Mostly Book Talk

For the National Year of Reading, we are sharing a series of short conversations with people who are involved in promoting reading with young people. This could be a programme, resources or a literary event, and we're giving them the opportunity to share what they do and how people can get involved. In this episode we are joined by Dr Fen Coles from the Letterbox Library. Letterbox Library offers the very best in diverse and inclusive books for children. Founded over 40 years ago, they have a...

In this episode we talk with Pépé Smit about her picture book Fred the Very Demanding Deer which is published by Scallywag Press and translated from Dutch. We were lucky enough to go to the launch at GOSH comics and met Pépé, loved the book and of course wanted to chat to her about the book and Fred. Pépé trained as a visual artist at the Gerrit Rietveld Academy and the Sandberg Institute. Her illustrations have appeared in several leading magazines and newspapers, but she has increasin...

For the National Year of Reading, we are sharing a series of short conversations with people who are involved in promoting reading with young people. This could be a programme, resources or a literary event, and we're giving them the opportunity to share what they do and how people can get involved. In this episode we are joined by Sian Hardy, founder of the Literacy Hive. Literacy Hive is a comprehensive library of literacy resources for primary and secondary teachers categorised so that the...

For the National Year of Reading, we are sharing a series of short conversations with people who are involved in promoting reading with young people. This could be a programme, resources or a literary event, and we're giving them the opportunity to share what they do and how people can get involved. In this episode we are joined by Julie Taylor Education Lead at the Children's Literacy Charity which focuses on catch-up literacy interventions for disadvantaged children. Working in primary and ...

For the National Year of Reading, we are sharing a series of short conversations with people who are involved in promoting reading with young people. This could be a programme, resources or a literary event, and we're giving them the opportunity to share what they do and how people can get involved. In this episode we are joined by Andrew McCallum, Director of the English and Media Centre. The EMC is a charity which supports English & Media teachers and students through publications and c...

For the National Year of Reading, we are sharing a series of short conversations with people who are involved in promoting reading with young people. This could be a programme, resources or a literary event, and we're giving them the opportunity to share what they do and how people can get involved. In this episode we discuss the Pupil Library Assistant of the Year Award and are joined by Barbara Band, library consultant and Chair of Judges for the award and also by Olipher Grey who is a sixt...

For the National Year of Reading, we are sharing a series of short conversations with people who are involved in promoting reading with young people. This could be a programme, resources or a literary event, and we're giving them the opportunity to share what they do and how people can get involved. In this episode we are joined by Rachel Boden who is the lead children's book promotion and content editor at BookTrust. BookTrust is the UK's largest children's reading charity and they aim to em...

We talk with Claire Linney about her Time Tub Travellers series, the third book of which is out at the start of October 2026. Inspired by reading Black Tudors: The Untold Story by Miranda Kaufmann, Claire started researching Black British history and the stories that are too often untold and hidden. She decided she wanted to bring these stories to life in a fun, adventurous way for children and the result is her Time Tub Travellers books. Time Tub Travellers and the Silk Thief Time Tub Travel...

In this episode we talk with Abiola Bello - author, publisher and co-founder of the Diverse Book Awards. The third book in her Wild Magic series for younger readers is out and we talk about the success of the series - the first book just won the Sparks School Book Award prize and how kids love facts mixed in with their fiction. Abiola is as ever very busy and we talk about her third book in the Marcus Rashford series and also a 'new adult' book coming out next year that she is on a deadline t...

Welcome back to the new school year - we hope you had a great summer. September always feels the time for fresh starts and we are back after a bit of summer break. We have an interview with Dean Atta about his picture book, Auntie's Bangles (illustrated by Alea Marley)- a joyous take on loss and remembering. We also talk about his YA books and the middle grade project he is working on. All very exciting! Congratulations to him too on the publication of his adult debut, Big Man, which is...

Fidan Meikle is a multi-award-winning Azerbaijani-British writer, linguist and translator. We talk with her about her debut middle-grade novel, My Name Is Samim, which is a powerful novel that follows Samim, a thirteen-year-old boy, as he flees war-torn Afghanistan for a new life in the UK. It highlights the experiences of young refugees and asylum-seekers, and has been a word of mouth success, winning the 2026 Jhalak Children's & YA Prize, the Federation of Children's Book Groups A...

In this episode we have a feast of middle grade books! We talk first to Kristina Rahim author of the very popular The Doughnut Club, about her second book Max and Ella Stuck Together. Max has had a tough year starting secondary school. He has been bullied about having two mums and has lost his confidence. He is even finding it hard to enjoy the music that he used to love. He knows he risks letting his friends down if he has stage fright again at their planned performance and the idea th...

