What's in this episode:

In this week's episode Phoebe Wahl talks about her unschooled and free-spirited childhood, her studies at Rhode Island School of Design, her picture book creation process and so much more.

Books and people mentioned:

• Sonya's Chickens (2015) by Phoebe Wahl
• Backyard Fairies (2018) by Phoebe Wahl
• The Blue House (2020) by Phoebe Wahl
• Little Witch Hazel (2021) by Phoebe Wahl
• Phoebe's Diary (2023) by Phoebe Wahl
• Rhode Island School of Design
• Western Washington University
• Eloise Rickman @mightymother
• Paper Mice (2019) by Megan Wagner LLoyd and illustrated by Phoebe Wahl
• Sophie Blackall (author/illustrator)
• carlemuseum.org

Recommendations from Phoebe:

• Our Animal Friends At Maple Hill Farm (1974) by Alice and Martin Provensen
• An Owl and Three Pussy Cats (1994) by Alice and Martin Provensen
• Shaker Lane (1987) by Alice Provensen
• Janet and Allan Ahlberg (authors)
• The Jolly Postman or Other People's Letters (1986) by Janet and Allan Ahlberg
• Each Peach Pear Plum (1989) by Janet and Allan Ahlberg
• The Baby's Catalogue (1982) by Janet and Allan Ahlberg
• Peekaboo/Peepo (1981) by Janet and Allan Ahlberg
• Abuela (1997) by Arthur Dorros, illustrated Elisa Kleven
• Vera B Williams (author/illustrator)
• Faith Ringgold (author/illustrator)
• Aliki (author/illustrator)
• Tove Jansson (author/illustrator)
• Gracey Zhang (illustrator)
• The Big Bath House (2021) by Kyo Maclear
• One More Jar of Jam (2023) by Michelle Sumovich
• Beatrice Alegmana (author/illustrator)
• Chirri and Chirra (2016) by Kya Doi (translated from Japanese by Yuki Kaneko)
• Possum's Harvest Moon (1998) by Anne Hunter
• Alison Lester (author/illustrator)
• Rosie Sips Spiders (1988) by Alison Lester

More from Phoebe

@phoebewahl

phoebewahl.com

In this week's episode Courtney Adamo talks about her new book The Family Home, which explores how your home can help elevate family life and help you spend more quality time as a family including reading together.

What's in this episode?

• Ideas and tips for making your home a place where reading can happen comfortably and with ease
• Reading to children of different ages
• Courtney introduces us to some beautiful new children's books and also shares some old favourites that we think all children must read

Books and humans mentioned

• The Family Home: Inspiring Ideas for a Home Filled with Joy (2025) by Courtney and Michael Adamo
• And the Train Goes (2007) by William Bee
• A Sick Day for Amos McGee (2010) by Phillip Stead, illustrated by Erin Stead
• Ira Sleeps Over (1972) by Bernard Waber
• Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible No Good Very Bad Day (1972) by Judith Viorst, illustrated by Ray Cruz
• The Tiger who Came to Tea (1968) by Judith Kerr
• The Bog Baby (2008) by Jeanne Willis and Gwen Millward
• Make Way for Ducklings (1941) by Robert McCloskey
• The Little House (1942) by Virginia Lee Burton
• We're Going on a Bear Hunt (1989) by Michael Rosen, illustrated by Helen Oxenbury
• The National Geographic Series
• Charlotte's Web (1952) by E.B White, illustrated by Garth Williams
• Julian is a Mermaid (2018) by Jessica Love
• Blueberries for Sal (1948) by Robert McCloskey
• The Paper Dolls (2012) by Julia Donaldson
• Who Sank the Boat (1982) by Pamela Allen
• Simplicity Parenting (2009) by Kim John Payne
• The Olivia Series by Ian Falconer
• Ira Says Goodbye (1988) by Bernard Waber
• Mem Fox (Author)
• Julia Donaldson (Author)
• Oliver Jeffers (Author/Illustrator)
• The Harry Potter Series by J.K. Rowling
• The Wings of Fire Series by Tui T Sutherland
• Beware of the Frog (2008) by William Bee

More from Courtney

Instagram - @courtneyadamo

Substack -courtneyadamo.substack.com/

What's in this episode?

