Storyshaped

In this S2 Finale episode, we are delighted to bring you an interview with an author who, we feel, wholly embodies the Storyshaped ethos - the brilliant SF Said. SF's writing is immersive, absorbing, mind-expanding, and thrilling, crafted with care and passion; truly, the best sort of writing, which also happens to be for children (though, as SF says, 'children's literature includes children, but excludes no-one'). We're delighted to get a chance to sit down with SF, whose thoughts on the power and value of children's literature, the importance of making stories available to all children, and the profound impact that stories have on the minds, hearts, and lives of those who consume them, are truly worth hearing - so come and spend an hour with us!And a quick housekeeping announcement from your hosts:We'll return in a wee while with a special bonus Q&A episode, where we'll answer some brilliant questions sent in by listeners, and after that we'll be taking a hiatus from Storyshaped while we sort out one or two pesky things (like life, family, and work!) But rest assured, Storyshapers: we, like the Terminator, will be back. Thank you all for listening, rating, reviewing, sharing, and sitting down with us over the past two seasons, while we've asked a variety of excellent people: Are you Storyshaped? We can't wait to get back to it, just as soon as we can. While you're waiting for our return: please help yourselves to our back catalogue and any bonus episodes we release, and do continue sharing, rating, and reviewing the show, as it really does help us to keep producing it for you.But for now: have some fantastic Storyshaped chat with the brilliant SF Said.Books mentioned in this week's episode include SF's own:Varjak PawThe Outlaw Varjak PawPhoenixTyger (all published by David Fickling Books)And the stories which shaped him include:The Cat in the Hat, by Dr SeussThe Little Prince, by Antoine de Saint-ExupéryOn Liberty, by John Stuart MillThe work of William BlakeComics, including:MarvelAsterixTintinPeanutsMad MagazineCalvin & HobbesWatership Down, by Richard AdamsThe Sandman, by Neil Gaiman and various artists (incl. Dave McKean)Cages, written and illustrated by Dave McKeanA Wizard of Earthsea, by Ursula K Le GuinHis Dark Materials, by Philip PullmanNoughts and Crosses, by Malorie BlackmanSkellig, by David AlmondJourney Back to Freedom, by Catherine JohnsonThe Essays of C.S. LewisThe Letters of JRR TolkienThe work of George MacDonald, including The Princess and the GoblinThe work of William MorrisThe work of Lord Dunsany (1878-1957)Film and TV:Star WarsStar TrekOur podcast bookshop in Ireland is Halfway Up the Stairs: www.halfwayupthestairs.ieIn the UK, check out our storefront on: https://uk.bookshop.org/shop/Storyshaped. Disclaimer: If you buy books linked to our site, we may earn a commission from bookshop.org, whose fees support independent bookshops. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We had a fascinating chat with the amazing Ann Sei Lin this week on the podcast, where we got an insight into the stories that have been shaping her since her earliest days. Ann's fantastic debut, Rebel Skies, is an amazing story about what makes a human, all told through the fabulous surrounds of a Japanese-folklore inspired fantasy world complete with skyships, dragons, and living origami. It's a truly memorable debut and we were so pleased to get a chance to discuss it with Ann, and to find out more about the stories that helped her to become an author and create such a rich, immersive story world. We hope you're not afraid of heights...Books mentioned this week include Ann's own:Rebel Skies (Walker Books)Rebel Fire (Walker Books)And the stories which have shaped her include:The Secret Life of Bees, by Sue Monk KiddThe Phantom of the Opera, by Gaston LerouxThe work of JRR TolkienThe work of Terry PratchettThe work of Robin HobbThe work of Robert JordanThe work of Julie KagawaThe Twelve Kingdoms (manga), by Fuyumi OnoHis Dark Materials, by Philip PullmanOrihima and Hikoboshi - a Japanese folktaleThe Raven Boys by Maggie StiefvaterImmortal Rain (manga), by Kaori OzakiThe Shadow Skye trilogy, by Joseph ElliottLonely Castle in the Mirror, by Mizuki TsujimuraYellowface, by RF KuangBabel, by RF KuangSixteen Souls, by Rosie TalbotCatfish Rolling, by Clara KumagaiOur podcast bookshop in Ireland is Halfway Up the Stairs: www.halfwayupthestairs.ieIn the UK, check out our storefront on: https://uk.bookshop.org/shop/Storyshaped. Disclaimer: If you buy books linked to our site, we may earn a commission from bookshop.org, whose fees support independent bookshops. