DK Mok
LightNews LightNews
banner
dkmok.bsky.social
DK Mok
@dkmok.bsky.social
1.7K followers 280 following 550 posts
Aurealis Award-winning fantasy and science fiction author. The Heart of the Labyrinth, Squid's Grief, and Hunt for Valamon. Loves libraries, starships, and cephalopods. Fantastical stories with heart.
www.dkmok.com

Gadigal Country, Sydney, Australia
Posts Replies Media Videos
dkmok.bsky.social
Enjoyed listening to The Cloud Roads by @marthawells.com, narrated by Chris Kipiniak. Filled with ancient lore, vanished civilisations, wondrous cities, and vivid, complex cultures, it reminded me of why I love fantasy worlds. Plus cool characters and sky islands!

💙📚🎧 #BookSky #Fantasy
The cover of a fantasy novel titled The Cloud Roads by Martha Wells. An epic fantasy illustration of a winged figure flying across a luminous, golden sky, over an expanse of rocky wilderness.
October 28, 2025 at 11:56 PM
dkmok.bsky.social
Recently read Little Ghost Makes a Friend by @maggiemadethis.bsky.social. This adorable Halloween story about making friends and finding the confidence to be yourself reads like a cup of hot chocolate with extra marshmallows. I loved the cute character designs. 1/2

💙📚👍🏼 #BookSky #KidLit #Halloween
The cover of a children’s picture book titled Little Ghost Makes a Friend by Maggie Edkins Willis. A sweet illustration of a cute, rounded ghost sitting on a park bench next to two carved, Halloween pumpkins. The ghost is glancing with nervous hope at a girl sitting further down the bench. The girl has dark, curly hair and is smiling warmly back at the little ghost. Sparkly autumn leaves surround the park bench.
October 21, 2025 at 11:27 PM
dkmok.bsky.social
Recently read Naming Ceremony by Seina Wedlick and Jenin Mohammed. A delightful picture book about the ways in which children’s names are gifts – “A blessing, a wish, a story” – from loved ones. A joyful and heartwarming celebration of this West African tradition.

💙📚👍🏼 #BookSky #KidLit #DiverseBooks
The cover of a children’s picture book titled Naming Ceremony, written by Seina Wedlick, illustrated by Jenin Mohammed. A vibrant illustration of a smiling girl with short, black hair cradling a happy baby. They're dressed in matching blue and yellow party outfits. In the background, their parents are busy with pink and purple balloons, banners, plates and presents.
October 16, 2025 at 2:27 AM
dkmok.bsky.social
Enjoyed reading Australia’s Baby Animals by Jess Racklyeft. It’s as adorable as it sounds. Sweet watercolour illustrations and interesting info. Highlights include the Tasmanian pademelon, tawny frogmouth, gang-gang cockatoo, red handfish, and all the frogs.

💙📚👍🏼 #BookSky #KidLit #Nature
The cover of a children’s picture book titled Australia’s Baby Animals by Jess Racklyeft. Sweet watercolour illustrations of juvenile and adult animals including kangaroos, koalas, wombats, gliders, clownfish, gang gang cockatoos, a blue banded bee and forest dragon.
September 10, 2025 at 1:25 AM
dkmok.bsky.social
Recently read My Bright Shining Star by Fatima Whitbread and Rhian Wright. A thoughtful, moving book about a girl living in a children’s home and the powerful, lifelong impact a kind and empathetic carer can have. Gentle and uplifting with vivid, joyful illustrations.

💙📚👍🏼 #BookSky #KidLit
The cover of a children’s picture book titled My Bright Shining Star by Fatima Whitbread, illustrated by Rhian Wright. A cosy illustration of an overgrown garden and a smiling girl with curly black hair pointing up towards a bright, golden star in the evening sky. She is sitting under a colourful, patchwork blanket, in the arms of a smiling woman wearing glasses and dangly star earrings.
August 28, 2025 at 1:21 AM
dkmok.bsky.social
Recently read Words That Taste Like Home by Sandhya Parappukkaran. A beautiful picture book about an immigrant boy struggling to stay connected to the world he left behind. Michelle Pereira’s illustrations are enchanting, full of rich colours and soft textures. Heartfelt. 1/2

💙📚👍🏼 #BookSky #KidLit
The cover of a children’s picture book titled Words That Taste Like Home, from award-winning creators Sandhya Parappukkaran and Michelle Pereira. A magical illustration of a boy embracing his grandmother beneath a fruiting mango tree. The background behind the boy depicts geometric high-rise buildings. The background behind his grandmother depicts a Malayali-style town.
August 7, 2025 at 1:18 AM
dkmok.bsky.social
Recently read “Beneath”, another beautifully thoughtful picture book by Cori Doerrfeld. Full of tenderness and wonder, it’s a story about looking beyond the surface, understanding the world we can’t see, and having greater empathy for others as a part of our own healing.

