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Here's a new thought @Waterstones - given that this was once a school, how about making it the first Waterstones Children's Bookshop - it's the perfect time (National Year of Reading) and it's the perfect town (8 primary schools, large growing population)
Now officially on the market - would make a great bookshop/cafe - population of this market town has grown a lot recently - it could do with a @Waterstones #Hailsham #EastSussex #property #bookshop #Wealden
property.shw.co.uk/property/detai…
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ACHUKA Books of the Day 2026 week #43
• Little Tim And The Brave Sea Captain @NYRB_Imprints
• Dr Dog: Snakey’s Belly Ache #DoReMi
• The Chairs @Prestel_pub
• A Christmas Carol @FaberChildrens
• Front Desk :The Graphic Novel @Scholastic
achuka.co.uk/blog/books-of-…
• Little Tim And The Brave Sea Captain @NYRB_Imprints
• Dr Dog: Snakey’s Belly Ache #DoReMi
• The Chairs @Prestel_pub
• A Christmas Carol @FaberChildrens
• Front Desk :The Graphic Novel @Scholastic
achuka.co.uk/blog/books-of-…
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The ACHUKA #BookoftheDay for Fri 6 Nov is
Front Desk: A Graphic Novel by Kelly Yang ill. Fumio Obata from @Scholastic #graphicnovel
achuka.co.uk/blog/front-des…
Front Desk: A Graphic Novel by Kelly Yang ill. Fumio Obata from @Scholastic #graphicnovel
achuka.co.uk/blog/front-des…
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Congratulations to Darren Simpson on getting a star from @KirkusReviews
Have just added a quote from the review to ACHUKA's listing...
Thirst was a #bookoftheday 10 Sep 2024
achuka.co.uk/blog/thirst-by…
Have just added a quote from the review to ACHUKA's listing...
Thirst was a #bookoftheday 10 Sep 2024
achuka.co.uk/blog/thirst-by…
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This was one that I felt ambivalent about but in the end it won me over and I listed it as an ACHUKA #bookoftheday
achuka.co.uk/blog/?s=Thorn
achuka.co.uk/blog/?s=Thorn
Thorn by AF Harrold
This book was really up my street. I have read other books by Mr Harrold, and loved them all. The way he weaves quite stark, gritty reality with the mystical and magical. Such a talent. His writing so reminds me of David Almond’s world building…
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The Gab Issue #15 November 2026 is out now...
Jon Appleton is performing a priceless task in helping to document one of the golden ages of children’s publishing.
Long live the gab.
achuka.co.uk/blog/the-gab-i…
Jon Appleton is performing a priceless task in helping to document one of the golden ages of children’s publishing.
Long live the gab.
achuka.co.uk/blog/the-gab-i…
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The ACHUKA #BookoftheDay for Thur 5 Nov is
A Christmas Carol: The Illustrated Abridged Edition by Charles Dickens ill. Chris Mould from @FaberChildrens achuka.co.uk/blog/a-christm…
A Christmas Carol: The Illustrated Abridged Edition by Charles Dickens ill. Chris Mould from @FaberChildrens achuka.co.uk/blog/a-christm…
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The ACHUKA #BookoftheDay for Wed 4 Nov is
The Chairs: A Story About the Power of Community by Britta Teckentrup from @Prestel_pub
achuka.co.uk/blog/the-chair… via @achuka
The Chairs: A Story About the Power of Community by Britta Teckentrup from @Prestel_pub
achuka.co.uk/blog/the-chair… via @achuka
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Carnegies 2027 - The Nominations
full listing - both for Writing and Illustration
These nominations were announced on Monday so not hot off the press, but added to ACHUKA for the record.
achuka.co.uk/blog/carnegie/
full listing - both for Writing and Illustration
These nominations were announced on Monday so not hot off the press, but added to ACHUKA for the record.
achuka.co.uk/blog/carnegie/
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The ACHUKA #BookoftheDay for Tue 3 Nov is
Dr Dog: Snakey's Belly Ache by Jiro Bevis
This book about a doctor who has a cure for every patient is absolutely mad, but in the very best way. The in-your-face pop-art style illustrations are full of energy and humour and the words ld black ink.
