Storyshaped

Susan Cahill & Sinéad O'Hart
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A children's literature podcast all about the stories that shape us - and how the stories that formed us go on to shape the stories we create. We talk to children's authors, illustrators, bloggers, and book lovers of all sorts about the stories they loved as children (or perhaps, the stories they hated, feared, or were fascinated by!) and how those stories helped to shape their lives. Join us for weekly discussions about books, stories, and their power to change the world. Follow us on Twitter: www.twitter.com/StoryshapedPod and Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/storyshapedpod/ Contact us on storyshapedpod@gmail.com Our Irish bookshop partner is Halfway Up the Stairs bookshop in Wicklow: www.halfwayupthestairs.ie In the UK, check out our storefront on https://uk.bookshop.org/shop/Storyshaped. Disclosure: If you buy books linked to our site, we may earn a commission from Bookshop.org, whose fees support independent bookshops. Theme music composed and performed by Tony Betts Logo designed by Paul Coomey Your hosts: children's authors Susan Cahill and Sinéad O'Hart Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  1. 12/04/2025

    Getting Storyshaped With Gráinne O'Brien

    Gráinne O'Brien is no stranger to anyone on the Irish book scene! A bookseller, a creative writing coach, and a published author, she released her debut YA novel in April 2025 to instant acclaim. We were delighted that she made time in a very busy day - with thanks to The Campus Bookshop in UCD, Sinéad's old workplace, for giving her somewhere to set up her computer so she could talk to us! - and we had a brilliant natter about stories, books, and the importance of listening to the voices in your head. (If you know, you know!) Find Gráinne online HERE Find Rontu, Gráinne's creative writing coaching service, HERE Find Kenny's Bookshop, where Gráinne is Children's Buyer, HERE Books mentioned in this week's episode include Gráinne's own: A Limerick Fairytale Solo And the stories which shaped her include: Big Magic, by Elizabeth Gilbert These Are the Words, by Nikita Gill The work of Sarah Crossan The life and work of Mary O'Shea, elementary school librarian in Palo Alto, CA Ramona Quimby, by Beverly Cleary The Baby-sitters' Club, by Ann M. Martin Wayside School Gets a Little Stranger, by Louis Sachar Holes, by Louis Sachar The Magician of Tiger Castle, by Louis Sachar The Goosebumps books, by RL Stine The work of Maeve Binchy Flowers in the Attic, by Virginia Andrews The work of Marian Keyes JAWS, by Peter Benchley I Capture the Castle, by Dodie Smith The work of Jessica Townsend The Murder Most Unladylike series, by Robin Stevens The Song of the Lioness, by Tamora Pierce Nina Peanut Is Amazing and Nina Peanut, Mega Mystery Solver, by Sarah Bowie Pablo and Splash, by Sheena Dempsey Notes from a Coma, by Mike McCormack The work of Sarah Moore Fitzgerald The work of Donal Ryan The work of Joseph O'Connor The Book of Secrets, by Alex Dunne Under the Hawthorn Tree (trilogy), by Marita Conlon-McKenna Creative Writing for Dummies, by Maggie Hamand Atmosphere, by Taylor Jenkins Reid Our podcast bookshop in Ireland is Halfway Up the Stairs: www.halfwayupthestairs.ie. You might also like to check out www.kennys.ie for free shipping within the Republic of Ireland! In the UK, check out our storefront on: https://uk.bookshop.org/shop/Storyshaped. Disclaimer: If you buy books linked to our site, we may earn a commission from bookshop.org, whose fees support independent bookshops. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    55 min