We talk with author Clare Pollard about her new middle grade book The Othernauts. Based on the story of Jason and the Argonauts, we follow Phoebe who is bored of life on the island where she lives and is desperate to escape. When a ship with Jason and the Argonauts comes into the harbour she acts quickly and joins their quest to find the Golden Fleece. Full of humour and with illustrations by Macha Yao this is a fun and entertaining take on a classic tale. You can find out more about Cl...

We talk to the chair of judges and the 2025 winner of The Klaus Flugge Prize for Illustration, Emma Farrarons. Emma won the prize in 2025 which is for the year’s most exciting newcomers to children’s picture book illustration. This year she is back as the chair of judges alongside illustrator Rob Biddulph, illustrator and course director for the MA in Children’s Book Illustration at Cambridge School of Art, Anglia Ruskin University, Shelley Jackson and co-owner of the The Book Nook in Hove, V...

We talk to Bex Hughes about the upcoming Canterbury Children's Literature Festival which is on the 9th - 12th of July and also about Book Shop Crawl UK which hosts book shop crawls in cities around the UK. You can find out more about all the exciting events on at the Canterbury Children's Literature Festival here. And check out up coming book shop crawls here. Send us a message

In September 2026 all UK Secondary Schools will receive two copies of the book Scientists Making a Difference by Dr Shini Somara together with a pack of resources. This is a collaboration between publishers What on Earth!, the Gatsby Foundation and Imperial. We talk to teacher Jennifer Marchant who created the school resources to discuss the book, what schools will find in their pack and how they can be used within the science curriculum as well as in careers lessons. There are linked resourc...

Join us as we talk to lead curators Alison Bailey and Laura Walker, of the British Library's Fairy Tales Exhibition. This interactive and child friendly exhibit is on until 23 August 2026 and covers many familiar tales as well as lesser known stories. They have brought together interactive displays, theatrical design, story sharing spaces, costumes and activities, as well as some great examples of early drafts and drawing ideas. There are beautiful books and artwork to see and plenty of...

Join us talking to Mayo Agard-Olubo about his debut picture book, Kid Rex to the Rescue, illustrated by Diane Ewen. Max's imagination transforms him into the superhero Kid Rex, and he's ready to use his dinosaur powers to battle robots, dragons and even the evil king dust bunny. A fun bedtime story and definitely one for dinosaur fans. Mayo's website can be found here. His BBC Sounds appearance on Margins to the Mainstream can be found here. The books we reviewed were: Auntie's Bangles, by De...

Following on from episode 48 when we went through the Carnegie Medal for Writing shortlist together with expert Carnegie followers Alison Jewitt and Amy McKay, in this episode we go through the Carnegie Medal for Illustration shortlist and make some more ill fated predictions for the winners. Alison Jewitt is an English teacher at the London Nautical City of London Academy has led a Carnegie shadowing group in her school for many years and this is her third year helping us review the list. Am...

Join us as we talk with author Malcolm Duffy about his YA book Dead Straight Line. This is his fifth book and is inspired by a teenage game of traveling in a straight line through, over or under obstacles. Rory pressures Yell into the game, with life changing consequences. The book explores risk taking, blame, guilt and shame as well as empathy and forgiveness. Written in a sparse and pacey style, it is an accessible read and will have wide appeal, including for Y8 and up boys that everyone s...

Together with expert Carnegie followers Alison Jewitt and Amy McKay we go through the Carnegie Medal for Writing shortlist and make our ill fated predictions for the winners. Alison Jewitt is an English teacher at the London Nautical City of London Academy has led a Carnegie shadowing group in her school for many years and this is her third year helping us review the list. Amy McKay is the librarian at Ullswater Community College, Penrith. She leads Carnegie shadowing at her school and has a ...

Join us as we chat with Cindy Wume, Taiwanese author and illustrator, about her new picture book, Home is a Hug. The book imagines all the different ways in which we can think about home. It has interactive elements with cutouts and flaps and lots of great details to seek out when reading it. Find out about her journey from Taiwan to Cambridge, her creative process and discover how her travels and personal stories shape her vibrant illustrations and stories. We talk about: Cindy's backg...

