In this episode, Krish reviews The Last Cuentista by Donna Barba Higuera, a Newbery Medal-winning and New York Times bestselling sci-fi adventure.

The story follows Petra, a 12-year-old girl who boards a spaceship bound for a distant planet called Sagan, one of the last survivors of a dying Earth. But when she wakes mid journey to discover that a group called The Collective has taken control and is quietly erasing what makes people human. Petra realises that the stories she carries inside her might be the most powerful thing left worth fighting for.

Krish shares what made this book genuinely different from other sci-fi he has read, why Petra's journey felt so personal to him and the moment that truly stayed with him.

Krish is also joined by James from the Rebel Reading Society, a UK organisation on a mission to get kids off screens and into books, for an honest and wide-ranging conversation about reading for pleasure, what actually works in getting boys to pick up a book and what they have planned for the UK National Year of Reading.

Follow Donna Barba Higuera

Website: https://www.dbhiguera.com/

Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/donnabarbahiguera/

Follow Rebel Reading Society UK

Website:https://www.rebelreadingsociety.co.uk/

Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/the_rebel_reading_society/

Follow Armchair Adventures

Website:https://www.madebymortals.org/armchair-adventures/

Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/armchairadventuresuk/

Follow The Fourth Bookmark

Instagram:⁠ https://www.instagram.com/thefourthbookmark/

Follow Krish

Instagram:

⁠https://www.instagram.com/krishthepodcaster

In this episode, Krish talks about Number the Stars by Lois Lowry, a powerful and emotional story set during the Second World War. This book follows Annemarie Johansen, a young girl living in Nazi-occupied Denmark, who finds herself caught in a world of fear, bravery and difficult choices as her family helps their Jewish friends escape to safety. Krish shares the moments that stayed with him most, from Annemarie’s terrifying journey through the forest to the tension of soldiers questioning her family and connects the story to real history, including Anne Frank and his recent visit to Amsterdam. Krish reflects on what it means to do the right thing, even when it’s difficult.

In this episode, Krish dives into Peregrine Quinn and the Cosmic Realm by Ash Bond, an unforgettable fantasy adventure that blends Greek mythology with nature based magic and a hidden world beneath our own. The story follows Peregrine Quinn, an ordinary girl who discovers a secret realm accessed through living plant portals. As she is drawn deeper into the Cosmic Realm, strange and dangerous events begin to unfold.

Krish shares why this book stood out to him as truly memorable, exploring its unique magical concepts, imaginative world building and the sense of wonder that runs throughout the story. Krish is also joined by author Ash Bond for an exciting and insightful conversation about the story and the creative journey behind it.

Follow Ash Bond

Website: https://www.ashbondwriter.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ashbwrites/

Follow The Fourth Bookmark

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thefourthbookmark/

Follow Krish

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/krishthepodcaster/

In this special Podcasthon episode, Krish dives into The First State of Being by Erin Entrada Kelly, a gripping time travelling adventure set against the backdrop of Y2K panic in 1999.

Krish dedicates this episode to Read for Good, a UK charity that has been helping children fall in love with reading since 1984. He also shares his own journey of running a book donation drive and why he chose Read for Good to support their charity’s work, this year.

Krish is then joined by Simon Pollard and Heather Wright, Festival Directors of the St Austell Children’s Literature Festival. In a heartwarming conversation, they chat about:

• Making book festivals accessible to all through £1 tickets
• The magic of meeting authors and illustrators
• Behind the scenes moments including a runaway projector screen
• Why children’s books are for everyone and how they build community
• Encouraging children to find the right book and fall in love with reading

A perfect episode for young readers, families and anyone who loves stories.

Follow Erin Entrada Kelly

Website: https://www.erinentradakelly.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/erinentrada/

Follow Podcasthon

Website: https://podcasthon.org/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/podcasthon_en/

Follow Read for Good:

Website: https://readforgood.org/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/readforgood/

Follow St. Austell Festival of Children Literature

Website: https://staustellfestivalofchildrensliterature.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/st.alitfest/

Follow The Fourth Bookmark

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thefourthbookmark/

Follow Krish

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/krishthepodcaster/

In this epic episode, Krish dives into the brilliantly imagined world of Bartimaeus : The Amulet of Samarkand by Jonathan Stroud. Set in an alternative London, this thrilling fantasy follows Nathaniel, a gifted apprentice who is publicly humiliated and hungry for revenge. When he summons the ancient and extremely sarcastic djinn Bartimaeus to steal the mysterious Amulet of Samarkand, a dangerous political conspiracy begins to unfold. With magical break ins, shifting disguises and a nail biting final summoning that descends into chaos, this story is packed with humour, danger and unforgettable twists.

