Fuse 8 n' Kate: Recent Episodes
Betsy Bird and Kate Ramsey
Two sisters, one in L.A. and one in NYC, both move to the Chicago area and start a podcast. The premise? Picture books and are they really that great? Join Kate and Fuse 8 (Betsy Bird) as they track down a picture book "classic" each episode and try to determine if it deserves to remain in the canon of children's literature.
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That's Betsy 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. For the full Show Notes please visit: https://afuse8production.slj.com/2026/08/10/fuse-8-n-kate-bedhead-by-margie-palatini-ill-jack-e-davis/
and how this is different from The Cat in the Hat because, at least in that case, the Cat cleans up after itself!!! For the full Show Notes, please read on here: https://afuse8production.slj.com/2026/08/04/fuse-8-n-kate-in-a-people-house-by-dr-seuss-ill-roy-mckie/
Dreamlike and surreal, it may not be as well remembered as some of the other 1980s picture books that typify the era (particularly those written by Chris Van Allsburg) but there's something luminous about this cult classic picture book. Will Kate be drawn to its gentle peculiarities or dislike them entirely? We talk about how gutsy it is to do three wordless two-page spreads, murder hornets, and what Berger owes to Magritte. For the full Show Notes please visit: https://afuse8production.slj.com/2026/07/20/fuse-8-n-kate-grandfather-twilight-by-barbara-berger/
When you've worked for a system quite as large and vast as New York Public Library, it can be difficult to ascertain scope. Was Library Lion the massive nationwide hit Betsy thought it was when it premiered in 2006, or did her workplace like it only because it featured a library and a lion (two very NYPL-ish things)? To get to the bottom of the matter she brings in Kate, and together they plumb the depths of this sweet tale of feline bibliographic appreciation. This marks our second Kevin Hawkes title on the podcast (the first being Weslandia) and our first Michelle Knudsen.
This week Kate and Betsy take a trip back in time to 1938. We were trepidatious, and can you blame us? Considering the era and the fact that James Daugherty created the first (and only? unclear) Newbery winner to be completely out-of-print due to shockingly overt racism, we entered into Andy and the Lion tentatively. Betsy remembered it as beloved of New York Public Library. Justifiably? This and other questions haunt us as we dive on in. A fascinating take on a book that has lasted far longer than most of its contemporaries to date. For the full Show Notes, please visit: https://afuse8production.slj.com/2026/07/05/fuse-8-n-kate-andy-and-the-lion-by-james-daugherty/
Fresh off the 2026 American Library Association we're happy to discuss our very first Peter Sis title. We're going to begin our Sisification with one of his (relatively) younger books. In its heyday, I recall that New York Public Library absolutely adored this book. They loved its multicultural take and feel. But if we've learned anything from Schoolhouse Rock and other early attempts at diversity, sometimes such things age less well than we'd like. Will Madlenka suffer the same fate? Only one way to find out! For the full Show Notes please visit: https://afuse8production.slj.com/2026/06/29/fuse-8-n-kate-madlenka-by-peter-sis/
concept, how to design an 80s kitchen, and a lot lot more. See the full Show Notes here: https://afuse8production.slj.com/2026/06/22/fuse-8-n-kate-juneteenth-jamboree-by-carole-boston-weatherford-ill-yvonne-buchanan/
Ain't we all, kid? We discuss how Frog falls on the autism spectrum and which story is the one I love best of all. For the full Show Notes, read on here. https://afuse8production.slj.com/2026/06/15/fuse-8-n-kate-frog-and-toad-together-by-arnold-lobel/
appreciation has depreciated significantly over the intervening decades. Today, Kate and I delve into two of the most notable of the sheep book to truly declare whether they deserve a bit of classic status to keep them in the mix, or to be discounted and forgotten to the sands of time. As it happens, it's an ALLLLL Michigan episode here today (Kate, myself, Nancy, and Margot all hail from there). For the full Show Notes please visit: https://afuse8production.slj.com/2026/06/08/fuse-8-n-kate-sheep-in-a-jeep-and-sheep-in-a-shop-by-nancy-shaw-ill-margot-apple/
It's a return to New Zealand today with a local classic that has long eluded our particular podcast. Will the little black terrier with the catchy name capture the hearts and minds of these Yankee sisters, or will his charms elude them entirely? On this episode we discuss books that you have to practice reading aloud, why people give their dogs last names, and whether these specific doggy butts in this book were sanitized for American audiences. For the full Show Notes please visit: https://afuse8production.slj.com/2026/06/01/fuse-8-n-kate-hairy-maclary-from-donaldsons-dairy-by-lynley-dodd/
Betsy promised Kate that they'd do a British picture book today in celebration of Kate's recent trip to the fair British Isles. It had occurred to Betsy that they'd never done a Babette Cole book before, so she worked out which one is perhaps best known over there. Now we probably should have done the incredible Mommy Laid an Egg, but Betsy felt like Kate needed a gentler introduction to Cole's work. In the discussion we point out that in Canada we have The Paperbag Princess, in England we have Princess Smartypants, and what does America have? If you have any ideas of what the logical third leg in this triumvirate might be, we welcome the suggestion. You can find the full Show Notes for this episode here: https://afuse8production.slj.com/2026/05/18/fuse-8-n-kate-princess-smartypants-by-babette-cole/
So folks ask me to do more nonfiction on this podcast, and while I admit that it is a bit of a stretch to call today's book pure nonfiction, I at least think that it's closely aligned. It's not a biography, though. Consider it more of a personal memoir from 1962. In essence, it's the true story of Andy Warhol's extended family, written by one of his nephews. Sadly, James Warhola didn't continue to make much in the way of children's books (though he did make a sequel to this book called Uncle Andy's Cats). We discuss everything from David Bowie's depiction of Andy in the film Basquiat, to creepy ventriloquist dummies, to what you should do if roughly a dozen members of your extended family show up at your door (answer: put them to work). For the full Show Notes of this week's episode, please visit: https://afuse8production.slj.com/2026/05/11/fuse-8-n-kate-uncle-andys-by-james-warhola/
in picture books. I'm talking everything from Big Jabe to Swamp Angel (both of which we need to get to). We discuss the fact that this 2005 publication came out when books still italicized their Spanish language text. We also discuss the fact that this book can't decide whether or not the potential antagonist of the piece is a puma or a mountain lion. For the full Show Notes please go here: https://afuse8production.slj.com/2026/05/04/fuse-8-n-kate-dona-flor-by-pat-mora-ill-raul-colon/
It's time to bring out the big guns. The big... Australian guns, that is. The last time we did a Mem Fox title on this podcast it had to have been Where Is the Green Sheep? And the last time we did a Julia Vivas? It was probably The Nativity. Put the two creators together and you have yourself a fascinating tale of a new picture book author attempting to create something wholly Australian for the picture book buying public. Australian Listeners Beware: We do some truly regrettable, terrible Australian accents in the course of this recording. This book would go on to sell 5 million copies, which we think we can count as a success. For the full Show Notes you can read on here: https://afuse8production.slj.com/2026/04/20/fuse-8-n-kate-possum-magic-by-mem-fox-ill-julie-vivas/
Poor Kate has just survived the ordeal of solo parenting for around a month with a child not yet a year old and still not on solids. As such, Betsy thought the time was right to spring upon her everyone's favorite doggie babysitter, Carl. How would Kate react to Carl's less than entirely 21st century appropriate babysitting techniques? Today, we discuss whether or not Kate had the strange new COVID version (the Cicada Variant!), whether or not the mother in this book is perfectly aware of what Carl is capable of (Kate makes a VERY strong case for believing that this is not the first time Carl has been placed in charge like this), why the baby lacks self-preservation skills, and more. You can read the full show notes at https://afuse8production.slj.com/2026/04/13/fuse-8-n-kate-good-dog-carl-by-alexandra-day/
is indisputably a great line. For the full Show Notes please go to https://afuse8production.slj.com/2026/03/30/fuse-8-n-kate-maxs-chocolate-chicken-by-rosemary-wells/
, and we divide on the ending. Where do you fall? You can read the full Show Notes here: https://afuse8production.slj.com/2026/03/23/fuse-8-n-kate-the-red-book-by-barbara-lehman/
“Hubris, Kate. He suffers from hubris!” We’re on the cusp of spring, so full credit to Eric Carpenter for pointing out to us how egregious a gap we’ve had in our roster until now. Have we really and truly never done that spring book to beat all spring books Muncha Muncha Muncha??? Such a thing seems inconceivable and yet… here we are. Today Kate and Betsy discuss bunnies, munching, and the role that illustration plays when our own personal preferences come into it all. Candace Fleming’s been having a stellar year (becoming the first person to receive the Children’s Literature Legacy Award and the Margaret A. Edwards Award in the same year, in addition to her book Death in the Jungle winning the Award for Excellence in Nonfiction for Young Adults). Now she faces the ultimate challenge: Whether or not her picture book from 2002 is actually a classic.
I know you're all desperate for spring out there, but winter's not done with you yet! With that in mind, we tackle what may well be the most famous snowman-related picture book outside of the Raymond Briggs classic. Betsy introduces Kate to a title that has remained WELL in print since its publication back in 2002. For those of you peeved that we don't know how to pronounce the Buehners' last name, I would like to point out that I did go to Teachingbooks.net and they did NOT provide a pronunciation guide to that name on either one of them. On this show, Kate provides fun snowmen-related facts, we are sad not to see any curling, and we marvel at how good Buehner is at figuring out where the lights are coming from in these nighttime sequences. For the full Show Notes please visit: https://afuse8production.slj.com/2026/03/09/fuse-8-n-kate-snowmen-at-night-by-caralyn-buehner-ill-mark-buehner/
Our answer seemed obvious. At Colby and Travis's suggestion, there could be only one. You can see the full show notes here: https://afuse8production.slj.com/2026/02/23/its-our-400th-episode-fuse-8-n-kate-welcomes-colby-sharp-and-travis-jonker-from-the-yarn-to-discuss-the-invention-of-hugo-cabret/
In a dual celebration of Black History Month and Valentine's Day, Betsy figured the logical connection came in the form of Eloise Greenfield's Honey I Love. But which version? Turns out that there's the original book, illustrated by the Dillons (Leo and Diane, obviously) and then the titular poem from that book was republished as a book in and of itself a bit later. Now initially Betsy envisioned this episode as a dual book review via Kate. What became almost immediately clear was that the best book to consider (for our particular podcast) is the more recent 2003 version of this poem. Why did we choose it? And why do we think it's worth noting? We discuss Betsy's issues with Ash Wednesday, baby teeth, messed up babydolls, and much much more. For the full Show Notes, please visit: https://afuse8production.slj.com/2026/02/16/fuse-8-n-kate-honey-i-love-by-eloise-greenfield-ill-jan-spivey-gilchrist/
Poor Betsy had a bit of a mix-up.In her defense, she had her reasons. Anyone who is familiar with the Children's Literature Association Phoenix Awards may be aware that they reward children's books that didn't receive major awards when they first came out, but 20 years later they can now. And Not a Box by Antoinette Portis is the most recent winner of the 2026 Phoenix Picture Book Award. Pretty cool, right? So Betsy figured it would be an ideal book to do with Kate this week... without ... checking..... the pub date. Yeah. Turns out, Not a Box came out in 2007, not 2006. So, technically, we are breaking our 20 year rule. But only because Betsy trusted the Phoenix Picture Book Award committee to also do their homework. We're sure they had their reasons. We just should have done our own home work as well. Good thing it's a fascinating book. For the full Show Notes please see them here: https://afuse8production.slj.com/2026/02/09/fuse-8-n-kate-not-a-box-by-antoinette-portis/
, how digital prints at Walgreens are immune to inflation, and the difficulty of conveying a storyline this complex solely through pictures rather than words. For the full Show Notes please visit: https://afuse8production.slj.com/2026/02/02/fuse-8-n-kate-flotsam-by-david-wiesner/
Initially, this was supposed to be an entirely different episode altogether. I had somehow managed to convince myself that we hadn't done The Three Pigs by David Wiesner on this podcast before. In truth? We did that precise book on May 13, 2024 (so, yeah, not actually all that long ago). My bad, folks. My bad. In a pinch we had to find a replacement and, because Kate is now mother to a small child, we had title on hand that (A) I love and (B) we've never done before. We discuss this teeny tiny board book which, we would like to point out, ALSO has three pigs on the cover! It was fate to do this title. For the full Show Notes please go to https://afuse8production.slj.com/2026/01/26/fuse-8-n-kate-moo-baa-la-la-la-by-sandra-boynton/
Every year, Kate and Betsy do one Caldecott prediction post for their podcast. Betsy hands over THREE books that she thinks are contenders. Then the two discuss and predict which ones might win the big awards. They usually manage to get at least one Honor (and last year they got two!). This year we're pretty confident that at least one of these three books will win something on Monday. Trouble is, Kate never seems to have the same reactions to these stories that Betsy does. Listen up and you'll see why. Get ready for a discussion about the significance of cardinals, font sizes, and how one of these books is clearly sponsored by Big Monday. For the full Show Notes, please read on here: https://afuse8production.slj.com/2026/01/20/fuse-8-n-kate-caldecott-contenders-2026/
), its beauty, its legacy, and more. Please see the full Show Notes here: https://afuse8production.slj.com/2026/01/14/fuse-8-n-kate-martins-big-words-by-doreen-rappaport-ill-bryan-collier/
might be. For the full Show Notes please visit: https://afuse8production.slj.com/2026/01/05/fuse-8-n-kate-ten-mice-for-tet-by-pegi-dietz-shea-cynthia-weill-to-ngoc-trang-and-pham-viet-dinh/
, continuity errors, kosher menorahs, and more! For the full Show Notes please visit: https://afuse8production.slj.com/2025/12/22/fuse-8-n-kate-the-trees-of-the-dancing-goats-by-patricia-polacco/
needs to capitalize their title, and so much more.For the full Show Notes, please read on here: https://afuse8production.slj.com/2025/12/15/fuse-8-n-kate-the-twelve-days-of-christmas-by-jan-brett/
Having spent ample time in the presence of Jon Agee himself at The Rabbit hOle at the recent Tomi Ungerer Symposium, Betsy determined that we hadn't actually done one of his books on our podcast yet. Today we take on a book that I like to pair alongside Fortunately. As for why we've chosen this particular title, it's all thanks to the suggestion of listener Rachelle Leon Pilarski. Thank you, Rachelle! Will Kate find the title appropriate or will she eschew it entirely? For the full Show Notes, please visit: https://afuse8production.slj.com/2025/12/08/fuse-8-n-kate-terrific-by-jon-agee/
For the first time we are simultaneously recording alongside another podcast. The podcast in question? The Book of Life, which has been in existence for a good 20 years now (this month!). And let me tell you... when it comes to Jewish children's literature content on a podcast? There really isn't anyone else that can match synagogue librarian Heidi Rabinowitz. She knows what she's doing. Today, she is joining us to talk about a very special book for our Hanukkah episode. Our podcast requires books to be 20 years old and Heidi's podcast is, itself, 20 years old. So we're doing a Hanukkah book that's 20 years old as well! She discusses interviewing Sims Taback, the demystification of Judaism through Jewish children's books, and the dangers of silo-ing Jewish literature. For the full episode Show Notes, look no further than here: https://afuse8production.slj.com/2025/11/30/fuse-8-n-kate-with-special-guest-heidi-rabinowitz-the-borrowed-hanukkah-latkes-by-linda-glaser-ill-nancy-cote/
Oh. Full credit goes to children's book creator Ursula Murray Husted for today's find. You know, we've done a lot of feast-adjacent picture books in conjunction with Thanksgiving in the past (Green Eggs with Ham, for example). But today's book is a bit of an outlier in that respect. Aside from Cranberry Thanksgiving, I can't think of the last time we did a legitimately Thanksgiving-themed picture book. Today we do our first Crescent Dragonwagon title (complete with a marvelous explanation of her name), our second Aruego/Dewey title (after Leo the Late Bloomer) and our latest abecedarian book. Will it pass muster? Only time will tell.For the full Show Notes please visit: https://afuse8production.slj.com/2025/11/24/fuse-8-n-kate-alligator-arrived-with-apples-a-potluck-alphabet-feast-by-crescent-dragonwagon-ill-jose-aruego-and-ariane-dewey/
New General Rule: When a celebrity promotes an already existing picture book, it is rarely a good thing. I am thinking, naturally, of the episode of Friends where they read Love You Forever in its entirety. But it doesn't just happen on television shows. Recently a Kardashian recommended today's title, and to my horror and delight it's 20 years old (if you go by its original self-published publication date). A self-proclaimed books for parents (rather than children) we have to weigh Tillman's talents as an illustrator against her storytelling choices. The end result is that we have two rather different final scores. Listen and see why that is! For the full Show Notes please visit: https://afuse8production.slj.com/2025/11/17/fuse-8-n-kate-on-the-night-you-were-born-by-nancy-tillman/
. How can you hope to become the thing that you already are? That little delve into the philosophical underpinnings of edible tiny fish is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to today's discussion. Suffice to say, we diverge WIDELY on our interpretation of this book. In face, we may be as different on our votes for this book as we have ever been. For the full Show Notes please visit: https://afuse8production.slj.com/2025/11/03/fuse-8-n-kate-arlene-sardine-by-chris-raschka/
What is the most loathed trope in picturebookdom to date? Some might say it's the everyone-forgot-my-birthday plot but we have something even worse in mind. For us, it's the old Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer topic of everyone being mean until you save their butts in some way and now they like you. Little did we suspect that beloved children's author Dav Pilkey, he of Captain Underpants and Dog Man fame, once capitulated to that very idea in one of his books. Behold! Our first Dav Pilkey title on the podcast! And the last? That remains to be seen. Join us then as we discuss rotary phones, trick-or-treating etiquette, and bad puns (that don't even really work, doggone it). You can find the full Show Notes of the episode here: https://afuse8production.slj.com/2025/10/27/fuse-8-n-kate-the-hallo-wiener-by-dav-pilkey/
more than once.For the Show Notes to this episode please go to: https://afuse8production.slj.com/2025/10/20/fuse-8-n-kate-what-was-i-cared-of-by-dr-seuss/
As Halloween creeps ever closer (and the weather begins to resemble something somewhat autumnal) we continue to seek out potential seasonal classics from the many books that have come before. Today's suggestion comes to us via Ramarie B. and it's a text based on an old Russian fairy tale. Mind you, in the original, this story featured a turnip (and it says a lot about a culture if a gigantic turnip is someone's idea of a food you'd want in abundance). Today, in spite of the fact that Kate and I have failed MULTIPLE times to successfully grow pumpkins (I have one going right now, but it's green and I don't think it's going to orange up in time for Halloween), we examine this book. Be prepared for discussions of pumpkin sex, vampire fashion wear, and why one might want to garden in their socks. You can find the full Show Notes at https://afuse8production.slj.com/2025/10/13/fuse-8-n-kate-big-pumpkin-by-erica-silverman-ill-s-d-schindler/
Kicking off October with Edward Gorey just seems obvious at this point in time. After all, since he died 25 years ago, there are a lot of celebrations happening in his honor this season. Naturally, since he did quite a few "picture books" (a term we use in the broadest sense) it seemed logical to tackle his best known work. Is it for children? Not intentionally, but Betsy makes the case on the show that there are picture books out there that are not intended for children but that kids find anyway and grow to love (Uncle Shelby's ABZs, anyone?). Today's book is a "cult classic picture book" in precisely that sense. This is our fourth alphabet book on our podcast (we forgot we did Eating the Alphabet when we recorded this) and our second Edward Gorey (after The Shrinking of Treehorn). We discuss how this was clearly Wednesday Addams's favorite book when she was little and how Gorey's rhyming is on point!Please note that we do have a trigger warning at the beginning of our discussion. This book does mention children dying.Full Show Notes are visible here: https://afuse8production.slj.com/2025/10/06/fuse-8-n-kate-the-gashlycrumb-tinies-by-edward-gorey/
In the news recently were news articles about the diseases that Canadian picture book creator Robert Munsch is facing at the moment. Inspired, we thought we owed the man a third episode (after the marvelous Paper Bag Princess and the unfortunate Love You Forever). Much like our recent foray into Max's Dragon Shirt, we return to the 90s in picture book form. The scrunchies! the clothing! The fact that there used to be kids named Stephanie! It's all there. We consider the book, its humor, its lesson, and the fact that this is one fun little book. For the full Show Notes please visit: https://afuse8production.slj.com/2025/09/28/fuse-8-n-kate-stephanies-ponytail-by-robert-munsch/
Going into this episode,Betsy had a lot on her mind. Fancy Nancy is one of those rare 21st century characters with a legitimate shot at picture book classicdom. That said, would Kate find her bratty? One can never predict which literary children show up on Kate's brat-o-meter (Madeline? Really really?), so this was going to be a real question. And if you want to know the answer... yeah. You're going to have to listen to the episode. But don't worry, along the way you'll also hear us talking about the fact that Nancy turns 20 this year, how this is the first time we've done a book with spot glitter on the cover, Sublime references, and font hate.See the full episode show notes here. https://afuse8production.slj.com/2025/09/22/fuse-8-n-kate-fancy-nancy-by-jane-oconnor-ill-robin-preiss-glasser/
This is our 379th episode. We've done 378 until now and not one, not one SINGLE title, has been a Rosemary Wells book. Strange? You bet. Well, today that strangeness ends. Not only are we doing a Rosemary Wells book, but we're doing a MAX AND RUBY Rosemary Wells book! Howdja like them apples, eh? Of course, once we decided upon this course of action we were faced with the inevitable question of which Max and Ruby book to do. The early ones were board books, for all intents and purposes. But the later ones vary greatly in quality. In the end, it was the suggestion of listener Dan that alerted us to an ideal candidate. Today we're talking dragon shirts, polite toddlers, and what the HECK Ruby and Max's mother is up to in all these books. For the full show notes please visit: https://afuse8production.slj.com/2025/09/15/fuse-8-n-kate-maxs-dragon-shirt-by-rosemary-wells/
Betsy doesn't know why people 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. 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.For the full Show Notes please visit: https://afuse8production.slj.com/2025/09/08/fuse-8-n-kate-daddy-is-a-monster-sometimes-by-john-steptoe/
This is going to strike you as a little strange. Lord knows it wasn't something we noticed. So... you know how we've done 376 episodes of this podcast until now? That's 376 different books. Of those books, we have done books both written and illustrated by creator Eric Carle precisely one, singular, solitary time. That book? The Very Hungry Caterpillar (duh). Listener Megan recently pointed out this odd aberration and we have to admit that we were a little embarrassed. We recorded our Very Hungry Caterpillar episode in July of 2017. Almost precisely 8 years later, we're ready to look at Book #2. Let's see how it fares!For the full Show Notes please visit: https://afuse8production.slj.com/2025/08/25/fuse-8-n-kate-papa-please-get-the-moon-for-me-by-eric-carle/
Dear lord. If Betsy thought she was about to give Kate a lovely birthday present with today's recording, then she was SORELY disabused of that notion from the start. She never expected Frances to fall into Kate's obliterating list of "brats", but them's the breaks in this, one of our more contentious episodes. Listen in as we tackle our second Frances book (after Bread and Jam for Frances). Along the way we discuss Chompo Bar theme songs, party favors for 2-year-olds, and why Mother might have a grudge against innocent little party guest, Ida.For the full Show Notes, please go to: https://afuse8production.slj.com/2025/08/18/fuse-8-n-kate-a-birthday-for-frances-by-russell-hoban-ill-lillian-hoban/
In honor of Tomi Ungerer and the current Three Robbers exhibit at The Rabbit Hole going on right now (to say nothing of their upcoming symposium celebrating The Three Robbers and Tomi’s legacy and featuring presenters from around the world on November 14 and 15, 2025), I thought it prudent to revisit Mr. Ungerer once more. And what better way to do so than to look at what may be one of his few books that has remained in print from Day One. A Reading Rainbow book and not something you'd hand to some someone with herpetophobia, we discuss some of Crictor's inherent similarities to Lyle the Crocodile and Babar the Elephant. We also talk about O-shaped packages full o' snake. You have been warned. For the full Show Notes just go here: https://afuse8production.slj.com/2025/08/11/fuse-8-n-kate-crictor-by-tomi-ungerer/↗
As American-born sisters, neither Kate nor Betsy grew up knowing who Action Man was or what his life entailed. None of that has stopped us from truly appreciating Mini Grey's lovely ode to a kid, his toy, and their various adventures. Did it come out after Toy Story? It did. Was it derivative? It was not (though there are some Buzz Lightyear similarities). British to its core, Mini Grey was in the ZONE when she wrote this one!! We've not done a Mini Grey title since Ginger Bear, so clearly we're due. We also don't want to give too much away but this title entirely charmed Kate, and for good reason. It appeared on Betsy's Top 100 Picture Books polls TWICE. And truly? It's just a fun book for one and all. Remember it all over again. Look for the full Show Notes about the book here: https://afuse8production.slj.com/2025/08/04/fuse-8-n-kate-traction-man-is-here-by-mini-grey/
This week Kate challenged Betsy to come up with a summer book to do on the podcast. And sadly, the book Betsy initially came up with was originally published in 2006 (and we have a 20-year rule on the books we can consider). Betsy found an alternative title instead, and it involves the combo of a Newbery Award winner (Hesse) with a Caldecott Award winner (Muth) (though we don't think either had won those respective awards when this book originally came out in 1999). It has been used in classrooms for years and years and years... but does it deserve to be called a classic? We discuss representation without firsthand personal experience and how well this book would fly with a publisher today.For the full Show Notes please visit: https://afuse8production.slj.com/2025/07/28/fuse-8-n-kate-come-on-rain-by-karen-hesse-ill-jon-j-muth/
A Quick Note: At the beginning of this week's podcast Kate's microphone went out and only recorded Betsy instead. So Kate starts off strong, then she's gone, then she comes back after the background information section. As a result, you'll hear a slightly off recording just in the first five minutes this week, and we apologize for the inconvenience.This is a particular pity since this week's book is one of Betsy's absolute favorites. It was one of her reliable storytime regulars. She was convinced that we'd done this book already, but as it turns out, she was completely misremembering our having done it. It's our fourth David Shannon book we've covered on this podcast so far. Today, we talk demonic eyeballs, insufficient branding, and abandoned cars.For the full show notes please visit: https://afuse8production.slj.com/2025/07/21/fuse-8-n-kate-duck-on-a-bike-by-david-shannon/
Maybe Betsy is still riding high from the last American Library Association conference she attended, but we're feeling like libraries deserve lots of lovely attention. And what better book to use to that purpose than this well-known collaboration between Patricia C. McKissack and Jerry Pinkney? Can you believe that we've never done a McKissack book before? Pinkney we've definitely done before (including Sam and the Tigers, John Henry, Little Red Riding Hood, and Mirandy and Brother Wind). We discuss how Kate spoils where "someplace special" is pretty early, segregated public benches, rando celebrities, and what it means to work "without permission or pay." For the full episode go to: https://afuse8production.slj.com/2025/07/14/fuse-8-n-kate-goin-someplace-special-by-patricia-mckissack-ill-jerry-pinkney/
Since Kate went and had a baby, the time has never been better to highlight the original "interactive book" for small children. Is it not nutty that we've never covered Pat the Bunny before? Originally published in 1940, the question before us today is to determine how the book stands up compared to so many other books out for young readers today. We discuss historical picture book apps, button boxes, and moms who do their nails on "daddy's scratchy face". We also make the MOST adult recommendations at the end that we've ever made to date. For the full Show Notes please go to: https://afuse8production.slj.com/2025/07/07/fuse-8-n-kate-pat-the-bunny-by-dorothy-kunhardt/
As promised, here is the SECOND caterpillar-and-tadpole-are-friends book we’re featuring, two weeks in a row. I would like to point out that in both cases, the caterpillar is 100% the problem friend in the relationship. This probably says more about human attitudes towards fancy folks than anything else, but feel free to write your own insightful thesis on the subject if you so choose. As we go through this book, we realize that it should have been renamed TADPOLE’S UNKNOWING REVENGE since it truly is a novel way to portray an unusual relationship. For the full Show Notes please go here: https://afuse8production.slj.com/2025/07/01/fuse-8-n-kate-tadpoles-promise-by-jeanne-willis-ill-tony-ross-second-in-a-two-part-series/
Jack Kent returns!Not content to rest on his laurels following our episode on There's No Such Thing As a Dragon, we've decided to use one of Kent's books in our VERY FIRST two-part series. And folks? I want you to guess the #2 in this series. Now this book was turned into a Weston Woods video but that's not why it's remembered today necessarily. If we had to make a guess, we'd say that this book is probably remembered primarily because teachers around the country have used it in the spring to show how metamorphosis works. Never mind that the science in this book is WOEFULLY inaccurate. So, in a way, this episode marks the return of the Nonfiction Stickler (which is to say, Betsy). If YOU are a teacher who tends to use this book, allow us to direct your attention to a lovely 2025 publication called Papilio that is just as good as this book, but WAY more scientifically accurate.For the full Show Notes please visit us at: https://afuse8production.slj.com/2025/06/23/fuse-8-n-kate-the-caterpillar-and-the-polliwog-by-jack-kent-first-in-a-two-part-series/
Here at Fuse 8 n' Kate, I'd like to clarify a few points before we start to discuss today's podcast. First and foremost, this podcast was recorded approximately two weeks ago, well before the events in California right now started to occur. It would not, in a million years, have occurred to us that a discussion of the events that take place in Smoky Night would have had any bearing on the current political situation. To be perfectly frank, more than anything else I wanted to talk to Kate about the book within the context of #MeToo. After all, with the recent discussions of Neil Gaiman and whether or not to strip him of his Newbery Medal following his own recent allegations, it seemed timely to consider our other cancelled children's literature award winner. In this podcast we attempt to delineate, as clearly as possible, the difference between a riot and a protest. We discuss whether or not this was a book that was trying to be Do the Right Thing for kids, and whose lens this story is shot through in the end. You can find the full Show Notes here: https://afuse8production.slj.com/2025/06/16/fuse-8-n-kate-smoky-night-by-eve-bunting-ill-david-diaz/
The Queen of Board Books is in the house! I would argue that to be the board book king or queen, you need to work primarily in the genre of board book. And Sandra Boynton is that queen. Fight me. Now I agree that Moo, Baa, La La La might have been a better book to do today, but don't worry. We'll get to it eventually. Today, we look at one of my favorite Boyntons. It has everything! Running around! Evening exercise! Hidden pigs! We discuss the role of bedtime books for small children and whether or not it's fair to slot this book in with titles that are solely meant to lull your child into unconsciousness. Full link in Show Notes: https://afuse8production.slj.com/2025/06/09/fuse-8-n-kate-the-going-to-bed-book-by-sandra-boynton/
Back we return to the words of Doreen Cronin! We'd done her Click, Clack, Moo in the past (and Duck for President too), but not her other massively successful picture book series. This is also our first Harry Bliss book to boot. We go through all 18 different journal entries of this title and discuss its finer aspects. Along the way we speculate about dated elements like playing marbles and hats with fake arrows going through them. We discuss the history of this specific series. Finally we learn how long worms live and think about how this book would be different if it was published today (hint there would be backmatter). For the full Show Notes please visit: https://afuse8production.slj.com/2025/06/01/fuse-8-n-kate-diary-of-a-worm-by-doreen-cronin-ill-harry-bliss/
With Kate newly mommified, we try out recording our podcast with baby in tow to see how it goes. So if the episode is a little burbly this time around, you'll understand why. Along the way we also decide to do our VERY FIRST Emily Gravett title. Her debut no less! In reading it, Kate has to deal with this unexpected Kate Greenaway Medal winner and all that that entails. Now we know that a lot of you have been asking us to do Orange, Pear, Apple, Bear for some time. Be patient, my lovelies. We can't touch that one until 2027. For the Show Notes for this episode please go here: https://afuse8production.slj.com/2025/05/27/fuse-8-n-kate-wolves-by-emily-gravett/
Periodically on the podcast we'll consider picture books that could be called "cult classics" in some manner. You know the type. Who Needs Donuts? The Lonely Doll. That sort of thing. They're books that may not be a part of the cultural zeitgeist but for a significant contingent of readers, they mean the world. Bill Canterbury was recently interviewed on Betsy's site in conjunction with the release of his new picture books, and he later sent me some suggestions for the podcast. As such, we thought we might try my hand with this one. We've never done a Seibold before, and we were curious to see how this 1993 publication held up. Turns out... it sure as heck couldn't have come out any year BUT 1993, that's for sure. We discuss the muted palette, busy pages, outsider art, and how this is only one of three books in the same series.For the full Show Notes please visit: https://afuse8production.slj.com/2025/05/19/fuse-8-n-kate-mr-lunch-takes-a-plane-ride-by-j-otto-seibold-and-vivian-walsh/
It's baseball season! And baby season! Kate just had a baby (her first!!) almost a month early, and now that she has her brain back in order, we're finally tackling a baseball picture book for the spring. Now to our minds, this book is significant because as a work of historical fiction, it was one of the first picture book titles for kids to address a moment in American history that we, as a nation, are not proud of. It's definitely our first Lee & Low book, and spurned on many other books for kids to come. Stay tuned for copious recommendations for readalikes to this title. For the full Show Notes please visit here: https://afuse8production.slj.com/2025/05/12/fuse-8-n-kate-baseball-saved-us-by-ken-mochizuki-ill-dom-lee/
Recently Kirkus Reviews came up with their own list of the Best Books of the 21st Century (So Far). And it seemed to Betsy that it would be a good idea if we tackled one of those books that neither of us knew. Looking into it, they included the 2005 title Martha by the illustrious and highly talented Gennady Spirin. This autobiographical title was never placed in the nonfiction section of any library, but it would fit in there perfectly by today's standards. Listen as we repeatedly mispronounce the creator's name (and then sloooowly get it correct), compare him to Hodor (but with better hair), talk fussy eating, and how if this book was produced today there would definitely have some backmatter urging you not to pick up crows.For the full Show Notes please visit: https://afuse8production.slj.com/2025/04/28/fuse-8-n-kate-martha-by-gennady-spirin/
"I want to do something with my life, but with minimal effort." "He's the hero our children need today." Today, there is a mystery at work. For the past two years this 1983 beginner book publication has hit #1 on the Publishers Weekly list of top selling picture books around Easter time. But why? What caused this particular P.J. Funnybunny book to become quite so popular again? We endeavor to find out as we tackle today's title. It's not very Easter-y, but I guess bunnies will be bunnies. Along the way, we talk about the potentially damaging narrative at work here and how this book is, in its way, the complete opposite of a title like Itty-Bitty Kitty-Corn. For the full Show Notes please visit: https://afuse8production.slj.com/2025/04/21/fuse-8-n-kate-its-not-easy-being-a-bunny-by-marilyn-sadler-ill-robert-bollen/
It's been a day or two since we did a Mo Willems book on the podcast (and you can believe I'm counting down the days until one of those Elephant & Piggie books turns 20). What absolutely kills me is that we did today's title in complete ignorance of the fact that it was recently adapted into an incredible looking stage production in D.C. with a Chicago-based theater company.... which just closed. Doggone it. This book is interesting for a number of reasons. First off, Mo Willems had already done a Pigeon book (square) and a Knuffle Bunny book (horizontal), but this marked his first vertical book. We discuss our future picture book Steampunk Monster, how Sam's got sass, baby Wild Things, and more. For the full Show Notes please visit: https://afuse8production.slj.com/2025/04/14/fuse-8-n-kate-leonardo-the-terrible-monster-by-mo-willems/
Kirkus released its list of the Best Picture Books of the 21st Century and we wanted to do one of the books they included! So Betsy went to GREAT LENGTHS to get her hands on today's book. Folks... she had to go all the way.... to Skokie. That doggone beautiful library system. But it was worth it! Our very first Lauren Child is on the podcast! We talk about how Charlie and Lola were the Bluey of their day, weird Girl Scouts, and we'll tell you that our own picky eating definitely comes to the fore.For the full Show Notes please visit: https://afuse8production.slj.com/2025/04/07/fuse-8-n-kate-i-will-never-not-ever-eat-a-tomato-by-lauren-child/
It's the 20th anniversary of the publication of Llama Llama Red Pajama, and you know how we've chosen to celebrate? With none other than Anna Dewdney's own daughters, that's how! Berol and Cordelia Dewdney join us as we explore a Llama Llama book for the very first time. For the full show notes please visit: https://afuse8production.slj.com/2025/03/31/fuse-8-n-kate-llama-llama-red-pajama-by-anna-dewdney-with-special-guest-stars-berol-and-cordelia-dewdney/
Remember when I was constantly trying to find picture books with tidal waves in them for Kate? Somebody somewhere (forgive me for not writing it down) suggested we try good old Ducky from 1997. It's been a day or two since I picked up the book, so I gave it a whirl and discovered that it would definitely be an interesting title for the old podcast here. As such, we're talking rubber ducks, plastic waste, cut paper, and shark sympathy on the old podcast today. Also, this has GOT to be our most miserable protagonist to date. Talk about not appreciating the adventure you find yourself on. Oy!For the full Show Notes please visit: https://afuse8production.slj.com/2025/03/24/fuse-8-n-kate-ducky-by-eve-bunting-ill-david-wisniewski/
Happy St. Patrick's Day! You know, this year our library decided to reassess their holiday section and in the course of things St. Patrick's Day got booted from the roster. Why? Because, to be perfectly frank, the number of decent St. Patrick's Day books that come out for kids in a given year is next to none. Smaller than small. For that reason (and because we've covered SO MANY of the usual suspects on our podcast already) Betsy decided to turn once again to the classic fable of Finn McCool or Fin M'Coul or however you like to spell it. Episode 307 was the last time we tackled this particular folktale, and that book was Finn MacCoul and his Fearless Wife by Robert Byrd. How will this book differ? Is it better? Worse? The same? Find out! For the Show Notes please visit: https://afuse8production.slj.com/2025/03/17/fuse-8-n-kate-fin-mcoul-the-giant-of-knockmany-hill-by-tomie-de-paola/
Kate gave Betsy a challenge and Betsy.... kinda met it? We've somehow managed to do two picture books in a row on the podcast that involved tidal waves. Betsy was charged with finding a third. To her utter amazement, today's book was not one that we'd done before. Time to buckle up, folks! Kate and Betsy haven't disagreed about a book so much in quite a while. We talk His and Her Preciousses, whether or not apple trees are "insufficiently whimsical", and the degree to which Margaret here is off the grid. For the full Show Notes please visit: https://afuse8production.slj.com/2025/03/10/fuse-8-n-kate-the-maggie-b-by-irene-haas/
How is it we've never done an Oliver Jeffers book on this podcast? Well, that stops today, folks. Kate wanted something light and goofy, and by gum we'd say this book fills the bill. First off, it came out in 2005 (which means it just barely crests our 20-year rule). Second, it's cute and it's what, we truly believe, put Oliver Jeffers on the map in America. Today we're talking about penguins in all their myriad forms. Kate challenges Betsy to think of another picture book with a tidal wave and so if you folks could help her out, she'd really appreciate it. Any ideas come to mind?For the full Show Notes please visit: https://afuse8production.slj.com/2025/03/02/fuse-8-n-kate-lost-and-found-by-oliver-jeffers/
Let the record show that Kate cut out a very long discussion of how much Betsy dislikes bidets from the beginning of this podcast (and Betsy disagrees with this choice but, to be honest, it was a kind of an odd way to start a children's literature podcast episode). Today's book, while it does involve butts, is more about teeny tiny babies. We discuss hot bidet seats, what Jim LaMarche owes to Chris Van Allsburg, adorable weasels, and more.For the full Show Notes please visit: https://afuse8production.slj.com/2025/02/24/fuse-8-n-kate-the-rainbabies-by-laura-krauss-melmed-ill-jim-lamarche/
The world is in turmoil. On fire. In a terrible state. As such, it seemed a fairly good time to revisit a Jon J. Muth book that would go on to create multiple sequels as well as a series on Apple TV. And its topic? A kind of Zen mindfulness concerning the world in which we live. We're in the mood for a little contemplation and this book serves to answer that need. Along the way we're more than happy to discuss what does and doesn't hold up in this book and whether or not it deserves to be considered a classic. For the full Show Notes please visit: https://afuse8production.slj.com/2025/02/17/fuse-8-n-kate-zen-shorts-by-jon-j-muth/
Just in time for Black History Month we're tackling a number of firsts on our podcast. Our first Pam Muñoz Ryan book. Our first Brian Selznick book. And while this isn't our first picture book biography, we've done relatively few over the years. Old nonfiction picture books age so poorly sometimes but this title had some incredible backmatter, even by 2025 standards. We discuss how this book has "sepia with depth" yet somehow manages not to be boring looking, and how we'd love to be remembered as "fierce but famous."For the full Show Notes please visit: https://afuse8production.slj.com/2025/02/10/fuse-8-n-kate-when-marian-sang-by-pam-munoz-ryan-and-brian-selznick/
We return to John Steptoe once again today, though with perhaps a more complicated title than many of his that we've done before. We discuss at length whether or not this book can legitimately call itself "A Native American legend" and what that does for a contemporary read. This book won itself a Caldecott Honor. Did it deserve it? We have a lot of other questions as well. Does the magic frog have an angle here? Where does the fat old mouse fit into it? Is the aforementioned Magic Frog just Glinda from The Wizard of Oz? And is this story a variation on Rainbow Fish or The Happy Prince?For the full Show Notes please visit: https://afuse8production.slj.com/2025/01/27/fuse-n-kate-the-story-of-jumping-mouse-by-john-steptoe/
Sometimes everything comes together so beautifully. Kate had been asking for a while for Betsy to come up with a fox-related picture book title in which the fox wasn't evil. Meanwhile, Jerrold Connors has been creating a picture book biography of James Marshall called JIM! (which Betsy interviewed him about this past week) in which Jim is portrayed as his famous fox character. The time just seemed right to put these two things together. The James Marshall Fox series had multiple volumes, so which one would be the best to do with Kate? What's that you say? The one where they all smoke cigars? God. It's like you know us. For the full Show Notes please visit: https://afuse8production.slj.com/2025/01/20/fuse-8-n-kate-fox-all-week-by-james-marshall/
Hooray! With the ALA Youth Media Awards on the near horizon (Monday, January 27th at 8 a.m. MT to be precise) it's never been a better time to debate some possible winners of the Caldecott Award. Today, I hand over to Kate an unprecedented FOUR possible contenders (rather than my usual three)! Will she opt for the vibrant father-daughter vibes of My Daddy Is a Cowboy, the rainbow wry-wit of Touch the Sky, the luminous family-centric storytelling of Joyful Song, or the heartfelt sincerity of Home in a Lunchbox? Only this podcast can say for sure. For the full Show Notes, please visit: https://afuse8production.slj.com/2025/01/12/fuse-8-n-kate-the-caldecott-contenders-of-2025/
A Caldecott Award winner! It's been a minute, hasn't it? When Betsy thinks of today's book she thinks of something David Wiesner said about it during one of his own Caldecott acceptance speeches. "Structurally unlike any medal winner before it — or since — Black and White...redefined the way stories could be told in picture books. And, just as importantly, it did this while being very, very funny." That's our bag, baby. As such, Betsy introduce Kate to this metafictional picture book and the legacy it engendered. Today we discuss newspapers, abstract cows, how the book occasionally hurts Kate's brain, and why it reminds her of the testing she took for her own autism. For the full Show Notes please visit: https://afuse8production.slj.com/2025/01/06/fuse-8-n-kate-black-and-white-by-david-macaulay/
Betsy has been waiting YEARS to finally get to do today's book. Literally! She read this book over and over and over and over to her small children, and she has every intention of doing the same to Kate's incipient child. Today we get to talk about sheep! Sheep of every type and stripe! We also discuss, for some reason, Australian armor-clad bushrangers, which of these sheep is the most impressive skill-wise, and whether or not this is just Hippos Go Bezerk with sheep! For the full Show Notes please visit: https://afuse8production.slj.com/2024/12/30/fuse-8-n-kate-where-is-the-green-sheep-by-mem-fox-ill-judy-horacek/
Just in time for Christmas! So Betsy was on the lookout for Christmas books we hadn't done before and you know who we've never presented on this podcast? Langston Hughes! Heck, we've done James Baldwin, but we've never done Langston Hughes. Oddly, we've done shockingly few picture books over the years around Christmastime that involve baby Jesus. Today we consider an author who was blacklisted in his day and turned to writing books for children to make ends meet. This particular book was also never really intended to be a children's book. It's a series of poems that were adapted into a book format instead. How well does it hold up over time aside from the goodness of its mere existence? We intend to find out.For the full Show Notes, please visit: https://afuse8production.slj.com/2024/12/23/fuse-8-n-kate-carol-of-the-brown-king-by-langston-hughes-ill-ashley-bryan/
Since Christmas and Hanukkah fall on the same day this year, Kate and Betsy had a difficult decision ahead: Do we do a Christmas first book or a Hanukkah book. And, if a Hanukkah book, which one? The answer came to us when Betsy discovered the incredible and incredibly weird Moishe's Miracle. Unfamiliar with it? Maybe it deserves classic status as an undiscovered gem. Today we discuss Gremlins, hidden gems, and so much more.For the complete Show Notes please visit: https://afuse8production.slj.com/2024/12/16/fuse-8-n-kate-moishes-miracle-a-hanukkah-story-by-laura-krauss-melmed-ill-david-slonim/
You may have recollections of this book so vague you almost wondered if it was a fever dream you had a child. Well, wonder no longer! Today we're taking a trip to Itching Down where four million wasps cause all kinds of trouble. Like a surreal combination of Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs and maybe Who Needs Donuts?, join us as we determine whether or not it truly deserves to be remembered as a classic or not. Today we discuss the long forgotten Good Witch of the North, the location of this story, and how, for my generation, this book was "a whole thing." Please see the full Show Notes here: https://afuse8production.slj.com/2024/12/10/fuse-8-n-kate-the-giant-jam-sandwich-by-john-vernon-lord-and-janet-burroway/
Turkey day approacheth and, let me tell you, it can be just a tiny bit difficult finding Thanksgiving Day picture books from 20+ years ago that aren't offensive in some way. Today's title came out originally in 1976, though you wouldn't know it from the lead male's shirt which is VERY 1985. We learn a bit about Dahlov Ipcar and consider a book where every single problem in this book could be solved if the farmer just installed, oh I dunno, A FENCE!! This is, to our mind, the story about a guy who went off the grid without doing any research. Enjoy it as we try to determine its place in the Gobble Day pantheon. For the full Show Notes please visit: https://afuse8production.slj.com/2024/11/25/fuse-8-n-kate-hard-scrabble-harvest-by-dahlov-ipcar/
Betsy got all kinds of addicted to doing Caldecott winners after we recorded an episode on Kitten's First Full Moon. Afterwards, she looked back over our recent books, and somehow we missed doing this book when it hit the 20 year mark. Bonus, it's our first Eric Rohmann title! We don't want to spoil anything, but this is the kind of book that rewards a closer read. Today we're talking tattoos, lapine workout routines, and the likelihood that someone drugged this dang hippo. To put it simply, this is The Road to Hell Is Paved With Good Intentions... The Book! You can find the full Show Notes at https://afuse8production.slj.com/2024/11/18/fuse-8-n-kate-my-friend-rabbit-by-eric-rohmann/
Fellow librarians who have been around a day or two: Can you believe that Kitten's First Full Moon came out TWENTY years ago? Kate had asked me to come up with an election picture book and I failed miserably (since we already did So You Want to Be President? and Duck for President previously). So Kevin Henkes used to be Mr. Mice. He just did all mouse picture books all the time. My theory is that the turn came around the time he created Kitten's First Full Moon. These days, Mr. Henkes is much more inclined to create emotionally resonant square-sized picture books than vertically inclined mouse-related picture books. Little wonder since Kitten won a 2005 Caldecott Award. Today we determine how well this book has aged in the last two decades. For the full Show Notes please visit: https://afuse8production.slj.com/2024/11/04/fuse-8-n-kate-kittens-first-full-moon-by-kevin-henkes/
"A ludicrous concept that is funny because it is ludicrous." Just in time for Halloween we have our last Halloween-adjacent picture book title just in time for the season! Kate and I begin by having a detailed discussion of what constitutes a racist or offensive Halloween-related picture book. That won't be a problem with today's book, though. We've been asked for years to do this particular title and with its 2002 publication date, the time has definitely come (we have a 20-year rule when it comes to considering picture books for this podcast). We discuss how true hiccup picture books can only end one of two ways (based on, amongst other things, The Hiccupotamus): Either the other person gets the hiccups (which could be seen as revenge) and the other way is for the original person to then go about their life as if everything fine and then, in the last scene, they come back. What's your take?For the full show notes please visit: https://afuse8production.slj.com/2024/10/28/fuse-8-n-kate-skeleton-hiccups-by-margery-cuyler-ill-s-d-schindler/
While doing another Chris Van Allsburg picture book may seem like a relative no-brainer around the Halloween season, maybe there's a reason we hadn't done this particular title before. Unlike The Stranger, The Widow's Broom (which Betsy mistakenly calls "The Witch's Broom" on the podcast), or even The Mysteries of Harris Burdick, this particular title feels less like a tribute to the uncanny and more like a failed 1991 diatribe against television. The monkey sailors have NOT aged well, and it just sort of feels like a lesser Van Allsburg. But let's dive into the ins and outs of this potentially creepy title.For the full Show Notes please visit: https://afuse8production.slj.com/2024/10/21/fuse-8-n-kate-the-wretched-stone-by-chris-van-allsburg/
We are in the thick of spooky season! Betsy came a hair's breath from trying to do The Vanishing Pumpkin again (you can listen to the previous episode featuring that book on this podcast) but at the last possible second she did a hard right turn and decided to go with yet another Brinton Turkle title (the previous Turkle was The Boy Who Didn't Believe in Spring, which he illustrated). Not to spoil anything but Kate was unexpectedly charmed by this tale of orange cats, incredible interior design, and banjo clocks. It's hard to think of a "cozy" Halloween picture book, but this might well fit the bill. Let's hear it for competent middle-aged women heroes! Woohoo!For the full Show Notes please visit: https://afuse8production.slj.com/2024/10/14/fuse-8-n-kate-do-not-open-by-brinton-turkle/
We're so pleased. For years Betsy has been waiting for today's book to hit its 20th anniversary in the hopes that we might discuss it on the podcast. Now, at long last, we finally have the chance to kick off the Halloween season with Wee Winnie Witch's Skinny: An Original African American Scare Tale. There is just so much to talk about with this book. We'd already done a Barry Moser in The Mushroom Man, but this one is VERY different. There's trauma and woodcuts, but don't let that get you down. There are also some legitimately good scares. For the full Show Notes please visit: https://afuse8production.slj.com/2024/10/07/fuse-8-n-kate-wee-winnie-witchs-skinny-by-virginia-hamilton-ill-barry-moser/
"If you're looking for a typical story with words and a plot, this ain't it. Go somewhere else."It's the podcast we've wanted to do for months. The ultimate crossover. For the first time, TWO School Library Journal podcasts have come together to consider the classical status of a picture book of the past. You know him. You love him. You cannot help but be aware of his blog (100 Scope Notes), his picture books (The Ship in the Window, Just One Flake, etc.), or his podcast (The Yarn). His co-host Colby Sharp was unavailable but we did get... Travis Jonker! Woohoo! Yay! As per usual, when we have a guest on the podcast we ask them to select a picture book to discuss. Travis's choice is none other than that Remy Charlip delight, Thirteen. A 1975 release, it was re-released in 2018 and remains in print to this day. Amongst its many fans are Brian Selznick, who modeled his character of Marie-Georges-Jean Méliès on the face of Remy Charlip. Today we discuss how this book "rewards repeat rereading" and how it reminds us of Black and White by David Macaulay (though that was only four stories. Not thirteen!) It's a dream for fans of tiny details. Discover it for yourself.For the full Show Notes, please visit: https://afuse8production.slj.com/2024/10/29/fuse-8-n-kate-crossover-episode-the-yarn-presents-travis-jonker-with-thirteen-by-remy-charlip-and-jerry-joyner/
"Hurt creatures hurt creatures." Initially I heard about today's book on the podcast The Sartorial Librarian, and they discussed it so brilliantly that Betsy absolutely had to grab it for the recording today. This is an Australian title that somehow has escaped the greater notice of America until now. We aim to change this! Originally published in 2000 in Australia and American in 2001, this is unlike any other book you've ever seen. From the typography to the writing the deeply disturbing and wonderful storytelling at work, we dive deep into this one. By the way, this book is out-of-print at the moment, so if some small publisher with a smart head wants to bring out a book about how animals suffer after wildfires (particularly in the Australian landscape) this is an ideal title to consider. Bring it back!For the full Show Notes please visit: https://afuse8production.slj.com/2024/09/23/fuse-8-n-kate-fox-by-margaret-wild-ill-ron-brooks/
Kate asked Betsy to bring in a fireman/firefighter/firetruck book to discuss as a possible classic. Now if you had to name a 20+ year old picture book featuring that kind of subject matter, what would you choose? Back in the day Betsy read to her kids a veritable plethora of such titles. And the one that rises to the top when she tries to think of the older ones? This little number by Wong Herbert Yee. We talk about where Yee went (where did he go?), why parents get really interested in sleep deprived characters, and whether or not Fireman Small needs some additional training.For the full Show Notes please visit: https://afuse8production.slj.com/2024/09/16/fuse-8-n-kate-fireman-small-by-wong-herbert-yee/
The election isn't until November, but we figured it would be a good idea to tackle the season early before everyone starts plugging their ears saying, "La La La! I can't hear you!" And as luck would have it, today's particularly political picture book came out 20 years ago this year. Now in previous election years, Duck for President was released every four years. It is not, as far as I can tell, being released in 2024. Why is that? This podcast episode aims to answer that question, as well as assess how Duck for President has aged. Has it stood the test of time? Let's find out! We discuss how this book clearly is just barely missing the term "hanging chad" and whether that's relevant to voters today.For the full Show Notes please visit: https://afuse8production.slj.com/2024/09/09/fuse-8-n-kate-duck-for-president-by-doreen-cronin-ill-betsy-lewin/
Our very first Bill Peet! Please understand that the whole reason we haven't done him before is because unlike a lot of animators-turned-author/illustrations, he has no single huge title that he's known for (unlike Seuss or P.D. Eastman). Betsy literally had to look up the Peet titles that are most prevalent in her library's consortium. The winner? Today's book! Today we talk about Katy the FOMO Train (as we would deem her), caboose-eating monsters (who sadly don't appear in this book), and why we call this the Choose Your Own Moral book.For the full Show Notes please visit: https://afuse8production.slj.com/2024/09/02/fuse-8-n-kate-the-caboose-who-got-loose-by-bill-peet/
All around the U.S. kids are beginning to go back to school. With that in mind, Kate asked Betsy to come up with a back-to-school book they hadn't done before. Now you might think that the only first day of school book the great Kevin Henkes created was Chrysanthemum (which we did back in 2021). Not so! Here we find another. Kate says the cover is what you get if you mix Maus with Clockwork Orange (though Betsy thinks it looks more like Maus meets Vertigo). We talk about the panic attacks that are surely in Wemberly's future, how she resembles the Target dog, and why this man knows how to write a book. Mouse SEL books for the win!For the full Show Notes please visit: https://afuse8production.slj.com/2024/08/19/fuse-8-n-kate-wemberly-worried-by-kevin-henkes/
Our Margaret Wise Brown output on this podcast has, until now, been a bit on the scanty side. Sure, we did Goodnight Moon and Runaway Bunny but beyond that we've sort of left her out in the cold. All that changes today with this, our third MWB and what may be our very first Provensen deep dive. In light of the new life injected into Little Golden Books as of late, (thanks in large part to a very big pop princess) we tackle one of these very books ourselves. In this podcast, we discuss the types of cones that appear in cats' eyes, the true color of bumblebees, why Greek goatherders resemble 80s businessmen, and so much more. For the full Show Notes please visit: https://afuse8production.slj.com/2024/08/12/fuse-8-n-kate-the-color-kittens-by-margaret-wise-brown-ill-alice-martin-provensen/
How the HECK have we done 327 episodes of this podcast and we haven't yet done this book? Released in 1991, we can't help but note that this story, of people flying above New York City, happened to come out the same year that a fellow people flying above New York City picture book came out: Tar Beach. Something about the early 90s just made people want to fly away, we guess. Today we tackle Abuela by Arthur Dorros, a book that has remained popular after all these years. Does it deserve the acclaim? We intend to find out. And if we state that this book popularized the connecting-with-your-grandparent picture book idea, then we say the other books out there owe a debt of gratitude to this one. Interestingly, this is one of the first books Kate has run across where the artist's medium is listed on the publication page. Guess they started doing that in the 90s. Yet they never say where Abuela is from specifically. That's something they'd correct today. For the full Show Notes please visit: https://afuse8production.slj.com/2024/08/05/fuse-8-n-kate-abuela-by-arthur-dorros-ill-elisa-kleven/
By gum, if there's one thing this children's literature podcast needs, it's more Reading Rainbow books from the days of yore. And if that's something we need to go out and find, then surely we will. We were inspired to give this particular book a go after Betsy saw the model of its vehicle on display at Kansas City's The Rabbit Hole. In this episode we discuss the prevalence of the same "a" sound, why this has a Popemobile top, xenomorphs, and extra car features that create duplicate children.For the full Show Notes please visit: https://afuse8production.slj.com/2024/07/30/fuse-8-n-kate-tooth-gnasher-superflash-by-daniel-pinkwater/
While Betsy often prefers to hand Kate children's picture books to consider that are chock full of details, at a certain point she is forced to come up with books that contain none of that. And you cannot get much more basic than Little Blue and Little Yellow here. Your heroes are essential paint swatches, after all. In the course of our conversation, though, Kate surprises Betsy by coming up with a discussion of everything from the origins and accuracy of certain nursery rhymes to whether or not Lionni's Italian background affected which gender each color receives in this book.
