AnnieBannie (She/Her🧶📚🌈)
@madhmstr.bsky.social
“Don't waste hate on pink geranium.”
Professional aunt.
Trans rights are human rights.
Posts about black cats, picture books, and random other stuff.
5th generation Pākehā Aucklander, of UK heritage.
Professional aunt.
Trans rights are human rights.
Posts about black cats, picture books, and random other stuff.
5th generation Pākehā Aucklander, of UK heritage.
Pinned
Time for a pinned post.
I live in Aotearoa New Zealand.
I post about, in no particular order:
Our cats: Midnight and Jasper.
My clothes.
My life.
Books.
Being a children's librarian.
Sports, especially #womenssport.
Craft.
Random shit.
Boosting / sharing creators' work.
I live in Aotearoa New Zealand.
I post about, in no particular order:
Our cats: Midnight and Jasper.
My clothes.
My life.
Books.
Being a children's librarian.
Sports, especially #womenssport.
Craft.
Random shit.
Boosting / sharing creators' work.
Reposted by AnnieBannie (She/Her🧶📚🌈)
Happy to report there’s an audiobook out on AWA Libby now of Mana by Tame Iti, read by Toi Iti. share.libbyapp.com/title/12499212 ^DR
January 16, 2026 at 8:24 PM
Happy to report there’s an audiobook out on AWA Libby now of Mana by Tame Iti, read by Toi Iti. share.libbyapp.com/title/12499212 ^DR
Reposted by AnnieBannie (She/Her🧶📚🌈)
2026 is the National Year of Reading and here is the first in my ONE MINUTE INTERVIEW series to introduce books through their creators, and give a flavour for each book and its interesting creation process!
This week you’ll meet incomparable author and illustrator @louiestowell.bsky.social ❤️
This week you’ll meet incomparable author and illustrator @louiestowell.bsky.social ❤️
January 16, 2026 at 11:32 PM
2026 is the National Year of Reading and here is the first in my ONE MINUTE INTERVIEW series to introduce books through their creators, and give a flavour for each book and its interesting creation process!
This week you’ll meet incomparable author and illustrator @louiestowell.bsky.social ❤️
This week you’ll meet incomparable author and illustrator @louiestowell.bsky.social ❤️
Reposted by AnnieBannie (She/Her🧶📚🌈)
Use the good china!
I found fancy fountain pen inks dried out.
That expensive liquor oxidizes and changes flavor.
The lotion goes rancid.
Drink it, use it, don't save it for a brighter day. Find joy in your world. Grab Grandma's crystal for your morning juice. Don't wait. Life is short.
I found fancy fountain pen inks dried out.
That expensive liquor oxidizes and changes flavor.
The lotion goes rancid.
Drink it, use it, don't save it for a brighter day. Find joy in your world. Grab Grandma's crystal for your morning juice. Don't wait. Life is short.
January 17, 2026 at 4:24 AM
Use the good china!
I found fancy fountain pen inks dried out.
That expensive liquor oxidizes and changes flavor.
The lotion goes rancid.
Drink it, use it, don't save it for a brighter day. Find joy in your world. Grab Grandma's crystal for your morning juice. Don't wait. Life is short.
I found fancy fountain pen inks dried out.
That expensive liquor oxidizes and changes flavor.
The lotion goes rancid.
Drink it, use it, don't save it for a brighter day. Find joy in your world. Grab Grandma's crystal for your morning juice. Don't wait. Life is short.
