Your Kid's Next Read With Allison Tait and Megan Daley
Author Allison Tait and teacher-librarian-author Megan Daley, co-founders of the Your Kid’s Next Read community, talk books and reading for children of all ages. From board books and picture books, to junior fiction, middle-grade novels and YA blockbusters, they’ll help you find the perfect next book for the young readers in your life. Plus, practical tips on getting (and keeping) kids reading and writing, a whole lot of fun and … YKNR book question bingo.
Episodes
290 episodes
A. L. Tait reads ‘The Last Word’
A. L. Tait reads the first chapter of 'The Last Word', the third novel in the Two Hearts series of tween romance novels for readers 10+.00:00 Settle in for Friday First Chapters02:21 A. L. Tait reads ‘The Last Word’
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22:25
YKNR 240: 10 minutes with Lili Wilkinson
Allison chats to award-winning author Lili (L.M.) Wilkinson about her Bravepaw junior fiction series, creating memorable characters and writing through the middle.00:00 Quality Waffle03:42 Book Mail for This Week14:59 10 Minutes ...
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39:26
Jane Godwin reads ‘Will Fin Win?’
Jane Godwin reads from her junior fiction book ‘Will Fin Win?’, illustrated by Tom Jellett, and one of four launch titles in the Your Next Read Silver series.00:00 Settle in for Friday First Chapters02:43 Jane Godwin reads 'Will Fin...
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8:48
YKNR 239: 10 minutes with Tom Jellett
Allison chats to Tom Jellett about his long illustrating career, the importance of surprise in books for kids, and how he approached illustrating ‘Will Fin Win?’, written by Jane Godwin, for the Your Next Read series. Plus, Megan is raving abou...
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39:06
Fiona Wood reads ‘The Boy and The Dog Tree’
Award-winning author Fiona Wood reads from her new middle-grade novel ‘The Boy and The Dog Tree’.00:00 Settle in for Friday First Chapters02:12 Fiona Wood reads ‘The Boy and The Dog Tree’
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11:01
YKNR 238: Let’s Talk YA with Danielle Binks
Author, literary agent and academic Danielle Binks pops in for a chat with Allison and Megan about topics and trends in Young Adult literature – and lots of great recommended reads. Mature themes discussed in this episode. 00:00 Qu...
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52:25
Tanya Hennessy reads 'Sunny and Storm'
Tanya Hennessy reads from ‘Sunny and Storm’, the first book in her hilarious and heartwarming new junior fiction series, illustrated by Rachael McLean.00:00 Settle in for Friday First Chapters02:35 Tanya Hennessy reads 'Sunny and St...
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8:57
YKNR 237: 10 minutes with Maddy Mara
It’s launch week for the Your Next Read junior fiction series and we chat to superstar author Maddy Mara about ‘The Lonely Lunch Club’, illustrated by Laura Stitzel. But get ready for a surprise…00:00 Quality Waffle05:24 Book Mail f...
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45:24
Jayne McIntryre reads from The Feathers Of Farwood (Book 1)
Jayne McIntyre reads from ‘The Feathers Of Farwood: The Gripps Curse’, the first book in her debut middle-grade fantasy trilogy.
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13:21
YKNR 236: 10 minutes with Niraj Lal
Allison chats to scientist and author Niraj Lal about his new book ‘Behind The Screens: How The Internet Works + How To Make It Work For You’, drilling down to essential information, and Play School.
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41:18
Allison Rushby reads ‘Miss Penny Dreadful and the Midnight Kittens’
Allison Rushby reads from ‘Miss Penny Dreadful and the Midnight Kittens’, the first book in the Miss Penny Dreadful series for readers 8+, illustrated by Bronte Rose Marando
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16:38
YKNR 235: What makes a great picture book?
In the wake of recent polls, Megan and Allison dive deep into the specifics of what makes a picture book ‘great’.
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35:25
YKNR 234: 10 minutes with Jol Temple and David Conley
Allison chats to Jol Temple and David Conley about ‘Ludicrous Legends’, the first book in their new junior fiction series. Plus, Megan is dealing with 100 angry Queens and Allison is raving – twice.
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47:55
R. A. Spratt reads ‘Romeo V Juliet’
International bestselling author R. A. Spratt reads from ‘Romeo V Juliet’, taking readers 12+ on a time-travelling Shakespearean adventure.
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17:24
YKNR 233: Let’s talk about change
In the first episode back for 2026, Megan shares a big change in her life, kicking off a discussion about books about change – and managing library collections in the face of unsettling change.00:00 Welcome to episode 23508:25 Boo...
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39:24
Summer Series #9: Laura Stitzel
In the final episode of our 'Meet The Creatives' Summer Series, Allison chats to author and illustrator Laura Stitzel about the importance of developing and maintaining your own illustration style, working across picture books and junior fictio...
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24:29
Summer Series #8: Peter Cheong
In episode 8 of our 'Meet The Creatives' Summer Series, author and illustrator Peter Cheong shares the story of how he went from the Australian army to a career in children's books, moving into writing, and how he decides an idea is strong enou...
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20:50
Summer Series #7: Jess Racklyeft
In episode 7 of our 'Meet The Creatives' Summer Series, Allison chats to popular author and illustrator Jess Racklyeft about how crying got her started, working with a 'fear factor' and building a career book by book.
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24:54
Summer Series #6: Kylie Howarth
In episode 6 of our 'Meet The Creatives' Summer Series, author and illustrator Kylie Howarth shares the story of how her career started, working from a concept, writing graphic novels and why she's 'part fish'.
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16:59
Summer Series #5: Jasmin McGaughey
In episode 5 of our 'Meet The Creatives' Summer Series, Allison chats to author Jasmin McGaughey about switching between junior fiction and YA, writing 'real' characters, and balancing culture and magic.
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15:36
Summer Series #4: Cheryl Orsini
In episode 4 of our 'Meet The Creatives' Summer Series, Allison chats to beloved illustrator Cheryl Orsini about coloured pencils, starting with the scenery, knowing when the work is complete, and being an accidental illustrator.
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19:12
Summer Series #3: Jade Goodwin
In episode 3 of our 'Meet The Creatives' Summer Series, Allison chats to rising star Jade Goodwin about illustrating 23 books since 2022, authentic First Nations representation, smiley faces on still life paintings and crying over picture books...
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21:19
Summer Series #2: Gus Gordon
In episode 2 of our 'Meet The Creatives' Summer Series, Allison chats to author and illustrator Gus Gordon about making beloved picture books, creating a story within a story, existential musings and graphic novels.
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23:48
