Raised by Writers: The Stories That Made Us Who We Are

Episode 10 - Hannah Gold & Mari Bowen

EPISODE 10

And so - the end is near. And now we face...the final curtain. :(

But don't cry too much we'll be back in a few months with season 2. 

What? One last MASSIVE episode? Oh, ok then.

Today's guest is the brilliant Hannah Gold talking about her brilliant books and three choices of her own that she read when she was younger. From rats, lions and ducks came the stories of whales, turtles, bears & huskies that we know and love from Hannah's back catalogue. Hannah also speaks candidly about her worries that she was somehow 'not good enough' before her first book deal and opens up on the insecurities you can have has as a young writer. 

Mari Bowen will also be filling us in on a her choice from the Read for Empathy collection - a Catherine Johnson classic.

We also pay tribute to the inimitable Brian Patten, who sadly signed off his final stanzas this week. What an inspiration to me and so many more. Raised by Writers, inspired by writers. The words live on. :)

BOOKS DISCUSSED IN THIS EPISODE

Paul -Gargling with Jelly by Brian Patten.

Mari - Race to the Frozen North by Catherine Johnson

Hannah - Mrs Frisby and the Rats of N.I.M.H by Robert C.O Brien, The Chronicles of Narnia by C.S.Lewis and The Ugly Duckling by Hans Christian Andersen

USEFUL LINKS

Hannah Gold

WEB: https://www.hannahgold.world/

INSTA: @hannahgold_author

EmpathyLab

WEB: www.empathylab.uk

INSTA: @empathylabuk

Paul Jenkins

WEB: www.pauljenkinspoet.co.uk

INSTA: @teacherwriterPJ

 

For any enquiries about the podcast contact Paul on pauljenkinspoet@gmail.com

Episode 9 - S.F. Said, Helen Mulligan & Simon Hunt

EPISODE 9

The penultimate episode in the series? How did we get so close to the end of the book? What's going to happen to the characters? Will there be a sequel?!? Yes. We announced that last week Pay at the attention you at the back!

This week, we're talking all things cats, tigers, geese and trees. It's a fine combination. S.F.. Said joins me to discusses the books that influenced him but also highlights the importance of storytelling, fable and reading in our lives. And he talks about his cat. What's not to love?

As for geese, Helen Mulligan has that covered with her recommendation from the Read for Empathy collection this week as we meet 'The Meanest Goose on Earth'

Lastly, our teacher guest this week chooses a book that we've had on the pod before - proving yet again that despite the fact that Enid Blyton is not the 'trendiest' of authors to discuss - they clearly hold very firm memories for anyone who came across their books in childhood. (Me included!)

BOOKS DISCUSSED IN THIS EPISODE

Paul -1984 by George Orwell

Helen - Gordon, The Meanest Goose on Earth by Alex Latimer

S.F.Said - The Cat in the Hat by Dr Seuss, Watership Down by Richard Adams and The Tyger by William Blake

Simon - The Magic Faraway Tree by Enid Blyton

USEFUL LINKS

S.F.Said

WEB: www.sfsaid.com

INSTA: @whatsfsaid

Simon Hunt

INSTA: @mrhuntfromthefront

EmpathyLab

WEB: www.empathylab.uk

INSTA: @empathylabuk

Paul Jenkins

WEB: www.pauljenkinspoet.co.uk

INSTA: @teacherwriterPJ

 

For any enquiries about the podcast contact Paul on pauljenkinspoet@gmail.com

Episode 8 - Attie Lime, Rashmi Sirdeshpande & Andrea Humberstone

EPISODE 8

We motor on into a giant of an episode with not one but two brilliant authors? More bang for your buck. Which is an even better deal when you consider this baby is free.

Attie Lime, poet and author of Blue Jelly & Strawberries is my guest as we go through the books that have stayed with her since childhood and shaped the poet she has become. We also chat about her upcoming Chrsitmas collection "A welly full of Christimas" and her involvement with the Swadlincote Festival of Words.

But as if that wasn't enough we also speak to the fantastic Rashmi Sirdeshpande about her 2023 book "We've Got This" - the six step guide to developing your empathy superpower she wrote in collaboration with EmpathyLab. Rashmi will be back in series 2 (Yes, it's official - we're having a series 2!) to chat about her won books from childhood.

Finally, our teacher guest, Andrea Humberstone introduces me to a book that had gone under my radar - and it sounds like its right up my street. Time to do a trawl of the old t'internet to find me a copy methinks!

