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Storyshaped
Getting Storyshaped With M.G. Leonard
Today's guest is the BRILLIANT M.G. Leonard, author of some of the best books for young children available today. Her books have been personally inspirational to us, and M.G. herself is such a fount of inspiration, wisdom, and compassion - her insights into writing, the importance of stories, and how she used her own story to reshape her own life, is a must-listen. Come and join us, and find out how M.G. Leonard is Storyshaped.
Books mentioned in this week's episode include M.G.'s own:
Beetle Boy
Beetle Queen
The Battle of the Beetles
The Beetle Collectors' Handbook (non-fiction)
The Tale of a Toothbrush
The Highland Falcon Thief (with Sam Sedgman)
Kidnap on the California Comet (with Sam Sedgman)
Murder on the Safari Star (with Sam Sedgman)
Danger at Dead Man's Pass (with Sam Sedgman)
Sabotage on the Solar Express (with Sam Sedgman)
The Arctic Railway Assassin (with Sam Sedgman)
Twitch
Spark
The stories which shaped her include:
Frances Hodgson Burnett, The Secret Garden
Roald Dahl, The Twits
The Work of Enid Blyton
Astrid Lindgren, Pippi Longstocking
William Shakespeare, Macbeth
E.L. Grant Watson, What to Look for in Autumn (Ladybird Book)
Elise Rousseau and Phillipe J. Dubois, A Short Philosophy of Birds
Our podcast bookshop in Ireland is Halfway Up the Stairs: www.halfwayupthestairs.ie
In the UK, check out our storefront on: https://uk.bookshop.org/shop/Storyshaped. Disclaimer: If you buy books linked to our site, we may earn a commission from bookshop.org, whose fees support independent bookshops.
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9. Getting Storyshaped With Peter Bunzl
01:05:12||Season 3, Ep. 9This week, it's our treat to talk to the prolific Peter Bunzl, whose books are packed with imagination, heart, and a whirling sense of adventure. We chatted Death, the Brontes, and snogging Lord Bertilak, among loads of other bookishly brilliant stuff. Come and join us on our Storyshaped ramble through Peter's writing life.Books mentioned in this week's episode include Peter's own:CogheartMoonlocketSkycircusShadowseaThe Clockwork QueenFeatherlightDragon RacersMagicbornGlassbornAnd the stories which have shaped him include:His Dark Materials, by Philip PullmanBrightstorm, by Vashti HardyThe Mortal Engines series, by Philip ReeveThe Wolves of Willoughby Chase, by Joan AikenThe work of Charles DickensBangers and Mash (an early school reader)The work of Roald DahlWatership Down, by Richard AdamsPlague Dogs, by Richard AdamsThe Iron Man, by Ted HughesSir Gawain and the Green Knight, in all its formats (and Miss Hann, the school teacher who cast Peter as the Green Knight)The BeanoCarl Bark's Donald DuckAsterix, by René Goscinny and Albert Uderzo, et alThe Lord of the Rings, by JRR Tolkien - particularly the audiobook editionThe Hitchhikers' Guide to the Galaxy, by Douglas AdamsThe work of Terry PratchettGormenghast, by Mervyn PeakeThe Wizard of Earthsea, by Ursula K Le GuinA Midsummer Night's Dream, by William ShakespeareMacbeth, by William ShakespeareRomeo and Juliet, by William ShakespeareThe Tempest, by William ShakespeareJonathan Strange and Mr Norrell, by Susanna ClarkeFire and Hemlock, by Diana Wynne JonesPeter the Wild Boy - a historical figurePeter Pan, by JM BarrieGlass Town by Isabel GreenbergThe Magicians Trilogy, by Lev GrossmanThe Magic Toyshop, by Angela CarterIcarus, by Kay AncrumRiddley Walker, by Russell HobanTurtle Diary, by Russell Hoban8. Getting Storyshaped with Sharada Keats
