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Mostly Book Talk @mostlybooktalk.bsky.social · 13/09/2026

A podcast for teachers 🎓, librarians 📚, and parents 👨‍👩‍👧 passionate about children's and YA reading. Explore book recommendations 📖, author interviews. Three new episodes are live @abiolabello @cathhowewrites @deanatta @krahimwrites Subscribe now! #childrensbooks #yabooks #authorinterviews

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Mostly Book Talk @mostlybooktalk.bsky.social · 12/09/2026

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 🌟 - the first book won the Sparks School Book Award @simonandschuster.bsky.social #bookseries #authorinterview #childrensbooks #diversebooks #publishing

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Mostly Book Talk @mostlybooktalk.bsky.social · 11/09/2026

Middle grade books! 📚 Kristina Rahim discusses her book Max and Ella Stuck Together and catch up with Cath Howe about Two is a Crowd. Plus celebrate John Agard's third CLiPPA Poetry Prize win for "The Poetry World of John Agard," illustrated by Shirley Hottier. Thanks Miah Herford for editing. 🙌

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Mostly Book Talk @mostlybooktalk.bsky.social · 10/09/2026

Dean Atta on the Mostly Book Talk podcast 🎙️ - chatting about his new picture book 📚 Auntie's Bangles and how we all deal with love ❤️ and loss. Subscribe to our podcast so you don't miss an episode. #booktalk #podcast #deanatta #newrelease #bookcommunity #authorinterview

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Mostly Book Talk @mostlybooktalk.bsky.social · 04/08/2026

Four new episodes out now! Klaus Flugge shortlist @andersenpress.bsky.social Kristina Rahim and Cath Howe @nosycrow.bsky.social Clare Pollard, new middle grade The Othernauts @bonnierbooks.bsky.social Fidan Meikle, debut middle-grade, My Name Is Samim @florisbooks.bsky.social

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Mostly Book Talk @mostlybooktalk.bsky.social · 03/08/2026

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Mostly Book Talk @mostlybooktalk.bsky.social · 07/07/2026

🧑‍🧑‍🧒‍🧒'So we thought there's a gap, let's fill it...' Bex Hughes talks bringing Canterbury Children's Literature Festival to life 🔗Link to episode: loom.ly/Ann9bBg #KidLitUK #ChildrensBooks #BookCrawlUK #NationalYearOfYearReading #ReadingCrisis

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Mostly Book Talk @mostlybooktalk.bsky.social · 05/07/2026

🧫 What On earth! Scientist Making a Difference | NYR 2026 🔭Jennifer Marchant tells us what schools will find in their pack and how they can be used within the science curriculum as well as in careers lessons. 🔗 loom.ly/aV8yYCc #KidLitUK #UKSecondarySchools #NationalYearOfReading

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Mostly Book Talk @mostlybooktalk.bsky.social · 11/06/2026

Ngā mihi nui! 📚 We are absolutely blown away by the recent love for Mostly Book Talk. Thanks to our amazing listeners across the globe: 🇳🇿 #9 in Books (NZ) 🇳🇿 #22 in Arts (NZ) 🇬🇧 #32 in Books (UK) (📊 Data provided by PodStatus.com) #BookPodcast #PodcastCharts #Bookstagram #ApplePodcasts

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Mostly Book Talk @mostlybooktalk.bsky.social · 06/06/2026

Looking forward to this which is out at the end of July 👀 #KidLitUK #Edusky

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Mostly Book Talk @mostlybooktalk.bsky.social · 05/06/2026

Happy paperback publication day to @darrenchetty.bsky.social I’m Going to Make a Friend follows a child settling somewhere new and exploring how to make a friend (and how to be a friend too). Will start lots of conversations and I think it will be one kids will want to read multiple times #KidLitUK

Author Darren Chetty holding a copy of his picture book

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Mostly Book Talk @mostlybooktalk.bsky.social · 02/06/2026

🎧 New episode! We’re chatting with Taiwanese author-illustrator @CindyWume about her beautiful new interactive picture book, Home is a Hug. 🏡✨ Discover her creative journey from Taiwan to Cambridge, her artwork process, and meet her cat, Bao! 🐈🔗 Listen here: loom.ly/ApAz8K0 #KidLitUk

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Mostly Book Talk @mostlybooktalk.bsky.social · 01/06/2026