Kooky that we haven't done this one yet? You betcha. It's well known nationwide, been turned into lots of stage plays, and is generally a book that should be right up our alley. In the pantheon of heroic librarian books, where does this particular book fall out? We discuss the correct length of dinosaur teeth, sensible shoes, and how the HECK the artist created the art for this book. Honestly, we still don't know. For the full Show Notes please visit: https://afuse8production.slj.com/2024/07/15/fuse-8-n-kate-tomas-and-the-library-lady-by-pat-mora-ill-raul-colon/
The American Library Association's Annual Conference for 2024 may be over but here at Fuse 8 n' Kate the party NEVER stops! And we can back that statement up by pointing out that this latest episode was actually recorded AT the conference. And not only that, it was recorded WITH a special guest star! Turns out, conferences are a great way to connect with folks you've only ever met online. After commenting so well that she was dubbed "the third sister", Kate and Betsy are inordinately pleased to welcome none other than author Stephanie V.W. Lucianovic to the mic. You may remember Stephanie from her myriad books over the years, including this year's Touch the Sky (which has appeared on Caldecott prediction lists for good reason). Today she introduces her long-lost relatives to Swedish author/illustrator Jan Lööf (he, of the double umlauts), a 2011 winner of the Astrid Lindgren Prize. They look at one of his rare English-language translations and talk about whether or not they should institute a new category: Family Cult Classic Picture Books. Which is to say, picture books that aren't famous anywhere outside of your own family.For the full Show Notes please visit: https://afuse8production.slj.com/2024/07/08/fuse-8-n-kate-whos-got-the-apple-by-jan-loof-translated-by-ole-risom-amp-linda-hayward-featuring-special-guest-star-stephanie-v-w-lucianovic/
We are pleased to announce that with its 2002 publication date we are finally able to celebrate the upcoming Independence Day with a book that Betsy has been sitting on for years. It can be exceedingly hard to find books for this particular holiday. Even better, this consideration of this book marks the very first time the podcast has ever done a Janet Wong or Margaret Chodos-Irvine. Ms. Wong hasn't published since 2015 and Margaret Chodos-Irvine hasn't since 2006, but in their heyday this book marked a dream pairing. It's not the podcast's first picture book to mention pie recently (remember Enemy Pie?) which means Kate's weary, wary, and woozy. Will this book win her over? Let's see!For the full Show Notes please visit: https://afuse8production.slj.com/2024/07/02/fuse-8-n-kate-apple-pie-fourth-of-july-by-janet-s-wong-ill-margaret-chodos-irvine/
Betsy's logic behind this week's choice is that it is hot outside right now, so why not do a picture book featuring nudity? Now we currently live in a country where so much as a bare butted goblin picture book can get banned by Moms for Liberty at the drop of a hat. May as well go all in and do a book that unapologetically doesn't care about such puritanical mores. This book is an odd one, but Betsy has an equally odd affection for it. With this podcast episode the sisters talk about screaming at women's stomachs, the fact that babies lose hair when they're born, and Betsy incorrectly states that this book is probably out of print (Correction: the paperback is going strong!!). For a complete list of Show Notes please visit: https://afuse8production.slj.com/2024/06/24/fuse-8-n-kate-baby-come-out-by-fran-manushkin-ill-ronald-himler/
Kate's crie de coeur for more blood and guts in children's picture books once again finds its mark. Usually you might associate a book of this sort with titles of a more European bent, but Asch and son are 100% 'merican, baby. With enough weirdness to choke a cat, this one's just so very strange. Not to give anything away but we are exceedingly pleased to state that this book is still in print in paperback form today. We discuss houndstooth suits, Itchy and Scratchy, the sinking of the Titanic, and more.For the show's full Show Notes, please visit: https://afuse8production.slj.com/2024/06/17/fuse-8-n-kate-mr-maxwells-mouse-by-frank-asch-ill-devin-asch
Oh ho! We haven't done a Steven Kellogg re-illustration title since Pinkereton, Behave! back in 2021! This is particularly strange as The Mysterious Tadpole was always, without a doubt, a favorite Kellogg picture book of Betsy's when she was a child. For various reasons we were never able to discuss it on Fuse 8 n' Kate... until today! We consider the original 1977 edition of this book versus the 2004 update. Now I must warn you that this episode sort of jumps into Betsy and Kate talking about cicadas (again), partly because they're awesome, and partly because the first part of this episode acquired some odd sound issues, so we had to cut out the very first part. Apologies! In this episode we discuss whether or not Alphonse became less cute in the new edition, why the parenting in this new edition is so angry, and why Kellogg felt it necessary to enroll his tadpole in obedience school.For the full Show Notes please visit: https://afuse8production.slj.com/2024/06/10/fuse-8-n-kate-the-mysterious-tadpole-by-steven-kellogg/(opens in a new tab)
Here in Illinois the cicadas are truly beginning to emerge en masse. As such, Betsy was kind of hoping she might be able to find a book that speaks to this. Alas, Cicada Symphony by Sue Fleiss (illustrated by Gareth Lucas) is just barely a year old. So what's the next best course of action? Locate some other red-eyed creature found in trees, of course! Now finding old nonfiction picture books with the potential to be called "classic" are few and far between, thanks to our twenty year rule. Fortunately, the farther into the future we tread, the more possibilities there are to choose between. And what better 1999 informational title could one choose today than good old Red-Eyed Tree Frog? Written by an author who has had a HECK of a life (you gotta check out her Wikipedia page sometime). We discuss which came first with this book, the photos or the text, and why sometimes you just gotta get a second moth shot (as opposed to a shot of Malört).For the full Show Notes please visit: https://afuse8production.slj.com/2024/06/03/fuse-8-n-kate-red-eyed-tree-frog-by-joy-cowley-ill-nic-bishop/
As mentioned on this podcast episode, Kate and Betsy truly will be in San Diego at the upcoming ALA Annual Conference to record an episode WITH a special secret guest. Many thanks to the very kind Travis Jonker (alumni of Kate's college) for sharing his recording booth with us. Today's book was a Reading Rainbow book back in the day. We detect some similarities to The Mysterious Tadpole by Steven Kellogg, we talk Gertie the Dinosaur, and try to understand why members of a baseball team would look at an animal and instantly think, "Shortstop!"For the full Show Notes please visit: https://afuse8production.slj.com/2024/05/20/fuse-8-n-kate-dinosaur-bob-and-his-adventures-with-the-family-lazardo-by-william-joyce/
Today, we do our second David Wiesner book (after Tuesday). Along the way we discuss the philosophy behind Wiesner's void ("Is this just the space between the stories we tell?") and how this is (spoiler alert) our 200th classic on the podcast! Woohoo!Show Notes:For the full show notes please visit: https://afuse8production.slj.com/2024/05/13/fuse-8-n-kate-the-three-pigs-by-david-wiesner
Today we dive right in to a good spring picture book that somehow we've never done before. Even better, a Caldecott Honor title at that! We haven't discussed Janet Stevens since we did Anansi and the Moss-Covered Rock a little more than a year ago. Consider this the book that made vertical picture books cool (Mel Fell owes this title a hat tip of thanks). In this episode we discuss whether Bear is on Ambien, where this takes place (since the growing seasons is so long), and Kate's theory about adirondack chairs.Show Notes: For the full show notes please visit https://afuse8production.slj.com/2024/05/06/fuse-8-n-kate-tops-bottoms-by-janet-stevens/
Recently LeVar Burton suggested today's picture book on an episode of The Sporkful ("Reheat: LeVar Burton Even Reads Recipes Dramatically") and in spite of the fact that Kate was dead-on about the fact that we should have done this book for a Thanksgiving episode, we're doing it, baby! Enemy Pie was a Reading Rainbow Book back in the day, how does it hold up now? We talk about How to Eat Fried Worms, how boomerangs were the drones of the 80s (and I will stand by that statement), and the joy of eating a pie small enough to fit between your eyebrows. For the full Show Notes please visit: https://afuse8production.slj.com/2024/04/29/fuse-8-n-kate-enemy-pie-by-derek-munson-ill-tara-calahan-king/(opens in a new tab)
"Crime and murder!"Do you want unspeakable violence on the picture book page? Well, folks, Kate sure did. And thanks to the suggestion of listener Rachelle, and her daughter Sarah, Betsy finally had a book that would give her just what she required. Is there blood? There is not, though honestly she got her fill of blood when we talked about King Stork (remember the heads on stakes?). Enjoy our discussion of what may well be the MOST disgusting sequence in a picture book of all time, as well as Betsy failing to correctly pronounce "dragees" (stay tuned for the very rare extra after the credits). And be prepared to get some serious Stinky Cheese Man and Arnie the Donut vibes from this book.For the full Show Notes please visit: https://afuse8production.slj.com/2024/04/22/fuse-8-n-kate-ginger-bear-by-mini-grey/
What's that? You've never heard of this particular Dr. Seuss book? Well, you're definitely not alone. If one were to rank Seuss titles from best known to least, there is no doubt in my mind that Solla Sollew would be right there at the bottom. But is there any chance that this 1965 publication might have something to say about the baby boomer generation, Vietnam, escapism, and even stories like Pippin and Candide? This week our special guest is none other than Betsy's very own husband Matt Bird. You may be familiar with his podcast with author James Kennedy the Secrets of Story podcast OR his podcast with his brother Steve Bird the Marvel Reread Club OR from his books The Secrets of Story and The Secrets of Character. He's unafraid to make a whole slew of claims about this book, so buckle up for a mighty strange ride. For the full Show Notes: https://afuse8production.slj.com/2024/04/15/fuse-8-n-kate-i-had-trouble-getting-to-solla-sollew/
April is National Autism Acceptance Month, so Kate asked Betsy to bring her an appropriate book. Our usual rule is that we only consider books that are 20+ years old. The trouble is that most of the best books on the topic of the autistic spectrum were created within the last two decades. So we're cheating a bit this week and going with something produced in 2005 (a whole year too early, by our usual standards). And rather than go the direct route, we are selecting a book that has been embraced by autistic child readers as containing an autistic character, even if she was not originally conceived of in that matter. In this episode we celebrate the rare four-alphabet-combo (most picture books are lucky to get just one), discuss what kind of grocery story provides (amongst other things) opossum, and Betsy's undying love and affection for Uncle Murray.For the full Show Notes please visit: https://afuse8production.slj.com/2024/04/08/fuse-8-n-kate-bad-kitty-by-nick-bruel/
What makes an appropriate April Fool's post? How about a book that FOOLED its own art directors, editors, publicists, etc. by including copulation? I'd say that counts! In fact, you might say that Trina Schart Hyman was the ultimate April Fool's picture book creator! She snuck insults of book reviewers onto gravestones. She managed to get the missionary position into a Howard Pyle book. She even made her ex-girlfriend the evil queen in her version of Snow White (while she made herself one of the seven dwarfs). But going back to that case where doing the wild thing made an appearance of the margins of a table in a picture book, Betsy has been hoping to do King Stork with Kate for years. And let us say, it doesn't disappoint. It's just as weird, sexist, strange, and funny as you'd expect. Think The Twelve Dancing Princesses meet Tam Lin.For the full Show Notes, please visit: https://afuse8production.slj.com/2024/04/01/fuse-8-n-kate-king-stork-by-howard-pyle-ill-trina-schart-hyman
Spring has sprungeth! Not that you'd know it looking at Illinois right now, of course, but we're getting close to sunnier days. To celebrate, we've decided to equinox the heck out of this latest podcast episode (I still say it can be a verb). Somehow we've never done this particular Caldecott Honor winner before, so we're going to right a great wrong. We talk epistolary picture books, how clean 1936 New York City alleyways were (we'd love to hear your opinions on needles), Groucho Marx, and more.For the full Show Notes please visit: https://afuse8production.slj.com/2024/03/25/fuse-8-n-kate-the-gardener-by-sarah-stewart-ill-david-small/
It's the Year of the Dragon and yet so far we've done precisely ZERO dragon books so far. That ends today with our first consideration of Jack Kent. The cartoonist turned picture book author/illustrator may have come to the form late in life, but he cast some indelible images in his time. Surprisingly, this turns out to be one of our more divisive books. We ask what the "Children's Book Clinic" once was, discuss songs stuck in our heads, and talk musical bread. For the full Show Notes please visit: https://afuse8production.slj.com/2024/03/18/fuse-8-n-kate-theres-no-such-thing-as-a-dragon-by-jack-kent/
If you want something Irish, this book fulfills that desire tenfold. Now, for those of you who listen to the Fuse 8 n' Kate podcast regularly, you'll know that Kate likes three particular things in her picture books: 1. Ireland. 2. Strong women. 3. Lotsa details in the art. With that in mind, is it surprising that she adored this? In this episode we discuss Little Shop of Horrors, the fact that single men have a hard time determining the ages of small children, and why this should really have been called Oona MacCoul and Her Baby Man. For the full Show Notes please visit: https://afuse8production.slj.com/2024/03/11/fuse-8-n-kate-finn-maccoul-and-his-fearless-wife-by-robert-byrd/
No stranger to controversy, we dive deep into one of Tomi Ungerer's more peculiar picture books. It's all about the consumption of children, but that's not why we get icked out by this particular title. Turns out, it has an ending grosser than anything involving the consumption of kids. Sadly, Betsy was not able to give Kate the blood and guts in a picture book that she so desperately required. In Betsy's defense, she remembered a lot more bloody knives than we see on these pages. Certainly Ungerer was happy to place blood in some of his other stories, but this particular time the violence was more implied than anything else. In this episode we discuss food, food, and more food (guess we were hungry). Show Notes:For the full show notes to this episode please go here: https://afuse8production.slj.com/2024/03/04/fuse-8-n-kate-zeraldas-ogre-by-tomi-ungerer/
Originally released in 2003, Skippyjon Jones is a fascinating study of a picture book that was controversial prior to the rise of We Need Diverse Books. When first it came out, the book received loads of praise and awards ... and then loads of controversy. While still in print today, we identify the probable reasons why this book doesn't have a Netflix show, a Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, a live-action film, etc. Let's just say there may be a reason why the last book in this series came out in 2014. We discuss what may be one of the oddest Kirkus Reviews ever written, the name "Siamese cats", and why the book is trying to keep the hero "out of the closet". You can find the full Show Notes for the episode here: https://afuse8production.slj.com/2024/02/26/fuse-8-n-kate-skippyjon-jones-by-judy-schachner/
Deep in the heart of February, it's not uncommon for folks to start yearning for warmer days and summer nights. While shivering in Illinois, Kate and Betsy dip into some early award-winning Udry and Sendak. Why did Sendak win a Caldecott Honor for this title? We deign to find out. There are ghosts and giants and a cat with a face Kate would tattoo on her arm tomorrow, if she could. There are also long discussions of how precisely these four children of approximately the same age are all related to one another. Enjoy!For the full Show Notes please visit: https://afuse8production.slj.com/2024/02/19/fuse-8-n-kate-the-moon-jumpers-by-janice-may-udry-ill-maurice-sendak/
It's officially the 25th anniversary of No, David! by David Shannon and in celebration Betsy decided to do the second "David" book in the series. Having previously done No, David! before, Betsy figured that the sequel was the right way to go with today's episode. Kate, for her part, experiences a curious form of amnesia, capable of remembering the recording of Shannon's A Bad Case of Stripes, but not the first David book. In that sense she's the perfect person to read this book, unencumbered by memories of its predecessor. For the full Show Notes, please visit here: https://afuse8production.slj.com/2024/02/12/fuse-8-n-kate-david-goes-to-school-by-david-shannon/
"There are fish literally everywhere in this book!" We meant to do an Ed Young title a little closer to his death last year, but life interfered. As a result Betsy has been sitting on this particular copy of Yeh-Shen for a couple months now (sorry, library). You can imagine Betsy's utter delight as she discovers that, like Lon-Po Po, Ed Young hid one particular animal on these pages: Fish! Betsy has way too much fun finding the fishies in these pages, and Kate dives deep into this particular telling. We misidentify Disney songs, and discuss "tattered creatures", and kings that neg.For the full Show Notes please visit: https://afuse8production.slj.com/2024/01/29/fuse-8-n-kate-yeh-shen-by-ai-ling-louie-ill-ed-young/
It's rare that we do a picture book from Betsy's old Top 100 Picture Books Poll from back in 2012, but today's the day, we guess. This book came in at #96 and reading it today we were surprised at how well it had aged in spite of its 1972 publication date. You probably know Bernard Waber best as the creator of Lyle, Lyle Crocodile. Today we're talking about Joe the Button Pusher, the Irish Republican Army, and where folks stand on the whole teddy bear issue. For the full show notes please find them here: https://afuse8production.slj.com/2024/01/22/fuse-8-n-kate-ira-sleeps-over-by-bernard-waber/
We are so friggin' psyched!! It's not every day that we (A) Celebrate our 300th episode and (B) Have the very first National Ambassador of Young People's Literature JON SCIESZKA as our special guest! We asked Jon what classic picture book he wanted to celebrate, and do you know what he selected? Not one but THREE Grimm Brothers fairy tales. Not the well known ones either. Three short ones. Weird ones. Peculiar ones. Today, we read through the following:- The Straw, the Coal and the Bean- The Three Sluggards- The Mouse, the Bird, and the Sausage"Some of the Grimm Brothers stories you find are a little gross. These are a little... odd!" That's Jon selling today's stories. Today we talk hyacinth beans, subversive stories about the monarchy, and why Kate keeps using the phrase "Sausage McLovin" repeatedly. This may be one of our goofier episodes but it is WELL worth a listen!For the full Show Notes please visit: https://afuse8production.slj.com/2024/01/15/fuse-8-n-kate-our-300th-episode-with-special-guest-star-jon-scieszka
"Ah, Kwame. He's going to get tired of winning Caldecotts one of these days."As track records go, we don't want to brag but the Fuse 8 n' Kate podcast does a particularly good job each and every year of selecting potential winners. Just look at last year's picks. Of the three books we discussed one (Hot Dog) became an Award winner and one (Knight Owl) became an Honor. This year, once more, we've selected three books for discussion. But what's this? Do Kate and Betsy disagree on the final winner? See if you can figure out why we split on our final vote in this year's discussion of Tomfoolery by Michelle Markel, illustrated by Barbara McClintock, There Was a Party for Langston by Jason Reynolds, illustrated by Jerome and Jarrett Pumphrey, and An American Story by Kwame Alexander, illustrated by Dare Coulter.You can find the full Show Notes here: https://afuse8production.slj.com/2024/01/08/fuse-8-n-kate-2024-caldecott-contenders/
Here we are in a great glorious new year, and what are we doing? We're directing your attention backwards in time to 1998. Heck, technically we're going even farther back in time with one of our rare nonfiction considerations on this podcast. Travel to the late 19th century and meet a controversial figure. Citizen scientist or man who mucks with the scientific record? Only you can judge when you listen to our latest episode on the Caldecott Award winning title Snowflake Bentley. Today we discuss our new year's predictions for 2024, what "woodcut cheek" is in picture books (trust me, it's a thing), whether this early manipulation of photographs was an issue in authenticity, and more.For the full Show Notes please visit: https://afuse8production.slj.com/2024/01/01/fuse-8-n-kate-snowflake-bentley-by-jacqueline-briggs-martin-ill-mary-azarin/
Hiccups or no hiccups, the podcast must go on! Betsy and Kate strive to once again provide a holiday-related picture book. Now Barbara Cooney was much on our minds since Betsy premiered the cover of an upcoming Barbara Cooney picture book bio coming out in 2024. Today's little book is actually still in print (not always a given) and it's an interesting consideration of the effect of WWI on small town Christmas celebrations. We quote So I Married an Axe Murderer, Christmas Spite (which would be a great name for a book), what a "treat poke" might be, and discuss how often it is that women are doing ALL the work and getting none of the credit.For the full Show Notes please visit: https://afuse8production.slj.com/2023/12/19/fuse-8-n-kate-the-year-of-the-perfect-christmas-tree-by-gloria-houston-ill-barbara-cooney
Kate challenged Betsy to come up with a Hanukkah classic we hadn't done before and Betsy . . . turned right around and asked social media for their thoughts. And let me tell you, social media had some GOOD suggestions! So many that we're saving a long list to consult next year. The ultimate winner for today was selected because (A) You can trust author Eric A. Kimmel to present an original Hanukkah story every single time and (B) Betsy was already on a Barbara McClintock kick this year thanks to her work on Tomfoolery! Today we step back in time to 1998 when Mr. Kimmel thought it might be interesting to go all Borrowers on us and create a tale of tiny people battling great big kitty cats. Tell us we're not the only ones getting An American Tail vibes from this.For the full Show Notes please visit: https://afuse8production.slj.com/2023/12/11/fuse-8-n-kate-when-mindy-saved-hanukkah-by-eric-a-kimmel-ill-barbara-mcclintock/(opens in a new tab)
Do you know the mushroom man, the mushroom man, the mushroom man? Well you're about to! Here's a question for you: Is a piece of cultural entertainment a "Christmas" title if the holiday only makes a brief cameo appearance? Is the film Meet Me In St. Louis a Christmas film just because it includes the song "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas"? Likewise, is The Mushroom Man, now being re-released by Tilbury House on this, its thirtieth anniversary, a Christmas book? Maybe yes. Maybe no. What is important is that we all discover it together. This is our very first Barry Moser book, and what a title! If you are looking for a completely charming book about two lonely souls finding one another and forming a lasting friendship, this is the book for you!!For the show notes please visit: https://afuse8production.slj.com/2023/12/03/fuse-8-n-kate-the-mushroom-man-by-ethel-pochocki-ill-barry-moser/
Is it just us, or did someone miss a trick by not creating a new version of Stone Soup for the post-lockdown era we currently live in? Sorry, we're just thinking out loud, but after Kate and Betsy read two different versions of Stone Soup this week (one by Marcia Brown and one by Jon J. Muth) it seemed to us that this story is a lovely metaphor for growing connections and community after harrowing times. In the meantime, it was listener Heather D. who suggested that we consider Stone Soup as a potential Thanksgiving title in the first place. She was suggesting the Jon J. Muth, but Betsy's husband expressed shock and horror that we had somehow not done the Marcia Brown version first. Why choose when you can do both? Today we compare and contrast a 1947 version with a 2003 version of the same story. We discuss how war in a region might easily make folks afraid of strangers, how soldiers attack their problem vs. monks, whether or not this is a technical trickster tale, and how that person who just gave salt got away with murder. For the full Show Notes please visit: https://afuse8production.slj.com/2023/11/19/fuse-8-n-kate-stone-soup-by-marcia-brown-and-jon-j-muth/
For the very first time in the history of this podcast, we have taken a request... from a publisher. That's right! You know as well as we do that there are reprinted picture books coming out all the time. Well, New York Review of Books sort of specializes in that industry. Their Children's Collection division has a tendency to find old and shockingly beautiful titles worth bringing back to life. And this year, in 2023, they decided to do a book that is so lovely, so strange, and so original that when they asked if we might be interested in ever featuring one of their books, we accepted. And so, it may not be the most famous book we've ever done on the show, but we suspect that it may remain one of the most memorable. There are very few interior designer picture books, so we get into the weeds. And the most important thing of all? After you finish reading this you are fully convinced that the illustrator had fun with this book. We sure as heck did. For the full Show Notes please visit: https://afuse8production.slj.com/2023/11/13/fuse-8-n-kate-need-a-house-call-ms-mouse-by-george-mendoza-ill-doris-susan-smith
"There's no possible way to describe what you feel, when you're talking to your meal." - Into the WoodsI've been waiting far far too long to do today's book. It was introduced to Betsy in graduate school, back in 2003, as an ideal storytime title. Today we consider Keiko Kasza's best known book and discuss what the Kool-Aid Man says, whether or not the pig is a classic trickster character, and if it truly is "a cute book about a pig with an adrenaline addiction and an out-of-shape fox." Bonus: Betsy only makes a single reference to the song "What Did the Fox Say", for which she should earn some kind of an award.Show Notes:For the full Show Notes please visit: https://afuse8production.slj.com/2023/11/06/fuse-8-n-kate-my-lucky-day-by-keiko-kasza/
Happy Halloween! It's a day of celebration in more than one way. After all, starting today we FINALLY are able to start doing some Yuyi Morales books on our podcast! It's been 20 years since this little number came out and we figured what could be a better title to cap off our 2023 Halloween season than with Ms. Morales's first title? It's still in print but how does it stand up after all these years? Tricking death/the devil is a Halloween classic in folktales, so we found it particularly apropos for the day in question. We debate whether or not Senor Calavera is supposed to be death himself or not and talk about how different this book might be if it were published for the first time today. Maybe not our spookiest picture book of the season, but certainly one of the sweetest.For the full Show Notes please visit: https://afuse8production.slj.com/2023/10/31/fuse-8-n-kate-just-a-minute-by-yuyi-morales/
Let the record show that Betsy read through a slew of different Halloween-centric picture book titles before she alighted upon one that was appropriate for the season. Who knew that Tony Johnston and Tomie dePaola would be the answer to her prayers? Today we consider a book about, at its core, the difficulty of growing more than a single pumpkin in your pumpkin patch. Kate and Betsy, failed pumpkin farmers both, can relate. In today's podcast episode they talk Jawas, rain barrels, hairless leprechauns, and more. For the full Show Notes please visit: https://afuse8production.slj.com/2023/10/23/fuse-8-n-kate-the-vanishing-pumpkin-by-tony-johnson-ill-tomie-depaola/
Remember when Betsy said to Kate that she wanted to do a certain book for Mother's Day but would settle on doing it for the Halloween season instead? What book could possibly encompass those two holidays? Behold! The rare Mother's Day/Halloween crossover hit! Brought to you by the illustrator best known for Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark (though he'll always be the winner of the Longest Caldecott Award Speech to us), this is a marvelous combination of love for your mama and downright scares. What could be better? Today we discuss the man who typified the "controlled Jackson Pollock" look. For the full Show Notes please visit: https://afuse8production.slj.com/2023/10/16/fuse-8-n-kate-monster-mama-by-liz-rosenberg-ill-stephen-gammell/
In spite of the fact that Ed Young recently passed away and, traditionally, when a master of the picture book form passes away, we do one of their books on the show, we decided to keep him on the backburner while we do our first Halloween picture book of the season. And we are VERY excited about this because today's book came out in 2003, which means we can finally do it on this podcast (we have a 20 year rule on books we consider). It wasn't Krosoczka's first picture book but it certainly was early. With its glow-in-the-dark letters on the cover and funny birthday/Halloween premise, we submit to you today Annie Was Warned. It's out-of-print but NOT in our hearts, and we would contest that we should bring it back. Find the complete show notes for this episode here: https://afuse8production.slj.com/2023/10/09/fuse-8-n-kate-annie-was-warned-by-jarrett-j-krosoczka/
Having recently read the new book Ready, Set, Run! The Amazing New York City Marathon by Leslie Kimmelman, illustrated by Jessie Hartland, Betsy was reminded of the old chestnut The Philharmonic Gets Dressed. Then, suddenly, it occurred to her that she and Kate had never ever done this particular book on our podcast. It also appears to be this podcast's first Karla Kuskin and first Marc Simont on the show. Show Notes:For the full show notes please visit: https://afuse8production.slj.com/2023/10/02/fuse-8-n-kate-the-philharmonic-gets-dressed-by-karla-kuskin-ill-marc-simont/
It seemed only fitting that since last week's podcast episode dealt so directly with the beginnings of life, why not focus on the end this time around? I'll tell you this much, though. If you'd informed Betsy, prior to this recording, that a 1971 picture book would be one of the best books she ever encountered on death, she would not have believed you. But she probably should have realized something was up when I saw that The Tenth Good Thing About Barney was by Judith Viorst. Today we deep dive into how good a name "Barney" is for a cat, whether the mom is trying to subtly regift her yellow scarf as a dead cat wrap, and whether this family's sodium intake is too high. For the full Show Notes please visit: https://afuse8production.slj.com/2023/09/18/fuse-8-n-kate-the-tenth-good-thing-about-barney-by-judith-viorst-ill-erik-blegvad/
"Three dudes telling you how babies are made in 1968." The Fuse 8 n' Kate podcast focuses primarily on picture books of the past, but that focus means that we are subject to the past's limitations. Consequently, most of the books we've considered until now have been works of fiction. Well no more! Today we tackle one of our first nonfiction titles, this one dating back to 1968 and, we have no doubt, still circulating in libraries to this day. Yes, it's a book on human reproduction. So how did the denizens of the late 60s handle such a delicate topic for children? With cut paper, of course! We give credit where credit is due and shame where shame is most definitely due in this consideration of one of the more peculiar sex-ed picture books of the past. Buckle up! It's gonna be a bumpy ride. And if you didn't want to hear about paper cut dog penises today, then this may be the episode to skip.For the full episode please visit: https://afuse8production.slj.com/2023/09/11/fuse-8-n-kate-how-babies-are-made-by-andrew-c-andry-and-steven-schepp-ill-blake-hampton/
Featured today was DRUMMER HOFF. An odd mix of 1960s psychedelia meets Colonial woodcuts, in 1968 it was the ultimate Vietnam War bit of picture book commentary. NOT that the Emberley ever embraced that interpretation, but I am DANG sure the librarians had that in their minds when they selected it for a Caldecott Award. In today's talk we discuss our various interpretations of this book as well as what its ultimate contribution was to children's literature as a whole. For the full Show Notes please visit: https://afuse8production.slj.com/2023/09/04/fuse-8-n-kate-drummer-hoff-by-barbara-emberley-ill-ed-emberley
Betsy's a child of the Generation X movement and, as such, at some point in her early education, the song "Gonna Die With a Hammer in My Hand", adapted by the folksingers of the 60s, was something she was well and truly familiar with. That said, at no point in her childhood did she ever encounter a single picture book retelling of the legend of John Henry. And though he's one of the great American Tall Tale characters, Kate hadn't even heard of him! This will not stand. So in response to the recent Bookriot piece The 20 Most Influential Picture Books of All Time, we're tackling one of their inclusions. Now we've done many Jerry Pinkney books on our podcast already. We've done Mirandy and Brother Wind, Little Red Riding Hood, and the previous Pinkney/Lester collaboration Sam and the Tigers. Now we're tackling our first tall tale by the duo, and the one that earned at least a Caldecott Honor (though it was beaten by Smoky Night, which has NOT aged particularly well, we must say).
For the full Show Notes please visit: https://afuse8production.slj.com/2023/08/28/fuse-8-n-kate-john-henry-by-julius-lester-ill-jerry-pinkney/
Considering the fact that the movie of Lyle the Crocodile came out practically a year ago in October of 2022, it may seem a little late to be returning to this particular member of the family Crocodylidae, but what care we? This Lyle title was originally released in 1969. Remember that date. It puts the contents inside in a little bit of context. Today, Kate and Betsy discuss whether or not this lesser known Lyle title falls into the category of "forgotten gem" or "justly unmemorable bit o' fluff". We enjoy Kate's theory that Lyle's enemy in this book should by all rights be The Man in the Yellow Hat and we talk armless nuns, "piles of water," and the fact that the true moral of this story appears halfway through the book.
For the full Show Notes please visit:
https://afuse8production.slj.com/2023/08/14/review-of-the-day-lovable-lyle-by-bernard-waber/
Today's discussion centers around whether our featured book bears more of a resemblance to Eloise or Last Stop on Market Street (and not in a good way). By the end of the talk you will come to the conclusion that this may, in fact, be both the most capitalistic and least capitalistic book of all time. Special Bonus: The cruelest Kirkus review we've read aloud on any of our podcast episodes.
For the full Show Notes please visit: https://afuse8production.slj.com/2023/08/09/fuse-8-n-kate-the-table-where-rich-people-sit-by-byrd-baylor-ill-peter-parnall/
When we're not talking about the unrealistic L.A. highway driving times in the Barbie Movie, we're discussing our favorite picture books and whether or not they're classics. I admit that we have done Helen Oxenbury on the podcast relatively recently, but due to its stature in the children's literature world, I felt that his was an egregious gap in our knowledge until now. Think of Farmer Duck as a variation on Click, Clack, Moo: Cows That Type, but with a more revolutionary and less unionization tone. Power to the people (if the "people", in this case, are livestock). Come enjoy the happiest version of Animal Farm to date (now 100% pig free!).
For the full Show Notes please visit: https://afuse8production.slj.com/2023/07/31/fuse-8-n-kate-farmer-duck-by-martin-waddell-ill-helen-oxenbury/
Believe it or not, Syd Hoff's been in the news quite a lot lately. Not bad for a pronounced children's literature 1930s Communist, eh? You could be forgiven for not knowing a lot about Syd Hoff. Honestly, we'd managed to skate through a significant portion of my life remaining unaware of him apart from the fact that there was some racist stuff at the beginning of the original editions of Danny and the Dinosaur. Now that book series is being turned into a movie series and a book of his early Communist comics (which are, frankly, hilarious) are being reprinted with a new edition of The Ruling Clawss. Seemed to us like a perfectly opportune time to visit the dino in question.
Show Notes:
For the full show notes please visit: https://afuse8production.slj.com/2023/07/24/fuse-8-n-kate-danny-and-the-dinosaur-by-syd-hoff/
Recently Betsy created a post of picture books that belie the idea that all picture book "classics" are by white people. Amongst these were books with Jewish content. But when you sit down and look at those titles you notice that most of these are Hanukkah-related titles. So at the suggestion of Lisa Brown we're doing the very last William Steig picture book that was ever published. This book was released in spring of 2003 and he died in the fall of 2003. Not too shabby. The man was a genius but how does this very last book hold up? We discuss it at length.
For the full Show Notes please visit: https://afuse8production.slj.com/2023/07/17/fuse-8-n-kate-when-everybody-wore-a-hat-by-william-steig
Have you ever wanted to listen to an episode of our podcast but thought to yourself, "This is good, but what would it sound like with more background noise?" At last! Now you have your answer! At the most recent American Library Association Annual Conference in beautiful downtown Chicago, Illinois we bring to you the first LIVE recording of Fuse 8 n' Kate! And what book could be deemed worthy enough of this recording? That would have to be Hippos Go Beserk! by Sandra Boynton, published in 1977. The first of Ms. Boynton's books, the title has since been republished (and re-illustrated) in 2022. Today, we consider the original (Sandra Boynton's first book for children) and its updated edition to determine whether or not it deserves "classic" status or not.
For the full Show Notes please visit: https://afuse8production.slj.com/2023/07/10/fuse-8-n-kate-hippos-go-beserk-by-sandra-boynton-live-from-ala/
We had the honor of recording a guest post earlier in the week with none than the irascible, charming Jerrold Connors! Jerrold is the creator of the massively creative Donut Project which contains hilarity and collage-created donuts. Jerrold is also the creator of what I would call the most interesting picture book biography of James Marshall I've ever seen. But, of course, Jerrold is a longstanding fan of our podcast, so he knew pretty well what kind of recommend. What ensues is an in-depth discussion of elements of a title that have, and notably have not, aged well.
Show Notes:
For the full Show Notes please visit: https://afuse8production.slj.com/2023/06/26/fuse-8-n-kate-weslandia-by-paul-fleischman-ill-kevin-hawkes-with-guest-host-jerrold-connors/
NOT our first Mercer Mayer! Previously we did his book There's a Nightmare in My Closet but it's hardly the man's most famous book/series. Meet Little Critter! At last, he makes his debut on our podcast! The two books we're discussing today originally came out in 1975 and 1983 and then went on to spawn the series we know so well. So once again we have to ask: How come they're moderately well known but not household name known?
Interested in how we made these podcasts, by the way? Well, I would like to note that our podcast will be recording at 2:30 CST on Saturday, June 24th in the School Library Journal booth on the ALA Conference floor. If you'd like to hear us do a show, stop by and see us!
Show Notes:
For the full show notes, please visit us at: https://afuse8production.slj.com/2023/06/19/fuse-8-n-kate-just-for-you-i-was-so-mad-by-mercer-mayer/
Here on the podcast we are constantly in search of those children's books that represent a variety of backgrounds and identities that have not been sufficiently praised in the past. Today we're dipping into the BBC's list of 100 Greatest Children's Books of All Time and as a result we're doing our first Helen Oxenbury title. Bonus: It's also our first Trish Cooke! This book works as a magnificent readloud as well as a lapsit book. And, as Kate so often requires, the art is packed full with tiny details you might otherwise miss. Woot!
Show Notes:
For the full Show Notes please visit: fuse-8-n-kate-so-much-by-trish-cooke-ill-helen-oxenbury
In today's podcast Kate expertly cut out the earlier part of the show where I presented a book to her only to find that we'd done it already. 20 minutes later I was back, and the book I had in hand was today's title, Anatole by Eve Titus, illustrated by Paul Galdone. This is our first Titus and our second Galdone (we did The Tailypo for Halloween one year). We talk about why Anatole never reached the same heights of fame as such series as Madeline or Eloise, why this is the less famous of Eve Titus's fictional rodents, and this book's connections to Ratatouille. This is a Post WWII-France where if you want to feed your family you have to create your own job in the marketplace. Some of us can relate.Show Notes:Here's the BBC's 100 Greatest Children's Books of All Time. The very very white list. Many a fine book is on here BUT . . . whaaa? https://www.bbc.com/culture/article/20230522-the-100-greatest-childrens-books-of-all-timeIn case you doubt me, there was indeed an Anatole TV series. And its animation was . . . abysmal: https://youtu.be/VTZWuAhUp4gFor the full Show Notes please visit: https://afuse8production.slj.com/2023/06/05/fuse-8-n-kate-anatole-by-eve-titus-ill-paul-gadone/
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. Show Notes:Want to connect to Jerdine Nolen on social media? Find her on Twitter at @jerdinenolen1.Betsy Recommends: The Instagram account @ksrhoadsKate Recommends: The documentary Still, streaming on AppleTV+For the full Show Notes please visit: https://afuse8production.slj.com/2023/05/22/fuse-8-n-kate-harvey-potters-balloon-farm-by-jerdine-nolen-ill-mark-buehner
You know what the problem is with Mother's Day picture books? Not enough of them are truly horrifying and scary, that's what. So we must credit listeners Lindsey Foat & Sara Hudson for coming up with today's suggestion. Certainly, Audrey and Don Wood have been on this podcast before. We recall having done King Bidgood's in the Bathtub, The Napping House and even The Little Mouse, the Red Ripe Strawberry, and the Big Hungry Bear in the past. Now we tackle that universal problem of what to do when your child has been turned into camembert. In short, we talk about the ultimate mama bear story. Let's just say that this book passes the Bechdel-Wallace Test with flying colors and we really hope that someday there will be a Heckedy Peg 2: The Heckoning. Show Notes:Good old Reading Rockets was good enough to find Don and Audrey Wood and interview them about the creation of many of their books, including this one. You may see their talk here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gaWoJ8S18DA&t=2s&pp=ygUYbWVldCBhdWRyZXkgYW5kIGRvbiB3b29kBetsy Recommends: Mrs. Davis, now streaming on Peacock: https://www.peacocktv.com/stream-tv/mrs-davisKate Recommends: Queen Charlotte, now streaming on Netflix: https://www.netflix.com/title/81476183">Queen CharlotteFor the full Show Notes please visit: https://afuse8production.slj.com/2023/05/15/fuse-8-n-kate-heckedy-peg-by-audrey-wood-ill-don-wood
Hat tip to Nick Bruel (our other other brother from another nother mother) for today's suggestion. He asked if we'd done any Ezra Jack Keats before and we said, "Sure! We did The Snow Day". Then he asked if we'd done Apt. 3 and we had NOT! Plus, Betsy had recently highlighted on her blog the new Keats bio for adults, Becoming Ezra Jack Keats, so this seemed particularly apropos. In this episode we discuss how this book is like Only Murders in the Building, how, from a color-perspective, this book is quite muted, compared to previous titles by Keats like Whistle for Willie, and why you should never follow someone when they ask, "What's the matter - scared?".Show Notes:And here, we are so pleased to show you, is the original 1971 Kirkus review of Apt. 3. It is, as is often the case with this publication, delightful: https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/ezra-jack-keats/apt-3/For the full Show Notes please visit: https://afuse8production.slj.com/2023/05/08/fuse-8-n-kate-apt-3-by-ezra-jack-keats/(opens in a new tab)
Kate sez: I want to do a spring book.Betsy sez: Here's a dead bird!With editions created both in 1958 and in 2016, Betsy was lucky to find BOTH editions in her library system. This episode marks our third Margaret Wise Brown book (after Goodnight Moon and Runaway Bunny), our second Remy Charlip (after Fortunately), and our very first Christian Robinson. Notable for the line, "Have you considered that the bird might smell really really good?"There's not a lot of information to be gleaned from Christian Robinson's version of this tale, but we were able to track down this interview he conducted with Secret Society of Books and it does offer a window into his thought process on this project: https://www.secretsocietyofbooks.com/interview-christian-robinson/For the full Show Notes please visit: https://afuse8production.slj.com/2023/05/01/fuse-8-n-kate-the-dead-bird-by-margaret-wise-brown-illustrated-by-remy-charlip-and-christian-robinson/(opens in a new tab)
What happens when a designer decides to make picture books? What happens when she goes and gets creative with the illustrations? While remembered for many things, I'd say that this 1983 release is without a doubt the best known of creator Ann Jonas. You may remember it yourself. It's the picture book where you read it one way and then turn it upside down and read it the other. It feels like a dare, and comes off as the number one book Betsy had to produce when she worked as a children's librarian. Countless adults would come up to her saying, "There was this book when I was a kid and it was black and white . . ." They literally didn't have to say anything else after that. We have no doubt that this book blew little minds. It may not be the most plot forward of the picture books out there, but who the HECK cares? Show Notes:We mention a couple books in the course of this podcast. If you like this one, please check out Robo-Sauce by Adam Rubin, illustrated by Daniel Salmieri or the works of Bruno Munari.Betsy Recommends: The If Books Could Kill podcastKate Recommends: The morathanenough Instagram accountFor the full Show Notes please visit: https://afuse8production.slj.com/2023/04/24/fuse-8-n-kate-round-trip-by-ann-jonas/
Here at the Fuse 8 n' Kate Podcast, we have a rule. It's a simple one, established since the start of the broadcast. Essentially, we don't like to consider books published until they've been on the market for 20 years or more. It's not exactly a hard and fast rule (we've broken it more than a few times) but it serves as a strong guideline. Today, however, we got mad. Specifically, we got mad at Ron DeSantis and all the horrendous book banners out there who seek to rid the world of books featuring LGBTQIA+ families and children. How best to stick it to the Ron? Why not feature an author that he himself has personally singled out? Today, Betsy decided to pull out a book with a mega-recent publication date: 2019. We do it because not only is the book important, we consider it to be the first truly great trans picture book for kids that will reverberate for the ages. We're talking about this beautiful baby book and all that it entails in this episode of the podcast. Check it out.Show Notes:Here's the video Betsy made for Tiktok that features the earrings she gave to Kate: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yCxPPf64yCs&t=3sFull disclosure, Betsy actually interviewed Kyle about this book back in 2019 before the book even published. She particularly loves this part: "... when I wrote that first page of AIDAN, I hit on three points: his name, his room, and his clothes. And those three points, in that order–name, room, clothes–show up consistently as Aidan is transitioning. Then when the baby enters the picture, the three points invert, and we learn about the baby’s clothes, room, and name, and then Aidan’s anxieties revolve around the clothes, room, and name, keeping that order intact. It’s something that readers might not notice consciously unless they’re looking for it, but is crucial for making the story feel like a picture book instead of a truncated short story."Here is a link to Kyle's 2022 Stonewall speech. It's one of our favorites: http://www.kylelukoff.com/blog-1/2022/6/29/my-stonewall-award-speech-june-27th-2022For the full Show Notes please visit: https://afuse8production.slj.com/2023/04/17/fuse-8-n-kate-when-aidan-became-a-brother-by-kyle-lukoff-ill-kaylani-juanita/
In what may be the most quintessentially "New York" picture book we've done to date (with hints of Where the Wild Things Are in the margins) we confront a 1979 Caldecott Award winner and tackle Betsy's childhood memories of it along the way. Today we discuss a variation on the previously reported upon picture book It Could Always Be Worse, but with an addition of tropical birds, floating islands, and John Tenniel references.Show Notes: For the full Show Notes please visit - https://afuse8production.slj.com/2023/04/10/fuse-8-n-kate-by-arthur-yorinks-ill-richard-egielski/
Roy G. Biv, eat your heart out. We're taking a deep dive into a listener suggestion with a trippy dippy 1978 German import from an Italian creator who retired to France! Today we're talking Optimus Prime, The Never Ending Story, rock album covers, and carnivorous flowers/rainbows. If you're into long, languorous moments in picture books where people drown, have I got a book for you!! A pourquoi story done in an utterly original fashion. Show Notes:If you'd like to see even more art from this book you can do so here: https://areaofdesign.com/ul-de-rico/For the full Show Notes please visit: https://afuse8production.slj.com/2023/04/03/fuse-8-n-kate-the-rainbow-goblins-by-ul-de-rico/(opens in a new tab)
The art of picture books based on animated properties has a long and storied history within the oeuvre of children's literature. We've eschewed doing much in the way of Seuss lately, but due to the fact that we've been doing multiple books where child or child-like characters are approached by members of the medical association, we felt we'd cap everything off with this tale of a boy doing his own thing in the early 50s. That's BOUND to go over well! Along the way we talk about picture books in which kids don't adhere to the norm and are therefore considered ill in some way (Imogene's Antlers comes to mind), as well as teachers that call 2-year-olds in first grade classes "hopeless", packing kids full of pills, and why Gerald needs to keep an eye on his own paychecks.For the full Show Notes please visit: https://afuse8production.slj.com/2023/03/27/fuse-8-n-kate-gerald-mcboing-boing-by-dr-seuss/
To our amazement we have somehow never done this particular David Shannon book before. Tis possible? Tis! It is, as Kate says, "The trippiest book," which is part of why Betsy respects it. Betsy freaks out over the fact that this came out the same year as No, David (how often does an author/illustrator have two classic books come out in the same year?). Meanwhile Kate freaks out over the creepy guys lurking on this poor girl's lawn. But the important thing? We debate whether or not you can buy lima beans in cans anymore. Your votes on the matter are much needed. For the full Show Notes please visit: https://afuse8production.slj.com/2023/03/20/fuse-8-n-kate-a-bad-case-of-stripes-by-david-shannon/
This month we'll see the publication of Lisa Brown's wonderful picture book The Hospital Book, which may be the best going-to-the-hospital title for kids out there. Because usually, you have to admit, when people walk into your children's library in search of picture books about going to the hospital, what they get is a title from 1966. We've already covered the problematic George in Curious George and Curious George Takes a Job. This is the seventh and last book that was created by George's original creators. Today we're talking barium, sad little Betsys, and why this book is going to give you flashbacks to the beginning of the movie Nope. Having fun at the hospital without sniffing ether. What a notion!Show Notes:Go here to read an interview with Lisa Brown about The Hospital Book: https://afuse8production.slj.com/2022/07/20/the-hospital-book-by-lisa-brown-a-cover-reveal-and-interview/We are referring at the end to this video, by the way. The greatest St. Patrick's Day video of all time: https://youtu.be/OCbuRA_D3KUWe mark the passing of Amy Schwartz. Recently we did her Bea and Mr. Jones, a book that stands the test of time.For the full Show Notes please visit: https://afuse8production.slj.com/2023/03/06/fuse-8-n-kate-curious-george-goes-to-the-hospital-by-margaret--h-a-rey
Since the entire premise of this podcast with Betsy and Kate is to take well-known books and determine whether or not they continue to deserve their "classic" status, it probably behooves them to do a couple books everyone has actually heard of. And since the last book they did was, at best, obscure and, at worst, completely forgotten, they figured today that they should go all in and do something out-and-out famous. To their surprise, they've never tackled a Jan Brett book before. That said, they did have to admit that it's possible that Kate and Betsy are not the world's most impartial critics. You see, their mother instilled in them an appreciation for fiber arts. and can you think of a single illustrator who has ever depicted the knitted stitch better than Ms. Brett? Today, they consider the woman's best-known book and how it has held up over all this time as well as the timeliness of doing a Ukrainian folktale in this day and age.Show Notes:In the course of Betsy's research for this podcast she read a fair number of interviews with Jan Brett about her work on The Mitten. Her favorite? This one with TeachingBooks.net. In it, Jan really leans into the research she did for the title, as well as the Ukrainian ex-patriots who suggested, "I make Nicki's clothes too big for him because his family would have made them by hand and passed them down from father or older brother. He'd wear a belt to make his jacket fit closer around his tummy. The boots, too, might be a little big. He might stuff some newspaper in them or wear an extra pair of socks to make them fit." In that light, this book actually makes so much more sense: https://www.teachingbooks.net/interview.cgi?id=88&a=1For the full Show Notes please visit: https://afuse8production.slj.com/2023/02/20/fuse-8-n-kate-the-mitten-by-jan-brett/(opens in a new tab)
Librarians, if you're anything like Betsy, then, when the time is right, every year you trot out the same dang Valentine's Day books that are in the Holiday section of your library. All the newer books go out first, leaving behind the stuff that came out in, oh say, 1999. This is the rare example of a book that Betsy didn't know bupkiss about. She didn't know anything about the creators or the title itself, so we're just jumping in because a quick read yielded strange thoughts. In today's discussion we talk about eggnog, hamsters, the quality of the education these critters are receiving, and what this book gets right.For the full Show Notes please visit: https://afuse8production.slj.com/2023/02/13/fuse-8-n-kate-a-valentine-for-norman-noggs-by-valiska-gregory-ill-marsha-winborn/
In our current era, it is worth considering the legacy of folks like Verna Aardema. Kate and Betsy are no children's literature academics, but they decide as laymen to take into account Aardema's history and how it does or does not stand out after all these years. Having already done Why Mosquitoes Buzz in People's Ears by this same trio (Aardema, Dillon, & Dillon) they return to their works with this 1977 take on a classic Masai tale. Considering its year and the appropriation by a white creator of a specific story, they have a lot of complicated feelings about the book. Even so, there's such creativity behind the presentation of the material. The play-within-a-play motif sets this apart. The art is extraordinary. And was there every such a goofy frog?For the full Show Notes please visit: https://afuse8production.slj.com/2023/02/06/fuse-8-n-kate-whos-in-rabbits-house-by-verna-aardema-ill-leo-and-diane-dillon/
Considering the fact that (A) Groundhog Day is this week and yet (B) we have never done a Groundhog Day episode, that gave us the impetus to tackle a groundhogian classic. But which one? With all the choices we decided to pluck out this title by the guy who brought us Harold and the Purple Crayon. Like that book it indulges in a limited color palette and Johnson's characteristic drawing style. As such, prepare for long discussions on precisely what the Groundhog Day rule actually means, larger talks on the role of reality versus positivity in the real world, what makes a good holiday picture book, and why the moral of this story is, "Eat more bacon." Show Notes:Briefly alluded to in the episode, Philip Nel is our resident American scholar and specialist on all things Crockett Johnson. Check him out at his website here: https://philnel.com/In the course of my research I became fascinated by the 100 mathematical paintings inspired by geometrical principles and mathematical equations by Crockett Johnson. You can see a bunch of them here: https://americanhistory.si.edu/collections/object-groups/mathematical-paintings-of-crockett-johnsonDo groundhogs hop? Dunno. But they're pretty cute running: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=94YGSnCUszsFor the full Show Notes please visit: https://afuse8production.slj.com/2023/01/30/fuse-8-n-kate-will-spring-be-early-or-will-spring-be-late-by-crockett-johnson/
Hat tip to author/artist Jerrold Connors for realizing, long before we did, that Arnie the Doughnut would hit its 20th anniversary here in 2023. At last we can tackle the story of a sentient pastry and his longing for meaning in a cold, hungry world. Since its initial publication, the book has managed to create sequels, a musical, graphic novel/early chapter books, and more. But will it stand up to Kate's scrutiny? Betsy rants about New York City doughnuts and why they suck, how Arnie both thinks too much and not enough, and roads made of Oklahoma maps.Show Notes:I failed to mention it on the show, but Arnie the Doughnut actually appeared as #90 on the Top 100 Picture Books Poll I conducted back in 2012: https://afuse8production.slj.com/2012/05/18/top-100-picture-books-90-arnie-the-doughnut-by-laurie-keller/For the full Show Notes please visit: https://afuse8production.slj.com/2023/01/23/fuse-8-n-kate-arnie-the-doughnut-by-laurie-keller/
It's that time of the year again! A week from today we'll see what books have officially won Caldecotts, Newberys, and other sundry awards at the ALA YMA announcements (visible here). Betsy will also be doing a Pre-Game announcement of all kinds of possible wins. But before that, we've an annual tradition here at Fuse 8 n' Kate where Betsy presents Kate three potential winners and she considers which ones have the best chance. This year Kate feels that there is one clear cut winner . . . and a book that can only be called a complete and utter loser in comparison. Which is which? You're just going to have to listen for yourself to see.Show Notes:The Randolph Caldecott music video, music by the Effin' G's, is still out there. And here, one and all, is the video today, after a good 13 year hiatus. Starring . . . both Kate AND Betsy as well as a slew of famous names. If you'd like to see Yuyi Morales, Christopher Myers, Matthew Holm, Sean Qualls, Peter Brown, Marla Frazee, John Rocco, and so many more from over a decade ago . . . you're gonna enjoy this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QMIjWQQavcYHere is the post that I wrote that was inspired by a listener's comments about coconut meat and milk: https://afuse8production.slj.com/2023/01/12/the-top-ten-most-disappointing-edibles-and-potables-of-childrens-literature/Kate's "Meh" Recommendation: The Harry Potter Magic at Play - https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=2ahUKEwjJ-Me9ksv8AhUlkmoFHcxCC-UQFnoECA4QAQ&url=https%3A%2F%2Fharrypottermagicatplay.com%2Fchicago%2F&usg=AOvVaw0JKKT3QmUK4HxbiUejm7w5Betsy's "Meh" Recommendation: White Noise - https://www.netflix.com/title/81317320For the full Show Notes please visit: https://afuse8production.slj.com/2023/01/16/fuse-8-n-kate-2023-caldecott-contenders/(opens in a new tab)
KPOM!It was a storytime staple for Betsy back when she was a children's librarian. But how has this 1988 picture book stood up over the intervening years? Today it's time to accompany our previous spider-filled picture book The Spider and the Fly with another eight-legged potential classic. We've done one other Eric A. Kimmel book on the podcast before (remember Hershel and the Hanukkah Goblins?). In spite of the sheer number of times I've read this book, Kate finds PLENTY of details in Janet Stevens's art that I missed entirely over the years. We talk spiky hippo elbows, the empowerment of clever female animals, cultural appropriation, Neil Gaiman, and more.Show Notes:Please, if you get a chance, please check out the 100 Scope Notes piece Enter the World of Incredibly Specific Children's Literature Accounts. It's one of the best things we've seen in a long time: https://100scopenotes.com/2023/01/05/enter-the-world-of-incredibly-specific-childrens-literature-instagram-accounts/For the full Show Notes please visit: https://afuse8production.slj.com/2023/01/09/fuse-8-n-kate-anansi-and-the-moss-covered-rick-retold-by-eric-a-kimmel-ill-janet-stevens/
While we acknowledge that the year 2023 has arrived, we could resist considering one last 2002 title. As you know, we've a cap on considering any book younger than 20 years old, and as of 2022 this Wilson/Chapman collab fit the bill. It's cold outside and a story of FOMO and snuggly bear caves seemed to fit the bill. We consider the book that launched a thousand other Bear books. Anyone who can rhyme "lair" with "bear" has earned our trust. Show Notes:If you'd like to read the interview with Karma Wilson that I reference, take a trip over to Read. Learn. Repeat: https://readlearnrepeat.blog/2018/04/22/interview-with-author-karma-wilson/For the full Show Notes be sure to visit: https://afuse8production.slj.com/2023/01/03/fuse-8-n-kate-bear-snores-on-by-karma-wilson-ill-jane-chapman/
We may already be past Christmas technically, but what a day or two delay? Thanks to the recent winter storms we got a tad delayed in releasing this episode, but better late than never. Today we return, once again, to the world of Tasha Tudor. Last time we considered one of her books we were examining her A Time to Keep (a favorite of Betsy's, Kate ... not so much). There are many different iterations of Clement C. Moore's classic poem, but how many take the man at his word and decide to depict Santa as a tiny, pointy eared elf? Just one that we know of, and that's today's book. So take a trip down memory lane together and look at a version of Santa we'll ne'er see the like of again. Show Notes: For the full show notes please visit https://afuse8production.slj.com/2022/12/27/fuse-8-n-kate-the-night-before-christmas-illustrated-by-tasha-tudor/
Betsy actually went out and purchased a copy of today's book a year ago and has been holding onto it just for this time of year. Granted, it's not Hanukkah for a couple weeks now, but our schedule is a little sporadic this month so no time like the present! This week we consider what, in some ways, might be the flipside of another Hanukkah book we did a number of years ago, The Latke Who Couldn't Stop Screaming. Screaming or laughing, the real question here is this: Do you put applesauce or sour cream on your latkes? We tackle this very deep, very serious debate firsthand. Just wanted to let you know what you're getting into with this episode.Show Notes:For the full Show Notes please visit: https://afuse8production.slj.com/2022/12/12/fuse-8-n-kate-laughing-latkes-by-m-b-goffstein/
It's not every podcast episode where Kate is capable of turning me around, 360 degrees, on a title that I thought I had an opinion on. On paper a book by the guys that brought us Viola Swamp and that uses the term "Stupid" to great effect should be one of my favorite titles. What I didn't understand was that in spite of appearing on ALA's Banned List for a long time, it actually has a great number of problems. It's possible it really hasn't aged well... and not in the ways you might expect.For the full Show Notes please visit: https://afuse8production.slj.com/2022/12/05/fuse-8-n-kate-the-stupids-step-out-by-harry-allard-ill-james-marshall/
It's our 250th Episode!!
