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 blockbuster
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 with Lili Wilkinson35:29 What Else is Happening This WeekRead the show notes for all book references at yourkidsnextread.com.auSign up to the Your Kid's Next Read newsletterConnect with Allison, Megan and the Your Kid's Next Read Community on FacebookVisit allisontait.com | megandaley.com.au
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 Win?'Read the show notes for all book references at yourkidsnextread.com.auSign up to the Your Kid's Next Read newsletterConnect with Allison, Megan and the Your Kid's Next Read Community on FacebookVisit allisontait.com | megandaley.com.au
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 about a new graphic novel.00:00 Quality Waffle04:33 Book Mail for This Week15:22 10 Minutes with Tom Jellett35:57 What Else is Happening This WeekRead the show notes for all book references at yourkidsnextread.com.auSign up to the Your Kid's Next Read newsletterConnect with Allison, Megan and the Your Kid's Next Read Community on FacebookVisit allisontait.com | megandaley.com.au
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'Read the show notes for all book references at yourkidsnextread.com.au Sign up to the Your Kid's Next Read newsletter Connect with Allison, Megan and the Your Kid's Next Read Community on Facebook Visit allisontait.com | megandaley.com.au
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 Quality Waffle04:28 Book Mail for This Week07:10 Feedback From Our 2025 Survey08:56 10 Minutes with Danielle Binks50:05 What Else is Happening This WeekRead the show notes for all book references at yourkidsnextread.com.au Sign up to the Your Kid's Next Read newsletter Connect with Allison, Megan and the Your Kid's Next Read Community on Facebook Visit allisontait.com | megandaley.com.au
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 Storm'Read the show notes for all book references at yourkidsnextread.com.au Sign up to the Your Kid's Next Read newsletter Connect with Allison, Megan and the Your Kid's Next Read Community on Facebook Visit allisontait.com | megandaley.com.au
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 for This Week 09:31 10 Minutes with Maddy Mara41:30 What Else is Happening This WeekRead the show notes for all book references at yourkidsnextread.com.au Sign up to the Your Kid's Next Read newsletter Connect with Allison, Megan and the Your Kid's Next Read Community on Facebook Visit allisontait.com | megandaley.com.au
Jayne McIntyre reads from ‘The Feathers Of Farwood: The Gripps Curse', the first book in her debut middle-grade fantasy trilogy.Read the show notes for all book references at yourkidsnextread.com.au Sign up to the Your Kid's Next Read newsletter Connect with Allison, Megan and the Your Kid's Next Read Community on Facebook Visit allisontait.com | megandaley.com.au
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. Read the show notes for all book references at yourkidsnextread.com.au Sign up to the Your Kid's Next Read newsletter Connect with Allison, Megan and the Your Kid's Next Read Community on Facebook Visit allisontait.com | megandaley.com.au
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 MarandoRead the show notes for all book references at yourkidsnextread.com.au Sign up to the Your Kid's Next Read newsletter Connect with Allison, Megan and the Your Kid's Next Read Community on Facebook Visit allisontait.com | megandaley.com.au
In the wake of recent polls, Megan and Allison dive deep into the specifics of what makes a picture book ‘great'.Read the show notes for all book references at yourkidsnextread.com.au Sign up to the Your Kid's Next Read newsletter Connect with Allison, Megan and the Your Kid's Next Read Community on Facebook Visit allisontait.com | megandaley.com.au
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.Read the show notes for all book references at yourkidsnextread.com.au Sign up to the Your Kid's Next Read newsletter Connect with Allison, Megan and the Your Kid's Next Read Community on Facebook Visit allisontait.com | megandaley.com.au
International bestselling author R. A. Spratt reads from ‘Romeo V Juliet', taking readers 12+ on a time-travelling Shakespearean adventure.Read the show notes for all book references at yourkidsnextread.com.au Sign up to the Your Kid's Next Read newsletter Connect with Allison, Megan and the Your Kid's Next Read Community on Facebook Visit allisontait.com | megandaley.com.au
