FVRL ReadRadio Podcast

Charlotte shares The Ash House, a wonderfully creepy story by Angharad Walker, perfect for kids ages 11 and up – or anyone who likes spooky books with lots of twists and turns. When 11-year-old Sol arrives at the Ash House, desperate for a cure for his complex pain syndrome, he finds a community of strange children long abandoned by their mysterious Headmaster. The children at the Ash House want t...

Looking for a romantic read? In this episode, Kaori tells listeners about Emily Henry's People We Meet on Vacation, a "sparkling novel that will leave you with the warm, hazy afterglow usually reserved for the best vacations." Find this title in the FVRL collection: https://fvrl.bibliocommons.com/v2/record/S21C1836234

In this episode, Mieke tells listeners about two science fiction and fantasy novels for kids that explore time travel and mystery: A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L'Engle Meg Murry and her friends become involved with unearthly strangers and a search for Meg's father, who has disappeared while engaged in secret work for the government. https://fvrl.bibliocommons.com/v2/record/S21C1049627 When You R...

The Great Backyard Bird Count takes place from February 16 to 19, 2024. Borrow a Birdwatching Backpack from FVRL, and identify bird species in this annual count! Learn more about the FVRL Birdwatching Backpack: https://www.fvrl.bc.ca/birdwatching.php About the Great Backyard Bird Count: "Each February, for four days, the world comes together for the love of birds. Over these four days we invite pe...

In this episode, Charlotte introduces listeners to an adventurous graphic novel: Doña Quixote: Rise of the Knight by Rey Terciero. It tells the story of a young girl in Texas who is obsessed with becoming a modern-day knight and thwarting supernatural evil. Find this title in the FVRL collection: https://fvrl.bibliocommons.com/v2/record/S21C1904480

In today's podcast, Ariel talks about her favourite science fiction writer, Andy Weir, author of The Martian, Artemis, and Project Hail Mary. Look for this author in the FVRL collection: https://fvrl.bibliocommons.com/v2/search?query=Weir%2C%20Andy&searchType=author

In this episode, Brenna tells listeners about the first book of a chapter book series: Megabat by Anna Humphrey. In the first book of the series, Daniel Misumi has just moved to a new house. It's big and old and far away from his friends and his life before. And it's haunted — or is it? Megabat was just napping on a papaya one day when he was stuffed in a box and shipped halfway across the world....

Today, Jennifer shares a thrilling story jam-packed with humour and heart: The Mostly True Story of Tanner & Louise by Colleen Oakley. This wildly surprising and entertaining novel features a college dropout and an 84-year-old woman on the run from the law. Find this title in the FVRL collection: https://fvrl.bibliocommons.com/v2/record/S21C1881500

Charlotte introduces listeners to a graphic novel to add to your winter reading list: Pepper Page Saves the Universe! by Landry Q. Walker. The year is 2421. Awkward and shy, Pepper buries herself in the universe of the classic fictional superhero Supernova to avoid dealing with the perils of the ninth grade. But then fate intervenes when Pepper encounters a strange cat named Mister McKittens and s...

Tis the season for holiday reads! Liana introduces listeners to a recently published, feel-good Christmas story: Otto the Ornament by Troy Cummings. Initially, super-snazzy Christmas tree ornament Otto thinks he should be placed at the top of the tree to be admired, but then he realizes where he really wants to be. Find this title in the FVRL collection: https://fvrl.bibliocommons.com/v2/record/S2...

Are you a fan Lemony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate Events, and are searching for a new series to read? Mac suggests checking out the Secret series by Pseudonymous Bosch. In this episode listeners learn about the first book in the series: The Name of This Book Is Secret. Two eleven-year-old misfits try to solve the mystery of a dead magician and stop the evil Dr. L and Ms. Mauvais, who are sear...

Do you enjoy cosy holiday romances? Are you a fan of Hallmark movies? If yes, Margarita has a recommendation for you: Three Holidays and a Wedding by Uzma Jalaluddin and Marissa Stapley. From two bestselling Canadian authors comes a multi-faith holiday rom-com about the delightful havoc that occurs when Christmas, Ramadan and Hanukkah all fall at the same time, and two strangers-turned-friends are...

In this episode Colin tells listeners about the first book in the graphic novel series Lightfall by Tim Probert: The Girl and the Galdurian. For fans of Amulet and middle grade readers who love sweeping worlds like Star Wars, the first book of the Lightfall series introduces Bea and Cad, two unlikely friends who get swept up in an epic quest to save their world from falling into eternal darkness....