You know, when we first started this podcast we didn't really have a plan in terms of how long it might go. Nor did I lay out a carefully considered explanation from the start of which books we would do, and in what order. All we had was the premise, a catchy theme song, and an unending supply of titles to choose from. Case In Point: We have never done a Richard Scarry book before. Can you believe it? It's true though. You see Richard Scarry's best known books are (how shall I put this) incredibly long. We're talking, Moby Dick-long equivalent tomes. But 250 is a special number so we're dedicating it to a very special guy. Come for the turkey. Stay for the odd changes made between different editions of this book.
Show Notes:
For full Show Notes please visit: https://afuse8production.slj.com/2022/11/21/fuse-8-n-kate-our-250th-episode-richard-scarrys-best-word-book-ever/
If you looked at the title of this week's podcast book and thought to yourself, "I've never even heard of that one before" then you may know what time it is . . . IT'S CULT CLASSIC TIME! With periodic regularity Kate and Betsy will discuss on Fuse 8 n' Kate those picture books that are, as they like to call them, "cult classics". That means that they are popular with some segment of the audience, if not the entire world. Today that "segment of the audience is" [checks notes] Germany. Yup. Germany once again. We've already talked about illustrator Wolf Erlbruch in our episode on Death, Duck and the Tulip. Germans aren't afraid to tackle death in picture books. Nor are they afraid of excrement. This book is ample proof of that (though it's the English that are the true fans). Bonus: By the end, we discover the International Rule of Anuses in Picture Books. It's the line the Europeans will not cross! Listen to find out why!
Show Notes:
And now, two videos that may be of particular note in this case.
First, a bit of animation of the book: https://youtu.be/oG0KzxVoTI8
Second, a bit of what can happen when schools get creative: https://youtu.be/6gOwDmpxvnU
For the full Show Notes please visit: https://afuse8production.slj.com/2022/11/14/fuse-8-n-kate-the-story-of-the-little-mole-who-went-in-search-of-whodunit-by-werner-holzwarth-ill-wolf-erlbruch/
We heard the call and we have responded! It was noted by more than one reader that we've done very few nonfiction picture books on our podcast. We did do So You Want to Be President earlier this year back in February but that was pretty much it. So today, we consider a book produced back in 2001. We know that the standards to which we hold nonfiction picture books has changed in the intervening 21 years. So how does this particular title stand up today? Spoiler Alert: Surprisingly well!
Betsy told the story of the goose puppet and Brian Selznick on her blog here back in 2011: https://afuse8production.slj.com/2011/05/18/saracen-selznick-and-the-goose-that-almost-wasnt/
And you can find information on the upcoming celebration at The Rabbit Hole in Kansas City on November 18th here: https://www.rabbitholekc.org/thisisnotarabbit
For the full Show Notes please visit: https://afuse8production.slj.com/2022/11/07/fuse-8-n-kate-the-dinosaurs-of-waterhouse-hawkins-by-barbara-kerley-ill-brian-selznick/
Happy Halloween!
It's the last day of October and that means a final spooky scary picture book is up for discussion. Hat tip to Stephanie Lucianovic for suggesting today's title. Kate and Betsy learn that apparently Judith Viorst is a big time fan of extra long titles (something that was hinted at when she created Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day). In today's book they see some seriously fashion forward footwear and hats, the true horror of cream cheese sandwiches, and why this book should actually be called MY MOM IS GASLIGHTING ME.
Show Notes:
Kate Recommends: Halloween Deviled Eggs, seen here: https://www.instagram.com/p/Ci-81rHAUXT/
Betsy Recommends: Everything Everywhere All At Once which, in turn, has inspired her favorite Halloween costume of the year: Raccacoonie (note the bagel with everything purse): https://twitter.com/GeneHa/status/1566871379923943425
For the full Show Notes please visit: https://afuse8production.slj.com/2022/10/31/review-of-the-day-may-mama-says-there-arent-any-zombies-ghost-vampires-creatures-demons-monsters-fiends-goblins-or-things-by-judith-viorst-ill-kay-chorao/
"It's like Candyman if instead of saying his name three times you just called into existence each of his bodyparts."
Man. Insult upon injury, today's book. Does the reader really have to call Big Green Monster's hair "scraggly"? That's just wrong, dude. Today Betsy introduces Kate to her very first Ed Emberley book. Sure, it's not terribly Halloween-ish, but it's not NOT Halloweenish, amiright? They consider the ways in which Emberley both invokes a scary monster without making it too scary along the way. So he'll follow up sharp white teeth with "little squiggly ears". It's a fascinating duality. They also talk paper texture, hair shaming, and why the cartilage in monsters tends to be a different color than skin.
Show Notes:
Here's the Grinch horror movie Kate references. And we didn't even DISCUSS the upcoming horror film Winnie-the-Pooh: Blood and Honey. See what happens when books enter the public domain? https://www.digitalspy.com/movies/a41597592/the-grinch-horror-movie-first-look/
For the full Show Notes, please visit https://afuse8production.slj.com/2022/10/24/fuse-8-n-kate-go-away-big-green-monster-by-ed-emberley/
As Halloween draws closer and closer, we delve deeper and deeper into the macabre. We kicked off the month of October with Edward Gorey. Now we're following him up with his spiritual cousin, none other than Hilaire Belloc himself. We're looking at two different editions of the Struwwelpeter-inspired (surely) poem Matilda, Who Told Lies and Was Burned to Death. One edition, illustrated by Steven Kellogg, was produced in 1970. The other, created in 1991 (and originally published in Great Britain), illustrated by Posy Simmonds, is the far tamer titled picture book Matilda: Who told such Dreadful Lies . . . (note that the original title is on the title page, not the cover). A lot can change in the intervening 20 years, and so we compare the two editions, their oddities and similarities, and come to the almost certain conclusion that Hilaire Belloc was . . . quite the interesting fella. But are these good books? That is the real question.
Show Notes:
Here's where Betsy will be interviewing Tom Felton. If you'd like to attend and you live in the Chicago area, you can go here and do so: https://northshorecenter.org/event/tom-felton/
For the full Show Notes, please visit: https://afuse8production.slj.com/2022/10/17/fuse-8-n-kate-matilda-who-told-lies-and-was-burned-to-death-by-hilaire-belloc/
Proof positive that not everything found in a trunk is gold. Kate's on the hunt for books for Halloween so we took a suggestion and delved into this "lost treasure" from the trunk o' manuscripts of the late Margaret Wise Brown. Betsy will confess to you right here and now that she's kinda out of good Halloween titles to do, so if you have ANY suggestions of other picture book Halloween classics, please oh please suggest them now. We discuss a gender-bent version of Wizard of Oz, why Margaret Wise Brown missed out on calling the mom "Scarecrone", why all these scarecrows are white, and more.
Show Notes:
You can read the L.A. Times article A Treasure-Trove of Children's Stories here, if you like: https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1991-09-26-vw-4107-story.html
Kate Recommends: Hocus Pocus 2 - https://www.disneyplus.com/welcome/hocus-pocus-2?cid=DSS-Search-Google-71700000100365913-&s_kwcid=AL!8468!3!625379239143!e!!g!!hocus%20pocus%202&gclid=Cj0KCQjw4omaBhDqARIsADXULuVAZaA8xjqRXbgtKtbBt8LRjhKcwPJRoqskch8gs4Rvs1mu9qM9KlQaAkVZEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds
Betsy Recommends: Hello, Dolly -https://www.marriotttheatre.com/show/hello-dolly
For the full Show Notes please visit: https://afuse8production.slj.com/2022/10/10/fuse-8-n-kate-the-little-scarecrow-boy-by-margaret-wise-brown/
"I'm Benjamin Buttoning over here!" When they're not talking about crystal flutes and harmoniums, Kate and Betsy discuss their very first Halloween-seasoned title on this week's episode of Fuse 8 n' Kate. Betsy was charged with coming up with another potential classic for the Halloween season, and now she has located an illustrator who may honestly be called "the granddaddy of haunted books". He didn't do many picture books . . . for children. But occasionally he did one or two when someone else was doing the writing and today's title, The Shrinking of Treehorn is an exemplary example. The sisters talk about what it takes to name your kid "Treehorn", what to do when you're caught in a Jumanji-type situation, and why this book made Betsy think of Jeffrey Dahmer.
Show Notes:
For the full Show Notes please visit: https://afuse8production.slj.com/2022/10/03/fuse-8-n-kate-the-shrinking-of-treehorn-by-florence-parry-heide-ill-edward-gorey/
Banned Books Week may have happened last week, but sadly that doesn't mean that the nationwide scourge of banning has ended. Far from it. As such, we felt like consideration of this, "the granddaddy of the book banned", was long overdue. Interestingly, even though Kate hadn't seen the book before, she took one look at it and said it was "the gay penguins book". So it's clearly in the cultural zeitgeist. We talk Happy Feet, whether or not Tango was actually named after Tango & Cash ("if she'd been a boy, he totally would have named her Cash"), and why baby penguins that break the 4th wall are unspeakably awesome.
Show Notes:
Betsy talks about this on the show, but in April of 2022 she conducted an interview with the authors of this book in a piece called And Tango Gets Banned Again? Book Banning Perspectives from Peter Parnell and Justin Richardson. There's a lot of good history information about the book there, so feel free to check it out: https://afuse8production.slj.com/2022/04/26/and-tango-gets-banned-again-book-banning-perspectives-from-peter-parnell-and-justin-richardson/
Betsy loved the image of the statues at the entrance to the Central Park Zoo because she regularly collects children's literature statues from around America. You can check out one of those posts here: https://afuse8production.slj.com/2019/07/09/the-complete-listing-of-all-public-childrens-literature-statues-in-the-united-states-2019-edition/
And, once again, Kate recommends Queer Ducks by Eliot Schrefer, which makes it very clear that this is hardly uncommon in the animal world: https://www.harpercollins.com/products/queer-ducks-and-other-animals-eliot-schrefer?variant=39684198563874
Interested in the latest Henry Cole picture book that features two dads? Then check out his wordless 2022 title, Forever Home: A Dog and Boy Love Story: https://shop.scholastic.com/parent-ecommerce/books/forever-home-9781338784046.html
And just for fun, check out this recent LeVar Burton video from The Daily Show that features this beloved title: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9QQU_2f_HoA
Here is Don't Be Afraid of Robert Munsch's Love You Forever. An article that was very strange, since it sure sounded from the outset like it was about the scarier elements of the title. Thanks to Amy Rooks for the link: https://www.cbc.ca/parents/learning/view/dont-be-afraid-of-robert-munsch-love-you-forever
For the full Show Notes please visit: https://afuse8production.slj.com/2022/09/26/fuse-8-n-kate-and-tango-makes-three-by-justin-richardson-and-peter-parnell-ill-henry-cole/(opens in a new tab)
Though normally we limit ourselves on the Fuse 8 n' Kate podcast to books that were published at least 20 years ago, we look at a book today that is (restrain your gasps) 19 years old. Worth it. I mean, who could possibly fault us? Ashley Bryan was a living saint of children's literature. Kate points out that with the current racist responses to the Black Little Mermaid, our choice of book today is timely in its cry of "Black is beautiful!" We get into a discussion of what can be considered assimilation or cultural appropriation and things get interesting. Give it a listen!
Show Notes:
Betsy Recommends: Bluey - https://www.bluey.tv/watch/
Kate Recommends: Harley Quinn - https://www.imdb.com/title/tt7658402/
For the full Show Notes please visit: https://afuse8production.slj.com/2022/09/19/fuse-8-n-kate-beautiful-blackbird-by-ashley-bryan/
Having failed to secure a THIRD strawberry-related picture book this week (not for lack of trying) we turn to a heroine we've only seen once before in our previous Olivia episode. The first time Betsy introduced Kate to Olivia shje was shocked by how much Kate liked the little pig. Recall, if you will, that Kate has a tendency to dislike bratty heroines. Olivia, by some unexpected roll of the dice, apparently passes muster. Today's book includes one of our favorite exchanges between a student and a teacher in the picture book form, and is filled with small details you may have missed back in the day when the book was first published. Things like why, precisely, the cover image was significantly changed from its interior original. Or why Olivia is like Moira Rose/Meg White!
Show Notes:
Hat tip to Lark for bringing us to the Independent article, Animal discovered with ‘transient anus’ that only appears when it is needed. This may explain a lot about how anuses appear in European picture books but seemingly disappear when the books are published here in the States: https://www.independent.co.uk/climate-change/news/comb-jelly-anus-jellyfish-transient-gut-study-a8810526.html
Kate Recommends: The Great British Baking Show Game - https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/363252/great-british-baking-show-game
Betsy Recommends: That she's on TikTok now! https://www.tiktok.com/@fusenumber8
For the full Show Notes please visit: https://afuse8production.slj.com/2022/09/12/fuse-8-n-kate-olivia-saves-the-circus-by-ian-falconer/
We promised you additional strawberries and additional strawberries you shall have! We start off with a bang on the podcast this week with a fun quiz: Who would you cast in the live action version of three different picture books? Then, we go back to this great work of Don and Audrey Wood, last seen on this podcast in episodes about The Napping House and King Bidgood’s in the Bathtub. Today’s post features a strawberry book that isn’t quite as strange as The Grey Lady and the Strawberry Snatcher, but clocks in at a close second.
Show Notes:
Betsy admits that she utterly forgot that she interviewed Don and Audrey Wood about this book a mere TWO years ago! In her defense, 2020 was a bit of a lost-COVID year. The post, however, is quite fascinating. It relates a tale about the British-to-American rights process like nothing you’ve seen before. Imagine if you did nine books and they were out of your reach after that BUT their loss allowed you to make The Napping House. Curious? Find the interview here.
Betsy Recommends: The Dropout - https://www.hulu.com/series/the-dropout-13988f84-f1c8-40dd-a73c-4e71ab4bbe63
Kate Recommends: She-Hulk - https://www.imdb.com/title/tt10857160/
For the full Show Notes please visit: https://afuse8production.slj.com/2022/09/05/fuse-8-n-kate-the-little-mouse-the-red-ripe-strawberry-and-the-big-hungry-bear-by-don-and-audrey-wood/
We promised you additional strawberries and additional strawberries you shall have! We start off with a bang on the podcast this week with a fun quiz: Who would you cast in the live action version of three different picture books? Then, we go back to this great work of Don and Audrey Wood, last seen on this podcast in episodes about The Napping House and King Bidgood’s in the Bathtub. Today’s post features a strawberry book that isn’t quite as strange as The Grey Lady and the Strawberry Snatcher, but clocks in at a close second.
Show Notes:
Betsy admits that she utterly forgot that she interviewed Don and Audrey Wood about this book a mere TWO years ago! In her defense, 2020 was a bit of a lost-COVID year. The post, however, is quite fascinating. It relates a tale about the British-to-American rights process like nothing you’ve seen before. Imagine if you did nine books and they were out of your reach after that BUT their loss allowed you to make The Napping House. Curious? Find the interview here.
Betsy Recommends: The Dropout - https://www.hulu.com/series/the-dropout-13988f84-f1c8-40dd-a73c-4e71ab4bbe63
Kate Recommends: She-Hulk - https://www.imdb.com/title/tt10857160/
For the full Show Notes please visit: https://afuse8production.slj.com/2022/09/05/fuse-8-n-kate-the-little-mouse-the-red-ripe-strawberry-and-the-big-hungry-bear-by-don-and-audrey-wood/
"It's Catch Me If You Can only with an old woman and a weird blue creature."
Full credit today to Lisa Straubinger for today's suggestion. Though we'd done the better known Molly Bang title When Sophie Gets Angry... Really, Really Angry on this podcast, we'd not done any other Molly Bang books. This was Molly's first book that she'd written and illustrated herself and it's a doozy. This is very much like nothing you've ever seen before. It's use of negative space alone is worth its weight in gold. Plus, who exactly is the trickster here? There is much to discuss.
Show Notes:
Here is where Molly Bang recounts the incredible, name-dropping ridden story of how The Grey Lady and the Strawberry Snatcher came to be. It involves Ursula Nordstrom and Susan Hirschman and OH! It's just a crazy series of events: https://web.archive.org/web/20081212220001/http://www.mollybang.com/strawberries.html
Kate Recommends: Transfigure Print Company and this t-shirt: https://transfigureprintco.com/shop/protect-trans-kids-shirt
Betsy Recommends: St. John Bread and Wine: https://stjohnrestaurant.com/a/restaurants/bread-and-wine
For the full Show Notes please visit: https://afuse8production.slj.com/2022/08/29/fuse-8-n-kate-the-grey-lady-and-the-strawberry-snatcher-by-molly-bang/
Author/illustrators aren't supposed to have favorites but what do you want to bet that there's a special place in Bryan Collier's heart for his award-winning Uptown? Since Betsy lived in Harlem for 11 years, it seemed fitting for her to go through the book with Kate, 22 years after its initial publication. In the course of things Kate finds a prominent male member (if you know what I mean), copious chocolate squares, and a love of golf that surprises everybody.
Show Notes:
this spread there's a lot of discussion of James Van Der Zee. If you're interesting in reading a picture book biography of him, please check out Take a Picture of Me, James Van Der Zee by Andrea Loney, illustrated by Keith Mallett. It provides a delightful encapsulation of the man's life: https://www.leeandlow.com/books/take-a-picture-of-me-james-van-der-zee
For the complete Show Notes please visit: https://afuse8production.slj.com/2022/08/15/fuse-8-n-kate-uptown-by-bryan-collier/
"It's like Freaky Friday but they're both perfectly aware of what's going on."
If you were hoping that this episode of the podcast would begin with Betsy doing a variation on the Counting Crows song "Mr. Jones" then BOY do you know us well! In honor of its brand new republication (all thanks to its 40th anniversary) we're tackling this Amy Schwartz classic about finding happiness in a bureaucratic society. How does this book stand up after all this time? Is it still memorable? Does it still have something to say to kids today? We take a deep dive into 1980s Wall Street and all that that entails. Mad Men meets Big! Who could resist?
Show Notes:
Here's the Reading Rainbow episode of this book, as alluded to in the episode. Very fun, as long as you don't mind the constant whir of what sounds like a standing fan the whole time: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0P7Z1kYFKnE
Betsy Recommends: Nope - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nope_(film)
Kate Recommends: Watch Out for Big Grrrls - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lizzo%27s_Watch_Out_for_the_Big_Grrrls
We also highly recommend that you checkout the Seven Impossible Things Before Breakfast tribute to this title as well, as it mentions some facts about the newest reissue worth noting: http://blaine.org/sevenimpossiblethings/?p=5635
For the full Show Notes please visit: https://afuse8production.slj.com/2022/08/08/fuse-8-n-kate-bea-mr-jones-by-amy-schwartz/
The New Yorker recently featured rather impressive article called What Should a Queer Children's Book Do? In it K.T. Horning, "who recently retired as the director of the Cooperative Children’s Book Center of the School of Education at the University of Wisconsin-Madison" mentioned something in her discussion with writer Jessica Winter that today's book was a favorite for years by lesbian families before they had adequate books to turn to. Today we talk mosquitoes, this book, mosquitoes, how Canadian Geese are the worst, and ... mosquitoes. Enjoy!
Here's the Reading Rainbow sequence of the reading of this book. What's interesting about this is how they chose to adapt the book. Due to its length, a straight reading would not have been ideal. So we were impressed how they incorporated live action into the mix. It also, if we might say so, kind of backs up what K.T. was saying about its subversive nature: https://youtu.be/TloBLRxH2Fw
Kate Recommends: The Rehearsal: https://www.hbo.com/the-rehearsal
Betsy Recommends: The 10th Anniversary Edition of Sailor Twain: https://us.macmillan.com/books/9781250829443/sailortwainorthemermaidinthehudson10thanniversaryedition
For the full Show Notes please visit: https://afuse8production.slj.com/2022/08/01/fuse-8-n-kate-three-days-on-a-river-in-a-red-canoe-by-vera-b-williams/
Betsy was in her library's children's room the other day and a staff member saw her looking perturbed in the easy book section. When she asked what Betsy was looking for, she confessed that what she really needed was a copy of Robert the Rose Horse. Though in the business for many years, Betsy's fellow librarian had not heard of that particular P.D. Eastman collaboration with Joan Heilbroner, and could you blame her? Betsy would have probably have missed it too if (A) She hadn't had children that she read to and (B) She hadn't stumbled on the mighty useful "Big" beginner books from Random House that combined many of Seuss's "I Can Read" titles into a single volume. Today's title comes to us via The Big Red Book of Beginner Books, and it truly lives up to expectations. Betsy promised Kate they'd do a goofy book. She may have actually overdelivered.
Show Notes:
Betsy got all her thymus and T-Cell information from this information from Radiolab and its episode My Thymus, Myself: https://radiolab.org/episodes/my-thymus-myself
For the full Show Notes please visit: https://afuse8production.slj.com/2022/07/18/fuse-8-n-kate-robert-the-rose-horse-by-joan-heilbroner-ill-p-d-eastman/
Goofy is fun. Goofy is great. But seems to us that sometimes you just gotta slow everything down and do a picture book that's a little more serious. We had to go meaningful this week and what could be more meaningful than a little drop of Allen Say?. That doesn't mean we don't have time to also talk about a yard full of 12-foot-skeletons, of course. We contain multitudes.
Show Notes:
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You can read Betsy's 100 Picture Books for Kids Poll write-up of this title (at #46) here: https://afuse8production.slj.com/2012/05/29/top-100-picture-books-46-grandfathers-journey-by-allen-say/
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For the record, Allan Say as a child ran into Lois Lowry though they never exchanged a word. It was only years later that they discovered that they'd seen one another all those years ago. Read more about it here: https://www.bookpage.com/reviews/25028-lois-lowry-horizon-childrens/
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Here's Halfway Home by Christine Inzer. If you need a comic about feeling torn between Japan and America, this is ideal. Bonus: Actually made by a teenager (and check out that well-deserved Jeff Smith blurb!): https://afuse8production.slj.com/2014/12/06/review-of-the-day-halfway-home-by-christine-mari-inzer/
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Kate Recommends: The hard seltzer Press: https://enjoypress.com/
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n episode of the podcast 99% Invisible about Octagon Houses: https://99percentinvisible.org/episode/the-octagon-house/
For the full Show Notes, please visit us here: https://afuse8production.slj.com/2022/07/11/fuse-8-n-kate-grandfathers-journey-by-allen-say/
We're back from the ALA Conference, baby! Many thanks to everyone who hung out with us and told us that they liked our podcast. We'll just start off today with a hat tip to author Eliot Schrefer for suggesting today's book. It's one of those rare cases where this is actually a book that Betsy read and reread multiple times as a child. We've done all kinds of William Steig books over the years. Shrek. Doctor DeSoto. Sylvester and the Magic Pebble. Now we tackle one that is very near and dear to her heart. How has it aged? Content wise? We discuss it all.
Show Notes:
- I mention at one point that William Steig created a character called Poor Pitiful Pearl. Here is her doll. You can find additional information about her (plus a possible lost early Steig book) here: https://vintagedollcollector.com/poor-pitiful-pearl-article-william-steig/
-Betsy Recommends: The NPR Books We Love round-up this year: https://apps.npr.org/best-books/#view=covers&year=2022
- Kate Recommends: Queer Ducks by Eliot Schrefer: https://www.harpercollins.com/products/queer-ducks-and-other-animals-eliot-schrefer?variant=39684198563874
For the full Show Notes please visit: https://afuse8production.slj.com/2022/07/04/fuse-8-n-kate-the-amazing-bone-by-william-steig/
It's our 5-year anniversary of this podcast and to celebrate we're examining something both obscure and of note. Haven't heard of this particular picture book? You aren't alone. Originally published in 1969, the book is perhaps best known as being the last book Langston Hughes, its author, ever worked on. Betsy was just meticulously weeding her library's adult 811s and stumbled upon it. Black Misery is a children's book marketed as an adult title yet in spite of its copyright date it has a lot of similarities to the children's books today that are calling out elements in our own racist culture. Microaggressions and outright racism vie for space on the pages. The central question for us is this: Is this book a picture book for children or not? It's not easy to answer, particularly when you weigh how little change has happened with some of these moments and how beautifully they're called out here verses the use of the n-word and some of the more dated elements.
In the end, we do wonder why it hasn't been reprinted in the last few decades. Seems like a forward thinking publisher might benefit from bringing this one back again. Then again, even that sentiment may be overly dated. We live at a time where the need for Black Joy in books for kids is particularly keen. Does it make much sense then to bring out again the true antithesis of the statement? Or does Black Misery have more going on here then its title implies? We take a deep dive into its pages to find out.
Show Notes:
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Just as a reminder, if you'd like to hang out with us on Saturday, June 25th around 9 or so at the ALA Conference in Washington D.C., just drop us a line at fuse8kate@gmail.com.
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Curious about other Langston Hughes books for children? The 1955 publication The Book of Jazz is beautifully remembered by Vox here: https://www.vox.com/2015/4/2/8335251/langston-hughes-jazz-book
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You can read what the Missouri Historical Society has to say about Black Misery here: https://mohistory.org/blog/from-the-library-black-misery-by-langston-hughes/
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For the full Show Notes please visit: https://afuse8production.slj.com/2022/06/20/fuse-8-n-kate-black-misery-by-langston-hughes-ill-arouni/
By gum we haven't had one of these since our own mother came on the show. Today it is our infinite pleasure to present to you the fantastic author/illustrator/cartoonist Ursula Murray Husted of, amongst other things, the marvelous graphic novel A Cat Story. A fan of the podcast, it seemed only fitting to ask her to suggest a title for the show today. Her choice? A book that honestly I've never seen before. Lulu and the Flying Babies is an obvious homage to, say, The Snowman by Raymond Briggs, and its creator started out by making comics before she made books for kids. And as it just so happens Ursula started out that way too! This is an absolutely fascinating example of a picture book working with this level of comic book paneling. And, of course, at some point we do include the line, "I had no idea how easy it was to decapitate a cat."
Show Notes:
You can check out some of the range of Posy Simmonds' when it comes to her darker adult comics here: https://www.lambiek.net/artists/s/simmonds_posy.htm
We bring up the question of which Posy Simmonds books are available for purchase in the states. If you're only interested in her children's books then besides this title check out Lulu and the Chocolate Wedding and Fred. It's not a lot but it's what we got!
Ursula Recommends: The King of Confidence by Miles Harvey
Kate Recommends: Songfinch, Putt Shack, and the new Bob's Burgers movie.
Betsy Recommends: Making a birthday cake based on Erin Hunter's Warriors series.
For the full Show Notes, please visit: https://afuse8production.slj.com/2022/06/13/fuse-8-n-kate-special-guest-ursula-murray-husted-presents-lulu-and-the-flying-babies-by-posy-simmonds/
Come one! Come all! Come hear Betsy get the tongue lashing of the century! Maybe you listen to this podcast because you just like to listen to grown women talk about picture books. Maybe you like the banter. Or maybe, just maybe, you listen in the hopes of hearing Kate yell at Betsy for her sins. If the latter is your preference then boy howdy do we have the episode for you! Bonus: Kate makes a lot of fart noises. Nothing but class at this joint. As for the book we're doing, this appears to be our first Raschka title, which is funny considering how many Caldecott Honors and Awards he's garnered over the years. Listen in if you want to hear the correct pronunciation of the title of Yo! Yes?, the choices made with the typography, and some truly awful bird calls.
Show Notes:
The egregious Mackin interview with Betsy can be found here: https://www.mackincommunity.com/2022/05/25/betsy-bird-theres-a-book-for-every-reader/
Lark wasn't wrong. "Puff Daddy" did indeed read Harlem on a cassette tape. This is amazing: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iUxiA-YJuO8
Hat tip too to Jerrold Connors for not only locating and listening to the audio cassette tape of Crow Boy, but also mentioning the very cool @corvidresearch.
Kate Recommends: Particle Ink: Speed of Dark, seen here: https://youtu.be/aCmtKbXv9lk
Betsy Recommends: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1i5DEipIWh4
For the full Show Notes please visit: https://afuse8production.slj.com/2022/06/06/fuse-8-n-kate-yo-yes-by-chris-raschka/(opens in a new tab)
Recently Betsy took a trip to NYC and was, for reasons that will soon become clear, reminded of this great work by Walter Dean Myers and his son Chris. Funny thing is, she has a bit of difficulty figuring out if this book is as well remembered as it used to be. Now when she lived in NYC it was all over the place but that was (A) almost 20 years ago and (B) in the same town where this book takes place. Maybe not the best place to get a unimpeded understanding of its longevity. At any rate, it won itself a Caldecott Honor so we figure it's well worth discussing today.
Show Notes:
Kate Recommends: Chanel Williams on Instagram or the tikky tok (which is what we call TikTok)- https://www.instagram.com/chanwills/?hl=en
Betsy Recommends: The Third Person by Emma Grove. https://drawnandquarterly.com/news/dq-announces-third-person-emma-grove/
For the full Show Notes please visit: https://afuse8production.slj.com/2022/05/30/fuse-8-n-kate-harlem-by-walter-dean-myers-ill-christopher-myers/
Folks, we are shocked and appalled that none of you have ever yelled at us for never having done a Mercer Mayer book on this podcast. We're onto episode #227 and in all this time, Mr. Mayer has never once graced our eyeballs. Today, we correct this longstanding ill. Take a listen to this if you would like to hear Betsy's off-the-cuff recounting of all the Mercer Mayer books that we haven't done. She also go into tangents on the awfulness of feet in early 80s footie pajamas while Kate engages in The Great Tissue Box Theory.
Show Notes:
Not sure how much credence to give to the working theory that this book is referenced in Alice Cooper's Welcome to My Nightmare. It's a great idea, but the monsters in this don't really resemble the one in the book. Just our two cents: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kum-q6RfPAw
Whereas this video of the book is most certainly narrated by Michael J. Fox. So that's all good: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cpGPYXSPSxQ
For the full Show Notes please visit: https://afuse8production.slj.com/2022/05/23/fuse-8-n-kate-theres-a-nightmare-in-my-closet-by-mercer-mayer/
We continue to dive into the many publications of 2002, so as to determine if the more popular titles of that time have been able to survive two decades. Today's book is a McMullan joint that is still inspiring sequels to this day. We talk typography, readalouds, and more. In the course of things we figure out which of the elements in the trash listed here should be composted and engage in a VERY long discussion of what a yam would look like if it had been hanging around for a year. You know. Important stuff.
Show Notes:
The best interview we were able to find with Kate and Jim McMullan turned out to be this one with none other than Hamptons.com: https://hamptons.com/the-arts-the-bookshelf-27282-interview-author-kate-mcmullan-and-illustrator-html/
For the full Show Notes please visit: https://afuse8production.slj.com/2022/05/16/fuse-8-n-kate-i-stink-by-kate-jim-mcmullan/
Usually Betsy knows at least a tiny bit about the authors/illustrators we do on this show. But Taro Yashima? She knew literally nothing about him, walking into this one. She got the idea to do this from The Rabbit hOle, who had mentioned recently that they're working on a Crow Boy exhibit. Looking at this 1955 winner of a 1956 Caldecott Honor, it does appear that this is about a kid who suffers from sensory overload and can focus on one thing for hours at a time. As such, Chibi does appear to have some form of ASD or neurodivergent condition. Not that a book from the 50s was capable of being as clear as books today. The book was illustrated by Japanese born Taro Yashima and represents an interesting moment in literature where the cultural stereotypes seem confined to the colors used for some of the skin tones. Is there more going on here? We discuss.
Show Notes:
Seriously, though, if you can think of any other podcasts hosted by amusing sisters, please let us know at fusekate8@gmail.com.
Extra thanks to Marie for introduced us to the FIAR (Five In a Row) program that has kept many children's picture books in print like They Were Strong and Good.
Kate Recommends: Heather McMahan - https://heatherontour.com/
Betsy Recommends: The Elisha Cooper piece on Literary Hub, A Quiet Reply to a Life Cut Short: After a Profound Loss, How to Honor the Dead. - https://lithub.com/a-quiet-reply-to-a-life-cut-short-after-a-profound-loss-how-to-honor-the-dead/
For the full Show Notes, please visit: https://afuse8production.slj.com/2022/05/09/fuse-8-n-kate-crow-boy-by-taro-yashima/
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 Betsy that the show has never tried a Teague before. And, 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!
Show Notes:
Here is the page for the Teachers Pay Teachers where you can find umpteen bazillion lesson plans for this book: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Browse/Search:dear%20mrs%20larue
For the full Show Notes please visit: https://afuse8production.slj.com/2022/05/02/fuse-8-n-kate-dear-mrs-larue-by-mark-teague/
Betsy is a terrible cheat. She broke our rule that we wouldn't consider a book less than 20 years old for this podcast. But today's book is 19 years old so is it really breaking the rule or, rather, stretching it to its limit? Today, we look a little closer at the story where the kid who says they're not into art gets a private showing of 28 pieces. Does this book deserve the sheer amount of attention and acclaim that it's attained in the intervening 19 years since its publication? Gotta listen and see.
Show Notes: Today's book may be the first we've done that has its own holiday. Curious about International Dot Day? Check it out at its own website. A bit lacking on its own history, and parts need to be updated, but still cool: https://www.internationaldotday.org/
For the full Show Notes please visit: https://afuse8production.slj.com/2022/04/25/fuse-8-n-kate-the-dot-by-peter-h-reynolds/
At long last we discover what became of Peter Rabbit's sister Cottontail.
Sometimes you just want to read a bizarre 1939 feminist take on the Easter Bunny tradition. Right? I mean, am I right? Look, after last week, Betsy wanted to give Kate something old and worth remembering. And this downright magnificent tale of single motherhood, gaslighting, phallocentric patriarchy, and cute bunnies fit the bill. Let's talk about a book that wasn't just ahead of its time but, I'd argue, is the gold standard of Easter picture books in this day and age. Don't believe us? Then you obviously have never read The Country Bunny and the Little Gold Shoes for yourself. Trust me. You're in for a treat.
Show Notes:
Do be so kind as to check out the Washington Post piece A Brown Feminist Easter Bunny's Inspiring Triumph which really breaks down why this book is so remarkable: https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/a-brown-feminist-easter-bunnys-inspiring-triumph/2015/04/02/3fbfced6-d941-11e4-b3f2-607bd612aeac_story.html
For the full Show Notes please visit: https://afuse8production.slj.com/2022/04/18/fuse-8-n-kate-the-country-bunny-and-the-little-gold-shoes-by-dubose-heyward-ill-marjorie-flack/
"I'm sorry, you're PROUD? What are you 'proud' of exactly? Your family owned slaves, killed Native Americans, fought for the Confederacy, and almost killed a parrot! So I don't know what you're proud of!!!"
Those of you familiar with today's book are whistling under your breath and saying quietly, "Here we go." Those of you unfamiliar? Prepare to meet the very first book on this podcast to receive the lowest rating we have ever assigned. If we could give negative numbers, we would. Inarguably the most offensive Caldecott Award winner to date, Kate requested that we do a stinker and Betsy? Betsy overdelivered.
Show Notes:
As far as Betsy is concerned, this post on the blog Collecting Children's Books is the seminal text on They Were Strong and Good: http://collectingchildrensbooks.blogspot.com/2009/04/they-were-strong-and-good-enough-for.html
For the full Show Notes please visit: https://afuse8production.slj.com/2022/04/11/fuse-8-n-kate-they-were-strong-and-good-by-robert-lawson/
The other day a documentary film crew came to Betsy's library. They were creating a movie on American picture books through the decades and, at one point, they needed some b-roll of some of the better known picture books out there. So they hit the usual titles like Harold and the Purple Crayon and Millions of Cats. They worked in some Perez Y Martina and Stevie. And then they asked if they could do Seven Blind Mice by Ed Young. That got Betsy to thinking that, crazy as it sounds, she and Kate have never done that one. Has it aged well in the intervening 30 years since it was first published? Find out!
Show Notes:
Here is Ed Young's very good website. Check out the full run of his books, particularly the oldest ones: https://www.edyoungart.com/
For the full Show Notes please visit: https://afuse8producti.wpengine.com/2022/04/04/fuse-8-n-kate-seven-blind-mice-by-ed-young/
Oh, Danny Boy! St. Patrick’s Day is nigh and Betsy is feeling pretty smug about the fact that she actually reserved a St. Patty’s Day title (sorta) weeks in advance so that she’d have something to do with Kate. And voila! Justification! Kate loves it! It helps that it stars a “Kate” and our Kate recently tried (and failed) to dye her hair the color on this cover. In any case, today we delve a bit into Mr. Talbott’s influences but mostly have a high old time discussing cow side-eye, cats singing Danny Boy, and why this ending rules.
Show Notes:
This was the best Betsy could find when Kate asked for cats singing Danny Boy: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W5N68I2bsZM
Kate Recommends: The "What's More Punk Than the Public Library" t-shirt, which you can find here: https://mtpfriends.bigcartel.com/product/what-s-more-punk-adult-t-shirt
Betsy Recommends: The three library videos she's been working on for the past year:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ng5G9XLZIeI https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=01oq0KpNzYo&t=2s https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LubRSiupY9I
For the full Show Notes please visit us at: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2022/03/14/fuse-8-n-kate-osullivan-stew-by-hudson-talbott/
This week it's time for a CULT CLASSIC!!! If last week's book was incredibly well-known, this one is not, but it is FABULOUS. And, as you will learn, it utterly and completely charmed Kate, which is tough to accomplish. Consider it a book about feeling embarrassed and worried about your parental units in equal measures. Are you ready for the weirdness? Then enjoy småpapporna galore!
Show Notes:
Kate Recommends: Come From Away, the musical -https://www.broadwayinchicago.com/show/come-from-away-2020/
Betsy Recommends: The Bologna Book Fiar - https://www.bolognachildrensbookfair.com/en/home/878.html
Care to listen to the book in its original Swedish? Well you can see it in its entirety here. And the title, oh yes oh yes, is Else-Marie och småpapporna: https://youtu.be/Y3rSzEG5US0
And here is Pija herself being interviewed about the book!! Anyone care to translate the best parts for us: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eRxogNkwRRg
And is she still making books? She is! Just check out this interview from October 2021 conducted by . . . yep. That's a priest all right: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HbOlVFfiNYM
For the full Show Notes please visit: https://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2022/03/07/fuse-8-n'-kate:-else-marie-and-her-seven-little-daddies-by-pija-lindenbaum/
While we've been doing some superb picture books as of late, but it's been a while since we've done a particularly famous one. So for a small change of pace we're doing a Big Name today. The kind where your library might have nine copies in its main location. And, bonus, it's not one by Seuss. Peggy Rathmann giveth again to us today with the irrepressible Officer Buckle and the adorable Gloria. We expected many things to occur during our talk but we did not expect for this podcast to devolve into such long conversations about bananas. It may amuse you to hear that Kate made Betsy banana bread at their next Game Night after we recorded this. Sheesh.
Show Notes:
Betsy calls Peggy Rathmann "the Gary Larson of picture books". Why? Ms. Rathmann walks away from a marvelous picture book career to live with John Wick. Not even kidding about that. And as Betsy mentions on the podcast, there was a piece in On Pasture called Meet Someone Making A Difference to Agriculture and the Climate. So, basically, she's saving the world. Pretty good excuse for not making any more picture books: https://onpasture.com/2021/11/08/meet-someone-making-a-difference-to-agriculture-and-the-climate/
Should you wonder, Officer Buckle and Gloria appeared at #59 on the Top 100 Picture Books Poll back in 2012: https://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2012/05/25/top-100-picture-books-59-officer-buckle-and-gloria-by-peggy-rathmann/
For the full Show Notes please visit: https://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2022/02/28/fuse-8-n'-kate:-officer-buckle-and-gloria-by-peggy-rathmann/
We just had a blast last week with our Valentine's Day picture book Somebody Loves You, Mr. Hatch, so where next to go? Clearly, this would be the best time to turn our sights upon the upcoming President's Day. So what better book, I ask of you, could we do than Caldecott Award winner So You Want to Be President? Penned by Judith St. George (who was doing non-fiction for kids in the 70s when it was a particularly uncommon job) and illustrated by David Small (of Long Road to the Circus fame), we determine what has aged well with this book and what is glaringly missing (no mention of how many presidents owned slaves?!?). We also speculate about the fact that it won a Caldecott Award the same year as 9/11, but months in advance and how it sort of prefaced a whole wave of nationalism that would occur later.
For the full Show Notes please visit: https://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2022/02/14/fuse-8-n'-kate:-so-you-want-to-be-president?-by-judith-st-george,-ill-david-small/
You know, for as long as this podcast has been going on, we have never attempted to find a classic Valentine's Day book. It's a tricky proposition. We've done some pseudo-appropriate books like The Pigs' Wedding and The Marzipan Pig. But Betsy thought maybe we should try something love-related that is not hog-related. "It's about a human and it's about love . . . and he's balding. Three for three." This is a book that allows us to question what love truly is. Is love when people only appreciate you for what you can do for them? Or is it something more? Come join us for a journey through cheese and mustard sandwiches and brownies (not together). Stay, if only to hear how Kate reads the line, "I do believe somebody loves me after all," (you'll adore how she does it).
Show Notes:
Hector Elizondo reads Somebody Loves You, Mr. Hatch (a.k.a. the storytime you didn't know you needed): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AGAS_Aj85cA
Interested in Aaron Becker's trailer for his latest board book? Look here: https://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2022/02/04/adam-becker-board-book-video-premiere/
Kate Recommends: The audiobook of As You Wish by Cary Elwes: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dieRrAK9rfM
Betsy Recommends: The recent article in the New Yorker, Eat Prey Love about Felix Salten the author of Bambi: https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2006/04/24/eat-pray-love
For the full Show Notes please visit: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2022/02/07/review-of-the-day-somebody-loves-you-mr-hatch-by-eileen-spinelli-ill-paul-yalowitz/
The 2022 ALA YMA Awards were filled with firsts. The first Caldecott Honor or Award winner that's posthumous! The first LGBTQIA+ Honor and Stonewall Honor co-winner (to say nothing of its National Book Award Honor)! And all this reminded Betsy of a "first" from the past. Who was the first Black African-American winner of the Caldecott to win the Award two years in a row? That's right, we're returning to Leo and Diane Dillon. The first Caldecott Award going to a Black man was for Leo and Diane Dillon's Why Mosquitoes Buzz in People's Ears. But the SECOND Award went the very next year to the Dillons' work on Ashanti to Zulu: African Traditions. We consider this second Dillon win and find time to indulge in a discussion on why the Sibert Award should be renamed the Cyborg Award (as is right).
Show Notes:
The bird mentioned in this book but that neither Betsy nor Kate could remember is (naturally enough) the honeybird. This is a bird that leads different animals to sources of honey so that it can have a taste.
Here's a page that contains recordings of all the Newbery and Caldecott acceptance speeches, courtesy of ALA and ALSC. Here you will discover Leo Dillon's magnificent New York accent: https://www.ala.org/alsc/awardsgrants/bookmedia/NCWBanquetRecordings
As Betsy mentions on the show, one element of this book that hasn't aged as well is the fact that if this book were to made today, it would mention in some way the urbanization of Africa, alongside the longstanding traditions of different tribal areas. This book never dares to touch on that. So if you're looking for a book that does mention both traditional elements as well as some modernization, check out Atinuke's remarkable 2021 title Africa, Amazing, Africa. Here's what Betsy wrote about it for her 31 Days, 31 Lists Older Nonfiction list: https://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2021/12/27/31-days-31-lists-2021-nonfiction-books-for-older-readers/
Kate Recommends: The podcast Sweet Bobby: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/sweet-bobby/id1590561275
Betsy Recommends: America Crime Story: Impeachment: https://www.fxnetworks.com/shows/american-crime-story
For the full show notes, please visit: https://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2022/01/31/fuse-8-n-kate-ashanti-to-zulu-by-margaret-musgrove-ill-leo-and-diane-dillon/
Every year Betsy presents Kate with three Caldecott contenders. And not to brag, but this show has had a pretty good track record. Betsy only shows her three titles, but in 2021 the two discussed We Are Water Protectors which inevitably won an Award and in 2020 they discussed Going Down Home With Daddy, which won an Honor. Will their streak continue? Or will they do as poorly as they did in 2019? Only time will tell. Now let us all chant together: "Beret That Snake!" "Beret That Snake!" "Beret That Snake!"
Show Notes:
Be sure to follow the ALA Youth Media Awards here on Monday, January 24th at 8 CST. Link to my Pre-Game Show to come. Stay tuned: https://ala.unikron.com/
Kate Recommends: HomeChef - https://www.homechef.com/the-best?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=brand&voucher=3GA90&gclid=Cj0KCQiAoY-PBhCNARIsABcz770QP3kdVq85ul-A2BfrgPeq2aJY1mBPjpiiWmi4kgBOpCMj8syU-eAaAjpxEALw_wcB
Betsy Recommends: The 99% Invisible episode Mini-Stories: Volume 13 section on The Jazz Cup: https://99percentinvisible.org/episode/mini-stories-volume-13/4/
For the full Show Notes please visit: https://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2022/01/17/fuse-8-n-kate-2022-caldecott-contenders/(opens in a new tab)
Maybe Betsy figured that this would be an easy win with Kate since her name is already in the title. So far, Betsy has failed to locate Kate's request of an older picture book classic that contains anyone wearing a mohawk. Perhaps this comes as a close second? And as we say in the episode, the art in this book suggests so much backstory. We discuss inappropriate bidet designs, the first appearance of birth control pills in a picture book, faux Birks, and more.
Show Notes:
Betsy just wanted to report in that while she did search high and low to find some sort of online version of Bob Graham's French comic strip Les Belles Histoires, nothing came up. Search engine fail!
Kate Recommends: Streaming the old Hercule Poirot episodes starring David Suchet on YouTube for free.
