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Lydia Monks

@lydiamonks.bsky.social
1.4K followers 782 following 120 posts

Children’s book writer & illustrator best known for illustrating Julia Donaldson’s books. #kidlit www.lydiamonks.com

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Reposted by Lydia Monks
Stephen Collins @stephencollins.bsky.social · 13/08/2026
It's that day again #alevels
[Title panel]:
A-LEVEL RESULTS COLUMNS DAY

[Scene is a TV news type report about A Level results day]

REPORTER [talking to camera outside a school where students are crowding outside the hall to get in]:

Well, it's that day again

When A-Level students across the country finally get to find out

What Britain's newspaper columnists think about their results.

[show the interior of the school hall, with long tables, but instead of results papers on them, loads of middle-aged newspaper columnists are all laid out]

[Close up on the COLUMNISTS lying on the table, talking up to a gaggle of excited students desperate to find out what they say]

PETER HITCHENS:
I remember when A-Levels meant something

CLARKSON: 
I got a C and two U's

[Cut to outside the hall, the REPORTER is talking to a student]

REPORTER:
And did you get the middle-aged opinions you wanted?

STUDENT:
Yes! 

I got one ‘There's Too Much Humanities’,
and two Oxford graduates telling me they went to Oxford.

REPORTER [now doing a voiceover, as we see the students in the school hall next to the columnists on tables, and the students are preparing to jump in the air for a photographer]:

And then the annual photo shoot…

[PHOTOGRAPHER]
One, two, three...

[One of the columnists on the table pipes up with]: 

What's The Point Of University in 2026?

[The students all jump for joy]

STUDENTS:
HOORAY!

