KidLit Classics

Special Christmas Episode! About this episode’s KidLit Classic:

Judith Kerr's Mog picture books, first released in the 1970s, and continuing well into the 2000s, have become staple picture book classics and the titular, permanently befuddled character Mog has been named as one of the most influential cats of her generation.

In this Christmas special of Kidlit Classics, children's author Allison Rushby discusses why these cosy, warm-hearted, relatable and very funny books stand the test of time, memories of Mog, and why Mog is so lovable. We also discuss classic Christmas books and Allison's own Christmas book, The Wish Sisters, plus her 20+ year career through a variety of genres, categories and age groups.

About Allison Rushby:
Allison is the author of numerous books for children, teens and adults, and part of the trio that hosts the Your Kid's Next Read community, mainly managing the 30,000+ member Facebook group.

Connect with Allison: Website: https://allisonrushby.com/
Instagram: @allisonrushbyauthor
Your Kid's Next Read website here
YKNR Facebook group here

Connect with host Sam-Ellen Bound: Instagram @samellenb / Website www.samanthaellenbound.com

Buy Mog's Christmas here
Buy The Christmas Wish here
Buy Miss Penny Dreadful and the Mermaid's Locks here

Key titles mentioned in Podcast:
The Invisible Leash by Patrice Karst
Lockwood and Coby Jonathan Stroud
The World of the Unknown: Ghosts by Christopher Maynard


Enjoying KidLit Classics? Like, share, subscribe, leave a review! Interested in being a guest? Get in touch with me via my contact page, or send an email to [email protected].

Credits:

Opening and Outro music:
‘Funny Whimsical Music’ by MoodMode, accessed via Storyblocks. Purchased and used under Storyblocks’ Royalty-Free Individual License Agreement.

Sound files:
All used under the Pixabay Music License Agreement.
‘Cold Snowfall Ambience’ by GioeleFazzeri

Thanks for listening!
Stay up to date - Instagram @Samellenb
https://www.samanthaellenbound.com/kidlitclassicspodcast

Halloween Special! About this episode’s KidLit Classic:

Goosebumps, first released in the 1990s by R.L. Stine, has become a phenomenon of popular culture, the second biggest-selling children's series of all time. Its winning combination of funny, spooky, creepy, and icky body horror made readers out of many young children.

Connoisseur of the creepy, children's author Fionna Cosgrove, discusses horror for kids, why Goosebumps is such a cultural icon, and memories of a 90s book-loving childhood. We have a chilling reading, and Fionna talks about releasing her own spooky middle grade Choose-You-Own-Adventure books. Reader beware, you're in for a scare ...

About Fionna Cosgrove:
Fionna had her work published in multiple anthologies and won several writing competitions before she published her middle grade Twisted Trails series in 2023, and has a MG spooky mystery coming out in 2024with Dragonfly Publishing. She is the creator of the horror-themed bookstagram @are_you_afraid_of_the_books

Connect with Fionna: Website: www.fionnacosgrovewriter.com

Connect with host Sam-Ellen Bound: Instagram @samellenb / Website www.samanthaellenbound.com

Buy Goosebumps here
R.L. Stine's website here
 

Key titles mentioned in Podcast:

Are You Afraid of the Dark (tv show)

Small Spaces Quartet by Katherine Arden

The Deadly Daylight by Ash Harrier

Fright Watch by Lorien Lawrence


Enjoying KidLit Classics? Like, share, subscribe, leave a review! Interested in being a guest? Get in touch with me via my contact page, or send an email to [email protected].

Credits:
Opening and Outro music:

‘Funny Whimsical Music’ by MoodMode, accessed via Storyblocks. Purchased and used under Storyblocks’ Royalty-Free Individual License Agreement.

Sound files:
All used under the Pixabay Music License Agreement.

'Forest Swamp' by Pixabay

'Wolf Howling' by Universefield

'Howl Echo' by Pixabay

'Snarls and Growls' by VoiceBosch

Thanks for listening!
Stay up to date - Instagram @Samellenb
https://www.samanthaellenbound.com/kidlitclassicspodcast

About this episode’s KidLit Classic:

The Paper Bag Princess by Robert Muncsh, and Princess Smartypants by Babette Cole, are two classic 1980s picture books that played with fairytale conventions and presented princesses as strong, resourceful and clever, with just a little bit of sass.

