The KidLit Pod

Shara Curlett
  • 5.0 (2)
  • Society & Culture

Despite the feeling that digital is taking over, a wonderful group of kidlit people are still writing, sharing, and promoting the importance of, and a love of books and reading. Author Shara Curlett hosts a collective, industry-wide discussion around why books are essential, why modeling reading and reading to kids is more important than ever, and how creators are digging deep to write the best books possible to engage with kids. In this podcast we discuss thoughts, ideas, research, and the science around the importance of stories, and why we need to persist in encouraging our children to turn to a book, rather than a device.

  1. 6 days ago

    KLP Chat: Jess Galatola on Teaching, Parenting, and Everything in Between

    The foundational building blocks of language are essential for setting a child up for success. And tackling this, one book at a time (including those pesky homophones), is Jess Galatola. In episode 13 of The KidLit Pod, Jess shares how she always wanted to be a teacher, and she always loved storytelling, but she never made the connection between the two until later in life - that she could bring two passions together to create beautiful stories that connect with kids. As a former drama/English teacher and curriculum specialist, Jess Galatola discusses her early love of storytelling, drama, and reading (especially Enid Blyton). Shara and Jess share how teaching and mentoring can help benefit a child, and how the simple question of, 'What do you want to be when you're older' should be reconsidered to, 'What do you enjoy now?' They discuss parenting in a world of AI and deepfakes, the importance of critical thinking, empathy, and building connection in classrooms, as well as how reading aloud remains valuable even for older kids. Jess shares her experiences supporting her eldest child’s DLD, dyslexia, and dysgraphia, contrasts her sons’ different attitudes to school, and describes limiting screens and using graphic novels to encourage a love of reading. Following this, Jess discusses the inspiration and the pathway to publication behind her graphic novel Seasons of Clementine (Perentie Press), and her picture book (Larrikin House), both out this year. She also previews upcoming projects: YA short, Parallel Tracks (Rhiza Press) and picture book, The Little Breeze (EK Books). BOOK SPOTLIGHT: The Witch Who Couldn’t Spell (phonics/homophones and perseverance) published by Larrikin House, author Jess Galatola and illustrator Lu Baker. MENTIONS: Perentie Press - Bethany Loveridge and Rochelle Stephens Fiona from Are You Afraid of the Books - @are_you_afraid_of_the_books Bethany Loveridge - @bethanyloveridgeauthor Hayley Hackenberg - @hayleehackenbergauthor Kristen Willis - @tondocreative Seetha Dodd - @seethadodd_author Jenni Barrand - @illustration_jennibarrand Lu Baker - @lubakerart The Prime Minister Problem by Brenton Cullen Megan Daly - Raising Readers Sold A Story podcast 2027 Perentie Prize for Graphic Novel Manuscripts (text only) LINKS: Jess Galatola on Instagram - @jess.galatola Jess Galatola website - www.jessgalatola.com.au Seasons of Clementine by Jess Galatola, illustrated by Jasmine Berry Some Families Change by Jess Galatola, illustrated by Jenni Barrand Follow The KidLit Pod  on Instagram (@thekidlitpod) Find out more about The KidLit Pod host, Shara Curlett, here: Shara Curlett on Instagram (@sharacurlett) Shara Curlett Website (www.sharacurlett.com)

