iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Philippa Dowding @phdowding.bsky.social · 19h

Very honoured that THE WAR LANTERN has been chosen by The Children's Book Council (NYC) as a HOT OFF THE PRESS Anticipated Bestseller for October 2026! Thank you! More here: cbcbooks.org/cbc_book/the...

010

Philippa Dowding @phdowding.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

It's a DOUBLE BOOK LAUNCH! Hope you can join us for this interesting "historical fiction for kids" night ...

020

Reposted by Philippa Dowding

Philippa Dowding @phdowding.bsky.social · 16/09/2026

Word on the Street Toronto is happening soon! I'm delighted to be signing THE WAR LANTERN, our first outing together. If you're at WOTS on Sunday, Sept. 27 at 12:30, please come say hello at the Cormorant Booth (#6).

Word on the Street Toronto signing information for Philippa Dowding, author of The War Lantern: Sunday, Sept 27th, 12:30 pm, Cormorant Books, Booth #6.

Cover of the new middle grade historical fiction, THE WAR LANTERN, by author Philippa Dowding. Title, name, and image of a ragged WWII Heinkel 111 bomber flying above the clouds.

034

Philippa Dowding @phdowding.bsky.social · 16/09/2026

034

Reposted by Philippa Dowding

Caroline Fernandez @parentclub.bsky.social · 14/09/2026

Join @phdowding.bsky.social, @cormorantbooks.bsky.social and myself for our double book launch Mabel's Fables Children's Bookstore - details in graphic. Link to the FB event group (to help us plan snacks) www.facebook.com/events/19974... #kidlit #booklaunch

132

Reposted by Philippa Dowding

Cormorant Books @cormorantbooks.bsky.social · 10/08/2026

The Love Song of Mr. Byrd by Philippa Dowding. *Nominated — SYRCA Shining Willow Award, 2026 *A Canadian Children’s Book Centre “Best Books for Kids and Teen” selection *Telling Tales Reading Selection 2026 #IReadCanadian #EarlyReader

041

Reposted by Philippa Dowding

Caroline Fernandez @parentclub.bsky.social · 04/08/2026

SAVE THE DATE Tuesday Nov 3 Middle Grade Historical Fiction - @phdowding.bsky.social and @parentclub.bsky.social @cormorantbooks.bsky.social 6:30-8:30pm Mabel's Fables Children's Bookstore - Toronto We acknowledge the support of the Canada Council for the Arts. #BringingTheArtsToLife #kidlit

052

Reposted by Philippa Dowding

Cormorant Books @cormorantbooks.bsky.social · 30/07/2026

"Told through alternating narrators, this fascinating World War II novel will hook readers until the very end." — School Library Journal (starred review) @mandagroup.bsky.social @phdowding.bsky.social @slj.com #schoollibraryjournal #bookreview #IReadCanadian

031

Philippa Dowding @phdowding.bsky.social · 19/07/2026

THE LOVE SONG OF MR. BYRD is a Telling Tales Festival Reading Selection for 2026! Thank you! This curated list of great Canadian children's literature is a resource for parents, guardians, and educators. More about Telling Tales and Mr. Byrd here: phdowding.blogspot.com @cormorantbooks.bsky.social

011

Philippa Dowding @phdowding.bsky.social · 25/06/2026

Introducing THE WAR LANTERN, coming from DCB Young Readers, October 2026. This middle-grade historical fiction follows the lives of three children one day in 1941, when bombs fall, families vanish, and the war lantern burns. More: phdowding.blogspot.com @cormorantbooks.bsky.social

000

Philippa Dowding @phdowding.bsky.social · 09/06/2026

THE LOVE SONG OF MR. BYRD is a Canadian Children's Book Centre Best Book Spring 2026! Thanks to my publisher DCB and the CCBC and congrats to all! @cormorantbooks.bsky.social @kidsbookcentre.bsky.social

051

Philippa Dowding @phdowding.bsky.social · 01/05/2026

A little cherry blossom action at High Park in Toronto today. Happy May Day!