Children's picture book author Tracey Dembo discusses how these two books won a place in her heart with their humour, lively illustrations, strong messages, and matter-of-fact subversion of what a 'princess' should be. We have a dramatic reading, and Tracey takes us through the process and launch of having her two new picture books come out one month apart.

About Tracey Dembo:

Tracey has a strong interest in children’s early learning and development, and is passionate about igniting children’s imaginations and helping our future leaders to find their own voice. She is the author of 2023 picture books This Book is a Time Machine and An A-Z of Dreaming Differently.

Connect with Tracey: Instagram: @traceydembo / Website: https://traceydembo.com/

Connect with host Sam-Ellen Bound: Instagram @samellenb / Website www.samanthaellenbound.com

Buy The Paper Bag Princess here
Buy Princess Smartypants here

Key titles mentioned in Podcast:
The Princess in Black (series) by Shannon Hale
Bethan Woolven picture books
That Rabbit Belongs to Emily Brown by Cressida Cowell

Enjoying KidLit Classics? Like, share, subscribe, leave a review! Interested in being a guest? Get in touch with me via my contact page, or send an email to [email protected].

Credits:
Opening and Outro music:

‘Funny Whimsical Music’ by MoodMode, accessed via Storyblocks. Purchased and used under Storyblocks’ Royalty-Free Individual License Agreement.

Sound files:
Please see https://www.samanthaellenbound.com/post/tracey-dembo-talks-the-paper-bag-princess-princess-smartypants-kidlit-classics-s2-episode-17 for full list of sound credits.

Thanks for listening!
Stay up to date - Instagram @Samellenb
https://www.samanthaellenbound.com/kidlitclassicspodcast

About this episode’s KidLit Classic:

Callie's Castle, by NZ-Aussie kidlit legend Ruth Park, was published in1974, the first book about Callie Cameron, her family, their big old house, and the perils of growing up.

Children's author, podcaster and kidlit specialist Allison Tait discusses how Callie was a character she instantly connected with, and how this story - with its big heart, empathy, and understanding of family dynamics - is one that has subtly influenced her own work. We have a dramatic reading, and Allison talks about her new contemporary #LoveOZMG, her writing trajectory, and the 'business' of being a writer.

About Allison Tait:

Allison Tait (A.L. Tait) is the internationally published bestselling author of multiple middle-grade adventure series and now her first contemporary novel, The First Summer of Callie McGee. Allison is also a multi-genre writer, creative writing teacher and speaker. She is co-host of the top-rating Your Kid’s Next Read podcast and former co-host of the So You Want To Be A Writer podcast.

Connect with Allison: Instagram: @allisontaitwriter / Twitter: @altait / Website: https://allisontait.com/
Join Your Kid's Next Read group on Facebook
Listen to Your Kid's Next Read podcast

Connect with host Sam-Ellen Bound: Instagram @samellenb / Website www.samanthaellenbound.com

Buy Callie's Castle here

Mentioned in Podcast:

Tiny Tradies by Tami Sussman
Anchored by Debra Tidball
Clutch by M.G.Leonard

Enjoying KidLit Classics? Like, share, subscribe, leave a review! Interested in being a guest? Get in touch with me via my contact page, or send an email to [email protected].

Credits:

Opening and Outro music:
‘Funny Whimsical Music’ by MoodMode, accessed via Storyblocks. Purchased and used under Storyblocks’ Royalty-Free Individual License Agreement.

Sound files:
All used under the Pixabay Music License Agreement.
'Fantasy Magic' by Lite Saturation

Transcript:
coming soon

Thanks for listening!
Stay up to date - Instagram @Samellenb
https://www.samanthaellenbound.com/kidlitclassicspodcast

About this episode’s KidLit Classic:

Charlotte Sometimes, by Penelope Farmer, was published 1969, the third and best-known of the Aviary Hall trilogy. A time-slip novel that explores identity, loss, and grief, it became somewhat famous when Robert Smith from The Cure adapted many of its lines into a song of the same name.

