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Marianne Doherty @mariannedoherty.bsky.social · 28/08/2026

This week’s #KidsBooksFriday is inspired by the great Dolly Parton. So whether it’s books about kindness, generosity, gratitude, inclusivity, positivity, hope, self-belief, or something else, let’s share books that embody Dolly’s spirit and legacy. #KidLitUK #UKKidLit #KidLit #BeMoreDolly

Book cover for You Choose by Nick Sherratt and Pippa Goodhart

Book cover for Invisible by Christina Diaz Gonzalez and Gabriella Epstein

Book cover for Safiyyah’s War by Hiba Noor Khan.

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Marianne Doherty @mariannedoherty.bsky.social · 19/06/2026

That’s literally all that matters. Getting the right book into the hands of a single child makes it all worth it. But it’s also just a joy for us all to chat about something so positive and full of hope.

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Mark Goodrich @markgoodrich.bsky.social · 24/05/2026

Hi #Edusky and #EduskyPrimary If you are proud of your reading curriculum / reading spine and have it easily accessible, please could you reply with a link. To be clear, I am looking for what whole books you read each year. Interested in lower secondary as well. Reposts appreciated 🙏

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Kirsten Barrett @mrskirstbarrett.bsky.social · 15/05/2026

This is always a great chat to get involved in. What books would you add?

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Jon Biddle @jonnybid.bsky.social · 20/02/2026

Thank you. padlet.com/Jon_Biddle/r...

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Kirsten Barrett @mrskirstbarrett.bsky.social · 05/02/2026

Thank you @mariannedoherty.bsky.social for your weekly chats as someone shared Role Model. Somehow I had missed Role Model by @ellemcnicoll.bsky.social illustrations by Kay Wilson. I was able to get it from the library and I know I'll be ordering it for a few friends for birthdays xx

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Kirsten Barrett @mrskirstbarrett.bsky.social · 30/01/2026

What books would add to the list to recommend?

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Kirsten Barrett @mrskirstbarrett.bsky.social · 25/01/2026

Trying to get back into reading. I managed to get Wild Journey from the library, a wonderful collection of short stories all connected by starlings. 🪶 @amdassu.bsky.social @joelillington.bsky.social

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Kirsten Barrett @mrskirstbarrett.bsky.social · 23/01/2026

My birthday present to myself was to become a member of @childrensbooksireland.ie This wee magazine is a delight. I had a moment there and decided to sit and read it. I even got out a pencil to mark a few pages for a re-read.

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Marianne Doherty @mariannedoherty.bsky.social · 23/01/2026

Not doing a proper #KidsBooksFriday this week as I had surgery yesterday (all went well), and am libel to write utter nonsense today. So maybe let’s just have a free for all on any great kids books you’d like to recommend this week. #KidLitUK #UKKidLit #KidLit

Book cover for Medicine by Briony Hudson

Book cover for 100 Things to Know About the Human Body

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Kirsten Barrett @mrskirstbarrett.bsky.social · 10/01/2026

This is a fabulous list of books. When I get home I'm going to have a look through my books as I love challenging stereotypes so I must have a few perfect texts...

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Kirsten Barrett @mrskirstbarrett.bsky.social · 06/01/2026

Rediscovering books on my shelves. I feel like I may have got this from @melissacreate23.bsky.social Within my branches by Nicolas Michel and translation by Sarah Ardizzone Beautiful story and illustrations of the story of an Oak tree. Have you read it?

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Kirsten Barrett @mrskirstbarrett.bsky.social · 06/12/2025

I love the Cork County library calendar, filled with children's artwork. However this year the cover is very disappointing..."What's changed?" How about children with extra fingers... When the calendar is filled with amazing artwork I am sure they could have used someone's work for the cover...

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Kirsten Barrett @mrskirstbarrett.bsky.social · 22/11/2025

We have a very excited birthday boy all ready for Bunny Vs Monkey @the-phoenix-comic.bsky.social @jamiesmart.bsky.social With a few friends too...

