In the Reading Corner

Lisette Auton is a disabled writer, activist, poet, novelist, spoken-word artist, actor, film & theatre-maker and creative practitioner. She's an award-winning poet who has performed at Northern Stage, ARC, The Southbank Centre and the Sage, in pubs, in a crypt, at festivals, indoors, outdoors, on a bridge and in a launderette.

The Secret of Haven Point is Lisette's debut novel, a middle-grade fantasy, set on a coast not dissimilar to her Tyneside home and reflecting Lisette's passion for the representation of disability in children's books.

About The Secret of Haven Point
I was Haven Point's first Wreckling, but I certainly wasn't the last. There are forty-two of us now, not including the mermaids.

When you're a Wreckling, you mainly spend your days squabbling, eating and planning adventures. Oh, and Wrecklings also carry out wreckings, which is how we got our name...

Washed up as a baby beside a remote lighthouse and raised by a mermaid, Alpha Lux was the first foundling at Haven Point. Now the lighthouse is a ramshackle home for any disabled person who needs somewhere to belong.

Looting from passing ships to make a living, they call themselves the Wrecklings, and for the children of Haven Point life is spent adventuring on the wild shore (and getting into trouble with the grown-ups). But when Alpha spots a strange light up on the headland, she realizes that her beloved family are in danger of being discovered by Outsiders. With their home under threat, the Wrecklings must decide what kind of future they want...and what they're willing to do to get it.

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Thank you for listening. 

If you enjoyed this podcast, please support us by subscribing to our channel. and by purchasing books from our online bookshop, Bestbooksforschools.com

In the Reading Corner is presented by Nikki Gamble, Director of Just Imagine. 

Follow us on Youtube for more author events YouTube.com/@nikkigamble1

For general news and updates: follow us on X @imaginecentre  Bluesky  https://bsky.app/profile/justimaginecentre.bsky.social  Instagram https://www.instagram.com/justimagine_books/

Full details about the range of services we provide can be found on our website www.justimagine.co.uk

Roma Agrawal MBE FICE HonFREng is an Indian-British-American chartered structural engineer based in London. She has worked on several major engineering projects, including the Shard. Agrawal is also an author and a diversity campaigner, championing women in engineering.

Roma talked to Nikki Gamble about her passion for engineering, historic buildings and writing for children.

Support the show

Thank you for listening. 

If you enjoyed this podcast, please support us by subscribing to our channel. and by purchasing books from our online bookshop, Bestbooksforschools.com

In the Reading Corner is presented by Nikki Gamble, Director of Just Imagine. 

Follow us on Youtube for more author events YouTube.com/@nikkigamble1

For general news and updates: follow us on X @imaginecentre  Bluesky  https://bsky.app/profile/justimaginecentre.bsky.social  Instagram https://www.instagram.com/justimagine_books/

Full details about the range of services we provide can be found on our website www.justimagine.co.uk

Andrew Pettie is a writer and editor at What on Earth Books and the recently launched Britannica Magazine.

Andrew joined Nikki Gamble for this episode of In The Reading Corner to tell us about the importance of good design and how it makes a difference to readers.

Support the show

Thank you for listening. 

If you enjoyed this podcast, please support us by subscribing to our channel. and by purchasing books from our online bookshop, Bestbooksforschools.com

In the Reading Corner is presented by Nikki Gamble, Director of Just Imagine. 

Follow us on Youtube for more author events YouTube.com/@nikkigamble1

For general news and updates: follow us on X @imaginecentre  Bluesky  https://bsky.app/profile/justimaginecentre.bsky.social  Instagram https://www.instagram.com/justimagine_books/

Full details about the range of services we provide can be found on our website www.justimagine.co.uk

Original from California, Katherine Webber has lived and worked in Hong Kong, Maui and Atlanta but now lives in London. As well as being an established YA author, Katherine has also co-authored two series with her husband, Kevin Tsang: Sam Wu is Not Afraid series and the Dragon Realm series.

Her YA books are Wing Jones (Walker, 2017), Only Love Can Break Your Heart (Walker, 2018) and most recent The Revelry (Walker, 2022)

Katherine joined Nikki Gamble #InTheReadingCorner to talk about the inspiration behind the revelry as well as some of the themes.

About The Revelry
A story of best friends, bad luck and the consequences of breaking the rules in a town built on secrets and superstitions. Growing up in Ember Grove, Bitsy Clark knows better than to break the rules around the Revelry, the mysterious end-of-year party in the woods. So when her best friend, Amy, persuades her to sneak in, Bitsy is full of misgivings.