· Collaborating creatively as longtime friends

· The origins of Alphabetical Sydney

· Children's books that are "the whole package"

· Writing in rhyme

· Appreciating picture books, graphic novels and illustration

· Looking beyond Australia for beautiful picture books

Books and humans mentioned:

· Alphabetical Sydney (2013) By Antonia Pesenti and Hilary Bell

· Home (2015) By Carson Ellis

· Cole's Funny Picture Book (1879) By Edward William Cole

· Farmhouse (2022) By Sophie Blackall

· Milkwood: "A creative retreat for the children's book community"

· Julia Donaldson (author)

· Axel Sheffler (illustrator)

· Numerical Street (2015) By Antonia Pesenti and Hilary Bell

· Summer Time (2019) By Antonia Pesenti and Hilary Bell

· In the Night Kitchen (1970) By Maurice Sendak

· Tintin by Hergé

· George Orwell (2021) by Pierre Christin

· The Dot (2003) By Peter Reynolds

· Snuggle Pot and Cuddle Pie (1918) By May Gibbs

· What was I scared of? (1961) By Dr Seuss

· A Series of Unfortunate Events By Lemony Snicket (audiobooks narrated by Tim Curry and Lemony Snicket)

· A Lion in Paris (2006) By Beatrice Alemagna

· Planeta Tangerina

· Scribble Publishers

What's in this episode?

· Naz's experience creating a children's book

· Why you should watch films with your children

· What works and what doesn't in film adaptations

· Roald Dahl adaptations

· Films as modern updates on dated texts

· Why the Paddington Bear movies are brilliant

· Naz's Instagram @nazanin_forghani

Books, films and humans mentioned:

· Arm in Arm (1969) By Remy Charlip

· The NeverEnding Story (1984 film)

· EQ (2021) by Vivian Rubin and Nazanin Mondschein

· Roald Dahl (author)

· The Twits (1980) By Roald Dahl

· The Witches (1983) By Roald Dahl

· Matilda (1988) By Roald Dahl

· Matilda (1996 film)

· Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory (1971 film)

· Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory (2023 film)

· Fantastic Mr Fox (2009 film)

· Matilda the Musical (2022 film)

· Shirley Hughes (author)

· Alice in Wonderland (1951 film)

· Alice's Adventures in Wonderland (1865) By Lewis Carol

· The Julia Donaldson Magic Light Production films

· The Enchanted World of Brambly Hedge series

· The Harry Potter film series

· Paddington (2014 film)

· Paddington 2 (2017 film)

· The Magic Faraway Tree Series by Enid Blyton

· One Day with Mum (1995) By Helen Oxenbury

· Henry and Amy: Right-way-Round and Upside Down (2000) By Stephen Michael King

What's in this episode?

· Ten tips to make reading-aloud enjoyable and sustainable (+ 1 bonus tip)

Books and humans mentioned:

· The Enchanted Hour (2019) By Megan Cox Gurdon

· Reading Magic (2001) By Mem Fox, illustrated by Judy Horacek

· The Book Whisperer (2009) By Donnalyn Miller

· The Read-Aloud Handbook (7th Edition) (2013) By Jim Trelease

What's in this episode?

· What is the Montessori Method?

· A Montessori approach to literacy in the early years

· How to ensure that we use rich language with children

· How to display and organise books

· How we can talk with, read with and raise children respectfully

Books and humans mentioned:

· Why You Should Read Children's Books Even Though You Are So Old and Wise (2019) By Katherine Rundell

· Martin Amis (author)

· John Locke (philosopher)

· John Newberry (children's book publisher)

· Beatrix Potter (author, illustrator, natural scientist)

· Julia Donaldson (author)

· Oh Kipper (1992) By Janet and Andrew McLean

· Something Wonderful (2016) By Raewyn Caisley, illustrated by Karen Blair

· Oi Dog (2016) By Kes and Clare Gray, illustrated by Tim Field

· Dr Maria Montessori

· Oh the Places You'll Go (1990) By Dr Seuss

· Revolting Rhymes (1982) By Roald Dahl, illustrated by Quentin Blake

· The Captain Underpants Series By Dav Pilkey

· BBC Books and Authors Interview with author Katherine Rundell

· Julia Donaldson (author)