💙📚👍🏼 #BookSky #KidLit
The illustrated cover of a children’s picture book titled Beneath, by Cori Doerrfeld, New York Times bestselling creator. A child cloaked in a colourful blanket tramps through a lush, leafy forest. Their gaze is directed towards the ground in an expression of gentle curiosity and wonder.
July 29, 2025 at 1:13 AM
dkmok.bsky.social
Recently read “Caution! This Book Contains Deadly Reptiles” by Corey Tutt and Ben Williams. It’s packed with info about Australian reptiles, their First Nations names, cultural significance and ecological roles. The conversational style is engaging, the glossary is great. 1/4

💙📚👍🏼 #BookSky #KidLit
The cover of a children’s non-fiction book titled Caution! This Book Contains Deadly Reptiles, by Corey Tutt, art by Ben Williams. From the author of The First Scientists. Painted illustrations of a jalbil – Boyd’s forest dragon, and goodawoodany – northern shovel-nosed snake, surround a yellow circle symmetrically patterned with dots, lines and organic shapes.
July 15, 2025 at 1:57 AM
dkmok.bsky.social
Sea Country by Aunty Patsy Cameron and Lisa Kennedy is a lovely book about the culture of the Pairrebeenne/Trawlwoolway clan. I loved the naturalist’s scrapbook layout style and the soft watercolour seashells, black cockatoo feathers, and moonlit mutton birds.

💙📚👍🏼 #BookSky #KidLit #DiverseBooks 📚🌏
The cover of a children’s picture book titled Sea Country by Aunty Patsy Cameron and Lisa Kennedy. A restful, watercolour style illustration of a person with curly brown hair, eyes closed peacefully, smiling faintly, wearing a seashell necklace. In translucent overlays are starry mutton birds, a pair of whales, and a calm sea under a twilight sky.
July 3, 2025 at 11:15 AM
dkmok.bsky.social
Recently read I Want To Read ALL The Books by @debbieohi.com. A sweet and very relatable story about how books feed our curiosity and create opportunities for connection with others. I love the view that part of the enjoyment of reading is talking to friends about it.

💙📚👍🏼 #BookSky #KidLit
The cover of a children’s picture book titled I Want To Read ALL The Books by Debbie Ridpath Ohi. A sweet illustration of a girl with black hair, her eyes closed in happiness, hugging a blue book to her chest. A white dog holds a book in its mouth helpfully. Behind them are endless piles of cheerful, pastel books.
June 26, 2025 at 11:47 AM
dkmok.bsky.social
Recently read “Juneteenth Is” by Natasha Tripplett and Daniel J. O’Brien. A gentle introduction to Juneteenth and the historical, cultural and social justice context. A welcoming window into this celebration of freedom, remembrance of suffering, and hope for justice.

💙📚👍🏼 #BookSky #KidLit
The cover of a children’s picture book titled Juneteenth Is, written by Natasha Tripplett, illustrated by Daniel J. O’Brien. A family of adults, children, and a dog are gathered joyfully on the front steps of a house. One person waves a red, black and green flag.
June 19, 2025 at 12:51 PM
dkmok.bsky.social
Recently read There’s Only One You by Kathryn Heling, Deborah Hembrook and Rosie Butcher. A sweet and uplifting children’s book about embracing individual differences, whether it’s physical, social, emotional, cultural, academic, familial or something else. 1/2

💙📚👍🏼 #BookSky #KidLit
The cover of a children’s picture book titled There’s Only One You by Kathryn Heling and Deborah Hembrook, illustrated by Rosie Butcher. A diverse group of children explore and play in a peaceful, sunny meadow. There are colourful flowers, butterflies, and a dragonfly.
June 4, 2025 at 12:44 PM
dkmok.bsky.social
Recently read Walking Together by Coral Vass and Dub Leffler. A poetic invitation to deep listening, understanding and reconciliation. Understated, symbolic portraits take us across Australia in a call to action, a call for togetherness, for a more just future.

