School Reading List podcast | Listen online for free

Available Episodes

5 of 37

Episode 36 - Using AI to help students with difficult GCSE set books and exam comprehensions
School Reading List podcast hosted by Tom TolkienSeason 1: Episode 36For transcripts, resources & show notes, see https://schoolreadinglist.co.uk/podcasts/series-1-episode-36/Part 1Book postLetters from the Upside by Katya BalenAll About Antarctica by Marc MartinTo Activate Space Portal Lift Here by Antoinette PortisThe Bear Who Wanted to Dance by Stephanie StansbieSquirrel and Bird by Laura Baker and Stacey ThomasPizza Pete and the Peculiar Professor by Carrie SellonThe Diary of Whiska Wildflower by Harriet MuncasterTime Travel Is NOT My Superpower by Nathanael LessoreCoach by Jason ReynoldsScarlet Morning by N. D. StevensonSpace Tour by Collins KidsKofi and the Brand New Vibe by Jeffrey BoakyeThe Lion Cub’s Secret by Lauren St JohnOwl King by Bex HoganBe Right Back by Bill WoodWe Three Witches by Rosie TalbotThe Transition by Logan-Ashley KisnerRundown - top 30 children's and YA books to buy in November 2025Silent Night by Emma ReadAsk Me Anything by Bethany RutterRune: The Tale of the Obsidian Maze by Carlos SanchezCoach by Jason Reynolds & Selom SunuWild Journey by A. M. Dassu & Joe LillingtonSpin a Story by Catherine Brereton & Susie BrooksGhost by Finbar HawkinsThe Gland Factory by Rachel Poliquin & Clayton HanmerA Field Guide to Winter by Gabby Dawnay & Dorien BrouwersHot Food: Nice! by Michael Rosen & Neal LaytonThe House Saphir by Marissa MeyerThe Snow Girl by Sophie Anderson & Melissa CastrillonDinosaur Friends by Miles KellyAnya's Quest by Jasbinder Bilan & Jane RaySnow by Meera TrehanBluey: The Sign by BlueyHilda and Twig: Wake the Ice Man by Luke PearsonMy Small World: Frozen by Caryl Hart & Harry WoodgateHouse of Salt and Sorrows by Erin A. CraigMullets by Nick SharrattX-Mas Marks the Spot by Paul WestmorelandMy Big Fat Christmas Poo Diary by Jim SmithWe Fell Apart by E. LockhartDog Man 14: Big Jim Believes by Dav PilkeyWhat If… Every Volcano Erupted at Once? by Emma Young & Super FreakPlanet Earth by Shoshana WeiderGirls Like Me by Rebel GirlsThings Scientists Don't Know Yet by Peter Gallivan & Daniela GambaRobotics by Kate PeridotThe Secret History of Christmas by Catherine SaundersNovember 2025 books of the monthFiction: Wild Journey by A. M. DassuNonfiction: Flush It Down by Rob FlowersPicture book: Mullets by Nick SharrattPart 2Careers books for children and teensNew book pitches: The Collaborator by TG Trouper, Sally the Spider’s new shoes by Clodagh Ryan, Anna Denton & The Water of Life by Vaughan Hawthorne-NelsonPart 3Using AI to help students with difficult GCSE set booksCredits & licensing3rd party sounds are licensed. Audit: https://bit.ly/3TFkwslSupport the show
--------
36:44
--------
36:44
Episode 35 - A library in every primary: what £10m means
School Reading List podcast hosted by Tom TolkienSeason 1: Episode 35For transcripts, resources & show notes, see https://schoolreadinglist.co.uk/podcasts/series-1-episode-35/Part 1Book postEverything Amplified by Sarah Lippett and Ziggy HanaorThe Incredible Pop-up Frog by Ben HoareOh Dear, Look What I Got! by Michael Rosen and Helen OxenburyThe Cave Downwind of the Café by Mikey PleaseI See a Star by Saskia GwinnHank Meets Frank by Maudie Powell-Tuck and Duncan BeedieBrown Girl in the Snow by Yolanda T. MarshallThis Book is Too Quiet! by Cristina CubellsHarriet Tubman, Force of Nature by Caroline BrewerMore Tales from Shakespeare by Michael MorpurgoTales of Ghosts and Hauntings by Susan MartineauBigg School: Selfie Queen by Lisa WilliamsonThe Fate of Podkin One-Ear by Kieran LarwoodKeep Your Friends Close by Cynthia