Betsy Recommends: Buzz Spector, the conceptual artist, will be presenting at the Rockford Art Museum in Rockford, Illinois in early February.
For the full Show Notes please visit: https://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2022/01/10/fuse-8-n-kate-lets-get-a-pup-said-kate-by-bob-graham/
Happy New Year! It's a new year, but the same old blog, and we wouldn't have it any other way. Today we kick off with a book that we describe on this episode as, "Handed to me in the good faith that we wouldn't like it." A friend alerted Betsy to that old 1999 picture book Hooway for Wodney Wat. Published before bullying became the issue in our schools that it is today, her friend said that this title may not have aged particularly well in the intervening 23 years. Or, as we say at one point, "If your book makes fun of a speech impediment, maybe don't write that book." Today, we're looking at our first Lester/Munsinger collaboration and its take on rhoticism.
Show Notes:
If you're looking for that particularly good book about stuttering that Betsy mentions in this episode, please check out I Talk Like a River by Jordan Scott, illustrated by Sydney Smith: https://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2020/08/27/review-of-the-day-i-talk-like-a-river-by-jordan-scott-ill-sydney-smith/
Betsy Recommends: Don't Look Up, streaming on Netflix: https://www.netflix.com/title/81252357
Kate Recommends: The Harry Potter Reunion Special streaming on HBO Max: https://www.hbomax.com/harrypotter20?gclid=Cj0KCQiAt8WOBhDbARIsANQLp97KCyivWfbWH9N_KKZyh5fqFbLkyt-3zWSK48eDsqkqS_alf1D35C0aAuXEEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds
For the full Show Notes please visit: https://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2022/01/03/fuse-8-n-kate-hooway-for-wodney-wat-by-helen-lester-ill-lynn-munsinger/
"The Secret Garden meets Donnie Darko".
Kate would like to warn you that Betsy is a bit of a "Debby Downer" in this episode. This may have something to do with the fact that her immediate family came down with COVID and she had to cancel their trip to DisneyWorld. Of course, you can't keep a good talk about odd picture books of the past down! In the episode the sisters discuss everything from whether or not the bunny in Mr. Rabbit and the Lovely Present betrays Maurice Sendak's love of Mickey Mouse (and suggests he was more of a Bugs Bunny fan)to his pack-a-day voice.
Show Notes:
Good old Slap Happy Larry takes a real deep deep dive into Mr. Rabbit and the Lovely Present discussing everything from whether or not Mr. Rabbit is a Pooka or owes anything to that great big invisible rabbit Harvey: https://www.slaphappylarry.com/mr-rabbit-lovely-present-sendak-zolotow/
Betsy Recommends: The podcast Sawbones - https://maximumfun.org/podcasts/sawbones/
Kate Recommends: Fear City on Netflix: https://www.netflix.com/title/80218338
And The Mob Museum in Vegas: https://themobmuseum.org/
For the Full Show Notes please visit: https://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2021/12/27/fuse-8-n-kate-mr-rabbit-and-the-lovely-present-by-charlotte-zolotow-ill-maurice-sendak/
Merry Christmas Eve! By gum we're going to do at least one holiday book this month, if it kills us. Heck, for that matter, why not go local? You see, Kate and Betsy both live in Evanston, Illinois and it just so happens that one of the most famous Christmas songs out there started its life as a children's book by an Evanston author! Yes indeed, we doing a deep dive into Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer today circa 1939. And not just any book, but a reprint of the original story (pre-song and pre-television adaptation) that was handed out for free in department stores all those years ago. How does it hold up to modern scrutiny? Only one way to find out:
Show Notes:
Kate would like to correct her earlier statement that this scene is set in Chicago (though Chicago is mentioned). That said, here's the scene she refers to, early on in our show: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NxtLxqBolJI
FURTHER CORRECTION: At one point in the podcast Betsy says that Robert L. May wrote the book for Marshall Fields. She then almost immediately says it was Montgomery Ward. The correct department story was, in fact, Montgomery Ward.
Here's an NPR piece on the behind-the-scenes tale of Rudolph: https://www.npr.org/2013/12/25/256579598/writing-rudolph-the-original-red-nosed-manuscript
We find it interesting that Rudolph began his life as a department store's character and this year Macy's is doing the same dang thing! https://youtu.be/DwIUIrk56cQ
Betsy Recommends: The New Vic production of Emmet Otter's Jugband Christmas in New York City!: https://newvictory.org/tickets-and-events/2122-live-performance-emmet-otters-jugband-christmas/
Kate Recommends: This link to the article about ostrich cells used to make COVID detection: masks: https://tanksgoodnews.com/japanese-scientists-use-ostrich-cells-to-make-glowing-covid-19-detection-masks/
And this Etsy artist that makes ostrich ornaments: https://www.etsy.com/shop/AnimalsThatGoPlaces?ref=simple-shop-header-name&listing_id=180973083
And these socks: https://outofprint.com/products/the-monster-at-the-end-of-this-book-socks
For the full Show Notes please visit: https://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2021/12/24/fuse-8-n-kate-rudolph-the-red-nosed-reindeer-by-robert-l-may-ill-denver-gillen/
Hanukkah ends today and do you know what happened? We missed our chance to do a Hanukkah picture book on the show (and I've one on order but it won't come in in time). So, feeling guilty, I thought we should do a good Jewish children's picture book classic. And to my horror, somehow it took us 207 episodes for me to realize that we didn't do today's book. Are you ready to hear us right a great wrong? Because it's Simms Taback time! Yes, the man who designed the world's first Happy Meal is here with a GOLD Caldecott Medal. "Look at how it gleams in all its goldy goldiness!" Kate digs deep into the Sholom Aleichem references and we both thoroughly enjoy how well Simms sticks that ending. Enjoy!
Show Notes:
Yeah. You know you want to hear the song they sang in the Weston Woods video (which, I should note, according to Kate is NOT the same tune as the one printed on the sheet music at the back of the book): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KZ37_s7X3jA
For the full Show Notes please visit: https://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2021/12/06/fuse-8-n-kate-joseph-had-a-little-overcoat-by-simms-taback/
Starring . . . MOM!
Yes indeed. Susan Blackwell Ramsey herself has come to guest star. Thanksgiving arrived and Kate had the brilliant notion that she and Betsy should take advantage of their #1 fan and finally do one of her favorite picture books (the one they've always avoided). So, if you've ever listened to our podcast and thought to yourself, "These two ladies sound too similar. I wish there was a THIRD voice that sounded a lot like both of them to join in," then your prayers have been answered!
In short, if you'd like to hear two daughters ribbing their mom, this is the podcast episode for YOU!
Show Notes:
Mom and Betsy discuss a Slate article that provides a rather magnificent rundown of the history of Donald Hall's poem and its transformation into a book. It does not, however, include the info about his Caldecott Room loo: https://slate.com/culture/2018/07/how-donald-hall-changed-ox-cart-man-from-the-poem-to-the-childrens-book.html
Here's the Reading Rainbow episode where Lorne Green reads Ox-Cart Man: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tXHZARNpBZM
For the full Show Notes please visit: https://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2021/11/29/fuse-8-n-kate-ox-cart-man-by-donald-hall-ill-barbara-cooney/
After his recent death, Betsy wanted to do a book with Kate that paid homage to Jerry Pinkney. But having already done Mirandy and Brother Wind and Sam and the Tigers, why not go in a different direction? Jerry was a huge fan of fairy tales, and Little Red Riding Hood has always stood out as one of his more interesting books. Setting the book in winter was a fascinating choice, maybe even a challenge, for the artist. The storyline is very faithful to the original Grimm tale with some notable changes. This book is peak Pinkney. But is it classic enough in the end? Only one way to find out.
Show Notes:
Betsy mentions in the course of the show that a big influence on Jerry was cartoonist John J. Liney, who worked on the "Little Henry" comic strips. William H. Foster, author of the book Looking for a Face Like Mine: The History of African Americans in Comics offers this piece Henry: Not Black Like Me to argue that the strip was less racist than its contemporaries. Not sure if the examples he cites completely back up that statement, but it's an interesting article: https://www.hoganmag.com/blog/henry-not-black-like-me
For the full Show Notes please visit: https://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2021/11/22/fuse-8-n-kate-little-red-riding-hood-by-jerry-pinkney/
Thinly veiled racism! Drug-sniffing monkeys (that are actually apes)! Roving hoards of wiener dogs! A Cervantes-esque arc! Oh, we have just loads to talk about in this episode, that's for sure. More questions are raised than answered in this latest episode of Fuse 8 n' Kate and that's okay. We return to the world of Curious George with all its peculiarities. There's a lot to discuss here and we're ready for it.
Show Notes:
Be sure to check out this year's fabulous picture book, Strollercoaster. Yay, crediting spouses that color!
This is the moment when I need to praise Furious George by Michael Rex, which is the only picture book to make perfectly clear what's really going on in this and other Curious George books.
We do urge you to seek out and read The Unexpected Profundity of Curious George by Rivka Galchen for The New Yorker which touches on many of the issues we've mentioned here: https://www.newyorker.com/books/page-turner/the-unexpected-profundity-of-curious-george
For the full Show Notes please visit: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2021/11/15/fuse-8-n-kate-curious-george-takes-a-job-by-h-a-and-margret-rey/
Now starring special guest, Ian Lendler!! Author of 2021's new picture book Nia and the New Free Library, and creator of such books I've adored as The Fabled Life of Aesop and the Stratford Zoo comics, to name but a few.
Once in a while we'll have a guest on. Of course the challenge is for our guests to come up with potentially "classic" picture books that we haven't done already. But when Ian and I talked about having him on the show, the book he mentioned was Bill and Pete, a.k.a. a book that I myself didn't really know all that well. Now we already did Strega Nona and Oliver Button is a Sissy, so this will make our third Tomie dePaola book to date. But that's okay. We loved that guy. And now we get to talk about the weird dynamic between these two friends, its David Lynch-esque dream sequences, and how this is, as Kate calls it, "Bill and Pete's Excellent Adventure".
Show Notes:
Here's where you can find the Strega Nona is a Not a Communist post we mentioned: https://www.gawker.com/culture/strega-nona-is-not-a-communist
For the full Show Notes please visit: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2021/11/08/fuse-8-n-kate-bill-and-pete-by-tomie-depaola/
The final Halloween-inspired episode of October is always a bittersweet time. And once more, pity Betsy's sister. Betsy happened to notice that there's a Clifford the Big Red Dog film out in theaters at the moment and it got her to thinking. Clifford = creator Norman Bridwell. And didn't Norman Bridwell do a Halloween book of his own once? One that Betsy happened to remember from her own childhood? Alas for Kate, this means that the show is doing a THIRD witch and broom-related picture book in a row. We're in a witch rut! We can only do witches!!
Show Notes:
-It's not fancy, but if ever you want to create a Witch Next Door cupcake, here's the recipe: https://sprinklesofhistory.com/witch-next-door-cupcakes/
-Kate Recommends: Muppets Haunted Mansion: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt14602326/
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Kate Also Recommends: The Haunted Mansion Game: https://www.funko.com/shop/details/disney-haunted-mansion-call-of-the-spirits-game
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Betsy Recommends: Evanston Public Library's 101 Great Books for Kids: https://www.epl.org/announcing-evanston-public-librarys-101-great-books-for-kids-list-of-2021/
For the full Show Notes please visit: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2021/10/25/fuse-8-n-kate-the-witch-next-door-by-norman-bridwell/
"If this really is the ghost of the broom, I hope it hacks the men to pieces!"
The search for potential Halloween classics continues!! This week Kate and Betsy turned their eyes back to good old Chris Van Allsburg. Previously seen on a Halloween-centric episode of the show with The Stranger, he has returned! This book is from 1992, and it's had a relative amount of success. What Kate and Betsy end up loving about it, though, is how female-centric it is. It's all about women helping women helping women. Look at how the men in the book are even treated. A fascinating tale that passes the Bechdel-Wallace Test with flying colors.
Show Notes:
Please, if you get a chance, you MUST check out Slap Happy Larry's relatively recent blog post The Widow’s Broom by Chris Van Allsburg Picturebook Analysis. This will occupy you all day, and is a great deep dive into the subject matter: https://www.slaphappylarry.com/widows-broom-chris-van-allsburg-picture-book/
If you're interested in this claim that there's a bog not far from Evanston, Illinois, here's the link that Shannon provided: https://www.friendsofvolobog.org/?fbclid=IwAR1J173DD8fjEU5aRr_YCBZRICy3GYZ9YLaZ0RB2-9whLcpFPFeUlH--zHg
For the full Show Notes please visit: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2021/10/18/fuse-8-n-kate-the-widows-broom-by-chris-van-allsburg/
Poor Kate. All she wanted was a halfway spooky picture book. Instead Betsy gives her a book from Team Gruffalo. This week's choice of book for the Halloween season has appeared year after year on the Bestseller Lists here in America. It's a book that features a kind of Mr. Gumpy's Outing meets There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly energy on its pages. Never read it? Never fear! We've done it for you and found some tidbits worth discussing.
Show Notes:
You may hear us mention that Julia Donaldson's career in picture books began because of a song she created called "A Squash and a Squeeze". Who are we to deny you a vision of her performing that song herself? https://youtu.be/MXa888kw7GY
Once we heard it was turned into a stop animation film, we had to check it out. Here are some scenes. We hate to say it, but this is utterly UTTERLY charming. Better than the source material, perhaps: https://vimeo.com/59083888
Betsy Recommends: The new NPR podcast Book of the Day
Kate Recommends: The H.H. Holmes Murder Castle Puzzle
For the full Show Notes please visit: https://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2021/10/11/fuse-8-n-kate-room-on-the-broom-by-julia-donaldson-ill-axel-scheffler/
"Oh no! We don't have a fish to protect us now!"
Success! Fuse 8 n' Kate has managed to reach episode' two HUNDRED! Now the topic turns to a famous feline-centric sequel. Betsy and Kate don't shy away from the controversy surrounding Seuss and his cat in this episode. Bonus: They also get to bandy about sentences like, "The chain of signification is interminable and, being interminable, indeterminate." In the end, they realize once and for all that while this cat may come back that doesn't mean they'll ever have to see him again.
Show Notes:
To celebrate the 200th episode Kate and Betsy did a live recording of this show. Want to see it? Thanks to the power of Vimeo, now you can: https://vimeo.com/621640559
Kate Recommends: The Hulu streaming show Only Murders in the Building
Betsy Recommends: 19th century ukiyo-e prints. More specifically Takiyasha the Witch and the Skeleton Spectre or Mitsukuni Defying the Skeleton Spectre Invoked by Princess Takiyasha. It is, definitely, Kate's 12-foot-tall skeleton.
For the full show notes please visit: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2021/10/04/fuse-8-n-kate-200-the-cat-in-the-hat-comes-back-by-dr-seuss/
Kate and Betsy are on a perpetual hunt for older children's books that broke new ground, and show that the history of children's book publishing could occasionally incorporate a wider variety of voices and styles. Today they take a trip back to 1973 to a book that was originally released just a year after the final Apollo missions. It has now been reprinted for the first time in years by The New York Review Children's Collection, released just last week. Think that's good? Kate points out that this is a timely choice since the first civilian mission, The Inspiration 4, just returned to Earth recently. After looking at this book, their ultimate conclusion is that this title would make for a good readaloud. They consider this "Seamless amalgam" of the hands of Leo and Diane Dillon and get to talk about Oscar the Grouch, how nerdy Betsy gets on collectionHQ, and a book called Pish-Posh, Said Hironymous Bosh (which we love as a title).
Show Notes: For the full show notes please visit: https://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2021/09/27/fuse-8-n-kate-blast-off-by-linda-c-cain-and-susan-rosenbaum-ill-leo-and-diane-dillon/
Lick lick lick lick lick! Here we have a rare opportunity to examine an old book from 1979 and its 2014 update. Kate challenged Betsy to come up with a dog picture book and Betsy realized that they had never done one of the most fascinating cases in American children's literature. As is explained on the show, Steven Kellogg used to live in Sandy Hook. When the school shooting occurred he was deeply affected. And, in light of objections he'd heard regarding the burglar and his gun in his book Pinkerton, Behave! he agreed to re-illustrate. Kate and Betsy compare both versions of the book and have a LOT to discuss. Consistently they find the changes in the text to be subtle but unpredictable. Bonus: Kate's able to whip out her obedience school knowledge with this one. And, of course, defenestration abounds!
Show Notes:
Here is the article in Publishers Weekly : Steven Kellogg on Why He Reworked a 'Pinkerton' Scene in Response to Sandy Hook: https://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/childrens/childrens-industry-news/article/65018-steven-kellogg-on-why-he-reworked-a-pinkerton-scene-in-response-to-sandy-hook.html
You can actually see a wide range of different burglars in this post Betsy wrote called Burglars, Thieves, and a Classic Picture Book Trope: https://www.slj.com/?detailStory=burglars-thieves-and-a-classic-picture-book-trope
Kate Recommends: How Stella Learned to Talk by Christina Hunger: https://www.washingtonpost.com/entertainment/books/stella-talking-dog-christina-hunger/2021/05/04/d20f5938-a9c3-11eb-8c1a-56f0cb4ff3b5_story.html
Betsy Recommends: The Printer's Row Literary Festival: https://printersrowlitfest.org/
For the Full Show Notes Please Visit: https://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2021/09/20/fuse-8-n-kate-pinkerton-behave-by-steven-kellogg/
We all we have our pet favorite books for children. Some were the ones we loved when we ourselves were kids. Others are the ones we enjoy reading to our own children. And a few are the ones we enjoy hearing our children read when they're learning how. This book falls into that final category. And part of the reason I love it is how weird it is. Take a trip back in time with us to 1959 where Ball Boy and Stalker Sally go on a series of misadventures as his ball attempts to destroy itself in a myriad number of ways.
Show Notes:
We mention that SLJ did an article about this podcast and lo and behold it's online as well. Visible here: https://www.slj.com/?detailStory=celebrate-the-200-episode-of-fuse-8-n-kate
This is the famous poster created by Fritz Siebel that won the contest that was judged by Eleanor Roosevelt. As we mention on the show, it apparently makes an appearance in The Spanish Prisoner: https://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/files/2021/09/SomeoneTalked.jpg
And here is what may arguably be Fritz's most famous creation to this day: Mr. Clean! https://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/files/2021/09/MrClean.png
Mind you, this marks the moment I went down the Mr. Clean rabbit hole. Wowzah. That is a weird rabbit hole to find yourself down. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rGihrE8uxeA&feature=emb_logo
Kate Recommends: Dug Days - https://disneyplusoriginals.disney.com/show/dug-days
Betsy Recommends: Stuff the British Stole - https://www.abc.net.au/radionational/programs/stuff-the-british-stole/
For the full Show Notes please visit: https://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2021/09/13/fuse-8-n-kate-stop-that-ball-by-mike-mcclintock-ill-fritz-siebel/
It's been a while since we tackled a book with that awe-inspiring, shiny Gold Caldecott medal on its cover. As such, it seemed wise to break out Paul O. Zelinsky's major award winner. Limiting our Into the Woods quotes to the bare minimum, Kate proves to be the perfect reader for this book, having only seen Tangled once, and that was while drunk and one-eyed. She's practically a clean slate! Plus, it seems appropriate to do a story on a woman attempting (and failing) to enforce chastity at a time when Texas is controlling women's bodies at an increasing rate.
For the full Show Notes please visit us at: https://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2021/09/06/fuse-8-n-kate-rapunzel-by-paul-o-zelinsky/
Though today you see books about Black hair pride in a lot of the children's picture books on the market today, we credit Natasha Tarpley for creating one of the very first back in 1998. Betsy will also confess that she did consider doing Nappy Hair by Carolivia Herron, which came out in 1997, but she didn't think she was adept enough to tackle the issues that came up when that book hit the marketplace. Instead, Kate and Betsy kvell at the wonder that is E.B. Lewis, discuss realism in picture book literature, and establish that yes, this book was indeed created in the 90s.
Show Notes:
A great interview that allows you to recap a lot what we discuss on the show can be found in this interview between Natasha Tarpley and Shondaland called "I Love My Hair" 20 Years Later: https://www.shondaland.com/inspire/books/a22791424/i-love-my-hair-natasha-tarpley-interview/
For those of you who didn't understand Betsy's Moxy Fruvous reference, this is the song she meant: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_9sYtfepRvc
For the full show notes please visit: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2021/08/30/fuse-8-n-kate-i-love-my-hair-by-natasha-anastasia-tarpley-ill-e-b-lewis/
Since we were 98% sure that we'd already done The Kissing Hand, this year's first day of school book came out 21 years ago. This book is huge with teachers and schools but isn't a book that won a lot of literary awards or anything. And with children heading back to school now, the timing could not be better. With its M. Night Shymalan-esque twist and fondness for slips and magenta clogs, this proves to be an excellent peek into the state of picture books circa 2000.
Show Notes:
So is it a Midwest thing for kids to go to school before Labor Day? Or are we just making this up?
Betsy mentions that another book did the exact same twist in its storyline. That book was Back to School Tortoise, which came out in 2011.
For the full Show Notes please visit: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2021/08/23/fuse-8-n-kate-first-day-jitters-by-julie-danneberg-ill-judy-love/
Could you publish a book today where a sibling relationship is anything other than sunshine and roses by the story's conclusion? Betsy says no, and she says the elaborate revenge fantasy of this week's podcast topic, I'll Fix Anthony, is a healthy catharsis for some children. Kate, needless to say, disagrees. Judith Viorst (best known for Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day) and Arnold Lobel (best known for Frog and Toad) got together and created this truly original, one-of-a-kind book. But does that mean it's any good? Our skilled critics take a deep dive into its legacy today (and come up with some pretty different reactions).
Show Notes:
Kate Recommends: Up to Speed on Hulu: https://www.hulu.com/series/up-to-speed-31eca3f1-0b45-4e07-8e1d-be2b55feece9
Betsy Recommends: Quinta Brunson in the skit If I Won 2nd Place at the Winter Olympics: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mnLljVxm_0k
For the full Show Notes please visit: https://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2021/08/09/fuse-8-n-kate-ill-fix-anthony-by-judith-viorst-ill-arnold-lobel/
With the thrall of the Olympics in the air, Kate and Betsy decided to do a sportsy picture book this week. And what they ended up with is arguably the most famous picture book in Canada. How famous is it? It's SO famous that a line from it has appeared on Canadian currency. It's SO famous that it has its own musical. We dodge around topics like Canada's Quiet Revolution (?), books with titles like La Guerre, Yes Sir!, Maurice "The Rocket" Richard, and Betsy mispronounces Tupac. Cause she can.
Show Notes:
Curious? Here's a glimpse of the musical they made of the book. We highly suspect it had a different resolution from that of the original tale: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dp3kyfjuELs
Betsy Recommends: The podcasts The Plot Thickens from TCM (season 2!) and Still Buffering.
Kate Recommends: Schmigadoon on Apple Plus
For the full Show Notes please visit: https://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2021/08/03/fuse-8-n-kate-the-hockey-sweater-by-roch-carrier-ill-sheldon-cohen-translated-by-sheila-fischman/
With the recent death of Floyd Cooper, we were inspired to discover which picture book of his could be best considered a "classic" of the genre. It's a hard call, and we're sure you have your own favorites, but we're going with this 1994 release. Plus, it has the extra added benefit of being the first Nikki Grimes title we've done on the show!
Show Notes:
Here you can enjoy this interview with Nikki Grimes, which delves deep into her life: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1evVHnBU5NE
For the full Show Notes please visit: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2021/07/26/fuse-8-n-kate-meet-danitra-brown-by-nikki-grimes-ill-floyd-cooper
On today's podcast we thought we might try another Audrey & Don Wood title above and beyond the already commented upon King Bidgood's In the Bathtub. It's a cumulative tale that has continued to remain in print for the last 37 years. We discuss tiny ligers, whether the mouse in this book has Toxoplasma gondii, and the likelihood of a carbon monoxide leak in this particular house.
Show Notes:
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At the top of the show we mention an exhibit at the Museum of Science and Industry. It's called Marvel: Universe of Super Heroes. If you're in the Chicago area in late August, September, or October, buy your tickets now! https://www.msichicago.org/explore/whats-here/exhibits/marvel-universe-of-super-heroes/
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The book mentioned in the course of things is The Lore and Language of Schoolchildren by the Iona and Peter Opie. Sendak was a particular fan. You see, in the 1950s, the Opies collected schoolyard poems, riddles, and chants from some 5,000 children attending 70 schools in different parts of England, Scotland, and Wales.
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Kate Recommends: Defunctland on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCVo63lbKHjC04KqYhwSZ_Pg
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Betsy Recommends: https://www.hbomax.com/series/urn:hbo:series:GYFE2Tg8P-76tMQEAAAAS
For the full Show Notes please visit: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2021/07/19/fuse-8-n-kate-the-napping-house-by-audrey-wood-ill-don-wood
Having already covered the recently departed legend Eric Carle, we figure it only makes sense (and is fair) to mention the other recently departed legend, Lois Ehlert. But which book to do? Betsy will confess to you that 95% of my choice to do this book was based on a letter Bad Kitty author Nick Bruel once wrote to Ms. Ehlert, alongside a box of chocolates (read on this show). In this episode the sisters insult one another's mom, discuss a TikTok challenge, and determine the proper pronunciation of "xigua" and its origins.
Show Notes:
Total Number of Fruits and Veggies From This Book That Kate Has Eaten: 41
Total Number of Fruits and Veggies From This Book That Betsy Has Eaten: 47
Kate mentions that if you put a grapefruit in the microwave, it'll spark. That, in turn, reminded Betsy of this episode of Radiolab, which examines why fruits and veggies spark in the microwave and what that truly means: https://www.wnycstudios.org/podcasts/radiolab/articles/big-little-questions
Kate mentions the Tik Tok strawberry challenge. We haven't watched this in its entirety, so we cannot attest if this is safe for work, but the first few are okay: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tmdi0FQRN1Q
Betsy Recommends: The podcasts Flash Forward (a podcast that examines the scientific possibilities of different outrageous futuristic situations) and The Marvel Reread Club (rereading Marvel comics and my husband is one of the hosts)
Kate Recommends: The board game Articulate
For the full Show Notes please visit: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2021/07/12/fuse-8-n-kate-eating-the-alphabet-by-lois-ehlert/(opens in a new tab)
Having failed to secure a proper Fourth of July picture book (and really, isn't the 4th soooo yesterday?) Betsy decided instead to take several listener recommendations and go all in on Jane Yolen's 1987 Caldecott Award winner. What better book to look at on these hot July days than a cold story of moonlit driven snow on a wintery night? Kate and Betsy try to make weird owl noises, debate why we don't eat them for food, and play the game of "Guess How Many Books Jane Yolen Has Written."
Show Notes:
You can read Jane Yolen's thoughts on the book here: https://www.janeyolen.com/owl-moon/
You can read editor Patricia Lee Gauch's thoughts on the book here: http://patricialeegauch.com/major-picture-books-edited-by-patricia-lee-gauch/
How did it do on the Top 100 Picture Books Poll on SLJ? In 2012 it was #30: https://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2012/06/05/top-100-picture-books-30-owl-moon-by-jane-yolen/
Kate Recommends: The Olympics (and please bear in mind that we recorded this before we knew who Sha'Carri Richardson was or that she wouldn't be allowed to compete this year)
Betsy Recommends: The recent episode of Sawbones on Physician Burnout: https://maximumfun.org/episodes/sawbones/physician-burnout/
For the full Show Notes please visit: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2021/07/05/fuse-8-n-kate-owl-moon-by-jane-yolen-ill-john-schoenherr/
Betsy thought she knew how this story was going to end, and it definitely took a hard right turn that she was NOT expecting. We're talking about Pete Seeger's Abiyoyo, a title Betsy first encountered as a child on Reading Rainbow. But what looks at first to be a simple case of cultural appropriation turns into something a bit more complicated. There are all kinds of twists and turns in our discussion today, and many of our assumptions walking in were upended. We talk scofflaws, why Abiyoyo is the opposite of Steven Universe, how this book is like that episode of The Twilight Zone called "It's a Good Life", whether monsters like to waltz, and the Red Scare. You know. Abiyoyo stuff!
Show Notes:
The Michael Hays website is a pretty darn good source of information so check it out for the background story we mention in the podcast: https://www.michaelhays.com/abiyoyo/index.html
Here's the article with the couple that named their toy store Abiyoyo. When Betsy read it she noticed that it was first place where Pete Seeger said something about crediting where he got the Abiyoyo story. This, in turn, made her curious enough that she started digging further: https://wellfleet.wickedlocal.com/news/20190523/abiyoyo-lives-on-as-place-to-celebrate-childhood-in-wellfleet
Also, apologies to Abiyoyo Returns. Because technically it does exist and technically we didn't mention it during the podcast: https://www.michaelhays.com/abiyoyo_studio/picture_books/abiyoyo_returns.html
Now, we're in luck with this one. There really is a full Reading Rainbow episode with Abiyoyo available on YouTube. But clearly Betsy's memory of this one was flawed because she completely forgot that Lionel Ritchie and Run DMC make appearances of one sort or another (to say nothing of Tears For Fears and more). This is an amazing deep dive into late 80s 80snesses. Best thing you'll see all day: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fTq-uJ4P0j8&t=474s
Betsy Recommends: The Helen Yoon Instagram feed: https://www.instagram.com/helenyoonillustration/
Also the second season of Marlon and Jake Discuss Dead People: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/marlon-and-jake-read-dead-people/id1492163935
Kate Recommends: One Simple Wish: https://static.onesimplewish.org/
For the full Show Notes please visit us here: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2021/06/28/fuse-8-n-kate-abiyoyo-by-pete-seeger-ill-michael-hays/
Betsy wanted to do books in honor of the recently deceased Eric Carle and Lois Ehlert, but then Kate went and got married and Betsy had a writing retreat the week after that. Now they are back! Kate's got a ring, Betsy's got a manuscript (sorta), and they've both got a book from Eric Carle to discuss. A book with nudity! A book that's been banned more than once! A book that includes neat little details. And stay tuned and see if you can catch something new in the closing credits.
Show Notes:
Here's the Literary Hub breakdown of that fake Eric Carle info that was making the rounds right after his death: https://lithub.com/that-inspiring-eric-carle-quote-making-the-rounds-yesterday-was-actually-an-april-fools-joke/
And here is the interview where Eric Carle talked about A Week With Willie the Worm: https://metro.co.uk/2009/03/20/hungry-caterpillar-author-on-zoo-maths-566674/
For the full Show Notes please visit: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2021/06/21/fuse-8-n-kate-draw-me-a-star-by-eric-carle/
"Somebody's getting maaarried!" People of a certain generation will know to sing that line to a tune created for the film The Muppets Take Manhattan. Of course in our case, it's Kate who is getting hitched later this week (on Friday!). So while we do want to do a book in honor of Eric Carle and one in honor of Lois Ehlert, this is not the right week to do so. But what wedding related picture book could Betsy possibly come up with? None other than the very German picture book The Pigs' Wedding. Of course the last German import we did was Duck, Death and the Tulip, so let's hope this book is a tad bit cheerier. How accurate is the wedding in this book? Kate's in a primo position to comment on this point. So are you ready? It's schwein time!
Show Notes:
Betsy mentions at one point that there is a Weston Woods video of this book. Here is a selection of that film, including the story's song. Now, fully orchestrated. 100 points if you can name the narrator: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u9soBEvNzUQ
Betsy Recommends: New seasons of Owl House, Lego Masters, My Dad Wrote a Porno, and Marlon & Jake Read Dead People
Kate Recommends: hirokisan79 : https://www.instagram.com/hirokisan79/?hl=en
For the full Show Notes please visit: https://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2021/05/31/fuse-8-n-kate-the-pigs-wedding-by-helme-heine/
In honor of the recent death of children's author Arnold Adoff, Betsy thought it might be a good idea to consider a book that many call the first professionally published picture book to feature a biracial family published in the United States. Originally released in 1973, we look at the 2002 edition (re-illustrated by the same artist as the first time, Emily Arnold McCully). Betsy gets very excited about the fact that Adoff was not only married to Virginia Hamilton, but that he met her as a nightclub singer when he was managing Mingus. Now THAT is a how-we-met story!
For the full Show Notes please visit: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2021/05/23/fuse-8-n-kate-black-is-brown-is-tan-by-arnold-adoff-ill-emily-arnold-mccully/
"I am perfectly willing to believe that this is a stupidflock." Kate's getting very fond of giving Betsy challenges. This week? To do another celebrity picture book. Betsy had already handed her a Julie Andrews, and it's still too soon to do Madonna. Where does that leave them? Well, let me put it this way: If you wanted to learn about a book based on a film that included in its cast (amongst others) Estelle Getty and Melissa Etheridge, today's your lucky day. Kate and Betsy tackle Harvey Fierstein's still-in-print picture book, The Sissy Duckling, illustrated by Henry Cole. Cole, for the record, also illustrated And Tango Makes Three, thereby solidifying his status as specializing in bird picture books that defy heteronormative power structures.
Show Notes:
If you're curious about that interview between PW and Harvey Fierstein (where he says some really smart and cogent things) you can find it here: https://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/authors/interviews/article/40277-pw-talks-with-harvey-fierstein.html
Kate Recommends: Bailey Sarian - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtNdVINwfYFTQEEZgMiQ8FA
Betsy Recommends: Staged - https://www.hulu.com/series/staged-d5821ceb-5a42-468c-a825-42a2739b48c6
For the full Show Notes please visit: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2021/05/17/fuse-8-n-kate-the-sissy-duckling-by-harvey-fierstein-ill-henry-cole/
We've been through the desert on a horse with no name. Now we don't usually feel a need to warn you guys ahead of time, but here's the low-down on this week's book. Long story short, we don't much care for it. A little disheartening too that Paul Goble won a Caldecott for this title 43 years before the first picture book Award (not Honor) went to an Indigenous illustrator (2021's We Are Water Protectors). Kate and Betsy discuss its many of the problematic elements. At length. With relish.
Show Notes:
Betsy's book giveaway is still happening this week. If you'd like to enter to win a bound copy just head over here: https://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2021/04/29/book-giveaway-long-road-to-the-circus-by-betsy-bird/
A couple links for you on the book coming via American Indians in Children's Literature:
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About Paul Goble and His Books: https://americanindiansinchildrensliterature.blogspot.com/2009/07/about-paul-goble-and-his-books.html
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Dear Mr. Goble: Questions for Paul Goble about THE GIRL WHO LOVED WILD HORSES https://americanindiansinchildrensliterature.blogspot.com/2011/04/dear-mr-goble-questions-for-paul-goble.html
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NOT RECOMMENDED: Paul Goble's THE GIRL WHO LOVED WILD HORSES https://americanindiansinchildrensliterature.blogspot.com/2014/06/paul-gobles-girl-who-loved-wild-horses.html
Kate Recommends: Falcon and the Winter Soldier Betsy Recommends: The Sound of Metal
For the complete Show Notes please visit: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2021/05/03/fuse-8-n-kate-the-girl-who-loved-wild-horses-by-paul-goble/
Today, Kate argues that the true title of this book should really be "Mr. Grumpy", that Forrest Gump has some similarities to the text (that one's a stretch), and Betsy commends the book's excellent use of the term "squabble". Kate also says that Mr. Gumpy should have told the Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly to shut her mouth and all would have been well, while Betsy wonders if Mr. Gumpy's lines only sound rude when Americans say his lines.
For the full Show Notes please visit: https://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2021/04/26/fuse-8-n-kate-mr-gumpys-outing-by-john-burningham/
When it comes to Arthur there is LOT to pick apart! Thanks, in large part, to the television show from 1996 which (checks watch) is still playing to this day. We go way way way back to 1976 to his VERY post-60s semi-psychedelic origins. Back when he actually looked like the aardvark he claims, to this day, to be. We talk earth pigs, children's access to unnecessary cosmetic surgery, and how the entire point of the book is for the hero to fail to do something. And if you want a look at the racism debates surrounding the series, we have that as well.
Show Notes:
Kate wasn't lying. The "John Legend looks like Arthur" thing is real. Just check out the Bustle article "This Video Of John Legend Dressing Like Arthur & Recreating The Fist Meme Is Everything": https://www.bustle.com/p/john-legend-dressed-like-arthur-brought-the-fist-meme-to-life-in-a-new-commercial-with-chrissy-teigen-video-8906163
And since we're doing articles, you may also wish to read "Marc Brown on Arthur's nose job and other vital issues": https://www.dallasnews.com/arts-entertainment/architecture/2012/04/16/marc-brown-on-arthur-s-nose-job-and-other-vital-issues/
For the full Show Notes please visit: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2021/04/19/fuse-8-n-kate-arthurs-nose-by-marc-brown/
Hope ya like math, happy people! Today we take a look at what may well be the best known math-related picture book that doesn't involve just counting. By some odd quirk of fate, Betsy has chaired the Mathical Book Prize committee, and One Grain of Rice was awarded its Hall of Fame status. Today Kate and Betsyt talk about Demi's real name, her hugely famous ancestors, and why she's called "Demi" at all. And hey, is that really true that we don't throw rice at weddings anymore because uncooked rice can injure birds' stomachs? Or is that a myth? We just don't now what's real anymore.
Show Notes:
Betsy will take any excuse to show a video from Schoolhouse Rock: Multiplication Rock! Her choice for today is the oddest of the multiplication songs, in part because it is voiced by Blossom Dearie: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1osRBP38ZEo
Betsy Recommends: The Beginner's Guide to Growing Great Vegetables by Lorene Edwards Forkner
Kate Recommends: The Try Guys - https://www.youtube.com/c/tryguys
For the full Show Notes please visit: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2021/04/12/fuse-8-n-kate-one-grain-of-rice-by-demi/
In the hopes of recognizing some Asian and Asian-American picture books that don't, for a change, contain horrible stereotypes, Kate and Betsy wanted to look at a good book. Trouble is, they have a 20-year rule when it comes to books they consider. That means no Bee-Bim Bop and no Henry and the Kite Dragon. They're too recent! Betsy eschewed The Name Jar since it was a little too close to the content of last week's Chrysanthemum. But why not do the very first Grace Lin picture book? So she snagged the ten-year anniversary edition. We compare aspects of this to The Little Red Hen (eat yer posies, neighbors!) and speculate as to whether or not Grace Lin might want to become a vegetable seed supplier if this whole writing-award-winning-children's-books gig doesn't work out.
Show Notes:
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Not for the kiddos, here is a link to Amy Schumer's carrot. It is . . . far worse than you imagine: https://www.cheatsheet.com/entertainment/amy-schumers-hilarious-thanksgiving-carrot-has-2020-written-all-over-it.html/
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Here is where you can go to find the obscure stories that didn't make it into Wild Things: Acts of Mischief in Children's Literature. Just keep scrolling down and they will eventually reveal themselves to you: http://wildthings.blaine.org/
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Betsy Recommends: The Pop Culture Happy Hour episodes on the Muppets here: https://www.npr.org/2021/04/01/983488978/top-10-muppets-as-voted-by-listeners
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Betsy Recommends: The podcast Anglophilia: https://www.anglophiliapodcast.com/
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Kate Recommends: Our dad's poem A Homily in the Church of Baseball: https://fetzer.org/blog/homily-church-baseball?fbclid=IwAR2Uaw4isUMKfneMk-ppTT7Lzs46CNznUkph4Xwevp9xDVFc7b9klwihWqc
For the full Show Notes please visit: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2021/04/05/fuse-8-n-kate-the-ugly-vegetables-by-grace-lin/
Her children mocked MOCKED Betsy, I say, when she informed them that she and Kate had not yet discussed Chrysanthemum on the podcast. Why the shock and horror? Well, apparently they've done 176 episodes and yet completely failed to acknowledge what could arguably be called Kevin Henkes's most famous picture book. Why the bold claim? Well, insofar as we can tell, 21st century children find themselves being read this book MULTIPLE times during the course of their school career. And why not? This is peak Henkes, back when he was in the thick of his mouse-related picture books phase. And now, Kate and Betsy are able to right a great wrong. And they have so many questions! Why does Victoria always wear gloves? What's that furry thing coming out of Chrysanthemum's pocket? Where else would Mrs. Chud like to be? And finally, could this book really be written today?
Show Notes:
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One thing that Betsy failed to mention in the course of this podcast is that Kevin Henkes has a new novel out this year. Billy Miller Makes a Wish, the sequel to The Year of Billy Miller, is out April 6th. So, soon!
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To read the only interview with Kevin Henkes I was able to find about writing Chrysanthemum, go here: http://www.judynewmanatscholastic.com/blog/2019/08/author-interview-kevin-henkes-chrysanthemum/
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And finally, this book came in at #66 on the Top 100 Picture Books Poll, back in the day: https://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2012/05/23/top-100-picture-books-66-chrysanthemum-by-kevin-henkes/
To read the full Show Notes please visit us here: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2021/03/29/fuse-8-n-kate-chrysanthemum-by-kevin-henkes
St. Patrick's Day comes early this year! Is it the worst classic-picture-book-holiday of all time? That's Betsy's take. But Kate challenged her to find such a beast, so she figured she'd cut her losses and hand over two to choose from. She didn't anticipate that Kate would choose BOTH! Betsy mostly chose one because it was the first time she'd seen that particular author/illustrator pairing. She chose the other because libraries pull it out every single year for their displays. No spoilers, but in the end Kate prefers the one chock full of physical violence and bodily harm. Can you blame her?
Show Notes:
If you don't understand what Kate and Betsy are doing with poor Danny Boy, behold their source material: https://youtu.be/OCbuRA_D3KU
Kate's Grown-Up Thing We Like: Smart House's Dryer Vent Cleaner Kit. It's like a drain weasel for your dryer vent!
Betsy's Grown-Up Thing We Like: Nomadland, the film starring Frances McDormand, now streaming on Netflix.
For the full Show Notes please visit: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2021/03/15/fuse-8-n-kate-st-patricks-day-in-the-morning-by-eve-bunting-tim-otoole-and-the-week-folk-by-gerald-mcdermott/
And to think we had never read this book before. When we heard that the Dr. Seuss estate was pulling six relatively obscure Seuss titles from publication due to offensive content, we thought we might try one on for size. We'd already done the worst of the bunch (inarguably If I Ran the Zoo) but since we just did Eric Carle's very first illustrated picture book last week, why not do the very first Dr. Seuss circa 1937? That was a while ago. Beatrix Potter liked it, but will we? Mmm.
Show Notes:
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Should you wish to read it, you can find the New York Times piece Dr. Seuss Books Are Pulled and a Cancel Culture Controversy Erupts here: https://www.nytimes.com/2021/03/04/books/dr-seuss-books.html
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Kate mentions in the course of things that Universal has a If I Ran the Zoo section. We then discovered the newspaper article Universal Orlando 'evaluating' future of Seuss Landing, named after yanked book: https://nypost.com/2021/03/03/universal-evaluating-area-named-for-yanked-dr-seuss-book/
-Recall that this book came up as problematic in the past. Grace Lin called this one out years ago. As recently as 2017 she saw that it was part of a mural at the Dr. Seuss Museum and brought it to national attention: https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=2ahUKEwjgsrzd35_vAhWKbs0KHUPTCVwQFjAAegQIARAD&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.nytimes.com%2F2017%2F10%2F06%2Fus%2Fdr-seuss-museum-mural.html&usg=AOvVaw2WtK9WMmdZR69L6rQeL-72
- Kate's Grown-Up Things She Likes: Nightstalker: The Hunt for a Serial Killer -https://www.netflix.com/title/81025701
-The Podcast: My Favorite Murder - https://myfavoritemurder.com/
-Betsy's Grown-Up Things She Likes: My Heritage, Deep Nostalgia. https://www.myheritage.com/deep-nostalgia
For the full Show Notes please visit: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2021/03/08/fuse-8-n-kate-and-to-think-that-i-saw-it-on-mulberry-street-by-dr-seuss/
Our very first screw up! Huzzah! Betsy walked into the recording with Kate safe in the knowledge that they hadn't done Chicka Chicka Boom Boom before. Never mind that they actually did do it almost exactly a year ago. Whoops. So in a pinch Betsy decides the time is right to do a different Bill Martin Jr. It's the very first book that Eric Carle ever illustrated and he's redone it something like five times. In the course of things Kate puts forward the theory that this is the picture book version of Rockwell's I Always Feel Like Somebody's Watching Me. Kate and Betsy also view it through the lens of post-McCarthyism and Kate has an under the radar discussion of what's really going on with the Black Sheep.
Show Notes:
So actually it was powdered gelatin that the Horse of Another Color was covered in. Don't think too hard about what the gelatin was made of: https://oz.fandom.com/wiki/Horse_of_a_Different_Color
Like we say, check out the Eric Carle Museum here, if you get a chance: https://www.carlemuseum.org/content/current-exhibitions
For the full Show Notes please visit: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2021/03/01/fuse-8-n-kate-brown-bear-brown-bear-what-do-you-see/
If for nothing else, you should listen to Kate's story at the beginning of this episode because it will be the craziest dang thing you've heard in a while. A truly great story.
Now last week Kate challenged Betsy to do something in honor of Black History Month. So Betsy dove deep into the Coretta Scott King winners of the past and discovered a gaping hole in our roster. How we hadn't done this book already is beyond us but we think a book that takes place in the steaming hot days of a NYC summer is precisely what we need in dreary February. Bonus: Betsy finally gave Kate a story that makes sense, has color, and doesn't contain 500 words per page.
Show Notes:
I mention a somewhat strange cat fact about the heights at which they can survive. If you're curious about it, check out the Wired article How Can a Cat Survive a High-Rise Fall? Physics! https://www.wired.com/story/how-can-a-cat-survive-a-high-rise-fall-physics/
Here you can watch Faith Ringgold reading the book in 2016: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h9RKJleFdBU
For the full Show Notes please visit: https://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2021/02/22/fuse-8-n-kate-tar-beach-by-faith-ringgold/
If one were to attempt a Valentine's Day podcast episode (or, in this case, a day-after-Valentine's-Day-post) involving romance, what picture book would you choose? Or, to be a little more precise, what classic picture book best embodies the spirit of Valentine's Day? We're pretty sure it wouldn't be this book, but that's just because sentient candy oinkers aren't really an American thing. We've done two Russell Hoban books on this podcast already (Bread and Jam for Frances and Emmet Otter's Jugband Christmas) so why not just top it off with a third? The most notable aspect of this book? We think it finally broke Kate's brain.
Show Notes:
In the show, we promise to show you Posankka, the mix of a marzipan pig mixed with a rubber ducky. We're including it here, but even seeing it here just . . . it just . . . wow: https://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/files/2021/02/Posankka.jpg
Betsy references the very odd film adaptation they made of today’s book. As she says on the podcast, she used to show this to the small children around Valentine’s Day at the Jefferson Market Branch of NYPL. She couldn’t find the full film online, but she has at least found the beginning. This gives you a taste of its strange and wonderful start: https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=EqFmxJgUfnwFuse 8 n’ Kate: The Marzipan Pig by Russell Hoban, ill. Quentin Blake February 15, 2021 by Elizabeth Bird Leave a Comment (Edit)
If one were to attempt a Valentine’s Day podcast episode (or, in this case, a day-after-Valentine’s-Day-post) involving romance, what picture book would you choose? Or, to be a little more precise, what classic picture book best embodies the spirit of Valentine’s Day? We’re pretty sure it wouldn’t be this book, but that’s just because sentient candy oinkers aren’t really an American thing. We’ve done two Russell Hoban books on this podcast already (Bread and Jam for Frances and Emmet Otter’s Jugband Christmas) so why not just top it off with a third? The most notable aspect of this book? I think it finally broke Kate’s brain.
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:
In the show, I promise to show you Posankka, the mix of a marzipan pig mixed with a rubber ducky. I’m including it here, but even seeing it here just . . . it just . . . wow.
When I think of this Pig, I think about how it wants to be eaten like the cow in the Restaurant at the End of the Universe.
Tell me your day isn’t at least slightly improved by this Quentin Blake image of an owl dancing in the street.
Not good enough? Try a dancing bee then!
I reference the very odd film adaptation they made of today’s book. As I say on the podcast, I used to show this to the small children around Valentine’s Day at the Jefferson Market Branch of NYPL. I couldn’t find the full film online, but I have at least found the beginning. This gives you a taste of its strange and wonderful start:
And this is the link from listener Erin of two sisters going through real estate listings. Thanks, Erin: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xJqycg_KcuU&list=PL9X_hxn7HlqV_UkOFFsJugCuO7BwrRHkB
For the full Show Notes please visit: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2021/02/15/fuse-8-n-kate-the-marzipan-pig-by-russell-hoban-ill-quentin-blake/
In lieu of anything romantic, what with Valentine's Day on the horizon, Betsy thought she'd treat Kate to a wordless picture book chock full of more details than she could ever shake a stick at. Mitsumasa Anno died on December 24, 2020 and Betsy realized they'd never done one of his books on the show. The sheer amount of intricate dots in this title would make Peter Sis blush. Will Kate like it? Let's just put it this way: When she comes back from reading it she says it's full of, "Duels, clowns and butts!" Everything, in fact, a person might want in a picture book. We should warn you, though. There is just SO MUCH going on in this book that we had to leave a lot out. So if you're sad that we didn't mention the love story, the toy boat on the river that keeps popping up, the Aesop fable of the dog and its reflection, the slowly filling painting of the glass of wine, etc. we know they're there. There's only so much time in the day.
Show Notes:
- Should you ever be intrigued by the Mitsumasa Anno Art Museum, you can find information on it here: https://visitkinosaki.com/things-to-do/the-wakuden-woods-art-museum/
For the full Show Notes please visit us here: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2021/02/08/fuse-8-n-kate-annos-journey-by-mitsumasa-anno/(opens in a new tab)
Are you ready for a thoughtful consideration of some very angry feelings? YES YOU ARE! This week Betsy shows Kate a book that, in many ways, really inspired the plethora of books about strong emotions (and how to deal with them) that so many books replicate today. A lot of us are feeling like Sophie these days. It's funny how you can not think directly about a book for a long time and then see it and suddenly have wild opinions about it. But are Betsy's opinions pro or con? Are Kate's? There are many thoughts swirling around this title. Take a listen and see what theirs are.
Show Notes:
Here is the aforementioned heckuva good website that Ms. Molly Bang runs, particularly the part about Sophie: https://www.mollybang.com/Pages/sophie.html
For the full Show Notes please visit: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2021/02/01/fuse-8-n-kate-when-sophie-gets-angry-really-really-angry-by-molly-bang/
On this most auspicious day in which the Newbery and Caldecott winners are announced (amongst many other fine and wonderful awards), we thought it might be a nice change of pace to do a cult classic. In other words, a book that never had a chance of winning a literary award a day of its life. This book, which Betsy has in her possession was a gift from her friend and fellow co-writer on Wild Things, Peter Sieruta. It is not in print. Good luck finding a copy. But if you'd like to read it for yourself, you can find the full text online here: https://www.scribd.com/doc/24325132/Suzuki-Beane
Show Notes:
Much to Betsy's great delight, she found that Sometimes You Have to Lie: The Life and Times of Louise Fitzhugh, Renegade Author of Harriet the Spy by Louise Brody contains the most thorough history of the creation and intentions behind Suzuki Beane you have ever seen. DO consult it, if you want to know more about this book and maybe not the Wikipedia entry which, for whatever reason, quotes Betsy.
The Columbia Journalism Review has a wonderful piece called Hip: What's In a Name? on the birth of the term "hipster", that I highly recommend you check out: https://www.cjr.org/language_corner/hipster_whats_in_a_name.php
Check out the full Show Notes at: https://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/?p=41201
There is a certain type of picture book that can be best described as a Love It or Loathe It title. These are books that some people adore with their whole heart without irony. And there are books that some people loathe deep down to their very souls without apology. It had been a long time since Betsy had handed Kate a Giving Tree or Rainbow Fish. So how would she react to this particular old chestnut? Published in 1994 in Great Britain and 1995 in the States, few would contest that this book became an instant hit when it debuted and hasn't lost love of the public since. We delve real deep into the deep psychological compunctions of male nutbrown hares including their latent daddy issues.
Show Notes:
Here's the pop-up book, which actually worked remarkably well: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UtLYG-axzDs
You can find the text from Bad British Accent Reader's Theater here: http://www.guesshowmuchiloveyou.com/the-story
If you've big feelings to get out after seeing this cover, perhaps the piece Can You Guess How Much I Want to Punch You in the Crotch Right Now Big Nutbrown Hare? from Medium can bring you some peace: https://medium.com/the-hit-job/can-you-guess-how-much-i-want-to-punch-you-in-the-crotch-right-now-big-nutbrown-hare-7fc59a1e0b29
The podcasts Betsy recommends are:
This Is Love - https://thisislovepodcast.com/ Ologies - https://www.alieward.com/ologies Completely Arbortrary - https://www.completelyarbortrary.com/
For the full Show Notes please visit: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2021/01/18/fuse-8-n-kate-guess-how-much-i-love-you-by-sam-mcbratney-ill-anita-jeram/
Betsy already loved all three of today's potential Caldecott Award winners down to the cold cockles of her shriveled little heart. The track record on this show hasn’t been too shabby either. In 2020 Kate and Betsy identified Going Down Home With Daddy as a winner (just don’t ask how they did in 2019). In the course of this recording the sisters discover that the most amusing way to talk about the information at the end of a book is to say “backmatterbackmatterbackmatterbackmatter”. Kate meanwhile falls hard for one of the contenders. Let’s see if you can guess which book made her cry, “In the beginning I didn’t want to see it and now I don’t WANNA LET IT GO!!!”
