Blog about kids books? You bet (A Fuse #8 Production). Library degree? You know it. Books for kids? Seven. Books for adults about kidlit? Two. Podcasts about kids books? One (Fuse 8 n’ Kate). Having fun! https://afuse8production.slj.comhttps://bsky.app/profile/fuse8.bsky.socialhttps://bsky.app/profile/fuse8.bsky.social/post/3mvmzcmciyk2fIt's that time again! Time for the penultimate prediction post for the upcoming award season. We've all notched a few more reads at this point, and things are starting to solidify in our brains. So! Who's it gonna be? #kidlit 📚👍 https://afuse8production.slj.com/2026/09/16/newbery-caldecott-2027-fall-prediction-edition/16 Sep 2026 11:17 +0000at://did:plc:ucb7l5ynych6c2nsignnhh35/app.bsky.feed.post/3mvmzcmciyk2fhttps://bsky.app/profile/fuse8.bsky.social/post/3mvkj47v5oc25Constipated and enraged. Today we feel that it is time to smack people awake with the cover reveal of the century of @elizakinkz.bsky.social's latest picture book RATFACE DOES NOT WANT TO BE YOUR FRIEND #kidlit 📚👍 https://afuse8production.slj.com/2026/09/15/cover-reveal-and-qa-ratface-does-not-want-to-be-your-friend-by-eliza-kinkz/15 Sep 2026 11:22 +0000at://did:plc:ucb7l5ynych6c2nsignnhh35/app.bsky.feed.post/3mvkj47v5oc25https://bsky.app/profile/fuse8.bsky.social/post/3mvki4oc2jk2hMigration, whether it's by humans or insects, is the subject of today's book. We dive, and dive deeply, into its origins and the choices its creators made along the way with creators Belen Medina & @juanamartinezn.bsky.social #kidlit 📚👍 https://afuse8production.slj.com/2026/09/15/magical-realism-colored-pencils-and-the-story-of-migration-we-discuss-mariposas-journey-with-creators-belen-medina-and-juana-martinez-neal/15 Sep 2026 11:04 +0000at://did:plc:ucb7l5ynych6c2nsignnhh35/app.bsky.feed.post/3mvki4oc2jk2hhttps://bsky.app/profile/fuse8.bsky.social/post/3mvhxp3qns224Clowns! Misspellings! And guns guns guns. That's what we're getting with this legitimate 1984 charmer today on the @fuse8nkate.bsky.social podcast. #kidlit 📚👍 https://afuse8production.slj.com/2026/09/14/fuse-8-n-kate-whatever-happened-to-the-dinosaurs-by-bernard-most/14 Sep 2026 11:05 +0000at://did:plc:ucb7l5ynych6c2nsignnhh35/app.bsky.feed.post/3mvhxp3qns224https://bsky.app/profile/fuse8.bsky.social/post/3mv5vwoq4ks2pNot only is Mexikid Dreams good, it may even be better than its predecessor. But how? I talk with its creator, Pedro Martín, today to try to figure out how this could have happened. #kidlit 📚👍 https://afuse8production.slj.com/2026/09/10/mexikid-2-electric-boogaloo-truthfully-its-called-mexikid-dreams-look-im-just-excited-to-talk-to-pedro-martin-today/10 Sep 2026 11:07 +0000at://did:plc:ucb7l5ynych6c2nsignnhh35/app.bsky.feed.post/3mv5vwoq4ks2phttps://bsky.app/profile/fuse8.bsky.social/post/3mv3fgu4c622dI know I'm not supposed to have favs, but this preview of @postwavebooks.bsky.social, Tapioca Stories & @tigertalesbooks.bsky.social via @pubspotlight.bsky.social contains titles that I am PARTICULARLY excited about. Read on to see why. #kidlit 📚👍 https://afuse8production.slj.com/2026/09/09/publisher-preview-fall-2026-post-wave-tapioca-stories-walker-books/09 Sep 2026 11:06 +0000at://did:plc:ucb7l5ynych6c2nsignnhh35/app.bsky.feed.post/3mv3fgu4c622dhttps://bsky.app/profile/fuse8.bsky.social/post/3muyuoml2ps24"The