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Mostly Book Talk

Mostly Book Talk

By: Katy Donnelly and Alison Palmer
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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.

© 2026 Mostly Book Talk
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Episodes
  • National Year of Reading - Stepping into Stories Kids' Lit Fest
    Jan 29 2026

     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

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    17 mins
  • The Reading Crisis - Why children aren't reading and what we can do about it - Part 2
    Jan 23 2026

    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 Brahmachri - 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

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    32 mins
  • The Reading Crisis - Why children aren't reading and what we can do about it - Part 1
    Jan 16 2026

    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 Brahmachri - 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

    Show More Show Less
    21 mins
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