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Kirsten Barrett @mrskirstbarrett.bsky.social · 09/11/2025

Ok, it's a masterpiece. It's not traumatic but I had to wipe away a few tears as the emotions were so vivid - this is a story that stays with you. @littleislandbooks.bsky.social will there be a sequel? I want more!

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Kirsten Barrett @mrskirstbarrett.bsky.social · 09/11/2025

Just about to start this book published by @littleislandbooks.bsky.social After meeting them at the LAI conference this weekend in Dublin - it's also nominated for the AnPost book awards....

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Kirsten Barrett @mrskirstbarrett.bsky.social · 05/11/2025

Oh isn't this just a beautiful picture book! Spotted in the library and definitely think it's one I should look at buying.i love how the languages are woven together and the description of how it feels to have more than one language. Beautiful

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Kirsten Barrett @mrskirstbarrett.bsky.social · 31/10/2025

Bedtime story continues - Boy at the back of the class is opening up so many conversations. My little one didn't understand the negative comments from the adults in the story at all, it was really clever how Onjali showed the first definitions of refugee came from things the children had overheard

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Marianne Doherty @mariannedoherty.bsky.social · 29/10/2025

This is just terrible news. @knightsofbooks.bsky.social were one of my favourite publishers with so many brilliant titles. Absolutely a force for good. Very sad times indeed. #KidLitUK #UKKidLit

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Kirsten Barrett @mrskirstbarrett.bsky.social · 31/10/2025

This has become my Friday morning routine - love these posts What Halloween related books would you recommend and add to the list? It's not possible to read all books, so find someone you trust to recommend - @mariannedoherty.bsky.social is so good at recommending

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Kirsten Barrett @mrskirstbarrett.bsky.social · 28/10/2025

I used to always share our bedtime stories on the other platform - thought I would go again! Tonight we started The Boy at the Back of the Class. I've not read it in years and my almost 9 year old is the perfect age for it. He loved the first chapter so much I had to read chapter 2 👍🏽

Front cover of a book with the title: The boy at the back of the class, author: Onjali Q Raùf
The back of a child and the title is on their red backpack.

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Kirsten Barrett @mrskirstbarrett.bsky.social · 28/10/2025

My evening plans...getting started on my presentation for the LAI conference Not the best start when you need to look at the blurb to remember what you had planned on speaking about 🫣

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Reposted by Kirsten Barrett

Helen Jones @hfj0108.bsky.social · 24/10/2025

I was in a slump with a run of morose adult books so it was discovering the quality of MG fiction. I started with these four magical books and I haven’t looked back since! I would go with something that involves me emotionally like The Dawn of Adonis or The Wrong Shoes.

Cover of Orion Lost by Alastair Chisholm

Cover of A Pinch of Magic by Michelle Harrison

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Kirsten Barrett @mrskirstbarrett.bsky.social · 21/10/2025

Had a great session last night with so many teachers wanting to know more about the myths around supporting plurilingual students @clanavtra.bsky.social Thank you for hosting and providing a space for these conversations

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Kirsten Barrett @mrskirstbarrett.bsky.social · 17/10/2025

I really look forward to this on a Friday, even though it can work out very expensive (especially when books feel like double the price in Ireland) Do join in!

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Kirsten Barrett @mrskirstbarrett.bsky.social · 26/09/2025

A wonderful way to get some new book options is to follow @mariannedoherty.bsky.social and her great chat on a Friday 📚

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Kirsten Barrett @mrskirstbarrett.bsky.social · 25/09/2025

We had our @openuni-rfp.bsky.social TRG launch tonight - fabulous book chat and looking forward to continuing with @clanavtra.bsky.social Here are the results of our author question, a great variety of knowledge 📚

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Kirsten Barrett @mrskirstbarrett.bsky.social · 22/09/2025

Thanks @clanavtra.bsky.social for hosting me again! I'm always buzzing after an EAL webinar www.linkedin.com/posts/mrskir...