story of the brave, clever and loving, common man - the longshoreman shrew, the builder mole. Indeed, I felt as if Brian wanted to celebrate common folk, from the largest to the smallest." Today we celebrate an iconic series. #kidlit 📚👍 https://afuse8production.slj.com/2026/09/08/the-40-year-old-icon-a-redwall-celebration-with-editor-patti-lee-gauch-and-illustrator-sean-rubin/08 Sep 2026 11:01 +0000at://did:plc:ucb7l5ynych6c2nsignnhh35/app.bsky.feed.post/3muyuoml2ps24https://bsky.app/profile/fuse8.bsky.social/post/3muwiqgbszs23I, for one, stand behind this book's message, which I interpret as "Trains shouldn't go off their rails because they could freakin' kill someone!" We discuss that old Chestnut TOOTLE on the @fuse8.bsky.social podcast today. #kidlit 📚👍 https://afuse8production.slj.com/2026/09/07/fuse-8-n-kate-tootle-by-gertrude-crampton-ill-tibor-gergely/07 Sep 2026 12:22 +0000at://did:plc:ucb7l5ynych6c2nsignnhh35/app.bsky.feed.post/3muwiqgbszs23https://bsky.app/profile/fuse8.bsky.social/post/3muovcn7wq224Anxious children, kids that feel deeply for animals, and those who are worried about some big change will all relate to what Goodbye, Koi is telling them: sometimes, you have to give up what's familiar for a chance to glimpse the sky. #kidllit 📚👍 https://afuse8production.slj.com/2026/09/04/review-of-the-day-goodbye-koi-by-jack-wong/04 Sep 2026 11:46 +0000at://did:plc:ucb7l5ynych6c2nsignnhh35/app.bsky.feed.post/3muovcn7wq224https://bsky.app/profile/fuse8.bsky.social/post/3mume4fiacc2dPiratical picture book process is the name of the game today. Two creators discuss everything from Edward Gorey to Muppet Treasure Island. I host a discussion between @melindabeatty.com & Stefano Tambellini about What Is a Pirate? #kidlit 📚👍 https://afuse8production.slj.com/2026/09/03/what-is-a-pirate-creators-melinda-beatty-and-stefano-tambellini-hash-it-out/03 Sep 2026 11:33 +0000at://did:plc:ucb7l5ynych6c2nsignnhh35/app.bsky.feed.post/3mume4fiacc2dhttps://bsky.app/profile/fuse8.bsky.social/post/3mujufiyh5k2sA gorgeous array of books from all kinds of different voices. We're pulling out all the stops today for a list you are not going to want to miss this fall. It's a publisher preview of @levinequerido.bsky.social titles! #kidlit 📚👍 https://afuse8production.slj.com/2026/09/02/publisher-preview-levine-querido-fall-winter-2026/02 Sep 2026 11:46 +0000at://did:plc:ucb7l5ynych6c2nsignnhh35/app.bsky.feed.post/3mujufiyh5k2shttps://bsky.app/profile/fuse8.bsky.social/post/3muhdn2b4gc2oMan, I love my job. Today I get to combine my childhood love of over-muscled action figures with my childhood AND adulthood love of newspaper comic artist. I have the power, baby. #kidlit 📚👍 https://afuse8production.slj.com/2026/09/01/master-that-universe-master-it-i-say-a-discussion-of-all-things-he-man-with-stephan-pastis-and-will-henry/01 Sep 2026 11:41 +0000at://did:plc:ucb7l5ynych6c2nsignnhh35/app.bsky.feed.post/3muhdn2b4gc2ohttps://bsky.app/profile/fuse8.bsky.social/post/3mu57ulxv3s2qA rather magnificent book and a rarity besides. Defies expectations. How does it do it? Dunno. Come for the writing. Stay for the opossum funeral. I review the @enchantedlion.bsky.social title