  2. 11/27/2025

    Getting Storyshaped With Eve Wersocki Morris

    Eve Wersocki Morris has been called 'the best-kept secret in children's publishing' by no less than Lemony Snicket himself, so who are we to argue! We were delighted to get a window into her delightfully noirish Storyshaped life. Come with us as we discover the stories - movies, books, the lot! - which have shaped her and her work, right from her first novel (written when she was thirteen!) to the present day. Find Eve online at her website Books mentioned in this week's episode include Eve's own: The Bird Singers The Wildstorm Curse Clem Fatale Has Been Betrayed And the stories which have shaped her include: Movies: The Maltese Falcon The 39 Steps Strangers on a Train The Big Sleep Stage Fright Dial M For Murder Double Indemnity Some Like It Hot Sunset Boulevard The Ladykillers The Wrong Arm of the Law Dead Men Don't Wear Plaid Night Train to Munich Castle in the Air and the Chrestomanci books, by Diana Wynne Jones The Just William Stories, by Richmal Crompton, read by Martin Jarvis The Chronicles of Narnia, by CS Lewis The Roman Mysteries, by Caroline Lawrence Lizzie Zipmouth, by Jacqueline Wilson Fantastic Mr Fox, by Roald Dahl The Worst Witch, by Jill Murphy Noughts and Crosses, by Malorie Blackman Anna Karenina, by Tolstoy Madame Bovary, by Gustave Flaubert Northanger Abbey, by Jane Austen On Beauty, by Zadie Smith Heartburn, by Nora Ephron The Handmaid's Tale, by Margaret Atwood Rebecca, by Daphne du Maurier American Wife, by Curtis Sittenfeld The Poetry Pharmacy Comfort Poems Collection Our podcast bookshop in Ireland is Halfway Up the Stairs: www.halfwayupthestairs.ie. You might also like to check out www.kennys.ie for free shipping within the Republic of Ireland! In the UK, check out our storefront on: https://uk.bookshop.org/shop/Storyshaped. Disclaimer: If you buy books linked to our site, we may earn a commission from bookshop.org, whose fees support independent bookshops. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    1h 3m

  3. 11/13/2025

    Getting Storyshaped with Peter Donnelly

    We were thrilled to get the chance to sit down with Peter Donnelly, one of Ireland's foremost illustrators and picturebook makers, to discuss life, work, inspiration, and everything in between! Listen in for a chance to hear about how Peter was inspired by a mountain, and how NOT getting into art college was the best thing that ever happened to him. If you've ever wondered: how did Peter Donnelly come up with the brilliant idea to write a picturebook about the President of Ireland, then you've found your happy place. Come and join us as we winkle out Peter Donnelly's Storyshaped secrets! Books mentioned in this week's episode include Peter's own: The President's Glasses The President's Cat The President's Dog The President's Surprise The Dead Zoo The Great Discovery Up on the Mountain Little Wolf And the stories that shaped him include: The Cat in the Hat, by Dr Seuss The Selfish Giant, by Oscar Wilde, illustrated by Lisbeth Zwerger The Selfish Giant, by Oscar Wilde, illustrated by PJ Lynch The work of PJ Lynch Monty Python, British TV comedy The Prince of Egypt, animated movie on which Peter worked Anastasia, animated movie on which Peter worked Tilly and Friends, by Polly Dunbar This is Ireland, by Miroslav Sacek The work of Mac Barnett The work of Jon Klassen The Fairy Isle, by Síne Quinn, illustrated by Dermot Flynn Beanie the Bansheenie, by Eoin Colfer, illustrated by Steve McCarthy Our podcast bookshop in Ireland is Halfway Up the Stairs: www.halfwayupthestairs.ie. You might also like to check out www.kennys.ie for free shipping within the Republic of Ireland! In the UK, check out our storefront on: https://uk.bookshop.org/shop/Storyshaped. Disclaimer: If you buy books linked to our site, we may earn a commission from bookshop.org, whose fees support independent bookshops. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    59 min

  4. 11/06/2025

    Getting Storyshaped With Nathanael (Nate) Lessore

    Get ready to pull on your nonsense shoes and go dancing on the kooky side of the street as we chat to the brilliant Nathanael (Nate) Lessore, author of the hilarious Steady for This and King of Nothing for teen readers, and Solving Crimes is NOT My Superpower, for slightly younger readers. This conversation will answer all the questions you have about life, including the most important one: how DO you give CPR to a mosquito? I mean, you can't deny it's something we've all wondered about... Find Nate online HERE Books mentioned in this week's episode include Nate's own: Steady for This King of Nothing Solving Crimes is NOT My Superpower, illustrated by Simran Diamond Singh And the stories which have shaped him include: Avocado Baby, by John Burningham Burglar Bill, by Janet and Allan Ahlberg Double Act, by Jacqueline Wilson The Lottie Project, by Jacqueline Wilson Tracey Beaker (TV series), original novels by Jacqueline Wilson Vicky Angel, by Jacqueline Wilson Scribble Boy, by Philip Ridley Harry Potter, by JK Rowling Noughts and Crosses, by Malorie Blackman Knife Edge, by Malorie Blackman The work of Flannery O'Connor The Chronicles of Narnia, by CS Lewis Glasgow Boys, by Margaret McDonald TV Shows: Scrubs Friends Boondocks Fresh Prince of Bel-Air Family Guy Spiderman (comic books) The work of Spike Milligan Conn of the Dead, by Dave Rudden The Door of No Return, by Kwame Alexander Happy Head, by Josh Silver Our podcast bookshop in Ireland is Halfway Up the Stairs: www.halfwayupthestairs.ie. You might also like to check out www.kennys.ie for free shipping within the Republic of Ireland! In the UK, check out our storefront on: https://uk.bookshop.org/shop/Storyshaped. Disclaimer: If you buy books linked to our site, we may earn a commission from bookshop.org, whose fees support independent bookshops. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    1h 3m

