SUBSCRIBE
SUBSCRIBE
SLJ Blog Network +
  • 100 Scope Notes
  • A Fuse #8 Production
  • Good Comics for Kids
  • Heavy Medal: A Mock Newbery Blog
  • Teen Librarian Toolbox
  • The Classroom Bookshelf
  • The Yarn
  • Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • 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

July 15, 2019 by Betsy Bird

Fuse 8 n’ Kate: Stevie by John Steptoe

July 15, 2019 by Betsy Bird   3 comments

Lists of “classic” picture books are often white white white, with the occasional racist inclusion. That’s why I’m always on the lookout for picture books from the past that could be deemed “classic” and come from a variety of different perspectives and voices. When it occurred to me the other day that we hadn’t done Stevie yet on this show, I was a little mad at myself. It wasn’t that we hadn’t done a Steptoe before (see: Mufaro’s Beautiful Daughters) but this was the book that put the man on the map. And, as you will see, it became a huge deal.

Listen to the whole show here on Soundcloud or download it through iTunes, Stitcher, Google Play, PlayerFM, or your preferred method of podcast selection.

Show Notes:

  • Here is the editorial in Horn Book where Linda Sue Park points out that people have been doing the work to bring out children’s books from a wide range of points of view for decades.
  • Kate’s interpretation that Mrs. Mack has money is interesting. My view being that this is one of the very very rare picture books out there about the foster care system. I mean, name me two other picture books, if you can.
  • What are these horses they’re playing with on on the stoop? Like Kate says, it looks like they escaped off of a carousel or something.
  • Merriam-Webster defines “hobbledehoy” as “an awkward gawky youth.” Nailed it!
  • What are mickies and marshmallows in the park? A little help, folks.
  • The art of Georges Roualt had a huge influence on Steptoe when it came to this particular book. Compare and contrast.
  • You can read the kooky Kirkus review of the book here. What on EARTH is the only painting in the book doesn’t work?!?
  • As I mention, here is Gordon (Gordon with hair) on the Sesame Street episode from 1969 where he reads the book. Actor Matt Robinson’s reading is amazing. As far as I’m concerned he knocks it completely out of the park. I could watch this over and over all day.
  • Here is the blog post from Tales of an Elementary School Librarian called Waning Crescents and Wild Things that discusses the changes of the moon in Where the Wild Things Are.
  • And finally, here are the cookies I made for Kate from this marvelous book (out now!)

Filed under: Fuse 8 n' Kate

SHARE:

Read or Leave Comments
Fuse 8 n' KateJohn SteptoeStevie

About Betsy Bird

Betsy Bird is currently the Collection Development Manager of the Evanston Public Library system and a former Materials Specialist for New York Public Library. She has served on Newbery, written for Horn Book, and has done other lovely little things that she'd love to tell you about but that she's sure you'd find more interesting to hear of in person. Her opinions are her own and do not reflect those of EPL, SLJ, or any of the other acronyms you might be able to name. Follow her on Twitter: @fuseeight.

ADVERTISEMENT

Related Posts

March 2023

Fuse 8 n' Kate: A Bad Case of Stripes by David Shannon

by Betsy Bird

March 2023

Fuse 8 n' Kate: Curious George Goes to the Hospital by Margaret & H.A. Rey

by Betsy Bird

February 2023

Fuse 8 n' Kate: The Mitten by Jan Brett

by Betsy Bird

February 2023

Fuse 8 n' Kate: A Valentine for Norman Noggs by Valiska Gregory, ill. Marsha Winborn

by Betsy Bird

February 2023

Fuse 8 n' Kate: Who's In Rabbit's House by Verna Aardema, ill. Leo and Diane Dillon

by Betsy Bird

ADVERTISEMENT

SLJ Blog Network

100 Scope Notes

2023 Caldecott Jump

by Travis Jonker

A Fuse #8 Production

Bonds and Books: An Interview with Megan Dowd Lambert About Building Connections Through Family Reading

by Betsy Bird

Good Comics for Kids

Recent Graphic Novel Deals, Early Mar 2023 | News

by Johanna

Heavy Medal

March suggestions: early Mock Newbery possibilities

by Emily Mroczek-Bayci

Teen Librarian Toolbox

Playing to our Strengths (and Other Insights on Co-Authoring a Novel): A Conversation with Nicole Melleby and A. J. Sass

by Amanda MacGregor

The Classroom Bookshelf

The Classroom Bookshelf is Moving

by Erika Thulin Dawes

The Yarn

Newbery Medalist Amina Luqman-Dawson visits The Yarn

by Colby Sharp

ADVERTISEMENT

Related Articles on SLJ

10 Titles Featuring Twins for Middle Grade and YA Readers

14 Fiction and Nonfiction Books to Celebrate Pi Day

Best Chapter Books 2022 | SLJ Best Books

34 Standout Titles, Including Books in Translation and the Latest by Malinda Lo & Aida Salazar | Starred Reviews, November 2022

First Books About Large Gatherings | Milestones

About Betsy Bird

Betsy Bird is currently the Collection Development Manager of the Evanston Public Library system and a former Materials Specialist for New York Public Library. She has served on Newbery, written for Horn Book, and has done other lovely little things that she'd love to tell you about but that she's sure you'd find more interesting to hear of in person. Her opinions are her own and do not reflect those of EPL, SLJ, or any of the other acronyms you might be able to name. Follow her on Twitter: @fuseeight.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Fran Manushkin says

    July 16, 2019 at 12:06 am

    In my capacity as the Old Lady Who Once Worked at Harper & Row, I can tell you that I remember the day that John Steptoe came into the office with his portfolio. He showed it to Elizabeth Colchie, who saw prospective illustrators, and she quickly took John Steptoe into Ursula Nordstrom’s office. I think I remember the excitement shared among the three of them. I know it was a special day.

  2. Phil Hilliker says

    July 16, 2019 at 11:12 pm

    Great episode! I’d never seen Stevie, but now I’ll have to track it down.

    According to this website (https://www.food.com/recipe/mickies-197960), a Mickie is a potato cooked in a bonfire. It’s charred on the outside, but still light and fluffy on the inside. This NY Times article (https://www.nytimes.com/2015/07/01/dining/fire-roasted-potatoes-brooklyn-style.html) describes them as a Depression-era recipe from Brooklyn.

    I love the detective work these old-timey books creates for your audience!

Trackbacks

  1. Weekly Diigo Posts (weekly) | The Reading Zone says:
    July 28, 2019 at 1:32 am

    […] Fuse 8 n’ Kate: Stevie by John Steptoe — @fuseeight A Fuse #8 Production […]

ADVERTISEMENT

Archives

  • External Links

    • A Fuse #8 Production Reviews
  • Follow This Blog

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

    This coverage is free for all visitors. Your support makes this possible.

    This coverage is free for all visitors. Your support makes this possible.

    Primary Sidebar

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

    Reviews+

    • Book Lists
    • Best Books
    • 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
    • Neverending Search
    • Teen Librarian Toolbox
    • The Classroom Bookshelf
    • The Yarn

    Resources

    • 2022 Youth Media Awards
    • The Newbery at 100: SLJ Celebrates the 100th Anniversary of the Award
    • Special Report | School Libraries 2021
    • Summer Reading 2021
    • Series Made Simple Spring 2021
    • SLJ Diverse Books Survey
    • Summer Programming Survey
    • Research
    • White Papers / Case Studies
    • School Librarian of the Year
    • Mathical Book Prize Collection Development Awards
    • Librarian/Teacher Collaboration Award

    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 © 2023


    COPYRIGHT © 2023