October Jones
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octoberjonesco.bsky.social
October Jones
@octoberjonesco.bsky.social
The ‘one stop spot’ for the spooky, kooky, magical, fantastical, weird and wonderful world(s) of Children’s Literature & Illustration!

https://octoberjones.co.uk/
ARGH! She's HERE!

For all those who chose Option 'D", feast thine eyeballs on the BEAUT that is the finished logo!

She's giving everything I want the podcast to be; she's giving whimsy, mystical, cute spooky cosy cottage-core, she's giving storytelling JOY!

I'm so happy!

Launching 30.04.25
April 3, 2025 at 10:23 PM
I’m half in costume dress…Winnie the Witch commutes to SW! 😂
March 6, 2025 at 8:02 AM
5. CYP Programme

After the success I had at Downham Library, I wanted to carry on #TheBiggerPicture project, but make it wider & more holistic.

We have a weekly club, workshops, digital events & attended the #ScholasticGraphicNovelPrize awards! 🖤 #LibraryOfTheYear
February 22, 2025 at 4:55 PM
5. CYP Programme
For our Over 5’s we have #ImagineersClub, #TheStorySociety, #GamesNight & a plethora of creative well-being & self expression!

I don’t have photos of our Yoga & Movement Classes or some of larger attended activities because we’re all ‘in the moment!’ to 📸😂 #LibraryOfTheYear
February 22, 2025 at 4:55 PM
5. CYP Programme
I’ve completely revamped our offerings to cater for all ages & creative interests.

We now run a full programme bursting with library magic!

We’re @booktrust.org.uk partners & run #StorytimePrize sessions, Baby Rhyme Times & Stay ‘n’ Play sessions for our U5’s #LibraryOfTheYear
February 22, 2025 at 4:55 PM
4. Partnerships
I cannot even begin to thank the Publishers for EVERYTHING they’ve done for me & the community of Roe.
You’ve helped my budget (& brain) stretch further & reach more children than I can ever begin to explain.
Your generosity means the world to us. THANK YOU!🙏🏻🤩
#LibraryOfTheYear
February 22, 2025 at 4:55 PM
4. Partnerships
@AltonRenewal From the day I started, I’ve never felt such love, respect & warmth. The force for good you are for this community moves me 🥹 Our library would not look/feel like it does without your generosity & partnership.
There’s not enough TY’s in the world! #LibraryOfTheYear
February 22, 2025 at 4:55 PM
4. Partnerships
Roe CL is so fortunate to have such a strong community network & we’ve been SO lucky to facilitate workshops, initiatives & literacy rich opps from the incredible teams @beanstalkreads @learn2love2read @Better_WHS @NurtureAcademy1 #PlayfulDosesOfDrama & MORE! 🥰 #LibraryOfTheYear
February 22, 2025 at 4:55 PM
3. Stock Collection & Management
Truly, when I say the kids are fundamentally involved with the stock (& whole library), I really mean it.

They love understanding how a library ‘works’.
They help & are included (within reason!) with every aspect of how Roe functions & looks 🥹
#LibraryOfTheYear
February 22, 2025 at 4:55 PM
3. Stock
Through recommendations from Inclusive Books for Children @The_DBAwards @jhalakprize @imaginecentre @toppsta @BooksForKeeps @clpe1 & involving families with stock ordering, centering their choices & promoting #ReadforPleasure our shelves represent Roe in every way 🥰 #LibraryOfTheYear
February 22, 2025 at 4:55 PM
2.Outreach
The library is in reach of SO many local Primary Schools.
I’ve delivered assemblies to, provided workshops & library lessons for, given resources to, included in awards & provided Author visits! @JewishMosaic @heathmereschool @TheAlton @GranardSch @sacredheart_roe 💙 #LibraryOfTheYear
February 22, 2025 at 4:55 PM
2. Outreach
Another lovely thing we did to promote our #ReviveRoehampton project was creating ‘Book Hunts’ around the local estates thanks to The National Literacy Trust, combined with the generosity of publishers/ ex stock & tied in @readingagency.bsky.social #SRC promotion! #LibraryOfTheYear
February 22, 2025 at 4:55 PM
2. Outreach
A true joy has been working with Wandsworth Family Information Services #WandsworthParentChampions delivering/ facilitating sessions for their #FantasticBabies, #FantasticToddlers & Pre-School groups in our revived spaces 🙌🏻😍 #LibraryOfTheYear
February 22, 2025 at 4:55 PM
1. Environment
Thanks to a ND brain, collective imagination, upcycling, child led input (we changed 2 units around today based on kids feedback!) & informal consultations with staff/ families & wider networks, plus Roe community magic; it became this & it’s STILL improving! 🥰💚
#LibraryOfTheYear
February 22, 2025 at 4:55 PM
1. Environment
The library didn’t have a Children’s Librarian & despite their best efforts, I inherited this…

