iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

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Marianne Doherty @mariannedoherty.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

A family friend has just had a new wee baby which has sent me down a rabbit hole of the best books for babies. So for this week’s #KidsBooksFriday what books would you particularly recommend for reading with babies? #KidLitUK #UKKidLit #KidLit

Book cover for Each Peach Pear Plum by Janet and Allan Ahlberg

Book cover for Little Miss Austen: Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen and Alison Oliver.

Book cover for A Great Big Cuddle: Poems for the Very Young by Michael Rosen and Chris Riddell

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Richard Ruddick @richardruddick.bsky.social · 20/09/2026

Very pleased to receive a copy of the new release from @kateheap.bsky.social yesterday. Great to see so many fantastic contributions from active teachers, so can’t wait to start applying it myself in the classroom. Thanks to @hachettelibrary.bsky.social for the copy.

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Marianne Doherty @mariannedoherty.bsky.social · 18/09/2026

A few weeks ago we did cats as our prompt so this week it’s time for the doggies to get their chance to shine. What great children’s books can you recommend that feature or celebrate dogs? #KidsBooksFriday #KidLitUK #UKKidLit #KidLit

Book cover for Bear by Ben Queen and Joe Todd Stanton

Book cover for What’s That in Dog Years? by Ben Davis and Julia Christians

Book cover for Claude in the Country by Alex T. Smith

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Richard Ruddick @richardruddick.bsky.social · 16/09/2026

Picked up some tidy new additions for the class library.

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Richard Ruddick @richardruddick.bsky.social · 15/09/2026

Year 4 are fighting over this at the minute and can’t get enough. Absolute must have in your library.

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Richard Ruddick @richardruddick.bsky.social · 13/09/2026

It's been a long time, but I have finally added some new gems to my padlet and book shop. The superb Ghost & Toast by @squidlingking.bsky.social and the enchanting Wilomina by @metaphrog.bsky.social are two of the stand outs. uk.bookshop.org/lists/great-... padlet.com/rruddick9zra...

uk.bookshop.org

Great Graphic Novels for Kids

Here are some of the most popular titles available along with some of the more recent releases.

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Marianne Doherty @mariannedoherty.bsky.social · 11/09/2026

Kids books are riddled with terrible parenting and untrustworthy grown-ups. But sometimes an adult character will get to shine through as a source of kindness, refuge, wisdom or fun. For this week’s #KidsBooksFriday which books feature the lesser-spotted decent adult? #KidLitUK #UKKidLit #KidLit

Book cover for Boy in the Tower by Polly Ho-Yen.

Book cover for Frizzy by Claribel A. Ortega and Rose Bousamra

Book cover for Wee Granny’s Magic Bag by Elizabeth McKay and Maria Bogade

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Richard Ruddick @richardruddick.bsky.social · 10/09/2026

Detective Beans by @exocomics.com is fast becoming one of the best series you can have in your classroom. Every book is filled with stunning artwork and the stories are always heartwarming and hilarious throughout. Book three is no exception and is another must have.

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Richard Ruddick @richardruddick.bsky.social · 03/09/2026

Far more fun that it had any right to be be. Xenomorphs being air dropped into World War Two is something I never expected to read, but loved it. Fast paced, brutal and just fun to read

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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 · 21/08/2026

I was excited for my copy of Comics in the Classroom by @eggyhelen.bsky.social and Lucy Starbuck Braidley to arrive yesterday. So for this week’s #KidsBooksFriday, what comics / graphic novels do you reckon could work particularly well in a classroom? #KidLitUK #UKKidLit #KidLit

Comics in the Classroom by Helen Jones and Lucy Starbuck Braidley

Book cover for Wildful by Kengo Kurimoto

Book cover for Swim Team by Johnnie Christmas

Book cover for Bumble & Snug and the Jealous Giants by Mark Bradley

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Marianne Doherty @mariannedoherty.bsky.social · 14/08/2026

This week I got go to the launch of @metaphrog.bsky.social’s new book Wilomina which @louiestowell.bsky.social describes as ‘gloriously weird’. So for this week’s #KidsBooksFriday I thought we could celebrate books that revel in the weird, wonderful and fantastical. #KidLitUK #UKKidLit #KidLit

