helen
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hejparry.bsky.social
helen
@hejparry.bsky.social
760 followers 310 following 850 posts
reader, aspiring writer, wool-gatherer, cat-wrangler
chronically lazy
she/her
immigrant in Belgium!
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hejparry.bsky.social
helen @hejparry.bsky.social · 6d
Every Wednesday, I’m going to post a children’s book I’ve enjoyed.

If you’ve read it too, or you want to share another book, join in.

The Hungry Cloud, by Tom Ingram.

Of all the unjustly forgotten children’s books, this stone cold classic is the most unjustly forgotten.

#ukkidlit #kidlituk
Copy of The Hungry Cloud, by Tom Ingram, illustrated by Bill Geldert. The cover illustration shows two children in a small boat looking back at a castle-like structure in a rock. Behind the castle is an ominous black cloud. Published in 1971, it’s the story of Kai and Flor. While their royal parents are away, a mysterious cloud appears above their home, Scortallin castle. Meanwhile, they meet an unsettling travelling entertainer with his troupe of performing dogs, and an artist with a terrible gift. As it becomes clear that the entire kingdom is in terrible danger, how can the children save everyone they love? I was completely obsessed with this book as a child. It is genuinely tense and the atmosphere is heightened by the illustrations, just the perfect companion to the story. I have never met anyone else who has read it and I can’t understand why not. If you ever find a copy, seize it!
Reposted by helen
louiestowell.bsky.social
Boosting this: if you're in the creative industries or have other creative skills or merch (eg signed books/prints) you can donate to our Sudan auction fundraiser, sign up here! If not? Please do share with your networks! #KeepEyesOnSudan #Creatives4Sudan
louiestowell.bsky.social Louie Stowell @louiestowell.bsky.social · 1d
Creative pals, we need you! A group of us are running an auction to raise funds for the Emergency Response Rooms in Sudan. Sudanese people are dealing with the worst humanitarian crisis since records began. Can you donate mentoring/art/signed books etc? SIGN UP HERE: www.sudancoup.com/auction
Creatives4Sudan Fundraising Auction — Keep Eyes On Sudan
Creatives coming together to raise life-saving funds for the people escaping genocide in El-Fasher, Sudan
www.sudancoup.com
November 11, 2025 at 9:46 AM
hejparry.bsky.social
'he’d never believe how missed he is.'

This story is absolutely gutting. Some people's lives are so hard.
www.theguardian.com/news/2025/no...
When I met Craig he was 13 and homeless. I still thought his life might turn around. I was tragically wrong
The long read: I knew he was running away from something. It wasn’t until many years later that I discovered the truth
www.theguardian.com
November 11, 2025 at 9:56 AM
Reposted by helen
hookland.bsky.social
A gentle reminder that this is one of those generational good books which will still being read in 20 years time.
pjrobichaud.bsky.social Paul Robichaud @pjrobichaud.bsky.social · 3d
A very occasional reminder that ‘Pan: the Great God’s Modern Return,’ published by Reaktion Books, is available in paperback through your favorite bookseller.
November 9, 2025 at 10:14 AM
hejparry.bsky.social
Absolutely fascinating article!
November 9, 2025 at 11:03 AM
Reposted by helen
matthewcobb.bsky.social
If you believe either that Franklin discovered the double helix, and / or Watson and Crick stole her data, ask yourself how you know this. Then take a read of this article.
November 8, 2025 at 7:32 AM
Reposted by helen
neuvel.net
The best thing you can do to help your favorite author is to pre-order 150,000 copies of their next book.
November 6, 2025 at 3:01 AM
Reposted by helen
peterpaulrubens.bsky.social
Festive witches' sabbath as imagined by a follower of Jan Mandijn. Because who could resist those dancing cats?
October 22, 2025 at 5:05 PM
Reposted by helen
kerria.bsky.social
Gargoyles, grotesques, and corbels reading books are my favorites.
July 18, 2025 at 7:24 PM
Reposted by helen
equusonthebuses.bsky.social
This is a really good piece from @joshglancy.bsky.social. Far from “whataboutery“, it’s a genuine attempt to to wrestle with a disturbing and peculiar feature of contemporary politics, namely “why is the world quite so obsessed with Israel and Palestine?” www.jewishnews.co.uk/the-world-wa...
The world was outraged by Gaza. So why doesn’t it care about Sudan? - Jewish News
Sudan’s horror is plain to see. The hypocrisy and indifference is harder to watch
www.jewishnews.co.uk
November 4, 2025 at 6:51 PM
hejparry.bsky.social
Every Wednesday, I’m going to post a children’s book I’ve enjoyed.

