Carrie from Hookable Books
LightNews LightNews
banner
hookablebooks.bsky.social
Carrie from Hookable Books
@hookablebooks.bsky.social
440 followers 290 following 340 posts
I'm a primary school teacher, book blogger and avid reader of children's books. Would love to connect with people who want to chat about children's books and education.
Posts Replies Media Videos
Reposted by Carrie from Hookable Books
slatterymr.bsky.social
#SundayMorningBookChat for April. On my blog in honour of the Year of Reading I explored the genre of Adventure! What are your favourite adventure stories or series tomsbookcorner.wordpress.com/2026/04/18/t...
The Year of Reading – April
As Spring is well and truly sprung in ‘The Year of Reading’ for 2026 and a great time to reflect on how the first quarter of the year has gone so far. At school, we have worked hard to …
tomsbookcorner.wordpress.com
April 19, 2026 at 7:54 AM
Reposted by Carrie from Hookable Books
mariannedoherty.bsky.social
Last week I treated myself to Joe Todd Stanton’s newest picture book which is just gorgeous. 😍

It got me thinking we need a #KidsBooksFriday celebrating illustrators.

Which illustrators do you love? And which of their books show of the best of their style?

#KidLitUK #UKKidLit #KidLit
Book cover for The Lost Robot by Joe Todd-Stanton. Image shows a broken robot standing by a rubbish dump looking into a puddle. In the puddle he sees a happy, colourful version of himself surrounded by a luscious green landscape. Book cover for AdventureMice: Mermouse Mystery by Philip Reeve and Sarah McIntyre. Image shows a yellow submarine being driven by a brown mouse with glasses. A white mouse with a brown patch round his eye, wear in a yellow mac, pops his head out of the top. Around them swim mermice (half mermaid, half mice). Book cover for Crazy About Cats by Owen Davey. Image shows stylised illustrations of various cat species including a striking looking tiger, accompanied by a pair of binoculars and a safari car driving along a road. Book cover of The Arrival by Shaun Tan. Cover appears in the style of a battered old notebook. Image in sepia tones shows a man in a suit with a hat and a briefcase bending down to speak to an unusual looking creature with a large mouth, pointy ears, a short body and a long tail.
April 3, 2026 at 7:12 AM
Reposted by Carrie from Hookable Books
slatterymr.bsky.social
Morning all and time for a #SundayMorningBookChat in honour of #TheYearOfReading I am writing a monthly blog with recommendations, teacher tips and genre spotlight. This month its fantasy… what are your favourites? Heres the blog to check out. tomsbookcorner.wordpress.com/2026/03/21/t...
The Year of Reading – March
‘The Year of Reading’ for 2026 is well underway by now and I felt compelled to add something (hopefully of value) to the conversation each month. A mixture of recommendations, genre foc…
tomsbookcorner.wordpress.com
March 22, 2026 at 8:56 AM
Reposted by Carrie from Hookable Books
mariannedoherty.bsky.social
With this year being the National Year of Reading, next week’s #WorldBookDay feels particularly celebratory.

For #KidsBooksFriday this week what great kids books, new and old, will you be reading, talking about and sharing with kids this coming week?

#KidLitUK #KidsBooksFriday #KidLit #EduSky
Book cover for Jefferson by Jean Claude Mourlevat Book cover for Donut Squad: Make a Mess by Neill Cameron Book cover for my current read Boy, Everywhere by A. M. Dassu Book cover for Inkbound: Meticulous Jones and the Skull Tattoo by Philippa Leatherley
February 27, 2026 at 8:00 AM
Reposted by Carrie from Hookable Books
jacquisydney.bsky.social
The lovely folk at #UsborneBooks have given me a copy of the brilliant #TheHouseWithChickenLegs by Sophie Anderson to #Giveaway to celebrate publishing its upcoming sequel.

