Oliver Sykes MBE BCAa
@oliversykesauthor.bsky.social
'25 CLiPPA shortlisted & award-winning children's author, poet, writer/performer | #AlfiesFirstFight #WeAreFamily #SavingAnwen | Books @ManMet @Otter-BarryBooks @Collins | Words
@Guardian @DailyExpress @Booktrust Website: www.oliver-sykes.com
@Guardian @DailyExpress @Booktrust Website: www.oliver-sykes.com
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Honoured to receive an MBE from King Charles on Wednesday- and dedicating it to 2 amazing people. To my dad, who raised me and gave me his strength and belief. And to my better half Gwen, whose love, patience and encouragement keep me grounded and striving. Grateful beyond words
Honoured to receive an MBE from King Charles on Wednesday- and dedicating it to 2 amazing people. To my dad, who raised me and gave me his strength and belief. And to my better half Gwen, whose love, patience and encouragement keep me grounded and striving. Grateful beyond words
November 14, 2025 at 6:36 AM
Honoured to receive an MBE from King Charles on Wednesday- and dedicating it to 2 amazing people. To my dad, who raised me and gave me his strength and belief. And to my better half Gwen, whose love, patience and encouragement keep me grounded and striving. Grateful beyond words
Today, I'll be performing #WeAreFamily at St. Chrysostum's Primary School and Manchester Central Library, promoting the #Take10ToRead campaign with @manclibraries, #ReadMCR and National Literacy Trust.
I'll also be trying to squeeze in my own 10 minutes to read! I hope you'll be doing the same! 📚
I'll also be trying to squeeze in my own 10 minutes to read! I hope you'll be doing the same! 📚
October 10, 2025 at 8:33 AM
Today, I'll be performing #WeAreFamily at St. Chrysostum's Primary School and Manchester Central Library, promoting the #Take10ToRead campaign with @manclibraries, #ReadMCR and National Literacy Trust.
I'll also be trying to squeeze in my own 10 minutes to read! I hope you'll be doing the same! 📚
I'll also be trying to squeeze in my own 10 minutes to read! I hope you'll be doing the same! 📚
Reposted by Oliver Sykes MBE BCAa
Recent post! Books and magazines I’m really enjoying. Well done Aeos Magazine, @barbarableiman.bsky.social @citizen-chris.bsky.social @oliversykesauthor.bsky.social and Simon Lamb. You stars! 🌟🌟🌟
July 4, 2025 at 8:57 AM
Recent post! Books and magazines I’m really enjoying. Well done Aeos Magazine, @barbarableiman.bsky.social @citizen-chris.bsky.social @oliversykesauthor.bsky.social and Simon Lamb. You stars! 🌟🌟🌟
Wow! TWO of my books have been voted for by kids to be shortlisted for the 2025 Children's Literature Festivals Book Awards! 🤩 Thnx to Ian Morris who illustrated both, to publishers @otterbarrybooks.bsky.social and Man Met Uni & Your Story, and all the children who voted! 🥳🎊✨
July 3, 2025 at 4:32 PM
Wow! TWO of my books have been voted for by kids to be shortlisted for the 2025 Children's Literature Festivals Book Awards! 🤩 Thnx to Ian Morris who illustrated both, to publishers @otterbarrybooks.bsky.social and Man Met Uni & Your Story, and all the children who voted! 🥳🎊✨
Lovely pic from the #CLiPPA book ceremony with primary school legends Jack and Caddus from Summercroft Primary 😊
They did an exceptional job performing 'Saving Face' from #WeAreFamily in front of 1000 people!
Good job, lads! 🫡
They did an exceptional job performing 'Saving Face' from #WeAreFamily in front of 1000 people!
Good job, lads! 🫡
June 30, 2025 at 6:08 PM
Lovely pic from the #CLiPPA book ceremony with primary school legends Jack and Caddus from Summercroft Primary 😊
They did an exceptional job performing 'Saving Face' from #WeAreFamily in front of 1000 people!
Good job, lads! 🫡
They did an exceptional job performing 'Saving Face' from #WeAreFamily in front of 1000 people!