 

BOOKS DISCUSSED IN THIS EPISODE

Paul -Stories from Rainbow

Rashmi -We've Got This by Rashmi Sirdeshpande, illustrated by Juliana Eigner

Attie - The Puffin Book of Funny Verse, The Enormous Turnip and Mr Strong by Roger Hargreaves.

Jennifer - The Island of the Blue Dolphins by Scott Odell

USEFUL LINKS

1. Attie Lime

WEB: www.attielime.co.uk/

INSTA: @attielime

Rashmi Sirdeshpande

WEB: www.rashmisirdeshpande.com

INSTA: @rashmiwriting

EmpathyLab

WEB: www.empathylab.uk

INSTA: @empathylabuk

Paul Jenkins

WEB: www.pauljenkinspoet.co.uk

INSTA: @teacherwriterPJ

 

For any enquiries about the podcast contact Paul on pauljenkinspoet@gmail.com

Episode 7 - Patrice Lawrence, Miranda McKearney & Jennifer Young

EPISODE 7

Episode 7 already? Unbelievable. But what a week. To say that our guest this week is a legend is a little bit of an understatement. Author of Orangeboy, Needle, Our Story Starts in Africa and of course the Elemental Detectives series, Patrice Lawrence is one of the most powerful authors in UK Children's literature. A former journalist, Patrice has numerous accolades including winning the Waterstones book prize & the Bookseller Prize in 2017 & being elected as a fellow to the Royal Soicety of Literature in 2023.

Patrice chooses some fabulous titles and lets us peep behind the curtain of her early reading experiences, growing up in Brighton in the 60's and 70's. 

Miranda McKearney, formerly of the Reading Agency and co-founder of EmpathyLab discusses her choice(s) from the Read for Empathy collection and our teacher guest, Jennifer Young manages to pick out our first double of the series. 

Blyton clearly still holds a place in people's hearts!

BOOKS DISCUSSED IN THIS EPISODE

Paul - The Conker as Hard as a Diamond by Chris Powling

Miranda - The Grand Hotel of Feelings by Lydia Brankovic and The Cat who Couldn't be Bothered by Jack Kurland

Patrice - The Wind in the Willows by Kenneth Grahame, The Wishing Chair by Enid Blyton and The Didakoi by Rumer Godden.

Jennifer - The Magic Faraway Tree by Enid Blyton

USEFUL LINKS

Patrice Lawrence

WEB: www.goodreads.com/author/show/646810.Patrice_Lawrence

INSTA: @lawrencepatrice

EmpathyLab

WEB: www.empathylab.uk

INSTA: @empathylabuk

Paul Jenkins

WEB: www.pauljenkinspoet.co.uk

INSTA: @teacherwriterPJ

 

For any enquiries about the podcast contact Paul on pauljenkinspoet@gmail.com

Episode 6 - Joshua Seigal, Rebecca Horswill & Samantha Nunnery

EPISODE 6

Over halfway through the series now and today Paul meets the brilliant award winning poet, Joshua Seigal. Author of Who Let the Words Out?, I Don't Like Poetry and Little Lemur Laughing to name but three, Joshua is a twice winner of the Laugh Out Loud award as well being chosen as the Reading Rocks award winner in 2024.

We chat about his first brush with poetry being read to as a child through to his explorations of his teenage years alongside a very famous keeper of diaries.

Rebecca Horswill is the Communications and Design Officer for EmpathyLab with a background herself in chlidren's book illustration. It's no surprise that she's chosen an amazing picture book to talk about. Out teacher recommendation this week comes from Samantha Nunnery, who is our first sixth form teacher on the pod. Sam takes us back to a book that has been with her since the age of 7.

Prepare to go down the rabbit hole!

BOOKS DISCUSSED IN THIS EPISODE

Paul - The Sonnets of William Shakespeare

Rebecca - Grandad's Star by Frances Tosdevin, Illustrated by Rhian Stone

Joshua - There's a Wocket in my Pocket by Dr Seuss, There Are a Lot of Weirdos in Our Neighbourhood by Colin McNaughtonand The Secret Diary of Adrian Mole Aged 13 3/4 by Sue Townsend

Samantha -  Alice's Adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll

USEFUL LINKS

Joshua Seigal

WEB: https://www.joshuaseigal.co.uk/

INSTA: @joshuaseigal

EmpathyLab

WEB: www.empathylab.uk

INSTA: @empathylabuk

Paul Jenkins

WEB: www.pauljenkinspoet.co.uk

INSTA: @teacherwriterPJ

 

For any enquiries about the podcast contact Paul on pauljenkinspoet@gmail.com

 

Raised by Writers (c) is a Double Rainbow production

Episode 5 - Danny English, Jenny Ford & Ed Finch

EPISODE 5

This week Paul gets out and about with the 'Nature Connected Storyteller' Danny English. Author of books such as 'The Happiness Tree' and 'Tales of the Timeless Forest' Danny is rarely found indoors, sharing his love of the natural world with families across the North West of England and beyond. We talk about his early brushes with nature books (and pigeons) and how a magazone subscription as a boy probably shaped his future before he even was even out of short trousers.

