September 2025
A School Library Journal Blog| A Fuse #8 Production
What do you do when you can't trust the adults around you? Jennifer L. Holm and I discuss her latest book and talk a little xenotransplantation here and a little love of doggies there.| A Fuse #8 Production
An icon gets his picture book bio day in the sun. Alice Faye Duncan joins us today to talk about her latest creation and to reveal its cover too.| A Fuse #8 Production
With Robert Munsch in the news lately, we thought it an opportune time to visit one of his lesser known titles.| A Fuse #8 Production
Writing any picture book about an "issue" like divorce is a daunting prospect. Fortunately this new entry in the field is up to the challenge.| A Fuse #8 Production
"His uncompromising approach to making art, his refusal to back away from his principles and political engagement." The time has never been better to learn more about Tomi Ungerer.| A Fuse #8 Production
Open doors and hospitality is the name of the game today as we talk about the agency of turning the page in a book with two renowned picture book creators.| A Fuse #8 Production
Nefarious bluebirds, hilarious waterfowl, historical comics and more in our latest preview of some of the smaller publishers.| A Fuse #8 Production
A dog's true best friend stars in its own show in this ludicrous and wonderful picture book readaloud. I interview its creator (dog lovers - this one's for you).| A Fuse #8 Production
Just in time for her 20th anniversary, Kate and I tackle the fanciest nanciest gal in picture bookdom. WILL Kate think she's a brat? IS this the first book we've done with glitter on the cover? Listen and find out!| A Fuse #8 Production
This came out early in the year, but I'd like to remind you to give it a close look. Highly sophisticated art with an incredible batch of storytelling. Galligan's greatest is here.| A Fuse #8 Production
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 […]| A Fuse #8 Production
This is going to strike you as a little strange. Lord knows it wasn’t something I 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 I have to admit I was a little embarrassed. We recorded our Very Hungr...| A Fuse #8 Production
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
Are you ready for the best children's book-to-film festival on record? Do you want to see Holes set at a girls finishing school with swordfights (what?)? Then read on!| A Fuse #8 Production
Dear lord. If I thought I was about to give Kate a lovely birthday present with today’s recording then I was SORELY disabused of that notion from the start. I 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 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
Though their list is small, their books are mighty. Transit specializes in small books that you wouldn't notice at all, were it not for their concentrated efforts. Take a gander at three they have coming up.| A Fuse #8 Production
Arguably Tomi Ungerer's least weird picture book, we at last tackle the tale of a woman and her beloved reptile.| A Fuse #8 Production
This one’s for the writers, but could be of just as much use to those folks who want to be published authors and just haven’t gotten there yet. In my time as a roving children’s librarian I’ve spoken at two different but enchanting writing retreats. I should probably define my terms, though, so when I […]| A Fuse #8 Production
It’s not that I don’t own a couple dresses. I do. It’s just that since the birth of the small Bird certain . . . ah . . . portions of the anatomy have, shall we say, decided to wow the world with their largess. So until that situation reverses itself I needed a new […]| A Fuse #8 Production
When You Reach Me By Rebecca Stead Wendy Lamb Books (Random House imprint) $15.99 ISBN: 978-0-385-73742-5 Ages 11-14 I’ve been struggling over how to begin this review. I want to get it exactly right. I want to convey to you precisely what it is that I mean to say. If you’ve read any of my […]| 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
The Mona Lisa Vanishes: A Legendary Painter, a Shocking Heist, and the Birth of a Global CelebrityBy Nicholas DayIllustrated by Brett HelquistRandom House Studio (and imprint of Random House Children’s Books)$22.99ISBN: 9780593643846Ages 9-12On shelves September 5th I sense that we are on the brink of something. I’ve sensed it for a while. Do you remember […]| A Fuse #8 Production
In 2013 I had a crazy notion to list every single children’s literature statue I could think of in a single blog post. I did. It was fun. And now almost four years have gone by and I’ve thought often of the piece. Honestly, I never finished incorporating some of the suggested statues from my […]| 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
If you'd like to read a rant about why I suspect this book never even won a Caldecott Honor then enjoy. I go off, and on the podcast episode we laud a book that truly stands the test of time.| A Fuse #8 Production
We try another Audrey & Don Wood title above and beyond King Bidgood's In the Bathtub. It's a cumulative tale that has continued to remain in print for the last 37 years.| 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
Drawing On Walls is the kind of book that you wish other writers of children’s nonfiction would read. A story that justifies its very existence by justifying the very existence of its subject.| 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
