
17 episodes

KidLit Classics Sam-Ellen
-
- Arts
KidLit Classics is a podcast dedicated to celebrating classic children's literature. It is an ode to childhood reading and the kidlit community. Each episode I chat with one guest from the kidlit industry - be it author, bookseller, educator, publishing professional - about the children's book that sparked their love of reading, got them involved in the kidlit community, or is just the one they love the most. We take a deep dive into each guest's chosen book, discussing what it's about, why it's so special, how it influenced children's literature and literary culture, and finish with a dramatic reading and a brief chat about the guest's own work. If you are loving the podcast, why not Buy Me A Coffee ... Each donation helps with the time and effort involved in preparing, recording, editing, producing, distributing and marketing the episodes - ensuring we're sustainable and can continue supporting the kidlit community.
-
Allison Tait talks Callie's Castle, KidLit Classics Podcast S2 Episode 16
About this episode’s KidLit Classic:
Callie's Castle, by NZ-Aussie kidlit legend Ruth Park, was published in1974, the first book about Callie Cameron, her family, their big old house, and the perils of growing up.
Children's author, podcaster and kidlit specialist Allison Tait discusses how Callie was a character she instantly connected with, and how this story - with its big heart, empathy, and understanding of family dynamics - is one that has subtly influenced her own work. We have a dramatic reading, and Allison talks about her new contemporary #LoveOZMG, her writing trajectory, and the 'business' of being a writer.
About Allison Tait:
Allison Tait (A.L. Tait) is the internationally published bestselling author of multiple middle-grade adventure series and now her first contemporary novel, The First Summer of Callie McGee. Allison is also a multi-genre writer, creative writing teacher and speaker. She is co-host of the top-rating Your Kid’s Next Read podcast and former co-host of the So You Want To Be A Writer podcast.
Connect with Allison: Instagram: @allisontaitwriter / Twitter: @altait / Website: https://allisontait.com/
Join Your Kid's Next Read group on Facebook
Listen to Your Kid's Next Read podcast
Connect with host Sam-Ellen Bound: Instagram @samellenb / Website www.samanthaellenbound.com
Buy Callie's Castle here
Mentioned in Podcast:
Tiny Tradies by Tami Sussman
Anchored by Debra Tidball
Clutch by M.G.Leonard
Enjoying KidLit Classics? Like, share, subscribe, leave a review! Interested in being a guest? Get in touch with me via my contact page, or send an email to boundpublishingservices@gmail.com.
Credits:
Opening and Outro music:
‘Funny Whimsical Music’ by MoodMode, accessed via Storyblocks. Purchased and used under Storyblocks’ Royalty-Free Individual License Agreement.
Sound files:
All used under the Pixabay Music License Agreement.
'Fantasy Magic' by Lite Saturation
Transcript:
coming soon
Thanks for listening!
Stay up to date - Instagram @Samellenb
https://www.samanthaellenbound.com/kidlitclassicspodcast -
Emily Gale talks Charlotte Sometimes, KidLit Classics Podcast S2 Episode 15
About this episode’s KidLit Classic:
Charlotte Sometimes, by Penelope Farmer, was published 1969, the third and best-known of the Aviary Hall trilogy. A time-slip novel that explores identity, loss, and grief, it became somewhat famous when Robert Smith from The Cure adapted many of its lines into a song of the same name.
Children's author and kidlit advocate Emily Gale discusses her deeply personal connection with Charlotte Sometimes, how we latch onto fictional characters as children, the rich prose and themes, how structure and content in children's books has changed, the magic of time-slip novels, and the importance of supporting the kidlit industry.
About Emily Gale:
Emily has worked in the book industry for over twenty years in various roles, including as an editor, book buyer, consultant to a literary agent, and as part of a high school library team. An award-winning YA and MG author, her latest work includes Elsewhere Girls, co-written with Nova Weetman, and The Goodbye Year.
Connect with Emily: Instagram: @emilygalebooksetc / Website: https://emilygalebooks.com/
Connect with host Sam-Ellen Bound: Instagram @samellenb / Website www.samanthaellenbound.com
Buy Charlotte Sometimes here
Mentioned in Podcast:
Frog & Toad by Arnold Lobel
Playing Beatie Bow by Ruth Park
Tumbleglass by Kate Constable
Where the Lyrebird Calls by Kim Kane
Elsewhere Girls by Emily Gale & Nova Weetman
Your Kids Next Read podcast
Enjoying KidLit Classics? Like, share, subscribe, leave a review! Interested in being a guest? Get in touch with me via my contact page, or send an email to boundpublishingservices@gmail.com.