Good job, lads! 🫡
Hi @katewakeling.bsky.social, I just wanted to say how lovely it was to meet you at the Clippa ceremony. Despite how confident i am on stage, I find those sorts of after-events quite anxiety-inducing, but chatting to you really helped calm my nerves, so huge thank you! 😊
June 30, 2025 at 2:16 PM
Hi @katewakeling.bsky.social, I just wanted to say how lovely it was to meet you at the Clippa ceremony. Despite how confident i am on stage, I find those sorts of after-events quite anxiety-inducing, but chatting to you really helped calm my nerves, so huge thank you! 😊
Today, I receive an MBE for Services to Access to the Arts for Underprivileged Young People.
I'd like to dedicate it to my dad, who raised me and my five siblings, who taught me the importance of education and who encouraged me to chase my dreams.
Nais tuke, Dad! 🙏
I'd like to dedicate it to my dad, who raised me and my five siblings, who taught me the importance of education and who encouraged me to chase my dreams.
Nais tuke, Dad! 🙏
June 14, 2025 at 5:28 AM
Today, I receive an MBE for Services to Access to the Arts for Underprivileged Young People.
I'd like to dedicate it to my dad, who raised me and my five siblings, who taught me the importance of education and who encouraged me to chase my dreams.
Nais tuke, Dad! 🙏
I'd like to dedicate it to my dad, who raised me and my five siblings, who taught me the importance of education and who encouraged me to chase my dreams.
Nais tuke, Dad! 🙏
✨️ Super-excited to share that We Are Family has been shortlisted for The 2025 Week Junior Book Awards! ✨
Huge thanks to my publisher, Otter-Barry Books, for taking a chance on this proud working class writer! 🫶
Huge thanks to my publisher, Otter-Barry Books, for taking a chance on this proud working class writer! 🫶
June 3, 2025 at 3:22 PM
✨️ Super-excited to share that We Are Family has been shortlisted for The 2025 Week Junior Book Awards! ✨
Huge thanks to my publisher, Otter-Barry Books, for taking a chance on this proud working class writer! 🫶
Huge thanks to my publisher, Otter-Barry Books, for taking a chance on this proud working class writer! 🫶
All 5 of the '25 CLiPPA shortlisted poets are having chats with Nikki Gamble for her Just Imagine UK podcast!
I had a blast chatting with her, and performing 'Boxing With My Dad' and 'This Field On This Farm'.
Here's the link:
justimagine.co.uk/2025/05/13/w...
I had a blast chatting with her, and performing 'Boxing With My Dad' and 'This Field On This Farm'.
Here's the link:
justimagine.co.uk/2025/05/13/w...
We Are Family - Just Imagine
We Are Family: Oliver Sykes talks to Nikki Gamble about his CLiPPA shortlisted collection
justimagine.co.uk
May 13, 2025 at 8:46 PM
All 5 of the '25 CLiPPA shortlisted poets are having chats with Nikki Gamble for her Just Imagine UK podcast!
I had a blast chatting with her, and performing 'Boxing With My Dad' and 'This Field On This Farm'.
Here's the link:
justimagine.co.uk/2025/05/13/w...
I had a blast chatting with her, and performing 'Boxing With My Dad' and 'This Field On This Farm'.
Here's the link:
justimagine.co.uk/2025/05/13/w...
Reposted by Oliver Sykes MBE BCAa
Sounds Made by Humans, an album of my poems put to music by the brilliant Catenary Wires comes out a week tomorrow. To celebrate, Rough Trade are releasing an exclusive white vinyl version.
If you fancy getting hold of a copy, it can be ordered here: www.roughtrade.com/product/soun...
If you fancy getting hold of a copy, it can be ordered here: www.roughtrade.com/product/soun...
May 1, 2025 at 9:16 AM
Sounds Made by Humans, an album of my poems put to music by the brilliant Catenary Wires comes out a week tomorrow. To celebrate, Rough Trade are releasing an exclusive white vinyl version.
If you fancy getting hold of a copy, it can be ordered here: www.roughtrade.com/product/soun...
If you fancy getting hold of a copy, it can be ordered here: www.roughtrade.com/product/soun...
