Maudie Smith (aka Amanda, Mands, Moobag)
@maudiesmith.bsky.social
Children's book writer with a side of veg and flowers. Based near the Bath
https://www.maudiesmith.co.uk/
https://contactanauthor.co.uk/Author/17/maudie-smith
https://www.maudiesmith.co.uk/
https://contactanauthor.co.uk/Author/17/maudie-smith
Reposted by Maudie Smith (aka Amanda, Mands, Moobag)
My Brain:
"Psst, here's a great idea for your book."
Me:
"I'm busy. I'll write it down later. I'll remember it."
Morgan Freeman:
"But he did not remember it, for his brain soon moved on to wonder how cottage cheese gets made."
#WritingCommunity #BookSky #WriteSky
"Psst, here's a great idea for your book."
Me:
"I'm busy. I'll write it down later. I'll remember it."
Morgan Freeman:
"But he did not remember it, for his brain soon moved on to wonder how cottage cheese gets made."
#WritingCommunity #BookSky #WriteSky
November 26, 2025 at 9:37 PM
My Brain:
"Psst, here's a great idea for your book."
Me:
"I'm busy. I'll write it down later. I'll remember it."
Morgan Freeman:
"But he did not remember it, for his brain soon moved on to wonder how cottage cheese gets made."
#WritingCommunity #BookSky #WriteSky
"Psst, here's a great idea for your book."
Me:
"I'm busy. I'll write it down later. I'll remember it."
Morgan Freeman:
"But he did not remember it, for his brain soon moved on to wonder how cottage cheese gets made."
#WritingCommunity #BookSky #WriteSky
Reposted by Maudie Smith (aka Amanda, Mands, Moobag)
I wish I didn’t have to share this. But the BBC has decided to censor my first Reith Lecture.
They deleted the line in which I describe Donald Trump as “the most openly corrupt president in American history.” /1
They deleted the line in which I describe Donald Trump as “the most openly corrupt president in American history.” /1
November 25, 2025 at 9:26 AM
I wish I didn’t have to share this. But the BBC has decided to censor my first Reith Lecture.
They deleted the line in which I describe Donald Trump as “the most openly corrupt president in American history.” /1
They deleted the line in which I describe Donald Trump as “the most openly corrupt president in American history.” /1
Reposted by Maudie Smith (aka Amanda, Mands, Moobag)
📢FELLOW AUTHORS📢
I've seen several social media posts from authors who have replied to AI phishing emails, either with responses along the lines of “Please remove me from your contact list or I'll report you for fraud" or more humorously.
Here's why REPLYING TO SCAM EMAILS IS A BAD IDEA.
…
🧵
I've seen several social media posts from authors who have replied to AI phishing emails, either with responses along the lines of “Please remove me from your contact list or I'll report you for fraud" or more humorously.
Here's why REPLYING TO SCAM EMAILS IS A BAD IDEA.
…
🧵
November 13, 2025 at 7:10 PM
📢FELLOW AUTHORS📢
I've seen several social media posts from authors who have replied to AI phishing emails, either with responses along the lines of “Please remove me from your contact list or I'll report you for fraud" or more humorously.
Here's why REPLYING TO SCAM EMAILS IS A BAD IDEA.
…
🧵
I've seen several social media posts from authors who have replied to AI phishing emails, either with responses along the lines of “Please remove me from your contact list or I'll report you for fraud" or more humorously.
Here's why REPLYING TO SCAM EMAILS IS A BAD IDEA.