Misgivings that she should have listened to because it's after the Revelry that Bitsy's luck turns and her life starts to unravel. For Amy, it's the opposite, as if she's been blessed with good fortune. Soon Bitsy is convinced that the Revelry has tied the two friends together in a curse that only she can break...

Support the show

Thank you for listening. 

If you enjoyed this podcast, please support us by subscribing to our channel. and by purchasing books from our online bookshop, Bestbooksforschools.com

In the Reading Corner is presented by Nikki Gamble, Director of Just Imagine. 

Follow us on Youtube for more author events YouTube.com/@nikkigamble1

For general news and updates: follow us on X @imaginecentre  Bluesky  https://bsky.app/profile/justimaginecentre.bsky.social  Instagram https://www.instagram.com/justimagine_books/

Full details about the range of services we provide can be found on our website www.justimagine.co.uk

Terry Fan,  Eric Fan and Devin Fan are American-born Canadian children's book writers and illustrators, known collectively as the Fan Brothers.

Terry and Eric made their picturebook debut with The Night Gardener, which was named an ALA Notable Children's Book. Other books include where the Ocena Meets the sky, The Barnabus Project and most recently, It Fell From the Sky.

Terry, Eric and Devin joined Nikki Gamble to talk about their creative partnership.

About It Fell From the Sky.
It fell from the sky on a Thursday. None of the insects knows where it came from, or what it is.

Some say it's an egg. Others, a gumdrop. But whatever it is, it fell near Spider's house, so he's convinced it belongs to him.

Spider builds a wonderous display so that insects from far and wide can come to look at the marvel. Spider has their best interests at heart. So what if he has to charge a small fee? So what if the lines are long? But as Spider raises the prices, insects stop showing up, much to Spider's bemusement.

And then, all of a sudden, an unexpected disaster hits and the marvel disappears! This charming story is accompanied by characterful illustrations and also teaches children important life lessons about greed and the importance of sharing.

Support the show

Thank you for listening. 

If you enjoyed this podcast, please support us by subscribing to our channel. and by purchasing books from our online bookshop, Bestbooksforschools.com

In the Reading Corner is presented by Nikki Gamble, Director of Just Imagine. 

Follow us on Youtube for more author events YouTube.com/@nikkigamble1

For general news and updates: follow us on X @imaginecentre  Bluesky  https://bsky.app/profile/justimaginecentre.bsky.social  Instagram https://www.instagram.com/justimagine_books/

Full details about the range of services we provide can be found on our website www.justimagine.co.uk

David Olusoga is a historian and broadcaster specialising in Black British History.

In this episode he talks with Nikki Gamble about writing the empire back into history, escaping from biographical approaches and plans to produce material to support educators.

About Black and British An Illustrated History
This beautiful hardback gift book is a stunning visual journey through Black British history for younger readers by award-winning historian and broadcaster David Olusoga and illustrated by Jake Alexander and Melleny Taylor. The essential starting place for anyone who wants to learn about Black British History. David Olusoga's thought-provoking text charts the forgotten histories of Black people in Britain from Roman times right through to the present day.

From Roman Africans guarding Hadrian's Wall to an African trumpeter in the court of Henry the Eighth, Black Georgians fighting for the abolition of slavery, Black soldiers fighting for Britain in the First World War, Windrush and right up today. These are the stories that brought us all together in this country. 

• When did Africans first come to Britain? 
• Who are the well-dressed black children in Georgian paintings? 
• Why did the American Civil War disrupt the Industrial Revolution? 

These and many other questions are answered in this essential introduction to 1800 years of Black British history.

This children's edition of the bestseller Black and British: A Forgotten History is beautifully illustrated in full colour with maps, portrait galleries, timelines, photos and portraits.

Support the show

Thank you for listening. 

If you enjoyed this podcast, please support us by subscribing to our channel. and by purchasing books from our online bookshop, Bestbooksforschools.com

In the Reading Corner is presented by Nikki Gamble, Director of Just Imagine. 

Follow us on Youtube for more author events YouTube.com/@nikkigamble1

For general news and updates: follow us on X @imaginecentre  Bluesky  https://bsky.app/profile/justimaginecentre.bsky.social  Instagram https://www.instagram.com/justimagine_books/

Full details about the range of services we provide can be found on our website www.justimagine.co.uk

Alexis Caught is an award-winning podcaster, writer, speaker, rugby player and LGBTQ activist with particular expertise in mental health and wellness. He draws on his extensive knowledge and experience in a new book for teenagers, Queer Up: An Uplifting Guide to LGBTQ+, Love, Life and Mental Health.

I caught up with Alexis to find out more about his books and to explore some of the issues of interest and concern to educators.

