Fuse 8 n’ Kate: Harvey Potter’s Balloon Farm by Jerdine Nolen, ill. Mark Buehner
Could there be any connection between “Harvey” Potter and “Harry” Potter? No! This delightful picture book was released in 1994, long before the world appearance of the boy wizard. You know how we’re always talking about finding classic children’s books of the past written by Black creators that exemplify Black Joy? I submit the following for serious consideration. Strange hardly covers it. This book was a marvelous example of the strange and unusual placed in a dull setting. And how about that ending? Here we have a story about someone in middle America going against the norm, facing censors, and coming out triumphant. Sounds like a book we might very much need today.
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:
Want to connect to Jerdine Nolen on social media? Find her on Twitter at @jerdinenolen1.
Folks, allow me to be the first to introduce you to Kate’s tattoo image of choice, the following balloon:
Oh look! It’s the farmer from American Gothic, if he stepped out of his painting and went on a violent rampage.
A piggy balloon homage? You be the judge.
As far as I’m concerned, this is a five-star ending to this book. It’s so hard to finish a picture book, but this one just finishes with a bang.
Betsy Recommends: The Instagram account @ksrhoads
Kate Recommends: The documentary Still streaming on AppleTV+.
Filed under: Fuse 8 n' Kate
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.
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I’m going to be THAT guy. I don’t want to be that guys. In fact, I am loathe to be that guy. But I’m still going to be that guy.
I’m 95% certain that Mark pronounces his last name “Bee-ner”.
It’s practically criminal that this book didn’t receive any Caldecott recognition that year.
Awww. Friggin’ heck. I shoulda checked Teachingbooks.net. Gonna offer a correction on the next recording, thank you.
And agreed. No Caldecott nuthin’? Just going to put out there that that was the year Smoky Night won soooooo . . . if you know, you know.