Reposted by Oliver Sykes MBE BCAa
“Five new poetry collections, each with their own magic.”
Roger McGough reveals the shortlist for #CLiPPA2025, the year’s best new #poetry for children. Find out more about the shortlisted collections & #teachers, sign up for @theclpe.bsky.social Shadowing now!
booksforkeeps.co.uk/roger-mcgoug...
Roger McGough reveals the shortlist for #CLiPPA2025, the year’s best new #poetry for children. Find out more about the shortlisted collections & #teachers, sign up for @theclpe.bsky.social Shadowing now!
booksforkeeps.co.uk/roger-mcgoug...
April 23, 2025 at 2:06 PM
“Five new poetry collections, each with their own magic.”
Roger McGough reveals the shortlist for #CLiPPA2025, the year’s best new #poetry for children. Find out more about the shortlisted collections & #teachers, sign up for @theclpe.bsky.social Shadowing now!
booksforkeeps.co.uk/roger-mcgoug...
Roger McGough reveals the shortlist for #CLiPPA2025, the year’s best new #poetry for children. Find out more about the shortlisted collections & #teachers, sign up for @theclpe.bsky.social Shadowing now!
booksforkeeps.co.uk/roger-mcgoug...
Reposted by Oliver Sykes MBE BCAa
1/2 Every emotion in the gorgeous funny and moving We Are FamilyI’ve been reading it with my 8yo (we take turns in reading the verses). From lumps in my throat to tears of laughter this book about @oliversykesauthor.bsky.social real life childhood has it all…
April 22, 2025 at 9:46 PM
1/2 Every emotion in the gorgeous funny and moving We Are FamilyI’ve been reading it with my 8yo (we take turns in reading the verses). From lumps in my throat to tears of laughter this book about @oliversykesauthor.bsky.social real life childhood has it all…
Less than two weeks to go until #BigCatReadOn is here! 🤩
Big Cat Read On is a new collection of 20 chapter books designed to improve reading stamina and comprehension at upper KS2, and I'm overjoyed that my new book ‘Saving Anwen’ is included!
Find out more here: collins.co.uk/collections/...
Big Cat Read On is a new collection of 20 chapter books designed to improve reading stamina and comprehension at upper KS2, and I'm overjoyed that my new book ‘Saving Anwen’ is included!
Find out more here: collins.co.uk/collections/...
Big Cat Read On
20 exciting free readers to bridge the jump from banded readers to longer chapter books, featuring more sophisticated themes, vocabulary, plots and structures.
collins.co.uk
April 15, 2025 at 9:36 AM
Less than two weeks to go until #BigCatReadOn is here! 🤩
Big Cat Read On is a new collection of 20 chapter books designed to improve reading stamina and comprehension at upper KS2, and I'm overjoyed that my new book ‘Saving Anwen’ is included!
Find out more here: collins.co.uk/collections/...
Big Cat Read On is a new collection of 20 chapter books designed to improve reading stamina and comprehension at upper KS2, and I'm overjoyed that my new book ‘Saving Anwen’ is included!
Find out more here: collins.co.uk/collections/...
Reposted by Oliver Sykes MBE BCAa
Will review properly the other side of school holiday madness but just popped on to say absolutely love @oliversykesauthor.bsky.social book We Are Family. Emotional rollercoaster of a poetry novel. Funny and moving…love that poetry novels like one this are being firmly placed on the book shelf map 😍
April 14, 2025 at 7:41 PM
Will review properly the other side of school holiday madness but just popped on to say absolutely love @oliversykesauthor.bsky.social book We Are Family. Emotional rollercoaster of a poetry novel. Funny and moving…love that poetry novels like one this are being firmly placed on the book shelf map 😍
📣BOOK NEWS📣
My next book ‘Saving Anwen’ publishes in just two weeks as part of #BigCatReadOn! Set children up for a lifelong love of reading with new chapter books from Collins Big Cat, perfect for use in the classroom and at home 📚 Find out more here: collins.co.uk/collections/...