Yet another great title from new dog on the block, Do Re Mi.
achuka.co.uk/blog/dr-dog-sn…
Dr Dog: Snakey's Belly Ache by Jiro Bevis
This book about a doctor who has a cure for every patient is absolutely mad, but in the very best way. The in-your-face pop-art style illustrations are full of energy and humour and the words ld black ink.
Yet another great title from new dog on the block, Do Re Mi.
achuka.co.uk/blog/dr-dog-sn…
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The ACHUKA #BookoftheDay for Mon 2 Nov is
Tim and the Brave Sea Captain by Edward Ardizzone from @NYRB_Imprints f.p. 90 years ago
If I had been a children’s publisher (something you’ll not be surprised to hear I’ve fantasised about many a time) it would have been a dream of mine ary Edward Ardizzone, a writer and illustrator of longer tales for young children.
Today, the average illustrated children’s story (a picture book) runs between 300 and 600 words. It can be read aloud in a flash, which is wonderful, but there comes a time when children are ready to listen to and lose themselves in something longer — story that will take 10–15 minutes to read aloud.
Little Tim and the Brave Sea Captain was the first book Ardizzone both wrote and illustrated. It was published 90 years ago in 1936, and at around 1500 words is some three times as long as most of today’s picture books. There were to be many other stories about Tim. Not all of them had as many words as the first one, but they were never less than twice as long as current to-be-read-aloud books.
Today’s parents, looking for more lengthy stories to read aloud to children, will find themselves having to jump to chapter books, read over consecutive evenings, or to non-fiction books. I feel sure that longer illustrated stories that take 10–15 minutes to read aloud represent a gap in today’s market that is crying out to be filled.
I hope this new NYRB Kids edition of Ardizzone’s first Tim title will lead people to all the other Tim books.
achuka.co.uk/blog/little-ti…
Tim and the Brave Sea Captain by Edward Ardizzone from @NYRB_Imprints f.p. 90 years ago
If I had been a children’s publisher (something you’ll not be surprised to hear I’ve fantasised about many a time) it would have been a dream of mine ary Edward Ardizzone, a writer and illustrator of longer tales for young children.
Today, the average illustrated children’s story (a picture book) runs between 300 and 600 words. It can be read aloud in a flash, which is wonderful, but there comes a time when children are ready to listen to and lose themselves in something longer — story that will take 10–15 minutes to read aloud.
Little Tim and the Brave Sea Captain was the first book Ardizzone both wrote and illustrated. It was published 90 years ago in 1936, and at around 1500 words is some three times as long as most of today’s picture books. There were to be many other stories about Tim. Not all of them had as many words as the first one, but they were never less than twice as long as current to-be-read-aloud books.
Today’s parents, looking for more lengthy stories to read aloud to children, will find themselves having to jump to chapter books, read over consecutive evenings, or to non-fiction books. I feel sure that longer illustrated stories that take 10–15 minutes to read aloud represent a gap in today’s market that is crying out to be filled.
I hope this new NYRB Kids edition of Ardizzone’s first Tim title will lead people to all the other Tim books.
achuka.co.uk/blog/little-ti…
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ACHUKA retweeted
The 2027 Carnegies nominations are live! 🎉 As we mark the 90th anniversary, join us in celebrating the exceptional storytelling & illustration recognised this year.🏆 Congrats to all nominees! 📖❤️ carnegies.co.uk/nominations-an…
#Carnegies2027 #ChildrensBooks #BookAwards @CILIPinfo
#Carnegies2027 #ChildrensBooks #BookAwards @CILIPinfo
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Below are some comments from a select number of readers sent an advance copy of ARIGNI. I still have a half dozen advance reading copies and would be happy to send one postage-free to anybody in the UK who would like to read the novel version of this “story for screen”. DM me
In addition to what people have said below, I like to think it’s also pretty funny.
