Our two reluctant beachcombers have retired from the chilly sands to the cosy warmth of their makeshift hut for a wintery fireside chat about the hither, whither and thither of the Island of Brilliant's past, present and future. Expect insight, illumination, Count Duckula impressions and literary pyjama anecdotes as Nadia and Frank set their tiny island corner of the world to rights. And relax....

The King of illustration Axel Scheffler arrives on the island with a sackful of Lebkukchen, for December is upon us and even Frank has allowed a degree of festive cheer onto the Brilliant shores. Nadia's so excited about the prospect of Axel's arrival she's even prepared some absolute zinger questions - unfortunately she did so in collaboration with Terry the famously duplicitous crab, who just might have sold her a pup or two. Oh well, ende gut alles gut, as they say in Germany; when you have the man responsible for the look of that monster with the terrible teeth and terrible claws - as well as countless other characters in too many books to count - you know you're in for a fabulous episode.

We will never, not ever, have a more splendid visitor to the island than the genius and former children's laureate Lauren Child - though the word 'visitor' might not necessarily be the most accurate in her case. Lauren is of course the creator of Charlie and Lola, Clarice Bean, Ruby Redford - a cast of characters the like of which any writer would give their left nib to have come up with. Nadia and Frank are so engrossed in what she has to say about her relationship with the people in her books that they almost forget (almost) that they manage to win a prize for previous island musings - many thanks to to the Independent Podcast Awards for making their jabberings the best indie books podcast of the year! Toot toot!!