Kirsten Allen (@kidsstoryworld)
@kidsstoryworld.bsky.social
writer
children’s book reviewer
freelance publishing assistant
fanatic about reading for pleasure
and all things kidlit 📚💕
SCBWI
children’s book reviewer
freelance publishing assistant
fanatic about reading for pleasure
and all things kidlit 📚💕
SCBWI
Pinned
✨Morning! I’m launching an exciting new #KidLit Blog and need help from children (5-11yo) and their chosen grown-ups!
Features will include:
📘 Battle of the Books
🎤 Fun family Q&As
✍️ Kids’ stories and poems based on a simple monthly theme
❓ Ask the Author
Details and contact below - Thanks! 💕
Features will include:
📘 Battle of the Books
🎤 Fun family Q&As
✍️ Kids’ stories and poems based on a simple monthly theme
❓ Ask the Author
Details and contact below - Thanks! 💕
Reposted by Kirsten Allen (@kidsstoryworld)
Absolutely chuffed to bits that THE LAST WOLF has been named Children’s Book of the Month in The Bookseller as part of its February preview (it's out on the 5th). Huge thanks to Charlotte Eyre for this amazing write-up. Couldn't be more 🎯 if I'd written it myself!
November 24, 2025 at 8:26 PM
Absolutely chuffed to bits that THE LAST WOLF has been named Children’s Book of the Month in The Bookseller as part of its February preview (it's out on the 5th). Huge thanks to Charlotte Eyre for this amazing write-up. Couldn't be more 🎯 if I'd written it myself!
Reposted by Kirsten Allen (@kidsstoryworld)
100 reviews! A pleasing round number for my children's book TOTALLY CHAOTIC HISTORY: ANCIENT EGYPT GETS UNRULY!
Got kids aged 7+? They might enjoy this funny, factual series co-written by me and top experts, and all illustrated by @rikinparekh.bsky.social. Published in print and audiobook
Got kids aged 7+? They might enjoy this funny, factual series co-written by me and top experts, and all illustrated by @rikinparekh.bsky.social. Published in print and audiobook
November 24, 2025 at 1:33 PM
100 reviews! A pleasing round number for my children's book TOTALLY CHAOTIC HISTORY: ANCIENT EGYPT GETS UNRULY!
Got kids aged 7+? They might enjoy this funny, factual series co-written by me and top experts, and all illustrated by @rikinparekh.bsky.social. Published in print and audiobook
Got kids aged 7+? They might enjoy this funny, factual series co-written by me and top experts, and all illustrated by @rikinparekh.bsky.social. Published in print and audiobook
Reposted by Kirsten Allen (@kidsstoryworld)
✨✨✨ HUGE NEWS!!!! ✨✨✨ Authorfy is going to be an official resource for the National Year of Reading 2026 & the whole platform will be FREE for the entire year.
🎥 13,000+ hours’ worth of author videos - FREE!
📖 Thousands of resources & activity packs - FREE!
📚 Hundreds of book extracts - FREE!
🎥 13,000+ hours’ worth of author videos - FREE!
📖 Thousands of resources & activity packs - FREE!
📚 Hundreds of book extracts - FREE!
November 20, 2025 at 2:30 PM
✨✨✨ HUGE NEWS!!!! ✨✨✨ Authorfy is going to be an official resource for the National Year of Reading 2026 & the whole platform will be FREE for the entire year.
🎥 13,000+ hours’ worth of author videos - FREE!
📖 Thousands of resources & activity packs - FREE!
📚 Hundreds of book extracts - FREE!
🎥 13,000+ hours’ worth of author videos - FREE!
📖 Thousands of resources & activity packs - FREE!
📚 Hundreds of book extracts - FREE!
Reposted by Kirsten Allen (@kidsstoryworld)
I will be posting about this non stop in the days to come but v excited to say this auction is LIVE! Funds will go to Emergency Response Rooms in Sudan. Perfect xmas presents and treats for you! app.galabid.com/creatives4su... #keepeyesonsudan
November 23, 2025 at 3:42 PM
I will be posting about this non stop in the days to come but v excited to say this auction is LIVE! Funds will go to Emergency Response Rooms in Sudan. Perfect xmas presents and treats for you! app.galabid.com/creatives4su... #keepeyesonsudan
Reposted by Kirsten Allen (@kidsstoryworld)
I’m bringing my award winning family comedy show to a town near you but only if you live near the places on this poster.