Show Notes:
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The ALA Youth Media Awards will stream live on Monday, Jan. 25, 2021, at 8 a.m. CT right here: https://ala.unikron.com/
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Remember! Anytime you need to know how to pronounce someone's name and they work with children's books, go to TeachingBooks.net. The pronunciations of everything from Scieszka and Krosozka to Goade and Bird are there: https://www.teachingbooks.net/
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Here is the link to Betsy's interview with Carole Lindstrom and Michaela Goade. WELL worth your time. Those women are amazing: https://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2020/04/28/a-book-that-demands-respect-interviewing-the-creators-of-we-are-water-protectors/
-Here is the piece How Children's Books Grapple with the Native American Experience on NPR: https://www.npr.org/2021/01/03/953073970/how-children-s-books-grapple-with-the-native-american-experience
For the full Show Notes please visit us: https://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2021/01/11/fuse-8-n-kate-2021-caldecott-contenders/
After one of our listeners made the point that the bulk of books we've done on our podcast have been illustrated by male artists we've been trying to make a conscious effort to increase the number of women we read. And WHAT book, I ask you, could have more classic potential than Barbara Cooney's best known? We talk invasive species, seed bombing, how nice it is to read a book that doesn't call a single woman a spinster, and why it is that Maine loves its children's book creators more than any other state.
Show Notes:
Curious about the Lupine Award? You can see the full list of winners here: https://mainelibraries.org/lupine-winners
Huzzah! Here is Dennis Moore! The highwayman who only steals lupines: https://www.dailymotion.com/video/x5v0voc
And here's Kate's Tabletop recommendation, Tokaido. In the course of things she mentions this Will Wheaton show: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pipFRzGYgdk&feature=emb_logo
For the full Show Notes please visit: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2020/12/28/fuse-8-n-kate-miss-rumphius-by-barbara-cooney/
"Christmas was coming, and money was more scarce than ever." How we hadn't thought to do this picture book for the Christmas holiday season yet is beyond us. Betsy simply adores the Jim Henson adaptation of this book . . . and Kate loathes it. Knowing that, Betsy still gave her the book and the two discover that this is the ultimate 2020 COVID Christmas title. I mean, what other holiday book can you name where the characters actually say, "Maybe Christmas next year will be better." In the course of things Betsy throws down a challenge for our listeners to come up with a classic Kwanzaa picture book, Kate postulates that Emmet Otter's father may have some second family somewhere ("Only charming people have two families, Betsy"), and we discuss the possibility that Emmet is going to have to take a job as a rumrunner to pay for that piano he wants to get his Ma.
Show Notes:
Since this is a Russell and Lillian Hoban title, make sure you listen to us discuss Bread and Jam for Frances in a previous episode: https://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2019/01/07/fuse-8-n-kate-bread-and-jam-for-frances-by-russell-hoban-ill-lillian-hoban/
If you’re curious about the interview Betsy conducted with Russell Hoban in 2010, you can read the transcript here: https://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2018/04/24/discovered-in-the-archives-an-interview-with-russell-hoban-2010/
Interested in getting your hands on some Emmet Otter swag? Get yer t-shirts here: https://gumroad.com/otterschicago
This shirt is a reference to this blooper reel from the Jim Henson special: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sqWJD1ov6oY
Or you can get these cute little felted characters for a bit of a high price here: https://www.etsy.com/listing/213103717/felted-otter-felted-muppet-emmet-otter?ga_order=most_relevant&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_search_query=neda+art&ref=sr_gallery-1-1&bes=1
Read the rest of the Show Notes here: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2020/12/21/fuse-8-n-kate-emmet-otters-jug-band-christmas-by-russell-and-lillian-hoban/
Happy Hanukkah! Having read the recent PW Children's Bookshelf announcement that a new edition of Latkes and Applesauce by Fran Manushkin is due to be republished in 2022, I thought this might be the perfect time to revisit the old book. The announcement said it was a classic, so we figured we'd check and see how well it had stood up so far. Along the way we also cover how "Big Latke" got to Kate, TBD dogs and cats, what Daveed Diggs has to do with Hanukkah, and why Betsy probably shouldn't confuse "Maccabee" with "Mennonite".
Show Notes:
Oh yeah. We had to include "Puppy for Hanukkah" with Daveed Diggs song in here. I think we just found something to oust "8 Crazy Nights" from its throne: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gbxyZAduGvY
Curious about PJ Library and the free books they provide? Check out Betsy's interview with Meredith Lewis about them in the piece 21st Century Oral Storytelling: How PJ Library Connects Kids to Their Heritage via Podcasting: https://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2020/01/14/21st-century-oral-storytelling-how-pj-library-connects-kids-to-their-heritage-via-podcasting/
Feel free to listen to our previous Hanukkah episodes about Hershel and the Hanukkah Goblins: https://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2017/12/18/fuse-8-n-kate-hershel-and-the-hanukkah-goblins-by-eric-kimmel-ill-trina-schart-hyman/
As well as The Latke Who Couldn't Stop Screaming: https://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2018/12/11/fuse-8-n-kate-the-latke-who-couldnt-stop-screaming-by-lemony-snicket-ill-lisa-brown/
For the full Show Notes, please visit us at: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2020/12/14/fuse-8-n-kate-latkes-and-applesauce-by-fran-manushkin-ill-robin-spowart/
An orange fellow is told to leave over and over and over again. So it clearly has nothing to do with the state of the world today. As we mention on today’s podcast episode, when it finally occurred to Betsy to have Kate read this book, she was slightly worried that maybe it would no longer be timely. HA HA! No worries there! We go through all the political ties it has had to world leaders, and Kate brings up the peculiar aspect of watching someone berate a little cute guy into leaving. I mean, whose side are we supposed to be on here? “This poor cutie-patootie”. If you’ve never listened to one of our podcasts before, we might recommend this as a place to start. It’s a lot of fun.
Show Notes:
Betsy's Mooney info about whether or not this book had any direct ties to calls for Richard Nixon to resign can be found on pages 20 and 21 of the book Wild Things: Acts of Mischief in Children’s Literature which she co-wrote with Jules Danielson and Peter Sieruta: http://wildthings.blaine.org/?page_id=2
Yeah. I think you could make a good Donald J. Trump Will You Please Go Now! mock picture book but this is not it: https://archive.org/details/DJTWYPGNBook/mode/2up
Interested in that puzzle Kate mentioned? Feel free to purchase it here: https://www.target.com/p/puzzleworks-vintage-christmas-1000-piece-jigsaw-puzzle/-/A-80041949
Meanwhile here’s a link to that Bill Nye podcast Science Rocks where he talks with Yuval Noah Harari about the roll of storytelling in the development of the human species. If you’re an author and want to justify your existence on earth, this will help: https://www.stitcher.com/show/science-rules-with-bill-nye/episode/yuval-noah-harari-charts-the-evolution-of-homo-sapiens-200207067
For the full Show Notes please visit us at: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2020/12/07/fuse-8-n-kate-marvin-k-mooney-will-you-please-go-now-by-dr-seuss/
We don't care what any of you say. Sweet potatoes shall never cross these Thanksgiving plates of ours. To celebrate the season, though we all know it's pared down terribly this year, Kate requested a Thanksgiving picture book classic. We got some great suggestions from our readers all of which Betsy is placing on the back burner for next year. That's because this year she's doing a book circa 1971. In the course of things, Kate creates a shocking backstory worthy of V.C. Andrews while Betsy deep dives into Agatha Christie territory and starts speculating about how the incipient murder would take place. In other words, Thanksgiving fun for the whole family!
Show Notes:
Betsy could not be more pleased. After mentioning on the podcast that she suspected that as a child she saw a film based on Wendy and Harry Devlin's book about a witch, she looked it up on YouTube, found it, and in the show notes it says "The life of a witch is disrupted by the arrival of a boy and his mother. The intruders' presence makes her struggle to adjust to the modern world, and to change from bad to good witch. Based on the book 'Old Black Witch' by Wende and Harry Devlin." Apparently it was playing in elementary schools in the 70s as well as the 80s. One wonders when it was finally retired: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kkDmt8YsZN4
Aw, heck. It's almost Thanksgiving. Here's a little treat. The Thanksgiving Song Betsy asked Kate to sing (and we MIGHT point out that on the spot she was able to sing this song verbatim, which is remarkable): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LLQyjpHiM5A
Betsy wasn't kidding about The National covering this song, by the way: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KExughc7RE0
And you can see the Addams Family version of a Thanksgiving song here, which Kate alludes to: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p7v-LQsQKoY
Here is Christine Taylor-Butler's piece on Gender Inequity: Caldecott by the Numbers. #KidlitWomen. And a big thank you to Sarah Brannen for pointing out the disparity in the sex of the creators we feature on our podcast: https://christinetaylorbutler.wordpress.com/2018/03/01/gender-inequity-caldecott-by-the-numbers/
For the full Show Notes please visit: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2020/11/23/fuse-8-n-kate-cranberry-thanksgiving-by-wende-and-harry-devlin/
Last week Betsy gave Kate a book so chock full of details that one listener said it was the literary equivalent of The House on the Rock. In other words, just STUFFED full of stuff. This week, Betsy went an entirely different direction. She'd been avoiding doing Freight Train by Donald Crews on the podcast for a while. Why? Because it is an exceedingly simple title. Almost pure in its limited elements. And, to be frank, she couldn't figure out what Kate could possibly think to talk about. But as time goes on, it just seemed weirder and weirder to her that the podcast hadn't done any Donald Crews yet. Listen in then as Betsy crows over the importance of books where you can bounce a small child on your knee while making "chugga-chugga" noises while Kate imitates the call of the zebra.
For full Show Notes please visit: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2020/11/16/fuse-8-n-kate-freight-train-by-donald-crews/
Betsy's attempts to break Kate go nowhere this week, even when the book is being discussed is the most detail-heavy title of this podcast to date. Now Kate starts off this episode saying that she does NOT want to talk about the presidential race. Indeed, this was recorded on Thursday, and you all know how different the world was then. Quote Kate, she just wanted to do a book about "cute cats and slugs". And for the first time ever, that is a request Betsy can accommodate. The end result is still a bit of a deep dive. Just not an extensive one.
For the full Show Notes please visit: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2020/11/09/fuse-8-n-kate-animalia-by-graeme-base/
The first time Kate encountered Madeline, she did not care for her. But what if she encountered yet ANOTHER Madeline title? Would she like it better? Before selecting this week's book, Betsy hadn't remembered that there is significantly less Madeline inside of it. Will that help or hurt the book's chances of becoming a classic? Betsy and Kate spend an inordinate amount of time saying "Lord Cucuface", discuss "the happiness of a father of a husband", and tackle why the ending of this book bugs Betsy in the same way that the ending of the movie of The Wizard of Oz does.
Show Notes:
If you missed it before, here is Betsy's interview with Ludwig Bemelmans' daughter Barbara: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2020/10/13/sunshine-on-my-bookshelf-makes-me-happy-a-classic-returns-and-an-interview-with-barbara-bemelmans/
For the full Show Notes please visit: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2020/11/02/fuse-8-n-kate-madelines-rescue-by-ludwig-bemelmans/
I've saved the scariest book this month for last! "I'm not saying that Spooky Old Tree doesn't give you the jim-jams (because it doesn't), but ..." It's our very first Paul Galdone too! Took us long enough to get to him. As Kate says of today's book, "Well, THAT didn't end how I thought it would!" We discuss how this book relates to the film Best in Show, why my Tailypo imitation is a little too Gollum-esque, and why this may be the first book we've ever done on the show that ends with murder.
Show Notes:
A whole slew of different variations abound at AppLit's Annotated Index of Folktales. This is where you can find a large number of different names for this story. My favorite is Chunk o' Meat: http://www2.ferrum.edu/applit/bibs/tales/index.htm
If you heard Kate discussing "In Search of the Sanderson Sisters: A Hocus Pocus Hulaween Takeover", and you wanted to join in the fun then you can purchase tickets for the event here: https://watch.eventive.org/nyrphulaween/play/5f8cae40eec5900148cd44f8
For the full Show Notes please visit us at: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2020/10/26/fuse-8-n-kate-the-tailypo-by-joanna-galdone-ill-paul-galdone/
Spooky season continues here on the podcast. Interestingly Betsy had never done a Chris Van Allsburg book with Kate for October before. Every year she has to come up with spooky classic picture books, and today's was a recommendation from one of the fans (that would be their mom). It's less spooky than it is autumnal, but that's okay.
Show Notes:
The 12-foot-tall skeleton that Home Depot was selling is not something Kate made up. May we all be worthy enough to own it someday. See it here: https://www.adweek.com/brand-marketing/what-marketers-can-learn-from-home-depots-12-foot-skeleton/
If you would like to read Chris Van Allsburg's Caldecott acceptance speech for Jumanji you can do so here: https://www.hmhbooks.com/chrisvanallsburg/speeches-and-interviews.html
For the full Show Notes please visit: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2020/10/19/fuse-8-n-kate-the-stranger-by-chris-van-allsburg/(opens in a new tab)
Not long ago Betsy ran across an article in the Deseret News that was called "How a breakup led to winning a Newbery Honor for this Utah author". It's all about Newbery Honor winning writer Christian McKay Heidicker (who created Scary Stories for Young Foxes and this year's Thieves of Weirdwood by "William Shivering"). In the course of the article it mentions that Mr. Heidicker has been and continues to be a huge fan of The Spooky Old Tree by Stan and Jan Berenstain. And, naturally, since Betsy always tries to find spooky classics for Kate during the month of October, this sounded like a perfect opportunity to invite Christian to the podcast. If you'd like to hear the true origin story of Scary Stories for Young Foxes, this podcast is a must-listen. As for Kate, she has her own take on things. "She's letting her kids go out in the middle of the night . . . to die?!?"
Show Notes:
Here are Kate's freaky deaky ghosts, visible on my Instagram page. They are quite . . . the thing: https://www.instagram.com/p/CGOF3JCn71Q/
Be sure to also check out the Berenstain Bears parallel universe theory. Would we make this stuff up? https://www.vice.com/en/article/mvx7v8/the-berensteain-bears-conspiracy-theory-that-has-convinced-the-internet-there-are-parallel-universes
Even Kate had to admit that this was better than The Berenstain Bears and the Bully. Listen to the episode on that book here: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2017/09/04/new-fuse-8-n-kate-episode-the-berenstain-bears-and-the-bully-by-stan-and-jan-berenstain/
You absolutely must check out the cassette recording for this book, available to listen to anytime. The theremin alone is worth the price of admission: https://retroreincarnations.bandcamp.com/album/the-spooky-old-tree
You can find the Berenstain Bears podcast Deep In Bear Country here: https://berenstainbearcast.org/
Kate's suggestion was VERY funny. I enjoyed it heartily. I agree with her that I wouldn't necessarily show it to younger kids but the older ones would find it a stitch. This is Gavin discovering that Star Wars takes places long long ago in a galaxy far far away: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JAFOqgMB2tY
For the complete Show Notes please visit: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2020/10/12/fuse-8-n-kate-special-guest-christian-mckay-heidicker-and-the-spooky-old-tree-by-the-berenstains/
The spooky season begins with our first October surprise! Kate points out that this book is definitely relatable in 2020. "I'm tired of living in a hole." Aren't we all? Who wouldn't want to escape to a tropical isle? This is the book that also contains the world's saddest sentence: "I decided it was better to be alone than to be afraid." Oh, honey. Kate and Betsy talk about everything from how a mouse could milk a goat to the surprising cameo of Slimer from The Ghostbusters.
Show Notes:
Kate and Betsy have done only one other Steven Kellogg book before. If you're interested, check out the episode of The Day Jimmy's Boa Ate the Wash here: https://soundcloud.com/user-745466600/episode-73-the-day-jimmys-boa-ate-the-wash
Curious about the adult novel adapted from Goodnight Moon? It's out Feb 23rd and called The Upstairs House by Julia Fine: https://www.harpercollins.com/products/the-upstairs-house-julia-fine
For the full Show Notes please visit us at: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2020/10/04/fuse-8-n-kate-the-island-of-the-skog-by-steven-kellogg/
Good Yuntif! The show has never celebrated this holiday on the show before, but this week Kate and Betsy decided to do something extra special. That something special comes in the form of special guest star, Erica Perl! And when it came to suggesting a book, the answer was this 1977 Caldecott Honor winner a.k.a. The Official Picture Book of 2020 (we hope).
Show Notes:
Alas, TeachingBooks.net didn't have a pronunciation of Margot Zemach's name, but you can find a nice display of some of her book covers there: https://www.teachingbooks.net/tb.cgi?aid=9166
For the full Show Notes please visit: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2020/09/28/fuse-8-n-kate-it-could-always-be-worse-by-margot-zemach-with-special-guest-erica-s-perl/
Another book by the man who spit in the face of the House of Un-American Activities Committee (not literally, pretty close). Our love of P.D. Eastman continues. Kate delves real real deep into the marital status of dear Mr. and Mrs. Bird here (including Mr. Bird's "extracurricular activities", if you get my gist). The women discuss how this is like a "very small version of Alfred Hitchcock's The Birds" (their reign of terror is swift and tiny). They wonder about color layering, and finally they get to sing the "Toldja So" song.
Show Notes:
Is there a podcast called Cake Talk? No, but there is a podcast called Let's Talk Cake. As far as I'm concerned, that's close enough. Listen to it here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/lets-talk-cake/id1499854971
When standing before HUAC, and told to name names, P.D. Eastman objected and proceeded to say, "The second reason why I decline to answer is that I consider you are bringing me here under subpoena to an unreasonable search and attempt to seize the contents of my mind. I also have an objection to make on the fact that, in a sense, the atmosphere here is one of a trial, and that you have accepted the testimony of witnesses without permitting me to bring witnesses of my own." You can learn more in Forbidden Animation: Censored Cartoons and Blacklisted Animators in America by Karl F. Cohen. Read more of Eastman online here: https://areyoumymotherbook.weebly.com/biographical-information.html
Full credit to the blog Pretty Blue Glow for doing Kate-worthy levels of research on the town where The Best Nest is set . . . Waldoboro, MA: http://www.tdgutierrez.com/2016/01/09/the-best-nest/
For the full Show Notes, please visit: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2020/09/21/fuse-8-n-kate-the-best-nest-by-p-d-eastman/
Betsy and Kate can say with complete confidence that this is the first picture book about a Black kid on the autism spectrum either have ever seen. Recently Kate saw a list from Black Education Matters listing several books that featured Black children with disabilities and she asked Betsy if any were possible for the podcast. And lo and behold, My Brother Charlie is ten years old this year. That's ten years younger than we usually permit for a podcast, but when the topic is as important as this, we make exceptions to the rules.
Show Notes:
If you have a chance, please consider reading the AERA (American Educational Research Association) April-June 2017 edition article Understanding the Puzzle Behind the Pictures: A Content Analysis of Children’s Picture Books About Autism. The article is a good encapsulation of some of the issues with this particular book: https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/2332858417701682
Now as Betsy mentioned on the show, she thought it might be a good idea to include a video of the authors talking about this book. What she did not expect to encounter in literally the first second was a quote from a man who makes it INFINITELY clear that 2010 was not 10 years ago. It was 10 million years ago. See what we mean: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_3sBYYGQcnw
If you would like to read the full text of Stephanie Lucianovic's Zoom of the Flies tweets, you can find them here, including the coda: https://twitter.com/grubreport/status/1303795901194854400
For the full Show Notes please visit: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2020/09/14/fuse-8-n-kate-my-brother-charlie-by-holly-robinson-ryan-elizabeth-peete-ill-shane-w-evans/
Happy Labor Day! Or, as we say on the podcast, Merry Labor Day! Today is not the first song-turned-picture-book we've done on the show (that honor went to The Fox Went Out on a Chilly Night). However, it is most certainly the first (and quite possibly last) to include die-cuts. Kate wonders whether or not the "old lady" feels pissed off about being called "old" (as we attempt to sing "There was a spry lady who swallowed a fly") while Betsy launches into any number of tangents, like how gross flies are. One thing Kate and Betsy do agree on though: This woman is capable of unhinging her jaw. Awesome.
Show Notes:
Okay. Here is where the polling comes in. Do people "wolf" down their food or "woof" down their food? We need YOUR vote on this matter: http://www.strawpoll.me/20899100
The Weston Woods video is read by Cindi Lauper. Look at an excerpt here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sCaYt1KxZiY&t=3s
Check out this extensive Wikipedia page for this song. A hat tip to the number of versions here. The Judy Collins on the Muppet show one brought back a LOT of memories: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qC_xO2aN_IA
For the full show notes please visit: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2020/09/07/fuse-8-n-kate-there-was-an-old-lady-who-swallowed-a-fly-by-simms-taback/
First and foremost, happy engagement to Kate and the Penguinologist! She'll soon be a Coronabride with her very own microwedding.
Now just to catch the rest of you up, Kate is not a huge fan of clowns. Actually, that's a bit of an understatement. She HATES clowns. Naturally that meant that Betsy had to find a classic clown book for her birthday. She's nursing a theory that they don't exist, though, so Betsy decided to get the next best thing. Marla Frazee's The Farmer and the Clown won the Boston Globe-Horn Book Picture Book category. That's enough potential classic status for us! But trust Kate to find a way to turn this sweet little wordless book into a bit of a horrorfest. No small feat.
Show Notes:
Betsy quotes a Marla Frazee and Roger Sutton interview quite a lot in the course of this podcast. Check it out here: https://www.hbook.com/?detailStory=marla-frazee-talks-roger
If you'd like to see Natalie Portman's interview with Daniel Lavery, you can find it here: https://www.natalieportman.com/2020/08/19/in-conversation-with-daniel-m-lavery/
And here's The Shining mask Betsy referred to: https://www.etsy.com/listing/828968900/the-shining-overlook-hotel-carpet?ref=pla_similar_listing_top-2&frs=1
For the full Show Notes please visit: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2020/08/31/fuse-8-n-kate-the-farmer-and-the-clown-by-marla-frazee/
Today's book has been on Publisher Weekly's top selling picture book list for 240+ weeks. Even so, it is not a household name here in America by any stretch of the imagination. Betsy had been seeing its name on the bestseller lists for years, so she finally decided to bite the bullet and hand the title over to Kate. What results is speculation as to whether or not Gerald is dancing to dubstep (complete with dubstep imitation), notes the fact that Gerald is followed by bugs and turtles everywhere he goes, a new tattoo contender, and more.
For the full Show Notes please visit: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2020/08/17/fuse-8-n-kate-giraffes-cant-dance-by-giles-andreae-ill-guy-parker-rees/
While this may not be the first time we've ever covered an illustrator that I've collaborated with (remember when we discussed Dan Santat and After the Fall?) this is one of the few cases where we've done a collaborator of mine who has an honest-to-goodness classicky classic. We discuss the strength of Imogene's neck muscles, you get to hear an impromptu jingle for the Emergency Hat Service, I manage to work in a tiny reference to Gregor Samsa, and we marvel at Imogene's good nature. As I say on the show, "Imogene's most defining quality is her lack of freaking out over pretty much anything. This is a real go-with-the-flow kind of kid."
Show Notes:
The blog Don't Read This to My Kids has many thoughts on the book and they're worth reading here: http://www.drttmk.com/books/imogenes-antlers
This Imogene Halloween costume is brilliant. Two thumbs up! And it comes from the post Five Super Simple Halloween Costumes from the blog This Picture Book Life: http://thispicturebooklife.com/super-simple-picture-book-halloween-costumes/
For the full Show Notes please visit: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2020/08/10/fuse-8-n-kate-imogenes-antlers-by-david-small/
When we consider classic Latinx picture books that would qualify as #ownvoices, only a few have been covered on this show. I mean, sure we did Pura Belpre's Perez and Martina a while ago, but let's get a little more contemporary, eh? Today's book premiered in 2000, which means it just barely squeezes in under the 20 year rule for inclusion. Now, granted, we probably should have started with the first book in the series, Chato's Kitchen. The only problem with that is (A) It's not as good and (B) Betsy couldn't find it on the library shelf and grabbed this instead. Eh. That's okay.
Show Notes:
Susan Guevara's vision for this book goes far and beyond anything Soto could have included in the text. Her interpretation covers a wide swath of influences and references, making it one of the most interesting picture book reads out there. Read the transcript of her interview or listen to it on Teachingbooks.net here: https://www.teachingbooks.net/book_reading.cgi?id=11932&a=1
If you'd like to read Gary Soto's essay "Why I Don't Write Children's Literature", you can find it here: https://muse.jhu.edu/book/38019
If you'd like to see the Spanish version of the Weston Woods video of this book, you can see it here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vix5GUph2JY
For the full Show Notes, please visit: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2020/08/03/fuse-8-n-kate-chato-and-the-party-animals-by-gary-soto-ill-susan-guevara/
A lot of this show consists of Betsy thinking up an author (say, Patricia Polacco) then saying to herself "What's their most famous book?" In the case of Ms. Polacco, she was a bit stumped. This book was definitely in the top five, and she figured it would make for an interesting choice. Particularly since its shiny Sydney Taylor Award on the cover was intriguing. With its 1988 pub date, there's still a lot to really enjoy about this title. It's aged nicely, and ties in well with stories like Jacqueline Woodson's Show Way or Papa Had a Little Overcoat, even.
Show Notes:
I'm not kidding about the fact that Polacco went to school with Frank Oz and babysat Tom Hanks. Read all about it here: https://lifechums.wordpress.com/tag/tom-hanks/
If you would like to see the additional pages that Patricia Polacco made for the 25th anniversary edition of this book, take a gander at this video by the Mazza Museum. Our sole objection to this vid is that you never get a good close look at the quilt itself: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wIHG0vLoyjk
Want to see the full Show Notes? Then join us at : http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2020/07/27/fuse-8-n-kate-the-keeping-quilt-by-patricia-polacco/
If you had to pick all the Peggy Rathmann books that exist, you probably wouldn't begin with her title The Day the Babies Crawled Away (which Kate and Betsy did do on a previous episode). Instead, you'd probably want to do today's book! Is it her most famous? Dunno. Probably a toss up between this and Office Buckle and Gloria. Today Kate and Betsy dig deep into a title that certainly contains the world's most short-sighted escape plan. The Great Escape, this is not.
Show Notes:
- Here is the New York Times article that talks about Peggy Rathmann's new life and grand good life is Can Dirt Save the Earth: Agriculture Could Pull Carbon Out of the Air Into the Soil: https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=2ahUKEwjlhueW79rqAhWCBc0KHSyDDM0QFjAAegQIARAB&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.nytimes.com%2F2018%2F04%2F18%2Fmagazine%2Fdirt-save-earth-carbon-farming-climate-change.html&usg=AOvVaw0JURB7VQVvxWEtlVnZXr8O
This book came in at #40 on the Top 100 Picture Books Poll: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2012/06/01/top-100-picture-books-40-good-night-gorilla-by-peggy-rathmann/
It also came in at #12 on the Top 100 Board Books Poll: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2018/08/09/the-top-100-board-books-poll-countdown-15-11/
And if you'd like to check out the podcast ArtCurious, try it here: http://www.artcuriouspodcast.com/artcuriouspodcast
For the full Show Notes, please visit: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2020/07/20/fuse-8-n-kate-good-night-gorilla-by-peggy-rathmann/
"Bring me a bad book. Like, a really good bad book." So Kate asked Betsy. Well, we don't want to give anything away but Betsy may have hit on something. If you were born in the late 70s or early 80s, the odds are good that somebody you know read it to you. And this all ties in quite closely to current discussions of picture books with racist elements that sit blithely on shelves in children's rooms anywhere.
Show Notes:
In case you've ever wondered what this show's recording set-up looks like, Drew, the resident Penguinologist, put together this quickie video on a whim. It's haphazard but fun: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rP3f_UtbXK0
While we appreciate that The Book Hound took the time to draw a connection between the Dionne quintuplets and the publication of this book, the assertion that, "While it is possible to conclude the illustrations in The Five Chinese Brothers are ethnic stereotypes, although not everyone agrees with that, it is impossible to make a case that the text contains or implies a racist premise, unless one misreads the first sentence," is an idea that holds no water: https://thebookhound.com/2018/07/31/when-looking-alike-is-not-racism-the-five-chinese-brothers-the-dionne-quintuplets/
It is not difficult to find the Weston Woods/Scholastic Teacher's Guide for this book. Note what it says at the end: "Other book based films and videos about Chinese culture are available from Weston Woods. These include: THE STORY ABOUT PING by Marjorie Flack TIKKI TIKKI TEMBO written by Arlene Mosel and illustrated by Blair Lent". Just . . . . wow. http://teacher.scholastic.com/products/westonwoods/study_guides/the_five_chinese_brothers.pdf
Finally, Betsy was able to track down the video of the boy reading Owl Babies to actual baby owls: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-i33i2VDsRU
For the full Show Notes please visit: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2020/07/13/fuse-8-n-kate-the-five-chinese-brothers-by-claire-huchet-bishop-and-kurt-wiese/
Betsy didn't want to have a whole conversation about elongated eye tubes. She really, really didn't, but that's the price you pay when you show Kate the book Owl Babies. Today the two tackle the ebook edition of the picture book (rather than board book) version of this title and it makes for an interesting read. They end up wondering about where the gutter falls on certain two-page spreads, and have a lengthy talk about repetition in picture book texts and what this book has to do with working mothers.
Show Notes:
Josh Funk is correct. Splash Mountain will indeed be redone: https://www.cnn.com/2020/06/25/media/splash-mountain-disney/index.html
The Fantastic Flying Books of Morris Lessmore was, I believe, an Oscar-winning short animated film. You can see it here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ad3CMri3hOs
For the full Show Notes please go to: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2020/07/06/fuse-8-n-kate-owl-babies-by-martin-waddell-ill-patrick-benson/
Funny to think about the authors and illustrators we've never quite gotten to on the show. Sometimes the trick behind selecting a book isn't so much which artist to do but what book to do from a given artist. After much soul searching Betsy decided that George Shrinks trumps Dinosaur Bob and the Family Lazardo in terms of sheer fame. It's a funny kind of book, and you can trust Kate to winnow out every possible detail on the page. Hope you like your kids short, your cats cruel, and your teddy bears creepy, because we're going all in on Joyce's best known today.
Show Notes:
You can find Bill's account of what happened when his made his last New Yorker cover here: https://apps.centenary.edu/newsarchive/2006/February/B-Joyce-cover-article.html
For the full Show Notes please visit: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2020/06/29/fuse-8-n-kate-george-shrinks-by-william-joyce/
Betsy broke the rules. Under normal circumstances she won't consider a children's book for this podcast unless that title is less than 20 years old. But since she made that rule in the first place, I guess she's the one who gets to break it. And today's book is, in its blood, a rule breaker. In the course of this episode Betsy attempts to encapsulate all of Jacqueline Woodson's major awards (this is a difficult thing to even try, by the way), Kate and Betsy honor Juneteenth, and they try desperately to figure out why this book never won any Caldecott love (to add to its Newbery Honor love).
Show Notes:
Here's the interview with Jacqueline Woodson about the background to Show Way on Reading Rockets with Carole Boston Weatherford: https://www.readingrockets.org/books/interviews/woodson/transcript
Toshi (Jackie's daughter) was friends with Trixie from the Knuffle Bunny books. This fact was confirmed by Jackie herself at the blog The Happy Nappy Bookseller in 2011: http://thehappynappybookseller.blogspot.com/2011/02/interview-with-jacqueline-woodson.html
For the full Show Notes please visit: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2020/06/21/fuse-8-n-kate-show-way-by-jacqueline-woodson/
In honor of Pride this month, we figured it would be a good idea to check out one of the first big-time LGBTQIA+ picture books published in America. We've already covered Heather Has Two Mommies in a previous episode, so what's left? Well, if Heather Has Two Mommies came out in 1989, Daddy's Roommate followed just a year later in 1990. It was on ALA's top 10 banned list from 1990-1999. Researching it, we had no idea this would be such a fruitful book to explore. Above and beyond little things like the details Willhoite is just throwing in there there's the fact that Sarah Palin hated it and it was brought up during the 2008 presidential campaign. Plus Betsy gets to tell her Jon Waters purple velvet fainting couch story (which so rarely comes up).
Show Notes:
If you would like to see the video that Kate was critiquing from, you can watch it here: https://vimeo.com/304030343
As Lark pointed out the Barnes Children's Literature Festival features, amongst other things, Stanley Tucci reading The Tiger Who Came to Tea: https://www.barneskidslitfest.org/whats-on/
For the full Show Notes please visit: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2020/06/15/fuse-8-n-kate-daddys-roommate-by-michael-willhoite/
Kate gave Betsy a tricky challenge this week. She wanted her to find a book worth discussing that was pertinent to the times in which we live. So, after a great deal of soul searching, Betsy decided to focus on a book by a Black author. Even better, a book that was ahead of its time when it came out and may only find its true audience today. And few books for kids tackle the issue of police brutality as honestly as this one does. Reprinted two years ago, James Baldwin's 1976 title (the only book for children he ever made) feels both timeless and in desperate need of a new illustrator.
Show Notes:
The book Betsy alludes to at the start is Tales for Little Rebels: A Collection of Radical Children's Literature, edited by Julia L. Mickenberg and Philip Nel: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2009/02/16/review-of-the-day-tales-for-little-rebels-by-julie-l-mickenberg-and-philip-nel/
If you want additional information on Little Man, Little Man, Betsy wrote about it at length here: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2018/05/17/a-childs-story-for-adults-digging-deep-into-james-baldwins-only-childrens-book/
Please consider listening to other episodes of this podcast featuring Black creators including:
The Boy Who Didn't Believe in Spring - http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2019/03/25/fuse-8-n-kate-the-boy-who-didnt-believe-in-spring-by-lucille-clifton-ill-brinton-turkle/
Mirandy and Brother Wind - http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2020/05/11/fuse-8-n-kate-mirandy-and-brother-wind-by-patricia-mckissack-and-jerry-pinkney/
Mufaro's Beautiful Daughters - http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2017/08/08/new-fuse-8-n-kate-episode-mufaros-beautiful-daughters-by-john-steptoe/
Sam and the Tigers - http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2018/02/26/fuse-8-n-kate-the-story-of-little-black-sambo-by-helen-bannerman/
Stevie - http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2019/07/15/fuse-8-n-kate-stevie-by-john-steptoe/
Why Do Mosquitoes Buzz in People's Ears? - http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2017/11/20/fuse-8-n-kate-why-mosquitoes-buzz-in-peoples-ears/
For the full Show Notes please visit us at http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2020/06/08/fuse-8-n-kate-little-man-little-man-by-james-baldwin-ill-yoran-cazac/
For whatever reason, Kate and Betsy spoke for a whopping 45 minutes about today's book. Somehow, Kate (who is our editor on all this) cut it down to mere 28 minutes, which is a feat worth remarking. The sisters tackle whether or not "Helen Palmer" was or was not Dr. Seuss (the answer is far more complicated than you might think). They delve into what kind of reputation Mr. Carp must have to be on the watch list of both the police and the firemen. And now they have to research when fluoride entered the drinking water and when chlorine entered the public pools. It's important!
Show Notes:
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As we now know, in its original incarnation, this story began its life as Gustav the Goldfish by Dr. Seuss (originally appearing in Redbook magazine in June 1950). It only became A Fish Out of Water when Seuss's wife Helen adapted it to the easy book format.
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Our recent episode about The Cow That Sneezed caused our listener Christine to write in, "Listening to this episode reminded me of Stand Back," Said the Elephant, “I’m Going to Sneeze!” Think I’ll go read it." Here is the link: http://readingtokids.org/Books/BookView.php?pag=5&bookID=00001169
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And here's the Ninja Warrior squirrel video that Kate and Betsy were both obsessed with this week: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hFZFjoX2cGg
For the full Show Notes please visit: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2020/06/01/fuse-8-n-kate-a-fish-out-of-water-by-helen-palmer-ill-p-d-eastman
Kate and Betsy haven't done a cult classic picture book in a while. Really, the ultimate compliment any book can receive from its fans is that their love allows it to see life once more, decades after publication. This was one of the rare titles from the 1950s republished by the publisher Enchanted Lion. Betsy has always been a big fan of this book, but as we have learned time and time again, just because she likes something, that is NO indication that Kate will as well.
Show Notes:
Here is the link to the James Flora archives in the Kerlan Collection, should you wish to see them firsthand: https://archives.lib.umn.edu/repositories/4/resources/5433
Curious about Flora's album cover art? You can see a whole slew of it here: https://www.jimflora.com/galleries/flora-classic-album-covers/
And if, by any chance you're interested in seeing Betsy's library's community cookbook, you can find the link here: https://inkie.pressbooks.pub/cozyevanstoncookbook/
For the full Show Notes please visit: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2020/05/25/fuse-8-n-kate-the-day-the-cow-sneezed-by-james-flora/
Today's 1981 classic turned out to be a surprise to Kate. She, like many people in America, had no idea that Jumanji was a picture book before it was a movie (or two, or three). Thanks to her read, a lot of questions about this book were cleared up. For example, there is the fact that the parents must be going to a matinee (which explains why the kids eat dinner after their return later). And did you know that the two kids at the end of this book are the ones in the sequel Zathura? But here's the crazy thing. Kate actually managed to find a continuity error in the art. Don't believe us? Check it out.
For the full Show Notes please visit: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2020/05/18/fuse-8-n-kate-jumanji-by-chris-van-allsburg/
"I'm giving myself extra points for doing this springy book in spring . . . which I did not realize until this moment. Patting on the backy of me!" Prior to today's episode the only Jerry Pinkney title Betsy and Kate had done on the podcast was Sam and the Tigers (as part of their Little Black Sambo round-up). As for Ms. Patricia McKissack, they'd never even done a single one of her books to date. Consider this a wrong now righted. This episode taught us about how folks change picture books to make them readable as ebooks. As for the plot of the story, no one ever talks about the book's traumatized chickens or the fact that you never get to see the cake Mirandy wins. Get ready for an extra deep dive into a book that is still a favorite of teachers nationwide.
Show Notes:
Initially the cakewalk was created to mock white slaveholders to their faces. They would judge the first cakewalks and have no idea the slaves were mocking them. There's an interesting article about it here at Face2Face Africa: https://face2faceafrica.com/article/how-the-popular-cakewalk-dance-was-actually-a-mockery-of-white-slave-masters-in-the-1800s
Want to play Scattergories with your own distant family for a virtual game night? Here is the site Kate found. We can attest that we tried this after we recorded this podcast and it worked very well! https://swellgarfo.com/scattergories/
If you would like to read our mother's poem Geomagnetic Reversal and My Mother’s Ethnoid Bone you'll locate it as the fourth link on this page. https://www.escapeintolife.com/poetry/mothers-day-2020-mothers-moleskine/
For the complete show notes please visit: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2020/05/11/fuse-8-n-kate-mirandy-and-brother-wind-by-patricia-mckissack-and-jerry-pinkney/
Because it was recently Betsy's birthday, she got to choose a book that was her favorite when she was growing up. And let us say this about Tasha Tudor. The Queen of England herself is second only to Tasha Tudor in terms of corgi love. Tasha was the original corgi lover. The sisters spend a great deal of time trying to explain some of the oddities of the book by saying, "It's New England!" Like it helps or something. The best way to put it is that this book is 70s/1870s.
Show Notes:
If you ever care to show up at the Tasha Tudor website, it's a real class act: https://www.tashatudorandfamily.com/
Is Betsy the only one who makes this association when she sees a monk marionette? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GK19zONpd04
For the full Show Notes please visit: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2020/05/04/fuse-8-n-kate-a-time-to-keep-by-tasha-tudor/
Seems to us that bats are shouldering a great deal of the blame for our current COVID-19 crisis. Considering the fact that their P.R. wasn't all that great to begin with(Batman aside), Betsy decided this week's episode would combat this problem with the most famous bat-related picture book in America. It doesn't hurt matters any that this entire episode is pretty much just an excuse for her to post cute videos of baby fruit bats in the Show Notes.
Show Notes:
Betsy mentions that her falcons are currently nesting on her library building right now. Here they are on the live cam. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7hOZ0BMx12Y
Care to be pandered to? Here's the video of the juvenile fruit bat being petted:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WVz8rvIl_vY
And here is a video of a baby fruit bat eating a banana: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WaPXhYaFReY\u0026t=28s
The book came in at #71 on the Top 100 Picture Books Poll. http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2012/05/21/top-100-picture-books-71-stellaluna-by-janell-cannon/
For the rest of the Show Notes please visit: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2020/04/20/fuse-8-n-kate-stellaluna-by-janell-cannon/
True Fact: The longest book written in the English language is the easy book One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish by Dr. Seuss.
Other True Fact: That first fact is untrue, but it's certainly what Kate believed in her heart when she finished reading that book during this recording. While many people remember all too well the title of today's book, its plot (such as it is) remains, for many, a mystery. Kate certainly didn't know what to expect and, to be fair, how could she have? Can anyone truly predict Clark or the Ying or Ned? Sweet sweet Ned? We think not.
Show Notes:
One image in this book was once parodied when Betsy made a post challenging artists to Re-Seussify Seuss. Which is to say, re-illustrate a Dr. Seuss work in the style of another illustrator. And Nathan Hale (of Nathan Hale's Hazardous Tales) decided to take on "yellow teeth guy" (as Kate calls him) in the style of Stephen Gammell. You know. The fellow who illustrated Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark. And the result is beautiful. Go here and scroll to the bottom: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2012/03/01/re-seussification-project-the-results/
Here is a video of famous novelists Kevin O'Leary, Ami McKay, and Erin Morgenstern reading this book: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0waeG_x2eow
Here is the article we were told about in this episode (in reference to Jingle Dancer by Cynthia Leitich Smith)called, "Created during the 1918 Spanish flu pandemic, Jingle Dresses are once again offering inspiration, healing" - https://nativenewsonline.net/entertainment/created-during-the-1918-spanish-flu-pandemic-jingle-dresses-are-once-again-offering-inspiration-healing/
For more Show Notes please visit: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2020/04/13/fuse-8-n-kate-one-fish-two-fish-red-fish-blue-fish-by-dr-seuss/
In honor of Tomie dePaola, who left us last week, Betsy wanted to do one of his possible classics. The show had already done Strega Nona, but one other book might qualify for "classic" status. Trouble was, all the libraries are closed and Betsy couldn't get a physical copy of this book. Happily, Overdrive offered this ebook for borrowing. The title totally threw Kate off, and Betsy couched it by saying that it is considered one of the original GLBTQIA+ books created for kids in America. It is by NO means as brave as Heather Has Two Mommies, but it has its place in the culture.
Show Notes: If you're interested in the GLBTQ chapter I refer to in this podcast, it's in the book Wild Things: Acts of Mischief in Children's Literature: http://wildthings.blaine.org/?page_id=2
And once again, ladies and gentlemen, The Gay Men's Chorus of Washington D.C. performing this book themselves!: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vuBA86Ohg94
For the full Show Notes please visit: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2020/04/06/fuse-8-n-kate-oliver-button-is-a-sissy-by-tomie-depaola/
For WEEKS Kate has been bugging Betsy to find her a celebrity picture book. The catch was that Betsy was insisting that the book be considered a "classic". So she asked the listeners what the most classicky classic was and they managed to come up with today's book. Published in 1996 this definitely falls within the 20 year rule (a.k.a. don't read anything that's younger .... in theory) so they went for it. But Betsy had no idea Kate would take issue with tons of illustrations that she finds degrading to women. She has a point. This book, you will find, has not aged as well as you may hope.
Show Notes:
Tis true! This is the second Laura Cornell book on this podcast. Take a listen to the Heather Has Two Mommies episode, because Ms. Cornell illustrated it for the reissue: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2017/06/27/new-fuse-8-n-kate-episode-heather-has-two-mommies/
This is the article in Education and Career News with Ms. Curtis which explains why she started writing picture books in the first place: https://www.educationandcareernews.com/early-childhood-education/why-jamie-lee-curtis-is-passionate-about-childrens-literacy/
As listener Erica told us "This story from Minnesota Public Radio is about how jingle dancers have been dancing and praying for healing during the quarantines. The story includes some history of the jingle dance and some links to videos.": https://www.mprnews.org/story/2020/03/17/every-step-you-take-is-prayer-as-coronavirus-spreads-women-lead-virtual-dance-for-healing
And in case you missed it, here was Betsy's discussion with listener Carolyn Jeziorski, our official Expert Disaster Librarian: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2020/03/24/report-from-china-from-an-international-school-librarian-making-sense-of-school-closures/
For the full Show Notes please visit: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2020/03/30/fuse-8-n-kate-tell-me-again-about-the-night-i-was-born-by-jamie-lee-curtis-ill-laura-cornell/
Since Betsy's library is all closed up and she has no access to the books inside, she wasn't able to do a celebrity picture book with Kate this week. Such is the state of the world in which we live today. Not to worry! In this episode you will find a multitude of plover adjacent ideas, thoughts about developmental issues and when it's right to seek help vs. let things work out on their own, and why it's weird Leo isn't a lion. Like, not even a little bit.
Show Notes:
Betsy happens to mention right at the top of the show the book Sick Simon by Dan Krall. If you want the ultimate title showing why you should wash your hands, VERY few books cover the information as well as this one. If there were any justice in this world, sales of this book would be currently through the roof.
Here's the obit of Jose Aruego via Phil Nel's Nine Kinds of Pie: http://www.philnel.com/2012/08/14/aruego/
For a full accounting of the Ariane Dewey controversy, please check out this excellent piece on Dewey, created by Lisa Von Drasek at the Blue Ox Review: https://www.continuum.umn.edu/2018/06/women-artists-ariane-dewey/
This is the Muppet Show rendering of Danny Boy that we keep referencing: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OCbuRA_D3KU
Let the record show that we recorded this long before the episode of Wait, Wait, Don't Tell Me that ALSO happened to mention the Cats butt cut. We talked about it first!! https://www.dailydot.com/unclick/cats-movie-butthole-cut/
Kate mentions a show that she's enjoying. If you didn't catch it, it's called Letterkenny: https://www.vox.com/culture/2019/10/11/20909844/letterkenny-hulu-review-pitter-patter
Here's that Today Show post "How to homeschool during the coronavirus crisis with free resources". It's a shockingly useful collection of links: https://www.today.com/parents/how-homeschool-during-coronavirus-crisis-t176020
And here is Betsy's BYU Radio interview with the show Constant Wonder where she discussed Anne Carroll Moore: https://www.byuradio.org/episode/a5f07ed4-819f-4027-b5bb-590606625488/constant-wonder-no-children-in-libraries
For the full Show Notes please visit: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2020/03/23/fuse-8-n-kate-leo-the-late-bloomer-by-robert-kraus-jose-aruego-and-ariane-dewey/
To help out families stuck in their homes with small children, avoiding COVID-19, people have been creating videos of people reading picture books. And WHAT, I ask you, is a better readaloud than this storytime classic? Nothing, I tells ya! Nothing! Kate gets introduced to Michael Rosen and Helen Oxenbury for the very first time. Imagine showing someone, who has never seen this story performed for small children, encountering this book without that context. We spend a bit of our discussion considering the bear's motives here. Maybe the bear has come out of hibernation is starving. Maybe it's lonely. And maybe this is just a great book through and through. Maybe.
Show Notes:
You probably won't be able to read it in full but here is the 2014 Telegraph article about the book, but it's there in case you need it: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/women/mother-tongue/10879290/Going-on-a-bear-hunt.html
This book made #12 on my Top 100 Board Books Poll: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2018/08/09/the-top-100-board-books-poll-countdown-15-11/
Here is Michael Rosen performing this book by his very own self: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0gyI6ykDwds
And here is the video that Kate recommended. I present to you, Black Violin: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WYerKidQGcc
For the full Show Notes please visit: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2020/03/16/fuse-8-n-kate-were-going-on-a-bear-hunt-by-michael-rosen-ill-helen-oxenbury/
Having survived a bout of pestilence and plague (read: lice and flu), Betsy was still in an oddly upbeat mood in this week's episode. And why not? Chicka Chicka Boom Boom is, by its very definition, an upbeat book! It is also one of those rare "classic" picture books where the author(s) and illustrator are separate. Kate, as is expected, finds a 100% legitimate mistake in the art that nobody in the history of the world has ever noticed before. Also discussed: what the Cyrillic edition of this book might look like, the great shame of the book, and (for some godforsaken reason) Love Is Blind.
For complete Show Notes please visit: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2020/03/09/fuse-8-n-kate-chicka-chicka-boom-boom-by-bill-martin-jr-john-archambault-ill-lois-ehlert/
Were you British, you might find it downright odd that Betsy and Kate have chosen to do Raymond Brigg's wordless picture book in March. That is because in Britain this title is generally considered a Christmas classic. Here in the States not so much. You may also not expect that Betsy's conversation with Kate about this book will devolve into a very long and intense argument over whether or not Frosty the Snowman dies at the end of his song. Betsy says he doesn't, Kate says he does. Who is right?
Show Notes:
We are so happy to report that Betsy's new show, The Story Seeds Podcast, is up and running! More about the show in the future: https://www.storyseeds.co/
Kate challenged Betsy to bring her a celebrity picture book, but Betsy found the request too difficult. Seriously, folks, if you can think of a "classic" celebrity picture book that people ACTUALLY LIKE, let us know what it is at FuseKate8@gmail.com.
Well worth reading today: The Guardian article, "Raymond Briggs: Don't call me the king of Christmas. I don't like children, I try to avoid them": https://www.theguardian.com/books/2015/dec/20/raymond-briggs-christmas-fungus-bogeyman-television
Here is the short film based on this book that they run in England every year around Christmas: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5A3THighARU
And here is the advert (if you will) that made fun of it: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4yZOab5gl-4
For the full Show Notes, please visit us at http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2020/03/02/fuse-8-n-kate-the-snowman-by-raymond-briggs/
Betsy was wracking her brain to figure out what the best possible candidate might be as a contender for classic picture book status with an #ownvoices Indigenous creator. Generally speaking, when fishing for classics, Kate and Betsy like to look at books that have been out for 20 years. Today's title was published in 2000. Now the question of the day with this podcast is whether, in light of the truly magnificent children's books coming out from Native and Indigenous authors, Jingle Dancer still stands up.
Show Notes:
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You can find more information about The American Indian Youth Literature Award here: https://ailanet.org/activities/american-indian-youth-literature-award/
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Referring back to our previous episode, are you curious about the good work Peggy Rathmann is doing these days? You can check out the New York Times article on her as of 2018 here: https://www.nytimes.com/2018/04/18/magazine/dirt-save-earth-carbon-farming-climate-change.html
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Feel out to sea about the Oh Na Na Na TikTok Dance Challenge? Here's a quickie compilation of the latest dance Betsy hadn't heard of: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xHBwE7h8plE
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For the full Show Notes please visit: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2020/02/24/fuse-8-n-kate-jingle-dancer-by-cynthia-leitich-smith/
Generally speaking Kate and Betsy prefer dead people. Dead authors. Dead illustrators. But boy howdy do they like it when they have them come on as guests, so put a hash mark in the "Live" column. Back on October 30, 2017 Betsy made Kate read Creepy Carrots by Aaron Reynolds (listen to it here: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2017/10/30/spooky-october-infused-fuse-8-n-kate-creepy-carrots-by-aaron-reynolds-and-peter-brown/). With this episode, Aaron comes on the show, marking this as the first time a creator of a book covered on the show has made a guest appearance. When asked what book he'd like to do, he suggested this Peggy Rathmann classic.
Kate would like me to state, for the record, that the Penguinologist was out of town, which is why the sound is a little funky.
Show Notes:
Here is Aaron performing Ms. Spears at TLA. Best dang thing you'll see all day. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LbwZ1o2gOME
You can find Peggy Rathmann's website here: http://www.peggyrathmann.com/. Like we say, pretty bare bones. As far as we can tell it hasn't been updated since 2004. Impressive, actually.
For the full Show Notes please visit: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2020/02/17/fuse-8-n-kate-the-day-the-babies-crawled-away-with-special-guest-star-aaron-reynolds/
With the full and present knowledge that monkeys in children's literature are problematic to the extreme, Kate and Betsy tackle a book that involves a kind of animal that is professed to be a monkey but is, in fact, an ape, much like the problematic-in-his-own-way Curious George(seen on a previous episode). When Betsy was a new mom, she used today's book endlessly with my kids. Yet it was only recently that she realized that she knew next to nothing about either Mr. Perkins or Mr. Gurney. Kate gets to do her Beatnik imitation again (you'd be amazed how often it comes up on this show) and later brings up Silent Bob.
Show Notes:
The site Dadwagon screetched to a halt in 2015, but if you're curious about Al Perkins, check out the comments on this post. It'll clear a lot of information for you: https://dadwagon.com/2010/06/02/the-mystery-of-al-perkins/
As is I mentioned on the show, The Rabbit Hole in North Kansas City should be opening some time this year. Check 'em out! https://www.rabbitholekc.org
For full show notes please visit: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2020/02/10/fuse-8-n-kate-hand-hand-fingers-thumb
Having successfully predicted one of the Caldecott Honors in a previous episode, Kate is quick to pop Betsy's puffed up ego right from the start of this week's recording. And good thing too, since the book being discussed is none other than that Reading Rainbow classic A Chair for My Mother. Betsy talks about some of the good narrative choices made by this book, while Kate talks about some of the very strange illustration choices.
Show Notes:
As is mentioned at the start, Caldecott Honor winner (for Three Jovial Huntsman) Susan Jeffers passed away recently. You may read more about her life here: https://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/childrens/childrens-authors/article/82277-obituary-susan-jeffers.html
Read the obituary for Ms. Williams in The New York Times which reads Vera B. Williams, 88, Dies; Brought Working Class to Children's Books: https://www.nytimes.com/2015/10/21/books/vera-b-williams-who-brought-the-working-class-to-childrens-books-dies-at-88.html
How lucky we are that Horn Book makes their Horn Book-Boston Globe Book Award speeches available for free on their site. Please read Vera B. Williams' discussion about the origins of this book here: https://www.hbook.com/?detailStory=a-chair-for-my-mother-vera-b-williams-boston-globe-horn-book-award-acceptance-speech
For the full Show Notes please visit: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2020/02/03/fuse-8-n-kate-a-chair-for-my-mother-by-vera-b-williams/
"I have a big red dog. Accept the reality in which I live."