53:32||Season 3, Ep. 8This week, we're sitting down (on a gorgeously tropical beach, no less) with debut YA author Sharada Keats. Sharada's book These Stolen Lives is a gripping, powerfully resonant story of colonisation, resistance, and whacking power across the head with truth - as well as humour, drama, family and found family, and a swoonsome romance. We had a hugely fun and illuminating chat with Sharada about her life, her career, her creative work (and where her writing is going next), and - if you're ready - you can settle back and listen to it all, right now. Sweet!Books mentioned this week include Sharada's own:The Poetical Institute's Particular Powers of Vegetables and FruitThese Stolen LivesThis Shattered Promise (forthcoming)And the books that shaped her include:Arabella and Mortimer, by Joan AikenThe work of Enid BlytonThe work of Roald DahlThe work of Dick King-SmithThe work of Diana Wynne Jones, in particular Archer's GoonMrs Frisby and the Rats of NIMH, by Robert C. O'BrienThe Chronicles of Narnia, by CS LewisThe Dark is Rising, by Susan CooperBlitzcat, by Robert WestallA Wrinkle in Time, by Madeleine l'EngleThe Hobbit, by JRR TolkienThe Halfmen of O, by Maurice GeeI Like This Poem, published by PuffinThe Rattlebag, by Seamus HeaneyThe Crone, by James Herbert BrennanDune, by Frank HerbertThe work of Iain M. BanksThe work of Andre NortonThe work of Orson Scott CardThe work of Jane YolenThe Chrysalids, by John WyndhamHamlet, by William ShakespeareRomeo and Juliet, by William ShakespeareThe Glass Menagerie, by Tennessee WilliamsThe work of John SteinbeckJane Eyre, by Charlotte BronteThe work of Jane AustenAnne of Green Gables, by LM MontgomeryShitty First Draft, by Anne LamottTalks by Malorie Blackman and Patrice LawrenceTowards Asmara, by Thomas KenneallyThe work of Langston HughesThe work of Wole SoyinkaThe work of Rabinadrath TagoreThe work of Maya AngelouThe work of John AgardThe work of Imtiaz DharkerThe work of Tracy ChapmanThe work of Ted HughesThe work of Seamus HeaneyThe work of Michael RosenThe work of Spike MilliganThe work of Roger McGoughThe work of Wislawa SzymborskaThe work of Andrei VoznesenskyThe work of Miroslav HolubThe work of CP CavafySword of the Sun, by Sinéad O'HartThe World Between the Rain, by Susan CahillPeople Like Stars, by Patrice LawrenceTidemagic, by Claire HarlowMission: Microraptor, by Philip KavvadiasThe Murderbot Diaries, by Martha WellsOur podcast bookshop in Ireland is Halfway Up the Stairs: www.halfwayupthestairs.ie. You might also like to check out www.kennys.ie for free shipping within the Republic of Ireland!In the UK, check out our storefront on: https://uk.bookshop.org/shop/Storyshaped. Disclaimer: If you buy books linked to our site, we may earn a commission from bookshop.org, whose fees support independent bookshops.7. Getting Storyshaped with Ian Eagleton
01:04:13||Season 3, Ep. 7We had the immense privilege of speaking with prolific author Ian Eagleton this week on Storyshaped, and it was a heartfelt, moving, and very fun conversation about finding your own voice, fighting against prejudice, and (not) fitting in. Described as 'an inspiration' by Mariah Carey, no less, Ian is not only an author, but also Creative Director of The Reading Realm, which aims to be a resource centre for anyone who loves children's books; a former teacher; a learning resources provider, as well as a husband and a dad. Join us for a gorgeous trip down the winding road of Ian's Storyshaped life.Books mentioned on this week's episode include Ian's own:Nen and the Lonely Fisherman (ill. James Mayhew)The Woodcutter and the Snow Prince (ill. Davide Ortu)Violet's Tempest (ill. Clara Anganuzzi)Rory's Room of Rectangles (ill. Jessica Knight)Millie's Big Decision (ill. Max Rambaldi)Glitter BoyThe Boy Who Cried GhostAnd the stories which shaped him include:The Goosebumps series, by RL Stine The Alfie and Annie Rose books, by Shirley HughesRoger's Red Hat, Jennifer's Yellow Hat, Billy's Blue