25 - MC Grammar - the creation of award-winning teacher and rapper Jacob Mitchell
My Words, My Book
In this podcast episode, MC Grammar discusses, his passion for reading and, of course, for all things grammar related. He generously shares stories of his background as a teacher and how teaching is at the heart and centre of MC Grammar. He talks about the link between rap and poetry and how The Adventures of Rap Kid books support children’s enjoyment of reading for leisure. MC Grammar is the creation of award-winning teacher and rapper Jacob Mitchell, who went viral in 2019 after a video of him rapping popular children’s book The Gruffalo received more than five million...
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24 - Mama G - the storytelling pantomime dame
My Words, My Book
Mama G shares her love of libraries and the influence her childhood library had on her decision to become a writer. She talks about how libraries are a hub within the community and the positive impact they can have on children. Mama G also discusses the history of pantomimes and how these well-loved shows are a British institution. Her pantomime-related book, Oh Yes I Am!, is a message for every child to feel positive about themselves. Mama G is a storytelling pantomime dame, who shares stories about being who you want and loving who you are. She has taken her stories all over the UK and North...
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23 - Stacey Byer, Caribbean author-illustrator
My Words, My Book
Stacey reflects on her Caribbean heritage and how it influences her art and writing. She shares her creative journey and how her Grenadian culture should be embraced positively around the world. In Will and Krill, Stacey highlights the importance of children being able to share their feelings, and that it is okay for children to feel unique. Stacey Byer is a Caribbean author-illustrator whose childhood was filled with folk tales and adventure. After graduating from college with an illustration degree, Stacey used her skills to promote art education and literacy on her island of Granada. Her...
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22 - Eric Huang - author, podcaster and publishing lecturer
My Words, My Book
Eric shares his career journey and provides a behind-the-scenes view of publishing thanks to the variety of job roles he has had. He encourages authors to ask questions about the publishing process. Eric discusses the use of AI in publishing and how it should be used ethically and legally. In Guardians of the New Moon, Eric reflects on how his own experience has influenced characters in the book. Eric Huang wanted to be a palaeontologist. Fieldwork didn't live up to his Jurassic Park dreams, though, so he accepted a secretarial job at Disney Publishing – kickstarting a career spanning three...
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21 - Ramzee - author-creator
My Words, My Book
Ramzee’s writing career has been varied and includes creating comics and plays; he is keen to show refugee and asylum children in a positive light in his work. He explains how his ADHD impacts him as an author, and shares the process of being a writer and illustrator in The Cheat Book. Ramzee is a London-based author-illustrator, who debuted with the middle-grade novel The Cheat Book (Hachette Children’s, June 2024), winning the 2025 Leeds Book Award and James Reckitt Hull Children’s Book Award. He has written comics for 2000AD and Marvel and runs comics workshops. Ramzee participated in...
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20 - Cressida Cowell MBE, author-illustrator
My Words, My Book
In this episode, Cressida shares her love of reading and why she is so passionate about libraries, especially libraries in schools. She also talks about how the globally loved How to Train your Dragon became a successful film franchise. Laura and Cressida discuss how their neurodiversity impacts them and how this translates in their writing. Cressida also shares an overview of the characters in her new book, Which Way to the Future. Cressida Cowell MBE is the author-illustrator of the How to Train Your Dragon, The Wizards of Once and Which Way to Anywhere book series, as well as several...
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19 - Rob Biddulph - bestselling and multi award-winning children's author and illustrator
My Words, My Book
Rob shares his belief that everyone is able to draw: some may just need a little help to get started on their drawing journey. Rob talks about his career as an author and illustrator and explains the role of an agent and why they are important to creatives. Rob discusses his book Draw with Rob: Fantastic Food, and why food is a talking point for all. And, most importantly, we find out why Rob always wears his peaked cap! Rob Biddulph is a bestselling and multi award-winning children's author and illustrator. In March 2020 during the coronavirus pandemic, he started #DrawWithRob,...
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18 - Onyinye Iwu - Black British author, illustrator, and secondary school teacher
My Words, My Book
Onyinye talks about her debut book as an author/illustrator, The Best Jollof Rice Ever! and shares how although she has illustrated many books, this is her first published as an author. Onyinye also talks candidly about the racism she faced as a Nigerian child growing up in Italy and being ashamed of her culture and race. She explains why books like The Best Jollof Rice Ever! will help every child to develop a positive sense of self. And of course, there is the question of which rice is best: Nigerian or Ghanaian? Onyinye Iwu is a Black British author, illustrator, and secondary school...
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17 - Chitra Soundar - internationally published, award-winning author of children’s books
My Words, My Book
In this episode, Chitra generously shares her journey from her homeland in India and Tamil culture, to writing children’s books in the UK. Chitra also talks about her career as an author and the importance of positive representation in children’s books. It is wonderful to hear how her Nikhil and Jay series became a children’s TV show on CBeebies and the process of taking a story from book to television. Chitra Soundar is an internationally published, award-winning author of children’s books, and writer for children’s TV, audio and theatre. Her books have been nominated and...
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16 - Cathy Reay - disabled writer, journalist and mum of two
My Words, My Book
Cathy shares how her work as a journalist led her into writing children’s books and reflects on how many authors do not come from a traditional creative writing background. She also talks about her friendship group, many of whom are neurodivergent, and how Disabled and Proud (or at least kinda sorta okay with it…) covers themes including starting secondary school and puberty. Cathy highlights the importance of amplifying the voices of disabled children and how indeed this is crucial for their sense of belonging. Cathy Reay is a disabled writer and journalist, and mum of two (plus a...
info_outlineIn this episode, Jamel reflects on his background as an Early Years teacher and how this has been important to him as an author. He discusses the lack of representation of men in Early Years, especially Black men who work with children, and how Olu’s Teacher mirrors an Early Years Black male teacher. Jamel reflects on the books that inspired him as a child, in particular those by Trish Cooke.
Jamel is an Early Years educator, consultant, radio/ television host, keynote speaker, renowned storyteller and bestselling author. He has worked in education for more than 20 years.
Jamel created the first Early Years and Key Stage 1 Lit in Colour list for Penguin Random House and The Runnymede Trust. He has written articles for the local and national press, including Early Years sector journals. Jamel’s first picture book, Olu’s Teacher: A Story About Starting Nursery, illustrated by Lydia Mba, supports children as they transition into nursery.
EYFS, KS1,
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