Book cover for Wilomina: The Land of Dreams and Nightmares by John Chalmers and Sandra Marrs

Book cover for Dungeon Fun: The Adventurs is Fun Mudlifter by Colin Bell and Neil Slorance

Book cover for Peculiar Woods: The Ancient Underwater City by Andres J. Colmenares

Book cover for Nightlights by Lorena Alvarez

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Richard Ruddick @richardruddick.bsky.social · 11/08/2026

Starting my day with some old school comics.

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Marianne Doherty @mariannedoherty.bsky.social · 07/08/2026

I’m reading the joyful Captain Sunshine by Alex Milway at the moment and it got me thinking that we haven’t done a week on early readers yet. What great kids books for newly independent readers would you recommend? #KidsBooksFriday #KidLitUK #KidLit #UKKidLit

Book cover for Captain Sunshine by Alex Milway

Book cover for Adventuremice: Of Mice and Mummies by Philip Reeve and Sarah McIntyre

Book cover for Dragon Storm: Tomas and Ironskin by Alastair Chisholm

Book cover for Detective Beans & The Case of the Missing Hat by Li Chen

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Richard Ruddick @richardruddick.bsky.social · 04/08/2026

Another top entry in this series that will further cement its place as a big favourite in UKS2 and KS3.

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Nick Sousanis @nsousanis.bsky.social · 31/07/2026

New arrival!! Comics in the Classroom by @eggyhelen.bsky.social & Lucy Starbuck Braidley (@comicboom.bsky.social) - great addition to anyone seeking to use comics in their teaching! But don’t take my word for it, check out these blurbs!! See more here www.routledge.com/Comics-in-th...

Blurbs from back cover - including one by me…

"Jones and Starbuck Braidley present a thorough and comprehensive guide to what comics are, why they belong in your classroom (yes, your classroom!), and tons of essential resources and practical activities to make that happen!" Nick Sousanis, Associate Professor in Comics Studies at San Francisco State University, USA, and author of Unflattening
"This inspiring text opens up the creative, multimodal world of comics. Enriching practical examples, text recommendations and the voices of teachers and comics creators are woven throughout. Don't miss this!" Teresa Cremin, The Open University, UK
"For anyone seeking to be evidence-informed and serious about enhancing life chances through developing literacy I would say: read this book."
Martin Galway, Head of Professional Learning and Partnerships, National Literacy Trus
"A compelling read and a rally cry."
Julie Tait, Founder Director of The Lakes International Comic Art Festival & Foundatio
Comics in the Classroom is an innovative and essential guide for educators teaching

Table of contents

Contents
List of Figures.
Acknowledgements
Foreword .
Jamie Smart
Glossary of English Educational Terms.
1 Introduction.
2 Comics and Reading for Pleasure ..
3 Comics and Visual Literacy....
4 Developing Analysis Skills and Oracy with Comics.
5 Comics, Writing and Drawing for Pleasure
6 Thinking through Comics, or Comics as Thinking
7 Comics Across the Curriculum.
8 Comics and Representation..
9 Comics, Accessibility and Inclusion.
10 Comics, Climate Change and Sustainable Education
11 What's Next?.
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• XU
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.. 33
53
.. 67
.. 85
... 99
. 113
.. 129
. 143
.157
Useful Resources and Key Comics Events in the UK for Children and Young People..
Index ..
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165
Contents • ix

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Marianne Doherty @mariannedoherty.bsky.social · 31/07/2026

There’s a fair few sequels being published at the moment, but I confess that, whilst I often buy sequels, I don’t often get round to reading them. So for this week’s #KidsBooksFriday, what kids’ book sequels are well worth making the time for in and of themselves? #KidsLitUK #UKKitLit #KitLit

Book cover for Mic Drop: A High Rise Mystery by Sharna Jackson

Book cover for The False Rose by Jakob Wegelius

Book cover for Garlic and the Witch by Bree Paulsen

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Richard Ruddick @richardruddick.bsky.social · 24/07/2026

Mignola is always a good way to spend the day.

