Author In Your Classroom

Poet, playwright, author, musician and performer Benjamin Zephaniah explains how and why he writes, discusses the historical truth behind his latest novel, Windrush Child, and has some powerful advice for children struggling to find their voice, and make it heard... 
A resources pack, including teaching notes, planning sheets, working wall elements and more is available to support this episode at bit.ly/AIYCBenZresourcepack. 
This episode is divided into three sections, which can be listened to in one go, as a sequence spread over several days, or in isolation. If you only have time to listen to one, we recommend section 2, which includes a reading from Windrush Child. 
Section 1 starts at 00:00
Section 2 starts at 13:15
Section 3 starts at 26:56 
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Author Catherine Doyle, best-known for her Storm Keeper series of middle grade novels, talks to Helen Mulley about her latest book: a captivating reimagining of A Christmas Carol… but including the purple reindeer and mischievous Elf on the Shelf that Dickens somehow forgot to include in the original… 
A free resources pack, including teaching notes, planning sheets, working wall elements and more is available to support this episode at bit.ly/AIYCCatDresourcepack.
This episode is divided into three sections, which can be listened to in one go, as a sequence spread over several days, or in isolation. If you only have time to listen to one, we recommend section 2, which includes the author reading from their own work.
Section 1 starts at 00:00
Section 2 starts at 05:43
Section 3 starts at 21:10
Join the Plazoom community by signing up to our newsletter for free resources and special offers at plazoom.com!

One of the nation’s best-loved storytellers, Michael Morpurgo, joins presenter Helen Mulley to discuss where his stories come from (hint: he doesn’t conjure them out of nowhere), and why it’s so important for him to write about what really matters, especially when the world is looking strange and uncomfortable.  
A free resources pack, including teaching notes, planning sheets, working wall elements and more is available to support this episode at bit.ly/AIYCMMresourcepack.
This episode is divided into three sections, which can be listened to in one go, as a sequence spread over several days, or in isolation. If you only have time to listen to one, we recommend section 2, which includes the author reading from their own work.
Section 1 starts at 00:00
Section 2 starts at 11:05
Section 3 starts at 25:40
Join the Plazoom community by signing up to our newsletter for free resources and special offers at plazoom.com!