To enter:
Share & like this post here or on Insta/Twitter
Tag a friend
Follow me

Ends 5pm 06/02, UK only

#KidlitUK #UKKidlit
The book, the cover of which shows the titular house above its title and a girl standing beneath in a gap in a fence topped with human skulls.
February 2, 2026 at 3:14 PM
Reposted by Carrie from Hookable Books
mariannedoherty.bsky.social
My son is doing a refugees topic at school, which led to a great discussion round the dinner table about the books we’ve all read, at home and at school, that taught us about the refugee experience. What books would you add to the list?
#KidsBooksFriday
#KidLitUK #UKKidLit #KidLit
Book cover for When Stars Are Scattered by Victoria Jamieson and Omar Mohamed Book cover for The Desperate Journey by Kathleen Fidler Book cover for The Arrival by Shaun Tan Book cover for One-Button and the Sea by Sara Stanley and Vivian Schwarz
January 30, 2026 at 7:39 AM
Reposted by Carrie from Hookable Books
slatterymr.bsky.social
Recent purchases, preorders and deliveries from publishers.

@prleathley.bsky.social
@jencarney.bsky.social
@puffinbooksuk.bsky.social
@harpercollins.bsky.social
@macmillankidsuk.bsky.social
@farshorebooks.bsky.social
January 25, 2026 at 6:19 PM
Reposted by Carrie from Hookable Books
slatterymr.bsky.social
The Year of Reading 2026 has commenced so I’ve added my voice to the chat with a monthly blog. Recommendations, teacher ideas and resources. Probably nothing groundbreaking but hopefully there’s something useful tomsbookcorner.wordpress.com/2026/01/17/t...
The Year of Reading – January
As we have now embarked on ‘The year of Reading’ for 2026, I felt compelled to add something (hopefully of value) to the conversation each month. A mixture of recommendations, genre foc…
tomsbookcorner.wordpress.com
January 17, 2026 at 7:38 PM
Reposted by Carrie from Hookable Books
slatterymr.bsky.social
Here are my favourite reads of 2025! Posted in Jan like last year. Six brilliant middle grade offerings from some spectacular story tellers and some of my mediocre poetry! tomsbookcorner.wordpress.com/2026/01/10/2...
2025: Books to Remember
The end of the year is always a great time for reflection and is always jam packed with bloggers identifying their favourites from the year. Last year I decided to go against the grain and wait a w…
tomsbookcorner.wordpress.com
January 10, 2026 at 7:45 PM
Reposted by Carrie from Hookable Books
mariannedoherty.bsky.social
I think a gentle start to a new year of #KidsBooksFriday is in order. Did anyone (or the kids in your lives) get any good books over Christmas or is there anything you’re particularly looking forward to reading in 2026? My suggestions in the photos / captions.
#KidLitUK
#UKKidLit
#KidLit
Book cover for Go-Man: Champion of Earth by Hamish Steele which I got for my son in Neill Cameron’s recommendation but we’re also reading in the #LetsTalkGraphicNovels book group as our first read of the new year. Book cover for Hari Kumar: Ultimate Superstar by Rashmi Sirdeshpande and Mamta Singh which I’m really looking forward to reading when it comes out later in the year. Book cover for The Dad Trap by Ian Eagleton which I managed to pick up on my Boxing Day bookshop trip and was my last read of 2025. It deals so sensitively and authentically with a number of issues, including divorce, neurodivergence, homophobia, friendship and mental health struggles whilst still managing to be hilarious and super-readable. Great stuff. Book cover for Donut Squad: Make a Mess by Neill Cameron. My pre-order for this arrived the other day but was immediately stolen by my youngest. I very much look forward reading it when I can steal it back!
January 2, 2026 at 9:33 AM
Reposted by Carrie from Hookable Books
sparkbookaward.bsky.social
And finally, congratulations to the authors and illustrators of the 12 excellent longlisted books in our 11+ Fiction category! #Spark12BooksOfChristmas 🎄🎁📚
December 16, 2025 at 10:09 AM
Reposted by Carrie from Hookable Books
mariannedoherty.bsky.social
I think #KidsBooksFriday might need a wee break for the next couple of weeks.

So let’s use this week to celebrate our favourite kids book reads of 2025. Doesn’t need to be something published this year.

