The Guardian Children's Books podcast: Recent Episodes
The Guardian
This is the place for bibiophiles to meet and quiz their literary heroes. It’s a fun listen full of passionate young readers asking their favourite authors brilliantly insightful questions
Cecelia Ahern explains how she was moved to write her first YA novel, Flawed, by her dismay at society’s increasingly finger-pointing culture. Guardian children’s books site members Harriet, Amy and Rebecca grill her on the book, which is set in a powerfully realised society in which perfection is valued above humanity
Jacqueline Wilson speaks to Michelle Pauli as she launches her creative writing competition for 7 – 12 year olds, where the prize is to have the winning story published in one of her books! Here she gives you tips about getting started, inventing characters and what the judges will be looking for Find out more about the competition and enter here! Plus check out the first chapter of Jacqueline Wilson’s newest book, Rent a Bridesmaid
Harrowing second world war tale Anna and the Swallow Man has taken teen readers by storm. Teen site members Lottie is Dottie and Ayesha got to ask the author about the mythologisation of the Holocaust, deep and dark things, stories without end and the meaning of life Also read Remembering the people of the Holocaust
Get a fascinating insight into the world of teen/YA fantasy in this podcast with four amazing fantasy authors. Samantha Shannon, Sally Green, Lucy Saxon and Alwyn Hamilton talk world building, feminism, sex and why we need to stop comparing all female characters to Katniss Everdeen – however wonderful she is! Enter our signed fantasy books giveaway!
Political commentator Owen Jones is grilled by teen site members CaraErica, Patrick and TheBookAddictedGirl on the writers who inspired his democratic socialist politics, the advice he’d give his 16-year-old self, and how young people should get involved in politics – and why… The Establishment is our current Teen book club read – find out what else is happening here
Find out what Jeff Kinney’s favourite Diary of a Wimpy Kid book is, why he really did wrap himself in toilet paper in Middle School and how he ALWAYS has writer’s block in this fabulous interview by the Eye Boggling Blurbs book group Win signed copies of the complete set of 10 Diary of a Wimpy Kid books
Sandi Toksvig reads from and talks about her latest book, A Slice of the Moon, an action-packed story of one family's journey across the world as they leave behind their home in Ireland during the potato famine and travel to America
Eoin Colfer, author of the bestselling Artemis Fowl novels, and award-winning picture book creator Oliver Jeffers have paired up to create a book about imaginary friends, Imaginary Fred. Find out how they met by chance, collaborated across continents by skype, and, of course, whether they have their own imaginary friendsBuy Imaginary Fred at the Guardian bookshop
Prepare to be thrilled as Joseph Coelho performs poems from his prize-winning collection, Werewolf Club Rules, and offers his suggestions for your own poetry writing
The author of My Sister Lives on The Mantelpiece talks to site member The Dormouse about her new book, Silence is Goldfish, which she wrote for all the limelight-avoiding introverts out there
On the 10th anniversary of her first book I Coriander, Sally Gardner talks to site member Patrick about writing historical novels, the power of fairy tales, dyslexia and why the school system needs a big shake up
The best-selling Gallagher Girls author spills the beans on All Fall Down, the first in her thrilling new Embassy Row series – and answers questions on her life and books from teen site members• Plus we have five signed copies of All Fall Down to give away! See below for details
Mother and daughter writing duo Jodi Picoult and Samantha van Leer talk to Michelle Pauli about the premise behind their funny YA romance, Off the Page, in which a fairytale prince leaves his storybook to experience life and love in high school, and describe the ups and downs of co-writing with the person who knows you - and sometimes annoys you - best
Site member Tashtastic caught up with Chronicles of Ixia creator Maria V Snyder, when the US novelist was on a rare visit to the UK – listen in to their conversation here!
