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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Website: https://www.maverickbooks.co.uk/
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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/
Instagram:
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/

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

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In this episode, Krish talks about Number the Stars by Lois Lowry, a powerful and emotional story set during the Second World War. This book follows Annemarie Johansen, a young girl living in Nazi-occupied Denmark, who finds herself caught in a world of fear, bravery and difficult choices as her family helps their Jewish friends escape to safety. Krish shares the moments that stayed with him most, from Annemarie’s terrifying journey through the forest to the tension of soldiers questioning her family and connects the story to real history, including Anne Frank and his recent visit to Amsterdam. Krish reflects on what it means to do the right thing, even when it’s difficult.

In this episode, Krish dives into Peregrine Quinn and the Cosmic Realm by Ash Bond, an unforgettable fantasy adventure that blends Greek mythology with nature based magic and a hidden world beneath our own. The story follows Peregrine Quinn, an ordinary girl who discovers a secret realm accessed through living plant portals. As she is drawn deeper into the Cosmic Realm, strange and dangerous events begin to unfold.

Krish shares why this book stood out to him as truly memorable, exploring its unique magical concepts, imaginative world building and the sense of wonder that runs throughout the story. Krish is also joined by author Ash Bond for an exciting and insightful conversation about the story and the creative journey behind it.

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Website: https://www.ashbondwriter.com/

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

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In this special Podcasthon episode, Krish dives into The First State of Being by Erin Entrada Kelly, a gripping time travelling adventure set against the backdrop of Y2K panic in 1999.

Krish dedicates this episode to Read for Good, a UK charity that has been helping children fall in love with reading since 1984. He also shares his own journey of running a book donation drive and why he chose Read for Good to support their charity’s work, this year.

Krish is then joined by Simon Pollard and Heather Wright, Festival Directors of the St Austell Children’s Literature Festival. In a heartwarming conversation, they chat about:

• Making book festivals accessible to all through £1 tickets
• The magic of meeting authors and illustrators
• Behind the scenes moments including a runaway projector screen
• Why children’s books are for everyone and how they build community
• Encouraging children to find the right book and fall in love with reading

A perfect episode for young readers, families and anyone who loves stories.

Follow Erin Entrada Kelly

Website: https://www.erinentradakelly.com/

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

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Website: https://podcasthon.org/

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

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Website: https://readforgood.org/

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

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Website: https://staustellfestivalofchildrensliterature.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/st.alitfest/

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In this epic episode, Krish dives into the brilliantly imagined world of Bartimaeus : The Amulet of Samarkand by Jonathan Stroud. Set in an alternative London, this thrilling fantasy follows Nathaniel, a gifted apprentice who is publicly humiliated and hungry for revenge. When he summons the ancient and extremely sarcastic djinn Bartimaeus to steal the mysterious Amulet of Samarkand, a dangerous political conspiracy begins to unfold. With magical break ins, shifting disguises and a nail biting final summoning that descends into chaos, this story is packed with humour, danger and unforgettable twists.

Krish shares why Bartimaeus might be one of the funniest characters in fantasy, explores the genius of the hilarious footnotes and reflects on the incredible moment he met Jonathan Stroud in person at a London book launch. He is then joined by fellow podcasters Sam and Dana from New York City, the dynamic duo behind The Bookwards Podcast, for a brilliant conversation about book clubs, family reading and why kids sharing their voices in the book world really matters.

Whether you love clever fantasy, enjoy action packed adventures or want to discover how young readers are becoming book ambassadors, this episode is one you will not want to miss.

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In this episode, Krish explores the final book in an epic trilogy, The Animal in Amy and Jamie by Joe Richardson. Amy and her best friend Jamie face their biggest challenge yet as they try to destroy The Reflection, a magical world full of strange beasts and mysterious energy. With an old villain returning and danger at every turn, this thrilling conclusion is packed with adventure, friendship and brilliant animal facts.

Krish is then joined by the author himself, Joe Richardson, who is also a school teacher, for a fantastic conversation about writing the trilogy, unusual animal facts and getting children excited about reading. From wombat poo to megabats, hot seating activities to the hilarious penguin joke, this chat is full of brilliant insights and surprises, including the story behind Krish, the Ostrich!

Key topics covered in this episode:

• Bringing a trilogy to a satisfying and emotional ending
• The weirdest and most wonderful animal facts
• Fun classroom ideas that make reading exciting
• Helping reluctant readers discover books they love

Follow Joe Richardson

Website https://www.theanimalinamy.com/

Instagram https://www.instagram.com/the.animal.in.amy/

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