The next episode of the Folklore Podcast is the deepest of dives into that classic folkloric children’s tale THE BOX OF DELIGHTS
I’ll be joined by the playwright of the stage adaptation, @pierstorday.bsky.social , BBC documentary maker Chris Chapman and Masefield biographer Phil Errington
Lastly tonight it's the Ruth Rendell Award for Services to Literacy. This award was launched by us and @literacy-trust.bsky.social to recognise the writer or author who has had the most significant influence on literacy in the UK over the past year 💖 #ALCSAwards
Jonathan Douglas CEO @literacy-trust.bsky.social on this year's incredible shortlist - shout-out to @maisiechanwrites.bsky.social @pierstorday.bsky.social @nmgarrard.bsky.social Nathanael Lessore, Maz Evans, MC Grammar, @robbiddulph.bsky.social @laurahallain.bsky.social on the valuable work they do!
Honoured to have been shortlisted the for The Ruth Rendell Award 2026. Run by @alcs.co.uk and the National Literacy Trust, it recognises the writer who has had the most significant influence on literacy in the UK over the past year.Congratulations to all!
booksforkeeps.co.uk/eight-author...
A few recommendations:
+Inkbound: Meticulous Jones and the Skull Tattoo by @prleathley.bsky.social
+Dracula & Daughters by @emcarrollauthor.bsky.social
+Spirit Warriors by Ashley Thorpe
+Midnight Treasure by @pierstorday.bsky.social
+Heartseer: The Tale of Anise Star by Rowan Foxwood
Tree Thing by @pierstorday.bsky.social and #MatthewTaylorWildon is as beautifully told as it is illustrated. It’s a read-aloud story, that feels like a classic. A thought-provoking story about the beauty of nature and a plea to protect it. @hachettechildrens.bsky.social
I'll be chatting with Phil Errington, expert on John Masefield and author of Opening the Box of Delights, and @pierstorday.bsky.social who adapted the book for the stage.
I'll feature the best of your thoughts on the show too, so make sure to give permission when you email your recordings
Thanks for sharing Nicolette! 🌳
#NewIllustrationOfTheDay by Matthew Taylor Wilson from Tree Thing, a fable by Piers Torday. Shadowy monochrome spread of a boy who climbs a tree to save it from woodcutters. From aptly named Quercus Books (though these aren’t oak leaves), 15 Jan. @quercusbooks.bsky.social @pierstorday.bsky.social
I picked up a signed copy of #TreeThing in my local @waterstoneskids.bsky.social today. I’ve read the first chapter and know this is going to be a special book. Absolutely stunning illustrations. @pierstorday.bsky.social #MatthewTaylorWilson
So thrilled with this NY gift of a first review for Tree Thing - out on the 15th!
“Thought-provoking and powerful, ‘Tree Thing’ is a story deeply rooted in the beauty of the natural world. It carries a plea for its protection and bursts with hope for change. It is quite extraordinary.”
🌳🌳🌳
Sure - pls drop a line to info@pierstorday.co.uk
Hope you enjoy!
Opening the Box of Delights book cover
Next up from my pile of books to work on is this one.
Having just finished a rewatch of the classic BOX OF DELIGHTS this is a book full of promise, from probably the leading expert on John Masefield, and with an inciteful foreword by @pierstorday.bsky.social
Episode planning to follow, I suspect!
I had no idea so many animals consider Christmas trees a tasty snack!
... And more wonderful new stories for ages 7+/9+ from 2025! (4/5) @gill-lewis.bsky.social @writerdavidlong.bsky.social @jasbinderbilan.bsky.social @tanyalandman.bsky.social @lthompsonwrites.bsky.social @hilarymckay.bsky.social @lesleyparr.bsky.social @pierstorday.bsky.social
Spare a thought for the socially awkward this Christmas as we try to pop cards through our neighbour’s letterboxes while desperately hoping they’re not in.
Today's review...'Wolf Crown' @pierstorday.bsky.social Fabulous sequel to the equally fabulous 'Midnight Treasure'!
www.throughthebookshelf.com/reviews/wolf-crown
Speaker presenting on AI and sustainability titled 'How I Learned To Stop Worrying And Love Generative AI' at a conference on 27 October 2025.
Presenter standing on stage beside a large screen displaying a slide titled 'Our Approach' about AI's potential and ethical adoption, with Scottish AI Alliance logo.
Gordon Johnstone, Scottish AI Alliance & Piers Torday The Society of Authors on AI & Sustainability. #GenerativeAI may be a transformational force - but it comes at a huge physical cost to the planet thro' data centre power & water usage, rare minerals, human rights. #GreenLibraries
A selection of children’s books for reading at Halloween on a purple background with a white moon and flying bats.
I’ve updated my Halloween book recommendations blogpost, adding in some recently published titles.
Happy spooky season reading!
#UkKidLit
vsviewfromthebookshelves.home.blog/2025/10/25/h...
@pierstorday.bsky.social at #LibraryCon #QUB with us @librariesni.bsky.social talking about writing for children, werewolves, vampires and the thrill of the dark With #RBKelly and @petercinnamond.bsky.social
I’m a fourth-generation Londoner. My great-grandparents came here in the 1890s and 1900s fleeing persecution in Eastern Europe. Those who didn’t flee then all died in the Holocaust.
London has been a welcoming, exciting, forward-looking, opportunity-filled, richly INTERESTING home for 135 years.
That sounds amazing,perfect timing for Halloween! 🎃 Love how you’re blending courage, hope, and storytelling for kids.
I don't just make this stuff up. This is a wee taster of the very real @pierstorday.bsky.social talking about writing for children and for theatre - and in the full ep sharing some lovely and funny stories about all the fails before the success. Ep is right here: offcutsdrawer.com/piers-torday
Calling ALL SCHOOLS 📢
Next month I will be doing a FREE virtual webinar with @waterstoneskids.bsky.social
Yrs 5 -7, presenting #MidnightTreasure & #WolfCrown, just in time for Halloween! Courage, hope & how to tell your own story.
Sign up below + pls share!
www.waterstones.com/events/virtu...
New podcast ep klaxon! Award-winning children's author & playwright @pierstorday.bsky.social shares the fascinating failures that led to his writing success with clips performed by @joxvox.bsky.social @kennyblyth.bsky.social @helgwyn.bsky.social & David Lane Pusey offcutsdrawer.com/piers-torday
The real 'two tier' divide in British politics is between the wife of a Conservative councillor calling for refugees to be burnt alive, being treated as a brave 'political prisoner', and the protestors calling for the end of mass starvation and genocide, being treated as domestic terrorists
Finished all tasks for the working week, so it’s time to relax and continue to read about rabbits and a great Terribleness! Excellent storytelling by @pierstorday.bsky.social
A very fun #mg read about a boy who really wants a dog from thedogs home so writes it a letter...And then receives a reply!👦🐶📝
#BookReview: #LettersToADog by Piers Torday
@pierstorday.bsky.social
#AliceMcKinley
@barringtonstoke.bsky.social
buff.ly/NajKOJk
#bookblogger #books #childrensbooks
"This funny, heartbreaking and uplifting short novel brims with the emotional intelligence we expect from a master storyteller and animal lover." Amazing to see @pierstorday.bsky.social's #LettersToADog in the @newstatesman.com's best children's books for summer! www.newstatesman.com/culture/book...