Credits:
Opening and Outro music:
‘Funny Whimsical Music’ by MoodMode, accessed via Storyblocks. Purchased and used under Storyblocks’ Royalty-Free Individual License Agreement.
Sound files:
All used under the Pixabay Music License Agreement.
'owl hoots and distant dog bark' by pixabay
'In beautiful dark mood' by SamuelFrancisJohnson
'Night Ambience' by Pixabay
Thanks for listening!
Stay up to date - Instagram @Samellenb
https://www.samanthaellenbound.com/kidlitclassicspodcast -
Rowan Simpkin from the National Centre for Australian Children's Literature talks Pastures of the Blue Crane / KidLit Classics S2 Episode 14
About this episode’s KidLit Classic:
Pastures of the Blue Crane is a 1964 #LoveOzYA written by Hesba Brinsmead. It is a classic coming-of-age story infused with the Australian landscape and racial issues of the time.
In this episode, National Centre for Australian Children's Literature volunteer Rowan Simpkin discusses how this book's quintessential 'Australian-ness' appealed to her as a coming-of-age story, about the way it invokes landscape and explores racial prejudice, and of the enormous importance of institutions dedicated exclusively to children's literature.
About NCACL:
The National Centre for Australian Children’s Literature is a comprehensive collection of resources about Australian authors, illustrators, publishers and their creative works.
The collection includes over 53,000 books and holds a unique part of Australia's cultural and literary heritage.
Connect with NCACL: Twitter: @NatCentAusChLit / Website: https://www.ncacl.org.au/
Connect with host Sam-Ellen Bound: Instagram @samellenb / Website www.samanthaellenbound.com
Find out more about Hesba Brinsmead here
Buy Pastures of the Blue Crane here
Books Mentioned in Podcast:
Colin Thiele
Finding Our Heart by Thomas Mayo
Beach Birds by Bridget Farmer
Contemporary Books Similar to POTBC:
The Quicksand Pony & The Snow Pony by Alison Lester
Enjoying KidLit Classics? Like, share, subscribe, leave a review! Interested in being a guest? Get in touch with me via my contact page, or send an email to boundpublishingservices@gmail.com.
Credits:
Opening and Outro music:
‘Funny Whimsical Music’ by MoodMode, accessed via Storyblocks. Purchased and used under Storyblocks’ Royalty-Free Individual License Agreement.
Sound files:
All used under the Pixabay Music License Agreement.
'office ambience' by Chelly01
'staff canteen background' by agonda
Transcript:
coming soon
Thanks for listening!
Stay up to date - Instagram @Samellenb
https://www.samanthaellenbound.com/kidlitclassicspodcast -
Mike Lucas talks Children's Poetry & Stephen King / KidLit Classics Podcast S2 Episode 13
About this episode’s KidLit Classic:
Children's poetry, especially nonsense verse, has always been a great way for children to engage with language, ideas, and creative thinking. And Stephen King was the author of choice for many young readers moving on from children's books.
In this episode author and poet Mike Lucas chats about poetry for kids - why is it important in engaging young readers, and how has it changed over the years? And he may not be a 'kidlit classic', but Stephen King has been a milestone author for many young readers. What is his long-standing appeal, and how has he influenced Mike's own writing?
About this week’s guest, Mike Lucas
Mike was born in Plymouth, England, and moved to Australia in 2010. He is the author of several picture books and poetry anthologies and of the YA novel What We All Saw. With his wife, Mike runs Shakespeare's bookshop in Blackwood, SA, is one of the main organisers of the Adelaide Festival of Children's Books, and also works full-time as an engineer.
Connect with Mike Lucas on Instagram: @mikelucasauthor/Website: mikelucas.com.au.
Buy What We All Saw
Connect with host Sam-Ellen Bound: Instagram @samellenb/Website www.samanthaellenbound.com
Find out more about Stephen King website
Buy Nothing Solemn here
Mentioned in podcast:
Cop and Robber by Tristan Bancks
The Call of Cthulu by HP Lovecraft
All the Broken Places by John Boyne
Buy children's poetry here
Enjoying KidLit Classics? Like, share, subscribe, leave a review! You can also show your appreciation via Buy Me a Coffee to ensure the future and sustainability of the show. To be a guest, contact me via socials or at boundpublishingservices@gmail.com.
Credits:
Opening and Outro music:
‘Funny Whimsical Music’ by MoodMode, accessed via Storyblocks.
Purchased and used under Storyblocks’ Royalty-Free Individual License Agreement.
