SF Said
@whatsfsaid.bsky.social
Author of the Varjak Paw books, Phoenix and TYGER! I also write about children's books & all things connected - libraries, literacy & reading for pleasure. http://www.sfsaid.com/
I believe this is a golden age of children's literature. There are books being published today that will shape the minds of generations; life-changing books whose readers will change the world. There really is a book for EVERYONE now - if we can just help every reader find those books!
Libraries are doing more than ever. This #GivingTuesday, your gift strengthens the work that makes moments like this possible. Support ALA and help build stronger libraries and stronger communities. Give today: bit.ly/ForOurLibraries
Recent months have seen a flurry of government attention on education, reading for pleasure and #schoollibraries. We’ve gathered everything you need to know about recent campaigns, policy changes and enquiries into one place and will update this page as things change: bit.ly/48NpgTM #EduSkyUK
School Libraries in the spotlight: A round-up of recent news
We’ve gathered everything you need to know about recent campaigns, policy changes and enquiries.
bit.ly
I've seen lots of posters asking where to find #ScienceFiction and #Fantasy writers, so I threw together this starter pack of UK genre folk. As I said, it was hurriedly assembled, so probably many glaring omissions, but perhaps a place to start: go.bsky.app/E54FrTn
I believe this is a golden age of children's literature. There are books being published today that will shape the minds of generations; life-changing books whose readers will change the world. There really is a book for EVERYONE now - if we can just help every reader find those books!
inquisitivenewt.com/2025/05/26/t... Another great children's book gift suggestion for anyone looking - this time 'Tyger' by @whatsfsaid.bsky.social & Dave McKean. I won't shut up about how great this books is - I've bought copies for adults too. It's about Empire, Art and the theft of common land 😍
Tyger by SF Said and Dave McKean
Before I start reviewing this book, I’d like to tell you a short story about our local landscape. In the 1800s, pushed from their homes by the Improvement practices that estates were bringing…
inquisitivenewt.com
Fran Moldaschl@franmoldaschl.bsky.social · 8mo agoIf you're looking for some bookish Christmas presents and aren't near an Indie bookshop, can I suggest looking here for children's books & books on environmentalism? I've read and would recommend all of these so ask questions! And you can nominate a bookshop too 🥰 uk.bookshop.org/shop/FranMol...
When there’s an article about reading, the author often focuses on the C20th as if they too don’t understand the link between not reading and not feeling represented. Thankfully, @tygertale.bsky.social put this list together Tell me what you agree/disagree with tygertale.com/2025/11/28/t...
The 100 Best Children’s Books of the 21st Century
In September the Guardian published the 100 books of the 21st Century. It contained only five children’s books, two of which were published in the year 2000 – wrong century – and featur…
tygertale.com
Our friends at Letterbox Library have put together a book pack for primary school teachers, inspired by our Reflecting Realities research. Get a book pack for your classroom here: https://www.letterboxlibrary.com/product-page/reflecting-realities-book-pack-key-stage-1-2
📢 Amazing news alert! Our brilliant #WriterInResidence Matt Goodfellow has launched his poetry competition for children - and his favourite entries will win a signed bundle of his books! Get more info on how to enter here 👇 https://bit.ly/3Khwki9
'This production makes the most of a novel that revelled in the business of performance. It celebrates its own art & artifice, & [...] invites the audience to revel in it too.' Ballet Shoes back at @nationaltheatre.org.uk BfK review by @nicolettejones.bsky.social booksforkeeps.co.uk/article/ball...
Join us for a festival signing session on Satuday in Crystal Palace! Preorders now closed but you can buy Lokis on the day too!
Louie Stowell@louiestowell.bsky.social · 8mo agoAfter the sudden death of Jonathan Main at @booksellercrow.bsky.social, some local authors decided to organise a Christmas signing to help the bookshop make some much-needed ££. If you'd like to help, come on down! And preorder books! booksellercrow.co.uk/shop-tag/lou... I'm on at 2pm!
