Cottrell-Boyce and Shireen to launch new podcast about children’s books

Author and screenwriter Frank Cottrell-Boyce and author and illustrator Nadia Shireen are launching a new podcast about children’s books.

Coming out on 1st May 2023, “The Island of Brilliant” aims to be “lighthearted and warm” but to “take children’s books seriously as an art form.” The first episode features conversations with former children’s laureate Cressida Cowell and Book Trust’s Emily Drabble, who will pick five of her favourite recent reads.

Shireen said: “My shameful secret is that despite being a children’s author, I’ve not actually read that many children’s books. But now I’m stuck on the book-infested Island of Brilliant I finally have the chance to catch up.

“And who better to share an island with than the legendary FCB? I hope listeners enjoy hearing us chat about children’s books old and new. And if anyone could send us a harpoon and a jet-ski that would be great.”

Cottrell-Boyce added: “I got extremely frustrated by the lack of conversation about children’s books in the media. It’s led to a situation where a handful of authors totally dominate. These authors are terrific and deserve their success but they’re not right for every child. We want to help people find the right book for their child. And we want to do it by lying in our hammocks with brilliant books on the Island of Brilliant, listening to the Ukulele Uff Trio serenade us… brilliantly.”