[ends]
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Lydia Monks @lydiamonks.bsky.social · 30/07/2026
@mrjamesob.bsky.social Please watch The People’s Emergency Briefing, before discussing the benefits of climate breakdown again. 🐢🔥
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The Grove Nursery School @grovenursery.bsky.social · 26/05/2026
Our core text this fortnight is 'What the Ladybird Heard' by Julia Donaldson & illustrated by @lydiamonks.bsky.social This sparked an interest in maps. The chn looked at local and national maps and drew their own. "Fish" "Car went in the pond" "I live here" "I go Burgess Park. I play my friends"
A child drawing a map of the farm that is featured in 'What the Ladybird Heard'. A child drawing their own map of home, nursery, a friends house and her teachers house. She has drawn a line to indicate the route her dads car drives to get to nursery.A child driving a toy car around the streets of Camberwell and Peckham on a large map.
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Children's Books North Network @cbnnetwork.bsky.social · 07/05/2026
Today the CBNN Prize judges Lydia Monks, Dapo Adeola, Emma Layfield and Ness Wood gathered at Waterstones Manchester to select the shortlist! It was such a tough decision as so many great entries from unpublished picture book illustrators across the North. Shortlist to be announced early June! 🏆
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Lewis Goodall @lewisgoodall.com · 02/03/2026
My Grandfather had Tourette’s. I know that he experienced prejudice and attempts to bully him. I’ve been pretty stunned that in the reaction to the Davidson episode, we’ve seen a lot of the ignorance that he, a man living his life in the mid 20th century, would have recognised only too well.
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The Book Vault @thebookvault.bsky.social · 16/02/2026
First book sales of the day (sort of)! We put the remaining @lydiamonks.bsky.social sold at Saturday's event through our till this morning. These copies are signed by Lydia and with a little drawing to suit each title, available in store while stock lasts! #booksky
Photo of books illustrated by Lydia Monks, written by Julia Donaldson, arranged in a fan formation. Sharing a Shell, The Tooth Fairy and the Crocodile, The Rhyming Rabbit, and the four What the Ladybird Heard books.
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The Book Vault @thebookvault.bsky.social · 14/02/2026
I'm at Barnsley Library for the first event of Barnsley Book Festival. Photo from the start of the event with @lydiamonks.bsky.social in front of a room full of families! Stories, demonstrating artwork on the big screen, toddlers crawling in front of me, lots of fun! #booksky
Photo of an event. Lydia Monks standing on stage with a big screen and early draft of a drawing, with Barnsley Book Festival roller banners behind. In the foreground the backs of children and families from some of the audience, 100 capacity sold-out event!
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The Book Vault @thebookvault.bsky.social · 11/02/2026
Barnsley Book Festival starts on Saturday and we are pleased to be supporting a number of events, starting with Lydia Monks, art and storytelling, and more storytelling from Richard O'Neill on Tuesday. Plenty more to come, go to the Barnsley Libraries website for more info and to book! #booksky
Photo of books laid out mainly in two fans. Bottom fan is Richard O'Neill books - Polonius the Pit Pony, The Lost Homework and others, not all titles in view. The higher fan in shot features Lydia Monks artwork for Julia Donaldson titles - The Rhyming Rabbit, The Tooth Fairy and the Crocodile, What the Ladybird Heard, Sharing a Shell.
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Ruth Kettle-Frisby 🍉 ☮️ 🧡 @ruthyphro.bsky.social · 10/02/2026
Relatedly, if you have young children, there's a lovely book entitled, 'Adoette' by @lydiamonks.bsky.social that I highly recommend. ❤️
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Children's Books at The Agency @theagencybooks.bsky.social · 29/01/2026
Happy Publication Day to the 15th Anniversary edition of The Rhyming Rabbit from @lydiamonks.bsky.social and #JuliaDonaldson!🥳 Featuring bonus content, including a make-your-own rabbit ears activity, hop along with Rabbit to rediscover this brilliant rhyming adventure! 🐰 #MacmillanKidsBooks
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Lewis Goodall @lewisgoodall.com · 29/01/2026
Spoke to Shleagh Fogarty yesterday sbout why the Chancellor is wrong: our “student loan” system is not remotely fair. It’s regressive and embedding inter and intra generational wealth inequality. It’s not a loan system, it’s a bad grad tax in all but name. youtu.be/uOC6Arrf2us?...
youtu.be
Student loans are 'fair', says Rachel Reeves, amid backlash | LBC
YouTube video by LBC
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Lydia Monks @lydiamonks.bsky.social · 28/01/2026
A bit surreal to find myself on the cover of Richard Hawley’s new album! Thanks to Richard, and Chris Saunders for the great photos. 💕
An album cover featuring two people choosing songs to play on a jukebox. The album is called Little Bangers from Richard Hawley. An album cover featuring two people choosing the next song in a jukebox. The title of the album is, Little Bangers from Richard Hawley.
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Disability Arts Online @disabilityarts.bsky.social · 23/01/2026
Julia Donaldson and Lydia Monks’ much-loved book The Singing Mermaid comes to life on stage. When - 16/17 Feb Where - London Cost - From £15 disabilityarts.online/events/the-s...
An illustration of a mermaid with red hair.
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Lydia Monks @lydiamonks.bsky.social · 23/01/2026
@mrjamesob.bsky.social Such great programmes this week - especially today. Hope you have a big drink in hand now xx
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Big Green Books @biggreenbooks.bsky.social · 18/01/2026
This took me about 45 seconds.
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Lydia Monks @lydiamonks.bsky.social · 17/01/2026
What brilliant drawings! 😍🐞
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Children's Books North Network @cbnnetwork.bsky.social · 15/01/2026
