iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Claire Smith @phonicssquirrel.bsky.social · 07/08/2026

The Claude series by Alex T Smith. Anything by Pamela Butchart (Wigglesbottom Primary, etc). The Dave Pigeon series by Swapna Haddow. The Daisy series by Kes Gray. The Jolley-Rogers series by Jonny Duddle The Rabbit and Bear series by Julian Gough & Jim Field. #KidsBooksFriday #KidLit

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

No, I will not do an image search for 'the duck one.' Good grief, child.

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

(Obviously, I'm joking and you should watch #BBCEvolution, because it's brilliant!)

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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 · 11/06/2026

I don't usually talk to myself, but less than three minutes into this episode, I've had cause to cry out loud, "Oh no, that is too much. That is dreadful. Good grief."

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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 · 24/04/2026

I don't need to see what my children are doing at school every day. I like to ask them at the end of day and have a conversation about it. And, I'm engaged enough with school to be confident that my children's teachers are doing a great job - I don't need daily photographic evidence.

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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 · 10/04/2026

Studied 'Nervous Conditions' as part of my English degree at the University of York in the early 2000s. I think the module was called 'Postcolonial Literature.'

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Claire Smith @phonicssquirrel.bsky.social · 10/04/2026

Done - had my eye on this one for a while 🙂

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Claire Smith @phonicssquirrel.bsky.social · 03/04/2026

I made the decision to leave publishing, and apply to be a primary school teacher - three interview offers in three days! After spending the last year feeling increasingly redundant in the publishing industry, it's been a real boost to my confidence, and I'm genuinely excited about the next steps!

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

Will I ever stop feeling like I have to work extra hard to prove I can do the job, despite my (light) accent?

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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 · 14/02/2026

My son made a Valentine's card for the cat. I got zilch.

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Claire Smith @phonicssquirrel.bsky.social · 13/02/2026

I have done this activity with my Girlguiding Rainbows group (ages 4-7) and they LOVED it!

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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

Already circled in the Christmas TV guide!

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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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Reposted by Claire Smith

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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Reposted by Claire Smith

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 · 03/12/2025

It's devastating. And the numbers of Guide Leaders talking about resigning their posts in the wake of this decision (myself included) makes me think that Girlguiding will fold now. That safe space will be gone.

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Claire Smith @phonicssquirrel.bsky.social · 03/12/2025

Devastating. My understanding is that Girlguiding had very little choice, following the Supreme Court ruling in April and the threat of legal action from people determined to discriminate. I don't think I can continue with my Rainbows group after this, but then that safe space is gone for all of us.

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Claire Smith @phonicssquirrel.bsky.social · 01/12/2025

I searched online for ideas for gifts for my 11YO girl. It's all about skincare and hair at that age, apparently. Like, seriously expensive stuff, for intensive skincare routines. I asked my 11YO what she would like for Christmas and she's requested a marble run set and a skateboard.

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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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Reposted by Claire Smith

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

So tempted to jump in with a note about allergies, dietary requirements, promoting healthy lifestyles, etc. but the class WhatsApp group is like a nest of vipers. Have emailed school with positive feedback instead - let schools know you're on their side!

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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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Reposted by Claire Smith

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 · 12/08/2025

"Here's an incredibly wordy brief containing eleventy billion links to Teams folders I have not given you access to. I'm now out of office for a fortnight and I need all work completed for the day of my return."

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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 · 23/07/2025

If they could edit out any instance of Gregg describing a food as 'slippery', that would be very much appreciated by me. Been giving me the ick since long before he was outed as a wrong'un.

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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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