iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

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

NEW #BooksforKeeps interview. We chat to bestselling author Kevin Moran about the new Doomsday Club adventure, Irish mythology, and entertaining readers looking for thrills 👇#KidLit @theobrienpress.bsky.social

The cover of The Doomsday Club Bog Bodies, the second in Kevin Moran's bestselling series. Cover illustration of a car being driven by two teenage boys there's a bog body on the roof and two more chasing it. Eek!

011

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

Gardners @gardnersbooks.bsky.social · 8h

Today is the day... Happy #BookshopDay! 💙📚 Bookshop Day is all about celebrating the incredible bookshops at the heart of our communities. We're so proud to be part of this fantastic event and to support the wonderful community of booksellers and readers who make it so special. ✨ #Booksellers

0127

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

Nicolette Jones @nicolettejones.bsky.social · 11h

#NewIllustrationoftheDay by Shaun Tan, from Hometown, his latest spectacular exploration of difference and belonging. Its surreal visual metaphors tell a story about what home means. Walker Studio 8 Oct. Hand-made with watercolour, coloured pencil and ink pens on paper. @walkerbooksuk.bsky.social

0123

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

Branford Boase Award @branfordboaseaward.bsky.social · 6h

Meet the judges #BranfordBoaseAward 2027🎉2026 winner Asli Jensen, Caroline Carpenter, Children's Ed & Deputy Features Ed @thebookseller.com; Sam Creighton, Literacy Lead Elmhurst Primary School & @uklitassociation.bsky.social Alex Strick Reflecting Disability branfordboaseaward.org.uk/2027-judges/

Graphic highlighting the 2027 judges for the Branford Boase Award awarded to the author and editor of the year's outstanding debut novel for children. Sponsors are ALCS and Walker Books. The judges are: winning author of the 2026 Branford Boase Award Asli Jensen. She will be joined by children’s book experts, Caroline Carpenter, Children's Editor and Deputy Features Editor at The Bookseller magazine; Sam Creighton, Literacy Lead at Elmhurst Primary School in Newham and part of the UKLA Book Awards team; and Alex Strick, a facilitator for Reflecting Disability, the Arts Council funded study into representation of disabled people in children’s literature.

032

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

Barrington Stoke @barringtonstoke.bsky.social · 09/10/2026

This Dyslexia Awareness Week, we're so pleased to announce the shortlist for the 2026 Barrington Stoke Reader of the Year Award. Our three finalists were selected for their resilience, initiative, determination and enthusiasm: buff.ly/I1gn2G6 #SchoolLibraries #DAW26

buff.ly

Announcing the Barrington Stoke Reader of the Year Award Shortlist

This Dyslexia Awareness Week, we are pleased to announce the shortlist for the 2026 Barrington Stoke Reader of the Year Award

1145

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

Nicolette Jones @nicolettejones.bsky.social · 09/10/2026

#NewIllustrationOfTheDay by Mariachiara Di Georgio. From Who Knows the Way to Mr. Grimley’s Classroom? With text by Chris Priestley. About a girl on an errand through a school who doesn’t know the way. Wonderfully atmospheric and haunting pictures.Walker Books 24 Sept. @walkerbooksuk.bsky.social

094

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

Sarah McIntyre @sarahmcintyre.bsky.social · 08/10/2026

New Adventuremice book launches today, the ninth in our series! What happens when the Mousebase is overrun by a gaggle of mischievous mouselets? ‘Adventuremice: Mini Mice Mayhem’, available at all good bookshops! Original paintings from the book go on sale in the Adventuremice.com shop from 9pm UK

2307

Books for Keeps, the children's books review journal @booksforkeeps.bsky.social · 08/10/2026

There’s more than a scrap of magick in Helen Parry’s hugely enjoyable novel, which is our NEW Book of the Week. Check out our review and enjoy a Q&A interview with the Helen too. @dfbstoryhouse.bsky.social #KidLitUK booksforkeeps.co.uk/review/a-scr...

The cover of A Scrap of Moss and Magick by Helen Parry, cover illustration by Melissa Castrillon.