Jenny Ford, a former Headteacher and the lead in bringing secondfary level empathy education to Wales chooses a book for us from the Read for Empathy collection and the brilliant Ed Finch has an 'ordinary' book to share with us in our teacher recommendation section. 

It's non-stop action around these parts we tells ya!

BOOKS DISCUSSED IN THIS EPISODE

Paul - Talking in Whispers by James Watson

Jenny - The Blue Book of Nebo by Manon Steffan Ros

Danny - A series of unidentified wildlife encyclopedias, The Eagle Annual from some time in the 80's and The Storyteller Magazine

Ed -  Ordinary Jack by Helen Cresswell

USEFUL LINKS

Danny English

WEB: https://www.dannyenglish.co.uk/

INSTA: @natureconnectedstoryteller

EmpathyLab

WEB: www.empathylab.uk

INSTA: @empathylabuk

Paul Jenkins

WEB: www.pauljenkinspoet.co.uk

INSTA: @teacherwriterPJ

 

For any enquiries about the podcast contact Paul on pauljenkinspoet@gmail.com

 

Raised by Writers (c) is a Double Rainbow production

Episode 4 - Karl Nova, Caroline Scott & Victoria Jane

EPISODE 4 

In this episode Paul is joined by the multi-talented, multi-discipline, multi-award winning poet and hip hop artist, Karl Nova. After winning the CLIPPA prize in 2018 for his debut collection Rhythm and Poetry Karl has gone from strength to strength - releasing a second collection in 2021 -The Curious Case of Karl Nova. His music and lyrics are both upbeat and incisive - giving the reader or listener a window on what has been a very unique life.

Born in London, moving to Lagos at the age of 7 and then returning as he turned 18 - Karl gives a wonderful insight into growing up in both the UK & Nigeria - and his book choices from his youth totally reflect this.

Caroline Scott, a former deputy head, co-founder of EmpathyLab and specialist in inclusive education joins us to talk about her experiences of sharing the Read for Empathy collection with her grandaughter and we hear from Victoria - a brand new, fresh out of the box teacher who chooses a classic to share. (Congratulations on getting your RQT status Victoria!)

BOOKS DISCUSSED IN THIS EPISODE

Paul - Ramona Forever by Beverley Cleary

Caroline - Luna Loves Gardening by Joseph Coelho, illustrated by Fiona Lumbers

Karl -Things fall apart by Chinua Achebe, The Autobiography of Malcolm X by Alex Haley, Go Tell it on the Mountain by James Baldwin

Victoria -  The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe by C.S Lewis

USEFUL LINKS

Karl Nova

WEB: https://karlnovaworld.wordpress.com/

SPOTIFY: https://open.spotify.com/artist/6YrVMG1ucMkO2nUGdLsbFw

INSTA: @karlnova

EmpathyLab

WEB: www.empathylab.uk

INSTA: @empathylabuk

Paul Jenkins

WEB: www.pauljenkinspoet.co.uk

INSTA: @teacherwriterPJ

 

For any enquiries about the podcast contact Paul on pauljenkinspoet@gmail.com

 

Raised by Writers (c) is a Double Rainbow production

Episode 3 - Catherine Johnson, Kirsten Grant & Jon Biddle

EPISODE 3 

In this episode we meet acclaimed author and screenwriter Catherine Johnson. She's a winner of a host of literary awards and has produced classics such as Race to the Frozen North, Queen of Freedom and Sawbones. Her next book will focus on the life of the actor, dance and SPY Josephine Baker - so she is no stranger to drama, literary twists and bringing great stories of history to life.

Catherine talks with fondness of her reading experiences at primary school, with some inspirational teachers and recounts how non-fiction and TV has influenced her writing as well the wonderful tales she found in stories. .

Kirsten Grant from EmpathyLab joins the pod to chat about a brilliant picture book and Reading for Pleasure guru Jon Biddle is our teacher guest this week. Jon tells us about his first experience of choosing his own adventure with a book discovered at his local library.