  2. 3 Aug

    KLP Chat: Self-Publishing & Self-Belief despite Learning Struggles

    Tenille Seow is an Australian author passionate about creating accessible fantasy stories for younger readers, despite challenges with dyslexia. In episode 12 of The KidLit Pod, Tenille describes a childhood immersed in books, how her mother encouraged reading, and how when they couldn't afford to attend certain events, that her mum would create little gift bags with a book to make it feel like they're not missing out. Tenille shares the importance of well-resourced school libraries and how in looking for a high school for her children, she's looking for the needs of each individual child rather than the friendship groups. She also discusses her support of her  own children’s reading and device balance. The discussion shifts to creativity and ways for children to release tension and worry, including hobbies that consume children to keep them busy. Tenille makes an interesting point about how over time, devices have condensed and shrunk to one device, and now consumer demand is showing that it's expanding out again as people don't want everything in a single device. Shara shares more about The Light Within: The Aura Academy of Magic, and Tenille shares how in  2023 a popular YA fantasy novel took her by surprise with its difficult names, strong language, and mature content inspired her to write a “between” book for readers transitioning from middle grade to YA, with magic, tension, and romance but without the explicit content. Tenille shares about her experience in working with an editor, finding a cover artist, marketing challenges, and how her personal challenges shape her need for support, feedback, and accessible storytelling. Tenille also shares how dyslexia has not been a barrier in following her dreams. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ BOOK SPOTLIGHT: The Light Within The Light Within - Hardback and ebook The Light Within - Amazon - read more Tenille Seow on Instagram - @teaspoonstorytime Tenille's Editor - Helen Thorton-Gussy from Edit Co Tenille's Cover Designer - Zoe Sizemore did the cover from CIP designs Your Kids Next Read podcast Your Kids Next Read Facebook page for parent recommendations ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Follow The KidLit Pod  on Instagram (@thekidlitpod) Find out more about The KidLit Pod host, Shara Curlett, here: Shara Curlett on Instagram (@sharacurlett) Shara Curlett Website (www.sharacurlett.com)

  3. 27 July

    KLP Chat: Carla Salmon on New Teen and Clean Romance

    Carla Salmon is one of the authors in Australia paving the way for a brand new age group of books that nestle right in between middle-grade and YA, called 'New Teen'. We're seeing more and more feedback that YA spans too great an age group, and overseas we're seeing New Adult (18-25) become more popular, but that leaves a YA group (12-18) that still spans a huge growth period in regards to brain development, emotionally, and physically. The answer to this? New Teen written for boys and girls. Books that offer "clean" romance, that teachers and parents can confidently recommend. And Carla Salmon is paving the way for this new category with her popular Red Sands series, for 11+. In this insightful chat, author-teacher Carla Salmon shares about her childhood on a farm filled with outdoor adventures, heavy reading (Famous Five, Baby-Sitters Club), and crafting, and how those influences shaped her writing. Carla recalls moving from school journalism to PR in London and Australia, then teaching English/drama/history. Carla never thought of becoming an author until her 11-year-old son stopped reading and wanted “older” books that still fit his age. She explains how this led her to writing fast-paced mystery/thrillers with friendship, sport, and “clean” romance, using her son and daughter as candid (and cringe!) editors. This episode highlights her Red Sands series, particularly her latest novel, We Did It Anyway (gold bars, smugglers, lighthouse, secret tunnels - need we say more!). Carla also shares how her debut novel, We Saw What You Started, was optioned for TV. Shara and Carla also discuss their evolving plotting/pantsing process, current reads, and Carla shares her plans for an upcoming dual Brisbane launch with Tristan Bancks at Brisbane Grammar School. Teachers, librarians, YA writers, AND parents of teens - this one's for you. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ LINKS: Carla Salmon's website - carlasalmonbooks.com Carla Salmon on Instagram - @carlasalmonbooks Carla Salmon media kit BOOK SPOTLIGHT - We Saw What You Started by Carla Salmon MENTIONS: Christian White - The Ledge John Marsden - Tomorrow When the War Began Amy Doak - Eleanor Jones series Tristan Bancks - Raised by Wolves ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Follow The KidLit Pod  on Instagram (@thekidlitpod) Find out more about The KidLit Pod host, Shara Curlett, here: Shara Curlett on Instagram (@sharacurlett) Shara Curlett Website (www.sharacurlett.com)

