In this very special episode, current Children's Laureate Joseph Coelho talks to Helen about his hopes and ambitions for his time as Laureate - and especially, his flagship project: 'Poetry Prompts', which invites everyone in the nation to become a poet, through weekly videos exploring different aspects of the craft.  A resources pack, including teaching notes, planning sheets, working wall elements and more is available to support this episode at bit.ly/JCoelhopack.  This episode is divided...

Loki: A Bad God's Guide to Being Good is a fantastically funny book, written and illustrated by Louie Stowell. In this episode of AIYC, Louie joins Helen to talk about the Norse mythology on which the novel is based, what happens when you poo in a space rocket, how to kickstart your writing when you're just not in the mood – and much more besides! A resources pack, including teaching notes, planning sheets, working wall elements and more is available to support this episode at...

An action-packed adventure with amazing characters and a gripping storyline is tricky to write, but this is precisely what Jason Rohan manages to do with the first book in his new high-octane series - S.T.E.A.L.T.H: Access Denied. And in this thrilling episode of AIYC, he explains exactly how... A resources pack, including teaching notes, planning sheets, working wall elements and more is available to support this episode at bit.ly/JRohanpack. This episode is divided into three sections,...

Coming up with new ideas for characters is one of the most enjoyable - and challenging - tasks facing established authors and young writers alike. In this episode of AIYC, Lisa Thompson talks to Helen about her latest novel, The Graveyard Riddle, which features some familiar faces alongside a new creation or two, and explains how she 'magpies' ideas all the time, in case they might one day end up in a story. A resources pack, including teaching notes, planning sheets, working wall elements...

It's so important that children are able to see themselves in books - which is why Konnie Huq's Fearless Fairy Tales is an important, as well as a wildly funny and enjoyable, read; and her chat with Helen in this episode is a riot of joyful positivity from start to finish! A resources pack, including teaching notes, planning sheets, working wall elements and more is available to support this episode at bit.ly/KHuqpack. This episode is divided into three sections, which can be listened to...

Justin Somper drops into AIYC to explain how he got the idea to blend myth and history in his fantastic Vampirates series - and issues a musical challenge to listeners! A resources pack, including teaching notes, planning sheets, working wall elements and more is available to support this episode at bit.ly/JSomperpack. This episode is divided into three sections, which can be listened to in one go, as a sequence spread over several days, or in isolation. If you only have time to listen to...

Liz Pichon - creator of the wildly popular Tom Gates series - puts down her pens for long enough to chat with Helen about her latest book, Shoe Wars... and just how much fun it is to write a real villain!  A resources pack, including teaching notes, planning sheets, working wall elements and more is available to support this episode at bit.ly/AIYCLPichonpack. This episode is divided into three sections, which can be listened to in one go, as a sequence spread over several days, or in...

Best-selling (although she REALLY doesn't like to talk about it...) author Maz Evans joins Helen for a joyful, inspiring and wonderfully daft discussion about all things writing-related; and why there's no such thing as a child who 'can't write a story'. A resources pack, including teaching notes, planning sheets, working wall elements and more is available to support this episode at bit.ly/AIYCMEvanspack. This episode is divided into three sections, which can be listened to in one go, as a...

Phil Earle speaks to Helen about the story that inspired him to write his brilliant MG novel When the Sky Falls – and reminds listeners that there’s more than one way to be ‘a reader’... A resources pack, including teaching notes, planning sheets, working wall elements and more is available to support this episode at bit.ly/AIYCPEarlepack.  This episode is divided into three sections, which can be listened to in one go, as a sequence spread over several days, or in isolation. If you only...

Undoubtedly a legend in the world of children's writing, Dame Jacqueline Wilson shares some of the secrets of her extraordinary success with listeners - including the importance, sometimes, of NOT doing your research... A resources pack, including teaching notes, planning sheets, working wall elements and more is available to support this episode at bit.ly/AIYCJWilsonpack. This episode is divided into three sections, which can be listened to in one go, as a sequence spread over several...

One of the UK's best-loved author illustrators, Lauren Child, spends an uplifting half hour with Helen, discussing her own characters, what it means to illustrate other people's words, and how to spot a good idea when it comes to you. A resources pack, including teaching notes, planning sheets, working wall elements and more is available to support this episode at bit.ly/AIYCLaurenpack. This episode is divided into three sections, which can be listened to in one go, as a sequence spread...

Storytelling takes many forms - and in this episode, the supremely talented Rhianna Pratchett explains to Helen why writing for video games is such a uniquely challenging, enjoyable and satisfying way to do exactly that; and how she has now used that experience to create a ‘choose your own adventure’ book where, as in a game, the reader’s choices can genuinely change the direction of the narrative. A resources pack, including teaching notes, planning sheets, working wall elements and more...

