Mostly Book Talk

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...

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 c...

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:  htt...

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: Inst...

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...

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, Gi...

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:/...

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 Oth...

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 Lik...

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 pi...

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 F...