The Island of Brilliant! podcast | Listen online for free

41 episodes

Patience Agbabi
06/05/2026 | 50 mins.
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.
Angie Thomas
02/04/2026 | 49 mins.
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.
Ramzee
11/03/2026 | 54 mins.
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.
Three Men in a Boat
05/02/2026 | 21 mins.
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.
National Year of Reading
13/01/2026 | 50 mins.
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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About The Island of Brilliant!

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

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