iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Reposted by Professor Karen Sands-O’Connor

The Canadian Children's Book Centre @kidsbookcentre.bsky.social · 30/09/2026

We can honour Residential School Survivors by listening to their stories. These books can help young readers better understand the lasting impacts of the Residential School system. Reading together can spark meaningful conversations and teach us how to move forward in a good way 🧡 #NDTR

Graphic for National Day for Truth & Reconciliation on September 30th featuring three children's book covers: Shirley: An Indian Residential School Story, written & illustrated by Joanne Robertson
With Shirley (Fletcher) Horn
kisēwātsi—Be Kind, written by Elizabeth Merasty & illustrated by Brie Phillips
Little Shoes, written by David A. Robertson & illustrated by Maya McKibbin

098

Professor Karen Sands-O’Connor @ksandsoconnor.bsky.social · 30/09/2026

Today is Truth and Reconciliation Day in Canada, to highlight historical wrongs done to Indigenous, Metis, and Inuit people in Canada (including Residential Schools and the Sixties Scoop). I’m pleased to be here today and have the opportunity to learn and reflect.

Orange shirt with the slogan Every child matters, chaque enfant compte for Canada’s Truth and Reconciliation Day

011

Reposted by Professor Karen Sands-O’Connor

CLPE @theclpe.bsky.social · 24/09/2026

We are thrilled to announce that a brand-new set of illustrated library boards have been installed in the CLPE Literacy Library. We are so delighted that the library to continue to stand as a celebration of the power, importance, and joy of books for children. #LiteracyLibrary

032

Reposted by Professor Karen Sands-O’Connor

Books for Keeps, the children's books review journal @booksforkeeps.bsky.social · 12/09/2026

Our September issue is bursting with unmissable articles, interviews and new children’s book reviews and it’s all FREE to read, no paywall. Don’t miss an issue, sign up for our newsletter #KidLitUK booksforkeeps.co.uk#signup

035

Reposted by Professor Karen Sands-O’Connor

Letterbox Library @letterboxlibrary.bsky.social · 17/09/2026

1/2 “During my tenure as Waterstones Children’s Laureate, I will champion the power of books to make us feel like we belong…but Patrice will not BEGIN to do this during her tenure: she has been doing this all along, and for all ages of readers”👏 A tribute to- booksforkeeps.co.uk/article/beyo...

booksforkeeps.co.uk

Beyond the Secret Garden: Patrice Lawrence, UK Children’s Laureate – Books For Keeps

154

Reposted by Professor Karen Sands-O’Connor

Letterbox Library @letterboxlibrary.bsky.social · 17/09/2026

2/2 - new Children’s Laureate @lawrencepatrice.bsky.social in the latest Beyond the Secret Garden column by @darrenchetty.bsky.social & @ksandsoconnor.bsky.social in most recent edition of @booksforkeeps.bsky.social #KidLitUK #BookSky

053

Reposted by Professor Karen Sands-O’Connor

Letterbox Library @letterboxlibrary.bsky.social · 11/09/2026

“We want to encourage book publishers and creators to level up, not down, the numbers of portrayals of different disabled people. We urge you to continue to portray many more disabled people, carefully and authentically.” #KidLitUK #ReflectingDisability www.thebookseller.com/features/the...

thebookseller.com

On reflection: the time has come to deepen disability representation in children’s books

With only 10% of children’s books including disabled characters – with many ‘only in the background’ – the time is ripe to encourage book publishers and creators to level up, new Reflecting Disability...

141

Reposted by Professor Karen Sands-O’Connor

Letterbox Library @letterboxlibrary.bsky.social · 18/08/2026

With shout out to books by, amongst many: JT Williams, @lawrencepatrice.bsky.social @lawrencepatrice.bsky.social @dapsdraws.bsky.social & Nathan Byron Ken Wilson-Max @malorieblackman.bsky.social Joseph Coelho & Lanisha Butterfield Anna McQuinn Guest article- @thestorymuseum.bsky.social

021

Reposted by Professor Karen Sands-O’Connor

Letterbox Library @letterboxlibrary.bsky.social · 18/08/2026

“The question is not whether children notice difference,but whether they see difference as a problem” Prof @ksandsoconnor.bsky.social offers tips on how to choose inclusive children’s books & how to navigate problematic representations on the page. #KidLitUK 1001stories.co.uk/guest-articl...

1001stories.co.uk

Children’s Books, Representation and Belonging: A Conversation with…

The 1001 is a vast collection of stories from different times, ages, and forms. Explore themes, exhibitions, and traditional tales with learning resources.

