Shows
Mostly Book TalkEpisode 25 - An interview with Tom Percival, author of The Wrong ShoesIn 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 @TomPercivalSaysHis books can be found here:The Wrong Shoes (currently in hardback, paperback available 8 May 2025)Quiet (illustrated by Richard Jones)The InvisiblePerfectly NormanThe BridgesSquirrel and Duck - Mission Improbable2025-04-0845 minMostly Book TalkEpisode 24 - Interview with Brogen Murphy about their debut book WildlandsAn 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_murphyWe also mention the Carnegie shortlist which can be found here.Send us a message2025-03-2545 minMostly Book TalkEpisode 23 - Interview with Darrell Wakelam about his book Art ShapedJoin 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 hereAnd he can be found on social media hereBlueSky @darrellwakelam.bsky.socialInstagram @darrellwakelamSend us a message2025-03-1730 minMostly Book TalkEpisode 22 - Beyond the Secret Garden - interview with Darren Chetty and Karen Sands O'ConnorIn 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 message2025-03-1236 minMostly Book TalkEpisode 21 - Interviews with Rachel Fuller about her picture book Bee and with Tanya Goodin about The Teenage Guide to Digital WellbeingIn 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 WharfeMore information about Bee the ballet can be found here2025-02-0841 minMostly Book TalkEpisode 20 - Author Susan Brownrigg and Publisher, Hazel Holmes from UCLanWe 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 TracksGracie Fairshaw and the Mysterious GuestGracie Fairshaw and the Trouble at the TowerGracie Fairshaw and The Missing ReelKintana and the Captain's CurseWebsite: https://www.susanbrownrigg.com/BlueSky: @susanbrownrigg.bsky.socialInstagram: @susanbrownriggAnd UCLan can be found here:W...2025-01-2646 minMostly Book TalkEpisode 19 - Interview with Lucy Ann Unwin, New Year’s reading resolutions and book reviewsJoin 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 UnwinThe Octopus, Dadu and Me by Lucy Ann Unwin, illustrated by Lucy Mulligan Lucy can be found here:Instagram @lucyannunwinBlueSky @lucyannunwin.bsky.socialhttps://www.lucyannunwin.comHere are...2025-01-1949 minMostly Book TalkEpisode 18 - A feast of middle grade books - interviews with Dev Kothari and Louie StowellA 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 Making Enemies one o...2024-12-221h 05Mostly Book TalkEpisode 17 - An interview with Rashmi Sirdeshpande about her new book Amazing Asia: An Encyclopedia of an Epic ContinentWe 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 PaintbrushCash: How to Earn It, Save It, Spend It, Grow It, Give ItHow to Change the WorldRashmi's website is https://www.rashmisirdeshpande.com/and she can be found on social media h...2024-12-1336 minMostly Book TalkEpisode 16 - An interview with David Litchfield about his new book The Dinosaur Next DoorAn 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 FiddleThe Bear, the Piano and Little Bear's ConcertGrandad's Secret GiantLights on Cotton RockKid Christmas: of the Claus Brothers Toy ShopHis website is https://www.davidlitchfieldillustration.com/And he can be found on Intstagram @david_c_litchfield...2024-12-0744 minMostly Book TalkEpisode 15 - Diverse Book Awards Picture Book WinnersInterviews 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 JonesThe Perfect FitHow to Make a StoryThe Odd FishOther books by Rebecca AshdownMy Granny is a QueenThe WhopperHow the Library (Not the Prince) Saved Rap...2024-11-2349 minMostly Book TalkEpisode 14 - Diverse Book Awards YA Winners InterviewsInterviews 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 GreenBoy Like MeThe Big Ask...2024-11-181h 12Mostly Book TalkEpisode 13 - Interviews with J P Rose and Anthony McGowanIn 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 written lots of a...2024-10-3050 minMostly Book TalkEpisode 12 - 'Help Create a Reader' Coram Beanstalk and the role of volunteers in supporting reading for pleasureAn 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 KutsuwadaCoram 