Claire Linney Author
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clairelinney.bsky.social
Claire Linney Author
@clairelinney.bsky.social
🇬🇧📚Black British history enthusiast, children’s author and avid reader of diverse and inclusive children’s and YA books.
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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
Happy publication day to Wild Journey: A Flight of Stories Across Deserts & Forests, Cities & Seas by A.M. Dassu and illustrated by Joe Lillington. Five captivating stories of emotional growth from across the globe connected by migrating starlings with stunning illustrations👇🏽
For ages 7+
November 6, 2025 at 8:30 PM
Newham Libraries (my locals) are a lifeline for our community. But the Council is considering slashing the budget by 50%.This could mean closures, staff cuts, and service reductions. As we approach the year of reading we can’t allow councils to defund our libraries! actionnetwork.org/petitions/sa...
Save Newham Libraries — Stop the Proposed 50% Budget Cuts!
Sign the petition - Save Newham Libraries - Stop the Proposed 50% Budget Cuts! Newham Libraries are a lifeline for our community. But the Council is thinking of slashing our library budget by 50%. T...
actionnetwork.org
November 6, 2025 at 8:23 AM
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November 4, 2025 at 9:35 PM
It’s November 1st and I just checked, I have not turned into a pumpkin nor ceased to exist. I’ve checked in on all the other Black authors and illustrators and can confirm we all still exist after Black history month ends. In case you were wondering.
November 1, 2025 at 6:04 PM
Reposted by Claire Linney Author
October 31, 2025 at 8:22 PM
Me the next day if I stay out past 10pm.
November 1, 2025 at 1:04 PM
Day 30 of sharing my favourite Black authored books and today is one of my favourite kids books Birdie. This is about mixed heritage identity, pit ponies and families, all set in 1950s Yorkshire. It’s just stunning.
October 30, 2025 at 9:11 AM
Day 29 of sharing my favourite black authored books and it has to be this gem from Catherine Johnson. Josephine Baker was an extraordinary woman and this is a brilliant storybook bringing her to life from her childhood to working for the resistance. For ages 8+
October 29, 2025 at 4:08 PM
This is such sad news…one of the few publishers that really got it when it comes to inclusivity and diversity in kids literature
Award-winning inclusive children’s publisher Knights Of is set to close, The Bookseller understands, with accountancy firm Hart Shaw instructed to place the company in liquidation, pending a vote of the shareholders 👇 #BookSky
Independent children's publisher Knights Of set to close
ebx.sh
October 29, 2025 at 2:01 PM
Reposted by Claire Linney Author
Wildfire is set to publish Patrice Lawrence’s "sweeping historical novel", inspired by the life of Josephine Baker. The Last Star in Paris will be published on 11th February 2027 👇 #BookSky
Wildfire to publish Patrice Lawrence's 'sweeping historical novel'
ebx.sh
October 29, 2025 at 12:16 PM
Day 28 of my favourite Black authored books and we have the wonderful Mayowa and the Sea of Words by Chibundu Onuzo. A charming and original adventure with a strong message about social responsibility. And introduces the strange world of logosaltering aka book jumping! For ages 8+
October 28, 2025 at 5:35 PM
Day 26 and 27 of my favourite Black authored books and next up are two compelling thrillers. Ace of Spades looks at the weaponisation of racism in a prestigious boarding school. And Where Sleeping Girls Lie looks at SA in a boarding school setting with Mean Girl vibes. Both are excellent.
October 27, 2025 at 5:27 PM
Reposted by Claire Linney Author
So, now there's a booker prize for 8-12 year old kidlit, let's have one for YA and picture books. The PB one I already have a name for. The Picture Booker.
October 25, 2025 at 7:13 AM
Reposted by Claire Linney Author
Let’s rename A.I.
Artificial is another word for fake.
Fake Intelligence is not appealing.
F.I.
F*** It.
October 25, 2025 at 11:12 AM
Day 25 of my favourite Black authored books and back to middle grade with one of my favourite fantasy series. This is about found families and mixed heritage identity. There’s a Black Arthurian Knight, changelings and a children’s home based on a real piece of history. I love it!
October 25, 2025 at 6:04 PM
Day 24 of my favourite Black authored books. Do You Dream of Terra Two. This is brilliant, young adult, character-driven gripping sci-fi. Six teenagers are recruited for a 23 year space mission to find a new Earth. I also love her book More Perfect. I will basically read anything Temi Oh writes!
October 24, 2025 at 1:23 PM
Day 23 of my favourite Black authored books and I’ve recently finished this wonderful young adult book My Life as a Chameleon. This beautifully brings to life the experiences of a mixed heritage girl growing up in Lagos and Manchester and deals with identity and mental health.
October 23, 2025 at 2:23 PM
Day 22 of my favourite Black authored books is King of Dead Things by Nevin Holness. This YA book explores a hidden magical London, a group of teenage misfits and Caribbean folklore. It’s one of my favourites!
October 22, 2025 at 4:49 PM
Day 21 of my favourite Black authored books and we have The Changing Man by Tomi Oyemakinde. An unsettling horror fantasy about what happens when an urban legend threatens a prestigious boarding school.
October 21, 2025 at 5:28 PM
Is there an equivalent of ‘clutches at pearls’ for right wing white men?
October 20, 2025 at 4:45 PM
Day 20 of my favourite Black authored books for kids and teens. Today is Augmented by Kenechi Udogu, a great sci-fi novel about friendship, romance and rebellion set in a post climate change future.
October 20, 2025 at 1:38 PM
Day 19 of my favourite Black authored books and it’s Liccle Bit by the late, great Alex Wheatle. A big-hearted and powerful look at teenage boyhood and peer pressure. I also really enjoyed the BBC adaptation. For ages 12+
October 19, 2025 at 3:15 PM
Day 16 of my favourite Black authored books and we’re into the ones for teens. I loved this book about vengeful ancestors, circus performers and people trafficking with a messy, tough central character I adored. A Jigsaw of Fire and Stars by Yaba Badoe
October 18, 2025 at 2:57 PM
Day 17 of my favourite kids books by Black authors. And today’s gem is Rat by Patrice Lawrence (ages 10+) about one boy’s mission for revenge along with his two pet rats. It’s about community, loneliness and family. And it’s a super readable book from Barrington Stoke too.
October 17, 2025 at 9:05 AM
Day 16 (&15) of recommending my favourite Black authored kids books are two brilliant ones that centre Black boys and music. Nineties nostalgia and japes with Kofi and the Rap Battle Summer. And a blend of rap competitions, humour and Black masculinity with Steady for This.
October 16, 2025 at 1:56 PM