Mostly Book Talk

It was one of the strongest messages that came through all our interviews. We absolutely need children to be able to read, but we also need a rethink about how we frame reading as a skill to be ticked off and make sure we bring some joy back to it.

📚 We chat with Susannah Lloyd about Badgers Are Go! Revenge of the Claw — ingenious disguises, pudding references, doing all the voices, and why children are excellent at naming characters.

A joyful listen for fans of funny children’s books.

#KidLitUK
#FunnyBooksForKids
#ReadingForPleasure

We hear regularly about a gap in ‘teen’ books. Although labelling them as such would probably be the kiss of death! Nate Lessore’s books are a good funny option for teen boys.

Thank you! Very excited about your new books - if you fancy coming on to talk about Hari Kumar and Super Uma we would love to have you.

Who decides which children’s books get published, promoted, and put into young readers’ hands? We explore publishing power, access, and why children’s books get so little media coverage.|

🎧 Listen now: https://loom.ly/ORdgY7U

#ReadingCrisis #ReadingForPleasure #ChildrensBooks

Totally agree - episode 3 covers this in more detail!

Thank you for all the reposts - if you want a giggle listen to the chat with Cath Howe #puffins

National Year of Reading - Stepping into Stories Kids' Lit Fest - Mostly Book Talk 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 li...

🎧Listen here: loom.ly/K-XZ1RM

💬 If you run an organisation or event that supports children’s and young people’s reading, especially with activities planned for the National Year of Reading — we’d love to hear from you.

🌍 These conversations spotlight programmes, resources, and literary events, giving organisations the chance to share what they do and how families, schools and libraries can get involved!

📚 As part of the National Year of Reading, we’re sharing a series of short conversations with people who are passionate about promoting children's reading, about what they do and how you can get involved.
🎉 First up @moohara.bsky.social from Stepping Into Stories Kids’ Lit Fest #UKKidLit #KidLitUK

👀

#UKKidLit #KidLitUK #NationalYearofReading #ReadingforPleasure

How do testing, technology & access to books affect children’s reading for pleasure? We hear from authors, teachers & librarians on the pressures shaping reading today and why it matters.

🎧 Listen now: https://loom.ly/Czich7o

#ReadingCrisis #ReadingForPleasure

#KidLitUK #UKKidLit
#ReadingforPleasure

Why aren’t children reading for pleasure and what can we do about it?

We look at the data, explore key barriers, and hear from authors, teachers & literacy experts working to change the story.

🎧 Listen now: https://loom.ly/7Zut6PU

#ReadingCrisis #ReadingForPleasure #teachers

📙 We chat with AM Dassu about her stunning new book Wild Journey — five interlinked stories about children around the world, connected by a murmuration of starlings and illustrated by Joe Lillington.

🎧 Listen now wherever you get your podcasts!

Get ready for an exciting new series from Mostly Book Talk: The Reading Crisis. Launching soon!

🎄 #KidLitUK #GoAllIn

#KidLitUk #UKKidLit
#NationalYearOfReading #GoAllIn #SchoolLibraries #Libraries

📙 Episode 37: Libraries Are a Very Good Thing 📚

We’re celebrating libraries with Rebecca Gediking (GLL) on supporting authors & schools, plus Barbara Band on her book Championing Your School Library.

🎧 Listen: https://loom.ly/-2JfVI4

Not actually #KidLitUK but a #UKKidLit author with his first book for adults.

Out today - @rossmontgomery.bsky.social ‘s first adult book and it’s great. Sweary octogenarian, twisty plot and intriguing historical facts. But most importantly, very fun. Probably not one to recommend to pupils, but totally recommend for grown up reading pleasure. #UKKidsLit author

#independentpodcastawards

#KidsLitUK #UKKidsLit

🎉 We’re finalists at the Independent Podcast Awards 2025!

📚 Mostly Book Talk celebrates teachers, librarians & parents who champion children’s & YA reading for pleasure!

#PodcastAwards #ReadingForPleasure #MostlyBookTalk

#KidLitUK #UKKidLit

📙 Episode 36: We chat with Nathanael Lessore, author of Steady for This & King of Nothing, about writing for teens, the power of humour, and his hilarious Superpower series.

🎧 Listen now wherever you get your podcasts!

#NathanaelLessore #YAfiction #MiddleGrade #MostlyBookTalk

Yay! #UKKidLit #KidLitUK

🌍 Fantastic news! @TomPercivalSays our guest from Episode 25 of Mostly Book Talk, has won Children’s Book of the Year: Older Fiction (9–12) at The Week Junior Book Awards for his moving novel The Wrong Shoes.

🎧 Catch up: https://loom.ly/sKiZHe4

#TomPercival #TheWrongShoes