  4. 20 July

    KLP Chat: Inside Book Hero, a Fast-Growing NZ Bookstore with Lizzy Lockhart

    Are bookshops dead? Hardly! One business in Auckland that has experienced exponential growth has shown quite the opposite. Lizzy Lockhart, “Bookshop Hero” at the fast-growing independent online (and physical) bookshop Book Hero, shares the secrets behind this small business' success. And they've achieved this during a time where retail is tricky and reading is declining. Or is it? Book Hero is seeing quite the opposite - reading is fast becoming people's salvation ... In this fascinating look inside Book Hero, a New Zealand book retailer and online store founded in October 2024 by Dylan Bland and Tim Wackrow, Lizzy shares how Dylan and Tim blended their e-commerce strengths with their passion for reading to create an online book retailer with big visions. They quickly expanded into a Hobsonville destination shop, driven by strong community demand. Book Hero prioritises physical books, a personal customer experience, and rapid delivery, expanding from an online warehouse to a community-supported retail space in Hobsonville and a team of 15+ people.  Lizzy shares her work across the bookshop, social media, newsletters, events, and author visits, crediting the team’s customer-first approach, fast shipping, and visibility through their rapidly-growing social media account. We also hear about Lizzy's lifelong love of reading, her background as a primary teacher and Auckland Zoo educator, and her advocacy for reading for pleasure. The conversation also covers Book Hero’s growth into schools and libraries, adding toys and launching Toy Hero, as well as their notable author events. Shara and Lizzy share parenting reflections on emotional regulation and using books as support tools. And we finish off with some of Lizzy's book recommendations. It's a jam-packed episode about community, belief, and the revival of books as a haven. Music to our ears! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ LINKS >>>>> Book Hero Website Book Hero on Instagram - @bookheronz Lizzy Lockhart on Instagram - @peppermintpagesnz MENTIONS >>>>> Graci Kim - Slinger Duology (MG) Claire Mabey - Raven’s Eye series (MG) and Cass and the Beast (PB) Daniel Devenney - Counting Down with Theodore Brown (YA) Nathan Wallis - What Were You Thinking? (ADULT) Dr. Billy Garvey - 10 Things I Wish You Knew About Your Child’s Mental Health (and the Pop Culture Parenting podcast) (ADULT) Sam Smith (illustrated by César Lador) - Miles and Jones series (JF/early MG) Lily Emo - B is for Bird, and The Boy Who Made Things Up (author Margaret Mahy) (PB) Sacha Cotter (illustrated by Josh Morgan) - A Guide to Rocks (PB) Patrice Karst (illustrated by Joanne Lew-Vriethoff) - The Invisible String and The Invisible String Backpack (PB) Karin Slaughter - The Secrets We Hide (ADULT) Asher Emanuel - The Valley (ADULT) Don’t Forget to Smile - Ariane Beeston (YA) Rachael King (illustrated by Phoebe Morris) - Violet and the Velvets (MG) C G Drews - Hazelthorn (YA) Adam Simpson (illustrated by Gypsy Taylor) - Row, Row, Row Your Boat (with Monsters) (PB) ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Follow The KidLit Pod  on Instagram (@thekidlitpod) Find out more about The KidLit Pod host, Shara Curlett, here: Shara Curlett on Instagram (@sharacurlett) Shara Curlett Website (www.sharacurlett.com)