  5. 10/16/2025

    Getting Storyshaped With Kel Menton

    This Storyshaped chat is a feast for the soul. We were delighted to get a chance to sit down with Kel Menton, debut author, and talk to them all about their brilliant first novel, A Fix of Light, and the stories that have shaped not only the book, but Kel themself. We went on a fantastic trip from local ghost-lore to titans of the fantasy genre all the way to the Prose Edda and Poetic Edda - because, of course you'd end up there! Come on and join us for a fantastic meander through a marvellously Storyshaped life. Find Kel on their newsletter, Marginalia Books mentioned in this week's episode include Kel's own: A Fix of Light And the stories which have shaped them include: The Sleeping Giant, by Marie-Louise Fitzpatrick Cailín an Bhúrna/Colleen of the Barley, a local ghost story The Raven Boys, by Maggie Stiefvater Shiver, by Maggie Stiefvater The Demon's Lexicon, by Sarah Rees Brennan The Inkheart trilogy, by Cornelia Funke Reckless, by Cornelia Funke Wintersmith, by Terry Pratchett Shadow and Bone, by Leigh Bardugo Six of Crows, by Leigh Bardugo The work of John Green The Ruby Redfort books, by Lauren Child Beowulf, the Old English epic (HWAET!) Judith and Holofernes, the Old English poem The Poetic Edda The Prose Edda, compiled by Snorri Sturluson Summer Sons, by Lee Mandelo All For the Game, by Nora Sakavic Don't Let the Forest In, by CG Drews The Three Body Problem, by Cixin Liu The work of NK Jemisin The work of Ursula le Guin The work of RF Kuang Sentimental Garbage podcast - The Phantom of the Opera with Rebecca Kuang Our podcast bookshop in Ireland is Halfway Up the Stairs: www.halfwayupthestairs.ie. You might also like to check out www.kennys.ie for free shipping within the Republic of Ireland! In the UK, check out our storefront on: https://uk.bookshop.org/shop/Storyshaped. Disclaimer: If you buy books linked to our site, we may earn a commission from bookshop.org, whose fees support independent bookshops. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    1h 8m

  6. 10/02/2025

    Getting Storyshaped with Dr Darren Chetty and Prof Karen Sands-O'Connor

    We were privileged today to speak to the authors of the brilliant essay anthology, Beyond the Secret Garden, which is a vital critique of the current state of children's literature and its inclusivity problem. Dr Chetty and Prof Sands-O'Connor have written for many years over at Books for Keeps around these vital issues, and today they bring us through the importance of decolonising the children's literature canon - while also giving us an insight into their own Storyshaped lives, and what stories led them to the work they do today. You can purchase your copy of Beyond the Secret Garden here Stories mentioned in this week's episode include: The Good Immigrant, ed. Nikesh Shukla Sesame Street Roy of the Rovers football comic The work of JD Salinger and Jack Kerouac Dr Dolittle, by Hugh Lofting The Wizard of Oz (movie version) Mythologies, by Roland Barthes Elmer, by David McKee Tusk Tusk, by David McKee The Grapes of Wrath, by John Steinbeck Jane Eyre, by Charlotte Bronte Wuthering Heights, by Emily Bronte The work of Charles Dickens Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott Sight and Sound magazine The Buddha of Suburbia, by Hanif Kureishi The Chronicles of Narnia, by CS Lewis Oliver Twist, by Charles Dickens Robinson Crusoe, by Daniel Defoe Sing, Unburied, Sing, by Jesmyn Ward Freud in Oz, by Kenneth Kidd James, by Percival Everett Our podcast bookshop in Ireland is Halfway Up the Stairs: www.halfwayupthestairs.ie. You might also like to check out www.kennys.ie for free shipping within the Republic of Ireland! In the UK, check out our storefront on: https://uk.bookshop.org/shop/Storyshaped. Disclaimer: If you buy books linked to our site, we may earn a commission from bookshop.org, whose fees support independent bookshops. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    1h 4m

