iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Karl Duke @karlduke8.bsky.social · 28/05/2026

No new publication brings me as much excitement as the next Shaun Tan. #shauntan #hometown

Karl Duke @karlduke8.bsky.social · 21/05/2026

Reading #katyabalen first book for adults: Our Numbered Bones was a no brainer after loving so many of her children’s books over the years. A powerful and emotional read. And what a cover. @canongate.co.uk

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Karl Duke @karlduke8.bsky.social · 22/04/2026

Inspired by Catherine Doyle’s The Storm Keeper’s Island children have been experimenting with paint and brush techniques to create storm paintings. Very proud of our young artists. #primaryart #stormpaintings #art #lighthousepaintings #creativity #catherinedoyle #stormkeeper

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Karl Duke @karlduke8.bsky.social · 20/03/2026

One of the great joys in life is teaching art. With inspiration from The Lost Words and a touch of Ben Rothery it’s very easy. So proud of our Y5/6 children. #primaryart #artteaching #thelostwords #jackiemorris #benrothery

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Karl Duke @karlduke8.bsky.social · 15/03/2026

I think when I’m hobbling around without my own teeth and original knees I’ll still be buying #joetoddstanton books. His latest is a wonderful story told in his own incredible illustrative style. My favourite? Quite possibly. #picturebooks #thelostrobot #teaching

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Karl Duke @karlduke8.bsky.social · 09/03/2026

After a brilliant #worldbookday second-hand book sale last week we used the money collected to buy a fantastic collection of comic books from The Rabbit Hole. The children love them! #comicbooks #wbd2026

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Karl Duke @karlduke8.bsky.social · 07/03/2026

A wonderful sight at the rubbish tip today. In the stink for Mr Stink’s books. #walliams

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Karl Duke @karlduke8.bsky.social · 06/03/2026

I’d love to see Botticelli’s Apprentice as a Studio Ghibli style animation.

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Karl Duke @karlduke8.bsky.social · 03/03/2026

Pleasure to host creative Ben Rothery on his Lincolnshire tour. He may have found his illustrations plastered all over the house! He delivered a brilliant science/art workshop to our Y5/6 class too! 🦋🐟🐞🦊🦍🐘

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Karl Duke @karlduke8.bsky.social · 12/02/2026

After just watching the women’s halfpipe and how the athletes pick themselves up from horrendous falls, footballers (absolute wimps) need to take a long hard look at themselves. The commentary is exceptional by the way. #winterolympics #halfpipe

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Karl Duke @karlduke8.bsky.social · 06/02/2026

Almost 50 books donated to school by one of our families this week. With budgets as they are this kindness is essential. #schoolbudgets #thankful #reading #schoollibrary

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Karl Duke @karlduke8.bsky.social · 08/01/2026

A brilliant morning @lincolnbishopuni.bsky.social working with the #PGCE students focusing on the use of picture books in the primary classroom. A fantastically enthusiastic group. I provided the quality books and they provided superb ideas for their use across the curriculum #teaching #inspire

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Karl Duke @karlduke8.bsky.social · 23/12/2025

Watching an old-fashioned gem with a glass of Old-Fashioned. Guess I’ve started to relax after a busy old term. #whitechristmas #oldfashioned #holiday

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Karl Duke @karlduke8.bsky.social · 13/12/2025

A very special personal film (it’s forever on my arm) and seeing it on the stage in the West End was an absolute joy. Beautiful. Clever. Funny. Magical. Jawdropping. Puppet masters! #myneighbortotoro #totoro #studioghibli

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Karl Duke @karlduke8.bsky.social · 09/12/2025

Children started their #benrothery inspired swallows today. I’m going to need to create a gallery. They’re gaining confidence using new techniques which is a joy. #primaryart #loveteaching #natureart #wildlifeart @dalmain-art.bsky.social

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Karl Duke @karlduke8.bsky.social · 02/12/2025

Inspired by #jackiemorris and #benrothery the children are producing some incredible art this term in Y5/6. #wildlife #wildlifeart #thelostspells #thelostwords #primaryart #sketchbooks Reading inspires Art!

