Lari Don
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laridonwriter.bsky.social
Lari Don
@laridonwriter.bsky.social
520 followers 500 following 76 posts
Children's writer based in Edinburgh. Adventure novels, pic books, trad tale retellings. Passionate re stories, politics, feminism. #longcovid. she/lher
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laridonwriter.bsky.social
Lari Don @laridonwriter.bsky.social · Sep 21
I've never taken so long to research and write a book (due to #longcovid) so I've never been so delighted to hold a new book in my hands! I can't wait to share these #CelticTales, and @elisecillustration.com's stunning illustrations, with everyone! I don't have to wait long, it's published on 16 Oct
Shiny book on wooden table, black horse leaping across top of cover, seal wearing golden crown at bottom, wave of seawater curving between them. Title in green foil, centred between the horse and the seal: Celtic Folk and Fairy Tales, Magical Stories from Scotland, Ireland, Wales, Cornwall, the Isle of Man and Brittany. Two names in yellow at the bottom of the cover: Lari Don and Elise Carmichael
laridonwriter.bsky.social
well deserved! (and they will be missed... though I hope we will still see them often!)
discoverkelpies.bsky.social DiscoverKelpies @discoverkelpies.bsky.social · 1d
A toast to Kathryn and Lindsey for all the brilliant work Fraser Ross Associates has done for authors and illustrators over the years! 🥂 #KelpiesPrize
September 19, 2026 at 10:50 AM
laridonwriter.bsky.social
congratulations!
discoverkelpies.bsky.social DiscoverKelpies @discoverkelpies.bsky.social · 1d
Huge congratulations to our Kelpies Prize 2026 winners Christine Irvine and Susan Mitchell! #KelpiesPrize
September 19, 2026 at 10:49 AM
laridonwriter.bsky.social
Postcards of Edinburgh (ie where I write) and #CelticTales (ie what I write) heading to a primary school in the West of Scotland, as part of the @KidlitScotland #postiepals scheme, linking authors to young readers and writers by lovely old-fashioned snail mail! @discoverkelpies.bsky.social
2 postcards on a wooden table. One with Edinburgh written along the top of an atmospheric pinky-purple skyline pic of the city, including the dark bulk of Edinburgh castle. The other showing a cover of a book with a black horse leaping across top of cover, a seal wearing golden crown at bottom, a wave of seawater curving between them. Title in green foil, centred between the horse and the seal: Celtic Folk and Fairy Tales, Magical Stories from Scotland, Ireland, Wales, Cornwall, the Isle of Man and Brittany. Two names in yellow at the bottom of the cover: Lari Don and Elise Carmichael
September 17, 2026 at 3:10 PM
Reposted by Lari Don
snp.org
🤝 Leaders of Scotland, Northern Ireland, and Wales have signed memorandum on independence to work together.

All nations should have a choice over their future.
Joint statement by Plaid Cymru, SNP, and Sinn Féin calling for cooperation among Scotland, Wales, and Ireland to build a stronger future through democratic means.
September 14, 2026 at 10:20 AM
laridonwriter.bsky.social
I had so much fun sharing #CelticTales in the @edbookfest.bsky.social schools programme a couple of weeks ago. The pupils had splendid ideas for monster-defeating stories, and asked lots of excellent questions! (illustrations and cover art by @elisecillustration.com ) @discoverkelpies.bsky.social
A white woman with silver hair, wearing white facemask, plus black vest and trousers, kimono top with green and blue pattern on white, and silver shoes. She is standing on a stage, in front of a white background with colourful patterns framing the Edinburgh International Book Festival logo. To the left of the stage is a screen showing a bright illustration of a cloaked woman waving a wand and four children in front of her in the process of turning into swans. The caption underneath says: ‘and this rather nasty lady at the top here is cursing four children’. The woman on stage is gesturing to the screen, but talking to the audience. A white woman with silver hair, wearing black vest and trousers, and kimono top with green and blue pattern on white, smiling and holding an open book. The book cover shows a black horse leaping across top of the cover, a seal wearing golden crown at the bottom, a wave of seawater curving between them. Title in green foil, centred between the horse and the seal: Celtic Folk and Fairy Tales, Magical Stories from Scotland, Ireland, Wales, Cornwall, the Isle of Man and Brittany. Two names in yellow at the bottom of the cover: Lari Don and Elise Carmichael. Behind the woman is a tent with the words ‘Courtyard Theatre’ visible. White woman with silver hair, wearing white facemask, plus black vest and kimono top with green and blue patterns on white. She’s sitting at a table covered in black fabric, with a black banner behind saying Waterstones. There is an open book on the table, with the title Celtic Folk and Fairy Tales in green writing. There are some coloured sharpies on the table, and a messy pile of yellow post-it notes. The woman is signing the book with a blue pen.
September 8, 2026 at 9:15 AM
laridonwriter.bsky.social
One week to go! I’m so excited about sharing Celtic Folk and Fairy Tales in @edbookfest.bsky.social schools prog next Tue. I’m looking forward to sharing @elisecillustration.com’s fab illustrations and one of my fave monsters! www.edbookfest.co.uk/schools
#CelticTales #storytelling #edbookfest
Two books on wooden table, one closed, showing cover art: black horse leaping across top of cover, seal wearing golden crown at bottom, wave of seawater curving between them. Title in green foil, centred between the horse and the seal: Celtic Folk and Fairy Tales, Magical Stories from Scotland, Ireland, Wales, Cornwall, the Isle of Man and Brittany. Two names in yellow at the bottom of the cover: Lari Don and Elise Carmichael The other open, showing an illustration of a huge brown hairy monster - with long white fangs, long black tusks, and silver claws - leaping out of water and trying to grab a small boy who is dangling from the branch above the water. Cover art and illustration by Elise Carmichael
August 18, 2026 at 9:33 AM
Reposted by Lari Don
nionwomen.bsky.social
One year on from trans exclusion: Over 100,000 Women Say ‘Not In Our Name’ 🎉

