Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

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

Nicolette Jones @nicolettejones.bsky.social · 7h

#NewIllustrationOfTheDay by Esme Shapiro from Don’t Eat Me! The Almost True Story of Belladonna, written by Kate Finney. Pretty foreground detail in a wide scene illustrates a charming picturebook about a poisonous plant. Enchanted Lion 14 October @enchantedlion.bsky.social @esmeshapiro.bsky.social

2 4

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

The O’Brien Press @theobrienpress.bsky.social · 3h

Readers can’t get enough of @meabhmcdonnell.bsky.social’s YA debut ‘Any Way You Slice It’ 🍰

Get your oven mitts on, this one is straight out of the oven and deliciously sweet.

Available in all bookshops!

Purple and green background, book cover and white circles

1 5

Books for Keeps, the online children's books review journal @booksforkeeps.bsky.social · 46m

'I want to show the ability in disability and that we can have female heroes with disabilities in adventure books.'

Now with added Q&A author interview @scholasticuk.bsky.social #KidLitUK

Books for Keeps, the online children's books review journal @booksforkeeps.bsky.social · 5d

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-...

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

Little Rebels Award @littlerebsprize.bsky.social · 1h

And we still want to big up all of our shortlistees. Now and always!
🥳🥳🥳🥳🥳🥳🥳

Kende! Kende! Kende! had a coveted place as the only picture book on this year’s shortlist.
#KidsLitUK

Child's Play (International) @childs-play.co.uk · 9d

✨Congrats to all the great Little Rebels & 2025 winner Sarah Hagger-Holt

Immensely proud of our shortlisted book KENDE! KENDE! KENDE! by Kirsten Cappy, Yaya Gentille, illustrated by Rahana Dariah✨

"May KENDE! KENDE! KENDE! make little rebels of all its readers" see Kirsten's message via our Insta!

2 2

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

Helen Mort @helenmort.bsky.social · 21h

Tomorrow night in Sheffield I’ll be reading a new commissioned poem for Jane Austen (and women who write!). Please join us: offtheshelf.org.uk/events/a-hou...

Rachel Bower is an award-winning author and poet from Bradford. Her debut novel, It Comes from the River, and third poetry collection, Bee, have both been published in 2025.

offtheshelf.org.uk

6 12

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

Nicolette Jones @nicolettejones.bsky.social · 2d

#NewIllustrationOfTheDay by Britta Teckentrup from the picturebook Family by Patricia Hegarty about how creatures look after each other. Otters holding hands as they sleep, & moonlight on water. Out in paperback Little Tiger Press 2 October. @brittateckentrup.bsky.social @littletigeruk.bsky.social

4 11

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

'Images of the Great Bear in her watery green world are awe-inspiring, Booker’s illustrations creating a real sense of size, strength & power.' Annie Booker's striking debut picture book, THE GREAT BEAR, is the new #BfK Book of the Week #KidLitUK

booksforkeeps.co.uk/review/the-g...

2 4

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

Nicolette Jones @nicolettejones.bsky.social · 3d

#NewIllustrationOfTheDay by French illustrator Isabelle Simler from her picturebook The Ocean at Night. Translated by Michele Hutchison/Sofia Smith-Laing (both credited). Tiny luminous creatures that make up plankton seem to glow in the dark. Pushkin Children’s 9 Oct. @pushkinchildrens.bsky.social

2 8

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

We were delighted to catch up with Adam Stower to chat about his charming series, MURRAY AND BUN! Book four, Murray the Ghosthunter is out now.

Read the interview & find out why he feels these are the most ‘me’ of all his books @HarperCollinsCh #KidLitUK

booksforkeeps.co.uk/article/bein...

A photograph of author and illustrator Adam Stower. He is wearing a blue shirt, smiling into the camera, has a beard and wears glasses.

The cover of Murray and Byn! Murray the Ghosthunter by Adam Stower. It shows Murray (a cat) in his ghost hunting gear (quite Sherlock Holmes) with Bun next to him. Bun is saying 'Bun!'

2 2

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

Nicolette Jones @nicolettejones.bsky.social · 4d

#NewIllustrationOfTheDay by Katherine Child, debut author-illustrator of The Notted Island, a fantasy novel about an island in black-and-white which is waiting to be coloured, and about a deity who is in charge of the night sky. Skilled and lovely work. Flying Eye 9 Oct. @flyingeyebooks.bsky.social

8 53

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

Nicolette Jones @nicolettejones.bsky.social · 5d

#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 7 42

Books for Keeps, the online children's books review journal @booksforkeeps.bsky.social · 5d

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 · 6d

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...

2 3

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

Nicolette Jones @nicolettejones.bsky.social · 15d

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

2 3

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

Big Green Books (Simon) @biggreenbooks.bsky.social · 6d

"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 · 6d

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 · 6d

📙 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 4

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

Margaret McDonald @margaretmcdonald.bsky.social · 6d

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 · 7d

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 · 11d

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 · 7d

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...

4 12

Books for Keeps, the online children's books review journal @booksforkeeps.bsky.social · 7d

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 · 7d

#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

2 9 36

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

Little Rebels Award @littlerebsprize.bsky.social · 8d

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 · 7d

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