Lydia Monks
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lydiamonks.bsky.social
Lydia Monks
@lydiamonks.bsky.social
1.3K followers 780 following 110 posts
Children’s book writer & illustrator best known for illustrating Julia Donaldson’s books. #kidlit
www.lydiamonks.com
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lydiamonks.bsky.social
A Christmas card for Grimm & Co. All proceeds go towards this magical place getting children excited about reading and stories. Cards can be ordered from their online shop.

shop.grimmandco.co.uk/products/lyd...
An illustration of Father Christmas flying over the Grimm & Co building delivering some books.
November 22, 2025 at 6:38 AM
lydiamonks.bsky.social
What the Ladybird Heard at Christmas by Julia Donaldson and illustrated by me, is the UK’s bestselling picture book! 🥳🐞
A picture of the front cover of What the Ladybird Heard at Christmas by Julia Donaldson and Lydia Monks.
November 14, 2025 at 4:38 PM
lydiamonks.bsky.social
I will be at Waterstones Doncaster on 4th December 5.30 - 7.30, storytelling, drawing and signing. See you there! 🎄🤶
Lydia Monks holding a copy of What the Ladybird Heard at Christmas by Julia Donaldson and illustrated by Lydia
November 11, 2025 at 4:43 PM
lydiamonks.bsky.social
This popped up on my feed today. Apologies, as I wouldn’t normally quote The Mail. Not just illustrators’ and photographers’ livelihoods in jeopardy then @jamesobnb.bsky.social? But as you say, that’s life! 😉
Headline reading, Documentary about AI taking your job, is hosted entirely by an AI presenter.
November 4, 2025 at 3:53 PM
lydiamonks.bsky.social
I was happy to illustrate cover of The Author magazine for @societyofauthors.bsky.social. 📚
An illustration of some children reading books and trying to catch books that are flying around them like butterflies. The cover of The Author magazine with an illustration of children trying to catch books that are flying around like butterflies.
October 27, 2025 at 7:05 PM
lydiamonks.bsky.social
I’m happy to support the @societyofauthors.bsky.social, Children’s, Writers and Illustrators campaign for better recognition of ghostwriters of celebrity-authored children’s books. 👻
An illustration of a person dressed as a ghost writing Ghosts Are Real on the wall.
October 25, 2025 at 8:13 AM
lydiamonks.bsky.social
@stevecolewriter.bsky.social Have you seen this? 👀
A page from The Bookseller magazine featuring the new book from Steve Cole as Book of the Month.
October 24, 2025 at 6:23 PM
lydiamonks.bsky.social
I will be at Barne’s Children’s Lit fest on Saturday! It’s going to be a scorcher. Hopefully see you there. Tickets here:

www.eventbrite.com/checkout-ext...
A photo of Lydia monks.
June 16, 2025 at 12:47 PM
lydiamonks.bsky.social
Popped over to Retford Book Festival to see John Hegley and he read out Neal Leyton’s book! Always nice when children’s books are included in “grown up” events because children’s books are just books really. There are no age restrictions! Lovely to see @wonderlandbookshop.bsky.social
John Hegley holding up his picture book, Stanley’s Stick illustrated by Neal Leyton.
June 15, 2025 at 6:58 AM
lydiamonks.bsky.social
The Tooth Fairy and the Crocodile by Julia Donaldson and me is out today! #kidlit #JuliaDonaldson
May 8, 2025 at 2:26 PM
lydiamonks.bsky.social
Very happy to be going to Barnes again this year. I’ll be there on Saturday 21st June. See you there maybe! Tickets are now on sale.

