Stephen James
LightNews LightNews
banner
sjpicturebooks.bsky.social
Stephen James
@sjpicturebooks.bsky.social
300 followers 280 following 35 posts
Happy picture book writer
Posts Replies Media Videos
Reposted by Stephen James
smithsmm.bsky.social
So here they my favourite 40 picturebooks of 2025 (actually there are 42). Merry Christmas!

#FavePicturebooks25 #PicturebookPage
December 7, 2025 at 5:56 PM
Reposted by Stephen James
smithsmm.bsky.social
No. 1 in my #FavePicturebooks25: “Don’t Trust Fish!” by @dansantat.bsky.social & @unshavedmouse.bsky.social, a truly hilarious, visually stunning romp with an unforgettable narrator (and a twist you’ll love!). Packed with gags, humor & comic timing. Pure joy! Just genius! #PicturebookPage
December 7, 2025 at 5:32 PM
Reposted by Stephen James
smithsmm.bsky.social
No. 8 in my #FavePicturebooks25: “Sometimes You Find A Dragon” by @vivschwarz.bsky.social m, a perfect #AssemblyBook! A joyful celebration of spotting, imagining & finding your voice. Creative, bold & full of wonder. Express yourself, explore the world! #PicturebookPage @walkerbooksuk.bsky.social
December 7, 2025 at 10:33 AM
Reposted by Stephen James
smithsmm.bsky.social
No 14 in my #FavePicturebooks25
Firefly Song by @colleenpaeff.bsky.social and #JiHyukKim The magical true story of Lynn Frierson Faust—whose childhood curiosity led to a groundbreaking discovery about synchronous fireflies. A brilliant celebration of science & wonder!
#PicturebookPage
December 2, 2025 at 7:48 PM
Reposted by Stephen James
smithsmm.bsky.social
No. 19 in my #FavePicturebooks25 is “The Ordinary Life of Jacominus Gainsborough.”
A visually stunning masterpiece by #RebeccaDautremer—profound, tender, and true.
We follow Jacominus from birth to death: sad, happy, and beautiful.
Perfect for Year 5/6. #PicturebookPage
November 29, 2025 at 9:12 AM
Reposted by Stephen James
maryrosemuseum.bsky.social
There are some people who refer to the Mary Rose as ""a pile of wet wood""

We aren't allowed to repeat the word we use to refer to those people...

#Museum30 #Water
November 29, 2025 at 9:15 AM
Reposted by Stephen James
maryrosemuseum.bsky.social
On the Mary Rose we found an Italian Gentleman's chest.
In the chest, we found a lidded 'till', or side compartment.

#Museum30 #Box
November 7, 2025 at 9:30 AM
Reposted by Stephen James
erikaleesears.bsky.social
Grapefruit 😏 #oilpainting #art
October 29, 2025 at 9:23 PM
Reposted by Stephen James
starwarsexplained.com
When you think of iconic movie posters, you think of his work. RIP Drew Struzan, you will always be the gold standard.
October 15, 2025 at 12:54 PM
Reposted by Stephen James
womensartbluesky.bsky.social
'Real Women Fart' embroidery by Jan Lewis from the Profanity Embroidery group, Whitstable, UK #WomensArt
Embroidered square lacey artwork with thd text of the title sown on to it in patterned lettering
October 16, 2025 at 11:39 AM
Reposted by Stephen James
theonion.com
Study Finds Voices Should Sound Normal Through Walkie-Talkies By Now https://theonion.com/study-finds-voices-should-sound-normal-through-walkie-talkies-by-now/
Study Finds Voices Should Sound Normal Through Walkie-Talkies By Now
October 15, 2025 at 7:00 PM
Reposted by Stephen James
dredecopp.bsky.social
One of my favourite pictures.
October 6, 2025 at 3:17 PM
Reposted by Stephen James
richardkadrey.bsky.social
The mystery of medical diagnosis!
Anyone: Why are there suddenly so many AHDH diagnoses? Dr. Jen: Same reason there are suddenly more stars after we built telescopes.
October 3, 2025 at 6:25 PM
Reposted by Stephen James
royalsociety.org
“Jane Goodall was an amazing scientist who inspired people to see the natural world in a new way. She helped us to look at the animal kingdom with fresh eyes and with greater respect.
October 1, 2025 at 7:55 PM
sjpicturebooks.bsky.social
The red roses are rugby World Cup champions. The lionesses are the football European Cup champions. Hats off to women’s sport in England! Amazing!
September 27, 2025 at 4:50 PM
sjpicturebooks.bsky.social
This arrived today. ‘Mandy is still a banana’. Written by the super talented @zoearena.bsky.social and illustrated by Amy Evans. It’s funny, cute, brilliantly written, beautifully illustrated, and has a great message about loving the skin you’re in.
September 24, 2025 at 7:51 PM
Reposted by Stephen James
amybrown.xyz
this iconic advertising copywriter named Kathy Hepinstall Parks died over the weekend and I wanted to share something from her website I thought Bluesky would like
Why should I write better when a machine can do it for me? Because actually no one can do it for you, because your voice is unique among all the people on earth. Siri never petted a horse's neck. Alexa has never been ghosted by the captain of the football team. But you have lived, your heart is beating, you have suffered, and you have something important to say. It's a human's job, to use words, and whatever job you give to a machine, that part of your brain goes dark. Maybe it's worth it when it comes to remembering phone numbers and directions, but when that part of your brain that uses words goes dark, that's a vast area that's very close to your soul. Don't let some internet platform convince you that what you have to say and create isn't worthwhile. Words are the echo of your soul. Honing that echo matters.
August 22, 2025 at 2:20 PM
Reposted by Stephen James
amysparkes.bsky.social
🎭DAY FIVE OF #Players1715 BLOG TOUR🎭
A big thank you to Joanne at @portybelle.bsky.social for the very fun quickfire questions on today's leg of the tour. Much appreciated. Find out the answers here:

portobellobookblog.com/2025/08/22/t...

#historicalfiction
#histfic
#Shakespeare
#BookSky
🎭🥁🎻🎲💀⚔️❤️‍🩹
#ThreeTwoOne quickfire questions with Amy Sparkes #author of The Players Act 1 | @rararesources
I’m delighted to be joined by Amy Sparkes today, author of The Players Act 1: All the World’s A Stage. The Players Act 1: All the World’s A Stage was published in July and is avai…
portobellobookblog.com
August 22, 2025 at 8:35 AM
Reposted by Stephen James
amysparkes.bsky.social
This has made my day today. You always make yourself vulnerable when you put your stories out into the world, but when readers connect, it is worth it entirely ♥️

🎭🎻🥁💀🎲⚔️❤️‍🩹
#Players1715
booksrme.bsky.social Books R' Me @booksrme.bsky.social · Aug 18
Diving into the world of #Players1715 feels like stepping onto a vibrant stage where history dances with drama! Each character reflects a piece of ourselves, revealing hidden layers. What a beautiful journey! #BookSky #Shakespeare
amysparkes.bsky.social Amy Sparkes @amysparkes.bsky.social · Aug 18
A big thank you to @rararesources.bsky.social for organising the #Players1715 blog tour which kicks off today! And thank you to @leftontheshelf1.bsky.social for the interview. Which character in The Players am I most like? Take a peek and find out.
#histfic
#historicalfiction
#BookSky
#Shakespeare
August 18, 2025 at 11:58 AM
Reposted by Stephen James
clarehelenwelsh.bsky.social
#Teachers Educators! #Librarians Grown ups! Here's a free pack of engaging activities to support your children's emotional health, just in time for Children's Mental Health Week 3rd-7th Feb. #KidLitUK #ChildrensMentalHealthWeek

clarehelenwelsh.com/resources-an...
February 1, 2025 at 8:45 AM
Reposted by Stephen James
storysnug.com
#PictureBooks can help children deal with feelings, problems & situations in which they may need support. I've chosen 10 books that can help children understand that all emotions are valid, positive or negative 😀😢
storysnug.com/2025/02/know...
#ChildrensMentalHealthWeek #BooksThatHelp #UKKidLit
Children’s Mental Health Week – Know Yourself, Grow Yourself · Story Snug
Picture books to support the theme of this year's children's mental health week - Know Yourself, Grow Yourself.
storysnug.com
February 3, 2025 at 2:24 PM
Reposted by Stephen James
amysparkes.bsky.social
It's always nail-biting when you send something new out into the world, especially a 'first'. #Players1715 is my 1st book for adults & 1st #historicalfiction. Grateful for encouraging words from early readers.
www.amazon.co.uk/Players-Act-...

#Shakespeare #BookReview #BookSky
Cover: Sarah Christie
July 31, 2025 at 7:03 PM
Reposted by Stephen James
amysparkes.bsky.social
🍌5% off🍌
Amazon (UK) is offering 5% discount on #Players1715, saving a whole 41p! You can buy 2 bananas with that. So, you get a health boost and a book*. What more could you want?

*Bananas not included with book
www.amazon.co.uk/Players-Act-...

#BookSky
#comedyandtragedy (and bananas)
#histfic
The novel of 'The Players Act 1: All The World's A Stage' by Amy Sparkes... partially obscured by two bananas.
August 1, 2025 at 9:27 AM
Reposted by Stephen James
write-mentor.bsky.social
WriteMentor is delighted to announce the winners of its 2025 Novel and Picture Book Awards, judged by David Higham Associates, which showcases new writing talent in both children’s and adult fiction.
Announcing the winners of the 2025 WriteMentor Novel & Picture Book Awards - WriteMentor
WriteMentor is delighted to announce the winners of its 2025 Novel and Picture Book Awards, judged by David Higham Associates, which showcases new writing talent…
write-mentor.com
July 21, 2025 at 2:44 PM