Head of children's books promotion and prizes at BookTrust. Believer that books can save the world. All views expressed here are mine.
London
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Wow, wow, wow!!! I’m so proud to be a part of the @isleofbrilliant from my little conch shell - and now it has won one of these brilliant @IndPodAwards! congrats to @frankcottrell_b @NadiaShireen @garthurb this is beautiful indeed! Thank you to all the amazing guests & books!
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Emily Drabble retweeted
Don't miss @BookTrust's 2026 #GreatBooksGuide, which is out now! The Guide features 100 book recommendations from the past year to help educators find great reads for the children they work with.
Explore it here: booktrust.org.uk/great-books…
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Emily Drabble retweeted
It's just been announced in Bologna and I'm very honoured to say that I was awarded the HCA writing award 2026 .
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A very wonderful episode of @isleofbrilliant with @frankcottrell_b and Nadia S islandofbrilliant.podbean.co… lovely special guest @PhilTite1 - thank you for picking up my trusty shell for book recs @storymixstudio @HarrietHoweBks @JimSmithStuff @joelill @a_reflective and Matt Carr!
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Emily Drabble retweeted
Join us for our opening evidence session focusing on children's tv and video content.
Tuesday 11 November 2:30pm 🕘
@frankcottrell_b | @LionTelevision | Blue Zoo | @maddiemoate | Children’s Media Foundation
Watch on Parliament Live and YouTube 📺
ALT A picture of a child on his iPad watching a children's tv show with the wording "evidence session. Children's TV and video content. Culture, Media and Sport Committee."
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Oh joy @MichaelRosenYes joins @frankcottrell_b and Nadia S on @isleofbrilliant islandofbrilliant.podbean.co… - so listen right NOW! Of course I recommend fab books from my shell inc @SarahCrossan @jondrori and see tagged!
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Emily Drabble retweeted
We were honoured today to join our Patron, Her Majesty The Queen, to celebrate 100 years of BookTrust at Clarence House.
During #StorySharerWeek, it was a joyful moment to mark our centenary and look forward to a future in which every child experiences the benefits of reading.
ALT Her Majesty The Queen cuts a BookTrust 100th anniversary cake, watched on by Peter Rabbit wearing a BookTrust sash
ALT Her Majesty The Queen cuts a BookTrust 100th anniversary cake, watched on by Peter Rabbit wearing a BookTrust sash, Sir Michael Morpurgo, and BookTrust Co-CEO Diana Gerald
ALT Her Majesty The Queen speaks with BookTrust Co-CEO's Diana Gerald and Annie Crombie and BookTrust Director of Partnerships Julie Hayward
ALT Her Majesty The Queen speaks with Sir Michael Morpurgo as Frank Cottrell-Boyce watches on
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Emily Drabble retweeted
Celebrating 100 years of @BookTrust with an old friend! 🐰✨
Joined by friends and supporters of the charity, The Queen, as Patron of BookTrust, hosted a reception to celebrate the special occasion.
BookTrust has been helping children and families experience the transformational benefits of reading together, reaching 1.4 million families each year.
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Happy #StorySharerWeek everyone, huge cheers to all the people that read the stories with little ones every day in our nurseries and childcare settings. You are giving children the building blocks of their futures @Booktrust
"Honestly, you are magicians."
It's #StorySharerWeek, our annual celebration of our Early Years partners - and who better to kick things off than Waterstones #ChildrensLaureate @frankcottrell_b?
Stay tuned for tips and tricks, research, and some very exciting news...
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Emily Drabble retweeted
For #StorySharerWeek, we've been learning how the team at Glenbrook Surestart in Belfast use #Bookstart Toddler packs.
Here's how they create a sense of magic & excitement about sharing stories, making the most of the gifting moment to inspire families:
booktrust.org.uk/resources/f…
ALT A photo of a woman reading a picture book to children as they all sit around a table plus a quote from Martina Hannon, health visitor: "It creates that magic for both the parent and the child"
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Emily Drabble retweeted
We have such a #StorySharerWeek treat for you today!