About Queer Up
A positive and uplifting book for young people who are queer or curious - and their allies looking to support them. In this empowering and uplifting book, award-winning podcaster Alexis Caught sets out to help queer and curious teenagers explore their LGBTQ+ identity and understanding. Alongside the author's personal experiences are first-hand stories from notable LGBTQ+ figures, providing an inclusive account of what it means to grow up queer.

With chapters on questioning, coming out, friends and family, love, sex, shame, pride and allyship, this is insightful, thoughtful and reassuring book is essential reading for any questioning teen and their allies looking to support them.

Support the show

Thank you for listening. 

If you enjoyed this podcast, please support us by subscribing to our channel. and by purchasing books from our online bookshop, Bestbooksforschools.com

In the Reading Corner is presented by Nikki Gamble, Director of Just Imagine. 

Follow us on Youtube for more author events YouTube.com/@nikkigamble1

For general news and updates: follow us on X @imaginecentre  Bluesky  https://bsky.app/profile/justimaginecentre.bsky.social  Instagram https://www.instagram.com/justimagine_books/

Full details about the range of services we provide can be found on our website www.justimagine.co.uk

Louie Stowell has a long-established career in publishing having worked for Usborne books as an editor and in-house writer and for Ladybird Books. She is now a full-time writer with an expanding list of titles.

In this interview, she talks to Nikki Gamble about Loki: A Bad God's Guide to Being Good and her fascination with Norse mythology

About Loki
A wry, witty and very funny diary-style story packed with doodles and comic strips about the frustration trickster god Loki feels at having to live trapped in the body of a weedy eleven-year-old boy. After one trick too many, Loki is banished to live on Earth as a "normal" schoolboy. Forbidden from using his AWESOME godly powers, Loki must show moral improvement.

As he records his lies THE TRUTH in his magical (judgemental) diary, it becomes clear Loki hasn't a clue how to tell good from evil, trust from tricks, or friends from enemies.

Support the show

Thank you for listening. 

If you enjoyed this podcast, please support us by subscribing to our channel. and by purchasing books from our online bookshop, Bestbooksforschools.com

In the Reading Corner is presented by Nikki Gamble, Director of Just Imagine. 

Follow us on Youtube for more author events YouTube.com/@nikkigamble1

For general news and updates: follow us on X @imaginecentre  Bluesky  https://bsky.app/profile/justimaginecentre.bsky.social  Instagram https://www.instagram.com/justimagine_books/

Full details about the range of services we provide can be found on our website www.justimagine.co.uk

Lucy Noguera is a former teacher and teacher of the deaf. She runs Brilliant  Monsters arranging theatre/events trips for families, schools or groups of people who want to attend great events.

Now she has set up her own publishing company to create books that will engage children who have learnt to read independently but haven't the stamina to tackle a 300-page novel. For Lucy, the look of the book and the design is important for boosting children's confidence.

In this episode, she explains to Nikki Gamble what drives this initiative.

Thank you for listening.

If you enjoyed this podcast, please support us by subscribing to our channel. And if you are interested in the books we have featured, purchasing from our online bookshop Bestbooksforschools.com

In the Reading Corner is presented by Nikki Gamble, Director of Just Imagine. It is produced by Alison Hughes.

Follow us on Youtube for more author events YouTube.com/@nikkigamble1

For general news and updates, follow us on Twitter @imaginecentre

Full details about the range of services we provide can be found on our website www.justimagine.co.uk

Serena Patel is the author of a hilarious new series of stories about family and friends featuring a family with South Asian heritage. The main character, Anisha, is a clever inquisitive girl, who shuns the limelight but finds herself drawn into mystery adventures.

Nikki Gamble caught up with Serena to find out more.

About Anisha Accidental Detective
HELP! My super-dramatic Aunty Bindi is getting married tomorrow and she's having a mega meltdown. But sssh! I've just found a ransom note, pushed through the letter box, saying Uncle Tony, Bindi's husband-to-be, has been kidnapped, and will only be freed if the wedding is cancelled! I have to keep this a secret otherwise it'll be panic-central...

I guess it's up to me - Anisha, ACCIDENTAL DETECTIVE, to save the day.

Support the show

Thank you for listening. 

If you enjoyed this podcast, please support us by subscribing to our channel. and by purchasing books from our online bookshop, Bestbooksforschools.com

In the Reading Corner is presented by Nikki Gamble, Director of Just Imagine. 

Follow us on Youtube for more author events YouTube.com/@nikkigamble1

For general news and updates: follow us on X @imaginecentre  Bluesky  https://bsky.app/profile/justimaginecentre.bsky.social  Instagram https://www.instagram.com/justimagine_books/

Full details about the range of services we provide can be found on our website www.justimagine.co.uk