Community feedback was either they go to a different library, stopped coming, came at the holidays & felt it wasn’t an inclusive, accessible, lovely, modern library safe for children. 😭
February 22, 2025 at 4:55 PM
There was a LOT to process when I started at Roehampton Library.
Like a lot, a lot.
I decided that to truly #ReviveRoehampton I needed to be big, bold & brave.
It broke down into: 1. Environment 2. Community Outreach 3. Stock 4. CYP Programme & 5. Partnerships
A MEGA Task! 😵‍💫 #LibraryOfTheYear
February 22, 2025 at 4:55 PM
I’m *ready* to share the results of #ReviveRoehampton project after making #TheBookSeller #BritishBookAwards
#Nibbies #LibraryOfTheYear Finalists!

I’m unbelievably proud & grateful for everyone who’s supported me in giving us ‘underdogs’ a chance to feel safe, seen, valued & celebrated! TY! 🤩
February 22, 2025 at 4:55 PM
The #SundayMourningSpread returns with a hefty dose of morbid musings!

Bite + Subscribe, Kim Reaper, Sister Clawdetta, Welcome To Oddleigh, Raised by Ghosts, Goosebumps Graphic Novel & Hex Vets!

Spooky graphic novels are worth waking up for! 🖤📚✨
February 16, 2025 at 12:07 PM
Eeek!
The first drafts of the #AroundThePodcast logo have been magically delivered to my groaning inbox.

However, I can’t choose, help me please?! 🙏🏻

A, B, C or D?!
February 13, 2025 at 6:54 PM
Volunteering at one of the most heartwarming festivals #SteppingIntoStories & looking at the weekend line up and WOW! If you are #SELondon based- get yourself here to see the INCREDIBLE LEGENDS that are #JosephCoelho @ramzeereads.bsky.social & #AdeolaSokunbi & so many more! Absolutely mind blowing!
February 7, 2025 at 1:06 PM
Hi pumpkins!
I’m October & I’m…
📚 Children’s Librarian
✨ Chair of CILIP #YLGSE
📚 GLL Literary Foundation #LiteraryChampion
✨ NLT #LiteracyChampion
📚 Judge for #SparkBookAward25
#FirstChapter 2024 Winner
📚 Spooky Book Blogger
#AroundTheCauldron Podcast Host
& I’m SO enchanted to meet you! 🖤
January 1, 2025 at 7:11 PM
Hoppy #PenguinAwarenessDay aka #Vampenguin Day! I’d highly recommend this ✨absolutely wonderful picture book✨ by the immensely talented @lucyruth 🖤🐧
January 3, 2025 at 4:59 PM
If you write/ illustrate spooky books: I LOVE YOU 🖤 If you edit/ publish spooky books: I LOVE YOU 💚 If you sell spooky books: I LOVE YOU 🖤 If you lend spooky books: I LOVE YOU 💚 And if you buy, gift, read or review spooky books, guess what? I LOVE YOU TOO PUMPKINS! 🖤
January 3, 2025 at 4:59 PM
“Which book, Witch Red?”
“THIS BOOK!” and the Witch, read…
#HappyNewYear #Welcome2023 #OctoberJones #KidLit #BookTwitter #SpookySeason #EverydayIsHalloween
January 3, 2025 at 4:58 PM
I’m sorry. I cannot stop laughing. My spell to procure a “smallish” toad (for photo prop usage) seems to have worked, rather more effectively, than I had initially hoped for…🐸 Enjoy the thicc bubbilicious Edgar Allen Toad (@Claribel_Ortega yes, this is entirely your doing…!
January 3, 2025 at 4:58 PM