SUBSCRIBE
SUBSCRIBE
SLJ Blog Network +
  • 100 Scope Notes
  • A Fuse #8 Production
  • Good Comics for Kids
  • Heavy Medal: A Mock Newbery Blog
  • Pearl's & Ruby's
  • Politics in Practice
  • Teen Librarian Toolbox
  • The Yarn
  • Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • About/Contact
  • Fusenews
  • Reviews
  • Librarian Previews
  • Best Books
    • Top 100
    • Best Books of 2022
    • Best Books of 2021
    • Best Books of 2020
    • Best Books of 2019
    • Best Books of 2018
    • Best Books of 2017
    • Best Books of 2016
    • Best Books of 2015
    • Best Books of 2014
    • Best Books of 2013
  • Fuse 8 n’ Kate
  • Videos
  • Press Release Fun

Review of the Day: Goodbye, Koi by Jack Wong

September 4, 2026 by Betsy Bird

Anxious children, kids that feel deeply for animals, and young people who are worried about some big change in their lives will all be able to particularly relate to what Goodbye, Koi is telling them: sometimes, you have to give up what's familiar for a chance to glimpse the sky.

READ FULL POST »

SHARE:

Recent Posts

What Is a Pirate? Creators Melinda Beatty and Stefano Tambellini Hash It Out

Piratical picture book process is the name of the game today. Two creators discuss everything from Edward Gorey to Muppet Treasure Island.

READ FULL POST »

Publisher Preview: Levine Querido (Fall/Winter 2026)

A gorgeous array of books from all kinds of different voices. We're pulling out all the stops today for a list you are not going to want to miss this fall.

READ FULL POST »

ADVERTISEMENT

Trending Posts

The Top Ten Most Disappointing Edibles and Potables of Children’s Literature

Some of the Best Graphic Novels for Kids of 2022 (so far)

The Top 100 Children’s Novels Poll (#1-100)

Newbery/Caldecott 2024: Fall Prediction Edition

Newbery/Caldecott 2025: Fall Prediction Edition

31 Days, 31 Lists: Best Picture Books of 2024

31 Days, 31 Lists: 2022 Funny Picture Books

Deconstructing Daniel Tiger or Why Children’s Programming Is Freaking Me Out, Man

Review of the Day: The Eyes and the Impossible by Dave Eggers, ill. Shawn Harris

Newbery/Caldecott 2023: Fall Prediction Edition

Master That Universe. Master It, I Say! A Discussion of All Things He-Man with Stephan Pastis and Will Henry

Review of the Day: The Shadow Stream by Kirk Lombard, ill. Parker Thornton

Publisher Preview (Fall 2026): Lantana, Little Island, nubeOcho, and Pajama Press

ADVERTISEMENT

Related Articles on SLJ

Recent Comments

Sep 4, 2026

Lorraine McCown on Review of the Day: Goodbye, Koi by Jack Wong

"Fuzzy pasts and imaginings contrasted against the clarity of present life - what a beautiful combination of illustration ..."

Aug 24, 2026

Carol Hinz on Fuse 8 n’ Kate: Bedhead by Margie Palatini, ill. Jack E. Davis

"Betsy, I think it's hilarious that you watched Interstellar as a silent movie--it has an incredible soundtrack! M ..."

Aug 20, 2026

Katy on Review of the Day: Fourteen Ways of Looking at Jellyfish by Carole Boston Weatherford, ill. Bagram Ibatoulline

"Just read this yesterday! It was so well done ! ..."

Aug 19, 2026

Sharon Korzelius on From Eames to I Dream of Jeannie: A Brian Won Interview About Horizontal Crocodile

"Thanks for another excellent post, Betsy!! You are a huge credit to the kidlit community! ..."

Aug 16, 2026

Betsy Bird on Cover Reveal: Terrible, Terrible Birds! by Betsy Bird, illustrated by Matthew Cordell (2/27)

"That contrast between the instinctual and the learned is so interesting to me as well. There doesn't seem to be a clear ..."

Aug 16, 2026

Susan Wroble on Cover Reveal: Terrible, Terrible Birds! by Betsy Bird, illustrated by Matthew Cordell (2/27)

"Oh! I am so incredibly excited about this book! I love bird books, especially the nonfiction (and close) variety. I also ..."

Aug 13, 2026

Karen Ruelle on Cover Reveal: Terrible, Terrible Birds! by Betsy Bird, illustrated by Matthew Cordell (2/27)

"Oooooh! This looks so fabulous! What a great story. Plus floofs. Cannot wait to read it! ..."

Aug 13, 2026

KatyD on Cover Reveal: Terrible, Terrible Birds! by Betsy Bird, illustrated by Matthew Cordell (2/27)

"Oh my goodness! This is my kind of book. I can't wait to read it. Congrats! ..."

Aug 13, 2026

Deb Lund on Cover Reveal: Terrible, Terrible Birds! by Betsy Bird, illustrated by Matthew Cordell (2/27)

"So fun! How could anyone have known they wouldn’t be the perfect parents? It sounds like it was the perfect timing for ..."

Aug 13, 2026

Sondy Eklund on Cover Reveal: Terrible, Terrible Birds! by Betsy Bird, illustrated by Matthew Cordell (2/27)

"Oh my goodness! So looking forward to reading this book! ..."

