Fuse 8 N' Kate

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-kat

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: - 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/ - 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, an

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 stra

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

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 Pet

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 Recom

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-fierstei

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: - About Paul Goble and His Books: https://americanindiansinchildrensliterature.blogspot.com/2009/07/about-paul-goble-and-his-books.html - Dear Mr. Goble: Questions for Paul Goble about THE GIRL WHO LOVED W

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": h

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 Sho

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: - 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/ - Here

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: - 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 Mak

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

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: - 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 - 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