For the National Year of Reading, we are sharing a series of short conversations with people who are involved in promoting reading with young people. This could be a programme, resources or a literary event, and we're giving them the opportunity to share what they do and how people can get involved. In this episode we talk to Lara Marshall, Libraries and Engagement Manager and Tom Norton, Information and Resources Officer at the RNIB. RNIB, the Royal National Institute of Blind People, is the...

We talked to Jeffrey Boakye and tried very hard to stay on the topic of children's books (and mostly succeeded). We talked about his middle grade series which starts with Kofi and the Rap Battle Summer, his books on music - Musical Truth and Musical World and what he is currently working on. We detoured into what everyone got up to in the 80s and 90s when there were only four TV channels and no mobile phones and then came back to children's books and why the diversity of both authors and main...

In this episode we talk with poet Nicola Davies about the Centre for Literacy in Primary Poetry Award (CLiPPA). The CLiPPA is the UK’s leading prize for poetry for children and each year highlights outstanding new collections for the young and very young. She takes us the through the 2026 Shortlist and we also talk about her her role as the Children's Laureate for Wales and quite a bit about birds too. The CLiPPA Shortlist is as follows: Five Little Friends: A Collection of Finger Rhymes, by ...

For the National Year of Reading, we are sharing a series of short conversations with people who are involved in promoting reading with young people. This could be a programme, resources or a literary event, and we're giving them the opportunity to share what they do and how people can get involved. In this episode we are joined by Tom Harbour the CEO of Learning with Parents. Learning with Parents is a charity whose vision is that every child is supported at home to fulfil their potential.&n...

For the National Year of Reading, we are sharing a series of short conversations with people who are involved in promoting reading with young people. This could be a programme, resources or a literary event, and we're giving them the opportunity to share what they do and how people can get involved. In this episode we are joined by Sarah Satha the Chair of Inclusive Books for Children. Inclusive Books for Children is a charity whose vision is for every child in the UK to grow up reading...

We talk to author Molly Harris about her new picture book Whirby, illustrated by Jacob Souva. Whirby is a robot and his favourite activity at school is bot battles, but in his excitement about getting ready he forgets to get any rest and recharge his batteries and when it comes to his turn in the competition he has no energy left. Can he recover and do what he really enjoys? A great book for bedtimes with lots to look at in the pictures. You can find out more about Molly Harris here and read ...

For the National Year of Reading, we are sharing a series of short conversations with people who are involved in promoting reading with young people. This could be a programme, resources or a literary event, and we're giving them the opportunity to share what they do and how people can get involved. In this episode we are joined by Louisa Farrow from The Federation of Children's Book Groups. The Federation is a national voluntary self-funded organisation whose aim is to promote enjoyment and ...

In this episode we are joined by author Rashmi Sirdeshpande about her new books - Hari Kumar Ultimate Superstar (illustrated by Mamta Singh) which is a diary style middle grade and Super Uma (illustrated by Nakul P.) which is picture book with lots of sparkle and the all important unicorn. Rashmi is as ever super busy with a number of new books coming up (details of the books mentioned below). She is also out and about doing festivals and events. The event she mentioned at the London Schools ...

For the National Year of Reading, we are sharing a series of short conversations with people who are involved in promoting reading with young people. This could be a programme, resources or a literary event, and we're giving them the opportunity to share what they do and how people can get involved. In this episode we are joined by Imogen Bond from EmpathyLab EmpathyLab develops, activates, and celebrates the power of stories to increase real-life empathy. Through reading, they help children ...

For the National Year of Reading, we are sharing a series of short conversations with people who are involved in promoting reading with young people. This could be a programme, resources or a literary event, and we're giving them the opportunity to share what they do and how people can get involved. In this episode we are joined by Emma Bell, CEO of Chapter One. Through their volunteer reading partners, Chapter One provide one-to-one reading support to nearly 3,500 children in Birmingham, Bra...

For the National Year of Reading, we are sharing a series of short conversations with people who are involved in promoting reading with young people. This could be a programme, resources or a literary event, and we're giving them the opportunity to share what they do and how you can get involved. In this episode we are joined by Amy Lewis, Head of Coram Beanstalk. Coram Beanstalk work with primary, secondary and virtual schools to enable children to grow a love for reading. They provide one-t...

For Part 6 we asked all our interviewees for one thing they would do to address the reading crisis. Properly funded libraries and librarians were unsurprisingly a strong theme, but also a rethink about how we position children's reading - how do we find the space for children to read and support children to experience the power and enjoyment of reading so they find their own routes into reading, and choose to do it. For this series we interviewed the following people (not all feature in...

