The Yarn

In this episode, author Cynthia Leitich Smith and publisher/editor Rosemary Brosnan discuss the origins, mission, and future of their indigenous-focused HarperCollins imprint, Heartdrum.

In this episode, author Aaron Reynolds takes us behind the scenes of the bestselling Jasper Rabbit universe - from Caldecott Honor winner CREEPY CARROTS and picture book follow-ups, to the new Creepy Tales chapter book series. Aaron talks about his inspiration for the series, and how illustrator Peter Brown brought it all to life.Subscribe to Sharp Read on SubstackJoin thousands of children's lit supporters reading Colby's weekly dispatches from the classroom.Subscribe to 100 Scope Notes on SubstackA bi-weekly deep dive into the world of picture books, delivered to your inbox.Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.

In this episode, author Nancy Hudgins takes us behind the scenes of her nonfiction debut, BOOKS GOOD ENOUGH FOR YOU: The Storied Life of Ursula Nordstrom, Editor of Extraordinary Children's Books.Subscribe to Sharp Read on SubstackJoin thousands of children's lit supporters reading Colby's weekly dispatches from the classroom.Subscribe to 100 Scope Notes on SubstackA bi-weekly deep dive into the world of picture books, delivered to your inbox.Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.

In this episode, author N. West Moss takes us behind the scenes of her debut middle grade novel BIRDYSubscribe to Sharp Read on SubstackJoin thousands of children's lit supporters reading Colby's weekly dispatches from the classroom.Subscribe to 100 Scope Notes on SubstackA bi-weekly deep dive into the world of picture books, delivered to your inbox.Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.

In this episode, author/illustrator Philip Stead takes us behind the scenes of his first middle grade novel, A POTION, A POWDER, A LITTLE BIT OF MAGIC.

In this episode, Caldecott Medal winning author/illustrator Dan Santat takes us behind the scenes of his graphic novel series, SASHIMI.Subscribe to Sharp Read on SubstackJoin thousands of children's lit supporters reading Colby's weekly dispatches from the classroom.Subscribe to 100 Scope Notes on SubstackA bi-weekly deep dive into the world of picture books, delivered to your inbox.Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.

In this episode, bestselling author Sara Pennypacker takes us behind the scenes of her latest historical fiction novel, THE LION'S RUN.Subscribe to Sharp Read on SubstackJoin thousands of children's lit supporters reading Colby's weekly dispatches from the classroom.Subscribe to 100 Scope Notes on SubstackA bi-weekly deep dive into the world of picture books, delivered to your inbox.Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.

In this episode, Newbery Honor-winning author Jasmine Warga takes us behind the scenes of her latest middle grade novel, THE UNLIKELY TALE OF CHASE AND FINNEGAN.

Welcome to a special crossover episode with Fuse 8 n' Kate! For their 400th episode, Betsy and Kate invited Colby Sharp and Travis Jonker to debate the longest Caldecott Medal book of all time: THE INVENTION OF HUGO CABRET. Is it a classic? Is it a picture book? The group ponders these big questions.

In this episode, Caldecott Honor winning artist Elisha Cooper takes us behind the scenes of his latest picture book, THE RARE BIRD.

In this episode, author Kelly Yang takes us behind the scenes of her new podcast with Kate DiCamillo: StoryKind.

In this episode, Colby and Travis look ahead to the new year in children's books.

In this special extended episode, Colby and Travis discuss the year that was in children's literature.

In this episode, Newbery Medal winner Rebecca Stead takes us behind the scenes of her novel, THE EXPERIMENT.

In this special extended episode, Betsy Bird takes us behind the scenes of her hugely influential children's literature blog, A Fuse #8 Production.

In this episode writer, librarian, and FUSE #8 PRODUCTION blogger Betsy Bird takes us behind the scenes of her picture book POP! GOES THE NURSERY RHYME, illustrated by Andrea Tsurumi.

In this episode, award-winning and New York Times bestselling author Derrick Barnes takes us behind the scenes of his latest middle grade novel, THE INCREDIBLY HUMAN HENSON BLAZE.

In this Halloween episode, author Katie Kennedy takes us behind the scenes of her middle grade nonfiction book, DID YOU HEAR WHAT HAPPENED IN SALEM? THE WITCH TRIALS OF 1692.

In this episode, Zeke Peña takes us behind the scenes of his author/illustrator debut picture book, SUNDUST.

In this episode, award-winning author Nicholas Day takes us behind the scenes of his latest narrative nonfiction book for middle grade readers: A WORLD WITHOUT SUMMER: A VOLCANO ERUPTS, A CREATURE AWAKENS, AND THE SUN GOES OUT.

