Interview: Frank Cottrell-Boyce talks about being a Today Christmas guest editor
Nov 25, 2024
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In this engaging discussion, Frank Cottrell-Boyce, a renowned screenwriter and UK Children’s Laureate, shares his excitement about being a guest editor for a Christmas edition of a prestigious radio program. He emphasizes the importance of reading and its role in children's emotional and educational development. Frank also reflects on the power of storytelling and the impact of diverse literature in shaping young minds. Expect insights on cherished children’s books and the collaborative spirit that defines the festive programming.
Frank Cottrell-Boyce emphasizes the importance of reading to children for emotional and educational development, encouraging imaginative engagement with stories.
Cottrell-Boyce advocates for greater diversity in children's literature to ensure every child can find relatable stories that resonate with them.
Deep dives
Guest Editor Highlights
Frank Cottrell-Boyce, a prominent screenwriter and the UK Children's Laureate, shares his excitement about becoming a guest editor for a special Christmas-themed episode. His background includes significant achievements, including his work on the Olympic opening ceremony, making this role particularly thrilling for him. Throughout the discussion, he emphasizes the unique opportunity to collaborate with talented producers of the Today program, expressing admiration for their dedication and creativity in storytelling. Cottrell-Boyce views this guest editing role not just as a job, but as a significant milestone in his career.
The Importance of Early Reading
Cottrell-Boyce highlights the critical role of reading to children in the early years, noting that nearly 50% of kids start school without having been read to. He believes that this lack not only affects educational development but also emotional growth, as being read to fosters a sense of love and connection. He suggests that parents need more confidence in sharing stories with their children, encouraging them to engage with picture books imaginatively instead of viewing them as just texts. By building a culture of reading early on, he contends that children can develop a sense of happiness and emotional intelligence that serves them throughout their lives.
Championing Diverse Voices in Literature
Cottrell-Boyce addresses the issue of accessibility in children's literature, pointing out that often, only a narrow selection of authors and books dominate the market. He advocates for spotlighting lesser-known authors and diverse narratives, emphasizing that every child should find stories that resonate with them personally. By acknowledging the limitations of the traditional publishing landscape, he urges a broader exploration of literature to uncover voices that don't typically receive mainstream attention. This approach aims to empower children through varied storytelling, enhancing their reading experience beyond commercially popular titles.
Each year the Today programme gives guest editors the chance to explore the issues that matter to them.
In this bonus episode one of this year’s guest editors, screenwriter and UK Children’s Laureate Frank Cottrell-Boyce, tells Amol what he’s planning for his programme.
The Today Podcast is hosted by Amol Rajan and Nick Robinson who are both presenters of BBC Radio 4’s Today programme. Amol was the BBC’s media editor for six years and is the former editor of the Independent, he’s also the current presenter of University Challenge. Nick has presented the Today programme since 2015, he was the BBC’s political editor for ten years before that and also previously worked as ITV’s political editor.
To get Amol and Nick's take on the biggest stories and insights from behind the scenes at the UK's most influential radio news programme make sure you subscribe to The Today Podcast on BBC Sounds. That way you’ll get an alert every time we release a new episode, and you won’t miss our extra bonus episodes either.
The senior producer is Lewis Vickers and the producer is Nadia Gyane. Research and digital production by Joe Wilkinson. The editor is Louisa Lewis. The executive producer is Owenna Griffiths. Technical production from Daniel Ehrlich.
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