Chris Callaghan
@chris-callaghan.com
Children's Author
'When the War Comes In' - Out Now 🛠
Writes about chaos & chocolate 💥🍫
A Geordie living in London 🖤🤍
Ex RAF Engineer & Enviro Scientist 🌍
Loves wine gums
https://www.chris-callaghan.com/
'When the War Comes In' - Out Now 🛠
Writes about chaos & chocolate 💥🍫
A Geordie living in London 🖤🤍
Ex RAF Engineer & Enviro Scientist 🌍
Loves wine gums
https://www.chris-callaghan.com/
Pinned
Chris Callaghan
@chris-callaghan.com
· May 2
Reason number 1,567,982 to love school librarians ...
They ALWAYS create a buzz around their library and books.
A vital role carried out with so much enthusiasm.
Thank you, Sharleene 👊
They ALWAYS create a buzz around their library and books.
A vital role carried out with so much enthusiasm.
Thank you, Sharleene 👊
Reason number 16964 to love authors.....They give so much and make their readers feel incredibly special.
Lot's of book buzz around the library today because of the legend that is Chris Callaghan 📚
Thank you Chris! 🥰
@chris-callaghan.com
Lot's of book buzz around the library today because of the legend that is Chris Callaghan 📚
Thank you Chris! 🥰
@chris-callaghan.com
October 9, 2025 at 9:46 AM
Reason number 1,567,982 to love school librarians ...
They ALWAYS create a buzz around their library and books.
A vital role carried out with so much enthusiasm.
Thank you, Sharleene 👊
They ALWAYS create a buzz around their library and books.
A vital role carried out with so much enthusiasm.
Thank you, Sharleene 👊
Graphic novels are a dynamic way to enjoy stories.
It was a joy to create 12 action packed adventures with amazing artist, Amit Tayal. Amit took my wacky escapades & turned them into unbelievably vibrant artwork that makes every page fizzle with excitement.
www.chris-callaghan.com/shinoy-and-t...
It was a joy to create 12 action packed adventures with amazing artist, Amit Tayal. Amit took my wacky escapades & turned them into unbelievably vibrant artwork that makes every page fizzle with excitement.
www.chris-callaghan.com/shinoy-and-t...
September 22, 2025 at 7:14 AM
Graphic novels are a dynamic way to enjoy stories.
It was a joy to create 12 action packed adventures with amazing artist, Amit Tayal. Amit took my wacky escapades & turned them into unbelievably vibrant artwork that makes every page fizzle with excitement.
www.chris-callaghan.com/shinoy-and-t...
It was a joy to create 12 action packed adventures with amazing artist, Amit Tayal. Amit took my wacky escapades & turned them into unbelievably vibrant artwork that makes every page fizzle with excitement.
www.chris-callaghan.com/shinoy-and-t...
Reposted by Chris Callaghan
Millions of years ago, an apex predator resembling a giant crocodile stalked the humid freshwater floodplains of southern Patagonia. It ate whatever it could catch, including some dinosaurs. Near the southern tip of South America, scientists recently discovered a skeleton of this hypercarnivore
Researchers unearthed skeleton of extinct ‘hypercarnivore’ that had a taste for dinosaurs | CNN
Scientists found the skeleton of an extinct hypercarnivore in Argentina’s southern Patagonia. The apex predator feasted on dinosaurs, they propose.
www.cnn.com
September 8, 2025 at 4:32 AM
Millions of years ago, an apex predator resembling a giant crocodile stalked the humid freshwater floodplains of southern Patagonia. It ate whatever it could catch, including some dinosaurs. Near the southern tip of South America, scientists recently discovered a skeleton of this hypercarnivore
Reposted by Chris Callaghan
A huge thank you to Tami Wylie, for this lovely review of Magster and the Auriaku Koi. 😍
#ukkidlit #kidlituk #Magster #magsterandtheauriakukoi
#ukkidlit #kidlituk #Magster #magsterandtheauriakukoi
September 7, 2025 at 9:42 AM
A huge thank you to Tami Wylie, for this lovely review of Magster and the Auriaku Koi. 😍
#ukkidlit #kidlituk #Magster #magsterandtheauriakukoi
#ukkidlit #kidlituk #Magster #magsterandtheauriakukoi
Reposted by Chris Callaghan
We visited the University of East London's Baby Lab with @frankcottrellboyce.bsky.social to discover how reading can play a key role in children's healthy development.
We're calling on partners across sectors to join #ReadingRights and make sure every child experiences this:
https://bit.ly/41hIdda
We're calling on partners across sectors to join #ReadingRights and make sure every child experiences this:
https://bit.ly/41hIdda
September 8, 2025 at 8:06 AM
We visited the University of East London's Baby Lab with @frankcottrellboyce.bsky.social to discover how reading can play a key role in children's healthy development.
