Reading with a chance of tacos

Creativity and a Giraffe named Jeff On today’s show, we go from Sea Cucumbers to Giraffes, from Wombats to Snails. We find out if the right page of a book is better than the left. And we chat to one of the most creative authors in the country about creativity, how she comes up with ideas, and a giraffe named Jeff. Plus, Liv reviews two new books. Today’s special guest is a great friend of the show. An Award-Winning Author, whose love of animals and rhyme has seen her publish seven hilarious books that kids want to read again and again. She’s popped in today to share her latest picture book, one of the funniest books you’ll read this year. Everybody please welcome, the wonderful, the creative Amelia McInerney. Plus, Liv reviews two new picture books: This is my Book by Tim Harris and Heidi McKinnon What are the stars for? by Margeaux Davis

This is my Happy Place On today’s show we ask, where’s your happy place? And chat to an author all about her happy place, her writing journey, and how to get into writing books for kids. Plus, Liv reviews two amazing new picture books: Dinosaur in my Pocket and Tree. Today’s special guest’s love of words, fashion, travel and everyday family life has seen her write fun, feel-good books which showcase contemporary culture and capture the joy of childhood. Her first picture book, Wonderful Shoes, was a CBCA Notable Book and appeared on TV Playschool’s Storytime. She’s popped in today to chat about her latest picture book, This is my Happy Place, to tell us about her incredible author journey, and offer up a few tips on the craft. Everybody please welcome, Emma Bowd.

Saturday is Pancake Day On today’s show we chat about pancakes, creating stories, and the process of writing picture books. And Liv reviews not one, but three amazing new picture books. All on today’s show. It’s gunna be huge. Today’s special guest grew up in a magical world with animals great and small, from rabbits and mice to dogs and cats, to goats and horses. So, it’s no wonder her stories are full of magic and animals. Initially studying to be a youth worker, she soon found that it was writing stories that made her happy. She loves to sit in a café with her laptop and write stories where the characters are learning to find their way through big emotions that are a part of life. She’s popped in today to chat about her latest story titled, Saturday is Pancake Day. To tell us all about this delicious book, everybody please welcome, Bernadette Green. Plus Liv reviews: Everyone Wants an Octopus Book Listen Hippo This is my Happy Place

Gathering a Body of Work – what to do while you’re waiting to be published. On today’s show we chat to one of Australia’s busiest authors about gathering publishing deals, and how important it is to gather a body of work before you’re published. Today’s guest has written over 50 books for children and young adults. Her stories are full of humour, heart, mystery, magic, and adventure. She’s popped in to chat about her latest book, which is book two in the Super Sloth Series, along with her author journey, and process for writing award-winning books. Everybody please welcome, Aleesah Darlison.

On today's show we chat to Mike Lucas and Heidi McKinnon and go insearch of a cheeky monster. These two amazing creatives share thier process for writing and illustrating award-winning picture books. Plus, Hayley in the Library is back to let us know what kids are reading, what they're excited about, and what they're learning in class. And, we countdown the Taco Top 5 most borrowed books. We chat about two exciting book launches happening over the weekend at Readings Kids Bookstore in Carlton Melbourne. Check them out here: Readings Kids Bookstore

On today’s show we chat to one of Australia’s most popular authors for kids. She’s always so much fun to talk to, and Bianca’s Book Club is back to chat about books by Sally Rippin, Phillip Bunting, and a popular series that’s coming to an end. Today’s special guest is one of Australia’s most popular authors for kids. In 2019, she was Australia's #1 bestselling debut Aussie Author of children’s fiction for her book, Secrets of a Schoolyard Millionaire. It has now been sold into the UK, US, Italy, China, Estonia and Romania. She’s popped in today to chat about her latest series which I think we’re going to hear a lot more of real soon, along with her incredible author journey, tips and tricks on the craft, and generally a whole lot of laughs, everyone please welcome, the super-energetic and dynamic, Nat Amoore.

On today’s show we chat to an author who persisted in a manuscript he believed in, rode the rejections, and now looks like being a big success. We’ll discover what the book is, why it was rejected, how it got published, and watch it burst into the world. Today’s guests are an author and illustrator of children’s books. The author is a regular and favourite amongst our listeners, and the kid lit community in general, with his encouraging nature and social presence. The illustrator has a whopping 30 books here and internationally, ranging from picture, baby board, Non-fictions, and chapter books. Her Picture book with author Lisa Shanahan received a short list medal for the Prime Ministers literary awards. 65000 copies were then distributed to the children of Victoria for their prep bags. Everybody please welcome Rory H Mather and Binny Talib.