www.barneskidslitfest.org/whats-on/
A picture of the line-up of names for Barnes Children’s Literature Festival, including David Williams, Cressida Cowell and Axel Scheffler.
April 26, 2025 at 8:11 AM
lydiamonks.bsky.social
Adoette for #WorldEarthDay 💚

www.waterstones.com/book/adoette...
April 22, 2025 at 2:41 PM
lydiamonks.bsky.social
The Tooth Fairy and the Crocodile by Julia Donaldson and me is out in paperback on 8th May. You can pre-order now! www.waterstones.com/book/the-too...
The cover of The Tooth Fairy and the Crocodile shows a brightly coloured fairy with a hungry looking crocodile licking his lips behind her. An elephant, a bear and a monkey are watching.
April 8, 2025 at 9:04 AM
lydiamonks.bsky.social
I was delighted to illustrate one of the winning entries for the BBC’s 500 Words competition. The award ceremony was hosted by the Queen at Buckingham Palace, and broadcasted by The One Show on World Book Day. Congratulations to all the winners and finalists! 🎉
Lydia meeting Queen Camilla at Buckingham Palace.
March 9, 2025 at 7:56 AM
lydiamonks.bsky.social
My offering for World Book Day is another book for the world! Six Queens is all you need to know about the iconic Tudor Queens. With a foreword by @sixteenthcgirl.bsky.social. Enjoy your day whatever you are doing. I’m busy working on a new book 👑 @theagencybooks.bsky.social
March 6, 2025 at 7:22 AM
lydiamonks.bsky.social
A Six Queens window for @dauntbooks.bsky.social. There are some advance, signed copies in the Notting Hill branch. Publishes 6th March. 👑
A decorated shop window roses and honeysuckle surround a Tudor rose and copies of the new book, Six Queens. A close up of lots of copies of Six Queens. A photo of the front of Daunt Books Notting Hill. Lydia Monks holding a copy of her new book, Six Queens in front of a shop window full of more copies.
February 27, 2025 at 9:15 PM
lydiamonks.bsky.social
An exciting day at Buckingham Palace meeting the Queen. I brought my queens along but wasn’t brave enough to give them to her! See what I was up to on The One Show, 6th March 👑
A photo taken outside Buckingham Palace.
February 26, 2025 at 6:04 PM
lydiamonks.bsky.social
New standee for Daunt’s window 🌹
A painting of a Tudor rose bush with portraits of Henry VIII’s queens handing from its branches and a copy of Six Queens by Lydia Monks.
February 24, 2025 at 3:24 PM
lydiamonks.bsky.social
Today is the anniversary of Catherine Howard’s execution. She was Henry VIII’s teenage bride. His 5th. He called her his rose without a thorn, before ordering her death.
Image from Six Queens, out March 6th. 🌹 #kidlit
An illustration of Catherine Howard being escorted by guards in the gallery at Hampton Court.
February 13, 2025 at 8:01 PM
lydiamonks.bsky.social
A page from Six Queens showing Anne of Cleves outside Hever Castle, which she was given in her annulment settlement. Hever Castle was the childhood home of Henry VIII’s second wife, Anne Boleyn. #kidlit #tudors
An illustration of Anne of Cleves wearing a yellow gown approaching her grey horse who is being held by a groom.
February 12, 2025 at 11:10 AM
lydiamonks.bsky.social
Lots of signed copies in @waterstoneskids.bsky.social Kingston! ✍️
A shelf full of Julia Donaldson and Lydia Monks books.
February 8, 2025 at 8:57 AM
lydiamonks.bsky.social
My new book, Six Queens is published on 6th March with foreword by @sixteenthcgirl.bsky.social
www.amazon.co.uk/Six-Queens-L...
A book cover featuring all six of Henry VIII’s wives.
February 6, 2025 at 12:39 PM
lydiamonks.bsky.social
Feed fate! 😵‍💫
A photo of Bluesky feed which shows a newspaper headline quoting Farage saying ‘We need people who believe in Brexit’. Underneath is a post from JamesO’Brien pointing out how many of the people responsible for Brexit have had rewards.
January 31, 2025 at 2:14 PM
lydiamonks.bsky.social
Lovely sunrise this morning.
A photo of a bright sun behind the clouds rising above a hill.
January 15, 2025 at 10:13 AM
lydiamonks.bsky.social
Very pleased that the sun is out and the snow is finally melting! 🥳
An illustration of a pink bunny wearing dungarees dancing in the sunshine.
January 14, 2025 at 10:50 AM