Skip to content

In conversation

Sita Brahmachari in conversation with Karen Sands-O’Connor and Darren Chetty

Sita Brahmachari talks with the Dr Darren Chetty and Professor Karen Sands-O’Connor about their new book Beyond the Secret Garden which traces how Black and racially minoritised characters have been represented in ‘the secret garden’ of British children’s literature from its earliest stages. The interview was recorded at the end of 2024, ahead of the publication of the book.
19th February, 2025
'It's time to challenge problematic stereotypes in children's literature.'
Karen Sands – O’Connor

Karen Sands – O’Connor

Karen Sands - O'Connor is an academic whose expertise is Black British children's literature.

Sita Brahmachari

Sita Brahmachari

Sita Brahmachari is an author and activist whose plays and novels highlight the importance of community and human rights.

Ideas are like rabbits

‘Ideas are like rabbits, you get a couple and learn how to handle them, and pretty soon you will have a dozen.’

Soundsystem as pedagogy

'You left recalibrated. Heartbeat altered. Shoulders lowered.'

Bad Signal

'All language use can be seen as extending a hand; words and their corresponding meanings are always about relationships'

Minor Black Figures

Making art without looking over your shoulder

The Authenticator

Painful truths hidden in the shadows of history

Hedda

An imperfect description of humanity

video

Free Will

Will Harris reads his poem, 'Free Will'. Directed by Matthew Thompson and commissioned by the Adrian Brinkerhoff Poetry Foundation.

video

Half Written Love Letter

Selina Nwulu reads her poem, 'Half Written Love Letter'. Directed by Matthew Thompson and commissioned by the Adrian Brinkerhoff Poetry Foundation.

Illuminating, in-depth conversations between writers.

Listen to all episodes
Spotify
Apple Podcasts
Amazon Music
YouTube
Other apps
What we leave we carry, The series that tells the true-life stories of migration to the UK.

The series that tells the true-life stories of migration to the UK.

Listen to all episodes
Spotify
Apple Podcasts
Amazon Music
YouTube
Other apps
Everyone has an elsewhere

Nine writers explore the elusive emotional truth behind narratives and storytelling.

Listen to all episodes
Spotify
Apple Podcasts
YouTube
Fiction Prescriptions

Bibliotherapy for the head and the heart

Listen to all episodes
Spotify
Apple Podcasts
YouTube
Search