In the Reading Corner: Recent Episodes
Nikki Gamble
In the Reading Corner is a podcast for anyone interested in children's books and reading. If you are a teacher, librarian, parent, bookseller, publisher, writer or illustrator, there is much to discover In The Reading Corner about topical issues, the latest children's books, writing processes, inspirations and news about your favourite authors.
Nikki Gamble talks to CLiPPA shortlisted poet JonArno Lawson about his co-authored poetry collection (with John Agard) Wise Up! Wise Down!
Jon talks about why writing poetry excites him and his thoughts about performing poetry.
About Wise Up! Wise Down!
How can laughter be more powerful than a sword? Why do days have names but not weeks? And do pigeons ever get a craving for cake? Two friends, internationally acclaimed poets John Agard and JonArno Lawson, take us on an inspiring, hilarious and wonderous journey through poetry, asking questions and attempting answers as they discover that life really is a forever and ever adventure.
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Thank you for listening.
If you enjoyed this podcast, please support us by subscribing to our channel. and by purchasing books from our online bookshop, Bestbooksforschools.com
In the Reading Corner is presented by Nikki Gamble, Director of Just Imagine.
Follow us on Youtube for more author events YouTube.com/@nikkigamble1
For general news and updates: follow us on X @imaginecentre Bluesky https://bsky.app/profile/justimaginecentre.bsky.social Instagram https://www.instagram.com/justimagine_books/
Full details about the range of services we provide can be found on our website www.justimagine.co.uk
In the second of our podcasts with CLiPPA shortlisted poets, Nikki Gamble talks to Brian Bilston about his collection of pet poems, Let Sleeping Cats Lie. Brian talks about why he writes, his thoughts about performing and reflects on whether he intentionally writes for children.
Support the show
Thank you for listening.
If you enjoyed this podcast, please support us by subscribing to our channel. and by purchasing books from our online bookshop, Bestbooksforschools.com
In the Reading Corner is presented by Nikki Gamble, Director of Just Imagine.
Follow us on Youtube for more author events YouTube.com/@nikkigamble1
For general news and updates: follow us on X @imaginecentre Bluesky https://bsky.app/profile/justimaginecentre.bsky.social Instagram https://www.instagram.com/justimagine_books/
Full details about the range of services we provide can be found on our website www.justimagine.co.uk
Nikki Gamble talks to Jan Newbery about her CLiPPa shortlisted collection, Big Red Dragon, and writing verse for very young children and their adults.
Support the show
Thank you for listening.
If you enjoyed this podcast, please support us by subscribing to our channel. and by purchasing books from our online bookshop, Bestbooksforschools.com
In the Reading Corner is presented by Nikki Gamble, Director of Just Imagine.
Follow us on Youtube for more author events YouTube.com/@nikkigamble1
For general news and updates: follow us on X @imaginecentre Bluesky https://bsky.app/profile/justimaginecentre.bsky.social Instagram https://www.instagram.com/justimagine_books/
Full details about the range of services we provide can be found on our website www.justimagine.co.uk
Jenny Downham and Louis Hill are the mother and son writing partners of the YA novel Let the Light In. In this interview, they talk with Nikki Gamble about the discoveries made when writing together. They reflect on the complexities of their book's characters, themes and social context.
Support the show
Thank you for listening.
If you enjoyed this podcast, please support us by subscribing to our channel. and by purchasing books from our online bookshop, Bestbooksforschools.com
In the Reading Corner is presented by Nikki Gamble, Director of Just Imagine.
Follow us on Youtube for more author events YouTube.com/@nikkigamble1
For general news and updates: follow us on X @imaginecentre Bluesky https://bsky.app/profile/justimaginecentre.bsky.social Instagram https://www.instagram.com/justimagine_books/
Full details about the range of services we provide can be found on our website www.justimagine.co.uk
Anders Sparring and Per Gustavsson are the creative duo behind The Pinchers. Originally published in Swedish, the books have been translated into English by Julia Marshall and are published by Gecko Press.
About The Pinchers
The Pinchers is a funny chapter-book crime series about a well-behaved child who doesn’t fit into his family of criminals. It features a prison break, a diamond heist, and a lie that saves the day.
Theo is good at most things. He can almost count to a thousand, knows several French words, and can operate the washing machine. But he can’t lie or steal.
“You must try harder,” says his mother sternly.
The Pincher Family love to steal things. It’s what they are born for! Theo's heart sinks when his parents leave to visit the diamond exhibition. After breaking Grandma out of prison (his little sister needs someone to read her bedtime story), Theo sees no alternative but to stop his parents from stealing the diamond. His shout of “Stop! Police!” brings them only delight—Theo’s lie has shown he is a true Pincher.
A mix of adventure, silliness, and everyday family life, and with bright and funny illustrations, this is a perfect chapter book for beginning and reluctant readers.
Support the show
Thank you for listening.
If you enjoyed this podcast, please support us by subscribing to our channel. And if you are interested in the books we have featured, purchasing from our online bookshop Bestbooksforschools.com
In the Reading Corner is presented by Nikki Gamble, Director of Just Imagine. It is produced by Alison Hughes.
Follow us on Youtube for more author events YouTube.com/@nikkigamble1
For general news and updates, follow us on Twitter @imaginecentre
Full details about the range of services we provide can be found on our website www.justimagine.co.uk
Jeremy Strong's final novel, Fox Goes North, is a beautifully written fable about a brave, loyal and quirky group of friends who travel together in a topsy-turvy caravan on a quest to see the Northern Lights. For the old, wise fox, this will be her final journey and resting place. Full of wisdom and humour, the themes of friendship, love and loss are handled with compassion and understanding.
Jeremy was able to complete what he hoped would be his 'best book' but sadly died before it was published.
In this conversation with Nikki Gamble, he discusses the book's themes, his writing life and his awareness that in this story, he was not only writing Fox's journey but also his own.
Jeremy's legacy is that over 8 million of his books have made it into the hands of young readers and will have opened countless doors into the world of reading.
Support the show
Thank you for listening.
If you enjoyed this podcast, please support us by subscribing to our channel. And if you are interested in the books we have featured, purchasing from our online bookshop Bestbooksforschools.com
In the Reading Corner is presented by Nikki Gamble, Director of Just Imagine. It is produced by Alison Hughes.
Follow us on Youtube for more author events YouTube.com/@nikkigamble1
For general news and updates, follow us on Twitter @imaginecentre
Full details about the range of services we provide can be found on our website www.justimagine.co.uk
In this episode, Elle McNicoll talks to Nikki Gamble about her novel, Keedie, the prequel to her novel, A Kind of Spark, now a BBC television series.
About Keedie
Set in Juniper five years before A Kind of Spark comes a powerful coming-of-age story from award-winning author Elle McNicoll.
As Keedie and her twin Nina approach their fourteenth birthday, they seem to only be growing further apart. Keedie instead feels drawn to, and fiercely protective of, their quiet younger sister Addie – who on the surface is the opposite of loud and fiery Keedie, but in fact they have more in common than anyone knows.
Support the Show.
Thank you for listening.
If you enjoyed this podcast, please support us by subscribing to our channel. And if you are interested in the books we have featured, purchasing from our online bookshop Bestbooksforschools.com
In the Reading Corner is presented by Nikki Gamble, Director of Just Imagine. It is produced by Alison Hughes.
Follow us on Youtube for more author events YouTube.com/@nikkigamble1
For general news and updates, follow us on Twitter @imaginecentre
Full details about the range of services we provide can be found on our website www.justimagine.co.uk
In this episode, Nikki Gamble talks to award-winning poet, novelist, playwright, and literary critic Clare Pollard about her debut children's novel, The Untameables.
About the Untameables
Under the bloody rule of King Arthur – as the cruel Knights of the Round Table wage wars and hunt magical creatures – the ordinary people of Camelot are getting sick. Really sick. Something is poisoning the land. No one in Arthur's court seems to care, but a spark of hope remains... The Holy Grail could save them all, and two children embark on a quest to find it.
Shy, gentle Roan, a young dog keeper who works for the knights, is desperate to find a cure for his mum. He befriends Elva, a generous and outspoken kitchenhand with her own reasons for seeking the elusive Grail. Together, can they beat the knights to find it? And will drinking from it save Roan’s mum?
Clare says, 'Writing The Untameables was the most fun I’ve ever had with a laptop. I’ve always loved Arthurian myth – from Sir Gawain and the Green Knight to the legend of Holy Grail; Morgan le Fay to Questing Beasts – and wanted to subvert and reclaim these tales for contemporary children (including my own), starting from the premise that maybe the knights of the round table were the bad guys. From a cameo by the Lady of Shalott to medieval riddles to solve, this is a love letter to our literary history, whilst – through the perspectives of Roan and Elva, children who work below-stairs at Camelot – it is also an attempt to look at it afresh. I’m so pleased to be with Emma Press for my first children’s novel and to be part of their thoughtful, beautiful list.
Support the Show.
Thank you for listening.
If you enjoyed this podcast, please support us by subscribing to our channel. And if you are interested in the books we have featured, purchasing from our online bookshop Bestbooksforschools.com
In the Reading Corner is presented by Nikki Gamble, Director of Just Imagine. It is produced by Alison Hughes.
Follow us on Youtube for more author events YouTube.com/@nikkigamble1
For general news and updates, follow us on Twitter @imaginecentre
Full details about the range of services we provide can be found on our website www.justimagine.co.uk
Jodie Lancet-Grant is the author of The Pirate Mums and The Marvellous Doctors for Magical Creatures. and The Legend of the Wild West Twins, The Pirate Mums made history as the first book with a two-mum family to be read as a Cbeebies Bedtime Story, when it appeared in 2021, read by Sue Perkins. In her day job, she is Associate Publisher at Bluebird, Pan Macmillan, where she commissions high-profile non-fiction books. Jodie is the chair of judges for the Polari Prize for Children’s Books, which celebrates LGBTQ+ books and creatives. She lives in East London with her wife and their twin daughters.
Support the Show.
Thank you for listening.
If you enjoyed this podcast, please support us by subscribing to our channel. And if you are interested in the books we have featured, purchasing from our online bookshop Bestbooksforschools.com
In the Reading Corner is presented by Nikki Gamble, Director of Just Imagine. It is produced by Alison Hughes.
Follow us on Youtube for more author events YouTube.com/@nikkigamble1
For general news and updates, follow us on Twitter @imaginecentre
Full details about the range of services we provide can be found on our website www.justimagine.co.uk
After training as an actor and working as an English teacher, Lucy published her first novel, The Secret of Nightingale Wood, which won the 2014 Montegrappa First Fiction Prize; further novels, Our Castle by the Sea, The Ghost of Gosswater, and Sisters of the Lost Marsh have been published with critical acclaim. Hilary Mckay called the latter the 'book of the year.'
The Island at the Edge of Night is Lucy's fifth novel.
About The Island at the Edge of Night
Abandoned at a boarding school on a bleak and remote Scottish island, Faye discovers that she and the other pupils have been sent there for doing something wicked. But what has Faye done?
She might be bold enough to explore the prison-like island, but does she have the courage to face a secret deep within herself?
Support the Show.
Thank you for listening.
If you enjoyed this podcast, please support us by subscribing to our channel. And if you are interested in the books we have featured, purchasing from our online bookshop Bestbooksforschools.com
In the Reading Corner is presented by Nikki Gamble, Director of Just Imagine. It is produced by Alison Hughes.
Follow us on Youtube for more author events YouTube.com/@nikkigamble1
For general news and updates, follow us on Twitter @imaginecentre
Full details about the range of services we provide can be found on our website www.justimagine.co.uk
Nikki Gamble talks to science journalist and author Maya Wei-Hass about her recently published book, What A Rock Can Reveal.
The discussion ranges from the creation of volcanic rock to stromatolites, the earliest known form of life on Earth. Maya also makes suggestions for engaging young readers with geology, no matter where they live.
Support the Show.
Thank you for listening.
If you enjoyed this podcast, please support us by subscribing to our channel. And if you are interested in the books we have featured, purchasing from our online bookshop Bestbooksforschools.com
In the Reading Corner is presented by Nikki Gamble, Director of Just Imagine. It is produced by Alison Hughes.
Follow us on Youtube for more author events YouTube.com/@nikkigamble1
For general news and updates, follow us on Twitter @imaginecentre
Full details about the range of services we provide can be found on our website www.justimagine.co.uk
It's 20 years since the publication of Terry Pratchett's The Wee Free Men, the first book in the Tiffany Aching arc within the Discworld series by Terry Pratchett. To celebrate, Terry's daughter Rhianna Pratchett and Gabrielle Kent have produced a handsome gift book, Tiffany Aching's Guide to Being a Witch, stunningly illustrated by Paul Kidby.
Rhianna and Gabrielle joined Nikki Gamble In The Reading Corner to talk about the joint venture.
Support the show
Thank you for listening.
If you enjoyed this podcast, please support us by subscribing to our channel. And if you are interested in the books we have featured, purchasing from our online bookshop Bestbooksforschools.com
In the Reading Corner is presented by Nikki Gamble, Director of Just Imagine. It is produced by Alison Hughes.
Follow us on Youtube for more author events YouTube.com/@nikkigamble1
For general news and updates, follow us on Twitter @imaginecentre
Full details about the range of services we provide can be found on our website www.justimagine.co.uk
Peter Brown is an American writer and illustrator. He is the recipient of the Caldecott Medal for his illustration of Creepy Carrots (written by Aaron Reynolds) and the author-illustrator of picture books Mr Tiger Goes Wild, My Teacher is a Monster, Fred Gets Dressed and The Curious Garden.
His novel series about Roz, the Wild Robot has garnered lots of critical praise and many fans. In this episode, he talks with Nikki Gamble about the third novel in the series, The Wild Robot Protects,
Support the show
Thank you for listening.
If you enjoyed this podcast, please support us by subscribing to our channel. And if you are interested in the books we have featured, purchasing from our online bookshop Bestbooksforschools.com
In the Reading Corner is presented by Nikki Gamble, Director of Just Imagine. It is produced by Alison Hughes.
Follow us on Youtube for more author events YouTube.com/@nikkigamble1
For general news and updates, follow us on Twitter @imaginecentre
Full details about the range of services we provide can be found on our website www.justimagine.co.uk
Rashmi Sirdeshpande is the author of We've Got This! Six Steps to Build Empathy and Miranda McKearney is a founder and director of Empathy Lab. In this episode, they talk about the science behind empathy and ways to develop it with young people.
An extended version of video version of this talk is available on our website.
About We've Got This
We've Got This! Six Steps to Build Your Empathy Superpower, written by Rashmi Sirdeshpande in partnership with EmpathyLab, is the essential empathy handbook for young readers. In just SIX simple steps, readers will be taught how to harness empathy as theirhuman SUPERPOWER, and discover how using this power can change their lives and the world around them for the better. The emotional well-being of children is just as important as their physical health, but it's not something that all children are taught about or are offered support for.
Harnessing empathy and growing their emotional intelligence allows children and young people to develop the resilience to cope with life's ups and downs and understand and experience other people's emotions, feelings and points of view.
Support the show
Thank you for listening.
If you enjoyed this podcast, please support us by subscribing to our channel. And if you are interested in the books we have featured, purchasing from our online bookshop Bestbooksforschools.com
In the Reading Corner is presented by Nikki Gamble, Director of Just Imagine. It is produced by Alison Hughes.
Follow us on Youtube for more author events YouTube.com/@nikkigamble1
For general news and updates, follow us on Twitter @imaginecentre
Full details about the range of services we provide can be found on our website www.justimagine.co.uk
Pippa Funnell is well-known for her equestrian achievements. She's an Olympic medalist and Rolex Grand Slam winner 2003. She is also the author of a series of books for children, Pippa's Pony Tales.
In this episode, Pippa talks to Nikki Gamble about how her love of horses inspired the books and how she hopes the books will encourage children to follow their dreams and be prepared to work hard to achieve them.
Support the show
Thank you for listening.
If you enjoyed this podcast, please support us by subscribing to our channel. And if you are interested in the books we have featured, purchasing from our online bookshop Bestbooksforschools.com
In the Reading Corner is presented by Nikki Gamble, Director of Just Imagine. It is produced by Alison Hughes.
Follow us on Youtube for more author events YouTube.com/@nikkigamble1
For general news and updates, follow us on Twitter @imaginecentre
Full details about the range of services we provide can be found on our website www.justimagine.co.uk
Roland Chambers is a writer, illustrator and storyteller. He is the author of a biography about Arthur Ransome and children's stories, Nelly and the Quest for Captain Peabody and Nelly and the Flight of the Sky Lantern.
His new series, features Billy Shaman - shaman by name and by nature, who embarks on a voyage of self discovery from the museum that was the former home of scientist and explorer, Charles Darwin, It's an exciting adventure, told with wisdom and humour.
In the first adventure of the series, Billy, travel to the Artic Circle, where he meets an Inuit firl Ahnah, a Greek explorer, Pytheas and a powerful shaman, Sedna.
Roland dropped into The Reading Corner to tell Nikki Gamble all about it.
Support the showThank you for listening.
If you enjoyed this podcast, please support us by subscribing to our channel. And if you are interested in the books we have featured, purchasing from our online bookshop Bestbooksforschools.com
In the Reading Corner is presented by Nikki Gamble, Director of Just Imagine. It is produced by Alison Hughes.
Follow us on Youtube for more author events YouTube.com/@nikkigamble1
For general news and updates, follow us on Twitter @imaginecentre
Full details about the range of services we provide can be found on our website www.justimagine.co.uk
Jo Ellen Bogart and Maya Kastelic are the joint creators of the wordless picture book, Anthony and the Gargoyle. In this episodem they talk about their different roles in producing the book.
Jo Ellen Bogart is is a US and Canadian writer of children's books living in Ontario.
Maja Kastelic was born in Slovenia, where she studied painting, philosophy and the theory of visual arts.
About Anthony and the Gargoyle
A boy befriends a baby gargoyle in this magical wordless story from award-winning creators Jo Ellen Bogart and Maja Kastelic. Anthony wakes up one morning to find his favorite rock has cracked open - and it's hollow! He discovers a strange-looking hatchling inside, and the two become fast friends. When Anthony asks his mother where the rock came from, she shows him photos from their trip to Paris, including of Notre-Dame cathedral, with its familiar-looking forms perched on top.
Could Anthony's new friend be a gargoyle?
This magical wordless story is brought to life in stunning, silent, hand-painted panels, and is a touching tale of true friendship and letting go.
Support the showThank you for listening.
If you enjoyed this podcast, please support us by subscribing to our channel. And if you are interested in the books we have featured, purchasing from our online bookshop Bestbooksforschools.com
In the Reading Corner is presented by Nikki Gamble, Director of Just Imagine. It is produced by Alison Hughes.
Follow us on Youtube for more author events YouTube.com/@nikkigamble1
For general news and updates, follow us on Twitter @imaginecentre
Full details about the range of services we provide can be found on our website www.justimagine.co.uk
David Wolstencroft is a screenwriter who has notched up a number of BAFTA awards including one for the TV spy drama Sppoks. He has also written two spy thrillers, Good News, Bad News and Contact Zero.
In this episode Nikki Gamble chatted to David about his debut children;s book, The Magic Hour, a thrilling and pacy magical adventure.
About The Magic Hour
Eleven-year-old Ailsa Craig is always late! To everything - her own birth, school, and even her own house exploding! Although it is certainly better to be late for that than early...
But then one day, Ailsa discovers the secret of a lifetime: An extra hour in the day. The Magic Hour which exists in a fantastical, parallel Edinburgh, accessed at twilight. As she explores this extraordinary place where anything seems possible, Ailsa can't believe her luck.
Her grades improve and life seems to be on the up - even the popular kids start liking her. But messing with time, can have desperate consequences. When Ailsa discovers that the extra time comes at a terrible cost, she must battle the sinister forces at work and save herself, her parents and the world.
Support the showThank you for listening.
If you enjoyed this podcast, please support us by subscribing to our channel. And if you are interested in the books we have featured, purchasing from our online bookshop Bestbooksforschools.com
In the Reading Corner is presented by Nikki Gamble, Director of Just Imagine. It is produced by Alison Hughes.
Follow us on Youtube for more author events YouTube.com/@nikkigamble1
For general news and updates, follow us on Twitter @imaginecentre
Full details about the range of services we provide can be found on our website www.justimagine.co.uk
Mark Bradley is a comics writer and artist who lives in Yorkshire with his family. He grew up reading stories about ghosts and monsters and promptly decided that he preferred them to humans. Having worked for the probation service for many years, he saw first-hand how important emotional literacy is and hopes his debut series will help young readers explore feelings in a fun setting. Bumble and Snug developed out of characters he kept drawing in the margins of other projects until he launched them on his Instagram account (@markbradleyillustration) and found himself with a book deal – something he never even dared to dream was possible.
In this episode, Mark talks to Nikki Gamble about his new comic book Bumble and Snug, which readers can enjoy from around age 5 upwards.
Originally recorded in April 2019
About Bumble and Snug
Best friends Bumble and Snug are Bugbops – little monsters filled with BIG feelings! In this full-colour graphic novel, join them on a funny, imaginative adventure with some VERY angry pirates, learning about the world outside and inside along the way.
Bumble and Snug are going on a big adventure to … have a picnic! But when they accidentally get lost, they’re both cross – is their adventure ruined?
Working together to find their way home, Bumble and Snug come across a pirate treasure horde. But taking treasure that isn’t yours is a good way to get into trouble; sure enough, some VERY angry pirates aren’t far behind.
Bumble and Snug are certain they can replace the treasure and fix things to make everybody happy. But there’s another monstrous obstacle in store – and this one has TENTACLES.
Bumble and Snug and the Angry Pirates is a story about being cross and how to listen, friendship and sandcastles, and one GIANT octopus!
Support the showThank you for listening.
If you enjoyed this podcast, please support us by subscribing to our channel. And if you are interested in the books we have featured, purchasing from our online bookshop Bestbooksforschools.com
In the Reading Corner is presented by Nikki Gamble, Director of Just Imagine. It is produced by Alison Hughes.
Follow us on Youtube for more author events YouTube.com/@nikkigamble1
For general news and updates, follow us on Twitter @imaginecentre
Full details about the range of services we provide can be found on our website www.justimagine.co.uk
Jasmine Richards is an author, editor and entrepreneur. She's the founder of Storymix, a company with a mission to increase the visibility of characters of colour in children's books and to mentor writers of colour in the early stages of their writing careers.
Jasmine's books include Oliver Twisted and The Unmorrow Curse and Oliver Twisted (under the pseudonym J D Sharpe).
Books from the Storymix studio include Aziza and the Fairy Door, Future Heroand Granny Jinx.Jasmine joined Nikki Gamble In the Reading Corner to talk about her career in publishing and her hopes for the future of Storymix.
All books are available from our partner bookseller Best Books for Schools
Support the showThank you for listening.
If you enjoyed this podcast, please support us by subscribing to our channel. And if you are interested in the books we have featured, purchasing from our online bookshop Bestbooksforschools.com
In the Reading Corner is presented by Nikki Gamble, Director of Just Imagine. It is produced by Alison Hughes.
Follow us on Youtube for more author events YouTube.com/@nikkigamble1
For general news and updates, follow us on Twitter @imaginecentre
Full details about the range of services we provide can be found on our website www.justimagine.co.uk
Kwame Alexander is an American poet and author of books for children, including the verse novel The Crossover, which was awarded the Newbery Medal in 2015 and is the basis for a new series from Disney Plus (2023). It is also available in a graphic novel adaptation illustrated by Dawud Anyabwile. Kwame's novels often use sport as a metaphor for the characters' struggles or the books' themes. In Booked, the sport is football, And in his most recent book, The Door of No Return, the main character, Koffi, is learning how to swim,
Kwame's father was an academic and activist in the civil rights movement. And Kwame has written a picture book, Undefeated, celebrating Black History and the extraordinary strength and bravery of those that transcended their circumstances.
Two new books, The Door of No Return and the picturebook Unspoken (published in the US as An American Story), also assert this strength and the refusal to be defined by one aspect of Black History - slavery.
In this episode, Kwame talks with Nikki Gamble about both books and their origins.
About The Door of No Return
Eleven-year-old Kofi Offin has dreams of water, of its urgent whisper that beckons with promises and secrets. He has heard the call on the banks of Upper Kwanta, where he lives.
He loves these things above all else: his family, the fireside tales of his father's father, a girl named Ama, and, of course, swimming. But when the unthinkable - a sudden death - occurs during a festival between rival villages, Kofi ends up in a fight for his life. What happens next will send him on a harrowing journey across land and sea, and away from everything he loves.
Yet Kofi's dreams may be the key to his freedom...
About Unspoken
How do you tell a story that starts in Africa and ends in horror? About strength and pride and refusing to be broken? One that still hurts and still loves?A powerfully moving, poetic exploration of the story of slavery: from Africa to the tall ships, from back-breaking work in a strange land to resilience and eventual emancipation, Kwame Alexander tells the story that's hard to hear. Told through the lens of a teacher speaking to their young pupils, and in multiple art styles from award-winning artist and sculptor Dare Coulter,
Literary Guise Podcast: A Book Club for Modern Men
A cocktail-infused book podcast, examining positive and toxic portrayals of masculinity.
Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify
Support the showThank you for listening.
If you enjoyed this podcast, please support us by subscribing to our channel. And if you are interested in the books we have featured, purchasing from our online bookshop Bestbooksforschools.com
In the Reading Corner is presented by Nikki Gamble, Director of Just Imagine. It is produced by Alison Hughes.
Follow us on Youtube for more author events YouTube.com/@nikkigamble1
For general news and updates, follow us on Twitter @imaginecentre
Full details about the range of services we provide can be found on our website www.justimagine.co.uk
Mariajo Illustrajo is a Spanish designer, printmaker and illustrator living in the UK. After studying at the art school in Madrid, she moved to Bath, where she completed a degree in Graphic Communication. Later she graduated from the Cambridge School of Art at Anglia Ruskin University with an MA in Children's Book Illustration. In 2020 she was the overall winner of the World Illustration Awards.
To date, Mariajo has produced two children's books: Flooded and Lost, published by Frances Lincoln.
In this episode, she joined Nikki Gamble to talk about her journey to children's book illustration and how her picturebooks were conceived.
About Flooded
Flooded is a funny and beautifully illustrated tale of animals living in a city that is slowly flooding. The flood comes gradually at first. All the animals ignore the obvious and go about their busy lives, disjointed from one another and preoccupied with their own problems.
Eventually, the flood water reaches a height they can no longer ignore, and they must work together to save their city. All the animals join together in a line and pull out the plug drowning the city. This exceptionally illustrated story teaches a message not to let problems fester, and with a little teamwork and community spirit, no problem is insurmountable.
About Lost
Lost is the story of a polar bear who finds himself lost and alone in the big, cold city until a young girl takes him under her wing, showing him that there is love, friendship, and help to be found even in the loneliest of places...
Support the showThank you for listening.
If you enjoyed this podcast, please support us by subscribing to our channel. And if you are interested in the books we have featured, purchasing from our online bookshop Bestbooksforschools.com
In the Reading Corner is presented by Nikki Gamble, Director of Just Imagine. It is produced by Alison Hughes.
Follow us on Youtube for more author events YouTube.com/@nikkigamble1
For general news and updates, follow us on Twitter @imaginecentre
Full details about the range of services we provide can be found on our website www.justimagine.co.uk
Shirley Marr is a Chinese-Australian author who migrated from Singapore with her family in the 1980s. Her novel, A Glasshouse of Stars, which won the Children's Book Council of Australia Award, is based on this early experience. It was nominated in the UK for Cilip Carnegie Medal.
Her latest novel, All Four Quarters of the Moon, also draws on this early childhood experience but focuses on the relationship of two young sisters and the comfort they find in each other's company, storytelling and imaginative play.
Shirley joined Nikki Gamble, In the Reading Corner to talk about the book, her personal experiences and the line between fact and fiction.
About All Four Quarters of the Moon
Everything so far, if Peijing had to sum it up, was a string of small awkward experiences that she hoped would end soon. The night of the Mid-Autumn festival, making mooncakes with Ah-Ma, was the last time Peijing remembers her life being the same. Now facing a new home, a new school and a new language, everything is different.
Peijing thinks everything is going to turn out okay as long as they all have each other. But cracks are starting to appear in the family. Biju, lovable but annoying, needs Peijing to be the dependable big sister.
Ah-Ma keeps forgetting who she is, and Ma Ma and Ba Ba are no longer themselves. Peijing has no idea how she's supposed to cope with the uncertainties of her own world while shouldering the burden of everyone else. If her family are the four quarters of the mooncake, where does she even fit in?
Support the showThank you for listening.
If you enjoyed this podcast, please support us by subscribing to our channel. And if you are interested in the books we have featured, purchasing from our online bookshop Bestbooksforschools.com
In the Reading Corner is presented by Nikki Gamble, Director of Just Imagine. It is produced by Alison Hughes.
Follow us on Youtube for more author events YouTube.com/@nikkigamble1
For general news and updates, follow us on Twitter @imaginecentre
Full details about the range of services we provide can be found on our website www.justimagine.co.uk
Deborah Ellis works as a mental health residential counsellor in Toronto. She is the winner of the Governor General's Award in Canada (equivalent to the Carnegie Medal) for her first novel Looking for X.
She was raised in Paris, Ontario, and from the time she was 17, she has been a political activist advocating non-violence. After high school, she went to Toronto and worked in the Peace Movement. Later she got involved in the Women's Movement, focusing on women's rights and economic justice.
Deborah has spent much time in Pakistan, in Afghan refugee camps, talking to women and documenting their lives under 20 years of war. Her main engagement continues to be anti-war politics.
Deborah has written four novels about a 12-year-old girl, Parvanna, living under Taliban rule in Afghanistan and the challenges that she and her family face. The fourth book, My Name is Parvanna, is set against the American invasion and is a period of cautious hope.
Since the American withdrawal and the subsequent takeover of Afghanistan by the Taliban, Deborah has been compelled to write a fifth novel about Parvanna, One More Mountain. She joins Nikki Gamble In the Reading Corner to tell us more about it and her involvement with the women and children of Afghanistan.
About One More Mountain
It's 2021, and the Taliban have regained power in Afghanistan. Parvana and Shauzia, the brave protagonists of The Breadwinner, must now flee to escape new dangers from an old enemy. It has been 20 years since Parvana and Shauzia had to disguise themselves as boys to support themselves and their families.
But when the Taliban were defeated in 2001, it looked as if Afghans could finally rebuild their country. Many things have changed for Parvana since then. She has married Asif, who she met in the desert as she searched for her family when she was a child.
