Episode 262: 10 minutes with Kate Foster

August 26, 2026

In episode 262 of the Your Kid’s Next Read podcast:

10 minutes with Kate Foster

Allison chats with award-winning, bestselling author Kate Foster about writing ‘A River I Must Be’, why representation matters and why her busy author life is not for everyone

Books we mention

Click on the titles to find out more or buy. See contact page for affiliate disclosure.

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Bookmail

‘The Goodbye Tree’ by Pip Harry and Christina Booth

‘You, Me, Community’ by Zanni Louise and Tony Flowers

‘Sniff Squad: Maya Follows Her Nose’ by Nic Gill, illustrated by Jake Minton

Other

‘The Garden of Lost Girls’ by A. L. Tait

‘Danger Road’ by A. L. Tait

‘Five Voices’ by Tamara Moss

‘The Crime Files’ at Gleebooks Glebe NSW, Saturday 29 August, 2pm

Join Allison Tait and Tamara Moss for a session exploring why kids love crime books, the nuts and bolts, the gory bits, what is going too far and what makes a cracking crime mystery.

Free event, all welcome. Bookings and information here.

Our Friday First Chapters episodes

10 minutes with Kate Foster

About Kate Foster

Kate Foster is an award-winning children’s author writing about friends, family and dogs. Originally from a small town in the south-east of England, she now lives on the stunning Gold Coast in Australia with her family and second-hand dogs.

She is passionate about encouraging and teaching a wider understanding of autism and mental illness via positive approach and representation.

‘A River I Must Be’ is her first verse novel.

Find out more.

About ‘A River I Must Be’

A compelling and moving verse novel by award-winning author, Kate Foster, who combines her heart-felt writing with an authentic view of autism and the pressure of masking. And the joy of freeing yourself from that.

Like a river,

I must keep flowing,

finding a way through

if I want to survive.

I will adapt

no matter the pain this causes me.

I will paint on a mask

and hide my struggles.

But can I be strong

like a river?

Rebecca Tapia has started at a prestigious new school and is overwhelmed by the rules and expectations. With her mum away and her dad facing challenges of his own, Rebecca’s only way of surviving is to mask her autism.

A compelling and moving verse novel by award-winning author Kate Foster, who combines her heartfelt writing with an authentic view of autism and the daily pressure of masking.

And the joy of freeing yourself from that.

Find out more.