Author In Your Classroom

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 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 one, we recommend section 2, which includes Joseph reading his poem This Bear.  Section 1 starts at 00:00 Section 2 starts at 07:48 Section 3 starts at 21.23 Join the Plazoom community by signing up to our newsletter for free resources and special offers at plazoom.com!  ⓣ https://twitter.com/plazoomshop  ⓕ https://www.facebook.com/Plazoom-648739442272915  ⓟ https://www.pinterest.co.uk/plazoom 

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 bit.ly/LStowellpack. 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 one, we recommend section 2, which includes Louie reading from Loki: A Bad God's Guide to Being Good. Section 1 starts at 00:00 Section 2 starts at 14.27 Section 3 starts at 29.25 Join the Plazoom community by signing up to our newsletter for free resources and special offers at plazoom.com!  ⓣ https://twitter.com/plazoomshop  ⓕ https://www.facebook.com/Plazoom-648739442272915  ⓟ https://www.pinterest.co.uk/plazoom 

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, 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 one, we recommend section 2, which includes Jason reading from S.T.E.A.L.T.H: Access Denied. Section 1 starts at 00:00 Section 2 starts at 16:15 Section 3 starts at 31:47 Join the Plazoom community by signing up to our newsletter for free resources and special offers at plazoom.com!  ⓣ https://twitter.com/plazoomshop  ⓕ https://www.facebook.com/Plazoom-648739442272915  ⓟ https://www.pinterest.co.uk/plazoom 

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 and more is available to support this episode at bit.ly/LThompsonpack. 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 one, we recommend section 2, which includes Lisa reading from The Graveyard Riddle. Section 1 starts at 00:00 Section 2 starts at 10.32  Section 3 starts at 22.49 Join the Plazoom community by signing up to our newsletter for free resources and special offers at plazoom.com!  ⓣ https://twitter.com/plazoomshop  ⓕ https://www.facebook.com/Plazoom-648739442272915  ⓟ https://www.pinterest.co.uk/plazoom 

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 in one go, as a sequence spread over several days, or in isolation. If you only have time to listen to one, we recommend section 2, which includes Konnie reading from Fearless Fairy Tales. Section 1 starts at 00:00 Section 2 starts at 11.28 Section 3 starts at 24.16 Join the Plazoom community by signing up to our newsletter for free resources and special offers at plazoom.com!  ⓣ https://twitter.com/plazoomshop  ⓕ https://www.facebook.com/Plazoom-648739442272915  ⓟ https://www.pinterest.co.uk/plazoom 

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 one, we recommend section 2, which includes Justin reading from the first Vampirates book: Demons of the Ocean. Section 1 starts at 00:00 Section 2 starts at 14:13 Section 3 starts at 28:57 Join the Plazoom community by signing up to our newsletter for free resources and special offers at plazoom.com!  ⓣ https://twitter.com/plazoomshop  ⓕ https://www.facebook.com/Plazoom-648739442272915  ⓟ https://www.pinterest.co.uk/plazoom 

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 isolation. If you only have time to listen to one, we recommend section 2, which includes Liz reading an extract from Shoe Wars. Section 1 starts at 00:00 Section 2 starts at 10:04 Section 3 starts at 21:52 Join the Plazoom community by signing up to our newsletter for free resources and special offers at plazoom.com!  ⓣ https://twitter.com/plazoomshop  ⓕ https://www.facebook.com/Plazoom-648739442272915  ⓟ https://www.pinterest.co.uk/plazoom 

Award-winning (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/AIYCMEvans pack. 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 one, we recommend section 2, which includes Maz reading an extract from Vi Spy. Section 1 starts at 00:00 Section 2 starts at 12:53 Section 3 starts at 25:25 Join the Plazoom community by signing up to our newsletter for free resources and special offers at plazoom.com!  ⓣ https://twitter.com/plazoomshop  ⓕ https://www.facebook.com/Plazoom-648739442272915  ⓟ https://www.pinterest.co.uk/plazoom 

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 have time to listen to one, we recommend section 2, which includes Phil reading an extract from When the Sky Falls Section 1 starts at 00:00 Section 2 starts at 13:16 Section 3 starts at 27:46.  Join the Plazoom community by signing up to our newsletter for free resources and special offers at plazoom.com!  ⓣ https://twitter.com/plazoomshop  ⓕ https://www.facebook.com/Plazoom-648739442272915  ⓟ https://www.pinterest.co.uk/plazoom 

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 days, or in isolation. If you only have time to listen to one, we recommend section 2, which includes Jacqueline reading an extract from The Primrose Railway Children. Section 1 starts at 00:00  Section 2 starts at 19:10  Section 3 starts at 34:19. Join the Plazoom community by signing up to our newsletter for free resources and special offers at plazoom.com!  ⓣ https://twitter.com/plazoomshop  ⓕ https://www.facebook.com/Plazoom-648739442272915  ⓟ https://www.pinterest.co.uk/plazoom 

