Special Christmas Episode! About this episode’s KidLit Classic: Judith Kerr's Mog picture books, first released in the 1970s, and continuing well into the 2000s, have become staple picture book classics and the titular, permanently befuddled character Mog has been named as one of the most influential cats of her generation. In this Christmas special of Kidlit Classics, children's author Allison Rushby discusses why these cosy, warm-hearted, relatable and very funny books stand the test of...

Halloween Special! About this episode’s KidLit Classic: Goosebumps, first released in the 1990s by R.L. Stine, has become a phenomenon of popular culture, the second biggest-selling children's series of all time. Its winning combination of funny, spooky, creepy, and icky body horror made readers out of many young children. Connoisseur of the creepy, children's author Fionna Cosgrove, discusses horror for kids, why Goosebumps is such a cultural icon, and memories of a 90s book-loving...

About this episode’s KidLit Classic: The Paper Bag Princess by Robert Muncsh, and Princess Smartypants by Babette Cole, are two classic 1980s picture books that played with fairytale conventions and presented princesses as strong, resourceful and clever, with just a little bit of sass. Children's picture book author Tracey Dembo discusses how these two books won a place in her heart with their humour, lively illustrations, strong messages, and matter-of-fact subversion of what a 'princess'...

About this episode’s KidLit Classic: Callie's Castle, by NZ-Aussie kidlit legend Ruth Park, was published in1974, the first book about Callie Cameron, her family, their big old house, and the perils of growing up. Children's author, podcaster and kidlit specialist Allison Tait discusses how Callie was a character she instantly connected with, and how this story - with its big heart, empathy, and understanding of family dynamics - is one that has subtly influenced her own work. We have a...

About this episode’s KidLit Classic: Charlotte Sometimes, by Penelope Farmer, was published 1969, the third and best-known of the Aviary Hall trilogy. A time-slip novel that explores identity, loss, and grief, it became somewhat famous when Robert Smith from The Cure adapted many of its lines into a song of the same name. Children's author and kidlit advocate Emily Gale discusses her deeply personal connection with Charlotte Sometimes, how we latch onto fictional characters as children, the...

About this episode’s KidLit Classic: Pastures of the Blue Crane is a 1964 #LoveOzYA written by Hesba Brinsmead. It is a classic coming-of-age story infused with the Australian landscape and racial issues of the time. In this episode, National Centre for Australian Children's Literature volunteer Rowan Simpkin discusses how this book's quintessential 'Australian-ness' appealed to her as a coming-of-age story, about the way it invokes landscape and explores racial prejudice, and of the...

About this episode’s KidLit Classic: Children's poetry, especially nonsense verse, has always been a great way for children to engage with language, ideas, and creative thinking. And Stephen King was the author of choice for many young readers moving on from children's books. In this episode author and poet Mike Lucas chats about poetry for kids - why is it important in engaging young readers, and how has it changed over the years? And he may not be a 'kidlit classic', but Stephen King has...

About this episode’s KidLit Classic: Clockwork Angel is the first book in best-selling author Cassandra Clare's Infernal Devices trilogy, part of her expansive and treasured Shadowhunters world. In this episode children's author Hm Waugh discusses how this was the perfect escapist read that got her into writing her own books for children. We also discuss author's varied journeys to publication, building literary sci-fi worlds for middle grade, and Heather's new book, Mars Underground. About...

About this episode’s KidLit Classic: Hating Alison Ashley, written and published by Robin Klein in the 1980s, is an endearing classic of Aussie #LoveOZMG and #LoveOzYA kidlit. In this episode children's author and editor Cassy Polimeni discusses reading this book as a child and reading it as an adult, its popularity and legacy, and the themes of class and adolescent insecurity that underpin the Erica vs Ashley drama. Cassy tells us about her new picture book, The Garden at the End of the...

About this episode’s KidLit Classic: Anne of Green Gables, released in the early 1900s by Lucy Maud Montgomery, is a true classic of American children's literature. It was the first of many Anne books and  a firm popular culture favourite. In this episode Jo Panckridge talks about her love for this spirited, remarkable little girl, the glorious prose, the rich themes, and the book's legacy. We have a dramatic reading and Jo recommends us some of her latest reads. About this week’s guest, Jo...