132

Professor Karen Sands-O’Connor @ksandsoconnor.bsky.social · 16/08/2026

@drmrb.bsky.social is a quality researcher with impeccable ethics. She will always speak up on behalf of others no matter how it might affect her.

051

Reposted by Professor Karen Sands-O’Connor

BookTrust @booktrust.org.uk · 04/08/2026

How can we encourage children to build a reading habit? By giving them choice! Empowering children to pick the books they read increases their motivation to read, especially when they feel their preferences are respected. 📺 Watch our recent webinar about book choice: bit.ly/4bmJJjk

A photo of two boys in a classroom smiling as they look at books plus a box reading "Why book choice matters in primary school" and an illustration of a star

074

Reposted by Professor Karen Sands-O’Connor

Alex Segura @alexsegura.com · 03/08/2026

We are seeing an increased ICE presence in NYC - making it imperative that NYers KNOW YOUR RIGHTS. I wrote a comic with @mayor.nyc.gov @nycimmigrants.bsky.social @davidhahn.bsky.social @elllewrightart.bsky.social @tayloresposito.bsky.social to do that! DOWNLOAD: www.weteachnyc.org/resources/co...

7356239

Reposted by Professor Karen Sands-O’Connor

Letterbox Library @letterboxlibrary.bsky.social · 31/07/2026

Your regular reminder that if you visit us at bookshop.org you’ll find fab booklists like Young Carers, New Beginnings & books from the latest Beyond the Secret Garden column @ksandsoconnor.bsky.social & @darrenchetty.bsky.social in @booksforkeeps.bsky.social Visit: uk.bookshop.org/lists/beyond...

Screenshot from mobile app of bookshop.org.

Shows Letterbox Library as selected bookshop and then the search bar followed by the top of their reading list "Beyond the Secret Garden: Reading Gender."

Screenshot which shows introductory para to this reading list:

“Highlights of the contemporary titles featured in the July 2026 (Issue 279) issue* of Books for Keeps' Beyond the Secret Garden (BtSG) column. Co-authored by Professor Karen Sands-O'Connor & Dr Darren Chetty, BtSG examines "how Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic voices have been represented in our national story of children’s literature, and how we can bring about change". This most recent edition looks at representations of gender and pays special heed to the recent "growth in books that examine gender and patriarchy within minoritised communities". The selection of contemporary titles is short but the sweetest!

Read the full article at:

*https://booksforkeeps.co.uk/article/beyond-the-secret-garden-reading-gender/ “

133

Reposted by Professor Karen Sands-O’Connor

Books for Keeps, the children's books review journal @booksforkeeps.bsky.social · 30/07/2026

The longlists for the seventh Diverse Book Awards have been announced, with organisers hoping that these ‘outstanding books’ will be seen as essential reading. Explore the lists in full and cast your vote in the Readers' Choice Award ⬇️#KidLitUK booksforkeeps.co.uk/60808-2/

Graphic with the longlist for the Children's Books category of the newly announced longlist for the Diverse Book Awards.

096

Reposted by Professor Karen Sands-O’Connor

Books for Keeps, the children's books review journal @booksforkeeps.bsky.social · 27/07/2026

NEW #BfK article: @darrenchetty.bsky.social discusses the controversy around ‘The Queen’s Christmas Present’, an announcement has not been met with universal approval. #KidLitUK booksforkeeps.co.uk/article/on-r...

Graphic to advertise the Queen's Christmas Present with the Queen's crest.

0218

Reposted by Professor Karen Sands-O’Connor

Letterbox Library @letterboxlibrary.bsky.social · 27/07/2026

1/2 “It may be churlish to look a gift horse in the mouth. It is downright irresponsible to fail to investigate potential Trojan horses.” A highly considered piece from @darrenchetty.bsky.social in @booksforkeeps.bsky.social which brings together- #KidLitUK booksforkeeps.co.uk/article/on-r...

booksforkeeps.co.uk

On Royal Horses, Mickey Mouse, and Impossible Creatures – Books For Keeps

162

Reposted by Professor Karen Sands-O’Connor

Darren Chetty @darrenchetty.bsky.social · 27/07/2026

'We often talk about the power of reading. But as educators we should be equally attuned to the reading of power.... It may be churlish to look a gift horse in the mouth. It is downright irresponsible to fail to investigate potential Trojan horses.' booksforkeeps.co.uk/article/on-r...

