Mostly Book Talk

Katy Donnelly and Alison Palmer

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. 2D AGO

    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 Adeloa - 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

  2. JAN 29

    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

  3. JAN 23

    The Reading Crisis - Why children aren't reading and what we can do about it - Part 2

    In part two of our mini series about The Reading Crisis, we look at how testing, technology and access to books are affecting reading for pleasure. For this series we interviewed the following people (not all feature in every episode): Dapo Adeloa - 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

    32 min

  4. JAN 16

    The Reading Crisis - Why children aren't reading and what we can do about it - Part 1

    The first in our mini series about The Reading Crisis - why children aren't reading and what we can do about it. In this episode we look at what the data tells us about children's reading and start to discuss what some of the barriers are to children reading for pleasure. For this series we interviewed the following people (not all feature in every episode): Dapo Adeloa - 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 Fall and 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

    21 min

  5. JAN 9

    Episode 38 - Wild Journey: an interview with AM Dassu about her latest book

    In in this episode we talk to AM Dassu about her latest book, Wild Journey. This is a collection of five interlinked stories about children around the world all connected by the sight of a murmuration of starlings. Fully illustrated by Joe Lillington. AM Dassu's website can be found here and links to the books we discussed are below: Wild Journey Boy, Everywhere Fight Back Can You Find my Eid Presents? Show Racism the Red Card (out Sept 2026) Send us a message

    38 min

  6. JAN 8

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

    A quick trailer for our new mini series which will be out soon on the 'reading crisis' where we explore why children aren't reading and what we can do about it. Look out for the first episode. Send us a message

    1 min

  7. 12/15/2025

    Episode 37 - Libraries are a very good thing!

    We are back and have an episode all about libraries. First up is an interview with Rebecca Gediking who is the Head of Libraries at GLL and also the Chair of the GLL Literary Foundation - which does lots of great work supporting children's authors in the areas in which GLL have libraries. Events there for schools to look out for and ideas for how other libraries might work with authors. After that we talk to Barbara Band about her new book Championing Your School Library - a practical guide to advocacy, marketing and promotion which is of interest to both school librarians - in making sure everyone knows what the library offers and values it - and teachers who may not yet be using their school library to its full potential. Send us a message

    58 min

  8. 10/12/2025

    Episode 36 - Nathanael Lessore, author of Steady for This and King of Nothing

    We talk to Nathanael Lessore about his very successful debut and follow up books, about what's important when writing for teens and the role of humour. You can find Nate's books here: Teen/KS3 Books Steady for This King of Nothing What Happens Online Middle Grade Books Solving Crimes is NOT my Superpower Time Travel is NOT my Superpower SAIL Fest (South Asian Children's Illustration and Literature) To find out more about SAIL Fest have a look on their website. And to check out all the authors that were there have a look here. Send us a message

    40 min
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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
    43
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Mostly Book Talk
  • Show Website
    Mostly Book Talk

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