Ticket details are here campsite.bio/ofalafel and venues are added as and when they go on sale so please do check back.
Ticket details are here campsite.bio/ofalafel and venues are added as and when they go on sale so please do check back.
November 23, 2025 at 6:15 PM
I’m bringing my award winning family comedy show to a town near you but only if you live near the places on this poster.
Ticket details are here campsite.bio/ofalafel and venues are added as and when they go on sale so please do check back.
Ticket details are here campsite.bio/ofalafel and venues are added as and when they go on sale so please do check back.
Just had a peek @storymix.bsky.social kickstarter (thanks for the suggestion @sophieanderson.bsky.social !)
The Other Father Christmas looks absolutely full of festive magic! Can’t wait to read it 😍✨🎄
“…showing every family, in every community, that the festive season welcomes all of us.”
The Other Father Christmas looks absolutely full of festive magic! Can’t wait to read it 😍✨🎄
“…showing every family, in every community, that the festive season welcomes all of us.”
November 23, 2025 at 7:33 PM
Just had a peek @storymix.bsky.social kickstarter (thanks for the suggestion @sophieanderson.bsky.social !)
The Other Father Christmas looks absolutely full of festive magic! Can’t wait to read it 😍✨🎄
“…showing every family, in every community, that the festive season welcomes all of us.”
The Other Father Christmas looks absolutely full of festive magic! Can’t wait to read it 😍✨🎄
“…showing every family, in every community, that the festive season welcomes all of us.”
Reposted by Kirsten Allen (@kidsstoryworld)
Halloween-themed children's & teen books with picture books, chapter books, teen novels, poetry & activity titles by Oliver Jeffers, Harriet Muncaster, John Kane, Rainbow Rowell, Padraig Kenny, Lisa Richardson & Rob Biddulph. schoolreadinglist.co.uk/genres/hallo... #teachersofx #kidlit
Halloween books for children and teens
Children's, young adult and teen books about Halloween, trick or treating, ghosts, unexplained events, and dark spooky nights.
schoolreadinglist.co.uk
November 22, 2025 at 8:52 AM
Halloween-themed children's & teen books with picture books, chapter books, teen novels, poetry & activity titles by Oliver Jeffers, Harriet Muncaster, John Kane, Rainbow Rowell, Padraig Kenny, Lisa Richardson & Rob Biddulph. schoolreadinglist.co.uk/genres/hallo... #teachersofx #kidlit
Reposted by Kirsten Allen (@kidsstoryworld)
Starting out on here so wanted to say a proper hello!
Looking forward to catching up with old friends and meeting new ones.
If we haven’t met before I’m a writer and part mermaid (as I can mostly be found in water).
There are now six books in #TheBoyWhoGrewDragons series.
Looking forward to catching up with old friends and meeting new ones.
If we haven’t met before I’m a writer and part mermaid (as I can mostly be found in water).
There are now six books in #TheBoyWhoGrewDragons series.
November 17, 2024 at 9:14 AM
Starting out on here so wanted to say a proper hello!
Looking forward to catching up with old friends and meeting new ones.
If we haven’t met before I’m a writer and part mermaid (as I can mostly be found in water).
There are now six books in #TheBoyWhoGrewDragons series.
Looking forward to catching up with old friends and meeting new ones.
If we haven’t met before I’m a writer and part mermaid (as I can mostly be found in water).
There are now six books in #TheBoyWhoGrewDragons series.
Reposted by Kirsten Allen (@kidsstoryworld)
Are you a bookshop, library or festival outside the UK? I have some travel funding available from a Scottish creatives organisation…. Get in touch! This counts for kidlit also 💜🤖✨
Bookshops! Libraries! Festivals! I want to work with you for the paperback of SOME BODY LIKE ME!
It’s publishing in early February, had some fab press reviews for the HB, and makes people leave deranged messages in my inbox. I really want to help my girls find more readers!
#scifi #sciencefiction
It’s publishing in early February, had some fab press reviews for the HB, and makes people leave deranged messages in my inbox. I really want to help my girls find more readers!
#scifi #sciencefiction
November 22, 2025 at 8:34 AM
Are you a bookshop, library or festival outside the UK? I have some travel funding available from a Scottish creatives organisation…. Get in touch! This counts for kidlit also 💜🤖✨
Stunning book. Stunning song that goes with it.