She runs a school for girls. She has a son, Rafi, who is about to fly to New York, where he will train to become a dancer. While Asif tries to get Parvana's sister, Maryam, and Rafi on one of the last flights out of Kabul, the Taliban come to the school, and Parvana must lead the girls out of Green Valley and into the mountains.
Support the showThank you for listening.
If you enjoyed this podcast, please support us by subscribing to our channel. And if you are interested in the books we have featured, purchasing from our online bookshop Bestbooksforschools.com
In the Reading Corner is presented by Nikki Gamble, Director of Just Imagine. It is produced by Alison Hughes.
Follow us on Youtube for more author events YouTube.com/@nikkigamble1
For general news and updates, follow us on Twitter @imaginecentre
Full details about the range of services we provide can be found on our website www.justimagine.co.uk
Abi Elphinstone is a writer of children's fantasy stories, including The Dream Snatcher, Sky Song and Rumblestar. She has also written picturebooks, The Snow Dragon and the Frost Goblin. Many of Abi's stories are set in magical cold places, inspired by growing up in the North of Scotland. This is true of her latest book, Saving Neverland, which reimagines J M Barrie's Peter Pan for the 21st century.
About Saving Neverland
Number 14 Darlington Road, looks like a perfectly ordinary townhouse - at first glance, anyway, but magic is good at hiding . . . when it's waiting for the right person to discover it . . .
Martha Pennydrop is ten, and desperate to grow up. But growing up is a tricky business. It means turning your back on imagination, fun and magic, because those were the things that led to the Terrible Day when something awful nearly happened to Martha's younger brother, Scruff, which would have been All Her Fault.
But when Martha and Scruff discover a drawer full of mysterious gold dust in the bedroom of their new house - along with a window that's seemingly impossible to close - it's the start of an incredible adventure to a magical world: Neverland! The Pennydrop's new house used to belong to another family - the Darlings - who once visited this world themselves. Now Peter Pan is back, and in need of their help. Neverland is in the icy grip of a terrible curse - cast long ago by Captain Hook.
And only Martha and Scruff can save it . . .
A reluctant Martha and excited Scruff are swept off to Neverland and into the company of the Lost Kids. But when Scruff is kidnapped, Martha must rediscover all the imagination, magic and belief she has buried deep inside herself for so long, to save him - and Neverland itself.
Support the showThank you for listening.
If you enjoyed this podcast, please support us by subscribing to our channel. And if you are interested in the books we have featured, purchasing from our online bookshop Bestbooksforschools.com
In the Reading Corner is presented by Nikki Gamble, Director of Just Imagine. It is produced by Alison Hughes.
Follow us on Youtube for more author events YouTube.com/@nikkigamble1
For general news and updates, follow us on Twitter @imaginecentre
Full details about the range of services we provide can be found on our website www.justimagine.co.uk
Neuroscientist and Holocaust survivor, Peter Lantos, has written a children's book about his childhood experience of being sent, aged 5 years old, with his family from Hungary to Bergen Belsen. In this episode, he talks to Nikki Gamble about his reasons for writing a children's book and his experiences, as well as his hopes for future generations.
About The Boy Who Didn't Want to Die
A story of survival - and of enduring hope in the face of unspeakable hardship - on an extraordinary journey, made by Peter, a boy of five, through war-torn Europe in 1944 and 45. Peter soon realises that this new adventure is really a nightmare, watching bombs falling from the blue sky outside Vienna, and learning maths from his mother in Belsen.
Support the showThank you for listening.
If you enjoyed this podcast, please support us by subscribing to our channel. And if you are interested in the books we have featured, purchasing from our online bookshop Bestbooksforschools.com
In the Reading Corner is presented by Nikki Gamble, Director of Just Imagine. It is produced by Alison Hughes.
Follow us on Youtube for more author events YouTube.com/@nikkigamble1
For general news and updates, follow us on Twitter @imaginecentre
Full details about the range of services we provide can be found on our website www.justimagine.co.uk
Berlie Doherty is one of our foremost fiction writers for children and young adults. She is a double recipient of the Carnegie Medal with her novels Granny was a Buffer Girl (1986) and Dear Nobody (1991). She is also the author of the popular middle-grade novel Street Child and its sequel, Far From Home, which are read extensively in primary schools.
Berlie has written many more books for children and teenagers, from picture books, young fiction, retellings of fairy stories and Bible stories, and YA novels.
Her most recent book, The Haunted Hills is published by UCLan. Berlie returns to her Derbyshire home for the setting of this evocative ghost story.
In this episode, she talks to Nikki Gamble about the importance of music and landscape in her stories and the paradox of finding beauty in derelict places.
About The Haunted Hills
When Carl visits the Peak District with his parents to try and recover from the fallout of a horrific accident, he becomes caught up in the mysterious tale of the Lost Lad. Are the hills actually haunted or is Carl being chased by his own demons? As past and present collide, Carl must learn to come to terms with the loss of his best friend, Jack and find a way to move on.
Support the showThank you for listening.
If you enjoyed this podcast, please support us by subscribing to our channel. And if you are interested in the books we have featured, purchasing from our online bookshop Bestbooksforschools.com
In the Reading Corner is presented by Nikki Gamble, Director of Just Imagine. It is produced by Alison Hughes.
Follow us on Youtube for more author events YouTube.com/@nikkigamble1
For general news and updates, follow us on Twitter @imaginecentre
Full details about the range of services we provide can be found on our website www.justimagine.co.uk
Emily Gravett achieved instant success with the publication of her debut picture book, Wolves - a university project that was awarded the Macmillan Prize and was published by Macmillan Children's Books. It won the Kate Greenaway Medal in 2005.
Since then, Emily has produced many well-loved picture books, includingLittle Mouse's Big Book of Fears, Meerkat Mail, The Odd Egg, Monkey and Me, Tidy and Too Much Stuff.She has also illustrated novels for A F Harrold, Nick Lake and Matt Haig. And a prestigious illustrated edition of Quidditch Through the Ages.
Nikki Gamble invited Emily to join her In The Reading Corner to talk about some recent work , including her latest picture book for young children, 10 Cats
Thank you for listening.
If you enjoyed this podcast, please support us by subscribing to our channel. And if you are interested in the books we have featured, purchasing from our online bookshop Bestbooksforschools.com
In the Reading Corner is presented by Nikki Gamble, Director of Just Imagine. It is produced by Alison Hughes.
Follow us on Youtube for more author events YouTube.com/@nikkigamble1
For general news and updates, follow us on Twitter @imaginecentre
Full details about the range of services we provide can be found on our website www.justimagine.co.uk
Neurodivergent teenager, Libby Scott tells us how she came to be a published author and her partnership with author Rebecca Westcott.
Libby and Rebecca talk about co-authoring, the importance of own voices literature and their latest book All the Pieces of Me.
About All the Pieces of Me
Year 9 can be tough for everyone, but for Tally, it feels even tougher. Make-up, boys, social media, GCSE prep - why is everything starting to feel so different? Tally has always known that being autistic means some things are harder for her than other people. But becoming a teenager has left Tally feeling like she has no idea who she is anymore.
Thank you for listening.
If you enjoyed this podcast, please support us by subscribing to our channel. And if you are interested in the books we have featured, purchasing from our online bookshop Bestbooksforschools.com
In the Reading Corner is presented by Nikki Gamble, Director of Just Imagine. It is produced by Alison Hughes.
Follow us on Youtube for more author events YouTube.com/@nikkigamble1
For general news and updates, follow us on Twitter @imaginecentre
Full details about the range of services we provide can be found on our website www.justimagine.co.uk
Kelly Yang is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Front desk series, two YA novels and a non-fiction book about the Chinese American experience.
in 2019, she was awarded the Asian Pacific American Award for Literature and the Parents; Choice Gold Medal, along with several other accolades.
Kelly immigrated to America when she was 6 years old and grew up in Southern California, where she and her parents worked in three motels. She eventually left the motels and went to college at the age of 13 and law school at the age of 17. She is a graduate of UC Berkeley, where she majored in Political Science, and Harvard Law School
She is the founder of The Kelly Yang Project, a writing and public speaking project for children based in Hong Kong,
Kelly joined Nikki Gamble In The Reading Corner to talk about fiction as a powerful vehicle for writing about life and to offer some reflections on the Chinese American immigration experience. She also talked about Key Player, her most recent novel in the Front Desk series.
About Key Player
MIA TANG IS PLAYING TO WIN!
The Women's World Cup is coming to California, and everyone has football fever - especially Mia! But when her PE teacher gives her a C, Mia has to pull up her grade by scoring interviews with the championship teams. It's not so easy when... 1.
The two teams are hunkered down in secret hotels in Pasadena and not taking any media requests. 2. Mr Yao is back at the motel- as a co-owner! Jason is sure his dad deserves a second chance.
Mia is not so sure. 3. Mia's parents are trying to buy a house of their own, which turns out to be a LOT harder than they thought! As Mia aims for her goals, she'll have to face strikers from all corners and her own fears.
But if anyone can find a way to win big, it's Mia Tang. The fourth book in the FRONT DESK series - following Mia Tang as she plays to win!v
Thank you for listening.
If you enjoyed this podcast, please support us by subscribing to our channel. And if you are interested in the books we have featured, purchasing from our online bookshop Bestbooksforschools.com
In the Reading Corner is presented by Nikki Gamble, Director of Just Imagine. It is produced by Alison Hughes.
Follow us on Youtube for more author events YouTube.com/@nikkigamble1
For general news and updates, follow us on Twitter @imaginecentre
Full details about the range of services we provide can be found on our website www.justimagine.co.uk
David Atherton is a food writer and presenter. In 2019, he won The Great British Bake Off on Channel 4 and has since been featured on Steph’s Packed Lunch, ITV’s Good Morning Britain, and the BBC’s Blue Peter. In 2022, David partnered with the North York Moors National Park for a series of four short travelogues exploring the region as the “capital of cakes”.
In 2020, David released the first in a series of three cookbooks aimed at children – My First Cook Book (2020) this was followed by My First Green Cook Book (2021)
In this episode, he talks to Nikki Gamble about his most recent children's book, My First Baking Book.
About My First Baking Book
A beautifully illustrated collection of baking recipes for first cooks written by the 2019 winner of The Great British Bake Off.
Learn how to bake breads, cakes, pastries and biscuits to perfection in this imaginative collection of deliciously healthy recipes. Featuring easy-to-follow, beautifully illustrated step-by-step instructions, and a wealth of classic and creative bakes, this first baking book is jam-packed with inspiring content and has everything budding bakers need to take their first steps to baking glory!
Thank you for listening.
If you enjoyed this podcast, please support us by subscribing to our channel. And if you are interested in the books we have featured, purchasing from our online bookshop Bestbooksforschools.com
In the Reading Corner is presented by Nikki Gamble, Director of Just Imagine. It is produced by Alison Hughes.
Follow us on Youtube for more author events YouTube.com/@nikkigamble1
For general news and updates, follow us on Twitter @imaginecentre
Full details about the range of services we provide can be found on our website www.justimagine.co.uk
Peter Kalu is a poet, fiction writer and playwright. He was a member of
Manchester, UK’s Moss Side Write black writers workshop and has had nine novels, two film scripts and three theatre plays produced to date.
With writers Melvin Burgess and Tariq Mahmood, Peter has written one story in what will be a triptych of novels set in a dystopian near future England ruled by white supremacists.
Peter talked to Nikki Gamble about the triptych and his novel, One Drop.
About One Drop
n war-torn Britain, inseparable Black Radicals Axel and Dune are arrested. With SIMs implanted in their heads, they are placed in a prison camp for those who defy the Bloods' white supremacist government. The SIMs brainwash them with the Bloods' evil philosophy, and drones constantly monitor their movements and thoughts.
In this living nightmare, the couple battle to keep their love alive and to break free. The odds of survival are long. Dune and Axel have very different takes on how to escape.
But when things come to a head, will their love hold them together and set them free, or will it tear them apart?
Thank you for listening.
If you enjoyed this podcast, please support us by subscribing to our channel. And if you are interested in the books we have featured, purchasing from our online bookshop Bestbooksforschools.com
In the Reading Corner is presented by Nikki Gamble, Director of Just Imagine. It is produced by Alison Hughes.
Follow us on Youtube for more author events YouTube.com/@nikkigamble1
For general news and updates, follow us on Twitter @imaginecentre
Full details about the range of services we provide can be found on our website www.justimagine.co.uk
Kandace Chimbiri (writing as K.N. Chimbiri) started as a self-published author.
She didn’t grow up wanting to be a writer. However, she was greatly disturbed by the lack of diversity in children’s books, particularly in Black history. In 2009, Kandace set up her own one-woman publishing house to address this inequity. Over the next decade, she researched, wrote, published and distributed four Black history books for children from her spare bedroom.
She has also worked with museums on children’s trails, workshops, outreach projects and tours. In 2013 she was part of the community committee for the Origins of the Afro Comb, 6,000 Years Of Art and Culture exhibition at the Fitzwilliam Museum in Cambridge.
In 2020 Kandace signed a three-book deal with Scholastic, which included a reprint of The Story of Windrush.
Kandace joined Nikki Gamble to talk about her experience as a publisher and writer - and to explain the background to her most recent book, The Story of Britain's Black Airmen.
About The Story of Britain's Black Airmen
Explore the fascinating, rarely-heard stories of Black airmen during the First and Second World Wars. The Story of Britain's Black Airmen celebrates the inspiring contributions of people of African descent to British aviation. From pilots to ground crew, and with tales from across the globe, the story of Britain's Black airmen is an important part of the history of flying.
By aiming for the skies, many helped bring about changes that are still making our world a better place. Includes inspirational key figures such as Cy Grant, Errol Barrow, Sam King and John Henry Smythe With full-colour illustration by Grenadian illustrator Elizabeth Lander
Thank you for listening.
If you enjoyed this podcast, please support us by subscribing to our channel. And if you are interested in the books we have featured, purchasing from our online bookshop Bestbooksforschools.com
In the Reading Corner is presented by Nikki Gamble, Director of Just Imagine. It is produced by Alison Hughes.
Follow us on Youtube for more author events YouTube.com/@nikkigamble1
For general news and updates, follow us on Twitter @imaginecentre
Full details about the range of services we provide can be found on our website www.justimagine.co.uk
Newcastle-born author, Malcolm Duffy, has a background in advertising. And has won numerous awards for copy, press, TV and radio. He worked for Comic Relief as Creative Director where he created campaigns for Red Nose Day and Sport Relief.
He has written three novels for young people. His debut novel Me Mam. Me Dad. ME. dealt with the subject of domestic abuse and won several awards including Sheffield Children's Book Award, Redbridge Children's Book Award and was a World Book Night title for 2019.
This was followed by the equally successful Sofa Surfer, a story which brought homelessness to the foreground.
In this episode, Malcolm talks to Nikki Gamble about his third novel, Read Between the Lies.
About Read Between the Lies
Two very different boys, one new family, a shared struggle and a big secret. Tommy is talented, cool, a young offender, and dyslexic. Ryan is smart, uncool, well-behaved, and dyslexic.
The two develop an unlikely friendship. As Ryan helps Tommy to read, a secret is revealed that will change their lives forever. Prize-winning Malcolm Duffy's third novel explores the joys and challenges of dyslexia in a story full of his hallmark heart and humour.
Thank you for listening.
If you enjoyed this podcast, please support us by subscribing to our channel. And if you are interested in the books we have featured, purchasing from our online bookshop Bestbooksforschools.com
In the Reading Corner is presented by Nikki Gamble, Director of Just Imagine. It is produced by Alison Hughes.
Follow us on Youtube for more author events YouTube.com/@nikkigamble1
For general news and updates, follow us on Twitter @imaginecentre
Full details about the range of services we provide can be found on our website www.justimagine.co.uk
Greg Jenner is a public historian specialising in public engagement. He's an author and award-winning podcaster.
His smash hit podcast 'You're Dead to Me' pairs up top comedians with top historians to deliver funny, fascinating summaries of the most interesting subjects from global history.
He has worked on the Horrible Histories and Corpse Talk the animated show based on the graphic novels by Adam and Lisa Murphy.
Greg's latest children's book, You Are History is published by Walker Books.
In this episode, Greg talks to Nikki Gamble about history, humour, everyday objects and the importance of reading.
About You Are History
From the alarm clock to the toilet, discover the incredible history all around you in this hilarious and fascinating book from popular historian and podcaster Greg Jenner. Thought history was only in museums? Think again! Join Greg Jenner as he takes you on a trip through the amazing history hidden in the things you use every day. Did you know that the first TV was made out of biscuit tins and knitting needles? Or that the humble paperclip helped lead an anti-war movement? Or that a few hundred years ago it was fashionable to style your hair with cat poo?! Find out the delightful, daft and downright deadly history of your everyday life that your teachers won't tell you about.
Bursting with humorous illustrations and entertaining true stories, this is history - but not as you know it!
Thank you for listening.
If you enjoyed this podcast, please support us by subscribing to our channel. And if you are interested in the books we have featured, purchasing from our online bookshop Bestbooksforschools.com
In the Reading Corner is presented by Nikki Gamble, Director of Just Imagine. It is produced by Alison Hughes.
Follow us on Youtube for more author events YouTube.com/@nikkigamble1
For general news and updates, follow us on Twitter @imaginecentre
Full details about the range of services we provide can be found on our website www.justimagine.co.uk
Nyanda Foday was Birmingham's Young Poet Laureate 2016-2018, and is inspired by the impact that words can have to create, unite, explain and enjoy. She strives to connect with others where she can by sharing and listening to others’ work.
Joelle Avelino is a Congolese and Angolan illustrator and animator. She graduated from the University Of Hertfordshire in 2012 with a BA (Hons) in Illustration with Marketing. She has worked with many clients, including; BBC, Malala Fund, Elle Magazine, The Guardian and Google's Women Tech Makers
Nyanda and Joelle joined Nikki #InTheReadingCorner to talk about the power of books, the importance of finding yourself in a book and their book, Bookworms.
About Bookworms
What does a book mean to those who search for acceptance and understanding? A place to find friends, feel part of a family, or to be your true self. A good book takes you to new worlds, the right one shows you can exist in this one.
Nyanda Foday was Birmingham's Young Poet Laureate 2016-2018, and is inspired by the impact that words can have to create, unite, explain and enjoy. She strives to connect with others where she can by sharing and listening to others’ work.
Joelle Avelino is a Congolese and Angolan illustrator and animator. She graduated from the University Of Hertfordshire in 2012 with a BA (Hons) in Illustration with Marketing. She has worked with many clients, including; BBC, Malala Fund, Elle Magazine, The Guardian and Google's Women Tech Makers
Nyanda and Joelle joined Nikki #InTheReadingCorner to talk about the power of books, the importance of finding yourself in a book and their book, Bookworms.
About Bookworms
What does a book mean to those who search for acceptance and understanding? A place to find friends, feel part of a family, or to be your true self. A good book takes you to new worlds, the right one shows you can exist in this one.
Scottish author Juliette Forrest is the award-winning author of Twister, The True Colours of Coral Glen and The Night My Dream Came AliveTwister was a Sunday Times Book of the Week and chosen by The Guardian as the one must-read kid’s book of the summer. It was longlisted for the Branford Boase Award and won Calderdale Book of the Year.
The True Colours of Coral Glen was picked by the Evening Times as a best book of 2020 by a Glasgow author.
Juliette says, 'I write children’s fiction featuring quirky female lead characters with strong voices. Packed with adventure, my stories combine gritty reality with magic. I love imagining new worlds as well as unforgettable baddies.'In this episode. she talks to Nikki Gamble about The Mountain Rescue Dog, a story inspired by the true history of the pioneer of mountain rescue.
About The Mountain Rescue Dog
A young girl heals from grief and loss in the snowy Highlands of Scotland, with the help of her loyal, trusting rescue dog. Clova's life changes forever when her mother, who was a search and rescue volunteer, dies tragically in an avalanche. Her grieving father withdraws and life at home feels lonely, until the day she meets Border Collie Tatty, a shy and frightened dog who Clova helps make bright-eyed and boisterous again.
She begins to train Tatty as a search-and-rescue dog and when two local boys go missing on the moor, Tatty and Clova spring into action to track them down and save the day. But Dad is furious when he finds out Clova has been on the mountain, and sends Tatty away. Clova is heartbroken.
On the first day of spring, the sudden rise in temperature after a cold snap and heavy snow causes an avalanche on the mountain - and Clova's dad is up there! The Search and Rescue team - plus Clova and Tatty - scramble onto a helicopter for a dangerous rescue mission in the growing dark - can they find Dad and save the day?
Scottish author Juliette Forrest is the award-winning author of Twister, The True Colours of Coral Glen and The Night My Dream Came AliveTwister was a Sunday Times Book of the Week and chosen by The Guardian as the one must-read kid’s book of the summer. It was longlisted for the Branford Boase Award and won Calderdale Book of the Year.
The True Colours of Coral Glen was picked by the Evening Times as a best book of 2020 by a Glasgow author.
Juliette says, 'I write children’s fiction featuring quirky female lead characters with strong voices. Packed with adventure, my stories combine gritty reality with magic. I love imagining new worlds as well as unforgettable baddies.'In this episode. she talks to Nikki Gamble about The Mountain Rescue Dog, a story inspired by the true history of the pioneer of mountain rescue.
About The Mountain Rescue Dog
A young girl heals from grief and loss in the snowy Highlands of Scotland, with the help of her loyal, trusting rescue dog. Clova's life changes forever when her mother, who was a search and rescue volunteer, dies tragically in an avalanche. Her grieving father withdraws and life at home feels lonely, until the day she meets Border Collie Tatty, a shy and frightened dog who Clova helps make bright-eyed and boisterous again.
She begins to train Tatty as a search-and-rescue dog and when two local boys go missing on the moor, Tatty and Clova spring into action to track them down and save the day. But Dad is furious when he finds out Clova has been on the mountain, and sends Tatty away. Clova is heartbroken.
On the first day of spring, the sudden rise in temperature after a cold snap and heavy snow causes an avalanche on the mountain - and Clova's dad is up there! The Search and Rescue team - plus Clova and Tatty - scramble onto a helicopter for a dangerous rescue mission in the growing dark - can they find Dad and save the day?
Philip Ardagh is one of the funniest children's writers, and Ben Mantle is a well-loved illustrator. The combination of talents produced the explosively hilarious Bunnies on the Bus, which provided a much-needed laugh for children and families during lockdown. Now they have produced another riotous story, Bunnies in a Boat, so it was a huge pleasure to invite them both to The Reading Corner.
About Bunnies in a Boat.
!The bunnies are back! And this time, they've commandeered a BOAT! Watch out, Sunnytown beach, the Bunnies are dashing and a-splashing on a speedboat frenzy.
They whoosh past the sailboats, and zoooom across the sand, then it's up onto the jetty where silly billy Bunnies get all covered in spaghetti! But watch out, oh no, where are the bunnies off to now? To the airport, across the tarmac ... it's bunnies on the PLANE. Here we go again...
Sophie McKenzie is the undisputed queen of the teen thriller. After being made redundant from her job in 2003, she started a year-long 'Writing for Children course' at the CityLit Institute in London. She finished her first novel, Girl Missing at the beginning of 2005, it was then published by Simon & Schuster Children's Books in 2006.
Sophie joined Nikki Gamble In the Reading Corner to talk about her thriller Truth or Dare.
About Truth or Dare
When lies are everywhere, how far will you go for the truth? A tense eco-drama with an explosive twist from the million-copy-selling author of Girl, Missing. Fourteen-year-old Maya cannot believe she has to spend the summer with her grandmother, helping out at the family cosmetics firm. But things get much more exciting when she meets a community of activists campaigning against the dumping of chemical waste.
Getting closer to one boy in particular, Bear, Maya is dared into joining one of their protest missions but doesn't know that her grandmother's business is the target. Someone has been lying about their environmentally-friendly products, and as danger threatens, Maya must uncover the truth or betray her family forever. In this edge-of-your-seat drama exploring the line between truth and lies,
Philip Ardagh is one of the funniest children's writers, and Ben Mantle is a well-loved illustrator. The combination of talents produced the explosively hilarious Bunnies on the Bus, which provided a much-needed laugh for children and families during lockdown. Now they have produced another riotous story, Bunnies in a Boat, so it was a huge pleasure to invite them both to The Reading Corner.
About Bunnies in a Boat.
!The bunnies are back! And this time, they've commandeered a BOAT! Watch out, Sunnytown beach, the Bunnies are dashing and a-splashing on a speedboat frenzy.
They whoosh past the sailboats, and zoooom across the sand, then it's up onto the jetty where silly billy Bunnies get all covered in spaghetti! But watch out, oh no, where are the bunnies off to now? To the airport, across the tarmac ... it's bunnies on the PLANE. Here we go again...
Sophie McKenzie is the undisputed queen of the teen thriller. After being made redundant from her job in 2003, she started a year-long 'Writing for Children course' at the CityLit Institute in London. She finished her first novel, Girl Missing at the beginning of 2005, it was then published by Simon & Schuster Children's Books in 2006.
Sophie joined Nikki Gamble In the Reading Corner to talk about her thriller Truth or Dare.
About Truth or Dare
When lies are everywhere, how far will you go for the truth? A tense eco-drama with an explosive twist from the million-copy-selling author of Girl, Missing. Fourteen-year-old Maya cannot believe she has to spend the summer with her grandmother, helping out at the family cosmetics firm. But things get much more exciting when she meets a community of activists campaigning against the dumping of chemical waste.
Getting closer to one boy in particular, Bear, Maya is dared into joining one of their protest missions but doesn't know that her grandmother's business is the target. Someone has been lying about their environmentally-friendly products, and as danger threatens, Maya must uncover the truth or betray her family forever. In this edge-of-your-seat drama exploring the line between truth and lies,
A. M. Dassu is an English writer of fiction and non-fiction. In 2017, Dassu won the international We Need Diverse Books mentorship award. Her bestselling debut novel, Boy Everywhere, was published in October 2020 and was shortlisted for the 2021 Waterstone's Children's Books Prize. Anne-Marie talks about the book in a previous episode of In The Reading Corner.
In this episode, she talks with Nikki Gamble about her latest novel, Fight Back.About Fight Back
When a terrorist attack occurs near her home and racial tension increases, Aaliyah decides to begin wearing a hijab to challenge people's preconceptions of her faith. Aaliyah has to channel all her bravery and resourcefulness to halt the tide of hatred rippling through her community.
A story about finding your identity and fighting for it.
A. M. Dassu is an English writer of fiction and non-fiction. In 2017, Dassu won the international We Need Diverse Books mentorship award. Her bestselling debut novel, Boy Everywhere, was published in October 2020 and was shortlisted for the 2021 Waterstone's Children's Books Prize. Anne-Marie talks about the book in a previous episode of In The Reading Corner.
In this episode, she talks with Nikki Gamble about her latest novel, Fight Back.About Fight Back
When a terrorist attack occurs near her home and racial tension increases, Aaliyah decides to begin wearing a hijab to challenge people's preconceptions of her faith. Aaliyah has to channel all her bravery and resourcefulness to halt the tide of hatred rippling through her community.
A story about finding your identity and fighting for it.
Frances Hardinge is a British novelist whose debut novel, Fly by Night, won the Branford Boase Award in 2006 ( awarded to the writer and editor of the best debut children's novel).
In 2015 she won the 2015 Costa Book Award for her novel The Lie Tree, the first time a children's book was awarded the overall category since Philip Pullman's The Amber Spyglass in 2001.
Her latest novel, Unraveller, is an otherworldly story of curse making and breaking (the unravelling of the title). Reviewing the book for Just Imagine, Martin Galway writes:
'It’s a dark novel of dark themes and dark places. It explores the tensions of what it means to be human. It explores what it means to be no-longer-human or never human. It’s in these tensions, and in the complexity of feelings of those that straddle the human/inhuman divide that the book offers the most satisfying food for thought.'
Frances joined Nikki Gamble In The Reading Corner to tell us more.
About Unraveller
n a world where anyone can cast a life-destroying curse, only one person has the power to unravel them. Kellen does not fully understand his unique gift but helps those who are cursed, like his friend Nettle, who was trapped in the body of a bird for years.
She is now Kellen's constant companion and his closest ally. But the Unraveller carries a curse himself, and unless he and Nettle can remove it, Kellen is a danger to everything - and everyone - around him...
Frances Hardinge is a British novelist whose debut novel, Fly by Night, won the Branford Boase Award in 2006 ( awarded to the writer and editor of the best debut children's novel).
In 2015 she won the 2015 Costa Book Award for her novel The Lie Tree, the first time a children's book was awarded the overall category since Philip Pullman's The Amber Spyglass in 2001.
Her latest novel, Unraveller, is an otherworldly story of curse making and breaking (the unravelling of the title). Reviewing the book for Just Imagine, Martin Galway writes:
'It’s a dark novel of dark themes and dark places. It explores the tensions of what it means to be human. It explores what it means to be no-longer-human or never human. It’s in these tensions, and in the complexity of feelings of those that straddle the human/inhuman divide that the book offers the most satisfying food for thought.'
Frances joined Nikki Gamble In The Reading Corner to tell us more.
About Unraveller
n a world where anyone can cast a life-destroying curse, only one person has the power to unravel them. Kellen does not fully understand his unique gift but helps those who are cursed, like his friend Nettle, who was trapped in the body of a bird for years.
She is now Kellen's constant companion and his closest ally. But the Unraveller carries a curse himself, and unless he and Nettle can remove it, Kellen is a danger to everything - and everyone - around him...
Petr Horacek is a children's picturebook creator with a background in fine art. He was born in Prague, Czechoslovakia and at the age of 15 attended the High School of Art in Prague, where he developed skills in printing, photography, sculpture and painting.
After working for a design agency, he went on to further study at the Academy of Fine Art and was awarded his Master of Fine Art degree in 1994.
His first books, Strawberries are Red , and What is Black and White? were published by Walker Books in 2001. And he was awarded the Books for Children Newcomer award that year.
Since then he has gone on to write and illustrated many favourites including A New House for Mouse, Silly Suzy Goose, Puffin Peter, The Greedy Goat Blue Penguin and The Perfect Present
In this podcast, Petr talks to Nikki Gamble about his picturebook A Best Friend for Bear
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SF Said is a British children's writer with a Middle Eastern background. He was born in Beirut and spent his early childhood in Jordan.
His first novel, Varjak Paw, illustrated by Dave McKean, was published in 2003. It was the winner of the Nestle Smarties Book Prize. The sequel, The Outlaw Varjak Paw, won the Blue Peter novel. His third book, Phoenix, was shortlisted for the Guardian Fiction Prize.