THE SHADOW STREAM: #kidlit 📚👍 https://afuse8production.slj.com/2026/08/28/review-of-the-day-the-shadow-stream-by-kirk-lombard-ill-parker-thornton/28 Aug 2026 11:07 +0000at://did:plc:ucb7l5ynych6c2nsignnhh35/app.bsky.feed.post/3mu57ulxv3s2qhttps://bsky.app/profile/fuse8.bsky.social/post/3mty6qwiot22iTasmanian tigers, funcles, neurodiversity, and soccer soccer soccer. There's a little something for everyone in today's publisher preview round-up, all thanks to @pubspotlight.bsky.social : #kidlit 📚👍 https://afuse8production.slj.com/2026/08/26/publisher-preview-fall-2026-lantana-little-island-nubeocho-and-pajama-press/26 Aug 2026 11:04 +0000at://did:plc:ucb7l5ynych6c2nsignnhh35/app.bsky.feed.post/3mty6qwiot22ihttps://bsky.app/profile/fuse8.bsky.social/post/3mtvoaytn3s2mIf creepy vibes are what your kid readers are hankering for, then let me introduce to you the star of the fall season. #kidlit 📚👍 https://afuse8production.slj.com/2026/08/25/funny-with-a-touch-of-baba-yaga-its-a-scritch-scratch-qa-with-teri-sloat-and-zuzana-cupova/25 Aug 2026 11:03 +0000at://did:plc:ucb7l5ynych6c2nsignnhh35/app.bsky.feed.post/3mtvoaytn3s2mhttps://bsky.app/profile/fuse8.bsky.social/post/3mtt5r3v6ys2a"Why do you keep giving me books with such delectable behinds?" Oh yes. We're clearly having a very serious conversation on the podcast today about the nuclear arms race on the @fuse8nkate.bsky.social podcast. You have been warned. #kidlit 📚👍 https://afuse8production.slj.com/2026/08/24/fuse-8-n-kate-the-butter-battle-book-by-dr-seuss/24 Aug 2026 11:03 +0000at://did:plc:ucb7l5ynych6c2nsignnhh35/app.bsky.feed.post/3mtt5r3v6ys2ahttps://bsky.app/profile/fuse8.bsky.social/post/3mtlmp7cz4c27Psst! Don't let it get around, but word on the street has it that a sequel to POP! Goes the Nursery Rhyme (with more incredible art from @atsurumi.bsky.social) is coming out in June of 2027. You didn't hear it from me, though...21 Aug 2026 11:09 +0000at://did:plc:ucb7l5ynych6c2nsignnhh35/app.bsky.feed.post/3mtlmp7cz4c27https://bsky.app/profile/fuse8.bsky.social/post/3mtj44z5cnc22Extraordinarily beautiful and more than a little wise, now you can convert your verse loving science haters and convert your science hating poetry-lovers, all in one fell swoop. #kidlit 📚👍 https://afuse8production.slj.com/2026/08/20/review-of-the-day-fourteen-ways-of-looking-at-jellyfish-by-carole-boston-weatherford-ill-bagram-ibatoulline/20 Aug 2026 11:07 +0000at://did:plc:ucb7l5ynych6c2nsignnhh35/app.bsky.feed.post/3mtj44z5cnc22https://bsky.app/profile/fuse8.bsky.social/post/3mtgluodep22gIt has a mid-century aesthetic and a hero with a body like a visual design tool. Today we're talking with the incredible Brian Won about his latest picture book and why it's a standout in the field. #kidlit 📚👍 https://afuse8production.slj.com/2026/08/19/from-eames-to-i-dream-of-jeannie-a-brian-won-interview-about-horizontal-crocodile/19 Aug 2026 11:10 +0000at://did:plc:ucb7l5ynych6c2nsignnhh35/app.bsky.feed.post/3mtgluodep22ghttps://bsky.app/profile/fuse8.bsky.social/post/3mtbkkbejc22o"Does this book date itself with its first three words?" Those words? "Henry the paperboy..." We debate any and all aspects of this, our first Brian Pinkney title on the @fuse8nkate.bsky.social podcast: #kidlit 