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Reposted by MaryEsther Judy

Louie Stowell @louiestowell.bsky.social · 4h

One of the things about this study is that a lot of baby and toddler books are written in house, by editors. So the study reveals the whiteness of editorial in kidlit even if not explicitly. But, big picture, this trend is unacceptable. I remember so many promises www.theguardian.com/books/2025/o...

‘Catastrophic decline’ in Black representation in children’s books

A report by charity Inclusive Books for Children found that of the 2,721 books surveyed, only 51 featured a Black main character, down by 21.5% since 2023

www.theguardian.com

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Reposted by MaryEsther Judy

Eoghan Daltun 🌍 @irishrainforest.bsky.social · 3d

Calling all nature people and orgs, please consider adding your name to Naturalists for Palestine.

It's essential we recognise that ecocide and genocide are two sides of the same coin, and resist both.
share.google/gLPRtQzDGC3v...

Naturalists for Palestine

Naturalists for Palestine is a call from individuals and organisations in the UK nature sector to stand for an end to the genocide in Gaza, and to the suffering and oppression of the people of Palesti...

share.google

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MaryEsther Judy @fallenstarmary.bsky.social · 2d

Hooray! This is brilliant! 💖📚

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The Irish Times @irishtimes.com · 4d

‘Really shocking’: Independent Dublin bookstore damaged in arson attack

Books Upstairs manager hopes to partially open the D’Olier Street store later on Monday

www.irishtimes.com

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MaryEsther Judy @fallenstarmary.bsky.social · 6d

Happy 28th Birthday to my oldest grandson, Jackson Layton ...who continues to amaze and astound me every day. Jack, you are a hero. 💖🧁🎈🎉
(Here he is...my oldest grandchild holding my youngest grandchild.)

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MaryEsther Judy @fallenstarmary.bsky.social · 6d

These teeny little superguys turned 1 a couple of weeks ago...which hardly seems possible. I love them so much! 💙💙

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Global Movement To Gaza UK @gmtguk.bsky.social · 8d

UK counsel Ben Cooper KC urges immediate government action to protect citizens aboard the peaceful Gaza flotilla facing IOF threats. Email the Foreign Office—demand protection now.

#GlobalSumudFlotilla #Gaza #SailToGaza #FreePalestine #BreakTheSiege

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MaryEsther Judy @fallenstarmary.bsky.social · 8d

All eyes on Gaza. All eyes on the Global Sumud Flotilla. Contact your government representatives. Your citizens are on board.

Global Movement To Gaza UK @gmtguk.bsky.social · 8d

ALL EYES ON GAZA. ALL EYES ON THE BOATS.

#freepalestine

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Teresa Collins @queen-crafty.bsky.social · 8d

#Flotilla aje.io/e4f7v5?

Gaza Sumud flotilla live tracker: Israel begins to intercept ships

Activists on board Global Sumud Flotilla report interceptions after Israeli vessels approached.

aje.io

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Oisín McGann @oisinmcgann.bsky.social · 14d

Is this the MOST Halloween book you'll ever read? Maybe, but it IS set around the Irish hill where the bonefires were first lit. It is a story about the very roots of Halloween; the horror, mythology, and the harvest festival that lies between life and death.
#Halloween #Samhain #Tlachtga #SpeirGorm

The full cover, back and front, of my book, The First Fire of Halloween. The front features a púca, the mythical Irish shape-changer, as a muscular human figure with a goat's head. He's standing in a field in darkness, with a fire blazing in front of him. Inset in the dark sky above and behind him are a pair of yellow goat's eyes. The title is in orange against the sky, and my name is in black against the fire.

On the back cover, the blurb reads: Thief. Trickster. Murderer. Humans have forgotten why they once feared the púca. But he will make them remember. In the small Irish town of Athboy, there is a hill where the first fire was once lit each year to mark the beginning of Samhain. Bonfires would then be lit across the country, launching a festival to celebrate the last harvest before the harsh months of winter. On the night when the boundary with the Realm of the Dead was at its thinnest, it was believed that the spirits of the dead wandered the land. In recent years, that fire has been lit again every Halloween night.

Jamie Sheldon is an American girl visiting the town with her parents for an archaeological dig. Rone O’Callaghan lives on a farm near Tlachtga, the ancient site on the Hill of Ward. Both teenagers are close by when a local man is murdered. The circumstances suggest the killer may be acting out some ancient ritual.

The truth is even more macabre. This Halloween, as humans wander the streets wearing monster masks, there is a monster among them wearing a human mask. The most treacherous of all the ancient faerie folk . . . The shape-changing púca.

