Stephen Connor
@sconnor7.bsky.social
primary teacher • children’s literature • running • walking • poetry (The Toy & The Dirigible Balloon) • instagram @mr_connor_reads • UKLA • reading ‘Odyssey’
And here are some I’m hoping to get myself 😬
November 28, 2025 at 6:09 PM
And here are some I’m hoping to get myself 😬
Santa has already bought for my children 🎅🏽
November 28, 2025 at 5:58 PM
Santa has already bought for my children 🎅🏽
130. Lost Evangeline
Kate DiCamillo & Sophie Blackall
Classic Kate - gorgeous storytelling, an unlikely hero, and a celebration of love and relationships.
Kate DiCamillo & Sophie Blackall
Classic Kate - gorgeous storytelling, an unlikely hero, and a celebration of love and relationships.
November 24, 2025 at 7:11 PM
130. Lost Evangeline
Kate DiCamillo & Sophie Blackall
Classic Kate - gorgeous storytelling, an unlikely hero, and a celebration of love and relationships.
Kate DiCamillo & Sophie Blackall
Classic Kate - gorgeous storytelling, an unlikely hero, and a celebration of love and relationships.
129. The Great Phoenix of London
Lindsay Galvin
Historical fact meets fiction as a phoenix rises from the ashes of the Great Fire of London. Some interesting research too - I learned lots!
Lindsay Galvin
Historical fact meets fiction as a phoenix rises from the ashes of the Great Fire of London. Some interesting research too - I learned lots!
November 24, 2025 at 7:10 PM
129. The Great Phoenix of London
Lindsay Galvin
Historical fact meets fiction as a phoenix rises from the ashes of the Great Fire of London. Some interesting research too - I learned lots!
Lindsay Galvin
Historical fact meets fiction as a phoenix rises from the ashes of the Great Fire of London. Some interesting research too - I learned lots!
128. Fia and the Last Snow Deer
Eilish Fisher & Dermot Flynn
Semi verse-novel - a folktale of a snow deer that is due to be sacrificed…can the bond between it and Fia help it to survive? Some lovely lyrical language throughout.
Eilish Fisher & Dermot Flynn
Semi verse-novel - a folktale of a snow deer that is due to be sacrificed…can the bond between it and Fia help it to survive? Some lovely lyrical language throughout.
November 24, 2025 at 7:08 PM
128. Fia and the Last Snow Deer
Eilish Fisher & Dermot Flynn
Semi verse-novel - a folktale of a snow deer that is due to be sacrificed…can the bond between it and Fia help it to survive? Some lovely lyrical language throughout.
Eilish Fisher & Dermot Flynn
Semi verse-novel - a folktale of a snow deer that is due to be sacrificed…can the bond between it and Fia help it to survive? Some lovely lyrical language throughout.
127. Pirates of Darksea
Catherine Doyle
A magical seafaring adventure in which a boy must find his inner courage in order to save his brother.
Catherine Doyle
A magical seafaring adventure in which a boy must find his inner courage in order to save his brother.
November 24, 2025 at 7:07 PM
127. Pirates of Darksea
Catherine Doyle
A magical seafaring adventure in which a boy must find his inner courage in order to save his brother.
Catherine Doyle
A magical seafaring adventure in which a boy must find his inner courage in order to save his brother.
What a great theme. Here are some of my favourites. #KidsBookFriday
November 15, 2025 at 7:28 AM
What a great theme. Here are some of my favourites. #KidsBookFriday
126. Murder at the Black Cat Cafe
Seishi Yokomizo
Murder mystery - didn’t enjoy this as much as I’d hoped.
Seishi Yokomizo
Murder mystery - didn’t enjoy this as much as I’d hoped.
November 9, 2025 at 7:36 PM
126. Murder at the Black Cat Cafe
Seishi Yokomizo
Murder mystery - didn’t enjoy this as much as I’d hoped.
Seishi Yokomizo
Murder mystery - didn’t enjoy this as much as I’d hoped.
