Donna
banner
donna-ryan.bsky.social
Donna
@donna-ryan.bsky.social
Writer - Children's story, based on life events

Guilty Pleasure - 85% Dark Chocolate

Rosy - Ball Thief & Sleep Expert 😊
Reposted by Donna
Thanks to @thetimes.com for joining us, @frankcottrellboyce.bsky.social & @profsamwass.bsky.social to explore the neuroscience of early shared reading.

This is why it’s key we #GetBritainReading & why our #ReadingRights report explores how to make that happen 👇

www.thetimes.com/uk/get-brita...
How bedtime stories synchronise your child’s brain with yours
When parents read to young children their neural patterns begins to align, an experience no screen can match
www.thetimes.com
November 2, 2025 at 11:15 AM
Reposted by Donna
Independent children’s bookshop Round Table Books is hoping to crowdfund £50,000 to support their move to a bigger shop two steps away from their current location in Brixton Village, South London.

Read more 👇
Round Table Books launches crowdfunder to move into bigger shop
Independent children’s bookshop Round Table Books is hoping to crowdfund £50,000 to support their move to a bigger shop two steps away from their current location in Brixton Village, South London.
ebx.sh
October 27, 2025 at 11:14 AM
Absolutely adore this, such wonderful news to include children. 🤍

www.theguardian.com/books/2025/o...
Booker prize launches £50,000 children’s award
Children will help judge the new prize along with children’s laureate Frank Cottrell-Boyce
www.theguardian.com
October 25, 2025 at 11:25 AM
So well deserved! 💙
We've never had coverage like it.

BBC Ulster
BBC Radio 6
BBC One - The One Show
BBC Radio 5 live
RTE Radio 1
The Guardian
The Times
The Sunday Times
The Observer
Irish Times
Irish Independent
Radio Times
TV Times.
i News
Heat
GQ
Closer
Best
Chat.

@thebookseller.com
October 22, 2025 at 4:58 PM
Made a start on this beauty, published by @ofmooseandmen.bsky.social during a fab trip to Italy.

What a story line, the layers kept my eyes eagerly darting across the pages. With my mind chopping and changing at predicting how events would unfold.

Finished with a heartfelt acknowledgement. 💙
October 19, 2025 at 9:55 AM
Reposted by Donna
OH MY GIDDY AUNT.

The Guardian - 'The perfect antidote to modern life.'

'Open the doors and windows of your life, a little, and let it in.'

OH MY GIDDY AUNT.

www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio...
Leonard and Hungry Paul review – this Julia Roberts-narrated comedy is the perfect antidote to modern life
Alex Lawther and Jamie-Lee O’Donnell star in this adaptation of Rónán Hession’s understated 2019 novel. Its quiet celebration of the gentle life is the opposite of today’s frantic TV – even if it does...
www.theguardian.com
October 17, 2025 at 10:47 AM
Reposted by Donna
Well doesn't this look grand.

In the Radio Times and everything.

My mum would have been well chuffed and to some degree making up for the disappointment of not becoming the second English Pope.

We published in 2019.

@thebookseller.com
@northernfiction.bsky.social

www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m...
BBC One - Leonard and Hungry Paul, Series 1, Episode 1
Leonard begins to open up his world with the help of his best friend, Hungry Paul.
www.bbc.co.uk
October 14, 2025 at 7:23 AM
Reposted by Donna
Well this is just wonderful! 🥰
September 18, 2025 at 7:46 AM
I've a whole lotta love for the two men in this story. Fully admired their true authentic friendship.

They had me chuckling at so many points and crying at others.

Adored that John Cage 4'33 was incorporated.

Hoping for a sequel!

Great team work Rònán Hession & @ofmooseandmen.bsky.social
September 15, 2025 at 10:38 AM
I've almost finished reading this "quiet" book.....I don't want it to end!!
September 11, 2025 at 4:37 PM
Reposted by Donna
I know I'm banging on.