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Marianne Doherty @mariannedoherty.bsky.social · 24/07/2026

My kids have been attempting to do a learn a bit more cookery these holidays. So for this week’s #KidsBooksFriday I thought we could do books featuring/celebrating food and cooking. (Take the theme as loosely as you please). #KidLitUK #UKKidLit #KidLit

Book cover for Measuring Up by Lily LaMatte and Ann Xu

Book cover for Take a Bite: Eat Your Way Around the World by Aleksandra and Daniel Mizielinski

Book cover for The Story of Pasta and How to Cook It! By Steven Guarnaccia and Heather Thomas

Book cover for Shifty McGifty and Slippery Sam by Tracey Corderoy and Steven Lenton.

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Richard Ruddick @richardruddick.bsky.social · 22/07/2026

Great deal for a book that’s going to be a popular one with readers. Fast paced and full of action, this is sure to be a big hit in KS2.

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Neill Cameron @neillcameron.bsky.social · 21/07/2026

HOW TO MAKE AWESOME COMICS is included in Waterstones’ 25% off SALE on selected pre-ordered books this week! Enter the code SUMMER26 at the checkout to get your discount and pre-order your copy today! www.waterstones.com/book/how-to-...

Promotional image saying exactly what it said in the text, along with a cover image of the book.

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Richard Ruddick @richardruddick.bsky.social · 22/07/2026

Brutal and somehow more messed up than the last one, but in the best possible way. Truly never read anything like it!

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Richard Ruddick @richardruddick.bsky.social · 21/07/2026

Top stuff as always from Mat, and it is always good to reflect on how your approach may impact reading habits and attitudes.

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Richard Ruddick @richardruddick.bsky.social · 21/07/2026

Still one of the most read series in my room and a set of books that readers always return to. Do yourself a favour and find a way to get a copy of this new one, as I have no doubt it will be brilliant like the rest. The world needs more Mr Wolf!

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Marianne Doherty @mariannedoherty.bsky.social · 17/07/2026

Keeping it simple for #KidsBooksFriday this week as I’m shattered. Share your great kids book recommendations featuring a cat. 🐈‍⬛ #KidLitUK #UKKidLit #KidLit

Book cover for My Life as a Cat by Carlie Sorosiak

Book cover for Professor Astrocat’s Frontiers of Space by Dr Dominic Walliman and Ben Newman

Book cover for Kiki’s Delivery Service by Eiko Kadono, illustrated by Joe Todd Stanton

Book cover for The Cat who Couldn’t be Bothered by Jack Kurland.

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Marianne Doherty @mariannedoherty.bsky.social · 10/07/2026

To celebrate the amazing @lawrencepatrice.bsky.social’s appointment as our new children’s laureate, how about we use this week’s #KidsBooksFriday to share books that embody her message of community and belonging. #KidLitUK #UKKidLit #KidLit

Book cover for The Ogress and the Orphans by Kelly Barnhill

Book cover for Invisible by Christina Diaz Gonzalez and Gabriela Epstein

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Richard Ruddick @richardruddick.bsky.social · 08/07/2026

Making a start in this exciting upcoming release from @metaphrog.bsky.social and @scholasticuk.bsky.social . Showed my class the cover and was told I need to hurry up and read it, so they can squeeze it in before we break up next week.

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Marianne Doherty @mariannedoherty.bsky.social · 26/06/2026

I was thrilled to see Beth O’Brien’s fabulous Wolf Siren win at the Carnegies this week. It so cleverly leans into and extends the story of Little Red Riding Hood. What other great children’s books play with well known Folk and Fairtytales, Myths and Legends? #KidsBooksFriday #KidLitUK #KidLit

Book cover for Wolf Siren by Beth O’Brien with the subtext: Inside Every Good Girl is a Wolf.

Book cover for The House with Chicken Legs by Sophie Anderson

Book cover for Kai and the Monkey King by Joe Todd Stanton

Book cover for Spirit Warriors by Ashley Thorpe.