The bestselling author talks to site member Muchbooks about Hold Me Closer, his new novel written in musical form starring Tiny Cooper, a book companion to Will Grayson, Will Grayson which David wrote with John Green.Read the first chapter of Hold Me Closer
Find out everything you would ever, ever need to know about sustainable, self-restrainable Guillemot, who uses its bill a lot, in this immortal poem by John Hegley
Judith Kerr reads from her award-winning book, When Hitler Stole Pink Rabbit, about her escape from Nazi Germany during the second world war• Judith answers questions from our group site members and shares the real life stories behind her books and paintings in this interview
The winner of Costa children’s books award 2014 talks to site members Noggin and Sailing46 about her sequel to E Nesbit’s Five Children and It, set in the first world war
James Frey is giving $3 million of his own money as a prize for those who can solve the puzzles that run through his new trilogy Endgame. Here he tells site member JBOO1698 all about his crazy, magical idea – and his obsession with hidden history
Listen to John Agard read his well known poem Half Caste and talk about how his Guyanan upbringing helped him become the writer he is today
RJ Palacio reads from Wonder, and talks to Michelle Pauli about writing about a boy that has to face a world every day that can't face him back
Julian Rhind-Tutt reads from Terry Pratchett's new book Dragons at Crumbling Castle• Meet the cast of Dragons At Crumbling Castle – gallery• Take the Terry Pratchett quiz• Find out how Terry Pratchett wrote his first stories as a cub reporter
Site member Katiedoglovesbooks gets to ask Kes Gray just why he ate lollies off the floor when he was a child and about his latest book Daisy and the Trouble with Sports Day
Michael Morpurgo explains to site members Orli and Fernando why he writes about war. Plus hear Michael read a moving contribution from Raymond Briggs for his WW1 anthology Only Remembered
John Klassen talks us through the process of creating I Want My Hat Back and his collaboration with Lemony Snicket: The Dark
Ansel Elgort, star of the film of The Fault in Our Stars by John Green, answers questions from the Guardian teens' book community about reading, making TFIOS movie and how the one thing he wants people to take away from watching it is hope
The Norwegian thriller writer talks about his obsession with farting, why he loves writing his Doctor Proctor books for children plus gives a lesson on how to pronounce his name this interview by children's reading group The Book Bunch
Young Samurai author Chris Bradford is grabbed by site member Freddy to talk about how he writes his Bodyguard series. Also hear a thrilling extract from Chris's latest book Bodyguard: Ransom
Lauren reads from Fire Storm, the third book in her One Dollar Horse series. She answers questions from site member Cookonthebrightside on her books and her belief in animal rights
Non Pratt reads from her first book Trouble about a teenage pregnancy and then answers questions from site member Merle NunnelyKeep up to date with the rest of the club, including Non's top ten teens in trouble, her introductory blog and site members' reviews
Oksa Pollock is a best-selling French teen book series about a girl with magical powers – it's being called the French Harry Potter. The series of six is finally being translated into English, with the second book The Forest of Lost Souls just out after the success The Last Hope. Authors Anne Pichota and Cendrine Wolf talk to Michelle Pauli about their remarkable journey from librarians to best-selling novelists
Laura Dockrill, author of Darcy Burdock and Hi So Much, performance artist and shortlistee for the Waterstones children's book prize 2014, reads her hilarious and profound poem What Makes You You, gives tips on growing up, pet lambs and dealing with tangly hair – plus admits that Darcy, the heroine of her new series of books is 100 per cent based on her as a child.Read Laura Dockrill's five top tips for creative writing
John Hegley has been at the Imagine Festival at the Southbank centre in London, reading poems and singing songs. He stopped off to talk to children's site member KrazyKesh
Michael Rosen reads a story from Ten of the Best: School Stories with a Difference. This is the last in a series of five stories shared on Guardian children's books in connection with the Imagine children's festival at the Southbank Centre in London
Cressida Cowell reads her book about Vikings and dragons from her series How to Train your Dragon. This is part four of five stories shared on Guardian children's books in connection with the Imagine children's festival at London's Southbank Centre
Luke Kelly, grandson of Roald Dahl, begins the 50th anniversary year of Charlie and the Chocolate factory, by reading a passage from this classic story. This is part three of a series of five stories shared on Guardian children's books in connection with the Imagine children's festival at London's Southbank centre
Francesca Simon reads one of her Horrid Henry stories, Horrid Henry's Nightmare. This is part two of a series of five stories shared on Guardian children's books in connection with the Imagine children's festival at London's Southbank Centre
Jacqueline Wilson reads a cat and dog story from her new anthology Paws and Whiskers. This is part one of a series of five stories shared on Guardian children's books in connection with the Imagine children's festival at London's Southbank Centre
Susan Cooper, author of The Dark Is Rising series, reads from her new book Ghost Hawk about two boys living at the time of the first European settlement of the USA. She talks about it to Michelle Pauli
Author Jonathan Stroud teamed up with Guardian children's books site members to create a brand new scary story. Listen if you dare …
New York author Rebecca Stead has won the 2013 Guardian Children's fiction prize for her novel Liar & Spy. She answers questions from readers Charlotte Walden and Ginger Galey about the story, school life and being a writer
Marcus Sedgwick reads from his latest adventure story She Is Not Invisible and discusses it with Henry Partridge, a blind teenager from a group that advised Marcus on the story.
