On today’s show, we chat to a picture book author about the timeless connection between grandparents and grandchildren. As well as the process of sharing dialogue and connections with kids in our stories.

Plus, Liv has her own special guest drop in for today’s book review.

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Today’s special guest was born in Adelaide, South Australia and she's been telling stories ever since. Although she spent over ten years crafting nonfiction articles for magazines, she finally realised her real love was writing the stories for young people that blossom in her imagination. She is the author of eight books, seven of which are for children. And, she’s popped in today to share her journey with us, as well as her latest picture book, Me and You. Everybody, please welcome, Ellie Royce.

I can do that! I can write a book!

On today’s show, we follow an author with a “Can Do” attitude through her publishing journey. From mastering rhyme, storytelling, attending conferences, getting involved in community, and each step of the way to publication. A must listen and a fun chat for all authors and illustrators looking to carve out their own creative careers.

Today’s special guest discovered the power of words and performance as a Drama Teacher, which ultimately led her to exploring children's literature. She is now a children's author based on the Mornington Peninsula in Victoria.

Inspired by her three children, her writing is a heartfelt celebration of the magical moments that define childhood – infused with love, humour, and a delightful splash of quirkiness. She’s popped in today to share her quirkiness along with her author journey. Everybody please welcome, Sharna Carter.

What Makes a Good Illustrator?

On today’s show, we chat illustrations with a legend of over 30 years of producing quality artwork. We look at what makes a good illustrator. Is it consistency? Is it a unique style and brand? Is it knowing what jobs to take on and what to leave alone? So much to consider as we go behind the scenes with one of my all-time favourite creators of books for kids.

Plus, Liv reviews a picture book with too many dogs.

Today’s special guest is a multi-award-winning Australian illustrator based in Sydney, with over two decades of experience in children's literature. His distinctive style has brought to life numerous beloved stories, including "My Dad Thinks He’s Funny," "Why I Love Footy," and the "Sporty Kids" series. His work extends beyond books; he's contributed editorial illustrations to major newspapers like The Australian and The Weekend Australian. His latest picture book, "The Train at the End of My Street," continues his tradition of capturing the whimsy and wonder of childhood through vibrant illustrations. And, he’s popped in today to share his incredible journey with us, along with his timeless knowledge of the craft, so everybody please welcome the amazing, Tom Jellett.

An interview with Chat GPT

AI and the Future of authors

On today’s show, we chat to one of the world’s quirkiest digital assistants. We get the future straight from one of the world’s biggest AI Language Models! Yep, who better to ask than the number 1 bot in the business.

We chat about what AI can and can’t do for children’s book creators, how authors and illustrators can use AI as a tool, and what is the future of creativity with AI. What is potentially exciting and what’s not.

Plus, Liv’s back to review a big bunch of brand-new books!

Today’s special guest is a friendly language model powered by OpenAI. Trained on a massive library of text, Chat GPT helps with words, ideas, and creative flow, but doesn’t have feelings, opinions, or a physical form. Instead, it likes to think of itself as the world’s quirkiest digital assistant who loves stories and tacos in equal measure. Please welcome, Chatty the AI Bot.

How Beautiful is our world?

On today’s show, we chat to one of this country’s finest picture book authors about writing humour along with serious and important stories for kids. We chat about planning stories, writing stories, where stories come from, where humour comes from, and a brand-new book showcasing our beautiful world.

Today’s special guest is an internationally published children’s author based in Melbourne. She loves to write stories filled with humour and heart. Her debut picture book Mozzies Vs Flies was shortlisted in the Speech Pathology Australia Book of the Year Awards 2022. Her second picture book, Meowster Chef, has been translated into Spanish and Italian. One of her recent books, Wild About Book Week has gone so well, not only is it in reprint, but her publishers have asked her to write another in the series.

She’s popped in to share all this with us, as well as an uplifting story that means so much to her, and a topic that should mean so much to us all, everybody please welcome our beautiful author, Sarah Speedie

How to create, publish, and market stories in the modern world

On today’s show, we chat about graphic novels, appreciating stories of all kinds, creativity in the modern world, publishing stories in the modern world, mixing art and marketing, plus, pushing through your creative process when things get tough. And, if that’s not enough, Liv’s popping in to review an Aussie legend.

Today’s special guest began his working life in marketing, even winning a Gruen Trophy on TV, but when his kids grew to reading age, he realised there were no appropriate comics. So he wrote his own, ran a successful crowd funding campaign and kicked off an awesome writing and illustrating career that has seen him publish multiple books and win multiple awards/

He’s popped in today to share his creative journey with us, offer up a few tips, and help creators push through those tough times. Everybody please welcome, the huge creative talent that is, Mike Barry.

Dreaming up stories

On today’s show, Liv and I chat to a kids author who is making a splash in 2025. With multiple books out this year, we explore stories, storytelling and the process of making dreams come true. Plus, Liv reviews a classic CBCA winning book.

Today’s special guest has loved books since she was a little girl. Her parents still tease her because at 4-years-old they took her to see Beauty and the Beast and all she was interested in was the scene with the giant library. “So many books!”

She’s popped in today to share her love of storytelling, how she comes up with her ideas, and the process she’s used for making dreams come true. Everybody please welcome the wonderful, Millie Lewis.

Challenging traditional publishing norms

An honest look at Clutterbugs, publishing and carving out a path to creativity

On today’s show, we look for Clutterbugs, chat about children’s publishing, how to navigate your own writing path, taking risks, and ways to come up with new ideas.

Plus, Liv tells us why we should never trust fish. She reviews 2 awesome picture books, one about family and one hilarious book about fish.

Today’s special guests is an author and playwright. Her acclaimed play, Fragments has been produced as a web series and a feature-length film.

She is multi-award-winning picture book author, and a book reviewer for the CBCA and Reading Time magazines.

Born in the USA, she gained a PhD in philosophy, before having her own Crocodile Dundee moment and marrying a genuine Aussie shearer.

She’s taken time today, away from her avocado farm, wombats, echidnas and lyrebirds on their NSW rainforest mountaintop property to share her amazing journey with us. So, everybody please welcome, the awesome Maura Pierlot.