iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

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Louie Stowell @louiestowell.bsky.social · 1h

Giving children access to incredible art like this is wonderful. I'm glad that tradition is being upheld in children's in mags like Storytime and the Phoenix. Tho I'd like em darker and edgier, as you say, like this. This book does that for me: littletiger.co.uk/product/the-...

littletiger.co.uk

The Worst Thing That Could Possibly Happen - Little Tiger

I have a question.What’s the worst thing that could happen?Wait.Before you decide, let me tell you a story… Take a trip through the sideways door and let supernatural secrets come alive in these chill...

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Olaf Falafel @ofalafel.bsky.social · 53m

I feel seen (or haven’t seen) bsky.app/profile/ofal...

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Lucy Antal aka Grab Your Spoon @lucyantal.bsky.social · 14h

My local supermarket has done that annoying thing of moving everything round. But I note they have also substantially reduced the ingredients shop shelves to create more room for ready meals, pizzas, dips, chips etc. This is displeasing to me.

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Lucy Antal aka Grab Your Spoon @lucyantal.bsky.social · 06/10/2026

Only £47 needed to hit £2500!! 💚🍐🍏🥦🫛🥒🚌

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Animation Obsessive @ani-obsessive.bsky.social · 06/10/2026

Nick Park spent the '80s making A Grand Day Out mostly alone. It was a school project that got out of hand -- he wanted to quit many times. But Park stuck with it and fulfilled his dream of bringing a cinematic feel to stop motion. We explore: animationobsessive.substack.com/p/wallace-an...

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Jamie Smart @jamiesmart.bsky.social · 06/10/2026

I’m doing a live drawalong event in Bath on 2nd November as part of the literary festival! I think it’s going to be the biggest show I’ve done yet, and every attendee gets an exclusive poster. Here’s the flyer, that’s someone else’s hand, and here are the tickets www.bathforum.co.uk/whats-on/jam...

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Phil M 🦻🏼💚 🍉 🏳️‍⚧️ 🇵🇸 @phillm.bsky.social · 05/10/2026

When they talk about reducing red tape, remember this image.

Grenfell Tower, a black smouldering carcass of the building shorty after the fire, in 2017.

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Tom Gauld @tomgauld.bsky.social · 04/10/2026

My latest books cartoon for @theguardian.com

Title: Just announced! Three new Gruffalo books commissioned from bestselling authors!

Lee Chilld:
The Gruffalo just wants a quiet life, but when a crime syndicate moves into the deep dark wood, he must use his terrible claws and the terrible teeth in his terrible jaws to protect the fellow.

Sally Rooney:
The Gruffalo moves to contemporary Dublin. He
ill ever see past his orange eyes, purple prickles and poisonous wart.

Kazuo Ishiguro:
After a long absence, the gruffalo returns to the forest and attempts to make sense of his past. Encounters with a mouse, a fox, an owl and a snake uncover long-buried memories, regrets and revelations.

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The New Yorker @newyorker.com · 04/10/2026

A cartoon by Rose Anne Prevec.

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Frank Cottrell-Boyce @frankcottrellboyce.bsky.social · 04/10/2026

Hi John i'm no expert but I think that looks more like a miraculous medal. The Legion of Mary had a badge that look quite ... legionnary .... (but like I said no expert). Dad remember the Legion prayers well into his dementia

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eolaí the artist @eolai.bsky.social · 27/08/2026

Back to an Irish landscape #painting "Muckish from Falcarragh" Once upon a time I regularly had a 12 km cycle to buy milk when I'd made a pot of tea and realised I was without milk - again. This was a view on the rush back to the waiting pot. I lived in a cottage beside the gap. #SpéirGhorm #ArtYear

Panorama format in painterly acrylics on canvas. A whale-shaped mountain of blue with purple sits against a painterly canary yellow sky. In front runs a brown-green lilac ridge, fading to the right edge with a pass a little left of the centre of the painting through to the left edge of the mountain. In front of the ridge is a strip of bog then a road left to right dotted with white cottages between the line of dark bushes and trees. From there about two dozen green fields run parallel down a slope towards the viewer, separated by small dark hedgerows, until they go out of sight behind a near hedgerow of dark blue and purple which runs across the full width of the painting and marks the edge of 2 warm green fields which run horizontally sloping up to the right a little and separated by smaller similarly coloured hedgerow. Signed bottom right in dark blue on the bright green field, Liam Daly

