Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Reposted by Jonathan Emmett

Jonathan Emmett @jonathanemmett.com · 4h

It’s great to hear Lauren Laverne acknowledging the role children’s books have played in her and her family’s lives.
As acknowledged in this episode, the format is very similar to DESERT ISLAND DISKS, and it would be good to hear something like this reaching a wider audience on Radio 4.

Jonathan Emmett @jonathanemmett.com · 4h

The 1st THE POWER OF A BOOK podcast, in which @rachelparris.bsky.social chats to
@laurenlaverne.bsky.social about 3 favourite children's books is now online.

If the first ep is anything to go by, the podcast is well worth a follow if you're interested in #KidLitUK.

shows.acast.com/the-power-of...

Lauren Laverne | The Power of a Book

From The Children's Book Project

shows.acast.com

1 1

Jonathan Emmett @jonathanemmett.com · 2h

"Until now, pastoral care in the Armed Forces was provided only by religious chaplains, leaving the growing number of non-religious personnel (41%) without like-minded support."

There are plenty of atheists (and agnostics) in foxholes. It's good to see them finally being recognised and supported.👏🏼

Humanists UK @humanists.uk · 1d

Groundbreaking! The UK Armed Forces has sworn in its first-ever humanist pastoral carer – Dr Neil Weddell. This means thousands of non-religious service personnel will have access to like-minded pastoral support that genuinely reflects their values and worldview. 🧵

First-ever humanist pastoral carer in UK Armed Forces

Jonathan Emmett @jonathanemmett.com · 2h

"Nick Clegg says asking artists for use permission would ‘kill’ the AI industry."

Yes, Nick. And I'd imagine that asking victims of mugging for theft permission would kill the mugging industry as well.

Jonathan Emmett @jonathanemmett.com · 2h

One of the practical tips for schools in this excellent briefing is, "Keep up a varied and up-to-date book collection'.

THE most cost effective way to do this in the long term is to subscribe to a local school library service.

Find your local SLS here: sls-uk.org/enquire-now/

Practical tips to support children’s book choices

Here are some evidence-informed methods for bringing more choice and agency into the classroom:

2: Keep up a varied and up-to-date book collection
The more access children have, the more personally meaningful choices they can make. Including a variety – as Prof. Teresa Cremin (Open University) suggests – of ‘old but gold’ and ‘new and bold’ books can best engage students [16].

Keeping abreast of the ever-expanding range of children’s books helps to keep your collection ‘fresh’. BookTrust’s booklists, including our Great Books Guide, can support and inspire you.

1 3

Jonathan Emmett @jonathanemmett.com · 4h

It’s great to hear Lauren Laverne acknowledging the role children’s books have played in her and her family’s lives.
As acknowledged in this episode, the format is very similar to DESERT ISLAND DISKS, and it would be good to hear something like this reaching a wider audience on Radio 4.

Jonathan Emmett @jonathanemmett.com · 4h

The 1st THE POWER OF A BOOK podcast, in which @rachelparris.bsky.social chats to
@laurenlaverne.bsky.social about 3 favourite children's books is now online.

If the first ep is anything to go by, the podcast is well worth a follow if you're interested in #KidLitUK.

shows.acast.com/the-power-of...

Lauren Laverne | The Power of a Book

From The Children's Book Project

shows.acast.com

1 1

Jonathan Emmett @jonathanemmett.com · 4h

The 1st THE POWER OF A BOOK podcast, in which @rachelparris.bsky.social chats to
@laurenlaverne.bsky.social about 3 favourite children's books is now online.

If the first ep is anything to go by, the podcast is well worth a follow if you're interested in #KidLitUK.

shows.acast.com/the-power-of...

Lauren Laverne | The Power of a Book

From The Children's Book Project

shows.acast.com

Jonathan Emmett @jonathanemmett.com · 21h

My web address is often printed in my books. I changed it a few years back, but still own the old address so that I can redirect anyone visiting it to my new site.

Jonathan Emmett @jonathanemmett.com · 21h

This is a children's author's nightmare! 😦

www.lbc.co.uk/article/spy-...

#KidLitUK

Spy Dogs children's books pulled from shelves after link inside copies sends children to porn website | LBC

www.lbc.co.uk

Jonathan Emmett @jonathanemmett.com · 21h

This is a children's author's nightmare! 😦

www.lbc.co.uk/article/spy-...