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MaryEsther Judy @fallenstarmary.bsky.social · 11d

Any Way You Slice It by Méabh McDonnell : A YA romcom with a baking twist and a huge helping of heart; full of family, drama, compassion, utter joy & wonderful recipes; engrossing, entertaining; genuine & brilliant escape. @theobrienpress.bsky.social
fallenstarstories.wordpress.com/2025/09/28/a...

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Global Movement To Gaza UK @gmtguk.bsky.social · 12d

We refuse intimidation. Zionist threats to intercept our humanitarian mission are illegal and violate human rights. We deliver essential aid to Gaza amid genocide and starvation. Mobilize now to protect our mission.

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MaryEsther Judy @fallenstarmary.bsky.social · 13d

The Vanished Girl: A Sycamore Hill School Mystery by Natasha Mac A'Bháird: the girls are back with another intriguing mystery; gripping, entertaining, intriguing book, full of friendship, mystery, adventure, drama & fun! @theobrienpress.bsky.social
fallenstarstories.wordpress.com/2025/09/27/r...

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Global Movement To Gaza UK @gmtguk.bsky.social · 15d

The Global Sumud Flotilla will hold an emergency press conference today at 3 PM CET after credible intel of an imminent Israeli attack on its Gaza humanitarian mission.

Zoom: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/86526716368
Press: https://rpst.cc/inWXYg

#GlobalSumudFlotilla #Gaza #HumanRights

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Octocon @octocon.bsky.social · Aug 28

Did you know #Octocon2025 will also be online this year? Attend from anywhere in the world from the comfort of your one home for exclusive panels and workshops.

2025.octocon.com

#octocon #scifi #fantasy #readingcommunity #Fandom #Cosplay #Cosplayers #Horror

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MaryEsther Judy @fallenstarmary.bsky.social · 15d

By the way, you're supposed to hold on to the handrail. The little sign at the bottom of the escalator indicates that. (I am really losing patience with some peoples' stupidity.)

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MaryEsther Judy @fallenstarmary.bsky.social · 15d

I don't know what he's complaining about...happens to me everyday.

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MaryEsther Judy @fallenstarmary.bsky.social · 15d

Maybe those "pleading eyes" are pleading for him to just shutup, go away & leave girls & women alone. We don't want your "protection" ya gobshite.

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Brian Jay Jones @brianjayjones.com · 15d

Jim Henson would've been 89 years old today. Commemorate his life and legacy by celebrating creativity, diversity, imagination, peace, and just plain silliness.

Walk with me a bit while I talk about Jim and his work--and leave your comments about what he means to you.

Right this way. /1

This is one of my very favorite images, as it features characters performed by Jim Henson throughout his life holding photos (or, in the case of Ernie, drawings) of him at about the period he was performing the character. Among the Muppets shown: Cantus, Dr. Teeth, the Swedish Chef, Sam, Link Hogthrob, Ernie, Kermit (two iterations), and Guy Smiley.

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Global Movement To Gaza UK @gmtguk.bsky.social · 15d

At least 13 explosions were reported on and around several boats of the Global Sumud Flotilla last night, as the mission continues across the Mediterranean to break the Israeli blockade on Gaza.

#GlobalSumudFlotilla #GlobalMovementToGaza #SailToGaza

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MaryEsther Judy @fallenstarmary.bsky.social · 19d

Wow, indeed.

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MaryEsther Judy @fallenstarmary.bsky.social · 19d

Wow, indeed.

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MaryEsther Judy @fallenstarmary.bsky.social · 21d

When you're looking for great kids books...here are four of the best picture books, new out, from @walkerbooksuk.bsky.social ! A new twist on an old favourite nursery rhyme; a retelling of a Chinese myth; a story to soothe worries & dinosaurs are back!
fallenstarstories.wordpress.com/2025/09/18/p...

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Laureate na nÓg @laureatenanog.bsky.social · 22d

Do you know a young reader (16-24) who could help us select the next Laureate na nÓg? Applications close next Friday - we'd particularly love to hear from young people from underrepresented backgrounds or communities.

More information + application form childrenslaureate.ie/young-reader...

Poster advertising a callout for young readers. The background is a gradient orange and the bottom half of the image is an illustration of five young people reading surrounded by stacks of books. The main heading text reads "Are you someone who is interested in books and reading? An maith leat a bheith ag léamh as Gaeilge chomh maith? if you are aged 16-24 we want to hear from you!"

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MaryEsther Judy @fallenstarmary.bsky.social · 24d

You know, I think The O'Brien Press WBD book is the most exciting book in this selection.

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