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Betsy Bird

@fuse8.bsky.social

4.6K followers 200 following 890 posts

Blog about kids books? You bet (A Fuse #8 Production). Library degree? You know it. Books for kids? Five. Books for adults about kidlit? Two. Podcasts about kids books? One (Fuse 8 n’ Kate). Having fun! https://afuse8production.slj.com

afuse8production.slj.com

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Betsy Bird @fuse8.bsky.social · 1d

"I was gobsmacked by the new research of awe—how it can change the way you think and feel, lessening our anxieties and making us more generous and kind. And I knew I had to write a book for kids..." A talk with @chanastiefel.bsky.social & Susan Gal #kidlit 📚👍 afuse8production.slj.com/2025/10/09/a...

Awe (and) Inspiring. A Cover Reveal and Q&A with Chana Stiefel and Susan Gal

afuse8production.slj.com

Betsy Bird @fuse8.bsky.social · 2d

Awww! Thank you!

Betsy Bird @fuse8.bsky.social · 2d

Today we consider a slew of Spring 2026 titles coming from @ebyrbooks.bsky.social. Anti-fascism, myths, philosophical considerations of silence, seasons, and more! Some real beauties are in here! 📚👍 #kidlit afuse8production.slj.com/2025/10/08/e...

Eerdmans Books for Young Readers Preview (Spring 2026)

Today we consider a slew of Spring 2026 titles. Anti-fascism, myths, philosophical considerations of silence, seasons, and more! Some real beauties are in here!

afuse8production.slj.com

Betsy Bird @fuse8.bsky.social · 2d

Yet another preview of books via @pubspotlight.bsky.social from small publishers! Today we examine sign language board books, Harriet Tubman's life told in poems, and so much more including (naturally) the robot revolution. 📚👍 #kidlit afuse8production.slj.com/2025/10/07/m...

Myrick Marketing/Publisher Spotlight Publishing Preview: What On Earth, Albatros, Barefoot Books, Beetle Books, and Child’s Play (Summer/Fall 2025 & Winter 2026)(Part Six)

Yet another preview of books from small publishers! Today we examine sign language board books, Harriet Tubman's life told in poems, and so much more including (naturally) the robot revolution.

afuse8production.slj.com

Betsy Bird @fuse8.bsky.social · 4d

Today we are discussing our fourth abecedarian picture book on the @fuse8nkate.bsky.social podcast and our second Gorey. This is a "cult classic" picture book, best beloved by older children who read it and felt like they were getting away with something. 📚👍 afuse8production.slj.com/2025/10/06/f...

Fuse 8 n’ Kate: The Gashlycrumb Tinies by Edward Gorey

Today we are discussing our fourth abecedarian picture book on the podcast and our second Gorey. This is a

afuse8production.slj.com

Betsy Bird @fuse8.bsky.social · 5d

Classic

Reposted by Betsy Bird

Gale Galligan @galegalligan.bsky.social · 6d

people give a lot more good faith to weird-looking indie comics than they do to weird-looking kids’ comics. there is an assumption of skill & intentionality when the comic has grownup themes. my hot take is that i think this is annoying sometimes

Liam McGuire @liammcguire.bsky.social · 7d

Anyone have a particularly hot comic take?

Betsy Bird @fuse8.bsky.social · 7d

Sometimes you need to watch out for the quiet books. They know how to sneak up on you. I review Our Lake by Angie Kang. #kidlit 📚👍 afuse8production.slj.com/2025/10/03/r...

Review of the Day: Our Lake by Angie Kang

Sometimes you need to watch out for the quiet books. They know how to sneak up on you.

afuse8production.slj.com

Betsy Bird @fuse8.bsky.social · 8d

"I live in a sea of lemon trees." In a time when Mexicans and Mexican-American suffer at the hands of our government, I talk with María Dolores Águila about this National Book Award nominee and a historical moment of one injustice rectified. #kidlit 📚👍 afuse8production.slj.com/2025/10/02/d...

Distilling a Story Down to Its Very Essence. María Dolores Águila Talks About The Sea of Lemon Trees

afuse8production.slj.com

Betsy Bird @fuse8.bsky.social · 9d

Jennifer L. Holm and I discuss her latest book and talk Boxcar Children, the lies people tell their kids and, of course, what the xenotransplantation in the book has to do with Mary Roach’s latest title. #kidlit 📚👍 afuse8production.slj.com/2025/10/01/o...

Out There, Waiting for Me: A Q&A with Jennifer L. Holm About OUTSIDE

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.

afuse8production.slj.com

Betsy Bird @fuse8.bsky.social · 10d

An icon gets his picture book bio day in the sun. @alicefayeduncan.bsky.social joins us today to talk about her latest creation and to reveal its cover too. #kidlit 📚👍 afuse8production.slj.com/2025/09/30/t...

