The Guardian Children's Books podcast

The Guardian

This is the place for bibiophiles to meet and quiz their literary heroes. It’s a fun listen full of passionate young readers asking their favourite authors brilliantly insightful questions

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20 episodes
Updated Apr 29, 2016

Episodes20

Newest first

Apr 29, 2016 · 20 min
Cecelia Ahern: ‘public shaming moved me to write Flawed’ - Guardian children's books podcast
Cecelia Ahern explains how she was moved to write her first YA novel, Flawed, by her dismay at society’s increasingly finger-pointing culture. Guardian children’s books site members Harriet, Amy and Rebecca grill her on the book, which is set in a powerfully realised society in which perfection is valued above humanity
Apr 7, 2016 · 12 min
Jacqueline Wilson for Guardian children's books podcast: 'This is a story competition about your imagination'
Jacqueline Wilson speaks to Michelle Pauli as she launches her creative writing competition for 7 – 12 year olds, where the prize is to have the winning story published in one of her books! Here she gives you tips about getting started, inventing characters and what the judges will be looking for
Mar 15, 2016 · 27 min
Gavriel Savit: 'I’ve never known the end of a chapter in my life' - children's books podcast
Harrowing second world war tale Anna and the Swallow Man has taken teen readers by storm. Teen site members Lottie is Dottie and Ayesha got to ask the author about the mythologisation of the Holocaust, deep and dark things, stories without end and the meaning of life
Feb 26, 2016 · 35 min
Women in fantasy – the children's books podcast
Get a fascinating insight into the world of teen/YA fantasy in this podcast with four amazing fantasy authors. Samantha Shannon, Sally Green, Lucy Saxon and Alwyn Hamilton talk world building, feminism, sex and why we need to stop comparing all female characters to Katniss Everdeen – however wonderful she is! Enter our signed fantasy books giveaway!
Dec 16, 2015 · 19 min
Guardian children's books podcast with Owen Jones: 'there's a craving for an alternative to how things are run'
Political commentator Owen Jones is grilled by teen site members CaraErica, Patrick and TheBookAddictedGirl on the writers who inspired his democratic socialist politics, the advice he’d give his 16-year-old self, and how young people should get involved in politics – and why…
Dec 11, 2015 · 8 min
Jeff Kinney: 'the joke always comes first' – children's books podcast
Find out what Jeff Kinney’s favourite Diary of a Wimpy Kid book is, why he really did wrap himself in toilet paper in Middle School and how he ALWAYS has writer’s block in this fabulous interview by the Eye Boggling Blurbs book group
Nov 19, 2015 · 22 min
Guardian children's books podcast with Sandi Toksvig: 'children disappear in history'
Sandi Toksvig reads from and talks about her latest book, A Slice of the Moon, an action-packed story of one family's journey across the world as they leave behind their home in Ireland during the potato famine and travel to America
Nov 11, 2015 · 14 min
Children's books podcast: Eoin Colfer and Oliver Jeffers on their picture book, Imaginary Fred
Eoin Colfer, author of the bestselling Artemis Fowl novels, and award-winning picture book creator Oliver Jeffers have paired up to create a book about imaginary friends, Imaginary Fred. Find out how they met by chance, collaborated across continents by skype, and, of course, whether they have their own imaginary friends
Oct 8, 2015 · 9 min
Celebrate Poetry Day with Joseph Coelho - children's books podcast
Prepare to be thrilled as Joseph Coelho performs poems from his prize-winning collection, Werewolf Club Rules, and offers his suggestions for your own poetry writing
Sep 30, 2015 · 20 min
Annabel Pitcher: 'we don't have to aspire for more, more, more to be happy' - children's books podcast
The author of My Sister Lives on The Mantelpiece talks to site member The Dormouse about her new book, Silence is Goldfish, which she wrote for all the limelight-avoiding introverts out there
Aug 5, 2015 · 11 min
Sally Gardner: I wandered so far into the dark, dark wood I forgot to come out again - children's books podcast
On the 10th anniversary of her first book I Coriander, Sally Gardner talks to site member Patrick about writing historical novels, the power of fairy tales, dyslexia and why the school system needs a big shake up
Jun 30, 2015 · 19 min
Ally Carter talks about her new Embassy Row series – children's books podcast
The best-selling Gallagher Girls author spills the beans on All Fall Down, the first in her thrilling new Embassy Row series – and answers questions on her life and books from teen site members
Jun 17, 2015 · 15 min
Jodi Picoult and Samantha van Leer talk about Off the Page - children's books podcast
Mother and daughter writing duo Jodi Picoult and Samantha van Leer talk about the premise behind their funny YA romance, Off the Page, in which a fairytale prince leaves his storybook to experience life and love in high school, and describe the ups and downs of co-writing with the person who knows you - and sometimes annoys you - best
May 11, 2015 · 10 min
Maria V Snyder talks Shadow Study and beyond - children's books podcast
Site member Tashtastic caught up with the Chronicles of Ixia creator Maria V Snyder, when the US novelist was on a rare visit to the UK – listen in to their conversation here!
Apr 14, 2015 · 17 min
David Levithan: why I wrote my latest novel as a musical - teen books podcast
The bestselling author talks to site member Muchbooks about Hold Me Closer, his new novel written in musical form starring Tiny Cooper, book companion to Will Grayson, Will Grayson which David wrote with John Green.Read the first chapter of Hold Me Closer
Mar 30, 2015 · 2 min
John Hegley performs I am a Guillemot - children's books podcast
Find out everything you would ever, ever need to know about sustainable, self-restrainable Guillemot, who uses its bill a lot, in this immortal poem by John Hegley
Feb 18, 2015 · 11 min
Judith Kerr reads from When Hitler Stole Pink Rabbit
Judith Kerr reads from her award-winning book, When Hitler Stole Pink Rabbit, about her escape from Nazi Germany during the second world war
Jan 7, 2015 · 6 min
Kate Saunders: why I wrote Five Children on the Western Front - children's books podcast
The winner of Costa children’s books award 2014 talks to site members Noggin and Sailing46 about her sequel to E Nesbit’s Five Children and It, set in the first world war
Nov 10, 2014 · 14 min
James Frey talks about Endgame
James Frey is giving $3 million of his own money as a prize for those who can solve the puzzles that run through his new trilogy Endgame. Here he tells site member JBOO1698 all about his crazy, magical idea – and his obsession with hidden history
Oct 13, 2014 · 15 min
John Agard reads his poem Half Caste and talks about race – children's books podcast
Listen to John Agard read his well known poem Half Caste and talk about how his Guyanan upbringing helped him become the writer he is today