The Island of Brilliant!

J.T. Williams

J.T. Williams is the author of the incredible Lizzie and Belle Mysteries, featuring two girls who spend their time solving mysteries in 19th Century London - who better to come along to the island to try and solve the great mystery of the ages: why can't Frank get the name of the Ukelele Uff trio right? Though she's going to need more time to crack that particular conundrum, J.T.  is more than up to the job of keeping Nadia and Frank enraptured with her tales of the real people Lizzie and Belle are based upon. Another strike-out on the snack front though, according to a rather ungrateful Nadia Shireen at least.
Emily Drabble is back with reviews of a fresh batch of new titles:
The Den, Keith Gray Barrington Stoke
The Very Special Thing, Alex Willmore, Tate publishing
The Wild, Yuval Zommer, OUP
When The Sky Falls, Phil Earle 
The Nutcracker, Alex T. Smith

Liz Pichon

She may have sold over 11 million copies in 44 languages of her Tom Gates series but that doesn't mean Liz 'The Toaster' Pichon doesn't have time to swing by the island to chat with two of her biggest fans - Frank and Nadia. Being a publishing phenomenon, it seems, doesn't stop you being a wonderful human being and a brilliant guest... 
BookTrust's Emily Drabble recommends
 
World of Dogs by Carlie Sorosiak and Luisa Uribe (Nosy Crow)
 
The Snow Girl by Sophie Anderson, illustrated by Melissa Castrillion  (Usborne) 
What you Need to be Warm by Neil Gaiman and many amazing illustrators (Bloomsbury)
JT Williams Bright Stars of Black British History, illustrated by Angela Vives (Thames and Hudson)
Heavy Metal Badger by Duncan Beedie (Little Tiger) 
 

Jon Klassen

Last time, in a terrifying cliff-hanger, our Nadine flew off on Katherine Rundell's bi-plane - there's only one thing that could prompt such foolhardy behaviour in one os fearful - and that's the chance to fetch Jon Klassen (THE Jon Klassen) back to island. And not a minute too soon, the poor man was drifting out in the ocean with minutes left before the game was up. Fortified by Frank's crisps, he proceeds to give one of the best interviews you'll hear this year from any writer. Jon, truly one of the great talents at work today in any literary field, talks about his move from animation into children's books, the creative process, his heroes and all manner of other things too. It's a proper belter. 
Listen in also for a masterclass in conch-blowing from Frank (Nadia not so much) and also their chat about what they've been reading in they hammocks (spoiler: Nadia's been reading Uncle Montague's Tales of Terror by Chris Priestley and Frank's been filling his boots with 'Charmed Life' by Diana Wynne Jones). 
Emily Drabble from Booktrust returns with some hot-off-the-press reviews of some of the best new children's books:
Foxlight by Katya Balen, published by Bloomsbury
My Family Your Family By Laura Henry Allain illustrated by Giovanni Medeiros published by Penguin
The Case of the Haunted Wardrobe by Kereen Getten published by Pushkin
Make Tracks, Emergency Vehicles, by Johnny Dyrander published by Nosy Crow
The Magic of Forests by Vicky  Woodgate published by DK 

Katherine Rundell

Imagine having a new book coming out, one more hotly anticipated than a change of government - and still taking the time and trouble to visit the Island of Brilliant for a natter with Nadia and Frank. That's the kind of class that is exhibited as standard by the inestimably talented Katherine Rundell, who even manages to keep her composure when her kindly snack gift is met with (very) thinly veiled disappointment. Katherine offers invaluable insights into forthcoming novel 'impossible Creatures' as well as making a frankly magnificent case for the absolutely vital role of children's books in our lives and society.
Before she arrives, Frank and Nadia discuss the books they've been reading on their hammocks - Wind in the Willows, The Skull by Jon Klassen, The Council of Good Friends by Nikesh Shukla (illustrated by Rochelle Falconer) and Beegu by Alexis Deacon.  
Courtesy of the island's convenient shell, Emily Drabble from Booktrust reviews five new titles:
Finding Wonder by Lauren St John  and illustrated by Levi Pinfold, Marie-Alice Harel, Published by Faber
 
Brilliant Black British HIstory by Atinuke and illustrated by Kingsley Nebechi published by Bloomsbury
 
The Perfect Present by Petr Horacek published by Otter Barry Books
 
Shifty McGifty and Slippery Sam, Train Trouble by Tracy Corderoy and Steven Lenton published by Nosy Crow
 
Gina Kaminski Saves the Wolf by Craig Barr-Green and Francis Martin published by Little Tiger
 

Extra, Extra! Nadia and Frank Go Paddling

Frank's had his turn bigging up his new book and now Nadia's waking up to find he's jumped ship, leaving the coast clear for her to answer listeners' questions abode there new book Geoffrey Gets The Jitters as well as her fabulous Grimwood series. 