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Why Don't YouTube? @whydontyoutube.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

30 YEARS AGO TODAY: Paul Abbott, Frank Cottrell Boyce and Russell T Davies were all involved in Sky One supernatural soap Springhill, which went from angels to the Second Coming and required a five minute launch trailer. www.youtube.com/watch?v=XraX...

youtube.com

Springhill trailer

A trailer for the drama Springhill, created by Paul Abbott and Frank Cottrell Boyce, for Sky 1.

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Andy Murray @mrgeetsromo.bsky.social · 02/10/2026

"This is Manchester, we do things differently here." We all know the quote, but where did it *really* come from - and what's it got to do with esteemed British character actor Cyril Shaps? Read on and find out... www.northernsoul.me.uk/24-hour-part...

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Patrick Ness @patricknessbooks.bsky.social · 02/10/2026

I'm on at the Cheltenham Book Festival on October 15th at 6pm, just under two weeks from now. Come see me! I'll be the tall, tired one. Tix below. www.cheltenhamfestivals.org/events/patri...

cheltenhamfestivals.org

Patrick Ness: Return to Chaos Walking | Cheltenham Festivals

Something is coming. Patrick Ness, an icon of YA Science Fiction, returns to the Chaos Walking universe which is still far from a utopia. A burning god tea

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Ian McMillan @imcmillan.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/.... Evening stroll soundtrack: this excellent edition of In Our Time on Casablanca. @bbcsounds.bsky.social

bbc.co.uk

In Our Time - Casablanca - BBC Sounds

The classic 1942 movie that convinced Americans the Second World War was worth fighting.

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Frank Cottrell-Boyce @frankcottrellboyce.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

By far the best Irish film is 35-a-Side by Damien O'Donnell. What about Sing Street, Song of the Sea and Frank (Lennie abramson)

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maura quint @mauraquint.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

Yes every woman has been harassed, many assaulted. But every woman has also experienced invisible loss from moments she avoided harassment. She felt a space becoming unsafe, so she left, while men stayed on. And in leaving, she lost: opportunities, experiences, learning, promotions, even simply fun.

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Heather Burns @heatherburnstech.bsky.social · 30/09/2026

As per my previous blogging about real history being age-gated, a folk song merely about the 1966 Aberfan disaster now requires age verification. Which is a fairly awful irony. Chapeau @cjforms.bsky.social

YouTube screen cap showing “sign in to confirm your age. This video may be inappropriate for some users”. The song is about Aberfan.

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Patrick Ness @patricknessbooks.bsky.social · 28/09/2026

New Lizards book! Out October 8th! Genuinely think it’s one of the best books I’ve ever written. Brilliantly illustrated by Tim Miller.

Cover of The Pelican and His Blimp by Patrick Ness. Plus the author in socks and sandals but he has a cold, so don’t judge

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Mark Thompson @markreckons.bsky.social · 24/09/2026

Just seen Danny Tommo referred to as "Captain Thugwash" and seriously, that's excellent work.

static.klipy.com

Amy Poehler's Perfect Chef's Kiss

ALT: Amy Poehler's Perfect Chef's Kiss

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kottke.org @kottke.org · 23/09/2026

Engaging read on how the Bugs Bunny cartoon What’s Opera, Doc? was made. “To get the extra work done, Jones and his crew secretly shaved a couple weeks off other, easier films and faked their time cards. It was something they did on occasion.” [animationobsessive.substack.com]

animationobsessive.substack.com

Why ‘What’s Opera, Doc?’ Looks Like That

It’s one of the really famous cartoons. If you’re reading this newsletter, you’ve probably watched it yourself. After almost 70 years, What’s Opera, Doc? endures.

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Fleur Hitchcock @fleurhitchcock.bsky.social · 21/09/2026

Oh my word, been a big reading weekend, just begun this wonder. Highly recommend! Fascinating and a MUST READ! Yesterday finished Cut him Out in Little Stars by Lucy Strange and oh! My heart!!! So good. Officially a teen book but my mum and her friend Vicky would have loved it

Photo of "A British Childhood" how our children live now by Frank Cottrell-Boyce.