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 Bookmail20:25 Bingo question of the weekRead the show notes for all book references at yourkidsnextread.com.au Sign up to the Your Kid's Next Read newsletter Connect with Allison, Megan and the Your Kid's Next Read Community on Facebook Visit allisontait.com | megandaley.com.au
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 fiction, and plotting a story in tiny thumbnails.Read the show notes for all book references at yourkidsnextread.com.au Sign up to the Your Kid's Next Read newsletter Connect with Allison, Megan and the Your Kid's Next Read Community on Facebook Visit allisontait.com | megandaley.com.au
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 enough to sustain a story.Read the show notes for all book references at yourkidsnextread.com.au Sign up to the Your Kid's Next Read newsletter Connect with Allison, Megan and the Your Kid's Next Read Community on Facebook Visit allisontait.com | megandaley.com.au
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.Read the show notes for all book references at yourkidsnextread.com.au Sign up to the Your Kid's Next Read newsletter Connect with Allison, Megan and the Your Kid's Next Read Community on Facebook Visit allisontait.com | megandaley.com.au
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'.Read the show notes for all book references at yourkidsnextread.com.au Sign up to the Your Kid's Next Read newsletter Connect with Allison, Megan and the Your Kid's Next Read Community on Facebook Visit allisontait.com | megandaley.com.au
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.Read the show notes for all book references at yourkidsnextread.com.au Sign up to the Your Kid's Next Read newsletter Connect with Allison, Megan and the Your Kid's Next Read Community on Facebook Visit allisontait.com | megandaley.com.au
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.Read the show notes for all book references at yourkidsnextread.com.au Sign up to the Your Kid's Next Read SubStack Connect with Allison, Megan and the Your Kid's Next Read Community on Facebook Visit allisontait.com | megandaley.com.au
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.Read the show notes for all book references at yourkidsnextread.com.au Sign up to the Your Kid's Next Read SubStack Connect with Allison, Megan and the Your Kid's Next Read Community on Facebook Visit allisontait.com | megandaley.com.au
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.Read the show notes for all book references at yourkidsnextread.com.au Sign up to the Your Kid's Next Read SubStack Connect with Allison, Megan and the Your Kid's Next Read Community on Facebook Visit allisontait.com | megandaley.com.au
In the first episode of our 'Meet The Creatives' Summer Series, Allison chats to author and illustrator Briony Stewart about how she got started making children's books, how she developed her own style and the biggest lessons she's learned along the way.Read the show notes for all book references at yourkidsnextread.com.au Sign up to the Your Kid's Next Read SubStack Connect with Allison, Megan and the Your Kid's Next Read Community on Facebook Visit allisontait.com | megandaley.com.au
Yes, it's that time of year when Allison Rushby joins Allison Tait and Megan Daley to celebrate the festive season in the best way we know how – by sharing our favourite childrens and YA reads of 2025. Do we know how to party or what?Read the show notes for all book references at yourkidsnextread.com.au Sign up to the Your Kid's Next Read SubStack Connect with Allison, Megan and the Your Kid's Next Read Community on Facebook Visit allisontait.com | megandaley.com.au
Allison chats to popular comedian and author Peter Helliar about his new junior fiction series ‘Detective Galileo', playing with words and founding his own publishing company in primary school.Read the show notes for all book references at yourkidsnextread.com.au Sign up to the Your Kid's Next Read SubStack Connect with Allison, Megan and the Your Kid's Next Read Community on Facebook Visit allisontait.com | megandaley.com.au
Allison chats to musical theatre superstar Helen Dallimore about her debut middle-grade novel ‘The Hits and Misses of Melody Moss', her multi-faceted career as an actor, singer, director and writer, and drawing on memories to find her character's voice.Read the show notes for all book references at yourkidsnextread.com.au Sign up to the Your Kid's Next Read SubStack Connect with Allison, Megan and the Your Kid's Next Read Community on Facebook Visit allisontait.com | megandaley.com.au
