In the Reading Corner
In the Reading Corner is created by Just Imagine for anyone interested in children's books and reading. It is hosted by Nikki Gamble, author of Exploring Children's Literature and co-author of Guiding Readers. Listening to this podcast, you will learn about the latest children's books, learn more about the creative processes of writing and illustrating, discover different viewpoints about topical issues and more. Whether you are a teacher, librarian, parent, bookseller, publisher, writer or illustrator, this podcast is made with love for you.
In the Reading Corner
Abi Elphinstone - Saving Neverland
Abi Elphinstone is a writer of children's fantasy stories, including The Dream Snatcher, Sky Song and Rumblestar. She has also written picturebooks, The Snow Dragon and the Frost Goblin. Many of Abi's stories are set in magical cold places, inspired by growing up in the North of Scotland. This is true of her latest book, Saving Neverland, which reimagines J M Barrie's Peter Pan for the 21st century.
Read our review of Saving Neverland on the Just Imagine website
Purchase Saving Neverland from our bookselling partner Best Books for Schools
Number 14 Darlington Road, looks like a perfectly ordinary townhouse - at first glance, anyway, but magic is good at hiding . . . when it's waiting for the right person to discover it . . .
Martha Pennydrop is ten, and desperate to grow up. But growing up is a tricky business. It means turning your back on imagination, fun and magic, because those were the things that led to the Terrible Day when something awful nearly happened to Martha's younger brother, Scruff, which would have been All Her Fault.
But when Martha and Scruff discover a drawer full of mysterious gold dust in the bedroom of their new house - along with a window that's seemingly impossible to close - it's the start of an incredible adventure to a magical world: Neverland! The Pennydrop's new house used to belong to another family - the Darlings - who once visited this world themselves. Now Peter Pan is back, and in need of their help. Neverland is in the icy grip of a terrible curse - cast long ago by Captain Hook.
And only Martha and Scruff can save it . . .
A reluctant Martha and excited Scruff are swept off to Neverland and into the company of the Lost Kids. But when Scruff is kidnapped, Martha must rediscover all the imagination, magic and belief she has buried deep inside herself for so long, to save him - and Neverland itself.
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In the Reading Corner is presented by Nikki Gamble, Director of Just Imagine. It is produced by Alison Hughes.
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