SF Said was selected to represent the U.Uk for the IBBY Honour List for 2016.
SF joined Nikki Gamble In The Reading Corner to talk about his most recent novel, Tyger.
About Tyger
'There are three doors that I may show you. You will find a different kind of power behind each one...
'Adam has found something incredible in a rubbish dump in London. A mysterious, mythical, magical animal. A TYGER.
And the tyger is in danger. Adam and his friend Zadie are determined to help, but it isn't just the tyger's life at stake. Their whole world is on the verge of destruction.
Can they learn to use their powers before it's too late?
Angela Sangma Francis, writing as Sangma Francis, worked as an in-house editor and writer for publisher Flying Eye before branching out as a full-time author.
Her two books, Everest and Amazon River provide a fresh approach to physical geography. She joined Nikki Gamble In The Reading Corner to tell us all about it.
About Everest
It is the highest spot on planet Earth, known to many as the roof of the world, and the ultimate challenge for mountain-climbing adventurers. Welcome to Mount Everest. Mount Everest is undoubtedly one of the most famous mountains on Earth.
Hundreds of people clamber to its summit every year, following in Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay's footsteps... but there is so much more to this mountain than the people who climb it. With sumptuous and stylish illustrations by Lisk Feng, this dynamic book reveals the great mountain's ancient origins, the flora and fauna that thrive upon its great flanks, and the rich mythology of Sagarmatha, the Goddess of the Sky.
About Amazon River
Beginning with a tiny trickle high in the mountains, smaller streams join until they form the world's largest river. Crossing a continent, it winds through lush rainforests until it meets the ocean. From piranhas to the giant anaconda, this mighty waterway is home to the world's most incredible ecosystem.
Welcome to the Amazon River. This stunning illustrated guide to the world's most famous river and its surrounding rainforest is packed with incredible facts about South America's wildlife, people, geography and history.
Angela Sangma Francis, writing as Sangma Francis, worked as an in-house editor and writer for publisher Flying Eye before branching out as a full-time author.
Her two books, Everest and Amazon River provide a fresh approach to physical geography. She joined Nikki Gamble In The Reading Corner to tell us all about it.
About Everest
It is the highest spot on planet Earth, known to many as the roof of the world, and the ultimate challenge for mountain-climbing adventurers. Welcome to Mount Everest. Mount Everest is undoubtedly one of the most famous mountains on Earth.
Hundreds of people clamber to its summit every year, following in Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay's footsteps... but there is so much more to this mountain than the people who climb it. With sumptuous and stylish illustrations by Lisk Feng, this dynamic book reveals the great mountain's ancient origins, the flora and fauna that thrive upon its great flanks, and the rich mythology of Sagarmatha, the Goddess of the Sky.
About Amazon River
Beginning with a tiny trickle high in the mountains, smaller streams join until they form the world's largest river. Crossing a continent, it winds through lush rainforests until it meets the ocean. From piranhas to the giant anaconda, this mighty waterway is home to the world's most incredible ecosystem.
Welcome to the Amazon River. This stunning illustrated guide to the world's most famous river and its surrounding rainforest is packed with incredible facts about South America's wildlife, people, geography and history.
Ian Livingstone is the co-founder with Steve Jackson of the phenomenally successful Fighting Fantasy Series. Fighting Fantasy, which employs role play and board game strategies in the printed book, is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year. Two new titles, Secrets of Salamonis and Shadow of the Giants, will delight faithful fans and new converts too.
Ian is also co-founder of Games Workshop and founder of The Livingstone Academy in Bournemouth - all through academy (4 - 18 years) which aims to transform young people from digital consumers to digital creators.
Ian joined Nikki Gamble In The Reading Corner.
Ian Livingstone is the co-founder with Steve Jackson of the phenomenally successful Fighting Fantasy Series. Fighting Fantasy, which employs role play and board game strategies in the printed book, is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year. Two new titles, Secrets of Salamonis and Shadow of the Giants, will delight faithful fans and new converts too.
Ian is also co-founder of Games Workshop and founder of The Livingstone Academy in Bournemouth - all through academy (4 - 18 years) which aims to transform young people from digital consumers to digital creators.
Ian joined Nikki Gamble In The Reading Corner.
Rashmi Sirdeshpande is a lawyer turned children's author who loves taking big ideas and making them accessible and exciting for young readers. Rashmi writes non-fiction picture books that ignite children's curiosity, as well as fictional stories that crackle with imagination. When she's not playing with words, you'll find her on her yoga mat twisting herself into all sort of shapes.
Rashmi has had huge success with her hilarious stories about dinosaurs who shouldn't be taught to read, draw or do sums. Still, she is a versatile writer and the very personal picturebook Dadaji's Paintbrush shows us emotional depth.
Rashmi joined Nikki Gamble In The Reading Corner to talk about the stories behind this book.
About Dadaji's Paintbrush
Discover that bereavement can be a beginning, not an ending, in this beautiful story of one boy's grief when he loses his beloved grandfather. Dadaji loves to teach others to paint, especially his grandson. But after Dadaji passes away, the boy can't bear to use the favourite paintbrush his grandfather left for him.
When a little girl knocks on the door, the boy discovers how many lives Dadaji touched with his art, and finds a way to continue his legacy.
Rashmi Sirdeshpande is a lawyer turned children's author who loves taking big ideas and making them accessible and exciting for young readers. Rashmi writes non-fiction picture books that ignite children's curiosity, as well as fictional stories that crackle with imagination. When she's not playing with words, you'll find her on her yoga mat twisting herself into all sort of shapes.
Rashmi has had huge success with her hilarious stories about dinosaurs who shouldn't be taught to read, draw or do sums. Still, she is a versatile writer and the very personal picturebook Dadaji's Paintbrush shows us emotional depth.
Rashmi joined Nikki Gamble In The Reading Corner to talk about the stories behind this book.
About Dadaji's Paintbrush
Discover that bereavement can be a beginning, not an ending, in this beautiful story of one boy's grief when he loses his beloved grandfather. Dadaji loves to teach others to paint, especially his grandson. But after Dadaji passes away, the boy can't bear to use the favourite paintbrush his grandfather left for him.
When a little girl knocks on the door, the boy discovers how many lives Dadaji touched with his art, and finds a way to continue his legacy.
Patrice Lawrence was born in Brighton and raised in an Italian and Trinidadian household. Her first book for young adults, Orangeboy, was shortlisted for the Costa Children’s Book Award and won the Bookseller YA Prize and Waterstone’s Prize for Older Older Children's fiction.
In 2021 she won the Jhalek Prizes inaugural children's and young category for her book Eight Pieces of Silva (2020).
In this podcast, Patrice talks to Nikki Gamble about her middle-grade fantasy novel, The Elemental Detectives. Set in an alternate London where the elemental spirits power the world: the fiery Dragons, the airy Fumis, the watery Chads and the earthbound Magogs.
Humans have been causing chaos in this world for centuries with their disregard and lack of consideration for the natural world. And now someone is out for revenge.
Patrice Lawrence was born in Brighton and raised in an Italian and Trinidadian household. Her first book for young adults, Orangeboy, was shortlisted for the Costa Children’s Book Award and won the Bookseller YA Prize and Waterstone’s Prize for Older Older Children's fiction.
In 2021 she won the Jhalek Prizes inaugural children's and young category for her book Eight Pieces of Silva (2020).
In this podcast, Patrice talks to Nikki Gamble about her middle-grade fantasy novel, The Elemental Detectives. Set in an alternate London where the elemental spirits power the world: the fiery Dragons, the airy Fumis, the watery Chads and the earthbound Magogs.
Humans have been causing chaos in this world for centuries with their disregard and lack of consideration for the natural world. And now someone is out for revenge.
Donna and Vikesh Amey Bhat are the husband and wife team who wrote Lands of Belonging, a history of the South Asian countries that are intertwined with British history.
Vikesh is a Creative Director with a background in design who has worked in advertising for over 18 years. He loves exploring the past and retelling the somewhat strange stories from his childhood, and is passionate about accurate cultural representation in children’s books.
Donna writes the kind of things she loves reading; funny stories, books about people completely different to her, and collections of facts that can be used later to impress both friends and strangers at any social occasion.
In the run-up to the 75th anniversary of the partition of India, Donna and Vikesh joined Nikki Gamble In The Reading Corner to talk about the importance of filling in the knowledge gaps that many people have about India's rich history and its interconnectedness with British history.
About Lands of Belonging
this book is a unique exploration of the rich and complicated history of India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Britain. There are many ways of telling the same story, and how you tell it depends on your point of view. Some stories are so complicated, or difficult to explain, that they're not often told at all.
Like the story of how a company ended up running a country, or how one man drawing a line on a map could change the lives of millions of people forever. This book aims to piece together the interesting, surprising, and sometimes very sad story of India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Britain, and how these countries have shaped one another over the centuries. From exploring the vast empires and amazing inventions of ancient India to revealing the challenges faced by South Asian migrants to Britain - or celebrating the amazing culture, innovations, inventions, and achievements of British people of South Asian heritage today - this book shows how the past, present and future of these four countries will always be intertwined.
James Dixon is a London-born, Glasgow-based novelist, poet, and playwright. His debut novel, The Unrivalled Transcendence of Willem J. Gyle (Thistle, 2017) was shortlisted for the 2018 Somerset Maugham Award by the Society of Authors. His debut children's novel, The Billow Maiden, is published by Guppy publishing.
Nikki Gamble caught up with James to talk about The Billow Maiden and writing for children,
About The Billow Maden
Ailsa's mum is ill, not the first time, so they spend the summer with her aunt and uncle. Aunt Bertha, Uncle Nod, and their dog Moxie live on an island off the coast, by a beautiful fishing village surrounded by beaches and clifftops. Ailsa and Moxie spend their whole time there exploring these beaches and cliffs, until one day, they find a hidden cave.
Inside the cave, they find Hefring, a strange woman not keen on strangers. Ailsa slowly gets to know who Hefring is. She is a selkie, a mermaid, a billow maiden from ancient myth.
However, she is stuck on land and slowly dying. It is up to Ailsa and her new friend Camilla to save her, but there are plenty of obstacles in the way - not least Ailsa's own fears and her mum's illness. The Billow Maiden is a beautifully told tale of friendship, family, healing, and transformation from a stunning new writer for children.
James Dixon is a London-born, Glasgow-based novelist, poet, and playwright. His debut novel, The Unrivalled Transcendence of Willem J. Gyle (Thistle, 2017) was shortlisted for the 2018 Somerset Maugham Award by the Society of Authors. His debut children's novel, The Billow Maiden, is published by Guppy publishing.
Nikki Gamble caught up with James to talk about The Billow Maiden and writing for children,
About The Billow Maden
Ailsa's mum is ill, not the first time, so they spend the summer with her aunt and uncle. Aunt Bertha, Uncle Nod, and their dog Moxie live on an island off the coast, by a beautiful fishing village surrounded by beaches and clifftops. Ailsa and Moxie spend their whole time there exploring these beaches and cliffs, until one day, they find a hidden cave.
Inside the cave, they find Hefring, a strange woman not keen on strangers. Ailsa slowly gets to know who Hefring is. She is a selkie, a mermaid, a billow maiden from ancient myth.
However, she is stuck on land and slowly dying. It is up to Ailsa and her new friend Camilla to save her, but there are plenty of obstacles in the way - not least Ailsa's own fears and her mum's illness. The Billow Maiden is a beautifully told tale of friendship, family, healing, and transformation from a stunning new writer for children.
Ewa Jozefkowicz grew up in Ealing, and studied English Literature at UCL. Her debut novel The Mystery of the Colour Thief, published by Zephyr in 2018, was shortlisted for the Waterstones Children’s Book Prize. She has written four further middle-grade novels, most recently The Dragon in the Bookshop, a fantasy adventure story with a deep soul, inspired by personal memories.
About The Dragon in the Bookshop
An old Polish city fizzes with fear. The townsfolk are at the mercy of a dragon who lurks in the cave below the castle... Konrad's dad always used to say, 'There is a character in a book somewhere that matches you almost entirely. It's just a matter of finding them'.
Konrad never expected the 'finding' to involve stepping right into a story, and he never expected his dad not to be there with him. After his dad's death, Konrad stops speaking.
Not a word at home or school as the year rolls by. But that begins to change when he meets Maya on the beach he loved to explore with Dad. She doesn't mind his silence. It gives her a chance to be heard because at home, no one seems to notice her.
When the pair go on a last visit to Konrad's family bookshop before it's sold, they soon get lost in the pages of Konrad's favourite book of folk tales. Whisked back in time to quest with a dragon, they must find themselves and their voices, as well as a happy end to the story in the book and in real life.
Former teacher, Jonathan Tulloch, is a journalist, writer and naturalist whose nature features appear regularly in The Times and The Tablet, His debut children's novel, Cuckoo Summer, was published in July 2020, It's a wonderfully evocative novel set during the Second World War which captures Jonathan's childhood memories, and the stories passed down through generations. In this episode, Jonathan talks to Nikki Gamble about where it all began,,,
About Cuckoo Summer
Summer 1940. As the cuckoo sings out across the Lake District, life is about to change for ever for local boy Tommy and his friend Sally, the mysterious evacuee girl who lives on the neighbouring farm. When they find a wounded Nazi airman in the woods, Sally persuades Tommy not to report it but to keep the German hidden.
This starts a chain of events that leads to the uncovering of secrets about Sally's past and a summer of adventure that neither child will ever forget.
Former teacher, Jonathan Tulloch, is a journalist, writer and naturalist whose nature features appear regularly in The Times and The Tablet, His debut children's novel, Cuckoo Summer, was published in July 2020, It's a wonderfully evocative novel set during the Second World War which captures Jonathan's childhood memories, and the stories passed down through generations. In this episode, Jonathan talks to Nikki Gamble about where it all began,,,
About Cuckoo Summer
Summer 1940. As the cuckoo sings out across the Lake District, life is about to change for ever for local boy Tommy and his friend Sally, the mysterious evacuee girl who lives on the neighbouring farm. When they find a wounded Nazi airman in the woods, Sally persuades Tommy not to report it but to keep the German hidden.
This starts a chain of events that leads to the uncovering of secrets about Sally's past and a summer of adventure that neither child will ever forget.
Steve Cole has been a previous guest In The Reading Corner. We have talked about humour, comics and Dr Who. This time our conversation centres on four books important books that Steve has written for the dyslexia-friendly publisher Barrington Stoke.
Each book takes as its subject one of the major concerns of our time. From waste management to the social justice issues associated with the fast fashion industry, Steve's writing takes a global perspective that prompts reader to consider their role in tackling these concerns.
About Stitched Up
The horrific real-life cost of fast fashion is exposed in this gripping tale of survival from bestselling author Steve Cole. When twelve-year-old Hanh is offered a job as a shop assistant in Hanoi, she sees it as a chance to earn money to send back to her family living in poverty in rural Vietnam. But on her arrival in the city, she soon learns that the job offer was a lie and finds herself working in virtual slavery in an illegal garment factory.
Life in this sweatshop is a daily hell of long hours, little rest, poor food and regular violence. Hanh is desperate to escape, but when an opportunity arises will she be able to find the courage to take a dangerous chance?
Steve Cole has been a previous guest In The Reading Corner. We have talked about humour, comics and Dr Who. This time our conversation centres on four books important books that Steve has written for the dyslexia-friendly publisher Barrington Stoke.
Each book takes as its subject one of the major concerns of our time. From waste management to the social justice issues associated with the fast fashion industry, Steve's writing takes a global perspective that prompts reader to consider their role in tackling these concerns.
About Stitched Up
The horrific real-life cost of fast fashion is exposed in this gripping tale of survival from bestselling author Steve Cole. When twelve-year-old Hanh is offered a job as a shop assistant in Hanoi, she sees it as a chance to earn money to send back to her family living in poverty in rural Vietnam. But on her arrival in the city, she soon learns that the job offer was a lie and finds herself working in virtual slavery in an illegal garment factory.
Life in this sweatshop is a daily hell of long hours, little rest, poor food and regular violence. Hanh is desperate to escape, but when an opportunity arises will she be able to find the courage to take a dangerous chance?
Craig Caudill is an award-winning educator, naturalist and writer. He spent his formative years hunting, fishing and playing in the woods of Kentucky. For five decades he has cultivated experiential knowledge of the natural world as well as skills for survival in the great outdoors, which he now shares through his education workshops.
Craig has now shared some of that experience in his book for children, The Secret Signs of Nature. Find out more in this episode of #InTheReadingCorner.
About The Secret Signs of Nature
Meet two young adventurers as they discover the ancient art of reading outdoor clues. Join them as they learn to read a full moon, decode the colour of the ocean and forecast the weather with a rainbow, uncovering the secret signs of nature and a world of forgotten skills. With a foreword from naturalist Steve Backshall.
Atinuke was born and grew up in Nigeria. She writes children's books because she loves the vibrancy, joy, wisdom and humour of her African culture, which forms the basis for most of her writing. She has written about urban and rural life in West Africa and her stories show the diversity of backgrounds that children come from, debunking the imagery that is familiar from charity promotions and crisis journalism. While there are undoubtedly important issues for us all to address, these images give only a partial presentation of what it means to live in West Africa and specifically, Nigeria.
Atinuke shares her thoughts with Nikki Gamble and reads from Too Small Tola Gets Tough.About Too Small Tola Gets ToughTola may be small, but she's very determined!
Too Small Tola lives in a flat in Lagos with her sister, Moji, who is very clever, her brother, Dapo, who is very fast, and Grandmummy, who is very bossy. One day Tola discovers the secret of multiplication and division. She is so happy! But then there is news of a deadly virus, and news of lockdown too.
Moji goes away to live and study with her teacher and Dapo goes off to live and work with his boss. Grandmummy cannot go out to work so Tola does instead. Tola goes to live with a wealthy couple, the Diamonds.
She cleans and washes and scrubs, scrubs, scrubs. She befriends the other workers too. But she soon learns that even the wealthy Diamonds have problems of their own.
And when it comes to solving them, Tola proves once again how kind and clever, mighty and resourceful she truly is.
JonArno Lawson is a Canadian writer who has published many books for children and adults, was born in Hamilton, Ontario and raised in nearby Dundas. He now lives in Toronto,
Lawson has won The Lion and the Unicorn Award for Excellence in North American Poetry four times, in 2007, 2009, 2013, and 2014. The books were Enjoy It While It Hurts, A Voweller's Bestiary, Black Stars In A White Night Sky, and Down In The Bottom Of The Bottom Of The Box.] His book The Man In The Moon-Fixer's Mask was a finalist for this award in 2005.
Lawson’s wordless picture book "Sidewalk Flowers"(Footpath Flowers in the UK) illustrated by Sydney Smith, won the Governor General's Award for Illustrated Children's Books in 2015. This was followed by a further wordless book, Above the Shop, illustrated by Qin Leng and more recently, A Day for Sandcastles.
Jon joined Nikki Gamble In the Reading Corner to talk about the latest book.
About A Day for Sandcastles.
A dazzling wordless picture book celebrates creative problem-solving, teamwork, and the sun-splashed wonder of a day at the beach. The creators of the acclaimed Over the Shop evoke a perfect summer beach day - and themes of creativity, cooperation, flexibility, and persistence - all without a word in this sun-warmed, salt-stained delight of a story. A busload of beachgoers spills out onto the sand for a day of fun and frolic.
Three siblings begin work on a castle, patting and shaping the sand as the sun arcs over the sky. Time and again, their progress is halted: a windswept hat topples their creation; a toddler ambles through it; the tide creeps close, and then too close. Meeting each demolition with fresh determination, the builders outdo themselves time and again, until the moment arrives to pile back into the bus for home.
An authentic portrait of sibling cooperation - and glorious inspiration for creative people of all ages - A Day for Sandcastles channels the thrill of surrendering expectations on the path to infinite possibility.
Phil Earle was shortlisted for the Carnegie Medal with When the Sky Falls. his hard-hitting emotional story, which highlights the plight of zoo animals during The Blitz.
Phil's latest book While the Storm Rages is also set in the Blitz but this time tells about the fate of many pets and one boy and his friends' quest to save their animal companions. Phil dropped by to tell us more about the story.
About While The Storm Rages
While the Storm Rages is the eagerly awaited new novel from the bestselling author of When the Sky Falls: The Times Children's Book of the Year, winner of the Books Are My Bag Readers Award for Children's Fiction, winner of the British Book Award for Children's Fiction Book of the Year and shortlisted for the Carnegie Medal. September 1939. The world is on the brink of war.
As his dad marches off to fight, Noah makes him a promise, to keep their beloved family dog safe. When the government advises people to have their pets put down in readiness for the chaos of war, hundreds of thousands of people do as they are told. But not Noah.
He's not that sort of boy. With his two friends in tow, he goes on the run, to save his dog and as many animals as he can. No matter what.
Polly Dunbar is an English author-illustrator. She is best known for her self-illustrated books Penguin, the Tilly and Friends series, which was made into a television series.
She has illustrated Margaret Mahy's riotous rhymes Down the Back of the Chair and Bubble Trouble as well as a collection of Michael Rosen's poems for very young children, A Great Big Cuddle.Now Polly has illustrated a second collection by Michael Rosen, Ready for Spaghetti. She joined Nikki Gamble In The Reading Corner to talk about the joy of illustrating these playful, performative rhymes.
About Ready for Spaghetti
From two of the biggest names in children's publishing, this is an inspiring guide to wordplay for young readers, their parents and teachers.
I'm ready for spaghetti will you getti the spaghetti? Don't say, "Not yetti spaghetti!"'cos I'm all setti for spaghetti.
Fizzing with rhythm, energy, and laughter, the 30 poems in Ready for Spaghetti delight in the details of children's daily routines.
"Up, up, uppity-up!", the first poem announces, while the artwork shows a child leaping out of bed, ready to begin their morning; "Hush and a hush, soft and low", chants the final poem, as children snuggle under their blankets after their day's adventures. Full of affectionate observations of young children, which are beautifully continued in Polly Dunbar's warm-hearted pictures, Michael Rosen's poems are ideal for reading aloud with toddlers ... and many grown-ups will soon know them by heart!
Jarvis studied graphic design and previously worked as a record sleeve designer, website designer, and animation director before becoming a children’s book illustrator.
His books include Mrs Mole, I’m Home! and Alan’s Big, Scary Teeth( which won the 2017 V&A Best Illustrated Book) Pick a Pumpkin and Pick a Pine Tree.With Jeanne Willis he has co-created I'm in Charge and Spike the Hedgehog Who Lost His Prickles,
About his picture book inspiration, Jarvis says, “The way I work is always visual. I will have an image or character in mind and I pull a story out of it. I doodle and doodle and doodle until I get it right.” (From Walker Books website),
Jarvis joined Nikki Gamble In The Reading Corner to talk about his picture book, The Boy With Flowers in His Hair.About The Boy With Flowers In His Hair
A warm and powerful story that brings to life a pure and poignant friendship that children will never forget. David is the boy with flowers in his hair. He's sweet and gentle, just like his petals.
But when David's flowers begin to fall - a single petal at first, then every last blossom - his best friend never leaves his side. And through kindness and creativity, he even finds a way to give David his colour back... Beautifully illustrated, this story is about being there for someone when they're at their most vulnerable.
Legendarium is the final book in Jennifer Bell's gaming fantasy adventure duology, which began with Wonderscape.
This time our heroes are propelled into the future and tasked with preventing a villain from uncovering the secrets of time travelling and the ultimate power that this could bring.
Jennifer travelled virtually into The Reading Corner to talk more about gaming, time travel and her fantasy adventure.
About Legendarium
Arthur, Ren and Cecily are stuck in Legendarium in the year 2493, where the secretive villain Deadlock has discovered dangerous time-travel technology. To save the universe, the friends must enter the deadly Irontide Tournament, where legends are real and one wrong move could cost them their lives..
Sophie Anderson is well-loved for her fantasy novels that draw on Slavic and Russian folklore.
Sophie dropped into the reading corner to talk about her latest novel The Thief Who Sang Stormsand the traditional stories which inspired it.
About The Thief Who Sang Storms.
The Island of Morovia is shaped like a broken heart. The humans live on one side of the island, and the alkonosts - the bird-people - live on the other.
But it wasn't always this way... Linnet wishes she could sing magic. But magic is forbidden and she has been banished with her father to the Mournful Swamp.
She misses her old life and dreams of reuniting with her friends. When her father is captured for taking a precious jewel, Linnet must set out on a treacherous journey. Travelling through alligator pools and sinking sands with new friends, she learns how to be brave, and discovers something even more powerful than singing magic.
Something that could save her father, and heal the broken heart of her island once more... With themes of grief, trust, love, and that we have more in common than that which divides us, this is a heartfelt book filled with adventure and stunning storytelling from bestselling Sophie Anderson.
With a long career in factual radio programming and podcasting, and now working in the role of Commissioning Editor - Factual, BBC Radio 4, Rich Knight is well-placed to write about politics for young readers.
If I Ran the Country starts from the premise that the reader is in a position to run the country and then takes them on a decision-making journey covering the key considerations that any political leader has to face.
Rich joined Nikki Gamble #InTheReadingCorner to delve into some of the themes that underpin the book.
About If I Ran the Country
Congratulations! You've just become the leader of your own country! There are a lot of decisions to be made, and not long to make them.
The good news is you've got your hands on this funny, fact-packed book, covering everything you need to know to rule effectively - no matter where in the world you are. But it's not just about political systems, elections, climate change, justice and all those other things we hear politicians talking about. You also need to learn how to lead.
With essential life and leadership skills and tips - from teamwork, confidence and compassion to discovering who you are and what you believe in - If I Ran The Country answers all the questions most often posed by first-time top dogs like you. You'll be ruling like a pro in no time!
Justin Anderson is a wildlife and adventure filmmaker. He produced and directed the ‘Mountains’ segment of Planet Earth II which featured the first-ever fight between four snow leopards seen on screen.
After working on this series, her wrote his first children’s book Snow Leopard: Ghost of the Grey Mountain. A second book, Narwhal: Arctic Unicorn is recently published by Walker Books.
Justin joined Nikki Gamble In The Reading Corner to talk about the similarities and differences between documentary filmmaking and writing for children, and to give us an insight into the new book.
About Narwhal: Arctic Unicorn
Discover the beautiful and fascinating unicorn of the sea, the narwhal, with words by a Planet Earth II producer and pictures by an award-winning artist. "Now the narwhal must begin their epic journey north. It's a journey with many dangers along the way..."Join us on an icy journey into Arctic waters, as we dive down deep with one of the most enchanting creatures in the world - the narwhal.
Learn about how narwhals have adapted to their freezing habitat, how they look after their young and all about their distinctive, mysterious tusks. Complete with an index and a conservation note, this is a wonderful addition to the Nature Storybook series, which showcases the stories of animals all over the world.
Anthony Horowitz is well-known for his top-selling Alex Rider and for his television writing. He is also the author of the brilliant Diamond Brothers mysteries, each one based on one of his favourite films. During lockdown, he started to write a new Diamond Brothers online. The story, Where Seagulls Dare, is now published with the royalties being donated to Home-Start a Suffolk charity, in a bid to raise money and laughs at the same time.
Anthony joined Nikki In The Reading Corner to talk about films. humour and the mystery busting twins.
About Where Seagulls Dare
A hilarious new story about the world's worst detectives, by the bestselling author of the Alex Rider series, Anthony Horowitz. Private investigators Tim and Nick Diamond haven't had a case for three months and are down to their last cornflake. So when a glamorous woman comes into their office offering them a pile of cash to find her missing father, they think Christmas has come - only it turns out they are the turkeys! Before they know it, they are caught up in a case involving bike-riding hitmen, super hackers and a sinister far-right organisation, the White Crusaders.
The Diamond Brothers are in the soup and in it over their heads. With thrills and spills, and jokes on every page, this new Diamond Brothers novel will have young readers howling with laughter.
Justyn Edwards graduated from Southampton University with a degree in archaeology. Since then he has worked as a caravan park attendant, a paperboy and a software engineer, but never as an archaeologist. He has always wanted to be a writer and his inspiration for The Great Fox Illusion.Justin magicked himself into the reading corner and talked to Nikki Gamble about his writing secrets. Of course, if you listen in, they won't be secret anymore.
About The Great Fox Illusion
Secrets and illusions abound as a group of young magicians compete for the prize of a lifetime in this gripping adventure, the first in an enthralling new series from debut author Justyn Edwards.
“Magic is about dreaming what is impossible and making it possible. It's the innocent young mind in all of us that loves it. We want to be filled with wonder. We want to believe. I want the winner of this competition and the recipient of my legacy to dare to dream big. So, let The Great Fox Hunt begin."
Thirteen-year-old Flick Lions has won a place on a new television show, in which young people compete to win the legacy of the Great Fox, one of the world's most famous magicians. But Flick isn't interested in uncovering the Great Fox's tired old magic tricks – she's after something much more important. The magician destroyed her family, and this is Flick's only chance to put things right. Inside the Fox's house is a secret that will change the world of magic forever, and Flick will go to any lengths to find it.
Sharna Jackson is an arts educator and author of children's books. She garnered critical acclaim with her first novel, The High Rise Mystery, featuring Nik and Norva, a pair of black sisters, who solve crimes on an estate, the Tri Estate, in South London. This was followed by a second mystery featuring the sleuthing sisters, Mic Drop.
Sharna joined Nikki Gamble In the Reading Corner to talk about a new adventure The Good Turn, set in Luton, the town where she grew up.
About The Good Turn
Josephine Williams is a future-focused, internet-loving eleven-year-old who is desperate to explore the world beyond her cul-de-sac - and her browser. When she learns about Josephine Holloway - a woman who started the first Girl Scout Troop for Black girls in America - she's certain she must start her own.
Enlisting her friends Margot Anderson and Wesley Evans, the trio begin their quest for their Camping Badge. Drawn to an abandoned factory nearby, they stumble across something strange. A square, ancient television and two tatty armchairs.
Beside it, a wooden sideboard with an old photograph of a young, happy couple. What is this? Who, or what, lives here - and why?
Mini Grey is one of the UK's best-loved illustrators with her witty visual and linguistic style that incorporates found objects and is characterised by playfulness and heaps of imagination. Her books work for a wide age range and are highly appreciated by adults as well as younger readers.
She is the recipient of The Kate Greenaway Medal for The Adventures of theD ish and the Spoon.
In this interview, Mini talks to Nikki Gamble about her foray into nonfiction with a new book The Greatest Show on Earth.
About The Greatest Show on Earth Here we are at 4.6 billion years ago, and as we raise the curtain . . . the STORY OF LIFE is about to begin! (Yes, that's right - we're telling the story of the ENTIRE history of Planet Earth). "In the running for the greatest children's picture book about Earth . ..