A photograph of author Helen Parry. She has silvery gray hair, blue eyes and is looking directly into the camera. Helen's debut novel A Scrap of Moss and Magick is the new Books for Keeps Book of the Week.

085

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

Viv Schwarz @vivschwarz.bsky.social · 08/10/2026

This book is a nice autumn present for anyone who loves making things, or worries about the things they make. It contains a quiet little ghost who is extremely enthusiastic about your art. uk.bookshop.org/p/books/i-wi...

uk.bookshop.org

I Will Haunt This: A spooky, cosy and comforting picture book about making new friends with a little ghost, perfect for age 4-6

A cosy, ghostie tale of friendship, kindness and connection by two legendary picture book masters.A little ghost lives in a vase in the attic, but when the vase breaks, the ghost goes round the house,...

1147

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

Letterbox Library @letterboxlibrary.bsky.social · 08/10/2026

“Schools should be doing everything possible to connect kids with reading..Instead, many are doing the opposite, banning books that help kids see themselves in literature, deepen their understanding and empathy of others, and develop their imaginations.” www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/...

publishersweekly.com

Book Bans Hit Unprecedented High in 2025–26 School Year, PEN Report Shows

At least 7,370 unique titles were removed from public schools across the U.S. in the last academic year, according to the new report, as administrators in states such as Texas and Florida increasingly...

142

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

Brian Moses @brianmosespoet.bsky.social · 07/10/2026

On #WorldOctopusDay (Oct 8th) why not write a countdown poem about what lies in the depths of the ocean. brian-moses.blogspot.com/2017/01/unde...

brian-moses.blogspot.com

Welcome to the Ssssssnake Hotel

UNDER THE SEA Two ideas for writing about under the sea: 1. A Countdown poem A ship once sank to the bottom of the sea. If...

011

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

Nicolette Jones @nicolettejones.bsky.social · 07/10/2026

#NewIllustrationoftheDay by Tom de Freston, illustrating his wife Kiran Millwood Hargrave's book about loss, The Raven's Gift. Starboard 8 Oct. The darkness and the jaggedness of the line and the strangeness of the shadows suggest emotions that make this not just the idyllic summer image you expect.

064

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

David Melling @mellingart.bsky.social · 06/10/2026

Silent neighbour. (In contrast to yesterday’s jackdaw). #charcoal

022254

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

Nicolette Jones @nicolettejones.bsky.social · 06/10/2026

#NewIllustrationOfTheDay by Northern Irish author/illustrator Colleen Larmour from her picturebook Follow Me Moon, in which a child thinks of the moon as a personal friend. Simple & effective woodblock-style images in primary colours including shades of blue. Nosy Crow 8 Oct. @nosycrow.bsky.social

0135

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

Leaf Journal: On Writing for Young People @leafjournal.bsky.social · 05/10/2026

On Writing for Young People Conference 2026. Online. 5-6 Nov. Speakers include Karen Sands-O'Connor on the panel 'Writing Black British History for Children' with Yinka Olusoga, J. T. Williams and Aneesh Barai. www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/on-writing...

055

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

Savita Kalhan/S R Krish @savitakalhan.bsky.social · 05/10/2026

Your Halloween read - The Lost Name Society 🐦‍⬛🎃🦇 Dark Academia meets Hunger Games meets Squid Game… Perfect for all teen/YA readers, and just as scary for adults apparently 😳! @foxandinkbooks.bsky.social @storymix.bsky.social #yabooks #teenbooks #horror

031

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

Gita Ralleigh @gitaralleigh.bsky.social · 05/10/2026

Hope to see you at this timely conference! Programme includes keynotes by David Roberts & Dr Emily Corbett plus industry panel & stars of picture books, middle-grade & YA including Kristina Rahim, Sarah Hagger-Holt & Gayathiri Kamalakanthan. #ukkidlit #kidlituk www.tickettailor.com/events/ibbyu...

