Fuse 8 n’ Kate: Bedhead by Margie Palatini, ill. Jack E. Davis
“Distinctive and it always looks like this.” That’s me discussing the artistic stylings of Jack E. Davis. Published in 2000, this book is pretty quintessentially early 00’s. Now we have never done a Margie Palatini OR a Jack E. Davis on this podcast to date. Neither of these two have any currently operating and working websites either, so in some ways we’re flying by the seat of our pants in this episode. Happily there is MUCH in this book to capture Kate’s attention. An oddly mysterious little title.
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:
“The illustrator just really likes different prints.” We’re digging this snake n’ spider pj combo that our hero is wearing here.
I will say that I have a 12-year-old boy in my home and the amount that he just doesn’t care what his hair does in the morning is considerable. So this hair? A tad wild, but not so much so that I think much of anyone would care quite THIS much.
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This one baffles us a tad. “Froot Loops” went flying. That’s the actual spelling of the actual brand name cereal. Does anyone else find it a tad odd that they got away with that?
Kate has a couple of theories regarding the family photos in this book. She suspects that they are supposed to be of the parents’ families, growing up. That said, Kate did a little research and discovered that Jack E. Davis has three sons of his own. Now finding an actual photograph of the man online is impossible. So we’re just gonna assume that that’s him in the image.
Are fairies like spiders? Do they really love bathrooms? If not, why else place a horseshoe over the bathroom door? What, so a kelpie doesn’t come in? Very weird!!
We just appreciate that the art chose to give this boy long, lovely lashes. Here’s to bucking gender stereotypes on the page!
We feel for these two bored girls in class. We really and truly do.
“I don’t think the clothes date this book… because they’re all so crazy.” I guess that’s how you make a book timeless, folks.
Kate Recommends: Watching ALL the Spider-Man films in order… for the very first time.
Betsy Recommends: Interstellar
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 Kirkus, 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 BlueSky at: @fuse8.bsky.social
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No weirder than Rice Krispies or even Minute Maid.
True, though it would be odd to see those name checked in a picture book too.
Jack E. Davis also illustrated the magnificent Monster Goose, by Judy Sierra. A Halloween classic that seems to have been orphaned by publisher consolidation. How could we encourage all the relevant powers to get it back in print?
Hmmm, let’s see. Looks like the ball is in Harper Collins’s court, as to whether or not this book gets re-published. Considering their backlist, I wouldn’t consider it out of the realm of possibility. It may yet rise again!
Betsy, I think it’s hilarious that you watched Interstellar as a silent movie–it has an incredible soundtrack! My 13-year-old son has spent the summer learning the main theme from the movie, though I’ve never watched it, so together you and I have nearly experienced the complete film!