Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Scallywag Press @scallywagpress.bsky.social · 4h

The space portal to Zrk and Blrg has opened! 🚀

To Activate Space Portal Lift Here by Antoinette Portis publishes today! Described by @publisherswkly.bsky.social as 'wonderfully weird and slyly relevant', it's ideal for fans of interactive books.

uk.bookshop.org/p/books/to-a...

Scallywag Press @scallywagpress.bsky.social · 7d

In #NationalPoetryDay, we're excited to announce a new offering from @brianmosespoet.bsky.social
publishing in March 2026!

I Am Ray's Imaginary Friend, illustrated by Bethan Welby is a verse chapter book written by an imaginary friend, with a theme of moving home, for ages 7+. Stay tuned for more!

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Scallywag Press @scallywagpress.bsky.social · 13d

Simon Lamb spoke to BBC Radio Scotland about new book, Mat o' Shanter, launched at Tidelines Book Festival today!

Simon talks about his childhood experiences of reading Robert Burns, and why Mat o' Shanter is called 'A Cautionary Tale'... 👀

Listen from 10 mins: www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...

Afternoons - The Arts Mix - Frank Turner, Mat O'Shanter and Hercules the Bear - BBC Sounds

Punk-folk singer-songwriter Frank Turner on his upcoming Scottish gigs.

www.bbc.co.uk

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Reposted by Scallywag Press

Jacqui Sydney 📚 @jacquisydney.bsky.social · 14d

Looking forward to reading To Activate Space Portal Lift Here by Antoinette Portis and Mat o' Shanter by Simon Lamb, illustrated by Ross MacRae. Out 09/10 & now for 3+/9+ readers, huge thanks go to @laurasmythepr.bsky.social @scallywagpress.bsky.social

#KidlitUK #UKKidlit

The 2 books. The first has the title in large print against a background of a starry sky and the second shows a boy trapped in the upper half of an egg timer that is bobbing about in a stormy sea.

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Scallywag Press @scallywagpress.bsky.social · 14d

It's time - Mat o' Shanter by @simonlambcreative, illustrated by @ross.macrae.art is out now!

A modern day reimagining of Robert Burns' famous poem Tam o' Shanter, Mat o' Shanter is for the ears, and eyes, and hearts of today.

www.waterstones.com/book/mat-o-s...

#kidslit #poetry #robertburns

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Scallywag Press @scallywagpress.bsky.social · 15d

We love this photo from Ross MacRae showing his workspace for Mat o' Shanter, from initial sketches to the finished book itself 😍

Mat o' Shanter: A Cautionary Tale by Simon Lamb, illus. by Ross, publishes tomorrow!!
www.waterstones.com/book/mat-o-s...

@bouncemarketing.bsky.social #poetry

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Scallywag Press @scallywagpress.bsky.social · 20d

Find out more and discover the series: uk.bookshop.org/search?keywo...

Scallywag Press @scallywagpress.bsky.social · 20d

Argh me hearties! It's #TalkLikeAPirateDay and have we got some scurvy stories for you! 🏴‍☠️

Step on board the Black Hound, and join a ship full o' the cleverest pirate investigators in Flyntlock Bones - a chapter book series by Derek Keilty. ⚓️

📷 : bookishwaytoplay (Insta)
#kidsbooks #youngfiction

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Scallywag Press @scallywagpress.bsky.social · 28d

'A Gallery of Cats' by Ruth Brown is the Starred Children's Review in the latest @shelf-awareness.com !

Read the full review here: www.shelf-awareness.com/issue.html

@pubspotlight.bsky.social #kidsbooks #kidslit

Frame surrounded by cats with words reading 'If Brown's goal is to make readers of all ages curious to learn more about great artists, she should consider this goal achieved, spectacularly.' - Shelf Awareness, starred review

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Scallywag Press @scallywagpress.bsky.social · Aug 31

'Visually enticing, inviting repeat visits.'- Kirkus reviewing 'A Gallery of Cats' by Ruth Brown! 🐱🖼️

@lernerbooks.bsky.social @pubspotlight.bsky.social #kidslit #childrensbooks #picturebooks

www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews...

A GALLERY OF CATS | Kirkus Reviews

During a museum outing with his grandmother, a boy wanders into an exhibition that yields the unexpected.

www.kirkusreviews.com

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Scallywag Press @scallywagpress.bsky.social · Aug 29

'We Found a Seed" by @robramsden.bsky.social inspired a Story Walk at the Lewes Public Library, across the pond in Delaware! 🇺🇸

We love this video timelapse of the trail which helped encourage children to explore the natural world around them! 🌱

@pubspotlight.bsky.social #InTheGarden #earlyyears

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Scallywag Press @scallywagpress.bsky.social · Aug 28

Wrong tag - we're a UK children's book publisher! 📚

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Reposted by Scallywag Press

Publisher Spotlight @pubspotlight.bsky.social · Aug 13

“There’s lots to look at and discuss” in WOLF IN THE CITY from @scallywagpress.bsky.social Author/illustrator Rachel Tilda Wolf "moves seamlessly back and forth between full-page bleeds, deployed to impress us with the city’s grandeur, and homey vignettes” ysbookreviews.wordpress.com/2025/07/24/w...