About this episode’s KidLit Classic:  Paul Jennings is one of Australia's most loved children's authors. His funny, wacky and heartfelt short stories have been making us laugh and cry for years. In this episode Adrian Beck discusses how Paul Jennings and the Un-series got him and a whole generation of kids into reading, Paul's lasting legacy on Aussie kidlit, why his stories work so well, and the enormous success of television show Round the Twist. As always, we finish with a dramatic...

About this episode’s KidLit Classic: Came Back to Show You I Could Fly is a classic #LoveOzYA book from the 80s and 90s, written by beloved author Robin Klein. In this episode we discuss the remarkable bookish career of Jon Appleton, an editor, children's book historian and advocate for children's literature. His friendship with Robin Klein (and many authors!) began when he was just a bookwormy kid writing letters to his favourite authors, and we find out why Came Back To Show You I Could Fly...

About this episode’s KidLit Classic: Akarnae is the first book in Lynette Noni's classic YA fantasy series The Medoran Chronicles. Published in 2015, it went on to be a bestseller and launch Lynette Noni's career. We discuss how Akarnae became Bianca Breen's window into the #LoveOzYA community, the power of book communities in general, following an author's career from the start, and how Akarnae paved the way for so many of today's Australian authors successfully selling YA fantasy...

About this episode’s KidLit Classic: The Dark is Rising is the second book in Susan Cooper's classic British fantasy series known as The Dark is Rising sequence. Published in 1984, it was a Newberry Honour book and draws heavily on British and Celtic mythology and Arthurian legend. In this episode we discuss just what Will Stanton finds out about himself on one very wintry Midwinter's Eve, how it was the first book children's author Ailsa Wild totally immersed herself in, how it influenced...

About this episode’s KidLit Classic: Ramona Quimby Age 8  is the third book in Beverly Cleary's classic junior fiction series Ramona Quimby. Published in 1981, it was a Newberry Honour book. Along with Judy Blume, the series is often cited as one of the biggest influences on the popularity of contemporary 'real life' stories for children. In this episode we discuss what Ramona Quimby Age 8 is about, why bibliotherapist and children's author Zewlan Moor loves it, the importance of children...

About this episode’s KidLit Classic: Del-Del is a YA psychological thriller from prolific Australian writer, Victor Kelleher. Published in 1992, it was shortlisted for the Carnegie medal and nominated for a Ditmar Award. In this episode we discuss what Del-Del is about, why children’s author Anna Battese loves it, Kelleher's unique writing style and complex world-building, and end with a dramatic reading. About this week’s guest, Anna Battese Anna Battese was once a marine biologist, but...

About this episode’s KidLit Classic: Storm Boy is a 1964 Australian children's novel written by Colin Thiele. Set in the Coorong region of South Australia, it revolves around the bond between a boy and his pelican, and the relationships he forms with his father Hide-Away Tom and outcast Australian Aboriginal man Fingerbone. It has a strong environmental and conservation focus. Storm Boy has been adapted for stage, screen (twice), and radio. The Magic Pudding is a 1918 Australian children's...

About this episode’s KidLit Classic: The Weirdstone of Brisingamen is a children's fantasy classic from legendary English author Alan Garner. Published in 1960, two books in the same world followed it, and it was adapted into radio plays, a musical, and has been cited as one of the most important and influential works of British fantasy for children. In his writing of it, Garner was influenced by the folklore and landscape of Alderley Edge, where grew up. In this episode we discuss what The...

About this episode’s KidLit Classic: Rowan of Rin is a middle grade classic from one of Australia’s most-loved authors, Emily Rodda. Published in 1993, it won the CBCA Book of the Year for Younger Readers in 1994. A further four books went on to be published in the series. In this episode we discuss what Rowan of Rin is about, why guest Bethany Loveridge chose it, Australian children's fantasy in the 90s, and end with a dramatic reading. About this week’s guest, Bethany Loveridge: Bethany...

An introduction to new podcast KidLit Classics, from your host Sam-Ellen Bound. Find out what's in store each episode and join us in celebrating the wonderful kidlit community we're part of. Thanks for listening! Stay up to date - Instagram @Samellenb https://www.samanthaellenbound.com/kidlitclassicspodcast