For the National Year of Reading, we are sharing a series of short conversations with people who are involved in promoting reading with young people. This could be a programme, resources or a literary event, and we're giving them the opportunity to share what they do and how people can get involved. In this episode we are joined by Andrea Reece who is the Managing Editor of the children's book magazine Books for Keeps. Started in the 1980s, Books for Keeps is a treasure trove of information a...

In this episode we talk with Nadia Shireen about the mad and upredictable world of Grimwood and book five in the series, Rock the Vote! which has recently come out in paperback. Listen in to find out where Nadia gets her ideas from, how she writes, why illustrations are so important and what Titus's best cake would be. Nadia can be found on Instagram here Her Grimwood books can be found here: Grimwood Grimwood: Let the fur fly! Grimwood: Attack of the Stink Monster! Grimwood: Party Anim...

In this episode we talk to author Sophy Henn about her new picture book I Want Everything! - which is about how sometimes it might feel like you want everything, but when you really think about it you probably don't... We also discuss the latest installment in her action packed and madcap Happy Hills graphic novel series, Cheesy Bob Strikes! Sophy can be found on Instagram here And the books we mentioned can be found through these links I Want Everything! Cheesy Bob Strikes! Pizazz Bad Nana -...

In part 5 we continue looking at what works to support reading for pleasure, focusing more this time on opportunities for authors to engage with readers and the importance of wider family and community involvement and spaces to discover and talk about books. For this series we interviewed the following people (not all feature in every episode): Dapo Adeola - Author and the illustrator of many books including Look Up!, Clean Up!and My Dad is a Grizzly Bear. Sita Brahmachari - Author of many ...

We are joined by author Sarah Crossan to talk about her new verse novel, Gone for Good. It is a read in one go thriller about the troubled teen industry. Sixteen-year-old Connie is kidnapped in the middle of the night and taken to a 'behaviour modification programme' at Silver Lake and quickly gets drawn into the mystery of where missing resident Belle has gone to. We also talk about Sarah's thoughtful posts on social media about putting away our screens and reading for pleasure. Sarah can be...

In part 4 we hear more about what we should be doing to address the decline in children’s reading for pleasure. In this episode we focus on approaches in schools and how to involve staff and pupils in creating a reading for pleasure culture. For this series we interviewed the following people (not all feature in every episode): Dapo Adeola - Author and the illustrator of many books including Look Up!, Clean Up!and My Dad is a Grizzly Bear. Sita Brahmachari - Author of many books including Art...

For the National Year of Reading, we are sharing a series of short conversations with people who are involved in promoting reading with young people. This could be a programme, resources or a literary event, and we're giving them the opportunity to share what they do and how people can get involved. In this episode we are joined by Tanja Jennings, who is the joint Northern Ireland Representative on the Youth Libraries Group. Information about the Carnegies can be found here. Information about...

In this episode we talk to Susannah Lloyd about the latest instalment in her Badgers are Go! series, Revenge of the Claw. Illustrated by Nici Gregory. We cover lots of ingenious disguises, pudding references and doing all the voices! Also the importance of having children who can help you name your characters. You can find out more about Susannah Lloyd's books here. The books we discussed can be found here: Badgers are Go! Badgers are Go! Revenge of the Claw Who Ate Steve? Send us a m...

In part 3 of our mini series about 'The Reading Crisis', we hear more about access, but also about who decides which books get published, how they're marketed, and how they get into children's hands, as well as the lack of coverage in the media of children's literature. For this series we interviewed the following people (not all feature in every episode): Dapo Adeola - Author and the illustrator of many books including Look Up!, Clean Up!and My Dad is a Grizzly Bear. Sita Brahmachari ...

For the National Year of Reading, we are sharing a series of short conversations with people who are involved in promoting reading with young people. This could be a programme, resources or a literary event, and we're giving them the opportunity to share what they do and how people can get involved. For our first conversation, we are joined by Mo O'Hara from Stepping Into Stories Kids' Lit Fest. Further information about the festival can be found here. If you run an organisation...

In part two of our mini series about The Reading Crisis, we look at how testing, technology and access to books are affecting reading for pleasure. For this series we interviewed the following people (not all feature in every episode): Dapo Adeola - Author and the illustrator of many books including Look Up!, Clean Up!and My Dad is a Grizzly Bear. Sita Brahmachari - Author of many books including Artichoke Hearts, When Shadows Falland Phoenix Brothers Dr Darren Chetty - Lecturer at UCL Instit...