· Paddington Bear (children's book character)

· Winnie the Pooh (children's book character)

· Clifford, the Big Red Dog (1963) By Normal Bridwell

· The Little Prince/Le Petit Prince (1943) By Antoine de Saint-Exupéry

· The Very Hungry Caterpiller (1969) By Eric Carle

· The Lighthouse Keeper's Lunch (1977) By Ronda and David Armitage

· We're Going on a Bear Hunt (1989) Retold by Michael Rosen, illustrated by Helen Oxenbury

· Thomas the Tank Engine & Friends series

· William's Wish Wellingtons, BBC Children's Book, illustrated by Atholl McDonald

· Mr Gumpy's Outing (1970) By John Burningham

· The Harry Potter Series by J.K Rowling

· Hairy Maclary from Donaldson's Dairy (1983) By Lynley Dodd

· Bronwyn Bancroft (author)

· Alfie Gets in First (2009) By Shirley Hughes

· Alfie's Feet (2009) By Shirley Hughes

· Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (1964) By Roald Dahl

· Simplicity Parenting (2009) By Kim Jon Payne with Lisa M Ross

· The Aldi padded book series

· The Indestructible book series

What's in this episode?

· Why we should read with babies

· Why we should give books as presents to new babies/parents

· Five quick baby book recommendations

Books and humans mentioned:

· Babies Need Books: Sharing the Joy of Books with Children from Birth to Six (1982) By Dorothy Butler

· The Read-Aloud Handbook (7th Edition) (2013) By Jim Trelease

· Who Sank the Boat (1983) By Pamela Allen

· Each Peach Pear Plum (1978) By Janet and Allan Ahlberg

· Where is the Green Sheep? (2004) By Mem Fox, illustrated by Judy Horacek

· Hairy Maclary from Donaldson's Dairy (1983) By Lynley Dodd

· We're Going on a Bear Hunt By (1989) By Michael Rosen

RAH #2: Interview with the 2023 Children's Bookseller of the Year, Rachel Robson

What's in this episode?

· What is involved in being the children's book buyer for an independent bookshop

· How to access out-of-print books

· How to continue reading aloud when your kids are teens and tweens

· Book clubs for teenagers

· Supporting independent book shops without "breaking the bank"

· An inspiring list of book recommendations

Books and humans mentioned:

· Meet the Lithographer (2023) by Gabby Bazin

· Shirley Hughes (author)

· David McKee (author)

· Frindle (1998) by Andrew Clements, illustrated by Brian Selznic

· The Invention of Hugo Cabret (2007) by Brian Selznic

· A poem for every day of the year (2017) by Allie Esiri

· Our Home (2024) by Catherine Meatheringham, illustrated by Max Hamilton

· Julia Donaldson (author)

· Would You Rather? (1994) By John Burningham

· Bamboozled (1994) By David Legge

· The Jill Barklem series (Spring, Summer, Autumn and Winter Story)

· Jeannie Baker (author)

· Dr Seuss (author)

· Roald Dahl (author)

· Zaza's Baby Brother (2012) By Lucy Cousins

· Need a House Call Ms Mouse (2022) By George Mendoza, illustrated by Doris Susan Smith

· Alfie's Feet (2009) By Shirley Hughes

· Alfie Gets in First (2009) By Shirley Hughes

· Goodnight Moon (1947) By Margaret Wise Brown

· Where is the Green Sheep? (2004) by Mem Fox and Judy Horacek

· Each, Peach, Pear Plum (1978) By Janet and Allan Ahlberg

· The Noisy Book By Soledad Bravi

· Monkey and Me By Emily Gravett

· The Peekaboo Series By Grace Habib

· You Choose (2003) By Pippa Goodhart

· When Frank was Four (2006) by Alison Lester

· Rose Meets Mr. Wintergarten (1992) By Bob Graham

· Dinosaur in my Pocket (2024) By Ashleigh Barton, Illustrated by Blithe Fielden

· Listen Hippo (2024) By Gabriel Evans