…
🧵
Reposted by Maudie Smith (aka Amanda, Mands, Moobag)
For Armistice Day, here's a letter my great uncle wrote to his old school in 1914 about the Christmas truce
November 11, 2025 at 8:22 AM
For Armistice Day, here's a letter my great uncle wrote to his old school in 1914 about the Christmas truce
Reposted by Maudie Smith (aka Amanda, Mands, Moobag)
Today's review...'Swanfall' by Sophie Kirtley @kidsbloomsbury.bsky.social A fabulous read!
www.throughthebookshelf.com/reviews/swanfall
www.throughthebookshelf.com/reviews/swanfall
Swanfall — Through the Bookshelf
Pip lives with his family at Keeper’s Cottage on the wetlands where his mum works on environmental conservation. He particularly enjoys the swanfall every autumn where Arctic swans return home and wat...
www.throughthebookshelf.com
November 8, 2025 at 12:56 PM
Today's review...'Swanfall' by Sophie Kirtley @kidsbloomsbury.bsky.social A fabulous read!
www.throughthebookshelf.com/reviews/swanfall
www.throughthebookshelf.com/reviews/swanfall
Reposted by Maudie Smith (aka Amanda, Mands, Moobag)
#NewIllustrationOfTheDay by Jane Ray from Anya‘s Quest, the story, based on Hindu mythology, of a girl trying to save the planet. By Jasbinder Bilan, Walker Books 6 Nov. Ravishing and magical use of colour and decoration and fantastical Hindu imagery. @walkerbooksuk.bsky.social @janeray.bsky.social
November 9, 2025 at 7:34 AM
#NewIllustrationOfTheDay by Jane Ray from Anya‘s Quest, the story, based on Hindu mythology, of a girl trying to save the planet. By Jasbinder Bilan, Walker Books 6 Nov. Ravishing and magical use of colour and decoration and fantastical Hindu imagery. @walkerbooksuk.bsky.social @janeray.bsky.social
Reposted by Maudie Smith (aka Amanda, Mands, Moobag)
A great story about the ability of reading to transform lives, from my hometown of Nottingham.
#ReadingForPleasure
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
#ReadingForPleasure
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
'Book swap with stranger saved me from the streets'
Rob Toon says he turned to reading after his phone was stolen while homeless in Nottingham.
www.bbc.co.uk
October 26, 2025 at 8:57 AM
A great story about the ability of reading to transform lives, from my hometown of Nottingham.
#ReadingForPleasure
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
#ReadingForPleasure
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Reposted by Maudie Smith (aka Amanda, Mands, Moobag)
I'd watch breathless marathon runners as a kid & thought you just had to gather enough air beforehand. I loved feeling the wind through the open window when driving. My father said if I kept my mouth open I'd get enough air to run a marathon. Great way to quieten a talkative child on a family drive.
October 26, 2025 at 12:02 PM
I'd watch breathless marathon runners as a kid & thought you just had to gather enough air beforehand. I loved feeling the wind through the open window when driving. My father said if I kept my mouth open I'd get enough air to run a marathon. Great way to quieten a talkative child on a family drive.
A lovely giveaway!
Alex Wheatle MBE (1963-2025) was our charity's patron.
Thanks to Hachette UK & @barringtonstoke.bsky.social we have 10 sets of seven of Alex's brilliant books to give away to UK school libraries.
To enter, follow us and share this post. Closing date: 18 July.
#ReadingForPleasure #UKKidLit 1/2
Thanks to Hachette UK & @barringtonstoke.bsky.social we have 10 sets of seven of Alex's brilliant books to give away to UK school libraries.
To enter, follow us and share this post. Closing date: 18 July.
#ReadingForPleasure #UKKidLit 1/2
July 1, 2025 at 7:15 PM
A lovely giveaway!
Do you have a dad that needs a story read to him today? Here's an oldie but I like to think a goodie, read by me www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pr4g...
The Dressing-Up Dad | Oxford Children’s Books
YouTube video by Oxford Education
www.youtube.com
June 15, 2025 at 10:40 AM
Do you have a dad that needs a story read to him today? Here's an oldie but I like to think a goodie, read by me www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pr4g...
Thank you for including My Must-Have Mum! 💕
#Picturebooks can have a huge impact on children’s understanding of the world & it’s important that they reflect the experiences & family structures of all children ❤️
storysnug.com/2022/03/pict...
#MothersDay #UKKidLit #KidLitUK #Booksky @laurenkerstein.bsky.social @maudiesmith.bsky.social
storysnug.com/2022/03/pict...