Betsy had been avoiding Clifford all these years. Why? Because she always remembered the book as dull. So you've gotta hand it to Kate. Thanks to her the two find far more to talk about concerning Clifford than you ever thought possible. From Emily Elizabeth's fashion sense to why you wouldn't want to camp under his jowls to the logistics of pouring hot tea on your dog's tongue, this book is rife with possibilities.
Show Notes:
Betsy managed to find an image of the stuffed Clifford at NYPL here: https://www.alamy.com/stock-photo-clifford-the-big-red-dog-display-childrens-library-new-york-public-138133333.html
And because we simply cannot resist, here is some Clifford fan art by sandra that you may purchase here, if you're so inclined: https://www.deviantart.com/sandara/art/Clifford-the-big-red-dog-329256590
For the full show notes please visit: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2020/01/27/fuse-8-n-kate-clifford-the-big-red-dog-by-norman-bridwell/
If you get your kicks out of Kate and Betsy disagreeing about books, today's episode may not be for you. Each year Betsy presents Kate with 2-3 Caldecott contenders. Which is to say, they discuss books that may or may not win the Caldecott Award (which will be handed out a week from today on Monday, January 27th at 8:00 ET here: http://ala.unikron.com/). This gives the two of them a chance to discuss the art and, to a lesser extent, the books' chances. There were actually a fair number Betsy wasn't able to get my hands on for today's recording, but happily two of her favorites WERE available!
Show Notes:
When discussing the idea of opening the Newbery and Caldecott Awards to artists from other countries the articles, Betsy refers to Leonard Marcus's piece in the New York Times called The Caldecott Medal Needs an International Makeover and found here: https://www.nytimes.com/2019/12/12/books/review/make-caldecott-medal-international.html
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She also discusses The Horn Book editorial Bordering On the Absurd by Martha Parravano here: https://www.hbook.com/?detailStory=jan-feb-20-editorial
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You can read Betsy's official review of Going Down Home With Daddy here: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2019/06/06/review-of-the-day-going-down-home-with-daddy-by-kelly-starling-lyons-and-daniel-minter/
You can read Betsy's Caldecott thoughts on A Stone Sat Still here: https://www.hbook.com/?detailStory=a-stone-sat-still
For the full Show Notes please visit: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2020/01/20/fuse-8-n-kate-2020-caldecott-contenders/
How old are we all that Trashy Town is 21 this year? Is it just us or does that seem like a very large number? Continuing to attempt to find storytime classics that librarians love, Betsy has Kate take a look at this readaloud classic. And, if you recall, Kate does not always take to storytime books. Many questions are raised in the course of the proceedings. Does Mr. Gilly work for the city? What is the nature of the rat's open mouth? Is Mr. Gilly picking up syringes and blood behind that doctor's office? And why the heck did they name their burg "Trashy Town"? Seems a poor choice and could affect the tourism industry. Please see to it that you enjoy the different rhythmic renditions of the chant in this book. The Monty Python one may become your favorite.
For the full Show Notes please visit: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2020/01/13/fuse-8-n-kate-trashy-town-by-andrea-zimmerman-david-clemsha-and-dan-yaccarino/
This past weekend Betsy took a trip to the Chicago Children's Museum with her kids, and lo and behold she stumbled upon a Mo Willems exhibit currently showing. She marveled at how the show cleverly integrated elements of the artist's books with honestly good, interactive stations. In a nod to Mo's background in animation, for example, kids can turn (oddly sturdy) cranks which flip pages featuring his characters doing an array of different things.
Of course, by complete coincidence Kate and Betsy had just finished recording their episode on Knuffle Bunny Too. It's been a while since they've done a particularly famous book, and this would be the perfect way to kick off the new year. Mind you, longtime listeners might remember that Kate has never been the biggest Mo Willems fan out there. She wasn't particularly enamored of Knuffle Bunny the first. How would the second fare?
For the full Show Notes please visit: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2020/01/06/fuse-8-n-kate-knuffle-bunny-too-by-mo-willems/
It's the last day of Hanukkah and what better way to celebrate than with one book split into two parts? In 1990 Eric Kimmel adapted a story he'd written for Cricket Magazine to a picture book format and called it The Chanukkah Guest. Then, in 2013 he took that same Cricket Magazine tale and turned it into the slightly different Hanukkah Bear. One story. One author. Two different versions. Are they both Hanukkah classics or will only one make the final cut? Betsy and Kate discuss every possible angle and come up with the perfect title for a new holiday book: Hanukkah Hangry. You are welcome to use it. Just credit us with the title.
For the complete show notes please visit: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2019/12/30/fuse-8-n-kate-the-chanukkah-guest-hanukkah-bear-by-eric-a-kimmel/
Today's book is sort of a favor to Kate and Betsy's mom. She's always been very fond of this particular telling of The Nativity, and it remains a favorite to this day. And it's so nice to return to Julie Vivas again! When last seen on this podcast we were looking at her book with Mem Fox called Wilfrid Gordon McDonald Partridge (found here: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2019/04/22/fuse-8-n-kate/).
By the way, Betsy begins by saying that this book is out-of-print. Turns out there's a paperback edition (ISBN: 9780152060855) that's absolutely in print and FINE! So no worries there. False alarm!
Show Notes:
Thanks to the wonders of Google Books, you can actually find the selection from Censorship: A World Encyclopedia where the objections to this book are recorded here: https://books.google.com/books?id=nzisCQAAQBAJ&pg=PT1869&lpg=PT1869&dq=the+nativity+julie+vivas+censorship&source=bl&ots=gR_0T8y8Cv&sig=ACfU3U0l6llPRJ27Pmyb0nw3Bb1s4E8now&hl=en&ppis=_e&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwitrbK9-8rmAhWCGM0KHd8CAkEQ6AEwD3oECAoQAQ#v=onepage&q=the%20nativity%20julie%20vivas%20censorship&f=false
For the full show notes, please visit us here: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2019/12/23/fuse-8-n-kate-the-nativity-by-julie-vivas/
Ah! At last! The chance to combine three of our favorite types of literature: Holiday Books, Wordless Books, and Cult Classics. In trying to find a new Christmas classic to do with Kate, it occurred to Betsy that the two had never done this particular book. It first came to Betsy's attention years ago thanks in large part to Alison Morris (now working at First Book). Unfamiliar with it? We hope you like a book that leans into its weirdness.
For full Show Notes please visit: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2019/12/16/fuse-8-n-kate-a-small-miracle-by-peter-collington/
In some ways, 2019 was kind of a fortunately/unfortunately kind of year. Seems appropriate that we would tackle Remy Charlip's best known work in one of our final podcasts of the year. Librarians adore this title because its readaloud potential is huge. Will Kate love it for its originality, or detest it for the complete lack of sense it makes? You cannot help but love the fact that she believes that given Charlip's origins, letting Ned die would have been the Frenchest ending of them all. Or that if you try to work out the geography of this book, you're in trouble. He goes from New York to the water with sharks to an island with tigers . . . to Florida?
For the full Show Notes visit: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2019/12/09/fuse-8-n-kate-unfortunately-by-remy-charlip/
Sometimes you just gotta read something awkward. Today, in spite of Betsy's determination never to do so, she skipped over ALL the previous Little Bear books produced by Minarik and Sendak and handed her sister the strangest of them all. Will Kate or Betsy think that this book is essentially the cringe comedy easy book of children's literature? Will Kate find a good image for a tattoo? Is there any situation where it is not weird to "kiss the bride"?
Show Notes:
The Kirkus review of this book is THE BEST! https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/else-holmelund-minarik/a-kiss-for-little-bear/
For the full Show Notes please visit: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2019/12/02/fuse-8-n-kate-a-kiss-for-little-bear-by-else-holmelund-minarik-ill-maurice-sendak/
When Kate challenged Betsy to find a classic Thanksgiving book, she made the mistake of saying off-handedly, "Oh, it could just be about food too." Ah HAH! Food, eh? Well, they'd already done Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs, so that could leave only one other famous food-related piece of children's literary history. That's right. Time to down some Green Eggs and Ham.
For the full Show Notes please visit: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2019/11/25/fuse-8-n-kate-green-eggs-and-ham-by-dr-seuss/
Betsy anticipated our discussion of whether or not this book is more of a St. Patrick's Day title. What she did not think of was whether or not this book would tap into Kate's bottomless knowledge of sales. It does, she shares her opinion, and Betsy get scared. And really, isn't being scared by your relatives exactly what Thanksgiving is all about anyway? Happy listening!
Show Notes:
This book showed up at #12 on the Top 100 Picture Books Poll. There are some very funny links in there that you might find worth checking out: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2012/06/15/top-100-picture-books-12-green-eggs-and-ham-by-dr-seuss/
Betsy wasn't wrong. Here is the bizarre description of this book in the NYPL catalog: https://browse.nypl.org/iii/encore/record/C__Rb18712668__Sgreen%20eggs%20and%20ham__Orightresult__U__X7?lang=eng&suite=def
Do you harbor any curiosity at all about the Netflix show? Here's a trailer to clarify matters. It's . . . uh . . . it's something all right. Guess Kate was right about the two being strangers at the start: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YaqKPRxxaSk
And I found the video of the Rev. Jesse Jackson reading snatches of the book on Saturday Night Live. Darndest thing: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A1mqg4C0awA
It seemed like it would be a pretty safe bet that Kate wouldn't have heard of this week's book. A little 1977 beauty it is. Betsy and Kate haven't done a Pinkwater book before, and this is a heckuva way to begin. It's a glorious celebration of disappointing the homeowner's associations of the world. It also apparently has to do with Nickelodeon, how to keep a pet alligator, and magical mystery lemonade.
Show Notes:
For further information about that weird moment when a standardized test took one of Pinkwater's stories and asked kids to explain it, check out this New York Times article on the subject: https://www.nytimes.com/2012/04/21/nyregion/standardized-testing-is-blamed-for-question-about-a-sleeveless-pineapple.html
Woohoo! Teaching Children Philosophy is baaaack! Here is their section dedicated to The Big Orange Splot: https://www.teachingchildrenphilosophy.org/BookModule/TheBigOrangeSplot
For the full Show Notes, please visit: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2019/11/11/fuse-8-n-kate-the-big-orange-splot-by-daniel-pinkwater/(opens in a new tab)
If there's one thing we know, it's that there are two kinds of picture books that are most often divisive: the message-y books and the sweet and fuzzies. Combine the two and you get The Kissing Hand. There is NO doubt that the book is loved deeply by Kindergarten teachers, but would you call it a picture book classic worthy of keeping on shelves for decades to come? Betsy really didn't know how Kate would react to this one when I handed it to her. Would she be charmed? Be appalled? And, as ever, Kate surprises Betsy. She's good at that.
Show Notes:
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Honestly, if you know why there used to be two illustrators associated with this book and then, later, only illustrator Ruth E. Harper was mentioned on the book's website, please let us in on the story.
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Yep. On the Top 100 Picture Books Poll it came in at #95: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2012/05/16/top-100-picture-books-95-the-kissing-hand-by-audrey-penn/
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Here's the link to Letters to Chester, which is entirely free and online for you: http://www.tanglewoodbooks.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/Letters-to-Chester_Layout_LowEmail3c.indd_.pdf
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Want to cook up some Kissing Hand cookies of your own? This one with Hershey's Kisses makes a lot of sense: http://www.momto2poshlildivas.com/2011/08/kissing-hand-keepsake-craft-math.html
And finally, here is the book trailer for Fabulous Monsters by Alberto Manguel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vXg1bPoqHDU
For the full Show Notes, please visit http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2019/11/04/fuse-8-n'-kate:-the-kissing-hand-by-audrey-penn,-ruth-e-harper-&-nancy-m-leak/
Halloween is almost upon us! And like every year, Kate is always challenging Betsy to come up with some classic scares. This year, we've seen Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark adapted to the silver screen. Seems only natural to then pull out what many would consider to be Schwartz's other scary classic for kids. And, oh joy, it's part of the I Can Read series! What we had not counted on was that in 2017 Harper Collins re-illustrated the series. What to do? Well... why not do both versions? Original illustrator Dirk Zimmer originally hailed from Germany while current illustrator Victor Rivas lives in Barcelona. Who is scarier in the end? Will this be like that time Harper Collins re-illustrated Scary Stories with Brett Helquist instead of Stephen Gammell and the world went mad? Guess you'll just have to find out for yourself.
Show Notes:
Here are Kate's Grown-Up Things she liked:
First up the game Zombie Dice: https://www.amazon.com/SJG-131313-Zombie-Dice/dp/B003IKMR0U
Second up, a Zombie catnip toy you can make yourself and the link here goes to Kate's old and, frankly, amazing blog from 2014: http://katokula.blogspot.com/2014/03/zombie-catnip-toy.html
Betsy is serious. She LOVES the American Writers Museum of Chicago. No lie. When you all come to Chicago next (and for some of you that will be the next American Library Association conference in June) you must visit it: https://americanwritersmuseum.org/
For the full Show Notes, please visit: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2019/10/28/review-of-the-day:-in-a-dark,-dark-room-by-alvin-schwartz/
We have a special guest!! It was our esteemed delight and pleasure to host international superstar, picture book creator, Hans Christian Andersen Award winner, Roger Mello in this, the latest episode of our podcast! Now it had been a while since we'd done an international picture book. We do try to make an effort to look at what other countries would consider "classics", but it can be difficult to (A) determine what a country thinks of as a classic and (B) find translations here in the States. Fortunately we lucked out with this episode. We asked Roger what Brazilian classic Kate should read and he selected a book that not only got translated here (in 1982) but one where a copy was still available in Betsy's library's consortium. Whew!
Of course, the book is 96 pages long so Kate's read had to be a bit truncated. She read just the first tale in the book and the last one, and I do believe it worked out beautifully. Jorge Amado, of course, was the Brazilian novelist responsible for such serious novels about social justice as Cacao as well as more comic titles like Dona Flor and Her Two Husbands.
Show Notes:
Curious about the Hans Christian Andersen Medal? You can find more information about it here. The Americans that are currently nominated right now are Jacqueline Woodson and illustrator Allen Say: http://www.ibby.org/awards-activities/awards/hans-christian-andersen-awards/
Why was the book written by the great novelist Amado? According to the Kirkus review it was, "Originally written in 1948 as a birthday gift for Amado's infant son." And clearly that review journal wasn't the book's biggest fan: https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/jorge-amado-4/the-swallow-and-the-tom-cat/
You can find the full Show Notes here: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2019/10/21/fuse-8-n'-kate:-the-swallow-and-the-tom-cat-by-jorge-amado-with-special-guest-roger-mello!/(opens in a new tab)
In memory of the great Mr. Gerstein we decided to do his best-known, most classicy classic title. Of course, by doing this title, it means that for the first time, in all of our history, we are doing a nonfiction picture book. Not a bad way to start out, eh? Have no fear, we'll be getting to the spooky Halloween fare soon enough, but first we wanted to pay an homage to one of children's literature's greats.
Show Notes:
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Quiz Question: Which Disney animated film begins with a shot of the Twin Towers?
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How old was Philippe Petit when he did this? We looked it up. He was about to turn 25.
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Here is the trailer for the documentary Man on Wire. I love that it includes the moment he balances the policeman's hat on his nose and then drops it onto his head.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cz6oddi0mts
- And here is the trailer for the biographical drama called The Walk. Looks like the supplemented the actual drama with some unnecessary dramatic flourishes. I like the shots though.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4W6byFcD5uE
The Weston Woods version of this book is read by Jake Gyllenhal and it's lovely. Here's a quick peek at it:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m-FzEGNsH8w
- Here is the $5 hand candle holder that Kate was discussing: https://www.target.com/p/halloween-votive-candle-holder-white-hyde-38-eek-boutique-8482/-/A-54381257?ref=tgt_adv_XS000000&AFID=google_pla_df&fndsrc=tgtao&CPNG=PLA_Seasonal%2BShopping_Brand&adgroup=SC_Seasonal&LID=700000001170770pgs&network=g&device=c&location=9021760&gclsrc=aw.ds&&gclid=Cj0KCQjwrMHsBRCIARIsAFgSeI1xsokVAK6dTL_gMtwT2pvEEmDgudLvHcE1HJdQPzdYd8YeK3-AoCEaAn9MEALw_wcB
For the full Show Notes please visit us at: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2019/10/14/fuse-8-n-kate-the-man-who-walked-between-the-towers-by-mordecai-gerstein/(opens in a new tab)
How do you type with hooves? Would this book today involve the cows texting? What are the logistics of not giving milk and then proceeding to start up production again? Who's buying from the underground milk market? How do you strap a typewriter to a duck? Betsy and Kate are just full of questions with today's book. Kate comes up with the cruelest advice for Farmer Brown you've ever heard and Betsy gets to come up with fake sequel names to this story
Show Notes:
- As it happens, Betsy was not quite right when she said this book was "definitely older than 20 years old". It is, in fact, 19-years-old. It could not buy a drink in a bar if it wanted to.
Here is where we found the information about the right-wing talk show hosts finding this book too pro-union and anti-creationist: https://www.rightwingwatch.org/post/beware-the-insidious-agenda-of-click-clack-moo-cows-that-type/
This book came in at #39 on the Top 100 Picture Books Poll: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2012/06/01/top-100-picture-books-39-click-clack-moo-cows-that-type-by-doreen-cronin-illustrated-by-betsy-lewin/
Betsy other podcast that she mentions? It's the Story Seeds Podcast and she highly recommends that you listen to it with your older kids: https://www.storyseeds.co/
For the full Show Notes please visit: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2019/10/07/fuse-8-n-kate-click-clack-moo-by-doreen-cronin-betsy-lewin/
We have a good good rule here at Fuse 8 n' Kate. Betsy and Kate do not judge any picture book that younger than 20 years of age. And with today's episode, Betsy broke that rule. She broke it hard. Clocking in at a mere 8 years of age, it's a bit premature to consider Klassen's best known title as a "classic" picture book or not. And yet, Betsy clearly could not help herself. In the course of things they discuss the fact that this book is essentially a school play, the speed of a bear, and the likelihood that the rabbit is, in fact, under the bear at the story's end.
Show Notes:
This book came in at #74 on the Top 100 picture book poll: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2012/05/21/top-100-picture-books-74-i-want-my-hat-back-by-jon-klassen/
Then there were lots of memes of this book out there: http://knowyourmeme.com/memes/i-want-my-hat-back
Here is the Re-Seussification Project Betsy alluded to, where Dan Santat redid The Cat in the Hat in the style of Jon Klassen: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2012/03/01/re-seussification-project-the-results/
Turns out the Remember Reading podcast mentioned this show because Betsy was a guest. She spoke on the episode about the beauty of Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/scary-stories-to-tell-in-the-dark-ft-j-a-white-betsy-bird/id1447897366?i=1000446362118
Remember when Kate mentioned the Severus Snape song? You can listen to it here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eax4oQb5p04
And here are the comics that show Dumbledore as a jerk. Good stuff: https://www.indy100.com/article/a-cartoonist-has-reimagined-dumbledore-as-a-jerk-and-its-hilarious--ZyxEIWFCT4e
For the full Show Notes, please visit us at: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2019/09/30/fuse-8-n-kate-i-want-my-hat-back-by-jon-klassen/
Betsy had been avoiding today's book, not because it isn't famous enough, but because it's on the simple side. 101 words simple, in fact. The sisters get a little silly in the course of things, but boy do they learn all kinds of things! Lawnmower parenting! How had Betsy not known about it all these years? Kate decides that the boy is secretly working for Monsanto. Betsy defends the parents, which Kate didn't see coming. Kate learns all about the germination cycle of carrots. And Betsy compares the boy to Buster Keaton.
Which is right.
Show Notes:
Betsy doesn't mention it on the podcast but this book came in at #100 on the Top 100 Picture Books Poll: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2012/05/16/top-100-picture-books-100-the-carrot-seed-by-ruth-krauss-illustrated-by-crockett-johnson/
In his essay Ruth Krauss and Me, Maurice Sendak praises ‘that perfect picture book, The Carrot Seed (Harper), the granddaddy of all picture books in America, a small revolution of a book that permanently transformed the face of children’s book publishing. The Carrot Seed, with not a word or a picture out of place, is dramatic, vivid, precise, concise in every detail. It springs fresh from the real world of children’.” Read more here: http://www.k-state.edu/english/nelp/purple/bibliography.html#sendak.krauss_and_me
And finally, here's the Carrot Seed song, so popular with many a storytime around this great nation:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZHxLfBSU-9E
For the full Show Notes, please visit with us at http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2019/09/23/fuse-8-n-kate-the-carrot-seed-by-ruth-krauss-ill-crockett-johnson/
Betsy is very proud of herself. She managed to go this entire episode of the podcast without mentioning Rainbow Fish once. She and Kate do discuss Frederick briefly, but how can you not? In this episode Betsy discovers that no one has ever written a fun background story on how Leo Lionni came up with this book. Instead the sisters discuss whether or not Lionni was good at making art with cut potatoes, whether fish have eyebrows, and how hard it is to say the term "Mom pun" repeatedly.
If you would like to see the Reading Rainbow where Tyne Daley reads Amazing Grace, here is the episode: https://www.dailymotion.com/video/x6f5eek
For the full Show Notes please visit: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2019/09/16/fuse-8-n-kate-swimmy-by-leo-lionni/
"Nobody wants your bunny snot cake, buddy."
Betsy and Kate had done The Stinky Cheese Man on their podcast, but that still left a great big wolf-shaped hole in the canon. Time for Scieszka/Smith Part 2: Electric Boogaloo. In this episode Kate decides to take the Wolf at his word and, as you might expect, she find some holes in his defense. This guy would never be able to hold it together if that woman cross-examined him on the stand. As you might imagine, the sisters have a lot of fun with this one.
Show Notes:
Betsy just thinks Binge Boxes are a neat concept. If you'd like to see them in action, check out this posting from the Marion County Public Library System: https://mcpls.org/bingebox/
For the record, if you want a killer authentic version of The Three Little Pigs (though it cuts out the weird apple picking/fair going parts) try reading Yummy! by Lucy Cousins. http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2009/07/30/review-of-the-day-yummy-by-lucy-cousins/
Betsy didn't mention it, but she just loves this Sesame Street version of the story. Maybe that's just because she's House of Cards fan, though. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=92NXMtVtv8o
For the full Show Notes please visit: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2019/09/09/fuse-8-n-kate-the-true-story-of-the-3-little-pigs-by-jon-scieszka-and-lane-smith
A British book just snuck into the pack. When Betsy picked it up from the library for Kate to read, she was positive that what they had on their hands was an American title through and through. Not as such. Mary Hoffman, a white British woman, wrote this back in 1991. It was also a Kate Greenaway Honor book when it was released, which is impressive. This book is not without its controversial elements, but in Betsy's library the only edition available was the reprinted 2015 edition. And, as you will see, that is probably for the best.
Show Notes:
- For a fun time, Google "Pantomimes about Aladdin" sometime. You will subsequently be taken to a wide world of very British holiday oddities.
I love this kid with his hand only partly up. Like he wasn't paying attention and isn't sure what everyone's volunteering for, but he doesn't want to be left out.
As mentioned, back in 2015 Amazing Grace was re-released, but the American editions (not the British editions?) quietly excised the illustration of Grace as Hiawatha. No announcement was made at the time. On her blog, Debbie Reese has the complete rundown and history of the controversy surrounding the image and the silence that accompanied its change. Mind you, this change might have appeared earlier. As Roger Sutton says in the comment section of Debbie's piece, "The U.S. edition of Amazing Grace has always been Dial. But what i don't know is whether the elimination of the Hiawatha picture happened with this anniversary edition or if the (American) publisher had removed it before--it's a book that's been through many years and printings, so this change might not be new. I just don't know." https://americanindiansinchildrensliterature.blogspot.com/2015/10/big-news-about-hoffmans-amazing-grace.html
The book that's a lot like this one that's out this year is Not Quite Snow White by Ashley Franklin, illustrated by Ebony Glenn. When Betsy saw it this year she wondered if Amazing Grace had just been completely forgotten.
If you would like to hear what a Neanderthal sounds like, check out the RadioLab episode Asking for a Friend: https://www.wnycstudios.org/story/asking-friend
For the full Show Notes please visit: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2019/09/02/fuse-8-n-kate-amazing-grace-by-mary-hoffman-ill-caroline-binch/
Summer is almost over, the children are off to school again, and those of us able to take last minute vacations are doing so with gusto. All this is to say that we figured now was a perfect time to release our first "minisode". We came up with the "minisode" name when we thought it would be shorter than our usual length. But then Betsy got it into her head to talk to renowned children's literature scholar Phil Nel for our first minisode and, naturally, it blossomed into a full-blown episode length. Still, when you hear all the things Phil has to say, you'll have to agree that it was worth it.
In this episode, Phil and Betsy discuss our previous episode regarding The Cat in the Hat. Phil is perhaps the best person to speak to on the subject, having edited The Annotated Cat in the Hat as well as writing the book Was the Cat in the Hat Black?
It's the 100th episode! Woohoo! After all this time it's finally come. The challenge of this episode of the podcast was to come up with a book for #100 that is widely known but that Betsy and Kate hadn't done already. And this book was waiting in the wings all along. Why? Because thanks to a great deal of scholarship out there on the topic, the "Cat" is no longer the simple beloved character he once was considered to be. This isn't an easy book to do, but Betsy and Kate manage it somehow.
Show Notes:
- Speaking of Cat in the Hat movies, let us not forget that some brave soul out there combined the trailer for IT with the Mike Myers version: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ztxEHtrgTRg
So what does the mom of this book think of all of this? All is explained in a New York Times piece called The Mom From 'The Cat in the Hat' Finally Speaks: https://parenting.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/07/05/the-mom-from-the-cat-in-the-hat-finally-speaks/
Books Mentioned on This Episode: The Annotated Cat in the Hat: Under the Hats of Seuss and His Cats by Phil Nel and Was the Cat in the Hat Black? The Hidden Racism of Children's Literature and the Need for Diverse Books, also by Phil Nel.
As mentioned on the show, well worth reading is Jerry Griswold's piece on Medium called James Marshall, We Love You: https://medium.com/@jerrygriswold/james-marshall-we-love-you-ade0af961a7f.
Also look for the pieceThe Tiger Who Came to Tea Earns Stripes With an All-Star Cast: https://www.animationmagazine.net/tv/the-tiger-who-came-to-tea-earns-stripes-with-all-star-cast/
For the full Show Notes please visit: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2019/08/21/fuse-8-n-kate-the-cat-in-the-hat-by-dr-seuss/
This week's challenge from Kate: Deliver unto her a "classic picture book about divorce". So Betsy conferred with her fellow librarians and they all agreed that there is really only one that would fit the bill: A little number from 1986. There's a number of reasons for this selection. The book remains popular to this day. This book is still in print (have they updated the terms since its original publication? This is unclear). And, as Kate points out, this is clearly more a guide than something you might read cover-to-cover. So how has it aged over the years?
Show Notes:
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Here is the website of Ms. Laurene Krasny Brown. And here are her current and upcoming shows. Check one out if you have a chance: http://www.laurenekrasnybrown.com/
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To answer the question of whether or not divorce is up or down since 1986, we found this article from TIME Magazine, published last year: https://time.com/5434949/divorce-rate-children-marriage-benefits/
Here is a list of Recommended Divorce Picture Books, for those of you interested in books that are slightly more recent: - Two Old Potatoes and Me by John Coy, ill. Carolyn Fisher - Fred Stays With Me by Nancy Coffelt, ill. Tricia Tusa - Here and There by Tamara Ellis Smith, ill. Evelyn Daviddi - Why Do Families Change by Jillian Roberts, ill. Cindy Revell - Living With Mom and Living With Dad by Melanie Walsh
For the complete Show Notes, please visit: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2019/08/12/fuse-8-n-kate-dinosaurs-divorce-by-laurene-krasny-brown-ill-marc-brown/
Betsy had been meaning to do this, Eastman's third most famous easy book, and the first one he ever did on his own, for a while. Now, for years Betsy has believed that Eastman has illustrated "night" better than most artists. After this recording she feels justified in having felt this way.
Show Notes:
If you'd like to see all the ratings of this podcast, they are now avaiable for viewing at https://www.betsybirdbooks.com/lesson-plan
Curious about Kate's mention of Can Can Wonderland? You learn a lot more about it at https://www.cancanwonderland.com/
For the full Show Notes please visit: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2019/08/05/fuse-8-n-kate-sam-and-the-firefly-by-p-d-eastman/
ALERT! Before we begin, we'd like to make note that this is number 97 of our podcast so far. To celebrate our upcoming 100th we have (A) Created a Facebook page(found at https://www.facebook.com/Fuse8Kate) and (B) On Monday, August 5th at 8 p.m. CST we will record a Facebook Live episode of episode #100. So in case you've ever wanted to see the images of a "classic" picture book as Kate discovers them, now you can.
This week, we wonder something. Is Martha the better hippo? Hard to determine with a single George and Martha book, but we have some serious opinions on the matter. This week we discuss methods of hiding food you don't want to eat (when you're a grown-up), how "The Tub" was a pre-#MeToo story, and why Rev. Buck McTooth is truly a Doctor of Divinity. Listen for the great Kate line: "Look the woman may be vain but she makes you food, and she doesn't spy on YOU during YOUR private moments, so let her have her mirror!" She also notices that the book ends with Martha saying that friends tell you the truth, and the first story was about how hard it was for George to tell Martha the truth. That's how you do it, James. That's how you do it.
Show Notes:
This book clocked in at #48 on the Top 100 Picture Books Poll back in the day: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2012/05/29/top-100-picture-books-48-george-and-martha-by-james-marshall/
Here is the Tig Notaro show Kate was referring to. We found the first episode: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OO1Sfb-j9FU
For the full Show Notes please visit us at http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2019/07/29/fuse-8-n-kate-george-and-martha-by-james-marshall/
It seems very odd to us that one of the most commercially successful children's books to ever be published in the United States has an almost entirely obscure author to its name. The mystery of Janette Sebring Lowrey hangs over our latest episode of this podcast. Neither Kate nor Betsy had ever read this book before, and yet it bragged back in 2001 of having sold nearly 15 million copies. The illustrator's wife even joked that the artist was pleased that he'd given the Bible a "run for its money". But is it actually any good? We consider The Poky Little Puppy on all his roly-poly glory.
Show Notes:
You could have a lot of fun reading the Gabriel Roth Slate article Why So Poky? The Scourge of Terrible Canonical Children's Books. Seemed pertinent to our podcast, don't you think? https://slate.com/culture/2015/06/the-poky-little-puppy-and-other-awful-canonical-childrens-books.html
For the full Show Notes please visit: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2019/07/22/fuse-8-n-kate-the-poky-little-puppy-by-janette-sebring-lowrey-ill-gustaf-tenggren/
Lists of "classic" picture books are often white white white, with the occasional racist inclusion. That's why I'm always on the lookout for picture books from the past that could be deemed "classic" and come from a variety of different perspectives and voices. When it occurred to Betsy the other day that she and Kate hadn't done Stevie yet on this show, she was a little mad at herself. It wasn't that the show hadn't done a Steptoe before (see: Mufaro's Beautiful Daughters) but this was the book that put the man on the map. And, as you will see, it became a huge deal.
Show Notes
Here is the editorial in Horn Book where Linda Sue Park points out that people have been doing the work to bring out children's books from a wide range of points of view for decades. https://www.hbook.com/?detailStory=editorial-try-to-remember-july-august-2019
Merriam-Webster defines "hobbledehoy" as "an awkward gawky youth." Nailed it, Betsy.
What are mickies and marshmallows in the park? A little help, folks.
You can read the kooky Kirkus review of the book here. What on EARTH is the only painting in the book doesn't work?!? https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/john-steptoe/stevie
As Betsy mentions, here is Gordon (Gordon with hair) on the Sesame Street episode from 1969 where he reads the book. Actor Matt Robinson's reading is amazing. We could watch this over and over all day. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vpbnKOlkjyc
Here is the blog post from Tales of an Elementary School Librarian called Waning Crescents and Wild Things that discusses the changes of the moon in Where the Wild Things Are: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vpbnKOlkjyc
For the full Show Notes please visit: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2019/07/15/fuse-8-n-kate-stevie-by-john-steptoe/
Meet this week's special guest star, Lucy Knisley! To our infinite delight, when asked what book she'd like to do for the podcast she selected one we'd never done. Today's magnificent title is Shrek! We get to talk about whether or not Shrek is actually Superman, how the succulent wedding bouquet was ahead of its time, and what this book has in common with the film US.
Show Notes:
Here is the Salon article "Shrek" Is Not Shrek: https://www.salon.com/2001/05/24/anti_shrek/
While we were unable to find the 1996 Children's Circle Video "The William Steig Library", we were able to find this brief interview with the man in which he says he's not a good illustrator. Suuuuuuuure, buddy: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2k8TiUftKF0
Extra points to Macmillan for getting Stanley Tucci to do the audiobook: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OmUC7nsrzlg
The two ramen related books that are out in 2019 that are mentioned on the podcast are Let's Make Ramen by Hugh Amano and Sarah Becan and Magic Ramen: The Story of Momofuku Ando is by Andrea Wang, illustrated by Kana Urbanowicz.
For the full Show Notes please visit: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2019/07/08/fuse-8-n-kate-shrek-by-william-steig-with-special-guest-lucy-knisley/
At last. After 93 episodes, Kate and Betsy have finally come face-to-face with the great Sendak masterpiece. Why did we decide to do the book today, rather than wait until we hit the 100th episode mark? Because, my friends, today is an auspicious day in and of itself. Today Fuse 8 n' Kate the podcast officially becomes a School Library Journal property. You won't see any changes on your end, but believe us, we've been cleaning up our act a bit. Our episodes, you may have noticed, are now a tight 30 minutes. We'll be having more guest stars as well, which should be fun.
But for today's book, we finally hit the title that appeared at #1 on Betsy's Top 100 Picture Books poll, both times that she conducted it. Does it deserve its everlasting fame and glory? Find out for yourself as Kate and Betsy pick the darn thing apart. And believe us, there is a special kind of challenge in finding new things to say about this old chestnut.
Show Notes:
- Here is something Betsy wrote up when this book appeared as #1 on her poll:
"In terms of the scary factor (which is to say, whether kids would end up traumatized by the book) Nordstrom has this to say on the subject: “I think this book can frighten only a neurotic child or a neurotic adult.” Later in Dear Genius (the collection of her letters) there’s an amusing note from 1974 from Ursula to Sendak where she mentions that Fran Manushkin wants to know if Sendak will be changing the last word in the book. Says Nordstrom, “As you know, new plates are being made and before the new edition comes out we wonder if you want to change the last word from ‘hot’ to ‘warm.’ I can’t for the life of me remember the history of all this but I believe we heard from a couple of children (or their rotten parents) that ‘and it was still warm’ would be better than ‘and it was still hot’ because children don’t like hot foot [sic]. Listen, have you ever had such great editorial comment in your life?” For some reason I like this little passage very very much, though “hot” is clearly the superior word."
- Here is the 1983 CGI clip of the movie that was never made from this book: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V-EpaPsJe-c
At one point I mention a great site called Terrible Yellow Eyes which solicited unique Wild Things art from a variety of different artists. It hasn't been updated in years but it's still out there for you to see: http://www.terribleyelloweyes.com/
For the full Show Notes please visit: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2019/07/01/fuse-8-n-kate-where-the-wild-things-are-by-maurice-sendak/
While normally the podcast posts its episodes on Mondays, it seemed that for this book, of all books, a Tuesday debut was the most appropriate. When our hosts' mother suggested they do a David Wiesner title, specifically this one, Betsy pooh-poohed her. Silly mother. Surely they'd already done it. Turns out, not so much. So it was with great joy that Betsy handed it over to Kate. In this episode you'll get to hear Betsy's dead-on theremin imitation (which sounds oddly similar to her playing-the-saw imitation), as well as discussions of whether or not these are frogs AND toads, what happens if you loose your lilypad, and the sad fate of the little old woman in front of the TV.
Show Notes:
Go to David Wiesner's site for further Tuesday information here: http://www.houghtonmifflinbooks.com/authors/wiesner/books/books_tues.shtml#
Read his Caldecott acceptance speech: http://www.houghtonmifflinbooks.com/authors/wiesner/bio/bio3_cald.shtml
It came in at #24 on the Top 100 Picture Books poll: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2012/06/11/top-100-picture-books-24-tuesday-by-david-wiesner/
As it turns out, and this was a surprise to me, the short film they made of the book is shockingly beautiful. The animation is above par and the background music in particular is quite enchanting. It was created by the "Music and Animation Collection of Paul McCartney". Consider it a surprising treat: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IV5LOHdrdP8
"Amelia Bedelia turns passive aggression into a kind of art." We do highly recommend the New Yorker piece he Secret Rebellion of Amelia Bedelia by Sarah Blackwood. A reinterpretation of something people have ignored and disregarded for years. : https://www.newyorker.com/books/page-turner/the-secret-rebellion-of-amelia-bedelia-the-bartleby-of-domestic-work
Bags of Love was the site where Betsy created her scarf for this past Sunday's Newbery/Caldecott/Legacy Banquet. Trust me, you can make your own too. Hers was made up entirely of blue Caldecott Award and Honor winners: https://www.bagsoflove.com/design-your-own-scarf
For the full Show Notes please visit http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2019/06/25/fuse-8-n-kate-tuesday-by-david-wiesner/
Betsy's question, walking into this podcast, was to figure out whether or not this book has anything to actually say to the 21st century child. Is it still pertinent or is it like some kind of archaic Kids Say the Darndest Things? Betsy and Kate talk about the historical view of American childhood and how it might have affected this book's popularity in certain decades. As you might expect, the book also causes them to get a little philosophical at times. "This is like Schrödinger's 's Cat. The hole both is and is not there when the digging takes place. Right. Okay. As long as we're clear. This is complex physics." Kate discovers that the absolute best way to read this book from 1952 is as a Beatnik. Oh, and I hope you like terrible terrible British accents, because we have lots and loads to give when quoting a discussion of The Tiger Who Came to Tea.
Show Notes:
The Ruth Krauss book coming out later this year is Roar Like a Dandelion, illustrated by Sergio Ruzzier.
We would be amiss in not mentioning, once again, the invaluable Crockett Johnson and Ruth Krauss: How an Unlikely Couple Found Love, Dodged the FBI, and Transformed Children's Literature: http://www.upress.state.ms.us/books/1541
Here is a Kirkus Review A Hole Is to Dig that isn't really enamored of the text: https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/ruth-krauss/a-hole-is-to-dig/
For the full Show Notes please visit: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2019/06/17/fuse-8-n-kate-a-hole-is-to-dig-by-ruth-krauss-ill-maurice-sendak/
Once an author up and dies on us, it's the perfect moment to attempt a read of that writer's best known picture book. So it is that Judith Kerr was the perfect subject to consider for this episode. This is a book that ignores the rather good advice that, "If you're in a picture book and a tiger says he's hungry, run the other way." Kate discovers that this may well be one of the MOST English picture book the show has ever encountered. She also identifies this tiger as a brat as a cat and you KNOW how Kate feels about brats. Meanwhile, Betsy shares her Jeopardy suspicions, my goodness Daddy's Guinness is gone, and the sisters get to say the phrase "there is nothing Nazi about this tiger."
Here is an obituary for Judith Kerr for those of you with an interest in her life : https://www.nytimes.com/2019/05/23/obituaries/judith-kerr-dead.html
No. Really. What exactly IS "tea"?
Here is the wacky Wikipedia entry I refer to. Clearly this is my favorite found about a children's author thus far: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Judith_Kerr
For the full Show Notes please visit: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2019/06/11/fuse-8-n-kate-the-tiger-who-came-to-tea-by-judith-kerr/
Under normal circumstances, the entire premise of this podcast is that Betsy will present Kate with a picture book "classic" that she has never seen before and she will read it for the first time. To change things up, Kate suggested that Betsy bring a picture book that neither of them had read. At the same time, she mentioned in a previous episode that when it comes to classic Jewish picture books, the only ones the show has ever done were Hanukkah based. Add in the fact that this is a cult classic that came back in print two years ago, and you've got yourself a heckuva show.
Show Notes:
- Betsy keeps quoting from a Marjorie Ingall article in Tablet Magazine that was called Lore Segal's Warm and Weird 'Tell Me a Mitzi'. We highly recommend that you seek it out for even more background information: https://www.tabletmag.com/scroll/193108/lore-segals-warm-and-weird-tell-me-a-mitzi
-Lore Segal's family's story was told in the Academy Award winning documentary Into the Arms of Strangers. You can see the trailer for it here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GIXmLLBrNQY
- See the full Show Notes here: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2019/06/03/fuse-8-n-kate-tell-me-a-mitzi-by-lore-segal-and-harriet-pincus/
Kate gave Betsy a challenge to go out and find a picture book that the two of them hadn't read. And in the end . . . Betsy completely and utterly failed to do honor the request. She decided to do Pete instead. So it goes.
With this entry, Kate makes a VERY strong case for why this book missed an opportunity involving the color wheel. Kate also points out that the actual moral of this story is, "Watch where you step." Meanwhile, Betsy gets to riff on James Dean the actor (if he were ever to make a picture book), Kate tells Betsy that hedgehogs are super smelly (who knew?), and the two dive deep into Pete's confusing lineage.
Show Notes:
Here is Eric Litwin's interview with Line Up the Books: https://www.lineupthebooks.com/an-interview-with-ny-times-bestselling-author-and-former-special-ed-teacher-eric-litwin-2/
How do you sing this song? Here's how Litwin would do it: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nUubMSfIs-U
Here’s the Pete the Cat website in case you want to check out all those Pete videos: http://www.petethecatbooks.com/
And here’s the Pete the Cat television show. You know you’re curious. Behold the trailer. Is it just us or is it really painful to watch anytime you see Pete’s mouth? Plus we miss the messiness of the original art here. Seems like a lost opportunity: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K5w1F-_SDls
For the full Show Notes please visit: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2019/05/28/fuse-8-n-kate-pete-the-cat-i-love-my-white-shoes-by-james-dean/
"It's like the Where's Waldo of literature!"
This week we're celebrating another cult classic picture book (the last one we did was The Lonely Doll by Dare Wright). There aren't a ton of them out there, but this one certainly does apply. The timing of this podcast has much to do with the fact that Mr. Stamaty has just released MacDoodle Street, a collection of his adult strips. In the course of things we discover that this book has 27 pipes, we discuss whether or not Mr. Stamaty really does suffer from horror vacui, and how you would sing the line "Who needs donuts when you've got love?". It fails the stranger danger test magnificently, sure, but we can all get behind its "inspired sense of the absurd."
Want to read the original New York Times review of this book by Barbara Bottner? Go no further than here. I think it was keen of them to tap Bottner for this: https://www.nytimes.com/1973/10/14/archives/who-needs-donuts-by-mark-alan-stamaty-illustrated-by-the-author.html
Has anyone ever combined a donut and a pretzel before? I'm afraid so. But they don't get a catchy name: https://www.sweetrecipeas.com/2016/10/05/vanilla-bean-glazed-soft-pretzel-donuts/
Here you can hear Jesse Thorn discussing *Who Needs Donuts? It's more an encapsulation than anything else, but it's always interesting to hear how other folks take this book: https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=1\u0026v=W-BKWBbrCek
And here is Kate's paint-by-number artist that she likes so much. Her name is Colleen O'Connor: http://www.colleenelizabethart.com/
Betsy's Grown-Up Thing I Like is the documentary Knock Down the House which she mistakenly keep scalling "Bringing Down the House": https://deadline.com/2019/01/knock-down-the-house-netflix-alexandria-ocasio-cortez-sundance-film-festival-documentary-1202544739/
For the full Show Notes please visit: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2019/05/20/fuse-8-n-kate-who-needs-donuts-by-mark-alan-stamaty/*
"Folktales! They don't end the way you expect 'em to . . . if they're authentic."
If you are familiar with #ownvoices children's books, then you know that these are titles where a book is written by someone with learned experience from the culture they are representing. We might have quite a debate over what the oldest #ownvoices picture book published in America is, that is arguably famous to this day, and that also is written by someone who wasn't white and European. Our vote goes to today's book circa 1932. Sadly, it appears to be out of print. For that matter, ALL of Pura Belpre's books look like they're out of print, with the possible exception of Firefly Summer. Something wrong with that, people. In this episode Kate and I get to do all kinds of fun animal sounds. Particularly "Borom". We're very fond of "Borom"
Lots of books get mentioned in this show. One of them that is discussed right at the top is the upcoming Goodnight, Bubbala by Sheryl Haft and Jill Weber. Coming this fall.
Here's a link to that lamentable Washington Examiner piece The Baltimore Mayor Scandal Wouldn't Have Happened If Modern Children's Books Weren't So Dumb. You kind find Nick Bruel's response on Facebook. - https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/opinion/the-baltimore-mayor-scandal-wouldnt-have-happened-if-modern-childrens-books-werent-so-dumb
Just a quick note that if you want a cool picture book that features Pura Belpre and here Perez and Martina puppets, check out The Storyteller's Candle by Lucia M. Gonzalez. - http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2008/03/22/review-of-the-day-the-storytellers-candle-la-velita-de-los-cuentos/
For the full Show Notes please visit: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2019/05/13/fuse-8-n-kate-perez-and-martina-by-pura-belpre-ill-carlos-sanchez/
Ramona's not the only one calling aspects of Mike Mulligan into question anymore. Kate and Betsy already tackled Virginia Lee Burton's The Little House, so now the two cover another story of the fast moving world and how it leads to obsolescence. In this tale of "a man obsessed with his steam shovel," they discuss muffs, dabbing, how precisely a steam shovel would work, and the weird placement of the acknowledgement to Dickie Birkinbush mid-book.
As we mentioned, Kate and Betsy made a Randolph Caldecott music video about 10 years ago. That second pair of heels? That's Kate:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QMIjWQQavcY
And here is Kate's Kei$ha video. She's one of the mohawked ladies walking behind the singer lady: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mXvmSaE0JXA
Kate looked up what a "selectman" is. It is, "a member of the local government board of a New England town." Who knew?
For the full show notes, please visit us at http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2019/05/06/fuse-8-n-kate-mike-mulligan-and-his-steam-shovel-by-virginia-lee-burton/
We're not entirely certainly why Betsy selected this as today's book. Maybe she wanted a book that was merely 20 years old. Maybe it was the fact that earlier in the day, before we recorded, she had read this book to her son's preschool class. But it may be because, and we don't think we're spoiling anything here, it is one of the world's greatest readaloud picture books. And there are so many things to talk about here. Spontaneous interior canine generation. The doctor's disappearing/reappearing latex gloves. Why no one assumes that there isn't another dog inside of George at the end. Whether or not George has eaten the vet at the end. The list goes on.
Show Notes:
The documentary The Phantom Tollbooth: Beyond Expectations, A Documentary About the Classic Children's Book has been mentioned on this podcast and blog before. Buy it for the Tollbooth fan in your life: http://phantomtollboothdoc.vhx.tv/
The term Betsy was having a hard time thinking of is "spontaneous generation".
That's right, folks. This book came in at #9 on the Top 100 Picture Books Poll of 2012: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2012/06/17/top-100-picture-books-9-bark-george-by-jules-feiffer/
Here's a small selection from the Weston Woods adaptation of the book. We think they lost something when they added all that extra text, though. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rwdQISGMvcs
The French for "woof" is "waouh" so Betsy wasn't too far off.
The artist that Kate likes so much can be found at @Karenhallionart
The two adult comics that Betsy thought were particularly keen are Abbott by Saladin Ahmed and On a Sunbeam by Tillie Walden.
For the full Show Notes please visit: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2019/04/29/fuse-8-n-kate-bark-george-by-jules-feiffer/
It's time for another update in one of our favorite series on this podcast: Classics From Other Countries. Normally on this show we like to consider children's picture books from America, determining if they deserve their "classic" status. But how fair is that? Why not consider picture books deemed classics in other countries? We did Duck, Death and Tulip via Germany. We did The Gruffalo via the U.K. So let's jump on a plane and fly ourselves to Australia for our first Mem Fox classic. What will Kate think when she encounters a book with a title composed entirely out of names? And how many children's librarians out there can remember the full name at all times? Inquiring minds want to know.
To get a full dose of info on this book, there is no better place to go than Mem Fox's own website. Here's the Wilfrid page, chock full of fascinating info: https://memfox.com/gossip-behind-mems-books/wilfrid-gordon-mcdonald-partridge/
Bradley Whitford, everyone! Reading this book! Why? No idea! But it's there: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6dLCKYTbR5c
And while we're doing videos, this one about a staged production with puppets is worth your time too: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Wu5ldoGd68
For the full Show Notes, please visit: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2019/04/22/fuse-8-n-kate/
Kate set Betsy up with a challenge. They've been deeming too many books as "classics". What book could I produce that would engender more of a debate? Well, after all these episodes (82!) Betsy thinks she's figured out Kate's least loved genre. It involves childlike art. It involves kids who aren't entirely saintly. Really, it was just a matter of time before they got to this one. They've not done a David Shannon book before. Ultimately they determine that the fault at work here is not that of David, but the inattentive parents.
Happily, Kate has provided the "Partysaurus Rex" video link. It is a delight: https://vimeo.com/51194871
And the Etch a Sketch is from 1960, if that helps date the kid in the book.
Yes, Betsy. It was Hiawatha and the Peacemaker.
For the full Show Notes please visit: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2019/04/08/fuse-8-n-kate-no-david-by-david-shannon/
Tomi Ungerer died just this past year on February 9th so it seemed logical to us that we should try to do one of his books on the show. This begs the inevitable question, which one should we do? After all, there are so many to consider. Crictor? The Beast of Monsieur Racine? Moon Man? We decided to go with the only one Betsy ever saw adapted by Weston Woods. In the course of our talk we discuss whether or not giving birth is an adequate excuse for saying you have a "connection" to someone, who invented the name "blunderbuss", and why this book is like Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome. Plus, isn't it interesting that all these kids may be attending a robber school by the end of the book?
Show Notes:
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Is a pepper blower actually a thing? Betsy did a bit of research on her end, and she doesn't think that it is. As far as she is concerned, Ungerer made it up.
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"When is there ever a fun aunt?" in a children's book. Okay, people. Lay 'em on me. Who's the coolest of them all?
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Our hero, ladies and germs: The Castle Real Estate Agent. "Now what can I do to get you fellas into this castle?"
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Kate doesn't remember this Weston Woods video but I sure as heck do. I think it's probably my favorite Weston Woods video of all time. You'll see why immediately: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dcbaDAtjCN0
For the full Show Notes, please visit: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2019/04/01/fuse-8-n-kate-the-three-robbers-by-tomi-ungerer/
How crazy is it that Betsy and Kate have never done a Lucille Clifton book before? Nor a Brinton Turkle, but that's a little more understandable. Lucille Clifton was one of the most prolific Black picture book authors in the 70s. Spring has officially sprung and Betsy realized that today's book (which New York schoolchildren are read and given to read every single year around this time) would be the perfect way to celebrate not just the season but Clifton herself. But would Kate like it? Stay tuned, gentle listeners. In the meantime, those of you thinking yearningly of Spring will find much to love in this episode.
Show Notes:
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The best reading that you will encounter all day long is this June Jordan New York Times review. "Really okay book" she raves! https://www.nytimes.com/1973/11/04/archives/the-boy-who-didnt-believe-in-spring-by-jeannette-caines-illustrated.html
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The books Jordan read and didn't like were Black Is Brown Is Tan by Arnold Adoff, Abby by Jeannette Caines, with pictures by Stephen Kellogg, Anthony and Sabrina by Ray Prather, Lordy, Aunt Hattie, by Ianthe Thomas, with pictures by Thomas di Grazia, Don't You Remember? by Lucille Clifton, illustrated by Evaline Ness, Good, Says Jerome, by Lucille Clifton, and finally All Us Come Cross the Water, by Lucille Clifton, with illustrations by John Steptoe. As Jordan said of that last book, "The father and son picture and the grandmother and grandson picture must compete, in my eyes, for Terrifying Zombie Page of the Year."
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Macomber for Congress. Macomber may not have been a real candidate but I suspect that Turkle knew someone by that name and sneaked it in. But if you know anything about it, let us know.
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I think it's fair to say that it's time for Henry Holt & Company to seriously re-illustrate and re-release the Everett Anderson books. Like Betsy mentions on the podcast, ONE OF THE PROBLEMS OF EVERETT ANDERSON is one of the few picture books we've ever seen about a kid dealing with a classmate that's being abused.
For the full Show Notes, please visit us at: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2019/03/25/fuse-8-n-kate-the-boy-who-didnt-believe-in-spring-by-lucille-clifton-ill-brinton-turkle/
Today, to make up for the missing episode last week, you get a twofer. You see, there’s a bit of a problem with old Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile. Most people remember the title of the second book in the series, but are we to ignore Book #1? Betsy gave Kate the chance to decide which one to do, so what did she decide? To do both, of course! In the course of things the sisters discuss alligators vs. crocodiles, who exactly this “Salt Bae” person is, the interior decorating schemes of the early 60s, and (they can both agree) the fact that Hector P. Valenti is a serious jerkwad.
Show Notes:
– Betsy should have mentioned to Kate, when we were debating the location, that this has to be NYC because you see ice skating at Rockefeller Center in Lyle, Lyle.
– Here are the two 2019 crocodile/alligator books Betsy has read this year and has particularly enjoyed: The Truth About Crocodiles by Maxwell Eaton III and Beware of the Crocodile by Martin Jenkins, ill. Satoshi Kitamura.
– How big are a crocodile’s feet and could you fit a pair of ice skates on one? The mystery lives on.
