Michael RosenEvery podcast appearance, updated as new ones drop

In the final episode of Michael Rosen’s series on masculinity and manhood, can comedian and podcaster Vittorio Angelone, following his tumultuous 20s, find his way to being a man that he actually likes. At the start of his 20s, Vittorio found himself adrift in London, unsure of who he was or who he wanted to be. He felt paralysed by the many conflicting models of maleness competing for his attention online – all of them just different costumes he was trying on. How will he find his own path? Presenter: Michael Rosen Producer: Rich Power Executive Producer: Dave Anderson Sound Mixer: Dan King Editor: Kirsten Lass Production Manager: Emily Duffy Commissioning Editor: Dan Clarke A Loftus Media Production for BBC Radio 4

What’s it like to be a man in your 30s? In Episode 6 of Michael Rosen’s series about masculinity and manhood, filmmaker and former Premier League footballer Marvin Sordell puts darkness behind him to write a new chapter in his life. By the time he was in his 20s, Marvin had clawed his way to the top level of football, playing in the Premier League and representing his country. But behind the scenes, he was battling a severe mental health crisis brought on by the pressure of the game and the hypermasculine culture that prevented him from sharing his struggles. After taking the brave decision to leave his lucrative career behind, Marvin is rebuilding himself as a man in his 30s. Presenter: Michael Rosen Producer: Rich Power Executive Producer: Dave Anderson Sound Mixer: Dan King Editor: Kirsten Lass Production Manager: Emily Duffy Commissioning Editor: Dan Clarke A Loftus Media Production for BBC Radio 4

What’s it like to be a man in your 40s? In Episode 5 of Michael Rosen’s series about masculinity and manhood, singer and author Lias Saoudi reflects on his transition from chaos to fatherhood. As the lead singer of the notoriously hedonistic band Fat White Family, Lias made a career out of chaos. But after a revelation during the covid lockdown, he makes a handbrake turn, cleaning up his life and having a baby with his best friend. But as the realities of life as a new father bite, the old instincts bubble up. How will Lias respond to his new responsibilities? Presenter: Michael Rosen Producer: Rich Power Executive Producer: Dave Anderson Sound Mixer: Dan King Editor: Kirsten Lass Production Manager: Emily Duffy Commissioning Editor: Dan Clarke A Loftus Media Production for BBC Radio 4

What’s it like to be a man in your 50s? In Episode 4 of Michael Rosen’s series about manhood and masculinity, journalist, activist and writer Matthew Todd talks about his experience. Matthew grew up feeling completely alienated from traditional masculinity. As a young gay man growing up during the HIV crisis of the 1980s, he felt the homophobia of mainstream culture deeply and developed a fear of straight men. But after decades of mental health problems and alcohol addiction, he finally was able to address his trauma. And now has found a new sense of himself as a man. Presenter: Michael Rosen Producer: Rich Power Executive Producer: Dave Anderson Sound Mixer: Dan King Editor: Kirsten Lass Production Manager: Emily Duffy Commissioning Editor: Dan Clarke A Loftus Media Production for BBC Radio 4

What’s it like being a man in your 60s? In Episode 3 of Michael Rosen’s series about manhood and masculinity, comedian and writer David Baddiel shares his experience. Like all of us, David has always ‘known’ he was going to die, but it’s only now that he truly believes it. As he considers what sort of man he wants to be in his old age and what mark he’ll leave on the world, he realises it’s family that comes above everything else. But what does being a ‘father’ really mean? Presenter: Michael Rosen Producer: Rich Power Executive Producer: Dave Anderson Sound Mixer: Dan King Editor: Kirsten Lass Production Manager: Emily Duffy Commissioning Editor: Dan Clarke A Loftus Media Production for BBC Radio 4

What is it like being a man in your 70s? In Episode 2 of Michael Rosen’s series about manhood and masculinity, celebrated author and poet Colm Tóibín shares how he feels less and less sexual energy as he ages, especially after surviving testicular cancer. But he’s far from depressed about it. In fact, he’s busy putting that energy to other uses. In this episode, Colm speaks to the visceral realities of aging, but also the new opportunities for physical and creative self-discovery. Presenter: Michael Rosen Producer: Rich Power Executive Producer: Dave Anderson Sound Mixer: Dan King Editor: Kirsten Lass Production Manager: Emily Duffy Commissioning Editor: Dan Clarke A Loftus Media Production for BBC Radio 4

