In the Reading Corner
500 episodes - English - Latest episode: 4 months ago - ★★★★★ - 4 ratingsIn the Reading Corner is created by Just Imagine for anyone interested in children's books and reading. It is hosted by Nikki Gamble, author of Exploring Children's Literature and co-author of Guiding Readers.Listening to this podcast you will find out about the latest children's books, learn more about the creative processes of writing and illustrating, discover different viewpoints about topical issues and more.Whether you are a teacher, librarian, parent, bookseller, publisher, writer or illustrator, this podcast is made with love for you.
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Episodes
Patience Agbabi - The Time Thief
May 11, 2021 17:00 - 24 minutes - 17.2 MBPatience 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 vi...
Sunny Singh talks about the Jhalak Prize
May 07, 2021 14:00 - 24 minutes - 16.9 MBProfessor 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, no...
Professor Sunny Singh talks about the Jhalak Prize
May 07, 2021 14:00 - 24 minutes - 16.9 MBProfessor 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, no...
Jo Bowers and Simon Fisher the Tir na n-Og (English Language) Award
May 07, 2021 14:00 - 23 minutes - 16 MBIn 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, Ga...
Jo Bowers and Simon Fisher the Tir na n-og (english Language) Award
May 07, 2021 14:00 - 23 minutes - 16 MBIn 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, Ga...
Dr Jess Wade and Melissa Castrillon - the art and science of Nano
May 02, 2021 09:00 - 24 minutes - 16.9 MBDr 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. ...
Damien Love - Monstrous Devices
May 02, 2021 08:00 - 25 minutes - 17.6 MBScottish 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 t...
Ivor Baddiel - Britain's Biggest Star... is Dad
April 23, 2021 16:00 - 23 minutes - 16.2 MBIvor 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 heartwar...
Graham Carter: Let There Be Light
April 18, 2021 12:00 - 24 minutes - 16.8 MBGraham 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. Support the show Thank you for listening. If you enjoyed this pod...
John Klassen: The Rock From the Sky
April 17, 2021 08:00 - 26 minutes - 18.6 MBJon 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 ...
Chris Haughton - Maybe
April 16, 2021 06:00 - 26 minutes - 18.3 MBChris 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 publi...
Ben Mantle: Frog, Toad and a bus full of Bunnies
April 14, 2021 08:00 - 25 minutes - 17.5 MBBen 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 (Egmo...
Frederick Joseph The Black Friend
April 13, 2021 06:00 - 27 minutes - 19 MBIn 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, philan...
Nicola Skinner
April 03, 2021 22:00 - 27 minutes - 19.2 MBNicola 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.
Nicola Skinner looking Starboard
April 03, 2021 22:00 - 27 minutes - 19.2 MBNicola 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. Support the show Thank you for listening. If you enjoyed this podcast, please support us by subscribing to our channel. And if you ...
David Almond - Bone Music
April 01, 2021 12:00 - 30 minutes - 21.1 MBDavid 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 welcom...
Elle McNicoll
March 31, 2021 10:00 - 26 minutes - 18 MBWhen 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 Are When Cora's bro...
Jonathan Stroud - The Outlaws Scarlett and Browne
March 26, 2021 18:00 - 23 minutes - 16 MBJonathan 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 mad...
Raymond Antrobus - Can Bears Ski?
March 23, 2021 13:00 - 27 minutes - 18.8 MBRaymond 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 abou...
Jeanne Willis - a writer of many shades and tones
March 20, 2021 09:00 - 27 minutes - 18.6 MBFrom 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. 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 i...
Annelise Gray - Peril in Imperial Rome
March 15, 2021 21:00 - 22 minutes - 15.8 MBAnnelise 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 con...
Laura Wood - standing up for rebels
March 08, 2021 17:00 - 24 minutes - 17.1 MBLaura 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 ...
Maz Evans - watch out Bond, there's a new spy on the block
March 03, 2021 19:00 - 23 minutes - 16.1 MBIn 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 ...
Hannah Gold - The Last Bear
February 25, 2021 12:00 - 21 minutes - 14.9 MBHannah 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. Support the show Thank you for listening. If you enjoyed...
Neal Shusterman - Game Changer
February 22, 2021 20:00 - 23 minutes - 16.3 MBNeal 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 ...
Tom Percival - making a difference
February 20, 2021 14:00 - 24 minutes - 16.8 MBIn 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. Support the show Thank you for listening. If you enjoyed this podcast, please support us by subscribing to our channel. And if you are intereste...
