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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This week Betsy pokes her head out of the metaphorical dirt and realizes that there's a great big, wonderful world out there. A world filled with movies based on picture books. Movies like the upcoming Peter Rabbit film. So to honor (slash counteract) its debut in theaters, the sisters consider the original Beatrix Potter in all its teeny tiny glory. Kate in turn, manages to find things about it that Betsy has never really considered, like the book's inherent ageism and the Beatrix Potter/Harry Potter connection (warning: it's a stretch). Source Notes: - You'll find Beatrix's description of Dr. Seuss's works here: https://theconversation.com/its-not-obtuse-to-deduce-theres-a-new-dr-seuss-on-the-loose-37970 - As I mentioned, this book came in at #19 on the Top 100 Picture Books poll: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2012/06/14/top-100-picture-books-19-the-tale-of-peter-rabbit-by-beatrix-potter/ -Here's where I did my research on whether or not Beatrix Potter terrorized little Roald Dahl. Read the article "Buzz off" and other advice from one writer to another: http://wildthings.blaine.org/?p=167 - For the full Show Notes go here: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/?p=30666
At long last Betsy moves Kate from the standard "classic picture books" into the far stranger "cult classic picture books" territory. But don't they deserve love as well? That's the question the sisters set out to answer. Along the way Betsy discusses her most successful Halloween costume of all time, and Kate suffers through her third day on the Whole30. Show Notes: - I wasn't making that up. Famke Janssen really did have a home invasion and this book really was left behind: https://www.vanityfair.com/news/2013/09/famke-janssen-creepy-book-saga-weirdest-gossip-story-of-year - By the way, they don't mention it in the episode but back in 2016 it was reported that Naomi Watts and Jessica Lange were slated to star in The Secret Life of the Lonely Doll: http://www.indiewire.com/2016/03/naomi-watts-jessica-lange-to-star-in-gia-coppolas-the-secret-life-of-the-lonely-doll-259556/ - For the full Show Notes please visit us here: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2018/01/15/fuse-8-n-kate-the-lonely-doll-by-dare-wright/
The crummy weather has determined the subject of this week's particular podcast. And there are few picture books out there snowier than this old Keats classic. Easily considered one of the Top 5 picture books in the nation in terms of fame and popularity, Kate had nevertheless not really even heard of it. Betsy sets about to do some serious sis-splaining. Source Notes: - Here are The Snowy Day stamps: https://store.usps.com/store/product/buy-stamps/the-snowy-day-S_676104 -Here's the Snowy Day Christmas special with Boyz II Men: https://www.themarysue.com/snowy-day-animated/ - If you're curious about this book, you should certain read Betsy's post when it hit #5 in her Top 100 Picture Book Poll: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2012/06/21/top-100-picture-books-5-the-snowy-day-by-ezra-jack-keats/ -Further information! Here's the link to The Ezra Jack Keats Foundation: http://www.ezra-jack-keats.org/ -And here's the link to the Ezra Jack Keats Award: http://www.ezra-jack-keats.org/section/ezra-jack-keats-book-awards/ -For full Show Notes please visit our site here: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2018/01/08/fuse-8-n-kate-the-snowy-day-by-ezra-jack-keats/
Happy New Year! It's another edition of Fuse 8 n' Kate which, at this rate, may be soon renamed The Random Facts About Koalas Show. With today's book Betsy sought out a classic with a strong female protagonist. Kate (and some of you out there) may contest whether or not this engine is, indeed, is the real deal. Or (and here the sisters butt heads) even female at all. Source Notes: - Koalas Fighting a.k.a. The sound of the devil. Wait for it, though. You don't hear the hellspawn that is the sound Kate was referring to until near the end of the vid: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x8oLu7znwQ0 -All the info Betsy conjures up about this book can be linked to #54 on the Top 100 Poll: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2009/04/11/top-100-picture-books-poll-results-55-51/ - Interested in this book? We suggest that you read Roy E. Plotnick's In Search of Watty Piper: A Brief History of the "Little Engine" Story published at The University of Illinois at Chicago: http://tigger.uic.edu/~plotnick/littleng.htm - Read the full Source Notes for this episode here: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2018/01/02/fuse-8-n-kate-the-little-engine-that-could-by-watty-piper