Children's author and kidlit advocate Emily Gale discusses her deeply personal connection with Charlotte Sometimes, how we latch onto fictional characters as children, the rich prose and themes, how structure and content in children's books has changed, the magic of time-slip novels, and the importance of supporting the kidlit industry.

About Emily Gale:
Emily has worked in the book industry for over twenty years in various roles, including as an editor, book buyer, consultant to a literary agent, and as part of a high school library team. An award-winning YA and MG author, her latest work includes Elsewhere Girls, co-written with Nova Weetman, and The Goodbye Year.

Connect with Emily: Instagram: @emilygalebooksetc / Website: https://emilygalebooks.com/

Connect with host Sam-Ellen Bound: Instagram @samellenb / Website www.samanthaellenbound.com

Buy Charlotte Sometimes here

Mentioned in Podcast:

Frog & Toad by Arnold Lobel
Playing Beatie Bow by Ruth Park
Tumbleglass by Kate Constable
Where the Lyrebird Calls by Kim Kane
Elsewhere Girls by Emily Gale & Nova Weetman
Your Kids Next Read podcast

Enjoying KidLit Classics? Like, share, subscribe, leave a review! Interested in being a guest? Get in touch with me via my contact page, or send an email to [email protected].

Credits:
Opening and Outro music:
‘Funny Whimsical Music’ by MoodMode, accessed via Storyblocks. Purchased and used under Storyblocks’ Royalty-Free Individual License Agreement.

Sound files:

All used under the Pixabay Music License Agreement.

'owl hoots and distant dog bark' by pixabay 

'In beautiful dark mood' by SamuelFrancisJohnson 

'Night Ambience' by Pixabay 

Thanks for listening!
Stay up to date - Instagram @Samellenb
https://www.samanthaellenbound.com/kidlitclassicspodcast

About this episode’s KidLit Classic:

Pastures of the Blue Crane is a 1964 #LoveOzYA written by Hesba Brinsmead. It is a classic coming-of-age story infused with the Australian landscape and racial issues of the time.

In this episode, National Centre for Australian Children's Literature volunteer Rowan Simpkin discusses how this book's quintessential 'Australian-ness' appealed to her as a coming-of-age story, about the way it invokes landscape and explores racial prejudice, and of the enormous importance of institutions dedicated exclusively to children's literature.

About NCACL:
The National Centre for Australian Children’s Literature is a comprehensive collection of resources about Australian authors, illustrators, publishers and their creative works.

The collection includes over 53,000 books and holds a unique part of Australia's cultural and literary heritage.

Connect with NCACL: Twitter: @NatCentAusChLit / Website: https://www.ncacl.org.au/ 

Connect with host Sam-Ellen Bound: Instagram @samellenb / Website www.samanthaellenbound.com

Find out more about Hesba Brinsmead here

Buy Pastures of the Blue Crane here

Books Mentioned in Podcast:
Colin Thiele
Finding Our Heart by Thomas Mayo
Beach Birds by Bridget Farmer

Contemporary Books Similar to POTBC:
The Quicksand Pony & The Snow Pony by Alison Lester

Enjoying KidLit Classics? Like, share, subscribe, leave a review! Interested in being a guest? Get in touch with me via my contact page, or send an email to [email protected].


Credits:
Opening and Outro music:
‘Funny Whimsical Music’ by MoodMode, accessed via Storyblocks. Purchased and used under Storyblocks’ Royalty-Free Individual License Agreement.

Sound files:
All used under the Pixabay Music License Agreement.
'office ambience' by Chelly01
'staff canteen background' by agonda

Transcript:
coming soon

Thanks for listening!
Stay up to date - Instagram @Samellenb
https://www.samanthaellenbound.com/kidlitclassicspodcast

About this episode’s KidLit Classic:
Children's poetry, especially nonsense verse, has always been a great way for children to engage with language, ideas, and creative thinking. And Stephen King was the author of choice for many young readers moving on from children's books.