  5. 11 July

    KidLit Hang with Bethany Loveridge, Adrian Beck and Shara Curlett

    And we're back! It's time for our monthly chat with Australian kidlit legends Bethany Loveridge and Adrian Beck, accompanied by our host, NZ author Shara Curlett. The team joke about Zoom call distractions (including Bethany’s dog, Sugar Plum),  before introducing their recent and upcoming books and launches, including Shara's Protector of Beyond launch plans in Brisbane, Bethany’s Josie Mack and the Mega Division, and Adrian’s newly released Nowhere House and his double launch with Amy Doak.  Adrian questions launches, and they discuss how publication days can feel anticlimactic and whether launches make books feel “real”. Betty offers fantastic tips, including assigning people to take photos! The trio plays a series of would-you-rather questions, shares Bethany’s story of befriending a donkey as a teen, before our shoutout to Adrian's new mystery novel, Nowhere House. Adrian raises concerns from a recent Guardian Australia article about books going to market too quickly and disappearing fast, touching on sales windows, discoverability, and the value of independent bookshops and smaller presses. This segues into a who would survive a haunted house situation. The answer? Not Adrian. This all leads to a signed-book giveaway. (Information available on The KidLit Pod instagram page.) The trio finish the chat with some current reads, a film recommendation (Wolfwalkers), shout-outs, and a humorous “surprise” close-up ant image. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ BOOK SHOUTOUT LINK:  Nowhere House by Adrian Beck - published by Scholastic Australia ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ FURTHER LINKS: Bethany Loveridge website - bethanyloveridge.com Bethany Loveridge on Instagram Adrian Beck website - adrianbeck.com.au Adrian Beck on Instagram WHAT WE'RE READING: Survival Show by Juno Dawon - published by Simon and Schuster The Witches of Winderry Spires (upcoming release) by Karen Foxlee - published by Allen & Unwin Don't Forget to Smile by Ariane Beeston - published by Black Inc. Books TV RECOMMENDATION: Wolfwalkers SHOUTOUTS: Amy Doak Hira Nathan - The Mindful Māori If I Could Eat the Stars Follow The KidLit Pod  on Instagram (@thekidlitpod) Find out more about The KidLit Pod host, Shara Curlett, here: Shara Curlett on Instagram (@sharacurlett) Shara Curlett Website (www.sharacurlett.com)

  6. 6 July

    KLP Chat: Kristen Willis on Creativity, Kidlit Illustration, and Piccolo Prints

    Kristen Willis lives a life full of creativity, from her graphic design work to children's book illustration and her brand new venture, Piccolo Prints. If you love art and creativity, then this is the episode for you! Host Shara Curlett welcomes award-winning Australian children’s book illustrator and author, Kristen Willis of Tondo Creative. Kristen is a Brisbane-based creative with a Fine Arts edge and a Graphic Design mindset. She discusses her path from fine arts and graphic design to kidlit, and everything in between. Kristen shares how a childhood filled with creativity and excitement has influenced her as an adult, along with her Italian-Australian roots. She shares how she works traditionally with gouache, coloured pencil, and PanPastels, before scanning and preparing art for publishers. Kristen emphasises authenticity in art and connecting with manuscripts prior to taking them on. She recounts her CBCA New Illustrator shortlisting experience for Peekaboo Lottie (written by Laura Holloway), and describes the illustration process for Casa Mia (written by Josie Montano), about a boy connecting with his nonno who longs for Italy amid dementia. Kristen explains how she used palette shifts to mirror emotion. After sharing her upcoming large-format graphic novel project, Kristen introduces Piccolo Prints, a portable miniature art vending machine piloted at the Brookfield Show, and does a blind vend for Shara! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Kristen Willis on Instagram: @tondocreative Kristen Willis on Facebook: @tondocreative Kristen Willis website: www.tondo.com.au Piccolo Prints on Instagram: @piccoloprints_bytondo Piccolo Prints on Facebook: @piccoloprints Piccolo Prints website link: www.tondo.com.au/piccolo-prints/ Peekaboo Lottie picture book link Casa Mia picture book link ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Follow The KidLit Pod  on Instagram (@thekidlitpod) Find out more about The KidLit Pod host, Shara Curlett, here: Shara Curlett on Instagram (@sharacurlett) Shara Curlett Website (www.sharacurlett.com)