  7. 09/18/2025

    Getting Storyshaped with Kieran Larwood

    We don't have *much* in common with the Terminator around here, it must be said, but one of the things we do share is this: we come back. So, here we are! This is a special LIVE episode, recorded in May 2025 at the brilliant International Literature Festival Dublin in front of an audience of Kieran Larwood fans (and, perhaps, one or two who were there to see us), and we had the most fun. We chatted fantasy, Tolkien, the powers of maps as ways into story, 90s music, and loads more. Our very special thanks to the team at International Literature Festival Dublin for facilitating this dream come true for us - it has long been our ambition to record a live episode, and we were delighted to get the chance to do just that as part of this fantastic festival, which happens in Dublin in May every year. We hope the recording gives you a flavour of how much we enjoyed talking to Kieran and getting an insight into his very special Storyshaped life. PLEASE NOTE: The audio didn't pick up the audience, so during question time, the questions we are responding to are as follows: What children's book that you read as an adult do you wish you'd read as a child?Will we find out more about the Ancients? Books mentioned in this week's episode include: The work of Enid Blyton The work of JRR Tolkien A Wizard of Earthsea, by Ursula le Guin The Moomins, by Tove Jansson The Hounds of the Morrigan, by Pat O'Shea The World Between the Rain, by Susan Cahill Fighting Fantasy book series, created by Steve Jackson and Ian Livingstone Stone of Farewell, by Tad Williams The work of Robin Hobb Mort, by Terry Pratchett The work of Terry Pratchett, especially the Tiffany Aching series Good Omens, by Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman Lords and Ladies, by Terry Pratchett Watership Down, by Richard Adams Neuromancer, by William Gibson Escape Room: Game Zero, by Christopher Edge I Am Wolf, by Alastair Chisholm The Bone Ships, by RJ Barker October, October, by Katya Balen The Storm and the Sea Hawk, by Kiran Millwood Hargrave I Am Raven, by Alastair Chisholm A Fix of Light, by Kel Menton On Midnight Beach, by Marie Louise Fitzpatrick The work of Jamie Littler, esp. Frostheart The music of Pearl Jam and Nirvana and Soundgarden Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    47 min

  8. 08/08/2025 · BONUS

    SPECIAL MINI-SODE: Irish KidLit For Palestine

    In this special mini-sode of Storyshaped, I (Sinéad) sat down with Ruth Ennis (writer, book-expert, book reviewer, general Queen of Irish children's and YA literature and legend in her own lifetime) to discuss something close to both our hearts: the situation in Palestine. Nobody will be unaware of the reality; the situation in Palestine, and in particular in Gaza, has been described as 'genocide' by bodies such as Médecins sans Frontieres, the United Nations, and Amnesty International. Innocent civilians have been mercilessly killed, day and night, for almost the past two years, and the onslaught has had a particularly horrific impact on Palestinian children. As authors for children and young people, Ruth and I couldn't stand by and do nothing. So, we set up the Irish KidLit for Palestine Fundraiser, which runs between August 4th and 17th, 2025. Our chosen charity is Medical Aid for Palestinians, who can be found HERE And the link to the Irish KidLit for Palestine Fundraiser, where you can help us to raise money AND get yourself some snazzy kidlit-related goodies, is HERE Our sincere thanks to the 30+ authors, illustrators, artists and creatives who made this Fundraiser possible by donating their work and their time. Míle buíochas! Stay tuned for more Storyshaped in the autumn. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    10 min
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About

A children's literature podcast all about the stories that shape us - and how the stories that formed us go on to shape the stories we create. We talk to children's authors, illustrators, bloggers, and book lovers of all sorts about the stories they loved as children (or perhaps, the stories they hated, feared, or were fascinated by!) and how those stories helped to shape their lives. Join us for weekly discussions about books, stories, and their power to change the world. Follow us on Twitter: www.twitter.com/StoryshapedPod and Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/storyshapedpod/ Contact us on storyshapedpod@gmail.com Our Irish bookshop partner is Halfway Up the Stairs bookshop in Wicklow: www.halfwayupthestairs.ie In the UK, check out our storefront on https://uk.bookshop.org/shop/Storyshaped. Disclosure: If you buy books linked to our site, we may earn a commission from Bookshop.org, whose fees support independent bookshops. Theme music composed and performed by Tony Betts Logo designed by Paul Coomey Your hosts: children's authors Susan Cahill and Sinéad O'Hart Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Information

  • Creator
    Susan Cahill & Sinéad O'Hart
  • Years Active
    2022 - 2025
  • Episodes
    68
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Susan Cahill & Sinéad O'Hart
  • Show Website
    Storyshaped

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