In honor of the holiday season, the sisters tackle a Christmassy classic. Betsy creates a name drop jar, produces a weirdly Yoda/Elmo-like elf voice, and explains why her blog is called A Fuse #8 Production. Kate, meanwhile, compares this book to Hunger Games (and it makes sense)and creates a connection between The Polar Express and Love Actually (which makes no sense but still works). Show Notes: - In case you'd like to hear Liam Neeson read this book you can do so here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dfd8uoaSZ2M - Adding fuel to Kate's fire, Josh Hutcherson's first major role was "The Polar Express" and he went on to star in "The Hunger Games." Apparently he's drawn to trains. Here's an interview he did about working with Tom Hanks: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ix_KKbdZU_o - #56 on the Top 100 Picture Books poll: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2012/05/25/top-100-picture-books-56-the-polar-express-by-chris-van-allsburg/ -The Polar Express Train Ride from St. Louis Union Station can be seen here: http://www.stlthepolarexpressride.com/polar-express-train-ride/ - Also Journey to the North Pole from North Conway Village: https://conwayscenic.com/events/event/journey-to-the-north-pole/ - Betsy's interview with Chris Van Allsburg can be read here: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2013/10/21/you-cant-go-broke-overestimating-the-intelligence-of-children-chris-van-allsburg-and-the-eric-carle-honor-of-2013/ - Yep. There's a hobo on that roof all right : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cxCkIlBvF-s - Betsy's favorite cookbook of all time: https://shop.americastestkitchen.com/science-of-good-cooking-bks.html Full Show Notes can be found here: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2017/12/27/fuse-8-n-kate-the-polar-express-by-chris-van-allsburg/
Kate asks for a Hanukkah book this week so Betsy turns to an old reliable: Caldecott Honor books. Today's has been performed by and read to children for years. You might debate the degree to which this book is part of the cultural zeitgeist, but that shiny silver sticker on the cover means that it is certainly one of the only (THE only?) Hanukkah books to win a Caldecott anything. Christmas books win all the time. Jewish holidays? Not so much. Here then is a sickly Kate and a very well Betsy talking up the book of the season. - Curious listeners should check out Marjorie Ingall's piece in Tablet Magazine Judah Maccabee Versus the Anti-Vaxxers: How a Hanukkah-themed children’s book became the target of conspiracy theorists online: http://www.tabletmag.com/scroll/249658/judah-maccabee-versus-the-anti-vaxxers - Read the Publishers Weekly piece A Haunting Anniversary 'Hershel and the Hanukkah Goblins' Turns 25 to get the true inside peek into the book: https://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/childrens/childrens-book-news/article/64643-a-haunting-anniversary-hershel-and-the-hanukkah-goblins-turns-25.html - Ah, Trina. Here is where you can get more info on what she used to sneak into her books, including both the gravestone and the witch's table. https://www.huffingtonpost.com/betsy-bird-/childrens-literature-book_b_5631831.html - To see the full Show Notes visit: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2017/12/18/fuse-8-n-kate-hershel-and-the-hanukkah-goblins-by-eric-kimmel-ill-trina-schart-hyman/
If you've ever found yourself thinking, "You know, I like the Fuse 8 n' Kate podcast, but would it kill them to occasionally do terrible French accents for long periods of time?" then have we got a show for you!! This week Kate's sick, but the sisters plod onward and upward. In the course of things the episode turns out to be a momentous one. We doubt you'll see where this conversation will turn. It's a shocker. Show Notes: - In case you missed it you can check out this 9-second Vine of Nickelback called "Look At This Graph". Full explanation here: https://www.buzzfeed.com/craigsilverman/people-cant-stop-watching-this-hilarious-nine-sec?utm_term=.pu8lKjz8r#.dwN8j51nP - Actually, the book came out in 1939. So that whole "Post-WWII" bit . . . um . . . yeah. - No. They visit her after Day Ten. Betsy says it's between 1-10 days. Nope. It's post ten. - In the first Top 100 Picture Books poll, Madeline was at #8: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2009/05/06/top-100-picture-books-poll-results-8/ - When the poll was repeated three years later it sank to #47: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2012/05/29/top-100-picture-books-47-madeline-by-ludwig-bemelmans/ - The Bemelmans Bar? So very awesome. Worth a trip, I assure you. It's located in The Carlyle: https://www.rosewoodhotels.com/en/the-carlyle-new-york/dining/bemelmans-bar - For a marvelous post on the gaping, huge flaw, please read the marvelous Peter Sieruta piece at Collecting Children's Books called Something is Not Right: A Madeline Mystery: http://collectingchildrensbooks.blogspot.com/2009/01/something-is-not-right-madeline-mystery.html For full Show Notes visit: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2017/12/11/fuse-8-n-kate-madeline-by-ludwig-bemelmans/
