In this episode, Krish dives into Rowan of Rin by Emily Rodda, a powerful adventure about courage, destiny and discovering strength you never knew you had. Following quiet, reluctant hero Rowan as he joins a dangerous mountain quest, the story explores bravery in its truest form: feeling scared, but choosing to take the next step anyway.

Krish also sits down with Sian Allan from The Smith Family, an education charity in Australia dedicated to helping children build confidence, curiosity and a lifelong love of reading. In this conversation, Sian shares why early literacy matters, how families can make reading playful and meaningful and why stories shape the way children understand themselves and the world.

Key topics covered in this episode:

• ​Rowan of Rin, a magical adventure about courage, prophecy and unexpected heroes
• ​How early reading experiences shape confidence, language and learning
• ​Practical ways families can make story time exciting and enjoyable
• ​The power of stories to help children explore new worlds and ideas
• ​How The Smith Family supports young readers through long-term educational programmes

Follow The Smith Family

Website: https://www.thesmithfamily.com.au/

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In this episode, Krish journeys into The City of Ember by Jeanne DuPrau, the gripping first book in the Books of Ember series. Set in an underground city built to shelter humanity after a global disaster, the story follows Lina Mayfleet and Doon Harrow as they uncover a long-lost message and risk everything to save their dying world. It is a story of courage, curiosity and hope and a reminder that asking questions can change everything.

Krish also chats with Sophie Hiscock from First Story UK, a brilliant organisation helping young people discover the power of their own voices through creative writing. Sophie shares how storytelling can build confidence, why finding your unique voice matters and how writing and reading together can open up endless possibilities.

Key topics covered in this episode:

• The City of Ember, a thrilling story of mystery, courage, and discovery
• How First Story UK empowers young people through creative writing
• Why every child’s voice deserves to be heard
• Tips for starting your own writing journey
• The importance of creativity and imagination in an age of AI

Follow First Story UK

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/firststory_uk/

Website: https://www.firststory.org.uk

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“If you’re enjoying a book, that’s all that matters and if you don’t, it’s okay to put it down and try something new.” – A. F. Steadman

In this heartfelt episode, Krish gallops back into the breathtaking world of Skandar but this time, it’s to talk about the epic conclusion of A. F. Steadman’s spellbinding series with Skandar and the Spirit War. From wild unicorns and elemental magic to friendship, bravery and betrayal, Krish unpacks why this series is one of his all-time favourites and why Skandar and The Spirit War is his favourite of all five books.

Krish is joined by A.F. Steadman herself for an exciting conversation about how she reimagined unicorns as fierce, dangerous creatures, why she wanted to show the real bond between Skandar and his sister Kenna, and how the series grows darker as the characters mature. They also talk about her brand-new book The First Unicorn Rider, a prequel set a thousand years before Skandar’s story, following the very first unicorn rider, George Penhaligon.

Key topics covered in this episode:

• Skandar and the Spirit War, the epic finale of an unforgettable fantasy series
• How A. F. Steadman reinvented unicorns as fierce, untamed creatures

• Sibling love, loyalty and courage in the face of darkness
• Behind-the-scenes insights into writing twists, magic and emotion
• Introducing The First Unicorn Rider, a brand-new prequel adventure

Whether you’re a long-time fan or a new reader discovering the series for the first time, this episode celebrates the power of imagination, friendship and growing up with stories that shape who we are.

Follow A.F.Steadman
Website https://afsteadman.com/
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/afsteadmanauthor

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