There's bad blood on the island this month, as Frank's nemesis Danny Wallace turns up (uninvited, according to FCB) to stoke the flames of the pair's long-standing rivalry. Nadia, fortunately, is able to find higher ground and steers a sometimes begrudging but always illuminating, often hilarious conversation to the matter at hand, children's books. Danny discusses his own books, including 'The Day the Screens Went Blank' and 'The Boss of Everyone' - and also Brian Patten's brilliant poetry collection 'Gargling with Jelly'. Before he arrives, Frank and Nadia discuss the books they've been reading in their hammocks: The Lizzie and Belle Mysteries: Drama and Danger by J.T. Williams; Onyeka and the Academy of the Sun by Tola Okogwu; Wellington's Big Day Out by Steve Small and Monster in the Woods by Dave Shelton. 

While The Ukelele Uff keep things harmonious with their beautiful music,  Emily Drabble of Booktrust comes out of her convenient shell once again with more reviews of new titles:

1. Deep, A story of love through the Generations

Stephen Hogtun

Published by Bloomsbury

2. Calling the Whales

By Jasbinder Bilan

Illustrated by Skylar White

Published by Barrington Stoke

3. Stolen History

Sathnam Sanghera

Illustrated by Jen Khatum

Published by Puffin

4. The Midnight Babies

Isabel Greenberg

Published by Abrams Books for Young Readers

5. Imagine IF... Veggies by Aya Watanabe

Published by Templar

Another month, another pile of books to get excited about.. 

Nadia and Frank welcome the brilliant, goose-fat-slathered Ed Vere onto the island to talk about his terrific range of picture books, including most recently 'The Artist', and are surprised and moved to discover his long-standing connection with Jan Pieńkowski. What a shame such a lovely visit ends so tragically! 

Emily Drabble from BookTrust is on hand (via the magic shell) to cheer us up with her latest reviews of:

This Rock is Mine Written by Kaye Umansky and illustrated by Alice McKinley (Alison Green Books)

Glowrushes by Roberto Piumini, translated by Leah Janeczko (Pushkin) 

Yomi and the Fury of Ninki Nanka by Davina Tijani, illustrated by Adam Douglas-Bagley

(Little Tiger)

The Thunk  by Michelle Robinson, illustrated by Deborah Allwright (Bloomsbury)

Max and Chaffy The Great Cupcake Mystery by Jamie Smart (David Fickling)

Nadia (of the 'lovely audio presence') and Frank welcome the fabulous writer Maisie Chan to the island to talk about some of her brilliant books - including 'Danny Chung Does Not Do Maths' and 'Keep Dancing Lizzie Chu'. They also chat about the books they've been reading to pass their days in the sunshine - and head to the sea shell shelf to listen to Emily Drabble from BookTrust reviewing these highlights from the recent crop of new children's books: 

Nature Trail be Benjamin Zephaniah illustrated by Nila Aye, Orchard

Fablehouse by EM Norry, Bloomsbury

Budgie by Joseph Coelho, illustrated by David Barry, Barrington Stoke

Timid by Harry Woodgate, Little Tiger

I am Happy by Michael Rosen and Robert Starling, Walker

Frank and Nadia are shipwrecked on an island and have to finish a pile of children's books before they can even think about leaving. Along the way they chat about the books they are currently reading in their their hammocks, hear a review of some of the best new children's books (via seashell) from Emily Drabble, and are visited by recent Children's Literature Laureate Cressida Cowell, who naturally arrives on the back of a dragon. 

Music: The Ukulele Uff Trio

Producer: Geoff Bird

Books featured:

Tyger by SF Said

The Magician's Elephant by Kate DiCamillo

Captain Looroll by Matt Carr

Wild Song by Candy Gourlay

The Storm Swimmer by Clare Weze

Mia and the Lightcasters by Janelle McCurdy

I Really Really Need A Wee by Karl Newson 

Nadia Shireen and Frank Cottrell Boyce are shipwrecked on the Island of Brilliant, with just a pile of books and the world's greatest Ukelele band (the Ukulele Uff Trio) for company. The first full episode will be available in May 2024 and will see recent Children's Literature Laureate Cressida Cowell fly across to the island on the back of a dragon.

Producer: Geoff Bird