This is your chance to find out how Jonathan Auxier writes every possible ending to his books to find the right one, why he doesn't reread his books, and why he rescinded his book 24 hours before sending it to the printer!| A Fuse #8 Production
Were you aware that ghosts are the hot trend of 2025? Not sure what that says about the state of the world today, but it does give me an excuse to talk to the creator of the ghost with the most.| A Fuse #8 Production
We continue our ode to science fiction this week with the delightful Rebecca Stead in discussion about her latest title, tails and all.| A Fuse #8 Production
Is there life on Mars? Who cares! It's the Moon we're focusing on today, in this ribald conversation about one of my (already) favorite middle grades of 2026.| A Fuse #8 Production
Got a-hankering for more Penderwicks? Then get the next best thing! Jeanne Birdsall has an all new book out and it involves libraries, fairies, and terrible terrible parents.| A Fuse #8 Production
Look, I don’t see much of a point in beating around the bush. You read the title of this post. You know what the deal is. Our dear, beloved, Dan Santat, Caldecott Award-winner, nice feller, and man-about-town, has the kickoff to a new graphic novel series coming out in 2026. It’s called Sashimi (ISBN: 9781250359995 and out April 14, 2026 ). It’s hilarious. And, yes, you’re going to want to read it the minute it comes out. Your kids? They will love it. Adults everywhere? They’ll stea...| A Fuse #8 Production
I had an amusing moment recently. I was speaking on my podcast the other day about being a bit of a “nonfiction stickler”. This made it into the show notes of the episode and when someone brought the post up in Google, they got one of those annoying AI related questions… about “the nonfiction stickler”. I found this amusing. As the official Nonfiction Stickler, I have certain things I loathe in children’s works of nonfiction. Things like faux dialogue and unsubstantiated sources. | A Fuse #8 Production
Proof positive that sometimes the best books for kids come from the unlikeliest of sources about the unlikeliest of people.| A Fuse #8 Production
Maine is where Robert McCloskey plied his trade. It's where Miss Rumphius planted all those lupines. And it's where we head today for chowder, thick sweaters, and the occasional Whoopie Pie.| A Fuse #8 Production
Sara Pennypacker's books always pack a punch, but her latest goes into previously uncharted territory. We talk with her and then get to see a Jon Klassen cover like you've never seen him before.| A Fuse #8 Production
A global disaster on an epic scale all thanks to a single volcanic eruption? It's not science fiction, it's history, and today I get to grill Nicholas Day about his deep dive into the world of 1816.| A Fuse #8 Production
Are there books you've always wanted to read but never have? Discover this new story craft podcast that confronts story structure and writing through the lens of its hosts'| A Fuse #8 Production
Arms! Tentacles! Real estate in the board book format! I'm talking with two picture book-turned-board book creators about how you create a title for the littlest of readers.| A Fuse #8 Production
Today’s conversation is one that I’ve been looking forward to for some time. Richard Michelson is an old friend. If ever you’ve been to the Eric Carle Museum in Amherst, MA, it would behoove you to also check out the R. Michelson Gallery in nearby Northampton. There, located in an old bank, you will find perhaps the finest gallery of fine children’s illustration available to you anywhere in the continental United States. | A Fuse #8 Production
Protecting younger siblings everywhere? This super spy graphic novel aims to do just that. A talk with the creators of this newest comic creation.| A Fuse #8 Production
Earlier this month I did a post on this site called And Now Some Books I’m REALLY Excited For in 2025 in which I mentioned some of the children’s books I was most looking forward to in the coming year. Now I can confess to you that there were a couple books I really and truly wanted to mention and couldn’t. Why? Because I hadn’t done the cover reveals for them yet! | A Fuse #8 Production
An interview with the creators of a graphic novel that explores the linguistic insecurity that so many American-born Hispanics who don’t speak Spanish face today.| A Fuse #8 Production
A delightful talk with Samantha van Leer full of aliens, dogs that act like aliens, science fiction for kids, and more.| A Fuse #8 Production
Debut creator Cherry Mo takes a well-loved idea and renders it bright, shiny, and new in this vibrant take on a tale as old as lunchtime.| A Fuse #8 Production
Happy Father's Day! We're highlighting my favorite daddy book of 2024 and talking about it (though I do get a little distracted by these creators' killer headshots).| A Fuse #8 Production