We are spoilt for choice when it comes to picture story books and it's easy to overlook the best of them. We gave writer and reviewer Kim Kane the difficult task of selecting here top 4 books for children aged 5-8 years. Well, she drops a few more than 4 books, and Tony Wilson adds a few of his own. We'd love to hear if you agree with this review and or what you would add. 
This forms part of program 2 in the larger series Talking Reading: conversations on children's literacy.

Picture book reviews with author Kim Kane: (ep 2, 5-8 years)

Now we head into what can be tricky territory - keeping children engaged with reading as they plummet towards young adulthood. Tony Wilson together with educator and librarian Paula Kelly (Graduate School of Education and State Library Victoria) discuss the tricks of the trade with special guest Dr Martyn Wild, from Intuitive Media creators of Superclubs Plus. 
This forms program 3 in the larger series Talking Reading: conversations on children's literacy.

Keeping children reading: Dr Martyn Wild & Paula Kelly (ep 3, 9-13 years)

Tony Wilson and bestselling children's author Sally Rippin in conversation with one of Australia's most influential publishers of children's books, Jane Godwin. Not only is Jane a publisher at Penguin, but she is also a writer for young readers herself. Hear about the relationship between writers and publishers, the thought that goes into each and every book which is published for children and also what Jane has on the boil herself. 
This forms Part 3 of the larger series Talking Reading: conversations on children's literacy.

Author profile: Jane Godwin with Sally Rippin (ep 3, 9-13 years)

Children in upper primary school can have patchy online skills - in some areas they can be experts, and in others they're right at the beginning. Kelly Gardiner is the Online Learning Manager at the State Library of Victoria, and has a unique insight into how technology is used in the classroom and which tools are most useful for engaging students in literacy.
She speaks here with Tony Wilson for Part 3 of the Talking Reading Series.  

Technology reviews: Kelly Gardiner (ep 3, 9-13 years)

There are innumerable books around now for children aged 9-13 years, new books as well as classics. Adele Walsh from the Centre for Youth Literature at the State Library of Victoria keeps an eye what is being released. We asked her to select four books to review, here's what she places at the top of her list for young adult readers. 
Hear the conversation in episode 3 of the Talking Reading series, hosted by Tony Wilson.

Book Reviews with Adele Walsh (ep 3, 9-13 years)

Program 4 - Reaching literacy potential - young adults
This is the last in the four-part Talking Reading series on children's literacy, hosted by  Tony Wilson (broadcaster and author), together with Paula Kelly from the State Library of Victoria (reader advocate, educator and librarian) and acclaimed children's author, Sally Rippin. 
Guests for program 4 in the Talking Reading series: 
Miffy Farquharson: blogger and teacher-librarian at Mentone Grammar School
Cath Crowley: Author of young adult fiction, won the 2011 Prime Minister's literary award for YA for Graffiti Moon
Technology reviews with Kelly Gardiner: Online Learning Manager with State Library of Victoria

Talking Reading, final episode

Talking Reading is an entertaining and fascinating series of radio programs hosted by broadcaster and author Tony Wilson, educator/librarian Paula Kelly and author/illustrator Sally Rippin. 

Over four programs, this series takes you on a literacy journey from birth to young adulthood. You'll hear how children become literate and the ways in which we can inspire children of any age to reach their reading potential. Along the way, you'll also meet some of Australia's leading children's authors and illustrators. 

Talking Reading is available as four distinct programs, reflecting the age categories: 0-4 years, 5-8, 9-13 and young adult readers. 

Feel free to share the series via social networks, download or stream each episode or individual conversations. You can also embed Talking Reading conversations on your own website.  

The series is brought to you in the National Year of Reading by the State Library of Victoria and Triple R FM. 

Series producer Kulja Coulston.