In this episode author and poet Mike Lucas chats about poetry for kids - why is it important in engaging young readers, and how has it changed over the years? And he may not be a 'kidlit classic', but Stephen King has been a milestone author for many young readers. What is his long-standing appeal, and how has he influenced Mike's own writing?

About this week’s guest, Mike Lucas
Mike was born in Plymouth, England, and moved to Australia in 2010. He is the author of several picture books and poetry anthologies and of the YA novel What We All Saw. With his wife, Mike runs Shakespeare's bookshop in Blackwood, SA, is one of the main organisers of the Adelaide Festival of Children's Books, and also works full-time as an engineer.

Connect with Mike Lucas on Instagram: @mikelucasauthor/Website: mikelucas.com.au.
Buy What We All Saw

Connect with host Sam-Ellen Bound: Instagram @samellenb/Website www.samanthaellenbound.com

Find out more about Stephen King website 
Buy Nothing Solemn here

Mentioned in podcast:
Cop and Robber by Tristan Bancks
The Call of Cthulu by HP Lovecraft
All the Broken Places by John Boyne
Buy children's poetry here

Enjoying KidLit Classics? Like, share, subscribe, leave a review! You can also show your appreciation via Buy Me a Coffee to ensure the future and sustainability of the show. To be a guest, contact me via socials or at [email protected].

Credits:
Opening and Outro music:
‘Funny Whimsical Music’ by MoodMode, accessed via Storyblocks.
Purchased and used under Storyblocks’ Royalty-Free Individual License Agreement.

Sound files:
Used under the Pixabay Music License Agreement
‘Life of a Wandering Wizard' by Serge

Thanks for listening!
Stay up to date - Instagram @Samellenb
https://www.samanthaellenbound.com/kidlitclassicspodcast

About this episode’s KidLit Classic:

Clockwork Angel is the first book in best-selling author Cassandra Clare's Infernal Devices trilogy, part of her expansive and treasured Shadowhunters world.

In this episode children's author Hm Waugh discusses how this was the perfect escapist read that got her into writing her own books for children. We also discuss author's varied journeys to publication, building literary sci-fi worlds for middle grade, and Heather's new book, Mars Underground.

About this week’s guest, HM Waugh

Heather Waugh is a children's author, educator, and environmental scientist with a long-term love of wild places who aims to empower kids through knowledge and literacy. She is an avid kidlit reader and an active member of SCWBI.

Connect with HM Waugh on Instagram: @hm_waugh / Website: hmwaugh.com.
Buy Mars Underground.

Connect with host Sam-Ellen Bound: Instagram @samellenb / Website www.samanthaellenbound.com

Find out more about Cassandra Clare website 
Buy Clockwork Angel here

Mentioned in podcast:
Spellhound  by Lian Tanner
Obernewtyn Chronicles by Isobelle Carmody
Dark is Rising by Susan Cooper
Ottilie Colter by Rhiannon Williams
The Wintrish Girl by Melanie La-brooy
Trilby Moffat by Kate Temple
Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo
Waking Romeo by Kathryn Barker

Enjoying KidLit Classics? Like, share, subscribe, leave a review! You can also show your appreciation via Buy Me a Coffee to ensure the future and sustainability of the show. To be a guest, get in touch with me via my contact page, or send an email to [email protected].

Credits:
Opening and Outro music:

‘Funny Whimsical Music’ by MoodMode, accessed via Storyblocks.

'Creepy Sounds at Midnight'.

Purchased and used under Storyblocks’ Royalty-Free Individual License Agreement.

Sound files:

All Used under the Pixabay Music License Agreement.

‘crack glass' by 13FPanska Cerny Jan

'door slams' by jjboeke 

'success fanfare trumpets' by fun with sound 

Thanks for listening!
Stay up to date - Instagram @Samellenb
https://www.samanthaellenbound.com/kidlitclassicspodcast

About this episode’s KidLit Classic:
Hating Alison Ashley, written and published by Robin Klein in the 1980s, is an endearing classic of Aussie #LoveOZMG and #LoveOzYA kidlit.