booksforkeeps.co.uk

On Royal Horses, Mickey Mouse, and Impossible Creatures – Books For Keeps

086

Professor Karen Sands-O’Connor @ksandsoconnor.bsky.social · 27/07/2026

booksforkeeps.co.uk/article/on-r... A really thoughtful piece by Darren Chetty bringing together many of the concerns around the Queen’s upcoming Christmas gift to year 6s

booksforkeeps.co.uk

On Royal Horses, Mickey Mouse, and Impossible Creatures – Books For Keeps

010

Reposted by Professor Karen Sands-O’Connor

Letterbox Library @letterboxlibrary.bsky.social · 23/07/2026

“A lovely, well-meaning endeavour that, for me and many others working in children’s literature and education, completely missed the mark.” 💯 Thoughtful comment piece from @clairelinney.bsky.social #KidLitUK www.thebookseller.com/comment/a-pr...

thebookseller.com

A problematic gift

Queen Camilla’s book initiative is well-intentioned but completely misses the mark

031

Reposted by Professor Karen Sands-O’Connor

Mat Tobin @mattobin.bsky.social · 21/07/2026

I have written a piece on nurturing lifelong readers inspired by the wonderful Aidan Chambers (pages 4-5) booksforkeeps.co.uk/wp-content/u... @booksforkeeps.bsky.social

01910

Reposted by Professor Karen Sands-O’Connor

Avery Udagawa @averyudagawa.bsky.social · 07/07/2026

A new #IBBY Honour List! 🎉 "Selected for the 2026 list are 76 entries in the category of Writing; 58 in the category of Illustration; and 57 in the category of Translation, making it the largest list ever compiled since the creation of the programme seventy years ago." www.ibby.org/awards-activ...

ibby.org

IBBY Honour List 2026: IBBY International Board on Books for Young People

042

Reposted by Professor Karen Sands-O’Connor

Jen Hillyard @mininglibrarian.bsky.social · 18/07/2026

And a lot of the kids who it’s perfect for will already have read it and/or own it… Half a dozen titles like World Book Day would have been far more sensible.

021

Reposted by Professor Karen Sands-O’Connor

Marianne Doherty @mariannedoherty.bsky.social · 18/07/2026

I know from my work in schools and from my own kids how difficult it is for kids to choose books at all, never mind the right book at the right time. Can you imagine the difference if we had a librarian in every school who knows the kids and provides opportunities for them to discover new books?

1134

Professor Karen Sands-O’Connor @ksandsoconnor.bsky.social · 18/07/2026

This is a nice gesture but it won’t be a shared experience for Year 6s who are not at the necessary reading level, who don’t like fantasy, or who can’t see themselves reflected in this book. Why not have a choice and celebrate all readers and multiple quality authors?

131

Reposted by Professor Karen Sands-O’Connor

Clare Pollard @poetclare.bsky.social · 16/07/2026

Reviewed Mac Barnett’s MAKE BELIEVE on @booksforkeeps.bsky.social booksforkeeps.co.uk/review/make-...

booksforkeeps.co.uk

Make Believe: On Telling Stories to Children – Books For Keeps

065

Reposted by Professor Karen Sands-O’Connor

Index on Censorship @indexoncensorship.org · 15/07/2026

Banned Books Week UK is back! Join us in celebrating the freedom to read from 4-10 October. Get involved: 📚Read a banned book 📖Visit your local library or bookshop 🎙️Host an event 📱Share on social media Find out more ⬇️ www.indexoncensorship.org/bannedbooksw...

1188

Reposted by Professor Karen Sands-O’Connor

Barbara Bleiman @barbarableiman.bsky.social · 14/07/2026

CHOICE! Such an important thing & yet it’s gone missing as a concept & a practice in many English classrooms. It doesn’t have to be entirely open. It can be within limits but it can increase range & quantity of reading& writing, builds critical & personal response, judgement & most of all buy-in!

2148

Reposted by Professor Karen Sands-O’Connor

Letterbox Library @letterboxlibrary.bsky.social · 13/07/2026

🥳Then we were at the @nationaltheatre.org.uk to see the winner of the @theclpe.bsky.social #CLiPPA Award: ⚡️John Agard for The Poetry World of John Agard (Ill. @shirleyhottier.bsky.social) @otterbarrybooks.bsky.social #KidLitUK #BookSky (📸 @darrenchetty.bsky.social @ksandsoconnor.bsky.social)

4 people stood in a row smiling at camera. From L to R:

Man of colour with beard and wearing glasses, in red and white flowery shirt. Holds glass in left hand (with blue 'entry' sticker badn on wrist) and has arm across chest.

White woman, grey hair tied back, wearing glasses, in long scoop neck green dress with white flowers.

Woman of colour, shoulder length dark hair, wearing glasses in white blouse and long dark skirt- holds orange notebooks and biro in right hand.