Reposted by AnnieBannie (She/Her🧶📚🌈)
#NewIllustrationOfTheDay by James Munro from The Sad Book (not Michael Rosen’s) with text by Howard Pearlstein. Out in paperback from Graffeg 19 Jan. Cartoons in limited colour drawn with a big soft pencil and satisfying clarity. The book offers simple ways to feel better @graffegbooks.bsky.social
January 17, 2026 at 9:40 AM
#NewIllustrationOfTheDay by James Munro from The Sad Book (not Michael Rosen’s) with text by Howard Pearlstein. Out in paperback from Graffeg 19 Jan. Cartoons in limited colour drawn with a big soft pencil and satisfying clarity. The book offers simple ways to feel better @graffegbooks.bsky.social
Reposted by AnnieBannie (She/Her🧶📚🌈)
This photo was taken in 1911 using glass plate technology by Herbert Ponting who was part of Scott's Antarctic expedition,
The composition and detail are exquisite with the band of white snow/ice creating a perfect frame around the two people and the ship in the distance
Iconic imo
The composition and detail are exquisite with the band of white snow/ice creating a perfect frame around the two people and the ship in the distance
Iconic imo
January 17, 2026 at 7:12 AM
This photo was taken in 1911 using glass plate technology by Herbert Ponting who was part of Scott's Antarctic expedition,
The composition and detail are exquisite with the band of white snow/ice creating a perfect frame around the two people and the ship in the distance
Iconic imo
The composition and detail are exquisite with the band of white snow/ice creating a perfect frame around the two people and the ship in the distance
Iconic imo
SibL and SibS visited with Auntie Alice and Uncle Ron and their daughter.
She is so grateful for having the support just up the road.
She has local orgs to talk to, as recommended by us.
She teared up talking about our Mum, and her Mum saying "I've lost my dearest friend".
She is so grateful for having the support just up the road.
She has local orgs to talk to, as recommended by us.
She teared up talking about our Mum, and her Mum saying "I've lost my dearest friend".
January 17, 2026 at 7:17 AM
SibL and SibS visited with Auntie Alice and Uncle Ron and their daughter.
She is so grateful for having the support just up the road.
She has local orgs to talk to, as recommended by us.
She teared up talking about our Mum, and her Mum saying "I've lost my dearest friend".
She is so grateful for having the support just up the road.
She has local orgs to talk to, as recommended by us.
She teared up talking about our Mum, and her Mum saying "I've lost my dearest friend".
While the siblings were with Auntie Alice, I chatted to Uncle Ron.
He talked about the time Dad rang him and asked if he had a brother called [redacted].
Going thru Nana's, he found a box of books from their time running a book exchange. And one book belonged to Uncle Ron's brother!
He talked about the time Dad rang him and asked if he had a brother called [redacted].
Going thru Nana's, he found a box of books from their time running a book exchange. And one book belonged to Uncle Ron's brother!
So, dropped Jasper home and back in the car to visit Auntie Alice and Uncle Ron.
Auntie Alice has shingles.
We've left our number so any of their kids can ring.
SibL will met with the daughter Tuesday.
Auntie Alice has shingles.
We've left our number so any of their kids can ring.
SibL will met with the daughter Tuesday.
Oh, Jasper.
Emergency vet trip due to bleeding eye.
A scratch to his eye.
Emergency vet trip due to bleeding eye.
A scratch to his eye.
January 17, 2026 at 12:15 AM
While the siblings were with Auntie Alice, I chatted to Uncle Ron.
He talked about the time Dad rang him and asked if he had a brother called [redacted].
Going thru Nana's, he found a box of books from their time running a book exchange. And one book belonged to Uncle Ron's brother!
He talked about the time Dad rang him and asked if he had a brother called [redacted].
Going thru Nana's, he found a box of books from their time running a book exchange. And one book belonged to Uncle Ron's brother!
Reposted by AnnieBannie (She/Her🧶📚🌈)
On a late-night bus back through London and a spontaneous chat about how good Fern Gully was has emerged on this top deck.
Love my city.
Love my city.
January 16, 2026 at 11:31 PM
On a late-night bus back through London and a spontaneous chat about how good Fern Gully was has emerged on this top deck.
Love my city.
Love my city.
Reposted by AnnieBannie (She/Her🧶📚🌈)
An article I wrote for @booktrust.org.uk! 😊💓
www.booktrust.org.uk/book-recomme...
#KidLit #BookSky #PrimaryEduSky
www.booktrust.org.uk/book-recomme...
#KidLit #BookSky #PrimaryEduSky
5 brilliant books with adopted characters
Author Ian Eagleton recommends five favourites.
www.booktrust.org.uk
January 16, 2026 at 10:11 PM
An article I wrote for @booktrust.org.uk! 😊💓
www.booktrust.org.uk/book-recomme...