Late poem for @thetoypress.bsky.social prompt, written from the experience of putting little ones to bed on Bonfire Night.
November 9, 2025 at 7:34 PM
Late poem for @thetoypress.bsky.social prompt, written from the experience of putting little ones to bed on Bonfire Night.
Poem for @thetoypress.bsky.social’s word of the week.
October 31, 2025 at 2:52 PM
Poem for @thetoypress.bsky.social’s word of the week.
Four of my favourite picture books/illustrated fiction
October 31, 2025 at 7:42 AM
Four of my favourite picture books/illustrated fiction
125. Poyums Annaw
Len Pennie
A powerful, angry and hopeful collection that talks of domestic abuse, the need for males to do more, and self-acceptance. Really moving in parts.
Len Pennie
A powerful, angry and hopeful collection that talks of domestic abuse, the need for males to do more, and self-acceptance. Really moving in parts.
October 29, 2025 at 2:50 PM
125. Poyums Annaw
Len Pennie
A powerful, angry and hopeful collection that talks of domestic abuse, the need for males to do more, and self-acceptance. Really moving in parts.
Len Pennie
A powerful, angry and hopeful collection that talks of domestic abuse, the need for males to do more, and self-acceptance. Really moving in parts.
124. Letters From the Upside
Katya Balen
Another beauty from Katya Balen, this time focusing on a boy whose anger has isolated him. As he learns about homing pigeons, he also learns about himself and how to control his fire. A moving, resonant tale.
Katya Balen
Another beauty from Katya Balen, this time focusing on a boy whose anger has isolated him. As he learns about homing pigeons, he also learns about himself and how to control his fire. A moving, resonant tale.
October 28, 2025 at 9:42 PM
124. Letters From the Upside
Katya Balen
Another beauty from Katya Balen, this time focusing on a boy whose anger has isolated him. As he learns about homing pigeons, he also learns about himself and how to control his fire. A moving, resonant tale.
Katya Balen
Another beauty from Katya Balen, this time focusing on a boy whose anger has isolated him. As he learns about homing pigeons, he also learns about himself and how to control his fire. A moving, resonant tale.
123. Somadina
Akwaeke Emezi
Two twins with magical powers are separated by an evil force. Can Somadina find her strength to bring her brother back to where he belongs? Some amazing descriptive writing here.
Akwaeke Emezi
Two twins with magical powers are separated by an evil force. Can Somadina find her strength to bring her brother back to where he belongs? Some amazing descriptive writing here.
October 28, 2025 at 9:01 AM
123. Somadina
Akwaeke Emezi
Two twins with magical powers are separated by an evil force. Can Somadina find her strength to bring her brother back to where he belongs? Some amazing descriptive writing here.
Akwaeke Emezi
Two twins with magical powers are separated by an evil force. Can Somadina find her strength to bring her brother back to where he belongs? Some amazing descriptive writing here.
Fireworks by Matthew Burgess & Catia Chien is delicious. It’s all about the joy and excitement fireworks bring - this is mainly about Independence Day, but can easily be applied to other celebrations and festivals. A lovely lyrical style, beautifully illustrated. One for @smithsmm.bsky.social
October 25, 2025 at 4:09 PM
Fireworks by Matthew Burgess & Catia Chien is delicious. It’s all about the joy and excitement fireworks bring - this is mainly about Independence Day, but can easily be applied to other celebrations and festivals. A lovely lyrical style, beautifully illustrated. One for @smithsmm.bsky.social
122. People Like Stars
Patrice Lawrence
A multi-person narrative mystery, linking three teenagers who share one thing in common: the answer to who stole a baby many years ago.
Patrice Lawrence
A multi-person narrative mystery, linking three teenagers who share one thing in common: the answer to who stole a baby many years ago.
October 20, 2025 at 7:19 AM
122. People Like Stars
Patrice Lawrence
A multi-person narrative mystery, linking three teenagers who share one thing in common: the answer to who stole a baby many years ago.
Patrice Lawrence
A multi-person narrative mystery, linking three teenagers who share one thing in common: the answer to who stole a baby many years ago.