🎧 New episode! For the National Year of Reading, we're joined by Lara Marshall & Tom Norton from the @RNIB. We discuss how to support blind and partially sighted children with accessible books, the RNIB Library, and volunteering for Hi Vis Fortnight! 📖✨ Listen: loom.ly/hCFGrso #KidLitUK

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Mostly Book Talk @mostlybooktalk.bsky.social · 28/05/2026

🎧 New episode! We chat with author Jeffrey Boakye about his Kofi series, his music books, and 90s nostalgia (remember having only 4 TV channels?! 📺). We also discuss the crucial issue of declining diversity in children's books. 📚✨ 🔗 Listen here: loom.ly/RECvsyA #KidLitUK

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Mostly Book Talk @mostlybooktalk.bsky.social · 20/05/2026

🎧 New episode! We’re joined by Children's Laureate for Wales, Nicola Davies, to explore the 2026 CLiPPA Shortlist! Discover the UK’s best new children’s poetry, learn about her Laureate role, and chat all things birds. 🪶✨ Listen to the episode here: loom.ly/zD78KzI #KidLitUK

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Mostly Book Talk @mostlybooktalk.bsky.social · 20/05/2026

🎧 New episode! We’re chatting with author Molly Harris about her new picture book, Whirby (illustrated by Jacob Souva). 🤖🔋 It's a gorgeous bedtime story about a robot who forgets to recharge his batteries! Listen here: loom.ly/zBcUF98 #KidLitUk #MollyHarris #Whirby

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Mostly Book Talk @mostlybooktalk.bsky.social · 11/05/2026

🎧 New episode! We’re chatting with author @RashmiWriting about her brilliant new books: the diary-style middle-grade Hari Kumar Ultimate Superstar & the sparkly picture book Super Uma! ✨🦄 Plus, find out where you can catch her at upcoming festivals: loom.ly/d0hvRo0 📚 #RashmiSirdeshpande

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Mostly Book Talk @mostlybooktalk.bsky.social · 29/04/2026

🎧 New episode! For the National Year of Reading, we're joined by Emma Bell, CEO of Chapter One. They provide 1-to-1 reading support to nearly 3,500 children across the UK through amazing volunteer reading partners. 📚✨ Listen to find out how to get involved: loom.ly/_OlYxqE #NYR #KidLit

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Mostly Book Talk @mostlybooktalk.bsky.social · 08/04/2026

🎧 Step into the wild world of Grimwood! 🦊 We’re chatting with @NadiaShireen about her latest book, Rock the Vote! (now in paperback), her creative process, and the very important topic of Titus’s favorite cake. 🍰 Listen here: loom.ly/sPVSey4 #Grimwood #KidLit #MostlyBookTalk

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Mostly Book Talk @mostlybooktalk.bsky.social · 18/02/2026

📚 For the National Year of Reading, we’re joined by @gntread24.bsky.social from the @youthlibrarygroup.bsky.social to talk about youth librarians, the Carnegie Awards & building reading communities for young people.

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Mostly Book Talk @mostlybooktalk.bsky.social · 09/02/2026

📚 We chat with Susannah Lloyd about Badgers Are Go! Revenge of the Claw — ingenious disguises, pudding references, doing all the voices, and why children are excellent at naming characters. A joyful listen for fans of funny children’s books. #KidLitUK #FunnyBooksForKids #ReadingForPleasure

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Mostly Book Talk @mostlybooktalk.bsky.social · 04/02/2026

Who decides which children’s books get published, promoted, and put into young readers’ hands? We explore publishing power, access, and why children’s books get so little media coverage.| 🎧 Listen now: loom.ly/ORdgY7U #ReadingCrisis #ReadingForPleasure #ChildrensBooks

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Mostly Book Talk @mostlybooktalk.bsky.social · 30/01/2026

📚 As part of the National Year of Reading, we’re sharing a series of short conversations with people who are passionate about promoting children's reading, about what they do and how you can get involved. 🎉 First up @moohara.bsky.social from Stepping Into Stories Kids’ Lit Fest #UKKidLit #KidLitUK

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Mostly Book Talk @mostlybooktalk.bsky.social · 25/01/2026

How do testing, technology & access to books affect children’s reading for pleasure? We hear from authors, teachers & librarians on the pressures shaping reading today and why it matters. 🎧 Listen now: loom.ly/Czich7o #ReadingCrisis #ReadingForPleasure

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Mostly Book Talk @mostlybooktalk.bsky.social · 18/01/2026

Why aren’t children reading for pleasure and what can we do about it? We look at the data, explore key barriers, and hear from authors, teachers & literacy experts working to change the story. 🎧 Listen now: loom.ly/7Zut6PU #ReadingCrisis #ReadingForPleasure #teachers

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Mostly Book Talk @mostlybooktalk.bsky.social · 10/01/2026

📙 We chat with AM Dassu about her stunning new book Wild Journey — five interlinked stories about children around the world, connected by a murmuration of starlings and illustrated by Joe Lillington. 🎧 Listen now wherever you get your podcasts!