We're calling on partners across sectors to join #ReadingRights and make sure every child experiences this:
https://bit.ly/41hIdda
We're calling on partners across sectors to join #ReadingRights and make sure every child experiences this:
https://bit.ly/41hIdda
Reposted by Chris Callaghan
I'm coming to West London the following monday after school, 15th Sept. You can get a book and ticket here at @alligatorsmouth.bsky.social! @walkerbooksuk.bsky.social www.thealligatorsmouth.co.uk/event-detail...
September 6, 2025 at 7:34 AM
I'm coming to West London the following monday after school, 15th Sept. You can get a book and ticket here at @alligatorsmouth.bsky.social! @walkerbooksuk.bsky.social www.thealligatorsmouth.co.uk/event-detail...
Reposted by Chris Callaghan
This is out today with the latest Jellycat Christmas drop! Ocean Hughes has outdone herself with these gorgeous, wintry illustrations.
September 2, 2025 at 11:45 AM
This is out today with the latest Jellycat Christmas drop! Ocean Hughes has outdone herself with these gorgeous, wintry illustrations.
Reposted by Chris Callaghan
We're delighted to be partnering with @nationalbooktokens.bsky.social on this fab giveaway! Enter now for your chance to win 20 dyslexia-friendly books and a £30/€40 National Book Token: www.nationalbooktokens.com/win/win-a-bu...
Win a brilliant back-to-school bundle: 20 dyslexia-friendly books from Barrington Stoke and a £30/€40 National Book Token
These award-winning short novels are designed to be accessible to all, while the freedom to choose any book with their National Book Token will encourage less confident readers to read for fun.
www.nationalbooktokens.com
September 2, 2025 at 12:59 PM
We're delighted to be partnering with @nationalbooktokens.bsky.social on this fab giveaway! Enter now for your chance to win 20 dyslexia-friendly books and a £30/€40 National Book Token: www.nationalbooktokens.com/win/win-a-bu...
Reposted by Chris Callaghan
Lovely review for Beastie Bros: Dungeons & Dragonflies! Out on August 15th. 🐌🐉#kidlituk
A bonkers, highly illustrated chapter book, perfect for newly confident readers, minibeast adventure Beastie Bros: Dungeons and Dragonflies by @davidoconnell.bsky.social publishes 14/08 🐌
@scholasticuk.bsky.social
#KidlitUK #UKKidlit
worldssmallestlibrary.wordpress.com/2025/08/02/b...
@scholasticuk.bsky.social
#KidlitUK #UKKidlit
worldssmallestlibrary.wordpress.com/2025/08/02/b...
Beastie Bros: Dungeons and Dragonflies (Beastie Bros 2) by David O’Connell
Cover illustration © David O’Connell, 2025 I’m not sure at what age most of us lose our love of minibeasts, but for small children creepy crawlies are an endless source of fascination a…
worldssmallestlibrary.wordpress.com
August 2, 2025 at 9:51 AM
Lovely review for Beastie Bros: Dungeons & Dragonflies! Out on August 15th. 🐌🐉#kidlituk
Reposted by Chris Callaghan
Why not take a holiday in the world of #MortalEngines this summer? ‘Thunder City’ takes you to floating seaside resorts, deadly amusement arcades, airborne spa towns, Parisian prisons and the floating pubs of Gibraltar. (And you won’t even have to leave the comfort of your sofa or sun lounger.)
August 2, 2025 at 9:22 AM
Why not take a holiday in the world of #MortalEngines this summer? ‘Thunder City’ takes you to floating seaside resorts, deadly amusement arcades, airborne spa towns, Parisian prisons and the floating pubs of Gibraltar. (And you won’t even have to leave the comfort of your sofa or sun lounger.)
Reposted by Chris Callaghan
Today is the start of #SouthAsianHeritageMonth which runs until 17th August in the U.K. & celebrates the rich cultures of India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan, Bhutan & The Maldives. Here are some #kidlit reading suggestions! (Titles & authors in alt)
#kidlituk #ukkidlit
#kidlituk #ukkidlit
July 18, 2025 at 7:16 AM
Today is the start of #SouthAsianHeritageMonth which runs until 17th August in the U.K. & celebrates the rich cultures of India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan, Bhutan & The Maldives. Here are some #kidlit reading suggestions! (Titles & authors in alt)
#kidlituk #ukkidlit
#kidlituk #ukkidlit
Just wondering …
On a really, really hot day, when no one else is in the house, is it common practice for someone to open the fridge and, for just a little while, rest their bare bum cheeks on the shelf next to the vegan chicken free slices?
On a really, really hot day, when no one else is in the house, is it common practice for someone to open the fridge and, for just a little while, rest their bare bum cheeks on the shelf next to the vegan chicken free slices?