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 over several days, or in isolation. If you only have time to listen to one, we recommend section 2, which includes Lauren reading an extract from Pippi Goes Aboard.  Section 1 starts at 00:00 Section 2 starts at 8:28 Section 3 starts at 24:05 Join the Plazoom community by signing up to our newsletter for free resources and special offers at plazoom.com!  ⓣ https://twitter.com/plazoomshop  ⓕ https://www.facebook.com/Plazoom-648739442272915  ⓟ https://www.pinterest.co.uk/plazoom 

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 is available to support this episode at bit.ly/AIYCRhiannapack. 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 one, we recommend section 2, which includes Rhianna reading an extract from Crystal of Storms, with Helen making the reader choices!  Section 1 starts at 00:00 Section 2 starts at 18:40 Section 3 starts at 30:23  Join the Plazoom community by signing up to our newsletter for free resources and special offers at plazoom.com!  ⓣ https://twitter.com/plazoomshop  ⓕ https://www.facebook.com/Plazoom-648739442272915  ⓟ https://www.pinterest.co.uk/plazoom 

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 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 one, we recommend section 2, which includes Helen reading an extract from The Boy Who Made Everyone Laugh. Section 1 starts at 00:00 Section 2 starts at 10:40 Section 3 starts at 24:05 Join the Plazoom community by signing up to our newsletter for free resources and special offers at plazoom.com!  ⓣ https://twitter.com/plazoomshop  ⓕ https://www.facebook.com/Plazoom-648739442272915  ⓟ https://www.pinterest.co.uk/plazoom 

Michael Rosen - possibly one of the nation's best-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, as a sequence spread over several days, or in isolation. If you only have time to listen to one, we recommend section 2, which includes Michael reading a poem from 'On The Move': 'The Migrants in Me'. Section 1 starts at 00:00 Section 2 starts at 11:45 Section 3 starts at 24:58. Join the Plazoom community by signing up to our newsletter for free resources and special offers at plazoom.com!  ⓣ https://twitter.com/plazoomshop  ⓕ https://www.facebook.com/Plazoom-648739442272915  ⓟ https://www.pinterest.co.uk/plazoom 

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!\r\n\n\nA 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 have time to listen to one, we recommend section 2, which includes Frank reading from Noah\'s Gold.\r\n\n\nSection 1 starts at 00:00\r\n\n\nSection 2 starts at 10:14\r\n\n\nSection 3 starts at 23:29\r\n\n\n\nJoin the Plazoom community by signing up to our newsletter for free resources and special offers at plazoom.com! \r\n\n\nⓣ https://twitter.com/plazoomshop \r\n\n\nⓕ https://www.facebook.com/Plazoom-648739442272915 \r\n\n\nⓟ https://www.pinterest.co.uk/plazoom \r\n

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, as a sequence spread over several days, or in isolation. If you only have time to listen to one, we recommend section 2, which includes Dan reading from Unstoppable. Section 1 starts at 00:00 Section 2 starts at 20:55 Section 3 starts at 33:45 Join the Plazoom community by signing up to our newsletter for free resources and special offers at plazoom.com!  ⓣ https://twitter.com/plazoomshop  ⓕ https://www.facebook.com/Plazoom-648739442272915  ⓟ https://www.pinterest.co.uk/plazoom 

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 have time to listen to one, we recommend section 2, which includes Joan reading from Tiger Skin Rug. Section 1 starts at 00:00 Section 2 starts at 09:59 Section 3 starts at 26:54 Join the Plazoom community by signing up to our newsletter for free resources and special offers at plazoom.com!  ⓣ https://twitter.com/plazoomshop  ⓕ https://www.facebook.com/Plazoom-648739442272915  ⓟ https://www.pinterest.co.uk/plazoom 

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 sequence spread over several days, or in isolation. If you only have time to listen to one, we recommend section 2, which includes Bali reading from Now or Never.  Section 1 starts at 00:00  Section 2 starts at 08:44 Section 3 starts at 23:55 Join the Plazoom community by signing up to our newsletter for free resources and special offers at plazoom.com!  ⓣ https://twitter.com/plazoomshop  ⓕ https://www.facebook.com/Plazoom-648739442272915  ⓟ https://www.pinterest.co.uk/plazoom 

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 in one go, as a sequence spread over several days, or in isolation. If you only have time to listen to one, we recommend section 2, which includes a reading from Windrush Child.  Section 1 starts at 00:00 Section 2 starts at 13:15 Section 3 starts at 26:56  Join the Plazoom community by signing up to our newsletter for free resources and special offers at plazoom.com!  ⓣ https://twitter.com/plazoomshop  ⓕ https://www.facebook.com/Plazoom-648739442272915  ⓟ https://www.pinterest.co.uk/plazoom 

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 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 one, we recommend section 2, which includes the author reading from their own work. Section 1 starts at 00:00 Section 2 starts at 05:43 Section 3 starts at 21:10 Join the Plazoom community by signing up to our newsletter for free resources and special offers at plazoom.com!