Michael Palin doesn’t feel like a ‘man’ anymore in his 80s. But what does that mean and does it bring a new freedom? In conversation with Michael Rosen – who has recently turned 80 himself – Palin reflects on the fading of those competitive instincts that motivated him as a young star of Monty Python. And how he has learned to embrace an entirely ‘unmale’ worldview in his later years. The two Michaels discuss how, as we age, the things that feel so important to many young men are put into stark perspective by grief. Just as he entered his 80s, Palin lost Helen, his wife of 60 years. Together they consider how to hold onto the sense of who we are in the face of such world-shaking blows. Presenter: Michael Rosen Producer: Rich Power Executive Producer: Dave Anderson Sound Mixer: Dan King Editor: Kirsten Lass Production Manager: Emily Duffy Commissioning Editor: Dan Clarke A Loftus Media Production for BBC Radio 4

What does being a ‘man’ really mean? From Michael Palin in his 80s to comedian Vittorio Angelone, just turned 30, seven men share their deeply personal experiences of manhood. After almost dying of covid-19, our host and guide Michael Rosen has just reached the ripe old age of 80. It’s got him thinking about what kind of man he’s been so far across his long life, and what that label even means to him anyway. Because today we’re surrounded by many conflicting ideals of manhood. Men should be strong and silent, but also in touch with their emotions. They should be aggressive and competitive, while shielding those weaker than them from harm. They should be radiating sex appeal, while setting an example as a family man. The older Michael gets, the more confusing he finds it. So in this series he’s putting aside all the notions of what a man ‘should’ be, to look at the real thing. The awkward thing. The funny thing. The tender thing we don’t quite know how to talk about. Michael speaks to seven men, each in a different decade of life, from wise elders Michael Palin and author Colm Tóibín, to sprightly middle-aged youngsters comedian David Baddiel and journalist Matthew Todd, right down to veritable toddlers - singer Lias Saoudi, former footballer Marvin Sordell, and comedian Vittorio Angelone. Presenter: Michael Rosen Producer: Rich Power Executive Producer: Dave Anderson Sound Mixer: Dan King Editor: Kirsten Lass Production Manager: Emily Duffy Commissioning Editor for BBC Radio 4: Dan Clarke A Loftus Media production for BBC Radio 4

Ridiculous Raps and Rhymes is a hilarious, high-energy rhyming adventure from two master storytellers – Michael Rosen and MC Grammar. In this brilliantly bonkers episode of AIYC, Michael and MC join host Helen Mulley to explore rap, rhyme and collaborative writing, sharing practical ideas to help children fall in love with language. To support this episode, a free resources pack, including teaching notes, planning sheets, extracts from the book, working wall materials and more, is available at https://www.teachwire.net/podcasts/michael-rosen-mc-grammar/ This episode is divided into three sections, which can be listened to in one go, spread across several lessons, or used individually. Section 1 starts at 00:00 Section 2 starts at 12:58 Section 3 starts at 33:40

A fun-filled collection of three fabulously funny audio stories, inspired by much-loved classic characters, and brilliantly read by the author himself, Michael Rosen! Ideal listening for children aged 3+, whether at home or on the move! A wonderfully entertaining audio collection of funny stories, inspired by famous fairy tales! Hear what happens when Goldilocks finds herself in the home of a crocodile family! Join not-so-little Red Riding Hood as she’s followed by the Big Bad Wolf on her way to Granny’s. And laugh along as Snow White meets three real bears while out looking for her lost teddy! Brilliantly performed by the author himself, Michael Rosen, this fantastic collection brings together: Goldilocks and the Three Crocodiles Not-So-Little Red Riding Hood Snow White and the Seven Bears Praise for Goldilocks and the Three Crocodiles: 'Brilliantly funny' BookTrust Praise for Snow White and the Seven Bears: ‘Amusing … great fun to read aloud’ Books for Keeps Goldilocks and the Three Crocodiles, text © Michael Rosen 2022

