Tell A Tale Pod - Telling tales, igniting imagination !

In our fourth episode Andy proposes a electronic hip hop album. As you will hear the "Angles" has some rather confronting themes which could be quite triggering but is balanced by some interesting musical choices and humorous viewpoints. To fully immerse yourself in the Albumble podcast, listen to the album yourselves (Angles is on Spotify and possibly other places too) then listen to our appraisal. Remember to get in touch by tweeting us via @albumble and tell us what you think of Dan le Sac Vs Scroobius Pip and whether you agree with our views !!

In our third episode, we listen to the early 2000's phenomenon that was The Zutons' debut album. Although seen as a Scouse extension to the '90s Britpop era, we decide it is a lot more nuanced than that. To fully immerse yourself in the Albumble podcast, listen to the album yourselves (Who Killed... The Zutons is on Spotify and possibly other places too) then listen to our appraisal. Remember to get in touch by tweeting us via @albumble and tell us what you think of this alum or ANY of the albums we have reviewed so far and whether you agree with our views !!

In our second episode proper, Andy asks me/us to listen to Belgian music superstar Daan's early 2000's album "Victory". He's a quite the well-known name in Belgium - and our house - but not so much elsewhere. To fully immerse yourself in the Albumble podcast, listen to the album yourselves (Victory is on Spotify and possibly other places too) then listen to our appraisal. Remember to get in touch by tweeting us via @albumble and tell us what you think of Daan, Victory and whether you agree with our views !!

In our first episode proper we go back to 1995 and listen to Pulp's seminal contribution to Britpop... although it was a little bit more than that, don't you think? Listen to the album yourselves before listening to our appraisal and remember to get in touch with your thoughts and feeling about Different Class or how you feel about our opinions!

In this clear-as-mud episode, I (Ann) collar my husband (Andy) and sound him out on my idea for a podcast. I envisage that there will be 2 episodes a month - one on the 1st of the month and another  roughly on the 15th - so come back on July 1st for our first episode proper!!! At the end I suggest the album which will be the focus of the first show so once you've listened to this intro - go and listen to that album too !!!

Normally around November time I upload a seasonal tale usually with a wintry/Christmassy theme, this is similar but with a twist - the big day in *this* book is Diwali! Without giving too much away Asha, our protagonists, has her world turned upside down and decides she needs to take her fate and ultimately her family's fate into her own hands, She embarks on an adventure but is sure someone - or maybe something - is watching over her. A great descriptive read, weaving real life with spirituality as well as opening up the world of Indian culture to many who have never been there. This amazing book has 40 chapters, although most of the chapters are around the 10 minute mark. The first few chapters really set the scene and are therefore a little bit longer. Enjoy!

The last of my summer reads comes from a stalwart to children's television  - Floella Benjamin. This book, recounting her journey from the Caribbean to the UK, mirrors the story told by many of the Windrush generation, but could be the basis of any immigration/emigration story. Although the tale does not shy away from some of the difficulties and sadness, this story is overwhelmingly positive and definitely seen through the eyes of a child. Please go and find this book in your local library or bookshop and the pictures are also expressive and comforting.   Who came to the UK first? Why do you think they went alone? Which song did the children sing before school? Where to Floella live when her Marmie left? How long did the journey take? Why does she describe the boat as a 'flying skyscraper'?  Where did the boat finish its journey? What do you think Floella means by 'moving staircase'? Which of Floella dreams eventually came true?  

"When I Was a Child" brings together two mega talents in children's books - Andy Stanton, the bestselling author of Mr Gum, and David Litchfield, the award-winning creator of The Bear and The Piano. The simple message of the books is that one is never too old to continue seeing the magic in the world and that children are the best people to remind grown-ups that magic really does exist everywhere you look. In this case through the eyes of a grandchild/grandparent relationship. Talking to elders and hearing their memories is so important for children in building a sense of their own identity and developing empathy, and this book captures those "when I was your age" conversations beautifully – and could also prompt sharing many more.   Make a list of the rhymes and near rhymes heard in the poem. What is the name of the grand-daughter? Why do you think the colours did not fade? What might the world have looked like if if was a 'crystal jewel'? How or why might a river grow 'tired'? Why do you think the grandma can't see the magic but the grand-daughter can?    