Today we dip a toe into three upcoming picture book translations, as beautiful and different from one another as can be.| A Fuse #8 Production
What role does a retreat for enthusiasts of children's literature play in the full pantheon of history? I speculate (and show cute photos of ducks).| A Fuse #8 Production
We finally do one of my most reliable storytime readalouds. Where would I be without Duck, his antics, and the array of animal sounds this book lets you indulge in?| 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
The big guys may have all the money, but they sure as heck don't have books like these.| 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
A School Library Journal Blog| A Fuse #8 Production
What are some successful picture books that do not rely on a plot or conflict? Sign up for my new Substack account to get regular updates on my content, and then answer this question for yourself.| A Fuse #8 Production
Tragedy! Tortillas! And an interview with one of the funniest people in the picture book biz, Eliza Kinkz! Hope you're hungry cause we're talking tacos and mistakes today.| A Fuse #8 Production
You know what's even more fun than celebrating your own book's release? Celebrating of all the fellow books coming out today too! I do a recap of some of the titles coming out today that are stellar.| A Fuse #8 Production
Today we're talking about feelings. BIG feelings! A dip into some SEL books and why they're important.| A Fuse #8 Production
As part of this celebration of the Sydney Taylor Awards, we speak with the illustrator of the only graphic novel to win a Sibert Honor and Sydney Taylor Award!| A Fuse #8 Production
It's time for another preview of some of our most interesting small publishers. We've books from all around the world here today, each of them making their way to American bookshelves and libraries. Don't miss out!| A Fuse #8 Production
A cult classic picture book with a distinctly 1993 bent is the focus of our discussion today. How has Mr. Lunch aged in the intervening 32 years? We aim to find out.| 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
I've updated my listing of children's literary statues available in the United States. Take a deep dive into characters old and new.| A Fuse #8 Production
Today's book is best described as beautiful, weirdly touching, and utterly original. “Swish Zing Tizzle-ting POOF!”| 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
Repeatedly a bestseller around Easter-time, Kate and I tackle this 1983 beginner book and attempt to figure out why it's become so popular this late in the game.| 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
Meet the world's most depressed duck. Somehow he ended up as the hero of this 1997 Bunting/Wisniewski collaboration.| A Fuse #8 Production
It's heeeeere! Everyone's favorite oh-dear-god-why-are-you-talking-about-2026-when-we're-barely-surviving-2025 post!| 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
We return to John Steptoe once again today, though with perhaps a more complicated title than many of his that we've done before.| A Fuse #8 Production
Today we've a real treat. Not just the cover reveal of the latest from Newbery Honoree Daniel Nayeri but also a plethora of alternative covers that were considered along the way.| A Fuse #8 Production
The mysterious origins of The Giant Jam Sandwich are revealed! If you're a research junkie, this post's for you.| A Fuse #8 Production
We're having our very first publisher preview of books from Enchanted Lion. Be ready! These are some seriously gorgeous titles.| 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
Add a great text and art from an illustrious artist and you’ve got on your hands a librarian biography that’s a cut above the rest. A book that surpasses its form. A tale worth telling.| A Fuse #8 Production
From graphic novel adaptations to Muslim religious tales. From tales of residential schools to money management. There's a little something for everyone on today's list!| A Fuse #8 Production
More books on the horizon from some of your favorite small publishers. Want to know what's coming out in the future? Here's where you can learn more!| A Fuse #8 Production
Thanks to Ellen Myrick, I've gotten a peek at a slew of children's books slated to come to our American shores in the not-so-distant future. So buckle up and enjoy the ride!| A Fuse #8 Production
The kids are going to come here for the kooky aliens, but the whole reason the book works is because at its core this is a picture book about a kind of kindness we should all strive for in our lives.| 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
So many small publishers are vying for your attention this fall/winter season. Which of the books presented today are going to be your favorites?| A Fuse #8 Production
We take a quintessential Independence Day title and put it under a spotlight to see how it has aged.| A Fuse #8 Production
I hope you're ready for A LOT of science and nature books today, because this is definitely my longest list to date. Full of incredible titles!| A Fuse #8 Production
Behold! A list of baby board books, preschooler board books, and board books that are either reprints or adapted picture books. Enjoy them all!| A Fuse #8 Production