This week we’re revisiting two deeply moving conversations that explore what it means to find hope in the face of profound adversity. First, we hear from the 11-time world champion and a six-time Olympic champion, Sir Chris Hoy. He speaks with remarkable honesty about living with stage four prostate cancer, as well as the shock of discovering that his wife had been diagnosed with multiple sclerosis during the same period. He talks about finding hope, and appreciating the small things in life. Then we hear from the legendary British children’s author, Michael Rosen, who reflects on the devastating loss of his son, Eddie, who died at the age of 18. He explains how talking about him now is in fact a relief. These stories speak to resilience, love and the ways hope can survive even in the hardest of circumstances. Whether you are personally affected, or know of someone going through a tough time at the moment, I hope these conversations offer comfort and a fresh perspective. Listen to Sir Chris Hoy’s full episode of How to Fail here: swap.fm/l/vkdUVszJnMghYNMSLFdO Listen to Michael Rosen’s full episode of How to Fail here: swap.fm/l/3lr5HOsDIw6hgOnD7vgc 🔗 LINKS + MENTIONS: Cancer Support UK: www.cancersupportuk.org Bereavement Support: www.cruse.org.uk Mental Health Support: www.samaritans.org and www.mind.org.uk Elizabeth’s Substack: theelizabethday.substack.com Join the How To Fail community: howtofail.supportingcast.fm/#content 💌 LOVE THIS EPISODE? Subscribe on Spotify, Apple or wherever you get your podcasts Leave a 5⭐ review – it helps more people discover these stories 👋 Follow How To Fail & Elizabeth: Instagram: @howtofailpod @elizabday TikTok: @howtofailpod @elizabday Website: www.elizabethday.org Have a failure you’re trying to work through for Elizabeth to discuss? Click here to get in touch: howtofailpod.com How to Fail is an Elizabeth Day and Sony Music Entertainment Production. Find more great podcasts from Sony Music Entertainment at sonymusic.com/podcasts To bring your brand to life in this podcast, email podcastadsales@sonymusic.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

What's that in the blue yonder? Could it be a submarine - carrying precious cargo? It could and it is - the Nautilus itself, skippered by no-one other than Michael Rosen, who's come to the island to tell Frank and Nadia all about the upcoming Michael Rosen day! The aim of the day is "to make reading, listening to, and writing poetry fun, enjoyable and accessible for all, helping children and young people of all ages to discover its magic." And we're not going to quibble with that. In fact Frank and Nadia are busy preparing their own poetry party over at the freshly dug Island Lido. While he's here, Michael regales all (both) who'll listen with fabulous tales from his extraordinary life in children's books. Who could ask for anything more?

#ads Stream any unabridged audiobook of your choice with premium access by starting your trial on: https://booksreader.space/al-1999/ Title: Hampstead the Hamster Author: Michael Rosen Narrator: Michael Rosen Format: mp3 Length: 32 mins Release date: 11-01-25 Ratings: Not rated yet Genres: Animals & Nature Publisher's Summary: Christmas is coming, and what Leo wants more than anything in the world is a pet hamster. And guess what? He gets one on Christmas morning! Leo names his new pet Hampstead, after an autocorrect mistake on his wish list. Everything is great, that is, until Leo realizes that Hampstead is down in the dumps. What can Leo do to cheer Hampstead up?

For episode 58 of Staffcast, Richard and guest host Noah Kulwin are joined by FanGraphs' Michael Rosen to talk about Sudden Comrade Bryce Harper, disgusting whiny owners, the hot new meta in pitching, why nothing truly matters, the dumbest baseball teams, Shea Stadium on Getty Images, how evil people pick their fandom, sports team divorces, Read Michael's work at FanGraphs or else! Follow your incredibly cool hosts and guest: Michael Rosen Noah Kulwin ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Sean Doolittle⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Trevor Hildenberger⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Richard Staff⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Tom Hackimer⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Episode art by Abigail Noy (⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠sympatheticinker.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠) Edited by Italian Dave (⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠twitter.com/theitaliandave⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠) Intro: The Horrific Sounds That Bounce Around My Head Because The Record Labels Threatened To Kill Me

Please visit https://thebookvoice.com/podcasts/2/audible/74450 to listen full audiobooks. Title: Snow White and the Seven Bears Author: Michael Rosen Narrator: Michael Rosen Format: mp3 Length: 8 mins Release date: 06-05-25 Ratings: Not rated yet Genres: Fairy Tales, Folk Tales & Myths Publisher's Summary: Snow White has lost her teddy bear. Taking the magic talking mirror from the wall, she sets off into the forest to find him, where – one after another – she makes friends with some real bears! The bears offer to help Snow White, but they are much more interested in having fun – will she ever find her teddy? A delightfully funny story packed full of boisterous bears!