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Kirsten Barrett @mrskirstbarrett.bsky.social · 17/09/2025

How is this next week already? Time for me to tweak and look over what I'll be sharing: Free to attend for everyone zoom.us/webinar/regi...

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Kirsten Barrett @mrskirstbarrett.bsky.social · 12/09/2025

Well worth joining in - what are some of your cosy comforting reads? Ask your children, students or family and share the books that bring comfort #KidsBooksFriday

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Kirsten Barrett @mrskirstbarrett.bsky.social · 10/09/2025

I haven't had a big book purchase in a while, while visiting Dublin I had to pop into @chaptersbookstore.bsky.social and started my Christmas shopping. Three books are for me, the rest are gifts 📚

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Kirsten Barrett @mrskirstbarrett.bsky.social · 10/09/2025

Best part about travelling for work is time to catch up on reading of different types.

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Kirsten Barrett @mrskirstbarrett.bsky.social · 07/08/2025

Ohhhh this is an interesting cut to my pages of my book. I'm assuming it's a mistake - but I rather love it! @nicolapenfold.bsky.social

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Kirsten Barrett @mrskirstbarrett.bsky.social · 31/07/2025

What can I say...this is a great follow up to I am Wolf, gutted and a little excited that I need to wait now for I am Dragon. Brilliant characters and a story with a slight twist too, fabulous! Get it on your to be read piles @alastairc.com

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Kirsten Barrett @mrskirstbarrett.bsky.social · 15/07/2025

Thanks @mariannedoherty.bsky.social for encouraging me to push this up my reading pile Reek by @alastairc.com is another masterpiece set in a future where the air is no longer breathable...people need to pay to be able to breath. A @barringtonstoke.bsky.social gem of a novel

From cover of Reek by Alastair Chisholm
Orange and blue image of a person swinging through the air

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Kirsten Barrett @mrskirstbarrett.bsky.social · 15/07/2025

Third and final book event @wcorklitfest.bsky.social with @kmoranwrites.bsky.social Once again a similar message of filing that representation gap. Books set in Ireland with Irish mythology I've walked away with two children discussing what they would do if a portal opened - so definite impact

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Kirsten Barrett @mrskirstbarrett.bsky.social · 14/07/2025

Another author talk at @wcorklitfest.bsky.social - @leonaforde1.bsky.social was enthralling, a room full of children and they were all mesmerised. Another message of the importance of being reflected, the brilliant Milly McCarthy books were inspired by that gap in publishing.

Leona Forde, author on stage talking to a group of children and adults.

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Kirsten Barrett @mrskirstbarrett.bsky.social · 12/07/2025

What a fabulous conversation today @wcorklitfest.bsky.social Loved hearing from @zainabboladale.bsky.social - representation in books is a matter close to my heart. I saw first hand when teaching how important it is to be seen in books. Books inspire and can help you feel like you belong.

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Kirsten Barrett @mrskirstbarrett.bsky.social · 11/07/2025

A great theme and probably an area of children's books that is most lacking. What children's sci-fi books would you add to this list?? #kidsbooksFriday

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Kirsten Barrett @mrskirstbarrett.bsky.social · 06/07/2025

A Kind of Spark @ellemcnicoll.bsky.social is finally on RTÉ in Ireland and I've enjoyed binge watching Season 2 Really hoping for a Season 3 and definitely recommend it as a summer watch for family 🦈

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Kirsten Barrett @mrskirstbarrett.bsky.social · 27/06/2025

#KidsBooksFriday Do join in - great way to discover new books 🔎

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Kirsten Barrett @mrskirstbarrett.bsky.social · 20/06/2025

Once again Glasgow are sneakily cutting access to books and literacy. This is foolish when research constantly tells us the power of librarians. There must be other ways to save money instead of cutting the few librarians that they still have

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