Storyshaped

About Storyshaped

A children's literature podcast all about the stories that shape us - and how the stories that formed us go on to shape the stories we create. We talk to children's authors, illustrators, bloggers, and book lovers of all sorts about the stories they loved as children (or perhaps, the stories they hated, feared, or were fascinated by!) and how those stories helped to shape their lives. Join us for weekly discussions about books, stories, and their power to change the world. Follow us on Twitter: www.twitter.com/StoryshapedPod (www.twitter.com/StoryshapedPod) and Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/storyshapedpod/ (https://www.instagram.com/storyshapedpod/) Contact us on storyshapedpod@gmail.com Our Irish bookshop partner is Halfway Up the Stairs bookshop in Wicklow: www.halfwayupthestairs.ie (www.halfwayupthestairs.ie) In the UK, check out our storefront on https://uk.bookshop.org/shop/Storyshaped (https://uk.bookshop.org/shop/Storyshaped). Disclosure: If you buy books linked to our site, we may earn a commission from Bookshop.org, whose fees support independent bookshops. Theme music composed and performed by Tony Betts Logo designed by Paul Coomey Your hosts: children's authors Susan Cahill and Sinéad O'Hart Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.

Publisher

Susan Cahill & Sinéad O'Hart

Category

arts · fiction · kids & family

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

28 Jul 2022

Latest episode

19 Mar 2026

Latest episodes

72 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   19 Mar 2026

   Getting Storyshaped with Paddy Donnelly

   We finally managed to get a chance to chat to Paddy Donnelly, and we're thrilled about it! Paddy's been on our 'MUST HAVE' guest-list since the podcast started, and we've never managed to nab him... until now. Tune in as we talk through his incredible body of work, his unconventional approach to getting his start in the publishing industry, his brilliant life advice, and his insights into his own work. It was a warm and wonderful chat, which we're delighted to share with you. Are you ready to Get Storyshaped? Books mentioned in this week's episode include Paddy's own: Dodos Are Not Extinct HOM The Vanishing Lake The Golden Hare Fox and Son Tailers Badger Books Míp Scunc agus Smúirín... And many more! Check out Paddy's website, lefft.com (https://lefft.com/), for full listings And the stories which shaped him include: Full Moon Soup, by Alastair Graham Full Moon Afloat, by Alastair Graham Dinosaurs! Magazine Palaeoart: Visions of the Prehistoric Past, by Zoe Lescase and Walton Ford, pub. Taschen Books Watership Down, by Richard Adams The Animals of Farthing Wood, by Colin Dann Run With the Wind, by Tom McCaughren Run Swift, Run Free, by Tom McCaughren Run to Earth, by Tom McCaughren Dodos are Forever, by Dick King-Smith Irish Birds (encyclopedia) Don't Trust Fish, by Neil Sharpson and Dan Santat Sleep Tight, Disgusting Blob, by Huw Aaron The Circles in the Sky, by Karl James Mountford Island, by Mark Janssen Felix and the Future Agency, by Rachel Morrisroe Our podcast bookshop in Ireland is Halfway Up the Stairs: www.halfwayupthestairs.ie (http://www.halfwayupthestairs.ie/). You might also like to check out www.kennys.ie (http://www.kennys.ie/) for free shipping within the Republic of Ireland! In the UK, check out our storefront on: https://uk.bookshop.org/shop/Storyshaped. Disclaimer: If you buy books linked to our site, we may earn a commission from bookshop.org, whose fees support independent bookshops. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.

2. 

   5 Mar 2026

   Getting Storyshaped with Alison King

   Today's episode is a special World Book Day celebratory release, where we had the JOY of chatting to school librarian, CILIP Judge and Chair-Elect, and general wonder-worker Alison King. Alison is a librarian in a school in Wales, and her passion for her job - and her abiding love of books and stories - comes through so strongly in everything she does (this interview being no exception). Come with us as we learn about the books and stories which helped shape Alison into the wonderful story-advocate she is today - and learn, along with us, all about the National Year of Reading (https://literacytrust.org.uk/about-us/national-year-of-reading-2026/), and how you can get involved! #GoAllIn (https://goallin.org.uk/get-involved/schools/)! Happy World Book Day, Storyshapers! Books mentioned in this week's episode include: The 'Story a Day' books - a story for every day of the year Storyteller magazine and cassettes: the mp3s of the stories can be found here (https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1zWGqdxbK8QWI1VLDLVxFirPPPka0HPtH) Josie Smith at the Seaside, by Magdalen Nabb and illustrated by Pirkko Vainio The Animals of Farthing Wood, by Colin Dann Animal Ark, by Lucy Daniels The Enchanted Wood, by Enid Blyton The Magic Faraway Tree, by Enid Blyton The Baby-Sitters' Club, by Ann M. Martin The Last Zookeeper, by Aaron Becker Drama, by Raina Telgemaier Heartstopper, by Alice Oseman Glasgow Boys, by Margaret McDonald Run Rebel, by Manjeet Mann Look Both Ways, by Jason Reynolds The work of Laura Bates The work of Holly Bourne The Blue Book of Nebo, by Manon Steffan Ros Lark, by Anthony McGowan Tales from the Inner City, by Shaun Tan Small in the City, by Sydney Smith Howard's End is on the Landing, by Susan Hill The Remains of the Day, by Kazuo Ishiguro Little Women, by Louisa M. Alcott Blue Sisters, by Coco Mellors Hello Beautiful, by Ann Napolitano The Places I've Cried in Public, by Holly Bourne Gone for Good, by Sarah Crossan Shorelines, by Ruth Ennis Magical Boy, by Kao Pumpkinheads, by Rainbow Rowell and Faith Erin Hicks Why Did My Brain Make Me Say It? by Sarah Ziman Letters from the Upside, by Katya Balen Sirens, by Emilia Hart Introducing Mrs Collins, by Rachel Parris A Million Tiny Missiles, by Lucas Maxwell Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.