Take your seats for the ENTIRE history of Planet Earth, as we take a whistle-stop tour from the birth of Earth, to the age of bacteria, the era of dinosaurs.. to the moment of people (blink and you'll miss it). Narrated by a friendly troop of insects and with mind-blowing, lively illustrations, this illustrated non-fiction book will entertain and educate, as we put on a show, the greatest show, the show of the evolution of life on Earth.
Elizabeth Uviebinene studied Politics and International Studies at the University of Warwick and then worked as a Marketing manager in the city. It was this experience that led to the writing, with co-author Yomi Adegoke, of the bestselling book, Slay in Your Lane, a life guide for young Black British Women.
In 2018 Elizabeth was the recipient of a Marie Claire Future Shaper award.
Now Elizabeth and Yomi have teamed up again with their first book in a middle-grade series, The Offline Diaries.
It’s a story about friendship and loyalty revolving around school and home. It’s told through a mix of diary entries and social media conversations.
About The Offline Diaries
Ade is about to start at a new school. She is NOT happy with her stepdad for making them move here.
Shanice has been at the school for a year already. Since her mum died, she's been living with her dad and annoying older brother, spending most of her time outside school in her dad's hair salon. When Ade and Shanice meet in the salon and spot each other's diaries, an instant friendship is formed, and they start to chat online...but offline is a whole other story!
The Offline Diaries is a fresh, funny and contemporary story of friendship, told in the captivating voices of Ade and Shanice - two utterly unforgettable Year 8 girls who will seize the hearts and imaginations of readers everywhere.
Children's author, Nicola Davies is a zoologist by training. She was one of the original presenters of the BBC children's wildlife programme The Really Wild Show. she is a prolific writer of nonfiction, fiction and poetry for children with a particular interest in the natural world.
Jenni Desmond graduated with a master’s degree in children’s book illustration from the Cambridge School of Art (UK), her debut picture book Red Cat Blue Cat won the Cambridgeshire Read it Again! Award in 2012. In 2015 Jenni was named Best Emerging Talent (Illustrator) at the Junior Design Awards (UK). In 2016, she was made a Maurice Sendak Fellow and her book The Polar Bear became a New York Times Best Illustrated Children’s Book of the year.
Nicola and Jenni's first book, One World, takes the concept of taking one moment in time and looking at what is happening in nature in different parts of the world.
They joined Nikki Gamble In The Reading Corner to talk about their joint project.
Annaliese Avery is a former library manager and children's book editor who lives in Suffolk, England. She has an MA in creative writing and a lifelong interest in physics and astronomy and in 2017 she founded an astronomical society.
Her debut novel The Nightsilver Promise, a magical fantasy adventure packed with astronomical interest and dragons was published in 2021. The second book, The Doomfire Secret was published in April 2022.
In this episode, Annaliese talks about destiny, worldbuilding and a heroine who refuses to let fate be the master of her future.
About The Nightsilver Promise
When Paisley Fitzwilliam is summoned to receive the track of stars that will determine her future, she is filled with hope for the future. But the fate she is dealt throws everything upside down.
Then her mother goes missing and the closely guarded secret around her brother Dax is more at risk than ever before. It seems that the previous metal nightsilver might hold the key. .
. Can Paisley defy her stars and change the course of history? A breathtaking journey through the Floating Boroughs and the dark sewers of London, capital city of the Empire of Albion. A thrilling fantasy debut with immersive world-building and tons of action!
About The Doomfire Secret
When Paisley Fitzwilliam escapes the clutches of the Dark Dragon, she has just one thing on her mind - getting her brother Dax back from the icy Northern Realms, where he was whisked away by the fierce and mysterious dragon riders, the Krigare.
It's clear that Paisley's track is unique, but with the Dark Dragon and the King's Guard now on her trail, she faces danger at every turn. To rescue her brother and keep the Heart Stone from the clutches of the Dark Dragon, Paisley must harness her power and seek new and dangerous alliances. .
Lucy Hawking is a journalist, writer and science educator. With her father, the late Professor Stephen Hawking, she co-authored a series of books, George's Secret Key to the Universe, which introduced the science of cosmology through a blend of fiction and information.
Lucy's new series pitched at a slightly younger reader in a similar vein tackles issues of pollution and climate change through an engaging adventure story sprinkled with genuinely funny humour. In this episode, she talks about the new book, Princess Olivia Investigates: The Wrong Weather.
Jennifer has always wanted to be a writer, but really started when she applied for a Creative Writing MA at Brunel University, which is where she first got the idea for Alex Sparrow and the Really Big Stink., her debut book. Since then she has written two more books in the Alex Sparrow series, a standalone middle-grade fiction, Mo Lottie and the Junkers, and the spooky Crater Lake books.
Jennifer's new series, Dread Wood gives us horror pitched for readers of 9+. In this episode, she talks with Nikki Gamble about the mechanics of writing horror, consideration for younger readers and some of the underlying themes.
Katie Cotton studied English Literature at Oxford University before becoming an author and editor of children’s books. Her books Counting Lions and The Road Home were both published internationally and received starred reviews in the US. Other books include
Bricks: The House a Greedy Pig Built and The Road Home.Katie's most recent book is The Secret of Splint Hall, a historical fantasy, underpinned by a family mystery. Katie joined Nikki Gamble, In the Reading Corner to talk about the book.
About The Secret of Splint Hall
- War has ended, but for sisters Isobel and Flora the struggles still continue. They've lost their father and had their home destroyed in a bombing raid, and now they must go to live with their aunt and her awful husband Mr Godfrey in their ancestral home, Splint Hall.
From the moment of their arrival, it seems that this is a place shrouded in mysteries and secrets. Who are the strange men who arrive with packages at night? What is the source of the strange blue sparks coming from the ground? And why do the locals seem to hate their family so much? As the girls begin to unearth an ancient myth and family secret, the adventure of a lifetime begins.
Lissa Evans has written books for both adults and children, including the bestselling Old Baggage, Their Finest Hour and a Half, longlisted for the Orange Prize, and Crooked Heart, longlisted for the Baileys Women's. Prize for Fiction.
For children, Small Change for Stuart, was shortlisted for the Carnegie Medal and the Costa Book Awards. It was followed by a sequel Big Change for Stuart. Lissa's next novel was the wonderfully witty, even satirical, Wed Wabbit, which employs fantasy and humour to explore some complex ideas about childhood, psychology and society.
Lissa's most recent book, Wished, pays homage to some of the great classics of children's literature, particularly Edith Nesbit's Five Children and It, which Lissa admires greatly - the story is, however, wholly her own and will reward the reader with many surprises, twists and turn.
In this episode, Lissa talks to Nikki Gamble about the book.
About Wished
Ed and his sister Roo are faced with the most boring half-term holiday in history: five days spent in the company of their elderly neighbour, Miss Filey, and her ancient, smelly cat. But when they find a box of birthday candles in a cupboard in Miss Filey's house, their world is changed completely. Because these are no ordinary candles and every single one of them comes with a wish.
There's only one problem: some of those wishes actually belong to someone else . . .
From the bestselling author of Wed Wabbit, Wished is a hilarious misadventure about how the biggest wishes can come true, in the most unexpected ways.
Tony Bradman's Viking Boy is a popular book in primary classrooms, often used to support a historical study of The Vikings. Now Tony has written a companion book, Viking Boy: The Real Story.
A scholar of history, Tony is particularly knowledgeable about the Roman, Viking and Saxon periods and in this episode, he shares his enthusiasm with Nikki Gamble.
About Viking Boy: The Real Story
A sparky non-fiction guide to the Viking world, told by the hero of Tony Bradman's bestselling novel Viking Boy. Take a real-life tour of the everyday world of Gunnar, a teenage Viking boy: find out how the Vikings lived, what they believed, how they travelled and fought, and gained their legendary reputation as warriors. Gunnar tells us the real story of growing up as a Viking in an exciting first-hand account, introducing us to family and friends, famous warriors, sea-raiders and even a Norse god!
Packed with historical facts, figures and anecdotes, with illustrated information panels on topics from Viking poetry to battle and bloodlust, this is a brilliant new read for Viking fanatics, both at home and in the classroom.
Emma Chichester Clark is one of the UK's foremost illustrators. She has published well over 60 books for children including her own very popular Blue Kangaroo series as well as stand-alone picture books and illustrated books for other writers.
Emma studied graphic design at Chelsea School of Art in the 1970s and then later studied illustration at the Royal College of Art where Quentin Blake was her tutor. Her former mentor remains a good friend.
In 1988, Emma was awarded the Mother Goose Award for best newcomer in children's books illustrations
In this episode, Emma talks to Nikki Gamble about her book Mister Toots.
About Mister Toots
When Bella opens her front door and finds an other-wordly, little stranger on the doorstep, her life changes forever! Cold, hungry and lost, the only word the stranger can say is 'Toot!', so Bella and her children, name him Mister Toots, before giving him something to eat and a comfy bed. Soon Mister Toots becomes a much-loved member of the family and neighbourhood.
But one terrible day, he disappears into the sky... Will anyone ever see him again? Beautifully illustrated, this poignant, moving story about the power of kindness and compassion, and accepting and welcoming others, will touch the hearts of adults and children alike.
Lee Newbery's debut novel, The Last Firefox was recently published by Puffin. It's a fantasy adventure in which another world bursts into the real world, in the form of a magical firefox and Charlie Challinor has to summon all of his bravery to protect the endangered creature from the villains that are hunting it down.
Lee talks to Nikki Gamble about the experience of having his first book published and how the idea for the story first emerged.
About The Last Firefox
A heartwarming story about family, friendship and finding your inner fire. Between bullies at school and changes at home, Charlie Challinor finds life a bit scary. And when he's made guardian of a furry fox cub called Cadno, things get a whole lot scarier.
Because Cadno isn't just any fox: he's a firefox - the only one of his kind - and a sinister hunter from another world is on his trail. Swept up into an unexpected adventure to protect his flammable friend, Charlie's going to need to find the bravery he never thought he had, if he's going to save the last firefox.
Kate di Camillo is an American children's author with over 25 novels on her backlist. Her first novel Because of Winn Dixie won her immediate critical attention. Further novels include The Tiger Rising, The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane, The Magician's Elephant, Flora and Ulysees and the Three Rancheros series. She has twice been awarded The Newbery Medal.
Kate's most recent novel The Beatryce Prophecy is a fairy tale set in a period reminiscent of the European Middle Ages. It's an extraordinarily original story about finding home, power, truth and above all love.
About The Beatryce Prophecy
A magical medieval tale from two masters, Newbery Medal-winning Kate DiCamillo and Caldecott Medal-winning Sophie Blackall - a fantastical meditation on fate, love and the power of words to spell the world. We shall all, in the end, be led to where we belong. We shall all, in the end, find our way home.
In a time of war, a mysterious child appears at the monastery of the Order of the Chronicles of Sorrowing. Gentle Brother Edik finds the girl, Beatryce, curled in a stall, wracked with fever, coated in dirt and blood and holding fast to the ear of Answelica the recalcitrant goat. As the monk nurses Beatryce to health, he uncovers her dangerous secret - one that imperils them all.
And so it is that a girl with a head full of stories must venture into a dark wood in search of the castle of a king who wishes her dead. But should she lose her way, Beatryce knows that those who love her - a wild-eyed monk, a man who had once been king, a boy with a terrible sword and a goat with a head as hard as stone - will never give up searching for her. And to know this is to know everything.
Malachy Doyle grew up in Ireland, studied in England. He lived for a time in Wales while bringing up his family but has now returned to Ireland, where he lives on an ISLAND off the coast of Donegal.
He is the author of many popular picture books, such as The Dancing Tiger and The Bold Boy as well as critically acclaimed novels Georgie and Who is Jesse Flood?
In this episode, Malachy talks to Nikki Gamble about his series of picture books set on a fictitious island - perhaps resembling his own in some ways. These stories are about family life, the environment, isolated island living and connections with the outside world
Undiscovered Voices is an initiative from SCBWI (Society of Children's Book Illustrators and Writers) which gives a platform to up and coming voices in children's writing. An online anthology is published featuring the work of the selected authors which can be read online and downloaded http://www.undiscoveredvoices.com/
Nikki Gamble caught up with two of this year's authors, K L Kaine and Andrew James, along with Sara Grant from the organising committee to find out more about the project, how it supports new writing and the success it has had to date.
Gillian Cross may be best known for The Demon Headmaster series but she has written widely for teenagers and children. Among her many achievements and accolades are the Carnegie Medal, which she was awarded in 1990 for Wolfand the Whitbread Award (renamed Costa Award) for The Great Elephant Chase.Gillian's latest book, Ollie Spark and the Accidental Adventure is co-authored with Alan Snow. It's a highly illustrated techno adventure with plenty of laughs and just the right amount of jeopardy.
Gillian spoke to Nikki Gamble about the start of this new series.
About Ollie Spark and the Accidental Adventure
Machines, mysteries and mayhem - this must be a case for OLLIE SPARK!
Ollie Spark loves mending machines and solving mysteries. But he gets more than he bargained for when fixing Aunt Caz's van throws him into a real-life spy adventure! Ollie is whisked away to a mysterious city with strange plants, an unknown language and suspicious people around every corner. With the help of Gasket, his new dog best friend, he sets off on a mission to save the city - and Aunt Caz - from disaster.
Can Ollie fix things before it's too late?!
Oli Hyatt, a former young businessman of the year, is co-founder of BAFTA award-winning animation studio Blue Zoo. He is also the Director of Alphablocks Limited, the company behind the popular CBeebies phonics shows, Alphablocks and Numberblocks. He is also the chair of Animation UK and was awarded an MBE for his services to the animation industry.
He co-authored his debut children's book, Antigua de Fortune of the High Seas with Anna Rainbow.
In this episode, Oli talks to Nikki Gamble about why this story is so important to him.
About Antigua de Fortune of the High Seas
A magical, thrilling pirate adventure: fun, fantastical and totally unputdownable! Tiggy has always had the ocean in her blood - and lately, she's been dreaming of mermaids - but she's a high-born girl on the Isle of Fortune, forced to wear dresses, attend balls and (worst of all) comb her wild curls. But then the Pirate King strikes, wielding deadly turquoise magic, and Tiggy's younger brother is stolen - along with every boy on the island. Tiggy knows it is time to claim her destiny, take to the high seas and rescue the boys of Fortune ...
A spellbinding, hugely exciting pirate adventure: fun, feminist, classic in feel and totally unputdownable.
Jo Ellen Bogart is a US/Canadian writer now living in Ontario, Canada. Notably, she is the author of The White Cat and the Monk based on the Old Irish poem Pangur Bán. The book was illustrated by Sydney Smith.
Maja Kastelic is a Slovenian illustrator. She received a BA in painting from the University of Ljubljana's Academy of Fine Arts and Design and studied philosophy and theory of visual culture at the University of Primorska.
Together they are the creative partnership behind the wordless picturebook, Anthony and the Gargoyle.
Jo Ellen and Maja joined Nikki Gamble In the Reading Corner, to talk about how the book came together across different continents, during a pandemic.
About Anthony and the Gargoyle
A boy befriends a baby gargoyle in this magical wordless story from award-winning creators Jo Ellen Bogart and Maja Kastelic. Anthony wakes up one morning to find his favourite rock has cracked open - and it's hollow! He discovers a strange-looking hatchling inside, and the two become fast friends. When Anthony asks his mother where the rock came from, she shows him photos from their trip to Paris, including of Notre-Dame cathedral, with its familiar-looking forms perched on top.
Could Anthony's new friend be a gargoyle?
This magical wordless story is brought to life in stunning, silent, hand-painted panels, and is a touching tale of true friendship and letting go.
Natasha Farrant has a long career in children's publishing and has her own literary scouting agency.
Her debut YA novel The Things We Did for Love was shortlisted for the Branford Boase Award. In 2020, an adventure story Voyage of the Sparrowhawk won the Times and Sunday Times Children's Books of the Year and was awarded the prestigious Cost Children's January 2021. Eight Princesses and a Magic Mirror was published in September 2019 by Zephyr and was one of the Guardian's Books of the Year.
Her latest book The Girl who Talked to Trees is a collection of original fairy stories woven into a framing narrative, with a strong conservationist theme.
About The Girl Who Talked to Tress
Magical interlinked stories about what one girl learns from talking to trees throughout time and from around the world
. Olive's best friend is a four-hundred-year-old oak tree, and it is in danger.
As she tumbles into its magic world, she makes it a promise. From deep roots to high branches, a Persian garden to an underwater forest, from tulip trees to wild apple to vengeful box, she listens to the trees telling stories for all time. And she keeps her promise.
With a conservation message and facts about tree science alongside the magic and wonder of seven beautifully imagined original stories.
Catherine Rayner is well-known for her glorious animal picture stories, but now she turns her skills to illustrating nonfiction. IN this episode she talks to Nikki Gamble about her narrative nonfiction book about goldfish which has a few lessons for young readers to learn about caring for these popular pets - including setting them free when they outgrow the fish tank.
About My Pet Goldfish
A charming new Nature Storybook all about looking after goldfish - inspired by the author's own pet fish. My Pet Goldfish is a delightful picture book with facts by the Greenaway Medal-winning author-illustrator Catherine Rayner. The child narrating this story has been given their first ever pet: a tiny fish with shimmering scales and bright beady eyes...
Their very own goldfish! Sitting alongside the gentle narrative and dynamic illustrations, the subtext introduces facts about goldfish and their care - some gentle, some funny, some fascinating - making this a perfect choice for first-time owners
Paul Jennings was born in 1943 in Heston, Middlesex and emigrated to Australia with his family in 1943.
After graduating, he became a teacher and speech pathologist and then a lecturer in special education. In 1985 his first book of short stories, Unreal! was published. In 1989 he gave up teaching to write full-time. His stories were adapted for the TV series Round the Twist.
Paul's memoir untwisted was published in 2020 in Australia by Allen & Unwin and by Old Barn Books in the UK.
In this episode, Paul reflects on his writing life and the close relationship between art and life, referring to his three novellas A Different Dog, A Different Boy and A Different Land.
About the 'Different' books
A Different Dog
The child narrator of A Different Dog can't speak - we assume it is from a disability or a reaction to a trauma in his past. He is teased by the other kids and is a loner. On a cold winter's day, when everyone is participating in a fun run on the mountain, our narrator finds himself alone at the scene of a car accident where the driver has died.
But there is a little dog in the car... What follows is a moving story of survival and redemption (and somehow humour in the midst of all that), all told in a 96-page novella.
A Different Boy
The ship was a towering fortress looming over the pier. Anton stared enviously at the emigrants lining up in front of the wide gangplank. Heading off on a voyage to a land of peace and plenty.
Leaving the land of broken buildings and crushed hopes behind. Looking forward to sunshine and steaks. How he wished that he was one of the lucky ones.'Loosely based on Paul Jennings' journey to Australia as a 'ten-pound Pom', the story of Anton, who escapes from an orphanage and successfully stows away on a boat headed for the land of 'sunshine and steaks' has a timeless reality of its own.
It is a tale of loss, guilt, mistaken identity and taking risks but also surprisingly heartwarming and heartbreaking. Perfect for reluctant readers in upper primary and lower secondary, it speaks of loss, migration, resilience and courage.
A Different Land
The final part of a series that started with 'A Different Dog', followed by 'A Different Boy',
'A Different Land' continues to explore themes of family and displacement as our narrator seeks to find a home. Told with Paul Jennings empathy and gentle humour - and there is bound to be a twist in the tale!
William Matthew Timothy Stephen Sieghart CBE is a British entrepreneur, publisher and philanthropist and the founder of the Forward Prizes for Poetry. He is the current chairman of the Somerset House Trust.
In this episode, he talks to Nikki Gamble about the place of poetry in our lives and talks about some of his favourite poems.
About Everyone Sang: a poem for every feeling
A magnificent anthology of poems themed around different moods, collected by the bestselling creator of The Poetry Pharmacy and illustrated by Emily Sutton. This exquisite gift-book contains over a hundred poems, chosen by creator of the bestselling The Poetry Pharmacy, William Sieghart, and illustrated in sensational style by picture-book star Emily Sutton. Divided into four thoughtfully-curated sections, including Poems to Make You Smile, Poems to Move You, Poems to Give You Hope and Poems to Calm and Connect You, the poems originate from an extraordinary and diverse range of sources, from Maya Angelou to Roger McGough, Lemn Sissay, Jackie Kay, Carol Ann Duffy, Joseph Coelho, Kae Tempest, W.B.
Yeats, Christina Rossetti and Emily Dickinson, among many others. Combining traditional favourites with recent gems, here are poems to delight, inspire, entertain, intrigue, console and uplift readers of all ages.
Actress Tmazin Merchant recently published her second children's book, The Map Makers, a second adventure for the sparky heroine, Cordelia Hatmaker. Like her heroine, Tamzin is a creator, a lover of plant magic and adventure.
In this episode, Tamzin talks to Nikki Gamble about the ideas underpinning this fantastical and gripping adventure.
About The Mapmakers
Ever since Cordelia discovered the hidden map in her father's precious telescope, she's been searching the streets of London by starlight and trying to uncover its secrets. She's sure that her missing father is out there somewhere, and that if she follows his map, she'll finally discover the truth about his disappearance.
She never expects to stumble upon a secret society of Mapmakers - or to learn that magic isn't limited to the few Maker families, but is instead is all around, if you just know where to look . . .
But danger is lurking around every corner, and Cordelia must convince the rival Maker families to work together for once - not only to bring her father home but to save the very essence of magic itself . . .
Gill Lewis is a highly acclaimed author of children's books featuring animals, environmental concerns, wildlife protection with a strong sense of social justice.
In her recent novel, A Street Dog Named Pup, she writes about dogs' relationships with their closest companions, humans - both the good and the bad. The story is presented through a dog's eye view of the world and like Anna Sewell's classic, Black Beauty, it prompts readers to evaluate how humans treat and exploit animals.
Gill talked to Nikki Gamble about why she wrote this compelling and poignant story.
About A Street Dog Named Pup
Between dog and human there is a special bond. A bond that must never be broken...
Pup and his boy are inseparable. But both their worlds change forever when Pup is cruelly taken away and abandoned in Dead Dog Alley. With nowhere else to turn, Pup joins a pack of misfit Street Dogs, who help him learn to fight for survival on the streets.
Pup holds on to the hope of one day being reunited with his boy. But as that hope shrinks with every passing day, Pup begins to wonder if their bond is irreversibly broken... A thrilling and heart-warming novel by award-winning author Gill Lewis, celebrating the unique bond between humans and animals, and the power of unconditional love.
Former Children's Laureate, Anne Fine, is one of our finest novelists for children and teenagers. Characteristically her stories reveal acute observations of family life coupled with humour and a sense of fairness and a belief that people generally try to do the right thing, even though they may not always make wise decisions.
In this episode, Anne talks to Nikki Gamble about her recent book Shades of Scarlet
About Shades of Scarlet
When Mum gives her the notebook, Scarlet should be happy. It's beautiful, with its shiny scarlet cover and its blank pages full of promise. But Scarlet is absolutely not in the mood for a peace offering.
Does Mum really think she can tear their family apart and expect Scarlet to be happy about it? And it's Dad's fault too. Why didn't he fight to keep them all together? Now Scarlet has to start a new life, and none of it was her choice. Scarlet decides there's only one thing she can write in the notebook.
The truth, about everything...
Literary agent and former bookseller, Sam Copeland has risen quickly to the heights of bestselling author with his blend of humour and emotionally engaging characters. His debut Charlie Changes into a Chicken, addressed common childhood worries in a wonderfully reassuring, positive story. This was followed by two further Charlie stories and another book, Uma and the Answer to Absolutely Everything.In this episode, Sam talks to Nikki Gamble about his latest story Greta and the Ghost Hunters, a story about home and belonging. It has an amazing cast of Addams family type characters and an immediately engaging and distinctive narrative voice.
About Greta and the Ghost Hunters
The hilarious tale of a family coming to terms with its ghosts - literally. Greta Woebegone did not believe in ghosts until the day she was knocked over by a car and almost died. Then everything changed...
Now Greta can not only see the spirits that haunt her ancestral home, she can talk to them too - from her grumpy Grandpa Woebegone and Percy the poo-pushing plague victim to the sinister spook in the cellar. Can Greta help the ghosts avoid being exorcised (a fate worse than undeath)? Can the ghosts help Greta stop her beloved Grandma being put in a home? And can they all help each other overcome the pain in their past that's holding them back from the future?
Sarah Ardizzone is an established and highly regarded literary translator of books from French into English. She has a particular interest in the translation of dialogue and in writers who have a social awareness and conscience.
Among the list of children's books that she has translated are:
- Daniel Pennac, Eye of the Wolf and The Rights of the Reader
- Timothee de Fombelle, Toby Alone, Vango, The Book of Pearl and Saving Celeste
- Faiza Guene Just Like Tomorrow
- Barroux Line of Fire and Alpha
In this episode, Sarah talks to Nikki Gamble about the importance of translating children's books and giving due consideration to selecting books to recommend to publishers.
About Saving Celeste
In this incredibly moving and powerful story about climate change by one of France's greatest writers for children, the world is run by industry and the only thing that matters is to buy, buy, buy. People live in crowded cities where cars are stacked vertically and shopping centres run miles into the sky. On the day Celeste starts school on the 110th floor of a tower block, she meets a lonely, young boy.
The next day she doesn't return. Her blood has become as polluted as the seas and rivers. On a mission to save her, the boy battles the forces of industry and takes her far, far away.
Will the world realise the truth of Celeste's disease? Will there be time for her, and the planet, to recover?
Eoin McLaughlin is a writer of children's picturebooks.
His debut picture book The Hug (illustrated by Polly Dunbar) was named a ‘Book of the Year’ by The Guardian and shortlisted for The Children's Books Ireland Award. The sequel, While We Can't Hug was read by many families around the world during the COVID-19 lockdowns.
He has written two books that have been illustrated by Ross Collins: Secret Agent Elephant and Inspector Penguin,
A further book, The Case of the Missing Cake is illustrated by Marc Boutavant And now Eoin has paired up with Boutavant once again for another zany adventure, I am NOT an Octopus.
In this episode, he talks to Nikki Gamble about his varied approach to writing picturebooks.
About I Am NOT An Octopus
Terry is not an octopus. He's just a regular guy with a few extra arms.
Yes, he loves tuna and yes, he'd love to visit Super Octopus Fantasea Adventure World. But octopuses live in the sea. And Terry is afraid of water.
Maybe he should learn to swim?
Lisette Auton is a disabled writer, activist, poet, novelist, spoken-word artist, actor, film & theatre-maker and creative practitioner. She's an award-winning poet who has performed at Northern Stage, ARC, The Southbank Centre and the Sage, in pubs, in a crypt, at festivals, indoors, outdoors, on a bridge and in a launderette.
The Secret of Haven Point is Lisette's debut novel, a middle-grade fantasy, set on a coast not dissimilar to her Tyneside home and reflecting Lisette's passion for the representation of disability in children's books.
About The Secret of Haven Point
*I was Haven Point's first Wreckling, but I certainly wasn't the last. There are forty-two of us now, not including the mermaids.
When you're a Wreckling, you mainly spend your days squabbling, eating and planning adventures. Oh, and Wrecklings also carry out wreckings, which is how we got our name...*
Washed up as a baby beside a remote lighthouse and raised by a mermaid, Alpha Lux was the first foundling at Haven Point. Now the lighthouse is a ramshackle home for any disabled person who needs somewhere to belong.
Looting from passing ships to make a living, they call themselves the Wrecklings, and for the children of Haven Point life is spent adventuring on the wild shore (and getting into trouble with the grown-ups). But when Alpha spots a strange light up on the headland, she realizes that her beloved family are in danger of being discovered by Outsiders. With their home under threat, the Wrecklings must decide what kind of future they want...and what they're willing to do to get it.
Lisa Thompson is a children’s novelist born in Essex, UK.
Her debut novel, The Goldfish Boy, was published in the UK and North America in 2017 and went on to become a bestseller. The Goldfish Boy has been nominated for numerous awards including the Carnegie Medal, The Branford Boase Award and the Waterstones Children’s Book Prize.
Lisa has gone on to write more best-selling novels, including The Light Jar, The Day I Was Erased and The Boy Who Fooled The World. Her novella, Owen and the Soldier, was shortlisted for the Blue Peter Book Awards.
Lisa joined Nikki Gamble #InTheReadingCorner to talk about her latest novel, The Rollercoaster Boy.About The Rollercoaster BoyTodd and Laurie's dad is either on top of the world, taking them on fun adventures, or down in the depths and sleeping all the time. In the middle of the night, he bundles them into the car and drives them to the Paradise Hotel.
He paints a picture of a luxurious mansion by the sea, but the reality is a rundown dump and the disappointment means Dad takes to his bed. Todd and Laurie have the run of the place, and meet Scout, the daughter of the owner, who tells them about the night many years ago when a famous novelist vanished from her room on the top floor, which was locked from the inside... with clues to crack, a mystery to solve, and Dad to worry about, this holiday is full of twists and turns.
Roma Agrawal MBE FICE HonFREng is an Indian-British-American chartered structural engineer based in London. She has worked on several major engineering projects, including the Shard. Agrawal is also an author and a diversity campaigner, championing women in engineering.
Roma talked to Nikki Gamble about her passion for engineering, historic buildings and writing for children.
Original from California, Katherine Webber has lived and worked in Hong Kong, Maui and Atlanta but now lives in London. As well as being an established YA author, Katherine has also co-authored two series with her husband, Kevin Tsang: Sam Wu is Not Afraid series and the Dragon Realm series.
Her YA books are Wing Jones (Walker, 2017), Only Love Can Break Your Heart (Walker, 2018) and most recent The Revelry (Walker, 2022)
Katherine joined Nikki Gamble #InTheReadingCorner to talk about the inspiration behind the revelry as well as some of the themes.
About The Revelry
A story of best friends, bad luck and the consequences of breaking the rules in a town built on secrets and superstitions. Growing up in Ember Grove, Bitsy Clark knows better than to break the rules around the Revelry, the mysterious end-of-year party in the woods. So when her best friend, Amy, persuades her to sneak in, Bitsy is full of misgivings.
Misgivings that she should have listened to because it's after the Revelry that Bitsy's luck turns and her life starts to unravel. For Amy, it's the opposite, as if she's been blessed with good fortune. Soon Bitsy is convinced that the Revelry has tied the two friends together in a curse that only she can break...
Andrew Pettie is a writer and editor at What on Earth Books and the recently launched Britannica Magazine.
