Mostly Book Talk

We talk with Tom Palmer about his latest book, If the Invader Comes, the first in a trilogy of books set in Cornwall. Published by Barrington Stoke in a dyslexia friendly format, the Allies trilogy explores the experiences of children during World War II in Cornwall and focus on the dynamics of friendship and allyship among the characters.

As with his earlier books about the two World Wars, Tom has meticulously researched the series and we talk about the records he has used of ordinary people's lives in Cornwall during the war and the way in which he worked with a local primary school and has drawn on the knowledge of their extended families to ensure the stories are authentic. Having recently moved to Cornwall he has been exploring the county and as the National Year of Reading Ambassador for Cornwall Libraries, he has visited every public library in Cornwall to promote reading.

Tom is a familiar figure at the Imperial War Museum where he does a lot of his research. We talk about their current exhibition, Childhood in War, which explores how children have experienced conflict from 1914 to the present day and features Tom's book Armistice Runner. 

Tom also introduces his new sports series, Underdogs, which has a sports focus. The first one, The Fear, is about football; the second, Front Foot, about cricket; and cross country running is to feature in the next book. 

We conclude with Tom's own recommendation for a children's book that shouldn't be missed - Anthony McGowan's Birdlands.

If you want to find out more about Tom's school visits and the other events that he holds his website can be found here.

If you are interested in using Tom's books in your school or library, free book club resources including questions and activiites are available at Book Clubs in Schools for both If the Invader Comes and Armistice Runner. 

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For the National Year of Reading, we are sharing a series of short conversations with people who are involved in promoting reading with young people. This could be a programme, resources or a literary event, and we're giving them the opportunity to share what they do and how people can get involved.

In this episode we are joined by Dr Fen Coles from the Letterbox Library. Letterbox Library offers the very best in diverse and inclusive books for children. Founded over 40 years ago, they have an expert team that reviews and selects their books with a real emphasis on quality - diverse representations, engaging texts and excellent illustrations - and books that genuinely appeal to children. 

We talk about their rigorous selection process for books, current trends in representation, and the challenges faced in maintaining diversity in literature and why it matters. We cover the success of The Little Rebels Award, which recognizes radical children's literature, and look forward to its return. We also return to the familiar theme of why libraries and trained librarians in schools should be a non-negotiable and end on hopes for the legacy of the National Year of Reading.

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In this episode we talk with Pépé Smit about her picture book Fred the Very Demanding Deer which is published by Scallywag Press and translated from Dutch. We were lucky enough to go to the launch at GOSH comics and met Pépé, loved the book and of course wanted to chat to her about the book and Fred. 

Pépé trained as a visual artist at the Gerrit Rietveld Academy and the Sandberg Institute. Her illustrations have appeared in several leading magazines and newspapers, but she has increasingly focused on creating picture books that make young children both laugh and think. 

Fred the Very Demanding Deer is a story about a deer who wants to leave the forest to visit the city - his adventure breaks the fourth wall and is a chat between the illustrator and the deer as they navigate the trip and the book together. We talk to Pépé about how the idea for the book was developed and how it grew into a series (there are many more books in the series) and the translation process from Dutch to English.

Win a copy of the book and a felt Fred!

We also have a very special giveaway of a copy of the book and a felt Fred which would be a lovely addition to a Christmas tree – (UK only) This giveaway is running on Instagram, entrants will need to like the post announcing the competition, comment on the post and follow Mostly Book Talk.   

Instagram: @mostlybooktalk

Full Terms and Conditions can be found here.

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For the National Year of Reading, we are sharing a series of short conversations with people who are involved in promoting reading with young people. This could be a programme, resources or a literary event, and we're giving them the opportunity to share what they do and how people can get involved.

In this episode we are joined by Sian Hardy, founder of the Literacy Hive. Literacy Hive is a comprehensive library of literacy resources for primary and secondary teachers categorised so that they can find the support they are looking for quickly and easily.

We talk about how Sian realised that although there is a wealth of resources to support literacy available, educators face a real challenge in finding high-quality resources amidst a sea of scattered information. She has designed Literacy Hive to resolve this issue by categorising resources into specific areas of the literacy curriculum, ensuring that teachers can easily find the support they need to tackle various challenges, whether it’s engaging struggling readers or finding resources for English as an additional language. She stresses that is not just a directory of websites but includes filters for key stage, price, and resource type which make it easier to identify the right tools for their specific needs.

We also discuss the Reading for Pleasure hub she has included for The National Year of Reading to support that key aspect of reading. She also highlights the popularity of her calendar of reading awards and events.

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For the National Year of Reading, we are sharing a series of short conversations with people who are involved in promoting reading with young people. This could be a programme, resources or a literary event, and we're giving them the opportunity to share what they do and how people can get involved.

In this episode we are joined by Julie Taylor Education Lead at the Children's Literacy Charity which focuses on catch-up literacy interventions for disadvantaged children. Working in primary and secondary schools in areas of deprivation, they use expert tutors to support children to catch up not just with reading but with all the important literacy skills: writing, comprehension, listening and speaking.

Julie takes us through the charity's various literacy programmes aimed at disadvantaged children and the impact they see. The charity recruits and trains its own tutors for literacy programs and as well as helping children catch up with their literacy skills, success is seen in improved engagement and behaviour in schools. She highlights the importance of reading for pleasure and the initiatives they have taken during the National Year of Reading, including featuring an author of the month. We also talk about the significance of parental involvement in children's literacy development and the charity's expansion into secondary schools and to regions outside of London.

