The Island of Brilliant!

He's behind some of the most celebrated and beloved books of recent times - Goth Girl, The Edge Chronicles, Ottoline and a gazillion more - and he's also, it turns out, the captain of the Mellow Submarine! Which is excellent news for Frank and Nadia, as it means that Chris Riddell (for it is he) is able to swing on by for a piercing, no-holds-barred interview about wine gums among other things. Always keen to get his bearings, he whips out his trust pen and pad to sketch the first official cartographic sketch of the island, revealing coves to our two resident coves that they never knew existed. The big shock comes in the form of an orchard, the result of a certain someone palming them off with a bushel of apples some time ago.  It's a joy to have Chris run aground for awhile, why not pull up some driftwood and have a listen? 

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Frank's been tipping out talcum powder on the sand, Nadia's spent hours ironing patches onto her bell-bottom jeans. It can only mean one thing - Patience Agbabi is on her way to the island to talk about her amazing new book, Wonderland. It's all about sixteen-year-old Tamilola who, like Patience before her, enjoys nothing more than dancing up a storm to Northern Soul records on Colwyn Bay pier. Patience wows Nadia and Frank with her tales of joyful all-nighters (not to mention her snacks) and has them pondering just how hard it would be to build a sprung dancefloor on the beach. 

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When you're one of the most important writers of the 21st Century you think you'd have people looking out to make sure you didn't end up in a whale.. but that's exactly where the phenomenon that is Angie Thomas has found herself. Fortunately, being a whale this one knows a thing or too about pods, and has delivered Angie safe to the shores of the Island of Brilliant. Frank and Nadia can't believe their luck, and welcome Angie to shore to talk all things 'The Hate U Give' as well as her fabulous new Nic Blake book, 'TheBook of Anansi'. An absolute treat all round. 

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Stepping out of his helicopter onto the golden sands of the island, it's only flipping Ramzee, cartoonist, storyteller and owner of some truly cracking jumpers. He tells Nadia and Frank about the genesis of his fabulously popular Cheat Book series, and reveals all about his formative training in a video rental store as a teenager. He also has news from the mainland of new Jaffa Cake flavours which has them in a panic that they'll never make it through the big pile of books they need to read before they're finally allowed back home. Fortunately Emily Drabble of Booktrust is on hand via the convenient shell to keep them company and also up to date with the latest news from the children's book world. 

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Nadia's busy scribbling - so busy she hasn't even had chance to read the book she was set as part of the Island's National Year of Reading challenge, 'Three Men In A Boat'. Frank decides it might help her engage if he becomes her own personal audiobook and so reads two of his favourite passages for her, and your, delight. It is a thing of pure joy. Frank also summons the spirit of Emily Drabble from Booktrust with her fabulous recommendations to stop him getting too lonely. 

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13th January marks the official launch of the National Year of Reading, and Nadia and Frank have set their coconut alarm to make sure they're up and ready for it after their annual hibernation. Of course they're reluctant to actually wake up so producer Geoff has to muscle in and get them chatting about what their hopes are for this most exciting of projects. They set each other reading challenges and challenge listeners to do the same - which story, in whatever format, would you like a loved one to read so they can understand you better? Happy national year of reading, all..

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With Christmas just a short sleigh-ride away, we've done the impossible - created a ripple in that allows an actual teacher to have chance to visit the island even though it's their busiest time of the year. Phil Tite is an inspirational figure, championing reading in class and creating extraordinary moments that his pupils will remember for ever. Frank and Nadia are, frankly, a bit  unsure what to do with themselves, it's so long since anyone with a proper job has come along to say hello, but Phil soon puts them at their ease and has them eating out his hand. It's a joy of a conversation that will make his swordfish class realise why they're so lucky to have Mr Tite as their teacher.

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What's that in the blue yonder? Could it be a submarine - carrying precious cargo? It could and it is - the Nautilus itself, skippered by no-one other than Michael Rosen, who's come to the island to tell Frank and Nadia all about the upcoming Michael Rosen day! The aim of the day is "to make reading, listening to, and writing poetry fun, enjoyable and accessible for all, helping children and young people of all ages to discover its magic." And we're not going to quibble with that. In fact Frank and Nadia are busy preparing their own poetry party over at the freshly dug Island Lido. While he's here, Michael regales all (both) who'll listen with fabulous tales from his extraordinary life in children's books. Who could ask for anything more?    

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Who's that on the horizon, coming along on his soggy surfboard to break up the latest argument between Nadia and Frank about which chocolate bar reigns supreme? Why, it's only one of the best-loved writers in the whole of children's literature! Phil "Duke Of" Earle is the author of so many great books (When The Sky Falls, The Bubble Wrap Boy, Superhero Street and a gazillion others) he puts others to shame... but nobody durst blame that man, because he's among the mightiest mensches on the block. Listen in and if you don't agree then you're an out-and-out fibber.  

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With autumn in the air and the nights starting to draw in, it's time to put aside the sun loungers and long for spooky tales around the campfire - and who better to talk with about all things spooky than the brilliant Emma Carroll. The first in her brand new series of vampire books is out this month - Dracula and Daughters describes what happenswhen three cousins discover they’re descendants of Dracula and  combine their powers to form a vampire healing company. Given that this comes from Emma, whose work was described as 'dangerous' by none other than Ted Hughes, it's going down big with Nadia and Frank. They might be full of bravado talking to Emma -  but it's a shoo in that they'll both be too scared to sleep when it comes time for hitting the hammocks. 

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