MurphySad Girl Hours by Anna Zoe QuirkeA Match Made in Hell by Charlotte InghamRundown - top 30 children's and YA books to buy in October 2025Wyrdwood by Curtis JoblingSquirrel and Bird by Laura Baker & Stacey ThomasThe Street Where Santa Lives by Harriet HoweRoar by Manjeet MannAvalanche by Simon FoxThe Notted Island by Katherine ChildThe Forever Bear by Lu FraserClassic Fairy Tales by Hans Christian AndersenThe Bear Who Wanted to Dance by Stephanie StansbieThe Boy Who Grew Dragons: A Christmas Delivery by Andy Shepherd & Sarah WarburtonThe Ocean at Night by Isabelle SimlerMy Friend, Billy Whiskers by David LitchfieldThe Butterfly House by Harry WoodgateThe Story of Gold by Meel TamphanonThe Fantastical Safari by Kristjana S WilliamsAtlas of Mythical Journeys by Iryna DobrovetskaBe Right Back by Bill WoodYou've Found Oliver by Dustin ThaoIce Dancer by Alex CotterSoup Time Around the World by Denyse WaissbluthThe House with the Little Red Door by Grace EastonThe Hidden Wisdom of Animals by Kate SiberForest of Hearts by M.A. KuzniarStep Inside a Fairy Tale by Helen MortimerExploring the Universe by Isabel ThomasCoach by Jason ReynoldsTime for a Bath, Animals by Ben LerwillVote Wolf by Davide Cali & Magali ClaveletWitchlore by Emma HindsMoth Dark by Kika HatzopoulouThe Last Day of October by Phil HickesOctober 2025 books of the monthFiction: Letters from the Upside by Katya BalenNonfiction: All About Antarctica by Marc MartinPicture book: To Activate Space Portal Lift Here by Antoinette PortisPart 2Myths for childrenNew book pitches: The Collaborator by TG Trouper, Sally the Spider’s new shoes by Clodagh Ryan, Anna Denton & The Water of Life by Vaughan Hawthorne-NelsonPart 3A library in every primary: what £10m meansCredits & licensing3rd party sounds are licensed. Audit: https://bit.ly/3TFkwslSupport the show
--------
47:13
--------
47:13
Episode 34 - Books that rival screens and social media
School Reading List podcast hosted by Tom TolkienSeason 1: Episode 34For transcripts & show notes see https://schoolreadinglist.co.uk/podcasts/series-1-episode-34/Part 1Book postGloam by Jack MackayThere Are Amphibians Everywhere by Britta TeckentrupThe Museum of Shapes by Sven VolkerHow to Catch an Idea by Forest XiaoThe Coming of the Iron Man by Ted HughesMy Brother Is a Tiger by Joaquin CampLuna Grace: Girl from Outer Space by Julie SykesMap to Starlight Hollow by Rebecca Lewis-OakesThe Notwitches: Prison Break by Gary PantonHow to Get Magically Popular by Radhika SanghaniMoonboy by Anna CiddorWintour's Fate by Brían DunganiNSiDE by Sally GalesGirls of Dark Divine by E. V. WoodsRundown - top 30 children's and YA books to buy in September 2025Old Oak and Little Acorn by Elena Mannion & Erin BrownThe Guardians of Dreamdark: Windwitch by Laini TaylorBritannica All New Children’s Encyclopedia by Christopher LloydHistory's Most Epic Fails by Athena KugblenuHank Meets Frank by Maudie Powell-TuckWhat Feelings Do at Night by Tina OziewiczEverybody Has a Fear by Koleka Putuma & Amanda MijangosThe Cave Downwind of the Café by Mikey PleaseThe Search for Our Cosmic Neighbours by Chloe SavageWhoosh!: Adventures with Grandad by Sam UsherDance of Resistance by Catherine JohnsonThe Rebel and the Rose by Catherine DoyleThirst by Darren SimpsonThe Wizard's Guide to Magical Experiments by Amanda WoodRole Model by Elle McNicollDead Yard: Seeds of Doom by P. J. KillburnFold-Out + Play: Doll's House by Ingela P ArrheniusWhere the Dead Live by Sam Fern and Romolo D’HipolitoThe Fear by Tom PalmerTalk Like an Aztec by Tegen Evans & Nina ChakrabartiA Tree is a Time Machine by Rob Sears & Tom SearsNo Escape by M.A. BennettBy sea and sky by Lela Nargi & Xuan LeThe Incredible Pop-up Frog by