Submissions for the CBNN Prize close 26th February and our judges can’t wait to meet up in Manchester and look at the entries together! If you are an unpublished illustrator living in the North, please do enter! For all the info, go to: childrensbooksnorth.co.uk/cbnn-prize 📚
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Lydia Monks @lydiamonks.bsky.social · 06/01/2026
@mrjamesob.bsky.social David Walliams.
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The Bookseller @thebookseller.com · 19/12/2025
Bestselling children’s author David Walliams has been "dropped by HarperCollins" over allegations of "inappropriate behaviour", according to a report in The Telegraph.
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David Walliams 'dropped by HarperCollins' over allegations of 'inappropriate behaviour'
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Tom Nicoll @tomnicoll.uk · 19/12/2025
Children's publishing right now
media.tenor.com
a blurry picture of a person standing in front of a refrigerator and oven .
ALT: a blurry picture of a person standing in front of a refrigerator and oven .
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Lydia Monks @lydiamonks.bsky.social · 11/11/2025
I will be at Waterstones Doncaster on 4th December 5.30 - 7.30, storytelling, drawing and signing. See you there! 🎄🤶
Lydia Monks holding a copy of What the Ladybird Heard at Christmas by Julia Donaldson and illustrated by Lydia
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Children's Books at The Agency @theagencybooks.bsky.social · 01/12/2025
What the Ladybird Heard at Christmas, illustrated by @lydiamonks.bsky.social and written by #JuliaDonaldson, is #24 in the Official Top 50 and #1 in the Children's Pre-School and Picture Book charts!🐞🎄 @panmacmillan.bsky.social @thebookseller.com #Christmas2026 #FestiveReads
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Lydia Monks @lydiamonks.bsky.social · 22/11/2025
A Christmas card for Grimm & Co. All proceeds go towards this magical place getting children excited about reading and stories. Cards can be ordered from their online shop. shop.grimmandco.co.uk/products/lyd...
An illustration of Father Christmas flying over the Grimm & Co building delivering some books.
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Lydia Monks @lydiamonks.bsky.social · 14/11/2025
What the Ladybird Heard at Christmas by Julia Donaldson and illustrated by me, is the UK’s bestselling picture book! 🥳🐞
A picture of the front cover of What the Ladybird Heard at Christmas by Julia Donaldson and Lydia Monks.
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Children's Books at The Agency @theagencybooks.bsky.social · 14/11/2025
What the Ladybird Heard at Christmas, illustrated by @lydiamonks.bsky.social and written by #JuliaDonaldson, is #1 in the Pre-School and Picture Book charts AND has entered the Official UK Top 50 Charts this week!🐞🎄 @panmacmillan.bsky.social #Christmasread #Booksky
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Lydia Monks @lydiamonks.bsky.social · 11/11/2025
I will be at Waterstones Doncaster on 4th December 5.30 - 7.30, storytelling, drawing and signing. See you there! 🎄🤶
Lydia Monks holding a copy of What the Ladybird Heard at Christmas by Julia Donaldson and illustrated by Lydia
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Young Page Turners @youngpageturners.bsky.social · 06/11/2025
#BookReview What the Ladybird Heard at Christmas by Julia Donaldson and Lydia Monks - The crime-busting ladybird is back - this time to save #Christmas Read our full review: youngpageturners.co.uk/what-the-lad... #ChristmasBooks #JuliaDonaldson #PictureBooks #YoungPageTurners
youngpageturners.co.uk
What the Ladybird Heard at Christmas by Julia Donaldson and Lydia Monks Review - Young Page Turners
What the Ladybird Heard at Christmas, by Julia Donaldson and Lydia Monks, is a charming, rhyming crime adventure that blends mischief, teamwork and the holiday spirit into a delightful read.
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Lydia Monks @lydiamonks.bsky.social · 04/11/2025
@mrjamesob.bsky.social. I love you but feel dejected after your dismissal of the threat of AI on careers of creatives. Easy to say, “that’s life” when illustrators and photographers lose their jobs. And when authors and musicians lose theirs? Scriptwriters and filmmakers? Is that the life you want?
himrjamesob.bsky.social
Bluesky
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Eileen Armstrong @earmstronglib.bsky.social · 04/11/2025
Quentin Blake illustration centre plans opening www.bbc.com/news/article...
bbc.com
Quentin Blake illustration centre to open in spring
An 18th Century Clerkenwell waterworks is being transformed into the illustration centre.
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Lydia Monks @lydiamonks.bsky.social · 27/10/2025
I was happy to illustrate cover of The Author magazine for @societyofauthors.bsky.social. 📚
An illustration of some children reading books and trying to catch books that are flying around them like butterflies. The cover of The Author magazine with an illustration of children trying to catch books that are flying around like butterflies.
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Josh Lacey @joshlacey.com · 26/10/2025
The brilliant Lydia Monks @lydiamonks.bsky.social has drawn this logo for the campaign - you can read all the details on the @societyofauthors.bsky.social website or in the @thebookseller.com
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Lydia Monks @lydiamonks.bsky.social · 25/10/2025
I’m happy to support the @societyofauthors.bsky.social, Children’s, Writers and Illustrators campaign for better recognition of ghostwriters of celebrity-authored children’s books. 👻
An illustration of a person dressed as a ghost writing Ghosts Are Real on the wall.
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Lydia Monks @lydiamonks.bsky.social · 24/10/2025
@stevecolewriter.bsky.social Have you seen this? 👀
A page from The Bookseller magazine featuring the new book from Steve Cole as Book of the Month.
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The Society of Authors @societyofauthors.bsky.social · 24/10/2025
The guidelines have been put together by our Children's Writers and Illustrators group, and a special thank you to @lydiamonks.bsky.social for her beautiful illustration. The guidelines can be found on our website. If you'd like to find out more about the work of our CWIG, then do get in touch.