#MothersDay #UKKidLit #KidLitUK #Booksky @laurenkerstein.bsky.social @maudiesmith.bsky.social
Picture Book Mums · Story Snug
Mums come in all different shapes & sizes & these picture book mums play a role in more diverse family structures.
storysnug.com
March 28, 2025 at 5:04 PM
Thank you for including My Must-Have Mum! 💕
Reposted by Maudie Smith (aka Amanda, Mands, Moobag)
I’m not seeing much about this book but it’s easily one of the most uplifting and compassionate poetry books for children and adults that I’ve read. It should be winning the prizes and selling like crazy @graffegbooks.bsky.social
March 18, 2025 at 8:15 PM
I’m not seeing much about this book but it’s easily one of the most uplifting and compassionate poetry books for children and adults that I’ve read. It should be winning the prizes and selling like crazy @graffegbooks.bsky.social
No pudding for Russia then. Or there probably will be... they know you're just bluffing
The last bit of this is me to my kids when I've made their tea and they're still messing around
Oh yeah
March 7, 2025 at 5:03 PM
No pudding for Russia then. Or there probably will be... they know you're just bluffing
Reposted by Maudie Smith (aka Amanda, Mands, Moobag)
This is really good. Quotes my mate Ali, who produced the brilliant Phoenix Rise just a couple of years ago. It's absolutely desperate out here
Rare to see the crisis in the uk tv industry even perceived by outsiders, let alone written up so accurately! I’m sure Lisa Nandy will be astounded to hear it all.
Senior TV producers take shelf-stacking jobs as UK industry remains in crisis
Experienced figures doing entry-level roles amid prolonged work drought since Covid and rise of online content
www.theguardian.com
March 7, 2025 at 3:48 PM
This is really good. Quotes my mate Ali, who produced the brilliant Phoenix Rise just a couple of years ago. It's absolutely desperate out here
First school visit this week. Waiting to go into the class, a child turned round and shouted, ARTHUR! I turned round too, but... no one was there...
March 5, 2025 at 10:28 AM
First school visit this week. Waiting to go into the class, a child turned round and shouted, ARTHUR! I turned round too, but... no one was there...
Reposted by Maudie Smith (aka Amanda, Mands, Moobag)
All I saw was sandwich for at least 15 seconds
February 8, 2025 at 11:31 PM
All I saw was sandwich for at least 15 seconds
Reposted by Maudie Smith (aka Amanda, Mands, Moobag)
Protestors met JD Vance in Vermont when he went to vacation there today. This is a good one:
March 1, 2025 at 10:37 PM
Protestors met JD Vance in Vermont when he went to vacation there today. This is a good one:
Reposted by Maudie Smith (aka Amanda, Mands, Moobag)
It's been obvious since January 6 that he was an enemy of the USA, the UK & the whole of the free world. Everybody still in his camp understands this as completely as everybody against it. They just prioritise personal interest over the national & international. And they know it. They all know it.
February 28, 2025 at 7:31 PM
It's been obvious since January 6 that he was an enemy of the USA, the UK & the whole of the free world. Everybody still in his camp understands this as completely as everybody against it. They just prioritise personal interest over the national & international. And they know it. They all know it.
Reposted by Maudie Smith (aka Amanda, Mands, Moobag)
oday's review...'The Appletree Animal Agency' by Katya Balen, illustrated by Gill Smith
@walkerbooksuk.bsky.social
A little bit of joy for a rainy day!
throughthebookshelf.com/reviews/the-...
@walkerbooksuk.bsky.social
A little bit of joy for a rainy day!
throughthebookshelf.com/reviews/the-...
The Appletree Animal Agency — Through the Bookshelf
Wishing on a shooting star for the puppy she desperately wants, Mattie knows it won’t happen as her Dad just doesn’t believe she is responsible enough yet to properly look after one. However, when she...
throughthebookshelf.com
February 26, 2025 at 8:47 AM
oday's review...'The Appletree Animal Agency' by Katya Balen, illustrated by Gill Smith
@walkerbooksuk.bsky.social
A little bit of joy for a rainy day!
throughthebookshelf.com/reviews/the-...
