I wanted to say a massive THANK YOU to everyone who helped me celebrate the launch of Aardvark Day yesterday evening. Georgia @theemmapress was the perfect host, and it was a joy to hear @katefoster_art talk about and share her beautiful illustrations.
It truly was a warmhearted and memorable event. I've been overwhelmed by all the support this book is receiving!
Thanks also to everyone who sent encouraging and thoughtful messages and posts.
I am feeling very grateful today 🧡
You're never too old for stepping stones!
A lovely morning at Hardcastle Craggs, West Yorkshire. Always a joy to walk through the woods and by the river. The bluebells are looking glorious!
Come and join us for the online launch of Aardvark Day, my new book of animal and nature poems for children and the young at heart, published by @theemmapress
7pm 14th May
/event/book-launch-for-aardvark-day/?fbclid=IwdGRzaARpLVtjbGNrBGktWWV4dG4DYWVtAjExAHNydGMGYXBwX2lkDDM1MDY4NTUzMTcyOAABHoSFmZoHvetFfuOT_fncNHyKh1PGYPgV0DL3BhYp26k4-9TsIF_d2YoA7io0_aem_9gpN1HhvM_CjnsWQqUM94w&sfnsn=scwspmo
Where else would you find battle rapping badgers, baths full of lemonade, and spells for football skills? Packed with witty wordplay, hugs, Floobles and Blops, this fantastic new collection from CLiPPA-shortlisted @si_mole is pure joy !!! 🍕 🍕 🍕 👏 👏 👏
With fun illustrations from Tom McLaughlin, published by @otterbarrybooks
#childrenswritingcommunity
#childrenspoetrybooks
#childrensbookrecommendations
‘Bee Purple’ from AARDVARK DAY by @vickygatehouse 🐝
Did you know there's a special colour only bees can see?
Find out more about a range of weird and wonderful creatures through poetry at the AARDVARK DAY online launch: 7pm Thursday 14 May (registration link in bio) 🪴
Fully illustrated by @katefoster_art & available from all good bookshops 14 May (@inpressbooks )
AARDVARK DAY
I love this dazzling debut from the talented @zain.rishi . It's an absolute gem of a pamphlet!
Tender, beautifully crafted, and luminous coming-of-age poems exploring family, home, sexuality and faith.
Published by @theemmapress
#poetrydebut
#poetryrecommendations
Have we left it too late for our planet? You decide, with these poems from AARDVARK DAY by Victoria Gatehouse (@vickygatehouse )...
Perfect for KS2 students, esp. Y4-5 exploring living things & their habits, human beings & the environment & poetry forms 🪴
Join us to hear more poems at the online launch (registration link in bio)
Fully illustrated by @katefoster_art
Available from all good bookshops 14 May 2026 / pre-order from The Emma Press website to receive on publication 🐾
It was a joy to read at the launch of the Fig Tree Poetry 2025 anthology yesterday at Doncaster Unitarian Church. Stunning readings from the contributors! Massive thanks to Tim Fellows for bringing us all together and publishing this fantastic anthology.
#crookedspire
#poetrycommunity
#poetryanthology
🌟 Exciting News! 🌟
I’m so excited to share that I Feel Like Old Spaghetti has been featured on Books That Help (), a platform that highlights children’s books in such a thoughtful and meaningful way. 🤍
What I love most is how it organizes books around what kids are actually feeling. Helping parents, caregivers, and educators find stories that truly connect with children in those moments.
I Feel Like Old Spaghetti is included in the Understanding Feelings and Emotions section—exactly where I always hoped this story would live. It was created to help children make sense of their feelings in a gentle, imaginative way, and it means so much to see it recognized like this.
And for teachers, there’s also a dedicated Wellbeing Classroom section with books and connected resources to help extend these conversations even further.
Thank you to @books_that_help_ for including my book in such an important space ✨
If you’re looking for books that meet kids where they are emotionally, this is such a beautiful resource 💛
Don’t forget, you can find the link to purchase I Feel Like Old Spaghetti in my bio 💛
With love, @justinembean . . .
📚❤️
#childrensbooks #socialemotionallearning #kidsbooks #picturebooks
So thrilled to see Aardvark Day selected as one of the top new children's titles coming out in the Summer term of 2026. What a fantastic list, so proud to be included!
Massive thanks to @schoolreadinglist
#recommendedreading
#childrenspoetry
#childrenswritingcommunity
It was a joy to speak with @josieglausiusz about writing poetry as a scientist and to be included in this throughful and fascinating article for @nature_the_journal
/articles/d41586-026-01028-3