Allison chats to bestselling author Stuart Wilson about ‘The Lost Book', the second book in his 113th Assistant Librarian series, expanding a world, and encouraging kids to spend more time in the library.Read the show notes for all book references at yourkidsnextread.com.au Sign up to the Your Kid's Next Read SubStack Connect with Allison, Megan and the Your Kid's Next Read Community on Facebook Visit allisontait.com | megandaley.com.au
Allison chats to award-winning author Katrina Nannestad about her three new books, creativity and meeting new characters. Read the show notes for all book references at yourkidsnextread.com.au Sign up to the Your Kid's Next Read SubStack Connect with Allison, Megan and the Your Kid's Next Read Community on Facebook Visit allisontait.com | megandaley.com.au
A book for every kid – that's the YKNR aim this festive season. Megan and Allison make the case to gift books to every kid you know – particularly the ones who ‘don't like reading' – with advice for choosing the right book, ‘safe bet' book recommendations and tips for encouraging kids to open the pages, not just the present.Read the show notes for all book references at yourkidsnextread.com.au Connect with Allison, Megan and the Your Kid's Next Read Community on Facebook Visit allisontait.com | megandaley.com.au
With festive season preparations heating up, Allison and Megan are bringing you a storm of exciting bookmail titles to help you keep your gift-giving cool.Read the show notes for all book references at yourkidsnextread.com.au Connect with Allison, Megan and the Your Kid's Next Read Community on Facebook Visit allisontait.com | megandaley.com.au
Allison chats to Sarah Giddy about creating her debut illustrated middle-grade fantasy novel ‘Flight of the Drakkonbarq', her path to publication and creating worlds in unexpected places.Read the show notes for all book references at yourkidsnextread.com.au Connect with Allison, Megan and the Your Kid's Next Read Community on Facebook Visit allisontait.com | megandaley.com.au
Books for children and young adults often tackle the big, complex ideas that make us who we are, and they do it in age-appropriate ways. But how? Megan and Allison explore the secrets children's authors use to balance accessibility with depth – and why story always comes first.Read the show notes for all book references at yourkidsnextread.com.au Connect with Allison, Megan and the Your Kid's Next Read Community on Facebook Visit allisontait.com | megandaley.com.au
Allison chats to bestselling, award-winning author Tim Winton about ‘Ningaloo: Australia's Wild Wonder', his first picture book in 20 years, illustrated by Cindy Lane – and his best tips for young writers.Read the show notes for all book references at yourkidsnextread.com.au Connect with Allison, Megan and the Your Kid's Next Read Community on Facebook Visit allisontait.com | megandaley.com.au
Megan and Allison are joined by parenting expert Dr Justin Coulson and author Matt Stanton for a discussion about boys and reading in the face of recent headlines about declining literacy levels and engagement in reading for pleasure.Read the show notes for all book references at yourkidsnextread.com.au Connect with Allison, Megan and the Your Kid's Next Read Community on Facebook Visit allisontait.com | megandaley.com.au
Kate & Jol Temple read from ‘Mega Rich Guinea Pigs', book one in their hilarious new illustrated series.Read the show notes for all book references at yourkidsnextread.com.au Connect with Allison, Megan and the Your Kid's Next Read Community on Facebook Visit allisontait.com | megandaley.com.au
Allison chats to bestselling and beloved author Morris Gleitzman about his brand-new novel ‘Childish', potholes, and what we can do to get kids reading.Read the show notes for all book references at yourkidsnextread.com.au Connect with Allison, Megan and the Your Kid's Next Read Community on Facebook Visit allisontait.com | megandaley.com.au
Bethany Loveridge reads from her debut fantasy novel ‘Harper Wells Renegade Timeline Officer'Read the show notes for all book references at yourkidsnextread.com.au Connect with Allison, Megan and the Your Kid's Next Read Community on Facebook Visit allisontait.com | megandaley.com.au
Stories that explore feelings can be a revelation for young readers and a powerful tool for the adults in their lives. Megan and Allison discuss the wide range of books on offer, from picture books to YA, and why they provide a safe space for kids to work through their own emotions and feelings.Read the show notes for all book references at yourkidsnextread.com.au Connect with Allison, Megan and the Your Kid's Next Read Community on Facebook Visit allisontait.com | megandaley.com.au
