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Mostly Book Talk

@mostlybooktalk

A podcast about children’s and YA books for teachers and librarians. Interviews with authors and also anyone doing interesting reading for pleasure activities, plus lots of book talk. #kidlitUK www.mostlybooktalk.com

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Latest posts by Mostly Book Talk @mostlybooktalk

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Part 5 - The Reading Crisis - Why children aren't reading and what we can do about it. - Mostly Book Talk In part 5 we continue looking at what works to support reading for pleasure, focusing more this time on opportunities for authors to engage with readers and the importance of wider family and community involvement and spaces to discover and talk a...

🎧 The Reading Crisis: Part 5 is live!

We're exploring how to support reading for pleasure through author engagement, family involvement & community spaces.

Featuring insights from Dapo Adeola, Sita Brahmachari, Louie Stowell & top literacy experts! 📚✨

Listen: https://loom.ly/beVjCIw

02.03.2026 23:00 👍 4 🔁 3 💬 1 📌 0

#kidlitUK #UKKidlit @sarahcrossan.bsky.social @simonandschuster.bsky.social

02.03.2026 17:00 👍 3 🔁 4 💬 0 📌 0
Preview
Episode 40 - Author Sarah Crossan talks about her new thriller, Gone for Good - Mostly Book Talk We are joined by author Sarah Crossan to talk about her new verse novel, Gone for Good . It is a read in one go thriller about the troubled teen industry. Sixteen-year-old Connie is kidnapped in the middle of the night and taken to a 'behaviour mo...

📚 We’re joined by Sarah Crossan to discuss her gripping new verse novel Gone for Good, a read-in-one-go thriller set in the troubled teen industry.

We also talk about screens, social media & protecting time for reading for pleasure.

🎧 Listen now: https://loom.ly/J0vXeb8

#SarahCrossan #YAlit

01.03.2026 22:30 👍 2 🔁 3 💬 0 📌 1
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📚 For the National Year of Reading, we’re joined by
@gntread24.bsky.social from the @youthlibrarygroup.bsky.social to talk about youth librarians, the Carnegie Awards & building reading communities for young people.



17.02.2026 23:30 👍 9 🔁 5 💬 0 📌 3

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.

09.02.2026 13:48 👍 1 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0
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📚 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

09.02.2026 05:02 👍 3 🔁 1 💬 0 📌 0

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.

09.02.2026 10:51 👍 2 🔁 1 💬 1 📌 0

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.

09.02.2026 10:48 👍 2 🔁 0 💬 1 📌 0
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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

03.02.2026 23:01 👍 16 🔁 8 💬 1 📌 1

Totally agree - episode 3 covers this in more detail!

02.02.2026 19:49 👍 1 🔁 0 💬 1 📌 0

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

31.01.2026 08:50 👍 1 🔁 0 💬 1 📌 0
Preview
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

30.01.2026 16:25 👍 1 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0

💬 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.

30.01.2026 16:25 👍 1 🔁 0 💬 1 📌 0

🌍 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!

30.01.2026 16:25 👍 0 🔁 0 💬 1 📌 0
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📚 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

30.01.2026 16:24 👍 10 🔁 2 💬 1 📌 1

👀

29.01.2026 15:45 👍 0 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0

#UKKidLit #KidLitUK #NationalYearofReading #ReadingforPleasure

26.01.2026 11:42 👍 2 🔁 1 💬 0 📌 0
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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

25.01.2026 00:30 👍 6 🔁 1 💬 1 📌 2

#KidLitUK #UKKidLit
#ReadingforPleasure

19.01.2026 07:15 👍 4 🔁 5 💬 2 📌 0
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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

18.01.2026 01:00 👍 21 🔁 10 💬 2 📌 3
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📙 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!

10.01.2026 02:00 👍 2 🔁 2 💬 0 📌 0
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Get ready for an exciting new series from Mostly Book Talk: The Reading Crisis. Launching soon!

09.01.2026 00:00 👍 3 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0

🎄 #KidLitUK #GoAllIn

23.12.2025 21:44 👍 1 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0

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

23.12.2025 18:48 👍 1 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0
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📙 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

23.12.2025 08:05 👍 5 🔁 2 💬 1 📌 1

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

31.10.2025 08:40 👍 3 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0
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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

30.10.2025 19:16 👍 3 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 1
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#independentpodcastawards

15.10.2025 19:04 👍 5 🔁 0 💬 1 📌 0

#KidsLitUK #UKKidsLit

15.10.2025 19:02 👍 0 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0
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🎉 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

15.10.2025 10:45 👍 14 🔁 1 💬 3 📌 1