💙📚👍🏼 #BookSky #KidLit #Australia 📚🌏
The cover of a children’s picture book titled Walking Together by Coral Vass and Dub Leffler. A watercolour illustration of a diverse group of people walking across soft, sandy ground. The image is cropped so the figures are visible from the shoulders down, and they appear to be a mix of young and old, dressed in colourful shorts, shirts and dresses.
May 29, 2025 at 12:56 AM
dkmok.bsky.social
Loved this. The Boy Who Tried To Shrink His Name by Sandhya Parappukkaran and Michelle Pereira. A lovely book for anyone who’s ever felt compelled to change their name for the convenience of others. Wonderful imagery and a tender, clever story. 1/2

💙📚👍🏼 #BookSky #KidLit #DiverseBooks 📚🌏
Cover of a children’s picture book titled The Boy Who Tried To Shrink His Name by Sandhya Parappukkaran and Michelle Pereira. The Children’s Book of the Year Awards, Winner. An illustration of a boy with black hair, dressed in a pale pink shirt and green shorts, looking shyly over his shoulder. A tangle of red string swirls out from his cupped hands.
May 13, 2025 at 11:36 PM
dkmok.bsky.social
Djinang Bonar: Seeing Seasons by Ebony Froome and Leanne Zilm is a lovely guide to the seasons on Noongar country. I liked the sense of deep connection to the natural world: different trees blossoming, the migration of whales, the courtship of swans. Mindful and informative.

💙📚👍🏼 #BookSky #KidLit 📚🌏
The cover of a children’s picture book titled Djinang Bonar: Seeing Seasons by Ebony Froome, illustrated by Leanne Zilm. A painted illustration of two black swans nesting in long grass by the water’s edge. Red blossoms from a silver princess gum hang to one side.
April 30, 2025 at 1:56 AM
dkmok.bsky.social
I hardly ever see sci-fi picture books set in Australia, so it was cool to read The Great Book-Swapping Machine by Emma Allen and Lisa Coutts. There’s a sentient spaceship, a small-town community brought together by their love of books, and lots of cute galahs. Quirky and fun.

💙📚👍🏼 #BookSky #KidLit
The cover of a picture book titled The Great Book-Swapping Machine by Emma Allen, illustrated by Lisa Coutts. A lively, quirky illustration of a gangly spaceship resting in a dusty paddock with flowers growing out of its roof. It’s surrounded by a community of adults and kids, all reading books or talking and playing together.
April 22, 2025 at 11:19 PM
dkmok.bsky.social
Recently read The Red Tin Box by @matthewburgessj.bsky.social. A dreamlike story about growing up, growing old, nostalgia and promise. Evan Turk’s lush illustrations convey the intensity of memories and the power of sharing them. This one tugs the heart strings.

💙📚👍🏼 #BookSky #KidLit
The cover of children’s picture book The Red Tin Box by Matthew Burgess, Illustrated by Evan Turk. An impressionistic illustration of a young girl with curly brown hair, lowering a red tin box into a small hole in the ground. She’s kneeling in a field of grass beneath a flowering dogwood tree. The mood is peaceful and warm.
April 17, 2025 at 1:22 AM
dkmok.bsky.social
Recently read Our Mob by Jacinta Daniher, Taylor Hampton and Seantelle Walsh. A warm introduction to several First Nations cultures and communities across Australia. 1/2

💙📚👍🏼 #BookSky #KidLit #DiverseBooks 📚🌏
The cover of a children’s picture book titled Our Mob, by Jacinta Daniher & Taylor Hampton and Seantelle Walsh. Australian First Nations kids dance, read books, and climb trees against a soft turquoise background patterned with stylised fish, wavy lines, dots and concentric circles.
April 9, 2025 at 12:44 AM
dkmok.bsky.social
Recently read “Too Much! An Overwhelming Day” by @writerjolene.bsky.social and Angel Chang. A fantastic picture book told through the eyes of a kid with sensory processing issues. Sweet illustrations powerfully convey the tides of chaos and serenity. 1/2

💙📚👍🏼 #BookSky #KidLit #Neurodivergent
The cover of a children’s picture book titled Too Much! An Overwhelming Day, written by Jolene Gutiérrez, illustrated by Angel Chang. A colourful illustration of a small child with a pained expression – their hands covering their ears – huddled under a blanket. Around them swirls a storm of chaotic shapes, colours, lightning bolts, soundwaves, jagged stars, squiggles and rays of light.
April 1, 2025 at 12:45 AM
dkmok.bsky.social
Recently read Sharing by Boonwurrung Elder Aunty Fay Muir and Sue Lawson, illustrated by Leanne Mulgo Watson. A gentle guide to respecting Country and appreciating the interconnectedness between nature, food, art, healing and community. Loved the vivid, layered illustrations.