July 11, 2025 at 4:29 PM
Just wondering …
On a really, really hot day, when no one else is in the house, is it common practice for someone to open the fridge and, for just a little while, rest their bare bum cheeks on the shelf next to the vegan chicken free slices?
On a really, really hot day, when no one else is in the house, is it common practice for someone to open the fridge and, for just a little while, rest their bare bum cheeks on the shelf next to the vegan chicken free slices?
Reposted by Chris Callaghan
“Superman is too woke!”
Literally the first page of the first ever appearance of Superman:
Literally the first page of the first ever appearance of Superman:
July 11, 2025 at 1:58 PM
“Superman is too woke!”
Literally the first page of the first ever appearance of Superman:
Literally the first page of the first ever appearance of Superman:
My new book 'When the War Comes In' is set in my hometown of Wallsend where Sting also grew up.
This is the house where he lived in as a boy, just a stone's throw away from shipyard which plays a vital part in my book.
I think they missed a trick by not calling it 'Woksanne'.
This is the house where he lived in as a boy, just a stone's throw away from shipyard which plays a vital part in my book.
I think they missed a trick by not calling it 'Woksanne'.
July 10, 2025 at 7:33 AM
My new book 'When the War Comes In' is set in my hometown of Wallsend where Sting also grew up.
This is the house where he lived in as a boy, just a stone's throw away from shipyard which plays a vital part in my book.
I think they missed a trick by not calling it 'Woksanne'.
This is the house where he lived in as a boy, just a stone's throw away from shipyard which plays a vital part in my book.
I think they missed a trick by not calling it 'Woksanne'.
Forget the heatwave, it’s these 6am dog walks that I’m struggling with.
June 30, 2025 at 5:51 AM
Forget the heatwave, it’s these 6am dog walks that I’m struggling with.
Marking Armed Forces Day with a blast from my own past.
These scallywags were part of the UN Peacekeeping Forces during the Bosnian War.
Mad days.
Proud to have served but thinking of those who suffered or made the ultimate sacrifice for peace & freedom.
Respect to all currently serving. Stay safe.
These scallywags were part of the UN Peacekeeping Forces during the Bosnian War.
Mad days.
Proud to have served but thinking of those who suffered or made the ultimate sacrifice for peace & freedom.
Respect to all currently serving. Stay safe.
June 28, 2025 at 10:24 AM
Marking Armed Forces Day with a blast from my own past.
These scallywags were part of the UN Peacekeeping Forces during the Bosnian War.
Mad days.
Proud to have served but thinking of those who suffered or made the ultimate sacrifice for peace & freedom.
Respect to all currently serving. Stay safe.
These scallywags were part of the UN Peacekeeping Forces during the Bosnian War.
Mad days.
Proud to have served but thinking of those who suffered or made the ultimate sacrifice for peace & freedom.
Respect to all currently serving. Stay safe.
Dragontastic evening celebrating the launch of @cressidacowell.bsky.social's 'How To Train Your Dragon School: Doom of the Darkwing'.
It was lovely to chat with so many fabulous folk. We were all in awe of how Cressida's stories have captured young (and old) imaginations in so many ways.
It was lovely to chat with so many fabulous folk. We were all in awe of how Cressida's stories have captured young (and old) imaginations in so many ways.
June 26, 2025 at 9:16 AM
Dragontastic evening celebrating the launch of @cressidacowell.bsky.social's 'How To Train Your Dragon School: Doom of the Darkwing'.
It was lovely to chat with so many fabulous folk. We were all in awe of how Cressida's stories have captured young (and old) imaginations in so many ways.
It was lovely to chat with so many fabulous folk. We were all in awe of how Cressida's stories have captured young (and old) imaginations in so many ways.
Reposted by Chris Callaghan
Just been championing audiobooks on The Today programme. No surprise to those of us with dyslexia children or parents with poor eyesight. Nor to anyone that works with vulnerable readers. Or good readers like me who just love them. Close your eyes and listen or vacuum or drive. Brilliant.
UK audiobook revenue up by almost a third last year
Income from audiobooks reached a record £268m in 2024, according to figures from the Publishers Association
www.theguardian.com
June 19, 2025 at 8:20 AM
Just been championing audiobooks on The Today programme. No surprise to those of us with dyslexia children or parents with poor eyesight. Nor to anyone that works with vulnerable readers. Or good readers like me who just love them. Close your eyes and listen or vacuum or drive. Brilliant.
Guy walks past my open window 'singing'. At first I couldn't make it out, but he got closer ...
"This is what you'll get."
I know that. What is it? He continues,
"This is what you'll get ... when you meeeeesss with us."
Radiohead's Karma Police - the even creepier version!
I'm shutting the window.
"This is what you'll get."
I know that. What is it? He continues,
"This is what you'll get ... when you meeeeesss with us."
Radiohead's Karma Police - the even creepier version!
I'm shutting the window.
