Dreaming up stories

On today’s show, Liv and I chat to a kids author who is making a splash in 2025. With multiple books out this year, we explore stories, storytelling and the process of making dreams come true. Plus, Liv reviews a classic CBCA winning book.

Today’s special guest has loved books since she was a little girl. Her parents still tease her because at 4-years-old they took her to see Beauty and the Beast and all she was interested in was the scene with the giant library. “So many books!”

She’s popped in today to share her love of storytelling, how she comes up with her ideas, and the process she’s used for making dreams come true. Everybody please welcome the wonderful, Millie Lewis.

Challenging traditional publishing norms

An honest look at Clutterbugs, publishing and carving out a path to creativity

On today’s show, we look for Clutterbugs, chat about children’s publishing, how to navigate your own writing path, taking risks, and ways to come up with new ideas.

Plus, Liv tells us why we should never trust fish. She reviews 2 awesome picture books, one about family and one hilarious book about fish.

Today’s special guests is an author and playwright. Her acclaimed play, Fragments has been produced as a web series and a feature-length film.

She is multi-award-winning picture book author, and a book reviewer for the CBCA and Reading Time magazines.

Born in the USA, she gained a PhD in philosophy, before having her own Crocodile Dundee moment and marrying a genuine Aussie shearer.

She’s taken time today, away from her avocado farm, wombats, echidnas and lyrebirds on their NSW rainforest mountaintop property to share her amazing journey with us. So, everybody please welcome, the awesome Maura Pierlot.

On today’s show, we chat with a first-time author and her experienced illustrator about the behind-the-scenes process of a brand-new picture book and its inspiring message. You’re going to love this dynamic duo and their journey together. It’s a fun and inspiring story that’s sure to resonate and produce a smile or two. Plus, Liv reviews a fun and adventurous junior fiction book.

Today’s special guests are an author and illustrator combo. Our author was born in Harbin China and moved to Australia at 18 to pursue a Commerce Degree in Accounting. But fate had other plans. Having kids of her own led to a writing career in the parenting genre in various Australian newspapers and magazines. And, when a job at the Vic branch of the CBCA opened up, her career path took a creative turn into children’s literature.

Our illustrator is one of Australia’s most loved and respected illustrators. An award-winning artist who celebrates the unique warmth, textures, and imperfections made when drawing by hand, she is currently living in Prague, but has taken the time to join us today. Everybody please welcome this dynamic duo of, Angie Cui and Evie Barrow.

Luna's World. The Process of a Series in the Making

On today’s show, Liv and I chat to a teacher librarian who has helped transform school libraries into a hub of energy and fun and has signed a 4-book series with one of our favourite publishers. We go behind the scenes to look at the process of a book series in the making. Plus, Liv reviews a magical middle grade book that’s in stores now.

Today’s special guest is a teacher librarian and a big supporter of getting quality books in the hands of kids. We first met her by her social media handle, ‘Hayley in the Library’. And we’ve had her on the show several times over the last few years, chatting about what kids are reading, and how libraries have changed to become a real hub of energy, fun and learning.

Now she’s written about it, and turned this theme into a 4-book series with Affirm Press.

She’s popped in today to share this amazing journey from teacher to author with us, her process for writing, her interactions with editors and publishers, and the transformation of an idea for a book into a realised dream. Everybody please give a big cheer for the wonderful, Hayley Gannon.

Want the world to hear your stories?

Then turn your story into an audio book

On today’s show, we chat to an audio narrator, creator and producer of the most amazing audio books for kids.  And, we discuss how you can have your work in audio for the world to hear.

Today’s special guest has produced audiobooks by some of Australia's best-known authors, including Kate Constable, Hazel Edwards, and Susanne Gervay.

She has worked on production contracts for well-known international publishers and with small-house publishers alike and has narrated for Bolinda Audio.

Today, she specialises in children's literature, Australian stories, academic texts, and multi-cast dramatic productions with her own company, Thrive Audio.

She’s popped in to share her audio process, her philosophy, and how this benefits all of us in the kidlit world. Everybody please welcome, the amazing Sarah Bacaller.

On today’s show, we chat to someone who went from winning a competition to being recognised as a CBCA Notable and from there went on to publish another book, and that book won a CBCA Notable. And, now she has a 4-book series.

We find out how she’s achieved all this, how she goes about her writing, her love of frogs, and her process of being a children’s book author on the rise.

Today’s special guest won Just Write for Kids Pitch It! Competition in 2020, and was the recipient of an ASA Award Mentorship in 2022. From there she went on to be the author of CBCA Notable Book The Garden at the End of the World and Ella and the Amazing Frog Orchestra. Everybody please welcome, the wonderful, Cassy Polimeni 

How to write Rhyme and acquire 20 Book contracts

On today’s show, we chat to one of Australia’s up and coming picture book stars. In the last 6-years he has signed 20 book contracts and has 15 books already in bookstores, schools, kindas, and libraries all around the country. He has books with various publishers from Larrikin house to Scholastic and more. In today’s episode we look at his journey, share his techniques and see if any can work for you.

Plus, Liv reviews the latest and hilarious Nanny Piggins book. All on today’s show. It’s gunna be massive!

Today’s special guest is a favourite with Taco listeners. His humour, willingness to help fellow writers, and his love of picture books has seen him in huge demand all around the country. So, without further ado, everybody please welcome, the one, the only, the man, the myth, the legend, Rory H Mather everybody!

Making Reading Fun for Kids

With one of Australia's finest comedy writers, David Lawrence.

On today’s show, we chat to one of Australia’s funniest comedy writers, for both television and books, all about his processes, and his family life, in particular life with his beautiful mum Val. And, what started out as a fun way to promote his books that has gone on to entertaining us all on social media.

This is going to be a fun and informative episode for anyone writing children’s literature.

Don’ t Fall for the Trick 

A guide to smashing gender stereotypes

On today’s show, we uncover the trick that has foiled humans for generations. And, ensure that we’re never tricked again. In one of the most important pieces of literature on our shelves this year.  

Plus, Liv reviews a hilarious graphic novel you just have to get your hands on. All on today’s show. It’s gunna be huge!

Today’s special guests are the author and illustrator combo of Don’t Fall for the Trick. The author has always wanted to write picture books to help children feel comfortable in the world. She dreams of creating positive stories to help children navigate the world with a sense of humour.

The illustrator has known about The Trick for some time. Indeed, he has been writing award winning and immensely popular books on foiling this Trick. He has hundreds of thousands of followers behind him on social media and millions of people following his books, articles and posts on this very topic.

Everybody please give a warm Tacos welcome to Jennifer Bain and Scott Stuart. 

On today’s show, we chat to a publishing expert who has represented Australia at an amazing overseas book Festival. You’ve got to hear of this amazing adventure! So incredible!!

She shares some amazing publishing and writing insight along with a brand-new book.

And, Liv’s back with an awesome picture book review!

Today’s guest is a writer, editor, and a strategic communications consultant. Her debut children’s picture book You’ve got yogurt in your nostrils was a joyous celebration of the glorious mess babies create when they learn to eat. Her latest book is a treat for the eyes, ears and soul. It’s titled Little Love List and it’s in stores now. Everybody please welcome, Bethany Clark.