Would make such a gorgeous Christmas gift 🦊 #kidlit
Would make such a gorgeous Christmas gift 🦊 #kidlit
Sometimes you immediately hit upon a cover design that works. Other times, it takes a while to get there. I made over thirty cover designs for I FOLLOW THE FOX. Here is the very first attempt (made before I even wrote the book), one from the middle of the process and, finally, the eventual winner.
November 21, 2025 at 7:50 PM
Stunning book. Stunning song that goes with it.
Would make such a gorgeous Christmas gift 🦊 #kidlit
Would make such a gorgeous Christmas gift 🦊 #kidlit
Reposted by Kirsten Allen (@kidsstoryworld)
The #DrawWithRob BLOBFISH special drops tomorrow at 10am, and I'm going to show you that even the world's most gloopy creature can make wonderful subject matter for a drawing. NB this episode is the last one before the Christmas editions kick in... (EXCITING!)
November 21, 2025 at 4:38 PM
The #DrawWithRob BLOBFISH special drops tomorrow at 10am, and I'm going to show you that even the world's most gloopy creature can make wonderful subject matter for a drawing. NB this episode is the last one before the Christmas editions kick in... (EXCITING!)
Reposted by Kirsten Allen (@kidsstoryworld)
It's friday! Time for the weekly good news thread. What's YOUR good news of the week? What's made you smile?
November 21, 2025 at 8:11 AM
It's friday! Time for the weekly good news thread. What's YOUR good news of the week? What's made you smile?
Reposted by Kirsten Allen (@kidsstoryworld)
I got to this lovely feedback from a school author visit
November 21, 2025 at 10:10 AM
I got to this lovely feedback from a school author visit
🥳🥳🥳🥳🥳🥳🥳🥳🥳🥳🥳🥳🥳
Cover reveal!
I loved writing #TheWoodWhereMagicGrows & there’s a whole lot more to come from the Treetoppers!
#TheWoodWhereStoriesSing takes the children on a thrilling adventure with Crest the driftwood horse, to save Wildtop Wood.
Coming 2 July 2026 - you can preorders now!
I loved writing #TheWoodWhereMagicGrows & there’s a whole lot more to come from the Treetoppers!
#TheWoodWhereStoriesSing takes the children on a thrilling adventure with Crest the driftwood horse, to save Wildtop Wood.
Coming 2 July 2026 - you can preorders now!
November 20, 2025 at 9:23 PM
🥳🥳🥳🥳🥳🥳🥳🥳🥳🥳🥳🥳🥳
WOWZERS!!!!!
2026 author Q&A slots are almost booked up already!!!
Buckle up….
2026 author Q&A slots are almost booked up already!!!
Buckle up….
November 20, 2025 at 12:59 PM
WOWZERS!!!!!
2026 author Q&A slots are almost booked up already!!!
Buckle up….
2026 author Q&A slots are almost booked up already!!!
Buckle up….
✨Morning! I’m launching an exciting new #KidLit Blog and need help from children (5-11yo) and their chosen grown-ups!
Features will include:
📘 Battle of the Books
🎤 Fun family Q&As
✍️ Kids’ stories and poems based on a simple monthly theme
❓ Ask the Author
Details and contact below - Thanks! 💕
Features will include:
📘 Battle of the Books
🎤 Fun family Q&As
✍️ Kids’ stories and poems based on a simple monthly theme
❓ Ask the Author
Details and contact below - Thanks! 💕
November 20, 2025 at 9:02 AM
✨Morning! I’m launching an exciting new #KidLit Blog and need help from children (5-11yo) and their chosen grown-ups!
Features will include:
📘 Battle of the Books
🎤 Fun family Q&As
✍️ Kids’ stories and poems based on a simple monthly theme
❓ Ask the Author
Details and contact below - Thanks! 💕
Features will include:
📘 Battle of the Books
🎤 Fun family Q&As
✍️ Kids’ stories and poems based on a simple monthly theme
❓ Ask the Author
Details and contact below - Thanks! 💕
This is why school libraries are so important. Reading for pleasure needs to be a part of school day to do just that.
Teacher minds - what would take out of the curriculum and replace with reading for pleasure? Fronted Adverbials? SpaG tests?….thoughts please!
literacytrust.org.uk/research-ser...
Teacher minds - what would take out of the curriculum and replace with reading for pleasure? Fronted Adverbials? SpaG tests?….thoughts please!
literacytrust.org.uk/research-ser...