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Steve Gale @stevewg.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

Colley Hill, Surrey: coffee break from birding the steep scrub. Love the plaque on the bench I’m sitting on

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Tagtiv8 @tagtiv8.bsky.social · 21/09/2026

There are books where we make lots of notes. Then there’s this awesome book from @frankcottrellboyce.bsky.social where there are so many notes and bookmarks 🥰 A must read for all teachers and parents - even more so for policymakers and politicians. #edusky

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Matt Miller @mattmiller.bsky.social · 20/09/2026

a comic by Russ Heath, who drew the comic one of Lichtenstein’s most famous panels was based on

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Adam Rutherford @adamrutherford.bsky.social · 21/09/2026

I’m back on Start the Week on BBC Radio 4 at 9: Carlo Rovelli on philosophy and physics, Lavinia Greenlaw on difficulty in poetry, and James Graham’s new play about John Maynard Keynes. Stick that heady mix in yer podcast pipe. How lucky we are to have the BBC.

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Lesley Watts @ljwattswales.bsky.social · 18/09/2026

Four books that feature dogs - from the cute to the heartbreaking (teenage edition). More info in ALT text. #KidsBooksFriday

Sputnik’s Guide to Life on Earth by Frank Cottrell Boyce. Everyone believes Sputnik is a dog but only Prez knows he is a kilt-wearing visitor from another planet. Adorable and funny.

Bitter Sixteen by Stefan Mohamed (for older teenagers) Daryl is no ordinary talking dog - he is a film fan and full of advice for 15 year old Stanly who finds having growing superpowers when you live in a small town in Mid-Wales can be a challenge.

Outwalkers by Fiona Shaw. England has become a police state and Jake and his beloved dog Jet must escape by walking to Scotland to find freedom. Tense and packed with incident.

The Knife of Never Letting Go by Patrick Ness. On a world where you can hear everyone’s thoughts, Todd and his dog Manchee one day discover a patch of silence and a breathtaking adventure begins.

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Cartoon Brew @cartoonbrew.bsky.social · 18/09/2026

The first trailer for 'Animation Mavericks: The Forgotten Story of UPA' has arrived, and without a press release or marketing push, it has already drawn more than 40,000 YouTube views in a week. We can't wait to see it when it releases in early 2027. www.cartoonbrew.com/documentary-...

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Frank Cottrell-Boyce @frankcottrellboyce.bsky.social · 18/09/2026

Thinnest hotel in the World, neighbour of the best sweetshop

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Carole Cadwalladr @carolecadwalla.bsky.social · 15/09/2026

The Observer announced another share issue today for an additional £10m funding as print circulation drops from 114k to 90k. It’s notable that in the same time period I have built a circulation of 124k for my personal Substack..having set it up amid fears I would lose my job (as I in fact did).

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Patrick Ness @patricknessbooks.bsky.social · 14/09/2026

Today I started writing CHRONICLES OF A LIZARD NOBODY book 4. Honestly, I have never felt the joy and love in writing that I do when I write these middle grade books about my little weirdos. I'd write them forever.

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cwalshuk.bsky.social @cwalshuk.bsky.social · 15/09/2026

ICYMI: @frankcottrellboyce.bsky.social interview on Front Row about his (then-upcoming) @waterstones.bsky.social Children's Laureate Lecture and launching the new Children's Booker Prize is still available: www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...

bbc.co.uk

Front Row - Children's Laureate Frank Cottrell-Boyce on the new Children's Booker Prize - BBC Sounds

Children's Laureate Frank Cottrell-Boyce on the power of books and Kae Tempest's new novel

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Frank Cottrell-Boyce @frankcottrellboyce.bsky.social · 15/09/2026

pssport to Pimlico - of course we're British that's why we're holding out for our right to be French

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Frank Cottrell-Boyce @frankcottrellboyce.bsky.social · 11/09/2026

Where I saw it. Ears still wince when I walk by.