Krish shares why Bartimaeus might be one of the funniest characters in fantasy, explores the genius of the hilarious footnotes and reflects on the incredible moment he met Jonathan Stroud in person at a London book launch. He is then joined by fellow podcasters Sam and Dana from New York City, the dynamic duo behind The Bookwards Podcast, for a brilliant conversation about book clubs, family reading and why kids sharing their voices in the book world really matters.

Whether you love clever fantasy, enjoy action packed adventures or want to discover how young readers are becoming book ambassadors, this episode is one you will not want to miss.

Follow The Bookwards Podcast

Website: https://www.bookwardspodcast.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bookwardspod/

Follow Krish

Instagram ⁠ https://www.instagram.com/krishthepodcaster/

Follow The Fourth Bookmark

Instagram ⁠ https://www.instagram.com/thefourthbookmark/

In this episode, Krish explores the final book in an epic trilogy, The Animal in Amy and Jamie by Joe Richardson. Amy and her best friend Jamie face their biggest challenge yet as they try to destroy The Reflection, a magical world full of strange beasts and mysterious energy. With an old villain returning and danger at every turn, this thrilling conclusion is packed with adventure, friendship and brilliant animal facts.

Krish is then joined by the author himself, Joe Richardson, who is also a school teacher, for a fantastic conversation about writing the trilogy, unusual animal facts and getting children excited about reading. From wombat poo to megabats, hot seating activities to the hilarious penguin joke, this chat is full of brilliant insights and surprises, including the story behind Krish, the Ostrich!

Key topics covered in this episode:

• Bringing a trilogy to a satisfying and emotional ending
• The weirdest and most wonderful animal facts
• Fun classroom ideas that make reading exciting
• Helping reluctant readers discover books they love

Follow Joe Richardson

Website https://www.theanimalinamy.com/

Instagram https://www.instagram.com/the.animal.in.amy/

Follow Krish

Instagram ⁠https://www.instagram.com/krishthepodcaster/⁠

Follow The Fourth Bookmark

Instagram ⁠https://www.instagram.com/thefourthbookmark/

In this action packed episode, Krish dives into the thrilling dystopian world of The Maze Runner by James Dashner. Waking up with no memories in a mysterious place, surrounded by towering walls and a deadly, changing maze, this story is full of danger, suspense and shocking twists. Krish shares why this book is such a page turner, explores the characters and explains why reading the book before watching the film is a must.

Krish is then joined by award winning school librarian, author and podcaster Lucas Maxwell for an inspiring conversation about libraries, reading and helping children fall in love with books. From book recommendations to library clubs and surprising facts about what librarians really do, this chat is packed with brilliant insights for young readers.

Key topics covered in this episode:

• Why libraries are so important for children and communities
• How librarians recommend the right books
• How libraries can be welcoming, fun and creative spaces
• Fantastic book recommendations for every type of reader
• Why The Maze Runner keeps readers hooked from start to finish

Whether you love fast paced adventures, enjoy discovering new books or want to know more about how libraries help readers like you, this episode is not to be missed.

Follow Lucas Maxwell
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/lucasjmaxwell/
Podcast Booklings Chat https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/booklings-chat/id1808171372

Follow Krish
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/krishthepodcaster/

Follow The Fourth Bookmark
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/thefourthbookmark/

“Reading for pleasure is the single biggest indicator of future success.” - Rob Biddulph, Author & Illustrator.

In this exciting episode, Krish explores the magical world of Magyk, the first book in Angie Sage’s Septimus Heap series. Set on a snowy night and filled with secrets, magic and danger, Magyk pulls you into a world where nothing is quite what it seems. With powerful wizards, dark villains and some very strange creatures, this story is packed with surprises.

Krish is then joined by bestselling author and illustrator Rob Biddulph for a thoughtful conversation about books illustration and creativity.

Key topics covered in this conversation:

• Why book covers and illustrations play such a powerful role in reading
• How drawing and comics can help children tell their own stories
• Where story ideas come from and how to grow them into full books
• Why reading for pleasure is so important for children’s futures
• How books build curiosity imagination and confidence

Whether you love drawing, dream of writing your own stories or are searching for your next magical read, this episode is a great listen!

Follow Rob Biddulph
Website https://www.robbiddulph.com/

Instagram https://www.instagram.com/rbiddulph/

Follow Krish
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/krishthepodcaster/

Follow The Fourth Bookmark
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/thefourthbookmark/