iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Claire Smith @phonicssquirrel.bsky.social · 27/07/2026

Unless you want to have A LOT of conversations about genitalia over breakfast, you might want to skip watching ep.2 of #Evolution with your 8YO boy. Yes, I know @chrisgpackham.bsky.social said it and it's nature and yes, we should use the proper terms, but please can I finish my toast in peace?! 😫

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Claire Smith @phonicssquirrel.bsky.social · 07/07/2026

Doing my first teacher thing before training starts in September - soaking up the atmosphere at the Nate Conference 2026! Feel like a bit of an imposter, but I've got a notebook full of ideas already #nate2026

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Claire Smith @phonicssquirrel.bsky.social · 14/05/2026

Rainbows natural painting with added science done!

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Claire Smith @phonicssquirrel.bsky.social · 13/05/2026

Getting prepped for Rainbows tomorrow - it's going to be a messy one, and I hope the girls have as much fun as I've had! #STEM, #paintingnature #girlguidinguk

Watercolour paper with verious colour splodges, labelled blackberry, spinach, red cabbage, coffee, turmeric, red cabbage + vinegar, red cabbage + lemon, red cabbage + bicarb, red cabbage + soap, strawberry.

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Reposted by Claire Smith

Tom Jamieson @tomjam.bsky.social · 04/05/2026

From Private Eye (I may have assisted Bill Cashgrab in writing this)

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Claire Smith @phonicssquirrel.bsky.social · 17/04/2026

Such a great day - 9 years after it was condemned, 6 years after it closed, 4 years since it was knocked down and rebuilding started, 2 years after it was supposed to happen ... our local library is back! It's gorgeous. I genuinely can't stop smiling ☺️

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Claire Smith @phonicssquirrel.bsky.social · 11/04/2026

They are all brilliant, but there is a bookseller at Waterstone's in Nottingham who is just so knowledgeable about children's books and who lights up when my daughter asks her a question, going out of her way to be helpful. She's an absolute star @waterstoneskids.bsky.social

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Claire Smith @phonicssquirrel.bsky.social · 18/02/2026

It's 2026. I've worked in publishing for nearly 20 years, freelance for the last ten. When I am required to attend an online meeting and people I've been working with hear my voice for the first time, there is always a note of surprise that I am from The North. Is it really that 'exotic'?

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Claire Smith @phonicssquirrel.bsky.social · 09/02/2026

Thank you, @pierrenovellie.bsky.social - after overhearing your set about being unfashionable on BBC Sounds, my 8YO ND son has really taken to the phrase "Marks and Spencers, the dense boy's friend," and now I have to hear that 400 times a day 😆

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Claire Smith @phonicssquirrel.bsky.social · 22/12/2025

8YO and I have decided to go non-traditional with our Christmas cake decoration this year!

Square cake decorated with Feathers McGraw from Wallace and Gromit, with the words 'Good Grief; It's Yule!' around the image. Completed with star sugar sprinkles.

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Reposted by Claire Smith

Cethan Leahy @cethanleahy.com · 19/12/2025

Ah that's a nice worst kept secret in publishing you have there, sure would be a shame if it was revealed just before Christmas

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TransActual @transactualuk.bsky.social · 03/12/2025

This government needs urgently to rectify the situation before more beloved charities and national institutions are forced into applying discriminatory policies which go against their values. This is harming Britain's institutions greatly at a time when they're already stretched to breaking point.

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TransActual @transactualuk.bsky.social · 03/12/2025

This is mere cruelty to exclude trans people from doing the things they love with the people who love them. This is the outcome of the EHRC's decision to propose a blanket ban on trans inclusion in private as well as public organisations.

Statement on new membership policies from WI and Girl Guiding. This Government must be held responsible for the long-lasting damage they are doing to a generation of LGBTQ+ people. This is mere cruelty to exclude trans people from doing the things they love with the people who love them.

This is the outcome of the EHRC's decision to propose a blanket ban on trans inclusion in private as well as public organisations.

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Claire Smith @phonicssquirrel.bsky.social · 13/11/2025

Had coffee this morning with a mum I often see on the school run, but don't know well. I did not expect our conversation to turn to a full rundown of Margaret Atwood's greatest works, but I'm so pleased it did! I'm now thinking about setting up a school run book club!

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Claire Smith @phonicssquirrel.bsky.social · 12/11/2025

Is there a school in this land that isn't already working incredibly hard on attendance? How is an AI target going to help the child who can't get to school because they're caring for a sick parent? Or the child whose anxiety prevents them leaving the house? www.theguardian.com/education/20...

theguardian.com

All schools in England to be given AI-generated pupil attendance targets

Unions decry move, saying it will put more pressure on headteachers without tackling absence from classrooms

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Claire Smith @phonicssquirrel.bsky.social · 23/10/2025

Hands up if you didn't know AA Milne wrote books for grownups too! (Obviously, Winnie the Pooh is great for grownups, but you know what I mean.) Found 'The Red House Mystery" in Oxfam and it's really rather enjoyable #mysterylit #oxfam

The book 'The Red House Mystery' by AA Milne, with cup of tea next to it.

