Reading with a chance of tacos

Saturday is Pancake Day   On today's show we chat about pancakes, creating stories, and the process of writing picture books. And Liv reviews not one, but three amazing new picture books. All on today's show. It's gunna be huge.   Today's special guest g rew up in a magical world with animals great and small, from rabbits and mice to dogs and cats, to goats and horses. So, it's no wonder her stori...

  Gathering a Body of Work – what to do while you're waiting to be published.   On today's show we chat to one of Australia's busiest authors about gathering publishing deals, and how important it is to gather a body of work before you're published.    Today's guest has written over 50 books for children and young adults. Her stories are full of humour, heart, mystery, magic, and adventure.   She'...

On today's show we chat to Mike Lucas and Heidi McKinnon and go insearch of a cheeky monster. These two amazing creatives share thier process for writing and illustrating award-winning picture books.  Plus, Hayley in the Library is back to let us know what kids are reading, what they're excited about, and what they're learning in class. And, we countdown the Taco Top 5 most borrowed books.  We cha...

On today's show we chat to one of Australia's most popular authors for kids. She's always so much fun to talk to, and Bianca's Book Club is back to chat about books by Sally Rippin, Phillip Bunting, and a popular series that's coming to an end.   Today's special guest   is one of Australia's most popular authors for kids.   In 2019, she was Australia's #1 bestselling debut Aussie Author of childre...

On today's show we chat to an author who persisted in a manuscript he believed in, rode the rejections, and now looks like being a big success. We'll discover what the book is, why it was rejected, how it got published, and watch it burst into the world.    Today's guests are an author and illustrator of children's books. The author is a regular and favourite amongst our listeners, and the kid lit...

On today's show we chat about what kids are reading at school, what's changing, and what kids are excited about, with one of the most celebrated teacher librarians in the country. As well as an awesome new picture book all about Bees. There's a real Buzz in the air.   Today's guest was awarded the ASLA Australian Teacher Librarian of the Year 2023 and the SLAQ Queensland Teacher Librarian of the Y...

How to be creative and stand out from the crowd   On today's show we chat to one of the most creative illustrators, authors and designers in kids books. We chat about what creativity is and what goes into making a book really stand out from the crowd.   Today's guest is a creator of modern, quirky, innovative stories with humour and heart. She began her career as graphic designer, before moving in...

How to be a ground-breaking, top-selling author   On today's show we chat to a legend and ground-breaking, top-selling author of kids books, who was one of the first authors to get reluctant readers excited about books.   He's garnered several awards, including six Australian Children Choice Book Awards.    In 2013, t oday's guest was named Koala Legend of the year , and in 2020 was awarded the YA...

Finding your Creative Path   On today's show we chat about finding your true creative path. We talk to someone who turned his life around focussing on his true life-dreams. And Liv is back with what could be one of the big, laugh-out-loud, picture books of 2024!   Today's guest says he was the world's worst accountant. After a desire to be Michael J Fox, aka Alex P Keaton from the TV show Family T...

On today's show we dive into the heart of Australia with three amazing and creative people who have helped put together a wonderful anthology celebrating the diversity, life, and colours of Australia.   The book is called, Our Australian Heart. The purpose, the joy, and everything this book is about is all right there in the title. The heart of this great land is in its diverse landscape, its colo...

Wear a purple poppy to remember war animals   On today's show we look at a book that's remembering animals in war and chat about the purple poppy. Plus, Liv is back with two picture books that are sure to be huge hits throughout 2024. All on today's show. It's gunna be huge!   Today's guest is a primary school teacher with a lifelong love of horses and animals. This passion has spawned the most wo...

Publishing Picture Books with Mary Anastasiou   On today's show we look inside two publishing houses with Mary Anastasiou. We talk about what she does in publishing, what books she's working on, the process these books go through with the publishers, and how they get out into the world.    Today's guest  is an author of children's books and a publishing professional who has popped in to share her...

On today's show we chat about books for first readers, struggling readers, and books being read in early primary school. We're talking today about Decodable Books – how they assist young readers to engage in fun and adventurous books, and we'll share tips on writing for the genre.   Today's guest is a Tacos Fav, we love having him on for his humour, fun nature, and the awesome work he's putting ou...

