In this episode, Krish reviews Inkheart by Cornelia Funke, the first book in the bestselling fantasy trilogy that celebrates the magic of stories and the power of imagination. When 12 year old Meggie discovers that her father can bring characters out of books simply by reading aloud, she is drawn into a dangerous adventure where the line between fiction and reality begins to disappear.

The story follows Meggie and her father Mo as they try to stop the ruthless Capricorn, a villain who escaped from the pages of Inkheart years earlier. Along the way they encounter the unforgettable Dustfinger, a mysterious fire eater who is desperate to return to the world he came from, and uncover secrets that could change everything Meggie thought she knew about stories, family and herself.

Krish shares why Inkheart felt like a book written especially for people who love reading, what made Dustfinger his favourite character and the surprising moment in the story that became his favourite scene. He also explains why he cannot wait to continue with the rest of the trilogy.

Krish is also joined by Steve Bicknell, Managing Director of Maverick Children's Books, for a fascinating behind the scenes look at children's publishing. Together they discuss how publishers choose stories, what happens after an author submits a manuscript, the importance of reading for pleasure and why books still matter in a world full of screens and distractions. They also explore the challenges facing young readers today and the role publishers can play in helping children discover a lifelong love of books.

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Website: https://corneliafunke.com/

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In this episode, Krish reviews Holes by Louis Sachar, a Newbery Medal and National Book Award winning mystery adventure.

The story follows Stanley Yelnats, a boy who is wrongly accused of stealing a pair of trainers and sent to Camp Green Lake, a juvenile detention camp in the scorching Texas desert. At the camp, the boys are forced to dig holes every day, supposedly to build character. But Stanley soon begins to realise that the Warden may be searching for something much more mysterious.

Krish shares why this book felt so different from anything he has read recently, how Louis Sachar cleverly connects three storylines across different time periods and why Stanley and Zero’s friendship made such a strong impression on him.

Krish is also joined by the brilliant illustrator Jim Field, known for books including Oi Frog!, The Lion Inside and The Koala Who Could. They chat about creating characters, drawing for picture books, making mistakes, inspiring children to read and what life is really like as an illustrator.

There is also a fun Lightning Sketch Round, a shout out to Armchair Adventures and plenty of encouragement for listeners to start drawing and telling their own stories.

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Website:
http://www.louissachar.com/

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Website: https://www.jimfield.me/
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https://www.instagram.com/_jimfield/

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In this episode, Krish reviews The Last Cuentista by Donna Barba Higuera, a Newbery Medal-winning and New York Times bestselling sci-fi adventure.

The story follows Petra, a 12-year-old girl who boards a spaceship bound for a distant planet called Sagan, one of the last survivors of a dying Earth. But when she wakes mid journey to discover that a group called The Collective has taken control and is quietly erasing what makes people human. Petra realises that the stories she carries inside her might be the most powerful thing left worth fighting for.

Krish shares what made this book genuinely different from other sci-fi he has read, why Petra's journey felt so personal to him and the moment that truly stayed with him.

Krish is also joined by James from the Rebel Reading Society, a UK organisation on a mission to get kids off screens and into books, for an honest and wide-ranging conversation about reading for pleasure, what actually works in getting boys to pick up a book and what they have planned for the UK National Year of Reading.

Follow Donna Barba Higuera

Website: https://www.dbhiguera.com/

Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/donnabarbahiguera/

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Website:https://www.rebelreadingsociety.co.uk/

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