“Trying times like these require good music and dancing.” A Blues Boy Cover Reveal and Q&A with Alice Faye Duncan

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.

afuse8production.slj.com

Reposted by Betsy Bird

Mychal Threets @mychal3ts.bsky.social · 11d

🎶 Take a look, it's in a book 🎶

🥹 After nearly 20 years... Reading Rainbow is returning to motivate, help, and encourage kids to become avid readers with new episodes, new friends, new projects, and of course... new books! Make sure to follow the rainbow 📚🌈

#FollowTheRainbow

Betsy Bird @fuse8.bsky.social · 11d

With Robert Munsch in the news lately, we thought it an opportune time to visit one of his lesser known titles. And, to be perfectly frank, one of our new favorites. #kidlit 📚👍 afuse8production.slj.com/2025/09/29/f...

Fuse 8 n’ Kate: Stephanie’s Ponytail by Robert Munsch, ill. Michael Martchenko

With Robert Munsch in the news lately, we thought it an opportune time to revisit one of his lesser known titles.

afuse8production.slj.com

Betsy Bird @fuse8.bsky.social · 14d

My sneaky sneaky ways. I’m building buzz, baby!

Betsy Bird @fuse8.bsky.social · 14d

"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 (or to join this cool symposium). #kidlit 📚👍 afuse8production.slj.com/2025/09/26/a...

A Tomi Ungerer Symposium is Nigh: Aria Ungerer Discusses Her Father and His Work

afuse8production.slj.com

Betsy Bird @fuse8.bsky.social · 15d

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, @kyomaclear.bsky.social & Julie Morstad. #kidlit 📚👍 afuse8production.slj.com/2025/09/25/c...

“That momentous moment: the turning of the page.” A Cover Reveal and Q&A with Kyo Maclear and Julie Morstad for A Door Is to Open

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.

afuse8production.slj.com

Reposted by Betsy Bird

Chris Barton @bartography.bsky.social · 15d

Did you see @fuse8.bsky.social's SLJ article and accompanying post about tackling complicated topics in NF for kids? They *can* carry heavy things -- it's up to authors to find the right way to hand those to them. #TLSkyChat afuse8production.slj.com/2025/08/27/t...

Betsy Bird @fuse8.bsky.social · 16d

Nefarious bluebirds, hilarious waterfowl, historical comics and more in our latest preview of some of the smaller publishers. A look at @toonbooks.bsky.social, @tigertalesbooks.bsky.social & @walkerbooksuk.bsky.social from @pubspotlight.bsky.social #kidlit 📚👍 afuse8production.slj.com/2025/09/24/m...

Myrick Marketing/Publisher Spotlight Publishing Preview: Tiger Tales, Toon Books, and Walker Books (Summer/Fall 2025 & Winter 2026)(Part Five)

Nefarious bluebirds, hilarious waterfowl, historical comics and more in our latest preview of some of the smaller publishers.

afuse8production.slj.com

Betsy Bird @fuse8.bsky.social · 16d

Oh, that is everything we could have hoped for with this book. THANK YOU!

Betsy Bird @fuse8.bsky.social · 17d

A dog's true best friend stars in its own show in this ludicrous and wonderful picture book readaloud. I interview its creator Jordan Morris (dog lovers - this one's for you). #kidlit 📚👍 afuse8production.slj.com/2025/09/23/h...

Hello BALLy: Jordan Morris Discusses Humor, Musical Theater, and Her Latest Solo Picture Book Venture

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).

afuse8production.slj.com

Betsy Bird @fuse8.bsky.social · 17d

Delighted to contribute to this article. I got to talk about CROWN, but honestly this is a very good list in and of itself. The readalikes are particularly choice. Well done, Slate! slate.com/culture/2025...

The 25 Greatest Picture Books of the Century

There’s been a revolution in children’s storytelling—and it’s not just that the stories are more diverse.

Betsy Bird @fuse8.bsky.social · 18d

Just in time for her 20th anniversary, Kate & I tackle the fanciest nanciest gal in picture bookdom on the @fuse8nkate.bsky.social podcast. WILL Kate think she's a brat? IS this the first book we've done with glitter on the cover? Find out! #kidlit 📚👍 afuse8production.slj.com/2025/09/22/f...

Fuse 8 n’ Kate: Fancy Nancy by Jane O’Connor, ill. Robin Preiss Glasser

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...

afuse8production.slj.com

Betsy Bird @fuse8.bsky.social · 19d

Original cover?

Betsy Bird @fuse8.bsky.social · 20d

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. @galegalligan.bsky.social's greatest is here. #kidlit 📚👍 afuse8production.slj.com/2025/09/20/r...

Review of the Day: Fresh Start by Gale Galligan

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.

afuse8production.slj.com

Betsy Bird @fuse8.bsky.social · 21d

Come for the wacky promotional video for one of the greatest graphic novels of 2025. Stay for the celebrity picture book cameo at the very end. #kidlit 📚👍 afuse8production.slj.com/2025/09/19/c...

Cabin Head and Tree Head: Best Promotional Video for a Children’s Book of 2025?

Come for the wacky promotional video for one of the greatest graphic novels of 2025. Stay for the celebrity picture book cameo at the very end.

afuse8production.slj.com