Mostly Book Talk

Katy Donnelly and Alison Palmer
  • 5.0 (7)
  • BOOKS
  • UPDATED FORTNIGHTLY

A podcast for teachers, librarians, and parents who are passionate about supporting children's and teenagers' reading for pleasure. We dive into the vibrant world of children’s and YA literature, offering expert book recommendations, engaging author interviews, and practical advice on how to nurture a lifelong love of reading. Whether you’re looking to expand your classroom or library collection, discover fresh titles for your students or children, or explore proven strategies for creating reading-rich environments, you will find it here. From picture books to young adult novels, we highlight new releases, hidden gems, and must-read favourites that are sure to grow your 'To Be Read' pile. Tune in for thoughtful conversations and inspiring ideas that make reading irresistible for every young reader.  - Perfect for educators, school librarians, and book-loving families - New episodes regularly featuring authors, reading experts, and literacy advocates - Build reading cultures, spark book buzz, and celebrate the joy of stories Subscribe now and join a community committed to making reading a pleasure.

  1. 6 DAYS AGO

    Episode 41 - I Want Everything! with author and illustrator Sophy Henn

    In this episode we talk to author Sophy Henn about her new picture book I Want Everything! - which is about how sometimes it might feel like you want everything, but when you really think about it you probably don't... We also discuss the latest installment in her action packed and madcap Happy Hills graphic novel series, Cheesy Bob Strikes! Sophy can be found on Instagram here And the books we mentioned can be found through these links I Want Everything! Cheesy Bob Strikes! Pizazz Bad Nana - Older not Wiser Lifesize Dinosaurs The Best Worst Day Ever Pom Pom Gets the Grumps Send us a message

    35 min

  2. 2 MAR

    Part 5 - The Reading Crisis - Why children aren't reading and what we can do about it.

    In part 5 we continue looking at what works to support reading for pleasure, focusing more this time on opportunities for authors to engage with readers and the importance of wider family and community involvement and spaces to discover and talk about books. For this series we interviewed the following people (not all feature in every episode): Dapo Adeola - Author and the illustrator of many books including Look Up!, Clean Up!and My Dad is a Grizzly Bear. Sita Brahmachari - Author of many books including Artichoke Hearts, When Shadows Falland Phoenix Brothers Dr Darren Chetty - Lecturer at UCL Institute of Education and author, with Professor Karen Sands O'Connor, of Beyond the Secret Garden  Professor Teresa Cremin - Professor of Education and Co-Director of the Literacy and Social Justice Centre at The Open University Charlotte Hacking - Teacher Engagement Lead at the Helen Hamlyn Centre for Pedagogy and Research and Curriculum Lead at Herne Hill School  Jenny Hawke - Children's Librarian and Chair of the Youth Library Group Tom Palmer - Author of many books including Angel of Grasmere, Resist and War Dog  Glynn Palmer–Bell - Assistant Director of English at Castle View Enterprise Academy, Sunderland Louie Stowell - Author of many books including the Loki series, Otherland and the Dragon in the Library Sabrina Sulliman - English teacher at Southfields Academy, South West London At the end of the series we will invite comments and ideas from listeners so look out for how you can contribute to the discussion. Many thanks to everyone we interviewed and to our Co Producer Belinda Naylor. Send us a message

    26 min

  3. 25 FEB

    Episode 40 - Author Sarah Crossan talks about her new thriller, Gone for Good

    We are joined by author Sarah Crossan to talk about her new verse novel, Gone for Good . It is a read in one go thriller about the troubled teen industry. Sixteen-year-old Connie is kidnapped in the middle of the night and taken to a 'behaviour modification programme' at Silver Lake and quickly gets drawn into the mystery of where missing resident Belle has gone to. We also talk about Sarah's thoughtful posts on social media about putting away our screens and reading for pleasure. Sarah can be found on Instagram here. And here are some of the books we discuss: Gone for Good Toffee The Weight of Water One Where the Heart Should Be Send us a message

    46 min

  4. 20 FEB

    Part 4 - The Reading Crisis - Why children aren't reading and what we can do about it

    In part 4 we hear more about what we should be doing to address the decline in children’s reading for pleasure. In this episode we focus on approaches in schools and how to involve staff and pupils in creating a reading for pleasure culture. For this series we interviewed the following people (not all feature in every episode): Dapo Adeola - Author and the illustrator of many books including Look Up!, Clean Up!and My Dad is a Grizzly Bear. Sita Brahmachari - Author of many books including Artichoke Hearts, When Shadows Falland Phoenix Brothers Dr Darren Chetty - Lecturer at UCL Institute of Education and author, with Professor Karen Sands O'Connor, of Beyond the Secret Garden  Professor Teresa Cremin - Professor of Education and Co-Director of the Literacy and Social Justice Centre at The Open University Charlotte Hacking - Teacher Engagement Lead at the Helen Hamlyn Centre for Pedagogy and Research and Curriculum Lead at Herne Hill School  Jenny Hawke - Children's Librarian and Chair of the Youth Library Group Tom Palmer - Author of many books including Angel of Grasmere, Resist and War Dog  Glynn Palmer–Bell - Assistant Director of English at Castle View Enterprise Academy, Sunderland Louie Stowell - Author of many books including the Loki series, Otherland and the Dragon in the Library Sabrina Sulliman - English teacher at Southfields Academy, South West London At the end of the series we will invite comments and ideas from listeners so look out for how you can contribute to the discussion. Many thanks to everyone we interviewed and to our Co Producer Belinda Naylor. Send us a message

