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.

On today’s show, we’re Yabba Dabba Dooin’ all over the place. We chat to the Yabba president all about The Young Australians Best Book Awards. The YABBAs!!

Along with the Crocs of the Northern Territory and Koalas of NSW, these are Australia’s only Children’s Book Awards chosen soley by the children. We chat about why this is important to you as a creator, and vital to promoting our industry as a whole. All on today’s show, it’s gunna be huge!!

Today’s special guest is a real-life teacher librarian, a lover of kids books, and a massive advocate for children’s literature in Australia. She has worked tirelessly on the Yabba Council for the last 8 years and spent the last 24 years assisting her students to develop an awareness of Australian authors and illustrators.

To tell us all about this amazing organisation, and its importance to creators and the kids book industry, everybody please welcome, the amazing, inspiring and energetic President of the Yabba Awards, Michelle Nye.

Yabba Awards Website: https://www.yabba.org.au/

The future of Storytelling

Finding the right life balance, the future of AI Bots, and Brock the Croc is back with another snappy adventure.

On today’s show, we chat to a legend Australian Children’s author all about why we write, what we write and how we write for kids. We chat about finding the right life balance, the future of AI bots and their impact on creators, and an exciting new book hitting your shelves real soon. 

Today’s special guest

Adrian Beck is an Australian children's author renowned for his humorous and action-packed stories. His popular works include the "Furball" series, the "Derek Dool" series, and the "Little Legends" series co-authored with Nicole Hayes. Adrian is also the author of the "Fox Kid" series, designed to support children who find reading challenging. Beyond writing, he has a background as a TV producer and is passionate about fostering a love of reading among young audiences. Residing in Melbourne with his family, Adrian continues to inspire children through his engaging books and dynamic school visits.

"Brock the Croc" is a children's book series by Australian author Adrian Beck, featuring the adventures of Brock, a lively crocodile residing in a bustling swamp. As the sole crocodile, Brock revels in attention, hosting extravagant swamp discos, riding his motorbike, and shredding on his electric guitar. In the first installment, "Bite Me!" (2025), Brock and his animal friends face the threat of their swamp being destroyed by human development, challenging Brock to live up to his self-proclaimed hero status. The sequel, "Make It Snappy!" (2025), sees Brock confronting Gruntzilla, a colossal robot menace,

testing his leadership and courage to protect his home. Illustrated by Dean Rankine, the series combines humor, action, and themes of friendship and environmental conservation.

On today’s show, we chat with a self-published creator of books for kids to get some of the best self-publishing advice for picture books that we’ve ever received on the pod. Advice on how to find an illustrator, who you’ll need to work with, what materials you’ll need, information about contracts, how to make and distribute your book. All of this and more. Plus, What’s the Story, Rory is back with some awesome new books and industry info.

Today’s special guest is living the dream. Sharing stories with the world has always been a dream, and now she’s visiting schools, seeing her books in the big stores, seeing kids dressed up as characters that she’s created, and all due to the hard work, dedication and passion she has for children’s literature.

She’s popped in today to chat all about her latest book, and to go behind the scenes with us to show us how she weaves her magic. Everybody please welcome, Kelly Louise Jarris. 

Keen persisting. Keep creating. Keep coming up with ideas

On today’s show, we chat to an author who has just celebrated her 200th Rejection. However, due to years of persistence, and honing her craft, she’s gone and got herself published for a second time with a second traditional publisher. We’ll chat all about this process and what we can all learn. 

Plus Liv reviews two junior fiction masterpieces, featuring a swash-buckling mouse, and a world record breaking boy. 

Kev, Trev, Kylie and Ken

On today’s show, we chat to an author/illustrator about how to create a graphic novel series, what’s involved, where to find characters, how to develop them, and so many amazing tips on creating books for kids. Plus, Liv reviews two awesome new picture books.

Today’s special guest began her working life as a graphic designer, before realising that involved spending way too much time on dry land. And, as someone who is actually part fish, her time would be better spent merging her love of sea creatures with amazing and super fun stories for kids.

She has swum with whale sharks, manta rays and humpback whales in Ningaloo. Piranhas and pink dolphins in the Amazon. She’s braved scuba diving with lionfish in Egypt. Marine iguanas and hammerhead sharks in the Galapagos Islands. And, encountered great white sharks in South Africa!

She’s popped in today to share her author/illustrator journey, and her latest graphic novel titled, Kev and Trev, everybody please welcome, the fintastic, seasational, Kylie Howarth.

Book Reviews with Liv

On today’s show, we chat with Liv and, well, just Liv. Due to popular demand, Liv’s popped in to share six brand new picture books with us. There’ll be dragons, Days of the week, dogs playing Rock n Roll, and much more.

Today’s special guest has been with us for three years now, as a co-host, co-interviewer, and as our regular book reviewer. Everyone please welcome, the wonderful and amazing, Liv.

Nobody Likes Monday – EK Books 

Kelly Lee, Amy Calautti

Walls – Wombat Books 

Ruth Mary Smith, Tania Ingram

Rock Dogs – Affirm Press 

Sally Barns, Anil Tortop

My Dad. My Rock – Scribble 

Victor Santos, Anna Forlati

Dragon Folding – Penguin 

Christopher Cheng, Lucia Masciullo

South with the Seabirds – Allen and Unwin

Jess McGeachin

Writing Great Characters for Books, TV, and Life

On today’s show, we chat about great character writing, various ways of developing characters, and we go inside one of Australia’s favourite TV Show writing rooms. We get the fun and Goss of what goes on behind the scenes.

Today’s special guest is a screenwriter, playwright and author who loves creating stories for young people.

She has adapted four of David Walliams' books for the stage - Mr Stink, Billionaire Boy, The Midnight Gang and Ratburger - as well as Oliver Jeffers' The Incredible Book Eating Boy, all of which premiered at the Sydney Opera House and toured across Australia.

Her first novel, Exit Through the Gift Shop, was shortlisted for the Prime Minister's Literary Awards, the CBCA Book of the Year for Younger Readers and the ABIA Book of the Year for Younger Children. Her second novel, No Words, was winner of the Children's Peace Literature Award and the Readings Children's Prize.

She’s popped in today to tell us about her latest middle grade novel, Laughter is the Best Ending. Everybody please welcome, the most amazing and wonderful, Maryam Master.