#KidLit #BookSky #PrimaryEduSky
www.booktrust.org.uk/book-recomme...
#KidLit #BookSky #PrimaryEduSky
Reposted by AnnieBannie (She/Her🧶📚🌈)
January 16, 2026 at 11:08 PM
Reposted by AnnieBannie (She/Her🧶📚🌈)
One catte doth onlye lie, and the othir catte doth onlye telle the trouthe, and both cattes saye thei have not been fed.
January 16, 2026 at 10:48 PM
One catte doth onlye lie, and the othir catte doth onlye telle the trouthe, and both cattes saye thei have not been fed.
Reposted by AnnieBannie (She/Her🧶📚🌈)
Looking for a home for your work?
At takahē, part of our kaupapa is paying contributors fairly. Here are the rates for 2026!
It's free to read takahē online and free to submit. If you are in a position to contribute via the Tip Jar, thank you! 100% goes towards paying contributors 🖤
At takahē, part of our kaupapa is paying contributors fairly. Here are the rates for 2026!
It's free to read takahē online and free to submit. If you are in a position to contribute via the Tip Jar, thank you! 100% goes towards paying contributors 🖤
January 16, 2026 at 4:55 AM
Looking for a home for your work?
At takahē, part of our kaupapa is paying contributors fairly. Here are the rates for 2026!
It's free to read takahē online and free to submit. If you are in a position to contribute via the Tip Jar, thank you! 100% goes towards paying contributors 🖤
At takahē, part of our kaupapa is paying contributors fairly. Here are the rates for 2026!
It's free to read takahē online and free to submit. If you are in a position to contribute via the Tip Jar, thank you! 100% goes towards paying contributors 🖤
So, dropped Jasper home and back in the car to visit Auntie Alice and Uncle Ron.
Auntie Alice has shingles.
We've left our number so any of their kids can ring.
SibL will met with the daughter Tuesday.
Auntie Alice has shingles.
We've left our number so any of their kids can ring.
SibL will met with the daughter Tuesday.
Oh, Jasper.
Emergency vet trip due to bleeding eye.
A scratch to his eye.
Emergency vet trip due to bleeding eye.
A scratch to his eye.
January 16, 2026 at 11:35 PM
So, dropped Jasper home and back in the car to visit Auntie Alice and Uncle Ron.
Auntie Alice has shingles.
We've left our number so any of their kids can ring.
SibL will met with the daughter Tuesday.
Auntie Alice has shingles.
We've left our number so any of their kids can ring.
SibL will met with the daughter Tuesday.
Oh, Jasper.
Emergency vet trip due to bleeding eye.
A scratch to his eye.
Emergency vet trip due to bleeding eye.
A scratch to his eye.
January 16, 2026 at 11:08 PM
Oh, Jasper.
Emergency vet trip due to bleeding eye.
A scratch to his eye.
Emergency vet trip due to bleeding eye.
A scratch to his eye.
Reposted by AnnieBannie (She/Her🧶📚🌈)
For #FindsFriday & #BoudicaFriday let’s stick to Iron Age Norfolk Iceni metalwork - behold this ‘long-snouted animal’ mount found at Snettisham, c.300-100BC. Possibly from the base of a drinking horn, there is something of the droopy, sleepy carnyx about it…
British Museum
#Echolands
British Museum
#Echolands
January 16, 2026 at 6:30 AM
For #FindsFriday & #BoudicaFriday let’s stick to Iron Age Norfolk Iceni metalwork - behold this ‘long-snouted animal’ mount found at Snettisham, c.300-100BC. Possibly from the base of a drinking horn, there is something of the droopy, sleepy carnyx about it…
British Museum
#Echolands
British Museum
#Echolands
Reposted by AnnieBannie (She/Her🧶📚🌈)
Fake Aboriginal account created by a South African living in Aotearoa NZ. Definitely feeding into my stereotypes.
www.theguardian.com/australia-ne...
www.theguardian.com/australia-ne...
