Susanne Gervay Interview

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.