In the Reading Corner

Swapna Haddow trained as a doctor, but after discovering she didn't like blood, decided on a career change and wrote her first book Dave Pigeon: How to Deal With Bad Cats and Keep (most of) Your Feathers, which won the Greenhouse Funny Prize. Dave Pigeon was also the winner of the North Somerset Teachers’ Book Award, Read Aloud category 2016, winner of Surrey Libraries’ Children’s Book Award 2017, winner of the Fantastic Book Awards 2018 and selected as part of the Tom Fletcher Book Club 2, in association with WHSmith. Dave Pigeon was also shortlisted for the Sainsbury’s Children’s Book Awards 2016, the Leicester Libraries Our Best Book Award 2017 and the Sheffield Children’s Book Award 2017. The second book in the series, Dave Pigeon (Nuggets!), was shortlisted for the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI) Crystal Kite Award 2018 and the third book in the series, Dave Pigeon (Racer!), was shortlisted for the Alligator’s Mouth Award 2019.

In this episode, Swapna talks to Nikki Gamble about her book 1947: Torn Apart, which tells the story of two boys at the time of the partition of India. The story is set in Delhi.

About 1847 Torn Apart
A thrilling and moving account of the largest movement of people in history, telling both sides of the story through the voices of children at the heart of Partition. It's October 1947 and two young boys find themselves thrown together during the dramatic changes of Partition. As the new India and Pakistan are born, can the friendship between these two children rise above the tensions between the two countries? When the British announced they would be leaving India, a feeling of hope bubbled up in towns and villages across the country - they would be free to rule themselves at last! But deciding to split the country in two - Partition - would soon mean so much more.

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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

Jeffrey Boakye is a writer and teacher originally from Brixton in south London, now living in Yorkshire with his family. He has a particular interest in issues surrounding education, race and popular culture. Jeffrey has taught English in secondary schools and sixth form colleges since 2007.

In this episode, he talks to Nikki Gamble about his book Musical Truth: A Musical History of modern Black Britain in 28 songs.

About Musical Truth
Music can carry the stories of history like a message in a bottle. Lord Kitchener, Neneh Cherry, Smiley Culture, Stormzy...

Groundbreaking musicians whose songs have changed the world. But how? This exhilarating playlist tracks some of the key shifts in modern British history and explores the emotional impact of 28 songs and the artists who performed them.

This book redefines British history, the Empire and postcolonialism, and will invite you to think again about the narratives and key moments in history that you have been taught up to now. Thrilling, urgent, entertaining and thought-provoking, this beautifully illustrated companion to modern black music is a revelation and a delight.

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

Ross Montgomery is known for his inventive stories and reflective picturebooks. Now he brings us something entirely different, a rhyming countdown book featuring hairy monsters and some very tasty teachers. The result is a playful book that lends itself to shared reading and enactment with its 'Bear Hunt' style environments for children to creep, squelch and stomp through.

About Ten Delicious Teachers
An irreverent and zany counting book that is gently thrilling and written in a deliciously infectious rhyme with witty and whimsical illustrations. Ten very foolish teachers have missed the last bus home. But LOOK - a shortcut through the forest! They'll be back in time for tea! Off they skip, unaware that in the woods a hungry horde of mischievous and hilariously goofy monsters is waiting...

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

Dirk Reinhardt, born in 1963, studied German and history before becoming a freelance journalist and starting to write books for children and young adults.

In this episode, he talks with Nikki Gamble about the background to his novel the Edelweiss Pirates and his reasons for writing it. The novel's translator Rachel Ward assists with interpretation.

About Edelweiss Pirates

When sixteen-year-old Daniel befriends Josef Gerlach, he has a feeling the old man is keeping something from him, and sure enough, when Josef gives him his teenage diary to read Daniel discovers a shocking story of rebellion and struggle. It tells how Gerlach left the Hitler Youth at the age of 14 and instead joined a gang called the Edelweiss Pirates. Their uniform: long hair and cool clothes. Their motto: freedom! At first, the Edelweiss Pirates are only interested in hanging out and having a good time, but as the situation in Nazi Germany gets worse, they start to plan dangerous missions against Hitler’s regime.

The deeper Daniel dives into this past world, the more closely he feels connected to Gerlach, until he realises what the Edelweiss Pirates have to do with him and his own story.

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

Linda Newbery is a Costa Award-winning author for her novel Set in Stone, a mystery in the Vein of Wilkie Collins The Woman in White. She is highly regarded for her fiction for both junior and teenage readers.

Now Linda has written her first non-fiction book, This Book is Cruelty-Free: Animals and Us. Linda's first novel was concerned with animal rights and hunting. She has long been a campaigner for animal welfare organisations, she is a passionate supporter of Compassion in World Farming, the League Against Cruel Sports and PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals).  She now presents convincing arguments that humans must show greater compassion for animals, both for ethical reasons but also for the benefit of human society.

Linda joined Nikki Gamble In The Reading Corner to explain more.

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

Struan Murray author of The Orphans of the Tide and Shipwreck Island is the joint recipient of the Branford Boase award, with editor Ben Horslen. The Branford Boase is given for the most outstanding children's debut of the year and recognises the writer and the important role played by the editor in the process of steering a debut book to publication.

Struan is Scottish, born and brought up in Edinburgh, but is now working in Oxford, lecturing in biochemistry at Corpus Christi.

Liz Hyder winner of the 2020 award and a member of the judging panel said,  ‘This book utterly stole my heart. Exquisitely written, it’s a phenomenal page-turner with characters that leap off the page and straight into your imagination. Orphans of the Tide explores lots of big themes - environmental issues, friendship and xenophobia to name but a few - all wrapped up in an utterly compelling tale told by a master storyteller. Struan is an exceptional talent and I can’t wait to read everything else he ever writes.’