3. 

   26 Feb 2026

   Getting Storyshaped With Fleur Hitchcock

   This week, we got to speak to the Queen of Crime herself, Fleur Hitchcock! Fleur shared some of her brilliant tips and tricks to writing her novels, as well as letting us in on a secret or two (hint: you might be surprised by the authors she's never read!) We discuss setting, Scandi noir vs. 'cosy' crime, the vital importance of pony books, and a wonderful connection to the great Nina Bawden. Get your crime-solving hats on, and join in the fun! Find Fleur online at her agent's website: The Shaw Agency (https://www.theshawagency.co.uk/fleur-hitchcock) Stories mentioned this week include some of Fleur's own: Shrunk! Dear Scarlett Murder at Wintertide Murder at Snowfall ... and many more And the stories which shaped her include: The work of Malcolm Saville (https://www.witchend.com/) The Silver Sword, by Ian Seraillier Richard Scarry's Storybook Dictionary Ant and Bee, by Angela Banner, illustrated by Bryan Ward Andy Pandy - originally a BBC television show; later a comic strip in Robin (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robin_(magazine)) magazine The Batman comics/character, created by Bill Finger and Bob Kane The Superman comics/character, created by Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster The Green Lantern comics/character, created by Bill Finger and Martin Nodell The Justice League comics/characters, originally conceived by Sheldon Mayer and Gardner Fox Tintin: Explorers on the Moon, by Hergé Asterix, created by René Goscinny and Albert Uderzo Tammy (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tammy_(comics)), and June - comics originally published by Fleetway between 1971 and 1984 Bunty (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bunty) - comic originally published by DC Thompson and Co between 1958 and 2001 James and the Giant Peach, by Roald Dahl, illustrated by Michel Simeon (1967) The Otterbury Incident, by Cecil Day-Lewis, illustrated by Edward Ardizzone Nightbirds on Nantucket, by Joan Aiken Black Hearts in Battersea, by Joan Aiken The work of Josephine, Christine, and Diane Pullein-Thompson National Velvet, by Enid Bagnold, illustrated by Lauriane Jones The Manual of Horsemanship, and Keeping a Pony at Grass, published by the British Pony Society The Ponies of Bunts, by Marjorie Mary Oliver The work of Dick Francis Flambards, by KM Peyton Black Beauty, by Anna Sewell The work of Henry Treece Eagle of the Ninth, by Rosemary Sutcliffe Boys' Own books belonging to Fleur's uncles The work of Nina Bawden The work of Dashiell Hammett, Raymond Chandler, James Elroy, Louis L'Amour , James Herbert, Stephen King, Rachel Ward, Belinda Bauer A Wizard of Earthsea, by Ursula le Guin The Dark is Rising, by Susan Cooper The Kelpie's Pearls, by Mollie Hunter, illustrated by Charles Keeping Stig of the Dump, by Clive King, illustrated by Edward Ardizzone Our podcast bookshop in Ireland is Halfway Up the Stairs: www.halfwayupthestairs.ie (http://www.halfwayupthestairs.ie/). You might also like to check out www.kennys.ie (http://www.kennys.ie/) for free shipping within the Republic of Ireland! In the UK, check out our storefront on: https://uk.bookshop.org/shop/Storyshaped. Disclaimer: If you buy books linked to our site, we may earn a commission from bookshop.org, whose fees support independent bookshops. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.

Who has been a guest on Storyshaped

Names identified in recent episode analyses. Showing up to five guests.

• Patrice Lawrence
• Julie Sykes
• MARIESA DULAK
• Ellen Ryan
• Catherine "Catie" Wilkins

Podcast Authority Score: 38 / 100

A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.

Quality

75

Social presence

0

YouTube

0

Engagement

0

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Guest appearances

Books guests

Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.