Vivian French - let's get serious about series
February 12, 2021 17:00 - 22 minutes - 15.7 MBVivian 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. 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...
James Carter Weird, Wild and Wonderful
February 08, 2021 15:00 - 23 minutes - 16.3 MBJames Carter talks to us about his latest collection, featuring some well-loved favourites and some reworked poems as well as recent additions. 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....
Garry Parsons - reflecting family life in all its diversity
February 06, 2021 12:00 - 26 minutes - 18.1 MBIn 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. Support the show Thank you for listening. If you enjoyed this podcast, please support us by subscribing to our channel. And if you are interes...
Sita Bramachari - a writer's secrets set sail
February 05, 2021 14:00 - 24 minutes - 16.7 MBIn 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. 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...
Adam Baron - This Wonderful Thing
January 30, 2021 20:00 - 24 minutes - 16.8 MBDr Adam Baron talks to Nikki Gamble about the craft of writing and his latest children's novel, This Wonderful Thing. 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...
Helen Rutter - The Boy Who Made Everyone Laugh
January 27, 2021 12:00 - 22 minutes - 15.8 MBActress 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. 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 booksho...
Liz Kessler talks about When the World Was Ours
January 20, 2021 17:00 - 26 minutes - 18 MBWhen 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. 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...
Holly Ovenden - can you judge a book by its cover?
January 18, 2021 17:00 - 23 minutes - 16.1 MBIt 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. 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 I...
Christopher Edge - Space Oddity: the influence of Close Encounters and Bowie
January 14, 2021 18:00 - 25 minutes - 17.2 MBIt'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. 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 Bestbooksforscho...
Lindsay Galvin on finding the perfect place for dragons
January 08, 2021 14:00 - 25 minutes - 17.8 MBLindsay 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. 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 G...
Professor Hakim Adi - on the history of African and Caribbean Communities in Britain
January 02, 2021 12:00 - 26 minutes - 18.3 MBWhy 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. 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...
Armin Greder - creating books about the way the world is not the way it should be.
December 30, 2020 13:00 - 23 minutes - 16.3 MBIn 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.
Armin Greder - creating books about the way the world is, not the way it should be.
December 30, 2020 13:00 - 23 minutes - 16.3 MBIn 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.' 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 Rea...
Steve Cole - publishing Doctor Who
December 27, 2020 12:00 - 24 minutes - 17.2 MBSteve Cole talks to Nikki Gamble about his obsession with Doctor Who and some new publishing projects for us to look forward to 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 Y...
Chris Wormell - on illustrating Northern Lights
December 22, 2020 18:06 - 26 minutes - 18.2 MBChris Wormell talks to Nikki Gamble about illustrating the full-colour gift edition of Northern Lights and the aesthetic experience of traditional wood engraving. 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 produce...
Chris Wormell
December 22, 2020 18:06 - 26 minutes - 18.3 MBChris 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 - The Ghost of Gosswater
December 19, 2020 10:02 - 24 minutes - 17.1 MBLucy 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. 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 Aliso...
Lucy Strange
December 19, 2020 10:02 - 24 minutes - 16.1 MBLucy 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 - a journey from sculpture to illustration
December 16, 2020 18:20 - 22 minutes - 15.3 MBChris 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. 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...
Chris Van Allsburg
December 16, 2020 18:20 - 22 minutes - 14.6 MBChris Van Allsburg talked to Nikki Gamble about his approach to illustration.
Colette Hiller
December 11, 2020 01:21 - 23 minutes - 16.3 MBIn this interview, Colette Hiller talks to Nikki Gamble about the power of rhythm, rhyme and play to support children's spelling.
Colette Hiller - supporting spelling with rhythm and rhyme
December 11, 2020 01:21 - 23 minutes - 16.3 MBIn this interview, Colette Hiller talks to Nikki Gamble about the power of rhythm, rhyme and play to support children's spelling. 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 ...
A M Dassu
December 06, 2020 09:27 - 24 minutes - 18.2 MBA M Dassu joined Nikki Gamble In The Reading Corner to talk about her novel Boy Everywhere and the experience of Syrian families seeking refuge.
A M Dassu - a Syrian story
December 06, 2020 09:27 - 24 minutes - 17.2 MBA M Dassu joined Nikki Gamble In The Reading Corner to talk about her novel Boy Everywhere and the experience of Syrian families seeking refuge. 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...