Hat (Reading scheme school readers)The Little Mermaid, in all its forms, from the original fairy tale by Hans Christian Andersen to the recent Disney live-action remake of its own animated classicSuper Gran, by Forrest WilsonThe work of Simon James GreenHideous Beauty, by William HusseyThe Amber Spyglass, by Philip PullmanA Fairly Honourable Defeat, by Irish MurdochPirate Mums, by Jodie Lancet-Grant and Lydia CorrieMy Daddies!, by Gareth Peter and Garry ParsonsGrandad's Camper, by Harry WoodgateThe work of John GrishamThis Place Has No Atmosphere, by Paula DanzigerThe work of Paula DanzigerThe work of Judy BlumeDodos Are Not Extinct!, by Paddy DonnellyAnd... the Life, Work, and Art of the one and only Mariah Carey.Our podcast bookshop in Ireland is Halfway Up the Stairs: www.halfwayupthestairs.ie. You might also like to check out www.kennys.ie for free shipping within the Republic of Ireland!In the UK, check out our storefront on: https://uk.bookshop.org/shop/Storyshaped. Disclaimer: If you buy books linked to our site, we may earn a commission from bookshop.org, whose fees support independent bookshops.6. Getting Storyshaped with Clara Kumagai
01:06:18||Season 3, Ep. 6Have you ever wondered what would happen if time started to go a bit wibbly-wobbly? How it might affect the planet, the seasons, wildlife, populations - all the way down to the individual? Well, time getting a bit wibbly-wobbly is one of the themes in Clara Kumagai's amazing debut novel Catfish Rolling, which we discuss on today's podcast, along with LOADS of books that make Clara her Storyshaped self. From Japan to Canada to Ireland to... somewhere in space and time, come with us as we wander through Clara's Storyshaped life.Books mentioned on this week's episode include Clara's own:A Girl Named Indigo (published in Japan as Indigo wo sagashite), illustrated by Yokosuka KaoriCatfish RollingSongs for Ghosts (forthcoming)And the stories which have shaped her include:Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice SendakNoughts and Crosses by Malorie BlackmanMemoirs of a Geisha by Arthur Golden (an example of bad representation!)The Private Life of Plants by David AttenboroughThe Narnia books, particularly Voyage of the Dawn Treader, by CS LewisThe Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson BurnettAcross the Nightingale Floor by Lian HearnThe Babysitters' Club, created by Ann M. Martin American Born Chinese (graphic novel series), by Gene Luen YangThe work of Joy KogawaThe work of Paul YeeThe story of Madama ButterflyAnnihilation, by Jeff Vander MeerHis Dark Materials, by Philip PullmanThe Wizard of Earthsea, by Ursula Le GuinThe Dark is Rising, by Susan CooperThe Night Watch, by Terry PratchettGuards! Guards!, by Terry PratchettLords and Ladies, by Terry PratchettSnuff, by Terry PratchettThe Hogfather, by Terry PratchettFun and Games, by John Patrick McHughThe work of Ann Sei Lin The work of Adiba JaigirdarHyo the Hellmaker, by Mina Ikemoto GhoshInterior Chinatown, by Charles YuAn Illustrated Guide to TimeOur podcast bookshop (for children's books) in Ireland is Halfway Up the Stairs: www.halfwayupthestairs.ie. If you're in Ireland, you might also like to check out kennys.ie for free shipping, island-wide.In the UK, check out our storefront on: https://uk.bookshop.org/shop/Storyshaped. Disclaimer: If you buy books linked to our site, we may earn a commission from bookshop.org, whose fees support independent bookshops.5. A Belated Q&A Episode: Part 2