Actress and comedian Helen Rutter drops into the podcast to talk about her debut novel. Titled The Boy Who Made Everyone Laugh, it's a funny and touching story about Billy Plimpton, who is just starting secondary school, is desperate to become a stand-up comic... and who is also living with a stutter. A resources pack, including teaching notes, planning sheets, working wall elements and more is available to support this episode at bit.ly/AIYCHelenRutterpack. This episode is divided into...

Michael Rosen - possibly one of the nation's most-loved poets and authors - shares some of his best writing tips with listeners, and also talks about his latest collection of poetry, 'On the Move', and why the topic of migration is so powerful for him. A resources pack, including teaching notes, planning sheets, working wall elements and more is available to support this episode at bit.ly/AIYCMichaelRosenpack.  This episode is divided into three sections, which can be listened to in one go,...

Screenwriter and author Frank Cottrell-Boyce pops into the podcast to discuss his brand-new children's novel, Noah's Gold - and why the internet can cause a real problem for storytellers! A resources pack, including teaching notes, planning sheets, working wall elements and more is available to support this episode at bit.ly/AIYCFrankCBpack. This episode is divided into three sections, which can be listened to in one go, as a sequence spread over several days, or in isolation. If you only...

Former sports journalist and author of the wildly popular Jamie Johnson series of books, Dan Freedman, drops in to the podcast to discuss his latest novel, Unstoppable - and how it's possible to turn a passion into fuel for developing reading and writing. A resources pack, including teaching notes, planning sheets, working wall elements and more is available to support this episode at bit.ly/AIYCDanFresourcepack. This episode is divided into three sections, which can be listened to in one go,...

Joan Haig joins Helen Mulley to talk about her captivating debut novel, Tiger Skin Rug, and what it feels like as an author to turn an ordinary object into something truly magical... A resources pack, including teaching notes, planning sheets, working wall elements and more is available to support this episode at bit.ly/AIYCJoanresourcepack. This episode is divided into three sections, which can be listened to in one go, as a sequence spread over several days, or in isolation. If you only...

Bali Rai, author of Now or Never (part of Scholastic's brilliant 'Voices' series) has some powerful things to say about the responsibility involved in telling true stories from history - especially from a perspective that hasn't been heard before... A resources pack, including teaching notes, planning sheets, working wall elements and more is available to support this episode at bit.ly/AIYCBaliresourcepack.This episode is divided into three sections, which can be listened to in one go, as a...

Poet, playwright, author, musician and performer Benjamin Zephaniah explains how and why he writes, discusses the historical truth behind his latest novel, Windrush Child, and has some powerful advice for children struggling to find their voice, and make it heard... A resources pack, including teaching notes, planning sheets, working wall elements and more is available to support this episode at bit.ly/AIYCBenZresourcepack. This episode is divided into three sections, which can be listened to...

Author Catherine Doyle, best-known for her Storm Keeper series of middle grade novels, talks to Helen Mulley about her latest book: a captivating reimagining of A Christmas Carol… but including the purple reindeer and mischievous Elf on the Shelf that Dickens somehow forgot to include in the original… A free resources pack, including teaching notes, planning sheets, working wall elements and more is available to support this episode at bit.ly/AIYCCatDresourcepack.This episode is divided into...

One of the nation’s best-loved storytellers, Michael Morpurgo, joins presenter Helen Mulley to discuss where his stories come from (hint: he doesn’t conjure them out of nowhere), and why it’s so important for him to write about what really matters, especially when the world is looking strange and uncomfortable.A free resources pack, including teaching notes, planning sheets, working wall elements and more is available to support this episode at bit.ly/AIYCMMresourcepack.This episode is...

Stand-up comedian, TV presenter, author and massive space-geek Dara Ó Briain has some fantastic advice for children about finding their passion and then explaining it to others with enthusiasm, clarity and some very well-chosen jokes... A resources pack, including teaching notes, planning sheets, working wall elements and more is available to support this episode at bit.ly/AIYCDOBresourcepack. This episode is divided into three sections, which can be listened to in one go, as a sequence...

DJ, TV presenter and author of the wildly popular Toto the Ninja Cat series of books for children joins the podcast to talk about how good research can inspire truly outstanding stories, sharing plenty of anecdotes and writing advice along the way! A resources pack, including teaching notes, planning sheets, working wall elements and more is available to support this episode at bit.ly/AIYCDOLresourcepack.This episode is divided into three sections, which can be listened to in one go, as a...

Doctor, scientist, TV presenter and author Professor Robert Winston discusses his latest book for young readers, Inventors: Incredible Stories of the World’s Most Ingenious Inventions – and offers advice for children on how they can produce really engaging non-fiction writing… and why they really, really, don’t want to be a ‘genius’!A resources pack, including teaching notes, planning sheets, working wall elements and more is available to support this episode at...