In this episode children's author and editor Cassy Polimeni discusses reading this book as a child and reading it as an adult, its popularity and legacy, and the themes of class and adolescent insecurity that underpin the Erica vs Ashley drama. Cassy tells us about her new picture book, The Garden at the End of the World, and why so many Aussie authors write across categories and genres.

About this week’s guest, Cassy Polimeni:
Cassy is a freelance editor and children's/YA author. She was the editor of Destinations Australia magazine and has also worked as a TV book reviewer. The Garden at the End of the World, released in 2023, is her first picture book.

Connect with Cassy Polimeni on Instagram: @cassy_polimeni / Website: confessionsofawordwrangler.

Connect with host Sam-Ellen Bound: Instagram @samellenb / Website www.samanthaellenbound.com

Find out more about Robin Klein website  

Buy Hating Alison Ashleyhere

Mentioned in podcast:
Queenie in Seven Moves by Zanni Louise
My Strange Shrinking Parentsby Zeno Sworder
 Accidentally Kelly Streetby Briony Stewart
The Garden at the End of the World by Cassy Polimeni

Enjoying KidLit Classics? Like, share, subscribe, leave a review! You can also show your appreciation via Buy Me a Coffee to ensure the future and sustainability of the show.

Credits:
Opening and Outro music:

‘Funny Whimsical Music’ by MoodMode, accessed via Storyblocks. Purchased and used under Storyblocks’Royalty-Free Individual License Agreement.

Sound files:

All Used under the Pixabay Music License Agreement.

‘little blender' by DimitrisM 

'door open close' by TRP 

'Doorbell2' by klangkonserve 

'local neighbourhood' by stephb123

Thanks for listening!
Stay up to date - Instagram @Samellenb
https://www.samanthaellenbound.com/kidlitclassicspodcast

About this episode’s KidLit Classic:

Anne of Green Gables, released in the early 1900s by Lucy Maud Montgomery, is a true classic of American children's literature. It was the first of many Anne books and  a firm popular culture favourite.

In this episode Jo Panckridge talks about her love for this spirited, remarkable little girl, the glorious prose, the rich themes, and the book's legacy. We have a dramatic reading and Jo recommends us some of her latest reads.

About this week’s guest, Jo Panckridge:

Jo is the current President of CBCA Vic and is a Teacher-Librarian. She has over 30 years’ experience in education, research, coaching and consulting in literacy and children’s literature. Jo has a Bachelor of Education and a Masters Degree in Children’s Literature and Multiliteracies.

Connect with Jo Panckridge and CBCA Vic on Instagram: @cbca_vic / Website: vic.cbca.org.au . CBCA Shadow Judging link here 

Connect with host Sam-Ellen Bound: Instagram @samellenb / Website www.samanthaellenbound.com

Find out more about L.M. Montgomery website  

Buy Anne of Green Gables here  

Mentioned in podcast:

The Last Bear / The Lost Whale by Hannah Gold Buy here 

Kingdom of Silk series by Glenda Millard

I Know What You Did Last Wednesday by Anthony Horowitz

Evie and Rhino by Nerida McMullin

The Sugarcane Kids and the Red-Bottomed Boat by Charlie Archbold

Enjoying KidLit Classics? Like, share, subscribe, leave a review! You can also show your appreciation via Buy Me a Coffee to ensure the future and sustainability of the show. To be a guest, get in touch with me via my contact page, or send an email to [email protected].

Credits:

Opening and Outro music:

‘Funny Whimsical Music’ by MoodMode, accessed via Storyblocks. Purchased and used under Storyblocks’ Royalty-Free Individual License Agreement.

Sound files:

All Used under the Pixabay Music License Agreement.

‘horse with old cart by Bruno.auzet. 

'Hackney-coach 4' by gurek

'Rural farmland ambience' by billgrip

'Prairie summer ambience' by dsebeste

Thanks for listening!
Stay up to date - Instagram @Samellenb
https://www.samanthaellenbound.com/kidlitclassicspodcast