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  • Videos
  • Press Release Fun

Pickpocketing Protagonist Alert! It’s the Cover Reveal and Q&A for THE VANISHING ORPHANS OF ALVANOR with Callie C. Miller

October 14, 2026 by Betsy Bird

When Kirkus tells you about, "A mysterious and enchanting tale with an endearing, pickpocketing protagonist" you may naturally grow curious. Learn more with a talk with the author herself.

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Recent Posts

Autumnal Revelry of the Spooky Sort: It’s a Haunted Playground Q&A with R.J. Palacio and Brett Helquist

Who knew strolls through playgrounds after the kids have finished their Halloween parades could prove so creatively fruitful? We discuss the latest spookytime picture book to hit your shelves this season.

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Fuse 8 n’ Kate: A Ghost Story by Bill Martin Jr., ill. Eric Carle

The lone "horror" book in Carle's catalog (or so says Travis Jonker). I mean... how could we not consider it after that statement? But is it a forgotten gem or a book justly swept under the rug of history?

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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

Review of the Day: Borders by Gudol, ill. Haerang, translated by Sophie Bowman

It’s Time to Behold! the Legend of Frogboy with a Cover Reveal and Q&A with the Genius That Is James Kennedy!!!

“Throw some hot dish at the wall and see what sticks.” You Betcha, It’s a Berserkers Q&A with M.A. Larson

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Recent Comments

Oct 13, 2026

rockinlibrarian on Fuse 8 n’ Kate: A Ghost Story by Bill Martin Jr., ill. Eric Carle

"There's a general folk-collected version of this story (I think I've seen it called "Dark, Dark" before), one that's use ..."

Oct 12, 2026

Sharon on Fuse 8 n’ Kate: A Ghost Story by Bill Martin Jr., ill. Eric Carle

"I'm happy to say that my library has this in their collection! Our collection is also the state archive of children's l ..."

Oct 12, 2026

RachelJNYC on Review of the Day: Borders by Gudol, ill. Haerang, translated by Sophie Bowman

"The information in this book about Israel is inaccurate and misleading at best, antisemitic at worst. It accuses Israel ..."

Oct 10, 2026

Robin Currie on Review of the Day: Borders by Gudol, ill. Haerang, translated by Sophie Bowman

"Fascinating! I wonder what the market will be in the US - schools and libraries? I feel like it should be laid out on th ..."

Oct 8, 2026

Robin Currie on “Throw some hot dish at the wall and see what sticks.” You Betcha, It’s a Berserkers Q&A with M.A. Larson

"You had me at Hot Dish and did not disappoint! The world needs so much more laughter! ..."

Oct 8, 2026

James Kennedy on Who Needs Donuts When You’ve Got Lovely Interviews Like This? A Talk with Mark Alan Stamaty

"This book is legendary in our house. "You're not my best friend, bus!" is something we say all the time. ..."

Oct 6, 2026

Robin Currie on Fuse 8 n’ Kate: Cold Feet by Cynthia DeFelice, ill. Robert Andrew Parker

"Oh wow - it is the creepy (honestly, funnily gory) of Tailypo! I used to tell that one in school, and no one fussed at a ..."

Oct 6, 2026

Robin Currie on Team Spots or Team Stripes? A Do You Like My Pants? Q&A with Carrie Shryock

"This is very retro - I remember guys wearing those pants, but they didn't dance nearly as well! Looking forward to readi ..."

Oct 5, 2026

Betsy Bird on Fuse 8 n’ Kate: Cold Feet by Cynthia DeFelice, ill. Robert Andrew Parker

"Oh, I absolutely love that fact. Thank you, sir. I shall be reading this during the Letters portion of our next recordin ..."

Oct 5, 2026

Kevin McCloskey on Fuse 8 n’ Kate: Cold Feet by Cynthia DeFelice, ill. Robert Andrew Parker

"Robert Andrew Parker is one of the greats. He told a story of how he was hired by Vincent Minelli to be the painting han ..."

Oct 5, 2026

Serafina on Fuse 8 n’ Kate: Cold Feet by Cynthia DeFelice, ill. Robert Andrew Parker

"My kids love this book! It was a library find years ago and a bit shocking at first to see a dead body depicted in a pic ..."

Oct 3, 2026

Jane Breskin Zalben on Who Needs Donuts When You’ve Got Lovely Interviews Like This? A Talk with Mark Alan Stamaty

"I was in the art department at dial press...my first job in publishing out of college (assistant to the famous art direc ..."

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Book Reviews

Review of the Day: Borders by Gudol, ill. Haerang, translated by Sophie Bowman

When you find something this intelligent, beautiful and, yes, on occasion, funny, that’s a book worth holding on to tight. I review a fabulous Korean import.

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.

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More Recent Posts

Review of the Day: Borders by Gudol, ill. Haerang, translated by Sophie Bowman

October 10, 2026 by Betsy Bird

When you find something this intelligent, beautiful and, yes, on occasion, funny, that’s a book worth holding on to tight. I review a fabulous Korean import.

It’s Time to Behold! the Legend of Frogboy with a Cover Reveal and Q&A with the Genius That Is James Kennedy!!!

October 9, 2026 by Betsy Bird

"James and the Giant Peach by way of The Muppet Movie, with the adventurous high spirits and the meta-framing of The Princess Bride and the lush weirdness of Hayao Miyazaki’s Spirited Away." If that sounds good, read on.

“Throw some hot dish at the wall and see what sticks.” You Betcha, It’s a Berserkers Q&A with M.A. Larson

October 8, 2026 by Betsy Bird

I talk with the creator of what is legitimately one of the funniest novels for kids of 2026. Holes meets Goonies. No lie.

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Publisher Preview: Nosy Crow (Winter 2027)

October 7, 2026 by Betsy Bird

Cute dogs, the Bayeux Tapestry, Widow's Bay for kids, there's a little something for everyone in today's 2027 preview.

Team Spots or Team Stripes? A Do You Like My Pants? Q&A with Carrie Shryock

October 6, 2026 by Betsy Bird

What do Seinfeld, the Pink Panther, and the Sneetches have in common? They're all influences on one of the grooviest and funniest picture books of the year. I talk to its creator to learn more.

Fuse 8 n’ Kate: Cold Feet by Cynthia DeFelice, ill. Robert Andrew Parker

October 5, 2026 by Betsy Bird

"Dead's dead. But I'm alive. And I could use some boots." This book is... different, let's say, and we are HERE for it! If you haven't encountered it before, prepare yourself for a heckuva thing.

The Uncanny: Five Questions for Aaron Starmer on You Are Now Old Enough to Hear This

October 2, 2026 by Betsy Bird

When one of the most engaging novels for kids of the year involves severed pinky toes, ominous packs of wild dogs, and rusty, unsettling metal buckets, then it's time to ask its author some questions.

Read More Posts »

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