BOOKS DISCUSSED IN THIS EPISODE

Paul - Roger Red Hat by Sheila McCullagh

Kirsten - A Better Best Friend by Olivier Tallech

Catherine -The Golden Treasury of Poetry an anthology selected by Louis Untermeyer, The Armada book of Facts for Girls, Half Magic by Edward Eager

Jon -  The Citadel of Chaos by Steve Jackson

USEFUL LINKS

Catherine Johnson

WEB: https://www.catherinejohnson.co.uk

INSTA: @catherinebeccajohnson

EmpathyLab

WEB: www.empathylab.uk

INSTA: @empathylabuk

Paul Jenkins

WEB: www.pauljenkinspoet.co.uk

INSTA: @teacherwriterPJ

 

For any enquiries about the podcast contact Paul on pauljenkinspoet@gmail.com

 

Raised by Writers (c) is a Double Rainbow production

Episode 2 - Ian Eagleton, Sarah Mears & Mari Bowen

EPISODE 2 

Our second episode features Ian Eagleton, a former primary school teacher turned writer who has received widespread acclaim for his books Nen & the Lonely Fisherman, The Boy who Cried Ghost, Violet's Tempest and Glitter Boy. 

Ian tells us of how his reading diet as a child helped to shape his writing in the future and how his early sense of looking for the magical and a personal sense of 'feeling different' has had an influence on his own character creations. We also (as you would expect) chat about THAT tweet from Mariah Carey.

Sarah Mears, co-founder of EmpathyLab & Programmes Director for Libraries Connected joins us to recommend a book from the Read for Empathy collection and our teacher guest this week is Mari Bowen. Mari tells us of her love for a particular children's favourite and how hearing it read to her inspired her 30 years (so far!) in the classroom as a teacher.

BOOKS DISCUSSED IN THIS EPISODE

Paul - Don't Forget the Bacon by Pat Hutchins

Sarah - Wild East by Ashley Hickson-Lovence

Ian -The Little Mermaid by Hans Christian Anderson, Harvey Angell by Diana Hendry, This Place Has No Atmosphere by Paula Danzinger

Mari - Elmer by David McKee

USEFUL LINKS

Ian Eagleton

WEB: https://thereadingrealm.co.uk

INSTA: @ian.eagleton

EmpathyLab

WEB: www.empathylab.uk

INSTA: @empathylabuk

Paul Jenkins

WEB: www.pauljenkinspoet.co.uk

INSTA: @teacherwriterPJ

 

For any enquiries about the podcast contact Paul on pauljenkinspoet@gmail.com

 

Raised by Writers (c) is a Double Rainbow production

Episode 1 - Jo Cotterill, Imogen Bond & Robert Cooley

EPISODE 1 

In this, our first episode we speak to Jo Cotterill, author of a Library of Lemons, Jelly, A Storm of Strawberries and her hugely successful collaboration with Esme Higgs - The Starlight Stables Gang.

Jo reflects on her choices of books as a child, which led her on to a career in performance and helped develop her own sense of empowerment as an adult. 

Our guest from EmpathyLab in this episode is Managing Director Imogen Bond who tells us about her love of picture books in particular and our teacher reflection comes from recently retired Year 2 teacher Robert Cooley, who chooses a book given to him by one of his own teachers. 

BOOKS DISCUSSED IN THIS EPISODE

Paul - Mr Majeika by Humphrey Carpenter

Imogen - April's Garden by Isla McGuckin, illustrated by Catalina Echeverri

Jo - Anne of Green Gables by Lucy Montgomery, The Ordinary Princess by M.M Kaye, The Swish of the Curtain by Pamela Brown

Robert - The Goalkeepers Revenge and Other Stories by Bill Naughton

USEFUL LINKS

Jo Cotterill

WEB: www.jocotterill.com

INSTA: @jocotterillbooks

EmpathyLab

WEB: www.empathylab.uk

INSTA: @empathylabuk

Paul Jenkins

WEB: www.pauljenkinspoet.co.uk

INSTA: @teacherwriterPJ

 

For any enquiries about the podcast contact Paul on pauljenkinspoet@gmail.com

 

Raised by Writers (c) is a Double Rainbow production

Waffle Ep 89 - George Wilson

This week Paul talks to Grange Hill actor George Wilson about those early days as a working child actor and the longer terms ramifications. He talks openly about his struggles with mental health which have lead to his autobiography, From Grange Hill to Bioplar, to Back Again.

First broadcast on Rossendale Radio 01.07.2021

Enhance your podcast experience with George's musical selections:

Lynard Skynard - Sweet Home Alabama

The Beatles - Norwegian Wood

U2 - Angel of Harlem

Waffle Ep 88 - Ian Eagleton

This week Paul talks to previous guest Ian Eagleton about how the Reading Realm has developed since their first interview a year ago and about his amazing new children's book, Nen and the Lonely Fisherman, all about acceptance and representation.