The first in our mini series about The Reading Crisis - why children aren't reading and what we can do about it. In this episode we look at what the data tells us about children's reading and start to discuss what some of the barriers are to children reading for pleasure. For this series we interviewed the following people (not all feature in every episode): Dapo Adeola - Author and the illustrator of many books including Look Up!, Clean Up! and My Dad is a Grizzly Bear. Sita Brahmachari - Au...

In in this episode we talk to AM Dassu about her latest book, Wild Journey. This is a collection of five interlinked stories about children around the world all connected by the sight of a murmuration of starlings. Fully illustrated by Joe Lillington. AM Dassu's website can be found here and links to the books we discussed are below: Wild Journey Boy, Everywhere Fight Back Can You Find my Eid Presents? Show Racism the Red Card (out Sept 2026) Send us a message

A quick trailer for our new mini series which will be out soon on the 'reading crisis' where we explore why children aren't reading and what we can do about it. Look out for the first episode. Send us a message

We are back and have an episode all about libraries. First up is an interview with Rebecca Gediking who is the Head of Libraries at GLL and also the Chair of the GLL Literary Foundation - which does lots of great work supporting children's authors in the areas in which GLL have libraries. Events there for schools to look out for and ideas for how other libraries might work with authors. After that we talk to Barbara Band about her new book Championing Your School Library - a practical guide t...

We talk to Nathanael Lessore about his very successful debut and follow up books, about what's important when writing for teens and the role of humour. You can find Nate's books here: Teen/KS3 Books Steady for This King of Nothing What Happens Online Middle Grade Books Solving Crimes is NOT my Superpower Time Travel is NOT my Superpower SAIL Fest (South Asian Children's Illustration and Literature) To find out more about SAIL Fest have a look on their website. And to check out all the autho...

Just in time for National Poetry Day, we have an interview with Dr Julie Blake the founder and co-director of Poetry by Heart. Working with schools across the whole of England, over 128,000 pupils take part every year, learning poems by heart and performing them. There are lots of fantastic clips on their website of young people performing and all the information you need to sign up this year. And it is completely free to do so. We also talk about Ross Montgomery's latest books - lots t...

Author Ashley Thorpe joins us to talk about his middle grade books The Boy to Beat the Gods and Spirit Warriors. Find out about how he was inspired by West African and Jamaican mythology and how long it really does take to have a breakout success as your debut book. There is also a new Loki book out by Louie Stowell - A Bad God's Guide to Causing Chaos and there is a giveaway for a signed copy (UK only) - details will be on our socials. Also find out about her Lokifesto. If you are looking fo...

We are joined by Maisie Chan to talk about her latest book, Nate Yu's Blast from the Past. It's a draws on the untold history of the Chinese Labour Corps in WW1 in a story that combines a ghost story with a warm and humorous exploration of belonging, friendship and family. Look out for the event that Maisie mentions at the British Library in September which can be found here Maisie's website can be found here with lots more information about her books and other resources. Her othe...

In this episode we talk with Justin Somper about the latest book in his Pirate Academy series, Sword Echoes. It came out in the UK in May and the series sets sail in Australia next week. Full of adventure and intrigue - perfect for a summer read. Justin can be found on Instagram here And links to his books are below: New Kid On Deck: Pirate Academy #1 Missing at Sea: Pirate Academy #2 Sword Echoes: Pirate Academy #3 Demons of the Ocean Tide of Terror The Week Junior's Book Awards can be...

We talk with Tom McLaughlin about his graphic novel Alan, King of the Universe. Alan is an orange cat convinced he is born to rule. Blessed with opposable thumbs and a side kick called Fido, he spends his days dreaming up ways to take up the universe. Tom's website can be found here and here are some links to his books: Alan King of the Universe The Day that Aliens (nearly) Ate our Brains The Day I Became the Most Wanted Boy in the World The Accidental Prime Minister You've Bee...

Join us to hear all about Jasbinder Bilan's new book, Naeli and the Secret Song. Find out where the idea came from and the research she did. Here are links to all of Jasbinder's Books Naeli and the Secret Song Aarti and the Blue Gods Tamarind and the Star of Ishta Asha and the Spirit Bird India, Incredible India, illustrated by Nina Chakrabarti Xanthe and the Ruby Crown Calling the Whales, illustrated by Skylar White Nush and the Stolen Emerald Paloma and the Bear, illustrated by Skylar...