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Karl Duke @karlduke8.bsky.social · 30/11/2025

I adore the artwork of #angelaharding and spending a couple of hours reading A Year Unfolding has been bliss. Just a beautiful collection of her printmaking celebrating our gorgeous countryside. #art #natureart #wildlife #conservation #bbcwildlife @nationaltrust.org.uk @chrisgpackham.bsky.social

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Karl Duke @karlduke8.bsky.social · 14/11/2025

The children (and adults) absolutely loved #adambaron today. He was gripping to listen to and his new book The Very Last Christmas Present has been borrowed by so many children already. Thanks again to the brilliant Rabbit Hole for organising the visit. #authorvisits #reading

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Karl Duke @karlduke8.bsky.social · 11/11/2025

I’m loving contributing to @teachprimarymag.bsky.social by sharing some of the successful reading-inspired learning and outcomes in our curriculum #primary

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Karl Duke @karlduke8.bsky.social · 10/11/2025

I think the painting of the branch this kingfisher is sitting on is one of the best examples of watercolour I’ve seen a child do. It’s beautiful - look at the range of colours #primaryart #watercolour #thelostwords

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Karl Duke @karlduke8.bsky.social · 10/11/2025

Brilliant to see the vocabulary generation Detail Detectives strategy ‘Jig-saw’ used in Willow Class today. A fantastic way to collect more words than you normally would to help build narrative. Creating grids to organise ideas. #detaildetectives Get in touch if you want more info #primarywriting

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Karl Duke @karlduke8.bsky.social · 02/11/2025

On a graphic novel marathon this weekend and #macsmith #Scurry is the latest. The artwork is astonishing and after reading the #graphicnovel of #WatershipDown I could see some similarities - it’s a brilliant piece of work.

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Karl Duke @karlduke8.bsky.social · 01/11/2025

A re-read of one of my favourite #graphicnovels @jasonreynolds83.bsky.social incredibly powerful #LongWayDown. The artwork by Danica Novgorodoff grips you, breaks your heart and visually helps delivers the emotional punch of Jason’s words. A breathtaking adaptation.

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Karl Duke @karlduke8.bsky.social · 01/11/2025

The #graphicnovel adaptation of Richard Adam’s #watershipdown is a visual treat. It’s extremely faithful to the original and is structured superbly. A morning of absolute bliss with the expected emotional rollercoaster of a journey. Masterpiece. @puffinbooksuk.bsky.social

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Karl Duke @karlduke8.bsky.social · 31/10/2025

As a lover of both #graphicnovels and #art Botticelli’s Apprentice by @umurrayhusted.bsky.social was a brilliant afternoon’s read. Particularly liked the explanations of art techniques from the period. Recommend for all but teachers of art in #primary or #secondary will love it.

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Karl Duke @karlduke8.bsky.social · 16/10/2025

So delighted for the brilliant well-deserving creators on the #AstridLindgren Memorial Award List. Amazing to see friends and visitors to our school on there. 🥳🤩😄Must be a gremlin somewhere though as that Walliams has somehow got on it. He’ll never have a book in our school. 😤😩

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Karl Duke @karlduke8.bsky.social · 15/10/2025

When the worlds of @philearle and #fredfordham collide wonderful things should happen and the #graphicnovel adaptation of When the Sky Falls does not disappoint. The strength of the story is delivered brilliantly through Fordham’s (check out A Wizard of Earthsea) stunning artwork. #whentheskyfalls

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Karl Duke @karlduke8.bsky.social · 14/10/2025

Our brilliant nature studies! Weeks of fabulous careful modelled artwork.

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Karl Duke @karlduke8.bsky.social · 12/10/2025

Having met the brilliant #lizhyder at #nolimits festival I thought I’d better start reading her books! Bearmouth grabbed me and didn’t let go creating scene after scene of courage against such a cruel regime. In Newt we have one of my fave ever characters. Astonishing #bearmouth @pushkinpress.com

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Karl Duke @karlduke8.bsky.social · 11/10/2025

Love my #musicals #westend but I think I’ve heard the best collaborative vocals ever tonight in an absolutely brilliant performance of #Justforoneday #LiveAid Wow!

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Karl Duke @karlduke8.bsky.social · 29/09/2025

Ah - love to see that. We’ve created two similar displays in our two sites.

