
The Classroom Bookshelf
January 17, 2022 by Betsy Bird
Every year I present Kate with three Caldecott contenders. Will our streak of picking winners continue, or will we be defeated in 2022? Find out!
January 8, 2021 by Betsy Bird
Here we have animals and hats and mysterious goings on. Read it cover to cover and you’re just swept up in a book that cultivates a singular sense of comic timing and tone policing that never falters or strays. It is, in fact, Klassen's best book to date. Period.
April 9, 2020 by Betsy Bird
Amy Timberlake and Jon Klassen have a book coming out together? Whatever does it look like? Whatever could it be? You're just gonna have to sit down and read this interview before you see the cover I consider to be the best of 2020.
September 30, 2019 by Betsy Bird
We have a good good rule here at Fuse 8 n' Kate. My sister and I do not judge any picture book that younger than 20 years of age. And with today's episode, I broke that rule. Can you blame me?
September 27, 2015 by Betsy Bird
So, fun fact. I read a serious 2017 Newbery contender a couple months ago and it looks like they may release it in the nearish future (February 2nd). I’m calling 2016 as The Year of the Fox, by the way, since both Sara Pennypacker and Kathi Appelt have fox related middle grades on the horizon. […]
August 26, 2015 by Betsy Bird
The Nest By Kenneth Oppel Illustrated by Jon Klassen Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers $16.99 ISBN: 978-1-4814-3232-0 On shelves October 6th Oh, how I love middle grade horror. It’s a very specific breed of book, you know. Most people on the street might think of the Goosebumps books or similar ilk when they […]
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January 16, 2014 by Betsy Bird
I begin today with news that is only tangentially children’s literature related. My excuse is that it makes me so happy I can hardly breathe. For Christmas I got the soundtrack of the musical Matilda, and I’ve been cooing over the brilliant lyrics and music ever since. Tim Minchin was the man behind said lyrics […]
April 3, 2013 by Betsy Bird
There are some days when you are so utterly floored by delight that all you can do is throw up your hands and say to the universe, “I’m out!” That was yesterday. I’m out, folks. I hit the top. It’s all downhill from here. And I’m so young! It’s sad when you peak at 34. […]
March 11, 2013 by Betsy Bird
The Dark By Lemony Snicket Illustrated by Jon Klassen Little Brown & Co. $16.99 ISBN: 978-0-316-18748-0 Ages 4-8 On shelves April 2nd You do not know the temptation I am fighting right now to begin this review with some grandiose statement equating a fear of the dark with a fear of death itself. You have […]
September 16, 2012 by Betsy Bird
I think it fitting that I follow up the last Video Sunday bit of teacher enthusiasm with this subsequent sneaky teacher taping. “We’re just smelling books, Mr. Lewis.” That would be Mike Lewis and though they acknowledge him at the start, it’s pretty clear they don’t know he’s taping until much later on. This should […]
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