Book hive mind. I've got a mentee and we're going to talk about getting an agent and working with an agent. However, I got my agent in 2018; things have changed (Twitter was very good and I didn't have to join a platform to get in touch with agents). What are the best ways to research agents now?
Newham Libraries (my locals) are a lifeline for our community. But the Council is considering slashing the budget by 50%.This could mean closures, staff cuts, and service reductions. As we approach the year of reading we can’t allow councils to defund our libraries! actionnetwork.org/petitions/sa...
Save Newham Libraries — Stop the Proposed 50% Budget Cuts!
Sign the petition - Save Newham Libraries - Stop the Proposed 50% Budget Cuts! Newham Libraries are a lifeline for our community. But the Council is thinking of slashing our library budget by 50%. T...
actionnetwork.org
Are you after the perfect Christmas gift for your creative loved one? 🤔 Do they like making things? Well this might be the perfect little surprise. 😮😁 'Art Shaped' is my best-selling guide to 3D making, with over 150 five-star reviews 🤩 It's here ⬇️ www.amazon.co.uk/Art-Shaped-s... #edusky
Have you got 49 seconds to spare? Check out our latest promo video for @1972shp.bsky.social's Developing Teachers' Conference, 31/01/26. Early Bird Tickets available from here store.leedstrinity.ac.uk/product-cata... #skystorians #historyeducation #edusky www.youtube.com/watch?v=K4s6...
DTC26 promo
YouTube video by Schools History Project
youtube.com
Teaching Interpretations, Part 1. Part 1 is about helping kids (a) notice and (b) explain differences of interpretation. www.youtube.com/watch?v=rkNv... 2/3
Dr Arthur Chapman Teaching Interpretations
YouTube video by BeBold History Network
youtube.com
I mean I just opened it and saw The City of Stolen Magic, Tyger and The First Year at the top so this list automatically has my full endorsement!
Dom Conlon@domconlon.bsky.social · 8mo agoWhen there’s an article about reading, the author often focuses on the C20th as if they too don’t understand the link between not reading and not feeling represented. Thankfully, @tygertale.bsky.social put this list together Tell me what you agree/disagree with tygertale.com/2025/11/28/t...
OK, book/list fans, here's the @burleyfisher.bsky.social Books of the Year 2025, inc our Zines of the Year + BF bestseller list. My picks 🧵 burleyfisherbooks.com/blogs/news/b...
Books of the Year 2025 ✨
It's the most wonderful list of the year: bookier than the Booker! More indie than your fave band! It's 75% indie publishers, 30% non-fiction, 25% translation, 20% poetry & 100% Burley Fisher. So say...
burleyfisherbooks.com
Isol, trans. @lawrenceschimel.bsky.social, LOOSE THREADS: A PICTURE BOOK @enchantedlion.bsky.social "[Heading to] the underside where the wild things are, Leilah goes to find lost things. This is a book of gentle genius for reading together or alone, tracing the patterns that make up our lives."
Loose Threads: A Picture Book
Author: Isol Translator: Lawrence Schimel Publisher: Enchanted Lion Hardback Burley Fisher Books of the Year 2025 So says… This picture book brings together imagination, craft, storytelling and belon...
burleyfisherbooks.com
SHE IS HERE will hit the shelves in exactly 8 weeks! I'm lining up events for early next year. Meanwhile, you can request a galley or pre-order from your favourite bookseller...
In 8 Weeks!
SHE IS HERE will hit the shelves in exactly 8 weeks! I'm lining up events for early next year. Meanwhile, you can request a galley or pre-order from your favourite bookseller...
nicolagriffith.com
New essay out today in @uncannymagazine.bsky.social ! The Stranger Next Door: The Domestic Fantastic in Classic Nordic Children's Fantasy. My wheelhouse? Yeah. Definitely my wheelhouse. www.uncannymagazine.com/article/the-...
The Stranger Next Door: The Domestic Fantastic in Classic Nordic Children’s Fantasy - Uncanny Magazine
The beautiful blend that can come of mingling domesticity and the fantastic is having a moment right now, as exemplified by the genre of cozy fantasy, but as we would expect, contemporary writers aren...
uncannymagazine.com
Leeds peeps! You can borrow me. And borrow some @biidaasamose.bsky.social & Richard Wright & more while you're at it!!