140

Reposted by Philippa Dowding

Cormorant Books @cormorantbooks.bsky.social · 02/04/2026

Congratulations to our Willow Award nominees! THE LOVE SONG OF MR. BYRD by Philippa Dowding, RED FLAGS AND BUTTERFLIES by Sheryl Azzam, and WE BURY NOTHING by Kate Blair. @mandagroup.bsky.social #IReadCanadian #kidlit @phdowding.bsky.social @kateblair.bsky.social @willowawards.bsky.social

081

Philippa Dowding @phdowding.bsky.social · 01/04/2026

Thank you to the SYRCA WILLOW AWARDS! "The Love Song of Mr. Byrd" is a Shining Willow 2026 nominee, congrats to all! willowawards.ca/ @cormorantbooks.bsky.social

031

Philippa Dowding @phdowding.bsky.social · 25/03/2026

The robins in the park yesterday reminded me it's spring! To celebrate, here's Bat and Byrd's origin story: One summer night, a bat and bird flew over my head then chirped & swooped & flew into a tree together. I couldn't stop thinking about them, and so a story was born! phdowding.blogspot.com/

020

Philippa Dowding @phdowding.bsky.social · 07/02/2026

Celebrate friendship with THE LOVE SONG OF MR. BYRD! An early reader chapter book about what it means to love your friend, right to the very end. For ages 6 to 9 (and 99), a gentle read-aloud for everyone. MORE: phdowding.blogspot.com @cormorantbooks.bsky.social

072

Philippa Dowding @phdowding.bsky.social · 20/01/2026

The Ontario Library Association Super Conference is next week in Toronto! I'm delighted to be signing my new book, THE LOVE SONG OF MR. BYRD on Thursday, Jan. 29, 1:20 p.m. Find me in the OBPO Pavilion, please drop by and say hi. #olasc #writer #newbook @cormorantbooks.bsky.social

Photo of author Philippa Dowding and the cover of her book, The Love Song of Mr. Byrd (DCB Young Readers, October 2025). An invitation to meet her in person at the OLA Super Conference in Toronto on January 29, 2026.

040

Philippa Dowding @phdowding.bsky.social · 15/01/2026

Winter! Today is all about skiing through the woods to the cottage and a roaring fire. If you're in southern Ontario today, my guitar instrumental with Allister Thompson is for you! @allistert.bsky.social #music #wintersong #musician

thegatelessgate.bandcamp.com

Winter, by Philippa Dowding and Allister Thompson

from the album Fifth Season

042

Philippa Dowding @phdowding.bsky.social · 13/01/2026

Enjoy a little sweetness from Grade 4 students. Thank you to them for writing to me about THE LOVE SONG OF MR. BYRD! @cormorantbooks.bsky.social #writing

021

Reposted by Philippa Dowding

Rebecca Upjohn @rebeccaupjohn.bsky.social · 13/12/2025

The Love Song of Mr. Byrd by @phdowding.bsky.social with illustrations by Caroline Clarke is a balm for the soul. A reassuring story of friendship: poignant, lyrical, wise in an empthetic perspective for young readers. I loved this book. Much needed in our current world. #kidlit #canadiankidlit 📚👍🏻

A photograph of the cover of The Love Song of Mr. Byrd by Philippa Dowding with illustrations by Caroline Clarke, shows a robin and bat together in a tree. To the right is a smaller version of the cover printed on a shortbread cookie.

161

Reposted by Philippa Dowding

Deborah Kalb @deborahkalb.bsky.social · 08/12/2025

Q&A with Philippa Dowding about her children's chapter book, THE LOVE SONG OF MR. BYRD. tinyurl.com/596uvj6w @phdowding.bsky.social

111

Philippa Dowding @phdowding.bsky.social · 20/11/2025

What pairs well with a new book? Shortbread book cookies (bookies?)! "The Love Song of Mr. Byrd" cookies are almost too cute to eat ... (but they're delicious!) #writer #newbook #bookcookies #MrByrd #chapterbook @cormorantbooks.bsky.social

"The Love Song of Mr. Byrd", a new chapter book by Philippa Dowding. The image shows the book cover with bird and bat on a tree limb looking at each other. One shortbread "book cookie" with the cover imprinted on it in icing is placed on either side.

