It's a Lockdown Podcast SPECIAL with Vashti Hardy, the amazing author of Brightstorm, Wildspark and Dark Whispers.  Vashti creates fantastical worlds where explorers are the big stars of the day. Her female characters are scientists and engineers who tackle adventure and overcome obstacles.  Zoë and Vashti talks explorers, Amelia Earhart, Ernest Shackleton and more.  Murray gives his top books and picks his favourite explorer. 
If you are looking for book suggestions for ages 9-12 then listen in!

Super Star author and comedian David Walliams and Malory Towers scriptwriter Rachel Flowerday join Zoë on the final show of the series to talk books, Simon Cowell and Enid Blyton! Can you do better than Zoë's Grandad in the final round of The Lockdown Quiz? Duolingo provide the activity this week. Choose from Spanish, Danish or Klingon and learn a language in lockdown! There's a final gaming instalment from Conor plus an activity round up from the last 7 shows.

Duolingo learn a language in lockdown here
The world of David Walliams here

Zoë is joined on the podcast this week by double Olympian Lizzy Yarnold, Taskmaster Alex Horne, author Robin Stevens and is assisted by Finley and Harris, Elise, Issy, George and Daisy.  The big activity this week on the podcast is alt. Zoom sports parties - learn how to play water bums, hose pipe limbo and take the ice bucket challenge. Take part in Alex Horne's #Nitefort for charity and sleep out in it this week!

Find out more about Alex Horne's #Nitefort challenge and how to donate here https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/Nitefort?mc_cid=d37286f5e0&mc_eid=59032b58fe 

Elise climbed Kilimanjaro on her stairs for tearfund.org

It's a SNACK ATTACK in lockdown this week with Zoë's guests sharing the foods they can't put down in lockdown.  This week Zoë is joined by the queen of historical fiction (and possibly the nicest lady in fiction) - Emma Carroll.  New York superstar author Soman Chainani drops in to chat about his School Of Good & Evil series, Josh picks some more top tunes for lockdwon, Chef Murray shares his secret ingredient, Issy & Lottie suggest some top books and award winning author SF Said encourages all to make teeny tiny books as part of the British Library's lockdown Make A Miniature Book Project. Enjoy x

British Library Miniature Books Project

It's music week on the podcast and Zoë is joined by Amber T (Tick Tock) to talk about her new single Jigsaw and the video she filmed for the single in lockdown.  David Lawrence (Guinness World Record holder & famous conductor) shares plans for the world's biggest children's choir Young Voices At Home. Star of Matilda, Scarlett Cecil, talks about her experiences on the UK tour of the show last year.   DJ Phil Harrison returns to the show to share some Norfolk beats, hear new music from Josh, Conor and The Black Shadows (Lottie, Nate & Murray) and to take the Glee music quiz. Issy and Sophia share their favourite books and the activity this week shares how to make a dance track with Remix in lockdown.

With thanks to:
Rebecca Lawrence for The Power in Me
Amber T and Dr Zeus for Tick Tock
Amber T for Jigsaw
The Black Shadows Fire Resistant
Josh - songs from The Sleep Album
 
Sign up for Young Voices here

Scarlett & Singer Stage School

This week's show is dedicated to writing your story in lockdown.  Zoë is joined by best-selling author and writer of the Geek Girl series of books Holly Smale. Zoë is assisted by Mr John Pienaar from the TV News. Ross Welford, author of  The 1,000 Year Old Boy talks books and takes the Lockdown Quiz, Tom Hart Dyke shares tips on using a diary to write your story and Frank Cottrell Boyce, author of Millions, shares a Writing Wrinkle.  Zoë is helped this week by Otto, Monty and Hope.

Plot Generator: https://www.plot-generator.org.uk/ 

Do get in touch with us and share what you're doing - next week's show which is all about music!
@lockdownkids

This week, Zoë is joined by Issy Clifton, AKA Hetty Feather, to talk lockdown, family trees and her thoughts on the final series of the hit BBC show. Zoë is joined by a man with 100,000 listeners to his podcast each week - The Skinny Jean Gardener, Lee Connelly.  Lee is known for his appearances on Blue Peter and his book 'How To Get Kids Gardening'.  Lee takes the Lockdown Disney quiz and gives some advice on how to start an allotment at home.  Tom Palmer, winner of the Children's Book Award and writer of the popular Football Academy books and the Foul Play series,  joins the show to talk about his award winning book Armistice Runner.
Selina, a genealogist, provides tips on how to start your family tree and listeners call in to share some of the stories behind their family history. George is in his greenhouse, Conor is gaming  and there's a fabulous ice cream recipe from Flo. 
Download this free family tree template

Zoe and friends have put together a show on how to celebrate your birthday during lockdown. Discover how to make an escape room at home, learn #hometasking ideas from Alex Horne of Taskmaster and hear how world-famous plant hunter Tom Hart Dyke celebrated his birthday in captivity in the jungle.  Get some top tips on writing from best-selling children's author Alex Bell, Lottie and BBC Radio Kent's Phil Harrison take the quiz challenge and a 150 strong choir from Nottingham - The Liberty Singers - perform. George is back in his greenhouse in Chepstow and Conor gives top advice on gaming.