👉 Michael Rosen is a YouTube sensation. His poem HOT FOOD has had 52m views. The author, poet and former children's poet laureate tells Dr Hilary how he became a meme, what inspired him to become a writer in the first place, plus his brush with death when he was hospitalised with Covid in 2020 and ended up in a coma for 48 days. Michael also talks about his first choice of career — medicine! 💬 Ask Dr Hilary. Do you need advice on sleep, diet, mental well-being, or everyday medical concerns, now's your chance to get answers. Send an email to Ask@drhilaryjones.com . For more about the show, visit https://www.drhilaryjones.com/ Michael Rosen https://www.michaelrosen.co.uk/ HOT FOOD https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Akwm2UZJ34o Support the show: https://www.drhilaryjones.com/dr-hilary-jones-show/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Visit audiobookzap.com/audible to get free audiobooks with a 30-day free trial! Title: Michael Rosen’s Totally True (And Totally Silly) Bedtime Stories Categories: Bedtime Story, Collection, Fiction, For Children Author: Michael Rosen Narrator: Michael Rosen Publisher: Wren & Rook Release date: 10-24-2024 Language: English

Please visit https://thebookvoice.com/podcasts/2/audible/112545 to listen full audiobooks. Title: Out of This World Author: Michael Rosen Narrator: Michael Rosen Format: mp3 Length: 1 hr and 37 mins Release date: 08-29-24 Ratings: Not rated yet Genres: Poetry & Nursery Rhymes Publisher's Summary: What would it be like to live in the future? Or underwater? What would you do if you could go back in time? Or be a cat? Or a blood cell? What would happen if a monster ate every letter of the alphabet? In this extraordinary collection of brand new poems, beloved writer and former Children's Laureate Michael Rosen will make you laugh, make you smile, make you think, and take you out of this world. Beautifully illustrated throughout by acclaimed artist Ed Vere, this is a book to treasure and share – a perfect introduction to poetry for readers of all ages.

Please visit https://thebookvoice.com/podcasts/2/audible/205815 to listen full audiobooks. Title: Not-So-Little Red Riding Hood Author: Michael Rosen Narrator: Michael Rosen Format: mp3 Length: 9 mins Release date: 08-29-24 Ratings: Not rated yet Genres: Horses Publisher's Summary: Little Red Riding Hood – who is not-so-little anymore! – is riding her pony through the woods to visit Granny for a picnic and a surprise. Now that she is bigger, she feels much braver than the last time she went. Until . . . what was that? Was it the Big Bad Wolf?

Michael Rosen is one of Britain's most popular poets - his poetry is loved by children all round the world, either through Michael's brilliant performances of them on YouTube and in primary schools, or because they are classics, like 'We're Going on a Bear Hunt'. Michael is also an old friend of Gyles's and a great storyteller, and this episode is slightly longer than our usual because it's full of such great stories. Michael takes Gyles from his childhood in Pinner, where he grew up up in a family full of jokes, mysterious Yiddish expressions and poetry, to his university days and how he narrowly avoided becoming a doctor, to the loss of his son, Eddie and his experience of being seriously ill with Covid. This episode is rich, entertaining, moving and fascinating - thank you to Michael for his time, energy and amazing stories. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this 'Commission Conversation' Geoff Barton, Chair of the Commission on the Future of Oracy Education in England, talks to Michael Rosen about...talk, including his own family history, how children talk about books and the way teachers use talk in the classroom. Michael Rosen is Professor of Children's Literature. Since the late 1960s, Michael Rosen has been writing books, articles, plays and various kinds of scripts; performing poetry for audiences of all ages; and broadcasting on literature related subjects on radio and TV. From 2007-2009 he was Children's Laureate.