032

Philippa Dowding @phdowding.bsky.social · 05/11/2025

Meet Bat and Mr. Byrd, one with fur and one with feathers, who celebrate joy, loss, and love over one sweet summer. Enjoy the Book Trailer for THE LOVE SONG OF MR. BYRD, with illustrations by Caroline Clarke @cormorantbooks.bsky.social #writer #booksforkids #Canadianbooks #ireadcanadian #chapterbook

youtube.com

The Love Song of Mr. Byrd Book Trailer

YouTube video by Philippa Dowding

051

Philippa Dowding @phdowding.bsky.social · 30/10/2025

"I wonder. I wonder if she’ll be back?" A wobbly start to a new friendship captured beautifully by illustrator Caroline Clarke. Is Bat his friend? Mr. Byrd just isn't sure ... how DO you make friends, anyway? THE LOVE SONG OF MR. BYRD: phdowding.blogspot.com/2025/10/mr-b... #writers #booksforkids

Illustration Copyright Caroline Clarke, from THE LOVE SONG OF MR. BYRD, by Philippa Dowding (DCB 2025). Mr. Byrd stands dejected on the tree branch, while his friend Bat peeks at him from behind a leafy branch above his head.

040

Philippa Dowding @phdowding.bsky.social · 25/10/2025

It's publication day for THE LOVE SONG OF MR. BYRD! Welcome, welcome new book, I hope you bring the world a little more love. Sing your song! @cormorantbooks.bsky.social #writers #writingforkids #newbook

050

Philippa Dowding @phdowding.bsky.social · 29/09/2025

My author copies of "The Love Song of Mr. Byrd"! "This story is about friendship and love and is for everyone who has ever been moved to sing (or dance, or paint, or write, or celebrate) like Mr. Byrd. I hope he inspires you to hear your own song, & sing it, too." More on the blog! #cormorantbooks

The cover of THE LOVE SONG OF MR. BYRD, by Philippa Dowding. Art by Caroline Clarke. An inquisitive bird looks at a smiling bat on a tree branch.

141

Philippa Dowding @phdowding.bsky.social · 23/09/2025

Delighted to be signing THE LOVE SONG OF MR. BYRD at Word on the Street, Toronto, this weekend. I'll be at the Cormorant/DCB booth, B11, this Saturday, September 27, at 2:45. Drop by and say hello! @cormorantbooks.bsky.social #WOTS2025

021

Philippa Dowding @phdowding.bsky.social · 14/08/2025

"A new friend is a scary thing, sometimes." Here's the lovely back cover of "THE LOVE SONG OF MR. BYRD," (Oct/2025), from DCB Young Readers. The sweet feather is one of 10 beautiful illustrations by Newfoundland artist Caroline Clarke. Booklovers, you can pre-order now! @cormorantbooks.bsky.social

IMAGE: The back cover of THE LOVE SONG OF MR. BYRD, by Philippa Dowding, coming from DCB Young Readers, October 2025. A yellow cover with black type, an illustration of a sweet fallen feather by artist Caroline Clarke, the copy begins with the following words:

'A new friend is a scary thing, sometimes. You may have to change and adapt a little to make your friendship work.'
So says Bat to her new friend Mr. Byrd on one perfect summer twilight..." Further copy provided.

020

Reposted by Philippa Dowding

The History of Literature Podcast @holpod.bsky.social · 05/08/2025

Maupassant's "The Necklace" - a portrait of #fakes: "She dressed plainly because she could not dress well, but she was unhappy as if she had really fallen from a higher station." #maupassant #botd #booksky

063

Philippa Dowding @phdowding.bsky.social · 26/07/2025

Honored to publish "The Love Song of Mr. Byrd" (Oct/25), with @cormorantbooks.bsky.social. An independent publisher, all their books are entirely made in Canada! Written by Canadians Illustrated by Canadians Edited by Canadians Designed by Canadians Published by Canadians and Printed in Canada!

054

Philippa Dowding @phdowding.bsky.social · 13/07/2025

"At twilight, the in-between time, anything can happen." The first chapter of "The Love Song of Mr. Byrd" is now free on Bookmanager.com if you need a little love rn.

120

Philippa Dowding @phdowding.bsky.social · 08/07/2025

Broadside Sudden morning rises - unsurprised by life, crisis, whispering over the city, in bells, in birds, in shadows floating out the 10th floor window - nothing returns to say goodbye - only hello. Swift, take me with you - Read all of Broadside : phdowding.blogspot.com/2025/07/broa... #poem

phdowding.blogspot.com

Broadside, a poem for July 6th, 2025

Broadside Sudden morning rises - unsurprised by life, crisis, whispering over the city, in bells, in birds, in shadows floating out the 10th...