    20 min

  5. 17 FEB

    National Year of Reading - Youth Libraries Group

    For the National Year of Reading, we are sharing a series of short conversations with people who are involved in promoting reading with young people. This could be a programme, resources or a literary event, and we're giving them the opportunity to share what they do and how people can get involved. In this episode we are joined by Tanja Jennings, who is the joint Northern Ireland Representative on the Youth Libraries Group. Information about the Carnegies can be found here. Information about the Members' Fest can be found here. The Youth Libraries Group recommendations on Bookshop.org can be found here.  And if you are interested in The Youth Library Review or newsletters, you can get more information from ylg.newsletter@gmail.com. Tanja Jennings write a blog, Good Night to Read, about books and reading which can be found here. Send us a message

    15 min

  6. 6 FEB

    Episode 39 - Badgers are Go! with Susannah Lloyd - Revenge of the Claw

    In this episode we talk to Susannah Lloyd about the latest instalment in her Badgers are Go! series, Revenge of the Claw. Illustrated by Nici Gregory. We cover lots of ingenious disguises, pudding references and doing all the voices! Also the importance of having children who can help you name your characters. You can find out more about Susannah Lloyd's books here. The books we discussed can be found here: Badgers are Go! Badgers are Go! Revenge of the Claw Who Ate Steve? Send us a message

    29 min

  7. 3 FEB

    Part 3: The Reading Crisis - Why children aren't reading and what we can do about it

    In part 3 of our mini series about 'The Reading Crisis', we hear more about access, but also about who decides which books get published, how they're marketed, and how they get into children's hands, as well as the lack of coverage in the media of children's literature.   For this series we interviewed the following people (not all feature in every episode): Dapo Adeola - Author and the illustrator of many books including Look Up!, Clean Up!and My Dad is a Grizzly Bear. Sita Brahmachari - Author of many books including Artichoke Hearts, When Shadows Falland Phoenix Brothers Dr Darren Chetty - Lecturer at UCL Institute of Education and author, with Professor Karen Sands O'Connor, of Beyond the Secret Garden  Professor Teresa Cremin - Professor of Education and Co-Director of the Literacy and Social Justice Centre at The Open University Charlotte Hacking - Teacher Engagement Lead at the Helen Hamlyn Centre for Pedagogy and Research and Curriculum Lead at Herne Hill School  Jenny Hawke - Children's Librarian and Chair of the Youth Library Group Tom Palmer - Author of many books including Angel of Grasmere, Resist and War Dog  Glynn Palmer–Bell - Assistant Director of English at Castle View Enterprise Academy, Sunderland Louie Stowell - Author of many books including the Loki series, Otherland and the Dragon in the Library Sabrina Sulliman - English teacher at Southfields Academy, South West London At the end of the series we will invite comments and ideas from listeners so look out for how you can contribute to the discussion. Many thanks to everyone we interviewed and to our Co Producer Belinda Naylor. Send us a message

    38 min

  8. 29 JAN

    National Year of Reading - Stepping into Stories Kids' Lit Fest

    For the National Year of Reading, we are sharing a series of short conversations with people who are involved in promoting reading with young people. This could be a programme,  resources or a literary event, and we're giving them the opportunity to share what they do and how people can get involved. For our first conversation, we are joined by Mo O'Hara from Stepping Into Stories Kids' Lit Fest.  Further information about the festival can be found here. If you run an organisation or an event that supports children and young people's reading and would like to have a converstation about what you do any special activities you are running for the National Year of Reading and how people can join in, do get in touch via our website www.mostlybooktalk.com Send us a message

    17 min
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
7 Ratings

About

A podcast for teachers, librarians, and parents who are passionate about supporting children's and teenagers' reading for pleasure. We dive into the vibrant world of children’s and YA literature, offering expert book recommendations, engaging author interviews, and practical advice on how to nurture a lifelong love of reading. Whether you’re looking to expand your classroom or library collection, discover fresh titles for your students or children, or explore proven strategies for creating reading-rich environments, you will find it here. From picture books to young adult novels, we highlight new releases, hidden gems, and must-read favourites that are sure to grow your 'To Be Read' pile. Tune in for thoughtful conversations and inspiring ideas that make reading irresistible for every young reader.  - Perfect for educators, school librarians, and book-loving families - New episodes regularly featuring authors, reading experts, and literacy advocates - Build reading cultures, spark book buzz, and celebrate the joy of stories Subscribe now and join a community committed to making reading a pleasure.

Information

  • Creator
    Katy Donnelly and Alison Palmer
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    49
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Mostly Book Talk
  • Show Website
    Mostly Book Talk

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