But we have to because we're a small press and need this limelight to let readers know about our books.

From Hebden to Hollywood via Dublin.

As Rónán said. 'It's like throwing a dart from Dublin and hitting the bullseye in New York.'

www.bbc.com/mediacentre/...
Julia Roberts to narrate new BBC series Leonard and Hungry Paul
The feel-good series follows two board-gaming friends in their thirties who meander through leafy suburban life finding solace in their quiet routines
www.bbc.com
September 1, 2025 at 10:23 AM
Reposted by Donna
As we prepare for the new school year, our research shows that children's enjoyment of reading declines through primary school.

But we know teachers can and do play a key role in encouraging positive attitudes towards books and reading.

Find out more 👇

www.booktrust.org.uk/resources/fi...
August 12, 2025 at 7:20 AM
Reposted by Donna
Please , if you are able

Support Independent publishers.

They are doing more than most to find, nurture and publish great new writers and stories.

There are many but here are a few.

@littletollerbooks.bsky.social
@galleybeggars.bsky.social
@saraband-books.bsky.social

Thank you.
August 6, 2025 at 1:55 PM
Reposted by Donna
It's #Playday today - but did you know that you can use books in play to support children's development?

Here, play expert Yesim Kunter explores the different types of play and how to find books to support them:

www.booktrust.org.uk/resources/fi...
August 6, 2025 at 7:14 AM
Reposted by Donna
The first years of a child’s life are critical for cognitive, emotional and physical development.

Research shows shared reading plays a big role, supporting connection and helping children overcome disadvantage.

Find out more in the #ReadingRights report:

www.booktrust.org.uk/about-us/rea...
July 23, 2025 at 6:54 AM
Reposted by Donna
If you are able, please buy your books from Indy bookshops.

They pay their full taxes and build remarkable communities of readers & writers.

@bookcornerhx.bsky.social
@forumbooks.bsky.social
@drakebookshop.bsky.social
@kennysbookshop.bsky.social
@woodbinebooks.bsky.social
July 8, 2025 at 8:26 AM
Reposted by Donna
#BookSky ❤️📚
July 2, 2025 at 9:14 PM
Reposted by Donna
It's never too early for families to start reading together.

Our #Bookstart programmes provide books and resources to support parents and carers to share stories from children's earliest moments, helping to give them the best start in life.

www.booktrust.org.uk/how-we-help/...
June 30, 2025 at 7:16 AM
Reposted by Donna
Our research shows 6 in 10 parents and carers of young children wish they'd known earlier how important it is to read together.

That's why we work with a range of Early Years practitioners and settings, supporting families to share stories from the earliest days.
June 23, 2025 at 6:50 AM
Final push for the funding application.

Happy weekend.
June 21, 2025 at 6:39 AM
Reposted by Donna
Importance of being there for family, especially kids 🥺 ❤️
June 17, 2025 at 2:13 PM
Reposted by Donna
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...
June 17, 2025 at 11:14 AM
Reposted by Donna
Book sales in the north of England have outperformed the rest of the UK so far this year in data from NielsenIQ BookScan’s Total Consumer Market 👇 #BookSky

www.thebookseller.com/bestsellers/...
Charts Regional Focus: Northern Lights – sales in the north of England outpace the rest of UK
Book sales in the north of England have outperformed the rest of the UK so far this year in data from NielsenIQ BookScan’s Total Consumer Market (TCM).
www.thebookseller.com
June 16, 2025 at 8:31 AM
Reposted by Donna
Good morning.

It is Independent Bookshop Week.

If you are able please do support your local bookshop.

They pay their taxes and support the community!

@bookcornerhx.bsky.social
@sevenoaksbookshop.bsky.social
@forumbooks.bsky.social
@drakebookshop.bsky.social
@grovebookshop.bsky.social
June 14, 2025 at 6:53 AM
Reposted by Donna
June 13, 2025 at 3:34 PM