Books for Keeps, the online children's books review journal
@booksforkeeps.bsky.social
Launched in 1980, we review hundreds of new children’s books each year and publish articles on every aspect of writing for children. Explore new issues and our 40 year archive for free on our website www.booksforkeeps.co.uk
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Out now! #BfK275, our seasonal special & it's a bumper issue: Books of the Year, unmissable gift guides incl #poetry & non-fiction. Authorgraph interview with Christopher Edge, Petr Horacek Windows into #Illustration, Nicolette Jones interviews Lauren Child 🎁🎁🎁
booksforkeeps.co.uk/issue/bfk-27...
booksforkeeps.co.uk/issue/bfk-27...
Reposted by Books for Keeps, the online children's books review journal
#NewIllustrationOfTheDay by Becka Moor. Elegant and appealing caricature for Reggie Rabbit and the Metro Mice, part graphic novel, part chapter book by Swapna Reddy. Young detective Reggie Rabbit investigates underground. Oxford Children’s 1 Jan. @beckamoor.bsky.social @oxfordunipress.bsky.social
January 4, 2026 at 9:03 AM
#NewIllustrationOfTheDay by Becka Moor. Elegant and appealing caricature for Reggie Rabbit and the Metro Mice, part graphic novel, part chapter book by Swapna Reddy. Young detective Reggie Rabbit investigates underground. Oxford Children’s 1 Jan. @beckamoor.bsky.social @oxfordunipress.bsky.social
Reposted by Books for Keeps, the online children's books review journal
#NewIllustrationOfTheDay by Emma Chichester Clark. From The Good Deed Dogs. Walker pb 1 Jan. Using colour and collage and humour in a dramatic explosion to make calamity seem fun. About dogs whose keenness. to help goes wrong. @walkerbooksuk.bsky.social
January 3, 2026 at 8:33 AM
#NewIllustrationOfTheDay by Emma Chichester Clark. From The Good Deed Dogs. Walker pb 1 Jan. Using colour and collage and humour in a dramatic explosion to make calamity seem fun. About dogs whose keenness. to help goes wrong. @walkerbooksuk.bsky.social
Reposted by Books for Keeps, the online children's books review journal
Listen to translator Daniel Hahn discussing the project of bringing THE INVISIBLE STORY to English language readers for @lantanapub.bsky.social youtu.be/H1-In-IKdvQ?...
El Cuento Fantasma/ The Invisible Story: on translating and inclusive books
YouTube video by Centre for Book Cultures and Publishing
youtu.be
January 2, 2026 at 1:14 PM
Listen to translator Daniel Hahn discussing the project of bringing THE INVISIBLE STORY to English language readers for @lantanapub.bsky.social youtu.be/H1-In-IKdvQ?...
January 2, 2026 at 12:29 PM
Reposted by Books for Keeps, the online children's books review journal
Available NOW in all good bookshops!
(The book, not me)
(You know what that was probably clear from context.)
(The book, not me)
(You know what that was probably clear from context.)
January 2, 2026 at 11:00 AM
Available NOW in all good bookshops!
(The book, not me)
(You know what that was probably clear from context.)
(The book, not me)
(You know what that was probably clear from context.)
Thank you - and thanks to @nicolettejones.bsky.social for the interview
Fascinating interview with Jamila Gavin. Her new book is next on my reading list for YA fiction! booksforkeeps.co.uk/article/my-s...
My Soul, A Shining Tree An interview with Jamila Gavin, shortlisted for the Nero Book Awards – Books For Keeps
booksforkeeps.co.uk
January 2, 2026 at 10:12 AM
Thank you - and thanks to @nicolettejones.bsky.social for the interview
Reposted by Books for Keeps, the online children's books review journal
Fascinating interview with Jamila Gavin. Her new book is next on my reading list for YA fiction! booksforkeeps.co.uk/article/my-s...
My Soul, A Shining Tree An interview with Jamila Gavin, shortlisted for the Nero Book Awards – Books For Keeps
booksforkeeps.co.uk
January 2, 2026 at 8:01 AM
Fascinating interview with Jamila Gavin. Her new book is next on my reading list for YA fiction! booksforkeeps.co.uk/article/my-s...
Reposted by Books for Keeps, the online children's books review journal
#NewIllustrationOfTheDay by Iona Campbell from her picturebook The Dreamies. Pretty colours and toy-like houses in a reassuring story about little Borrower-like people who create happy dreams, and about using your imagination to tame nightmares. Magic Cat pb 8 Jan. @magiccatpublishing.bsky.social
January 2, 2026 at 10:00 AM
#NewIllustrationOfTheDay by Iona Campbell from her picturebook The Dreamies. Pretty colours and toy-like houses in a reassuring story about little Borrower-like people who create happy dreams, and about using your imagination to tame nightmares. Magic Cat pb 8 Jan. @magiccatpublishing.bsky.social
Reposted by Books for Keeps, the online children's books review journal
Stephen Lightbown: The Second Book Challenge childrenspoetrysummit.com/2026/01/01/s...