We are joined by Alison Jewitt a teacher from South London who leads a Carnegie Shadowing Group at her school and Sophia Bower a school librarian from Durham who is a Carnegie judge this year. We talk about shadowing groups and then all of the books on the Carnegie Medal for Writing shortlist. Sophia then hides while the rest of us make our predictions about who wins - we were completely wrong last year, can we do better this year? Carnegie Medal Short Listed Books All That it Ever Mean...

Join us talking with Cath Howe about the latest book in her Call the Puffins series, Tiny and the Cave Ghost (illustrated by Ella Okstad). We talk about the importance of early reading books and wonder whether there is a big meeting of authors where they decide which animals they are going to write about (you never know...)! We also go down memory lane with the Tufty Club and it all gets a bit silly... Cath's other books include: In the Call the Puffins series (all illustrated by Ella Okstad)...

In this episode we talk with Professor Teresa Cremin, the co-director of the Open University's Literacy and Social Justice Centre, discuss what the research says about children's reading for pleasure and the work the OU is doing to support teachers develop reading for pleasure cultures in their schools. You can find out more about the OU Reading for Pleasure activities here. Some recent books by Teresa Cremin include: Reading Teachers: Nurturing Reading for Pleasure, ed. Teresa Cremin, ...

Listen to Lisa Thompson talk about her new book, The Boy in the Tree (illustrated by Katie Kear), and also her many other books including the forthcoming follow up to The Goldfish Boy - The Skeleton Puzzle (out in September.) Information about all Lisa's books and also extra resources can be found at www.lisathompsonauthor.com Links to the books we talked about The Goldfish Boy Owen and the Soldier The Treasure Hunters Sidney and Carrie Have a Party Worry Boots The Boy in the Tree The M...

In this episode we talk with Tom Percival about his book The Wrong Shoes and also about some of his picture books. Tom has a website here, but probably the best way to stay up to date with what he is up to is on Instagram @tompercivalbooks or on X @TomPercivalSays His books can be found here: The Wrong Shoes (currently in hardback, paperback available 8 May 2025) Quiet (illustrated by Richard Jones) The Invisible Perfectly Norman The Bridges Squirrel and Duck - Mission Improbable Some...

An interview with debut author Brogen Murphy about their book, Wildlands. It’s 2050 and most of northern England and southern Scotland has been turned into a vast rewilding project. An interrupted train journey and series of mishaps leaves two sisters trying to survive in this untouched wilderness... Brogen's website is here and they can be found on Instagram @brogen_murphy We also mention the Carnegie shortlist which can be found here. Send us a message

Join us talking with Darrell Wakelam about his book Art Shaped - Sustainable 3D Art Projects to Kickstart Children's Creativity. There are lots of curriculum links and all the projects are made from easily obtained recycled materials - ideal for teachers, librarians and parents. Darrell's website can be found here And he can be found on social media here BlueSky @darrellwakelam.bsky.social Instagram @darrellwakelam Send us a message

In this episode we have an interview with Darren Chetty and Karen Sands O'Connor about their book Beyond the Secret Garden - Racialised Minorities in British Children's Books. It's published by the English and Media Centre (a great resource too) and is available here. It is based on Darren and Karen's regular column in Books for Keeps which is also well worth a read. Send us a message

In children's mental health week we talk to Rachel Fuller about her picture book Bee which explores how it feels to be misunderstood and celebrates difference. We also talk to Tanya Goodin about The Teenage Guide to Digital Wellbeing which offers lots of useful advice and activities to help achieve a balance between being in the digital world and the real world (something not just teenagers could benefit from!). Books in this episode: Bee by Rachel Fuller, illustrated by Emilia Wharfe More in...

We have an interview with Susan Brownrigg about her new book, Wrong Tracks, and with Publisher, Hazel Holmes from UCLan about the importance of regional voices and regional publishing. Here are Susan's books: Wrong Tracks Gracie Fairshaw and the Mysterious Guest Gracie Fairshaw and the Trouble at the Tower Gracie Fairshaw and The Missing Reel Kintana and the Captain's Curse Website: https://www.susanbrownrigg.com/ BlueSky: @susanbrownrigg.bsky.social Instagram: @susanbrownrigg And U...

Join us for Episode 19 where we have an interview with Lucy Ann Unwin and talk about her new book How to be a Revolutionary. We also discuss our New Year’s reading resolutions and do some book reviews of our holiday reading. Here are Lucy's books: How to Be a Revolutionary by Lucy Ann Unwin The Octopus, Dadu and Me by Lucy Ann Unwin, illustrated by Lucy Mulligan Lucy can be found here: Instagram @lucyannunwin BlueSky @lucyannunwin.bsky.social https://www.lucyannunwin.com Here a...