164

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

Nicolette Jones @nicolettejones.bsky.social · 05/10/2026

#NewIllustrationoftheDay by Bianca Tulea from Magical Manacles, one of the Bright Star Bazaar series in which objects narrate biographies. This is Houdini's biography, written by Aldo de Pape. AsWeGrowLtd 6 Oct. Tulea's quirky, decorative detail make this terrifying scenario look circusy and fun.

063

Books for Keeps, the children's books review journal @booksforkeeps.bsky.social · 05/10/2026

‘At an age when children are figuring out the world around them & where they fit in, it’s vital they have access to funny, inspiring, adventurous books that reflect the lives they live & the ones they don’t.' New @ibc-reads.bsky.social Excluded Voices report: booksforkeeps.co.uk/inclusive-bo...

074

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

Nicolette Jones @nicolettejones.bsky.social · 04/10/2026

#NewIllustrationOfTheDay by Zanna Goldhawk illustrating the South African story of a young girl who throws ash into the sky and creates the Milky Way, from A Universe Full of Stories, 50 tales about the skies and space. Retold by Angela McAllister. Frances Lincoln 8 Oct. @quartokids.bsky.social

0194

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

Leaf Journal: On Writing for Young People @leafjournal.bsky.social · 03/10/2026

On Writing for Young People Conference 2026. Online. 5-6 Nov. Speakers include Aneesh Barai on the panel 'Writing Black British History for Children' with Yinka Olusoga, J. T. Williams and Karen Sands-O'Connor. www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/on-writing...

A brown person with a beard and glasses smiles at the camera. The text reads 'Aneesh Barai'.

0155

Books for Keeps, the children's books review journal @booksforkeeps.bsky.social · 03/10/2026

"Judi Curtin writes warm, living and breathing characters, easy for young readers to identify with, and Gracie is an archetypal Curtin creation." Meet Gracie and her friends in our NEW Book of the Week #KidLit @theobrienpress.bsky.social booksforkeeps.co.uk/review/gracie/

The cover of Gracie by Judi Curtin which is the new Books for Keeps Book of the Week. It is set in 1930, Gracie, who has red hair and freckles, is sitting on a chair sewing next to a tailor's dummy while another girl with long black hair pets a dog on her knee.

022

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

Nicolette Jones @nicolettejones.bsky.social · 03/10/2026

#NewIllustrationOfTheDay by Andrew J Ross from his picturebook The Incredible Other Side. Multimedia image including collage and individually drawn bricks, and figures like Tomi Ungerer’s Three Robbers. Story with a twist to make you smile. Frances Lincoln paperback 1 Oct. @quarto-kids.bsky.social

0195

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

Nicolette Jones @nicolettejones.bsky.social · 02/10/2026

#NewIllustrationOfTheDay by Emily Gravett from her picturebook Don’t Feed The Troll, with fairytale characters. Rudeness is what feeds the troll, and making other people feel unhappy. Kindness shrinks him. Hand-drawn with dexterity, humour and rich colour. Two Hoots 1 Oct @twohootsbooks.bsky.social

194

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

Letterbox Library @letterboxlibrary.bsky.social · 02/10/2026

We’ve just added some fabulous boardbooks to our @bookshop-org-uk.bsky.social shop front which is your regular reminder that Bookshop.Org is your fabulous alternative to you know who. Buy *any* book at all (whether we stock it or not) & support us at the same time: uk.bookshop.org/shop/letterb...

A screenshot- display from our bookshop.org shopfront of brightly coloured boardbooks with the header “Letterbox Library Reviewers’ Picks: Boardbook Bonanza!”

011

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

Letterbox Library @letterboxlibrary.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

A gorgeous Throwback Thursday from @sflayzell.bsky.social #KidLitUK

042

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

Ian Duhig @ianduhig.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

This Is Just To Say I have eaten the poems that were in your typewriter and which you were probably saving for National Poetry Day Forgive me they were delicious so sweet and so bold #NationalPoetryDay

15019

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

Liz Brownlee @lizpoet.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

#NationalPoetryDay #Teachers #Wonderpoems #FunnyPoems National Poetry Day 2026, Wonder Poem, John Dougherty Performs 'Next Door's Cat' poetryroundabout.com/2026/10/01/n...

poetryroundabout.com

National Poetry Day 2026, Wonder Poem, John Dougherty Performs ‘Next Door’s Cat’

I love this performance, so it had to be here in the wonder line up!

