In the Reading Corner

About this podcast

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, latest children's books, writing processes, inspirations and news about your favourite authors.

In the Reading Corner

Episodes

2021
Maz Evans - watch out Bond, there's a new spy on the block
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.
March 3, 2021
24 min
Hannah Gold - The Last Bear
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.
February 25, 2021
22 min
Neal Shusterman - Game Changer
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.
February 22, 2021
24 min
Tom Percival - making a difference
Tom Percival talks to Nikki Gamble about the inspiration behind his latest picturebook The Invisible. The discussion focuses on the effect so poverty and the effect this has on 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.
February 20, 2021
25 min
Vivian French - let's get serious about series
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.
February 12, 2021
23 min
James Carter Weird, Wild and Wonderful
James Carter talks to us about his latest collection, featuring some well-loved favourites and some reworked poems as well as recent additions.
February 8, 2021
24 min
Garry Parsons - reflecting family life in all its diversity
In this episode, Garry Parsons tells us about two of his recent picturebooks Llama Glamarama, written by Simon James Green - a story which promotes the theme of 'being yourself'. And My Daddies, written by Gareth Peter by the joy in a family with gay parents, a book that is especially close to Garry who is an adoptive gay parent.
February 6, 2021
27 min
Sita Bramachari - a writer's secrets set sail
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,
February 5, 2021
25 min
Adam Baron - This Wonderful Thing
Dr Adam Baron talks to Nikki Gamble about the craft of writing and his latest children's novel, This Wonderful Thing.
January 30, 2021
25 min
Helen Rutter - The Boy Who Made Everyone Laugh
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.
January 27, 2021
23 min
Liz Kessler talks about When the World Was Ours
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.
January 20, 2021
27 min
Holly Ovenden - can you judge a book by its cover?
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.
January 18, 2021
24 min
Christopher Edge - Space Oddity: the influence of Close Encounters and Bowie
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.
January 14, 2021
26 min
Lindsay Galvin on finding the perfect place for dragons
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, Linday's story is a magical blend of fact and fiction.
January 8, 2021
26 min
Professor Hakim Adi - on the history of African and Caribbean Communities in Britain
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 of this important subject.
January 2, 2021
27 min
2020
Armin Greder - creating books about the way the world is, not the way it should be.
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.
December 30, 2020
24 min
Steve Cole - publishing Doctor Who
Steve Cole talks to Nikki Gamble about his obsession with Doctor Who and some new publishing projects for us to look forward to
December 27, 2020
25 min
Chris Wormell - on illustrating Northern Lights
Chris Wormell talks to Nikki Gamble about illustrating the full-colour gift edition of Northern Lights and the aesthetic experience of traditional wood engraving.
December 22, 2020
27 min
Lucy Strange - The Ghost of Gosswater
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.
December 19, 2020
25 min
Chris Van Allsburg - a journey from sculpture to illustration
Chris Van Allsburg talked to Nikki Gamble about his approach to illustration.
December 16, 2020
23 min

In the Reading Corner

About this podcast

Categories

About this podcast

Categories

In the Reading Corner

Episodes

Maz Evans - watch out Bond, there's a new spy on the block

Hannah Gold - The Last Bear

Neal Shusterman - Game Changer

Tom Percival - making a difference

Vivian French - let's get serious about series

James Carter Weird, Wild and Wonderful

Garry Parsons - reflecting family life in all its diversity

Sita Bramachari - a writer's secrets set sail

Adam Baron - This Wonderful Thing

Helen Rutter - The Boy Who Made Everyone Laugh

Liz Kessler talks about When the World Was Ours

Holly Ovenden - can you judge a book by its cover?

Christopher Edge - Space Oddity: the influence of Close Encounters and Bowie

Lindsay Galvin on finding the perfect place for dragons

Professor Hakim Adi - on the history of African and Caribbean Communities in Britain

Armin Greder - creating books about the way the world is, not the way it should be.

Steve Cole - publishing Doctor Who

Chris Wormell - on illustrating Northern Lights

Lucy Strange - The Ghost of Gosswater

Chris Van Allsburg - a journey from sculpture to illustration