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Susan had the chance to sit down with brilliant debut author Alice Ross this week, where they discussed Alice's novel The Nowhere Thief and Alice's journey to becoming an author, as well as SO MANY wonderful books and stories which shaped her into the author she is today. Alice is as big a fan of Diana Wynne Jones as we are here on the podcast, but as well as the work of the incomparable DWJ, there are loads of other fantastic stories mentioned here - each one a portal to an amazing world of story. Strap in, and join us as we get Storyshaped!Books mentioned in this week's episode include Alice's own:The Nowhere Thief (Nosy Crow)And the books and stories which shaped her include:The Mr Men books, by Roger HargreavesThe work of CS LewisThe work of Roald DahlThe work of Laura Ingalls WilderRamona and Beezus, by Beverly ClearyMalory Towers, by Enid BlytonGobbolino the Witch's Cat, by Ursula Moray WilliamsCharmed Life, by Diana Wynne JonesThe Lives of Christopher Chant, by Diana Wynne JonesThe Magician's Nephew, by CS LewisThe Homeward Bounders, by Diana Wynne JonesHidden Turnings, ed. Diana Wynne Jones(inc. The Walled Garden, by Lisa Tuttle)Tom's Midnight Garden, by Philippa PearceFire and Hemlock, by Diana Wynne JonesReflections: On the Magic of Writing, by Diana Wynne JonesHowl's Moving Castle, by Diana Wynne JonesThe work of Holly JacksonOne of Us Is Lying, by Karen McManusThis Book Kills, by Ravena GuronThe Thief of Farrowfell, by Ravena GuronThe work of Anne RiceLockwood and Co., by Jonathan StroudThe work of Stephen KingOur podcast bookshop in Ireland is Halfway Up the Stairs: www.halfwayupthestairs.ieIn the UK, check out our storefront on: https://uk.bookshop.org/shop/Storyshaped. Disclaimer: If you buy books linked to our site, we may earn a commission from bookshop.org, whose fees support independent bookshops. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We had the *most* fun this week sitting down with one of the Queens of Children's Historical Fiction (that's her official title, right), Ally Sherrick! We chat all things writing and story, including how much research Ally's rich, immersive novels take; where her love of history came from; what historical period she hasn't written about (yet), and what might be coming next from her talented pen. This episode was a wonder. Ally is a generous, inspirational, fascinating and truly wonderful podcast guest, and we hope you'll enjoy listening to our chat as much as we enjoyed recording it. Now! Let's get Storyshaped.Find Ally online at her websiteBooks mentioned in this week's episode include Ally's own (all published by Chicken House):Black PowderThe Buried CrownThe Queen's FoolVita and the GladiatorsAnd the stories that shaped her include:Winnie the Pooh, by A.A. Milne and E.H. ShepardMy Naughty Little Sister, by Dorothy Edwards and Shirley HughesCharlie and Fred - stories made up by Ally's (wonderful) dad!Just-So Stories, by Rudyard Kipling, especially The Elephant's ChildThe Highwayman, by Alfred NoyesLe Petit Prince, by Antoine de Saint-ExupéryThe Wolves of Willoughby Chase, by Joan AikenBlack Hearts in Battersea, by Joan AikenNightbirds on Nantucket, by Joan AikenA Small Pinch of Weather, by Joan AikenA Necklace of Raindrops, by Joan AikenA Traveller in Time, by Alison UttleyThe Ghost of Thomas Kempe, by Penelope LivelyCarrie's War, by Nina BawdenThe Wake, by Paul KingsnorthThe Eagle of the Ninth, by Rosemary SutcliffOur podcast bookshop in Ireland is Halfway Up the Stairs: www.halfwayupthestairs.ieIn the UK, check out our storefront on: https://uk.bookshop.org/shop/Storyshaped. Disclaimer: If you buy books linked to our site, we may earn a commission from bookshop.org, whose fees support independent bookshops. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week we're talking to Alan Titley - emeritus professor, scholar, author, dramaturg, teacher, folklorist, journalist, seanchaí (storyteller) - about the stories that shaped him. This discussion was fascinating; we could have listened to Alan all day! Come with us and hear him talk about his earliest days of being told stories by a pipe-smoking teacher, right up to the scholarly work that went into creating his edition of the ancient Irish battle epic. Táin Bó Cuailgne (published as 'The Táin', illustrated by Eoin Coveney, published by Little Island, 2023). Alan's Storyshaped life has a unique depth and breadth, and it was a privilege to get a window into it. Come and join us!Books mentioned in this week's episode include some of Alan's own:Amach (An Gúm, 2004)The Táin, ill. Eoin Coveney (Little Island, 2023)Leabhar Nóra Ní Anluain (Cló Iar-Chonnacht)And the stories that shaped him include:The New Testament of the BibleDon Quixote, by Miguel de CervantesComics including The Beano, The Dandy, Topper, Rupert the BearBlack Beauty, by Anna SewellThe work of Jack KerouacThe work of DH LawrenceThe short stories of Frank O'ConnorThe Touch/An Teagmháil, by Liam O'FlahertyThe Majesty of the Law, by Frank O'ConnorThe work of Seosamh MacGriannaThe work of W.M. ThackerayThe work of Jane AustenThe work of Pádraic Ó ConaireThe work of Seamus Delargy and the Irish Folklore Commission, including:Leabhair Seán Uí Chonaill/Seán O'Connell's BookThe work of W. Somerset MaughamThe work of Thomas KenneallyCré na Cille, by Máirtín Ó Cadhain(Alan's translation: The Dirty Dust, Yale University Press, 2015)Our podcast bookshop in Ireland is Halfway Up the Stairs: www.halfwayupthestairs.ieIn the UK, check out our storefront on: https://uk.bookshop.org/shop/Storyshaped. Disclaimer: If you buy books linked to our site, we may earn a commission from bookshop.org, whose fees support independent bookshops. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Spend an hour with Sinéad and our guest, Victoria Williamson, as we take a stroll through the stories that have shaped one of the most prolific and imaginative children's authors writing today. Victoria's work ranges from emotionally charged stories for older children and young teens, right down to fantastical adventures for younger readers, never failing to enthral and captivate, and it was a pleasure to sit down with her and chat all things story. We talk about the 'hero's journey', her career as a teacher, the many far-flung places her work has brought her to, her commitment to social justice and other causes close to her heart, and what authorly ambitions she has yet to achieve. Come and join us, and find out how Victoria is Storyshaped.Find Victoria online via her websiteBooks mentioned in this week's episode include Victoria's own:The Boy With the Butterfly MindThe Fox Girl and the White GazelleHagstormWar of the WindThe Pawnshop of Stolen DreamsAnd the stories that shaped her include:The Hobbit, by JRR TolkienLord of the Rings, by JRR TolkienThe work of Stephen KingThe work of Monica DickensThe Tripods, by John ChristopherThe Secret Diary of Adrian Mole, aged 13 3/4, by Sue TownsendThe Hardy Boys (and later iterations), originally created and written by Franklin W. DixonMaps, atlases, and books about travelThe work of Jane Austen, the Brontes, Thomas Hardy, Charles DickensHarry Potter, by JK Rowling (these books set Victoria on the road to becoming a children's writer)Treasures of the Snow, by Patricia St JohnThe Chrysalids, by John WyndhamThe work of MR JamesVictorian Gothic Stories and Ghost stories (in general)Rivet Boy, by Barbara HendersonEuro Spies, by Lindsay LittletonHaarville, by Justin DaviesInto the Faerie Hill, by HS NorupThe Silver Road, by Sinéad O'HartTV influences include:Star TrekOur podcast bookshop in Ireland is Halfway Up the Stairs: www.halfwayupthestairs.ieIn the UK, check out our storefront on: https://uk.bookshop.org/shop/Storyshaped. Disclaimer: If you buy books linked to our site, we may earn a commission from bookshop.org, whose fees support independent bookshops. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Join us this week for an absolutely nerd-licious chat with the BRILLIANT Louie Stowell, whose writerly output is too great to be enumerated. She has written an abundance of non-fiction titles, created a treasure trove of tales about Kit and her friends (in the library, in the lake, and in the wood, among other spots), placed the glittering Otherland in its proper place in the pommel of her sword, and gifted us the marvellous LOKI series - truly the crowning jewel in her hoard. This was one of the most fun chats we've had on Storyshaped - you don't want to miss it!Find Louie online at her websiteBooks mentioned in this week's episode include Louie's own:The Dragon in the LibraryThe Monster in the LakeThe Wizard in the WoodOtherlandLoki: A Bad God's Guide to Being GoodLoki: A Bad God's Guide to Taking the BlameLoki: A Bad God's Guide to Ruling the WorldAnd the stories which shaped her include:Norse Myths that Shaped the Way We Think, by Carolyne LarringtonThe League of Extraordinary Gentlemen, by Alan MooreComics including:Superman and BatmanThe Dark Knight Returns2000 ADOinkHalo JonesBumble and Snug, by Mark BradleyThe Rivers of London, by Ben AaronovitchNeverwhere, by Neil GaimanThe City and the City, by China MiévilleThe Books of Magic, by Neil Gaiman and various artistsThe Expanse (series), by James S.A. CoreyChutzpah, by Jan MarkHairs on the Palm of the Hand, by Jan MarkJust William, by Richmal CromptonThe Tripods, by John ChristopherSpace Hostages, by Nicholas FiskThe Lord of the Rings, by JRR TolkienParadise Lost, by John MiltonThe Screwtape Letters, by C.S. LewisThe Light Between Worlds, by Laura E. WeymouthOther media:A BBC Radio Play of The Lord of the RingsThe Ring Cycle by Wagner (TV Production)Buffy the Vampire Slayer (TV series)Hannibal (TV series)The Walking Dead (TV series)Good Omens, by Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett (book and TV series)Classic KitKat advertisement from the 1980s - No Rest for the WickedThe best version of LOTR ever (according to Louie)Our podcast bookshop in Ireland is Halfway Up the Stairs: www.halfwayupthestairs.ieIn the UK, check out our storefront on: https://uk.bookshop.org/shop/Storyshaped. Disclaimer: If you buy books linked to our site, we may earn a commission from bookshop.org, whose fees support independent bookshops. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A slightly different vibe for today's Storyshaped! We're sitting down with Rebecca Schiller - smallholder, parent, memoirist, creative writing teacher, neurodivergent person, and author, for a wonderful chat about her recent ADHD diagnosis, creativity (and permission to enter into creativity), parenthood, the art of writing a memoir, the beauty of children's literature, and how vital it is for children to feel empowered by the things they read. We also make some pit-stops along the way, where Rebecca traces the influence of some very important books, ones that shaped and affected the course of her life and career. We'd love you to come with us on this bookish ramble, where we'll find out how Rebecca is Storyshaped.Find Rebecca online at her websiteFollow Rebecca on InstagramRebecca founded the Mothers Who Write communityMore information on the courses Rebecca runs for writers and creativesBooks mentioned in this week's episode include Rebecca's own:Earthed: A Memoir (published as A Thousand Ways to Pay Attention in the United States)Your No Guilt Pregnancy PlanAmazing Activists Who Are Changing Our World, illustrated by Sophie BeerAnd the stories which have shaped her include:The Peter and Jane books, published by LadybirdStories from the BibleThe Wild Other, by Clover StroudAnne of Green Gables, by LM MontgomeryJane Eyre, by Charlotte BronteA Little Princess and The Secret Garden, by Frances Hodgson BurnettThe Railway Children, by E. NesbitThe Regeneration Trilogy, by Pat BarkerLife Class, by Pat BarkerThe Skylarks' War, by Hilary McKayThis Must Be the Place, by Maggie O'FarrellHamnet, by Maggie O'FarrellShopaholic Ties the Knot, by Sophie KinsellaAlso mentioned: Five Children on the Western Front, by Kate SaundersThe Passion, by Jeanette WintersonOur podcast bookshop in Ireland is Halfway Up the Stairs: www.halfwayupthestairs.ieIn the UK, check out our storefront on: https://uk.bookshop.org/shop/Storyshaped. Disclaimer: If you buy books linked to our site, we may earn a commission from bookshop.org, whose fees support independent bookshops. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Well, this was a hoot - as you'd expect from a guest like Jenny McLachlan, author of the BRILLIANT, bestselling ROAR books, as well as Dead Good Detectives, Stink (Worst. Fairy. Ever) and a whole load more. Jenny began her writing career with amazing YA books, before graduating into equally amazing Middle Grade novels and early readers - so, she has written across the ages, and with equal aplomb in all. She's funny, her characters are memorable, her stories are equal parts heartfelt and hilarious, and this chat was exactly the same. Come with us as we get to know the powerhouse that is Jenny McLachlan, and find out her answer to our perennial question: Are You Storyshaped?Find Jenny online:www.jennymclachlan.comHer TwitterBooks mentioned in this week's episode include Jenny's own:Flirty DancingLove BombStar StruckStargazing for BeginnersSunkissedTruly, Wildly, DeeplyThe Land of RoarReturn to RoarThe Battle for RoarDead Good DetectivesPet QuestThe Jumpy Bumpy FeelingThe Quack in the KitchenThere's a Chicken in my BookbagZoom to the Moon,Stink: Worst. Fairy. Ever.And the stories that shaped her include:Heart of Darkness, by Joseph ConradTopsy and Tim, by Jean and Gareth AndersonHelpers, Alfie, Moving Molly, and Dogger by Shirley HughesThe work of Jackie CollinsThe work of Jilly CooperJane Eyre, by Charlotte BronteThe work of Jane AustenThe work of Charles DickensThe Beano comicPippin in Playland comicAnnuals: Twinkle, Bunty, MandyBella magazineJust Seventeen magazineAngus, Thongs, and Full Frontal Snogging by Louise RennisonThe work of Jacqueline WilsonWuthering Heights, by Emily BronteRomeo and Juliet, by William ShakespeareCirce, by Madeleine MillerThe Silence of the Girls, by Pat BarkerUtterly Dark and the Face of the Deep, by Philip ReeveThe work of M.G. Leonard (check out our podcast chat with M.G. here)TV influences:SuccessionGame of ThronesSaving Lives at Sea (TV documentary)Print Media:Joseph Coelho: I set out to find the happiness I felt as a child, and it workedOur podcast bookshop in Ireland is Halfway Up the Stairs: www.halfwayupthestairs.ieIn the UK, check out our storefront on: https://uk.bookshop.org/shop/Storyshaped. Disclaimer: If you buy books linked to our site, we may earn a commission from bookshop.org, whose fees support independent bookshops. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We had great fun this week sitting down with award-winning author Jasbinder Bilan on the podcast! We discussed her formation in India and Britain, the importance of oral storytelling and family stories, and the stories that helped her to grow up to write beautiful, immersive, richly textured books which celebrate all facets of her heritage and culture. Come with us as we walk with Jasbinder through the landscapes of her life, and find out how she's Storyshaped.Books mentioned in this week's episode include Jasbinder's own:Asha and the Spirit BirdTamarind and the Star of IshtaAarti and the Blue GodsXanthe and the Ruby CrownIndia Incredible India (illustrated by Nina Chakrabarti)And the stories which shaped her include:The wonderful stories told to her by her grandma, and the real-life stories experienced by her family - including the story of Oma the Wild Monkey, who took Jasbinder's brother up a tree!Skyhawk, by Gill LewisThe work of Emma CarrollThe Hobbit, by JRR TolkienThe Chronicles of Narnia, by CS LewisFrom Spare Oom to Ward Robe by Katherine LangrishA collection of Greek myths, with Pegasus on the cover!Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, particularly an edition translated by Simon Armitage and illustrated by Clive Hickes-JenkinsA wide range of mythology, and also stories told through songsJourney to Jo'burg, by Beverley NaidooWild Song, by Candy GourlayStolen History: The Truth about the British Empire and How it Shaped Us, by Sathnam SangheraThe Last Whale, by Chris VickOur podcast bookshop in Ireland is Halfway Up the Stairs: www.halfwayupthestairs.ieIn the UK, check out our storefront on: https://uk.bookshop.org/shop/Storyshaped. Disclaimer: If you buy books linked to our site, we may earn a commission from bookshop.org, whose fees support independent bookshops. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sinéad had the great privilege of sitting down with Leona Forde this week! Leona's the author of the brilliant Milly McCarthy series (Gill Books), including Milly McCarthy is a Complete Catastrophe (2023) and the forthcoming Milly McCarthy and the Irish Dancing Disaster. Leona is a teacher, a mam, and a very busy author, and we had a great chat about music, storytelling, her teaching philosophies, her writing process, and how she does it all. Settle in and let's find out together how Leona is Storyshaped!Books mentioned in this episode include Leona's own:Milly McCarthy is a Complete CatastropheAnd the stories that shaped her include:The folktales and mythology she learned from her grandmother, Mrs Maureen HerbertThe music, traditional ballads and songs played by her father and her family membersThe song Leona mentions is this one:Dublin in the Rare Oul Times by the DublinersThe Famous Five, by Enid BlytonThe Secret Seven, by Enid BlytonRevolting Rhymes, by Roald DahlThe Cremation of Sam McGee, by Robert W. ServiceUnder the Hawthorn Tree, by Marita Conlon McKennaAcross the Barricades, by Joan LingardThe Herbalist, by Niamh BoyceOn Earth We're Briefly Gorgeous, by Ocean VuongThe Scarlet Letter, by Nathaniel HawthorneThe Secret Scripture, by Sebastian BarrySmall Things Like These, by Claire KeeganFoster, by Claire KeeganThe Outsiders, by S.E. HintonCatch a Fire: The Life of Bob Marley, by Timothy WhiteOi Puppies, by Kes GreyBe Wild, Little One, by Olivia Hope and Daniel EgnéusFidget the Wonder Dog, by Patricia Forde and Rachel SaundersThe Little Bee Charmer of Henrietta Street, by Sarah WebbA Game of Life or Death, by Triona CampbellThe Time Tider, by Sinéad O'HartLessons in Chemistry, by Bonnie GarmusAll the Broken Places, by John BoyneThe Queen of Dirt Island by Donal RyanTrespasses, by Louise KennedyShort Stories by Frank O'ConnorOur podcast bookshop in Ireland is Halfway Up the Stairs: www.halfwayupthestairs.ieIn the UK, check out our storefront on: https://uk.bookshop.org/shop/Storyshaped. Disclaimer: If you buy books linked to our site, we may earn a commission from bookshop.org, whose fees support independent bookshops. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, we had the joy of sitting down with Vashti Hardy, author of some of our *favourite* books of all time, to discuss the stories that have shaped her life and her prolific career to date. This episode turned into a masterclass, as Vashti generously shared some of the tips, tricks and techniques that help her to create her wonderful work, and the love for books and stories just fizzes out of every word of this interview. Enjoy this wonderful, warm, and (we hope) inspiring chat with one of the most talented authors around and - if you enjoy it! - do please share it, and spread the word. Let's grow the Storyshaped community!Books mentioned in this week's episode include Vashti's own:The Brightstorm Chronicles (Brightstorm, Darkwhispers, Firesong, and Serpent of the Sands)WildsparkCrowfallThe Harley Hitch SeriesThe Griffin Gate SeriesAnd the stories which have shaped her include:My Naughty Little Sister, by Dorothy Edwards, ill. Shirley HughesThe Hungry Caterpillar, by Eric CarleRebecca's World, by Terry NationMold and the Poison Plot, by Lorraine GregoryGhost Stories, by Pamela OldfieldChocky, and Day of the Triffids, by John WyndhamRebecca, by Daphne du MaurierI Capture the Castle, by Dodie SmithJane Eyre, by Charlotte BronteThe work of Marcus SedgwickThe Cone Gatherers, by Robin JenkinsZ for Zachariah, by Robert C. O'BrienThe Sisterhood, by Katherine BradleyHer Dark Wings, by Melinda SalisburyThe Girl Who Broke the Sea, by A ConnorsWild: Tales from Early Medieval Britain, by Amy JeffsMovie influences include: Star WarsOur podcast bookshop in Ireland is Halfway Up the Stairs: www.halfwayupthestairs.ieIn the UK, check out our storefront on: https://uk.bookshop.org/shop/Storyshaped. Disclaimer: If you buy books linked to our site, we may earn a commission from bookshop.org, whose fees support independent bookshops. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, we're speaking with the lovely H.S. (Helle) Norup about the stories which shaped her, and it's a stroll through folklore, faerie hills, and fantastical worlds. Come with us as we talk about the differences between modern children's books and classic books from our childhoods, the intersections between languages and how one would go about translating 'lashings of ginger beer' into Danish, and a children's book so influential (and controversial) that it was discussed in parliament! Settle in, grab your hat, and get Storyshaped with us.Find Helle online:www.hsnorup.comTwitter: H.S. NorupBooks mentioned in this week's episode include Helle's own:The Missing Barbegazi (Pushkin Children's)The Hungry Ghost (Pushkin Children's)Into the Faerie Hill (Pushkin Children's)And the books which shaped her include:The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe by C.S. LewisThe Never Ending Story by Michael EndeThe Brothers Lionheart by Astrid LindgrenRonja the Robber's Daughter by Astrid LindgrenEmil and the Detectives by Eric KastnerPippi Longstocking by Astrid LindgrenThe Famous Five by Enid BlytonThe work of Agatha ChristieA Wizard of Earthsea by Ursula le GuinDune by Frank HerbertHis Dark Materials by Philip PullmanUnraveller by Frances Hardinge"Fairy tales are more than true - not because they tell us dragons exist, but because they tell us dragons can be beaten." Neil Gaiman, misquoting G.K. ChestertonOur podcast bookshop in Ireland is Halfway Up the Stairs: www.halfwayupthestairs.ieIn the UK, check out our storefront on: https://uk.bookshop.org/shop/Storyshaped. Disclaimer: If you buy books linked to our site, we may earn a commission from bookshop.org, whose fees support independent bookshops. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week we're sitting down with Julie Pike, the author of the fantastical, magical, exciting (and slightly gruesome-but-great!) MG novel The Last Spell Breather (OUP, 2019). We talk stories, spaces, the landscape of Wales, the far-flung destinations that Julie has ventured to, how she once possibly helped to save a life (!), the impact of social class on authors' self-perceptions, and how important it is to show children that there are no limits to what they can achieve. Please join us as we get to know Julie and her book, and discover how Storyshaped she is.Books mentioned in this week's episode include Julie's own:The Last Spell Breather (OUP, 2019)And the stories that shaped her include:Chris Addison's blog 'Two Ways into a Theatre'Brandon Sanderson's blogs on how to write magic systems:Sanderson's First LawSanderson's Second LawSanderson's Third LawAn episode of Dr Who (with Tom Baker as the Doctor) which featured fish monsters:Dr Who: Full CircleThe Magic Faraway Tree by Enid BlytonLirael by Garth NixSabriel by Garth NixAbhorsen by Garth NixThe books of Barbara Cartland, Arthur Conan Doyle, and Georgette HeyerA Most Improper Magick by Stephanie BurgisA Tangle of Magicks by Stephanie BurgisA Reckless Magick by Stephanie BurgisJourney to the Centre of the Earth by Jules VerneThe Cadfael Chronicles (series) by Ellis PetersStar TrekMixed Magics by Diana Wynne JonesMysteries of the Unknown: Monsters, Ghosts and UFOs by Carey Miller, Christopher Maynard, Ted Wilding-WhiteOur podcast bookshop in Ireland is Halfway Up the Stairs: www.halfwayupthestairs.ieIn the UK, check out our storefront on: https://uk.bookshop.org/shop/Storyshaped. Disclaimer: If you buy books linked to our site, we may earn a commission from bookshop.org, whose fees support independent bookshops. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

For this episode, get ready to giggle! We had so much fun talking to Sabine Adeyinka, where we discuss boarding school stories from Nigeria to the UK, the brilliance of comics, the vital importance of curiosity, and the direct inspiration Sabine can draw between the stories that shaped her as a young reader and the creative work she has gone on to make. Settle down and join us for an hour of pure bookish happiness, and find out how Sabine is Storyshaped.Books mentioned in this episode include Sabine's own:Jummy at the River SchoolAnd the stories that shaped her include:Things Fall Apart, by Chinua AchebeMalory Towers, by Enid BlytonSt. Clare's, by Enid BlytonAké: The Years of Childhood, by Wole SoyinkaThe Beano comicTin Tin, by HergéArchie and Veronica (comic), created by Bob Montana and John L. GoldwaterThe Wind in the Willows, by Kenneth Grahame; ill. Ernest Shepard, Arthur Ransome, Charles van SandwyckBecoming, by Michelle ObamaTo Kill a Mockingbird, by Harper LeeGo Set a Watchman, by Harper LeeThe books of Efua TraoréHalf of a Yellow Sun, by Chimamanda Ngozi AdichieThe BibleOur podcast bookshop in Ireland is Halfway Up the Stairs: www.halfwayupthestairs.ieIn the UK, check out our storefront on: https://uk.bookshop.org/shop/Storyshaped. Disclaimer: If you buy books linked to our site, we may earn a commission from bookshop.org, whose fees support independent bookshops. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, we lose the run of ourselves (verrrry slightly) as we sit down with an undisputed legend - Frances Hardinge. Frances is the author of ten acclaimed and brilliant novels for young adults, the winner of the Costa Book Award (only the second children's author to do so, besides Philip Pullman), and the wearer of an assortment of extremely excellent hats. We wish to put it on record that she wore her hat throughout our conversation - as is only right and proper! Come with us as we take a walk through the absolutely amazing literary landscape that has shaped and formed Frances and her books, and forgive our (alright, Sinéad's) excited fangirling. (She regrets nothing.)Books mentioned in this episode include Frances's own:Fly By NightTwilight RobberyGullstruck IslandVerdigris DeepA Face Like GlassCuckoo SongThe Lie TreeA Skinful of ShadowsDeeplightUnravellerThe stories that have shaped Frances include:The Hungry Caterpillar, by Eric CarleJames and the Giant Peach, by Roald DahlAlice in Wonderland, by Lewis CarrollThe Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, by Douglas AdamsThe Colour of Magic, by Terry PratchettThe Time of the Ghost, by Diana Wynne JonesThe Thirteen Clocks, by James ThurberThe Moomintroll series of stories, by Tove JanssonWatership Down, by Richard AdamsThe Bear and the Nightingale, by Katherine ArdenThe Girl in the Tower, by Katherine ArdenHer Dark Wings, by Melinda SalisburyLeila and the Blue Fox, by Kiran Millwood Hargrave and Tom de FrestonAnd the collected work of H. Mills West (listen to the episode to find the touching reason why this writer's work is included.)Our podcast bookshop in Ireland is Halfway Up the Stairs: www.halfwayupthestairs.ieIn the UK, check out our storefront on: https://uk.bookshop.org/shop/Storyshaped. Disclaimer: If you buy books linked to our site, we may earn a commission from bookshop.org, whose fees support independent bookshops. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

WELCOME TO SEASON 2!Storyshaped is back - and we're landing with a bang. We open Season 2 with a Deep Dive into one of the most significant books in the lives of your fearless co-hosts - Pat O'Shea's The Hounds of the Morrigan. Fifteen years in the writing, this masterpiece of Irish children's literature was utterly formative for both Susan and Sinéad, and in this episode they rejoice in the opportunity to discuss it with one another. You'll hear about natural magic, talking donkeys, triple-aspect goddesses, beleaguered Garda Sergeants, mysterious bookshops, scrying glasses, Swapping Day, and so much more. Join us and be swept away by the magic of this wonderful book (which we do our best not to spoil - fingers crossed!) and get settled in for a new season of your favourite children's literature podcast.Welcome back! We're so glad to be here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week - the final episode of Season 1, Storyshaped fans! - Susan and Sinéad are indulging themselves with a Deep Dive into one of the books that profoundly shaped both of them. We're discussing Susan Cooper's 1973 classic The Dark Is Rising, which is a book that Susan describes as being part of her soul. It's an incredible story about a boy named Will Stanton, who steps into his power as an Old One on his eleventh birthday - and it involves such a wealth of mythology, folklore, allusions to medieval texts, and other stuff that pleases our nerdy hearts, that this episode was the MOST fun to record. Please do come with us as we dive deep into this beautiful book, which has Storyshaped us both, and get ready to whisper with us:When the Dark comes rising, six shall turn it back,Three from the circle, three from the track;Wood, bronze, iron, water, fire, stone; Five will return, and one go alone...Many different editions of Susan Cooper's classic book exist, but this is a recent edition which might be easily accessible: The Dark Is RisingBiographical details about Cooper's life and work are drawn from her website: The Lost Land of Susan Cooper We draw on Heritage Artefacts of County Cork by Denis Power and Mary Sleeman (2022) for some of our insights into the mandala symbolReferenced in the episode is this blog post: https://consolationofreading.wordpress.com/tag/piers-plowman/We also make reference to A Guidebook to Piers Plowman by Anna Baldwin, Palgrave Macmillan, 