Mostly Book Talk

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...

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 Representat...

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...

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 -...

 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&...

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 includi...

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...

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 Ei...

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...

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...

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. A...

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 co...

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&a...

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 Echo...

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 Br...

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 Wh...

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 la...

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 sil...

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...

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...

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 Jo...

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...

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.soci...

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...