36:46||Season 3, Ep. 5Annnnnd here you go! Part Two of our long-awaited* Questions and Answers episode, where we tackle some of the fiendishly difficult queries sent in by listeners, including: 'Were you introduced to any new authors in doing the podcast?' (SPOILER: yes!), 'Should stories for children always end with hope?' (SPOILER: no spoilers 'ere, you've got to listen), and 'what are your predictions for the next 5 years?' (SPOILER: *spooky music*)These episodes were so much fun to record and release, and we hope you enjoy the window into our podcast's production and planning (haphazard, at best), and that you get a sense of the magic that makes it work. Enjoy! And we're back next week with a brilliant author interview - don't miss it!*I mean, chances are SOMEONE was waiting for it...4. A Belated Q&A Episode: Part 1
38:40||Season 3, Ep. 4We're nothing if not PROFESSIONAL and TIMELY around here... Oh, yes! *cough*Yeah, all right. So, on occasion, we do slip up a bit with the whole 'organisational skills' stuff. Here we have Part 1 of a 2-part episode, in which we attempt to answer the fiendishly tricky questions sent in by listeners. The fact that these questions were sent in so long ago that neither of us can remember exactly when? Psssshaw. Surely irrelevant. (But seriously: thanks to the listeners who sent in these questions, not just for the questions themselves, but for their patience in waiting for the answers!)We tackle things like: what we've learned since becoming podcasters and what we wish we'd known before we started (spoiler: LOADS); books we'd recommend from the past three years (spoiler: ALSO LOADS); whether our definitions of 'Storyshaped' have changed since we started podcasting (spoiler: A BIT), and loads more. There'll be part 2 of this episode next week, and then after that we'll be back into the guest interviews (and spoiler: they're AMAZING). For now, sit back, relax, and enjoy our Q and A episode: Part 1!3. A Deep Dive into Joan Aiken's The Wolves of Willoughby Chase
53:45||Season 3, Ep. 3Get settled into your favourite chair, a glass of whatever pleases you in hand, and come with us on a journey through Joan Aiken's tiny masterpiece, The Wolves of Willoughby Chase. In it, we discuss not only Aiken's book, but also make mention of The Way Past Winter by Kiran Millwood Hargrave, The Chronicles of Narnia by CS Lewis, and lots of other snowy, wintry children's stories.This year, 2024, marks Joan Aiken's centenary - she would have turned 100 years old in September - so it's doubly appropriate that we salute the end of the year with a trip through one of her best loved books. Have you got your ice-skates on? Let's go - and watch out for the wooooooooooooolves....2. Getting Storyshaped with Cariad Lloyd
56:08||Season 3, Ep. 2Today's episode is a chat with the brilliant Cariad Lloyd - podcaster extraordinaire (make sure to check out her award-winning and brilliant shows Sara and Cariad's Weirdos Book Club and Griefcast), actress and improv genius, parent, comedian, and author. We were delighted to have her join us on Storyshaped for a heartfelt and hilarious discussion about the stories which have shaped her throughout her remarkable life. Get settled... grab a cup of something delicious... and enjoy!Books mentioned in this week's episode include Cariad's own:You Are Not AloneThe Christmas Wish-TastropheAnd the books which shaped her include:The Moomins series by Tove JanssonThe Harry Potter series by JK RowlingThe Redwall series by Brian JacquesThe work of Judy BlumeThe Brambly Hedge books by Jill BarklemThe Fairy Rebel by Lynne Reid BanksThe work of Anne FineThe Lord of the Rings by JRR TolkienThe Collected Work of the Brothers GrimmShogun by James ClavellThe Asterix comics by René Goscinny, Albert Uderzo, Jean-Yves Ferri, Didier ConradThe Tin-Tin comics by HergéBallet Shoes by Noel StreatfeildThe work of Terry Pratchett, including Carpet People, Diggers, and TruckersMansfield Park by Jane AustenThe Grimwood series by Nadia ShireenBilly and the Pirates by Nadia