A bumper middle grade episode. We talk to Dev Kothari about her debut Bringing Back Kay-Kay and to Louie Stowell about Loki: A Bad God's Guide to Making Enemies the fourth book in the bestselling Loki series. Bringing Back Kay-Kay is a mystery and quest as Lena tries to find her brother Kay-Kay who has disappeared on his way back from summer camp. We talk to Dev about what it’s like writing a debut and how the children’s book market is different in India. In Loki: A Bad God's Guide to M...

We talk to Rashmi Sirdeshpande about her latest book which is a beautifully illustrated by Jason Lyon. Amazing Asia is fully illustrated, large format encyclopaedia of Asia which looks at the history and diversity of the continent. Other books by Rashmi Sirdeshpande include: Never Show A T-Rex A Book! Yes You Can, Cow! Dadaji's Paintbrush Cash: How to Earn It, Save It, Spend It, Grow It, Give It How to Change the World Rashmi's website is https://www.rashmisirdeshpande.com/ and she c...

An interview with David Litchfield about his new book The Dinosaur Next Door and about the upcoming 10th Anniversary Edition of The Bear and the Piano. David's other books include: The Bear, The Piano, The Dog and the Fiddle The Bear, the Piano and Little Bear's Concert Grandad's Secret Giant Lights on Cotton Rock Kid Christmas: of the Claus Brothers Toy Shop His website is https://www.davidlitchfieldillustration.com/ And he can be found on Intstagram @david_c_litchfield BlueSky @d...

Interviews with Naomi Jones and Rebecca Ashdown who won the Diverse Book Award Readers' Choice Award for Thunder Boots and with Erika Meza who won the Picture Book Category with To The Other Side. Other books by Naomi Jones The Perfect Fit How to Make a Story The Odd Fish Other books by Rebecca Ashdown My Granny is a Queen The Whopper How the Library (Not the Prince) Saved Rapunzel Other books by Erika Meza Stop that's not my Story The Memory Book! Seven Sisters Send us...

Interviews with the winners of the Diverse Book Awards YA categories - Simon James Green, winner of the YA Readers' Choice Award for Boy Like Me; Sophie Cameron, runner up for the YA Category for Away with Words; and Jenny Ireland, winner of the YA Category with The First Move. A full list of the books shortlisted for the YA Diverse Book Awards can be found here. Simon James Green Boy Like Me The Big Ask Llama Glamarama A Year of Pride and Joy: 52 LGBTQ+ Voices Share Their Life Passions Da...

In this episode we talk with J P Rose about her new book, Birdie. And Ali interviews Anthony McGowan with Jason Rosam (originally broadcast on Riverside Radio) about his book Dogs of the Deadlands. Birdie by J P Rose is a set in 1950s Yorkshire and is a story of hope and courage following Birdie Bagshaw and the racism she experiences moving to a mining village but also the bond she forms with a pit pony Mr Duke. J P Rose's YA book is The Haunting of Tyrese Walker. She has also writte...

An interview with Amy Lewis, Head of Coram Beanstalk and Sara Browne, one of their volunteers. Plus chat about 100 Tales from the Tokyo Ghost Café by Julian Sedgwick and Chie Kutsuwada Coram Beanstalk Link to the Media Trust Film Website: https://www.beanstalkcharity.org.uk/ Find out about volunteering: https://www.beanstalkcharity.org.uk/Pages/Category/about-volunteering Media Trust Charity Films Link to information about films Book Clubs in School’s Film Books mentioned: You ...

In this episode we talk to Jacob Sager Weinstein about his picture book, What Rosa Brought (illustrated by Eliza Wheeler). We also chat about some picture books (old and new) that have caught our attention recently. Jacob Sager Weinstein What Rosa Brought, illustrated by Eliza Wheeler The City of Secret Rivers The City of Guardian Stones Other books mentioned The Diary of a Young Girl, Anne Frank When Hittler Stole Pink Rabbit, Judith Kerr Tadpole’s Promise, Jeanne Willis, illustrated ...

Interviews with YA authors Diana Anyakwo and Denise Brown In this episode we talk to Diana Anyakwo about her book My Life as a Chameleon which has just been longlisted for the Diverse Book Awards. We also talk to Denise Brown about her second book, It All Started with a Lie. Diana Anyakwo My Life as a Chameleon Contact for school visits: https://contactanauthor.co.uk/author/3518/diana-anyakwo Instagram @dianaanyakwo Books Mentioned Broken Threads: My Family From Empire to Indepe...