So Many Self-Publishing Tips On today's show we have a fun chat with a super enthusiastic and successful indie author who so generously shares her process and tips on self-publishing. Plus, we chat about her author journey and all things kid lit.   Today's guest is what you'd call a real go-getter, an active member of the Australian writing community, who throws herself into her work with such ent...

Neurodiversity in books – with Ky Garvey, Kate Foster and Michelle Worthington   On today's show  we chat with 3 amazing creators who live in neurodiverse families. We discuss what the publishing industry looks like for kids and families living with neurodiversity, what's still needed, and why it's crucial to our industry that we cater for everyone's needs.   Today's guests are the incredible Ky G...

The journey of a picture book – from a manuscript to a bookstore   On today's show we chat to a first-time author and follow the journey of her picture book from submitting to acceptance, what marketing ideas she has, and how she'll work to make it a success. Plus we share a very spicy chilli con carne taco with guacamole and sour cream. Yum. All that and more. Let's start the show.   Today's gues...

Writing Magic for Kids with Sarah Armstrong   On today's show, we share a delicious crunchy taco with guacamole, chicken and melted cheese with a Walkley Award winning author, and Liv reviews two picture books that travel the world.    Today's guest began as journalist at ABC Radio – where she won a Walkley Award. She went on to be a researcher and publisher at ABC TV, which was exciting work, int...

Illustrating picture books with Briony Stewart   On today's show we chat about illustrating picture books, writing picture books, we look at the journey of an illustrator, and Liv reviews an awesome picture book perfect for the new year.   Today's guest is an award-winning author and illustrator of children's books. S he won the Prime Minister's Literary Award for her work with Sheryl Clarke on th...

On today's show we chat with a legend of Australian and indeed World literature, both for adults and children, about her author journey and what it takes to be a professional writer.   Today's guest is a world-renowned author and speaker, with an Order of Australia for services to literature. She is the Head of SCBWI  Australia East and NZ. She is an ambassador of the Premiers Reading Challenge. A...

What to expect when writing, illustrating, and self-publishing a picture book   On today's show we chat to an author/illustrator with a real passion for nature and adventure. And, Liv reviews two awesome new picture books. All that and more, it's gunna be huge!   Sam Spry is an author/illustrator with a real thirst for adventure. She loves nature and has travelled the world to some of the most bea...

How a children's book legend self-published   On today's show  we chat to an Aussie Icon about self-publishing. And Liv's back with all the goss from The Taco Awards After Party, and to review an awesome new picture book. All that and more on today's show, it's gunna be huge!!   Today's guest is an icon of the Australian kid lit industry. His first novel  Deadly Unna? was a literary hit and was ma...

The Taco Awards 2023. Join hosts Ken and Liv, a cast of authors, illustrators, a bunch of rowdy book characters, and even singing sharks, as we bring you all the glitz and glamour of the Taco Kids Book Awards. We'll bring you the shortlist and winners of such categories as: The Reluctant Reader award, The Best Character, The Laugh out Loud Award, Best Picture Book and more. Who will take home the...

Helping Children Process Grief Ryan Abramowitz, as well as being an amazing artist, writer, and storyteller, has a lived experience of losing his father to suicide. He has created a picture book, drawn from inspiration of the natural world. And, he chats with Liv and Ken about how he hopes this book will help those in grief to feel seen, supported, and cared for in their healing journey. 'May it b...

Kimmi the queen of the dingoes is a tale of courage and reslience from one of Australia's finest storytellers.  On today's show, we chat about the smartest dogs on the planet, we talk to one of Australia's most beloved storytellers, and you'll see why. Plus we chat about an upcoming kidlit event.    Favel Parrett flew to critical acclaim with her debut novel Past the Shallows. It was sold internat...

On today's show, Bianca reviews a magical book ideal for kids 10+. And we chat to a favourite kids author from WA about her hilarious picture book.   Sharon Giltrow  teaches young children with Developmental Language Disorders, she's also an author of picture books and middle grade. She was awarded The Paper Bird Fellowship for Writers in 2019, and she's popped in today to chat about her latest an...