Frank and Nadia have been busy knocking down some of the pre-fab buildings they've had delivered and hiding the plans for the cross-island superhighway they were so keen on - because the fabulous Pari Thomson, creator of the magical botanical paradise Greenwild - is heading shorewards on her lily-pad for a visit. No surprise that this series of eco-thrillers has been a massive success, they're exciting enough to even distract Frank from his one-man campaign to make poets read aloud better. No surprise either that Nadia is finally ready for some time alone.
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49:51
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49:51
Ranger Hamza
Ranger Hamza is in the house! Or would be if we had one. Frank and Nadia are all aflutter as Hamza comes in to land on the Island in the clutches of Assassin, the might Golden Eagle who lives round the corner from him in his Scottish home. Never takes the bins out but nobody dares mention it. With tales of pine marten poo, the superpower that is his dyslexia, and of course serious snack chat hamza offers something for everyone, and such is the enormity of his charm, intelligence and wit that two landlubbers who go by the names of Annabel and Lydia swim all the way out to the island to ask him some questions. Nadia and Frank might learn some proper interviewing techniques from them if they weren't too busy with their peurile Pogue pranks.
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1:05:17
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1:05:17
Charlie Higson
It's the one, it's the only... Charlie Higson!! Nadia's got a bit of a face on when she realises who's come to join her and Frank on the island, given that they've just created a book together, as this means breaking one of the island's golden rules - but soon she's ripping up said rule book (it's very thin) and eating it with glee as Charlie charms one and all with tales from his glorious career as a children's writer. If that's not enough, there are reflections on music and (semi?) quavers, and a race to the best James Bond dog pun, though all involved have to hang their heads in shame for missing Octopuppy.
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1:11:58
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1:11:58
Jennifer Killick
Well we're all delighted that the plague that beset the island last month has now vanished thanks to the diligent isolating from Nadia and Frank - though perhaps they were just not talking, it's hard to tell sometimes. The island is once again open to visitors and what a treat to see Her Highness of Horror Jennifer Killick emerging from the earth's crust to marvel at Frank's Deadwood puns and chat about why she's so drawn to filling her readers with fear. In geo-political news Frank and Nadia rebuff President Trump's recent declaration of interest in the island and its chocolate reserves. The island is NOT up for grabs, Donny boy.
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49:21
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49:21
Patrice Lawrence
She’s won the prizes as well as the love of her adoring readers for her brilliant books - including 'Orangeboy', 'Eight Pieces of Silva' and 'Rat' - but the wonder that is Patrice Lawrence has never, until now, been able to show off her true skill… the ability to freeze large bodies of water. And aren’t we the lucky ones, as it means she’s been able to pay a visit and tell Nadia and Frank all about her writing, her rage and her tip top taste in doughnuts. Now that Patrice’s new book, ‘People Like Stars’ is set to hit the shelves, she’s glad of the chance of just a little bit of peace beside the fire before the tidal wave of adulation surely coming her way hits the shore.
Nadia Shireen and Frank Cottrell Boyce have been shipwrecked on the Island of Brilliant with nothing but a pair of hammocks, a pile of children’s books and the world’s greatest ukulele band (The Ukulele Uff Trio) to keep them going.
Everyone wants the best for their children. Everyone should know that reading for pleasure not only increases educational attainment but also helps build happiness and resilience. If you’re going to read for pleasure you need choice.
Nadia and Frank will be chatting about what’s new and brilliant in children’s writing with the help of visitors to the island and reviews delivered via sea-shell from the doyen of children’s literature critics, Emily Drabble from Book Trust.
Music: The Ukulele Uff Trio
Producer: Geoff Bird
UK