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Frank Cottrell-Boyce @frankcottrellboyce.bsky.social · 11/09/2026

One made a similar light-hearted suggestion - it's the only time I've suffered serious social media abuse - btw almost none of them could distinguish between general usage and social media. SSeemed to think that if they were banned from social media, they'd never been able to get Just Eat again.

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Frank Cottrell-Boyce @frankcottrellboyce.bsky.social · 11/09/2026

It was so good to be reminded of that unforgetable bang in the Diana Rigg Medea!!! Was beginning to think my memory had amplified it

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Ben McKenzie @benmckenzie.bsky.social · 10/09/2026

This is literally a plot point in “It Can’t Happen Here” by Sinclair Lewis. Written in 1935, it predicts the rise of a fascist populist who promises each family $5,000 per year if he’s elected.

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tbuktwo67.bsky.social @tbuktwo67.bsky.social · 10/09/2026

#DoctorWho Random fake Target covers.

Edit. Doctor Who fake Target cover, Gridlock Russell T Davies.

Edit. Doctor Who fake Target cover, Smile by Frank Cottrell-Boyce.

Edit. Doctor Who fake Target cover, Vincent and The Doctor by Richard Curtis.

Edit. Doctor Who fake Target cover, Tooth and Claw by Russell T Davies.

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Lucy Antal aka Grab Your Spoon @lucyantal.bsky.social · 10/09/2026

The barbarians are at the gates again. Liverpool Council is proposing to cut library opening hours, removing early evenings & weekends. Have you seen this @frankcottrellboyce.bsky.social ?

Liverpool City Council is consulting on plan for further cuts to opening hours at Allerton Library, and other libraries across the city.

Allerton would close at 5pm, instead of 6pm on weekdays, and close for lunch on Saturdays. It would remain closed on Thursdays and Sundays.

Elsewhere, Central Library would cease to open on Sundays and close at 5pm instead of 8pm most evenings.

Childwall would close at 5pm instead of 6m, and remain closed at the weekend.

The proposed changes will make it difficult for people who work during the day to use our libraries, and for children/young people who use libraries as a quiet place to study or do homework.

You can have your say on the council's plans at https://www.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/LibraryOpeningHours2026

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David Quantick @quantick.bsky.social · 10/09/2026

Come see me talk! (Hat not included) www.hastingsbookfest.org/events/david...

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Alastair Gittner @agittner.bsky.social · 09/09/2026

I was alerted to its "adult value" by this podcast. It is taking a break at the moment but there is an extensive back catalogue and the presenters are such enthusiasts about reading and books. @backlisted.bsky.social www.backlisted.fm/episodes/247...

backlisted.fm

247. The Tombs of Atuan by Ursula K. Le Guin — Backlisted

Ursula K. Le Guin’s The Tombs of Atuan (1971), the second Earthsea novel, is the subject of this episode. Joining Una and Andy is writer Frank Cottrell-Boyce , current Children’s Laureate. We loo...

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Carole Cadwalladr @carolecadwalla.bsky.social · 09/09/2026

NEW: Cryptobillionaire Christopher Harborne - the man who gave Farage £5m - has quietly dropped his defamation suit against @wsj.com over this 2023 article 👇 1/

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David Osland @davidosland.bsky.social · 07/09/2026

The RNLI isn't subsidised by the taxpayer. Some people seem to be getting them mixed up with Eton, Harrow and Winchester.

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Derf Backderf @derfbackderf.bsky.social · 15/11/2025

65 years ago on Nov. 14, little Ruby Bridges was escorted into an all-white elementary school in New Orleans. Norman Rockwell, renowned for blissful depictions of Americana, did this remarkable painting for Look magazine. Printed as a double page, over-size spread, it's his masterpiece.

Norman Rockwell painting, depicting little Roby Bridges being escorted into a school by Feds. Racial slurs are pained on the wall behind here. A thrown tomato lies on the ground.

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Richard Wells @slipperyjack.bsky.social · 07/09/2026

I'm in Abbots Bromley for the horn dance (pics later), but I'm bringing something back... Look what I found in the village church second-hand bookshop. All first editions. £1 a pop ✨..!

Penguin first edition paperbacks of Nigel Kneale's The Quatermass Experiment, Quatermass II and Quatermass and the Pit

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