Simon Smith

Links to all the picturebook list blogs i have done… aiming to add a few more and update soon. #PicturebookPage smithsmm.wordpress.com/2020/08/23/y...

"The true test of behaviour is what children do when you’re not watching them." @smithsmm.bsky.social on the limitations of 'compliance': "Because compliance depends on external control. Belonging depends on internal responsibility." smithsmm.wordpress.com/2026/09/19/b...

This month's #lucky13th giveaway is Traitors' Nest. This brand new spellbinding fantasy from award winning Frances Hardinge is original & beautifully told. It features 9 stunning illustrations by Nick Hayes. 5 copies available for UKLA members who repost #TraitorsNest #giveaway

A day spent reading picture books is a day well spent. Thrilled to be serving as a @uklitassociation.bsky.social 3-7 longlist judge for the 4th year. The quality of submissions is incredible. Counting down to the end-of-August debates, which promise to be, passionate and just a little bit feisty!

So @struan-murray.bsky.social think I’ve found the best place to read your new book “Dragonborn: The Twilight Child” Loving being back in this world with these characters. @puffinbooksuk.bsky.social

So @struan-murray.bsky.social think I’ve found the best place to read your new book “Dragonborn: The Twilight Child” Loving being back in this world with these characters. @puffinbooksuk.bsky.social

Morning!

I loved “The Experiment” by #RebeccaStead. A fantastic aliens on Earth tale, that constantly shifts just as you feel you know where it is going or what is happening. Great plot and characters and in “The Wagon” an other-worldly place on Earth. Perfect for Y5/6 @andersenpress.bsky.social

Didn’t need another copy of “Boys Don’t Cry” but why not as it’s one of the best songs ever!

Well that was a gorgeous wee walk. Breathe out and relax. Nowt as stunning as Scotland! You’ve done it again Dr @lizjhenry.bsky.social

Can’t believe this banger is 35 years old “Size of a Cow” #TheWonderstuff Jigging around in tribute to my cider and Black fuelled teenage self!

Very lucky to be given a proof of “The Thing About Giants” by #ChristopherGalvin. It’s a fantastic tale that switches everything we know about Giants and Humans. It’s epic in every way. At its core is a brilliant friendship between human and giant. Great stuff @walkerbooksuk.bsky.social

I was a longlist judge for the picturebook category. I can guarantee all those are absolutely brilliant…

The time has come to bring you the 2026 UKLA Book Awards Shortlist! This year's list features a range of accessible and inclusive titles that really encourage reading for pleasure. Find out more here: ukla.org/ukla-book-aw... #kidslit #bookawards

Wonderful! “Unexpected Guests” by #MariajoIllustrato is a clever, playful delight where rodent and human worlds collide! Midnight box‑raiding mice, a cautiously curious narrator, kindness across species—and a perfectly timed cat. Cozy, funny, full of heart. #PicturebookPage @quartokids.bsky.social

Wonderful! “Unexpected Guests” by #MariajoIllustrato is a clever, playful delight where rodent and human worlds collide! Midnight box‑raiding mice, a cautiously curious narrator, kindness across species—and a perfectly timed cat. Cozy, funny, full of heart. #PicturebookPage @quartokids.bsky.social

Well that was rather fab! Funny, emotional, spectacular; a proper cinema film. Loved it! #ProjectHailMary

Loved “The Lions’ Run” by @sarapennypacker.bsky.social. It’s a fantastic tale of personal bravery and courage. Set in occupied France during WWII, it’s a tale of resistance, some themes are dark so definitely Year 6 and above. A powerful, evocative read laced with hope. @hodderfiction.bsky.social

“The Lost Robot” by Joe Todd‑Stanton = visual storytelling at its very best. Epic spreads, emotional depth, and a robot you’ll root for from page one. Brilliant picturebook craft. Stunning and full of heart, a modern classic in the making #PicturebookPage @flyingeyebooks.bsky.social

Daisy Hirst’s “There Is Not Usually a Hole” is the best kind of shaggy dog/ cat story - playful, quietly brave, and full of trust in young readers. Dark tunnels, found friends, and humour in what’s left unsaid. Simple, smart, and deeply satisfying. A joy! #PicturebookPage @walkerbooksuk.bsky.social

