Michael Rosen—much-loved children’s author, education activist and a former Festival Guest Director—talks to Mark Lawson about his early life, as recalled in his recent memoir, So They Call You Pisher!

Born in the North London suburbs, Michael’s parents met as teenage communists. The family home was filled with stories of those who had disappeared in Europe; party meetings were held in the front room; summers were for communist camping holidays. Michael grew up dreaming of a socialist revolution, but after a trip to East Germany in 1957, he began his own journey of radical self-discovery.