Helen Tamblyn-Saville (she/her)
@helentamblyn.bsky.social
Wonderland bookshop owner (Children's Bookseller of the Year 2025), former lib dem councillor, politics nerd, tenpin bowling fanatic, researching comics, community rail. Based in North Notts. Kidlit is my bag. helentamblynsaville.com.
This. All the this.
Just for bleedin’ one I’d love to see prominent voices in comics not treat children’s comics as an afterthought.
November 10, 2025 at 8:56 AM
This. All the this.
Watch this space for some academic writing... From me! On comics!
‘Kids aren’t reading comics anymore! Marvel & DC should print on cheaper paper, and stock them next to cash registers like when I was a kid’
Meanwhile…
Meanwhile…
November 10, 2025 at 8:56 AM
Watch this space for some academic writing... From me! On comics!
And we did it! Thank you ❤️
Feeling confident about making £2000 by marathon time. Thanks for your support!
Feeling confident about making £2000 by marathon time. Thanks for your support!
It's my 40th birthday today and I'm aiming to raise £750 towards my London Marathon target by the end of the day, raising funds for BookTrust.
Just £24 to go to hit my £750 milestone!
www.justgiving.com/page/helen-t...
Just £24 to go to hit my £750 milestone!
www.justgiving.com/page/helen-t...
Helen in Wonderland's London Marathon for BookTrust
Help Helen Tamblyn-Saville raise money to support BookTrust
www.justgiving.com
November 10, 2025 at 8:54 AM
And we did it! Thank you ❤️
Feeling confident about making £2000 by marathon time. Thanks for your support!
Feeling confident about making £2000 by marathon time. Thanks for your support!
It's my 40th birthday today and I'm aiming to raise £750 towards my London Marathon target by the end of the day, raising funds for BookTrust.
Just £24 to go to hit my £750 milestone!
www.justgiving.com/page/helen-t...
Just £24 to go to hit my £750 milestone!
www.justgiving.com/page/helen-t...
Helen in Wonderland's London Marathon for BookTrust
Help Helen Tamblyn-Saville raise money to support BookTrust
www.justgiving.com
November 9, 2025 at 5:20 PM
It's my 40th birthday today and I'm aiming to raise £750 towards my London Marathon target by the end of the day, raising funds for BookTrust.
Just £24 to go to hit my £750 milestone!
www.justgiving.com/page/helen-t...
Just £24 to go to hit my £750 milestone!
www.justgiving.com/page/helen-t...
I'm 40 on Sunday and also now everything makes me cry and I've just discovered that Dolly Parton covered What's Up and collaborated with Linda Perry and now I am going to be a tearful mess for the evening.
Also, it's awesome.
Also, it's awesome.
November 6, 2025 at 7:04 PM
I'm 40 on Sunday and also now everything makes me cry and I've just discovered that Dolly Parton covered What's Up and collaborated with Linda Perry and now I am going to be a tearful mess for the evening.
Also, it's awesome.
Also, it's awesome.
Arguing with political campaigners on why they shouldn't use gen AI for artwork etc is utterly depressing.
It trains off the work of creatives, who are not compensated and haven't consented. It's also bad for the environment.
We should be standing up for creatives instead of using it.
It trains off the work of creatives, who are not compensated and haven't consented. It's also bad for the environment.
We should be standing up for creatives instead of using it.
November 6, 2025 at 11:44 AM
Arguing with political campaigners on why they shouldn't use gen AI for artwork etc is utterly depressing.
It trains off the work of creatives, who are not compensated and haven't consented. It's also bad for the environment.
We should be standing up for creatives instead of using it.
It trains off the work of creatives, who are not compensated and haven't consented. It's also bad for the environment.
We should be standing up for creatives instead of using it.
Spending my Sunday night revisiting old Bunty comics. I used to devour my Bunty every Saturday - it was the highlight of my week.
I'm having a lot of fun catching up with The Four Marys. I forgot how much I enjoyed Luv, Lisa as well. Why isn't the concept of the photo-story more of a thing?
I'm having a lot of fun catching up with The Four Marys. I forgot how much I enjoyed Luv, Lisa as well. Why isn't the concept of the photo-story more of a thing?
November 2, 2025 at 6:38 PM
Spending my Sunday night revisiting old Bunty comics. I used to devour my Bunty every Saturday - it was the highlight of my week.
I'm having a lot of fun catching up with The Four Marys. I forgot how much I enjoyed Luv, Lisa as well. Why isn't the concept of the photo-story more of a thing?
I'm having a lot of fun catching up with The Four Marys. I forgot how much I enjoyed Luv, Lisa as well. Why isn't the concept of the photo-story more of a thing?
Reposted by Helen Tamblyn-Saville (she/her)
"The discussions or reflections that books inspire can change lives for the better. I know because I’ve seen it."
