The Island of Brilliant! – Détails, épisodes et analyse

A very special, dare we say unmissable, episode in lots of ways. Not only does Chris Haughton, the genius behind such books as 'Shh!', 'A Bit Lost' and 'Don't Worry, Little Crab' join us on the island and prove himself to be the most charming and brilliant of guests, Frank also shares a letter he was sent after the devastating arson attack on  Liverpool's Spellow Library during the riots. It's a letter that is both the story of a life and a testament to the enormous power of public spaces and their capacity to offer a beacon of light in the darkness. We also hear from Alex McCormick, the woman who set up the Go Fund Me page that she hoped would raise £500.00 to help restore Spellow Lane. At the time of writing it has already raised £250,000.  And in case that's not enough, Frank and Nadia get into it over which Simpsons character they most closely resemble. They've been on the island too long, some might say...

How do you turn an island into a festival? 

This month's episode is recorded partly on the island and partly at the magical location that is Biddulph Old Hall in the Staffordshire Moorlands, which played host and provided a magnificent backdrop to the inaugural Festival of Brilliant, staged by the mighty Outside Arts organisation. Moorlands lad Steven Lenton came along with vital local patisserie expertise and charmed the audience with his Swanee whistle playing and tip-top question answering. The Ukelele Uff Trio were even persuaded to come ashore for the first time in years to play along live. If you weren't able to come along in person, here's the next best thing (though you really did miss out on some excellent chips). 

It's not easy turning a tropical island into a festive grotto but yule surely agree we've done our level best, with recommendations for books of the year from some of the most exciting names in children's books, including previous visitors to these shores Katherine Rundell and Maisie Chan. We also have a silver-lamé-bedecked Alex T Smith talking Nutcrackers and all things festive. We kick things off, though, with a tribute to that giant of a man Benjamin Zephaniah, whose body of work included some of the greatest poems for children of recent times - including the immortal hymn to a veggie Christmas, Talking Turkeys. This one's for you, BZ. 

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

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... 

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) 

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 

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:

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. 

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'. 

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