SF Said

I believe this is a golden age of children's literature. There are books being published today that will shape the minds of generations; life-changing books whose readers will change the world. There really is a book for EVERYONE now - if we can just help every reader find those books!

"I honestly do not know how they do it. My library responds to crisis after crisis. Recently, they became a food distribution site." - Madeline K., Library user, Wisconsin. GIVE NOW TO SUPPORT LIBRARIES. American Library Association. For Our Libraries.

Libraries are doing more than ever. This #GivingTuesday, your gift strengthens the work that makes moments like this possible.

Support ALA and help build stronger libraries and stronger communities. Give today: bit.ly/ForOurLibraries

School Libraries in the spotlight: A round-up of recent news We’ve gathered everything you need to know about recent campaigns, policy changes and enquiries.

Recent months have seen a flurry of government attention on education, reading for pleasure and #schoollibraries. We’ve gathered everything you need to know about recent campaigns, policy changes and enquiries into one place and will update this page as things change: bit.ly/48NpgTM #EduSkyUK

That's incredibly kind of you, Bob - thank you so much! There are so many brilliant writers and artists working in the field of children's literature now - I really do think it's never been richer or deeper!

❤️ 📖

I've seen lots of posters asking where to find #ScienceFiction and #Fantasy writers, so I threw together this starter pack of UK genre folk. As I said, it was hurriedly assembled, so probably many glaring omissions, but perhaps a place to start:

go.bsky.app/E54FrTn

I love that feeling! Usually it happens to me when I've been spending 4 hours a day or more working on the book - there's something about 4 hours that seems to engage the unconscious more deeply, so you begin to dream about it, and it begins to feel like it's writing itself..

The 100 Best Children’s Books of the 21st Century In September the Guardian published the 100 books of the 21st Century. It contained only five children’s books, two of which were published in the year 2000 – wrong century – and featur…

And if you're looking for new children's books,
@tygertale.bsky.social has just updated his crowd-sourced list of the Best Children's Books of the 21st Century. It's a wonderful list that shows this really is a golden age - just have a look!
tygertale.com/2025/11/28/t...

I believe this is a golden age of children's literature. There are books being published today that will shape the minds of generations; life-changing books whose readers will change the world. There really is a book for EVERYONE now - if we can just help every reader find those books!

inquisitivenewt.com/2025/05/26/t...
Another great children's book gift suggestion for anyone looking - this time 'Tyger' by @whatsfsaid.bsky.social & Dave McKean.
I won't shut up about how great this books is - I've bought copies for adults too. It's about Empire, Art and the theft of common land 😍

Thank you so much Fran - this means so much to me. I always hope that adults will read my books as well as children, because I believe children's books are really books for everyone!

The 100 Best Children’s Books of the 21st Century In September the Guardian published the 100 books of the 21st Century. It contained only five children’s books, two of which were published in the year 2000 – wrong century – and featur…

When there’s an article about reading, the author often focuses on the C20th as if they too don’t understand the link between not reading and not feeling represented. Thankfully, @tygertale.bsky.social put this list together

Tell me what you agree/disagree with

tygertale.com/2025/11/28/t...

Our friends at Letterbox Library have put together a book pack for primary school teachers, inspired by our Reflecting Realities research.

Get a book pack for your classroom here: https://www.letterboxlibrary.com/product-page/reflecting-realities-book-pack-key-stage-1-2

📢 Amazing news alert!

Our brilliant #WriterInResidence Matt Goodfellow has launched his poetry competition for children - and his favourite entries will win a signed bundle of his books!

Get more info on how to enter here 👇

https://bit.ly/3Khwki9

A photograph from the National Theatre production of Ballet Shoes based on the book by Noel Streatfeild.

The cover of Ballet Shoes by Noel Streatfeild, Puffin edition.

'This production makes the most of a novel that revelled in the business of performance. It celebrates its own art & artifice, & [...] invites the audience to revel in it too.'

Ballet Shoes back at @nationaltheatre.org.uk BfK review by @nicolettejones.bsky.social booksforkeeps.co.uk/article/ball...

Orlando Bloom as Legolas, bless him; subtitles read: “They are taking the hobbits to Isengard.”

What did you say?

Join us for a festival signing session on Satuday in Crystal Palace! Preorders now closed but you can buy Lokis on the day too!