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

Today we’re celebrating a year of #KidsBooksFriday! 🎉 So let’s go back to where we started - what great book(s) do you wish every child had the opportunity to read? #KidLitUK #UKKidLit #KidLit (Also some practical questions below…)

Book cover for Usborne’s 100 Things to Know About Food. Here representing the whole series which I can’t rate highly enough.

Book cover for Tom Gauld’s Little Wooden Robot and the Log Princess

Book cover for Donut Squad: Take Over the World by Neill Cameron

Book cover for The Murderer’s Ape by Jakob Wegelius

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Richard Ruddick @richardruddick.bsky.social · 04/06/2026

You can never have enough booktalk in school, so why not indulge in this fantastic opportunity for more? Mat is an absolute expert about all things book related, so you know it will be a fantastic use of your time.

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Richard Ruddick @richardruddick.bsky.social · 01/06/2026

First day back can be tricky, but getting this delivered during lunch certainly raised the energy levels in year 4 this afternoon!

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Richard Ruddick @richardruddick.bsky.social · 13/05/2026

Amazing how much more interesting our maths lesson was today when they were working out the cost of all the new books they want to buy. Apologies to all the parents who are greeted with a wish list as a result!

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Marianne Doherty @mariannedoherty.bsky.social · 08/05/2026

Over David Attenborough’s lifetime the natural world has become ever more eroded. On his 100th birthday let’s use #KidsBooksFriday to celebrate children’s books that carry on his environmental legacy, help us delight in nature and encourage us to protect its future. #KidLitUK #UKKidLit #KidLit

Book cover for Drawn To Change The World: 16 Climate Activists, 16 Artists by Emma Reynolds

Book cover for Usborne’s 100 Things To Know about Saving the Planet

Book cover for Global by Eoin Colfer, Andrew Donkin and Giovanni Rigano

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Marianne Doherty @mariannedoherty.bsky.social · 01/05/2026

We all love getting great books into the hands of kids. But there’s nothing quite so wonderful as a child discovering books they love and recommending them back to us. Which books/authors have been championed by the kids in your life? #KidsBooksFriday #KidLitUK #UKKidLit #KidLit #EduSky

Book cover for Looshkin: The Maddest Cat in the World! By Jamie Smart

Book cover for Who Let the Gods Out by Maz Evans

Book cover for Murder at Snowfall by Fleur Hitchcock

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Marianne Doherty @mariannedoherty.bsky.social · 24/04/2026

As a celebration of all those going above and beyond to help kids develop a love of reading, and working so hard to get great books into the hands of kids - this week’s #KidsBooksFriday theme is Teamwork. What great books about #teamwork would you recommend? #KidLitUK #UKKidLit #KidLit #EduSky

Book cover for Crookhaven: A School for Thieves by J.J.Arcanjo

Book cover for The Good Turn by Sharna Jackson

Book cover for Nate Yu’s Blast from the Past by Maisie Chan

Book cover for Another Kind by Cait May and Trevor Bream

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Marianne Doherty @mariannedoherty.bsky.social · 17/04/2026

I’m hoping #Bluesky will be in more robust health for this today. 🤞 It’s been a bit of a week, made brighter with pockets of immense kindness. So for #KidsBooksFriday this week, I thought we could celebrate books that highlight the importance of kindness. #KidLitUK #UKKidLit #KidLit #Kindness

Book cover for Just Jamie by Terri Libenson

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Marianne Doherty @mariannedoherty.bsky.social · 03/04/2026

Last week I treated myself to Joe Todd Stanton’s newest picture book which is just gorgeous. 😍 It got me thinking we need a #KidsBooksFriday celebrating illustrators. Which illustrators do you love? And which of their books show of the best of their style? #KidLitUK #UKKidLit #KidLit

Book cover for The Lost Robot by Joe Todd-Stanton. Image shows a broken robot standing by a rubbish dump looking into a puddle. In the puddle he sees a happy, colourful version of himself surrounded by a luscious green landscape.

