Minimal words. Maximum impact.
Reading with a chance of tacos
Minimal words. Maximum impact. On Today’s show, we chat to 3 amazing authors, including the publisher of Wombat Books to discuss thier Rhiza Shorts series of Teen Fiction novellas. Each book has an easy-to-follow stand-a-lone story based on topics, struggles and interests that teens face today. There is one coming out each month in 2025 and more to come next year and beyond. We’ll find out all about them, as well as how you can be published in the series as well. Today’s special guests are: R. A. Stephens is a teacher by day, writer, editor and publisher by night....
info_outline
Brains That Buzz: Publishing, Picture Books & Neurodiversity
Reading with a chance of tacos
Brains That Buzz: Publishing, Picture Books & Neurodiversity On today’s show, we’re joined by the dynamic duo behind My Super-Charged ADHD Brain – a lively, empowering picture book that celebrates neurodivergence and the superpowers that can come with an ADHD diagnosis. We dive into the inspiration behind the book, its impact in homes and classrooms, and the creative process of writing it together. But that’s not all! Dani and James also pull back the curtain on the publishing world at Larrikin House, where they work together to champion bold, fun, and meaningful stories for...
info_outline
My Name is Jemima
Reading with a chance of tacos
On today’s show, we chat about turning a brilliant idea for a story into one of this year’s must-read picture books. We chat to the inspiration behind the story. A joyful, honest chat about storytelling, identity, and making your way in the kid lit community. Today’s special guest is an Australian children’s author and passionate advocate for representation and accessibility in storytelling. Her debut picture book My Name is Jemima is a heartwarming and empowering story that gently explores vision impairment through the eyes of a confident young girl and her guide dog,...
info_outline
The Power of Picture Books and Finding the Funny
Reading with a chance of tacos
Michael Gerard Bauer On today’s show, we chat about how one of Australia’s favourite picture book authors gets his stories, how they often develop from something small – a thought in his head, or a picture that sparked an idea or a thought, followed by a series of questions to determine what sort of story it would become. Plus, Liv drops in to review a fun and chaotic picture book by one of this country’s fav picture book authors. Today’s special guest is an award-winning Australian author best known for his hilarious and heartfelt books for children and young...
info_outline
Poppy's Monster
Reading with a chance of tacos
Poppy’s Monster On today’s show, we chat about monsters. Those monsters our kids grapple with in their daily lives and their storybooks. Plus, we have an honest chat with our special guest about the real stuff that aspiring authors go through when they start out on their writing journeys. And, Liv is back to review two picture books about a yogo posing wombat and working guide dog named Jemima. Today’s special guest first entered storytelling by telling fibs as a child. It’s not clear whether her parents believed these, but they were unsurprised by the career...
info_outline
Is this a new publishing trend?
Reading with a chance of tacos
Is this a new publishing trend? Complete series out in a year On today’s show, we chat with an international award-winning author about an awesome new series of 6 books for kids, all out in the same year. We chat about the process of writing, acquiring, illustrating, publishing, and distributing a complete series in a single year. Plus, the challenges that come with a new author journey. Today’s special guest is an international award-winning author who adores exploring all the world has to offer! Her love of travel started at age three on moving from Sri Lanka to...
info_outline
Storytelling with Authenticity
Reading with a chance of tacos
Storytelling with authenticity On today’s show, we chat with an author about storytelling with authenticity, and the process of writing stories that help kids deal with fear, grow to be resilient, and giving kids a sense of belonging. Today’s special guest has a unique journey with storytelling that covers cultures, languages, and the spaces in between. It wasn't until adulthood that she rediscovered her love for reading through stories that finally felt relevant to her experience. This shaped her approach as both a teacher and school counsellor, where she used...
info_outline
Me and You and LIv and AB
Reading with a chance of tacos
On today’s show, we chat to a picture book author about the timeless connection between grandparents and grandchildren. As well as the process of sharing dialogue and connections with kids in our stories. Plus, Liv has her own special guest drop in for today’s book review. Today’s special guest was born in Adelaide, South Australia and she's been telling stories ever since. Although she spent over ten years crafting nonfiction articles for magazines, she finally realised her real love was writing the stories for young people that blossom in her imagination. She is the...
info_outline
I Can Do That! I Can Write a Book!
Reading with a chance of tacos
I can do that! I can write a book! On today’s show, we follow an author with a “Can Do” attitude through her publishing journey. From mastering rhyme, storytelling, attending conferences, getting involved in community, and each step of the way to publication. A must listen and a fun chat for all authors and illustrators looking to carve out their own creative careers. Today’s special guest discovered the power of words and performance as a Drama Teacher, which ultimately led her to exploring children's literature. She is now a children's author based on the...
info_outline
What Makes a Good Illustrator?
Reading with a chance of tacos
What Makes a Good Illustrator? On today’s show, we chat illustrations with a legend of over 30 years of producing quality artwork. We look at what makes a good illustrator. Is it consistency? Is it a unique style and brand? Is it knowing what jobs to take on and what to leave alone? So much to consider as we go behind the scenes with one of my all-time favourite creators of books for kids. Plus, Liv reviews a picture book with too many dogs. Today’s special guest is a multi-award-winning Australian illustrator based in Sydney, with over two decades of...
info_outlineHow Beautiful is our world?
On today’s show, we chat to one of this country’s finest picture book authors about writing humour along with serious and important stories for kids. We chat about planning stories, writing stories, where stories come from, where humour comes from, and a brand-new book showcasing our beautiful world.
Today’s special guest is an internationally published children’s author based in Melbourne. She loves to write stories filled with humour and heart. Her debut picture book Mozzies Vs Flies was shortlisted in the Speech Pathology Australia Book of the Year Awards 2022. Her second picture book, Meowster Chef, has been translated into Spanish and Italian. One of her recent books, Wild About Book Week has gone so well, not only is it in reprint, but her publishers have asked her to write another in the series.
She’s popped in to share all this with us, as well as an uplifting story that means so much to her, and a topic that should mean so much to us all, everybody please welcome our beautiful author, Sarah Speedie