In this episode, author Barbara O'Connor takes us behind the scenes of her bestselling middle grade novel WISH, and upcoming companion book DREAM. 

We've been keeping this one under wraps for NINE years. An interview with Sophie Blackall in 2016 about her Caldecott Medal winning book, FINDING WINNIE (written by Lindsay Mattick). 

Part two of a special LIVE episode featuring the 2025 Newbery winners: Ruth Behar, Chanel Miller, Lesa Cline-Ransome, Kate O’Shaughnessy, and Erin Entrada Kelly. Rapid-fire SPEED ROUND questions!

Part one of a special LIVE episode featuring the 2025 Newbery winners: Ruth Behar, Chanel Miller, Lesa Cline-Ransome, Kate O’Shaughnessy, and Erin Entrada Kelly.

In this episode, author Candace Fleming takes us behind the scenes of her award-winning nonfiction book, THE ENIGMA GIRLS: HOW TEN TEENAGERS BROKE CIPHERS, KEPT SECRETS, AND HELPED WIN WORLD WAR II.

It's the end of the school year - a great time for Colby to share how he celebrates reading with his 5th grade students.

In this episode, author Aida Salazar and illustrator Molly Mendoza take us behind the scenes of their Caldecott Honor winning book JOVITA WORE PANTS: THE STORY OF A MEXICAN FREEDOM FIGHTER

In this episode, New York Times bestselling author Pablo Cartaya takes us behind the scenes of his new middle grade novel, A HERO'S GUIDE TO SUMMER VACATION.

In this episode, author Mk Smith Despres takes us behind the scenes of their poetic picture book THERE'S THAT SUN AGAIN, illustrated by Julie Benbassat.

In this special episode, Colby Sharp shares his experience of traveling to Alaska to talk about children's books.

In this episode, Travis takes us behind the scenes of his picture book JUST ONE WAVE, the summertime sequel to JUST ONE FLAKE.

In this episode, author/illustrator Jing Jing Tsong takes us behind the scenes of her graphic novel debut, FAKE CHINESE SOUNDS.

In this episode, author/illustrator Arree Chung takes us behind the scenes of his graphic novel DON'T CAUSE TROUBLE.

In this episode, artist Rebecca Lee Kunz takes us behind the scenes of her Caldecott Medal winning book, CHOOCH HELPED (written by Andrea L. Rogers

In this episode, Ruth Chan and Travis Jonker take us behind the scenes of their new picture book, CABOOSE.

In this episode, Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer takes us behind the scenes of her book, TRUE GRETCH (Young Adult Edition).

In this episode, Colby and Travis look ahead to the new year in children's books.

In this special extended episode, Colby and Travis discuss the year that was in children's literature.

In this episode, comics creator Jerzy Drozd takes us behind the scenes of his graphic novel THE INSCRUTABLE DOCTOR BAER AND THE CASE OF THE TWO-FACED STATUE.

In this episode, Mac Barnett and Sydney Smith take us behind the scenes of their picture book SANTA'S FIRST CHRISTMAS.

In this episode, Mac Barnett and Shawn Harris take us behind the scenes of their bestselling graphic novel series THE FIRST CAT IN SPACE, including the latest installment, THE WRATH OF THE PAPERCLIP.

In this episode, New York Times bestselling author Gayle Forman takes us behind the scenes of her middle grade novel NOT NOTHING.

In this episode, debut author/illustrator Jess Hannigan takes us behind the scenes of her picture book SPIDER IN THE WELL.

In this episode, author/illustrator Ruth Chan takes us behind the scenes of her debut graphic novel memoir, UPROOTED.

In this episode, Travis Jonker takes us behind the scenes of THE SHIP IN THE WINDOW, illustrated by Caldecott Medal winner Matthew Cordell. 

In this episode, award-winning author Lisa Fipps returns to the show to take us behind the scenes of her new middle grade novel in verse, AND THEN, BOOM!

In this episode, Newbery Honor winning author Gennifer Choldenko (AL CAPONE DOES MY SHIRTS) takes us behind the scenes of her middle grade novel THE TENTH MISTAKE OF HANK HOOPERMAN.

Part two of a special LIVE episode featuring the 2024 Newbery Honor winners: Erin Bow, M.T. Anderson, Daniel Nayeri, Pedro Martín, and Nasuġraq Rainy Hopson. Rapid-fire SPEED ROUND questions!

Part one of a special LIVE episode featuring the 2024 Newbery Honor winners: Erin Bow, M.T. Anderson, Daniel Nayeri, Pedro Martín, and Nasuġraq Rainy Hopson.

In this episode, author Dan Gutman looks back on 20 years of his popular MY WEIRD SCHOOL series.