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Mostly Book Talk @mostlybooktalk.bsky.social · 09/01/2026

Get ready for an exciting new series from Mostly Book Talk: The Reading Crisis. Launching soon!

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Mostly Book Talk @mostlybooktalk.bsky.social · 23/12/2025

📙 Episode 37: Libraries Are a Very Good Thing 📚 We’re celebrating libraries with Rebecca Gediking (GLL) on supporting authors & schools, plus Barbara Band on her book Championing Your School Library. 🎧 Listen: loom.ly/-2JfVI4

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Mostly Book Talk @mostlybooktalk.bsky.social · 30/10/2025

Out today - @rossmontgomery.bsky.social ‘s first adult book and it’s great. Sweary octogenarian, twisty plot and intriguing historical facts. But most importantly, very fun. Probably not one to recommend to pupils, but totally recommend for grown up reading pleasure. #UKKidsLit author

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Mostly Book Talk @mostlybooktalk.bsky.social · 15/10/2025

🎉 We’re finalists at the Independent Podcast Awards 2025! 📚 Mostly Book Talk celebrates teachers, librarians & parents who champion children’s & YA reading for pleasure! #PodcastAwards #ReadingForPleasure #MostlyBookTalk

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Mostly Book Talk @mostlybooktalk.bsky.social · 14/10/2025

📙 Episode 36: We chat with Nathanael Lessore, author of Steady for This & King of Nothing, about writing for teens, the power of humour, and his hilarious Superpower series. 🎧 Listen now wherever you get your podcasts! #NathanaelLessore #YAfiction #MiddleGrade #MostlyBookTalk

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Mostly Book Talk @mostlybooktalk.bsky.social · 09/10/2025

🌍 Fantastic news! @TomPercivalSays our guest from Episode 25 of Mostly Book Talk, has won Children’s Book of the Year: Older Fiction (9–12) at The Week Junior Book Awards for his moving novel The Wrong Shoes. 🎧 Catch up: loom.ly/sKiZHe4 #TomPercival #TheWrongShoes

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Mostly Book Talk @mostlybooktalk.bsky.social · 07/10/2025

📙 Episode 35: Dr Julie Blake on Poetry By Heart and Ross Montgomery’s Latest Books 🔗 Listen here: loom.ly/73Rh2H4 #ChildrensBooks #ChildrensPoetry #Teachers #Schools

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Mostly Book Talk @mostlybooktalk.bsky.social · 04/10/2025

We also review the latest two books in @rossmontgomery.bsky.social ‘s prodigious output. A big thumbs up for Small Wonder - pacey adventure with wide appeal - and for his first book for adults, The Murder at World’s End - a devour in one gulp mystery @walkerbooksuk.bsky.social #kidlituk #UKkidlit

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Mostly Book Talk @mostlybooktalk.bsky.social · 02/10/2025

*Just* in time to still be National Poetry Day we bring you our latest episode of Mostly Book Talk where we talk to Dr Julie Blake, founder and co-director of Poetry by Heart with lots of information about how schools can get involved #KidLitUK #UKkidLit @poetrybyheart.bsky.social

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Mostly Book Talk @mostlybooktalk.bsky.social · 27/09/2025

Great day at Sailfest - really interesting discussions about South Asian children’s books in the UK - their success and wider potential but also the barriers authors face. So nice to put faces to the authors of lots of amazing books too. #kidlitUK #UKkidlit 🌏📚

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Mostly Book Talk @mostlybooktalk.bsky.social · 17/09/2025

📙 Episode 34: @Ashley__Thorpe on 'The Boy to Beat the Gods' and 'Spirit Warriors' 🔗 Listen here: loom.ly/Yu9NQ70 or wherever you get your podcasts!

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Mostly Book Talk @mostlybooktalk.bsky.social · 14/08/2025

We also have some short reviews of seaside themed books including The Last Pebble by @alexhorne.bsky.social Changing Tides by Julia Moscardo @littletigeruk.bsky.social Our Pebbles by Jarvis @walkerbooksuk.bsky.social and Vanishing Edge by Zillah Bethell @fireflypress.bsky.social #UKkidlit #KidLitUK

Book cover for Alex Horne's The Last Pebble. Two children on a beach at sunset.