Struan joined Nikki Gamble In The Reading Corner to talk about the award and his novel, and let us know what writing plans he has for the future.

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

Mark Bradley is a comics writer and artist, who lives in Yorkshire with his family. He grew up reading stories about ghosts and monsters and promptly decided that he preferred them to humans. Having worked for the probation service for many years he saw first-hand how important a skill emotional literacy is and hopes his debut series will help young readers to explore feelings in a fun setting. Bumble and Snug developed out of characters he kept drawing in the margins of other projects until he launched them on his Instagram account (@markbradleyillustration) and found himself with a book deal – something he never even dared to dream was possible.

In this episode, Mark talks to Nikki Gamble about his new comic book Bumble and Snug, which can be enjoyed by readers from 5 upwards.

About Bumble and Snug
Best friends Bumble and Snug are Bugbops – little monsters filled with BIG feelings! In this full-colour graphic novel, join them on a funny, imaginative adventure with some VERY angry pirates, learning about the world outside and inside along the way.

Bumble and Snug are going on a big adventure to … have a picnic! But when they accidentally get lost, they’re both cross – is their adventure ruined?

Working together to find their way home, Bumble and Snug come across a pirate treasure horde. But taking treasure that isn’t yours is a good way to get into trouble, and sure enough, some VERY angry pirates aren’t far behind.

Bumble and Snug are certain they can replace the treasure, and fix things to make everybody happy. But there’s another monstrous obstacle in store – and this one has TENTACLES.

Bumble and Snug and the Angry Pirates is a story about being cross and how to listen, friendship and sandcastles, and one GIANT octopus!

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

Alom Shaha was born in Bangladesh but grew up in London. A parent, teacher, science writer, and filmmaker, he has spent most of his professional life trying to share his passion for science and education with the public. Alom has produced, directed, and appeared in a number of television programmes for broadcasters such as the BBC, and has received fellowships from the National Endowment for Science, Technology, and the Arts (NESTA) and the Nuffield Foundation. He has represented his community as an elected politician and volunteered at a range of charitable organisations. He teaches at a comprehensive school in London and writes for a number of print and online publications, including The Guardian.

In this episode, Alom talks with Nikki Gamble about his passion for science and practical ways to engage children and parents with activities using everyday objects.

About Mr Shaha's Recipes for Wonder
Every child can be a scientist with the help of Mr Shaha and his recipes for wonder! Turn a rainy day at home or a walk in the park into a chance to experiment. All you need are a few simple items from your kitchen cupboards - and the power of curiosity! Learn about sound by making wine glasses sing, investigate chemical reactions with vitamin-powered rockets, and explore Newton's Third Law by making balloon driven cars. Written by a science teacher and dad, Mr Shaha's Recipes for Wonder gives clear, step-by-step instructions for over 15 experiments.

Whether you're a science star or just starting out, it will help you inspire young people to learn. Get the whole family joining in around the table, as you transform your kitchen into a laboratory!

About Mr Shaha's Marvellous Machines
Transform and recycle household objects into your very own homemade toys and machines! Learn about the centre of gravity by making a balancing bird, create a toroidal vortex with a smoke-ring machine, and turn a spoon into an electromagnet. Chances are you won't need to buy the materials required for these machines because they're all in your house right now. Every child can be an engineer with the help of Mr Shaha and his marvellous machines.

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

Peter Bently is a prolific author of rhyming picture books for children. These include
 The Great Dog Bottom Swap (with Mei Matsuoka), Meet the Parents (with Sara Ogilvie), The Shark in the Dark (with Ben Cort) and Potion Commotion (with Sernur Isik).

Cats Ahoy!, his first picture book with Jim Field, won the Roald Dahl Funny Prize 2011]and King Jack and the Dragon (with Helen Oxenbury) was named as an American Library Association Notable Book of the year.

In this episode, he talks to Nikki Gamble about how he creates rhyming stories and the recently published The King's Birthday Suit and forthcoming I Am Dog.

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

Michelle Paver is a British novelist who was born in Malawi where she lived until she was three years old. Her mother was Belgian and her father was South African.

Michelle was educated at Wimbledon High School and went on to read biochemistry at Lady Margaret Hall, University of Oxford, After University she became a partner in a City of London law firm.

Her first children's novel, Wolf Brother was published in 2004. Set during the Stone Age this is the story of twelve-year-old Torak and his companion, Wolf.  Following a mortal wounding by a bear, Torak's father speaks through his dying breath and asks his son to make him a promise. Alone, wounded, terrified and on the run, Torak must now lead the bear to the Mountain of the World Spirit - a mountain that no one has ever found before.

This is the first book in The Chronicles of Ancient Darkness which is followed by seven more books, the most recent is Skin Taker published in April 2021.

About Skin Taker
 The Clans will be tested as never before, as they battle to find ways to survive and thrive in their beloved Forest.

In the Dark Time of midwinter, disaster strikes the Forest.

Chaos rules. Bears woken from their dens prowl the shadowy valleys. Desperate clans battle for survival.

Only demons thrive. With their world in turmoil, Torak, Renn and Wolf are tested as never before. And as a new evil haunts the devastated land, Torak must risk his sanity, his life and even his soul to save everything he loves...

Skin Taker carries you back to the Stone Age, to nature, drawing you deeper into an astonishing environment and adventure which began with Wolf Brother and has captivated millions of 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