💙📚👍🏼 #BookSky #KidLit
The cover of a picture book titled Sharing, by Aunty Fay Muir and Sue Lawson, illustrated by Leanne Mulgo Watson. Two smiling figures with dark hair stand side-by-side, looking at one another, holding a bowl of food between them. The background is a soft, mottled green.
March 18, 2025 at 11:22 PM
dkmok.bsky.social
Finished listening to Starter Villain by @scalzi.com, narrated by @wilwheaton.net. A fun, satisfying adventure about a broke journalist, his cats, and a mysterious uncle’s final wishes. I’ve been reading a lot of Scalzi lately. Stories like this is why. 1/2

💙📚 #BookSky #Audiobooks #SFF #Cats
The cover of a novel titled Starter Villain, by New York Times Bestselling Author John Scalzi. The main image is a photo-realistic, formal portrait of a distinguished cat wearing a dark suit and tie. Above the cat are the words, Meet the new boss.
March 13, 2025 at 12:13 AM
dkmok.bsky.social
Happy 1-year anniversary to The Heart of the Labyrinth and Other Stories! Thank you to everyone who supported this heartfelt collection of fierce girls, brave scientists and enchanted worlds.

Cover art by the wonderful @ceciliamok.bsky.social.
Book links in thread.

💙📚 #BookSky #Fantasy #Solarpunk
A vibrant promotional banner featuring the cover of The Heart of the Labyrinth and Other Stories by DK Mok. A young woman stands in a tall, stone archway, facing a sprawling labyrinth, against a vivid twilight sky of purple, pink and gold clouds. Next to the cover is a heading: Aurealis Reviewers’ Picks of the Year, and the quote, An uplifting collection … a hopeful and relevant read... www.dkmok.com.
March 7, 2025 at 11:30 PM
dkmok.bsky.social
Listened to Bookshops & Bonedust by @travisbaldree.bsky.social. An enjoyable cozy fantasy prequel to Legends & Lattes. Like Legends, there’s abundant kindness and delicious baked goods. A love letter to books, bookshops, and all the ways they transport, transform and connect us. 1/2

💙📚 #BookSky
The cover of a novel titled Bookshops & Bonedust by Travis Baldree, New York Times Bestselling Author. A high fantasy illustration of an orc with long, dark hair, dressed in a casual tunic and jeans, holding a bun and a book. She’s standing in a cozy bookshop with a smiling rattkin in a red cloak on one side and a playful gryphet on the other. A quote from Nicholas Eames reads, Hilarious, heartwarming, and wholesome as heck.
March 7, 2025 at 12:07 AM
dkmok.bsky.social
There were a lot of things I loved about How Are You, Verity? by @mwduff.bsky.social and @taylorbarron.bsky.social. A neurodivergent kid who loves cephalopods; kind neighbours and teachers; an empathetic sibling; and loads of cool facts about sea creatures. 1/2

💙📚👍🏼 #BookSky #KidLit #Cephalopods
The cover of a children’s picture book titled How Are You, Verity? by Meghan Wilson Duff, illustrated by Taylor Barron. A bright, fun illustration of a smiling child with dark, curly hair and glasses sitting on a log, one foot dipping into the lake below. In the peaceful waters swim octopuses, fish, whales and rays.
March 5, 2025 at 1:49 AM
dkmok.bsky.social
There are countless alphabet books out there, but if you’re looking for one by a First Nations artist, ABC Dreaming by Warren Brim is charming. Vibrant, intricate, and filled with Australian animals and plants. Another great publication from @magabalabooks.bsky.social. 1/2

💙📚👍🏼 #BookSky #KidLit 📚🌏
The cover of a children’s picture book titled ABC Dreaming by Warren Brim. Brightly coloured, stylised illustrations of a wallaby, red-eyed green tree frog, barramundi, and Ulysses butterfly, against a vivid teal background.
February 28, 2025 at 12:25 AM