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Review of the Day: The Tree and the River by Aaron Becker

January 29, 2023 by Betsy Bird

A book unafraid to assume that your kids are smart enough to figure out what it all means.

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Recent Posts

That Flag: An Interview with Tameka Fryer Brown

A picture book about a young girl coming to understand what a Confederate flag means would be a tricky topic for anyone to tackle. Today I speak with Tameka Fryer Brown about writing such a book.

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Simultaneous Cover Reveal! Juana Martinez-Neal’s ALMA Gets a New Board Book Series

Alma returns! And as a board book series too. The Caldecott Honor winning character will see new life this September in two books for our youngest of readers, and we've got the covers for you to see!

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Trending Posts

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

Newbery/Caldecott 2023: Fall Prediction Edition

Newbery/Caldecott 2023: Summer Prediction Edition

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

Review of the Day: Kick Push by Frank Morrison

Oh, What a Knight Owl Interview: Talking With Christopher Denise About Tiny Armored Birds

Diwali in February? It’s a Diwali in My New Home Cover Reveal

A History of Toilet Paper: A Cover Reveal and Interview!

Halloween in February! It’s a Cover Reveal and Interview on The Most Haunted House in America with Jarrett Dapier

31 Days, 31 Lists: 2022 Picture Book Readalouds

Exclusive Excerpt Reveal: Julia and the Shark by Kiran Millwood Hargrave and Tom de Freston

Dropping the Dual Interview Bomb: Steve Sheinkin and Nick Bertozzi Discuss Their Graphic Novel Adaptation

Fuse 8 n’ Kate: Arnie the Doughnut by Laurie Keller

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Recent Comments

Jan 29, 2023

Bill Wright on Final Prediction Edition: Newbery / Caldecott 2023

"Your Caldecott medal and 2 of the honors match my third graders' choices! In addition to Berry Song and Blue, we also ch ..."

Jan 29, 2023

Betsy Bird on 31 Days, 31 Lists: 2022 Picture Books

"Not at all. Law of averages. We get such a small number of imports vs. the books that just flood the market from the Sta ..."

Jan 29, 2023

An Average European on 31 Days, 31 Lists: 2022 Picture Books

""I actually get a fair number of European translations sent to me in a given year, but only a handful feel particularly ..."

Jan 28, 2023

Susan on That Flag: An Interview with Tameka Fryer Brown

"Thank you for sharing about the book and the interview. It’s a necessary book. Last summer I tried to explain to my 8- ..."

Jan 27, 2023

Lin on Fuse 8 n’ Kate: Arnie the Doughnut by Laurie Keller

"Probably too late for this year, but “Gregory’s Shadow” by the Corduroy guy Don Freeman is a groundhog story still ..."

Jan 27, 2023

Betsy Bird on Exclusive Excerpt Reveal: Julia and the Shark by Kiran Millwood Hargrave and Tom de Freston

"My guess would be that you just saw the original UK edition of the book. It's coming here to the States with a different ..."

Jan 27, 2023

Stephanie on Exclusive Excerpt Reveal: Julia and the Shark by Kiran Millwood Hargrave and Tom de Freston

"I'm confused. I looked this book up on Amazon and the book that I find there has a similar cover, but in black and yell ..."

Jan 27, 2023

Judy Weymouth on That Flag: An Interview with Tameka Fryer Brown

"I will definitely want to experience THAT FLAG. I thank you for sharing this interesting interview with us today and app ..."

Jan 27, 2023

Betsy Bird on Final Prediction Edition: Newbery / Caldecott 2023

"Raschka has certainly won time and time again. I'd say he has a shot, since his technique is so original in the book. Le ..."

Jan 26, 2023

Patricia J. Murphy on Final Prediction Edition: Newbery / Caldecott 2023

"Dear Betsy, Love your predictions. If you were to ask me, I'd add April Faye Duncan and Chris Raschka's YELLOW DOG BLUE ..."

Jan 26, 2023

Sarah Bean Thompson on Final Prediction Edition: Newbery / Caldecott 2023

"I’ve been singing the praises of Jennifer Chan since I read it and I keep telling everyone it could make Tae Keller a ..."

Jan 24, 2023

Sue Heavenrich on 2023 Arrived and a Blog Is Still Here: What Does the Future Hold?

"I'm so glad you'll continue to blog. I hadn't realized blogs were supposed to be (dead, passe, paloezoic - choose one) a ..."

Book Reviews

Review of the Day: The Tree and the River by Aaron Becker

A book unafraid to assume that your kids are smart enough to figure out what it all means.

Review of the Day: An American Story by Kwame Alexander, ill. Dare Coulter

In his latest book Kwame Alexander tackles the subject of slavery head on, providing a template not just for teachers, but for any adult wishing to give the kids of today a better grasp on material that so many have worked so hard to avoid for all these years.

Review of the Day: Unraveller by Frances Hardinge

Folks, I don’t particularly care to sound like a broken record so I’ll just say this: If you would like to read a story you’ve never read before, one that flies by the light of an internal logic so straight and true that you never doubt for a moment that [...]

See More Reviews »

More Recent Posts

Exclusive Excerpt Reveal: Julia and the Shark by Kiran Millwood Hargrave and Tom de Freston

January 25, 2023 by Betsy Bird

Today, I am pleased as punch to present a selection from none other than the Kirkus star reviewed March 28th release, Julia and the Shark. A novel just filled to the brim with evocative illustrations.

Dropping the Dual Interview Bomb: Steve Sheinkin and Nick Bertozzi Discuss Their Graphic Novel Adaptation

January 24, 2023 by Betsy Bird

It's true. Steve Sheinkin's BOMB has been adapted into a graphic novel format thanks to the illustrative stylings of one Nick Bertozzi. Today I talk to them both.

Fuse 8 n’ Kate: Arnie the Doughnut by Laurie Keller

January 23, 2023 by Betsy Bird

At last we can tackle the story of a sentient pastry and his longing for meaning in a cold, hungry, world. Arnie the Doughnut turns 20 this year and we are here for him.

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Fine Hats, Okay Hats, and Very Good Hats: An Interview with First Time Picture Book Author Emma Straub

January 19, 2023 by Betsy Bird

Today adult author Emma Straub joins us to discuss her first foray into the picture book world and the importance of having a household hat collection.

Final Prediction Edition: Newbery / Caldecott 2023

January 18, 2023 by Betsy Bird

Today, these are not the books I necessarily want to win (though, happily, that Venn Diagram does intersect pretty regularly) but rather the ones that I believe will win. Vive la difference.

Review of the Day: An American Story by Kwame Alexander, ill. Dare Coulter

January 17, 2023 by Betsy Bird

In his latest book Kwame Alexander tackles the subject of slavery head on, providing a template not just for teachers, but for any adult wishing to give the kids of today a better grasp on material that so many have worked so hard to avoid for all these years.

Fuse 8 n’ Kate: 2023 Caldecott Contenders

January 16, 2023 by Betsy Bird

We've an annual tradition here at Fuse 8 n' Kate where I present Kate three potential winners and she considers which ones have the best chance. This year Kate feels that there is one clear cut winner . . . and a book that can only be called a complete and utter loser in comparison.

Read More Posts »

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