If you’ve read it too, or you want to share another book, join in.

The Hungry Cloud, by Tom Ingram.

Of all the unjustly forgotten children’s books, this stone cold classic is the most unjustly forgotten.

#ukkidlit #kidlituk
Copy of The Hungry Cloud, by Tom Ingram, illustrated by Bill Geldert. The cover illustration shows two children in a small boat looking back at a castle-like structure in a rock. Behind the castle is an ominous black cloud. Published in 1971, it’s the story of Kai and Flor. While their royal parents are away, a mysterious cloud appears above their home, Scortallin castle. Meanwhile, they meet an unsettling travelling entertainer with his troupe of performing dogs, and an artist with a terrible gift. As it becomes clear that the entire kingdom is in terrible danger, how can the children save everyone they love? I was completely obsessed with this book as a child. It is genuinely tense and the atmosphere is heightened by the illustrations, just the perfect companion to the story. I have never met anyone else who has read it and I can’t understand why not. If you ever find a copy, seize it!
November 5, 2025 at 11:44 AM
Reposted by helen
louiestowell.bsky.social
I'm doing a Loki signing along with some MASSIVELY famous authors on Dec 6th at @booksellercrow.bsky.social in South London. Come and get Christmas signed books as presents for bookish friends and family of all ages. www.thebookseller.com/news/the-boo... #KidLitUK #Booksky #UKKidlit
The Bookseller Crow to host signing day with Holly Jackson, Jessie Burton, Lucy Mangan and Louie Stowell
The Bookseller Crow in Crystal Palace has announced a Christmas signing day next month, featuring Holly Jackson, Jessie Burton, Lucy Mangan and Louie Stowell.
www.thebookseller.com
November 5, 2025 at 7:28 AM
Reposted by helen
dj-acid-reflux.bsky.social
A Map Of Britain After The 2029 Technology Crash, by me and my dad.
A map of the new future regions of Britain, including 'Wolves' and Wild Golf'.
November 5, 2025 at 7:13 AM
hejparry.bsky.social
This looks absolutely fascinating & I cannot wait to get my hands on a copy!
shinynewbooks.co.uk/the-mysterio...
The Mysterious Case of the Victorian Female Detective by Sara Lodge
Reviewed by Harriet As an erstwhile recipient of review copies of the British Library Crime Classics series, I was aware that two novels were published in 1864 featuring female detectives: And
shinynewbooks.co.uk
November 5, 2025 at 8:09 AM
hejparry.bsky.social
Every Wednesday, I’m going to post a children’s book I’ve enjoyed.

If you’ve read it too, or you want to share another book, join in!

Fight Back, by A.M. Dassu.

Why do I like it? Read the alt text!