@walkerbooksuk.bsky.social
A little bit of joy for a rainy day!
throughthebookshelf.com/reviews/the-...
Reposted by Maudie Smith (aka Amanda, Mands, Moobag)
Can’t tell you how thrilled I am about this cover, by Anna Morrison who did Anne Enright’s The Wren, The Wren. Out May 15th but you can preorder a signed and dedicated copy from @mrbsemporium.bsky.social mrbsemporium.com/shop/uncateg...
February 26, 2025 at 10:58 AM
Can’t tell you how thrilled I am about this cover, by Anna Morrison who did Anne Enright’s The Wren, The Wren. Out May 15th but you can preorder a signed and dedicated copy from @mrbsemporium.bsky.social mrbsemporium.com/shop/uncateg...
Reposted by Maudie Smith (aka Amanda, Mands, Moobag)
1 WEEK UNTIL PETERS CHILDREN'S BOOK OF THE YEAR! 🎉
If you work at a school or library and haven't yet cast your vote, you've got until the end of Friday this week to choose your favourite. Whoever is crowned, it will be because of you!
Vote before 28 Feb: peters.co.uk/pboty2025-vote
If you work at a school or library and haven't yet cast your vote, you've got until the end of Friday this week to choose your favourite. Whoever is crowned, it will be because of you!
Vote before 28 Feb: peters.co.uk/pboty2025-vote
February 26, 2025 at 1:23 PM
1 WEEK UNTIL PETERS CHILDREN'S BOOK OF THE YEAR! 🎉
If you work at a school or library and haven't yet cast your vote, you've got until the end of Friday this week to choose your favourite. Whoever is crowned, it will be because of you!
Vote before 28 Feb: peters.co.uk/pboty2025-vote
If you work at a school or library and haven't yet cast your vote, you've got until the end of Friday this week to choose your favourite. Whoever is crowned, it will be because of you!
Vote before 28 Feb: peters.co.uk/pboty2025-vote
Reposted by Maudie Smith (aka Amanda, Mands, Moobag)
Reading is such a wonderful thing to do with your children. It gives me great pleasure to celebrate it on @worldbookdayuk.bsky.social which is next week! 😃
February 26, 2025 at 1:52 PM
Reading is such a wonderful thing to do with your children. It gives me great pleasure to celebrate it on @worldbookdayuk.bsky.social which is next week! 😃
Reposted by Maudie Smith (aka Amanda, Mands, Moobag)
Another zinger from Brian 👏
Here’s a poem called ‘From The Encyclopedia of Alternative Facts’.
February 26, 2025 at 2:17 PM
Another zinger from Brian 👏
Reposted by Maudie Smith (aka Amanda, Mands, Moobag)
There's only a few days left of @bookshop-org-uk.bsky.social's #ReadItForward campaign with @booktrust.org.uk and @scottishbooktrust.bsky.social where 10% of all Children's book sales in February go towards vulnerable families across the UK. 📚 Browse our recs here: uk.bookshop.org/lists/staff-...?
Staff Recommendations (Read It Forward 2025)
Our recommendations for Read It Forward! Throughout February, 10% of every Children's book sale goes to Scottish Book Trust and Book Trust to help raise funds for vulnerable families. Every child, no ...
uk.bookshop.org
February 25, 2025 at 1:29 PM
There's only a few days left of @bookshop-org-uk.bsky.social's #ReadItForward campaign with @booktrust.org.uk and @scottishbooktrust.bsky.social where 10% of all Children's book sales in February go towards vulnerable families across the UK. 📚 Browse our recs here: uk.bookshop.org/lists/staff-...?
www.thebookseller.com/comment/non-... Anonymous Writer makes some good points here - just as we're yanking on our performance faces!
Non-optional extras
Not all children's authors love school visits – and we shouldn't have to pretend otherwise, says anonymous author.
www.thebookseller.com
February 26, 2025 at 5:39 PM
www.thebookseller.com/comment/non-... Anonymous Writer makes some good points here - just as we're yanking on our performance faces!