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Karl Duke @karlduke8.bsky.social · 28/09/2025

Rob & Tom Sears created one of the best/ quirkiest NF ever in The Biggest Footprint and their new book A Tree is a Time Machine is equally exceptional. A tree contemplates the passing of time and it made me smile and go Wow! Genius. @smithsmm.bsky.social @checkemoutbooks.bsky.social

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Karl Duke @karlduke8.bsky.social · 27/09/2025

I’ve waited for the second book by brothers Rob & Tom Sears for years after the brilliantly imaginative The Biggest Footprint. And it’s been worth it. I’ll share more in a post later. @hachettechildrens.bsky.social

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Karl Duke @karlduke8.bsky.social · 26/09/2025

Thank you @charlienutbrown.bsky.social for a signed copy of The Feathered Book - really kind of you and I’ll add to my borrowing library! #headteacherheadreader

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Karl Duke @karlduke8.bsky.social · 26/09/2025

Thank you @charlienutbrown.bsky.social for a signed copy of The Feathered Book - really kind of you and I’ll add to my borrowing library! #headteacherheadreader

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Karl Duke @karlduke8.bsky.social · 23/09/2025

As a Barnsley lad and cricket mad this is a sad one. He wor a reight character r’Dickie. #RIPDickie #DickieBird

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Karl Duke @karlduke8.bsky.social · 22/09/2025

Year 4/5 inspired by their learning about the legend of #RobinHood through a range of books relating to heraldry, history, the Major Oak and the legend itself…2/3

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Karl Duke @karlduke8.bsky.social · 22/09/2025

Luckiest job in the world teaching #art throughout #KS2. Helps to structure the planning to ensure every child is making progress with their skills. A short thread through the key stage for this term so far. Year 3/4 inspired by their book focus on the #Everest expedition of Norgay and Hillary…1/3

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Karl Duke @karlduke8.bsky.social · 21/09/2025

Spent the most fantastic weekend #nolimitsfestival created by the wonderful @rabbits21.bsky.social Saw so many families from our school engaging with authors and illustrators including our very own #BethWalker. Thousands attended and had a blast.

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Karl Duke @karlduke8.bsky.social · 13/09/2025

Kate Winter - the most exciting talent in NF? Adored The Fossil Hunter and her style perfectly suits the discovery of prehistoric paintings in Lascaux a century ago in The Cave Explorer. Engrossing art (+gatefolds), enticing questions and key knowledge - Kate has produced a serious work of art!

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Karl Duke @karlduke8.bsky.social · 13/09/2025

Thank you #cicadabooks #annadavies #daisywynter for Shoes: A Footwear Fashion Frolic. It’s a fantastic journey through the history of footwear taking us around the globe, focusing on designers too and will interest all children due to the later focus on #nike #vans #airjordans #adidas designs.

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Karl Duke @karlduke8.bsky.social · 10/09/2025

Love this term! We use The Lost Words by #robertmacfarlane & #jackiemorris to inspire artwork based on the beauty of nature. A term for patience, care and resilience. We look in detail and then super detail and it’s when children take a giant leap. #primaryart This is just the start! #thelostwords

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Karl Duke @karlduke8.bsky.social · 07/09/2025

Generally stay away from ‘celebrity’ books but Marvellous Messages: The Amazing Story of Communication by #roseaylingellis #andreamills #lenaaddink is not only an important book but brilliant fun to read time-travelling around the globe to see communication develop and meet key deaf people. Superb!

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Karl Duke @karlduke8.bsky.social · 07/09/2025

I’m Like A Tree And A Tree’s Like Me #sylvainejaoui & #annecrahay is a wonderful book for FS/KS1 to show the similarities between nature and human growth and with paper-cut pages for the oooh! It emphasises the importance of all life. I think it’s a beautiful thing. #picturebooks #KS1 #EYFS

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Karl Duke @karlduke8.bsky.social · 06/09/2025

Need a bigger bookshelf! My lending library at school is piling up! (This is a fraction of it) so important that my shelves include a diverse range and the very best of new books available. No funding so my wallet takes a hit so it’s a good job I love reading them! #headteacherheadreader

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