‘It’s AI blackface’: social media account hailed as the Aboriginal Steve Irwin is an AI character created in New Zealand
More than 180,000 people follow the Bush Legend’s accounts across Meta platforms, but its Aboriginal host is a work of digital fiction
www.theguardian.com
January 16, 2026 at 9:24 AM
Fake Aboriginal account created by a South African living in Aotearoa NZ. Definitely feeding into my stereotypes.
www.theguardian.com/australia-ne...
www.theguardian.com/australia-ne...
Reposted by AnnieBannie (She/Her🧶📚🌈)
#NewIllustrationOfTheDay by Tom Percival from his picturebook The Wonder, out in paperback from Simon & Schuster on 15 Jan, about being alert to the small joys in our lives. A vivid, digital, chiaroscuro combination of photographs and artwork. @tompercival.bsky.social @simonandschuster.bsky.social
January 16, 2026 at 8:33 AM
#NewIllustrationOfTheDay by Tom Percival from his picturebook The Wonder, out in paperback from Simon & Schuster on 15 Jan, about being alert to the small joys in our lives. A vivid, digital, chiaroscuro combination of photographs and artwork. @tompercival.bsky.social @simonandschuster.bsky.social
Reposted by AnnieBannie (She/Her🧶📚🌈)
My kids are enjoying watching Traitors and following all the twists and turns and drama. It got me thinking we haven’t done detective books for #KidsBooksFriday as yet. What great kids detective books would you recommend for young Traitors fans?
#KidLitUK #KidLit #UKKidLit
#KidLitUK #KidLit #UKKidLit
January 16, 2026 at 7:30 AM
My kids are enjoying watching Traitors and following all the twists and turns and drama. It got me thinking we haven’t done detective books for #KidsBooksFriday as yet. What great kids detective books would you recommend for young Traitors fans?
#KidLitUK #KidLit #UKKidLit
#KidLitUK #KidLit #UKKidLit
Reposted by AnnieBannie (She/Her🧶📚🌈)
Today’s beautiful cricket ground is the home of Copley CC in Yorkshire
January 16, 2026 at 6:43 AM
Today’s beautiful cricket ground is the home of Copley CC in Yorkshire
Uncle Ron, Mum's oldest friend's husband popped in today to ask for help.
Auntie Alice has been in hospital. Uncle Ron is still waiting for some procedures.
So, we're visiting tomorrow to have a chat about how we can help, and what they'll accept.
Their nearest kids are an hour or so away.
Auntie Alice has been in hospital. Uncle Ron is still waiting for some procedures.
So, we're visiting tomorrow to have a chat about how we can help, and what they'll accept.
Their nearest kids are an hour or so away.
January 16, 2026 at 6:38 AM
Uncle Ron, Mum's oldest friend's husband popped in today to ask for help.
Auntie Alice has been in hospital. Uncle Ron is still waiting for some procedures.
So, we're visiting tomorrow to have a chat about how we can help, and what they'll accept.
Their nearest kids are an hour or so away.
Auntie Alice has been in hospital. Uncle Ron is still waiting for some procedures.
So, we're visiting tomorrow to have a chat about how we can help, and what they'll accept.
Their nearest kids are an hour or so away.
Reposted by AnnieBannie (She/Her🧶📚🌈)
You ain't nothin' but a hound dog
Cryin' all the time
A blue dog plays a drum in the bottom margin of f. 313r, Ms. Codex 724, a 13th century illuminated Bible #DrolleryDonnerstag #medievalsky
🔗: https://bit.ly/4pti1W1
Cryin' all the time
A blue dog plays a drum in the bottom margin of f. 313r, Ms. Codex 724, a 13th century illuminated Bible #DrolleryDonnerstag #medievalsky
🔗: https://bit.ly/4pti1W1
January 15, 2026 at 8:49 PM
You ain't nothin' but a hound dog
Cryin' all the time
A blue dog plays a drum in the bottom margin of f. 313r, Ms. Codex 724, a 13th century illuminated Bible #DrolleryDonnerstag #medievalsky
🔗: https://bit.ly/4pti1W1
Cryin' all the time
A blue dog plays a drum in the bottom margin of f. 313r, Ms. Codex 724, a 13th century illuminated Bible #DrolleryDonnerstag #medievalsky
🔗: https://bit.ly/4pti1W1
Reposted by AnnieBannie (She/Her🧶📚🌈)
Today, I bring you the overview of the pockets of joy to look forward to in 2026.