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Lydia Monks @lydiamonks.bsky.social · 16/10/2025
@mrjamesob.bsky.social It’s the singing fish and the painting. Such a brilliant series. The Aberfan episode was incredible.
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Children's Books North Network @cbnnetwork.bsky.social · 15/10/2025
In Conversation with… Lydia Monks 3:00pm-4:00pm, Saturday 29th November, Grimm&Co Tickets: £10 / 5 free bursary places available Please follow the link in our bio for full information on this fantastic event, limited tickets available 📚 @grimmandco.bsky.social @lydiamonks.bsky.social
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Sam Missingham @samatlounge.bsky.social · 08/10/2025
I'm planning to set up a food delivery business, but don't want to pay the people who make the food. If they won't give me free food, they'll kill my business.
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Lydia Monks @lydiamonks.bsky.social · 17/09/2025
@mrjamesob.bsky.social I loved your coverage of the Trump arrival. Reminded me of Terry Wogan. 😄
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Children's Books at The Agency @theagencybooks.bsky.social · 16/09/2025
Congratulations to our wonderful clients @lydiamonks.bsky.social, #KateRead and @louisareid.bsky.social on being longlisted for the @uklitassociation.bsky.social 2026 UKLA Book Awards! 📚 👑Six Queens @panmacmillan.bsky.social 🦜Bright Birds @twohootsbooks.bsky.social 💜Handle With Care #GuppyBooks
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Joseph Nhan-O’Reilly @joseph-nhanoreilly.bsky.social · 11/09/2025
More than 500 children's authors, illustrators & educators have signed a statement on Palestine including @frankcottrellboyce.bsky.social, @michaelrosenyes.bsky.social, Sir Michael Morpurgo, Chris Riddell OBE, Lauren Child CBE & @chrishaughton.bsky.social Find out more 👉 statement-on-palestine.org
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Children's Books at The Agency @theagencybooks.bsky.social · 01/09/2025
✨Brilliant book news!✨ Dinorella, the first book in a hilarious new picture book series illustrated by @lydiamonks.bsky.social and written by #LouCarter, is coming April 2027!🦖 #Simon&SchusterKidsUK
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The Bookseller @thebookseller.com · 01/09/2025
Simon & Schuster Children’s Books has acquired Dino Tales, a “hilarious character-led” picture book series from author Lou Carter and illustrator Lydia Monks. The first book Dinorella is set to publish in April 2027 👇 #BookSky
ebx.sh
S&S Children’s signs ‘hilarious’ Dino Tales picture-book series
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The Bookseller @thebookseller.com · 26/08/2025
Julia Donaldson has increased her lead at the top of the all-time author volume chart, becoming the first writer to sell more than 50 million units through British bookshops since accurate records began 👇 #BookSky
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Julia Donaldson becomes first author to break the NielsenIQ BookScan 50-million-unit barrier
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Children's Books at The Agency @theagencybooks.bsky.social · 31/07/2025
New editions of What the Ladybird Heard Next and What the Ladybird Heard at the Seaside, illustrated by @lydiamonks.bsky.social and written by #JuliaDonaldson, are out today!🐞 #MacmillanChildrensBooks @panmacmillan.bsky.social
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Joanne Harris @joannechocolat.bsky.social · 26/07/2025
Unsolicited writing advice, no: 15671561: On FESTIVALS. There are over 800 literary festivals in the UK. Some are high-profile, international festivals like Edinburgh and Hay-on-Wye, others are smaller and more local. Some are subsidized by local arts councils; some have private sponsors. Or both.
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Children's Books at The Agency @theagencybooks.bsky.social · 21/07/2025
Fantastic to see The Tooth Fairy and the Crocodile AND What the Ladybird Heard at the Zoo, illustrated by @lydiamonks.bsky.social, in the Children's Pre-school & Picture Books charts this week! 🧚🐊🐞 @panmacmillan.bsky.social #JuliaDonaldson
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Jonathan Emmett @jonathanemmett.com · 15/07/2025
If you're in the publishing community and have been using WeTransfer to share work with publishers and others, but don't want your work exploited by AIs without compensation, YOU NEED TO STOP USING WETRANSFER! #CopyrightAndAI @societyofauthors.bsky.social Source: wetransfer.com/explore/lega...
6.3. License to WeTransfer. In order to allow us to operate, provide you with, and improve the Service and our technologies (and to develop new ones), we must obtain from you certain rights related to Content that is covered by intellectual property rights. You hereby grant us a perpetual, worldwide, non-exclusive, royalty-free, transferable, sub-licensable license to use your Content for the purposes of operating, developing, commercializing, and improving the Service or new technologies or services, including to improve performance of machine learning models that enhance our content moderation process, in accordance with the Privacy & Cookie Policy. Such license includes the right to reproduce, distribute, modify, prepare derivative works based upon, broadcast, communicate to the public, publicly display, and perform Content. You will not be entitled to compensation for any use of Content by us under these Terms. The processing of personal data is always carried out in accordance with our Privacy & Cookie Policy, which provides further details on the purposes and legal bases for such processing.
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BookTrust @booktrust.org.uk · 11/07/2025
We agree it's vital to support more children to develop a love of reading, bringing them lifechanging benefits. Find out more in the #ReadingRights report here: www.booktrust.org.uk/about-us/rea...
booktrust.org.uk
Reading Rights: Books Build a Brighter Future
"For too long, the life-changing benefits of children’s reading have not been taken seriously. And now – as our children face an unknown future – we risk…
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