First broadcast on Rossendale Radio 23.05.2021

Enhance your podcast experience with Ian's musical selections:

Morcheeba - The Sea

Tori Amos - Silent All These Years

Mariah Carey - Always Be My Baby

Waffle Ep 87 - Spencer Leigh

This week ahead of bob Dylan's 80th birthday, Paul talks to biographer Spencer Leigh and his previous works on the likes of Simon and Garfunkle and Pete Best and his latest book, Bob Dylan: Outlaw Blues.

First broadcast on Rossendale Radio 09-05-2021

Enhance your podcast experience with Spencer's musical choices:

Bob Dylan - Blowin' In The Wind

Bob Dylan - Make You Feel My Love

Bob Dylan - Like A Rolling Stone

 

Waffle Ep 86 - Henry Normal

This week Paul talks to writer, producer and poet Henry Normal about his huge influence on the British TV comedy scene with his work with the likes of Steve Coogan and Caroline Ahern. They also discuss his upcoming interview series for Flapjack Press and he reads a piece of his own brilliant poetry.

First broadcast on Rossendale Radio 22-07-2021

Enhance your podcast experience with Henry's musical selections:

I Am Kloot - Northern Skies

Bob Marley - Three Little Birds

Talking Heads - And She Was

Waffle Ep 85 - Justin Coe

This week, ahead of Fathers' Day, Paul chats to writer and performance-poet Justin Coe about his collection, 'The Dictionary of Dads', fatherhood and performing.

First broadcast on Rossendale Radio 17.06.21

Enhance your podcast experience with Justin's music choices:

Suzanne Vega - The World Before Columbus

Billy Bragg - Tank Park Salute

Tom Gray - You and Me

Waffle Ep 84 - Jeffrey Weissman

This week Paul fulfills a life long dream and interviews a member of the Back to the Future team. Jeffrey Weissman, Marty McFly in BTTF II & III regales us with stories from the set, his work training other actors and life as an alum from one of the world's most beloved movie franchises.

First broadcast on Rossendale Radio on 10.06.21

Enhance your podcast experience by listening to Jeffrey's musical choices:

Snakefinger - The Model

Heaven 17 - Temptation

Brian Eno - Deep Blue Day

 

Waffle Ep 83 - Barbara C. Morden

This week Paul learns all about the work and life of 20th Century Artist Laura Knight by speaking to biographer, Dr. Barbara C. Morden

First broadcast on Rossendale Radio 30.05.21

Enhance your podcast experience by listening to Barbara's musical choices:

Mary Poppins Cast - Let's Go Fly A Kite

Boris Giltburg - Schuman's Carnaval, op.9

Frank Sinatra - Send In The Clowns

Waffle Ep 82 - Cath Howe on Empathy Day

This week Paul talks with amazing children's author Cath Howe and the pupils of Golden Grove Primary School in Pembroke. They ask her some insightful questions on how to write and they discuss in detail Empathy Day.

First broadcast on Rossendale Radio 06.06.21

Enhance your podcast experience with the pupils' musical choices

The Beatles - Help

Miley Cyrus - Midnight Sky

Julie Andrews - My Favourite Things

Waffle Ep 81 - Melanie Southworth

This week, ahead of Paul's Virtual Climb up Everest he talks to Melanie Southworth about her amazing personal Everest stories. From failed attempts, through illness at base camp to success, she retells the events that are leading to her first book. 'Breathe'

First broadcast on Rossendale Radio 25.04.21

Enhance you podcast experience with Melanie's music choices:

David Lee Roth - Just Like Paradise

AC/DC - It's a Long Way to the Top (If You Wanna Rock 'n' Roll)

Kool and the Gang - Celebration

Waffle Ep 80 - Matt Goodfellow

This week, Paul talks to to poet, Matt Goodfellow about his transition from would be rock star to teacher to poet and he reads form his latest collection: "Bright Bursts of Colour"

First broadcast on Rossendale Radio 18.04.21

Enhance your podcast experience with Matt's music choices:

Doves - Carousels

The Charlatans - Here Comes a Soul Saver

Frightened Rabbit - Head Rolls Off

 

Waffle Ep 79 - Sara Kedge

This week Paul talks to Sara Kedge, co-editor of "Neurodiverse Entrepreneurial Awesomeness: An Anthology Of Stories From Brilliant Entrepreneurs With Amazingly Different Brains Who Are Forging Their Own Way" 

First broadcast on Rossendale Radio on 04.04.21

Enhance your podcast experience with Sara's music choices:

George Harrison (The Beatles) - Here Comes the Sun

Michael Jackson - Come Together

Amos Lee - Sweetpea