Betsy and Kate welcome in the holiday season with a bit of copious consumption. Show Notes: - This episode was brought to you by . . . Viola Davis. http://www.chicagotribune.com/lifestyles/books/ct-viola-davis-corduroy-children-s-story-20171010-story.html - I am so right. There is no comic duo like Strega Nona and Anthony. NO ONE! - I am very interested in your evidence as to whether or not Corduroy really does have agency, or if this is just in the girl's head. - The two sequels to Corduroy are Don Freeman created a sequel, A Pocket for Corduroy, in 1978. In 2006, B. G. Hennessy created Corduroy Lost and Found as a sequel. And I don't mention it but there were lots of unofficial Corduroy sequels, but I didn't feel they were worth mentioning. - #22 on the picture book poll was Corduroy! http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2012/06/11/top-100-picture-books-22-corduroy-by-donald-freeman/ - The wikipedia page for Corduroy. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Corduroy_(book) - Woohoo! Today's Special. This one goes out to all of you who watched it when I did on early Nickelodeon: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_cxLfIs051c - Once you see it, you can never unsee it. The Corduroy television movie: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h73uNiS3PYA - And, of course, the television show. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1FtDfeauNDk - American Vandal: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m3tkFOtM6go - Stranger Things (for the four of you who don't know it): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XWxyRG_tckY For the full Show Notes: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2017/12/04/fuse-8-n-kate-corduroy-by-don-freeman
In this episode the sisters make it clear that Strega Nona has committed a cardinal sin. Not the creation of magic (the priest and nuns seem a-okay with her on that point). No we're talking about the moment she snatches away a pregnant woman's fork. What's up with that? Amidst Italian draculas and injured space monkeys, Kate and Betsy attempt to ascertain if Strega Nona really does deserve to be considered a classic of children's literature. Show Notes: - To know more about the life of Big Anthony, check out Big Anthony: His Story : https://www.publishersweekly.com/978-0-399-23189-6 - For the sequel with Strega Amelia, you'll want Strega Nona Meets Her Match : https://www.publishersweekly.com/978-0-399-22421-8 -Minh Le's bit on Strega Nona can be found here but its brilliance belongs to the masses: http://www.bottomshelfbooks.com/2007/06/strega-nona.html - Can you crack The dePaola Code? It's a doozy: http://discomermaids.blogspot.com/2006/05/depaola-code-nana.html -You can find Handsome Big Anthony in Big Anthony and the Magic Ring: https://www.scholastic.com/teachers/books/big-anthony-and-the-magic-ring-by-tomie-depaola/ -Kate mentions the Freelance Wrestling Show in Chicago: http://freelancewrestling.com/ -Cannot recommend this book enough. Cake Magic by Caroline Wright : https://www.workman.com/products/cake-magic For the complete Show Notes please visit http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2017/11/27/fuse-8-n-kate-strega-nona-by-tomie-depaola/
Today Betsy and Kate decide to class up the joint. Leo Dillon was the first African-American Caldecott Award winner and it was for this book in 1976. The era of the folktale has long since passed and yet, for all that, this book endures. Why? The sisters decide to get to the bottom of the matter. Show Notes: - For the record we highly recommend the CDs of LuAnn Adams, who is a truly magnificent storyteller: http://www.luannadamsstoryteller.com/ - In case you're curious, here's the link to NYPL's 100 Great Books, 100 Years: https://www.nypl.org/childrens100 - And yeah. She wasn't wrong. Koalas can give you chlamydia. Ugh. https://io9.gizmodo.com/5920738/you-can-accidentally-get-an-std-from-a-koala - For the record, here's what CNN had to say about The Polar Express: "The mouth action is also less than overwhelming, since the characters' tongues look like slabs of meat when they speak their lines." - Kate confirmed later that yes, it was a ferret and not a marmot, in the bathtub in The Big Lebowski. http://thebiglebowski.wikia.com/wiki/Marmot - And for those of you who are curious, here's The Awkward Yeti. http://theawkwardyeti.com/ - Read the full Show Notes here: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2017/11/20/fuse-8-n-kate-why-mosquitoes-buzz-in-peoples-ears/
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