EXTRA, EXTRA! Frank and Nadia go Paddling

The ground rules were clear before they arrived on the island - no talking about their own books... but Frank and Nadia are too clever by half, and have sailed out to a lagoon in a home-made canoe so they can answer listeners' questions about their new titles without getting into trouble with the island's fearsome fairness umpires. Trouble is Nadia's fallen asleep so Frank's having to talk over the top of her snoring - but it's worth it to get the inside scoop on his terrific new title, 'The Wonder Brothers'. 

The Island of Brilliant: Episode 4 with Danny Wallace

There's bad blood on the island this month, as Frank's nemesis Danny Wallace turns up (uninvited, according to FCB) to stoke the flames of the pair's long-standing rivalry. Nadia, fortunately, is able to find higher ground and steers a sometimes begrudging but always illuminating, often hilarious conversation to the matter at hand, children's books. Danny discusses his own books, including 'The Day the Screens Went Blank' and 'The Boss of Everyone' - and also Brian Patten's brilliant poetry collection 'Gargling with Jelly'. Before he arrives, Frank and Nadia discuss the books they've been reading in their hammocks: The Lizzie and Belle Mysteries: Drama and Danger by J.T. Williams; Onyeka and the Academy of the Sun by Tola Okogwu; Wellington's Big Day Out by Steve Small and Monster in the Woods by Dave Shelton. 
While The Ukelele Uff keep things harmonious with their beautiful music,  Emily Drabble of Booktrust comes out of her convenient shell once again with more reviews of new titles:
1. Deep, A story of love through the Generations
Stephen Hogtun
Published by Bloomsbury
2. Calling the Whales
By Jasbinder Bilan
Illustrated by Skylar White
Published by Barrington Stoke
3. Stolen History
Sathnam Sanghera
Illustrated by Jen Khatum
Published by Puffin
4. The Midnight Babies
Isabel Greenberg
Published by Abrams Books for Young Readers
5. Imagine IF... Veggies by Aya Watanabe
Published by Templar
 
 

The Island of Brilliant Episode Three with Ed Vere

Another month, another pile of books to get excited about.. 
Nadia and Frank welcome the brilliant, goose-fat-slathered Ed Vere onto the island to talk about his terrific range of picture books, including most recently 'The Artist', and are surprised and moved to discover his long-standing connection with Jan Pieńkowski. What a shame such a lovely visit ends so tragically! 
Emily Drabble from BookTrust is on hand (via the magic shell) to cheer us up with her latest reviews of:
This Rock is Mine Written by Kaye Umansky and illustrated by Alice McKinley (Alison Green Books)
Glowrushes by Roberto Piumini, translated by Leah Janeczko (Pushkin) 
Yomi and the Fury of Ninki Nanka by Davina Tijani, illustrated by Adam Douglas-Bagley
(Little Tiger)
The Thunk  by Michelle Robinson, illustrated by Deborah Allwright (Bloomsbury)
Max and Chaffy The Great Cupcake Mystery by Jamie Smart (David Fickling)
 
 
 

The Island of Brilliant: Episode Two with Maisie Chan

Nadia (of the 'lovely audio presence') and Frank welcome the fabulous writer Maisie Chan to the island to talk about some of her brilliant books - including 'Danny Chung Does Not Do Maths' and 'Keep Dancing Lizzie Chu'. They also chat about the books they've been reading to pass their days in the sunshine - and head to the sea shell shelf to listen to Emily Drabble from BookTrust reviewing these highlights from the recent crop of new children's books: 
Nature Trail be Benjamin Zephaniah illustrated by Nila Aye, Orchard
Fablehouse by EM Norry, Bloomsbury
Budgie by Joseph Coelho, illustrated by David Barry, Barrington Stoke
Timid by Harry Woodgate, Little Tiger
I am Happy by Michael Rosen and Robert Starling, Walker
 

The Island of Brilliant! Episode 1 with Cressida Cowell.

Frank and Nadia are shipwrecked on an island and have to finish a pile of children's books before they can even think about leaving. Along the way they chat about the books they are currently reading in their their hammocks, hear a review of some of the best new children's books (via seashell) from Emily Drabble, and are visited by recent Children's Literature Laureate Cressida Cowell, who naturally arrives on the back of a dragon. 
Music: The Ukulele Uff Trio
Producer: Geoff Bird
Books featured:
Tyger by SF Said
The Magician's Elephant by Kate DiCamillo
Captain Looroll by Matt Carr
Wild Song by Candy Gourlay
The Storm Swimmer by Clare Weze
Mia and the Lightcasters by Janelle McCurdy
I Really Really Need A Wee by Karl Newson