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  • Fuse 8 n’ Kate
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The Awesome Narrative Vessel: A Shook Interview with Julian Randall

August 6, 2026 by Betsy Bird

"...how do you make that win feel earned at the end when you’re working against the supposition of victory from page one?" The logistics and power of putting sports on the page are considered with Julian Randall's latest.

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Recent Posts

Fuse 8 n’ Kate: In a People House by Dr. Seuss, ill. Roy McKie

Outdated? Still pertinent? We debate the book that disturbed Jon Klassen as a child.

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Review of the Day: Building 903 by Lois Lowry

I'm not mad. I'm just disappointed.

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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

The Most Delicious Inedible Food on the Market: We Talk with Chef Sohui Kim About the Toy Kitchen Cookbook

The Timeliest Children’s Book Collection in the Nation: A Visit to the Tarpey-Schwed LGBT Families Children’s Book Special Collection

Ahead of Their Time: Comics for Kids in Need of a Reprint

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Recent Comments

Aug 5, 2026

Betsy Bird on Review of the Day: Building 903 by Lois Lowry

"HAA!! Okay. That almost makes me want to like the book. I can't, but well played, Lowry. Well played. ..."

Aug 4, 2026

Karen Yingling on Review of the Day: Building 903 by Lois Lowry

"Yes. Also, did you check the meaning of "Koziris" in Lithuanian? ..."

Aug 3, 2026

Heidi Rabinowitz on Fuse 8 n’ Kate: Library Lion by Michelle Knudsen, ill. Kevin Hawkes

"I adore this book! It feels like a Frank Capra movie, and that feeling is enhanced by the old fashioned look and feel (o ..."

Jul 28, 2026

Betsy Bird on Ahead of Their Time: Comics for Kids in Need of a Reprint

"Oh yes! I think they're still in print, so I didn't mention them, but they are HIGH on my list of series that should be ..."

Jul 28, 2026

Sarah on Ahead of Their Time: Comics for Kids in Need of a Reprint

"I love Jellaby! I’d also love to see Giants Beware! By Jorge Aguirre get some love again. That entire trilogy is so ..."

Jul 28, 2026

Betsy Bird on Ahead of Their Time: Comics for Kids in Need of a Reprint

"Oh yes! Seconded! ..."

Jul 28, 2026

Betsy Bird on Ahead of Their Time: Comics for Kids in Need of a Reprint

"Marvelous! Then I'd say a glorious re-release is in order. ..."

Jul 28, 2026

Carol Hinz on Ahead of Their Time: Comics for Kids in Need of a Reprint

"Good news: Little White Duck is still available in paperback! ..."

Jul 28, 2026

Eric Carpenter on Ahead of Their Time: Comics for Kids in Need of a Reprint

"Great list. Huge shout out to Papercutz getting hold of the rights and releasing Scott Chantler's brilliant fantasy gr ..."

Jul 22, 2026

Shannon on If Margaret Wise Brown Gets a Movie, Why Not Others? A Suggested List for Cinematic Splendor

"I hear Judy Blume was unhappy with that latest biography. -- I'd like to see some sort of mash up of Starring Sally J. F ..."

Jul 22, 2026

Betsy Bird on Ferdinand Modernized: A Discussion with Pura Belpré Winner Abraham Matias About Ugo

"Ooo. I like it when people bring the receipts. I'm ashamed to say that while I remember Tootle's look, I cannot say with ..."

Jul 22, 2026

Michael Geselowitz on Ferdinand Modernized: A Discussion with Pura Belpré Winner Abraham Matias About Ugo

"The art looks wonderful! I haven't had a chance to read the book yet, but, based on the publisher's description, it doe ..."

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Book Reviews

Review of the Day: Building 903 by Lois Lowry

I'm not mad. I'm just disappointed.

Review of the Day: The Ribbon by Tessa Blackham

Practically wordless, this author/illustrator debut title manages to capture the beauty, pathos, and sheer wonder of ballet while, at the same time, touching on the joys and anxiety of performance AND pulling off some visual acrobatics in the art.

Review of the Day: Watermelon Pool by Bonsoir Lune

Utterly silly, kid-friendly, and downright delightful, this is precisely the kind of title to restore anyone’s faith in the state of modern picture book publishing today.

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More Recent Posts

The Most Delicious Inedible Food on the Market: We Talk with Chef Sohui Kim About the Toy Kitchen Cookbook

July 30, 2026 by Betsy Bird

What does a very first cookbook for tiny chefs entail? Why not ask a twice-nominated chef who, paired with a toy company, comes up with wooden food recipes in board book form?

The Timeliest Children’s Book Collection in the Nation: A Visit to the Tarpey-Schwed LGBT Families Children’s Book Special Collection

July 29, 2026 by Betsy Bird

We talk with the curator of a permanent collection of our oldest queer titles written specifically for kids and teens. A fun and fascinating discussion.

Ahead of Their Time: Comics for Kids in Need of a Reprint

July 28, 2026 by Betsy Bird

It seems to me that many publishers are sitting on a great big, beautiful backlog of comics just ripe for re-publication. Here are the titles that I think deserve another chance.

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Cover Reveal and Q&A: Too Big to Say with Phil Bildner and Mike Curato

July 27, 2026 by Betsy Bird

"I will be relentlessly defending this book. I will be defending its right to exist. I will be defending the right for young people to have access to this book and their right to read this book." - Phil Bildner

Odysseus on the Brain? Let’s Talk to Gareth Hinds About His Own Odyssey!

July 23, 2026 by Betsy Bird

Got kids hankering for more info on The Odyssey? We're talking with Gareth Hinds, who did a graphic novel version that you can always turn to. Now re-released, we talk about it today.

Ferdinand Modernized: A Discussion with Pura Belpré Winner Abraham Matias About Ugo

July 22, 2026 by Betsy Bird

A man of many talents, Abraham Matias joins us today to discuss painting with light, the playful process of puppeteering, and his art in the upcoming picture book Ugo.

The Queen of Unreliable Picture Book Narration: A Jess Hannigan Q&A About The Cow in the Dark at Night

July 21, 2026 by Betsy Bird

"I’m using all of my characters in a similar way, as a tool to facilitate gasps and protests from readers." We talk with Jess Hannigan about her latest gasp-inducing title.

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    31 Days, 31 Books: 2021 Wordless Picture Books

    What’s Red and Green and Blue and White All Over? An Interview with Lee Wind and Paul O. Zelinsky, Of Course!

    Nothing a Few Chickens Can’t Fix: Adam Rex and Adam Rubin on Gladys the Magic Chicken

    Fuse 8 n’ Kate: The Girl Who Loved Wild Horses by Paul Goble

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