#ukkidlit #kidlituk
Photograph of my hand holding a copy of Fight Back by A.M. Dassu, which has a cover illustration of a girl in school uniform and a hijab and behind her a group of other school children wearing religious symbols. I have actually just finished reading this! I liked it because the main character, Aaliyah, was believable and sympathetic. And the book tackles a potentially contentious subject with grace and compassion, but without ever becoming preachy. It’s very true that wearing the hijab is usually portrayed negatively in the British press, and this book will show you that it is not necessarily a symbol of repression at all. OK, now I have made it sound like not fun, but it is fun!
October 29, 2025 at 4:43 PM
Reposted by helen
mooseallain.bsky.social
www.worldofmoose.com/collections/...
Cartoon of a man lying in a bath eating a sausage. Caption reads " My German translations are going from Bath to Sausage"
October 29, 2025 at 1:58 PM
Reposted by helen
normandiecj.bsky.social
Did you read (or hear on R4) Chloe Dalton's Raising Hare? Do you love #hares ? Would you like to help their survival in England by establishing a 'closed season'? You've still a few more hours to sign this petition. Shooting hares in the breeding season leaves dependent young to starve to death.
Petition: Protect hares and their young from shooting during the breeding season
We call on the Government to stop the shooting of hares during their peak breeding season, by establishing a legally enforceable close season for hares in England and Wales, from 1st February to 30th ...
petition.parliament.uk
October 29, 2025 at 12:54 PM
Reposted by helen
darrellwakelam.bsky.social
'Egg Box Monsters' are now up on the website, I've included extra info, photos, and the full video here . . . www.darrellwakelam.com/news/egg-box...
#edusky #halloween
I share ideas you can use with children, but please don't revamp, or re-record without permission. Ideas are intellectual property.
A selection of spooky monsters made from egg boxes.
October 28, 2025 at 9:04 AM
hejparry.bsky.social
I know this isn't a surprise, but still, I am so depressed about it:
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
‘Change course now’: humanity has missed 1.5C climate target, says UN head
Exclusive: ‘Devastating consequences’ now inevitable but emissions cuts still vital, says António Guterres in sole interview before Cop30
www.theguardian.com
October 28, 2025 at 10:44 AM
Reposted by helen
maryfrancesness.bsky.social
the wild ocean in a stone wall
cracks breaks and marks in a small and very old stone wall - suddenly it looks like a roaring sea
October 27, 2025 at 6:54 PM
Reposted by helen
mikewalmer.bsky.social
For Karen and Simon's next club, which will feature titles published in 1961, I have this beauty to offer. His funniest novel, and a complete joy. @kaggsy59.bsky.social @stuckinabook.bsky.social
October 27, 2025 at 6:53 PM
Reposted by helen
bumblebeetrust.bsky.social
Bumblebees, butterflies and bugs are in crisis. You can help by adding your voice to the Big Insect Rescue Plan by 31 October! 📢🐝

⏰Take 1 minute to answer this quick survey: https://ow.ly/r58L50Xg852

Butterfly Conservation Buglife #InsectDeclines #NatureRecovery
October 27, 2025 at 8:45 AM
Reposted by helen
stevemaythe1st.bsky.social
The practicalities of magic (or ‘why witches ALWAYS have black cats’)
#Halloween
October 27, 2025 at 9:07 AM
Reposted by helen
jntod.bsky.social
Congratulations to Vidyan Ravinthiran, who has jointly won (with Karen Solie) the Forward Prize for Best Collection with Avidyā (Bloodaxe). Its brilliant final poem, "as a child", describes how an early speech impediment led him to be "a scrutineer of sound" with a love of "the avid void of English"
As a child By Vidyan Ravinthiran because my voice was not the right voice and could not be understood I stood before the mirror — a murky glassen word this mouth can’t shape right to this day — and was made to watch my teeth and lips being imprecise. So this is why I come across a Southron and not from Yorkshire, or Sri Lankan; but I’ll complain no more about this clarified and potent tongue for when the moustached gent at US Customs asked me in his hapless twang are you a terrorist, my borrowed posh it sure abashed that poor colonial; and it was of course what my child-face perceived or could not in the glass which made of me a scrutineer of sound, a listener for and into every glitch in the aathma, the script, the avid void of English.
October 26, 2025 at 10:12 PM
Reposted by helen
tobytram.bsky.social
Hide and Seek, painted by Tirzah Garwood in 1950 (as she dealt with her illness)

What an extraordinary painting. The seeker seems lost and in danger; the hiders seem menacing, and discovering them is rather chilling. The chimney smoke the only grown up.

It’s a Val Lewton remake of Petite Maman.
A painting of a large country garden seen from above. The sun lights a path, along which a girl runs. Within the bushes and under the trees and crouched in the shadows are several hiding children. In the background there is a row of roofs, and from one chimney smoke rises. The whole painting feels like smoke and sharp edges resting under fallen leaves.
October 26, 2025 at 9:44 AM
Reposted by helen
hsw3k.bsky.social
ok this is my new favourite thing
Illustration of a woman having a dream about the monstrous face of her future husband after eating four pounds of wedding cake
October 26, 2025 at 6:22 PM