📚👍 https://afuse8production.slj.com/2026/08/17/fuse-8-n-kate-the-adventures-of-sparrowboy-by-brian-pinkney/17 Aug 2026 11:03 +0000at://did:plc:ucb7l5ynych6c2nsignnhh35/app.bsky.feed.post/3mtbkkbejc22ohttps://bsky.app/profile/fuse8.bsky.social/post/3msxjcbtplc2oToday we reveal the cover of MY upcoming picture book about two of my co-workers. The feathered, taloned ones. #kidlit https://afuse8production.slj.com/2026/08/13/cover-reveal-terrible-terrible-birds-by-betsy-bird-illustrated-by-matthew-cordell-2-27/13 Aug 2026 11:14 +0000at://did:plc:ucb7l5ynych6c2nsignnhh35/app.bsky.feed.post/3msxjcbtplc2ohttps://bsky.app/profile/fuse8.bsky.social/post/3msux7gkfpk25I. Get. To. Interview. Shaun. Tan. And yes. He’s a brilliant speaker. #kidlit 📚👍 https://afuse8production.slj.com/2026/08/12/hometown-shaun-tan-and-i-discuss-his-most-brilliant-books-since-the-arrival/12 Aug 2026 10:45 +0000at://did:plc:ucb7l5ynych6c2nsignnhh35/app.bsky.feed.post/3msux7gkfpk25https://bsky.app/profile/fuse8.bsky.social/post/3mssicry4nc2oSkewed gourds and fearful mice. All-consuming crushes and dark nights of the doggy soul. It's an array of titles coming out in the near future to know about in today's Hippo Park publisher preview. #kidlit 📚👍 https://afuse8production.slj.com/2026/08/11/publisher-preview-hippo-park-fall-2026/11 Aug 2026 11:14 +0000at://did:plc:ucb7l5ynych6c2nsignnhh35/app.bsky.feed.post/3mssicry4nc2ohttps://bsky.app/profile/fuse8.bsky.social/post/3mspxwzdg2226Curl shaming, the book. A perfect example of early 2000s picture books, we tackle our first Palatini AND our first Davis on the @fuse8nkate.bsky.social podcast. #kidlit 📚👍 https://afuse8production.slj.com/2026/08/10/fuse-8-n-kate-bedhead-by-margie-palatini-ill-jack-e-davis/10 Aug 2026 11:15 +0000at://did:plc:ucb7l5ynych6c2nsignnhh35/app.bsky.feed.post/3mspxwzdg2226https://bsky.app/profile/fuse8.bsky.social/post/3msla2zssqc2x"...infinity isn't just about math, it's also about philosophy, religion, history, and physics (as in time an space)...It makes us question everything, from the smallest particle to the size of the universe." An interview in time for Infinity Day! #kidlit 📚👍 https://afuse8production.slj.com/2026/08/08/happy-infinity-day-and-the-official-big-book-of-infinity-cover-reveal-and-qa/08 Aug 2026 13:57 +0000at://did:plc:ucb7l5ynych6c2nsignnhh35/app.bsky.feed.post/3msla2zssqc2xhttps://bsky.app/profile/fuse8.bsky.social/post/3msfw3c6rz223"...how do you make that win feel earned at the end when you’re working against the supposition of victory from page one?" The logistics and power of putting sports on the page are considered with Julian Randall's latest. #kidlit 📚👍 https://afuse8production.slj.com/2026/08/06/the-awesome-narrative-vessel-a-shook-interview-with-julian-randall/06 Aug 2026 11:15 +0000at://did:plc:ucb7l5ynych6c2nsignnhh35/app.bsky.feed.post/3msfw3c6rz223https://bsky.app/profile/fuse8.bsky.social/post/3msavaftxjk2oOutdated? Still pertinent? We debate the book that disturbed Jon Klassen as a child on the @fuse8nkate.bsky.social podcast. #kidlit 📚👍 https://afuse8production.slj.com/2026/08/04/fuse-8-n-kate-in-a-people-house-by-dr-seuss-ill-roy-mckie/04 Aug 2026 11:17 +0000at://did:plc:ucb7l5ynych6c2nsignnhh35/app.bsky.feed.post/3msavaftxjk2o