– Okay, clever readers. You figured out the road flares in Harry the Dirty Dog. You determined the use of the open flame on the cover of Doctor DeSoto. What does it mean to “signal the alarm” when there is a fire?
– As I mentioned, there was a 1987 TV special for HBO. I never saw it, but you can see a low-quality view of one of the songs here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kmNs_0u-2wk
– Compare it then to The Lifeline Theatre production: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lPs3LppTIFQ
– Hat tip to Ms. Yingling for identifying the bombs in Harry the Dirty Dog as road flares. Here is what they look like: https://www.etsy.com/listing/266819083/smudge-pot-road-light-vintage-road
- For the full Show Notes please visit: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2019/03/11/fuse-8-n-kate-lyle-lyle-crocodile-and-the-house-on-east-88th-street-by-bernard-waber/
Kate got a dog! A doggy dog of her very own. And you know what goes together well, like peaches and cream? Dogs and picture books. So Betsy had to figure out a classic dog picture book. And lo and behold she realized that in spite of its relative fame the show had never done a book about this particular dirty dirty dog. In the course of things Betsy and Kate solve the mystery of why Harry never rolls in mud. Meanwhile, this is a VERY springtime-related book. We hope you appreciate the robins and the daffodils. Here in February, our eyes are hungry for any and all spring things.
Show Notes:
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Here's an obit for Margaret Bloy Graham: https://www.nytimes.com/2015/01/29/books/margaret-bloy-graham-harry-the-dirty-dog-illustrator-dies-at-94.html
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And another article about her from WBUR: https://www.wbur.org/artery/2015/04/17/margaret-bloy-graham
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The book was #43 on the Top 100 Picture Books Poll: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2012/05/29/top-100-picture-books-43-harry-the-dirty-dog-by-gene-zion-illustrated-by-margaret-bloy-graham/
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Curious to see the Complete Listing of All Public Children's Literature Statues in the United States? Well here it is: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2017/03/28/updated-the-complete-listing-of-all-public-childrens-literature-statues-in-the-united-states/
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And at Bookworm Gardens in Sheboygan, WI you'll find this adorable little Harry. You can clean him. Look at that adorable guy!! http://www.bookwormgardens.org/
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I wasn't wrong. The Scottish Granny did read I Need a New Bum. Here, you can watch her yourself: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oQoYjU2Fh0M
For the full Show Notes please visit: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2019/02/25/fuse-8-n-kate-harry-the-dirty-dog-by-gene-zion-ill-margaret-bloy-graham/
"If you've got a Leo Lionni book you're not going anywhere very fast, but you're gonna get there eventually."
The old Ant and the Grasshopper fable got the Lionni touch back in 1967 when the four time Caldecott Honor winner chose to put a new spin on an old classic. So how successful was this book in the end? Is it a product of its age (the tune in and drop out 60s) or something that stands the test of time? In the course of things the sisters discuss the fact that Frederick would have made a fantastic lawyer, how he progresses from emo to hipster, and whether or not that poppy on the cover has a special significance. Plus they get to mention Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs, and that ALWAYS makes for good podcast talk.
Show Notes:
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Yay, Cybils! We're so pleased with the winner of the Picture Book category. Here's the full list of Cybils winners, if you're curious: http://www.cybils.com/2019/02/2018-cybils-winners.html
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Regarding the Leo Lionni sculpture housed at The Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art, they say, "The sculpture, titled Imaginary Garden, was created in 1978 and was previously housed at The Fresno Metropolitan Museum of Art in California. The Imaginary Garden captures Lionni's love for botany, evident in the attention given to flora and fauna in his picture book illustrations, as well as his book of fictional plants from 1977, Parallel Botany. The sculpture is a blending of the organic and the abstract, giving the piece a fantastic, otherworldly appearance."
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Here is the Frederick page on the site Teaching Children Philosophy: https://www.teachingchildrenphilosophy.org/BookModule/Frederick
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Thank you again, Benji Martin, for the faux and very kind award! Betsy and Kate received The 2019 Kid Lit Podcast Award: https://elementaryschoollibrarian.wordpress.com/2019/02/12/the-2019-kid-lit-podcast-awards/
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For the full Show Notes please visit: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2019/02/18/fuse-8-n-kate-frederick-by-leo-lionni/
This week, Betsy found a nice calm little book and discussed it in a nice calm little way. Fear not, though. There is PLENTY to pick apart. The fact that a Dude In Distress can be simplified to: "The D.I.D." Who you would cast as the dragon in the movie of this book (which, let's admit it, it's a little weird that it HASN'T been turned into an animated full-length feature film yet)? And how exactly do you pronounce "Munsch"? All will be made clear.
Show Notes:
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Kudos to Mr. Munsch for including all kinds of wonderful information for each of his books on his website. With that in mind, here's his page for The Paper Bag Princess: https://robertmunsch.com/book/the-paper-bag-princess
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I think we had the image of the princess punching Ronald in the nose in an early draft of Wild Things: Acts of Mischief in Children's Literature: http://wildthings.blaine.org/?page_id=32
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We dunno. We think we kind of want to see the version of this where the princess takes Ronald's clothes when he criticizes her.
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This is the great school photography project photograph that we love so very very much: https://www.deviantart.com/fit51391/art/The-Paper-Bag-Princess-144606128
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It comes in at #86 on the Top 100 Picture Book polls: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2012/05/18/top-100-picture-books-86-the-paper-bag-princess-by-robert-munsch/
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We quote from Tales for Little Rebels. Can't help but always recommend this book. It was ahead of its time when it first came out: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2009/02/16/review-of-the-day-tales-for-little-rebels-by-julie-l-mickenberg-and-philip-nel/
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Here is what The Toast had to say about The Paper Bag Princess: http://the-toast.net/2015/05/12/they-didnt-get-married-after-all-robert-munschs-the-paper-bag-princess/
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For the full Show Notes please visit: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2019/02/11/fuse-8-n-kate-the-paper-bag-princess-by-robert-munsch-ill-michael-martchenko
It just seemed to make sense to do a book this week that could kill two birds with one stone. Betsy and Kate haven't done any picture books by Muslim-American (or, in this case, Muslim-Canadian) authors. So Betsy took a look at New York Public Library's 100 Children's Books, 100 Years list and selected Big Red Lollipop. And who did the illustrations? The latest double Caldecott Award winner, Sophie Blackall. Of course, this is a sister book. Betsy is the older sister. Kate is the little sister. So how exactly are they going to take this book of younger sister brattiness? The two also consider what ungodly suburban mom came up with the idea of goodie bags in the first place, Betsy gets to yell, "REVENGE!!!" several times, and Kate keeps bringing up Ariana Grande.
Show Notes:
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Correct us if we're wrong, Canadians. Are your goodie bags called "loot bags". And when, gentle readers, did gift bags become a standard presence at birthday parties?
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This the video of Rukhsana Khan telling this story from her (the little sister's) point of view. You have to watch this. Heck, skip listening to this podcast and just view this instead. Then let's find places for her to speak publicly here in the States, because we want to see her talk NOW. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N8UQWdhhy8s
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Betsy believed that her mother said that the odd board game she remembered from my youth was called Count Your Chickens. We have since discovered that this is not true. It was actually called (and you can understand why none of us remembered the name) A Chicken in Every Plot. It was sold by a company called Animal Town which specialized in these odd little games that had names like "Madison Avenue", "Dam Builders", and "Save the Whales". Remember, this is why we invented the internet, people.
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A cookie to anyone who can name me a villainous elephant in a children's book. Go!
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For the complete Show Notes please visit: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2019/02/05/fuse-8-n-kate-big-red-lollipop-by-rukhsana-khan
It's the Memento of the 1980s! Take a trip back in time with us to 1980 on the nosey. An era when children apparently eschewed backpacks for satchels and school lunches were just as elaborate as those in Bread and Jam for Frances. Don't believe me? Then you haven't taken an up close and personal deep dive into one of Kellogg's most famous stories. Kate had never seen a Steven Kellogg book on the show before, so Betsy figured they'd give this one a go. It's perfect for them since Kellogg was the master of the peculiar detail. He's an illustrator that rewards close readings and, for this, we salute him.
Show Notes:
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If anyone out there can tell us what the 1980s cooperative board game of Betsy's youth involving chickens was, we invite the information.
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We only knew about this book back in the day because of Reading Rainbow. Take a trip back in time with us, kids!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=76xzBWjS2dg
- For the full Show Notes please visit: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2019/01/28/fuse-8-n-kate-the-day-jimmys-boa-ate-the-wash-by-trinka-hakes-noble-ill-steven-kellogg
And we're back to the classics. So far on this podcast, Kate and Betsy have tackled only one William Steig (Sylvester and the Magic Pebble). As per usual, Kate notices things. She notices that the initials of Doctor De Soto are DDS, which is a dental detail Betsy had never thought of before. She notices a rather lovely umbrella stand bedecked with dragons. She notices mouse dentures (and how creepy mouse dentures would be in real life). For Betsy's part, she gets to imitate the sound of a rotten tooth being removed from a fox's mouth (there's a distinct pop at the end) and the two debate whether or not the old No Cavities Forever solution is legit or not.
Show Notes:
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This book was definitely was published after Sylvester, by the way. Sylvester came out way back in 1969.
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Why DID people wrap their heads up with handkerchiefs when they had toothaches?
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Can you think of a classic fox book where the fox is heroic rather than sneaky and sly?
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This book came in at #57 on the Top 100 Picture Books Poll: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2012/05/25/top-100-picture-books-57-doctor-de-soto-by-william-steig/
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The animated short of Doctor De Soto that was nominated for an Academy Award does not appear to be online. Unless, of course, it's this Weston Woods video with its simply marvelous narratorhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bGDz1orKRY8
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Read the full Show Notes here: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2019/01/21/fuse-8-n-kate-doctor-de-soto-by-william-steig
Last year Kate and Betsy discussed three potential Caldecott winners, and two would later receive medals. This year, the two discuss Dreamers by Yuyi Morales, Blue by Laura Vaccaro Seeger, and We Don't Eat Our Classmates by Ryan T. Higgins. And, as per usual, Kate brings up stuff Betsy never considered before. Questions like, how exactly does Penelope Rex eat her classmates so quickly (does she unhinge her jaw?). What does "caminantes" mean? And does the guy in Blue rename his girlfriend's dog? Kate has a violent reaction to one of the three books that Betsy finds deeply amusing. Then they out that Frances, from Bread and Jam for Frances, was originally supposed to be a vole, and Betsy's mind. Is. Blown.
Show Notes:
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Actually Pete Seeger is Laura Vaccaro Seeger's husband's uncle, not her own. Uncle-in-law, let's say.
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Here is the PW interview Yuyi Morales and Neal Porter that gave a lot of great background information to Dreamers: https://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/childrens/childrens-authors/article/77766-in-conversation-yuyi-morales-and-neal-porter.html
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Here is the Horn Book interview with Laura Vaccaro Seeger that discussed Blue: https://www.hbook.com/2018/12/publishers-preview-picture-books-five-questions-laura-vaccaro-seeger/
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And here is the PW interview with Ryan T. Higgins about We Don't Eat Our Classmates: https://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/childrens/childrens-authors/article/77167-q-a-with-ryan-t-higgins.html
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Kate was completely right, by the way. The Triceratops and T.rex were contemporaries. Here's the article I was thinking of when I said the T.rex was farther from the Stegosaurus than we are from the T.rex: https://gizmodo.com/less-time-separates-us-from-t-rex-than-t-rex-from-stego-1614025559
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You can find the link to the Frances / Debbi Michiko Florence, Jasmine Toguchi series here, as spotted by Emily Schneider: https://imaginaryelevators.blog/2019/01/06/jasmine-toguchi-what-was-a-talent-anyway/
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Glynis Johns read all the Frances books?!? This is huge news!
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And here is Kate's board game. Sadly, less one Madame Mim: https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/256382/villainous
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Be sure to stay for Kate's um-num-num-num-num.
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Find the full Show Notes here: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2019/01/14/fuse-8-n-kate-2019-caldecott-contenders
Hungry? With the new year comes a whole set of resolutions. Not knowing that Kate is on the Whole30 again, Betsy forces her to read a book where bread plays a major role. Bread, heck. This is a book that could turn children into bonafide foodies. In spite of the fact that all badgers are born in February, we've decided to do this book in January. And then, in the course of things, Kate starts looking up what the USDA recommendations are for children, we consider the wackadoodle utensils of the Badger household, what exactly a lobster salad sandwich is, etc. As Kate points out, this is a perfect New Year's Resolution book because in the story you are encouraged to try new things and break out of your comfort zone. Justification!
Show Notes:
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If you're curious about the interview Betsy conducted with Russell Hoban in 2010, you can read the transcript here: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2018/04/24/discovered-in-the-archives-an-interview-with-russell-hoban-2010/
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Is Frances actually the most famous badger in children's literature? The only other contender that comes immediately to mind is Badger from The Wind in the Willows but how many American children can remember him off the tops of their heads?
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The book showed up at #27 on the Top 100 Picture Books poll: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2012/06/05/top-100-childrens-novels-27-bread-and-jam-for-frances-by-russell-hoban-illustrated-by-lillian-hoban/
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You can hear the entire text of the book here in this video. And you have to admit, that's a better egg song than the one Betsy came up with: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O-KggLPnRYg
For the full Show Notes please visit: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2019/01/07/fuse-8-n-kate-bread-and-jam-for-frances-by-russell-hoban-ill-lillian-hoban/
"I can always be called upon to remember a Snurp".
Merry Christmas! Let's celebrate with a book that has absolutely nothing to do with the day in question whatsonever. So I know you're all wondering what elements Kate chose to focus on with this book. Would she like it more than Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus? Less? Well, we'll sum it up for you. We discuss at length the proper way to wash a pure white bra, the genetic dominance of a character's eyes (or lack thereof), and the proper way to pick up a sack of screaming, flailing meat when it is your child.
Show Notes:
- Came in #7 on the Top 100 Picture Books Poll: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2012/06/19/top-100-picture-books-7-knuffle-bunny-a-cautionary-tale-by-mo-willems/
For the full Show Notes please visit: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2018/12/25/fuse-8-n-kate-knuffle-bunny-by-mo-willems
The last time Kate and Betsy saw a Dr. Seuss book they were reading If I Ran the Zoo. Not an auspicious beginning for the usually good doctor. In the course of this particular book, Kate manages to locate a place where Seuss got lazy and Xeroxed one of his two-page spreads (something Betsy had never noticed before). There is also talk about Thurl Ravenscroft (and how dead he is), odd Grinch theories, like the fact that his heart may expand and shrink regularly, and are these chimneys essentially pneumatic tubes that suck up the bags?
One of our favorite episodes in a long time.
Show Notes:
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This book appeared at #61 on the Top 100 Picture Books Poll: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2012/05/23/top-100-picture-books-61-how-the-grinch-stole-christmas-by-dr-seuss/
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Ask and the universe will provide. Here is Zero Mostel reading The Grinch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hts_sj-0_14
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And heck. While we're on the subject, here's Walter Matthau reading The Grinch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cuq3AqIjtAg
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Halloween is Grinch Night! Betsy still harbors a weird affection for this. Partly because Hans Conried (who starred in the live action Seuss film The 10,000 Fingers of Dr. T) did the Grinch's voice: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ygSEkwRCQPM
For the complete Show Notes please visit: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2018/12/18/fuse-8-n-kate-how-the-grinch-stole-christmas-by-dr-seuss/
After doing Hershel and the Hanukkah Goblins last year, Betsy was having a devil of a time (no pun intended) figuring out another Hanukkah classic. After some serious consideration, she decided that this book would give us, as she says on the podcast, a little meat. A little fodder. Something to discuss. What she didn't see coming, though, was how timely this story truly was. How does it feel to live in a society that is constantly pummeling you with religious messages that are not your own? Little wonder the latke screams.
Show Notes:
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Betsy mentions Funny Girl. Golly, that would make a swell gift for people to give to their 9-12 year old loved ones. Check it out here: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/318948/funny-girl-by-betsy-bird/9780147517838/
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Interested in getting your own full series of Baby Be of Use? I am pleased to announce that they are for sale on Lisa Brown's website: http://www.americanchickens.com/baby-be-of-use/
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A staged production of this book, eh? Here's an ad for one that will make you sad you missed your chance to see it live: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g0frEnxt1tM
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In case you missed it, you can see the NPR Book Concierge here: https://apps.npr.org/best-books-2018/
For the full Show Notes please visit: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2018/12/11/fuse-8-n-kate-the-latke-who-couldnt-stop-screaming-by-lemony-snicket-ill-lisa-brown/
Truly a book for our times. Is there any other picture book out there that causes kids to question what they've been told right from the start, more than this one? This book is timely. It prepares children, in an era of news that is not always reliable, to not take everything at face value.
Warning: At one point during the end of the podcast Betsy does briefly mix up Zul and Zod. Children of the 80s, please forgive her.
Show Notes:
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Here is the highly strange Wikipedia entry for this book. Once the entry goes on to 1993 it gets highly confusing. Yet another example of not believing everything you read? Considering that we're talking about Wikipedia, that would follow: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Mysteries_of_Harris_Burdick
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The website for this book is called Who Is Harris Burdick? Highly worth your time. It's filled with so much fun stuff! It may not have been touched since 2011, but it's still fun and fantastic. Educator guides, tips for writers, tips for teachers, kids stories, etc. http://www.houghtonmifflinbooks.com/features/harrisburdick/index.html
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For The Chronicles of Harris Burdick, here is the official video the authors made of it and awww! Walter Dean Myers! Stay for the end: https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=1&v=M3kpYep7EQw
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You can see some animations for two of the stories here. The animation for The Seven Chairs isn't too bad, but Uninvited Guests is creeeeepy... http://www.houghtonmifflinbooks.com/features/harrisburdick/inspired_by_burdick.html
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Watch this song inspired by The Seven Chairs instead: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HKYkFsggPK8
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The 2008 musical of the show did indeed exist. Here's a song for "Under the Rug" performed at the 92nd Street Y: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hrqTNUx7Uxg
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For the full Show Notes please visit: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2018/12/03/fuse-8-n-kate-the-mysteries-of-harris-burdick-by-chris-van-allsburg
Let's see. After Tikki Tikki Tembo and Little Black Sambo, it seems like Arrow to the Sun is the natural complement to those two, don't you think? Kate and Betsy haven't dug deep into a book with racist issues in a while, and they've never done any books where white folks told the stories of American Indians. In this post-Thanksgiving episode the sisters give as much of the history of this book as possible, all thanks to the work of K.T. Horning and Debbie Reese. Meanwhile, Kate gets confused about the actual storytelling itself, and Betsy cannot get over how a book from 1974 looks this much like a video game.
Show Notes:
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Behold and marvel at the lack of information on the Wikipedia entry for this book: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arrow_to_the_Sun
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K.T. Horning's Horn Book article Arrow to the Sun and Critical Controversies is a piece Betsy cribbed (read: stole) from heavily for this podcast episode: https://www.hbook.com/2013/09/choosing-books/horn-book-magazine/arrow-to-the-sun-and-critical-controversies/
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Pitfall came out in 1982, by the way.
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For the record, the song "Cat's in the Cradle" came out in 1974. The same year as this book. Coincidence?!?
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There are two articles on Arrow to the Sun on the blog American Indians in Children's Literature. The first dates back to 2006: https://americanindiansinchildrensliterature.blogspot.com/2006/10/gerald-mcdermotts-arrow-to-sun-gerald.html
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The second from 2009 looks at the book's discussion guide: https://americanindiansinchildrensliterature.blogspot.com/2009/04/scholastic-guide-to-arrow-to-sun.html
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Ten years later that discussion guide is still going strong on the Scholastic site: http://www.scholastic.com/browse/collateral.jsp?id=32388
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This would be the "book" sequence in Hocus Pocus: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OKNm3KVDq28
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Go here to see The Neon Museum of Las Vegas: https://www.neonmuseum.org/
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For the full Show Notes please visit: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2018/11/26/fuse-8-n-kate-arrow-to-the-sun-by-gerald-mcdermott
William's Doll: Revenge of the Ascot!
The big news of the day is that Kate and Betsy have created a petition. It's the very first they've ever done and its purpose is simple. As you'll hear on today's podcast, they are big time fans of today's book, but they'd rather like it if Harper Collins could publish a re-illustrated edition. The reasons for this are, as you will hear, pretty clear. With different clothing, they think William's story could reach a whole new slew of kids, and really strike the message home. That said, in the podcast Betsy does make one key mistake. She says that this book was published by Greenwillow. In point of fact, it was published by Harper & Row. It is not a Greenwillow book. So ignore that part of the podcast but do NOT disregard the petition. They would love it if they could get you on board so that William can meet a whole new generation of fans:
https://www.change.org/p/harper-collins-reillustrate-william-s-doll-for-today-s-kids
Show Notes:
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William Pène du Bois was from (and we love this city name) Nutley, New Jersey. Interestingly, he did live in France for a time, and ultimately died in Nice, France.
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"Brown plaid brilliance!" Kate would like to clarify that she was trying to say that Diane von Furstenberg designed the grandmother's wrap dress. And Betsy takes back what she said about the woman's shoes. Those aren't "sensible" at all. They're gorgeous. By the way, we never ever see her face either, a fact Kate and Betsy both missed.
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Let us point out that even this animated sequence from Free to Be You and Me has William wearing more appropriate clothing than in the book: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lshobg1Wt2M
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For the full Show Notes please visit: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2018/11/19/fuse-8-n-kate-williams-doll-by-charlotte-zolotow-ill-william-pene-du-bois/
We're just going to give away the game and break down exactly how this podcast plays out between Kate and Betsy. As you will recall, Bets is a parent of two small children. Kate is not. So when the two sisters read this book, Kate became a full-throated supported of Team Mouse, while Betsy put all of her money down on Team Run-Ragged Kid. Listen and you'll hear how clearly delineated the line is between parents and non-parents.
Show Notes:
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We were actually able to find the Peanuts strip that referenced this book. And voila. From May 25th, 1995: https://www.gocomics.com/peanuts/1995/05/25
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Here are the sequels mentioned:
If You Give a Moose a Muffin If You Give a Pig a Pancake If You Give a Take a Mouse to the Movies If You Give a Take a Mouse to School If You Give a Pig a Party If You Give a Cat a Cupcake If You Give a Dog a Donut If You Give a Give a Mouse a Brownie
"If You Give a Bird a Bundt Cake", Kate's suggestion, is completely up for grabs if anyone wants to write that.
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We know you wanted to see it. Here is Michelle Obama reading the book in question: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4ZuCPWjCdgY
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Here's the post from I'm Here, I'm Queer, What the Hell Do I Read? for If You Give a Gay Mouse a Cookie: https://www.leewind.org/2014/12/if-you-give-gay-mouse-cookie-zine-that.html
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Back by popular demand . . . Children's Stories Made Horrific: If You Give a Mouse a Cookie: http://the-toast.net/2014/01/08/give-the-mouse-nothing/
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Honestly, we're amazed that in our searching we somehow missed The Toast's fellow piece where the book is interpreted by Ayn Rand: http://the-toast.net/2015/08/11/ayn-rand-gives-a-mouse-nothing/
For the full Show Notes, please visit: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2018/11/12/fuse-8-n-kate-if-you-give-a-mouse-a-cookie-by-laura-joffe-numeroff
Since Kate had such strong feelings about Madeline and Eloise, Betsy figured that they would have to go with what she considered to be the third in the triumvirate of . . . let’s call ’em strong-minded ladies. If ever you’ve wanted to know the difference between miniature pigs, pot-bellied pigs, and razorback pigs, boy, have we got the podcast for you! Kate and Betsy talk about who the most famous female pig in children’s literature is (honestly, we’ve nothing against Peppa, but wasn’t she a television star first?), which book you’d want to club someone to death with (OED for the win!), and whether or not Shel Silverstein had “a treacly streak” (he did).
Show Notes:
– Here’s the New Yorker series Betsy referred to when she spoke about Ian Falconer. The blog post was called New Yorker/Picture Book Artists: Ian Falconer – Beyond Olivia: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2011/09/08/new-yorkerpicture-book-artists-ian-falconer-beyond-olivia/
– The blog Spirit of the Bees back in 2009 did just the loveliest post by a grandmother about how she helped turn her two and a half-year-old granddaughter into the paper bag monster: http://spiritofbees.blogspot.com/2009/01/you-wish-is-my-command.html
– Came in at #54 on the Top 100 Picture Books Poll: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2012/05/25/top-100-picture-books-54-olivia-by-ian-falconer/
- For the full Show Notes please visit: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2018/11/05/fuse-8-n-kate-olivia-by-ian-falconer
What better time to introduce Kate to the work of Dave McKean than when it's almost Halloween! Betsy tries to give her sister a good dose of nightmare fuel, but somehow the two just end up talking about what an old wolf melody would sound like and whether Dave McKean has ever drawn a bunny (he has... and it's weird).
Source Notes:
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There was indeed a virtual reality version of The Wolves in the Walls. Variety Magazine had the scoop, and they even made a trailer for it. Behold: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pLp07Grch-o
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The video quality is not the best, but this will give you some sense of the stage production of The Wolves in the Walls that occurred: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x_P4AxAagHU
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As Betsy mentioned, this past weekend she interviewed Adam Gidwitz at SLJ's Summit. His new podcast Grimm Grimmer Grimmest is more than a little delightful. Do check it out: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/grimm-grimmer-grimmest/id1436651521?mt=2
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For the full Show Notes, please visit us at http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2018/10/29/fuse-8-n-kate-the-wolves-in-the-walls-by-neil-gaiman-ill-dave-mckean/
If you've ever listened to this podcast then you'll know that when it comes to readalouds, that particular kind of a picture book is a little difficult to convey. Fortunately, Kate immediately interprets the cover of today's book, before reading it, as a story about a gigantic, 24-ft tall pumpkin rolling towards a little old lady, Indiana Jones boulder-style, and everything takes off from there on in. In the course of our conversation, Betsy reveals who actually made this book (not something widely known), the problem of naked ghosts, suits of armor fighting Nazis, and something that at one point causes Kate to say, "You are an idiot. I hope the gloves choke you to death!"
Source Notes:
- Is Betsy the only who truly, and honestly, loves the ending of the film of Bedknobs & Broomsticks? Let's watch it! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z0rRPU_cvGg
-Kate's been kind enough to share her rum cake recipe with us all. It did look amazing, sitting there on her counter when I arrived. I was very good. I didn't even take a bite. Find the recipe here: https://www.allrecipes.com/recipe/17456/golden-rum-cake/
- For full show notes please visit: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2018/10/22/fuse-8-n-kate-the-little-old-lady-who-was-not-afraid-of-anything-by-linda-williams
Older holiday books for kids have a tendency to be a bit on the white side. So Betsy was thinking she was pretty slick when I came up with A Tiger Called Thomas for today's discussion. But here's the thing; she thought the version illustrated by Diana Cain Bluthenthal was the only one out there. She was unaware that this book hadn't just been re-illustrated once but has FOUR different artists! Just to make all of this clear from the start, the four versions discussed on this podcast are:
A Tiger Called Thomas by Charlotte Zolotow, illustrated by Kurt Werth (1963)
A Tiger Called Thomas by Charlotte Zolotow, illustrated by Catherine Stock (1988)
A Tiger Called Thomas by Charlotte Zolotow, illustrated by Diana Cain Bluthenthal (2003)
A Tiger Called Tomás by Charlotte Zolotow, illustrated by Marta Alvarez Miguéns (2018)
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This is not the first time Betsy has gone into a full-blown William's Doll rant. It's not mentioned in the podcast but the real difference here is publishers. William's Doll came out with Greenwillow. Thomas, in contrast, was originally published by Lothrop, Lee & Shepard Co., then by Hyperion, and now by Sourcebooks. It bounces around!
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Has a purely Photoshopped book ever won a Caldecott? We call upon you, my readers, to help us come up with the answer to this.
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Here are the trolls that Kate saw at the Morton Arboretum: http://www.mortonarb.org/events/troll-hunt
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For the full Show Notes, please visit: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2018/10/15/fuse-8-n-kate-a-tiger-called-thomas-by-charlotte-zolotow
We're killing two birds with one stone this week (pun reluctantly intended). A reader suggested today's book a long time ago. Add in the fact that it's October and we should be doing some Halloween-themed titles and you've got yourself today's latest edition of International Classic Picture Books. Take a trip to Germany to visit one of the loveliest, softest books about life and death out there. Maybe it's not classic Halloween fare, but we like it.
Source Notes:
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For the curious, here is the video of the weatherman's map going crazy: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s0jOen1G-E8
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There really are countless videos about today's book. Here are some of the standouts:
First, the quiet animated short film: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nd5Y2xj71f0
Next, a trailer for a rather lovely version that played in Edinburgh: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ueQ2glggAX0
And finally, one from a country we've yet to identify: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IrqB64E6roA
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The Romper article in question was called Why Duck, Death and the Tulip Is a Cult Favorite Among Authors: https://www.romper.com/p/why-duck-death-the-tulip-is-a-cult-favorite-among-authors-9599161
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Meanwhile the Brain Pickings article was Duck, Death and the Tulip: An Uncommonly Tender Illustrated Meditation On the Cycle of Life: https://www.brainpickings.org/2016/05/04/duck-death-and-the-tulip-wolf-erlbruch/
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Betsy Recommends: White Knight by Sean Murphy and Matt Hollingsworth.
- Kate Recommends: CoriTaylorMN on Etsy: https://www.etsy.com/shop/CoriTaylorMN?ref=shop_sugg
For full Show Notes, please visit us at: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2018/10/09/fuse-8-n-kate-duck-death-and-the-tulip-by-wolf-erlbruch/
Happy October! We open this month of hauntings and spirits with a book about a terribly frightening monster! And by "terribly frightening" I mean "terribly frightened". Inspired by their discussion of Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus, Betsy pulls out the 4th wall breaking title that started the whole American genre in the first place. Consider too the fact that this is a Sesame Street book and Mo Willems, who would later write that pigeon book, used to work for Sesame Street. By the way, let us just say this before you listen: If you are unfamiliar with Sesame Street in any way, this may not be the episode for you. In the course of things Kate and Betsy get into a very heated discussion about whether or not grouches are monsters, typography, hidden frustrations with Little Golden Books, and whether or not this book reveals "Grover's truth" (how self-reflective is Grover, really?).
Show Notes:
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For those of you keeping track at home, the sequels to this book have included the titles Hide and Seek with Lovable Furry Old Grover, Please Do Not Open This Book, and Lovable Furry Old Grover's Resting Places.
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This is very much turning into an app recommendation podcast. Nevertheless, we really do have a deep and abiding affection for the one that goes with this book. It can be very difficult to resist the urge to have Grover speak directly to your child. Very difficult indeed: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/the-monster-at-the-end/id409467802?mt=8
For the full Show Notes please visit: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2018/10/01/fuse-8-n-kate-the-monster-at-the-end-of-this-book-by-jon-stone/
Kate worried that there wouldn't be enough to talk about with this week's podcast because the featured book is so simple in both text and image. Little did she know!!! What happens when an adult woman reads this book for the first time and is told that many consider it a modern day classic? Oh. Let's find out. Along the way Kate questions the shenanigans (her word) of the bus driver, why the pigeon never has eyelashes (does Mo have something against them?), whether or not the bird is Slytherin, and Betsy begins to focus on what the prior relationship between the driver and the pigeon is exactly.
Source Notes:
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The Ray Bradbury story referred to about the girl who misses the one day of sun on her planet was "All Summer In a Day": https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/All_Summer_in_a_Day
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If you'd like to see the precise words of what the Caldecott criteria is, you can go here: http://www.ala.org/alsc/awardsgrants/bookmedia/caldecottmedal/caldecottterms/caldecottterms
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While Betsy could not find the locker room sequence at the end of the Weston Woods video on YouTube, the good news is that for the first time Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus is now appearing on Bookflix. Does your library subscribe? It might! Find out from your local children's librarian and then watch the whole video there. You'll be glad you did.
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Betsy cannot tell you how happy she is that this app Don't Let the Pigeon Run This App is back up and running: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/dont-let-pigeon-run-this-app/id459749670?mt=8
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The Indies Choice Book Awards Picture Book Hall of Fame: https://www.bookweb.org/btw/awards/ICBA.html
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We're happy to report that actually this book didn't beat The Very Hungry Caterpillar on the Top 100 Picture Books Poll. But it did beat Goodnight Moon: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2012/07/06/top-100-picture-books-poll-results/
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Curious about this Grace Lin podcast? Check out the Kidlitwomen podcast site here: https://www.kidlitwomen.com/http/kidlitwomenpodcastlibsyncom/
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Which of our transcripts would people like to read? Let us know and Kate will type them out.
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For the full Show Notes please visit us at http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2018/09/25/fuse-8-n-kate-dont-let-the-pigeon-drive-the-bus-by-mo-willems/
This week Betsy and Kate have pretty much found the bloodiest Caldecott Honor winner out there (though you're allowed to try to find one bloodier if you'd like to prove them wrong). Technically blood never mars the pages, but you can pretty much assume what's happening off-screen, as it were. And it's a fantastic introduction to the autumn season! Win-win! In the course of things, Kate and Betsy debate the degree to which Mr. and Mrs. Fox are starving their children, what precisely is going on with the Giggle-Gaggle household, and what a "skulk"/"leash" is.
Show Notes:
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The Burl Ives version of the Fox song is slightly different from the one Betsy is accustomed to, but it's clearly the same thing: https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=3&v=jSaTOI7u8Ds
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- The Peter, Paul, and Mary version is the one Betsy's actually working off of: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w4mwg40c2SU
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Good news! On teachingbooks.net you can find a lot of children's author and illustrators names and their pronunciations. Here is Peter Spier himself pronouncing his name. Turns out, the show got it mostly right! https://www.teachingbooks.net/pronounce.cgi?aid=947
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And if you're in a mood to listen to even more pronunciations, Merriam-Webster doing "ouabain" truly is a treat: https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ouabain
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We're just so thrilled that the new Evanston children's bookstore Booked is slated to open September 21st. All those of you in town, stop by! https://www.bookedevanston.com/
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We checked Snopes and it turns out that Steve Buscemi, former firefighter, really did help out on 9/11: https://www.snopes.com/fact-check/steve-buscemi-fdny/
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For the full set of Show Notes please visit: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2018/09/17/review-of-the-day-the-fox-went-out-on-a-chilly-night-by-peter-spier
Didn't Kate and Betsy just do a Robert McCloskey book? They did, but it was not his most famous work. In spite of the fact that Betsy springs the tale of Mr. and Mrs. Mallard on her poor unsuspecting sister the two somehow manage to say a LOT about it! Vicious egg-eating turtles and all.
Show Notes:
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Just in case you're curious, the Twitter handle for this show is @fuse_kate and on Instagram at fuse8kate.
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You can visit sculptor Nancy Schon's website on the ducklings here: http://www.schon.com/public/ducklings-boston.php
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A bit of a correction here. Betsy got her story COMPLETELY mixed up. The true tale is that McCloskey saw Nixon somewhere (this being 1941 we've no idea where), noted his profile, and decided to use it for the book. So the theory that it's one of the kids was way WAY off. Read more about this at the ALSC blog: https://www.alsc.ala.org/blog/2012/10/wheres-dick/
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It came in at #6 on the Top 100 Picture Books Poll: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2012/06/20/top-100-picture-books-6-make-way-for-ducklings-by-robert-mccloskey/
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Please do tell us what you consider to be the most unknown Caldecott Award (not Honor) winner of all time. Write in!
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And as a reminder, if you've nothing going on this coming Thursday at 3:00, tune in to Author's Voice where Betsy will be interviewing, Sean Rubin, the creator of Bolivar. It's a great way to get a signed copy (and not a bad idea if you need a graphic novel for a younger reader that would make yet another gorgeous holiday present). You can watch live, order the book, and write in questions here: http://authorsvoice.net/event/ladybird-friends-sean-rubin-bolivar/
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Full the full Show Notes visit us at http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2018/09/10/fuse-8-n-kate-make-way-for-ducklings-by-robert-mccloskey/
Fiiiiiiiiiish . . .
An aquatic creature that has absolutely NOTHING to do with this week's book!
So first and foremost, we are happy to announce that we now have our very own Twitter and Instagram accounts for this podcast. Woot! So tune in on Twitter @fuse_kate or on Instagram at fuse8kate. As for the podcast itself, Kate was semi-familiar with this book already. But did she remember anything about it at all? No, sir! As it turns out, we were able to really dive into some of the details. Will we determine it's a classic? Time will tell!
Source Notes:
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How much sugar does it take to can blueberries? The internet has many opinions on the subject but generally speaking it appears that you want to add 1/2 Cup of sugar for each quart of berries. That's not a ton of sugar. I guess Mom really worked double time while Sal was AWOL.
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How fast can a little bear run? Hard to say. A grown bear can get up to 40 miles an hour. We have to assume that a baby bear just wouldn't have that kind of speed. So even if it began to get ideas about the deliciousness of Mom, it's not happening.
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Here's something we didn't mention during the podcast, but there is a Blueberries for Sal statue out there. It was listed in the Fuse #8 website's Complete Listing of All Public Children’s Literature Statues in the United States. Located in Boothbay Harbor, Maine, the statue is by Nancy Schön, the same woman who did the Make Way for Duckling Statues in Boston. In 2008 she was commissioned by the Board of Directors of the Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens to make a sculpture of Little Bear from the book Blueberries for Sal by the author Robert McCloskey. The result is this cute little feller who is surrounded by actual honest-to-goodness blueberry bushes. You can read more about it and see Ms. Schön’s process here: http://www.schon.com/public/sals-bear.php
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We had to check out what the heck "King of Tokyo" really is. So, you know Wil Wheaton (from Star Trek)? He started this YouTube series where he walks through how to play board games with celebrity friends of his and he did one for "King of Tokyo" - if you want to know what it's about, check it out here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BGaCjM2hal4
For the complete Show Notes, please visit us at http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2018/09/03/fuse-8-n-kate-blueberries-for-sal-by-robert-mccloskey/
I think this is the clearest case of Betsy pulling out a book for Kate that is well-known amongst children's librarians and is pretty obscure when you talk to your average layperson on the street. If for no other reason, you should listen to this episode of our podcast to hear Kate's exclamation of pure confusion and tiny squeaks of bafflement when Betsy mentions how well it did on the Top 100 Picture Books Poll (it was #14). So sit back and enjoy as the sisters discuss the logistics of how exactly one would get a blue cap off of this guy, where his fingers suddenly emerge from, how exactly you pronounce, "Tsz, tsz, tsz," and why anyone, anywhere would put on a hat previously worn by a monkey.
Show Notes:
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Gentle listeners and readers, we really do want to know. How do you pronounce, "Tsz, tsz, tsz"?
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Since this book was influenced by the work of Henri Rousseau, why not check out this picture book biography of him, The Fantastic Jungles of Henri Rousseau? http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2012/11/06/review-of-the-day-the-fantastic-jungles-of-henri-rousseau-by-michelle-markel/
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Why Mathematicians are Hoarding This Special Type of Japanese Chalk: https://gizmodo.com/why-mathematicians-are-hoarding-this-special-type-of-ja-1711008881
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And last but by far not least, a new podcast! The Newbery Tart podcast has much to recommend it, not least of which is a list of living Newbery Authors. If you enjoy podcasts that take deep dives into subjects pertaining to children's literature, this is a can't miss listen: https://www.newberytart.com/podcast/
For full Show Notes please visit http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2018/08/27/fuse-8-n-kate-caps-for-sale-by-esphyr-slobodkina
Thanks to a listener suggestion, Kate and Betsy finally crack open the Henkes box. And when you're talking Henkes, there's only one place to start. Now I should warn you right from the start that Betsy makes an egregious error in this podcast. That's right. She makes the claim that Julius, Baby of the World was published AFTER Purple Plastic Purse. On the flipside, this podcast may be the first time anyone has ever noted the presence of Ignatz Mouse from Krazy Kat in this book.
And as Kate says about the story, "It's not about the purse".
Show Notes:
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We believe Kevin Henkes ran into Susan Hirschman when he traipsed in as a stars-in-his-eyes teen. You can read a rather lovely remembrance of this moment in this Horn Book article Kevin Henkes - Twenty-Five Years: https://www.hbook.com/2005/07/choosing-books/horn-book-magazine/kevin-henkes-twenty-five-years/
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Betsy and Kate are happy to hear any alternate titles to this book. The two they've come up with so far are, "Mr. Slinger's Revenge" or "Lilly Undone".
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This book came in at #11 on the Top 100 Picture Books Poll: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2012/06/15/top-100-picture-books-11-lillys-purple-plastic-purse-by-kevin-henkes/
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The Lilly musical can actually be viewed here in its entirety: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q20LPjApOAo
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Here is the link to the piece I found on Teaching Children Philosophy: https://www.teachingchildrenphilosophy.org/BookModule/LillysPurplePlasticPurse
For the full show notes, please visit Betsy's blog at http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2018/08/13/fuse-8-n-kate-lillys-purple-plastic-purse-by-kevin-henkes
How do you follow up The Giving Tree? Well, that's a tricky one. We don't know why Amelia Bedelia occurred to Betsy. She's so ubiquitous that no one ever really questions her presence on classic book lists. Still, the more we thought about her, the more we wondered if she really warrants inclusion in the "canon" of children's literature (howsoever you define that).
Show Notes:
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Here is her fantastic statue, located at the Harvin Clarendon County Library in Manning, South Carolina. This was sculpted by James Peter Chaconas: https://scpictureproject.org/clarendon-county/amelia-bedelia-statue.html
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Sometimes the best thing in the whole wide world is getting to see a group of boys reenact Amelia Bedelia without the one playing the lead feeling at all embarrassed about his awesome performance: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uESgbsQAlEI
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Here you can find the Daily Dot piece I Accidentally Started a Wikipedia Hoax? https://www.dailydot.com/unclick/amelia-bedelia-wikipedia-hoax/
-And be sure to check out Minh Le's 2013 Bookriot piece Zooey Deschanel as Amelia Bedelia: A (Hypothetical) Match Made in Quirk Heaven: https://bookriot.com/2013/06/04/zooey-deschanel-as-amelia-bedelia-a-hypothetical-match-made-in-quirk-heaven/
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Grace Lin's newest podcast is Kidlit Women. Check it out today! She does transcripts and everything! https://www.kidlitwomen.com/http/kidlitwomenpodcastlibsyncom/
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For the full Show Notes please visit us at http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2018/08/06/fuse-8-n-kate-amelia-bedelia-by-peggy-parish
It's very special episode day today! Kate and Betsy are celebrating their 50th episode (where does the time go?). It seemed fitting that they mark the occasion with an important book. There are so many titles that they still haven't done that could yield wonderful conversations. As such, it seems fitting that they finally do the most requested book of their podcast. In the course of things they also manage to come up with a connection between this and Harold and the Purple Crayon, discuss how this tale may be told in 3rd Tree Perspective, and introduce the world to the medical condition we like to call "Jules Feiffer feet".
Source Notes:
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For fun, check out the Travis Jonker interview with the photographs of Shel Silverstein. Best thing you'll read all day: http://100scopenotes.com/2017/05/12/a-conversation-with-shel-silverstein/
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Betsy wasn't wrong, by the way. Giving Tree Groot truly exists: https://geektyrant.com/news/guardians-of-the-galaxy-and-the-giving-tree-mashup
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Just a plug. Wild Things: Acts of Mischief in Children's Literature does indeed contain a two-page spread of quotes from children's book creators on The Giving Tree. One page Pro. The other one Con.
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Go here if you'd like to read "The Giving Tree at 50: Sadder Than I Remembered": https://www.newyorker.com/books/page-turner/giving-tree-50-sadder-remembered
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Harper Collins actually collected a lot of Giving Tree tattoos on their Pinterest page here: https://www.pinterest.com/pin/5699937005646084/
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Want to read the biography "A Boy Named Shel"? Why not just wait for the film Coming soon to a theater near you starring, I kid you not, James Franco: http://collider.com/james-franco-a-boy-named-shel-silverstein/#images
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Sassy Gay Friend meets The Giving Tree: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XYQavD9mSIc
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Shel Silverstein reads The Giving Tree: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1TZCP6OqRlE
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Feel free to read Giving Tree Made Horrific here: http://the-toast.net/2013/11/13/gifts-giving-tree/
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The full text from "If the Boy From The Giving Tree Was Your Boyfriend" can be found here: http://the-toast.net/2015/07/20/boy-from-the-giving-tree-boyfriend/
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And we didn't discuss it but long ago I offered a challenge for folks to reillustrate Dr. Seuss titles in the style of other illustrators. This one from illustrator Aaron Zenz was, to my mind, one of the most brilliant: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2012/03/01/re-seussification-project-the-results/
For full show notes visit: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2018/07/31/fuse-8-n-kate-the-giving-tree-by-shel-silverstein/
If we are to assume that the point of this podcast is to shine a light on "classic" picture books and ascertain whether or not they deserve that designation, it's a short walk to doing the same for books from other countries. What better then than to consider a picture book that is MASSIVELY successful in England, and only mildly recognized in the States? As a reminder, it was listener Rebekah Harris-Hughes who should receive full credit for suggesting today's book. So thank you, Rebekah!
Source Notes:
-If you follow no other links in these source notes, you MUST listen to the Deep In Bear Country: Episode 156. I have never heard such insightful discussions of bullying in children's literature: https://berenstainbearcast.wordpress.com/2018/07/14/episode-156-the-bully/
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Do check out the Dean Forest and it's rather adorable Gruffalo Trail: https://www.deanheritagecentre.com/whats-on/gruffalo-trail
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Further information on checking out the Gruffalo statues at Kilmardinny Loch: http://www.glasgowwithkids.co.uk/kilmardinny-loch-gruffalo-bearsden-glasgow-review/
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You'll have to pay YouTube to see the full film of this Best Animated Short nominee, but here are some clips: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yHoyg_pwT2w
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It is possible that the Chinese folktale this book borrowed its idea from is the 1921 collection The Chinese Fairy Book. A bit vague on the origins there, though: https://www.worldoftales.com/Asian_folktales/Chinese_Folktale_26.html
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The Gruffalo website is a bit of a trip. Watch out for its theme song. It surprises you if you don't expect it: http://www.gruffalo.com/
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There really is a Gruffalo River Ride Adventure. Would we lie to you? https://www.chessington.com/gruffalo/
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And for those of you wondering, this is the tanuki. Awwww. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japanese_raccoon_dog
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For the full Show Notes, please visit http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2018/07/24/fuse-8-n-kate-everyone-poops-by-julia-donaldson-ill-axel-scheffler
This week Betsy and Kate decided that scatological was the way to go. And so, they are pleased to announce that this is honestly the first Nonfiction picture book they've done on the show. Thinking about it, this may well be the most famous Nonfiction picture book in America. We'd be interested in hearing your alternative suggestions. The sisters get to talk about all SORTS of stuff too. Square wombat poop. Poor printing jobs on the book. And then there's that mystery animal that they simply could not identify. They might need your help on that one.
Source Notes:
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Check out Taro Gomi's website here. It's worth a gander to see what Japan's top author/illustrator does on his own website: http://www.gomitaro.com/
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Well done, Kirkus Reviews! Best professional review of this book to this day: https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/taro-gomi/everyone-poops/
For the full listing of Source Notes, please visit: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2018/07/16/fuse-8-n-kate-everyone-poops-by-taro-gomi/
Hope you like Kathleen Turner, because in this long delayed episode Betsy is clearly doing her best rendition of her. Apologies for the gap in the episodes. Fortunately, Betsy and Kate are back in style. This week they discuss a book that has a complicated history. It would be easier if this were a more straightforward case of racism. Along the way they also discuss the Wilder Award's name change, whether people care more about animal cruelty or corporeal punishment, and the names of Kate's blisters.
Source Notes:
Here's the Wendy McClure thread about the Wilder Award that Betsy referenced: https://twitter.com/Wendy_Mc/status/1011625742201950209
In terms of the cormorans, this is indeed a legitimate fishing method: https://en.wi
David L. Ulin wrote a very interesting piece for the L.A. Times called The Story About Ping and the Invention of Nostalgia: http://www.latimes.com/books/jacketcopy/la-et-jc-the-story-about-ping-and-the-invention-of-nostalgia-20130730-story.html
If you're curious about The Good Place podcast, just come right here: https://art19.com/shows/the-good-place-the-podcast
For the full Show Notes, please visit: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2018/07/09/fuse-8-n-kate-the-story-about-ping-by-marjorie-flack-ill-kurt-wiese/
The name of the game here is A Break From Brats. Betsy wanted to get Kate out of the realm of bratty children's book protagonists, so she thought the world's greatest friendship pair was the way to go. But before we get to that, the sisters do a rundown of the best and worst picture books they've ever looked at. As for the rest of the show, Kate writes down morals for every story in this book, and her interpretations aren't entirely canon. For Betsy's part, she gets to wax loquacious on her horizontal pupil theory of children's literature. Could you ask for anything more?
Show Notes:
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The Eric Carle exhibit was turned into a catalog, available for purchase. You can find Seeking a State of Grace: The Art of Arnold Lobel at the Eric Carle Museum's bookstore: https://shop.carlemuseum.org/seeking-state-grace-art-arnold-lobel
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We just want to say with sadness that apparently with the publication of The Merry Spinster, The Toast no longer hosts Daniel Ortberg's magnificent Children's Books Made Horrific. So we weren't able to provided a link here. Life is disappointment.
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Couldn't find an ideal video of it, but here's the original Broadway recording of the Toad looks funny in a bathing suit song: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FetfyMbGnXo
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This isn't an ideal recording, but this singer is the strongest Snail we were able to find on YouTube, so in it goes: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lpuoog92e2Q
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As is mentioned, this book came in at #15 on the Top 100 poll: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2012/06/15/top-100-picture-books-15-frog-and-toad-are-friends-by-arnold-lobel/
-The Aaron Zenz version of Frog & Toad is, by far, superior to almost all others: https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=3&v=mq8Hz8Xv_z0
-Still, we harbor affection for this delightful French-ish version of The List: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mvNLKeaeQ7w
- Read the full Source Notes here: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2018/06/11/fuse-8-n-kate-frog-and-toad-are-friends-by-arnold-lobel
It's very special episode time! Very special for a number of reasons, not least of which is the fact that Kate took five hours to edit this episode down from two and a half hours to a svelte, sleek 47:41. It was also special because it features two guests from fellow podcast Go Your Own YA. So a big time thank you to Carey and Marie for taking time out of their schedules. Finally, it was special because Kate and Betsy finally got to tackle one of the big books they've been skirting around for months. That's right. Eloise is in the house and the results are priceless! Along with a bit of random Eloise trivia, I hope you're prepared for a surprise fact. The four women were actually able to locate a joke in the original book that was excised from editions printed today. And it involves dragging a fellow children's book character through the mud. See if you can guess who it is.
Source Notes:
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Here's a link to the Go Your Own YA podcast which you most certainly must search out: https://www.goyourownya.com/
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The great Eloise heist is mentioned in this article at NPR: https://www.npr.org/2017/07/11/536655235/eloise-at-the-museum-tells-the-story-behind-the-beloved-mischief-maker
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We couldn't find any videos that have someone singing Nanny's song, but we did find this recording featuring Kay Thompson: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CYqqLeM2qZQ
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You can find the rest of the Source Notes here: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2018/06/04/fuse-8-n-kate-kay-thompsons-eloise-by-kay-thompson/
I don't think Kate and Betsy expected to get into an in-depth conversation about Miss Nelson's cosplay as Viola Swamp, and why precisely she chooses to do so, but that's the kind of podcast this is. Along the way the sisters get into what the Wicked Witch of the West might have been wearing under that dress, the fact that butterflies were angry about the gas crisis in the 70s, and whether or not Viola Swamp talks like Katharine Hepburn (special bonus: Kate and Betsy may do the worst celebrity imitations of all time).
Show Notes:
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Here's a link to the website that discusses James Marshall's gravestone. https://wandervogeldiary.wordpress.com/2010/11/07/james-marshall/
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Betsy and her co-writer Julie Danielson spoke about it at length at the Wild Things: Acts of Mischief in Children's Literature website here: http://wildthings.blaine.org/?p=157
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The Reading Rainbow episode is completely available here: http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x5laqhx
-Here's the New York Times review of There's a Mystery There by Jonathan Cott: https://www.nytimes.com/2017/05/15/books/review-theres-mystery-there-maurice-sendak-jonathan-cott.html
- For the complete Show Notes, please visit: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2018/05/28/fuse-8-n-kate-miss-nelson-is-missing-by-harry-allard-and-james-marshall/
Betsy and Kate would like to offer a word of warning to their mother with this one. Somehow, this ended up being their longest episode. If she listens to this on the treadmill, she might do herself a serious injury. It's a whopping 48:17 (and that's edited down!). I guess it's not surprising when you do a book as long as SCM. And boy howdy do they come up with all kinds of stuff to discuss here. A smattering includes . . .