Wolf in the City by Rachel Tilda Wolf

Wolf in the City by Rachel Tilda Wolf. Scallywag Press, 2025. 9781836300106 Rating: 1-5 (5 is an excellent or a Starred review) 5 Format: Hardcover picture book What did you like about …

ysbookreviews.wordpress.com

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Reposted by Scallywag Press

Publisher Spotlight @pubspotlight.bsky.social · Aug 16

“Cat and art lovers will enjoy this fantasy art exhibition” A GALLERY OF CATS is published by @scallywagpress.bsky.social ysbookreviews.wordpress.com/2025/07/24/a...

A Gallery of Cats by Ruth Brown

A Gallery of Cats by Ruth Brown. Scallywag Press, c2019, 2025. 9781836300205 Rating: 1-5 (5 is an excellent or a Starred review) 5 Format: Hardcover picture book What did you like about…

ysbookreviews.wordpress.com

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Scallywag Press @scallywagpress.bsky.social · Aug 25

Meet Mat! 👋

Here's your first look inside Mat o' Shanter, a modern day reimagining of Robert Burns' famous poem Tam o' Shanter, publishing next month!

Words by Simon Lamb, illustrations by Ross Macrae. Pre-order your copy: www.waterstones.com/book/mat-o-s...

Scallywag Press @scallywagpress.bsky.social · Aug 20

Good Golden Sun by Brendan Wenzel has been shortlisted in the picture books category of the Teach Early Years Awards 2025! ☀️

The winner will be revealed in November - keep your fingers crossed for us!

@bouncemarketing.bsky.social

Scallywag Press @scallywagpress.bsky.social · Aug 20

Remember we have plenty of free resources on our website! For Detective Catz by Marjoke Henrichs, this includes a spot the difference, maze and a secret code to decipher...

👉 www.scallywagpress.com/resources.ht...
📷: faeriesandfantasy (IG)
@pubspotlight.bsky.social @bouncemarketing.bsky.social

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Scallywag Press @scallywagpress.bsky.social · Aug 18

We LOVE bookseller feedback - especially when it looks like this! Erin from Waterstones Belfast said of #IvyNewt: 'I can't get enough of this series! Magic and mayhem abound...' ✨

Find the Ivy Newt series by Derek Keilty in your local @waterstoneskids.bsky.social 🫶

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Scallywag Press @scallywagpress.bsky.social · Aug 13

A Seed Grows by Antoinette Portis has been reviewed by @nytimes.com! They say: 'A cyclical ending shows how the life of the natural world is never-ending. Bold, graphic illustrations and a dramatic sunflower reveal make this a splendid addition to your shelf.' 🌻

Books for Kids Starting Preschool

These back-to-school reads will help children tackle first-day nerves, new teachers, letters, numbers and more.

www.nytimes.com

Scallywag Press @scallywagpress.bsky.social · Aug 12

'Dark, yet hopeful, the verse story of danger and adventure is ultimately vigorous and inspiring [...] highly recommended for children who love reading and adults who love giving children great books.' @schoolreadinglist.bsky.social on Mat o' Shanter

REVIEW: schoolreadinglist.co.uk/childrens-bo...

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Scallywag Press @scallywagpress.bsky.social · Aug 8

Bunny's boarding a plane! ✈️ Bunny's Most Fabulous Holiday Ever! by Brian Fitzgerald has been spotted at the WHSmith in Gatwick Airport departures, thanks to Scallywag author Deborah Chancelllor!

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Scallywag Press @scallywagpress.bsky.social · Aug 8

We can confirm, George & Lenny were in the @dailymail.co.uk TOGETHER! 😂 Check them out in Sally Morris' children's books roundup: www.dailymail.co.uk/home/books/a...

@bouncemarketing.bsky.social #kidslit #jonagee

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Scallywag Press @scallywagpress.bsky.social · Aug 6

The talented Viviane Schwarz bringing One-Button and Grandpa to life 😍✍️

One-Button and the Sea by Sara Stanley, illustrated by Viviane Schwarz, publishes in paperback this week. A poignant tale of community and hope 💙🌊

@saralstan.bsky.social @bouncemarketing.bsky.social

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Scallywag Press @scallywagpress.bsky.social · Aug 4

Get your copy in your nearest bookshop, online or ask at your local library!

You can also buy from our shop on @bookshop-org-uk.bsky.social : uk.bookshop.org/p/books/the-...

The Tale of the Whale a book by Karen Swann.

'Where land becomes sky and the sky becomes sea, I first saw the whale, and the whale first saw me. And high on the breeze came his sweet-sounding song 'I've so much to show you, if you'll come along'...

uk.bookshop.org

Scallywag Press @scallywagpress.bsky.social · Aug 4

For #NationalMarineWeek, we couldn't think of a more appropriate read than The Tale of the Whale by @karenswann.bsky.social, illus. by Padmacandra.

A tale of friendship, it's also an invitation to consider our responsibilities towards the environment 🐳

📷: @faeriesandfantasy.bsky.social

A front shot of The Tale of the Whale by Karen Swann and Padmacandra against a dark wood background with a pile of books underneath and a textile behind

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