031

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

Nicolette Jones @nicolettejones.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

#NewIllustrationOfTheDay. Half a spread by Leo Timmers from his stunning picturebook Kiki and me, Gecko Press 1 Oct, translated from Dutch by David Colmer. About the relationship between a horse and its owner. Skilled black-and-white drawings on other pages suggest Thelwell. @geckopress.bsky.social

0147

Books for Keeps, the children's books review journal @booksforkeeps.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

Happy #NationalPoetryDay! We hope you enjoy today whether you are celebrating in a school, a library or elsewhere. Click the link for a set of articles full of poetry inspiration – interviews, booklists, and the best ways to bring #poetry into your school. linktr.ee/booksforkeep...

136

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

ALCS @alcs.co.uk · 29/09/2026

Happy distribution! This week we're paying over £12million to over 30,000 writers 🙌🍂 We hope this autumn payment can make a bit of difference to our members - are you saving or spending yours?

4285

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

Nicolette Jones @nicolettejones.bsky.social · 30/09/2026

#NewIllustrationOfTheDay by Mikey Please from The Thieves Beneath The Floorboards, in which René finds a sharing solution to having accidentally occupied the territory of other creatures. Characteristically bold and odd. HarperCollins 10 Sept. @mikeyplease.bsky.social @harpercollins.bsky.social

053

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

Brian Moses @brianmosespoet.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

A poem a day till @PoetryDayUK This one is from chapter book in verse, 'I Am Ray's Imaginary Friend.' Details here: brian-moses.blogspot.com/2026/03/i-am...

032

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

Nicolette Jones @nicolettejones.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

#NewIllustrationOfTheDay by Emma Yarlett. Policeman‘s house from Finding Mister Tibbles, lift-the-flap picturebook with twists. Walker 10 Sept. Yarlett reminds us this is a drawing through irregular details (see the windows) that look like crayon. @emmayarlett.bsky.social @walkerbooksuk.bsky.social

063

Books for Keeps, the children's books review journal @booksforkeeps.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

Congratulations to the winners of The Week Junior Book Awards 2026 announced last night at a special ceremony in London. Jack Mackay's GLOAM bagged 2 awards with Paterson Joseph, Helen Rutter, Jamie Smart & Farhana Islam also taking home prizes 🎉 #KidLitUK booksforkeeps.co.uk/winners-of-t...

Graphic with photos of four of the winners of The Week Junior Book Awards: Jack Mackay, Farhana Islam, Paterson Joseph, Helen Rutter. Also logos of the sponsors The Bookseller, voxblock, CarverPR, Lovereading, Place2Be, The Week Junior Science and Nature, World Book Day, Go All In the National Year of Reading.

163

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

Brian Moses @brianmosespoet.bsky.social · 28/09/2026

New blog post: A new poem on the theme of 'Wonder' for @PoetryDayUK brian-moses.blogspot.com

032

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

Viv Schwarz @vivschwarz.bsky.social · 28/09/2026

I just re-opened my shop to sell some signed books... and original art. Scrappy cats, painted by hand, for you, go get one! I will add all of the ones in this picture today and then see if I can paint a few more... (I am raising some money to aircon my flat here.) vivschwarz.bigcartel.com

Colourful cats painted on scrap paper and cut out.

27325

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

Nicolette Jones @nicolettejones.bsky.social · 28/09/2026

#NewIllustrationOfTheDay by Shinzo Nagasaki from The Squirrel Family’s Treehouse in The Mobile Construction Company series, for readers who love diggers & other construction vehicles (this is a grab loader). In a naive style with sticky-looking paint. Do Re Mi Books 24 Sept @doremibooks.bsky.social

073

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

These Times @thesetimesride.bsky.social · 27/09/2026

My 13 year old read all of his books and we just discovered his latest 2026 book Like a Brother. It's next on the list! Lessore's books are refreshingly contemporary and just great for secondary school teens. #booksky #middlegrade #yalit #childrensbook

061

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

Barbara Bleiman @barbarableiman.bsky.social · 27/09/2026

English teachers, this is for you! A free @engmediacentre.bsky.social download resource for @poetrydayuk.bsky.social this Thursday. It's a ready-made, doable activity, for KS3-5, fully resourced, with poems on 'Wonder' that offer our own angle on the theme. www.englishandmedia.co.uk/blog/nationa...

englishandmedia.co.uk

National Poetry Day 2026, Thursday October 1st –An EMC Activity

Wonder – an EMC resource for National Poetry Day 2026.