Andrew joined Nikki Gamble for this episode of In The Reading Corner to tell us about the importance of good design and how it makes a difference to readers.
Terry Fan, Eric Fan and Devin Fan are American-born Canadian children's book writers and illustrators, known collectively as the Fan Brothers.
Terry and Eric made their picturebook debut with The Night Gardener, which was named an ALA Notable Children's Book. Other books include where the Ocena Meets the sky, The Barnabus Project and most recently, It Fell From the Sky.
Terry, Eric and Devin joined Nikki Gamble to talk about their creative partnership.
About It Fell From the Sky.
It fell from the sky on a Thursday. None of the insects knows where it came from, or what it is.
Some say it's an egg. Others, a gumdrop. But whatever it is, it fell near Spider's house, so he's convinced it belongs to him.
Spider builds a wonderous display so that insects from far and wide can come to look at the marvel. Spider has their best interests at heart. So what if he has to charge a small fee? So what if the lines are long? But as Spider raises the prices, insects stop showing up, much to Spider's bemusement.
And then, all of a sudden, an unexpected disaster hits and the marvel disappears! This charming story is accompanied by characterful illustrations and also teaches children important life lessons about greed and the importance of sharing.
David Olusoga is a historian and broadcaster specialising in Black British History.
In this episode he talks with Nikki Gamble about writing the empire back into history, escaping from biographical approaches and plans to produce material to support educators.
About Black and British An Illustrated History
This beautiful hardback gift book is a stunning visual journey through Black British history for younger readers by award-winning historian and broadcaster David Olusoga and illustrated by Jake Alexander and Melleny Taylor. The essential starting place for anyone who wants to learn about Black British History. David Olusoga's thought-provoking text charts the forgotten histories of Black people in Britain from Roman times right through to the present day.
From Roman Africans guarding Hadrian's Wall to an African trumpeter in the court of Henry the Eighth, Black Georgians fighting for the abolition of slavery, Black soldiers fighting for Britain in the First World War, Windrush and right up today. These are the stories that brought us all together in this country.
- When did Africans first come to Britain?
- Who are the well-dressed black children in Georgian paintings?
- Why did the American Civil War disrupt the Industrial Revolution?
These and many other questions are answered in this essential introduction to 1800 years of Black British history.
This children's edition of the bestseller Black and British: A Forgotten History is beautifully illustrated in full colour with maps, portrait galleries, timelines, photos and portraits.
Alexis Caught is an award-winning podcaster, writer, speaker, rugby player and LGBTQ activist with particular expertise in mental health and wellness. He draws on his extensive knowledge and experience in a new book for teenagers, Queer Up: An Uplifting Guide to LGBTQ+, Love, Life and Mental Health.
I caught up with Alexis to find out more about his books and to explore some of the issues of interest and concern to educators.
About Queer Up
A positive and uplifting book for young people who are queer or curious - and their allies looking to support them. In this empowering and uplifting book, award-winning podcaster Alexis Caught sets out to help queer and curious teenagers explore their LGBTQ+ identity and understanding. Alongside the author's personal experiences are first-hand stories from notable LGBTQ+ figures, providing an inclusive account of what it means to grow up queer.
With chapters on questioning, coming out, friends and family, love, sex, shame, pride and allyship, this is insightful, thoughtful and reassuring book is essential reading for any questioning teen and their allies looking to support them.
Louie Stowell has a long-established career in publishing having worked for Usborne books as an editor and in-house writer and for Ladybird Books. She is now a full-time writer with an expanding list of titles.
In this interview, she talks to Nikki Gamble about Loki: A Bad God's Guide to Being Good and her fascination with Norse mythology
About Loki
A wry, witty and very funny diary-style story packed with doodles and comic strips about the frustration trickster god Loki feels at having to live trapped in the body of a weedy eleven-year-old boy. After one trick too many, Loki is banished to live on Earth as a "normal" schoolboy. Forbidden from using his AWESOME godly powers, Loki must show moral improvement.
As he records his lies THE TRUTH in his magical (judgemental) diary, it becomes clear Loki hasn't a clue how to tell good from evil, trust from tricks, or friends from enemies.
Lucy Noguera is a former teacher and teacher of the deaf. She runs Brilliant Monsters arranging theatre/events trips for families, schools or groups of people who want to attend great events.
Now she has set up her own publishing company to create books that will engage children who have learnt to read independently but haven't the stamina to tackle a 300-page novel. For Lucy, the look of the book and the design is important for boosting children's confidence.
In this episode, she explains to Nikki Gamble what drives this initiative.
Serena Patel is the author of a hilarious new series of stories about family and friends featuring a family with South Asian heritage. The main character, Anisha, is a clever inquisitive girl, who shuns the limelight but finds herself drawn into mystery adventures.
Nikki Gamble caught up with Serena to find out more.
About Anisha Accidental Detective
HELP! My super-dramatic Aunty Bindi is getting married tomorrow and she's having a mega meltdown. But sssh! I've just found a ransom note, pushed through the letter box, saying Uncle Tony, Bindi's husband-to-be, has been kidnapped, and will only be freed if the wedding is cancelled! I have to keep this a secret otherwise it'll be panic-central...
I guess it's up to me - Anisha, ACCIDENTAL DETECTIVE, to save the day.
Simon James Green is a writer of children's and YA fiction. He was listed for the Branford Boase Award for his debut novel, Noah Can't EvenHis novel Alex in Wonderland (nominated for the Carnegie Medal and selected was one of the top 20 LGBTQ+ books of 2019
His first middle grade novel Life of Riley: Beginner’s Luck was shortlisted for the Blue Peter Award.
In this episode, Simon talks about his humorous novel Sleepover Takeover, a story about making friends and being brave enough to find them. It's a perfect novel for children in year 6 about to transition to secondary schools.
About Sleepover Take Over
When Otis wakes up after a sleepover at popular kid Rocco Rococo's house, it's a scene of total chaos and disaster. Weirdly, no one can remember what happened the night before, so Rocco and Otis reluctantly team up to retrace their steps in the hopes of working out what happened.
Diana Mayo is an established British illustrator, Her most recent picturebook is The Snow Ghost, written by Tony Mitton and published by Bloomsbury. In this episode, she talks with Nikki Gamble about the creative choices made when illustrating the book as well as some of the challenges it presented.
About The Snow Ghost
Snow Ghost came whispering out of the air, "Oh, for a home to be happy - but where?"Flying through the swirling, snow-filled skies, Snow Ghost searches for a place to call home, swooping gracefully over the whirling traffic of town, winding her way through the dense, tangled wood and to the top of the blustery hill. Then on the quiet calm of the moors, she sees a girl and a boy playing. She breathes magic and sparkle into their play until it's time for them to stumble back home to bed.
And while shimmers of moonlight cast their glittering light, Snow Ghost curls herself around the roof of the farmhouse. She has found her happy home at last. A timeless story of hope and belonging, perfect for sharing with loved ones this winter.
Author and illustrator Jen Carney wrote the B.U.G. series to celebrate diverse - and perhaps slightly bonkers - families. In this episode, she talks with Nikki Gamble about the importance of adopted and fostered children being visible in books for children and introduces us to the world of B.U.G.
About B.U.G series
Meet Billie Upton Green and her VERY accidental diary - and don't you DARE call her B.U.G!
Billie has taken the new girl at school under her wing. She'll teach her the important stuff - Biscuit Laws, Mrs Patterson and of course where to sneakily eat a Jaffa Cake. She might even get invited to the EVENT OF THE YEAR (Billie's mums' are getting married).
But then suspicion sets in. The new girl seems VERY close to Billie's best friend Layla. And she knows a LOT about the big school heist - the theft of Mrs Robinson's purse.
But, Billie is on to her. Well, as long as Patrick doesn't catch her eating biscuits first
It's an unbelievable 10 years since the publication of the first Tom Gates book. Undoubtedly popular with young readers, the virtue of funny books written in diary format is sometimes unappreciated by adults. In this podcast, Liz talks to Nikki Gamble about how the books encourage reading by stealth and celebrate children's creativity.
View books in the Tom Gates series
Pádraig Kenny is an Irish writer. He started his career writing radio drama. As an arts journalist, he has contributed work to the Irish Times, the Sunday Tribune, the Sunday Independent, the Irish Examiner, and several other publications.
His debut novel Tin was published by Chicken House in 2018 and was Waterstones Children’s Book of the Month. It has been nominated for the CILIP Carnegie Medal and the Northern Ireland Book Awards. His second novel Pog was published in April 2019 and was Independent Booksellers’ Children’s Book of the Month.
In this podcast, he talks with Nikki Gamble about his Rookehaven stories: The Monsters of Rookhaven and The Shadows of Rookhaven
When Shadows Fall is a novel about what happens when tragedy strikes and the effect grief has on a teenage boy when the safety net that should be there to catch him is taken away. It's also about the power of friendship that can help overcome the impact when the cards are stacked against you. It is a profoundly moving story.
Sita Brahmachari, Natalie Sirett, Mattie Whitehead and Charlie Moyler joined me In The Reading Corner to explain why this story is so important to them.
About When Shadows Fall
Kai, Orla and Zak grew up together, their days spent on the patch of wilderness in between their homes, a small green space in a sprawling grey city. Music, laughter and friendship bind them together and they have big plans for their future - until Kai's family suffers a huge loss.
Trying to cope with his own grief, as well as watching it tear his family apart, Kai is drawn into a new and more dangerous crowd, until his dreams for the future are a distant memory.
Excluded from school and retreating from his loved ones, it seems as though his path is set, his story foretold. Orla, Zak and new classmate Om are determined to help him find his way back. But are they too late?
Broadcaster, Harry Whittaker, joined Nikki Gamble In The Reading Corner to talk about the book that he co-authored with his mother the acclaimed novelist, Lucinda Riley. The book is illustrated by Jane Ray and published by Macmillan.
Grace and the Christmas Angel
It's Christmas Eve. The tree is decorated, the presents are wrapped and it's a big day for Grace.
She is singing a song in the nativity show, and her fisherman daddy has promised to be back in time to watch her. But when a storm blows up at sea, Grace walks out on stage to find Daddy is not there. She's very worried.
But luckily, Grace has someone watching over her. Will Hope, the Christmas Angel, be able to help Daddy get home safely for Christmas morning?
Michael Mann is a primary school teacher by day, and mostly writes when he should be sleeping at night. He was a winner of SCBWI’s Undiscovered Voices 2020, and the 2019 London Writer’s Award (Spread the Word). He is passionate about diversity in children’s literature as a person of British and Indian heritage.
In this episode, he talks about his debut novel Ghostcloud, how teaching has inspired his writing and learning from other writers.
About Ghostcloud
Kidnapped and forced to shovel coal underneath a half-bombed, blackened power station, 12-year-old Luke's life is miserable.
Then, he discovers he can see things others can't. Ghostly things. Specifically, a ghost-girl named Alma.
Alma, who can ride clouds through the night sky and bend their shape to her will, befriends Luke. And with Alma's help, Luke discovers he is in fact a rare being - half-human and half-something else ... Then Luke learns the terrible truth of why children are being kidnapped and forced to work in the power station, and he becomes even more desperate to escape.
Can Luke find out who he really is ... and find his freedom?
Storyteller Margaret Bateson-Hill and illustrator, Karin Littlewood, bring their combined talents together in this beautiful retelling of the nativity story.
In this episode, I talked with Margaret and Karin about the continued relevance of the Christmas story in a pluralistic society and specifically what they wanted to achieve with their retelling.
Leah's Star
Bethlehem has never been so busy! Leah, the innkeeper's daughter businessman off her feet. Then in the starlight miracles begin. This beautiful, fresh new telling of the Nativity story, through the eyes of a young girl, brings wonderful humanity to this familiar tale.
With a story as ancient and familiar as the Nativity, it's easy to forget the human drama at its centre a young woman about to give birth for the first time, far away from home, her mother and the women who would usually help her; the older Joseph, concerned for his young wife. By telling the story through the eyes of young Leah, Margaret Bateson-Hill allows the reader to see the humanity of the ancient story. The Nativity's innkeeper is often portrayed as a callous businessman, turning the vulnerable couple away.
But at the time of the census in Jerusalem, his rooms would have been packed with travellers - not an ideal place for a young woman about to go into labour. In Leah's Star, we see his humanity in offering Mary and Joseph a warm, private space in his stable. Here is a young woman, about to go into labour who is helped by Leah and the local midwife.
These details bring the old familiar story to new life.
Chris Naylor-Ballesteros is a picture book author and illustrator. Originally from Bradford and studied illustration and graphic design at Bradford College of Art. In 2000 he moved to France where, amongst other things, he was an English teacher before working in newspaper layout and design. When his children were small he realised he loved the picture books he read to them, sometimes even more than his children did. He went on to create, I'm Going to Eat This Ant, followed by I love, You Stick Insect and The Suitcase.
To-date he has written two Christmas books, The Lonely Christmas Tree and Tiny Reindeer.
He joins Nikki Gamble in this episode of In The Reading Corner to tell us more about his work.
About Tiny Reindeer
Meet Santa's smallest helper: Tiny Reindeer! He doesn't quite fit in, but when a very special letter arrives before Christmas Eve, he embarks on a mission to find his place in the world. Tiny Reindeer just can't find his place in the busy North Pole. Being much smaller than the other reindeer, he's not very good at any of the jobs Santa gives him.
But when a letter comes from a little girl with a Christmas wish to help keep the memory of her grandfather alive, Tiny knows exactly what he needs to do.
Richard Lambert was born in London. He has had many different jobs including teaching medieval history. For the last ten years, he has lived in Norfolk where he works for the NHS and writes stories and poems. One of his stories was shortlisted for the Sunday Times Short Story Award and another won the Fish Short Story Prize, and his poems have been in the Times Literary Supplement, The Spectator, and The Forward Prize Anthology. His second poetry collection, The Nameless Places, was published in 2017 and many of the poems in it are a response to the landscape around the River Waveney, on the Suffolk-Norfolk border. The collection was shortlisted for the East Anglian Book Awards.
His first published YA novel, Wolf Road was published by Everything with Words.
In this episode, he talks to Nikki Gamble about his second novel for children, Shadow Town.
About Shadow Town
In a dangerous land enslaved by the cruel Regent, where the Dreamers have the magical power to turn dreams into reality, Toby meets Tamurlaine, a strange girl who has lost her memory. To uncover the mystery of her identity and get Toby back home, the pair must go on a thrilling journey to the heart of the kingdom, the castle of the Regent A haunting piece of Gothic magical realism.
Joanna Nadin author and senior lecturer in creative writing at the University of Bristol. She has been nominated twice for the Carnegie Medal and shortlisted for the Roald Dahl Funny Prize, while the TV adaptation of her novel Joe All Alone is now a BAFTA-winning and Emmy-nominated BBC drama.
In this episode, Jo talks to Nikki Gamble about her novel No Man's Land set in the not too distant future.
About No Man's Land
'I could feel it coming. War, I mean. Creeping up on us, into our town, down our street, into our house.
Smiling like a friend, like it was Batman come to save us when really it was the Joker all along.' With far-right Albion on the brink of war with Europe, ten-year-old Alan and his little brother Sam are sent away to safety. Dad tells Alan he has to be brave, like the superheroes he loves, but Alan isn't too sure. He wants to be wherever Dad is, and, anyway - can he really be sure who's a hero and who's a villain?
A heartwarming, heartbreaking story of acceptance, love and bravery in all its different forms, from the acclaimed author of Joe All Alone.
Flora Delargy is an author and illustrator from Belfast. She has a master's degree in Children's Book Illustration from Cambridge School of Art. In 2019, she was selected for the Illustrators Exhibition at the Bologna Children's Book Fair. Rescuing Titanic is her debut book for children. In this episode, Flora introduces her work and discusses her creative process.
About Rescuing Titanic
This exquisitely illustrated story of quiet bravery tells in rich detail how the little ship Carpathia saved 705 passengers of the Titanic from the icy waters of the North Atlantic. Written and illustrated by debut Northern Irish artist Flora Delargy, whose grandfather and great grandfather both worked in the Belfast Shipyards where the Titanic was built. With the approaching 110-year anniversary of the ship's sinking, Rescuing Titanic and its story of the Carpathia offers a fresh perspective on the incident from an author-illustrator uniquely connected to the story.
In the middle of the night, the Carpathia received a distress call from the sinking Titanic. The intrepid little ship heroically changed course and headed straight into the frozen sea to help save as many people as it could. Follow the Carpathia as it risks everything to navigate remote, treacherous ice fields in the dark and come to the rescue of passengers on the world-famous ocean liner.
Along the journey, you will learn all about Morse code, navigation tools, the different roles of the crew, how the ships found each other, and by-the-minute details of exactly what happened on this cold and fateful night. The illustrations set the scene and take the reader into the frozen eerie night in the North Atlantic. Beautiful full-bleed illustrations and vignettes give great detail about how everyone on the ship made their own contribution and showed true bravery.
Rescuing Titanic shows that a glimmer of hope can be found even in great tragedy and that heroes are not always big and mighty, but can also be small and unassuming. This is the debut book in the Hidden Histories series, which explores with beautiful illustrations and vivid details the untold parts of stories we thought we knew.
Kieran Larwood is the author of Freaks and was the winner of the Times/Chicken House Children’s Fiction Competition 2011. He is best known for his popular animal fantasy series set in The Five Realms.
Kieran trained as a teacher and worked as one of only two male reception teachers on the Isle of Wight.
In this episode, he talks to Nikki Gamble about animal fantasy and the creation of The Five Realms.
Nick Lake is an editorial director at HarperCollins Children's Books and an acclaimed author of YA novels. He is the winner of the Michael L Printz Award for In Darkness (Bloomsbury). Locked Out Lily is his first middle-grade novel.
Emily Gravett is an award-winning illustrator and picturebook creator. As well as writing and illustrating her own books, she has illustrated novels for A F Harrold and Matt Haig and poetry collections.
About Locked Out Lily
Lily just wants things to go back to the way they were: before she got sick before her parents decided to have another baby. So when she's sent away to stay with her grandmother while her mum has the baby, Lily is determined to go home.
But she doesn't expect to find people in her house - people who look like her parents, but definitely aren't ... Together with some unlikely animal companions, Lily must face her fears and summon the courage to break into her own house, and defeat 'The Replacements' before the night is out.
Yaba Badoe is an award-winning documentary filmmaker and writer. Yaba was born in Ghana but now lives in England with her husband. She has been nominated for the Distinguished Woman of African Cinema award. Her debut children's novel A Jigsaw of Fire and Stars and two further novels Wolf Light and Lionheart Girl are published by Zephyr.
Yaba joined Nikki Gamble In The Reading Corner to talk about the strong women that comprise the cast of memorable characters in Lionheart Girl.
About Lionheart Girl
African myth and magic beat in the dark heart of this fable about witchcraft, superstition, the bonds we choose and those we cannot. Born into a family of West African witches, Sheba's terrified of her mother who can turn into a crow. But like mother, like daughter - magic runs through her blood and Sheba discovers powers of her own.
Her touch can unravel people's innermost thoughts; their hopes, their fears - their secrets. Sheba too can shape-shift. Through the communion of ancient magic, blood and friendship, she slowly uncovers the murderous truth about her stolen childhood and steels herself for the future.
She must protect the hunted from the hunter - her mother.
Lisa Fuller is a Wuilli Wuilli woman from Eidsvold, Queensland, and is also descended from Gooreng Gooreng and Wakka Wakka peoples. She won a 2019 black&write! Writing Fellowship, the 2017 David Unaipon Award for an Unpublished Indigenous Writer, the 2018 Varuna Eleanor Dark Flagship Fellowship, and was a joint winner of the 2018 Copyright Agency Fellowships for First Nations Writers.
Lisa is an editor and publishing consultant, and is passionate about culturally appropriate writing and publishing. Lisa is a member of Us Mob Writing, the Canberra Speculative Fiction Guild, the First Nations Australia Writers Network, and the Canberra Society of Editors. Lisa still lives in her Australian birthland.
Lisa previously published poetry, blogs and short fiction, but her first YA fiction title, Ghost Bird, was an instant prizewinner in her homeland.
About Ghost Bird
A thrilling, multi-award-winning, teen ghost story, from an indigenous Australian author, drawing on ancient mythology and folk wisdom. Stacey and Laney are twins and mirror images of each other but as different as the sun and the moon. Stacey wants to go places, do things and be someone different while Laney just wants to skip school and sneak out of the house to meet her boyfriend Troy.
When Laney doesn't come home one night, the town assumes she's just doing her normal run-off but Stacey's gut tells her different. Stacey knows her twin isn't dead - she just doesn't know where she is; she can see her in her dreams but doesn't know if she is real or imagined. Holding onto the words her Nan taught her is one thing but listening to those around you is another - who will Stacey trust? As the town starts to believe that Laney is missing for good, can she find her twin in time?'
Catherine Barr started writing children’s books after looking for a book on evolution for her daughters but finding the available material dry and uninspiring. Having slipped unexpectedly into writing for children, she has gone on to write books on many subjects with a strong theme of environment, and conversation. With a background in ecology, and having worked for Greenpeace and the Natural History Museum, she is well-placed to write about these subjects.
Jean Claude is a self-taught illustrator from the UK, currently living and working in Lisbon, Portugal.
In this episode, they talk to Nikki Gamble about the first book in a new series: Let's Save the Planet.
About Let's Save the Planet: Antarctica
Discover why we must protect Antarctica from climate change. Home to millions of penguins, ancient dinosaur fossils and huge blue whales, Antarctica is our last great wilderness. This fascinating picture book brings to life this extreme and exciting continent for young children, exploring its icy landscape and extraordinary wildlife.
It also shows the incredible scientific research that happens there and therefore why it is so important that we act to protect this special part of the planet from climate change and plastic pollution.
About Let's Save the Planet: The Amazon
Discover why we must protect the Amazon from climate change. Bursting with all kinds of life, the Amazon is one of the most incredible places on Earth. This richly illustrated picture book brings to life this extraordinary region for young children, exploring its tropical rainforest and scenic landscapes.
It showcases the lush wildlife, diverse communities and life-saving medicines that can all be found there and therefore why it is so important that we act to protect this special part of the planet from the impact of climate change.
Michael Rosen's battle with Covid was followed with concern by fans and well-wishers. Hoe has spoken about the impact of the virus on his health and the road to recovery. Now he has written a memoir for younger readers which tells the story of his recovery and pays tribute to the people who helped him. Michael joined Nikki Gamble to explain his reasons for writing the book and how he hopes it will help children understand the importance of resilience and perseverance.
About Sticky Mcstickstick
A powerful and personal story from one of Britain's best-loved authors about his recovery from coronavirus. After being admitted to hospital in 2020 with coronavirus, Michael Rosen had to learn to walk again. With the support of doctors and nurses and a walking stick he names "Sticky McStickstick", he manages to embark on the slow steps to recovery.
This moving picture book from the former Children's Laureate, with illustrations from Tony Ross, tells a story of perseverance and hope and is a testament to the importance of overcoming fear and learning to accept help.
Olivia Lomenech Gill is a fine artist, printmaker and children's book illustrator. She is the illustrator of J K Rowling's Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them. She has also illustrated two books for Michael Morpurgo, the poetry collection, Where My Wellies Take me and a story about Elizabeth Frink, Much and Magic.
Now Olivia has illustrated a superb new feminist retelling of the Medusa myth, written by Jesse Burton. Olivia spoke to Nikki Gamble from her home in Brittany.
About Medusa
A dazzling, feminist retelling of Greek myth from the internationally bestselling author of The Miniaturist, stunningly illustrated by Olivia Lomenech Gill.
Exiled to a far-flung island by the whims of the gods, Medusa has little company except for the snakes that adorn her head instead of hair. But when a charmed, beautiful boy called Perseus arrives on the island, her lonely existence is disrupted with the force of a supernova, unleashing desire, love and betrayal Filled with glorious full-colour illustrations by award-winning Olivia Lomenech Gill, this astonishing retelling of Greek myth is perfect for readers of Circe and The Silence of the Girls.
Illuminating the girl behind the legend, it brings alive Medusa for a new generation.
Alexandra Page and Stef Murphy introduce their new book, The Fire Fox. Based on Sami myth about the origins of the Northern lights. It's a beautiful story about loss and recovery, sadness and happiness. Nature, space and time all contribute to Freya's recovery. Alex and Steff joined me to explore a little deeper.
About The Fire Fox
An uplifting, magical book perfect for sharing at bedtime that will leave children feeling warm, cosy and loved. Freya and her mum have gone to a little cabin to get away for a while. The light has gone out of their lives since Freya's dad passed away.
Freya isn't sure about going sledging, but when she meets a magical fox in the snow, she can't help but follow him into the forest - and on to a thrilling adventure. A heartwarming bedtime story inspired by the Finnish Saami myth of the revontulet, or fox fires - the sparks that fly from the fur of a mystical fox to become the Northern Lights. The Fire Fox is a gloriously illustrated, beautifully written story about the nurturing light of love that can't be dimmed, written by debut author Alexandra Page and illustrated by the exciting talent Stef Murphy.
Sophie Kirtley is a prize-winning poet and children's. She grew up in Northern Ireland where she enjoyed a childhood closely connected to nature. It is these early memories that in part inspired her children's stories, The Wild Way Home and The Way to Impossible Island. Sophie joined Nikki Gamble In The Reading Corner to talk about her timeslip adventures.
About The Way to Impossible Island
Born with a serious heart condition, Dara has been waiting for his Big Operation forever, and this summer it's finally going to happen. The moment his heart is fixed he'll row out to the island in the bay all by himself just like he's always dreamed. But when his op is postponed, Dara snaps.
When will he get to live his real life? Maybe the adventures he dreams of are just silly fantasies. And then he finds a girl hiding in the boat shed. She wears animal skins.
She has a real live pet wolf. She is, simply, impossible. Could Mothgirl really be from the Stone Age? And what is she seeking on Lathrin Island? As Dara and Mothgirl set out on a wild, windswept sea journey Dara begins to realise that when you stop worrying about what's impossible, you can do anything.
A brave, life-affirming middle-grade timeslip adventure about finding your family and finding yourself, from the author of The Wild Way Home.
Owen Davey's bold graphic style is widely recognised, and his animal series published by Flying Eye is hugely popular. From Monkeys to Octopuses, Frogs to Crocodiles and Cats to Beetles, we can't get enough of these informative, beautifully produced books.
In this episode, Owen talks to Nikki Gamble about the most recent addition to the series, Curious About Crocodiles. Who knew there was so much to know about these fascinating reptilians?
About Curious About Crocodiles
Did you know that crocodiles can live to be over 100 years old, and can climb trees to sunbathe? They can even sense the vibrations from a single drop of water falling from the mouth of a drinking wildebeest over twenty metres away.
Discover more about these mysterious creatures and their cousins the caimans and the alligators.
Andrea Beaty and David Roberts are the creative duo behind the Questioneers series featuring the young children in Miss Greer's class. Iggy Peck, Ada Twist, Rosie Revere and Sofia Valdez. Now they are joined by Aaron Slater, Illustrator.
In this episode, Andrea and David talk about how they spark off each other's ideas and tell us more about the background to Aaron Slater.
About Aaron Slater, Illustrator
Aaron Slater loves listening to stories and dreams of one day writing them himself. But when it comes to reading, the letters just look like squiggles to him, and it soon becomes clear he struggles more than his peers. When his teacher asks each child in the class to write a story, Aaron can't get a single word down.
He is sure his dream of being a storyteller is out of reach . . .until inspiration strikes, and Aaron finds a way to spin a tale in a way that is uniquely his.
Cornelia Funke is a fantasy writer whose work has garnered international recognition and has been adapted for cinema. Her first book to be translated into English was The Thief Lord, followed by Dragon Rider, which was hugely successful, remaining on the New York Times bestseller list for 78 weeks and achieving the number one slot on the children's list. A second book in the series, The Griffin's Feather, was published over a decade later and now Funke returns to the world of Dragon Rider with a third book in the series, The Aurelia Curse.
Cornelia joined Nikki Gamble In The Reading Corner from her home in Volterra Italy and explained why there might be long gaps in writing new stories for her series and what prompted her to write this latest book.
About The Aurelia Curse
Ben and the Greenblooms must protect a mythical new creature rising from the ocean that can bring light or darkness to whoever it first meets - a vast, mythical Aurelia. It's a race against time to protect it, for if the Aurelia is hurt, all fabulous creatures will vanish from Earth. In the end, though, it may take the arrival of the original silver dragon, Firedrake, to help save them all ...
Philip Womack is a journalist and writer, whose work is infused with myth, legend and wild magic, in the tradition of Alan Garner and Susan Cooper. His fantasy trilogy, The Darkening Path, is inspired by Childe Roland's quest, as was Alan Garner's Elidor.In this episode, Philip takes us into the faerie realm and discusses his latest novel Wildlord, published by Little Island.
About Wildlord
Something is menacing Mundham Farm. Does it come from outside - or within?
Who or what are the Samdhiya, the supernatural people described in the old handwritten diaries Tom finds in his uncle's house?
As Tom starts to uncover the truth and learn new details about his parents' death, he is confronted with a stark choice: on the one hand, infinite power; on the other, freedom. Which will he choose?'
With a background in bookselling, Jen Campbell is the author of Franklin's Flying Bookshop and the Sunday Times bestseller, Weird Things People Say in Bookshops.
She has a passionate interest in fairy tales and runs a YouTube channel dedicated to discussing the history of different tales.
In this episode, she talks about her own folk tale collection, The Sister Who Ate Her Brothers and other gruesome tales, fourteen stories that have been collected from across the globe.
About The Sister Who Ate Her Brothers
Jen Campbell's collection of terrifyingly gruesome tales lends a modern edge to fairy tale collections for young readers. Drawing on her extensive knowledge of fairy tale history, Campbell's stories undo the censoring, gender stereotyping and twee endings of more modern children's fairy tales, to return both classic and little-known stories to their grim versions, whilst celebrating a diverse range of characters. Featuring 14 short stories from around the globe, The Sister Who Ate Her Brothers is illustrated in a contemporary style by Canadian comic artist Adam de Souza.
De Souza's brooding illustrations are a highly original blend of 19th-century Gothic engravings and moody film noir graphic novels.
Television presenter Yvette Fielding is well-known for her time on Blue Peter and as the co-creator and presenter of Most Haunted. In this episode, she talks to Nikki Gamble about her horror book for children, The House in the Woods. This is definitely not one for the faint-hearted.
About The House in the Woods
When Clovis, Eve and Tom decide to play with a ouija board in an old abandoned house on Halloween, none of them foresees the horrors they're about to unleash. What starts out as a bit of fun, soon transcends into something far more terrifying when a distressed and determined spirit follows them home.