Todays soundtrack…back to being 18 again, pogoing round the bedroom and shouts coming from downstairs to turn that damn racket down. Thanks @nedsatomicdustbin.bsky.social

What a truly beautiful book about loss and remembering. “Where Are You Eddie?” By @michaelrosenyes.bsky.social and #GillSmith is a stunning thoughtful book about how we don’t lose those we love and they live through the people their lives touch. @walkerbooksuk.bsky.social #PicturebookPage

What a truly beautiful book about loss and remembering. “Where Are You Eddie?” By @michaelrosenyes.bsky.social and #GillSmith is a stunning thoughtful book about how we don’t lose those we love and they live through the people their lives touch. @walkerbooksuk.bsky.social #PicturebookPage

Love this series by #samuelsedgman “The Galileo Heist” lives up to expectations. Isaac and Hattie set about writing a wrong, it ‘s full of peril, derring-do, double-crosses and twists. It’s a total page-turner. A fab series that I know kids can’t wait to read. @bloomsburybooksuk.bsky.social

So 22 years married as of today. Tomorrow, it’s 32 years since we first met. Love you more than ever @lizjhenry.bsky.social (Dr) I never thought in a million years on that drunken afternoon you would be the one. Here’s to loose morals, afternoon drinking and poor choices

Continuing my Goth 1/2 term. Today’s listening is… “Floodland” by The Sisters of Mercy. Mercilessly laughed at by my own sister when I put it on at home age 16. She was Wrong! It’s still amazing.

Todays soundtrack… Having a moment

ove this retelling of “Rumpelstiltskin” by #macbarnett and #CarsonEllis. It is totally faithful to story but with enough playfulness to appeal to modern readers.The art is gorgeous and harks back to classic fairytale imagery.A great version of a great tale #PicturebookPage @scholasticuk.bsky.social

First read of the half-term. Just brilliant to return to one of my favourite book worlds. “Bridge of Storms” by @philipreeve.bsky.social is another thrilling, rip-roaring adventure following on from “Thunder City”. Full of heart, peril and adventure. Just brilliant @scholasticuk.bsky.social

OK I think I’ve won the bookpost prize. A mega parcel from the wonderful @dansantat.bsky.social of his new (and brilliant) graphic novel “Sashimi.” It will be adored in school it’s silly, anarchic and yet moving. A great series start! Bunny and Monkey fans will love it! @macmillanusa.bsky.social

OK I think I’ve won the bookpost prize. A mega parcel from the wonderful @dansantat.bsky.social of his new (and brilliant) graphic novel “Sashimi.” It will be adored in school it’s silly, anarchic and yet moving. A great series start! Bunny and Monkey fans will love it! @macmillanusa.bsky.social

Not posted a book for a while…thought I’d get going with this bit of genius “Ultra-Wild” by @stevemushin.bsky.social is a stunning, wildly creative not fiction text that explore how we may rewind our cities. It’s Science rich and dense, fascinating and wild. A book to pore over for kids.

Todays Soundtrack is #CarterUSM Not sure everyone in the house is appreciating it as much as me.

So here they my favourite 40 picturebooks of 2025 (actually there are 42). Merry Christmas! #FavePicturebooks25 #PicturebookPage

Here are almost 40 of my favourite #MiddleGrade reads for 2025. A fantastic range from wild fantasy, to gritty realism, historical adventures and more than a few scares. What a brilliant year its been for children’s books

If you have even a passing interest in children’s books then you need to check out Betsy Bird’s ( @fuse8.bsky.social ) extraordinary 31 lists in 31 day. I’m always relived when I find lots of my favourite books #FavePicturebook25 in her lists. There are always gems I’ve missed however!

Not a minor celebrity but I did throw a cup of coffee over David Bowie.

Here are almost 40 of my favourite #MiddleGrade reads for 2025. A fantastic range from wild fantasy, to gritty realism, historical adventures and more than a few scares. What a brilliant year its been for children’s books

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

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

No. 2 in my #FavePicturebooks25: “Broken” by #XFang, a tender, cinematic gem that turns a shattered teacup into a story of guilt, forgiveness & love. Mei Mei’s journey is hilarious, heartfelt & beautifully illustrated with warmth and whimsy. Brilliant! #PicturebookPage