British Literature – The Children's Literature Podcast

142 – Where’s Wally Has Lore

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This was supposed to be a short video about a good use of localization in children’s books and then I found out that Where’s Wally has far deeper lore than you would expect. And then my wacky imagination ran with it.

Lots of localization is annoying, because it’s done by publishers who don’t have confidence that children can understand foreign words or cultural references. This can strip away the flavor of a book, but the Where’s Wally series by Martin Handford is a really great example of localization because these books are not about plot so much as making a personal connection with the children who scrutinize the massive pictures full of funny little vignettes.

What’s Wally called where you live? Which one of the books or pictures is your favorite? Also, what do you think of my interpretation of the surprisingly deep lore of these characters?

137 – Peter Pan Goes Wrong made us LAUGH

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Co-hosts T.Q. Townsend and Chloë Townsend recently went to the Curve Theatre in Leicester to see Peter Pan Goes Wrong, a hilarious comedy interpretation of J.M. Barrie’s classic children’s play and novel about Peter Pan, the Darling Children, the Lost Boys, and of course, Captain Hook. The play was put on by Mischief Theatre, a company that specializes in the most spectacularly silly shows we’ve ever seen.

We talk about which parts of the technical production were the most impressive, which parts of the story were the most interesting, and which moments just made us laugh the hardest. This play lovingly pokes fun at a story we all know very well, and that’s why it works. It’s also an example of how classic children’s stories never go out of style, and that there is always a fun, creative way to reinterpret them.

The traveling tour of Peter Pan Goes Wrong concluded in our city of Leicester, and we were lucky to catch one of the very last shows. But you can see it on video, or hopefully one day see it on stage as we did! Make sure you get there early though, because the show starts before “the show.”

102 – Interview with Anne Fine

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November’s Leicestershire Children’s Writer is the legendary Anne Fine, author of dozens of books including the Diary of a Killer Cat series, The Chicken Gave it to Me, Bill’s New Frock, Flour Babies, Madame Doubtfire, and her most recent book, Aftershocks.

Anne’s writing skill is matched by her sense of humor and her thoughtfulness, and it was a great pleasure to be able to speak with her. In our conversation, she discusses her latest work, her surprise that Bill’s New Frock remains relevant today, and how she really feels about the cat who inspired her to write Diary of a Killer Cat.

You can learn more about Anne and her work at annefine.co.uk.