#KidLitUK

Spy Dogs children's books pulled from shelves after link inside copies sends children to porn website | LBC

www.lbc.co.uk

1

Reposted by Jonathan Emmett

Alom Shaha @alomshaha.bsky.social · 23h

Should mention this is a FREE event at which your child can get a FREE working clock they make themselves.

Alom Shaha @alomshaha.bsky.social · 23h

London parents! Looking for something to do with the children over half term? Come and help me support one of the best indie bookshops in London and go home with your own (mostly) self-made clock!

Make and Decorate Your Own Clock with Alom Shaha!! | Moon Lane Ink

Join Alom Shaha, author of "About Time", to learn more about time-keeping and a chance to make your own working clock!

www.moonlaneink.co.uk

1 4 5

Reposted by Jonathan Emmett

Campaign against Climate Change @campaigncc.bsky.social · 1d

In news that will surprise pretty much no one working on climate change, carbon offsets have deep-seated systemic problems and are not effective at cutting overall emissions.

Carbon offsets fail to cut global heating due to ‘intractable’ systemic problems, study says

Analysis of 25 years of evidence shows most schemes are poor quality and fail to lower emissions

www.theguardian.com

2 3

Jonathan Emmett @jonathanemmett.com · 2d

My palaeontology picture book co-author Adam Smith and I finally played a round at the JURASSIC COVE ADVENTURE GOLF which opened in Nottingham a couple of years ago.
A fun course and some impressive models, including a life size T. rex.
I'm ashamed to say that Adam won!
#TheTyrannosaursFeathers 🦖⛳️🦕⛳️

Adam and Jonathan in front of a life size T. rex model.

Adam in front of a life size T. rex model.

Adam playing golf in front of a dinosaurs model. The model was labelled as a brachiosaurus, but Adam thought it was closer to a diplodocus.

Adam, Marlies and Rachel in front of a triceratops model.

Reposted by Jonathan Emmett

Stieven @stievenvdp.bsky.social · 3d

Hip Hip Hooray! Have a nice 120th nameday old chap.

Diorama feaaturing wildlife of the Hell Creek formation.

3 110 310

Reposted by Jonathan Emmett

Tomasz Oryński @orynski.eu · 4d

You know what would be great to reduce aviation emissions? Tax jet fuel like every other fuel, invest this money in the railway and ban flights on every route that can be travelled by train in, say, less than 6 hours.

Mark Miodownik @markmiodownik.bsky.social · 4d

I dont often agree with Ryan Air boss Michael O’Leary but he is right about SAF "There is no possibility of meeting 6% SAF by 2030; not a hope in hell."
Thats because the bio feedstock for SAF will hit food production and cause inflation. www.theguardian.com/business/202...

‘This is real progress’: airlines on sustainable aviation fuels and the chances of net zero flying

The EU and UK have imposed mandates, and investors see its value – but the industry has mixed views

www.theguardian.com

2 6 27

Reposted by Jonathan Emmett

Joanne Harris @joannechocolat.bsky.social · 4d

Unsolicited writing advice, no. 18167:
There is no "typical reader," just as there is no "typical writer." Your first responsibility is to yourself; to create the most honest, well-written, carefully-researched story you can. Finding readers comes later.

6 36 220

Jonathan Emmett @jonathanemmett.com · 4d

@royalsociety.org research estimates that we'd have to switch half of UK agricultural land to growing SAF to meet CURRENT demand: www.imeche.org/news/news-ar...

This would have a crippling effect on UK food security.

The UK's "jet zero" strategy is a mix of wishful thinking and passing the buck.

Biofuels for net-zero aviation ‘could require half of UK agricultural land’

www.imeche.org

Reposted by Jonathan Emmett

Mark Miodownik @markmiodownik.bsky.social · 4d

I dont often agree with Ryan Air boss Michael O’Leary but he is right about SAF "There is no possibility of meeting 6% SAF by 2030; not a hope in hell."
Thats because the bio feedstock for SAF will hit food production and cause inflation. www.theguardian.com/business/202...

‘This is real progress’: airlines on sustainable aviation fuels and the chances of net zero flying

The EU and UK have imposed mandates, and investors see its value – but the industry has mixed views

www.theguardian.com

5 18 57

Reposted by Jonathan Emmett

Jonathan Emmett @jonathanemmett.com · 7d

🎃 October’s here, so I’m going to start banging the gong for my new picture book #MonsterMakeovers, illustrated by Rae Minos and published by Boxer Books.