In this episode, we'll learn about the rich heritage of The Korean Vegan Cookbook: Reflections and Recipes From Omma's Kitchen by Joanne Lee Molinaro. Joanne Lee Molinaro has captivated millions of fans with her powerfully moving personal tales of love, family and food. In her debut cookbook, she shares a collection of her favourite Korean dishes, some traditional and some reimagined, as well as p...

Join us for a special episode of Kids’ ReadRadio Podcast! Today, Deanna chats with children’s author Joan Galat. Joan is the award-winning author of more than 25 books. Her recent title, Mortimer: Rat Race to Space, is about a journal-keeping lab rat on the International Space Station who sets out to use science and YouTube to prove his species should be the one to colonize Mars. Find this title i...

November 4 to 10 is #BCCliimateActionWeek – a chance for us to focus on the climate-related challenges and emergencies facing our communities. Your library has resources to raise awareness about climate change and actions you can take to help our earth. In today’s podcast, Amy shares two books that provide insight into climate issues and hope for our planet. The Climate Book by Greta Thunberg: htt...

Do you want to learn more about the fascinating world of fungus? In this episode, Deanna discusses Elise Gravel's book The Mushroom Fan Club. The author takes us on a magical tour of the forest floor and examines a handful of her favorite alien specimens up close. While the beautiful coral mushroom looks like it belongs under the sea, the peculiar Lactarius indigo may be better suited for outer sp...

In this episode of Kids' ReadRadio, Jessica makes the BIG announcement you’ve all been waiting for: the 2023–2024 Reading Link Challenge book list! She introduces listeners to the main characters of each book, and the stories you’re about to fall in love with. Ready, set, read! The books are: 1. Astrid the Unstoppable by Maria Parr 2. Because of the Rabbit by Cynthia Lord 3. J.D. and the Great Bar...

In this episode Jennifer discusses Xiran Jay Zhao's young adult science fiction title Iron Widow. Offering herself up as a concubine-pilot to assassinate the man responsible for her sister’s death, 18-year-old Zetian discovers her true destiny as an Iron Widow and must use her strength to force her society to stop failing its women and girls. Find this title in the FVRL catalogue: https://fvrl.bib...

Looking for a spooky read for the Halloween season? Bryan tells listeners about The Skull by Jon Klassen, a story based on an old Tyrolean folktale. In a big abandoned house, on a barren hill, lives a skull. A brave girl named Otilla has escaped from terrible danger and run away, and when she finds herself lost in the dark forest, the lonely house beckons. Her host, the skull, is afraid of somethi...

In this episode, Jessica tells listeners about her favourite genre: the cosy fantasy. The cosy favourites discussed include: Emily Wilde's Encyclopaedia of Faeries by Heather Fawcett, Legends and Lattes by Travis Baldree, and The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches by Sangu Mandanna. Find these titles in the FVRL collection: Emily Wilde's Encyclopaedia of Faeries by Heather Fawcett https://fv...

Looking for a graphic novel recommendation? Colin tells listeners about two series for kids: Hilda by Luke Pearson and Aster by Thom Pico. Find these graphic novels in the FVRL collection: Hilda series by Luke Peason https://fvrl.bibliocommons.com/v2/search?query=Pearson%2C%20Luke&searchType=author Aster series by Thom Pico https://fvrl.bibliocommons.com/v2/search?query=Pico%2C%20Thom%2C&searchTyp...

In today’s podcast, Charlotte makes a case for short fiction: “Short fiction is a snack when you aren't quite hungry for a meal. In only a few thousand words, an author can craft haunting narratives that really stick with you.” Charlotte shares three collections to pique your interest: Trigger Warning: Short Fictions and Disturbances by Neil Gaiman https://fvrl.bibliocommons.com/v2/record/S21C1674...

In today’s podcast, Tessa tells us all about her favourite easy reader series, Iris and Walter, by author Elissa Haden Guest. It’s an exciting series about new experiences that can seem scary at first but become enjoyable when you have a friend by your side. Find these books in the FVRL collection: https://fvrl.bibliocommons.com/v2/search?custom_edit=false&query=series%3A(Iris%20and%20Walter)&sear...

Laurel reviews Hidden Legacy, an urban fantasy series by Ilona Andrews. The first book in the series is Burn for Me. While searching for Adam Pierce, who can set anyone and anything on fire, private investigator Nevada Baylor is kidnapped by Connor "Mad" Rogan, a billionaire with dark powers who is also searching for Pierce and needs her help. Find this series in the FVRL collection: https://fvrl....