121. Shrapnel Boys
Jenny Pearson
A WWII novel about a group of friends, some of whom fall in with the wrong crowd. One man, whose ideologies lean towards the hard right, sways vulnerable boys into a life of crime. Interesting parallels to current political climate - very enjoyable.
Jenny Pearson
A WWII novel about a group of friends, some of whom fall in with the wrong crowd. One man, whose ideologies lean towards the hard right, sways vulnerable boys into a life of crime. Interesting parallels to current political climate - very enjoyable.
October 15, 2025 at 6:31 PM
121. Shrapnel Boys
Jenny Pearson
A WWII novel about a group of friends, some of whom fall in with the wrong crowd. One man, whose ideologies lean towards the hard right, sways vulnerable boys into a life of crime. Interesting parallels to current political climate - very enjoyable.
Jenny Pearson
A WWII novel about a group of friends, some of whom fall in with the wrong crowd. One man, whose ideologies lean towards the hard right, sways vulnerable boys into a life of crime. Interesting parallels to current political climate - very enjoyable.
120. Speechless
Aron Nels Steinke
A gorgeously heartfelt look at selective mutism and its impact on school, friendship and home. Powerful and entertaining. @mrwolfcomics.bsky.social
Aron Nels Steinke
A gorgeously heartfelt look at selective mutism and its impact on school, friendship and home. Powerful and entertaining. @mrwolfcomics.bsky.social
October 15, 2025 at 6:28 PM
120. Speechless
Aron Nels Steinke
A gorgeously heartfelt look at selective mutism and its impact on school, friendship and home. Powerful and entertaining. @mrwolfcomics.bsky.social
Aron Nels Steinke
A gorgeously heartfelt look at selective mutism and its impact on school, friendship and home. Powerful and entertaining. @mrwolfcomics.bsky.social
Love this new book by Joanna Ho, Caroline Kusin Pritchard and Dan Santat. A celebration of reading both as an individual pursuit, as well as respecting the rights of the reader and reading community.
October 12, 2025 at 11:41 AM
Love this new book by Joanna Ho, Caroline Kusin Pritchard and Dan Santat. A celebration of reading both as an individual pursuit, as well as respecting the rights of the reader and reading community.
119. The Grammar of Fantasy
Gianni Rodari, Jack Zipes & Matthew Forsythe
An absolute joy of a book. A must-read for anyone who works with children and wants to help them to write. Just inspiring.
Gianni Rodari, Jack Zipes & Matthew Forsythe
An absolute joy of a book. A must-read for anyone who works with children and wants to help them to write. Just inspiring.
October 9, 2025 at 7:25 PM
119. The Grammar of Fantasy
Gianni Rodari, Jack Zipes & Matthew Forsythe
An absolute joy of a book. A must-read for anyone who works with children and wants to help them to write. Just inspiring.
Gianni Rodari, Jack Zipes & Matthew Forsythe
An absolute joy of a book. A must-read for anyone who works with children and wants to help them to write. Just inspiring.
118. The Witch in the Tower
Julia Sarda
Lyrically and visually rich - a real treat. Full review for @justimaginecentre.bsky.social here: justimagine.co.uk/childrens-bo...
Julia Sarda
Lyrically and visually rich - a real treat. Full review for @justimaginecentre.bsky.social here: justimagine.co.uk/childrens-bo...
October 9, 2025 at 6:19 PM
118. The Witch in the Tower
Julia Sarda
Lyrically and visually rich - a real treat. Full review for @justimaginecentre.bsky.social here: justimagine.co.uk/childrens-bo...
Julia Sarda
Lyrically and visually rich - a real treat. Full review for @justimaginecentre.bsky.social here: justimagine.co.uk/childrens-bo...
Júlia Sardà is a genius.
October 5, 2025 at 7:39 PM
Júlia Sardà is a genius.
Some wonderful books to review for Shelf here - very lucky and very happy!
October 3, 2025 at 7:03 PM
Some wonderful books to review for Shelf here - very lucky and very happy!