Author Nathanael Lessore believes fiction can play a big role in supporting positive attitudes to boyhood and masculinity.
Here's how 👇
https://bit.ly/3JqsAug
Author Nathanael Lessore believes fiction can play a big role in supporting positive attitudes to boyhood and masculinity.
Here's how 👇
https://bit.ly/3JqsAug
November 2, 2025 at 8:25 AM
"The discussions or reflections that books inspire can change lives for the better. I know because I’ve seen it."
Author Nathanael Lessore believes fiction can play a big role in supporting positive attitudes to boyhood and masculinity.
Here's how 👇
https://bit.ly/3JqsAug
Author Nathanael Lessore believes fiction can play a big role in supporting positive attitudes to boyhood and masculinity.
Here's how 👇
https://bit.ly/3JqsAug
Reposted by Helen Tamblyn-Saville (she/her)
You need to change this to hitting £600 by Friday now! I hope you do.
October 28, 2025 at 9:27 AM
You need to change this to hitting £600 by Friday now! I hope you do.
In other news, I had a meeting with my MP on Friday about children's reading, and reading for pleasure. She listened and I printed her off a copy of @louiestowell.bsky.social's Lokifesto to look at. We discussed the importance of CHOICE, and I raised my concerns about the mandatory reading test.
October 28, 2025 at 9:01 AM
In other news, I had a meeting with my MP on Friday about children's reading, and reading for pleasure. She listened and I printed her off a copy of @louiestowell.bsky.social's Lokifesto to look at. We discussed the importance of CHOICE, and I raised my concerns about the mandatory reading test.
Despite having a bit of a busted toe, I'm running The London Marathon next year for @booktrust.org.uk to celebrate turning 40. I'm aiming to raise £2000 and I'd love to hit £500 by the end of October!
www.justgiving.com/page/helen-t...
#kidlituk
www.justgiving.com/page/helen-t...
#kidlituk
Helen in Wonderland's London Marathon for BookTrust
Help Helen Tamblyn-Saville raise money to support BookTrust
www.justgiving.com
October 28, 2025 at 8:58 AM
Despite having a bit of a busted toe, I'm running The London Marathon next year for @booktrust.org.uk to celebrate turning 40. I'm aiming to raise £2000 and I'd love to hit £500 by the end of October!
www.justgiving.com/page/helen-t...
#kidlituk
www.justgiving.com/page/helen-t...
#kidlituk
Vague booking, but I might have some news myself soon to share about comics.
October 25, 2025 at 5:32 PM
Vague booking, but I might have some news myself soon to share about comics.
Reposted by Helen Tamblyn-Saville (she/her)
While minds are focused on The Year of Reading, I'm running London Marathon next year for @Booktrust, who do amazing work on book accessibility, and much more! ❤️ This is my 40th birthday challenge and I'd love to try to hit £500 by the end of October!
www.justgiving.com/page/helen-t...
#kidlituk
www.justgiving.com/page/helen-t...
#kidlituk
Helen in Wonderland's London Marathon for BookTrust
Help Helen Tamblyn-Saville raise money to support BookTrust
www.justgiving.com
October 17, 2025 at 8:33 AM
While minds are focused on The Year of Reading, I'm running London Marathon next year for @Booktrust, who do amazing work on book accessibility, and much more! ❤️ This is my 40th birthday challenge and I'd love to try to hit £500 by the end of October!
www.justgiving.com/page/helen-t...
#kidlituk
www.justgiving.com/page/helen-t...
#kidlituk
Children's reading and the reading for pleasure crisis is bigger than party politics and we all have to come together to address. Thanks to Jo for tabling this.
Early Day Motions are seldom heard, but they do have a purpose in that they can draw attention to issues.
Reading for pleasure is in crisis, and we absolutely have to tackle and make things better. It's bigger than party politics and that's why I am grateful that Jo White has tabled this EDM.
Reading for pleasure is in crisis, and we absolutely have to tackle and make things better. It's bigger than party politics and that's why I am grateful that Jo White has tabled this EDM.
October 16, 2025 at 7:11 AM
Children's reading and the reading for pleasure crisis is bigger than party politics and we all have to come together to address. Thanks to Jo for tabling this.
Reposted by Helen Tamblyn-Saville (she/her)
Little bit of news time! A bookseller who is taking on the London Marathon for @booktrust.org.uk! Excited to celebrate my 40th year with this challenge. #kidlituk
September 6, 2025 at 7:20 PM
Little bit of news time! A bookseller who is taking on the London Marathon for @booktrust.org.uk! Excited to celebrate my 40th year with this challenge. #kidlituk
2026 is The Year of Reading, and I am determined I promote that reading is fun, and how it's important to understand that fun reading is different for everyone.
Allow children to choose. A joke book may not be your jam, but it may be the definition of reading being fun for someone else!
Allow children to choose. A joke book may not be your jam, but it may be the definition of reading being fun for someone else!