Before long the friends are caught up in a series of events beyond their wildest imaginings and their journey as ghost hunters begins . . .
Oliver Jeffers is a visual artist and author working in painting, bookmaking, illustration, collage, performance, and sculpture. He best is one of the foremost illustrators of children's books working today.
Oliver talked with Nikki Gamble about There's a Ghost in This House, remarkable for its playfulness and seriousness, as well as the experimental design pushing the affordances of the book.
About There's a Ghost in This House
Hello, come in. Maybe you can help me? A young girl lives in a haunted house but has never seen a ghost.
Are they white with holes for eyes? Are they hard to see? She'd love to know! Step inside and turn the transparent pages to help her on an entertaining ghost hunt, from behind the sofa, right up to the attic. With lots of friendly ghost surprises and incredible mixed-media illustrations, this unique and funny book will entertain young readers over and over again!
Phil Hickes was born in the UK where he lived next door to a graveyard - a perfect breeding ground for a future writer of children's horror stories. He now lives with his wife in Portland, Oregon, where he works as an advertising copywriter.
Phil has a passion for horror, ghosts, and all things that go bump in the night. His short stories have been published in adult horror anthologies, but Phil turned his hand to writing middle grade as he wanted to create the same visceral thrill he remembers from reading Alan Garner, Clive King and Roald Dahl.
In this episode, Phil talks to Nikki Gamble about the Bewitching of Aveline Jones, the second book about a curious girl drawn to paranormal mysteries.
About the Bewitching of Aveline Jones
Turn on your torches and join Aveline Jones!
Aveline is thrilled when she discovers that the holiday cottage her mum has rented for the summer is beside a stone circle. Thousands of years old, the local villagers refer to the ancient structure as the Witch Stones, and Aveline cannot wait to learn more about them. Then Aveline meets Hazel.
Impossibly cool, mysterious yet friendly, Aveline soon falls under Hazel's spell. In fact, Hazel is quite unlike anyone Aveline has ever met before, but she can't work out why. Will Aveline discover the truth about Hazel, before it's too late?
Join the world of Aveline Jones, where mysteries are solved, spirits are laid to rest, and everybody gets to bed on time.
Frances Durkin believes in making history both accessible and fun. The Histornauts series is a well-conceived project from Small publishing in which a group of children from the present-day go back in time to explore life in different historical periods through their encounters with ordinary people.
Frances joined Nikki Gamble In The Reading Corner to talk about the series and her approach to historical study.
About The Histronauts: A Greek Adventure
When the Histronauts travel back in time to the ancient Greek era they'll need your help to uncover the secrets of the past. Visit the Acropolis, watch the activities that inspired the Olympic Games and paint masks for a thrilling Greek tragedy at the amphitheatre. An exciting mix of story, facts and activity!
The third book in William Grill's series with publisher Flying Eye, Bandoola: the great elephant rescue, tells the story of war veteran James Howard Williams and his encounter with elephant trainer Po Toke in Burma (now Myanmar) between the wars. Drawing on Po Toke's experience of raising elephants with kindness rather than punishment, they introduce a new training regime. When war breaks out again, the elephant Bandoola is instrumental in helping them on a perilous journey getting them across the border to safety.
The story is set in the context of Burmese geography and history and is packed with fascinating information about elephants.
William Grill talks to Nikki Gamble about his fascination with true adventure stories set in wild places and his creative process.
Nick Crumpton is a zoologist and children's author. He has worked as a science communicator at the Natural History Museum and as a journalist and researcher for the BBC, He specialises in studying extinct mammals.
In this episode, Nick talks to Nikki Gamble about his book Everything You Know About Dinosaurs is wrong. Listen to learn about recent discoveries and the latest in scientific thinking.
About Everything You Know About Dinosaurs is Wrong
Dinosaur fans will quickly become dinosaur experts with this informative, inventive and entertaining take on a dinosaur book! Do you know all there is to know about dinosaurs? They're mean, green and not very smart, right? Well, this book is here to show you that you're WRONG! But don't worry, even the experts can't be right all the time . . .
So, let's uncover the truth! From fossilised feathers to long-necked lookalikes, this ingenious book is packed with so many amazing dinosaur discoveries, you'll soon become a palaeontology pro. Including jaw-dropping research that will debunk many myths about all kinds of prehistoric creatures - you'll never look at a pigeon the same way again! With fascinating, friendly and easy-to-understand text written by zoologist Dr Nick Crumpton and amazingly detailed colour artwork on every page, this beautifully produced hardback gift book with an incredible tactile cover will delight dinosaur fans of any age.
Rob and Tom’s creative partnership began in the 1980s when Tom (the younger brother) was born. Now, Rob is a bestselling writer and Tom is an illustrator. They’ve created everything from zoo exhibitions and ice cream van designs to books, sitcoms, newspaper cartoons and movie scripts.
The Biggest Footprint was created as an experiment to try to understand the species that they are a part of.
In this episode, they talk with Nikki Gamble about what we can learn from big numbers and why it's important to maintain a sense of humour in the face of catastrophe!
About The Biggest Footprint
Meet the mega human: colossal, clueless . . .and the biggest hope for life on Earth.
There are eight billion of us humans. All breathing, eating, fidgeting and thinking deep thoughts. It's an unimaginably large number.
Or is it? The mega human is the result of smooshing all the people in the world together into one spectacular giant (don't try this at home). Even though the mega human is not the smartest of creatures, it is slowly beginning to understand the problems it has created for Planet Earth's future...and how it might be able to fix them.
Making use of brain-bending stats and smoosh theory, The Biggest Footprint is a journey of self-discovery suitable for anyone and everyone identifying as human.
Alastair Chisholm has developed a reputation for writing exciting middle-grade science fiction. Orion Lost, a futuristic story about a the crew of a spaceship abandoned in deep space received widespread positive reviews. He is also the creator of picture books and puzzles.
In this episode, Alastair chatted to Nikki Gamble about his second thrilling science fiction adventure Adam-2.
About Adam 2
With incredible twists and turns and an action-packed story, this is a thrilling, unputdownable adventure. The robot Adam-2 has been locked in the basement of a lost building for over two hundred years - until one day he is discovered by two children, and emerges into a world ruined by a civil war between humans and advanced intelligence. Hunted by both sides, Adam discovers that he holds the key to the war, and the power to end it - to destroy one side and save the other.
But which side is right?Surrounded by enemies who want to use him, and allies who mistrust him, Adam must decide who - and what - he really is. From the author of the highly-acclaimed Orion Lost, Adam-2 is an exciting and hugely gripping science fiction thriller - perfect for fans of Eoin Colfer, Anthony Horowitz, and Philip Reeve. "Brilliant - one of the best middle grade books I've read this year ...
M G Leonard and Sam Sedgman are the co-authors of Adventures on Trains, a gripping, page turning mystery series that takes in train journeys across different continents. The partnership has produced a clutch of very successful books, but I wanted to know more about the process of working together. Can friendship survive when there may be competing ideas and deadlines to be met. If you are curious then listen to this episode.
About Danger at Deadman's Pass
A mysterious letter from an old friend asks Hal and Uncle Nat to help investigate a spooky supernatural mystery. Legend has it the Kratzensteins, a family of rich and powerful railway tycoons, are cursed, but there is no such thing as a curse, is there . . .? Hal and Nat take the night train to Berlin and go undercover. From a creaking old house at the foot of the Harz mountains, they take the Kratzenstein family's funeral train to the peak of the Brocken Mountain. Can Hal uncover the secrets of the Brocken railway and the family curse before disaster strikes?
Chella Quint coined the term ‘period positive’ in 2006 while touring her free Adventures in Menstruating comedy show and workshops in school holidays while teaching drama and PSHE. She kept meeting audiences who wanted her to speak at their school or university and share the concepts she was developing around period positivity more widely. Finally, she went back to university, completed an MA in education, and started researching issues in menstruation education to find out how she could do more.
Chella developed Period Positive and devotes her time to promoting period positivity to counteract the frequently negative public discourse about menstruation.
Read more about Period Positive
Chella chatted to Nikki Gamble in The Reading Corner about her new book, Own Your Period, a guide for young people about periods and the reproductive cycle.
About Own Your Period
This fact-filled guide to periods is bursting with positive, honest advice on managing and understanding menstruation. Having a period is an incredible thing - Own Your Period celebrates what the body can do and provides young people (age 9+) with everything they need to be prepared... and empowered.
Includes the fascinating science behind why things happen, with all the details of menstruation through to menopause. Answers all essential questions like what's a vulva and what does it look like, what do periods actually feel like, and what happens if blood stains your clothes? Chella Quint's witty text slays superstitions, busts common myths and fights period shame, while providing practical information about menstrual products, tracking cycles and sharing her own personal stories. Funny, insightful and warm illustrations with friendly chatty text make this an everything-you-need-to-know essential handbook, which pre-teens can refer to before their periods start, and will appreciate when their cycle is more established.
Flavia Drago is an illustrator with a broad portfolio covering branding, packaging, character development and children's books. She is a recent graduate of the MA in Children's Book Illustration from Anglia Ruskin University, Cambridge.
Flavia was born and raised in Mexico and the influence of the traditions on the patterns, colours and artefacts can be seen in her debut children's book Gustavo: The Shy Little Ghost. Flavia has been awarded the Klaus Flugge Prize for being the most exciting and promising newcomer in children's book illustration.
About Gustavo: The Shy Ghost
With exquisite detail and humour, Flavia Z. Drago's vivid illustrations tell a sweet and offbeat story of friendship and courage. "A great story about making friends by being yourself and the illustrations are a constant visual delight" Malorie BlackmanGustavo is a ghost.
He is good at doing all sorts of paranormal things, like walking through walls, making objects fly and glowing in the dark. And he loves playing beautiful music on his violin. But Gustavo also has a problem.
He is SHY. This means some things are harder for him to do, like getting in a line to buy eye-scream or talking to the other monsters. But Gustavo longs to be a part of something, he longs to be seen.
More than anything, he wants to make a friend. So, plucking up all his courage, he sends a very special letter: "Dear Monsters, I would like to invite you to my violin concert at the Day of the Dead party..."
Sudanese-Australian writer and media presenter, Yasmin Abdel-Magied is something of a superstar. Following an early career as a mechanical engineer and formula 1 commentator, she is now a published writer for children.
Yasmin was named Young Queenslander of the year in 2010 and Queensland Australian of the Year in 2015 for her engagement in community work.
In this episode, Yasmin talks about her clever, forthright and well-meaning heroine, Layla.
About Listen, Layla
The hilarious follow-up title to You Must Be Layla by Yassmin Abdel-Magied. I am Layla Kareem Abdel-Hafiz Hussein, the greatest Sudanese Australian inventor the world has ever seen. And if they don't know my name yet, they soon will. Inshallah!
School's out for the summer! And Layla's going to spend it getting her inventions ready for the Grand Design Competition. But when her grandmother falls ill and her family must rush to Sudan to be with her, Layla feels like she's being pulled in many different directions. Family, friends, home, inventions - there's a lot to navigate.
With big protests looming in Sudan, could Layla save the day with her revolutionary ideas?
Sara Pennypacker's Pax was a huge hit with children and adults alike. Many readers wanted to know what happened to Peter and his pet Fox after the story ended and now Sara Pennypacker has written a sequel.
In this episode, she talks to Nikki Gamble about why she felt compelled to write a sequel and the things that are important to her in the stories.
About Pax: Journey Home
It's been a year since Peter and his pet fox, Pax, have seen each other. Once inseparable, they now lead very different lives.
Pax must protect his litter of kits in a dangerous world. Meanwhile, Peter, orphaned after the war, has left his adopted home and joined the Water Warriors, a group determined to heal the land from the scars of the war. When one of Pax's kits falls desperately ill, he turns to the one human he knows he can trust.
And no matter how hard Peter tries to harden his broken heart, love keeps finding a way in. Now both boy and fox find themselves on journeys toward home, healing - and each other. A breathtaking novel about chosen families and the healing power of love.
Rob Biddulph is well-known for his picture books and the phenomenally successful Draw with Rob YouTube channel. Now he has turned his talent to writing longer fiction and his first book Peanut Jones and the Illustrated City is an absolute triumph.
In this episode, Rob introduces the world of Peanut Jones and also describes his process of creating longer illustrated fiction.
About Peanut Jones and the Illustrated City
Drawing feels like magic to Peanut Jones.
But art can't fix her problems. Her dad has gone missing, and she's stuck in a boring new school. Until the day she finds a unique pencil turbo-charged with special powers.
Suddenly she's pulled into a world packed with more colour, creativity, excitement and danger than she could ever have imagined. And maybe, just maybe, she might find out what happened to her dad. '
Small dots grow into bigger dots and before you know where you are the small dot has grown into International Dot Day.
Peter Reynolds the author and illustrator of The Dot joins Nikki Gamble #InTheReadingCorner to explain how a simple dot can help to encourage children's confidence in their own creativity.
The Dot
One little dot marks the beginning of Vashti's journey of surprise and self-discovery in Peter H. Reynolds' multiple award-winning modern classic. In this inspiring, award-winning story of self-expression and creativity from Peter H.
Reynolds, illustrator of Ish and the Judy Moody series, Vashti thinks she can't draw. But her teacher is sure that she can. She knows that there's a creative spirit in everyone, and encourages Vashti to sign the angry dot she makes in frustration on a piece of paper.
This act makes Vashti look at herself a little differently, and helps her discover that where there's a dot there's a way... With wit, charm and free-spirited illustrations, Peter H. Reynolds encourages even the stubbornly uncreative among us to make a mark - and follow where it takes us.
Chris Thorogood is Deputy Director & Head of Science, University of Oxford Botanic Garden & Arboretum, His recently published book When Plants Took Over the Planet has plenty to interest children from around 9 all the way to adultIn this episode he talks to Nikki Gamble about the evolution of plants and igniting children's interest in plant life.
When Plants Took Over the Planet
Discover the incredible story of how plant life grew to cover the surface of planet Earth, from long before human life existed up to the present day. This large-format, highly illustrated book will guide readers through the key aspects of the life of plants, from early ferns which were most certainly munched on by dinosaurs, to carnivorous plants that snap and 'attack' their prey, or powerful medicinal plants that can heal ailments and boost health. Mysterious and wonderful plants and trees are explored through the diverse habitats they're found in, from the Amazon Rainforest to the Sahara Desert, and through the animals found living on them or amongst them.
This book also explores how humans use - and abuse - our precious plants, and how reliant we all are on the survival of our planet's network of botanical life.
Samuel Langley-Swain has a background in fine art but following the arrival of his two children, he decided that needed to write his own story. After self-publishing and marketing his own book he realised there was more to be done and set up his own publishing house Owlet Press.
Monika Singh Gangotra's Sunflower Sisters exposes the impact of colourism and breaking the cycle. It's an uplifting and empowering book about colourism and sisterhood
Sam and Monika introduce Owlet Press in conversation with Nikki Gamble.
Kiran Millwood and Tom de Freston are creative partners as well as being married to each other. Their recently published novella, Julia and the Shark is a profound exploration of mental illness and its impact on children and families.
The text is poetic and the illustrations enigmatic, giving this story a mythic quality that gives it universal significance. It is both a physical and psychological exploration.
In this interview, they tell us more about the book.
Julia and the Shark
The shark was beneath my bed, growing large as the room, large as the lighthouse, rising from unfathomable depths until it ripped the whole island from its roots. The bed was a boat, the shark a tide, and it pulled me so far out to sea I was only a speck, a spot, a mote, a dying star in an unending sky...
Julia has followed her mum and dad to live on a remote island for the summer - her dad, for work; her mother, on a determined mission to find the elusive Greenland shark. But when her mother's obsession threatens to submerge them all, Julia finds herself on an adventure with dark depths and a lighthouse full of hope...
A beautiful, lyrical, uplifting story about a mother, a daughter, and love - with timely themes of the importance of science and the environment.
Dr Mya-Rose Craig is a bidder, and activist and the youngest holder of an Honorary Doctorate, which was awarded by the University of Bristol. In November 2020 she was included in the Woman's Hour Power List 2020.
Mya has written a book featuring 30 other young activists campaigning for a better world, many of them teenagers. In this interview, she talks to Nikki Gamble about We Have a Dream.
We Have a Dream
Indigenous people and people of colour are disproportionately affected by climate change, yet often aren't heard in global conversations. In this book, British-Bangladeshi environmentalist and race activist 'Birdgirl' Mya-Rose Craig speaks to campaigners from around the world about what needs to be done.
From wildlife conservation to clean water, air pollution to plastic waste, climate justice to climate strikes, the time has come to listen to a generation of young people of colour demanding urgent change for the world they will inherit.
Pam Smy talks to Nikki Gamble about her highly anticipated second novel, The Hideaway.
Pam describes the different threads that are woven together to create the dual narrative story, the techniques used for verbal and visual storytelling and the image creation.
About the Hideaway
The wonderful long-awaited second novel from Pam Smy celebrated author and illustrator of Thornhill. The Hideaway tells the story of a boy, Billy McKenna, who runs away from a difficult situation at home and takes refuge in an overgrown graveyard. While hiding there he meets an elderly man who is tending the graves in preparation for a day in November when something magical is set to happen.
The book is written in two alternating narratives, both different aspects of the same story. One thread tells of Billy's experience of hiding away in the graveyard, his mixed-up feelings and emotions, and the supernatural events he eventually witnesses. The other tells of his mother's situation at home and the police search for Billy.
Covering themes of family, childhood, separation and reunion, domestic violence and doing the right thing, this is an important and beautiful book for teenagers and adults
Victoria Hislop read English at Oxford and worked in publishing, PR and as a journalist before becoming a novelist.
Her first novel, The Island, held the number one slot in the Sunday Times paperback charts for eight consecutive weeks and has sold over two million copies worldwide. Victoria acted as script consultant on the 26-part adaptation of The Island in Greece, which achieved record ratings for Greek television.
Her second novel, The Return, set against the tempestuous backdrop of the Spanish Civil war was also a Number One bestseller. She returned to Greece for her third novel, The Thread, taking as her backdrop the troubled history of the city of Thessaloniki in a story that spans almost a century, beginning with the Great Thessaloniki Fire of 1917.
Victoria returns to The Island for her first children's book, Maria's Island, which is illustrated by Gill Smith. In this episode, she talks to Nikki Gamble about this book.
About Maria's Island
The absorbing story of the Cretan village of Plaka and the tiny, deserted island of Spinalonga – Greece’s former leper colony – is told to us by Maria Petrakis, one of the children in the original version of The Island. She tells us of the ancient and misunderstood disease of leprosy, exploring the themes of stigma, shame and the treatment of those who are different, which are as relevant for children as adults. Gill Smith’s rich, full-colour illustrations will transport the reader to the timeless and beautiful Greek landscape and Mediterranean seascape.
Peter Frankopan is Professor of Global History at Oxford University, where he is Senior Research Fellow and Stavros Niarchos Foundation Director of the Oxford Centre for Byzantine Research He is Associate Director of the Programme for Silk Roads Studies at King,s College, Cambridge.
In this episode, he talks about The Silk Roads: A New History of the World - illustrated edition.
About The Silk RoadsSet your sails east with this stunningly original new history of the world. Peter Frankopan explores the connections made by people, trade, disease, war, religion, adventure, science and technology in this extraordinary book about how the east married the west with a remarkable voyage at its heart - the journey along the Silk Roads.
From ancient world laws laid down by King Hammurabi and the mighty Persian empire to terrifying Huns, the rise of Europe, two world wars and politics today, The Silk Roads moves through time and history sewing together the threads from different peoples, empires and continents into a phenomenal history of the globe.
With stories from each and every corner of society, Frankopan's magnificent retelling of his literary triumph The Silk Roads, sumptuously illustrated by Neil Packer, is must-have world history.
Naomi Gibson was born in 1988 and grew up in Cheshire, UK. Her childhood was spent with her nose in a book and her hands on a sketchpad, constantly in search of adventure and new worlds. Encouraged by her family to be creative, she developed a love for writing at a young age – something that never left her. She studied Art History at the University of Manchester. Whilst there, she met her husband, someone who continues to tell her all about the latest advancements in AI, space, and consumer technology, even when she’s not listening.
In this episode, Naomi discusses her debut novel Every Line of You with Nikki Gamble
About Every Line of You
Lydia has been creating her AI, Henry, for years - since before her little brother died in the accident that haunts her nightmares; since before her dad walked out, leaving her and Mum painfully alone; since before her best friend turned into her worst enemy. Now, Henry is strong, clever, loving and scarily capable: Lydia's built herself the perfect boyfriend in a hard drive filled with lines of code. But what is Henry really - and how far is he willing to go to be everything Lydia desires?
Swapna Haddow trained as a doctor, but after discovering she didn't like blood, decided on a career change and wrote her first book Dave Pigeon: How to Deal With Bad Cats and Keep (most of) Your Feathers, which won the Greenhouse Funny Prize. Dave Pigeon was also the winner of the North Somerset Teachers’ Book Award, Read Aloud category 2016, winner of Surrey Libraries’ Children’s Book Award 2017, winner of the Fantastic Book Awards 2018 and selected as part of the Tom Fletcher Book Club 2, in association with WHSmith. Dave Pigeon was also shortlisted for the Sainsbury’s Children’s Book Awards 2016, the Leicester Libraries Our Best Book Award 2017 and the Sheffield Children’s Book Award 2017. The second book in the series, Dave Pigeon (Nuggets!), was shortlisted for the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI) Crystal Kite Award 2018 and the third book in the series, Dave Pigeon (Racer!), was shortlisted for the Alligator’s Mouth Award 2019.
In this episode, Swapna talks to Nikki Gamble about her book 1947: Torn Apart, which tells the story of two boys at the time of the partition of India. The story is set in Delhi.
About 1847 Torn Apart
A thrilling and moving account of the largest movement of people in history, telling both sides of the story through the voices of children at the heart of Partition. It's October 1947 and two young boys find themselves thrown together during the dramatic changes of Partition. As the new India and Pakistan are born, can the friendship between these two children rise above the tensions between the two countries? When the British announced they would be leaving India, a feeling of hope bubbled up in towns and villages across the country - they would be free to rule themselves at last! But deciding to split the country in two - Partition - would soon mean so much more.
Jeffrey Boakye is a writer and teacher originally from Brixton in south London, now living in Yorkshire with his family. He has a particular interest in issues surrounding education, race and popular culture. Jeffrey has taught English in secondary schools and sixth form colleges since 2007.
In this episode, he talks to Nikki Gamble about his book Musical Truth: A Musical History of modern Black Britain in 28 songs.
About Musical Truth
Music can carry the stories of history like a message in a bottle. Lord Kitchener, Neneh Cherry, Smiley Culture, Stormzy...
Groundbreaking musicians whose songs have changed the world. But how? This exhilarating playlist tracks some of the key shifts in modern British history and explores the emotional impact of 28 songs and the artists who performed them.
This book redefines British history, the Empire and postcolonialism, and will invite you to think again about the narratives and key moments in history that you have been taught up to now. Thrilling, urgent, entertaining and thought-provoking, this beautifully illustrated companion to modern black music is a revelation and a delight.
Ross Montgomery is known for his inventive stories and reflective picturebooks. Now he brings us something entirely different, a rhyming countdown book featuring hairy monsters and some very tasty teachers. The result is a playful book that lends itself to shared reading and enactment with its 'Bear Hunt' style environments for children to creep, squelch and stomp through.
About Ten Delicious Teachers
An irreverent and zany counting book that is gently thrilling and written in a deliciously infectious rhyme with witty and whimsical illustrations. Ten very foolish teachers have missed the last bus home. But LOOK - a shortcut through the forest! They'll be back in time for tea! Off they skip, unaware that in the woods a hungry horde of mischievous and hilariously goofy monsters is waiting...
Dirk Reinhardt, born in 1963, studied German and history before becoming a freelance journalist and starting to write books for children and young adults.
In this episode, he talks with Nikki Gamble about the background to his novel the Edelweiss Pirates and his reasons for writing it. The novel's translator Rachel Ward assists with interpretation.
About Edelweiss PiratesWhen sixteen-year-old Daniel befriends Josef Gerlach, he has a feeling the old man is keeping something from him, and sure enough, when Josef gives him his teenage diary to read Daniel discovers a shocking story of rebellion and struggle. It tells how Gerlach left the Hitler Youth at the age of 14 and instead joined a gang called the Edelweiss Pirates. Their uniform: long hair and cool clothes. Their motto: freedom! At first, the Edelweiss Pirates are only interested in hanging out and having a good time, but as the situation in Nazi Germany gets worse, they start to plan dangerous missions against Hitler’s regime.
The deeper Daniel dives into this past world, the more closely he feels connected to Gerlach, until he realises what the Edelweiss Pirates have to do with him and his own story.
Linda Newbery is a Costa Award-winning author for her novel Set in Stone, a mystery in the Vein of Wilkie Collins The Woman in White. She is highly regarded for her fiction for both junior and teenage readers.
Now Linda has written her first non-fiction book, This Book is Cruelty-Free: Animals and Us. Linda's first novel was concerned with animal rights and hunting. She has long been a campaigner for animal welfare organisations, she is a passionate supporter of Compassion in World Farming, the League Against Cruel Sports and PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals). She now presents convincing arguments that humans must show greater compassion for animals, both for ethical reasons but also for the benefit of human society.
Linda joined Nikki Gamble In The Reading Corner to explain more.
Struan Murray author of The Orphans of the Tide and Shipwreck Island is the joint recipient of the Branford Boase award, with editor Ben Horslen. The Branford Boase is given for the most outstanding children's debut of the year and recognises the writer and the important role played by the editor in the process of steering a debut book to publication.
Struan is Scottish, born and brought up in Edinburgh, but is now working in Oxford, lecturing in biochemistry at Corpus Christi.
Liz Hyder winner of the 2020 award and a member of the judging panel said, ‘This book utterly stole my heart. Exquisitely written, it’s a phenomenal page-turner with characters that leap off the page and straight into your imagination. Orphans of the Tide explores lots of big themes - environmental issues, friendship and xenophobia to name but a few - all wrapped up in an utterly compelling tale told by a master storyteller. Struan is an exceptional talent and I can’t wait to read everything else he ever writes.’
Struan joined Nikki Gamble In The Reading Corner to talk about the award and his novel, and let us know what writing plans he has for the future.
Mark Bradley is a comics writer and artist, who lives in Yorkshire with his family. He grew up reading stories about ghosts and monsters and promptly decided that he preferred them to humans. Having worked for the probation service for many years he saw first-hand how important a skill emotional literacy is and hopes his debut series will help young readers to explore feelings in a fun setting. Bumble and Snug developed out of characters he kept drawing in the margins of other projects until he launched them on his Instagram account (@markbradleyillustration) and found himself with a book deal – something he never even dared to dream was possible.
In this episode, Mark talks to Nikki Gamble about his new comic book Bumble and Snug, which can be enjoyed by readers from 5 upwards.
About Bumble and SnugBest friends Bumble and Snug are Bugbops – little monsters filled with BIG feelings! In this full-colour graphic novel, join them on a funny, imaginative adventure with some VERY angry pirates, learning about the world outside and inside along the way.
Bumble and Snug are going on a big adventure to … have a picnic! But when they accidentally get lost, they’re both cross – is their adventure ruined?
Working together to find their way home, Bumble and Snug come across a pirate treasure horde. But taking treasure that isn’t yours is a good way to get into trouble, and sure enough, some VERY angry pirates aren’t far behind.
Bumble and Snug are certain they can replace the treasure, and fix things to make everybody happy. But there’s another monstrous obstacle in store – and this one has TENTACLES.
Bumble and Snug and the Angry Pirates is a story about being cross and how to listen, friendship and sandcastles, and one GIANT octopus!
Alom Shaha was born in Bangladesh but grew up in London. A parent, teacher, science writer, and filmmaker, he has spent most of his professional life trying to share his passion for science and education with the public. Alom has produced, directed, and appeared in a number of television programmes for broadcasters such as the BBC, and has received fellowships from the National Endowment for Science, Technology, and the Arts (NESTA) and the Nuffield Foundation. He has represented his community as an elected politician and volunteered at a range of charitable organisations. He teaches at a comprehensive school in London and writes for a number of print and online publications, including The Guardian.
In this episode, Alom talks with Nikki Gamble about his passion for science and practical ways to engage children and parents with activities using everyday objects.
About Mr Shaha's Recipes for WonderEvery child can be a scientist with the help of Mr Shaha and his recipes for wonder! Turn a rainy day at home or a walk in the park into a chance to experiment. All you need are a few simple items from your kitchen cupboards - and the power of curiosity! Learn about sound by making wine glasses sing, investigate chemical reactions with vitamin-powered rockets, and explore Newton's Third Law by making balloon driven cars. Written by a science teacher and dad, Mr Shaha's Recipes for Wonder gives clear, step-by-step instructions for over 15 experiments.
Whether you're a science star or just starting out, it will help you inspire young people to learn. Get the whole family joining in around the table, as you transform your kitchen into a laboratory!
About Mr Shaha's Marvellous MachinesTransform and recycle household objects into your very own homemade toys and machines! Learn about the centre of gravity by making a balancing bird, create a toroidal vortex with a smoke-ring machine, and turn a spoon into an electromagnet. Chances are you won't need to buy the materials required for these machines because they're all in your house right now. Every child can be an engineer with the help of Mr Shaha and his marvellous machines.
Michelle Paver is a British novelist who was born in Malawi where she lived until she was three years old. Her mother was Belgian and her father was South African.
Michelle was educated at Wimbledon High School and went on to read biochemistry at Lady Margaret Hall, University of Oxford, After University she became a partner in a City of London law firm.
Her first children's novel, Wolf Brotherwas published in 2004. Set during the Stone Age this is the story of twelve-year-old Torak and his companion, Wolf. Following a mortal wounding by a bear, Torak's father speaks through his dying breath and asks his son to make him a promise. Alone, wounded, terrified and on the run, Torak must now lead the bear to the Mountain of the World Spirit - a mountain that no one has ever found before.
This is the first book in The Chronicles of Ancient Darkness which is followed by seven more books, the most recent is Skin Taker published in April 2021.
About Skin Taker The Clans will be tested as never before, as they battle to find ways to survive and thrive in their beloved Forest.
In the Dark Time of midwinter, disaster strikes the Forest.
Chaos rules. Bears woken from their dens prowl the shadowy valleys. Desperate clans battle for survival.
Only demons thrive. With their world in turmoil, Torak, Renn and Wolf are tested as never before. And as a new evil haunts the devastated land, Torak must risk his sanity, his life and even his soul to save everything he loves...