The super @sophyhenn is reading us her book Jump About With Ted, included in the #Bookstart Storyteller backpack.
Plus, Marian from @MyDoncaster Family Hubs is sharing her brilliant story time tips:
booktrust.org.uk/resources/f…
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Emily Drabble retweeted
Research shows that it makes a huge difference when children can see themselves in books - as well as discovering others' experiences.
That's why this is such an important report from @ibc_reads, highlighting vast gaps in meaningful representation.
✨ The Excluded Voices 2025 report is here!
We’ve updated last year’s findings on children’s books (ages 1–9) by British creators from marginalised communities — showing where progress is happening & where it’s still not.
inclusivebooksforchildren.or…
#IBCExcludedVoicesReport
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If you are going to @cheltfestivals this weekend don't miss this Reading Revolution event on Sunday at 4:30pm cheltenhamfestivals.org/what… with @frankcottrell_b @anniecrombie @Booktrust and @thetimes Johanna Thomas Corr - it's going to be fascinating believe me!
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This podcast is one of the reasons I'm still sane! Thank you @moversand6 and congratulations!
Huge congratulations to @moversand6 for winning the Impact Award at the @britpodawards! Well deserved for the incredible impact of the Parky Charter for the Parkinson's community.
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Awww what a joy to listen to the charming @philearle on @isleofbrilliant with Nadia Shireen & @frankcottrell_b, so full of gems! I recommend books from my shell @jprosewriter @MicheRobinson @JasonReynolds83 @_KnightsOf @aJimBeckett & Emily Gravett islandofbrilliant.podbean.co… enjoy!
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Emily Drabble retweeted
Just heard that we have 150,000 children signed up for Michael Rosen Day on November 13.
Wouldn't it be great if, when I'm doing my show, I could see them all....?
[Go to my website for the 'Find out more' link to be live]
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Emily Drabble retweeted
Extremely thrilled by the possibilities opened by @RachelReevesMP pledge of a Life Changing Library for every primary school.
Imagine peppeering the country's playgrounds with @siobridg 's "Giant's Gift" (v inexpensive) design - iconic as a pillar box.
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Mind blowing @Booktrust session at #kidsconf @thebookseller with @ProfSamWass and @LizzieCatford_1 on what happens inside a baby’s brain when they’re read to - these books are literally re wiring brains!
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Delighted to see Flower Block win @wainwrightprize mega congrats @LanishaNicole14 - this is such a great book!
We're delighted to announce that the inaugural winner of the Children's Wainwright Prize Book of the Year is...
Flower Block, @LanishaNicole14, illustrated by Hoang Giang (@PuffinBooks)
#WainwrightPrize #StoriesThatConnect
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Massive congratulations to Nicola Davies on her #ChildrensLaureateWales crowning today, taking over from @alexwhartonpoet - welcome to the laureate gang - so exciting! @BookTrustCymru @UKLaureate @frankcottrell_b @CressidaCowell @MichaelRosenYes
It was such an honour joining @LitWales at Maesteg Library today to see Nicola Davies be crowned the new #ChildrensLaureate Wales and Siôn Tomos Owen becoming Bardd Plant Cymru!
It was a great opportunity to thank Alex Wharton and Nia Morais as they handed over the roles, too!
ALT Photos from today's ceremony, including Nicola Davies, Alex Wharton, Siôn Tomos Owen and Nia Morais
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Emily Drabble retweeted
Our Co-CEO @anniecrombie was delighted to write this piece for @educationgovuk about the power of reading to support children in kinship care, foster care & adoption.
Discover the benefits of sharing stories & how we've harnessed these in our programmes:
childrenssocialcare.blog.gov…
ALT A photo of Annie Crombie sitting in front of bookshelves
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