Hope everyone’s bookish wishes come true this Christmas!🎄🎁 📚

#UKKidLit
#KidLitUK
#KidLit
Book cover for The Spick and The Span by Pil Van Martin Book cover for Cabin Head and Tree Head by Scott Campbell Book cover for Silverborn: The Mystery of Morrigan Crow by Jessica Townsend Book cover for Away with Words by Sophie Cameron
December 12, 2025 at 7:33 AM
Reposted by Carrie from Hookable Books
mariannedoherty.bsky.social
I got my annual email from the boys’ aunt yesterday checking in on what books to buy them for Christmas. What great kids books will you be buying, or what would you recommend we seek out for the kids in our lives this Christmas?
#KidsBooksFriday
#KidLitUK
#UKKidLit
#KidLit
#BookSky
#IndieBookshops
Book cover for Donut Squad: Take Over the World by Neill Cameron Book cover for Britannica’s All New Children’s Encyclopaedia edited by Christopher Lloyd. Book cover for The Cartoonists Club by Raina Telgemeier and Scott McCloud Book cover for Hidden Heroes of Science by Peter Gallivan and Robbie Cathro
November 28, 2025 at 7:55 AM
Reposted by Carrie from Hookable Books
jacquisydney.bsky.social
I'm excited to be a Reading Champion for @booksfortopics.bsky.social’s #BookFriday campaign on Nov 28th!

This is a celebration of the best books in our schools & libraries. My recommendation is Ice Apprentices by Jacob North

There's a FREE resource kit for schools too! Link in the next post!
Poster showing my ugly mug, the cover of the book and my 5-word recommendation: adventure, excitement, monsters, diversity and secrets.
November 26, 2025 at 11:13 AM
Reposted by Carrie from Hookable Books
gntread24.bsky.social
#SundayBookChat What are your WWWs #bookbloggers & #librarians @vonprice.bsky.social @slatterymr.bsky.social @hookablebooks.bsky.social @hfj0108.bsky.social @jacquisydney.bsky.social @blikablika.bsky.social @stpaulslibraryni.bsky.social
gntread24.bsky.social Tanja at Good Night To Read @gntread24.bsky.social · Nov 23
📚WWW meme- What I’ve just read, What I’m currently reading and what I am reading next. 📚#bookbloggers #librarians @carnegiemedals.bsky.social #UKKidLit #Libraries #New York #Historicalfiction #MG #animaladventures 🦁#fantasy
Savannah landscape. Orange, purple and blue shadows. Sky with streaks of orange and blue. Flying birds in silhouette. Trees. Cute golden haired lion cub with hazel eyes in foreground. Woman with red hair in up style dressed in yellow reading a book walking away from grand building with marble frontage in Beaux Arts architecture style with pillars, arched window & stained glass. Different hues of deep blue , sky blue and turquoise representing rain clouds. Droplets. Title in bold letters of contrasting shades of blue.
November 23, 2025 at 7:09 PM
Reposted by Carrie from Hookable Books
mariannedoherty.bsky.social
With it being #BookWeekScotland this week I want to use #KidsBookFriday to celebrate some great books by Scottish authors I’ve read recently. Can anyone else recommend some Scottish favourites? Or share some great books by authors from where you’re from.
#KidLitUK
#UKKidLit
#KidLit
Book cover for Artezans: The Forgotten Magic by L. D. Lapinski Book cover for The Uninvited by Ross MacKenzie Book cover for The Horse Dreamer by Holly Surplice Book cover for World of Wanda by Karen McCombie
November 21, 2025 at 7:42 AM
Reposted by Carrie from Hookable Books
checkemoutbooks.bsky.social
It’s chaos personified in A Bad God’s Guide to Causing Chaos - can Loki work out who/what is causing the strange things around him? Iconic, bonkers, hilarious! Out now for 8+. @louiestowell.bsky.social @walkerbooksuk.bsky.social #kidlituk
checkemoutbooks.wordpress.com/2025/11/15/l...
November 15, 2025 at 8:17 AM
hookablebooks.bsky.social
Soaked twice in the space of 2 hours.

The second time wasn’t even bad planning- the car park flooded so my second pair of trainers are soaked too.

But - I did buy myself this earlier.

Tea, cake, slippers and locking myself into the house I think.
Chronicles of Whetherwhy The Season of Flames by Anna James, illustrated by David Wyatt.
November 14, 2025 at 4:01 PM
Reposted by Carrie from Hookable Books
mariannedoherty.bsky.social
Next week we celebrate #BookWeekScotland which this year has a theme of Friendship.

What great books that celebrate friendship would you be recommending?