Lora Inak reads from ‘Elif's Itchy Palm', book one in her new junior fiction series ‘The Cockatoo Crew', illustrated by Kruti Desai.Read the show notes for all book references at yourkidsnextread.com.au Connect with Allison, Megan and the Your Kid's Next Read Community on Facebook Visit allisontait.com | megandaley.com.au
Allison chats to debut author Kim Rackham about her delightful junior fiction verse novel ‘Hannah Backwards'. Plus Megan has two strong book recommendations – one for YA readers and one early learning educators.Read the show notes for all book references at yourkidsnextread.com.au Connect with Allison, Megan and the Your Kid's Next Read Community on Facebook Visit allisontait.com | megandaley.com.au
Zana Fraillon reads from her new verse novel ‘Song Of A Thousand Seas'Read the show notes for all book references at yourkidsnextread.com.au Connect with Allison, Megan and the Your Kid's Next Read Community on Facebook Visit allisontait.com | megandaley.com.au
When kids discover something they're passionate about, they tend to go all in and books are a great way to support that. Megan and Allison discuss how to find books about niche topics – and how to foster wider reading as well.Read the show notes for all book references at yourkidsnextread.com.au Connect with Allison, Megan and the Your Kid's Next Read Community on Facebook Visit allisontait.com | megandaley.com.au
Read the show notes for all book references at yourkidsnextread.com.au Connect with Allison, Megan and the Your Kid's Next Read Community on Facebook Visit allisontait.com | megandaley.com.au
Allison chats to author and science communicator Cristy Burne about her role in the new book ‘‘A New World Rises: Tales Of A LEGO® Future' by Jackson Harvey and Alex Towler. Plus, a discussion about the rising popularity of ‘choose a story path'-style books – and what kids can learn from them.Read the show notes for all book references at yourkidsnextread.com.au Connect with Allison, Megan and the Your Kid's Next Read Community on Facebook Visit allisontait.com | megandaley.com.au
Book Clubs are a great way to get (and keep) kids reading, but there are tricks to making them work – particularly for teens. Allison and Megan, along with special guest Trish Buckley, look at the ingredients for a successful book club for kids of any age.Read the show notes for all book references at yourkidsnextread.com.au Connect with Allison, Megan and the Your Kid's Next Read Community on Facebook Visit allisontait.com | megandaley.com.au
Megan Daley reads from the revised and updated edition of ‘Raising Readers How To Nurture A Child's Love Of Books'.Read the show notes for all book references at yourkidsnextread.com.au Connect with Allison, Megan and the Your Kid's Next Read Community on Facebook Visit allisontait.com | megandaley.com.au
Allison chats to Joel McKerrow about his latest middle-grade novel 'The Remarkable Robot Robbery' (Heist #2), balancing writing and speaking, and his number one tip for encouraging creativity in kids.Read the show notes for all book references at yourkidsnextread.com.au Connect with Allison, Megan and the Your Kid's Next Read Community on Facebook Visit allisontait.com | megandaley.com.au
With the media full of reports about the decline of reading in young people, Megan and Allison look at strategies for encouraging reading at home, giving expert tips, advice and insights in how to keep kids in touch with books. Plus, our thoughts on whether books need age classifications...Read the show notes for all book references at yourkidsnextread.com.au Connect with Allison, Megan and the Your Kid's Next Read Community on Facebook Visit allisontait.com | megandaley.com.au
Helen Edwards reads from 'The Disappearing Circus', a magical, mysterious new middle-grade novel, co-authored with Kate Gordon.Read the show notes for all book references at yourkidsnextread.com.au Connect with Allison, Megan and the Your Kid's Next Read Community on Facebook Visit allisontait.com | megandaley.com.au
Allison chats to award-winning author Gabrielle Wang about her magical latest novel ‘The Silken Thread', listening to the ghosts, and writing again after her term as the Australian Children's Laureate. Read the show notes for all book references at yourkidsnextread.com.au Connect with Allison, Megan and the Your Kid's Next Read Community on Facebook Visit allisontait.com | megandaley.com.au
Amelia Mellor reads from ‘The Wicked Ship'', the first book in the epic new ‘Oceanforged' fantasy series for middle-grade readers.Read the show notes for all book references at yourkidsnextread.com.au Connect with Allison, Megan and the Your Kid's Next Read Community on Facebook Visit allisontait.com | megandaley.com.au
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