Book hive mind. I've got a mentee and we're going to talk about getting an agent and working with an agent. However, I got my agent in 2018; things have changed (Twitter was very good and I didn't have to join a platform to get in touch with agents). What are the best ways to research agents now?

Save Newham Libraries — Stop the Proposed 50% Budget Cuts! Sign the petition - Save Newham Libraries - Stop the Proposed 50% Budget Cuts! Newham Libraries are a lifeline for our community. But the Council is thinking of slashing our library budget by 50%. T...

Newham Libraries (my locals) are a lifeline for our community. But the Council is considering slashing the budget by 50%.This could mean closures, staff cuts, and service reductions. As we approach the year of reading we can’t allow councils to defund our libraries! actionnetwork.org/petitions/sa...

A little advert for my best-selling book 'Art Shaped'

Are you after the perfect Christmas gift for your creative loved one? 🤔 Do they like making things?
Well this might be the perfect little surprise. 😮😁
'Art Shaped' is my best-selling guide to 3D making, with over 150 five-star reviews 🤩
It's here ⬇️
www.amazon.co.uk/Art-Shaped-s...
#edusky

YouTube video by Schools History Project DTC26 promo

Have you got 49 seconds to spare? Check out our latest promo video for @1972shp.bsky.social's Developing Teachers' Conference, 31/01/26. Early Bird Tickets available from here store.leedstrinity.ac.uk/product-cata... #skystorians #historyeducation #edusky
www.youtube.com/watch?v=K4s6...

YouTube video by BeBold History Network Dr Arthur Chapman Teaching Interpretations

Teaching Interpretations, Part 1.

Part 1 is about helping kids (a) notice and (b) explain differences of interpretation.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=rkNv...

2/3

I mean I just opened it and saw The City of Stolen Magic, Tyger and The First Year at the top so this list automatically has my full endorsement!

Books of the Year 2025 ✨ It's the most wonderful list of the year: bookier than the Booker! More indie than your fave band! It's 75% indie publishers, 30% non-fiction, 25% translation, 20% poetry & 100% Burley Fisher.  So say...

OK, book/list fans, here's the @burleyfisher.bsky.social Books of the Year 2025, inc our Zines of the Year + BF bestseller list.

My picks 🧵

burleyfisherbooks.com/blogs/news/b...

Loose Threads: A Picture Book Author: Isol Translator: Lawrence Schimel  Publisher: Enchanted Lion Hardback Burley Fisher Books of the Year 2025 So says… This picture book brings together imagination, craft, storytelling and belon...

Isol, trans. @lawrenceschimel.bsky.social, LOOSE THREADS: A PICTURE BOOK @enchantedlion.bsky.social

"[Heading to] the underside where the wild things are, Leilah goes to find lost things. This is a book of gentle genius for reading together or alone, tracing the patterns that make up our lives."

SHE IS HERE will hit the shelves in exactly 8 weeks! I'm lining up events for early next year. Meanwhile, you can request a galley or pre-order from your favourite bookseller...

The Stranger Next Door: The Domestic Fantastic in Classic Nordic Children’s Fantasy - Uncanny Magazine The beautiful blend that can come of mingling domesticity and the fantastic is having a moment right now, as exemplified by the genre of cozy fantasy, but as we would expect, contemporary writers aren...

New essay out today in @uncannymagazine.bsky.social ! The Stranger Next Door: The Domestic Fantastic in Classic Nordic Children's Fantasy. My wheelhouse? Yeah. Definitely my wheelhouse. www.uncannymagazine.com/article/the-...

Leeds peeps! You can borrow me. And borrow some @biidaasamose.bsky.social & Richard Wright & more while you're at it!!

Collaborating With Dave McKean SF Said, personal blog, Varjak Paw, The Outlaw Varjak Paw, Phoenix, Varjak, books, S F Said, author, blog, writing

Hooray! I hope they enjoy seeing their well-deserved congratulations! And if they (and you) would like to know more about the process of working with the brilliant Dave McKean on the artwork in Varjak and my other books, here's a blog I hope you might enjoy:
www.sfsaid.com/2020/05/coll...

Inspirations: Watership Down SF Said, personal blog, Varjak Paw, The Outlaw Varjak Paw, Phoenix, Varjak, books, S F Said, author, blog, writing

Thank you so much, sir! You really must read Watership Down one day - the book is much better than the film, though I do love the film too... Did you ever see this blog I made about it?
www.sfsaid.com/2012/11/one-...