I regularly see people wondering how it's possible that there are so many musicians and writers and film makers and artists from a tiny nation like Iceland.

And the answer is really simple: State funding for art education and artists. I literally get a salary from the government to write books.

It's taken me too long to get around to reading Rosa by Starlight from @hilarymckay.bsky.social. It's quiet, brave & magical, just like Rosa. It's a certain sort of book for a certain sort of child, it reminds me of texts likes The Song of Lewis Carmichael or, more recently Jakub's Otter ❤️ ❤️

How exquisite

Today I saw 20 Peewits, Lapwings, Green Plovers tumbling against a grey sky. They were so square winged and black and white and fluttering, like half a shelf of paperback books that had decided to take flight.

Water firms could be let off pollution fines as part of government overhaul Exclusive: Campaigners claim changes will let companies ‘off the hook’, as government prepares to unveil new white paper for water industry

“Ministers have failed to grasp the underlying issue which is corporate greed. The only people who will be paying for this are customers and billpayers.” Spot on from Feargal Sharkey 👇

Bookmark Reading Charity graphic highlighting the benefits generated by supporting children who fall behind with the reading.

Photo of smiling young girl in school uniform with pile of new and recent children's books. Copyright of Bookmark Reading Charity.

Want to make a difference in the National Year of Reading? Bookmark Charity invites you to sign up as a volunteer to read one-to-one with a child who’s falling behind. Read about their new Mind the Gap campaign and get involved. #KidLitUK

booksforkeeps.co.uk/bookmark-rea...

Going to spend the evening not getting sucked into the news. Instead I'll be radically reading my book, preserving an armchair's worth of calm.

check out this amazing photograph of a heron in Richmond Park by my former colleague Toby Melville now of Reuters

One grey morning the first snow began to fall in Moomin Valley. It fell softly and quietly, and in a few hours everything was white. Moomintroll stood on his doorstep and watched the valley nestle beneath its winter blanket.
Tove Jansson
Moomin Midwinter
#BookWormSat #MidWinter 🎄

Boost for artists in AI copyright battle as only 3% back UK active opt-out plan Liz Kendall faces pressure from campaigners as she tells parliament there is no clear consensus on issue

www.theguardian.com/technology/2...

📣Please share: We are looking for a field assistant to join our team in studying #ruffs on coastal meadows at Botnian Bay in Finland. The job will provide fantastic insights into lekking behaviour and provide essential skills in field ornithology. Details here www.bi.mpg.de/2790786/2512...

Kiwanuka (2019) Michael Kiwanuka This is the first album I randomly chose from the Mercury Prize list on the blog, and oh my it’s wonderful, after the first listen through I couldn’t believe how...

This is the first album I randomly chose from the Mercury Prize list on the blog, and oh my it’s wonderful, after the first listen through I couldn’t believe how...

One of my favourite albums. I had it on repeat for about a year. Exquisite

#BookAdvent Day 8

#AnyasQuest by @jasbinderbilan.bsky.social, illust. by @janespictures

This book is a lyrical call to arms to heal our fragile planet. Set in the icy Himalaya & featuring the mighty Goddess Ganga, this story will sweep you off on a snowy adventure❄️ @walkerbooksuk.bsky.social

a woman sitting in front of a laptop with the word surprise written on the bottom Alt: a woman sitting in front of a laptop with the word surprise written on the bottom

We haven't had a delivery since Monday and have 21 boxes of delivery backing up the courier's warehouse...

Now might be a good time to remind you to shop early for your Christmas presents if you're ordering online.

The couriers always seem surprised by Christmas every year...

African Penguins must now compete with fishers as prey declines - Oceanographic Critically Endangered African penguins forage in fishing hotspots when prey is scarce, highlighting urgent needs for fishery closures.

African penguins (Spheniscus demersus) have suffered an almost 80% population crash over the past 30 years. Competition with fisheries targeting sardines and anchovies cornerstone prey for the species has been widely cited as a key driver of the decline. oceanographicmagazine.com/news/african...

A pile of 12 books, wrapped in read and white striped paper. Christmas decorations are wrapped around the parcels.

The Big Green Books Advent Calendar.

Choose from 4, 6 or 12 books.

Unwrap a surprise book every few days in the run up to Christmas.

Each book will be individually picked based on what you enjoy reading.

Info HERE.

www.biggreenbookshop.com/simon-likes-...

PLEASE SHARE

Brilliant article

Does Britain value culture any more? Ask the striking workers at the British Library | Zadie Smith The dispute over pay at this great national institution gets to the heart of our misplaced priorities, says novelist Zadie Smith

www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...

Thank you so much! It was pure joy to write 🦁❤️

The Animal Healer series is back! I love the books, since I was wee, and @laurenstjohn.bsky.social The Lion Cub's Secret is possibly the best one since The White Giraffe and Dolphin Song!

This is such heartbreaking news. Knights Of did such brilliant, important work and I feel so much for you and everyone involved, and also for the readers who love and need these wonderful books. Hoping for some positive news for everyone soon

Fellow parents! Carers! Anyone looking after children over half-term! Here is a thread of videos showing TOYS you can MAKE at home from scrap stuff you probably have lying around. First, the utterly delightful "balancing bird" alomshaha.com/balancing-bi...

Juniper swoops for 'exceptional' debut from Transworld's Alison Barrow

Juniper, an imprint of HarperCollins, has swooped for the debut novel from Transworld PR director Alison Barrow. Juniper will publish The Table in the Corner in summer 2027 👇 #BookSky

Wage war on nature to build new homes: that’s Labour’s offer, but it’s a con trick | George Monbiot The government’s new planning bill is tearing down environmental protections to benefit developers. This nation of nature lovers won’t stand for it, says Guardian columnist George Monbiot

Today's column is about the government's huge, unprecedented assault on nature ... and about the eerie, astonishing silence of the big nature groups. The RSPB, National Trust, Wildlife Trusts have 7.5m members between them. A vast force, completely unmobilised. 🧵
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...

Great article @francescasimon.bsky.social

Jane Goodall, the gentle disrupter whose research on chimpanzees redefined what it meant to be human Without formal scientific training, Goodall upended the study of animal behavior. She also inspired countless people to protect nature.

Jane Goodall, the gentle disrupter whose research on chimpanzees redefined what it meant to be human

theconversation.com/jane-goodall...

Sign the petition against book bans at www.bookbanpetition.us

It’s #WorldMigratoryBirdDay! 🌍

Every year, migratory birds take on seriously epic journeys.

From our UK coasts and wetlands, to the forests of West Africa, we’re working to protect and restore the habitats they rely on along their routes.

Read more: www.rspb.org.uk/whats-happen...