Fuse 8 n’ Kate: Daddy is a Monster… Sometimes by John Steptoe

Personally, I don’t know why we don’t talk more about this book. While John Steptoe is well-known for Mufaro’s Beautiful Daughters and, to a lesser extent, Stevie, today’s book is rarely discussed. Yet can you even think of another case where a picture book creator wrote something as autobiographical AND as problematic ABOUT THEMSELVES as this? John Steptoe was working on another level with this title and we intend to break it down as much as possible on the podcast today. We discuss picture books that talk about spankings vs. those that show them, whatever the opposite of gentle parenting is, and how Raggedy Anne occupies the Uncanny Clown Valley.

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

Show Notes:

Here is the John Steptoe website that I was referring to. Isn’t it beautifully done?

For a little more information on the John Steptoe exhibit at The Rabbit hOle, please read the John & Javaka Steptoe section on the site’s website.

Okay, this is a little difficult to show because finding a pristine edition of this book in a library is a losing proposition. However, from what you can tell, this a red shadow of the book’s daddy doing a kind of monster pose. And Kate’s right. That red shadow is the only clear spot of color on the endpapers.

Honestly, in this scene I am sympathetic to the dad. I mean, he already bought these kids ice cream not an hour before. Then this old white lady comes along and, without asking the dad’s permission, just buys the kids ice cream. Not cool, ma’am.

Now THAT is an authentic under-the-bed shot of what a kids’ room looks like, right there.

Anyone else notice how the fish’s eyes go from normal to x’ed out when its vase breaks?

The picture book by Torrey Maldonado that is coming out in 2026 and is absolutely worth reading is called Just Right. You need to remember its name.

Far Out Isn’t Enough is the Tomi Ungerer documentary referenced in our letters section.

The book dedication I mentioned was this:

It came from Ben Philippe’s debut young adult novel, The Field Guide to the North American Teenager. Forbes gave a rather nice run down of its popularity.

Kate Recommends: Sinners on HBO Max.

Betsy Recommends: KPop Demon Hunters on Netflix.

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