Book cover for AdventureMice: Mermouse Mystery by Philip Reeve and Sarah McIntyre. Image shows a yellow submarine being driven by a brown mouse with glasses. A white mouse with a brown patch round his eye, wear in a yellow mac, pops his head out of the top. Around them swim mermice (half mermaid, half mice).

Book cover for Crazy About Cats by Owen Davey. Image shows stylised illustrations of various cat species including a striking looking tiger, accompanied by a pair of binoculars and a safari car driving along a road.

Book cover of The Arrival by Shaun Tan. Cover appears in the style of a battered old notebook. Image in sepia tones shows a man in a suit with a hat and a briefcase bending down to speak to an unusual looking creature with a large mouth, pointy ears, a short body and a long tail.

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Richard Ruddick @richardruddick.bsky.social · 24/03/2026

New class favourite has revived and it has some absolutely stunning edges to go with it.

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Richard Ruddick @richardruddick.bsky.social · 11/03/2026

Not sure why it took me so long to get round to reading book two and it did not disappoint. Superb pacing and some of the most beautiful artwork you’ll see. Guess it’s time to get through the next couple much quicker!

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Richard Ruddick @richardruddick.bsky.social · 10/03/2026

A little slow to start and packed with a lot of dense storytelling, but it all paid off at the end. Suitable for all of KS2, but best served in UKS2 due to its slightly more complex story. One for the fans of Lightfall and amulet.

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Richard Ruddick @richardruddick.bsky.social · 09/03/2026

Lovely little reading delivery today.

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Richard Ruddick @richardruddick.bsky.social · 07/03/2026

Loved this second book in the series and was a great read to start the day. Plenty of thought provoking story telling, but also plenty of turtle bearing people up as well which is always the highlight.

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Richard Ruddick @richardruddick.bsky.social · 27/02/2026

Starting the day off with this. Predator Badlands was a blast, so that was the perfect excuse to finally pick this up.

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Jess Bradley @jessbradley.bsky.social · 17/02/2026

Get 25% off when you pre-order Meet the Invisibles! It's a very cool science book about tiny things! Written by Mike Barfield and illustrated by me!

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Richard Ruddick @richardruddick.bsky.social · 17/02/2026

Perfect time to secure some cracking future reads. That front cover is going to lure in so many readers you can tell.

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Richard Ruddick @richardruddick.bsky.social · 16/02/2026

Plenty of gems here to keep me entertained.

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Jordan Collver @jordancollver.bsky.social · 12/02/2026

It's Publication Day for Pets Tell Tales: Ancient Rome, baby!

Comic panels of a lion jumping through the air in a flying-elbow wrestler pose towards a Roman gladiator, ready with sword and shield. The lion says "Like I was saying... Today's the day I make my name!"

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Marianne Doherty @mariannedoherty.bsky.social · 06/02/2026

As grown-ups we can often fall into the trap of leaning towards serious or ‘issue heavy’ kid’s books, forgetting that kids also need and deserve books that just bring joy. So for #KidsBooksFriday this week, what are your top fun / silly / joyful book recommendations? #KidLitUK #UKKidLit #KidLit

Book cover for Mr Wolf’s Class by Aron Nels Steinke

Book cover for Jinks and O’Hare, Funfair Repair by Philip Reeve and Sarah McIntyre

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Jordan Collver @jordancollver.bsky.social · 02/02/2026

Only TEN more days until "Pets Tell Tales: Ancient Rome" will be on shelves in bookstores! You can also order it now: tinyurl.com/PetsRome A kids' comic by @rikworth.bsky.social & me that tackles some of the big topics of the ancient world of humans, from the perspective of animals.

Colourful cover for the comic Pets Tell Tales: Ancient Rome featuring various cartoon animals smashing through a line of Roman soldiers. A wolf and a dog growl at each other in the foreground.

Cartoon illustration of a rooster riding on the back of a white goat who is knocking off the head of a large marble statue.

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Richard Ruddick @richardruddick.bsky.social · 26/01/2026

Well worth the wait, but now I have an agonising wait for the final book. Top class storytelling and a series that deserves so much more praise and attention. A great option for year 6.

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