Book cover for Julia Moscarado's Changing Tides Two children running on a beach with parents in the background and a lighthouse

Book cover for Jarvis' Our Pebbles a boy sitting in the middle of some brightly coloured pebbles

Book cover for Zillah Bethell's Vanishing Edge - a sea shore in blues and pinks with an industrial building in the background

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Mostly Book Talk @mostlybooktalk.bsky.social · 14/08/2025

📙 Episode 33: In this episode of our podcast, award-winning author Maisie Chan joins us to talk about her brand-new children’s novel, Nate Yu’s Blast From the Past. Listen here: loom.ly/iXDJhu0 #MaisieChan #ChildrensBooks #Podcast

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Mostly Book Talk @mostlybooktalk.bsky.social · 26/07/2025

Plus Six Dinner Sid as Katy also has a similarly literally named cat, Four White Pawsies, who eats in most of the houses in the road #teamcat #kidlituk

Photo of black and white cat called Four White Pawsies

Book cover of Six Dinner Sid by Inga Moore. Black cats next to a pile of six bowls

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Mostly Book Talk @mostlybooktalk.bsky.social · 26/07/2025

Should add from team cat Slinky Malinki as Katy has two namesakes #teamcat #kidlituk

Book cover of Slinky Malinki by Lynley Dodd. Black cat on a fence carrying a glove

Photo of a black and white cat called Slinky

Photo of a mainly black cat called Malinki

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Mostly Book Talk @mostlybooktalk.bsky.social · 26/07/2025

So where do you stand in the cats vs dogs debate? At Mostly, Ali is definitely team dog and Katy is team cat. Clearly Alan is King of the Universe, but here are some more team cat book recommendations. Any you would add? #teamcat #readingforpleasure #kidlituk #ukkidlit

Book cover of Varjak Paw by SF Said. Black cat, orangey background

Book cover of Fashion Kitty by Charise Mericle Harper. Cartoon cat drawn standing tall above colourful houses.

Book cover of There are cats in this book by Viviane Schwarz. Mostly red with three cats partly peeking over top right.

Book cover of Sam Francisco King of the Disco by Sarah Tagholm and Binny Talib. Dressed up cats dancing by a DJ deck.

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Mostly Book Talk @mostlybooktalk.bsky.social · 25/07/2025

Many of the ones already mentioned but also

Book cover of Roller Girl by Victoria Jamieson

Book cover The Humiliations of Welton Blake by Alex Wheatle

Book cover of The Crossover by Kwame Alexander

Book cover of EchoStar is Always Listening by Melinda Salisbury

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Mostly Book Talk @mostlybooktalk.bsky.social · 25/07/2025

📙🏴‍☠️Episode 32: Justin Somper - Pirate Academy. In this episode we talk with Justin Somper about the latest book in his Pirate Academy series, Sword Echoes. 🎧Available wherever you get your podcasts! #PirateAcademy #SwordEchoes #readingforpleasure

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Mostly Book Talk @mostlybooktalk.bsky.social · 23/07/2025

😹What does a cat with thumbs do? He takes over the world! 📙In episode 31 of Mostly Book Talk, author and illustrator Tom McLaughlin discusses his latest work: Alan, King of the Universe 🎧Listen to the full episode with Tom, wherever you get your podcasts! 🔗https://loom.ly/iXDJhu0

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Mostly Book Talk @mostlybooktalk.bsky.social · 16/07/2025

As we all know cats clearly think they would run the world a lot better than we do. Alan is no exception... Great summer read - come and have listen to Tom talking about the book. @tommclaughlin.bsky.social‬ ‪@hachettechildrens.bsky.social‬ #Cats #WorldDomination #readingforpleasure #KidLitUK

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Mostly Book Talk @mostlybooktalk.bsky.social · 27/06/2025

The very shiny time travel adventures of Netta Becker and the Timeline Crime @jenniferclaessen.bsky.social is definitely one to seek out. #kidlitUK

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Mostly Book Talk @mostlybooktalk.bsky.social · 19/06/2025

Wrong on our prediction for this one. But loved Glasgow Boy - it is a beautiful book by @margaretmcdonald.bsky.social If you haven’t read it yet, you have a treat to look forward to! #kidlitUK

Photo of Margaret McDonald on stage accepting the prize

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