#ads Stream any unabridged audiobook of your choice with premium access by starting your trial on: https://booksreader.space/al-2024/ Title: Bear's Big Dreaming Author: Michael Rosen, Daniel Egnéus - illustrator Narrator: Michael Rosen Format: mp3 Length: 6 mins Release date: 05-13-24 Ratings: Not rated yet Genres: Bears Publisher's Summary: The Cold is coming, and it’s time for Big Bear and Little Bear to get ready for the Big Sleep: for bears sleep all winter long, and wake up in the spring. But Little Bear is worried. What if they run out of dreams during the Big Sleep? Little Bear sets out bravely to find enough dreams to see them through the long winter. On his journey, he discovers dreams of happiness, dreams of homecoming, and dreams of hope.

Story-telling using your own WW2 family history for demonstrating the theme on Fragility of Freedom to be used by a DRAMA group to perform at HMD which can be rehearsed using our recording of your words A family Drama about Fragility of Freedom by Michael Rosen Scene one Home at Michael Rosen’s house 1950s Father (Harold) Mother (Connie) Brian (older) Michael (younger) Eating meal Narrator Pinner in north-west London It’s the 1950s This is the Rosen family: father Harold, mother, Connie, two sons, Brian and Michael Michael: I love raisins. Brian : We noticed. Leave some for me. Connie : Who’s going to clear the table? Harold : (looks up from paper): You know I had two uncles living in France before the war. They weren’t there at the end. Brian : What happened to them? Harold : I don’t know. They died in the camps I suppose. There’s no way of finding out. Connie : Don’t look like that. There’s nothing we can do about it. It’s happened and that’s it. Michael : What camps? What do you mean? Connie : Another time, Harold. Michael (to Brian) (whispering) What camps? Brian : Later. Scene 2 Narrator : 50 years later: Michael is on the phone with his second cousin Teddy in America: Michael : Yes I can hear you. Say that again, who are the letters from? Teddy : Two are from Stella Rosen…wait a minute…she’s our great-aunt. Your father and my father’s aunt. And two are from Oscar and he’s our great-uncle, your father and my father’s uncle. Michael : Okayyyy. Teddy : Don’t you see? These are the last letters they ever wrote. Michael : Where are they writing from? Teddy : Stella is writing from Poland. Oscar is writing from France. Michael : When? Teddy : 1941., Michael: O my god…what are they saying. Teddy : OK, Stella in Poland is pleading with my grandfather to take her son in. To the States. It’s his only hope of survival. Michael : And Oscar in France? Teddy : The net is closing in there too. Michael : Is there an address on the letters? Teddy : I’ll screenshot them and send them to you. I just had to tell you the moment I saw them. Michael : Where have they been? Teddy : Hidden in my mother’s brother’s files somewhere. They’ve only come to light since he died. Scene 3 Michael : So the Nazis wanted to create a new super race. A pure race. And to do that they thought they would wipe out all the Jews. Exterminate them. Millions of them. Millions of us. And amongst all those millions, there was my father’s uncles and aunts in France and Poland. But how did they do it? Narrator : You’ll have to do some research. Michael : I will. I will. Scene 4 (with computer) Michael : (As he speaks these lines, Oscar and Rachel mime what he is relating) So Oscar is married to Rachel. Hmm my father didn’t know that. So in 1941 they’re in Niort, in north-west France, before the war they had been running a clock-menders shop but now all they can do is sell second-hand clothes. The govt has taken nearly all their savings and says that they’ve got to wear yellow stars with the word Jew on them. And they have to put a sign on their market stall saying ‘Jewish business’

How do you find joy in the aftermath of tragedy or immense adversity? Celebrated poet, author, professor and broadcaster, Michael Rosen has had to learn to do just that after his son passed away suddenly from meningitis aged 18. Michael himself also came close to losing his own life twice, the second time to Covid in 2020. Despite this, in 2023, he was awarded the prestigious PEN Pinter Prize for his ‘ability to address the most serious matters of life in a spirit of joy, humour, and hope.’ Michael has been involved in writing over 140 books, including the beloved, award winning children’s classic ‘We’re going on a bear hunt’. His latest book is ‘Getting Better: Life lessons on going under, getting over it, and getting through it.’ For Joy Month on Changes, Michael discusses how play, absurdity and curiosity all play a part in finding joy, the duality of joy and grief and shares why he thinks everyone can use writing to help them have a more joyful existence. It’s a beautiful episode and an important reflection on joy. The paperback for ‘Getting Better’ is out on 8th Feb. You can pre order it here: https://www.penguin.co.uk/books/447363/getting-better-by-rosen-michael/9781529148909 GET IN TOUCH Contact us at changespod@gmail.com with your emails and voice notes. Changes is a deaf friendly podcast, transcripts can be accessed here: https://www.anniemacmanus.com/changes Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