PS. Migration off substack is in process and should hopefully be complete by end of month 🙂
open.substack.com/pub/alicesoa...
PS. Migration off substack is in process and should hopefully be complete by end of month 🙂
open.substack.com/pub/alicesoa...
2026 NZ Women's Sports Watch Guide
All the dates for your diary in one place
open.substack.com
January 16, 2026 at 5:18 AM
Today, I bring you the overview of the pockets of joy to look forward to in 2026.
PS. Migration off substack is in process and should hopefully be complete by end of month 🙂
open.substack.com/pub/alicesoa...
PS. Migration off substack is in process and should hopefully be complete by end of month 🙂
open.substack.com/pub/alicesoa...
Reposted by AnnieBannie (She/Her🧶📚🌈)
Library customer Peter Weatherall has made a cool song about Matatiki Hornby Centre and using the music studio. It's called Total Professional AND IT ROCKS!!! youtu.be/uAtdY_fJ2a4?...
Check out more of his catchy songs in the Library Life playlist: www.youtube.com/watch?v=Skvl... ^DR
Check out more of his catchy songs in the Library Life playlist: www.youtube.com/watch?v=Skvl... ^DR
Total Professional: Music & Video by Peter Weatherall
YouTube video by Peter Weatherall
youtu.be
January 16, 2026 at 1:17 AM
Library customer Peter Weatherall has made a cool song about Matatiki Hornby Centre and using the music studio. It's called Total Professional AND IT ROCKS!!! youtu.be/uAtdY_fJ2a4?...
Check out more of his catchy songs in the Library Life playlist: www.youtube.com/watch?v=Skvl... ^DR
Check out more of his catchy songs in the Library Life playlist: www.youtube.com/watch?v=Skvl... ^DR
Reposted by AnnieBannie (She/Her🧶📚🌈)
I want to put this on a party playlist and when it comes on I'll yell "THIS IS MY JAM" and hit the dance floor
Seriously, this is so cool.
Seriously, this is so cool.
This is haunting...
It's the oldest piece of music for which we have both the words and the notes. A song to the Hurrian goddess Nikkal, it was written on clay tablets around 3500 years ago, and was discovered in the 1950s in the ruins of the ancient city of Ugarit.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=w8tf...
It's the oldest piece of music for which we have both the words and the notes. A song to the Hurrian goddess Nikkal, it was written on clay tablets around 3500 years ago, and was discovered in the 1950s in the ruins of the ancient city of Ugarit.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=w8tf...
THE OLDEST SONG IN THE WORLD
YouTube video by Peter Pringle
www.youtube.com
January 16, 2026 at 4:34 AM
I want to put this on a party playlist and when it comes on I'll yell "THIS IS MY JAM" and hit the dance floor
Seriously, this is so cool.
Seriously, this is so cool.
Reposted by AnnieBannie (She/Her🧶📚🌈)
Why teaching is the best job:
On days when the news is utterly bleak, you get to read DON’T TRUST FISH to second graders who laugh so much you fear they’re going pee on the rug.
Many thanks to @unshavedmouse.bsky.social and @dansantat.bsky.social.
On days when the news is utterly bleak, you get to read DON’T TRUST FISH to second graders who laugh so much you fear they’re going pee on the rug.
Many thanks to @unshavedmouse.bsky.social and @dansantat.bsky.social.
January 15, 2026 at 12:49 PM
Why teaching is the best job:
On days when the news is utterly bleak, you get to read DON’T TRUST FISH to second graders who laugh so much you fear they’re going pee on the rug.
Many thanks to @unshavedmouse.bsky.social and @dansantat.bsky.social.
On days when the news is utterly bleak, you get to read DON’T TRUST FISH to second graders who laugh so much you fear they’re going pee on the rug.
Many thanks to @unshavedmouse.bsky.social and @dansantat.bsky.social.