Host Shara Curlett introduces episode one of The KidLit Pod and interviews New Zealand author-illustrator H.P. Fryer (Hannah Powell Fryer), whose debut picture book OGG was published by Scholastic Australia in 2025.

Hannah explains entering the publishing scene via an illustrator portfolio call, developing OGG from a university character exercise, and describes how she created the book’s detailed gouache-and-pencil illustrations.

The conversation covers her history and illustration studies, artistic influences, how parenting increases exposure to children’s books, and shared views on limiting devices, valuing boredom, and “feeding” children’s minds with stories.

Hannah's illustration Influences, mentioned throughout the podcast:

• Quentin Blake
• Sarah Ogilvie
• Júlia Sardà
• Alex Scheffler
• Beatrice Alemagna
• Lynley Dodd
• Bob Graham
• Alison Lester
• Briony Stewart
• Briony May Smith
• Alex T. Smith

You can find out more about our guest, H.P. Fryer (Hannah Powell Fryer), here:

HP Fryer on Instagram (@hpfryer)

HP Fryer Website (www.hpfryer.com)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

BOOK SHOUTOUT LINK:

Josie Mack and the MEGA Division

Follow The KidLit Pod on Instagram (@thekidlitpod)

Find out more about The KidLit Pod host, Shara Curlett, here:

Shara Curlett on Instagram (@sharacurlett)

Shara Curlett Website (www.sharacurlett.com)

Introducing The KidLit Pod: A New Industry-Wide Conversation on Children’s Books

The Kid Lit Pod is a new podcast launching in June 2026, hosted by Shara Curlett, author of the middle grade fantasy novel Welcome to Miracle (Scholastic Australia, 2025) and the upcoming series Protector of Beyond (Penguin Australia, releasing September 2026).

The KidLit Pod will be focused on inspiring creativity in kids and exploring connection, play, children’s neurological development, and the impact of devices. KLP will facilitate collective, industry-wide discussions about the importance of children’s books. Featuring Australian and New Zealand creators and industry professionals, the show will share opinions, ideas, research, and science through conversations with marketing teams, booksellers, librarians, teachers, specialists, publishers, as well as authors and illustrators, to uncover the stories behind the stories. We'll also be having a monthly hang with some kidlit friends (KLP Hang).

The KidLit Pod will premiere on 2 June, with an episode featuring H.P. Fryer.

Follow The KidLit Pod on Instagram (@thekidlitpod)

Find out more about The KidLit Pod host, Shara Curlett, here:

Shara Curlett on Instagram (@sharacurlett)

Shara Curlett Website (www.sharacurlett.com)