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For the National Year of Reading, we are sharing a series of short conversations with people who are involved in promoting reading with young people. This could be a programme, resources or a literary event, and we're giving them the opportunity to share what they do and how people can get involved.

In this episode we are joined by Andrew McCallum, Director of the
English and Media Centre. The EMC is a charity which supports English & Media teachers and students through publications and classroom resources, online and in-person CPD, student magazines and research. Established in 1990, they promote best practice in all aspects of English and Media teaching and work with teachers to further their subject knowledge and pleasure in the subject, in order that they can provide their students with the best possible experience in the classroom.

In our conversation we discuss the vital role of creative pedagogy in English education, the importance of collaboration between teachers and librarians, and the need for diverse reading materials. Andrew highlights the Centre's wide range of publications and resources aimed at enriching the teaching of English, the very collaborative nature of their work and CPD, as well as their support for initiatives such as Reading Teachers, Reading Pupils that encourage teachers to engage with children's literature. We also discuss the necessity for reform in English education to counter the decline in students choosing to carry on studying it and how to bring joy and engagement back into the curriculum - not evolution but a reading revolution.

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For the National Year of Reading, we are sharing a series of short conversations with people who are involved in promoting reading with young people. This could be a programme, resources or a literary event, and we're giving them the opportunity to share what they do and how people can get involved.

In this episode we discuss the Pupil Library Assistant of the Year Award and are joined by Barbara Band, library consultant and Chair of Judges for the award and also by Olipher Grey who is a sixth form pupil who won the award last year.

The Pupil Library Assistant of the Year Award was first set up in 2014. Entries open in September each year with a closing date in November, shortlisting at the end of the autumn term and the ceremony in the spring term (this year's deadline is 6th November - so get your entries in!). First have a listen and find out all about how they work and what it is like to be nominated for the award and win it.

Barbara Band discusses the inception of the award, the criteria for nominations, and the vital role of student librarians in school libraries. She emphasises the importance of recognising student contributions and the challenges faced in the nomination process. We also cover the judging process and how they make sure that the celebratory award ceremony really acknowledges the efforts of young library assistants.

With Olipher we talk about he first got involved as a library assistant and what he has learnt and gained from doing it for the last five years. We cover how they recruit assistants in his school and the wider effect it has on the school community. We also talk about the how it felt winning the award and the experience of going to the ceremony.

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For the National Year of Reading, we are sharing a series of short conversations with people who are involved in promoting reading with young people. This could be a programme, resources or a literary event, and we're giving them the opportunity to share what they do and how people can get involved.

In this episode we are joined by Rachel Boden who is the lead children's book promotion and content editor at BookTrust. BookTrust is the UK's largest children's reading charity and they aim to empower families to experience the magic of reading. Their programmes span from newborns to Key Stage 3 pupils and their partnerships with libraries and schools and grass roots organisations are central to their work. Bookstart provides the first book for many newborns and for older children (now including primary) Book Buzz provides an opportunity for children to choose and keep a book they want. They also support vulnerable and pupil premium children through their Letterbox club and host the Children's Laureate.

In our conversation, Rachel discusses the organisation's mission to inspire children and families to engage with reading. She outlines all of their current programmes aimed at different age groups, including initiatives for vulnerable children and the importance of community partnerships. The conversation also highlights the National Year of Reading, their work with the Children's Laureate and the concept of reading rights, emphasising the long-term impact of reading on children's well-being and development.

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We talk with Claire Linney about her Time Tub Travellers series, the third book of which is out at the start of October 2026. Inspired by reading Black Tudors: The Untold Story by Miranda Kaufmann, Claire started researching Black British history and the stories that are too often untold and hidden. She decided she wanted to bring these stories to life in a fun, adventurous way for children and the result is her Time Tub Travellers books.

Time Tub Travellers and the Silk Thief

Time Tub Travellers: Circus Mystery

Time Tub Travellers: Roman Rescue 

Claire is a champion of diversity in children's books - you may have seen her on TikTok and Instagram - and has also navigated the world of self publishing. 

We talk about all of these things and Claire also has some great book recommendations.

To find out more about Claire, her books and school visits take a look at her website . You can also buy signed copies of her books there.

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In this episode we talk with Abiola Bello - author, publisher and co-founder of the Diverse Book Awards. The third book in her Wild Magic series for younger readers is out and we talk about the success of the series - the first book just won the Sparks School Book Award prize and how kids love facts mixed in with their fiction.

Abiola is as ever very busy and we talk about her third book in the Marcus Rashford series and also a 'new adult' book coming out next year that she is on a deadline to finish.

The independent publisher Hashtag Press which Abiola co-founded with Helen Lewis is celebrating its 10th anniversary this year. As one of the first independent publishers focussing on diverse authors and books they have been on quite a journey. They are currently Crowdfunding to safeguard their next ten years and you can find details of that here.

Abiola's books can be found here:

Younger Readers

Wild Magic - Legend of the Black Lion (illustrated by Emma McCann)

Wild Magic - Journey of the Lost Elephant (illustrated by Emma McCann)

Wild Magic - Escape of the Sea Turtles (illustrated by Emma McCann)

Middle Grade

Emily Knight - I am

Emily Knight - I am... Power

Emily Knight - I am... Becoming 

Emily Knight - I am... Awakened

Marcus Rashford The Breakfast Club Adventures - The Movie Monster

Marcus Rashford The Breakfast Club Adventures - The Sleepover Sabotage 

Marcus Rashford The Breakfast Club Adventures - The Haunted Disco (Oct 2026)

YA

Love in Winter Wonderland

Only for the Holidays

The Love Dare

New Adult

Pretty Little Pledges (Aug 2027)

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