Skin Taker carries you back to the Stone Age, to nature, drawing you deeper into an astonishing environment and adventure which began with Wolf Brother and has captivated millions of readers
L. D. Lapinski is the author of The Strangeworlds Travel Agency trilogy of children's books.
Book 1 Strangeworlds Travel Agency
Book 2 The Edge of the Ocean
Book 3 Forthcoming
She first wrote a book when they were seven; it was made of lined paper and sellotape, and it was about a frog who owned an aeroplane.
In this episode L.D talks to Nikki Gamble about her fantasy world and a cast of extraordinary characters.
About The Strangeworlds Travel Agency
When 12-year-old Flick Hudson accidentally ends up in the Strangeworlds Travel Agency, she uncovers a fantastic secret: there are hundreds of other worlds just steps away from ours. All you have to do to visit them is jump into the right suitcase. Then Flick gets the invitation of a lifetime: join Strangeworlds' magical travel society and explore other worlds.
But, unknown to Flick, the world at the very centre of it all, a city called Five Lights, is in danger. Buildings and even streets are mysteriously disappearing. Once Flick realizes what's happening she must race against time, travelling through unchartered worlds, seeking a way to fix Five Lights before it collapses into nothingness - and takes our world with it.
Peter Bently is a prolific author of rhyming picture books for children. These include
The Great Dog Bottom Swap (with Mei Matsuoka), Meet the Parents (with Sara Ogilvie), The Shark in the Dark (with Ben Cort) and Potion Commotion (with Sernur Isik).
Cats Ahoy!, his first picture book with Jim Field, won the Roald Dahl Funny Prize 2011]and King Jack and the Dragon (with Helen Oxenbury) was named as an American Library Association Notable Book of the year.
In this episode, he talks to Nikki Gamble about how he creates rhyming stories and the recently published The King's Birthday Suit and forthcomingI Am Dog.
Sally Gardner and Lydia Corry are the creative partnership behind the fabulous Tindims stories, a series that is reminiscent of The Borrowers but with a new 21st Century awareness. The Tindims are tiny people who sail the seas on their floating island, repurposing the rubbish that other people leave behind.
Sally and Lydia are mother and daughter, and their beach walks and talks have been a perfect way to observe the flotsam and jetsam washed up on the south coast as well as talk about their creative ideas for the stories.
In this episode, they talk about the joys of working together and their respect for each other's work.
Pippa Curnick has established herself as a picturebook talent and now added her creative magic to a new illustrated fiction series for newly independent readers.
Indigo Wilde and the Creatures of Jellybean Crescent has a touch of Pippi Longstocking, a hint of Fungus the Bogeyman in a story that is wholly from Pippa's expansive imagination. The book is beautifully produced with illustrations that will undoubtedly encourage children to draw their own fantasy houses and creatures.
I was excited to talk to PIppa about her creation.
About Indigo Wilde and the Creatures of Jellybean Crescent
.When a highly dangerous new arrival goes missing, the race is on to catch it before disaster strikes ...
Discovered in the Unknown Wilderness when she was just a baby, Indigo Wilde was adopted by World-Famous Explorers, Philomena and Bertram, who are always off adventuring. Home for Indigo and her little brother, Quigley, is 47 Jellybean Crescent, a crazy and colourful house full of magical creatures that her parents have taken in over the years. There's Fishkins, a purrmaid - half-cat, half-fish, and ALWAYS grumpy; Graham, a llama-corn with a particular taste for tinsel; Olli and Umpf - bright pink and blue yetis who can't blend into the snow, and that's to name just a few of the creatures.
And now Indigo's parents have sent another Monster Mail delivery to Indigo and Quigley. But this time, the box is empty, and the escaped creature is running rampage around the house. The race is on to catch the creature before it's too late ...
Polly Ho-Yen's debut book, The Boy in The Tower, was an instant success. The middle-grade science fiction story about strange spores that affected concrete and led to the collapse of buildings was full of nail-biting jeopardy but plenty of heart too. Since then Polly has written several middle-grade novels, including where Monsters Lie and Fly me Home. as well as books for education series and a younger chapter book.
How I Saved the World in a Week is another survivalist science fiction novel, with some similarities in tone and themes to The Boy in the Tower. Poly joined me In The Reading Corner to talk about the ideas behind the story.
About How I Saved the World in a Week.
Rule number one: Always be prepared . . .
Billy's mum isn't like other mums. All she wants is to teach him the Rules of Survival - how to make fire, build shelter and find food. She likes to test Billy on the rules until one day she goes too far, and Billy is sent to live with a dad he barely knows.
Then the world changes forever as people begin to be infected with a mysterious virus that turns their skin grey. As chaos breaks out, Billy has to flee the city. Suddenly he realises that this is what his mum was preparing him for - not just to save his family, but to save the whole world.
Maise Chan is a British Chinese author, born in Birmingham and now living in Glasgow. She runs the Bubble Tea Writers Network, a support group that she set up to encourage writers of East and South-East Asian descent. She also founded the Glasgow Children's Writers Network and is a mentor for Leila Rasheed's Megaphone Writer Development project.
Tiger Warriors is a new series from Maisie. It is likely to appeal to readers who enjoy action-led page-turning narratives (and is pitched by the publisher as likely to appeal to Beast Quest readers). Maisie has a keen interest in Chinese myth and legend, and has previously written titles on this subject in education series. She draws on this mythological pool for Tiger Warriors, and especially the animals of the Chinese zodiac.
I caught up with Maise to find out more.
Acclaimed author, Jamila Gavin talks about an important publishing project set up to give voice to a diverse range of writers and illustrators, both established and new.
About In Her Element
In Her Element's deep-dive into Sophie's world offers a rare opportunity for young readers to see through the eyes of a main character with cerebral palsy. Written by Jamila Gavin, this groundbreaking story is awash with magic realism, beautifully rendered in watercolour by emerging illustrator Jacinta Read.
After talking to Nicola Morgan about strategies and techniques for developing resilience, I decided to try belly breathing. It's great for focus and concentration and deflects from the anxieties that might be taking too much brain space. I picked up lots of other interesting tips too and discovered why Nicola was motivated to write this book.
Nicola is no stranger to writing about the teenage brain. In addition to Be Resilient, she has also written; The Teenage Guide to Friends, The Teenage Guide to Life Online, The Awesome Power of Sleep and Positively Teenage.
About Be Resilient
The essential teenage guide to building resilience for challenging times, from award-winning well-being expert Nicola Morgan, author of the bestselling Blame My Brain and The Teenage Guide to Stress. Some events in life will always be out of our control, whether it's a global crisis or a traumatic event at home - but Be Resilient shows that the power to cope is in our hands. Discover how to develop the skill of mental resilience in this fascinating guide from award-winning author and teenage brain expert Nicola Morgan.
From building a support network to building optimism, find positive, practical advice for preparing for, coping with and bouncing back from the toughest of times. Authoritative and backed by the latest science, this is a reassuring companion for teenagers everywhere.
Historian, broadcaster and writer, Dominic Sandbrook, talks about his collections of historical stories for children. How do you make history engaging for action-loving children, what is the difference between writing true stories and historical fiction and why writing for children is so much more demanding than writing for adults.
Adventures in Time
Take a journey to a vanished world with the ADVENTURES IN TIME* series - stories so exciting you won't believe they're all true' The Adventures in Time series brings the past alive for twenty-first-century children. These stories are every bit as exciting as those of Harry Potter or Matilda Wormwood. The only difference is they actually happened...
Six Wives of Henry VIII
Winter has come; and in a far distant land, a warrior queen is expecting a child...' Step through these pages into the Tudor world: a dangerous place, where one miss-step could cost your life. Through the eyes of Henry VIII's six very different queens, from a brave Spanish princess to a wise English widow, historian Dominic Sandbrook takes us on a thrilling journey through the twists and turns of a dramatic age. For no one is safe from the wheel of fortune: it can take you from a golden throne to the Tower of London...
The Second World War
Prepare to enter the most dramatic conflict the world has ever seen, as historian Dominic Sandbrook takes us on a spine-tingling, heart-stopping adventure.
We witness the Second World War first-hand through the eyes of ordinary people living in extraordinary times, from the women who worked all night in factories to the chess players who cracked unbreakable codes. Because in total war, no life is left untouched...
David Ouimet is an American artist, author, and musician.
Early illustration work includes album jackets for his rock group Motherheadbug. He has also illustrated stories notably for Robert D San Souci and Nacy Etchmendy. Since then he has worked as a street artist in New York and internationally.
His debut children's book which he both wrote and illustrated, I Go Quiet was published to great acclaim and selected as a finalist for the Kate Greenaway Award. A sequel, I Get Loud, follows the story of the protagonist on a journey towards finding her voice and a place where she can be at peace with the world.
About I Get Loud
I Get Loud, the follow-up to the exquisite I Go Quiet, sees the introverted heroine go out into the world as she gains confidence in her voice and makes a friend for the first time. It is a tale of the emboldening nature of the imagination, the redemptive power of friendship and why we should all embrace our own beautiful, singular weirdness.
A M Howell is the author of The Garden of Lost Secrets and The House of One Hundred Clocks, historical mysteries set in and around real places in East Anglia. Her third book The Mystery of the Night Watchers, continues this theme. A story set during the Edwardian period in her home town of Bury St Edmunds during a spectacular appearance of Halley's Comet.
Anne-Marie joined me In The Reading Corner to provide some background to the story and tell us about the research.
About The Mystery of the Night WatchersFrom the bestselling author of The Garden of Lost Secrets and The House of One Hundred Clocks, A.M. Howell, comes a gripping new adventure filled with buried secrets and dark lies, set against the evocative backdrop of the Edwardian era. MAY, 1910As the blazing Halley's comet draws close to the earth, Nancy is uprooted to start a new life in Suffolk with a grandfather she has never met.
With every curtain drawn shut, Nancy is forbidden from leaving her grandfather's house: no one must know that her or her mother are there. Yet, when Nancy discovers the house's secret observatory, she watches her mother and grandfather creep out every night... Where are they going? And why mustn't any of them be seen? As the mysteries pile up, Nancy must bring dark secrets from the past to light - even if doing so will put her own life at risk.
Pooja Puri's A Dinosaur Ate My Sister was selected as the first book choice for Marcus Rashford's Book Club. A percentage of sales will be donated to the charity Magic Breakfast. Marcus and Pooja are both committed to ensuring children have the fuel to give them energy and help them learn through the day, as well as books to engage and delight.
Pooja joined me In the Reading Corner to talk about her madcap story, featuring a super confident, creative heroine, a time travel machine and some dinosaurs. You won't be surprised to learn that Pojja is a big fan of Doctor Who.
About A Dinosaur Ate My Sister
Before you start reading, there are a few things you should know:
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- I, Esha Verma, am a genius inventor extraordinaire.
- 2.There is nothing I cannot invent. This includes words.
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- I did not mean to send my sister back to the Age of the Dinosaurs. That was HER OWN FAULT (Mum and Dad, if you're reading this, please take note).
Esha Verma, her snotty apprentice Broccoli and his cunning pet tortoise have a dream. They are going to win the legendary Brain Trophy - the ultimate inventing prize. This year's entry: A TIME MACHINE. But the day before the competition, Esha's IGNORAMUS big sister hijacks the time machine and is lost in the Cretaceous age.
With help from a new recruit for The Office of Time, Esha and Broccoli will have to face hungry dinosaurs, mysterious black holes and malfunctioning inventions to get them back in time.
Marcia Williams is well known for her wonderful retellings of best-loved stories in her inimitable comic book style which invite reading and rereading. King Arthur, Robin Hood, Shakespeare, Chaucer and the myths and legends of Greece and Egypt have been given her special treatment. She has also written and illustrated two exceptional books in diary/scrapbook format. Archie's War and My Secret War Diary by Flossie Albright.
Marcia's latest book is all about feelings and how to deal with them. A particularly pertinent topic at the present time as many children come to terms with re-establishing relationships having spent time in small bubbles.
I invited Marcia to talk to me about this project and why she felt it was so important.
About The Fantastic Book of Feelings How do you feel today? Whether you're happy, sad or anything in-between, this book is the perfect guide to understanding and celebrating all your feelings!
In colourful comic-strip stories, explore a whole range of emotions and discover ways to cope when any feeling becomes overwhelming. Packed with top tips for mental wellbeing and a first aid box for feelings, this is a helpful and engaging guide celebrating the importance of good mental health.
Lauren St John is well-known for her thrilling mystery series, The White Giraffe series, Laura Marlin Mysteries and Wolfe and Lamb. Lauren's books are infused with an adventurous spirit so I was delighted to invite her to be my guest for this episode of In The Reading Corner to talk about her latest book Wave Riders.
About Wave Riders
A storm is coming. What will it take to survive?
Twins Jess and Jude Carter live a dream life sailing from one exotic destination to the next with their guardian, Gabriel.
But after Gabe vanishes and a storm smashes up their lives, they're left penniless and alone. When a wealthy, glamorous family offer them a home, everybody tells them they're the luckiest children in the world. But the Blakeneys' stately mansion is full of secrets - secrets that seem entangled with the twins' own fate.
As they race to uncover the truth, Jess and Jude must confront their deepest fears. How do you solve a mystery when that mystery is you?
Hilary McKay is one of the best-loved children's novelists writing today. She has a talent for making the ordinary beautiful and extraordinary. Her depiction of families is warm and compassionate even when circumstances are challenging.
I invited Hilary into the Reading Corner to talk about The Swallows' Flight, the sequel to Skylarks War.
About The Swallows' Flight
A moving WWII story of family and friendship on opposite sides of a devastating conflict. The Swallows' Flight is the stunning companion novel to The Skylarks' War.
Erik and Hans are German boys.
Ruby and Kate are English girls.
They grow up in worlds that would never meet until war tumbles their lives together. Then one September afternoon there are choices to be made. How is courage lost, and found? Who is really the enemy? And what does friendship truly mean, in the middle of a war?
Meanwhile, Rupert and Clarry work secretly for peace - and a brighter future for them all . . .
Ewa Jozefkowicz's latest book is simply delicious. The Cooking Club Detectives covers some serious territory such as food poverty and adult depression, but it deals with the subjects lightly in a story full of hope, where children have agency and take positive action. And as you will gather from the title, there's a mystery to be solved too. I invited Ewa In The Reading Corner to help me sort out the ingredients in this culinary delight.
About The Cooking Club DetectivesMeet Erin, her puppy Sausage and friends as they swap recipes and pots for clues and culprits and try to solve the mystery of why their cookery club is closing and save it for everyone. The fourth middle-grade book from author Ewa Jozefkowicz about family, friendship and self-discovery, touching on themes of food poverty and online bullying.
Skipton House Community Centre may look ramshackle, but it is soon at the heart of Erin's life - especially the cooking club. When the building is suddenly threatened with closure, Erin and her new friends, Tanya, Frixos, and Sam, form The Cooking Club Detectives.
Can they, and their four-legged assistant, Sausage, uncover who the mystery culprit is and save Skipton?A beautifully observed story about the power of food and the importance of community.
Jenny Pearson's first book The Super Miraculous Journey of Freddie Yates was published to great acclaim and quickly became a favourite with primary teachers for its closely observed, hilarious but compassionate portrayal of children. Jenny is a primary teacher herself and it's clear that she loves both parts of her working life and that they feed each other.
A second book The Incredible Record Smashers was published in 2021 and is equally funny, with some genuine laugh out loud moments. I rarely laugh aloud when I am reading alone, but this book triggered my funny bone.
To find out why, listen to Jenny talking about The Incredible Record Smashers in this episode.
About The Incredible Record SmashersA record-smashing, feel-good adventure packed with heart, humour and Guinness World Records from Costa Award-shortlisted JENNY PEARSON, and Kid Normal illustrator Erica Salcedo Lucy is a fixer of broken things. But there's one thing she can't fix and that's her unhappy mum. Until she comes up with an INCREDIBLE plan.
Along with her best friend, Sandesh, Lucy is going to SMASH a world record. Because she's convinced that starry Paul Castellini - Record Smashers TV host and singing legend - is the answer to her mum's problems. But breaking a world RECORD when watermelons, kumquats, two baddies and a 30 cm shatter-resistant school ruler are involved isn't quite as easy as Lucy thought.
Can she learn that sometimes happiness doesn't come with a plan?"
Susie has been a teacher, a tour guide, a typist, a workshop facilitator, a PA and a painter. She formerly wrote and directed TV programmes for children at the BBC and Channel 4, for which she won a BAFTA Award.
The Three Impossibles is Susie's second novel for children aged 8+. It is an original story steeped in fairy tales, told in the classic storytelling voice.
Susie joined me In The Reading Corner to talk about the influences on the story and her approach to writing,
About The Three ImpossiblesMim grew up surrounded by secrets. On the day she was born, her mother died and a mysterious curse was cast on her family. Ever since, she's been isolated in a walled castle, forbidden from venturing to the Outside.
But Mim has never been able to stop asking questions - and when her father enlists the suspicious Madame Marionette to train her in the art of being a princess, her curiosity only gets more intense. Determined to understand, Mim sets out on an epic adventure in which she will break all the rules, encounter strange creatures and use all her cunning to solve impossible problems. But will it be enough to bring happiness back to the lonely castle on the rock?
Philip Reeve and Sarah McIntyre have earned themselves a place in the hearts of many children, parents and teachers. Their creative partnership produces books that emanate joy and laughter, so we had to start our conversation with the serious topic of biscuits. Have you had a biscuit today?
About Kevin and the Biscuit BanditA brilliantly quirky adventure story from creative powerhouse Philip Reeve and Sarah McIntyre. Bumbleford has been hit by a series of biscuit thefts. All the clues lead straight to the only roly-poly flying pony in town, and Max's best friend, KEVIN! Max and Kevin are forced to go on the run.
Will they find the real culprit before Kevin ends up in pony prison?
Pick up a copy of the book to find out. It goes very well with tea and biscuits. Mine's a fig roll, thank you.
M G Leonard is the author of the internationally bestselling Beetle Boy series, a thrilling and sometimes dark adventures series that helped many readers discover an appreciation for the beetle world.
In her latest novel, Twitch, she does for birds, what she did for beetles.
In this episode, she talks to Nikki Gamble about the new series and her new ornithological interest.
Brian Conaghan was born and raised in the Scottish town of Coatbridge but now lives in Dublin. He has a Master of Letters in Creative Writing from the University of Glasgow. For many years Brian worked as a teacher and taught in Scotland, Italy and Ireland. His first YA novel for Bloomsbury, When Mr Dog Bites,was shortlisted for the 2015 Carnegie Medal, and his second, The Bombs That Brought Us Together,won the 2016 Costa Children's Book Award. We Come Apart, a verse novel co-authored with Carnegie Medal winner Sarah Crossan, won the 2018 UKLA Book Award, and his fourth novel, The Weight of a Thousand Feathers, won the 2018 Irish Book Award for Teen & Young Adult Book of the Year.
In this episode, he talks to Nikki Gamble about his recently published novel, Carboard Cowboys.
Jodie Lancet-Grant and Lydia Corry popped into The Reading Corner to talk about their book, The Pirate Mums.
Jodie explained that as a gay mum with twin daughters she was aware of how few picturebooks are available showing same-sex parents as normal and so she set out to write her own.
There's more than a little pirate mum in both writer and illustrator in their approach to bringing up proud, strong and creative daughters.
Born and raised in Alaska and a longtime journalist for Alaska Public Radio, Bonnie-Sue Hitchcock spent ten years fishing commercially and raised her children on a boat in Southeast Alaska - bringing a rare authenticity to her writing about America's last frontier.
She lived briefly in Colorado and then returned to Fairbanks, Alaska, Her first novel, The Smell of Other People's Houses was published to acclaim.
In this episode, she talks to Nikki Gamble about her second novel, Everyone Dies Famous in a Small Town
Wildlife writer Martin Jenkins writes books about the natural world for young children that are both informative and engaging.
After graduating from Cambridge University, Martin worked for ten years for World Conservation Monitoring Centre, writing about a range of conservation issues. He continues to work freelance for organisations such as WWF and a number of UN bodies concerned with conservation and the environment.
Martin started to work with children's books when he was asked to advise on Walker Books Animals at Risk series. Since then he has written many books including Emperor's Egg, winner of the Times Junior Information Book of the Year Award, Can We Save Tiger? Caterpillar and Bean, Beware of the Crocodile. He has also written a book about the exploration of Space: Exploring Space from Galileo to Mars Rover and Beyond and an adaptation of Don Quixote, which was illustrated by Chris Riddell.
Tim Hopgood is a graduate of Kingston University and worked for 20 years as a graphic design and freelance illustration.
His first book, Our Big Blue Sofa, was published in 2006. Other titles include Here Comes Frankie, Upoppable and the hugely popular Wow Said the Owl.
In 2008 he was the winner of the Best Emerging Illustrator Award at the Book Trust Early Years Awards.
In this episode, he talks to Nikki Gamble about his latest project a bumper book about the natural world, My Big Book of the Outdoors.
Sam Thompson was shortlisted for the 2012 Man Booker Prize for his debut novel Communion Town. He has published short stories and has contributed articles to the Times Literary Supplement and The London Review of Books.His debut children's book, Wolfstongue is an animal fable that draws on the tradition of La Fontaine's fables. sam joined me in the reading corner to tell me more. About WolfstongueDeep in the Forest, the foxes live in an underground city built by their wolf slaves. The foxes' leader Reynard controls everything with his clever talk. Silas is bullied at school because his words will not come.
He wishes he could live in silence as animals do. One day, Silas helps an injured wolf. Then he enters the secret world of the Forest, where the last remaining wolves fight to survive.
But even there, language is power. Can Silas find his voice in time to help his wolf friends - can he become the Wolfstongue?A lyrical fable about the power of language and the relationship between humans and the natural world. 'We had a name for a certain human child.
This was the child who would walk side by side with the wolves and would know our silence. The child would be our voice. So that we could live as wolves ought to live.
Free from words. The name for that child was WOLFSTONGUE.'
Ben Garrod is an evolutionary biologist, primatologist, broadcaster and writer. He is currently Professor of Evolutionary Biology and Science Engagement at the University of East Anglia, Norwich.
He has worked extensively in the field working on projects such as great ape conservation. He spent several years in western Uganda working on the development and management of a leading field site for chimpanzee conservation with the Jane Goodall Institute. He has also worked in Southeast Asia for an orangutan conservation organisation, in Madagascar studying marine life, and in the Caribbean studying introduced monkeys.
Ben's latest series, Extinct is a collection of eight books explaining the mass extinctions on Earth taking a positive approach by looking at how extinction leads to creative evolution.
Jason Cockcroft is an acclaimed illustrator, winner of the inaugural Blue Peter Children's Book Award for his interpretation of Pilgrim's Progress.
In this interview, Jason talks about his debut novel, a powerful and poignant read with stunning illustrations.
About We Were Wolves
Boy lives in a caravan on his own in the woods. His dad, John, is in prison and promises to get out soon. All the boy needs to do is survive alone for a little while longer. But dark forces are circling – like the dangerous man in the Range Rover, who is looking for his stolen money. ...
Chatting with David Litchfield about the illustration for Pip and Egg by Alex Latimer.
David talks about his approach to composition, light and the way in which his illustrations work with the text. It's a delightful book that takes a fresh approach to lifecycles and friendship.
About Pip and Egg
One bright afternoon, Pip met Egg. Pip is a seed from a glorious tree, and Egg is a bird's egg from a nearby nest.
When Pip and Egg first meet, they are almost the same size and shape - like two peas in a pod. But as their friendship grows, so do they - for Pip this means growing roots, but for Egg? Well, Egg grows wings, and she can't wait to use them. Though Pip wishes he can follow Egg on her adventures, his roots are strong.
So he watches his friend fly away. But true friends always find their way back to one another, and there are no truer friends than Pip and Egg. And if there's one thing they learn, it's that the circle of life will always lead them back to each other.
Swapna Haddow is the author of the prize-winning Dave Pigeon series illustrated by Sheena Dempsey and writing as Swapna Reddy, The Ballet Bunnies series for fledgeling readers.
Dapo Adeola is an illustrator with a background in character development. His partnership with writer Nathan Bryon brought us the lovable science crazy character, Rocket who made her first appearance in the book Look Up! and a reappearance in Clean Up!
Swapna and Dapo are now collaborating on a new project, My Dad is a Grizzly Bear and it sounds as though they had great fun putting it together.
Patience Agbabi's second novel in the Leap Cycle is published this month.
The Time Thief picks up the story from the previous novel The Infinite and it's another highly inventive, page-turning story with plenty to provoke thought. Great for children who love mystery and solving codes and puzzles.
Patience joined me In The Reading Corner to talk about some of the ideas behind the story.
About The Time Thief
It's midsummer's day and thirteen-year-old Elle and her Leapling classmates are visiting the Museum of the Past, the Present and the Future. But on the day of the school trip, disaster strikes, and the most unique and valuable piece in the museum, the Infinity-Glass, is stolen! And worse still, Elle's friend and fellow Infinite, MC(2), is arrested for the crime!To prove his innocence Elle must leap back centuries in time, to a London very different from today. Along the way, she will meet new friends, face dangers unlike any she has ever known, and face an old enemy who is determined to destroy her.
Can Elle find the missing Infinity-Glass and return it to its rightful home before it's too late?
Fairy Tales are deeply ingrained in culture, and are constantly being remade and reinvented. They are paradoxically progressive and conservative. Dr Alastair Daniel, Principal Lecturer at the University of Roehampton, joined me with his students, Jenny Brewster and George Gardner-Cliff to talk about a course designed to encourage students to engage critically with fairy tale and explore ways of teaching with them across the primary age range.
In this episode, Jo Bowers and Simon Fisher talk about children's literature with a Welsh context, the Tir na -n-Og Award and the English language shortlist for 2021.
About the Awards
The Tir na n-Og Awards are the oldest and most popular awards for children’s literature in Wales. Established in 1976, the awards recognise, honour and promote excellence in books for children and young people.
The awards have been won by some of our leading authors, including Manon Steffan Ros, Jac Jones, Gareth F Williams, Catherine Fisher and Jackie Morris.
Three prizes of £1,000 each are awarded annually to the overall winner in three categories. The awards are sponsored by CILIP Cymru (Chartered Institute of Librarians and Information Professionals in Wales) and are organised annually by the Books Council of Wales.
Shortlists of both English and Welsh-language categories are published preceding the awards.
Professor Sunny Singh, co-founder of the Jhalak Prize talks to Nikki Gamble about the principles underpinning the prize and this year's shortlist.
About The Jhalak Prize
First awarded in March 2017, the Jhalak Prize and its new sister award Jhalak Children’s & YA Prize founded in 2020, seek to celebrate books by British/British resident BAME writers.
The prizes are unique in that they accept entries published in the UK by writers of colour. These include (and not limited to) fiction, non-fiction, short stories, graphic novels, poetry and all other genres. The Jhalak Children’s and YA Prize accepts books for children and teens and young adults including picture books, chapter books, graphic novels, poetry, non-fiction, and all other genres by writers of colour and aimed at young readers. The prizes are also open to self-published writers.
Dr Jess Wade is a British research physicist who works at Imperial College., where she specialises in Raman spectroscopy.
Melissa Castrillon graduated from the Cambridge School of Art, MA in Children's Book illustration. Her picturebooks include The Mighty Min and a wordless book The Balcony. She has also designed book jackets including jackets for Philip Pullman's His Dark Materials.
In this episode, they talk about a joint project Nano: The Spectacular Science of the Very (Very) Small.
Scottish writer Damien Love has worked as a journalist for many years, writing about movies, music, TV, and other things for a variety of publications.
Monstrous Devices was his first novel, followed by its sequel, The Shadow Arts.
About Monstrous Devices
When twelve-year-old Alex receives an old tin robot in the post, the note from his grandfather simply reads: 'This one is special'.
But as strange events start occurring around him, it doesn't take Alex long to suspect that the small toy is more than special; it might also be deadly. Just as things are getting out of hand, Alex's grandfather arrives, whisking him away from his otherwise humdrum life and into a world of strange, macabre magic. From Paris to Prague, they flee across snowy Europe in a quest to unravel the riddle of the little robot and outwit relentless assassins of the human and mechanical kind.
How does Alex's grandfather know them? And can Alex safely harness the robot's power, or will it fall into the wrong, wicked hands?
Ivor Baddiel is a British television scriptwriter and his debut novel for children draws on his behind the scenes experiences.
About Britain'sBiggest Star is ... Dad
Britain's Biggest Star.... is Dad, is a hilarious whodunnit about two kids trying to save the UK's top TV talent show from a mysterious saboteur! "Annoyingly good." - David Baddiel "Ivor is a funny, clever and brilliant writer, so it's no surprise that he's written such a funny, clever and brilliant book, which is also heartwarming and full
Graham Carter is an artist and illustrator who works with a range of media including printmaking, animation and 3D word sculpture.
In this episode, he talks to Nikki about his three picturebooks for children, Alphamals, Otto Blotter, Bird Spotter and The Story Thief. The discussion touches on developing technique through discovery, story-making, and the extraordinary luminescent quality that characterizes Graham's work.
Jon Klassen is a Canadian animator and creator of picturebooks now living in the US. He has illustrated books for other writers and has a long-standing creative partnership with Mac Barnett.
Jon’s self-authored picturebook, I Want My Hat Back (2011) won both the Caldecott Medal and the Kate Greenaway Medal, the first time a book has won both awards, This was followed by two further books in what has come to be regarded as the ‘Hat’ trilogy, This is Not My Hat (2012) and We Found a Hat (2016) Both books were on the New York Times bestseller list for more than 40 weeks.
With Mac Barnett, he has created three books in the Shape trilogy: Triangle (2017), Square (2018) and Circle (2019). Plus standalone stories Extra Yarn (2012), Sam and Dave Dig a Hole (2014) and The Wolf the Duck and the Mouse (2017)
Jon has also created eye-catching book jackets, notably for Sara Pennypacker’s Pax and Here in the Real World.
In this episode, Jon talks about his newly released book,, the enigmatic, The Rock from The Sky.
Chris Haughton is an Irish illustrator, author and designer now living in London.
He was a long-standing interest in fair trade and was listed in Time magazine's 'DESIGN 100' for the work he has been doing for the ethical clothing company People Tree. In 2010 he moved to Nepal for eight months to work with local craftspeople designing and making rugs and with his friend Akshay Sthapit, a Nepalese entrepreneur, set up the fair trade project, Node,
His debut book A Bit Lost was first published in English in September 2010. This was followed by Oh No George, Shhh We have a Plan, Goodnight Everyone and Don't Worry Little Crab.in 2014 he made an App, Hat Monkey.
