Bookwandering with Anna James

Anna James
  • 4.8 (5)
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  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Bookwandering is a podcast where author and arts journalist Anna James chats to other writers and creatives about their most beloved children's or YA book. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  1. The Snowman with Joseph Coelho

    12/21/2025

    The Snowman with Joseph Coelho

    Former children's laureate and poet Joseph Coelho joins me to talk about Raymond Brigg's beloved Christmas classic, The Snowman. We talk about festive traditions, some of Brigg's other work including When the Wind Blows, and about the importance of poetry for young people. You can find a selection of Joseph's books along with The Snowman and my own work at: https://uk.bookshop.org/lists/bookwandering-the-podcast The podcast is produced by Adam Collier with artwork by Hester Kitchen.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    54 min
  2. Kasper in the Glitter with Rochelle Dowden-Lord

    12/08/2025

    Kasper in the Glitter with Rochelle Dowden-Lord

    Debut novelist Rochelle Dowden-Lord joins me to talk about Kasper in the Glitter, Philip Ridleys' gloriously odd 1994 children's book that's illustrated by Chris Riddell. We talk about the importance of weird children's books, researching wine, and have a frank chat about our experiences of being published while working in the book industry. Please note this episode contains an instance of very strong language.  Lush, Rochelle's Nero Prize shortlisted novel, is out now and you can find it alongside my books at: https://uk.bookshop.org/lists/bookwandering-the-podcast The podcast is produced by Adam Collier with artwork by Hester Kitchen.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    59 min
  3. The Lord of the Rings with Leah Williamson and Jordan Glover

    11/14/2025

    The Lord of the Rings with Leah Williamson and Jordan Glover

    Lioness captain Leah Williamson and her co-writer and cousin Jordan Glover join me this week to talk about The Lord of the Rings. We talk about how Leah takes inspiration from Aragorn as the England captain, fancy dress family parties, and the Lost Lionesses of the 1971 Women’s World Cup who inspired their most recent book.   You can find The Wonder Team series, The Lords of the Rings and my own books at: https://uk.bookshop.org/shop/acaseforbooks The podcast is produced by Adam Collier with artwork by Hester Kitchen.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    38 min
  4. The Secret Garden with Kate Mosse

    11/02/2025

    The Secret Garden with Kate Mosse

    Bestselling author and founder of the Women's Prize Kate Mosse joins me this week to talk about Frances Hodgson Burnett's 1911 classic, The Secret Garden. We talk about pirate queens and little princesses, spiky girls and gardens, and how Kate chose who to include in her anthology. You can find Feminist History for Every Day of the Year, The Secret Garden and my own books at: https://uk.bookshop.org/shop/acaseforbooks The podcast is produced by Adam Collier with artwork by Hester Kitchen.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    41 min
  5. The Wind in the Willows with Piers Torday

    10/17/2025

    The Wind in the Willows with Piers Torday

    Award-winning writer and playwright Piers Torday joins me this week to talk about The Wind in the Willows by Kenneth Grahame. We discuss talking animals, whether the book can be read through a queer lens, and how children's fiction has evolved over the last hundred years. You can find Midnight Treasure, The Wind in the Willows and my own books at: https://uk.bookshop.org/shop/acaseforbooks The podcast is produced by Adam Collier with artwork by Hester Kitchen.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    52 min
  6. Alanna by Tamora Pierce with Katherine Webber

    05/23/2025

    Alanna by Tamora Pierce with Katherine Webber

    Bestselling author of books for children and teenagers (and my best friend) Katherine Webber joins me to talk about the Alanna books by Tamora Pierce, officially known as the Song of the Lioness Quartet. We talk about age gap romances, why maps are brilliant as a read and tricky as a writer, and mermaids.  Captain of Fates, a standalone spin-off from the Twin Crowns series, is out now. You can find that and the Alanna books, along with my books at: https://uk.bookshop.org/shop/acaseforbooks The podcast is produced by Adam Collier with artwork by Hester Kitchen.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    1h 8m
  7. The Hunger Games with Mikaela Loach

    04/25/2025

    The Hunger Games with Mikaela Loach

    Climate justice activist, speaker and writer Mikaela Loach joins me this week to talk about The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins, the YA dystopian phenomenon. We talk about how the series radicalised Mikaela, reluctant heroes and different ways of resisting justice. (There are spoilers for the original trilogy, but none for The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes or Sunrise on the Reaping.)  Mikaela's book for young people about the climate crisis and what we can do, Climate Is Just the Start is out now. You can find that and The Hunger Games along with my own books at: https://uk.bookshop.org/shop/acaseforbooks The podcast is produced by Adam Collier with artwork by Hester Kitchen.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    59 min
  8. Twilight with Harry Trevaldwyn

    04/11/2025

    Twilight with Harry Trevaldwyn

    Actor, comedian and writer Harry Trevaldwyn joins me to talk about Twilight, Stephenie Meyer's iconic 2005 YA vampire novel. We talk about Harry's obsession with the book as a teenager, the spirit of Georgia Nicholson, hoa hoa season and why it's so vital to have queer YA love stories.  Harry's debut YA romcom, The Romantic Tragedies of a Drama King is out now.  You can find The Romantic Tragedies of a Drama King, Twilight and my own books here:  https://uk.bookshop.org/shop/acaseforbooks  The podcast is produced by Adam Collier with artwork by Hester Kitchen.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    54 min
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Ratings & Reviews

4.8
out of 5
5 Ratings

About

Bookwandering is a podcast where author and arts journalist Anna James chats to other writers and creatives about their most beloved children's or YA book. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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