My next book ‘Saving Anwen’ publishes in just two weeks as part of #BigCatReadOn! Set children up for a lifelong love of reading with new chapter books from Collins Big Cat, perfect for use in the classroom and at home 📚 Find out more here: collins.co.uk/collections/...
April 14, 2025 at 6:29 AM
📣BOOK NEWS📣
My next book ‘Saving Anwen’ publishes in just two weeks as part of #BigCatReadOn! Set children up for a lifelong love of reading with new chapter books from Collins Big Cat, perfect for use in the classroom and at home 📚 Find out more here: collins.co.uk/collections/...
My next book ‘Saving Anwen’ publishes in just two weeks as part of #BigCatReadOn! Set children up for a lifelong love of reading with new chapter books from Collins Big Cat, perfect for use in the classroom and at home 📚 Find out more here: collins.co.uk/collections/...
Had a lovely time in Trafford recently, performing #WeAreFamily! Big thanks to Trafford Libraries for making it happen 😊
March 11, 2025 at 12:52 PM
Had a lovely time in Trafford recently, performing #WeAreFamily! Big thanks to Trafford Libraries for making it happen 😊
Had an amazing time this afternoon! Huge thanks to everyone who came to watch #wearefamily, and a huge thanks to the theatre staff (Gaynor, Gwyneth and Barry) at Theatr Twm O'r Nant in Denbigh! ☺️👏
February 22, 2025 at 5:16 PM
Had an amazing time this afternoon! Huge thanks to everyone who came to watch #wearefamily, and a huge thanks to the theatre staff (Gaynor, Gwyneth and Barry) at Theatr Twm O'r Nant in Denbigh! ☺️👏
Had a wonderful time today performing my stage adaptation of #WeAreFamily at Old Trafford Library and Sale Library! 🥳
Huge thank you to Trafford Libraries for all their support and to everyone who came down 👏
Next stop... Theatr Twm O'r Nant, Denbigh! 🤩
Huge thank you to Trafford Libraries for all their support and to everyone who came down 👏
Next stop... Theatr Twm O'r Nant, Denbigh! 🤩
February 18, 2025 at 6:50 PM
Had a wonderful time today performing my stage adaptation of #WeAreFamily at Old Trafford Library and Sale Library! 🥳
Huge thank you to Trafford Libraries for all their support and to everyone who came down 👏
Next stop... Theatr Twm O'r Nant, Denbigh! 🤩
Huge thank you to Trafford Libraries for all their support and to everyone who came down 👏
Next stop... Theatr Twm O'r Nant, Denbigh! 🤩
My debut poetry collection, We Are Family: Six Kids and Super-Dad, has just been shortlisted for the 2025 Stockport Children's Book Awards! 🤩🥳👌
February 3, 2025 at 12:48 PM
My debut poetry collection, We Are Family: Six Kids and Super-Dad, has just been shortlisted for the 2025 Stockport Children's Book Awards! 🤩🥳👌
Honoured to have TWO titles on the longlist for the '25 #clfbookawards! #AlfieandtheThief and #WeAreFamily! 🤯 Congrats to the other titles and huge shout out to
@ChristiGabbitas
and all the work she and the fab people at
@ChildrensLFests
do to champion children from disadvantaged backgrounds ❤️
@ChristiGabbitas
and all the work she and the fab people at
@ChildrensLFests
do to champion children from disadvantaged backgrounds ❤️
January 21, 2025 at 8:12 AM
Honoured to have TWO titles on the longlist for the '25 #clfbookawards! #AlfieandtheThief and #WeAreFamily! 🤯 Congrats to the other titles and huge shout out to
@ChristiGabbitas
and all the work she and the fab people at
@ChildrensLFests
do to champion children from disadvantaged backgrounds ❤️
@ChristiGabbitas
and all the work she and the fab people at
@ChildrensLFests
do to champion children from disadvantaged backgrounds ❤️
Our 2-year-old German Shepherd, Luna, has really got the whole 'cushion-bed' thing confused! Lol 🤣🤣
January 13, 2025 at 6:44 PM
Our 2-year-old German Shepherd, Luna, has really got the whole 'cushion-bed' thing confused! Lol 🤣🤣