28d

Isn’t it self explanatory??

Claire Linney Author @clairelinney.bsky.social · 29d

A gentle reminder that you can ask (as in pay) Black people to talk about Black British history any month of the year. Not just October…

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Claire Linney Author @clairelinney.bsky.social · Sep 6

Looking for a spooky middle grade read? (Especially if you’re adult who can’t handle adult horror) - this was a treat. Hold onto your cassava seeds and enjoy a dose of Caribbean folklore . For ages 8+

Dead Yard: Seeds of Doom by PJ Killburn - a black book with fiery skull on the cover

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Claire Linney Author @clairelinney.bsky.social · Sep 4

Given that Black Tudors was the reason I started writing children’s books I’m approaching Miranda Kaufmann’s new book Heiresses with some caution - but also very excited!

Two women, one white with copper hair and one mixed race with braids hold two books - Black Tudors and Heiresses by Miranda Kaufmann.

Claire Linney Author @clairelinney.bsky.social · Aug 30

Trying to explain to the six year old why we did a 15 min detour in the rain to see a small statue of a boy peeing…

Small black statue of a boy peeing wearing a yellow t shirt and blue dungarees