“Extremely readable.”
“Extraordinarily strong sense of place.”
“The characters were so varied... They all seemed very real to me.”
“I can see it working very well as a tv series.”
“I don't know how you did it. I'd know half the cast by name immediately if I saw them on a bus. Superb.”
“Of course, it needs a map. All the best books do.”
“I loved the characters and the little details like the special biscuits in the cafe.”
“The atmosphere built up through the story works incredibly well.”
“I found [the characters] lived on in my head between reading and after the book was finished.”
“I enjoyed reading ARIGNI a great deal, it has a very relaxed pace that feels both inviting but offers intrigue too.”
See arigni.co.uk for background...
In addition to what people have said below, I like to think it’s also pretty funny.
“Extremely readable.”
“Extraordinarily strong sense of place.”
“The characters were so varied... They all seemed very real to me.”
“I can see it working very well as a tv series.”
“I don't know how you did it. I'd know half the cast by name immediately if I saw them on a bus. Superb.”
“Of course, it needs a map. All the best books do.”
“I loved the characters and the little details like the special biscuits in the cafe.”
“The atmosphere built up through the story works incredibly well.”
“I found [the characters] lived on in my head between reading and after the book was finished.”
“I enjoyed reading ARIGNI a great deal, it has a very relaxed pace that feels both inviting but offers intrigue too.”
See arigni.co.uk for background...
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ACHUKA Books of the Day 2026 week #42
• More Good Bits @dkbooks
• The Monster And The Library @geckopress
• Mondays Are Apple Green @FlorisBooks
• The Neverland Thieves @simonkids_UK
• Extraordinary Europe @wideeyeded
achuka.co.uk/blog/books-of-…
• More Good Bits @dkbooks
• The Monster And The Library @geckopress
• Mondays Are Apple Green @FlorisBooks
• The Neverland Thieves @simonkids_UK
• Extraordinary Europe @wideeyeded
achuka.co.uk/blog/books-of-…
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The ACHUKA #BookoftheDay for Fri 30 Oct is
Extraordinary Europe: An Encyclopedia of an Epic Continent by Prof. Catherine Fletcher ill. Helena Bonastre from @wideeyeded
achuka.co.uk/blog/extraordi… via @achuka
Extraordinary Europe: An Encyclopedia of an Epic Continent by Prof. Catherine Fletcher ill. Helena Bonastre from @wideeyeded
achuka.co.uk/blog/extraordi… via @achuka
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The ACHUKA #BookoftheDay for Thur 29 Oct is
The Neverland Thieves by Katie & Kevin Tsang ill. Kristina Kister from @simonkids_UK
[Just shortlisted for the Waterstones Book of the Year prize]
achuka.co.uk/blog/the-never… via @achuka
The Neverland Thieves by Katie & Kevin Tsang ill. Kristina Kister from @simonkids_UK
[Just shortlisted for the Waterstones Book of the Year prize]
achuka.co.uk/blog/the-never… via @achuka
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The ACHUKA #BookoftheDay for Wed 28 Oct is
Mondays Are Apple Green by Louise Greig ill. Maria Luisa Petrarca from @FlorisBooks
achuka.co.uk/blog/mondays-a… via @achuka
Mondays Are Apple Green by Louise Greig ill. Maria Luisa Petrarca from @FlorisBooks
achuka.co.uk/blog/mondays-a… via @achuka
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The ACHUKA #BookoftheDay for Tue 27 Oct is
The Monster And The Library by Mats Strandberg ill. Sofia Falkenhem tr. Julia Marshall from @geckopress
achuka.co.uk/blog/the-monst…
The Monster And The Library by Mats Strandberg ill. Sofia Falkenhem tr. Julia Marshall from @geckopress
achuka.co.uk/blog/the-monst…
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ACHUKA retweeted
Oxford Children’s has acquired Ursa the Star Bear, a picture book written and illustrated by Greg Stobbs, for publication in April 2027. 👇 ebx.sh/FQ1w7Z
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