August 30, 2025 at 8:21 AM
2026 is The Year of Reading, and I am determined I promote that reading is fun, and how it's important to understand that fun reading is different for everyone.
Allow children to choose. A joke book may not be your jam, but it may be the definition of reading being fun for someone else!
Allow children to choose. A joke book may not be your jam, but it may be the definition of reading being fun for someone else!
This!
I keep seeing generative AI being used on stuff for kids, like maybe they won’t notice, or it doesn’t matter as much. The opposite is true. Anyone who’s created anything for kids knows you should make more effort for them, not less.
August 10, 2025 at 10:14 AM
This!
Helped to organise a Pride event. Mostly went well, unfortunately some homophobia on social media but largely a great day.
And then today a vaguely threatening comment on one of the social media posts stating "hope nothing happens to you" followed by a derogatory term.
What is WRONG with people?
And then today a vaguely threatening comment on one of the social media posts stating "hope nothing happens to you" followed by a derogatory term.
What is WRONG with people?
August 4, 2025 at 8:20 AM
Helped to organise a Pride event. Mostly went well, unfortunately some homophobia on social media but largely a great day.
And then today a vaguely threatening comment on one of the social media posts stating "hope nothing happens to you" followed by a derogatory term.
What is WRONG with people?
And then today a vaguely threatening comment on one of the social media posts stating "hope nothing happens to you" followed by a derogatory term.
What is WRONG with people?
Reposted by Helen Tamblyn-Saville (she/her)
There are now signed copies of Some Body Like Me, Strangeworlds and Artezans at @waterstonesargyle.bsky.social. Huge shoutout to D for recognising me instantly when I was trying to be coy and cool and subtle asking where the hardback scifi was 😭🥰🩵
August 3, 2025 at 7:18 PM
There are now signed copies of Some Body Like Me, Strangeworlds and Artezans at @waterstonesargyle.bsky.social. Huge shoutout to D for recognising me instantly when I was trying to be coy and cool and subtle asking where the hardback scifi was 😭🥰🩵
Overload reached a whole new level last night. I lay on the bed for an hour trying to work out what I wanted for my dinner, couldn't work out dinner because thinking was too hard, and ended having a bowl of broccoli.
August 3, 2025 at 9:52 AM
Overload reached a whole new level last night. I lay on the bed for an hour trying to work out what I wanted for my dinner, couldn't work out dinner because thinking was too hard, and ended having a bowl of broccoli.
See also: stepping stone.
(provokes a similar reaction)
(provokes a similar reaction)
Every time someone calls comics a gateway to reading a new gateway to hell opens and devils rush through.
August 3, 2025 at 9:50 AM
See also: stepping stone.
(provokes a similar reaction)
(provokes a similar reaction)
Children's books are never "just a children's book." They stay with us. They can shape us. The stories can become part of us.
And so, when a loved children's author leaves us, it isn't just news, but it's grief.
The stories last a lifetime.
Thank you Allan Ahlberg for the magic. ❤️
#kidlituk
And so, when a loved children's author leaves us, it isn't just news, but it's grief.
The stories last a lifetime.
Thank you Allan Ahlberg for the magic. ❤️
#kidlituk
August 1, 2025 at 7:24 AM
Children's books are never "just a children's book." They stay with us. They can shape us. The stories can become part of us.
And so, when a loved children's author leaves us, it isn't just news, but it's grief.
The stories last a lifetime.
Thank you Allan Ahlberg for the magic. ❤️
#kidlituk
And so, when a loved children's author leaves us, it isn't just news, but it's grief.
The stories last a lifetime.
Thank you Allan Ahlberg for the magic. ❤️
#kidlituk
Each Peach Pear Plum was the early memory. But I LOVED Burglar Bill. My daughter loved it too.
I am so sad to learn that Allan Ahlberg has died. When children and adults of all ages can quote lines from his works, and his works with Janet, that's a special legacy, isn't it?
Iconic.
#kidlituk
I am so sad to learn that Allan Ahlberg has died. When children and adults of all ages can quote lines from his works, and his works with Janet, that's a special legacy, isn't it?
Iconic.
#kidlituk
July 31, 2025 at 6:50 PM
Each Peach Pear Plum was the early memory. But I LOVED Burglar Bill. My daughter loved it too.
I am so sad to learn that Allan Ahlberg has died. When children and adults of all ages can quote lines from his works, and his works with Janet, that's a special legacy, isn't it?
Iconic.
#kidlituk
I am so sad to learn that Allan Ahlberg has died. When children and adults of all ages can quote lines from his works, and his works with Janet, that's a special legacy, isn't it?
Iconic.
#kidlituk
Retford Pride. August 2nd.
Get it in the diaries!
Get it in the diaries!
July 25, 2025 at 8:20 PM
Retford Pride. August 2nd.
Get it in the diaries!
Get it in the diaries!