Ben HoareFright Club: Let's Boo This! by Sibeal PounderLetters from the Upside by Katya BalenBUST OR TRUST by Small Wardour & Sam PeetMythical Tales by Laura Sampson & Lilla BoleczChampions of the Galaxy by Tola OkogwuMake Me a Monster by Kalynn BayronSeptember 2025 books of the monthFiction: Everything Amplified by Sarah Lippett & Ziggy HanaorNonfiction: The Incredible Pop-up Frog by Ben Hoare & Jasmine FloydPicture book: Oh Dear, Look What I Got! by Michael Rosen & Helen OxenburyPart 2Our rundown of new children's and YA books for Autumn 2025.New book pitches: The Collaborator by TG Trouper, Sally the Spider’s new shoes by Clodagh Ryan, Anna Denton & The Water of Life by Vaughan Hawthorne-NelsonPart 3Books that rival screens and social media Credits & licensing3rd party sounds are licensed. Audit: https://bit.ly/3TFkwslSupport the show
--------
43:50
--------
43:50
Episode 33 - The UK National Year of Reading 2026
School Reading List podcast hosted by Tom TolkienSeason 1: Episode 33For transcripts, resources, show notes and contact details, see https://schoolreadinglist.co.uk/podcasts/series-1-episode-33/Part 1Book postSuper Goat Girl by Tracey Baptiste, illustrated by Dapo AdeolaDomain by Rohan GavinDinosaur Desert: A Prehistoric Journey of Discovery by Dr Nick CrumptonGo Go Dodo! by Huw Lewis Jones, illustrated by Fred BluntEvery Botty Burps by Becky Wilson, illustrated by Alex PatrickGeorge and Lenny Are Always Together by Jon AgeeFarah's Nose by Humera MalikMy Big Fat Smelly Poo Diary 3 by Jim SmithThe Poetry World of John Agard by John AgardCruise Ship Kid by Emma SwanMission: Monster Mind by Philip KavvadiasRayleigh Mann and the Quest of Misfits by Ciannon SmartThings I Learned While I Was Dead by Kathryn ClarkPoison Tides by Jay McGuinessDen of Liars by Jessica S. OlsonRundown - top 30 children's and YA books to buy in August 2025The Moonlighters by Lee NewberyMaisie vs the Himalayas by Jack JackmanShoes!: A footwear fashion frolic by Anna Davies and Daisy WynterThe Museum of Shapes by Sven VolkerBear by Kiri LightfootLet's Be Earthlings by Mary MurphyAll Together Now: Collected Poems by Michaela MorganGloam by Jack MackayThe Coming of the Iron Man by Ted Hughes and Mini GreyLove on Sight by Asli JensenThe Notwitches: Prison Break by Gary PantonA First Book of Bugs by Simon Mole and Adam MingThere Are Amphibians Everywhere by Britta TeckentrupHow to Catch an Idea by Forest XiaoEnter the Endgame by Triona CampbellPooems by Kes GrayThe Forest of Dreams by Merve AtilganSometimes You Find a Dragon by Viviane SchwarzDungeon Runners: Ocean Chase by Kieran Larwood and Joe Todd StantoniNSiDE by S.A. GalesYou and Me and the Peanut-Butter Beast by Andy GriffithsGirls of Dark Divine by E.V. WoodsBuffalo Fluffalo by Bess Kalb and Erin KraanOxford Blood by Rachael Davis-FeatherstoneA Totally Big Umbrella by Sarah Crossan and Rebecca CobbColin’s Grandma by Holly SwainThe Game I Will Never Forget by Onjali Q. RaufNot Going To Plan by Tia FisherLittle Snail Goes House-Hunting by Bia MeloFox and the Mystery Letter by Alex G GriffithsGeomancer: The Ship of Strays by Kiran Millwood HargraveAugust 2025 books of the monthFiction: Gloam by Jack MackayNonfiction: There Are Amphibians Everywhere by Britta TeckentrupPicture book: The Museum of Shapes by Sven VolkerPart 2Audiobooks for TeensNew book pitches: A Book of Baby Birds by I. S. Thomas, Sally the Spider’s new shoes by Clodagh Ryan, Anna Denton & The Water of Life by Vaughan Hawthorne-NelsonPart 3The National Year of Reading 2026 Credits & licensing3rd party sounds are licensed. Audit: https://bit.ly/3TFkwslSupport the show
--------
34:34
--------
34:34
Episode 32 - What are picture books, and why are they useful?
