Main content

David Walliams on writing for children

David Walliams talks to Michael Rosen about how he writes his children's books like Mr Stink and The Boy in the Dress.

David Walliams talks in depth to Michael Rosen about how he writes his children's books like Mr Stink and The Boy In The Dress. His acute awareness of language developed from a young age, and he was influenced by the books he read then, from Roald Dahl to James Bond. He talks about how The Shining was the surprising model for Awful Auntie, and about the boy who originally gave him the idea to start writing for children..

Available now

28 minutes

Broadcasts

  • Tue 23 May 201716:00
  • Mon 29 May 201723:00
  • Wed 10 Jun 202021:00

Listen to Michael Rosen in conversation with The Open University

Listen to Michael Rosen in conversation with The Open University

Hear Michael reveal his own language journey.

Idioms Quiz

Idioms Quiz

Explore why languages have idioms with The Open University’s quiz.

Explore the OU’s Cultural Idioms Guide

Explore the OU’s Cultural Idioms Guide

Explore how some cultural idioms entered the English Language.

From blunk to brickfielder: our wonderful words for weather

From blunk to brickfielder: our wonderful words for weather

Exploring creative descriptions for wind, rainfall and sunny spells from around the world

Digital body language – how to communicate better online

Digital body language – how to communicate better online

We need to find new ways of talking to each other “virtually”.

Coinages that changed the world – and some that tried to...

Coinages that changed the world – and some that tried to...

Exploring the hidden histories of obscure words, and common buzz phrases.

Ittibitium, borborygmus, and Ba humbugi – 14 wonderful science words you’ve never heard of

Ittibitium, borborygmus, and Ba humbugi – 14 wonderful science words you’ve never heard of

Michael Rosen puts the language of science under the microscope.

Download this programme

Download this programme

Subscribe to this programme or download individual episodes.

Keywords for Our Time

Keywords for Our Time

Series of programmes examining key phrases in public debate.

Smiley face: Seven things you didn't know about emoji

Smiley face: Seven things you didn't know about emoji

Some facts about emoji - possibly the world's first truly global form of communication.

The funny words that kids invent

The funny words that kids invent

Have a look at some of the fantastic words that children invent and reimagine.

Podcast