SF Said, author of the award-winning book about a cat called Varjak Paw, talks to Michelle Pauli at the Edinburgh Book festival about his new story Phoenix, about an intergalactic battle between humans and aliensIf you want to see more about this epic quest across unexplored territories of the galaxy, watch the trailer filmed by illustrator Dave McKean
Morris Gleitzman talks to Michelle Pauli about the last book in his series about a Jewish boy surviving in second world war Germany and answers questions from site members
Eoin Colfer talks to Michelle Pauli at the Edinburgh international book festival about the first book in his new series WARP: The Reluctant Assasin. It's his first since he ended the Artemis Fowl series and involves time travel, FBI shenanigans and a superbly evil magician villain
Lauren Oliver talks to Michelle Pauli about the third and last book in her Delirium trilogy, Requiem. It is set in a world in which "love is a contagious disease".
Saci Lloyd reads from her latest book, Quantum Drop, and answers questions about stories, characters, science and politics Read an extract from Quantum Drop, discover Saci Lloyd's top 10 political books for teens and find out more about the Teen book club
John Green reads aloud The Fault In Our Stars and answers questions from Guardian teenage readers about the book and his life and writing. This love story for teens about young cancer sufferers does contain some strong language
Annabel Pitcher talks to Michelle Pauli about her new novel for teenagers, Ketchup Clouds, and reads from the opening
Michael Grant, author of the Gone series, in which every person over 14 disappears, leaving a small community of kids in California trapped in a dome-shaped force field, and the BZRK trilogy, about a conspiracy to take over the world using nanotechnology, chats to site member Patrick about how he writes and how he reads Read Patrick's review of Michael Grant's event at the Edinburgh festival
Cornelia Funke, the German prize-winning children's author, visits Salisbury cathedral, which was the inspiration for her latest novel, Ghost Knight. Site member Patrick went to Salisbury to meet her, ask her questions and listen to her read from the book
Children's writer David Almond and illustrator Oliver Jeffers talk to Michelle Pauli about their latest book, The Boy Who Swam With Piranhas, and answer questions from site members
Tanya Byrne's first book is a young adult crime novel about a teenager who is out to get the girl who stabbed her criminal father. It's written in the form of a diary and is the first young adult novel to be shortlisted for a Crime Writers Association prize Read Tanya Byrne's crime fiction choices
As a lifelong Doctor Who fan, author Jenny Colgan grabbed her chance to write a Doctor Who novel, which she called Dark Horizons. She tells children's books site member Patrick about writing a book with 'more violence and less kissing', obeying BBC rules about the Doctor's trousers, and why she called herself JT Colgan Read about Patrick's day at the Edinburgh International Book Festival
Jacqueline Wilson reads from Four Children and It, her follow-up version of E Nesbit's Five Children and It, and answers questions from our children's panel, including why she chose to "reboot" a classic tale. She also confesses that her character Rosalind is based on herself.
