iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Clive McFarland @clivemcf.bsky.social · 14/09/2026

Out now! Nowhere for a Ghost to Sleep is officially out in the world. I’ve loved collaborating with @erikamcgann.bsky.social over three books now. This one is about a little ghost in search of a place to belong. I hope you will check it out 👻 Thank you @theobrienpress.bsky.social

Book cover featuring a white ghost against a black background

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Clive McFarland @clivemcf.bsky.social · 07/02/2026

Howdy folks! I’m so excited to share that the brilliant Nick Jonas will be reading a book I illustrated on TV tonight! Tune in to CBeebies at 6.50pm with your little ones for a very special reading of The Ballad of Cactus Joe! 🤠❤️ @oxfordchildrens.bsky.social

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Clive McFarland @clivemcf.bsky.social · 20/11/2025

Happy #BookWeekScotland! We’re super excited that every P2 child in Scotland is receiving a copy of The Ballad of Cactus Joe. That’s a lot of books in the hands of young readers! I hope everyone enjoys the story. Thank you @scottishbooktrust.bsky.social @oxfordchildrens.bsky.social #readwritecount 💙

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Clive McFarland @clivemcf.bsky.social · 01/11/2025

It’s been a fun week of spooky paper cut-out workshops with @librariesni.bsky.social. Here are a few of the many pictures we made.

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Clive McFarland @clivemcf.bsky.social · 01/11/2025

Had such a nice evening at the launch for The Cloud Kingdom at No Alibis Bookstore in Belfast last week. It's published by @littleislandbooks.bsky.social - an Irish independent publisher that makes beautiful books. Check it out! @matthewpb.bsky.social

Photo of crowd at book launch in bookshop

Books The Cloud Kingdom by Maire Zepf and Andrew Whitson

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Clive McFarland @clivemcf.bsky.social · 12/09/2025

I’ve added my name to the Children’s Authors, Illustrators, & Educators Statement on Palestine. It's crucial that voices from the world of children's literature advocate for peace & humanity. Will you join us? 👉 statement-on-palestine.org @joseph-nhanoreilly.bsky.social @chrishaughton.bsky.social

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Clive McFarland @clivemcf.bsky.social · 10/09/2025

Happy 25th birthday to The Illustrators Guild of Ireland 🎉🥂 Thank you for a quarter century of championing Irish illustrators! Here’s to continuing advocating for illustrators as we navigate the challenges of a rapidly changing creative industry.

Paper cut out illustration of a blue duck walking with a large paper marbled textured balloon.

Work in progress photo of paper cut out illustration

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Clive McFarland @clivemcf.bsky.social · 05/07/2025

Grab a copy of the special Northern Ireland issue of Inis magazine. @whackochacko.bsky.social and I talk about the importance of community and why we set up Illustrators North. Big thanks to @childrensbooksireland.ie!

Photo of Clive McFarland and Ashwin Chacko

Group photo of illustrators in Northern Ireland at a recent Illustrators North event

Illustration of characters holding a pencil

Inis magazine cover featuring a scene of the Giants Causeway and a grandad and child by Ellan Rankin

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Clive McFarland @clivemcf.bsky.social · 05/06/2025

Hi, I'm Clive! An Irish author/illustrator creating picture books full of colour, texture, and warmth. Happy #KidLitArtPostcard day! 🐸🐸 www.clivemcfarland.com #kidlitart #childrensbooks

Two frogs happily swimming underwater in an inky blue and green pond

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Clive McFarland @clivemcf.bsky.social · 15/05/2025

Published in Scottish Gaelic 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 #childrensbooks #kidlit #illustration

A book shelf with a picture book featuring a Cactus character on the cover, a co-edition of The Ballad of Cactus Joe

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Clive McFarland @clivemcf.bsky.social · 06/04/2025

Had a blast at Bologna Children’s Book Fair with lovely creative pals. It was nice to see my latest books on the stands and meet so many new people! Excited to create new work! ✏️ #BCBF25

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Clive McFarland @clivemcf.bsky.social · 01/04/2025

Excited for day 2 of Bologna Children’s Book Festival! #BCBF25 @eriberart.bsky.social

Photograph of illustrators Erin McClean and Clive McFarland

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Clive McFarland @clivemcf.bsky.social · 18/03/2025

I love this little handbook by @whackochacko.bsky.social on how to stay creatively motivated. It’s brilliant! I keep referring back to it.  whackochacko.com/shop/

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Clive McFarland @clivemcf.bsky.social · 18/03/2025

Thank you @kipalizadeh.net for a copy of your lovely new picture book. Kip’s tender and textured illustrations are beautiful.✨ You can find it in your local bookshop right now! ✨

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Clive McFarland @clivemcf.bsky.social · 17/03/2025