June 19, 2025 at 8:59 AM
Guy walks past my open window 'singing'. At first I couldn't make it out, but he got closer ...
"This is what you'll get."
I know that. What is it? He continues,
"This is what you'll get ... when you meeeeesss with us."
Radiohead's Karma Police - the even creepier version!
I'm shutting the window.
"This is what you'll get."
I know that. What is it? He continues,
"This is what you'll get ... when you meeeeesss with us."
Radiohead's Karma Police - the even creepier version!
I'm shutting the window.
Reposted by Chris Callaghan
We unveiled our #BookTrustStorytime Prize shortlist today - but did you know that 60,000 children took part last year?
Our new report explores the impact of BookTrust Storytime - but also shares librarians' views on the challenges facing families 👇
www.booktrust.org.uk/about-us/new...
Our new report explores the impact of BookTrust Storytime - but also shares librarians' views on the challenges facing families 👇
www.booktrust.org.uk/about-us/new...
June 17, 2025 at 11:14 AM
We unveiled our #BookTrustStorytime Prize shortlist today - but did you know that 60,000 children took part last year?
Our new report explores the impact of BookTrust Storytime - but also shares librarians' views on the challenges facing families 👇
www.booktrust.org.uk/about-us/new...
Our new report explores the impact of BookTrust Storytime - but also shares librarians' views on the challenges facing families 👇
www.booktrust.org.uk/about-us/new...
Reposted by Chris Callaghan
Yup⤵️ Many earn far less and celebs skew stats. From what I'm hearing at the moment for middle grade, many folks are typically getting 3-6k advance, which is split into three payments which can span years, and from which agents are paid 15%. This is why there are so few full-time authors.
What is common knowledge in your field but shocks outsiders?
The average author income is about seven grand a year.
The average author income is about seven grand a year.
What is common knowledge in your field but shocks outsiders?
It is good and proper in a well-kept library to dispose of books.
It is good and proper in a well-kept library to dispose of books.
June 17, 2025 at 11:17 AM
Yup⤵️ Many earn far less and celebs skew stats. From what I'm hearing at the moment for middle grade, many folks are typically getting 3-6k advance, which is split into three payments which can span years, and from which agents are paid 15%. This is why there are so few full-time authors.
Reposted by Chris Callaghan
Please enjoy this photo of our new kitten Bobby and our mostly confused dog Ralph
June 16, 2025 at 6:06 PM
Please enjoy this photo of our new kitten Bobby and our mostly confused dog Ralph
Reposted by Chris Callaghan
What is common knowledge in your field but shocks outsiders?
The average author income is about seven grand a year.
The average author income is about seven grand a year.
What is common knowledge in your field but shocks outsiders?
It is good and proper in a well-kept library to dispose of books.
It is good and proper in a well-kept library to dispose of books.
What is common knowledge in your field, but shocks outsiders?
Almost all of the bugs and problems and breakage in the software you use is known to the engineers, we just aren't allowed to fix it. Gotta ship new features.
Almost all of the bugs and problems and breakage in the software you use is known to the engineers, we just aren't allowed to fix it. Gotta ship new features.
June 17, 2025 at 10:13 AM
What is common knowledge in your field but shocks outsiders?
The average author income is about seven grand a year.
The average author income is about seven grand a year.
Reposted by Chris Callaghan
A procrastination of authors is touring Northern bookshops on Saturday 21st June, times below! Shops may have advance copies of Rani Reports on the Tropical Island Treasure, and I'm MORE than happy to sign copies of Tiffany Aching's Guide to Being a Witch and generally geek out over Discworld!
June 17, 2025 at 1:35 PM
A procrastination of authors is touring Northern bookshops on Saturday 21st June, times below! Shops may have advance copies of Rani Reports on the Tropical Island Treasure, and I'm MORE than happy to sign copies of Tiffany Aching's Guide to Being a Witch and generally geek out over Discworld!
Joining in with the #CollinsBigCat 20th Anniversary celebrations.
It's been a joy working with their amazing team who work so hard to bring such a diverse range of books to entertain & inspire young & curious imaginations.
Flattered to have my books on this impressive 20 year long journey.
#KidLitUK
It's been a joy working with their amazing team who work so hard to bring such a diverse range of books to entertain & inspire young & curious imaginations.
Flattered to have my books on this impressive 20 year long journey.
#KidLitUK
May 28, 2025 at 9:06 AM
Joining in with the #CollinsBigCat 20th Anniversary celebrations.
It's been a joy working with their amazing team who work so hard to bring such a diverse range of books to entertain & inspire young & curious imaginations.
Flattered to have my books on this impressive 20 year long journey.
#KidLitUK
It's been a joy working with their amazing team who work so hard to bring such a diverse range of books to entertain & inspire young & curious imaginations.
Flattered to have my books on this impressive 20 year long journey.
#KidLitUK