On today’s show we chat about what kids are reading at school, what’s changing, and what kids are excited about, with one of the most celebrated teacher librarians in the country. As well as an awesome new picture book all about Bees. There’s a real Buzz in the air. Today’s guest was awarded the ASLA Australian Teacher Librarian of the Year 2023 and the SLAQ Queensland Teacher Librarian of the Year, as well as the national Dromkeen Librarians Award. A former national vice-president of the Children’s Book Council of Australia, she is also a regular literary judge, festival curator and co-host of the Your Kid’s Next Read podcast. And if that’s not busy enough, she is a public speaker who inspires parents, caregivers, educators, and librarians to nurture a lifelong love of reading. She’s popped in today to share her absolutely incredible journey, along with her new picture book, The Beehive. Please welcome the amazing Megan Daley.

How to be creative and stand out from the crowd On today’s show we chat to one of the most creative illustrators, authors and designers in kids books. We chat about what creativity is and what goes into making a book really stand out from the crowd. Today’s guest is a creator of modern, quirky, innovative stories with humour and heart. She began her career as graphic designer, before moving into writing and illustrating award-winning books for kids. Books such as Colouroos, Anemone is Not the Enemy, A Pair of Pears and an Orange, and the dazzling Who’s Afraid of the Light?. She’s popped in today to share her creative process, her thoughts and tips on being creative, along with her new book, Spiro. Everybody, please welcome the super creative, Anna McGregor.

How to be a ground-breaking, top-selling author On today’s show we chat to a legend and ground-breaking, top-selling author of kids books, who was one of the first authors to get reluctant readers excited about books. He’s garnered several awards, including six Australian Children Choice Book Awards. In 2013, today’s guest was named Koala Legend of the year, and in 2020 was awarded the YABBA Graham Davey Award for his contribution and impact on Australian Children's Literature. But what I’ve noticed more than anything is the excitement and enthusiasm he still has for children’s books. He is one of life’s all-rounders. He’s been an actor and a regular on one of Australia’s most famous television series, he broke national records in his youth as a swimmer. And as an author, hit the top-sellers list with a series that got reluctant young readers interested in books. He’s popped in today to chat about his amazing life, his career, and offers up fantastic tips and insight on the craft of writing, and how to go about being an author. Everybody please welcome, the amazing kid lit legend, Felice Arena.

Finding your Creative Path On today’s show we chat about finding your true creative path. We talk to someone who turned his life around focussing on his true life-dreams. And Liv is back with what could be one of the big, laugh-out-loud, picture books of 2024! Today’s guest says he was the world’s worst accountant. After a desire to be Michael J Fox, aka Alex P Keaton from the TV show Family Ties, took him down the corporate path, he spent years gaining a Commerce Degree and working for a gigantic mining company, before taking stock of what was really important – realising his childhood dream, to be a storyteller. When his children were born, he found his life-calling as a Dad. And with it, the second half of his career – the storyteller. To tell us about his incredible journey into the kid lit world, along with his hilarious new picture book Baboon in a Balloon, please welcome the incredible storyteller extraordinaire, Patrick Guest.

On today’s show we dive into the heart of Australia with three amazing and creative people who have helped put together a wonderful anthology celebrating the diversity, life, and colours of Australia. The book is called, Our Australian Heart. The purpose, the joy, and everything this book is about is all right there in the title. The heart of this great land is in its diverse landscape, its colours, its life, and its people. One of its people, Romi Sharp, and her team at Just Write for Kids, have given this opportunity to new and aspiring illustrators to get involved in this exciting and important project. So, to chat all about the book, together with their love of art, process for making art, their journey into the kidlit world, and reasons why this book is so important, please welcome, Romi Sharp, Carla Hoffenberg, and Rachael Robertson. To find out more about Just write for Kids, click here

Wear a purple poppy to remember war animals On today’s show we look at a book that’s remembering animals in war and chat about the purple poppy. Plus, Liv is back with two picture books that are sure to be huge hits throughout 2024. All on today’s show. It’s gunna be huge! Today’s guest is a primary school teacher with a lifelong love of horses and animals. This passion has spawned the most wonderful picture book about something I think is so worthwhile. Something that I think kids at school, and their teachers, along with their family will love and cherish. To chat about her author journey and her latest picture book, Wear a Purple Poppy, please welcome, Fiona White.

