Betsy Bird
@fuse8.bsky.social
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
I'm prepping for my 31 Days, 31 Lists extravaganza in December, particularly the holiday list. This year I've seen a SLEW of spectacular Hanukkah titles, but far less memorable Christmas ones. The exception? I am QUITE fond of @adamrex.bsky.social's latest. Behold:
#The13thDayofChristmas
#The13thDayofChristmas
November 9, 2025 at 10:28 PM
I'm prepping for my 31 Days, 31 Lists extravaganza in December, particularly the holiday list. This year I've seen a SLEW of spectacular Hanukkah titles, but far less memorable Christmas ones. The exception? I am QUITE fond of @adamrex.bsky.social's latest. Behold:
#The13thDayofChristmas
#The13thDayofChristmas
So many thoughts. The positioning of the earrings. The tshirt/dress and its 1991 colors and pattern. No notes. Fire. Adore.
September 15, 2025 at 6:03 PM
So many thoughts. The positioning of the earrings. The tshirt/dress and its 1991 colors and pattern. No notes. Fire. Adore.
A childhood manuscript makes good. ND Stevenson discusses the origins of his debut mg fantasy while I fall over myself to get you to read it. This discussion is delightful. #kidlit 📚👍 afuse8production.slj.com/2025/09/11/n...
September 11, 2025 at 1:40 PM
A childhood manuscript makes good. ND Stevenson discusses the origins of his debut mg fantasy while I fall over myself to get you to read it. This discussion is delightful. #kidlit 📚👍 afuse8production.slj.com/2025/09/11/n...
Not only has the creator of Strange Planet (Nathan Pyle) written a bedtime book, but it's chock full of science, humor, and some seriously sweet backmatter for the younger set. We talk! #kidlit 📚👍 afuse8production.slj.com/2025/09/04/t...
September 4, 2025 at 11:17 AM
Not only has the creator of Strange Planet (Nathan Pyle) written a bedtime book, but it's chock full of science, humor, and some seriously sweet backmatter for the younger set. We talk! #kidlit 📚👍 afuse8production.slj.com/2025/09/04/t...
One of my favorite NYC art exhibits will feature a piece from my latest book and it’s all thanks to the sheer brilliance of my illustrator, @atsurumi.bsky.social!!
August 30, 2025 at 10:18 PM
One of my favorite NYC art exhibits will feature a piece from my latest book and it’s all thanks to the sheer brilliance of my illustrator, @atsurumi.bsky.social!!
Today we've a bit of science, a round of board books, and even some soccer related hijinks. Here's what's on the menu for the upcoming 2026 spring from @nosycrow.bsky.social #kidlit 📚👍
afuse8production.slj.com/2025/08/28/p...
afuse8production.slj.com/2025/08/28/p...
August 28, 2025 at 1:42 PM
Today we've a bit of science, a round of board books, and even some soccer related hijinks. Here's what's on the menu for the upcoming 2026 spring from @nosycrow.bsky.social #kidlit 📚👍
afuse8production.slj.com/2025/08/28/p...
afuse8production.slj.com/2025/08/28/p...
Anyone else see The Little House in this image?
August 25, 2025 at 12:13 AM
Anyone else see The Little House in this image?
Are you an illustrator coming to #ala25 next week? Would you like a fun soiree to attend? It appears that Mr. Brian Biggs is local to the area and he's organizing a get together. Come! Hang out! More info here: www.eventbrite.com/e/ala-illust...
June 22, 2025 at 8:33 PM
Are you an illustrator coming to #ala25 next week? Would you like a fun soiree to attend? It appears that Mr. Brian Biggs is local to the area and he's organizing a get together. Come! Hang out! More info here: www.eventbrite.com/e/ala-illust...
Going to the ALA conference at the end of June? Miss the Kidlit Drink Nights of yore in Manhattan? Fill the void with a return! Thanks to @cherylklein.bsky.social, we’ve a new one coming out and you’re all invited (no RSVP required).