020

Philippa Dowding @phdowding.bsky.social · 19/06/2025

Best question at today's online middle-school presentation: "How did the book 1984 influence your dystopia, OCULUM?" Wow. My answer: oppressive and cruel Regulus was influenced by Big Brother. And love and free thought are banned in OCULUM, as in 1984. THANK YOU, fun & such great questions! #writer

The cover of OCULUM (2018, DCB Young Readers), by Philippa Dowding. A middle-grade dystopia with themes of climate change, inequity, dystopia, and life in a post-apocalyptic world.

020

Reposted by Philippa Dowding

Karen Krossing @karenkrossing.com · 03/06/2025

On June 11, I’ll be speaking at the monthly CANSCAIP members’ meeting @ 7 pm ET. Meetings are via Zoom, & you can contact @canscaip.bsky.social for membership options or a one-time guest invitation. I hope to see you there! #CANkidlit #kidlit #picturebooks #novels #writerscraft #fiction #nonfiction

How can we use elements of writer’s craft to serve the reader and the story, whether it’s fiction or nonfiction? Join Karen Krossing as she shares her big-picture takeaways on writing craft.

084

Reposted by Philippa Dowding

Cormorant Books @cormorantbooks.bsky.social · 02/06/2025

Check out our website for a 25% discount on all our books. Stock up on your summer reading! www.cormorantbooks.com/Sales/Summer... #BookSale #summersale #CanLit #IReadCanadian

021

Reposted by Philippa Dowding

Dublin Literary Award @dublinlitaward.bsky.social · 22/05/2025

🏆 The Adversary by Michael Crummey has won the 2025 Dublin Literary Award! 🏆 Nominated by Newfoundland & Labrador Public Libraries and published by Knopf Canada, this powerful novel takes the top honour in the award’s 30th year. 🎉 #DublinLitAward #DLA30yrs

13922

Reposted by Philippa Dowding

Chaucer Doth Tweet @levostregc.bsky.social · 12/05/2025

Roses are redde Noble are the manatees Yf we wante a bettir future Teach artes & humanityes

4687223

Philippa Dowding @phdowding.bsky.social · 07/05/2025

“A new friend is a scary thing, sometimes. You may have to change and adapt a little to make your friendship work.” Bat is wise in the way of friends. "The Love Song of Mr. Byrd" is coming soon, request a digital copy for review on the blog. @cormorantbooks.bsky.social #writer #writingcommunity

phdowding.blogspot.com

Introducing The Love Song of Mr. Byrd

Introducing The Love Song of Mr. Byrd , coming October 2025 from DCB Young Readers ! I'm truly delighted with this story, my latest and ...

041

Philippa Dowding @phdowding.bsky.social · 03/05/2025

Spot the Spotted Owl. A little more wrought-iron whimsy from Toronto Island last week! #writingretreat #writer #torontoisland

000

Philippa Dowding @phdowding.bsky.social · 01/05/2025

Today in Whimsy: sweet wrought-iron bird art from Toronto Island! Who gets the worm? #ironart #chickadee #Toronto

A mother bird feeds her three chicks. Wrought-iron bird art on a post, from Toronto Island, May, 2025.

051

Philippa Dowding @phdowding.bsky.social · 28/04/2025

Voted! One PAPER ballot, folded, put in the (overflowing) ballot box. Not an electronic scanner in sight. The three poll workers each had different coloured PENS, so no mix-ups. Seriously old school, and I've never been prouder to be Canadian! VOTE everyone!

070

Philippa Dowding @phdowding.bsky.social · 26/04/2025

Time out of the city for writing and a perfect window seat. Happy Saturday! #writer #writingcommunity

020

Philippa Dowding @phdowding.bsky.social · 25/04/2025

My sestina for poetry month, RESTORE: Let us shine in the tide and ramble, on the current, side by side, we begin. Hold each fragment of us and restore our shingled voices on the beach. We murmur in susurration, embrace our tides of imperfection. Full Poem: phdowding.blogspot.com/2023/12/phil...

000