White woman, short brown/grey hair, in long white shirt with flowers and buttons and in jeans. Has blue 'entry' sticker band on left wrist.

All smile towards camera.

065

Professor Karen Sands-O’Connor @ksandsoconnor.bsky.social · 13/07/2026

My neighbour was asking if I had any books by the new children’s laureate, @lawrencepatrice.bsky.social. I sent her this picture of some of the books from my collection.

Books by new children’s laureate, Patrice Lawrence.

040

Reposted by Professor Karen Sands-O’Connor

Poetry By Heart @poetrybyheart.bsky.social · 10/07/2026

We have a selection of John's poems on the Poetry By Heart website, including Checking Out Me History (2004) with videos of some superb finalists performances #poetry poetrybyheart.org.uk/search/john%...

poetrybyheart.org.uk

Poetry By Heart

188

Reposted by Professor Karen Sands-O’Connor

BookTrust @booktrust.org.uk · 12/07/2026

"I feel hopeful every time I walk into a school and meet the young people. How thoughtful, empathetic, considerate and knowledgeable they are. That's what gives me hope" The wonderful @lawrencepatrice.bsky.social, our new Waterstones #ChildrensLaureate, on what keeps her optimistic.

A photo of Patrice Lawrence smiling warmly at the camera surrounded by greenery. In quotation marks are the words I feel hopeful every time I walk into a school and meet the young people.

083

Reposted by Professor Karen Sands-O’Connor

Little Rebels Award @littlerebsprize.bsky.social · 10/07/2026

-she has used her talent to give voice to the minoritised and disenfranchised; to the young people who have been misunderstood, marginalised and who have fallen through the cracks of social care. She truly is a Social Justice Champion (& she writes darn good literature!) CONGRATULATIONS PATRICE!

173

Reposted by Professor Karen Sands-O’Connor

Helen Wang @helenwanglondon.bsky.social · 09/07/2026

Prof Karen Sands O’Connor gave a fascinating presentation “Prizing East Asia: British Children’s Publishing By and About East Asians”, then told us so much more in this interview! chinesebooksforyoungreaders.word-press.com/2026/07/09/1... @ksandsoconnor.bsky.social @worldkidlit.bsky.social

chinesebooksforyoungreaders.wordpress.com

197. Interview with Professor Karen Sands O’Connor

On 27 April 2026 Professor Karen Sands O’Connor gave a fascinating presentation to Ocean University 中国海洋大学, Qingdao, China, titled “Prizing East Asia: British Children’s Publishing By and About Eas…

021

Reposted by Professor Karen Sands-O’Connor

Scott Gray @scott1gray.bsky.social · 08/07/2026

Zadie Smith nailed it here. bsky.app/profile/writ...

1118

Reposted by Professor Karen Sands-O’Connor

BookTrust @booktrust.org.uk · 07/07/2026

🥳 We are delighted to announce that the brand new Waterstones #ChildrensLaureate 2026-2028 is the marvellous @lawrencepatrice.bsky.social We're so excited that Patrice is taking on the role and love that she will be focusing on how stories can help to build communities. #NationalYearOfReading2026

Patrice Lawrence Waterstones Children's Laureate 2026-28

14322

Reposted by Professor Karen Sands-O’Connor

BookTrust @booktrust.org.uk · 07/07/2026

Today's the day! We're announcing our brand new @waterstones.bsky.social #ChildrensLaureate today. Stay tuned 👀

A photo of the stage at the Barbican with the words Children's Laureate 2026-28

0115

Reposted by Professor Karen Sands-O’Connor

CLPE @theclpe.bsky.social · 07/07/2026

2 days to go until CliPPA 2026! 🎉 As we get even closer to the big event itself, we're continuing our conversations with this year's shortlisted nominees. Today, we have Shirley Hottier talking about how it feels knowing 'The Poetry World of John Agard' is shortlisted for the award.

011

Reposted by Professor Karen Sands-O’Connor

Books for Keeps, the children's books review journal @booksforkeeps.bsky.social · 03/07/2026

Congratulations to the winners of the @uklitassociation.bsky.social Book Awards! Judged by teachers & hotly debated, giving classroom practitioners the opportunity to read high quality new children’s books is as important as finding an overall winner 💐#BookSky booksforkeeps.co.uk/winners-of-t...