Cows-in-Action and Astrosaurs author Steve Cole is interviewed by children's books site member Patrick and talks about getting chased by a herd of sprinting cows and what it's like writing Doctor Who books
Eoin Colfer reads from Artemis Fowl and The Last Guardian, the final book in the series, and answers questions from readers of the Guardian Children's books website about how he is going to fill the Artemis void
Hundreds of children celebrated books and reading at the second annual Pop-Up festival of stories in London last weekend. Catch up on the fun by listening in as Rich Sylvester tells a story about an ant and a peacock cooking
Malorie Blackman reads her story for teenagers The Receiving End, taken from Next, a new anthology of short stories about the afterlife, edited by Keith Gray. Malorie Blackman (@malorieblackman), alongside Jonathan (@JonathanAStroud) and Philip Ardagh (@PhilipArdagh), will be taking part in a Twitter interview at 4pm on Thursday 7 June. Ask a question and follow the interview using the hashtag #nextgdn. Not on Twitter? Email your question (no more than 140 characters, remember!) to childrens.books@guardian.co.uk
Jamila Gavin reads from Tales from India: Stories of Creation and the Cosmos and answers questions from 12-year-old children's books site member Orli the Bookworm. Recorded at this year's Brighton Festival
Norton Juster reads from and talks about his book The Phantom Tollbooth which, first published 50 years ago, is still a favourite for children and adults alikeNorton discusses his 'tastiest word' in the podcast. What's your tastiest word and how does it taste? Email your tastiest words to childrens/books@guardian.co.uk and we'll print your suggestions below
Radio 2 presenter Simon Mayo introduces the geek teenage scientist who is the hero of his new novel for young adults, Itch
The author of Witch Child, Celia Rees, tells Michelle Pauli about her new novel for teens - This Is Not Forgiveness, a political thriller and a twisted romance
Michael Morpurgo, author of War Horse, makes a special promise to the Faultline Fiction reading group from Fendalton school in Christchurch, New Zealand, after hearing about how the city's bookshops and libraries were destroyed
Children's author and former Monty Python comedian Terry Jones answers questions from readers about his children's books.
Kevin Brooks talks to alfietheotter from the Guardian children's books website about his new novel Naked, which features life in a punk band
Michael Morpurgo explains where the idea for writing War Horse came from and why it's so important to remember the suffering of the first world war
Roddy Doyle reads from and talks about his latest book for children, A Greyhound of A Girl, with Michelle Pauli, and answers questions from readers
Jennifer Burville-Riley, 11, reads the poem that has won her the 2011 John Betjeman poetry competition
Lucy Snow goes to Angley School in Cranbrook, Kent, to find out how younger readers take to book-swapping
Jackie Kay talks to children's books site member Luke Shore about her half-Nigerian, half-Scottish upbringing and her work.
Kevin Crossley-Holland talks to Michelle Pauli about his novel Bracelet of Bones, the story of a Viking girl who follows her father down a Russian river to Istanbul
The author of Once, Then, Now and Two Weeks With the Queen, talks about his new book, Too Small to Fail, a funny and exciting tale centred around the banking crisis
Australian writer and illustrator Shaun Tan has won the richest prize in the world for children's books, the Astrid Lindgren prize. Michelle Pauli joined him in Sweden to find out what young Swedish fans think about his work
Caroline Lawrence, well known for the Roman Mysteries series, now turns to the US West for a new historical mystery, and explains the lengths she goes to in the name of research
Gruffalo author Julia Donaldson is the new children's laureate: an ambassador for children's literature for the next two years. She talks to Michelle Pauli and to young readers
Patrick Ness, author of the award-winning Chaos Walking trilogy, reads from his new book, A Monster Calls, talks about its unusual origins, and answers your questions
Andy Stanton reads from his book Mr Gum and the Secret Hideout, reveals what inspired him to create Mr Gum, and answers your questions
Malorie Blackman reads an excerpt from her book Boys Don't Cry, and reveals why she chose to write it from the point of view of a teenage dad
Andrew Cope, author of the Spy Dog series, visits Guardian HQ at Kings Place to tell children about his dog Lara, who gave him the idea for the books Does your pet have a superpower like Spy Dog? Do you wish they did? Email in at childrens.books@guardian.co.uk and let us know what your pet's superpower should be