When author and poet laureate Michael Rosen contracted COVID-19 at the start of the pandemic he was put into an induced coma and told he had just a 50% chance of waking up. For 40 days the author lay ventilated and unconscious at Whittington Hospital in North London. Meanwhile his nurses working in the Intensive Care Unit kept detailed daily diaries of his progress, often sharing personal details of their own pandemic journeys and encouraging him on to ‘keep fighting’ as he battled for his life. Following his long recovery, Mr Rosen collected the diary entries to create a heartwarming book ‘Many Different Kinds of Love: A story of life, death and the NHS,’ about his experience, which gives a glimpse into the NHS on the frontline during that turbulent time. On 10 November Mr Rosen attended RCNi’s inaugural Nursing Live to read extracts from the book. Ahead of his talk he joined senior reporter Alison Stacey to record this episode of the Nursing Standard podcast. Here he tells the story of his near-death experience with COVID-19, along with his unwavering support for nurses during the historical strikes announced one year ago. For more episodes of the Nursing Standard podcast, visit rcni.com/podcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Author, poet and performer Michael Rosen is one of Britain’s best loved and most prolific children’s writers, having published hundreds of books over nearly fifty years, including his much-loved We’re Going On Bear Hunt, the story of an exciting family outing, illustrated by Helen Oxenbury. As a broadcaster he is well known to Radio 4 listeners as the host of Word of Mouth. He was appointed as Children’s Laureate in 2007 and was awarded the PEN Pinter Prize in 2023, the citation noting his “ability to address the most serious matters of life in a spirit of joy, humour and hope”. In conversation with John Wilson, Michael recalls the early influence of his parents, who were both active members of the British Communist Party, and the many books that lined the walls of the Rosen family home. He chooses, as a key cultural inspiration, a reproduction of a 16th century painting by Pieter Bruegel the Elder called Netherlandish Proverbs. Depicting ordinary people in various comic situations which represented well-known proverbs of the day, it captured the imagination of young Michael and his friends. He reveals how he started writing his own poetry in response to works by Gerard Manley Hopkins and D H Lawrence whilst at school, and remembers how We’re Going On A Bear Hunt was inspired by various folk tales from around the world. Michael also discusses the impact on his work of the death of his son Eddie at the age of 18 in 1999, and in discovering more about the fate of Jewish family members during the Holocaust. Producer: Edwina Pitman

Send us Fan Mail It's National Treasure Day here in 'The Good Listening To Show' as we welcome the incomparable, the legendary, the warm & wonderful Children's Author & Poet, Mr "Chocolate Cake" himself, Michael Rosen! Or as his globally renowned viral Meme would exclaim "Nice!" (Just Google 'Michael Rosen , Chocolate Cake & Meme' and all will become clear!) With his Willy-Wonka-esque-ex-chocolate-factory office for his 'Clearing' (how perfect!), Michael welcomes us warmly into his world and into his glorious mindscape, as we riff together on a whole array of profound and poignant stories. You can also Watch/Listen to Michael's episode here: https://vimeo.com/chrisgrimes/michaelrosen Described as “an optimistic nihilist” by his graduate daughter Elsie, Michael Rosen is a performance poet, professional broadcaster and abundant author of literally scores of different books, mostly for children but many for adult readers also, with nearly 200 books and 130 million YouTube hits to his name. Above all, he is an extraordinary survivor. Aged 20, his latent hypothyroidism remained undetected for a potentially deadly decade. In his seventies, the treatment of his severe Covid required a medically induced coma, which in practice kept him unconscious in Intensive Care for 40 days - like a latter day Lazarus in his clinical cave. Now Michael Rosen has less than perfect hearing in one ear and less than perfect vision in one eye. Michael Rosen’s parents were both teachers. They spoke Yiddish as well as English and lived quite happily and quite colourfully in a flat above a shop in Pinner. Michael recently collected a nodular pebble from the now largely tarmac area behind the shop to remind him of his early childhood. In those days, his very bright older brother Brian, now a distinguished palaeontologist, took it on himself to teach young ‘Mick’ the basics of calculus or whatever he, Brian, was being taught at school. Michael Rosen was ‘porous’, he says, from an early age! In an era of dip pens, inkwells & blotting paper, a teacher called Mr Brown arrived from Manchester - in suede shoes! Thanks to this one and only Barry Brown, young Mick was soon inspired by plays and playwrights. He appeared on stage whenever he was offered a part, however minor and later the now published author Michael went on to write some plays of his own! On a darker note, Michael’s own teenage son Eddie died one April night, suddenly and shockingly, albeit thank goodness, painlessly. Every year Michael and his now extended family commemorate Eddie’s premature death and celebrate his short life over a lunch. Death may not have worn ‘creaky boots’ but the Rosens can raise a glass and a smile regularly to remember the one they all lost so unexpectedly… One of Michael Rosen’s earliest ever poems contained the immortal line (sic): “And now the train is slowing down…” The train may be. But definitely not the incomparable Michael Rosen. Tune in next week for more stories of 'Distinction & Genius' from The Good Listening To Show 'Clearing'. If you would like to be my Guest too then you can find out HOW via the different 'series strands' at 'The Good Listening To Show' website. Show Website: https://www.thegoodlisteningtoshow.com You can email me about the Show: chris@secondcurve.uk Twitter thatchrisgrimes LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-grimes-actor-broadcaster-facilitator-coach/ FaceBook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/842056403204860</a

