Simon Smith

That more acoustic led… Sanctuary is just a punctuating strum

So “She Sells Sanctuary” by the Cult definitely has the greatest use of an acoustic guitar strum ever.

There are no other answers…

Today will mostly be spent reading through entries for the @uklitassociation.bsky.social book awards 2026…3-6 age range category. There are some absolute bangers so far 30 down 115 to go…

It’s great

Huge fan of #RossMackenzie delighted to find a copy “The Uninvited” in @bookcornershop.bsky.social

It’s cracking magical read, starting with a refugee crisis from a magical world into ours, it takes an a thrilling adventure where you can’t be sure who is good or bad, to get the Faerae home.

Try his “Iechyd Da” album …it’s a stunner…he used to be in The Coral and has collaborated with Gruff Rhys from SFA. I have slowly fallen in love with his music

“Dawn” by #MarcMartin is a truly stunning, visually rich and lush picturebook that explores that fleeting moment. The simple poetic yet vocabulary rich text draws your eyes to the storytelling of the moment. The illustrations are utterly divine @walkerbooksuk.bsky.social
#PicturebookPage

Here we go…my list today

1) The Cure
2) Bill Ryder Jones
3) PWEI
4) Super Furry Animals
5) Mogwai
6) The Wonderstuff
7) New Model Army
8) Neil Young
9) Underworld
10) Bruce Springsteen

“Dawn” by #MarcMartin is a truly stunning, visually rich and lush picturebook that explores that fleeting moment. The simple poetic yet vocabulary rich text draws your eyes to the storytelling of the moment. The illustrations are utterly divine @walkerbooksuk.bsky.social
#PicturebookPage

What a glorious week…just what was needed. Just adore Scotland.

Robots don’t need food. ;-)

Spare moments and the books in the bag were a joyous part of the job. Add PaulJennings short stories and @michaelrosenyes.bsky.social poetry and many happy hours were had. Collective joyous and repeated, familiar became communal to then almost ritual.

Ooh, not seen that one.

Sad to hear of the loss of #AllanAhlbergRIP

His poetry books “Please Mrs Butler” “Heard it in the Playground” were actual life-savers when I started teaching. Having children I realised how wonderful his picturebooks and stories were. A great children’s writer and a big loss.

Radioactive wasp nest found at site where US once made nuclear bombs Workers at a South Carolina site that once made nuclear bomb parts have found a radioactive wasp nest

Who had giant radioctive wasps on their apocalypse bingo card?

abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory...

Glorious walk this morning…Red Squirrels, hares and assaulted by a deer…ending up in standing stones.

Just finished “The Secret of Golden Island” by #NatashaFarrant

What a cracking read. I adored Skylar and Yakov, their bravery m, their vulnerability and their burgeoning friendship. Full of secrets and adventure it’s a cracking read. What would you do to win an Island and why would you want it?

Ardfern and Craignish point …Scotland

That’ll do…that’ll do!

Between Kilmartin and Crinan (Scotland)

Lovely walking along the Crinan Canal today. Canal one side, estuary the other. There was also coffee and cake.

Check hashtag #PicturebookPage For more up to date recommendations

Fab walk this morning and what an extraordinary building.

Some places need stories, some places just are stories

As a kid I would’ve adored this book…lots of brilliant facts and getting to pick your own path…

“Choose your own Evolution” by #JulesHoward and #GordyWright
should be in every class that’s studying evolution. It’s punchily written and great fun. It’s a book to pore over again and again.

I’ll ping you some days

Let’s see if we can find a day…

We need to meet in Lincoln and you need to show me around!

Views North, South, East and West from the holiday cottage …that’ll do nicely. @lizjhenry.bsky.social

It’s #UndertheDustJacket, #Endpapers and #Backmatters create an utterly stunningly book that befits William Morris’ mantra…”Have nothing in your houses that you do not know to be useful or believe to be beautiful,"

Sometimes books are just kind of perfect…

“Beautiful Useful Things” by #BethKephart and #MelodieStacie is a truly wondrous #Picturebookbiography of William Morris. It’s lyrical and poetic with astounding illustrations, that suit the subject matter, a true delight…#PicturebookPage