Today's book comes from one of my favourite authors, Oliver Jeffers - but this time he has teamed up with writing goliath Eoin Culfer to create "Imaginary Fred" Fred is a professional imaginary friend. He's easygoing and always happy to be summoned. He's adaptable, friendly and willing. The perfect imaginary friend, really. Overall, Fred likes his job but when his kids end up finding real life friends, Fred's role as an imaginary friend is over--and he gradually fades away. Although great as a read aloud book the illustrations, as you can probably guess, are great and fit well with the narrative. But if you expecting anything quite as colourful as song of this other works - this might surprise you!   Which emotion does the book begin with? What are the 'rules' for getting an imaginary friend? Why did Fred get ignored? What technique is used in the phrase 'dynamic duo'? What does this mean? "A look Fred had seen before" - when was this? How genuine was Sam's promise? When Sam read the note, how did he feel? Why do you think he felt this way? Find the adjective that describes Freda's smile. Which word means 'first performance' What do you think happened next?  

Welcome to another of our short summer reads ! Down in the jungle, three best friends – Monkey, Tortoise and Anteater – are playing silly games together. After playing their go-to games of Stick Splash, Scary Monsters and Silly Dancing, they spy Little Crocodile and his big crocodile mum in the swamp. Little Crocodile suggests a daring new game called... KISS THE CROCODILE! Who will be brave enough to steal a peck from the ‘sleeping' croc, with his big tail, pointy teeth and sharp claws? Showcasing the exuberance and thrill of friendship and play, this hilarious new story from the author of Hoot Owl, Master of Disguise demands to be re-enacted, and is the perfect match for the animated and rich artwork of Ben Mantle   Make a list of the different onomatopoeia the author uses. When the friends see the two crocodiles, why do they whisper? In what order do the friends play the game? Who finally wakes the crocodile? Why do you think they play 'Wake the Monkey' next time? Do you think this story has a moral it is trying to teach young children?

... and now for some poetry ! This podcast looks at the anthology of poems "His shoes were far too tight" masterminded by Daniel Drinkwater with colourful and surreal illustrations from Calef Brown. Although not an exhaustive collection, they certainly showcase the lexicographic dexterity of Lear as well as as showing off his most famous rhymes Remember to listen to part one before listening to part two !   The Quangle Wangle's hat Why could you not see his face? What is the Quangle Wangle's favourite foods? Why do you think so many animals wanted to live there? Draw a picture of what you think the tree and hat look like   Mrs Blue Dickey bird Draw a picture of the different characters walking behind each other   Some incidents in the life of my Uncle Arly What does 'squandered' mean? Where did the cricket go? How long did Arly travel?   Nonsense Alphabet Choose your own items to add to the alphabet or many come up with less repetitive descriptions   There was an Old Derry down Derry What do you think this poem is about? Which other limericks have you heard of before?

... and now for some poetry ! This podcast looks at he anthology of poems "His shoes were far too tight" masterminded by Daniel Drinkwater with colourful and surreal illustrations from Calef Brown. Although not an exhaustive collection, they certainly showcase the lexicographic dexterity of Lear as well as as showing off his most famous rhymes And to make things even better there will be even more in the next podcast!    Throughout each poem, make a note of the stanza lengths and/or rhyme schemes. Attempt to write your own stanzas about your self OR in teh style of the poem, as an additional verse   How pleasant to know Mr Lear What does Lear mean by the word 'dumb'? Investigate what Marsala is - NOTE - do not mix up with masala !!!! What does the word 'runcible' mean? (this word comes up again and again!) Draw a picture of what you think he looks like.   The Pobble who has no toes What did Aunt Jobiska make the Pobble drink? Where did he swim? Which words does Lear use that all mean red? Who took the flannel away?   The Owl and the Pussycat What does Lear mean by the word 'fowl'? Which foods did they eventually end up eating? How does the repetition of the final lines make you feel? How does it change the pace?   The Duck and the Kangaroo How do you think the duck sounds at the start of the poem? What does Lear mean by the word 'roo-matiz'? Why do you think it is spelled that way? Where did the duck end up sitting?   The Jumblies At what time of year did they set sail? Which random objects was the boat made out of? How did they keep their feet dry? Where did they sail too? How long was their entire journey?