033

Reposted by Professor Karen Sands-O’Connor

Yinka Olusoga @yinkaolusoga.bsky.social · 03/07/2026

That’s a wrap on the @histchild.bsky.social conference. Thank you delegates & keynote speakers, & the many academic & professional services colleagues @sheffielduni.bsky.social who helped it happen, especially @drjuliabish.bsky.social Glorious weather, fabulous papers. 🎤⬇️ #histchild26

032

Professor Karen Sands-O’Connor @ksandsoconnor.bsky.social · 02/07/2026

Great to be at the book launch for Blood of Gods and Girls by @katjakaine.bsky.social. My goal in life is to have a book cover made into a cake as nice as this one!

Table of cupcakes and book cover cake for KL Kaine’s Blood of Gods and Girls.

010

Reposted by Professor Karen Sands-O’Connor

Yinka Olusoga @yinkaolusoga.bsky.social · 01/07/2026

A fantastic first keynote at #histchild26 from @darrenchetty.bsky.social & @ksandsoconnor.bsky.social providing rich & critical historical & philosophical perspectives on the child characters of children’s literature & adult fears & desires around childhood, belonging & identity, past & present

143

Reposted by Professor Karen Sands-O’Connor

Matt @mattlibrarian.eurosky.social · 29/06/2026

Apparently one of the things White South African refugees receive when arriving in the US is a Prager U published book called Lwazi's hard Lesson - part of the Around the World series. The story is about the history of South Africa and current events viewed through a glass, darkly.

354

Reposted by Professor Karen Sands-O’Connor

Yinka Olusoga @yinkaolusoga.bsky.social · 28/06/2026

We are proud to host the 5th biennial conference of @histchild.bsky.social at @sheffielduni.bsky.social from 1-3 July. We have 20 panels & 3 fabulous keynotes presenting work from across the world. Read the programme at www.histchild.org/pages/confer...

histchild.org

Conference programme | Children's History Society

173

Professor Karen Sands-O’Connor @ksandsoconnor.bsky.social · 23/06/2026

Congratulations to the winners of the Carnegie medals and their Shadower Awards: Shadower’s Choice Aimee de Jongh’s Lord of the Flies graphic novel adaptation & Beth O’Brien’s Wolf Siren; Illustration Medal, Kate Rolfe’s Wiggling Words; Writing Medal Beth O’Brien’s Wolf Siren!

010

Reposted by Professor Karen Sands-O’Connor

Little Rebels Award @littlerebsprize.bsky.social · 23/06/2026

The latest #BeyondTheSecretGarden column by @ksandsoconnor.bsky.social & @darrenchetty.bsky.social in @booksforkeeps.bsky.social highlights 1 of last year’s #LittleRebelsAward shortlistees ⭐️Kende! Kende! Kende⭐️ @childs-play.co.uk and its multilingual riches! booksforkeeps.co.uk/article/beyo...

booksforkeeps.co.uk

Beyond the Secret Garden: Multilingual Children’s Literature – Books For Keeps

175

Reposted by Professor Karen Sands-O’Connor

Letterbox Library @letterboxlibrary.bsky.social · 22/06/2026

Pop over to our @bookshop-org-uk.bsky.social ‘shop front’ 2 see latest highlights from @ksandsoconnor.bsky.social & @darrenchetty.bsky.social ‘s column @booksforkeeps.bsky.social Buying from bookshop.org supports us AND the indie bkshop sector #KidLitUK #BookSky uk.bookshop.org/lists/beyond...

Screenshot from one of our book lists bookshop.org
Image shows a variety of book covers from the column ‘Beyond the Secret Garden: Multilingual Children’s Literature’

093

Reposted by Professor Karen Sands-O’Connor

CILIP @cilip.bsky.social · 03/06/2026

A Salford school used an AI-generated list to ban 200 books, overriding their own librarian’s expertise. Many were LGBTQ+ titles. This tactic mirrors US campaigns using automated bias to censor LGBTQ+ stories. Read our #InformationProfessional article: ow.ly/SkKN50Z6LCn

A raised clenched fist breaking free from chains above an open book symbolising liberation through knowledge.

0106

Reposted by Professor Karen Sands-O’Connor

Adil Ray @adilray.bsky.social · 11/06/2026

If Muslims or members of the Asian and Black community had set fire to white people’s homes with children running for their lives, do you think we would be discussing legitimate concerns or focussing on who radicalised them and ideological and contributing cultural factors?

14375932372

Reposted by Professor Karen Sands-O’Connor

George Padmore Institute @gpadmoreinstitute.bsky.social · 10/06/2026

Smash the Back Lash, an historic march against racism and bigotry in 1987, saw 3,500 people protest Section 28, a law prohibiting the 'promotion' of homosexuality by local authorities. This was the first demonstration to highlight the intersection of race and sexuality and centre black gay people.

012