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Louie Stowell @louiestowell.bsky.social · 26/09/2025

Not an expert in the field but I suspect teachers and schools already KNOW which students are struggling with reading. What they need are solutions. Such as funding for libraries with librarians.

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Claire Smith @phonicssquirrel.bsky.social · 18/09/2025

School have sent out a message asking people to stop sending tons of sweets in to school for birthdays. Class WhatsApp group is going mad. 'What is the world coming to?', they ask. 'This is really sad'. 'But school will still allow cake sales - how is that fair?'

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Claire Smith @phonicssquirrel.bsky.social · 15/09/2025

10YO is learning about WWII this term, so we're reading 'When Hitler Stole Pink Rabbit' by Judith Kerr together. Handily, this month's Aquila magazine (which I generally highly recommend) is on WWII, so we knocked up a little diorama at the weekend. #aquilamagazine #TheBlitz #schoolhistory

Diorama of a London underground station being used as shelter during the Blitz.

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Claire Smith @phonicssquirrel.bsky.social · 10/09/2025

10YO is in Year 6 now, and finally free of book bands! She was so excited to show me the Year 6 library. Why she hasn't been allowed near it in the previous five years at the school is a mystery to me 🙄

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Claire Smith @phonicssquirrel.bsky.social · 27/08/2025

They say never meet your heroes, but 7YO was beside himself to meet Orinoco today #wombles #heightsofabraham

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Claire Smith @phonicssquirrel.bsky.social · 25/08/2025

Four months ago, my friend tearfully asked if we'd give one of her cats a home - she'd adopted a pair of kittens who just didn't get on once they'd reached maturity. We'd never had a pet before. We had to learn quickly. Today, we celebrated Cat's 2nd birthday. We're all besotted. #birthdaycat

Tabby cat looks at a birthday candle stuck on a tin of tuna, with party hat and birthday card in the background.

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Jamie Smart @jamiesmart.bsky.social · 25/08/2025

Happy ‘it’s a bank holiday that’s why they’re not replying to your emails’ Day to all the freelancers! 🥳

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Claire Smith @phonicssquirrel.bsky.social · 23/08/2025

Well, I wasn't expecting the latest Grimwood to lead to discussions with 7YO and 10YO about politics, but very glad it did! Another excellent story. We've finally decided we're ready for Roald Dahl's 'The Witches' now. Just read the bit about how to recognise a witch. Both kids absolutely gripped 😊

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Claire Smith @phonicssquirrel.bsky.social · 13/08/2025

Friend asked 10YO what type of books she likes best: "Mainly murder books. And books with a map in the front." She's currently reading 'A Boxful of Murders' by Janice Hallett, which I'm definitely going to be reading after her! www.penguin.co.uk/books/455649... #kidlituk #mysterybooks

penguin.co.uk

A Box Full of Murders

The first children's murder mystery from number-one-bestselling author of The Appeal, Janice Hallett, perfect for fans of Robin Stevens and Rhian Tracey. When Ava and Luke discover a mysterious box o...

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Claire Smith @phonicssquirrel.bsky.social · 10/08/2025

Children are staying with grandparents, so it's remote bedtime story over video calling this week. Which means Grandma and Grandad are also getting to hear the new Grimwood and ALL the silly voices. 7YO is bringing them up to speed: "And then there's Sharon ..." 😆 #kidlituk #bedtimestory #awooga

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Claire Smith @phonicssquirrel.bsky.social · 31/07/2025

SQUEEEE! New Grimwood is out! We're very excited - AWOOOOGA!! #grimwood #tedandnancy @nadiashireen.bsky.social

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Claire Smith @phonicssquirrel.bsky.social · 24/07/2025

Last day of infants for 7YO - he's been so discombobulated the last couple of weeks and is definitely ready for some downtime. Funny how in times of transition, he reaches for comfort books. Lots of Wombles and Winnie the Pooh recently #kidlituk #comfortreads

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Claire Smith @phonicssquirrel.bsky.social · 13/07/2025

A train trip, a picnic and a 1.9 mile walk around a nature reserve with my Rainbows group today - not a single mention of tired legs! Ice lollies at the end a good incentive to keep moving #girlguidinguk #rainbows #gguk

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Claire Smith @phonicssquirrel.bsky.social · 09/07/2025

7YO begged me for book four in Johnny Duddle's 'The Jolley-Rogers' series when he spotted it in WH Smiths yesterday. Had to um and ahh about it, you know, finances being what they are, but I didn't take much convincing! 😆 toppsta.com/books/series...

toppsta.com

All the Jolley-Rogers Series Books in Order | Toppsta

Read reviews of all the Jolley-Rogers Series books and how to read Jolley-Rogers Series in order. Book 1 in the series is The Jolley-Rogers and the Pirate Piper.