Stephen Lightbown: The Second Book Challenge
© Paul Blakemore In 2026 I’ll be publishing my second poetry collection, again with Troika books sometime in the summer. I never thought I’d have been in a position to write one children’s collecti…
childrenspoetrysummit.com
January 1, 2026 at 4:07 PM
Stephen Lightbown: The Second Book Challenge childrenspoetrysummit.com/2026/01/01/s...
Wishing all our readers, reviewers & contributors a very happy 2026!
With 6 issues a year plus interviews, news & reviews published weekly, #BfK will continue to keep you up to date on the world of #childrensbooks #KidLit
booksforkeeps.co.uk
With 6 issues a year plus interviews, news & reviews published weekly, #BfK will continue to keep you up to date on the world of #childrensbooks #KidLit
booksforkeeps.co.uk
January 1, 2026 at 6:29 PM
Wishing all our readers, reviewers & contributors a very happy 2026!
With 6 issues a year plus interviews, news & reviews published weekly, #BfK will continue to keep you up to date on the world of #childrensbooks #KidLit
booksforkeeps.co.uk
With 6 issues a year plus interviews, news & reviews published weekly, #BfK will continue to keep you up to date on the world of #childrensbooks #KidLit
booksforkeeps.co.uk
Reposted by Books for Keeps, the online children's books review journal
#NewIllustrationOfTheDay is back with a hopeful picturebook for the New Year. The Big Green: Everyone can make a difference by Ken Wilson-Max, about the planting that created the Great Green Wall of Africa. Otter-Barry Books 8 Jan. May your 2026 be full of illustration. @otterbarrybooks.bsky.social
January 1, 2026 at 9:23 AM
#NewIllustrationOfTheDay is back with a hopeful picturebook for the New Year. The Big Green: Everyone can make a difference by Ken Wilson-Max, about the planting that created the Great Green Wall of Africa. Otter-Barry Books 8 Jan. May your 2026 be full of illustration. @otterbarrybooks.bsky.social
Reposted by Books for Keeps, the online children's books review journal
Wishing everyone a very happy new year! I’ve updated my website, where you’ll find lots of FREE poems and resources www.joshuaseigal.co.uk sending big love to everyone #BookSky #EduSky #KidLitUK #poetrycommunity
Joshua Seigal | Official Website
Website of award-winning poet, author, performer and educator Joshua Seigal. Contains free poetry, and lots of information.
www.joshuaseigal.co.uk
January 1, 2026 at 9:07 AM
Wishing everyone a very happy new year! I’ve updated my website, where you’ll find lots of FREE poems and resources www.joshuaseigal.co.uk sending big love to everyone #BookSky #EduSky #KidLitUK #poetrycommunity
Reposted by Books for Keeps, the online children's books review journal
Considering New Year's Resolutions? Here's my children's poem about this (from my collection, Snap!) Illustrations by Adam Sharples.
January 1, 2026 at 9:15 AM
Considering New Year's Resolutions? Here's my children's poem about this (from my collection, Snap!) Illustrations by Adam Sharples.
Reposted by Books for Keeps, the online children's books review journal
A fabulous round-up of children's books of 2025 on @booksforkeeps.bsky.social website, by people who know the world of kidlit publishing inside out. Plenty of great options for young volitional readers & choices for classrooms! @reeceandrea.bsky.social booksforkeeps.co.uk/article/book...
Books of the Year 2025 – Books For Keeps
booksforkeeps.co.uk
December 31, 2025 at 12:45 PM
A fabulous round-up of children's books of 2025 on @booksforkeeps.bsky.social website, by people who know the world of kidlit publishing inside out. Plenty of great options for young volitional readers & choices for classrooms! @reeceandrea.bsky.social booksforkeeps.co.uk/article/book...
Looking for stimulating #Christmas reading? Enjoy our interviews with the four authors on the shortlist for the #nerobookawards Children's Fiction Award #KidLitUK
booksforkeeps.co.uk/issue/bfk-27...
booksforkeeps.co.uk/issue/bfk-27...
December 28, 2025 at 3:45 PM
Looking for stimulating #Christmas reading? Enjoy our interviews with the four authors on the shortlist for the #nerobookawards Children's Fiction Award #KidLitUK
booksforkeeps.co.uk/issue/bfk-27...
booksforkeeps.co.uk/issue/bfk-27...
Reposted by Books for Keeps, the online children's books review journal
A Christmas Eve/Day poem for the little ones in your life!
December 24, 2025 at 12:57 PM
A Christmas Eve/Day poem for the little ones in your life!