0126

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

Brian Moses @brianmosespoet.bsky.social · 27/09/2026

Primary Teachers: If you need a poetry input, but having a writer in school is too expensive, why not try an online session with someone who has 40 years experience of delivering poetry to children. Poems, percussion, Q&A, plus ideas for writing. Details: brian-moses.blogspot.com/2026/05/virt...

brian-moses.blogspot.com

Welcome to the Ssssssnake Hotel

Virtual Sessions: BRIAN MOSES ‘One of the nation’s favourite children’s poets” - Poetry Archive. “Moses is a brilliant poet and his wel...

042

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

Nicolette Jones @nicolettejones.bsky.social · 27/09/2026

#NewIllustrationOfTheDay by Cambridge School of Art MA Lyndsay Roberts Rayne. From The Messenger, an almost wordless picturebook telling the tale of a beloved dog trained to carry messages in the 1st World War. Making rich use of texture & light. Bloomsbury 24 Sept. @bloomsburybooksuk.bsky.social

073

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

Nicolette Jones @nicolettejones.bsky.social · 26/09/2026

#NewIllustrationOfTheDay by Petr Horacek from his picturebook How to Scare Blue Monster (he has never been afraid). Energetic image hand-made from media including collage, printing stamps, wax crayon, pencil, inks. Otter-Barry Books 26 Sept. @petrhoracek2025.bsky.social @otterbarrybooks.bsky.social

2227

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

Nicolette Jones @nicolettejones.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

#NewIllustrationOfTheDay by Emily Sutton from Rewild, a poem by the late Benjamin Zephaniah. The figures, among teeming decoration, echo medieval art, as the child in the blue top travels through time to a hopeful present. Magic Cat 17 Sept. @emilysutton.bsky.social @magiccatpublishing.bsky.social

0134

Books for Keeps, the children's books review journal @booksforkeeps.bsky.social · 24/09/2026

Shortlists for the Diverse Book Awards have been announced incl a new children’s category: non-fiction. #TheDBAwards highlight ‘outstanding diverse and inclusive books’ published by authors based in the UK & Ireland 2026. Congrats to all on the lists! #KidLitUK booksforkeeps.co.uk/seventh-dive...

178

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

Rob Biddulph @robbiddulph.bsky.social · 24/09/2026

The Last Wolf paperback is out in the wild TODAY! Beware the moon... 🐺 👉https://tinyurl.com/pjnzfm6v

011

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

Nicolette Jones @nicolettejones.bsky.social · 24/09/2026

#NewIllustrationOfTheDay by Bulgarian illustrator Kalina Muhova, based in Rome, & working in pastel & pencil crayon. From Footprints, with text by Stephen Davies telling the story of Mary Leakey’s discovery of Lucy, from a species between ape and human. Post Wave 17 Sept. @postwavebooks.bsky.social

076

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

Letterbox Library @letterboxlibrary.bsky.social · 24/09/2026

UK Primary/EY Teachers- Our newsletter! www.letterboxlibrary.com/subscribers Stay connected and enjoy member-only discounts. Latest issue includes: TRIBUTE to our new Children's Laureate TIPS: selecting Black History titles BOOK PACKS: new and updated OFFER: on our Black History Book Pack KS1/2

022

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

Clare Pollard @poetclare.bsky.social · 23/09/2026

🏛️🏺🏛️https://booksforkeeps.co.uk/review/greek-goddess-diaries/

booksforkeeps.co.uk

Greek Goddess Diaries – Books For Keeps

111