Stu Hennigan@stuhennigan.bsky.social · 8mo ago@suchmayer.bsky.social found you on display at a work event tonight next to Richard Wright, Nettleblack, Andy McMillan, @minxmarple.bsky.social and a shitload of other amazing stuff 🙏✊️💥🏳️🌈
This Ursula K Le Guin event is happening TONIGHT 7pm @burleyfisher.bsky.social - just a few tickets left, so get yours and join us if you love her too! And what questions would you want me to ask her son, Theo Downes-Le Guin? burleyfisherbooks.com/products/urs...
Ursula K. Le Guin's Futures: Theo Downes-Le Guin in conversation with SF Said
3rd December 6.30pm for 7pm Start In this special event, Theo Downes-Le Guin, Ursula K Le Guin’s son, literary executor and head of the Ursula K. Le Guin Foundation, discusses his work with his mother...
burleyfisherbooks.com
SF Said@whatsfsaid.bsky.social · 8mo agoUrsula K Le Guin is one of my greatest inspirations, so I'm thrilled to be talking to Theo Downes-Le Guin, her son & head of the Le Guin Foundation, about her books, legacy & never-ending inspiration! Join us if you love her too! Dec 3 @burleyfisher.bsky.social: burleyfisherbooks.com/products/urs...
Ursula K Le Guin is one of my greatest inspirations, so I'm thrilled to be talking to Theo Downes-Le Guin, her son & head of the Le Guin Foundation, about her books, legacy & never-ending inspiration! Join us if you love her too! Dec 3 @burleyfisher.bsky.social: burleyfisherbooks.com/products/urs...
There's still time to enter my SIGNED BOOK GIVEAWAY! Please share & pass it on to anyone you know who might be interested!
SF Said@whatsfsaid.bsky.social · 9mo agoBOOK GIVEAWAY!!! I'm not on social media much at the moment, working hard on my new book, which I feel sure will be my best one yet when it's done! In the meantime, I'm giving away signed copies of all my books so far. Follow & repost to enter, and say which book you'd like & why. Closes Dec 5!
Ursula K. Le Guin's Futures: Theo Downes-Le Guin in conversation with SF Said @whatsfsaid.bsky.social Burley Fisher Books @burleyfisher.bsky.social 3 December, 6.30 pm This is going to be an ABSOLUTE TREAT! #LeGuin fans, #VarjakPaw fans, fans of most excellent conversation, come on out!
Ursula K. Le Guin's Futures: Theo Downes-Le Guin in conversation with SF Said
3rd December 6.30pm for 7pm Start In this special event, Theo Downes-Le Guin, Ursula K Le Guin’s son, literary executor and head of the Ursula K. Le Guin Foundation, discusses his work with his mother...
burleyfisherbooks.com
The Year 4 kids at Birchwood Primary School have been inspired by the fabulous book ‘Varjak Paw’ by @whatsfsaid.bsky.social and the illustrations of Dave McKean . . . they’ve built this artwork in just one day, with all 60 kids taking part. 😺 www.darrellwakelam.com #edusky
“I believe that it’s stories, more than anything, that really change our lives.” Inspiring 2 hear @whatsfsaid.bsky.social talk bout Tyger & his career with a New Theatre full of primary school students @ an inspiring Chidrens’ Book Show event this morning. thechildrensbookshow.com/performances...
I love this book, and love also that it was a major inspiration to Virginia Woolf for her thinking about time and structure in her later novels (& she wrote a fan letter to Stapledon to tell him so!)
Backlisted Podcast@backlisted.bsky.social · 8mo agoNew episode up now. Last and First Men (1930) by Olaf Stapledon, with guest Matthew De Abaitua in conversation with Andy Miller and Una McCormack. @mdeabaitua.bsky.social @unamccormack.bsky.social @iammilliam.bsky.social www.backlisted.fm/episodes/253...