Wishing a very happy, book-filled #Christmas to all our reviewers and contributors, to all the authors and illustrators who have featured in Books for Keeps this year, and to all our readers. #reading #wrapped ❤️https://booksforkeeps.co.uk/
December 24, 2025 at 1:37 PM
Wishing a very happy, book-filled #Christmas to all our reviewers and contributors, to all the authors and illustrators who have featured in Books for Keeps this year, and to all our readers. #reading #wrapped ❤️https://booksforkeeps.co.uk/
One last #Christmas reading recommendation. Our final Book of the Week 2025 is A WINTER'S MORNING by Angélique Léone illustrated by Grégoire Solotareff, published by @postwavebooks.bsky.social , 'tender, never sentimental, deeply moving'. #KidLit
booksforkeeps.co.uk/review/a-win...
booksforkeeps.co.uk/review/a-win...
December 24, 2025 at 1:31 PM
One last #Christmas reading recommendation. Our final Book of the Week 2025 is A WINTER'S MORNING by Angélique Léone illustrated by Grégoire Solotareff, published by @postwavebooks.bsky.social , 'tender, never sentimental, deeply moving'. #KidLit
booksforkeeps.co.uk/review/a-win...
booksforkeeps.co.uk/review/a-win...
Reposted by Books for Keeps, the online children's books review journal
✏️🎄MERRY CHRISTMAS EVE! It's time for a festive #DrawWithRob video! Today we're drawing a Christmassy version of my dog Ringo, so grab some paper/something to draw with and let's go! Remember to share pics of your art using the #DrawWithRob hashtag. 🎁🎅🏻🦌.
youtu.be/bVJceM7JSII
youtu.be/bVJceM7JSII
#DrawWithRob 191 Christmas Ringo
YouTube video by Draw With Rob
youtu.be
December 24, 2025 at 10:20 AM
✏️🎄MERRY CHRISTMAS EVE! It's time for a festive #DrawWithRob video! Today we're drawing a Christmassy version of my dog Ringo, so grab some paper/something to draw with and let's go! Remember to share pics of your art using the #DrawWithRob hashtag. 🎁🎅🏻🦌.
youtu.be/bVJceM7JSII
youtu.be/bVJceM7JSII
Reposted by Books for Keeps, the online children's books review journal
Day 24, the last post of the #NewIllustrationOfTheDay #AdventCalendar quiz. Two children’s book characters whose name begins with Z. In the first picture the character is the baby. Name the ILLUSTRATORS. Answers to the full quiz this afternoon.
December 24, 2025 at 8:35 AM
Day 24, the last post of the #NewIllustrationOfTheDay #AdventCalendar quiz. Two children’s book characters whose name begins with Z. In the first picture the character is the baby. Name the ILLUSTRATORS. Answers to the full quiz this afternoon.
Reposted by Books for Keeps, the online children's books review journal
Day 23 of #ALCSAdvent! Last month, we held our 47th Annual General Meeting in London, where we updated members on our progress, voted on resolutions and announced the winners of the ALCS Board Director elections! You can read about proceedings here: www.alcs.co.uk/news/agm-and...
December 23, 2025 at 10:14 AM
Day 23 of #ALCSAdvent! Last month, we held our 47th Annual General Meeting in London, where we updated members on our progress, voted on resolutions and announced the winners of the ALCS Board Director elections! You can read about proceedings here: www.alcs.co.uk/news/agm-and...
Another #Christmas present from us to you! @nicolettejones.bsky.social interviews Jamila Gavin about her #nerobookawards shortlisted MY SOUL A SHINING TREE: it has musical prose and historical facts about a hero who won the Victoria Cross. #KidLitUK @farshorebooks.bsky.social
tinyurl.com/y5ry8d8f
tinyurl.com/y5ry8d8f
December 23, 2025 at 8:05 AM
Another #Christmas present from us to you! @nicolettejones.bsky.social interviews Jamila Gavin about her #nerobookawards shortlisted MY SOUL A SHINING TREE: it has musical prose and historical facts about a hero who won the Victoria Cross. #KidLitUK @farshorebooks.bsky.social
tinyurl.com/y5ry8d8f
tinyurl.com/y5ry8d8f
Reposted by Books for Keeps, the online children's books review journal
Day 23 of the #NewIllustrationOfTheDay #AdventCalendar quiz. Two children’s book characters whose name in the title begins with Y (not counting a definite article). Name the ILLUSTRATORS.
December 23, 2025 at 7:08 AM
Day 23 of the #NewIllustrationOfTheDay #AdventCalendar quiz. Two children’s book characters whose name in the title begins with Y (not counting a definite article). Name the ILLUSTRATORS.
Reposted by Books for Keeps, the online children's books review journal
Not long until the big day! Still got gifts to buy? We can help with that 🎄 Looking forward to having time to catch up with the best new interviews with children's authors? Ditto. And it's all summarised in our latest newsletter. 🎁 #KidLitUK
mailchi.mp/booksforkeep...
mailchi.mp/booksforkeep...
December 15, 2025 at 7:00 AM
Not long until the big day! Still got gifts to buy? We can help with that 🎄 Looking forward to having time to catch up with the best new interviews with children's authors? Ditto. And it's all summarised in our latest newsletter. 🎁 #KidLitUK
mailchi.mp/booksforkeep...
mailchi.mp/booksforkeep...