My favourite is The Stripey Badger in Grassington - it was lovely to meet you there for the final DDA book. Indie bookshops are the best!

The latest Read for Empathy collection has been launched. As always, it's full of absolutely superb books, including graphic novels, poetry, picturebooks and non-fiction. The work @empathylabuk.bsky.social are doing is incredibly important. More information here: www.empathylab.uk/rfe

The view out the back of the library. The sky is light blue with orange on the horizon. Streetlights are on in the foreground.

We're not even joking it is ALREADY another Monday night and it's ALREADY 5pm so it must ALREADY be time for EPISODE SIX of 'How light is it in #Orkney at 5pm this week?'

It's a huge plot twist this week. Things are getting serious!

IT IS THIS LIGHT. 💡

I enjoy reading children's books and choose to do so. Not all school staff have the time or inclination but they do need to know about them. Having a couple of staff meetings each year with time to explore picturebooks, poetry and graphic novels could make a world of difference in the classroom.

The view out the back of the library. The sky is dark blue but still a bit of light visible. Streetlights are on in the foreground.

It's Monday night and it's 5pm so it is absolutely the time we've all been waiting for (since this time last week) when we find out 'How light is it in #Orkney at 5pm this week?'

It's already EPISODE FOUR and it is already, unbelievably, undeniably THIS LIGHT. 💡

This is the only flag I’m flying today. For Janey. #Trumpisacunt Let’s make it trend.

Really looking forward to reading this!

This is excellent…

Sounds excellent! Going to pre-order it x

Sending love to you and your young people, Jo. xx

YES! 😂

Wonderful news - congratulations! 🥂

Really enjoyed this - thank you!

Every school in the country needs to register for this free Children for Change ebook about climate action. Perfect for assemblies and sharing in class, and will motivate and inspire children. Created by over 80 amazing writers and illustrators. Please share! pop-up.org.uk/childrenforc...

Have just made a couple of updates to my Reading for Pleasure Padlet. Ideas for staff meetings, teaching resources, links to a map of children's bookshops, suggested picturebooks to use in assemblies, templates for surveys, and lots more. I hope it's useful. padlet.com/Jon_Biddle/r...

And all of you, too. 😘😘

Absolutely this, and you portrayed it so poignantly - and beautifully - when writing about Kat. (Relieved not to be juggling the search for a serial killer with the 🎄 thing though!) Xx

Love seeing your posts - such an amazing country. Only been once, but I can’t wait to go back. Thank you!

Welcome to the Helensburgh Book Festival, a literary festival on the West coast of Scotland 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 Please give us a follow to keep up to date with all our news, we’ve got some very exciting panels to tell you about! 28th-30th March 2025 💙📚

Font size is EVERYTHING! 😂 xx

Ahhhh thank you. My 20yo would be the same, I think. We’re going to see Paddington next week!

If it's helpful to schools and teachers, below is the link to a year's worth of picturebook assembly suggestions that have a focus on empathy, diversity, equality and inclusion. They're all books I've used and loved. #edusky padlet.com/Jon_Biddle/r...

Picture of the team at 2024 Theakston Old Peculier Crime Festival - Photo Credit to Richard Maude

Hello from Harrogate International Festivals! Obligatory first post on Bluesky – please RT to let people know that we are here. Looking forward to finding friends and building networks!

Ooohhh - hope it’s wonderful.

Image shows the road gritters in Scotland with their names which includes Taylor Drift, Skate Bush, Air Salter Scott, Me Snow it all, Spready Mercury

It's the time of year to appreciate the names of Scottish gritters! #Scotland

My map of children's independent bookshops is updated regularly. Most provide an online service and they're all run by people who can make well-informed book recommendations. Make sure you support your local one if you want to keep it. Any missing, please let me know. padlet.com/Jon_Biddle/r...

a cartoon character looking up at a starry sky Alt: a cartoon character looking up at a starry sky

Welcome! Welcome!
To all of my followers on BlueSky.

A new era in social media which you can control and enjoy.
I will be doing all the usual astronomy things you were used to elsewhere and more!
Get your friends to follow, so they can too and lets make this place amazing.

(Please Repost)

SO excited to share my first ever cover reveal on this site! It is book 3 in the Kat & Lock series (No 1 In the Blink of an Eye won the Theakston’s crime novel of the year) and I cannot wait for you to read this. Thank you to the S&S team who created this stunning cover - out April 24th 2025👇

Woohoo! Very excited - I love the cover, and the title. Can’t wait to read this, and to talk to lots of other readers about it too. Congratulations, Jo! xx

Dark Island by Daniel Aubrey - really enjoying it!