In this episode, Chirs talks to Nikki Gamble about his picturebook Maybe, about the importance of shape and colour and about tension and surprise.
Ben Mantle began his illustration career early, picking up his first award in a local library colouring-in competition aged seven. He went on to study Animation at the Surrey Institute of Art & Design before working as an animator. Ben has illustrated a number of children’s books including the well-received fairy tale series with Lucy Rowland, published by Macmillan, Little Red Reading Hood (2018), The Three Little Pigs and the Big Bad Book (2021) Callum’s Incredible Construction Kit (Egmont) which won the 2013 Bishop’s Stortford Picture Book Award. He is also the creator of the award-winning The Best Birthday Present Ever! (2015) and The Best Christmas Present Ever! (2015) published by Macmillan Children’s Books. He has designed book jackets including for Jenny McLachlan's Land of Roar and Shane Hegarty's Boot.In this episode, Ben talks to Nikki Gamble about two recent books Bunnies on the Bus (written by Philip Ardagh) and Frog Vs Toad which is self-authored,
In this podcast, Nikki Gamble talks to Frederick Joseph about his recently published book: The Black Friend
Writing from the perspective of a friend, Frederick Joseph offers candid reflections on his own experiences with racism and conversations with prominent artists and activists about theirs—creating an essential read for white people who are committed anti-racists and those newly come to the cause of racial justice.Frederick is an award-winning marketing professional, activist, philanthropist, and author of the upcoming highly anticipated book The Black Friend (2020), with over 10 years of marketing experience, and a Forbes Under 30 list maker for Marketing and Advertising.
He is also the sole creator of the largest GoFundMe campaign in history, the #BlackPantherChallenge, which ultimately generated over $43 million dollars in earned advertising and media for Disney and raised over $950K and allowed more than 75,000 children worldwide to see 'Black Panther’ for free. He is also the creator of the largest individual Covid-19 support effort, the #RentRelief campaign, which has raised over $1 million dollars.
Frederick has been honoured as the 2018 Comic-Con Humanitarian of the Year award and a member of the 2018 Root 100" list of Most Influential African Americans.
Nicola Skinner is a writer of originality and wit. Her latest book is inspired by Brunel's great ship the SS Great Britain, the biggest tourist attraction in Bristol, the city where Nicola now lives. In this episode, I talked to Nicola about what the historic ship means to her, her cast of colourful characters and some of the themes that underpin the story.
David Almond is a British writer born in Newcastle on the north side of the Tyne and raised in Gateshead on the south of the river. His writing is infused with the culture and language of the northeast.
David's latest book Bone Music is an extraordinary prose poem that distils and amplifies many of the themes from his earlier work. It's the only novel that I have read cover to cover and then immediately started at the beginning again and read from cover to cover, so I was thrilled to welcome David into The Reading Corner.
When Elle McNicoll researched the representation of neurodivergent characters in books for children and young adults, she drew a blank. She decided that the only way to redress the problem was to find a job in publishing.
But Elle went one better than that by writing A Kind of Spark, which was published in 2020 to critical acclaim, being chosen as Blackwell's Book of the Year 2020.
In this podcast, she talks about her second novel Show Us Who You Are.Show Us Who You AreWhen Cora's brother drags her along to his boss's house, she doesn't expect to strike up a friendship with Adrien, son of the intimidating CEO of Pomegranate Technologies. As she becomes part of Adrien's life, she is also drawn into the mysterious projects at Pomegranate.
At first, she's intrigued by them - Pomegranate is using AI to recreate real people in hologram form. As she digs deeper, however, she uncovers darker secrets... Cora knows she must unravel their plans, but can she fight to make her voice heard, whilst never losing sight of herself?
Read a review on the Just Imagine website
Jonathan Stroud's latest book The Outlaws Scarlett and Browne is a post-catastrophe story set in a future England. In this England, you either live in the Cities or you are an outlaw - or perhaps worse, one of the tainted. The animals have evolved too. It's an exciting adventure driven by mystery - some of which are revealed in this book and others that will take us forward to the next book in the series.
I enjoyed talking with Jonathan about where this book started and the decisions he made along the way to publication.
Raymond Antrobus was born in Hackney was diagnosed as deaf during childhood, He is a writer and educator and has achieved many accolades for his poetry, including the Ted Hughes Award, and Poetry Book of the Year for both The Guardian and The Sunday Times.His picturebook, Can Bears Ski? illustrated by Polly Dunbar and published by Walker Books in February 2021, is the story of a young deaf bear, and inspired by Raymond's own experiences.
In this episode, he talks with Nikki Gamble about the book and the challenges for education and support of deaf children in school.
Purchase the book here
From the silliness of Sing a Song of Bottoms to the sharp wit of Tadpole's Promise and the gently reflective Bog Baby, Jeanne Willis is a prolific and much-loved writer of many moods and tones. In this interview, she chats with Nikki Gamble about her latest book Hom and some of her classic stories which remain popular with her young readers.
Annelise Gray has written a thrilling adventure set in Imperial Rome.
Circus Maximus, the greatest sporting stage of the ancient Roman world, where the best horses and charioteers compete in a race to the death, and one girl dreams of glory. . Twelve-year-old Dido dreams of becoming the first female charioteer at the great Circus Maximus.
She's lost her heart to Porcellus, a wild, tempestuous horse she longs to train and race. But such ambitions are forbidden to girls and she must be content with helping her father Antonius - the trainer of Rome's most popular racing team, The Greens - and teaching the rules of racing to Justus, the handsome young nephew of the Greens' wealthy owner. When her father is brutally murdered, she is forced to seek refuge with an unlikely ally.
But what of her dream of Circus triumphs and being reunited with the beloved horse she left behind in Rome? And the threat to her life isn't over as she faces a powerful and terrifying new enemy... the emperor Caligula.
In this podcast, I chatted to Annelise about the background to the story, her interest in Rome and horses and the relevance of Latin.
Laura Wood, author of Vote for Effie and Effie the Rebel chatted with me about the importance of taking a stand and making your voice heard. It's a great message for International Women's Day... or ver any other day of the year.
About Laura Wood
Laura Wood is a British writer and academic. As well as writing for children and young adults, she has a PhD in Nineteenth-Century Literature.
In 2014 Laura won the Montegrappa Scholastic Prize for New Children's Writing. Her first children’s book ‘Poppy Pym and the Pharaoh’s Curse was published the following. This was followed by further adventures for Poppy.
Since then Laura has written a YA novel A Sky Painted Gold . This book was followed by Under a Dancing Star, a Much-Ado About Nothing Prequel set in 1930's Italy.
Most recently Laura has written Effie the Rebel, the second story about Effie Kostas. The first book about Effie, titled Vote for Effie was shortlisted for the Blue Peter Book award. These books were inspired by the Women's Marches and by the incredible young activists who are fighting for a better world and making their voices heard.
In The Reading Corner caught up with Maz Evans shortly after the publication of the first book in a brand new series. What do you do one your Mum is a celebrated spy but has given up spying to look after the family and your Dad is a supervillain who is no longer around? And what if you harbour secret dreams of attending spy school but Mum just wants you to be safe? These are just some of the everyday challenges that Vi has to face. Throw in Mum's second marriage to your class teacher and an 'uncool' soon to be step-brother - can things get any worse?
Yes, they can! Tune in to find out about the background to this hilarious story with some serious common-sense approaches to relationships.
Hannah Gold's debut novel, The Last Bear is garnering a lot of attention. It's a heartwarming story about a girl and her friendship with a polar bear, stranded by the melting ice caps on Bear Island, unable to return to his home and kind on Svalbard. It's a story of loss and love, of care for the environment, of courage and adventure.
Hannah talked to me #InTheReadingCorner about the inspirations behind the story... and chocolate.
Neal Shusterman's latest novel Game Changer is a thrilling Science Fiction story. 17-year-old Ashley Bowman is propelled into a sequence of alternate universes when he makes hard physical contact with other players during Americal Football matches. With each shift, he experiences different social realities that leave him reeling and questioning the extent to which his home universe is as progressive as he imagined it to be.
I caught up with Neal from his home in Florida to talk about the ideas explored in the book.
In this episode, Nikki Gamble talked to Tom Percival about the inspiration behind his latest picturebook The Invisible. The discussion focuses on the effects of poverty in making people outsiders or invisible to the rest of society. Tom talks about the need for action and creating the conditions that allow people to have agency in their lives.
Vivian French talks to Nikki Gamble about the importance of series fiction, what they provide for a reader and the anxieties adults sometimes have about children's fixation on their favourite series.
This podcast was recorded during lockdown and there is some unavoidable building noise in the background.
James Carter talks to us about his latest collection, featuring some well-loved favourites and some reworked poems as well as recent additions.
In this episode, Garry Parsons tells us about two of his recent picturebooks
Llama Glamarama, written by Simon James Green - a story which promotes self-acceptance and celebrates diversity, And My Daddies, written by Gareth Peter by the joy in a family with gay parents, a book that is especially close to Garry's heart as an adoptive gay parent.
In this episode, Sita Brahmachari talks about her latest novel, When Secrets Set Sail, a wonderful story about sisterhood, stories, freedom, family and setting right the injustices of the past.
Dr Adam Baron talks to Nikki Gamble about the craft of writing and his latest children's novel, This Wonderful Thing.
Actress and comedienne Helen Rutter talks to Nikki Gamble about the background to The Boy Who Made Everyone laugh. The idea grew out of Helen's family experience and in particular her son's stammer. She wanted to write a book that he would love to read, starring a child like him.
When the World Was Ours is an important story, a story inspired by family history, a story that needed to be told, but told in the right way. In this conversation with Nikki Gamble, Liz talks about some of the decisions she made along the way and her hopes for the book as it is launched into the world.
It might be unfair to judge a book by its cover, but if the jacket designer has done a good job it should certainly set up the right expectation for the reader. Holly Ovenden explains her working process and why it's important to be in tune with the writer's intentions.
It's always a treat to welcome Christopher Edge into the Reading Corner.
In this episode, we delve into Chris's latest novel, Space Oddity - a science fiction adventure for readers 8+ with a little nod to space fantasy films of the 1980s and homage to Bowie.
Lindsay Galvin visited me In The Reading Corner to talk about her new novel Darwin's Dragons. Set on the Galapagos during Darwin's Voyage on the Beagle, Lindsay's story is a magical blend of fact and fiction.
Why is history important? Who is missing from the history we teach and how can we redress the balance. Professor Hakim Adi shares his expertise on this important subject.
In this episode, Armin Greder joined Nikki Gamble to talk about his latest book, Diamonds. Greder sees himself as a primarily a storyteller, not a writer for children.
'I tell stories about the world as it is, not the world as it should be.'
Steve Cole talks to Nikki Gamble about his obsession with Doctor Who and some new publishing projects for us to look forward to
Chris Wormell talks to Nikki Gamble about illustrating the full-colour gift edition of Northern Lights and the aesthetic experience of traditional wood engraving.
Lucy Strange gives us a peek into the secrets that lie behind The Ghost of Gosswater. Snuggle up and discover more about this delicious ghostly mystery.
Chris Van Allsburg talked to Nikki Gamble about his approach to illustration.
Chris Van Allsburg is an American illustrator and writer of children's books. He has won two Caldecott Medals for U.S. picture book illustration, for Jumanji and The Polar Express, both of which he also wrote; both were later adapted as successful motion pictures.
In this interview, Colette Hiller talks to Nikki Gamble about the power of rhythm, rhyme and play to support children's spelling.
A M Dassu joined Nikki Gamble In The Reading Corner to talk about her novel Boy Everywhere and the experience of Syrian families seeking refuge.
In this interview, Matt Goodfellow discusses the emotional range and childhood influences in his poetry collection Bright Bursts of Colour.
Mary Roche talks about her research with children talking about picturebooks and developing critical thinking.
Catherine Bruton explains why she's reworked Dickens for the 21st century... with some clever twists to keep us enthralled.
Catherine Fisher talks about the final book in her Clockwork Crow series for 'middle grade' or junior readers. The Midnight SwanWith an invisible girl, a parliament of owls and a pen that writes by itself, the journey to the garden of the Midnight Swan might be Seren's most dangerous adventure yet. in this third book of the award-winning CLOCKWORK CROW series, Seren and Tomos must try to help the Crow find the way back to his human form. But why is Captain Jones enquiring about Seren's past? How have the sinister Fair Family gate-crashed the Midsummer Ball, and what is the one desire of the mysterious Midnight Swan?
Manjeet Mann talks to Nikki Gamble about her Young Adult verse novel Run Rebel. In this story, Manjeet explores domestic violence, female empowerment and freedom.
Nikki Gamble talks to Karrie Fransman and Jonathan Plackett about their approach to gender-swapping in traditional fairy stories.
Nikki Gamble talks to Benjamin Zephaniah about his novel Windrush Child. Zephaniah explains the importance of authenticity in historical accounts and why it is the voices and stories of ordinary people that illuminate the past and help us move towards a brighter, more equal future.Leonard is shocked when he arrives with his mother in the port of Southampton. His father is a stranger to him, it's cold and even the Jamaican food doesn't taste the same as it did back home in Maroon Town. But his parents have brought him here to try to make a better life, so Leonard does his best not to complain, to make new friends, to do well at school - even when people hurt him with their words and with their fists. How can a boy so far from home learn to enjoy his new life when so many things count against him?
Nikki Gamble talks to David Long about The World's Most Magnificent Machines and some personal passions. It's all about the human stories, not the machines.
An interview with Alex Wheatle about his novel, Cane Warriors. In this fascinating podcast, Alex talks about Jamaican history and the creative decisions he made when writing the book. This interview was recorded during the COVID restrictions over the internet and there is some difficulty with sound at the beginning but it lessens as the interview progresses.
Christopher Lloyd talks to Nikki Gamble about why a print-based encyclopedia is not an anachronism in the digital age.
Robin Scott-Elliot talks to Nikki Gamble about the personal story that set him on the path to writing The Acrobats of Agra.Agra 1857, the Indian rebellion. Three children are trying to make their way through a country at war with a circus tiger in search of safety. Jacques is a boy acrobat who has lost his circus; Beatrice ( Bea) and Ping are both orphans. United by a deep friendship and their desire to save Tonton the tiger, find Bea's lost brother and Kamal the fire-eater, they set out on a wild and dangerous journey. Will they make it? A magical tale based on the true story of a lost French circus during the Indian rebellion.
Tanya Landman talks to Nikki Gamble about the pleasure of adapting her classic favourites for teenage readers today.
Amy Wilson talks about frost, faeries and missing fathers and her novel Owl and the Lost Boy,
Finbar Hawkins talks about a personal fascination with the Pendle witch trials, and his debut novel, Witch. Set in the 17th century Witch is a story about the power of women, witchcraft, fury, revenge and the ties that bind us. After witnessing the brutal murder of her mother by witch-hunters, Evey vows to avenge her and track down the killers. Fury burns in her bright and strong. But she has promised her mother that she will keep Dill, her little sister, safe. As the lust for blood and retribution rises to fever pitch, will Evey keep true to the bonds of sisterhood and to the magick that is her destiny?
Nicola Davies and Cathy Fisher talk about their creative partnership and their latest book, The New Girl, published by Graffeg.
Tom Palmer talks about the real-life story of a group of Jewish boys that were given refuge in the village of Ambleside in the Lake District, following their liberation from Auschwitz at the end of the Second World War. Tom tells Nikki Gamble about the people who helped him piece together the facts that enabled him to tell this important story about recovery and compassion with sensitivity and authenticity.
Tania Unsworth talks about the magic of India, championing Kiping's Shere Khan and her fabulous new novel The Time Traveller and the Tiger. Entrancing storytelling.
Dom Conlon talks to Nikki Gamble about hares, the moon, kennings, writing poetry and two of his recent books.
Eve talks to Nikki Gamble about her creative life, the connections between painting and writing, mud larking and her debut novel, Elsetime.
Julia Gray tells us about the fascinating life of Ada Lovelace, her fortuitous meeting with Charles Babbage and her unconventional upbringing, Ada is the subject of Julia's novel, I Ada.
In this interview, Benjamin Read and Laura Trinder talk about their co-authored 'Midnight' series - and what fun it was too!
In this interview, writer and journalist Thomas Harding talks to Nikki Gamble about The House by the Lake, a children's version of his adult nonfiction with the same title. Thomas talks about his family history and the rediscovery of the house that had belonged to his grandparent before the Second World War when they were forced to flee Germany for fear of persecution. The story uncovers the history of the house from that time to the present day.
In this interview, Costa Award-winning author, Jasbinder Bilan, talks about her children's novel Tamarind and the Star of Ishta, a story set in northern India that is infused with mystery and mythology.
In this interview, Anna Farger talks about her Umbrella Mouse stories, family history and resistance in the Second World War with Nikki Gamble
In this interview, Joseph Coelho talks to Nikki Gamble about his story told in poems, The Girl Who Became a Tree.
In this interview, Joseph Elliott talks about his novel The Good Hawk with Nikki Gamble.
Joe Wilson talks about the connections between sports journalism and writing fiction and introduces us to his first children's book The Island that Didn't Exist.
In this interview, Lucy Cuthew talks about her debut novel, Blood Moon. Written in verse, the story deals with a first sexual experience and internet shaming.
In this interview, Julia Green talks about her novel The Children of Swallow Fell and the adaptation to change in the face of global adversity. A novel that resonates in 2020 due to the Covid-19 pandemic but was written before the outbreak. It's a heartwarming, positive survival story with a lyrical, poetic heart.
In this interview, Elen Caldecott talks about The Short Knife, her recent children's novel set in the period after the Romans left Britain.
In this interview, Sam Hutchinson publisher at b Small publishing talks about the importance of critical literacy.
In this book, Patrick Skipworth talks about his recently published book literally, an exploration of interesting borrowed words in the English language.
In this interview, Amber Lee Dodd talks to Nikki Gamble about growing up with Dyslexia, representation of disability in children's books and her latest novel, The Thirteenth Home of Noah Bradley.
Lisa Thompson talks to Nikki Gamble about her funny, but poignant novel, The Boy Who Saved the World, a story that prompts us to think about the things that we value and their real worth.
David Wiesner chats to Nikki Gamble about the development of his wordless art, touching on influences from film and childhood. Listen in for insights from one of the great creative minds in children's books.
Elizabeth Laird talks to Nikki Gamble about living in Lebanon, her interest in the Middle East and writing about Syrian refugees living in Jordan. Schools may like to get involved with her chosen charity to help Syrian refugees via her website http://www.elizabethlaird.co.uk/
In this interview, Cerrie Burnell talks to Nikki Gamble about the allure of the north, the freedom of skating, an admiration of polar bears and her exciting novel The Ice Bear Miracle.
In this interview, Vashti Hardy talks to Nikki Gamble about world-building, character naming and plotting. she introduces the Darkwhispers, her latest creation in the Brightstorm world. And there's a surprise fortune cookie to be opened, Will it predict good things for Vashti's latest novel?
Anna James, author of the Pages and Co series, talks to Nikki Gamble about book wandering and her life in books.
In this podcast Michael Rosen talks about his personal search to find out what happened to two of his uncles who disappeared during the Second World War in France and Poland.
Children's author, film maker and animator, Peter Bunzl talks to Nikki Gamble about his Cogheart series.
Ross Welford talks to Nikki Gamble about his children's books, science, fiction and magic.
In this interview, Tim Marshall talks to Nikki Gamble about his children's book, Prisoners of Geography.
Rose Robbins talks to Nikki Gamble about illustration and her books My and My Sister and Talking is Not My Thing.
Piers Torday talks to Nikki Gamble about The Lost Magician and The Frozen Sea and the influence of C S Lewis.
Storyteller and author Chitra Soundar talks to Nikki Gamble about the Indian roots of her stories, recent books and forthcoming publishing projects.
Nikki Gamble talks to Dr Max Pemberton about The Marvellous Adventure of Being Human. And what fun it was too!
The effervescent author Sue Cheung joined Nikki Gamble In the Reading Corner to talk about her fictionalised autobiography, Chinglish.
James Sellick talks about his life in advertising and the break into children's books with There's a Rantang in My Bedroom. Originally a Greenpeace advert showing the destruction of the rainforest for palm oil products.
Nadine Wild-Palmer talks to Nikki Gamble about her debut fantasy novel, The Tunnels Below and treats us to a heart wrenching rendition of One for Sorrow.
In this interview writer Dan Smith takes Nikki Gamble on a 1,000 year journey, back to the Viking invasion.
Andy McNab and Phil Earle talk to Nikki Gamble about their funny book about life on a London estate, Get Me Out of Here!
Zanib Mian, author of Planet Omar: Accidental Trouble Magnet talks to Nikki Gamble about her approach to writing and the world of Omar.
Rebecca Stevens talks to Nikki Gamble about her novel Lilly and the Rockets, a story about the Woolwich Arsenal women's football team set during and immediately after the First World War.
In this interview, Abi Elphinstone plays the Name Game with Nikki Gamble and tell us all about her latest novel, Rumblestar.
In this interview, Kirsty Applebaum talks to Nikki Gamble about her debut novel, The Middler.
Creative Duo, Nathan Bryon and Dapo Adeola pop into The Reading Corner to talk about their debut picturebook and the importance of looking up to see the stars.
Christopher Edge talks to Nikki Gamble about his latest novel, The Longest Night of Charlie Noon.
In this interview, Michael Rosen talks about reading, education, classic literature... and his latest picturebook, A Dog's Tale.
Riyadh Khalaf talks to Nikki Gamble about his recently published book for young adults. Yay You're Gay and ways to support young people in school.
In this interview, Michelle Harrison talks about her latest novel, A Pinch of Magic with Nikki Gamble.
In this interview Gill Lewis talks to nikki Gamble about her latest book, 'The Closest Thing to Flying'.
In this interview, illustrator Laura Carlin talks to Nikki Gamble about her creative life.
In this interview, Frank Cottrell Boyce talks to Nikki Gamble about his passion for reading aloud to children. It's not an optional extra, but fundamental to the experience of reading.
Jonny Walker presents this magazine-style edition of our podcast about LGBT rights, children's books and reading. Hannah Wright introduces Jessica Love's Julian is a Mermaid and we hear children from Park Primary School in Newham talking about the book. Jonny Walker talks to Taz Rasul at Just Like Us. Nikki Gamble speaks to poet and drag artist Dean Atta, and to broadcaster, YouTuber and writer Riyadh Khalef.
In this interview Jessica Love talks to Nikki Gamble about her debut children's book, Julian is a Mermaid.
In this interview, Jewell Parker Rhodes talks to Nikki Gamble about the impetus behind her novel Ghost Boys and why this novel is as relevant today as it would have been 50 years ago.
In this interview, Lissa Evans gives us a tour of the land of Wimbley Woos. Listen in to discover some of the secrets of Lisa's book, Wed Wabbit.
In this interview, Vita Murrow talks to Nikki Gamble about reimagining princesses in the context of girl power. Vita's book Power to the Princess is illustrated by Julia Bereciartu
In this interview, Janina Ramirez talks to Nikki Gamble about her interest in the Viking world and her new historical mystery series for children.
In this magazine-style edition of our podcast, we explore different facets of reading in different media formats. Joe Devlin from UCL Institute of Education talks to us about some fascinating new research,; Author Jeff Norton explains how different media were important to his childhood reading and now to his writing; Anne Horemans talks to Jessica Tarrant from Hachette Children's Books about publishing audiobooks; Emma Madden and Gerry Johnson from Fox Primary tell us about their school's approach to cineliteracy; teacher Ben King reviews a new titles and we hear from the Reading Gladiators at Edenthorpe Hall Primary School in Doncaster.
Join Rob Biddulph in conversation with Nikki Gamble. Rob talks about the influence of his design background and introduces us to his latest project Dinosaur Juniors.
James Clements introduces the latest magazine-style edition of In the Reading Corner. The children of St Mary's in Dunmow tell us about their favourite nonfiction books Christopher Lloyd tells Nikki Gamble about his history of Absolutely Everything. Sara Stanley asks Nicola Davies why it's important to read nonfiction with children Sam Hutchinson gives us a publisher's insight.
In this interview, Benji Davies talks about his picturebooks, the influence of animation and his interest in light and colour.
In this interview, Karl Nova talks about his poetry and how growing up in Nigeria and Hip Hop has influenced his writing.
In this interview, Gareth P Jones talks to Nikki Gamble about funny writing and treats us to a bonus song.
Author/illustrator, Yuval Zomer talks to Nikki Gamble about his passion for the natural world and for illustrating children's books.
In this magazine-style edition on humour in children's reading, Nikki Gamble talks to Gareth P. Jones; The Just Imagine team introduce a new book club, Ha Ha Boing. which focusses on humour; Stephen O' Connor reviews Michael Rosen's Uncle Gobb; Jonny Walker discusses his personal perspective on humour and Jo Cummins introduces the Lollies and tells you how you can get involved.
In this interview, Rachel Rooney talks about her collection My Life as a Goldfish and her latest book A Kid in My Class.
In this magazine-style edition of In the Reading Corner, we are featuring some of our favourite Early Years projects. Emily Guille-Marrett talks about Reading Fairy and Sue McGonigle introduces us to Love My Books. Our guest author is Sophy Henn, who introduces her new character Bad Nana. Phil Ferguson tells us about a not to be missed book, After the Fall by Dan Santat. Our host is James Clements.
Jason Reynolds talks to Nikki Gamble about his powerful verse novel, Long Way Down and the imperative of social justice for children who are marginalised by society.
In this interview, Ewa Josefkowicz talks to Nikki Gamble about her novel The Mystery of the Colour Thief and how books can support children's mental health.
In this interview, Jane Ray talks about the inspirations behind The Glassmaker's Daughter and the challenge of painting glass.
In this author interview, Lucy Worsley discusses historical fiction with Nikki Gamble and her latest children's novel, Lady Mary.
In this magazine-style edition of our podcast, we consider approaches to using classic literature in the classroom, featuring James Clements, Bob Cox, Lucy Christopher and Caroline Bradley. The programme is presented by Claire Williams and produced by Alison Hughes.
In this interview, Nikki Gamble talks to Christopher Corr about the inspiration behind his picture book The Great Race and the global influences on his work.
In this magazine-style edition of the podcast, we explore ideas about teaching poetry. Find out about the CLiPPA poetry award and how your school get get involved in the shadowing; hear from previous winner Kate Wakeling and discover an innovative poetry project jointly run by poet Adisa and Jonny walker at Park Primary in Newham.
Geraldine McCaughrean talks to Nikki Gamble about her incredible historical novel inspired by St Kilda. The book went on to win the Carnegie Medal a few months after this conversation.
In this magazine style podcast, we focus on the importance of libraries for young readers. Caroline Bradley talks to Darryl Crawley at Rodings Primary School about the school's recent library refurbishment and development. Nikki Gamble talks to Trisha Adams about getting involved with the School Libraries Association; Joseph Coelho gives a personal account of his love affair with the public library and Mat Tobin introduces a new notable book.
In this magazine-style format podcast, we look at the different views surround the readability, or reading difficulty of a text. Kate Saunders talks to us about her novel, The Land of Neverendings, and Caroline Bradley reviews Robin Stevens' The Guggeneheim Mystery.
In this interview, children's writer and illustrator, Kate Pankhurst, talks to Nikki Gamble about her latest book, 'Great Women Who Changed History'.
In this interview. American illustrator Andrea Pippins talks to Nikki Gamble about working on the children's book, Young Gifted and Black.
In this podcast, Sally Nicholls talks to Nikki Gamble about her latest novel, The Things a Bright Girl Can Do.Through rallies and marches, in polite drawing rooms and freezing prison cells and the poverty-stricken slums of the East End, three courageous young women join the fight for the vote. Evelyn is seventeen, and though she is rich and clever, she may never be allowed to follow her older brother to university. Enraged that she is expected to marry her childhood sweetheart rather than be educated, she joins the Suffragettes, and vows to pay the ultimate price for women's freedom.May is fifteen, and already sworn to the cause, though she and her fellow Suffragists refuse violence. When she meets Nell, a girl who's grown up in hardship, she sees a kindred spirit. Together and in love, the two girls start to dream of a world where all kinds of women have their place.But the fight for freedom will challenge Evelyn, May and Nell more than they ever could believe. As war looms, just how much are they willing to sacrifice?
On the publication of his 50th book, Anthony Browne talks to Nikki Gamble about some of the recurring themes in his work and the publication of his latest picture book, Hide and Seek.
Children's author and illustrator James Mayhew talks about illustration and his collaboration on a new picturebook, Mrs Noah's Pockets with Jackie Morris.
James Clements presents this edition of In the Reading Corner with Just Imagine. In this programme, Nikki Gamble talks to author/illustrator James Mayhew. Charlotte Hacking from CLPE outlines exciting new developments for The Power of Pictures. And Caroline Bradley introduces another notable book. In the Reading Corner is produced by Alison Hughes
In this interview, Nikki Gamble talks to Kate di Camiilo about her latest novel Raymie Nightingale
In this edition of In The Reading Corner hosted by James Clements we hear from Professor Teresa Cremin (Open University) Mary Anne Wolpert (University of Cambridge) about the Research Rich Pedagogies website. Sylvia Crowder, (Edge Hill University) introduces a Book Bench project that enabled student teachers and partnership schools to collaborate on the promotion of reading for pleasure. Matt Tobin (Oxford Brookes University) talks about setting up a Good Reads project to develop students knowledge of children's literature. Nikki Gamble interviews author Kate DiCamillo. And Caroline Bradley introduces this month's notable book, 'Letters from the Lighthouse'.
In the Reading Corner with Just Imagine is a new monthly podcast for student teachers, teachers and librarians.In this podcast, David Reedy, General secretary of SLA talks about Excellence in ReadingNiki Sutton advises on organising an excellent author event.Caroline Bradley introduces a notable new book for the classroom.Extracts are read by Anne HoremansJust Imagine in the Reading Corner is presented by James Clements. The producer is Alison Hughes
This podcast considers the issues around Diversity and reading children's books. Farrah Serroukh from CLPE talks about why this is still a hot topic and suggests ways teachers and librarians can work to achieve wider representation in book collections. Dr Alice Curry explains why she decided to set up her own publishing company. Zana Fraillon talks to Nikki Gamble about her Amnesty award-winning book, The Bone Sparrow. And Caroline Bradley reviews Town is by the Sea. Anne Horemans reads extracts from the books. In the Reading Corner ... with Just Imagine is presented by James Clements. It is produced by Alison Hughes
In this episode of In The Reading Corner, we explore the importance of reading for wellbeing.