#KidsBookFriday
#UKKidLit
#KidLitUK
Book cover for Yeti and the Bird by Nadia Shireen Book cover for Bumble & Snug and the Shy Ghost by Mark Bradley Book cover for Glasgow Boys by Margaret McDonald Book cover for Surprisingly Sarah by Terri Libenson
November 14, 2025 at 7:53 AM
Reposted by Carrie from Hookable Books
slatterymr.bsky.social
A thoroughly original magical middle grade!The Spick and the span!About the cleaners who clean up magicians mess!By @pilvanmartin.bsky.social @harpercollins.bsky.social funny, diverse,representative &brilliantly dramatic &entertaining! Here’s my review 👇 tomsbookcorner.wordpress.com/2025/11/13/t...
The Spick and the Span by Pil Van Martin
The Book in Rhyme… “If overflowing magic leaves your house a wreck, floods your bathroom with water till you’re up to your neck, If it causes your appliances to grow legs and leav…
tomsbookcorner.wordpress.com
November 13, 2025 at 8:06 PM
Reposted by Carrie from Hookable Books
mariannedoherty.bsky.social
I genuinely think we live in a golden age of kids non-fiction, so I’m very excited for us to celebrate #NonFictionNovember with this week’s #KidsBooksFriday.

What brilliant non-fiction would you recommend? This is another week where I can’t possibly stop at four.

#UKKidLit #KidLitUK #KidLit
The Dictionary of Difficult Words by Jane Solomon and Louise Lockhart Book cover for Wonderfully Wired Brain’s by Louise Gooding and Ruth Burrows Book cover for The Hidden Heroes of Science by Peter Gallivan and Robbie Cathro Book cover for Britannica’s All New Children’s Encyclopaedia edited by Christopher Lloyd
November 7, 2025 at 7:57 AM
Reposted by Carrie from Hookable Books
slatterymr.bsky.social
The Second in this epic trilogy recently bought by Disney! The poisoned king by Katherine Rundell is nail biting and brilliantly tense yet sublimely magical!Can’t recommend this series enough! @bloomsburybooksuk.bsky.social Here is my review 👇 tomsbookcorner.wordpress.com/2025/10/31/t...
The Poisoned King – Impossible Creatures 2 by Katherine Rundell
The Book in Rhyme… “The Archipelago since it’s last outing, Has had a great deal of evil sprouting. Haven to mythical creatures of old, but dragons are dying – disappearing gold! …
tomsbookcorner.wordpress.com
October 31, 2025 at 7:58 PM
Reposted by Carrie from Hookable Books
mariannedoherty.bsky.social
With it being Halloween I guess we need a spooky #KidsBooksFriday. But I am also a total scaredy cat so I’ll be sticking to cosy spooky books thanks. The kids do seem to love a bit of horror though, so do recommend - just don’t expect me to read any! 🙈 👻 #UKKidLit #KidLitUK #KidLit
Book cover for The Witches of Anderson House: A Spell for Disaster by Jennie Poh with Dave Lowe Book cover for The Skull by Jon Klassen Book cover for Garlic and the Witch by Bree Paulsen Book cover for The Unexplained: Ghosts by Adam Allsuch Boardman
October 31, 2025 at 7:33 AM
Reposted by Carrie from Hookable Books
jacquisydney.bsky.social
Huge thanks to the lovely folks @walkerbooksuk.bsky.social for sending a finished copy of fabulous middle grade adventure Small Wonder by @mossmontmomery.bsky.social, giving me the opportunity to reshare my review 😊

#KidlitUK #UKKidlit

worldssmallestlibrary.wordpress.com/2025/08/05/s...
The book, the cover of which shows a boy on the back of a large grey horse with autumn leaves blowing about them both.
October 23, 2025 at 12:26 PM
Reposted by Carrie from Hookable Books
gntread24.bsky.social
Sharing some of my favourite animal adventures @charlienutbrown.bsky.social @kieranlarwood.bsky.social What are yours?
#UKKidLit #BookBloggers @jacquisydney.bsky.social @bookcraic.bsky.social @slatterymr.bsky.social @hookablebooks.bsky.social @stpaulslibraryni.bsky.social #Librarians
Orange & black with animal silhouettes integrated into shape of feather 🪶 Frozen blue & white snowscape with 3 young rabbits 🐇 , one of whom is missing an ear. Violet & pink sunset . 3 cats in foreground with 2 facing in & 1 side profile. Silhouette of child in background. Silvery Glow of water. Orange & blue feathers surrounding parrot 🦜 sitting on T of title in centre.
October 13, 2025 at 1:58 PM