Happy St Patrick’s Day! One from a few years back ☘️✨ #kidlitart #kidlit #illustration

A little garden knome walks through tall colourful flowers, grass, ladybirds and a shamrock

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Clive McFarland @clivemcf.bsky.social · 12/03/2025

I’m excited to attend Bologna Children’s Book Fair for the first time with new art and story ideas! Looking forward to seeing lots of inspiring kids books and connecting with publishers and fellow creatives. If you’ll be there too, I’d love the chance to meet in person! #BCBF25 #kidlitart

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Clive McFarland @clivemcf.bsky.social · 06/03/2025

Happy #kidlitartpostcard day and World Book Day, everyone! It’s great to see so much beautiful children’s book art on BlueSky. I’m Clive, an Irish author/illustrator, ready for new projects 😊 #kidlitart #childrensbooks #illustration

Silhouette of a frog sitting on a rock. Looking at a yellow and pink sunset

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Clive McFarland @clivemcf.bsky.social · 02/01/2025

My first #KidLitArtPostcard! Hello everyone. I’m Clive, an Irish author/illustrator currently seeking fun new projects. ☀️☘️ ✏️ clivemcfarland.com Rep’d by The Bright Agency #Kidlitart #Kidlit #Illustration

An anthropomorphic cloud wearing a hat strolls along a pebbled footpath under a cloudy blue sky. Puddles on the ground reflect the passing clouds overhead.

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Clive McFarland @clivemcf.bsky.social · 25/12/2024

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays everyone! ❄️

A young boy in a red coat encounters a fox on a snowy day. The background is a red brick wall with a Harland and Wolff Belfast crane in the skyline

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Clive McFarland @clivemcf.bsky.social · 28/11/2024

Congrats to the brilliant Jenni at @littleacornsbooks.bsky.social in Derry for winning the hugely deserved Irish Book Awards BOOKSHOP OF THE YEAR! ✨✨✨✨✨ If you're in Derry, don't miss a visit! Stacked to the rafters with new and used kids’ book gems 💎📚 #APIBA #ReadersWanted #StoriesMakeUs

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Clive McFarland @clivemcf.bsky.social · 21/11/2024

Also picked up a copy of Jonty Howley’s gorgeous new book, Cub ✨

Book cover featuring a happy lion with a young boy character perched on its head

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Clive McFarland @clivemcf.bsky.social · 21/11/2024

Thank you to Ashling Lindsay for including me in the dedication of her beautiful new picture book, The Other Side of The Valley. I’m thrilled! ❤️

Photograph of the book cover for The Other Side of the Valley featuring a mythical scene of a beautiful valley

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Clive McFarland @clivemcf.bsky.social · 15/11/2024

My first spotting of ‘Peachick’ in the wild at No Alibis Bookstore Belfast ☺️🦚 #kidlitart #illustration #picturebooks #kidlitartUK

Photo of a bookshop shelf. The book cover depicts a girl walking with zany and imaginary creatures like a pear chick, sock chick and umbrella chick. A peacock looks in from the book spine.

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Clive McFarland @clivemcf.bsky.social · 08/11/2024

Hello everyone! Thanks for following me. I hope to engage more on this platform :) #kidlit #kidlitart #illustration #picturebook #illustrator

Sketchbook pencil doodle of friendly antropromorphic characters of trees

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Clive McFarland @clivemcf.bsky.social · 24/11/2023

With author Erika McGann at the Irish Book Awards. Thank you to everyone who voted for us. We didn’t take home an award, but we had a brilliant time. Congrats to all the winners! 🎉🎉 #APIBA #IrishBookAwards

Author Erika McGann and Illustrator Clive McFarland pictured on the green carpet of the Irish Book Awards ceremony

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Clive McFarland @clivemcf.bsky.social · 02/11/2023

Erika McGann and I are in the running for the “Children’s Book of the Year Jr” at the An Post Irish Book Awards! Your vote for "Standing On One Leg is Hard" would be so appreciated: irishbookawards.ie/vote Every vote truly makes a difference! 📚😊🙏

a heron chick runs and leaps with its eyes closed as it chases a butterfly

The book cover for ‘Standing On One Leg is Hard’ featuring a little heron chick looking out at the reader whilst an adult heron looks in from above

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Clive McFarland @clivemcf.bsky.social · 10/10/2023

Hi #PortfolioDay 👋 I'm an Irish author/illustrator passionate about crafting picture books, board books, and more. Check out some of my textured illustrations featuring animal characters. 😊 I'm eager to illustrate new stories. clivemcfarland.com

A bat hangs upside down on a branch, looking down.

A heron chick tumbles backwards into the water creating a splash

Two mice sleep under blankets in front of starry night sky window

Frog brings a letter to Mole on a snowy night. A textured scene of a tree.

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