As NION Women’s letter in support of the trans community surpasses 100,000 signatures on this notable day, we look at how far we have come...

#NotInOurName #NIONWomen #OneYearLater #WomensRights #TransRights
One Year On From Trans Exclusion... 100,000 Women Say 'Not In Our Name' Graphic of multicoloured women with rainbow.
April 16, 2026 at 12:22 PM
Reposted by Lari Don
florisbooks.bsky.social
Thanks so much for making @laridonwriter.bsky.social's Celtic Folk and Fairy Tales your Book Trailer of the Day @shelf-awareness.com 😍https://www.shelf-awareness.com/theshelf/2026-06-22/book_trailer_of_the_day:_celtic_folk_and_fairy_tales.html
Book Trailer of the Day: Celtic Folk and Fairy Tales
Celtic Folk and Fairy Tales: Magical Stories from Scotland, Ireland, Wales, Cornwall, the Isle of Man and Brittany by Lari Don, illus. by Elise
www.shelf-awareness.com
June 23, 2026 at 9:01 AM
Reposted by Lari Don
pubspotlight.bsky.social
Happy #BookBirthday to @florisbooks.bsky.social & @laridonwriter.bsky.social ! Curl up with CELTIC FOLK AND FAIRY TALES
June 16, 2026 at 12:57 PM
laridonwriter.bsky.social
Yellow! #Scotland #Flowers
gorse flowers - dangling down, curved yellow petals, some with red markings. (I think it’s gorse, but might be wrong!) Iris - A flag iris (I think!), not yet completely unfurled. 3 long bright-yellow petals, forming a Y-shape, surrounded by long tall upright leaves, dotted with raindrops Yellow poppy - four large yellow petals, green leaves in background buttercup - five shiny yellow petals, with green leaves in background
June 4, 2026 at 8:45 AM
laridonwriter.bsky.social
I’m very excited about this! I’m doing a #CelticTales event in @edbookfest.bsky.social's schools prog, on Tue 25 Aug, for P4-7s. Looking forward to sharing a monster myth and showing @elisecillustration.com's fab illustrations! More info:
www.edbookfest.co.uk/schools
@discoverkelpies.bsky.social
Schools programme | Edinburgh International Book Festival
Teachers, educators, young readers... welcome to the Schools programme!Picture this: dozens of buses rolling up, thousands of little footsteps entering ven
www.edbookfest.co.uk
May 26, 2026 at 9:45 AM
laridonwriter.bsky.social
Happy St Yves Day! (Patron saint of #Brittany) To celebrate, here are some #Breton fairies, one of @elisecillustration.com's fantastic illustrations in our Celtic Folk & Fairy Tales collection.
#StYvesDay #fairies #fairytales #nevertrustafairy @discoverkelpies.bsky.social @florisbooks.bsky.social
open book on wooden table, with full-page illustration showing a tall woman, dressed in blue and green robes, with long auburn pleats, holding a baby in a blue blanket in her left arm. She is standing in the mouth of a cave, and her right arm is reaching up to hold back a curtain of foliage. She is looking down on girl and a woman at her feet, who are dressed in browns and beiges. The tall woman and baby are glowing, beautiful, magical. The folk at her feet look drab and peely wally by comparison. (It probably won’t surprise you to learn that the tall woman is a fairy… ) Shiny book on wooden table, black horse leaping across top of cover, seal wearing golden crown at bottom, wave of seawater curving between them. Title in green foil, centred between the horse and the seal: Celtic Folk and Fairy Tales, Magical Stories from Scotland, Ireland, Wales, Cornwall, the Isle of Man and Brittany. Two names in yellow at the bottom of the cover: Lari Don and Elise Carmichael
May 19, 2026 at 9:18 AM
laridonwriter.bsky.social
Apple blossom and berry blossom, cheerful promises of future fruit, even in my very untidy garden! #Spring #Edinburgh
flower with five white petals, yellow stamens in centre, surrounded by five pale pink buds about to open, rosette of bright green leaves in background raggedy white flower with five thin petals, around a burst of brown stamens, a few other unopened buds, against a background of bramble leaves, mostly green with a touch of purple
May 15, 2026 at 1:33 PM
Reposted by Lari Don
snp.org
Scotland has put its trust in the SNP, and that trust will never be taken for granted.

