Simon Smith
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smithsmm.bsky.social
Simon Smith
@smithsmm.bsky.social
Headteacher, picturebook addict. Sometimes a bit ranty. Passionate about the best job in the world. #PicturebookPage

All views are my own
No. 34 in my #FavePicturebooks25 is “Griso” by #RogerMello, beautifully translated by #DanielHahn.
A unicorn’s epic search for another like him — across time, continents, and stunning art styles. A global quest in every sense. Top Drawer! #PicturebookPage
November 10, 2025 at 4:42 PM
Just adore this absolute hug of an album by #Midlake Beautiful autumnal vibes.

Looking forward to seeing them in Sunderland (surprisingly) in January!
November 9, 2025 at 2:46 PM
No. 35 in my #FavePicturebooks25 is “The Slightly Spooky Tale of Fox and Mole” by Cecilia Heikkilä. It is a masterclass in visual storytelling & emotional nuance.
A cautionary tale of imbalance & ingratitude, wrapped in stunning, shadowy illustration. #PicturebookPage
November 9, 2025 at 10:51 AM
No. 36 in my #FavePicturebooks25 is “Bear” by #NataliaShaloshvili.
It’s the ultimate ode to needing just a smidge of personal space and Bear is all of us when the world won’t stop barging in. The way the pages get busier and busier is genius. @quartokids.bsky.social
Funny, fab #PicturebookPage
November 8, 2025 at 7:04 AM
No. 37 in my #FavePictureBooks25 is a stunner!

“Painting Wonder” by @katiewrayschon.bsky.social. It is a radiant tribute to Pauline Bayne-Tolkien & Lewis’s illustrator. Passion, perseverance & pure magic on every page. A #PicturebookBiography that glows. #PictureBookPage
November 6, 2025 at 7:10 PM
No 38 in my #FavePicturebooks25 “Together We Remember” by #JackieMorera & #VioletaEncarnación is a tender, poignant story of grief, healing, and the bond between father & daughter. A beautiful reminder that remembering more, not less, helps us heal. #PicturebookPage
November 3, 2025 at 6:26 PM
No. 39 in my #FavePicturebooks25 is “Good Golden Sun” by @brendanwenzel.bsky.social
A simple idea, tracing the sun’s journey becomes something brilliant. It shows how energy moves through the world and give everything life, and visually it zings. Great science. Fab stuff. #PicturebookPage
November 2, 2025 at 8:47 AM
No 40 in my #FavePicturebooks25 is…
“To Activate Space Portal” by #AntoinettePortis
is an hilarious, romp where diplomacy depends on your dental situation. Blrg & Zrk fear we’re here to eat them until they see our tiny teeth. Surreal art, glitchy translations, Genius. #PicturebookPage
November 1, 2025 at 9:03 AM
Bit late but here are some amazing #Halloween picturebooks and novels. #PicturebookPage
October 31, 2025 at 5:29 PM
Here is my favourite #Halloween picturebook. “Poultrygeist”

The best first 3 pages of any picturebooks I own

#PicturebookPage
October 31, 2025 at 5:28 PM
Today’s soundtrack has got me right in the mood for #Halloween2025
October 31, 2025 at 5:01 PM
Starting tomorrow: my Top 40 #FavePicturebooks25, a handpicked, parade of the funniest, boldest, weirdest, and most brilliant picturebooks of 2025. Just pure love for the power of picturebooks Don’t miss it! #PicturebookPage. Some are in the pics below some will be a surprise!
October 31, 2025 at 4:46 PM
Happy Halloween…love a good Mausoleum!
October 31, 2025 at 11:13 AM
If you see this, quote with a robot that isn't from "Star Wars", "Star Trek", "Doctor Who", or "Transformers”
October 30, 2025 at 10:39 PM
Absolutely spoilt with the weather. Normally Dumfries and Galloway is cold and wet…apart from an odd shower it’s been the opposite.

Glorious from coast to hilltop today!
October 29, 2025 at 3:22 PM
Glorious early morning walk.

Love Scotland!
October 27, 2025 at 9:40 AM
Glorious walking in Dumfries and Galloway.

Love finding a graveyard with proper old graves in it, so many stories!
October 25, 2025 at 2:07 PM
Love the case studies too…such a brilliant book
October 25, 2025 at 12:42 PM
fave non-fiction book this year. “Omnibird” by #GiselleClarkson is a brilliant, funny and informative illustrated guide that turns kids into avian detectives. Packed with science & humour it inspires readers to really look at the birds around them and see the extraordinary. @geckopress.bsky.social
October 25, 2025 at 12:42 PM
…adore this #SergioLeone-esque standoff. Genius!
October 24, 2025 at 4:25 PM
“Broken” by #XFang is a tender, cinematic picturebook that turns a shattered teacup into a story of guilt, forgiveness, and love. Mei Mei’s journey is both hilarious and heartfelt, with illustrations that radiate warmth and whimsy. A gem. #FavePicturebooks25 #PicturebookPage
October 24, 2025 at 4:25 PM
Big fan of Duncan Tonatuih would recommend these…
October 23, 2025 at 7:18 PM
And so we come to the end. Excited to rejoin Lyra and Pantalaimon
And see the twists and turns #PhilipPullman takes us on in “The Rose Field”

Perfect timing just before half-term, that’s my reading sorted
October 22, 2025 at 6:50 PM
Today has been a coloured vinyl and books kinda-day.

@jonnybid.bsky.social @southgloshead.bsky.social
October 19, 2025 at 1:37 PM
…equally as data tells us those who are older do better in the test, there has been a truly clear dataset around this for quite some time, passing the check has something to do with being chronologically ready for some children…
October 17, 2025 at 5:26 AM