Source Notes:
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Here's the Children's Book-a-Day Almanac link from Anita Silvey that discusses The Stinky Cheese Man: http://childrensbookalmanac.com/2011/10/the-stinky-cheese-man-and-other-fairly-stupid-tales/
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This is the ridiculous Stinky Cheese Man stuffed toy. Betsy loves him so much! He is, as she suggested, from YottoY: https://www.yottoy.com/collections/the-stinky-cheese-man
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And here's a video of someone making it run: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EV_7KfCt5AE
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Here he is at #91 on the second Top 100 Picture Books poll: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2012/05/16/top-100-picture-books-91-the-stinky-cheese-man-and-other-fairy-stupid-tales-by-jon-scieszka-illustrated-by-lane-smith/
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A House That Once Was is a true Caldecott contender. Find it!! http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2018/04/13/review-of-the-day-a-house-that-once-was-by-julie-fogliano-ill-lane-smith/
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And here's a link to the mentioned Astronuts from Jon and Steven Weinberg: https://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/childrens/childrens-industry-news/article/76310-rights-report-week-of-march-12-2018.html
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Did you miss Battle Bunny? Don't! Read this review and enjoy!: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2013/07/10/review-of-the-day-battle-bunny-by-jon-scieszka-and-mac-barnett/
-And here's the book that came out last year that makes fun of Lane Smith's name. SO GOOD! http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2017/11/10/review-of-the-day-im-just-no-good-at-rhyming-by-chris-harris-ill-lane-smith/
-Yep. The Berenstain Bears podcast Deep In Bear Country is really remarkable stuff. Highly recommended. Though, and we say this with deep and abiding regret, we cannot find them doing Berenstain Bears and the Bully. https://berenstainbearcast.wordpress.com/
-The Florida bookseller who gets tattoos from artists is Becky Quiroga. Publishers Weekly did a piece on her years ago. That said, her Lane Smith isn't Stinky Cheese Man after all. It's the ape from It's a Book. Here is the PW story on her: https://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/childrens/childrens-industry-news/article/48874-characters-ink-a-children-s-bookseller-s-tattoos.html
For the full Source Notes, please go here: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2018/05/21/fuse-8-n-kate-the-stinky-cheese-man-by-jon-scieszka-and-lane-smith/
When it comes to selecting books for the podcast, the sisters tend towards those books that have lots of details. And this one, as Kate was quick to learn, could go head-to-head with Where's Waldo in terms of hidden details. Alas, no clowns this week but they make up for it in other ways. Along the way they manage to identify The Ghost of Christmas Present, Chekov's plug, and the degree to which this book is like the movie Splash.
Source Books:
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Yeah, they never got to Kate's old blog, but it really it was one of the greatest things. It was called How To, How Hard, and How Much and on it she would find online How To's and try to do them herself. There was great stuff on there. Not the gingerbread Tartis, though. No no. Not that: http://katokula.blogspot.com/
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The Naked Cowboy wasn't actually by Adam Rex. That wasn't even the title. It was The Dirty Cowboy (which he just illustrated) written by Amy Timberlake.
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The blog mentioned by listener was Don't Read This to My Kids: http://www.drttmk.com/
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It included this video review of The Little Rabbit Who Wanted Red Wings. For the record, this review is AWESOME!: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pSOI8ZVIi4E
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For the full Show Notes, please visit us here: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2018/05/14/fuse-8-n-kate-king-bidgoods-in-the-bathtub-by-audrey-wood-ill-don-wood/
What does making sushi and reading Margaret Wise Brown's second most popular picture book have in common? Betsy and Kate are doing both in one night! They're trying to do a couple more ladies than they've done in the past. This week they talk about whether or not this book has Fellini aspects to it, Bunny Protective Services (the BPS), and a furthering of Kate's ghost grandma theory (which Betsy kind of loves but don't tell her). Extra Bonus: You get to hear Betsy's cute little bunny voice, which she only gets to whip out once in a while.
Listen to the whole show here on Soundcloud or download it through iTunes, Stitcher, Google Play, or your preferred method of podcast selection.
Show Notes:
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You can read Monica Edinger’s telling of the Margaret Wise Brown tea here: http://medinger.wordpress.com/2010/05/24/margaret-wise-browns-100th-birthday-party/
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Read Brenda Bowen’s own telling here: http://bowenpress.blogspot.com/2010/05/margaret-wise-brown-birthday-party.html
-Read the full Show Notes for this episode here: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2018/05/07/fuse-8-n-kate-runaway-bunny-by-margaret-wise-brown
After promising Kate that they'd do a book by a lady, Betsy had to determine the best possible choice. Her idea was to look on her old Top 100 Picture Books Poll and see who the top women on there were. #1? Margaret Wise Brown. #2 was Judith Viorst and this book. You know, you never know which books are going to provide you with a plethora of information. This book? Kate had to edit every "um" and "uh" out of the recording to winnow the yammering down to a mere 45 minutes. Still was fun, though.
Show Notes:
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Betsy couldn't conjure up the name on the spot, but the Boxtrolls movie was based on Here Be Monsters by Alan Snow.
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Here's the Viorst bio on Wikipedia. Betsy still finds it oddly charming: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Judith_Viorst
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Is Ray Cruz dead? No, but it was difficult to find that information online. If you look at the webpage dedicated to his papers at the de Grummond collection, they state that "Cruz lived in New York City until his death." http://www.lib.usm.edu/legacy/degrum/public_html/html/research/findaids/DG0240f.html
-For the full Show Notes please visit http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2018/04/23/fuse-8-n-kate-alexander-and-the-terrible-horrible-no-good-very-bad-day-by-judith-viorst
Mother's Day isn't exactly around the corner, but this episode is basically Kate and Betsy's present to their mom. She's been bugging them to do this particular book for ages. Certainly that Caldecott Honor in the corner of the cover gives it the necessary picture book classics cred.
Show Notes:
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Want to see one of Paul's ties? Watch Betsy interview him in . . . um . . . quite the outfit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B31N56s7lFo
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For more info on Rumpelstiltskin from Paul's p.o.v. check out this interview on SLJ: https://www.slj.com/2012/11/interviews/interview-caldecott-medal-and-honor-winner-paul-o-zelinsky-talks-with-slj/#_
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And don't forget to vote on the 100 Best Board Books Poll! http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2018/03/28/announcing-the-top-100-board-books-poll/
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For full Show Notes please visit http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2018/04/16/fuse-8-n-kate-rumpelstiltskin-by-paul-o-zelinsky
"50% of this book is just depressed donkeys."
In lieu of Shrek, Betsy and Kate go with what is arguably the second most famous Steig picture book out there. You know. The one chock full of sadness and woe. Along the way they tackle grammar, fetlocks, sitting on children, and donkey boulders. Lots and lots of donkey boulders.
Show Notes:
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For more on Betsy's hatred of knitting needles that stick straight up, be sure to check out her previous blog post The Scourge of Upside Down Knitting: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2014/07/17/the-scourge-of-upside-down-knitting/
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Sylvester came in at #55 on the old Picture Book Poll: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2012/05/25/top-100-picture-books-55-sylvester-and-the-magic-pebble-by-william-steig/
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For the full Show Notes, please visit http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2018/04/09/fuse-8-n-kate-sylvester-and-the-magic-pebble-by-william-steig
Kate and Betsy celebrate their episode yet! Both had a LOT to say about this book and along the way they learn some very important lessons about themselves. Like the fact that someone with a retainer may have a very hard time saying the words "pacifist" and "pacifism". Let's all say "passive pacifism" together now three times fast!
Show Notes:
- We able to find the Ferdinand balloon! In Wired Magazine you can find a piece called Amazing Old Pics of the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade with lots of amazing images: https://www.wired.com/2013/11/the-macys-thanksgiving-parade-was-way-cooler-in-black-and-white/
-- Here's the 1938 Disney short: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UN62cxSs5Q8
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Here's the popular song about Ferdinand as sung, in this particular case, by The Lennon Sisters: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Q1KmGMsLsk
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And here was the most recent iteration: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HBXVM7oUPVk
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On the picture book poll it showed up as #17: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2012/06/14/top-100-picture-books-17-the-story-of-ferdinand-by-munro-leaf-illustrated-by-robert-lawson
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Yay! Here's the Bottom Shelf Books take on Ferdinand and mortality. Go, Minh Le, go! http://www.bottomshelfbooks.com/2007/08/story-of-ferdinand.html
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Confused about what Betsy meant about the Caldecott Award winning book They Were Strong and Good being racist? No one ever summarized the situation better than Peter Sieruta at Collecting Children's Books: http://collectingchildrensbooks.blogspot.com/2009/04/they-were-strong-and-good-enough-for.html
-Kate mentioned the podcast Armchair Expert so check it out: https://armchairexpertpod.com/
- Want to see the full Show Notes? Just go to: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2018/03/26/fuse-8-n-kate-the-story-of-ferdinand-by-munro-leaf-robert-lawson
This week Betsy and Kate face down their greatest threat yet: Laptop snafus. This episode marks one of the rare instances where the laptop stopped recording the show right before the end of the podcast. Ah well. This particular week the duo takes on Crockett Johnson's best known work (sorry, Carrot Seed) and comes up with everything from arboreal semantics to Ursula Nordstrom as a hard knocks dame to . . . well . . . Genesis.
Show Notes:
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What truly was Simon in the Land of Chalk Drawings? Behold!: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KyrDS1UvCG8
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Here is what we do believe is the earliest Harold short created. It. Is. Charming: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mKhKyZgafU4
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And here is the HBO television show. You will note that everything Harold draws can move. This aligns the new Harold closer to Simon in the Land of Chalk Drawings more than anything else: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2mq4KbIkqpQ
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Here's the Glam Rock Opera version. Very catchy: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HYc-k6MjS-M
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Here is where the book showed up on the Top 100 Picture Books Poll: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2012/06/14/top-100-childrens-novels-16-harold-and-the-purple-crayon-by-crockett-johnson/" target="_blank
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For the complete Show Notes please visit the following: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2018/03/19/fuse-8-n-kate-harold-and-the-purple-crayon-by-p-d-eastman/
Our latest podcast marks a first. Yes what we have here is the first time that Betsy has ever discovered that she's been mispronouncing the title of a popular children's book for years and years and years. You might ask yourself, "How the heck do you mispronounce P.D. Eastman's most classic book?" It's all in the punctuation. In fact, we doubt anyone has ever picked apart the punctuation of this book as intensely as Kate and Betsy do on this episode. As it turns out, the female hat-wearing dog's use or lack of use when it comes to exclamation points practically warrants a conspiracy theory in and of itself.
Show Notes:
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After looking at this particular video of the show, Betsy is pretty sure the one she saw was just a case of poor direction. This looks MUCH livelier! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H_To7faUGBI
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Be sure to check out the full text of The Ugly Volvo's An Open Letter to the Female Hat-Wearing Dog From "Go, Dog, Go". http://www.theuglyvolvo.com/an-open-letter-to-the-female-hat-wearing-dog-from-go-dog-go/
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Here's the book coming in at #28 on the Top 100 Picture Books Poll: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2012/06/05/top-100-childrens-novels-28-go-dog-go-by-p-d-eastman/
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For a complete listing of Show Notes please go to: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2018/03/12/fuse-8-n-kate-go-dog-go-by-p-d-eastman/
After delving so deeply into problematic picture books in February, Kate and I deserve a bit of a rest. And what, I ask, could be more restful than carnivorous animals devouring small boys? Particularly when said lions are the product of the inimitable and never imitated Maurice Sendak. This marks Sendak's third appearance on the podcast, and the first time he's shown up with a book that wasn't associated with the Wild Things/In the Night Kitchen/Outside Over There triumvirate. In the course of things we uncover a conspiracy that involves Pierre's parents and the lion. I mean, this thing goes all the way to the top! We also debate whether or not the doctor is a vet or not. Feel free to chime in with thoughts on the matter.
Show Notes:
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Andrea won't take money from us for this, but she does suggest the charity Everytown for Gun Safety so in addition to that, I figured I'd promote it here: https://everytown.org/
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I kind of want to list all the Home Invasion By Felines books out there. This. The Cat in the Hat. The Tiger Who Came to Tea. There must be more.
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Here's the video where Kate saw Pierre pirouette so sublimely into the yawning gap: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ToVHzUDYJgU
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And here's Amanda Palmer performing the self-same song: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vE6UOHJcyjE
-Here's the book coming out later this year that I mentioned. It is actually called I Just Ate My Friend. Part of a long tradition of picture books in which the protagonist gets eaten: http://www.simonandschuster.com/books/I-Just-Ate-My-Friend/Heidi-McKinnon/9781534410329
- For the full Show Notes please visit us at: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2018/03/06/fuse-8-n-kate-pierre-by-maurice-sendak
Not content to examine just Curious George and The Story of Babar, Kate and Betsy round out their look at colonial children's literature with a rather more serious examination of Helen Bannerman's Little Black Sambo. Not content to consider a single version, while their primary focus will be the Christopher Bing edition, with the original Helen Bannerman text, extensive consideration is given to the Julius Lester / Jerry Pinkney book Sam and the Tigers, with additional thoughts on The Story of Little Babaji with art by Fred Marcellino.
Show Notes:
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Here is the New York Times review of the play Spinning Into Butter: http://www.nytimes.com/2002/10/20/nyregion/theater-review-spinning-into-butter-raises-questions-without-answers.html
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This is the Emily Nussbaum review that made Betsy want to be a better reviewer: https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2018/02/26/how-to-make-a-weepy-family-drama
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For the full Show Notes please visit http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2018/02/26/fuse-8-n-kate-the-story-of-little-black-sambo-by-helen-bannerman/
Our theme of problematic picture books that deal indirectly with colonialism continue with this natural companion to Curious George. Today's book is notable if only because it is the first "classic" Betsy and Kate have discussed that Betsy read as a child. Will that make her more inclined to like the book or not? You'll just have to see.
Prepare for a heartfelt discussion about Blast From the Past, the Babadook, the difference between bowler and derby hats, and the ultimate lesson in retail therapy: "You want to deal with your mom's death? Buy yourself some spats!"
Show Notes:
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A link to the interview with Jean de Brunhoff's son in the Wall Street Journal. Babar the Elephant Takes His Final Bow: https://www.wsj.com/articles/babar-the-elephant-takes-his-final-bow-1511560164
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Should We Burn Babar? Here's the Kirkus review that didn't find the book all that keen: https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/herbert-kohl/should-we-burn-babar/
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Leslie Jones can be found here on Instagram. https://www.instagram.com/lesdogggg/?hl=en
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And I believe this was the Buzzfeed article Kate referred to. It's called Right Now the Only Thing I Care About Is Olympic Skater Adam Rippon's Tweets : https://www.buzzfeed.com/samstryker/adam-rippon-twitter?utm_term=.ym4xwvmgD#.ly1aJb5Z2
You can find the complete set of Show Notes at Betsy's blog here: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2018/02/19/fuse-8-n-kate-the-story-of-babar-the-little-elephant-by-jean-de-brunhoff/
About two weeks ago Kate and Betsy recorded a killer episode where they discussed the classic status (or lack thereof) of Curious George. Naturally, the computer ate the whole dang thing. This week they try it again. Kate’s already read the book so they're changing things up a little. Together, they get to use the phrase, “predicated on a lie”, discuss Zul’s hair, 1940s sailor twerking, and the ultimate lesson that white men get to do anything they want. Interestingly it makes for a much more succinct episode.
Show Notes:
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The real Betsy Bird: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7pjU_WuA7pY
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Where George showed up on the Top 100 Picture Books Poll: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2012/05/29/top-100-picture-books-41-curious-george-by-h-a-rey/
-Werner Herzog reads Curious George: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7T8y5EPv6Y8
- And for the full Show Notes please visit: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2018/02/12/fuse-8-n-kate-curious-george-by-margret-and-h-a-rey/
We're so excited! Kate and Betsy take a little break from their usual schtick this week because a week from today is the most exciting day of the year. You know the one we mean. It's a week until the ALA Youth Media Awards where they'll be announcing the Newbery and Caldecott Awards!!! To celebrate, Kate and Betsy find three top contenders for this year's Medal. Three top contenders that all feature light blue skies on their covers, apparently.
Show Notes:
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The link to the live feed of the ALA Youth Media Awards on Monday, February 12th can be found here: http://ala.unikron.com/2018/index_home.php
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The hashtag for the Awards on Twitter will be #alayma
-If you would like to see the full Show Notes for this episode, just go to: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2018/02/05/fuse-8-n-kate-super-special-caldecott-contender-edition/
This week Betsy pokes her head out of the metaphorical dirt and realizes that there's a great big, wonderful world out there. A world filled with movies based on picture books. Movies like the upcoming Peter Rabbit film. So to honor (slash counteract) its debut in theaters, the sisters consider the original Beatrix Potter in all its teeny tiny glory. Kate in turn, manages to find things about it that Betsy has never really considered, like the book's inherent ageism and the Beatrix Potter/Harry Potter connection (warning: it's a stretch).
Source Notes:
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You'll find Beatrix's description of Dr. Seuss's works here: https://theconversation.com/its-not-obtuse-to-deduce-theres-a-new-dr-seuss-on-the-loose-37970
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As I mentioned, this book came in at #19 on the Top 100 Picture Books poll: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2012/06/14/top-100-picture-books-19-the-tale-of-peter-rabbit-by-beatrix-potter/
-Here's where I did my research on whether or not Beatrix Potter terrorized little Roald Dahl. Read the article "Buzz off" and other advice from one writer to another: http://wildthings.blaine.org/?p=167
- For the full Show Notes go here: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/?p=30666
At long last Betsy moves Kate from the standard "classic picture books" into the far stranger "cult classic picture books" territory. But don't they deserve love as well? That's the question the sisters set out to answer. Along the way Betsy discusses her most successful Halloween costume of all time, and Kate suffers through her third day on the Whole30.
Show Notes:
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I wasn't making that up. Famke Janssen really did have a home invasion and this book really was left behind: https://www.vanityfair.com/news/2013/09/famke-janssen-creepy-book-saga-weirdest-gossip-story-of-year
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By the way, they don't mention it in the episode but back in 2016 it was reported that Naomi Watts and Jessica Lange were slated to star in The Secret Life of the Lonely Doll: http://www.indiewire.com/2016/03/naomi-watts-jessica-lange-to-star-in-gia-coppolas-the-secret-life-of-the-lonely-doll-259556/
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For the full Show Notes please visit us here: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2018/01/15/fuse-8-n-kate-the-lonely-doll-by-dare-wright/
The crummy weather has determined the subject of this week's particular podcast. And there are few picture books out there snowier than this old Keats classic. Easily considered one of the Top 5 picture books in the nation in terms of fame and popularity, Kate had nevertheless not really even heard of it. Betsy sets about to do some serious sis-splaining.
Source Notes:
- Here are The Snowy Day stamps: https://store.usps.com/store/product/buy-stamps/the-snowy-day-S_676104
-Here's the Snowy Day Christmas special with Boyz II Men: https://www.themarysue.com/snowy-day-animated/
- If you're curious about this book, you should certain read Betsy's post when it hit #5 in her Top 100 Picture Book Poll: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2012/06/21/top-100-picture-books-5-the-snowy-day-by-ezra-jack-keats/
-Further information! Here's the link to The Ezra Jack Keats Foundation: http://www.ezra-jack-keats.org/
-And here's the link to the Ezra Jack Keats Award: http://www.ezra-jack-keats.org/section/ezra-jack-keats-book-awards/
-For full Show Notes please visit our site here: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2018/01/08/fuse-8-n-kate-the-snowy-day-by-ezra-jack-keats/
Happy New Year! It's another edition of Fuse 8 n' Kate which, at this rate, may be soon renamed The Random Facts About Koalas Show. With today's book Betsy sought out a classic with a strong female protagonist. Kate (and some of you out there) may contest whether or not this engine is, indeed, is the real deal. Or (and here the sisters butt heads) even female at all.
Source Notes:
- Koalas Fighting a.k.a. The sound of the devil. Wait for it, though. You don't hear the hellspawn that is the sound Kate was referring to until near the end of the vid: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x8oLu7znwQ0
-All the info Betsy conjures up about this book can be linked to #54 on the Top 100 Poll: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2009/04/11/top-100-picture-books-poll-results-55-51/
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Interested in this book? We suggest that you read Roy E. Plotnick's In Search of Watty Piper: A Brief History of the "Little Engine" Story published at The University of Illinois at Chicago: http://tigger.uic.edu/~plotnick/littleng.htm
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Read the full Source Notes for this episode here: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2018/01/02/fuse-8-n-kate-the-little-engine-that-could-by-watty-piper
In honor of the holiday season, the sisters tackle a Christmassy classic. Betsy creates a name drop jar, produces a weirdly Yoda/Elmo-like elf voice, and explains why her blog is called A Fuse #8 Production. Kate, meanwhile, compares this book to Hunger Games (and it makes sense)and creates a connection between The Polar Express and Love Actually (which makes no sense but still works).
Show Notes:
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In case you'd like to hear Liam Neeson read this book you can do so here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dfd8uoaSZ2M
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Adding fuel to Kate's fire, Josh Hutcherson's first major role was "The Polar Express" and he went on to star in "The Hunger Games." Apparently he's drawn to trains. Here's an interview he did about working with Tom Hanks: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ix_KKbdZU_o
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56 on the Top 100 Picture Books poll: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2012/05/25/top-100-picture-books-56-the-polar-express-by-chris-van-allsburg/
-The Polar Express Train Ride from St. Louis Union Station can be seen here: http://www.stlthepolarexpressride.com/polar-express-train-ride/
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Also Journey to the North Pole from North Conway Village: https://conwayscenic.com/events/event/journey-to-the-north-pole/
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Betsy's interview with Chris Van Allsburg can be read here: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2013/10/21/you-cant-go-broke-overestimating-the-intelligence-of-children-chris-van-allsburg-and-the-eric-carle-honor-of-2013/
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Yep. There's a hobo on that roof all right : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cxCkIlBvF-s
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Betsy's favorite cookbook of all time: https://shop.americastestkitchen.com/science-of-good-cooking-bks.html
Full Show Notes can be found here: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2017/12/27/fuse-8-n-kate-the-polar-express-by-chris-van-allsburg/
Kate asks for a Hanukkah book this week so Betsy turns to an old reliable: Caldecott Honor books. Today's has been performed by and read to children for years. You might debate the degree to which this book is part of the cultural zeitgeist, but that shiny silver sticker on the cover means that it is certainly one of the only (THE only?) Hanukkah books to win a Caldecott anything. Christmas books win all the time. Jewish holidays? Not so much. Here then is a sickly Kate and a very well Betsy talking up the book of the season.
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Curious listeners should check out Marjorie Ingall's piece in Tablet Magazine Judah Maccabee Versus the Anti-Vaxxers: How a Hanukkah-themed children’s book became the target of conspiracy theorists online: http://www.tabletmag.com/scroll/249658/judah-maccabee-versus-the-anti-vaxxers
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Read the Publishers Weekly piece A Haunting Anniversary 'Hershel and the Hanukkah Goblins' Turns 25 to get the true inside peek into the book: https://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/childrens/childrens-book-news/article/64643-a-haunting-anniversary-hershel-and-the-hanukkah-goblins-turns-25.html
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Ah, Trina. Here is where you can get more info on what she used to sneak into her books, including both the gravestone and the witch's table. https://www.huffingtonpost.com/betsy-bird-/childrens-literature-book_b_5631831.html
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To see the full Show Notes visit: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2017/12/18/fuse-8-n-kate-hershel-and-the-hanukkah-goblins-by-eric-kimmel-ill-trina-schart-hyman/
If you've ever found yourself thinking, "You know, I like the Fuse 8 n' Kate podcast, but would it kill them to occasionally do terrible French accents for long periods of time?" then have we got a show for you!! This week Kate's sick, but the sisters plod onward and upward. In the course of things the episode turns out to be a momentous one. We doubt you'll see where this conversation will turn. It's a shocker.
Show Notes:
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In case you missed it you can check out this 9-second Vine of Nickelback called "Look At This Graph". Full explanation here: https://www.buzzfeed.com/craigsilverman/people-cant-stop-watching-this-hilarious-nine-sec?utm_term=.pu8lKjz8r#.dwN8j51nP
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Actually, the book came out in 1939. So that whole "Post-WWII" bit . . . um . . . yeah.
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No. They visit her after Day Ten. Betsy says it's between 1-10 days. Nope. It's post ten.
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In the first Top 100 Picture Books poll, Madeline was at #8: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2009/05/06/top-100-picture-books-poll-results-8/
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When the poll was repeated three years later it sank to #47: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2012/05/29/top-100-picture-books-47-madeline-by-ludwig-bemelmans/
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The Bemelmans Bar? So very awesome. Worth a trip, I assure you. It's located in The Carlyle: https://www.rosewoodhotels.com/en/the-carlyle-new-york/dining/bemelmans-bar
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For a marvelous post on the gaping, huge flaw, please read the marvelous Peter Sieruta piece at Collecting Children's Books called Something is Not Right: A Madeline Mystery: http://collectingchildrensbooks.blogspot.com/2009/01/something-is-not-right-madeline-mystery.html
For full Show Notes visit: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2017/12/11/fuse-8-n-kate-madeline-by-ludwig-bemelmans/
Betsy and Kate welcome in the holiday season with a bit of copious consumption.
Show Notes:
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This episode was brought to you by . . . Viola Davis. http://www.chicagotribune.com/lifestyles/books/ct-viola-davis-corduroy-children-s-story-20171010-story.html
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I am so right. There is no comic duo like Strega Nona and Anthony. NO ONE!
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I am very interested in your evidence as to whether or not Corduroy really does have agency, or if this is just in the girl's head.
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The two sequels to Corduroy are Don Freeman created a sequel, A Pocket for Corduroy, in 1978. In 2006, B. G. Hennessy created Corduroy Lost and Found as a sequel. And I don't mention it but there were lots of unofficial Corduroy sequels, but I didn't feel they were worth mentioning.
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22 on the picture book poll was Corduroy! http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2012/06/11/top-100-picture-books-22-corduroy-by-donald-freeman/
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The wikipedia page for Corduroy. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Corduroy_(book)
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Woohoo! Today's Special. This one goes out to all of you who watched it when I did on early Nickelodeon: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_cxLfIs051c
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Once you see it, you can never unsee it. The Corduroy television movie: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h73uNiS3PYA
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And, of course, the television show. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1FtDfeauNDk
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American Vandal: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m3tkFOtM6go
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Stranger Things (for the four of you who don't know it): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XWxyRG_tckY
For the full Show Notes: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2017/12/04/fuse-8-n-kate-corduroy-by-don-freeman
In this episode the sisters make it clear that Strega Nona has committed a cardinal sin. Not the creation of magic (the priest and nuns seem a-okay with her on that point). No we're talking about the moment she snatches away a pregnant woman's fork. What's up with that? Amidst Italian draculas and injured space monkeys, Kate and Betsy attempt to ascertain if Strega Nona really does deserve to be considered a classic of children's literature.
Show Notes:
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To know more about the life of Big Anthony, check out Big Anthony: His Story : https://www.publishersweekly.com/978-0-399-23189-6
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For the sequel with Strega Amelia, you'll want Strega Nona Meets Her Match : https://www.publishersweekly.com/978-0-399-22421-8
-Minh Le's bit on Strega Nona can be found here but its brilliance belongs to the masses: http://www.bottomshelfbooks.com/2007/06/strega-nona.html
- Can you crack The dePaola Code? It's a doozy: http://discomermaids.blogspot.com/2006/05/depaola-code-nana.html
-You can find Handsome Big Anthony in Big Anthony and the Magic Ring: https://www.scholastic.com/teachers/books/big-anthony-and-the-magic-ring-by-tomie-depaola/
-Kate mentions the Freelance Wrestling Show in Chicago: http://freelancewrestling.com/
-Cannot recommend this book enough. Cake Magic by Caroline Wright : https://www.workman.com/products/cake-magic
For the complete Show Notes please visit http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2017/11/27/fuse-8-n-kate-strega-nona-by-tomie-depaola/
Today Betsy and Kate decide to class up the joint. Leo Dillon was the first African-American Caldecott Award winner and it was for this book in 1976. The era of the folktale has long since passed and yet, for all that, this book endures. Why? The sisters decide to get to the bottom of the matter.
Show Notes:
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For the record we highly recommend the CDs of LuAnn Adams, who is a truly magnificent storyteller: http://www.luannadamsstoryteller.com/
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In case you're curious, here's the link to NYPL's 100 Great Books, 100 Years: https://www.nypl.org/childrens100
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And yeah. She wasn't wrong. Koalas can give you chlamydia. Ugh. https://io9.gizmodo.com/5920738/you-can-accidentally-get-an-std-from-a-koala
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For the record, here's what CNN had to say about The Polar Express: "The mouth action is also less than overwhelming, since the characters' tongues look like slabs of meat when they speak their lines."
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Kate confirmed later that yes, it was a ferret and not a marmot, in the bathtub in The Big Lebowski. http://thebiglebowski.wikia.com/wiki/Marmot
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And for those of you who are curious, here's The Awkward Yeti. http://theawkwardyeti.com/
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Read the full Show Notes here: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2017/11/20/fuse-8-n-kate-why-mosquitoes-buzz-in-peoples-ears/
In lieu of a famous Thanksgiving picture book (which does not exist) Betsy and Kate decide a good way to go would be to do something food-related. And what's more foodie than food falling from the sky? This one is easy since it had a film of the same name. It's remembered . . . sorta. Due to its length it isn't really performed in storytimes, and affection for it has more to do with nostalgia than anything else. Or is it fantastic? A little gem we've all ignored? The sisters tackle the book head on and find some surprising results.
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This Minh Le post on Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs may be 10 years old, but it's just as fresh and clear as it was back in the day: http://www.bottomshelfbooks.com/2007/02/cloudy-with-chance-of-meatballs_11.html
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Giant Jam Sandwich! Betsy says "mosquitoes" but it was flies, right? Or was it wasps? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Iiv4AbrRsww
-Read the #75 post on the Top 100 Picture Books Poll: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2012/05/21/top-100-picture-books-75-cloudy-with-a-chance-of-meatballs-by-judi-barrett-illustrated-by-ron-barrett/
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Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs the movie: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pUaKcFI4BZY
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Accident by Andrea Tsurumi has a very similar tone to this book: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2017/07/07/review-of-the-day-accident-by-andrea-tsurumi-2/
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For the full Show Notes, visit http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2017/11/13/fuse-8-n-kate-cloudy-with-a-chance-of-meatballs-by-judi-barrett-and-ron-barrett/
After a month of good but relatively obscure titles it's Very Special Episode Day for the Fuse 8 n' Kate podcast. Folks have requested this one since the show's inception and now, for your listening enjoyment, Kate at last meets this infamous title. Will she pull a Rainbow Fish on Betsy and defend it? Will the sisters see eye-to-eye on the matter? Will Betsy bring up the book's complicated backstory or let sleeping dogs lie? Warning: May also include the jazziest version of the Love You Forever song you'll ever hear.
Show Notes:
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Robert Munsch sings the song from Love You Forever: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YFX6pdwJWpA
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Joey reads the book on Friends to Ross and Rachel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BauEPCnw55Y
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Taking the book to a whole other level, Children's Books Made Horrific tackles Love You Forever: http://the-toast.net/2014/09/18/love-forever/
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The trailer for Murder on the Orient Express: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mq4m3yAoW8E
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Square One and one of their best songs: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6DzfPcSysAg
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For full Show Notes, please visit A Fuse #8 Production at http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2017/11/06/fuse-8-n-kate-love-you-forever-by-robert-munsch-a-very-special-episode
Who says horror never wins the big awards? This is perhaps the last time a scary picture book got serious Caldecottian love. It also marks the end of the October spooky books for Betsy and Kate. At least you get to hear them run through a range of Halloween sound effects. Poor ones, granted, but it's the thought that counts.
Show Notes:
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When the book first came out, this was the book trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ag0LPVYpIu4
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By the way, can YOU name a classic Thanksgiving picture book? You can’t. You can name Thanksgiving picture books, sure, but one that’s massively famous? Not so much.
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By the way, the answer to the quiz question this week is COMPLETELY incorrect. Can you guess the right answer?
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I wasn’t wrong, as it turns out. From 2002-2003 there was indeed a “new” Twilight Zone: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0318252/
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That Creepy Crawlers commercial Kate remembers? It existed: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m0RK-l97NHY
-The Peter Brown book about the dog that I couldn’t remember (and that Jon Stewart’s son loved) was Chowder.
- The Monkey’s Paw by W.W. Jacobs is best described here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Monkey%27s_Paw
-At this point I wanted to include a video of Aaron reading from this book. Trouble is, I couldn’t find one online. That meant I had to find the next best thing. So, apparently at TXLA they have this lip-synching contest between kidlit vs. YAlit folks. And if Aaron Reynolds didn’t win it for this then what are we even talking about? This is THE best thing you’ll see all day long: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZPRaQG8Zsz4
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In case you’re curious about the New Yorker piece here it is: Birth of a Supremacist - https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2017/10/16/birth-of-a-white-supremacist
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For the full Show Notes please visit: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2017/10/30/spooky-october-infused-fuse-8-n-kate-creepy-carrots-by-aaron-reynolds-and-peter-brown/
She likes it! She really likes it! Not to give anything away but Kate is fully enamored of The Spider and the Fly by Mary Howitt, illustrated by Tony DiTerlizzi. And why not? That seductive spider clearly knows what he's doing from the get-go. In this episode the sisters consider killing flying monkeys, Hocus Pocus (it is October after all), and whether or not a book this new really deserves to be called a "classic" quite so soon.
Show Notes:
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No apologies. Frank Morgan was marvelous in The Good Fairy. Clearly a man that benefited from a good strong mustache. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=34pTHbhGaYc
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Here’s the link to Tony Diterlizzi’s website, where you can find all kinds of additional information. Scroll down and you’ll see a plethora of Spider and the Fly related links. http://diterlizzi.com/book/the-spider-the-fly/
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Wow! This Go Your Own YA podcast is great! They’re really just starting out but already they’ve covered Patricia McKissack and Lois Duncan. Check them out here: https://www.goyourownya.com/
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Apologies. It’s actually The Apple Dumpling Gang. Please don’t rake us over the coals.
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Though there has been much clamor for it, Hocus Pocus has never actually made it to Broadway. It has, however, been made into a parody musical. http://www.playbill.com/article/what-to-expect-from-the-hocus-pocus-musical-parody
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The Center for Teaching Through Children’s Books: Here’s a list of resources provided by the recent Indivisible Institute from many of the speakers. One stop shopping. https://padlet.com/berland/8fuf1e39fz18
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For the full Show Notes please visit http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2017/10/23/spooky-october-infused-fuse-8-n-kate-the-spider-and-the-fly-by-mary-howitt-and-tony-diterlizzi/
Spooky October offerings continue with a book that Kate calls "Hunger Games . . . but cats!" Special guest James Kennedy joins us for a talk about cannibalistic kitties, stating accurately, "Of all of the children's books, maybe all the books ever written, this one has the highest body count." Along the way you are privy to an acapella rendition of the theme song, bad John Travolta puns, and lots of Yacht Rock.
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Be sure to read The Order of Odd Fish by James Kennedy. SLJ called it "depraved"! How many YA novels can you say THAT about? https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/91572/the-order-of-odd-fish-by-james-kennedy/9780440240655/
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The 90-Second Newbery Film Festival is James's baby. Kids make 90-second (approximately) videos of Newbery Award and Honor books and then James travels around the country showing them in his film festival. Honestly, for a kid to see their video up on the big screen, there's nothing to compare to that. Newest and latest submissions are due on January 12th. http://90secondnewbery.com/
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Read the Top 100 Picture Books poll post on Millions of Cats. http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2012/06/11/top-100-picture-books-21-millions-of-cats-by-wanda-gag/
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Millions of Cats done in Minecraft. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4uD6H1O0TRA
-The ABC Bunny video of the song. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=leiXQbqAVME
- Full full Show Notes: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2017/10/16/spooky-october-infused-fuse-8-n-kate-millions-of-cats-by-wanda-gag-ft-james-kennedy/
Sisterhood is stronger than fights over Jawas vs. Ewoks, though in this particular case the two come dangerously close to exchanging blows. In honor of October they decide to tackle some spooky picture book classics. And it's hard to get spookier than Sendak's classic tale of babynapping and ice changelings. Hold on to your horn, your little sister, and your sanity for this crazy ride.
Show Notes:
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Anyone who puts together a picture book cover involving Jim, the chicken, and the old lady from Good Night Moon for Kate wins Betsy's everlasting love.
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Are you fond of Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark? Then we highly recommend The 15 Most Disturbing Illustrations From “Scary Stories To Tell In The Dark, particularly if your memory needs a jog. https://tuneinrockon.wordpress.com/2011/10/28/the-15-most-disturbing-illustrations-from-scary-stories-to-tell-in-the-dark/
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This is what Betsy meant when she referenced Rebel Without a Cause: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BrkiBCusHs0
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Apparently the German Shepherd featured in this book was modeled after Sendak's dog Max. He would later adopt a different German Shepherd named Melville.
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Curious about The Dionne Quintuplets? Here's some background information. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dionne_quintuplets
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LifeSource: Information on donating blood. http://www.lifesource.org/donate-blood/
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Here is a link to Eddie Izzard's latest book. And, for the record, he was magnificent in person. https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/318643/believe-me-by-eddie-izzard/9780399175831/
Full the full show notes for this episode, please visit Betsy's blog A Fuse #8 Production here: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2017/10/09/spooky-october-infused-fuse-8-n-kate-outside-over-there-by-maurice-sendak/
In this episode, Betsy and Kate decide to try to steer clear of Seussian controversy, unaware that even as they record this there is a debacle brewing with a school librarian, Melania Trump, and a host of Dr. Seuss books. Fortunately, while this book has been challenged in a library system (we'll get to that) it was not one of Ms. Trump's donations. Thank goodness for small favors. Along the way Kate identifies the most terrifying person in the book, Betsy has flashbacks to an old Smurfs episode, and the sisters talk seriously about why you can't put a skirt embedded with lights on a blow-up T-Rex costume.
Show Notes:
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The horrifying Smurf Rage Zombies. ComingSoon.net had exactly the same reaction to the episode that Betsy did and even makes a very strong case for why this story originally (in comic form) preceded George Romero's zombies by years. http://www.comingsoon.net/horror/news/749789-terror-tv-gnap-gnap-zombies-vs-smurfs-purple-smurfs
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Washington State University says that any spelling of "good-by" is legitimate and that "goodbye" is simply the most popular right now. https://brians.wsu.edu/2016/05/19/good-by-good-by-goodbye/
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Here, for your reading enjoyment, is a fully written complaint against Hop On Pop: http://www.cbc.ca/newsblogs/yourcommunity/2014/04/toronto-library-asked-to-ban-violent-dr-seuss-book-hop-on-pop.html?cmp=fbtl
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If you wish to follow The Niblings on our Facebook page you may do so here: https://www.facebook.com/TheNiblings/
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Here is Minh Le's full post on Hop On Pop. http://www.bottomshelfbooks.com/2007/04/hop-on-pop_09.html
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All the Dirty Parts by Daniel Handler: https://www.bloomsbury.com/uk/all-the-dirty-parts-9781632868060/
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Kate's magnificently cool skirt can be purchased here: http://www.thinkgeek.com/product/jhsu/?srp=18
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For full Show Notes visit Betsy's blog here: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2017/10/03/new-fuse-8-n-kate-episode-hop-on-pop-by-dr-seuss/
We're back! Kate's voice has healed up so the sisters sit down to talk about our first Seuss. And what a Seuss it is too. Just in time for Banned Books Week they consider what should, in many ways, be Seuss's most controversial picture book. Along the way there may also be some talk about Bill Cosby, nerds, and raves.
Show Notes:
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Here is ALA’s list of Frequently Challenged Books for 2016. https://www.ila.org/content/documents/2016banned.pdf
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Like I say, I found nuthin’. So I went to 2015 here. http://www.ala.org/advocacy/sites/ala.org.advocacy/files/content/2015BannedList.pdf
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For further information on the implications behind the most famous of the Seuss books, please see Was the Cat in the Hat Black? by Phil Nel. I highly recommend this 45-minute illustrated lecture on the topic. https://plus.google.com/+PhilipNel/posts/3t6xoesSycm
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An interesting recent article from the New York Times on Dr. Seuss, his caricatures of WWII, and how the Dr. Seuss Museum prefers not to talk about any of that (at this time). https://www.nytimes.com/2017/06/21/arts/design/dr-seuss-museum-theodor-geisel-political-cartoons.html
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An SLJ article on Read Across America’s recent decision to not highlight Seuss but diverse books instead. http://www.slj.com/2017/09/industry-news/cat-hat-racist-read-across-america-shifts-away-dr-seuss-toward-diverse-books/
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Here is how the official challenge to If I Ran the Zoo reads:
“Geisel, Theodor Seuss If I Ran the Zoo RANDOM HOUSE Challenged, but retained at the Vancouver, Canada, Public Library (2014) despite a line in the poem about helpers who “all wear their eyes at a slant,” accompanied by illustrations that are racial stereotypes of Asians. The book is often credited with the first printed modern English use of the word “nerd” in a sentence. The library will no longer read it at storytime or promote it other than as resource material in a study of how the portrayal of other cultures has changed over time.”
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Universal Studio’s If I Ran the Zoo portion of Seuss Landing: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ofyYmAryEus
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Video of the woman reading this book. And I was wrong. She totally reads the worst part. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=azBphmVSUj4
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The Moose Called Thidwick problem can be read more fully here. http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2017/09/06/gunning-for-your-children-when-picture-book-classics-pack-heat/
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Proof that “Eye of the Tiger” is in Rocky 3. Doggone it. Thanks, James. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=27F46WPVJBs
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Schweddy Balls. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bPpcfH_HHH8
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Here’s the link to the Patti LuPone interview. It is WELL worth your time! http://www.wnyc.org/story/269890-patti-lupone/
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This is my favorite thing of ALL TIME!!! It’s actually 13 seconds of delight, not 15. 15 would be too long. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3z2j6F8fZII
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You can find full show notes here: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2017/09/26/new-fuse-8-n-kate-episode-if-i-ran-the-zoo-by-dr-seuss/
In desperate need to get the taste of The Berenstain Bears and the Bully out of their mouth, Betsy and Kate turn their sights to yet another Caldecott Award winner. This time it's Ed Young's take on the classic Chinese folktale Lon Po Po. Like the Red Riding Hood tale? Then you'll certainly enjoy this lovely tale where a trio of clever sisters break every friggin' bone in a wolf's body.
Show Notes: - Pudding is not actually the 10th anniversary gift. But it should be.
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This is where Kate couldn't see the wolf in the first two-page spread: http://www.vickiblackwell.com/lit/images/panelpics.jpg
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Had the wolf frequented his local supermarket he might have gotten the delicacies another way: http://victor.iwi.com.sg/gjh/product_image/Mili_GingkoNuts.jpg
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Some light reading? Try your hand at Little Red Riding Hood Uncloaked: Sex, Morality, and the Evolution of a Fairy Tale Book by Catherine Orenstein:
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You know I'm desperate when I pull out my old copy of The Uses of Enchantment: The Meaning and Importance of Fairy Tales Book by Bruno Bettelheim
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Here's Yeh-Shen by Ed Young, which Kate mentions: http://www.mariespastiche.com/2013/07/yeh-shen-chinese-cinderella.html
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The truly gorgeous Mighty Moby by Barbara DaCosta is illustrated by Ed Young. Find it. Read it. Love it. https://mightymoby.wordpress.com/about-the-creation-of-mighty-moby/
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The Berenstain Bears picture book The Harvest Festival and, as you can see, there's a little light in the corner. If you know what it means you're fine. If you don't, you end up in Rebecca's position. http://d2qxx3fqcmq0dz.cloudfront.net/media/catalog/product/cache/7/image/9df78eab33525d08d6e5fb8d27136e95/9/7/9780310748656.jpg.1446997872.jpg
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The episode of Secrets of Story that mentions us can be found here. This is particularly recommended for fans of Dan Harmon as well. https://soundcloud.com/matt-bird-35537727/secrets-of-story-episode-6-raiders-of-the-story-circle
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A little information on The Good Place. I will say it again. This. Show. Is. A. Delight. https://www.nbc.com/the-good-place?nbc=1
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For the complete show notes, visit http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2017/09/11/new-fuse-8-n-kate-episode-lon-po-po-by-ed-young/
Our tenth episode and what a splendid one it is too. Killing two birds with one stone, Betsy and Kate wrestle to the ground a listener recommendation AND a series title. Between speculating about alternate realities, corporal punishment, and baby wigs (which are apparently a thing) the sisters come to a mutual understanding on a title for once.
Show Notes:
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Yeah. We know King Lear doesn't actually get his eyeballs removed. That was Gloucester. Our bad.
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Different Lllama Llama rapper videos: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PFtHeo7oMSU and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XX7JAHddY84
-Back in 2006 Leila Roy at bookshelves of doom was the first person I knew to encounter this book. At a garage sale, no less. Please read her hilarious post on the matter. http://bookshelvesofdoom.blogs.com/bookshelves_of_doom/2006/08/quick_quiz_for_.html
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The original Berenstain Bears theme song: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sjXiIZYsGJY
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You can read about the alternate reality theory about the Berenstain/stein Bears here: http://news.avclub.com/how-you-spell-the-berenstain-bears-could-be-proof-of-1798282836
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By the way, after Kate and I finished recording this episode we consulted with the resident Network Administrator and Cannon Ballast who mentioned something called "The Mandela Effect". Apparently shared false memories are a known phenomenon. Listen to the podcast Stuff to Blow Your Mind and the episode Shared False Memories and the Mandela Effect to learn more. http://www.stufftoblowyourmind.com/podcasts/shared-false-memories.htm
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Kate's recommendation: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OWF3YT8sRH8
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Betsy's top recommendation: http://www.missedinhistory.com/podcasts/mamie-till-mobley.htm
-And finally, want to read the book yourself but want someone else to do it for you? Maybe the most fascinating video on the subject. Note the Play-doh version of Sister -https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yIvRXBsEP1M
- For the full list of show notes, please visit A Fuse #8 Production here: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2017/09/04/new-fuse-8-n-kate-episode-the-berenstain-bears-and-the-bully-by-stan-and-jan-berenstain/
Things get off to a bang when Kate immediately throws Betsy off by calling the entire Harry Potter series "YA". After that things get weird. Sure, Goodnight Moon is one of the best known, best loved, most-received-at-baby-showers picture book classics of all time, but does it deserve the acclaim? The sisters discuss its sordid controversies, the book's forgotten ghost, and the danger of anatomically correct udders.
Show Notes: - Proof of the existence of a pinhole camera saltine cracker. http://www.floridatoday.com/story/tech/science/space/2017/08/17/solar-eclipse-glasses-cracker-slotted-spoon/575694001/
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The two podcasts that gave us shout outs? First up is The Secrets of Story podcast, created by my very own Matt Bird and his partner-in-crime, YA author and 90-Second Newbery's papa, James Kennedy. https://soundcloud.com/matt-bird-35537727
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The other is the Books Between podcast. Hat tip to Corrina Allen for interviewing me recently. There is a really nice fart noise contest at the end of my episode that I highly recommend. http://www.allthewonders.com/podcasts/betsy-bird-books-between-episode-32/
The link to Goodnight Moon on my Top 100 Picture Book Poll. http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2012/06/23/top-100-picture-books-4-goodnight-moon-by-margaret-wise-brown-illustrated-by-clement-moore/
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Answer to The Little House : What book did Virginia Lee Burton create that was ahead of its time? Just prior to writing The Little House, Burton actually attempted to write a book that can only be described as far and away ahead of her time. In the late 30s, early 40s she noticed that her nine-year-old son loved his comic books. The answer? Calico the Wonder Horse; or, The Saga of Stewy Slinker was an honest-to-goodness picture book in a comic-book format. As Minders of Make-Believe puts it, the book was a “gallant though futile gesture.” The Little House was made soon thereafter and got itself a Caldecott Medal in 1943, so there you go.
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Here's a link to the Children's Books Made Horrific take on Goodnight Moon (you'll see why we didn't read it aloud). http://the-toast.net/2015/05/14/childrens-stories-made-horrific-goodnight-moon/
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By the way, want to hear some proof that children's books have a weird relationship to cow udders? Check out this story that got cut out of Wild Things: Acts of Mischief in Children's Literature. http://wildthings.blaine.org/?p=486
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Controversy #1: http://www.joshuaprager.com/articles/runaway-money/
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Controversy #2: http://www.nytimes.com/2005/11/17/books/17moon.html?_r=2
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If you would like to read the Ugly Volvo piece of reader's theater just go to All My Issues with the Goodnight Moon Bedroom. http://www.nytimes.com/2005/12/04/opinion/04karbo.html?ex=1291352400&en=7a28d82e45f39af8&ei=5088
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Grown-Up Things We Like: Kate's volunteer event was The Creative Chicago Reuse Exchange. Feel free to volunteer yourself. https://www.creativechirx.org/
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You can reach us at FuseKate8@gmail.com.
You can find full show notes for this episode here: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2017/08/28/new-fuse-8-n-kate-episode-goodnight-moon-by-margaret-wise-brown/
Betsy attempts to present Kate with a Caldecott Award winning classic (shiny GOLD sticker and all)illustrated by a woman and finds the task shockingly difficult. Meanwhile Kate delves deep into an Irish brogue, Betsy entirely misses an image of nudity, and they both agree that if you're going to have a sun, have a sassy one.
Show Notes:
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Here's the list of all the Caldecott Award winners. http://www.ala.org/alsc/awardsgrants/bookmedia/caldecottmedal/caldecottwinners/caldecottmedal If you can find a really super famous one on there that was illustrated by a woman, tell us what it is (at FuseKate8@gmail.com). The kind that the average person on the street would know.
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Here's what the Caldecott Award looks like. Three geese and all: http://www.thesilverpen.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/Caldecott-Medal.jpg
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Here's the music video Kate and Betsy made for the song Randolph Caldecott in 2009: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QMIjWQQavcY
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For more information on Big Machines: The Story of Virginia Lee Burton by Sherri Duskey Rinker, ill. John Rocco book (which contains plenty of daisies, and zero sassy suns) go here: http://100scopenotes.com/2017/01/09/exclusive-cover-reveal-big-machines-the-story-of-virgina-lee-burton/
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Here's the Disney short film they made based on the book. Sterling Holloway and all: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y881yjtFluQ
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Kate's 12-point To Do List includes the following:
- Volunteer
- Give one gift
- Read a book
- Workout
- Take a class
- Try one new food
- Do something scary
- Go to one new place
- Call or go out with old friend
- Meditate/go to (church, temple, etc.)
- Cook one new recipe
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Save $__.00 at least
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The New York Times article on the death of June Foray: https://www.nytimes.com/2017/07/27/arts/television/june-foray-prolific-voice-of-rocky-the-flying-squirrel-dies-at-99.html
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Peter Sellers doing Beatles songs sounds interesting, yes? Here are a few examples of what it was Betsy was talking about:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EEzJTMf1ZF8
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zLEMncv140s
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kAnb1fS1bF0
For complete show notes go to: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2017/08/21/new-fuse-8-n-kate-episode-the-little-house-by-virginia-lee-burton/
Be sure to follow us on iTunes and rate our podcast. Direct all questions and inquiries to Fuse8Kate@gmail.com.
Load up on the Kleenex and stuff some hankies up your sleeve. We wrench out the tears (and the post-apocalyptic hellscape conspiracy theories) with P.D. Eastman's classic text. In the course of things Betsy and Kate also take time to consider chicken's eyelashes, great big rubber stamps, and Betsy manages to work in at least one more reference to holograms (yesss!).
Show Notes In Brief:
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In terms of feedback from Monica Edinger, please check out her blog post John Steptoe's Mufaro's Beautiful Daughters. Extra Bonus: A member of the Caldecott committee that awarded Steptoe the Honor makes a comment at the end! https://medinger.wordpress.com/2017/08/09/john-steptoes-mufaros-beautiful-daughters/
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Interested in reading the post on my Top 100 Picture Books Poll from 2012? Here's the one I did for Are You My Mother? http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2012/05/29/top-100-picture-books-45-are-you-my-mother-by-p-d-eastman/
Make sure you read the entire text of the Mallory Ortberg Are You My Mother? rendered horrific here. http://the-toast.net/2013/11/27/mother/
God, I love Robin Sparkles (though I still think she peaked with "Sandcastles in the Sand"): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IY_bhVSGKEg
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Not sure if my description of The Big Sick proved enticing enough? Then read the New Yorker piece Kumail Nanjiani's Culture-Clash Comedy. http://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2017/05/08/kumail-nanjianis-culture-clash-comedy
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And finally, next time you're in Cleveland, that Christmas Story House really does exist. http://www.achristmasstoryhouse.com/
Full Show Notes can be found at http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2017/08/14/new-fuse-8-n-kate-episode-are-you-my-mother-by-p-d-eastman
Lest you start believing that all children's book classics were penned by white people, Kate and Betsy delve deep into one of John Steptoe's best works. They consider some of the more problematic messages of the book today, its groundbreaking nature, the history of Steptoe, the most recent Caldecott Award winner (and its connection), and a lot more.
And yes. Kate has some weird affection for the last page of every book she sees. Every. Single. One.
Full show notes for this episode can be found here: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2017/08/08/new-fuse-8-n-kate-episode-mufaros-beautiful-daughters-by-john-steptoe/
It has taken five books but at long last Kate and Betsy disagree on a book. Who knew it would be the shiniest one in the sea? Rainbow Fish by Marcus Pfister, the book that every American schoolchild knows by heart, is dredged up out of the deep for a fine conversation about Shark Week, holograms, and why sharing is caring.
Betsy brings in a picture book classic that she deems a "perfect ten". Meanwhile Kate attempts to poison her sibling with a Chicago specialty, and the thunder is, as ever, perfectly timed.
In this episode, Betsy tries as hard as she can to find a book that she and Kate can safely disagree on. Things don't go according to plan, though there are plenty of instances of the word "Penis!" being yelled at inopportune moments.
Score Thus Far: Betsy: 0 Kate: 0 Maurice Sendak: 1
In celebration of Pride Month, Kate and Betsy tackle the most famous same-sex picture book of all time. How has Heather fared over the years? Does it stand up? Has it become horrendously dated? The sisters hash it out, get a little surprised, and end up drinking rainbow-colored vodka (this is true).
Is Tikki Tikki Tembo the horribly offensive book it seems to be, or a classic worthy of love and adulation? For this first episode Betsy and Kate take a close, very very close, look at Arlene Mosel and Blair Lent's best known work.