However you voted, we will work every day to improve lives, stand up for Scotland, and build the fairer, stronger future our country deserves.
Large group of SNP MSPs gathered outdoors on Edinburgh's Calton Hill, clapping and smiling. Two people warmly embracing outdoors near a historic tower on a cloudy day with others gathered around. Man in suit delivering a speech at a yellow podium to an attentive, applauding audience in a modern conference room. John Swinney and Stephen Flynn engaged in conversation outdoors near a stone building with photographers capturing the moment.
May 9, 2026 at 4:13 PM
Reposted by Lari Don
snp.org
The SNP will give every child a school bag filled with books, stationery and practical support for that big first step.

Make it Both Votes SNP today.
May 7, 2026 at 12:15 PM
Reposted by Lari Don
snp.org
Scotland needs a fresh start with independence.

Vote for Scotland’s right to choose a better future.

Make it Both Votes SNP today. Polls close at 10pm.
May 7, 2026 at 7:45 AM
Reposted by Lari Don
discoverkelpies.bsky.social
Today is #NationalTellAStoryDay, and we've got an absolute page-turner for you from @laridonwriter.bsky.social! Take ten minutes to enjoy this video of Lari telling the waterhorse story from Celtic Folk and Fairy Tales - illustrations by @elisecillustration.com: youtu.be/wv6NhdtnPVk
#CelticTales
Lari Don tells the story of How to Escape a Waterhorse, from Celtic Folk and Fairy Tales
YouTube video by FlorisBooks
youtu.be
April 27, 2026 at 9:44 AM
laridonwriter.bsky.social
This is a lamb who knows (better than I do!) how to set up and frame a shot, and was happy to wait until I got it (almost) right. #spring #Scotland
small cute white lamb with pink ears, standing in green grassy field, framed by a gap in the top row of a grey drystane dyke. A few sheep in far distance, a line of spindly trees on horizon, with white clouds in blue sky above small cute white lamb with pink ears, standing in green grassy field, framed by a gap in the top row of a grey drystane dyke.
April 14, 2026 at 10:00 AM
laridonwriter.bsky.social
Happy #Unicorn Day! A variety of #unicorns (baby unicorns, battling unicorns, snooty unicorns) have starring or supporting roles in several of my books: Maze Running; Legend of the First Unicorn (illus by @natasailincic.bsky.social); Horse of Fire. May all your unicorns be stars! #unicornday #kidlit
Three books lying on a wooden table. From left to right, a green paperback novel showing a centaur battling a minotaur, and the words ‘Fabled Beast Chronicles’ along the top, ‘Maze Running and Other Magical Missions’ just above the duel and ‘Lari Don’ at the bottom; a large picture book, with a splendid white unicorn rearing up against an autumnal background and the words ‘The Legend of the First Unicorn’ at the top, and ‘story by Lari Don’ and ‘illustrations by Nataša Ilinčić’ at the bottom; a paperback with a photo of shining black horse, and the words ‘Horse of Fire and other stories from around the world’ in red at the top and ‘Lari Don’ in white at the bottom.
April 9, 2026 at 9:40 AM
laridonwriter.bsky.social
First ladybird of the year, on sunny garden path. #spring #edinburgh
Vivid red ladybird on speckled grey paving stone, two black spots on each wing, wings very slightly open. Sunlight casting ladybird’s shadow on stone, and causing an extra bright spot of white on one wing.
March 19, 2026 at 10:19 AM
laridonwriter.bsky.social
Happy St Patrick’s Day! Here’s some Irish mythological magic for you: the Children of Lir being transformed into swans, one of @elisecillustration.com’s striking illustrations in our Celtic Folk and Fairy Tales.
#StPatricksDay #ChildrenofLir #Irishmyths #kidlit #kidlitart #CelticTales