ShireenClarice Bean by Lauren ChildThe work of John BurninghamOn-screen stories include:Pride and Prejudice (BBC, 1995)Some Like it Hot (1959)The Ricki Lake Show (1993 - 2004)Neighbours (1985 - present)The Simpsons (1989 - present)And... the Stephanie Burgis books Sinéad mentions are: A Most Improper Magick (Bk 1); A Tangle of Magicks (Bk 2); A Reckless Magick (Bk 3), available via Piccadilly Press or your fave bookseller! More information is available here: stephanieburgis.comOur podcast bookshop in Ireland is Halfway Up the Stairs: www.halfwayupthestairs.ieIn the UK, check out our storefront on: https://uk.bookshop.org/shop/Storyshaped. Disclaimer: If you buy books linked to our site, we may earn a commission from bookshop.org, whose fees support independent bookshops.1. Epic Christmas Gift Guide
01:13:58||Season 3, Ep. 1WE'RE BACK, Storyshapers!Today's episode is a MEGA AWESOME EPIC BUMPER Christmas gift guide - and when we say 'gift', we mean 'books'. Obviously. We're sharing some of the brilliant reads we've enjoyed this year and which we think would make great Christmas presents (or just 'Midwinter' presents, or indeed 'Holiday' presents, if Christmas ain't your vibe. It's all good!) This isn't to say that there aren't a TON more fantastic books out there - we know we missed some! - so please do let us know which ones you think we could've included, what you think of our choices, and if you've enjoyed any of them already.On with the show!Books mentioned in this episode include:Last Stop on the Reindeer Express by Maudie Powell-Tuck and Karl J MountfordLittle Lion Girl by Olivia Hope and Fiona WoodcockDinosaur Pie by Jen Wallace and Alan O’RourkePanda and Penguin Find a Thing by Zehra HicksWolf and Bear by Kate RolfeFaedom by Lorna White, Agnes Monod-Gayroud, and Nadzeya MakeyevaBertha and Blink: Rumble in the Jungle by Nicola ColtonJasper and Scruff (series) by Nicola ColtonA Dublin Christmas by Nicola ColtonLola and Larch Make a Winter Wish by Sinéad O’Hart and Rachel SeagoThe House at the End of the Sea by Victoria M. AdamsThe Christmas Wish-tastrophe by Cariad Lloyd, illustrated by Ma PeThe World Between the Rain by Susan CahillSword of the Sun by Sinéad O'HartThe Imaginary by AF Harrold and Emily GravettThe Worlds We Leave Behind AF Harrold and Levi PinfoldThe Song From Somewhere Else AF Harrold and Levi PinfoldThe October Witches by Jennifer ClaessenThe November Witches by Jennifer ClaessenThe December Witches by Jennifer ClaessenMagicalia: Race of Wonders by Jennifer BellSpooksmiths Investigate: The Cinderman by Alex AtkinsonBird Boy by Catherine BrutonI Am Wolf by Alastair ChisholmDreamhunters by Nazima PathanThe Kingdom Over the Sea by Zohra NabiSafiyyah's War by Hiba Noor KhanThe Stitchwort Curse by Alexandra DaweOne Chance Dance by Efua TraoréTide Magic: The Many Faces of Ista Flit by Clare HarlowGargoyles: Guardians of the Source by Tamsin MoriThe Storm Swimmer by Clare WezeFlame Chasers by Julie PikeTerra Electrica: The Guardians of the North by Antonia MaxwellThese Stolen Lives by Sharada KeatsBraids Take a Day by Zainab BoladaleDon't Touch My Hair by Emma DabiriSplinters by Rachel DelahayeSteady for This by Nathanael LessoreThunder City by Philip ReeveThe Haunted Wood: A History of Childhood Reading by Sam LeithWolfish: The Stories We Tell About Fear, Ferocity and Freedom by Erica BerryA Map for Falasteen by Maysa Odeh, Aliaa BetawiIn the UK, check out our storefront on: https://uk.bookshop.org/shop/Storyshaped. Disclaimer: If you buy books linked to our site, we may earn a commission from bookshop.org, whose fees support independent bookshops.In Ireland, check out www.kennys.ie for free shipping within Ireland (yay!)Please try to support your local bookshops with your purchases. Happy reading!