In this final episode of the season, recorded in February 2023, I'm joined by the beloved poet and author Michael Rosen. Known equally for humorous children's verse and his poetry and prose for adults, Michael's books for kids include We're Going on a Bear Hunt , Chocolate Cake , Michael Rosen's Sad Book and Jelly Boots, Smelly Boots . He's also written a number of more grown-up books, including Many Different Kinds of Love and the memoir Getting Better , about healing and recovery. In recent years he's written and spoken about his experience of spending seven weeks in intensive care with Covid-19, at the peak of the pandemic. In this conversation, we talk about how writing can help us after trauma; how performing poetry for children shaped his work; and how plain, understated language can express great emotion. Browse Michael's books in the In Writing bookshop: https://uk.bookshop.org/shop/in-writing Visit his YouTube channel for kids: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC7D-mXO4kk-XWvH6lBXdrPw Watch the short film Many Different Kinds of Love : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZsrSN-OCk8w Listen to Word of Mouth , hosted by Michael, on BBC Radio 4: https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b006qtnz Subscribe to the In Writing newsletter and leave your questions about the podcast in the comments, and I'll do my best to answer them: https://inwriting.substack.com/ This season of In Writing is sponsored by Curtis Brown Creative. Use code INWRITING20 for £20 off one of their four, five, six, or ten-week online writing courses. Visit https://www.curtisbrowncreative.co.uk to find out more.

NetSupport Radio is honoured to chat to children's author, Michael Rosen! Russell Prue chats to none other than children's author, Michael Rosen! Michael talks about his upcoming book and presentation at Bett 2023, which will feature his book 'Write to feel right' (all about writing for wellbeing) and reading some of his poems. He discusses what the education system can do to improve the state of writing for young people – stopping the narrow focus on labelling the grammatical elements and trying to fit them all in and instead expose students to many styles of writing to inspire creativity. On reading, he comments that reading was invented for pleasure (not simply for the purpose of exams) and that it is important to allow young people to choose books they are interested in. michaelrosen.co.uk @MichaelRosenYes

#ads Stream any unabridged audiobook of your choice with premium access by starting your trial on: https://booksreader.space/al-1945/ Title: Getting Better Author: Michael Rosen Narrator: Michael Rosen Format: mp3 Length: 6 hrs and 18 mins Release date: 02-02-23 Ratings: 5 out of 5 stars, 1 rating Genres: Post-Traumatic Stress Disorders Publisher's Summary: In our lives, terrible things may happen. Michael Rosen has grieved the loss of a child, lived with debilitating chronic illness, and faced death itself when seriously unwell in hospital. In spite of this he has survived, and has even learned to find joy in life in the aftermath of tragedy. In Getting Better, he shares his story and the lessons he has learned along the way. Exploring the roles that trauma and grief have played in his own life, Michael investigates the road to recovery.