2007Susan draws on Britannic Myths by Steven O'Brien and Joe Machine (ill.) in our discussion of Herne the Hunter and Wayland SmithThe podcast dramatisation of The Dark is Rising can be found on Spotify here: BBC Sounds Robert MacFarlane The Dark is Rising AdaptationAnd the brilliant Backlisted Podcast episode with Robert Macfarlane and Jackie Morris is here: Backlisted PodcastThank you all so much for listening to Season 1 of Storyshaped! We're delighted to have reached so many ears, and we hope to reach many more in Season 2 - we'll be back in 2023 with more guest interviews and lots more bookish joy. Until then: all our best wishes for the Festive Season to everyone who celebrates, however you celebrate, and whatever you're doing: make sure to find a nice quiet corner to curl up in with a good book.Our podcast bookshop in Ireland is Halfway Up the Stairs: www.halfwayupthestairs.ieIn the UK, check out our storefront on: https://uk.bookshop.org/shop/Storyshaped. Disclaimer: If you buy books linked to our site, we may earn a commission from bookshop.org, whose fees support independent bookshops. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We have the splendid pleasure of speaking with Sharon Gosling this week on the podcast - yes, only the author of one of our absolute favourite books of 2022, The Extraordinary Voyage of Katy Willacott! The stories that shaped Sharon are wide-ranging and exciting, and our chat with her was fun, informative, and full of brilliant books. Come along with us as we take a walk through Sharon's Storyshaped life, and who knows? You might find she's Storyshaped in just the same way as you.Books mentioned in this episode include some of Sharon's own:The Diamond Thief, winner of the Redbridge Children’s Book Award 2014The Ruby Airship The Sapphire CutlassThe Golden ButterflyHouse of Hidden WondersThe Extraordinary Voyage of Katy Willacott. Her adult books have included The House Beneath the Cliffs and The Lighthouse BookshopAnd the stories that shaped her include:Little Grey Rabbit, by Alison UttleyMeg and Mog, by Helen Nicoll and Jan PienkowskiBoys' Best Adventures (any books that helped you to survive in the wild)The Circus of Adventure, by Enid BlytonAmazon Adventure, by Willard PriceBeaver Towers, by Nigel HintonWhen Marnie Was There, by Joan RobinsonThe Girl Who Ran Away, by Joan RobinsonThe Flight of the Doves, by Walter MackenTrixie Belden series, by Julie Campbell Tathem and othersThe Hardy Boys, by Franklin W. Dixon (collective pen-name)Little Women, by Louisa May AlcottThe Animals of Farthing Wood, by Colin DannTwenty-Five Years in the Word Mines, by Graham JoyceWhy Be Happy When You Could Be Normal? by Jeanette WintersonThe novels of Terry PratchettBabel, by R.F. KuangThe British Library collections of short storiesThe novels and short stories of Shirley JacksonThe work of Kelly LinkHag, edited by Carolyne LarringtonFolk, by Zoe GilbertParnassus on Wheels, by Christopher MorleyA Necklace of Raindrops and Other Stories, by Joan AikenThe Faithless Lollybird, by Joan AikenOur podcast bookshop in Ireland is Halfway Up the Stairs: www.halfwayupthestairs.ieIn the UK, check out our storefront on: https://uk.bookshop.org/shop/Storyshaped. Disclaimer: If you buy books linked to our site, we may earn a commission from bookshop.org, whose fees support independent bookshops. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today's guest is the BRILLIANT M.G. Leonard, author of some of the best books for young children available today. Her books have been personally inspirational to us, and M.G. herself is such a fount of inspiration, wisdom, and compassion - her insights into writing, the importance of stories, and how she used her own story to reshape her own life, is a must-listen. Come and join us, and find out how M.G. Leonard is Storyshaped.Books mentioned in this week's episode include M.G.'s own:Beetle BoyBeetle QueenThe Battle of the BeetlesThe Beetle Collectors' Handbook (non-fiction)The Tale of a ToothbrushThe Highland Falcon Thief (with Sam Sedgman)Kidnap on the California Comet (with Sam Sedgman)Murder on the Safari Star (with Sam Sedgman)Danger at Dead Man's Pass (with Sam Sedgman)Sabotage on the Solar Express (with Sam Sedgman)The Arctic Railway Assassin (with Sam Sedgman)TwitchSparkThe Ice ChildrenThe stories which shaped her include:Frances Hodgson Burnett, The Secret GardenRoald Dahl, The TwitsThe Work of Enid BlytonAstrid Lindgren, Pippi LongstockingWilliam Shakespeare, MacbethE.L. Grant Watson, What to Look for in Autumn (Ladybird Book)Elise Rousseau and Phillipe J. Dubois, A Short Philosophy of BirdsOur podcast bookshop in Ireland is Halfway Up the Stairs: www.halfwayupthestairs.ieIn the UK, check out our storefront on: https://uk.bookshop.org/shop/Storyshaped. Disclaimer: If you buy books linked to our site, we may earn a commission from bookshop.org, whose fees support independent bookshops. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.