Aug 13, 2026

Amy Carr on Cover Reveal: Terrible, Terrible Birds! by Betsy Bird, illustrated by Matthew Cordell (2/27)

"I laughed the whole way through this post! The video cam picture of the 2 clueless parents sums up how I feel doing this ..."

Aug 13, 2026

Betsy Bird on Cover Reveal: Terrible, Terrible Birds! by Betsy Bird, illustrated by Matthew Cordell (2/27)

"Oo, thank you. The hair was a random choice that day to show the gray streak. And yes, I keep on with the bird-related b ..."

ADVERTISEMENT

Book Reviews

Review of the Day: Goodbye, Koi by Jack Wong

Anxious children, kids that feel deeply for animals, and young people who are worried about some big change in their lives will all be able to particularly relate to what Goodbye, Koi is telling them: sometimes, you have to give up what's familiar for a chance to glimpse the sky.

Review of the Day: The Shadow Stream by Kirk Lombard, ill. Parker Thornton

A rather magnificent book and a rarity besides. Defies expectations. How does it do it? Dunno. Come for the writing. Stay for the opossum funeral.

Review of the Day: Fourteen Ways of Looking at Jellyfish by Carole Boston Weatherford, ill. Bagram Ibatoulline

Extraordinarily beautiful and more than a little wise, now you can convert your verse loving science haters and convert your science hating poetry-lovers, all in one fell swoop.

See More Reviews »

More Recent Posts

Master That Universe. Master It, I Say! A Discussion of All Things He-Man with Stephan Pastis and Will Henry

September 1, 2026 by Betsy Bird

Man, I love my job. Today I get to combine my childhood love of over-muscled action figures with my childhood AND adulthood love of the newspaper comic artist. I have the power, baby.

Review of the Day: The Shadow Stream by Kirk Lombard, ill. Parker Thornton

August 28, 2026 by Betsy Bird

A rather magnificent book and a rarity besides. Defies expectations. How does it do it? Dunno. Come for the writing. Stay for the opossum funeral.

Publisher Preview (Fall 2026): Lantana, Little Island, nubeOcho, and Pajama Press

August 26, 2026 by Betsy Bird

Tasmanian tigers, funcles, neurodiversity, and soccer soccer soccer. There's a little something for everyone in today's publisher preview round-up.

ADVERTISEMENT

“Funny with a Touch of Baba Yaga”. It’s a Scritch! Scratch! Q&A with Teri Sloat and Zuzana Čupová

August 25, 2026 by Betsy Bird

If creepy vibes are what your kid readers are hankering for, then let me introduce to you the star of the fall season.

Fuse 8 n’ Kate: The Butter Battle Book by Dr. Seuss

August 24, 2026 by Betsy Bird

"Why do you keep giving me books with such delectable behinds?" Oh yes. We're clearly having a very serious conversation on the podcast today about the nuclear arms race. You have been warned.

Review of the Day: Fourteen Ways of Looking at Jellyfish by Carole Boston Weatherford, ill. Bagram Ibatoulline

August 20, 2026 by Betsy Bird

Extraordinarily beautiful and more than a little wise, now you can convert your verse loving science haters and convert your science hating poetry-lovers, all in one fell swoop.

From Eames to I Dream of Jeannie: A Brian Won Interview About Horizontal Crocodile

August 19, 2026 by Betsy Bird

It has a mid-century aesthetic and a hero with a body like a visual design tool. Today we're talking with the incredible Brian Won about his latest picture book and why it's a standout in the field.

Read More Posts »

ADVERTISEMENT

Archives

ADVERTISEMENT

  • External Links

    • A Fuse #8 Production Reviews
  • From the Archives (2016)

    31 Days, 31 Lists: Day 29 – 2016 Reprinted Children’s Novels

    31 Days, 31 Lists: Day One – 2016 Great Board Books

    My Ride to Vote Giveaway, sponsored by Sophie Blackall and FSG

    The Picture Book in 2016: Social Themes and Lessons

    Follow This Blog

    Enter your email address below to receive notifications of new blog posts by email.

    • News & Features
    • Reviews+
    • Technology
    • School Libraries
    • Public Libraries
    • Blogs
    • Classroom
    • Diversity
    • People
    • Job Zone

    Reviews+

    • Book Lists
    • Best Books 2024
    • 2024 Stars So Far
    • Media
    • Reference
    • Series Made Simple
    • Tech
    • Review for SLJ
    • Review Submissions

    SLJ Blog Network

    • 100 Scope Notes
    • A Fuse #8 Production
    • Good Comics for Kids
    • Heavy Medal
    • Pearls & Rubys
    • Politics in Practice
    • Teen Librarian Toolbox
    • The Yarn

    Resources

    • Reasons to Love Libraries
    • 2025 Youth Media Awards
    • Defending the Canon:SLJ & NCTE Review 15 Banned Classics
    • Refreshing the Canon Booklist
    • School Librarian of the Year
    • Read Free Poster
    • Mathical Book Prize Collection Development Awards
    • Research
    • White Papers / Case Studies

    Events & PD

    • In-Person Events
    • Online Courses
    • Virtual Events
    • Webcasts
    • About Us
    • Contact Us
    • Advertise
    • Subscribe
    • Media Inquiries
    • Newsletter Sign Up
    • Content Submissions
    • Data Privacy
    • Terms of Use
    • Terms of Sale
    • FAQs
    • Diversity Policy
    • Careers at MSI


    COPYRIGHT © 2026


    COPYRIGHT © 2026