Sound files:
Used under the Pixabay Music License Agreement
‘Life of a Wandering Wizard' by Serge
Thanks for listening!
Stay up to date - Instagram @Samellenb
https://www.samanthaellenbound.com/kidlitclassicspodcast -
Hm Waugh talks Clockwork Angel / KidLit Classics Podcast S2 Episode 12
About this episode’s KidLit Classic:
Clockwork Angel is the first book in best-selling author Cassandra Clare's Infernal Devices trilogy, part of her expansive and treasured Shadowhunters world.
In this episode children's author Hm Waugh discusses how this was the perfect escapist read that got her into writing her own books for children. We also discuss author's varied journeys to publication, building literary sci-fi worlds for middle grade, and Heather's new book, Mars Underground.
About this week’s guest, HM Waugh
Heather Waugh is a children's author, educator, and environmental scientist with a long-term love of wild places who aims to empower kids through knowledge and literacy. She is an avid kidlit reader and an active member of SCWBI.
Connect with HM Waugh on Instagram: @hm_waugh / Website: hmwaugh.com.
Buy Mars Underground.
Connect with host Sam-Ellen Bound: Instagram @samellenb / Website www.samanthaellenbound.com
Find out more about Cassandra Clare website
Buy Clockwork Angel here
Mentioned in podcast:
Spellhound by Lian Tanner
Obernewtyn Chronicles by Isobelle Carmody
Dark is Rising by Susan Cooper
Ottilie Colter by Rhiannon Williams
The Wintrish Girl by Melanie La-brooy
Trilby Moffat by Kate Temple
Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo
Waking Romeo by Kathryn Barker
Enjoying KidLit Classics? Like, share, subscribe, leave a review! You can also show your appreciation via Buy Me a Coffee to ensure the future and sustainability of the show. To be a guest, get in touch with me via my contact page, or send an email to boundpublishingservices@gmail.com.
Credits:
Opening and Outro music:
‘Funny Whimsical Music’ by MoodMode, accessed via Storyblocks.
'Creepy Sounds at Midnight'.
Purchased and used under Storyblocks’ Royalty-Free Individual License Agreement.
Sound files:
All Used under the Pixabay Music License Agreement.
‘crack glass' by 13FPanska Cerny Jan
'door slams' by jjboeke
'success fanfare trumpets' by fun with sound
Thanks for listening!
Stay up to date - Instagram @Samellenb
https://www.samanthaellenbound.com/kidlitclassicspodcast -
Cassy Polimeni talks Hating Alison Ashley, KidLit Classics Podcast S2 Episode 11
About this episode’s KidLit Classic:
Hating Alison Ashley, written and published by Robin Klein in the 1980s, is an endearing classic of Aussie #LoveOZMG and #LoveOzYA kidlit.
In this episode children's author and editor Cassy Polimeni discusses reading this book as a child and reading it as an adult, its popularity and legacy, and the themes of class and adolescent insecurity that underpin the Erica vs Ashley drama. Cassy tells us about her new picture book, The Garden at the End of the World, and why so many Aussie authors write across categories and genres.
About this week’s guest, Cassy Polimeni:
Cassy is a freelance editor and children's/YA author. She was the editor of Destinations Australia magazine and has also worked as a TV book reviewer. The Garden at the End of the World, released in 2023, is her first picture book.
Connect with Cassy Polimeni on Instagram: @cassy_polimeni / Website: confessionsofawordwrangler.
Connect with host Sam-Ellen Bound: Instagram @samellenb / Website www.samanthaellenbound.com
Find out more about Robin Klein website
Buy Hating Alison Ashleyhere
Mentioned in podcast:
Queenie in Seven Moves by Zanni Louise
My Strange Shrinking Parentsby Zeno Sworder
Accidentally Kelly Streetby Briony Stewart
The Garden at the End of the World by Cassy Polimeni
Enjoying KidLit Classics? Like, share, subscribe, leave a review! You can also show your appreciation via Buy Me a Coffee to ensure the future and sustainability of the show.
Credits:
Opening and Outro music:
‘Funny Whimsical Music’ by MoodMode, accessed via Storyblocks. Purchased and used under Storyblocks’Royalty-Free Individual License Agreement.
Sound files:
All Used under the Pixabay Music License Agreement.
‘little blender' by DimitrisM
'door open close' by TRP
'Doorbell2' by klangkonserve
'local neighbourhood' by stephb123
Thanks for listening!
Stay up to date - Instagram @Samellenb
https://www.samanthaellenbound.com/kidlitclassicspodcast