With World Book Day on the horizon (6 March), it seems fitting that I came across an old clip this morning of author Judy Blume telling comedian Jimmy Fallon how to get children to pick up a book.

“I found myself saying, ‘Of course I want your baby, but we’ve got a show to do,’ ” Luft recalls in the book. “Because of my negative reaction, Judy didn’t confide in me where and ...