  7. 30 June

    KLP Chat: Ariane Beeston on Contemporary YA, Ballet Culture, and Real Voices

    Having been part of the Debut Crew 2024 for her memoir, Ariane Beeston is a debut once more with her new YA contemporary novel, Don't Forget to Smile. Host Shara Curlett welcomes author Ariane Beeston to The KidLit Pod. Ariane is a former child protection caseworker and psychologist who now works in perinatal mental health and also teaches dance. Ariane shares how her childhood creativity was expressed through ballet and writing. They discuss music and movement, and Ariane describes attending ballet training while simultaneously attending mainstream school, before leaving ballet after body-type pressures in being told she was too short and muscular. Ariane returned to dance later in life through teaching. Ariane's debut memoir, Because I’m Not Myself, You See (2024), was about postpartum psychosis, and Ariane shares how writing her memoir was not cathartic but destabilizing. She also shares how her YA novel, Don't Forget to Smile, appeared unexpectedly while her memoir proposal was on submission and flowed out of her, meaning that she effectively wrote both books within a year. They discuss her novel’s unique structure, character realism, design elements integrating texts and TikTok posts, and themes around ballet culture, social media comparison, and the need for better teaching and wellbeing. It also confronts damaging ballet traditions and emphasise friendships and speaking up for help. Shara draws comparisons to verse novels and shares how any teenager, with a dance background or not, could pick up this book and relate to it. They also discuss the themes within the book that were handled so delicately and resolved so well. Ariane discusses her influences including Galax Arena and Robin Klein as well as her latest reads, before sharing her upcoming launch plans (linked below) and where to find her online. Don't Forget to Smile LAUNCH INFORMATION: Friday 3 July 2026 at Readings Emporium, Melbourne Tuesday 9 July 2026 at The Rose Read Bookshop, Summer Hill, NSW Find Ariane on Instagram: @arianejbeeston Website: www.arianebeeston.com INFLUENCES: Galax-Arena by Gillian Rubinstein Turning Pointe by Chloe Angyal - How a New Generation of Dancers is Saving Ballet from Itself Follow The KidLit Pod  on Instagram (@thekidlitpod) Find out more about The KidLit Pod host, Shara Curlett, here: Shara Curlett on Instagram (@sharacurlett) Shara Curlett Website (www.sharacurlett.com)

  8. 25 June

    KLP Chat: Tina Strachan on KidLit Community, Parenting Gen Alpha, and Industry News

    After signing a three-book deal as a debut, Tina Strachan has launched onto the Australian kidlit scene in a big way, becoming a wonderful advocate for children's literature, a popular emcee for events, and co-host of the The Book Deal podcast. Shara and Tina share recent updates, including Tina drafting a new project and Shara finishing final edits for Protector of Beyond, before discussing the big topic of parenting Gen Alpha in a screen-saturated world. They talk about reframing screen time, balance, “brain nutrition,” and preserving family rituals. Following this, they talk about podcasts, industry news, and opportunities throughout Australia and NZ, including grants and residencies, YABBA, the Auckland Writers Festival, the Young Authors Challenge, and the Lit Quiz/Readers Cup. They also give some shout-outs, before Shara shares a confidence/posture tip from Jefferson Fisher, and they discuss writing advice for kids: write messily first, and start stories with “what if.” At the end of this episode, Shara announces that Tina Strachan and Kate Foster will be joining her in the future for a regular "KidLit Hang". LINKS: Tina Strachan Website Tina Strachan on Instagram - @td_strachan The Book Deal Podcast How to Draw a Dragon - Kate Talbot Dear You, Love From Your Brain - Karen Young ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ BOOK SHOUTOUT: Nanny Tobbins and the Midnight Plan by Lucy Stevens - published by HarperCollins Publishers ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Follow The KidLit Pod  on Instagram (@thekidlitpod) Find out more about The KidLit Pod host, Shara Curlett, here: Shara Curlett on Instagram (@sharacurlett) Shara Curlett Website (www.sharacurlett.com)

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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
2 Ratings

About

Despite the feeling that digital is taking over, a wonderful group of kidlit people are still writing, sharing, and promoting the importance of, and a love of books and reading. Author Shara Curlett hosts a collective, industry-wide discussion around why books are essential, why modeling reading and reading to kids is more important than ever, and how creators are digging deep to write the best books possible to engage with kids. In this podcast we discuss thoughts, ideas, research, and the science around the importance of stories, and why we need to persist in encouraging our children to turn to a book, rather than a device.

Information

  • Creator
    Shara Curlett
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    14
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 The KidLit Pod
  • Show Website
    The KidLit Pod

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