Stand-up comedian, TV presenter, author and massive space-geek Dara Ó Briain has some fantastic advice for children about finding their passion and then explaining it to others with enthusiasm, clarity and some very well-chosen jokes... 
A resources pack, including teaching notes, planning sheets, working wall elements and more is available to support this episode at bit.ly/AIYCDOBresourcepack. 
This episode is divided into three sections, which can be listened to in one go, as a sequence spread over several days, or in isolation. If you only have time to listen to one, we recommend section 2, which includes the author reading from their own work. 
Section 1 starts at 00:00 
Section 2 starts at 08:50 
Section 3 starts at 22:30 
Join the Plazoom community by signing up to our newsletter for free resources and special offers at plazoom.com! 
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DJ, TV presenter and author of the wildly popular Toto the Ninja Cat series of books for children joins the podcast to talk about how good research can inspire truly outstanding stories, sharing plenty of anecdotes and writing advice along the way! 
A resources pack, including teaching notes, planning sheets, working wall elements and more is available to support this episode at bit.ly/AIYCDOLresourcepack.
This episode is divided into three sections, which can be listened to in one go, as a sequence spread over several days, or in isolation. If you only have time to listen to one, we recommend section 2, which includes the author reading from their own work.
Section 1 starts at 00:00
Section 2 starts at 9:17
Section 3 starts at 24:04
Join the Plazoom community by signing up to our newsletter for free resources and special offers at plazoom.com! 
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Doctor, scientist, TV presenter and author Professor Robert Winston discusses his latest book for young readers, Inventors: Incredible Stories of the World’s Most Ingenious Inventions – and offers advice for children on how they can produce really engaging non-fiction writing… and why they really, really, don’t want to be a ‘genius’!
A resources pack, including teaching notes, planning sheets, working wall elements and more is available to support this episode at bit.ly/AIYCRWresourcepack. 
This episode is divided into three sections, which can be listened to in one go, as a sequence spread over several days, or in isolation. If you only have time to listen to one, we recommend section 2, which includes the author reading from their own work.
Section 1 starts at 00:00
Section 2 starts at 07:56
Section 3 starts at 18:55 
Join the Plazoom community by signing up to our newsletter for free resources and special offers at plazoom.com! 
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Legendary writer Cressida Cowell – creator of the How to Train Your Dragon and Wizards of Once series, and current Children’s Laureate – shares inspiring and motivational advice for children about the power of creativity, and why magic is at its most believable when based on the real wonders of nature! Will young listeners accept her challenge to create a magical creature of their own, supported by the free resources pack available at bit.ly/AIYCCCresourcepack? 
This episode is divided into three sections, which can be listened to in one go, as a sequence spread over several days, or in isolation. If you only have time to listen to one, we recommend section 2, which includes the author reading from her own work. 
Section 1 starts at 00:00 
Section 2 starts at 11.30 
Section 3 starts at 31:30 
Join the Plazoom community by signing up to our newsletter for free resources and special offers at plazoom.com! 
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ⓕ https://www.facebook.com/Plazoom-648739442272915 
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Struan Murray – lecturer in biochemistry turned children’s author – talks to presenter Helen Mulley about his debut novel, Orphans of the Tide; a real page-turner, packed with drama and cliffhangers, and threaded through with deep emotional resonance. He has some great advice for young writers about how to keep readers gripped from page one, as well as an interesting take on the worlds of ‘art’ and ‘science’, and how they're not actually so different after all! Download a FREE resources pack to go with this episode at https://www.plazoom.com/resource/author-in-your-classroom-building-suspense-with-struan-murray-series-one-episode-four. 
This episode is divided into three sections, which can be listened to in one go, as a sequence spread over several days, or in isolation. If you only have time to listen to one, we recommend section 2, which includes the author reading from their own work. 
Section 1 starts at 00:00
Section 2 starts at 12:25
Section 3 starts at 31:30
Join the Plazoom community by signing up to our newsletter for free resources and special offers at plazoom.com!
ⓣ https://twitter.com/plazoomshop 
ⓕ https://www.facebook.com/Plazoom-648739442272915 
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The brilliant Jamie Littler joins presenter Helen Mulley to talk about his first book as both author and illustrator, Frostheart – a thrilling adventure set in a fantasy world of snow, ice, monsters and music – with plenty of tips for young listeners on creating their own literary worlds, and never giving up their writing dreams, along the way. Download a FREE resources pack to go with this episode at https://bit.ly/plazoomJLittler. 
This episode is divided into three sections, which can be listened to in one go, as a sequence spread over several days, or in isolation. If you only have time to listen to one, we recommend section 2, which includes the author reading from their own work. 
Section 1 starts at 00:00 
Section 2 starts at 15:22 
Section 3 starts at 27:51 
Join the Plazoom community by signing up to our newsletter for free resources and special offers at plazoom.com! 
ⓣ https://twitter.com/plazoomshop 
ⓕ https://www.facebook.com/Plazoom-648739442272915 
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In this episode, Sam Copeland – author of the hilarious ‘Charlie McGuffin’ books, about an ordinary nine-year-old boy with an extraordinary superpower – discusses how to create memorable characters, why certain jokes work (and others don’t), and the importance of empathy when you’re telling a story. Download a FREE resources pack to go with this episode at https://bit.ly/plazoomsamcopeland.
This episode is divided into three sections, which can be listened to in one go, as a sequence spread over several days, or in isolation. If you only have time to listen to one, we recommend section 2, which includes the author reading from their own work.
Section 1 starts at 00:00
Section 2 starts at 09:33
Section 3 starts at 20:22
Join the Plazoom community by signing up to our newsletter for free resources and special offers at plazoom.com! 
ⓣ https://twitter.com/plazoomshop 
ⓕ https://www.facebook.com/Plazoom-648739442272915 
ⓟ https://www.pinterest.co.uk/plazoom