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

May 2, 2022 by Betsy Bird

Fuse 8 n’ Kate: Dear Mrs. LaRue by Mark Teague

May 2, 2022 by Betsy Bird   Leave a Comment

Last week we cheated by doing a teacher favored picture book that was a mere 19-years-old. This week we’re doing a teacher favored picture book that is a FULL 20-years old instead! It occurred to me that we’ve never tried a Teague before. And since I’m coming up on my 20 year mark as a librarian, I can actually remember when this book was originally published. It was SUCH a huge hit at the time. As you’ll see, there are just loads of teacher resources out there. Kate likes books with details. Dear Mrs. LaRue has that. Will she like this book? Stay tuned!

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

Show Notes:

Who wore it better? Kate? Or Mrs. LaRue?

King Kong’s Cousin is the upcoming Mark Teague title out this fall.

You are a picture book author/illustrator. You could name the hometown of your hero anything. Anything at all. And what do you go with? “Snort City”. I’m not going to lie to you. I truly believe that this was an inspired choice.

SCROLL TO KEEP READING THIS POST

ADVERTISEMENT

ADVERTISEMENT

Kate always notices the small details others miss. Like, why does Ike have a framed picture of himself at the obedience school?

We’re confused by this part. The woman in charge of the school in the real version is Black and in the fantasy version the woman in charge is apparently white. Is this meant to be another person entirely? Choices were made.

Kate’s tattoo: One cute bat.

Kate looked it up and, indeed, there is such a thing as a Dyna Blender. Is this an in-joke? Usually when brands appear in picture books, that’s why. I’m going to choose to believe that this is an in-joke.

Kate wondered if kids would know about Alcatraz when they saw this reference in the book and I can attest that this very year there’s a picture book biography out called The Gardener of Alcatraz. So this makes for a fun pairing.

Turns out Kate isn’t a huge fan of the band U2. As such, she is ALL for this license plate.

Here is the page for the Teachers Pay Teachers where you can find umpteen bazillion lesson plans for this book.

Betsy Recommends: CODA

Kate Recommends: Moulin Rouge, now playing in Chicago.

Filed under: Fuse 8 n' Kate

SHARE:

Read or Leave Comments
Dear Mrs. LaRueFuse 8 n' KateMark Teague

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

June 2023

Fuse 8 n' Kate: Anatole by Eve Titus, ill. Paul Gadone

by Betsy Bird

May 2023

Fuse 8 n' Kate: Harvey Potter's Balloon Farm by Jerdine Nolen, ill. Mark Buehner

by Betsy Bird

May 2023

Fuse 8 n' Kate: Heckedy Peg by Audrey Wood, ill. Don Wood

by Betsy Bird

May 2023

Fuse 8 n' Kate: Apt. 3 by Ezra Jack Keats

by Betsy Bird

May 2023

Fuse 8 n' Kate: The Dead Bird by Margaret Wise Brown, illustrated by Remy Charlip AND Christian Robinson

by Betsy Bird

ADVERTISEMENT

SLJ Blog Network

100 Scope Notes

Name That LEGO Book Cover! (#44)

by Travis Jonker

A Fuse #8 Production

Ellen Myrick Publisher Preview: Fall 2023/Winter 2024 (Part Six – Diamond, Eye of Newt, & Floris Books)

by Betsy Bird

Good Comics for Kids

Squire & Knight | Review

by J. Caleb Mozzocco

Heavy Medal

More Mock-Newbery Titles Needed: Share June Suggestions Now

by Steven Engelfried

Teen Librarian Toolbox

Top 25 Titles at My School: Graphic Novels and Mauds Reign Supreme!

by Amanda MacGregor

The Classroom Bookshelf

The Classroom Bookshelf is Moving

by Erika Thulin Dawes

The Yarn

Trying Something New: SPEED ROUND w/ Marla Frazee, Doug Salati, Dan Santat, and Amina Luqman-Dawson

by Travis Jonker

ADVERTISEMENT

Related Articles on SLJ

Ask Jason Reynolds Anything!

From Keynote to Sphero, Tech Tools Foster Meaningful Connection Among Students

Databases, Booksellers, and ‘Gender Queer’ | Most Viewed Stories on SLJ

9 Tips for Zine-Making Workshops

What Is the Best Age for Story Time? Librarians Weigh In. | First Steps

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.

Commenting for all posts is disabled after 30 days.

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