In this episode we talk to Tom Palmer about his latest book Angel of Grasmere and his other Lake District books. Plus we talk to Deborah Maclaren, the Managing Director of Love Reading about how they are building a social purpose into their book selling. Tom Palmer’s Lake District books Armistice Runner After the War Angel of Grasmere Other books mentioned Arctic Star D-Day Dog Resist Information on all Tom Palmer’s books can be found on his website Tom can be f...

Film Clubs and books with Into Film Ambassador Charlotte Harrison plus an interview with author Ross Montgomery about his new book, I am Rebel Charlotte Harrison can be found on social media: @sometimesmovies Find out more about Into Film here. Books mentioned: Princess Bride, by William Goldman Ross Montgomery can be found on social media: @mossmontmomery His website is here Books mentioned: I am Rebel The Chime Seekers And Ross’s other books can be found here Find us on social media: X/...

A look at the Carnegie Medal for Writing 2024 shortlist including the benefits of shadowing with Alison Jewitt from The London Nautical School Carnegie Medal for Writing 2024 Shortlist books Away with Words by Sophie Cameron Choose Love by Nicola Davies, Illustrated by Peter Horacek Saffiyah’s War by Hiba Noor Kahn Steady for This by Nathanael Lessore The Boy Lost in the Maze by Joseph Coelho, illustrated by Kate Milner Crossing the Line by Tia Fisher The Door of No Return by Kwame Alexander ...

Mostly Book Talk - Episode 6 An interview with the author Tia Fisher about her Carnegie shortlisted book Crossing the Line. Crossing the Line by Tia Fisher Books mentioned in the interview The Weight of Water by Sarah Crossan Where the Heart Should Be by Sarah Crossan Brown Girl Dreaming by Jacqueline Woodson Make Lemonade by Virginia Euwer Wolff The Black Flamingo by Dean Atta Long Way Down by Jason Reynolds We’re Going on a Bear Hunt by Michael Rosen, illustrated by Hel...

An interview with Elle McNicoll about her new book Keedie, her CBBC adaptation of A Kind of Spark, her forthcoming YA book and diversity in children's books (as well as how she manages to do so much...) Books mentioned in the interview with Elle McNicol A Kind of Spark Keedie Show Us Who You Are Like a Charm Like a Curse Some Like it Cold Matilda by Roald Dahl Charm School by Anne Fine Lots by Jacqueline Willson Elle can be found on social media at X/Twitter: @booksand...

Mostly Book Talk - Episode 4 We talked to Lucas Maxwell, the librarian at Glenthorne High School about Dungeons and Dragons and how it really draws pupils into the library and also about graphic novels. We then have an interview with Sarwat Chadda about his new middle grade fantasy series, The Spirit Stone Saga. It's a long one, but these two interviews with Dungeons and Dragons enthusiasts just belong together! Books mentioned in the interview with Lucas Maxwell Let's R...

An interview with Abiola Bello, author and also founder of Hashtag Press and The Diverse Book Awards and a chat with Sarah Stuffins from The Federation of Children’s Book Groups about their Children's Book Award. Abiola’s Middle Grade Books Emily Knight I am… Emily Knight I am... Awakened Emily Knight I am... Becoming The Very Merry Murder Club The Very Sunny Murder Club Abiola’s YA Books Love in a Winter Wonderland Only for the Holidays The Love Dare The FCBG...

We talked to Rose Edmondson at Falinge Park High School about her brilliant science book club. She can be found on Twitter/X @snotlady5 Here are some of the books she mentioned: Global - a graphic novel adventure about hope in the face of climate change The Moth Keeper - can be hard to find in UK - available second hand The Curie Society Graphic Science- Seven Journeys of Discovery Am I made of Stardust I Ate Sunshine for Breakfast The Observologist We also talked about what we had be...

A fascinating interview with Dr Alexia Casale, author and Senior Lecturer and Course Leader on MA in Writing for Young People at Bath Spa University. Her website can be found at http://www.alexiacasale.com/ Her books can be bought through these links: Sing if you Can’t Dance The Bone Dragon The Best Way to Bury Your Husband And the books Alexi mentioned include: Howl’s Moving Castle, Diana Wynne Jones Daughter of Darkness, Katherine and Elizabeth Corr We also talked about bo...