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Claire Smith @phonicssquirrel.bsky.social · 02/07/2025

Devoured 'A Beginner's Guide to Breaking and Entering' by @andrewhunterm.bsky.social in a single sitting - loved it! Next on the TBR pile is a book I found in our community book swap by Marina Hyde - 'What Just Happened?!' Another one I'll be reading with the author's voice in my head 😀

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Claire Smith @phonicssquirrel.bsky.social · 29/06/2025

Finally finished 'Americanah', by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie. Amazing. I'd happily read a book by Adichie twice the length. Now for something completely different - 'A Beginners Guide to Breaking and Entering' by Andrew Hunter Murray. And I'm totally hearing his voice as I read!

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Reposted by Claire Smith

The Bee @beelitmag.bsky.social · 22/06/2025

The emphasis here on social connections is predictable but great to see it being highlighted. When we talk to people about class – particularly young people - nepotism is always one of the biggest issues. Often THE biggest. www.93percent.club/thebigstates...

93percent.club

The Big State School Survey — The 93% Club

The results are in. Here’s what state schoolers across the country really think.

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Claire Smith @phonicssquirrel.bsky.social · 21/06/2025

Currently working with a school on their Clean Air campaign to reduce air pollution around school. Before I write a story, are there any books out there (KS1/KS2) that cover this topic in a not terrifying, not judging way? #kidlituk #cleanairday2025

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Claire Smith @phonicssquirrel.bsky.social · 04/06/2025

10YO is currently rattling through everything MG Leonard has ever written, and has also found time to read 'Peanut Jones and the Twelve Portals', by the fab @robbiddulph.bsky.social. Obviously, none of these books 'count' at school, because they are not out of her assigned Reading for Pleasure box 🙄

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Claire Smith @phonicssquirrel.bsky.social · 23/05/2025

www.theguardian.com/education/20... Our local Sure Start centre was invaluable when my daughter was tiny - and she really was tiny - and I was a new mum, with no family nearby. As a toddler, she stood outside the closed doors with her first protest placard 🙁

theguardian.com

Sure Start centres generated £2 of financial benefits for every £1 spent, study finds

New Labour initiative created ‘remarkably long-lasting’ health and education improvements, says report

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Claire Smith @phonicssquirrel.bsky.social · 17/05/2025

The importance of access to books cannot be overstated. From literacytrust.org.uk/research-ser... "1 in 8 (12.4%) [children] who received FSMs did not have a book compared with 1 in 13 (8.0%) of their peers." #libraries #reading #booktrust #nationalliteracytrust

literacytrust.org.uk

Book ownership in 2024 | National Literacy Trust

Based on data from our 2024 Annual Literacy Survey, this report tracks book ownership in children and young people in the UK.

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Claire Smith @phonicssquirrel.bsky.social · 17/05/2025

The children and I joined a protest this morning to plead with the council to PLEASE open our local library! It's been five years since it closed with the promise of a lovely new one being built, and all we get are delays and reports of bickering between the developers and the council 😡

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Claire Smith @phonicssquirrel.bsky.social · 16/05/2025

We love Sweet Cherry's Easy Classics (and the ethos of the company in general). 10YO is working her way through the Bronte collection, and 7YO is enjoying 'War of the Worlds'. Excellent excuse to introduce him to Jeff Wayne's musical, of course #kidlit #kidlituk #sweetcherry #waroftheworlds

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Claire Smith @phonicssquirrel.bsky.social · 13/05/2025

Oooo, I like it here! My feed just introduced me to the podcast Island of Brilliant, with Nadia Shireen and @frankcottrellboyce.bsky.social. M. G. Leonard is a firm favourite of 10YO (reading 'The Ice Children' at the mo), so I think I'll start with that one 😁

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The Bee @beelitmag.bsky.social · 05/05/2025

We're launching The Bee magazine today because the UK publishing and writing industries have a bit of a class problem.

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Claire Smith @phonicssquirrel.bsky.social · 01/05/2025

www.theguardian.com/books/2025/a... This is really sad. I have always loved reading to my children. It's a sacred bonding time for us, and I'll be doing it for as long as they'll listen (and probably beyond that!) I always finish a Rainbows session with a story too, and they love it.

theguardian.com

Most parents don’t enjoy reading to their children, survey suggests

Report from Nielsen and HarperCollins shows that parents see reading as a literacy skill, rather than something to encourage their children to love

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