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-volunteeringMedia Trust Charity FilmsLink to information about filmsBook Clubs in School’s FilmBooks mentioned:You...2024-10-0348 minMostly Book TalkEpisode 11 - Picture book edition, including an interview with Jacob Sager WeinsteinIn 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 WeinsteinWhat Rosa Brought, illustrated by Eliza WheelerThe City of Secret RiversThe City of Guardian StonesOther books mentionedThe Diary of a Young Girl, Anne Frank2024-08-311h 02Mostly Book TalkEpisode 10 - Interviews with YA authors Diana Anyakwo and Denise BrownInterviews with YA authors Diana Anyakwo and Denise BrownIn 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 AnyakwoMy Life as a ChameleonContact for school visits: https://contactanauthor.co.uk/author/3518/diana-anyakwoInstagram @dianaanyakwo ...2024-08-011h 03Mostly Book TalkEpisode 9 - An interview with author, Tom Palmer and a chat with Deborah Maclaren, Managing Director of Love ReadingIn 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 booksArmistice Runner After the War Angel of Grasmere Other books mentionedArctic Star D-Day DogRe...2024-07-1245 minMostly Book TalkEpisode 8 - Film Clubs and books with Into Film Ambassador, Charlotte Harrison and an interview with author Ross MontgomeryFilm Clubs and books with Into Film Ambassador Charlotte Harrison plus an interview with author Ross Montgomery about his new book, I am RebelCharlotte Harrison can be found on social media: @sometimesmoviesFind out more about Into Film here.Books mentioned:Princess Bride, by William GoldmanRoss Montgomery can be found on social media: @mossmontmomeryHis website is ...2024-06-3048 minMostly Book TalkEpisode 7: Carnegie Medal for Writing 2024 ShortlistA look at the Carnegie Medal for Writing 2024 shortlist including the benefits of shadowing with Alison Jewitt from The London Nautical SchoolCarnegie Medal for Writing 2024 Shortlist booksAway with Words by Sophie CameronChoose Love by Nicola Davies, Illustrated by Peter HoracekSaffiyah’s War by Hiba Noor KahnSteady for This by Nathanael LessoreThe Boy Lost in the Maze by Joseph Co...2024-06-1035 minMostly Book TalkEpisode 6 - An interview with the author Tia Fisher about her Carnegie shortlisted book Crossing the Line.Mostly Book Talk - Episode 6An interview with the author Tia Fisher about her Carnegie shortlisted book Crossing the Line.Crossing the Line by Tia FisherBooks mentioned in the interview The Weight of Water by Sarah CrossanWhere the Heart Should Be by Sarah CrossanBrown Girl Dreaming by Jacqueline WoodsonMake Lemonade by Virginia Euwer Wolff ...2024-06-0731 minMostly Book TalkEpisode 5: Elle McNicoll talking about her new book KeedieAn 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 McNicolA Kind of SparkKeedieShow Us Who You AreLike a CharmLike a CurseSome Like it Cold2024-05-1748 minMostly Book TalkEpisode 4 - Dungeons and Dragons and Graphic NovelsMostly Book Talk - Episode 4We 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 MaxwellLet's Roll: A Guide to Setting up Tabletop Rol...2024-04-2948 minMostly Book TalkEpisode 3 - Abiola Bello, The Diverse Book Awards and FCBG Children's Book AwardAn 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 BooksEmily Knight I am…Emily Knight I am... AwakenedEmily Knight I am... BecomingThe Very Merry Murder Club 2024-04-1640 minMostly Book TalkEpisode 2 - Science Book ClubWe talked to Rose Edmondson at Falinge Park High School about her brilliant science book club. She can be found on Twitter/X @snotlady5Here are some of the books she mentioned:Global - a graphic novel adventure about hope in the face of climate changeThe Moth Keeper - can be hard to find in UK - available second handThe Curie SocietyGraphic Science- Seven Journeys of DiscoveryAm I...2024-03-2932 minMostly Book TalkEpisode 1 - Dr Alexia Casale, author and Senior Lecturer and Course Leader on MA in Writing for Young People at Bath Spa University.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 DanceThe Bone DragonThe Best Way to Bury Your HusbandAnd the books Alexi mentioned include:Howl’s Movin...2024-03-1442 min