open book on wooden table, with vivid full-page illustration showing a woman wearing a brown and purple robe, standing between looming black trees, wielding a long wooden wand. Long green tendrils of magic are flowing from the tip of the wand towards and around three children and one swan in dark water at the woman’s feet. The children are transforming into swans. A girl with long hair has one wing sprouting from her left shoulder, and the fingers on her right hand are becoming long white feathers. Two small boys in the water both have a pair of wings. The fourth figure is already a swan, but with gold jewellery round its neck, suggesting it was a child moments before. The children’s faces look surprised and distressed. Shiny book on wooden table, a black horse leaping across top of cover,a seal wearing golden crown at bottom, a wave of seawater curving between them. Title in green foil, centred between the horse and the seal: Celtic Folk and Fairy Tales, Magical Stories from Scotland, Ireland, Wales, Cornwall, the Isle of Man and Brittany. Two names in yellow at the bottom of the cover: Lari Don and Elise Carmichael
March 17, 2026 at 10:38 AM
laridonwriter.bsky.social
An odd clash of ‘days’ today: Mother’s Day plus #LongCovidAwarenessDay. I’m reflecting on how almost 6 years of #longcovid has devasted my capacity to be a mother, daughter, wife, sister, cousin, friend, neighbour, member of society… Roll on research and treatment, so we can all join in again.
Vase of flowers, containing pink and blue hyacinths, buds only just opening. The top edge of a card visible in front of the vase, with green leaf design. Vase sitting on a spotty table cloth, with wooden kitchen chairs visible in the background.
March 15, 2026 at 10:26 AM
laridonwriter.bsky.social
It’s #WorldBookDay and it’s St Piran’s Day, the patron saint of #Cornwall. So it’s the perfect day to share a page of #Cornish #piskies! Beautifully illustrated by @elisecillustration.com, for a Piskie Market tale in our Celtic Folk and Fairytales.
#StPiransDay #CelticTales #kidilit #kidlitart
An open book, showing a page with a couple of lines of text visible at the top, and below an illustration of market stalls, filled with flowers and shoes and loaves of bread. The stalls are brightly coloured – blue, yellow, red – and the whole scene is cheerful. As well as people buying and selling at the stalls, there is a grey-haired woman sitting down telling a tale to a group of children gathered at her feet. The flowers and grass towering over the stalls indicate that the stalls and people are tiny: it’s a piskie market. The text visible at the top reads: “The goods for sale were tiny. The stalls were tiny. The people buying and selling were tiny. Jago was looking at a piskie market. A market for the tiny magical folk who live hidden in the quiet corners of Cornwall.” Shiny book on wooden table, black horse leaping across top of cover, seal wearing golden crown at bottom, wave of seawater curving between them. Title in green foil, centred between the horse and the seal: Celtic Folk and Fairy Tales, Magical Stories from Scotland, Ireland, Wales, Cornwall, the Isle of Man and Brittany. Two names in yellow at the bottom of the cover: Lari Don and Elise Carmichael
March 5, 2026 at 10:44 AM
Reposted by Lari Don
discoverkelpies.bsky.social
Happy St David's Day! 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿
It seemed only fitting to share a Welsh story about dragons from Celtic Folk and Fairy Tales!
Stories retold by Lari Don, with beautiful illustrations by @elisecillustration.com
Find out more: discoverkelpies.co.u...
March 1, 2026 at 7:24 AM
laridonwriter.bsky.social
Happy St David’s Day! To celebrate, here are a couple of roaring #Welsh dragons, in a fantastic illustration by @elisecillustration.com, in our Celtic Folk and Fairy Tales collection.
#dragons #CelticTales #StDavidsDay #Welshlegends #Wales #FolkloreSunday
@florisbooks.bsky.social
An open book on a wooden table, with an illustration showing two huge roaring dragons, one red and one silvery-white. The dragons are perched on rocks, with two open chests in the foreground, a couple of builders’ tools on the ground, and two ladder - one being climbed hastily by a small figure - in the background. The dragons are vibrant and scaly, with sharp claws, snaky tongues, and bony wings. Shiny book on wooden table, black horse leaping across top of cover, seal wearing golden crown at bottom, wave of seawater curving between them. Title in green foil, centred between the horse and the seal: Celtic Folk and Fairy Tales, Magical Stories from Scotland, Ireland, Wales, Cornwall, the Isle of Man and Brittany. Two names in yellow at the bottom of the cover: Lari Don and Elise Carmichael
March 1, 2026 at 10:42 AM