Stay ConnectedTwo 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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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: - 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 WILD HORSES https://americanindiansinchildrensliterature.blogspot.com/2011/04/dear-mr-goble-questions-for-paul-goble.html - 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/
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