Publishing Picture Books with Mary Anastasiou On today’s show we look inside two publishing houses with Mary Anastasiou. We talk about what she does in publishing, what books she’s working on, the process these books go through with the publishers, and how they get out into the world. Today’s guest is an author of children’s books and a publishing professional who has popped in to share her incredible journey. She shares key tips for anyone looking to write and publish children’s books. Everybody please welcome, Mary Anastasiou.

On today’s show we chat about books for first readers, struggling readers, and books being read in early primary school. We’re talking today about Decodable Books – how they assist young readers to engage in fun and adventurous books, and we’ll share tips on writing for the genre. Today’s guest is a Tacos Fav, we love having him on for his humour, fun nature, and the awesome work he’s putting out into the world of young readers. He’s popped in today to chat about his latest series of decodable books called the Fox Kid series. To tell us all about phonics and decodable books, why they’re so important for early readers, along with his process and tips on the craft, please welcome the one and only, Adrian Beck. Check out https://www.littlelearnersloveliteracy.com.au/

So Many Self-Publishing Tips On today’s show we have a fun chat with a super enthusiastic and successful indie author who so generously shares her process and tips on self-publishing. Plus, we chat about her author journey and all things kid lit. Today’s guest is what you’d call a real go-getter, an active member of the Australian writing community, who throws herself into her work with such enthusiasm. She began in her working life in the music and television industry before being drawn back into her passion for children’s literature. Her first book, Looking for Lily was shortlisted in the West Australian Young Readers’ Book Awards, and her latest book, Mavey and Beth’s Double Act is out now and ripping it up in stores. She’s an indie author who’s learned through hard work and dedication how to write, produce, and sell children’s books, and she’s popped in today to share a taco, along with her process, tips and tricks for self-publishing. Everybody, please give a huge welcome to the awesome Kristy Nita Brown.

Neurodiversity in books – with Ky Garvey, Kate Foster and Michelle Worthington On today’s show we chat with 3 amazing creators who live in neurodiverse families. We discuss what the publishing industry looks like for kids and families living with neurodiversity, what’s still needed, and why it’s crucial to our industry that we cater for everyone’s needs. Today’s guests are the incredible Ky Garvey. The dynamic Michelle Worthington. And, the awesome Kate Foster DANZ Awards: https://www.thedanzchildrensbookaward.com/

The journey of a picture book – from a manuscript to a bookstore On today’s show we chat to a first-time author and follow the journey of her picture book from submitting to acceptance, what marketing ideas she has, and how she’ll work to make it a success. Plus we share a very spicy chilli con carne taco with guacamole and sour cream. Yum. All that and more. Let’s start the show. Today’s guest is a writer and a primary school teacher who has her first picture book (published by Five Mile Books) coming out in January 2024. It’s titled, The Dinosaur Did it! but I don’t know that it did. To find out, along with her amazing author journey to publication and her awesome plans to market the book, please put your hands together for the inspiring, go-getting, creative talent that is, Ruth McGurk.

Writing Magic for Kids with Sarah Armstrong On today’s show, we share a delicious crunchy taco with guacamole, chicken and melted cheese with a Walkley Award winning author, and Liv reviews two picture books that travel the world. Today’s guest began as journalist at ABC Radio – where she won a Walkley Award. She went on to be a researcher and publisher at ABC TV, which was exciting work, interviewing interesting people from Timbuktu to the Sahara Dessert. But then she found kids books and that’s where she’s stayed. To tell us all about her amazing journey and her latest hit book series Big Magic and Magic Awry, please welcome the amazing, Sarah Armstrong.

Illustrating picture books with Briony Stewart On today’s show we chat about illustrating picture books, writing picture books, we look at the journey of an illustrator, and Liv reviews an awesome picture book perfect for the new year. Today’s guest is an award-winning author and illustrator of children’s books. She won the Prime Minister’s Literary Award for her work with Sheryl Clarke on the verse novel ‘Mina and the Whole Wide World’. Her book Kumiko and the Shadow Catchers won the Queensland Literary Award, and in 2012 she was selected by the British Council as one of 3 Australian Artists under 30, excelling in their creative field, for the Realize Your Dream Awards and spent 9 months in the UK developing as a children’s author and illustrator. To tell us all about her author/illustrator journey and her latest book, Gymnastica Fantastica, please welcome the wonderful, Briony Stewart.