Exploring the literacy-related behaviours and feelings of pupils eligible for free school meals in relation to their use of and access to school libraries | National Literacy Trust
This paper from the National Literacy Trust and Nottingham Trent University explores how children on free school meals use their school library and how this links to their literacy engagement.
literacytrust.org.uk
November 18, 2025 at 8:20 AM
This is why school libraries are so important. Reading for pleasure needs to be a part of school day to do just that.
Teacher minds - what would take out of the curriculum and replace with reading for pleasure? Fronted Adverbials? SpaG tests?….thoughts please!
literacytrust.org.uk/research-ser...
Teacher minds - what would take out of the curriculum and replace with reading for pleasure? Fronted Adverbials? SpaG tests?….thoughts please!
literacytrust.org.uk/research-ser...
Reposted by Kirsten Allen (@kidsstoryworld)
Reposted by Kirsten Allen (@kidsstoryworld)
📢 A third of children under 5 miss out on the magic of being read to.
But you could help to share the joy of stories this Christmas and throughout the year.
Donate today to give the #MagicOfBooks to a child who needs it ✨ 👇
https://bit.ly/43uM0Fa
But you could help to share the joy of stories this Christmas and throughout the year.
Donate today to give the #MagicOfBooks to a child who needs it ✨ 👇
https://bit.ly/43uM0Fa
November 15, 2025 at 3:45 PM
📢 A third of children under 5 miss out on the magic of being read to.
But you could help to share the joy of stories this Christmas and throughout the year.
Donate today to give the #MagicOfBooks to a child who needs it ✨ 👇
https://bit.ly/43uM0Fa
But you could help to share the joy of stories this Christmas and throughout the year.
Donate today to give the #MagicOfBooks to a child who needs it ✨ 👇
https://bit.ly/43uM0Fa
Reposted by Kirsten Allen (@kidsstoryworld)
Absolutely love this review. Tom GETS the Loki series on a cellular level. @walkerbooksuk.bsky.social #KidLitUK
It’s chaos personified in A Bad God’s Guide to Causing Chaos - can Loki work out who/what is causing the strange things around him? Iconic, bonkers, hilarious! Out now for 8+. @louiestowell.bsky.social @walkerbooksuk.bsky.social #kidlituk
checkemoutbooks.wordpress.com/2025/11/15/l...
checkemoutbooks.wordpress.com/2025/11/15/l...
November 15, 2025 at 8:55 AM
Absolutely love this review. Tom GETS the Loki series on a cellular level. @walkerbooksuk.bsky.social #KidLitUK
Reposted by Kirsten Allen (@kidsstoryworld)
I’ve just finished this wonderful graphic novel version of Phil Earle’s When the Sky Falls and it’s such a powerful book. Friendship between a boy and an ape, as well as a boy and a girl - both beautifully examined. Adapted by Fred Fordham.
November 15, 2025 at 7:28 AM
Reposted by Kirsten Allen (@kidsstoryworld)
The 8th Annual Reflecting Realities Report is out now, showing progress in ethnic representation in children’s books and urging publishers to keep inclusion as a standard practice. https://clpe.org.uk/research/clpe-reflecting-realities-survey-ethnic-representation-within-uk-childrens-literature-3
November 15, 2025 at 7:26 AM
Reposted by Kirsten Allen (@kidsstoryworld)
Last few hours on the Children in Read website - you can buy a jolly murderous Christmas pressie for the 11 year old in your life, and help charity!
Lots of other books available too. #kidlituk www.jumblebee.co.uk/auction/deta...
Lots of other books available too. #kidlituk www.jumblebee.co.uk/auction/deta...
Children in Read 2025
Authors and Illustrators around the globe, sign & dedicate their books for the biggest online signed book auction in the world.All Postage & Packaging is free.All proceeds are in aid of the B.B.C. Chi...
www.jumblebee.co.uk
November 14, 2025 at 11:50 AM
Last few hours on the Children in Read website - you can buy a jolly murderous Christmas pressie for the 11 year old in your life, and help charity!
Lots of other books available too. #kidlituk www.jumblebee.co.uk/auction/deta...
Lots of other books available too. #kidlituk www.jumblebee.co.uk/auction/deta...
Reposted by Kirsten Allen (@kidsstoryworld)
It's friday! Time for the weekly good news thread. Whats your good news for the week? Whats made you smile?
November 14, 2025 at 11:39 AM
It's friday! Time for the weekly good news thread. Whats your good news for the week? Whats made you smile?