School Reading List podcast hosted by Tom TolkienSeason 1: Episode 32For transcripts, resources, show notes and contact details, see https://schoolreadinglist.co.uk/podcasts/series-1-episode-32/Part 1Book postSkipshock by Caroline O’DonoghueThe Great Pollination Investigation by Deborah HockingSnarky Sharky by Bethan Clarke, illustrated by Nikolas IlicI Hear the Trees by Zaro WeilCarnival Queen by Donette Williams-Harry, illustrated by Amelie-Anne CalmoMy Friend May by Julie FlettNoah’s New Home by Zeshan Akhter, illustrated by Nabila AdaniYou Decide Your Adventure by Bear GryllsWords Can Fly by Donna Ashworth and Eirinn McGuinessNaeli and the Secret Song by Jasbinder BilanGreenwild: The Forest in the Sky by Pari ThomsonAlyssa and the Enchanted Forest by Alexandra SheppardRun Away with Me by J. L. SimmondsLike a Love Story by Abdi NazemianKill Creatures by Rory PowerRundown - top 30 children's and YA books to buy in July 2025Go Go Dodo! by Huw Lewis Jones & Fred BluntEvery Botty Burps by Becky Wilson and Alex PatrickDomain by Rohan GavinMission: Monster Mind by Philip KavvadiasRayleigh Mann and the Quest of Misfits by Ciannon SmartPoison Tides by Jay McGuinessGeorge and Lenny Are Always Together by Jon AgeeBlue, Barry & Pancakes 3: Mount Choco Meltdown by Jason Patterson & Dan AbdoWhen The Storm Comes by Polly Ho-YenDuck Delivers by Tom Tinn-DisburyCosmo Park by Madeleine Finlay & Tom DearieThe Poetry World of John Agard by John AgardRunning My Own Race by Abena EyesonRunaways by E.L. NorryInsectarium Activity Book by Dave GoulsonMy Big Fat Smelly Poo Diary 3 by Jim SmithSuper Goat Girl by Tracey Baptiste & Dapo AdeolaThe First State of Being by Erin Entrada KellyThe Starlight Rebel by Lisette AutonThe Last Pebble by Alex HorneThe Goldens by Lauren WilsonPablo and Splash: Roman Holiday by Sheena DempseyHow To Save Your Granny From a Runaway Train by Swapna Haddow & Jess BradleyMy Soul, A Shining Tree by Jamila GavinHome Has No Borders by Sona Charaipotra & Samira AhmedThe Magic in You by Mat RicardoThe Museum of Lost Umbrellas by Marie-Louise FitzpatrickThe Secret Life of Clouds by Moira Butterfield & Vivian MinekerDinosaur Desert by Dr Nick CrumptonFarah's Nose by Humera MalikGrimwood: Rock the Vote! by Nadia ShireenJuly 2025 books of the monthFiction: Domain by Rohan GavinNonfiction: Dinosaur Desert by Dr Nick Crumpton and Ola PlocinskaPicture book: Super Goat Girl by Tracey Baptiste, illustrated by Dapo AdeolaPart 2Our Children’s books for school prize giving awardsNew book pitches: • The Fighting Spirit by Rob Keeley, Sally the Spider’s new shoes by Clodagh Ryan, Anna Denton & The Water of Life by Vaughan Hawthorne-NelsonPart 3What are picture books, and why are they useful?Credits & licensing3rd party sounds are licensed. Audit: https://bit.ly/3TFkwslSupport the show
--------
41:13
--------
41:13