🧌 It’s a revolting rhyme set in an “ugly salon” at #Halloween.

📙 Find out more about the book at: jonathanemmett.com/2025/10/mons...

#KidLitUK

2 5

Jonathan Emmett @jonathanemmett.com · 4d

🇬🇧 UK PRIMARY SCHOOLS 🇬🇧

🆓 A reminder that I'm still offering a FREE virtual school visit to anyone who buys a set of THE CONJURORS COOKBOOKS from my signed books store.

That's 4 books, including postage and a virtual school visit from the author for less than £20!!

📕📗📘📙📦🖥️

#VirtualVisits #KidLitUK

Jonathan Emmett @jonathanemmett.com · Jun 2

🇬🇧 UK PRIMARY SCHOOLS 🇬🇧
I’m currently offering a FREE virtual school visit to anyone who buys a set of my funny fantasy chapter book series THE CONJUROR’S COOKBOOK from the signed books section of my website.
CLICK HERE for more info and Ts&Cs.
CLICK HERE for sample chapters.
#VirtualVisits #KidLitUK

FREE VIRTUAL SCHOOL VISIT with the purchase of a set of four books from my signed books shop.
Covers of the four Conjuror's Cookbook chapter books.
“The Conjuror's Cookbook series by Jonathan Emmett has irresistible ingredients: a witty, punchy style; an inventive granny; a recipe book with a mind of its own; and a chain of enchanting culinary adventures.”
THE TIMES EDUCATIONAL SUPPLEMENT

1

Reposted by Jonathan Emmett

Fleur Hitchcock @fleurhitchcock.bsky.social · 5d

Superb article about reading aloud. Yes! Yes! And yes!! #kidlituk
www.booktrust.org.uk/resources/fi...

Again! Again! The joys of reading out loud - and how it can support…

Author Susannah Lloyd shares her tips for reading aloud with children, and shares how it can support communication skills.

www.booktrust.org.uk

14 15

Jonathan Emmett @jonathanemmett.com · 5d

I’m not sure that’s true. I think Elon Musk may have been grown in a vat. Have you ever seen his belly button?

1

Reposted by Jonathan Emmett

Human Rights Watch @hrw.org · 6d

Today marks the seventh anniversary of the Saudi state-sponsored murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi.

As comedians perform at the Riyadh Comedy Festival, we urge them to publicly call for Saudi authorities to free unjustly detained Saudi dissidents, journalists, and activists.

2 89 170

Reposted by Jonathan Emmett

Jonathan Emmett @jonathanemmett.com · 6d

🎃 Here’s a trailer for #MonsterMakeovers, my first #Halloween book and the picture book debut of Canadian illustrator Rae Minos.

🧩 Rae’s Mid-Century Modern inspired style is a PERFECT fit for this story.

🎨 You can see more of Rae's work at raeminos.com

#KidLitUK #HalloweenPictureBooks

1 3

Reposted by Jonathan Emmett

James McConnachie @jamesmcconnachie.bsky.social · 6d

Authors should watch out for the 'default' 50/50 split with the publisher. You do not have to agree to this, but you do have to provide evidence as to why it shouldn't apply to you. (Strangely enough my pre-2020 contract says nothing about a split for AI licensing...)

ALCS @alcs.co.uk · 6d

The settlement website in the Bartz v Anthropic class action is now live: www.anthropiccopyrightsettlement.com.

It includes comprehensive information about the case and settlement, including a searchable tool to see if your books are included in the settlement and a claim form.

3 3 14

Reposted by Jonathan Emmett

Caroline Lucas @carolinelucas.bsky.social · 6d

Tory party’s long journey away from science, reason, responsibility, common sense and truth is complete

Kemi Badenoch vows to repeal Climate Change Act

Tory leader says she would replace it with ‘cheap energy’ strategy, ending decades-long consensus on climate

www.theguardian.com

170 580 1.7K

Jonathan Emmett @jonathanemmett.com · 6d

📣 AUTHORS 📣

This is a $1.5 billion copyright settlement for the use of pirated books to train an AI model.

If your book is included in the list that can be searched on this page – secure.anthropiccopyrightsettlement.com/lookup – then you may be able to claim a share of it.

#CopyrightAndAI

1 3