June 13, 2025 at 1:38 PM
Going to the ALA conference at the end of June? Miss the Kidlit Drink Nights of yore in Manhattan? Fill the void with a return! Thanks to @cherylklein.bsky.social, we’ve a new one coming out and you’re all invited (no RSVP required).
You know what the hero of this book is doing when we first meet him? Kicking over the headstones of complete strangers in the cemetery. I review a STRONG title from @katemessner.com #kidlit 📚👍 afuse8production.slj.com/2025/06/06/r...
June 6, 2025 at 11:43 AM
You know what the hero of this book is doing when we first meet him? Kicking over the headstones of complete strangers in the cemetery. I review a STRONG title from @katemessner.com #kidlit 📚👍 afuse8production.slj.com/2025/06/06/r...
For a one-time only deal, @atsurumi.bsky.social and I will be presenting POP! together! If you’re anywhere in the area on June 27th then you simply must come. There will be puppetry and strange voices!! @unionsquarekids.bsky.social
June 6, 2025 at 11:16 AM
For a one-time only deal, @atsurumi.bsky.social and I will be presenting POP! together! If you’re anywhere in the area on June 27th then you simply must come. There will be puppetry and strange voices!! @unionsquarekids.bsky.social
I've updated my listing of children's literary statues available in the United States. Take a deep dive into characters old and new. #kidlit afuse8production.slj.com/2025/05/14/a...
May 14, 2025 at 1:20 PM
I've updated my listing of children's literary statues available in the United States. Take a deep dive into characters old and new. #kidlit afuse8production.slj.com/2025/05/14/a...
Are we all doing the thing where we all stand in complete and utter support of Carla Hayden (newly sacked by 47)? Damn right we are.
May 9, 2025 at 11:37 PM
Are we all doing the thing where we all stand in complete and utter support of Carla Hayden (newly sacked by 47)? Damn right we are.
Picture book authors, get thee an illustrator so talented that they can adapt an ostrich hand puppet into a secretary bird. The co-star of POP! GOES THE NURSERY RHYME, thanks to the craftsmanship of one @atsurumi.bsky.social. Note how they meticulously painted the eyeballs.
THANK YOU, ANDREA!!!
THANK YOU, ANDREA!!!
April 8, 2025 at 5:30 PM
Picture book authors, get thee an illustrator so talented that they can adapt an ostrich hand puppet into a secretary bird. The co-star of POP! GOES THE NURSERY RHYME, thanks to the craftsmanship of one @atsurumi.bsky.social. Note how they meticulously painted the eyeballs.
THANK YOU, ANDREA!!!
THANK YOU, ANDREA!!!
If we're doing Poetry Month then by gum we're gonna do it right. And 2025, for whatever reason, is already FULL of shockingly good poetry. Here's a taste. #kidlit 📚👍 afuse8production.slj.com/2025/04/02/t...
April 2, 2025 at 1:37 PM
If we're doing Poetry Month then by gum we're gonna do it right. And 2025, for whatever reason, is already FULL of shockingly good poetry. Here's a taste. #kidlit 📚👍 afuse8production.slj.com/2025/04/02/t...
Happy book birthday, POP! You know what's even more fun than celebrating your own book's release? Celebrating of all the fellow books coming out today too! I do a recap of some of the other titles coming out today that are stellar. #kidlit 📚👍 afuse8production.slj.com/2025/03/18/h...
March 18, 2025 at 1:28 PM
Happy book birthday, POP! You know what's even more fun than celebrating your own book's release? Celebrating of all the fellow books coming out today too! I do a recap of some of the other titles coming out today that are stellar. #kidlit 📚👍 afuse8production.slj.com/2025/03/18/h...
In other news, other news! Me and @cordellmatthew.bsky.social news! With raptors! And yelling! #kidlit
March 11, 2025 at 2:41 PM
In other news, other news! Me and @cordellmatthew.bsky.social news! With raptors! And yelling! #kidlit
It's heeeeere! Everyone's favorite oh-dear-god-why-are-you-talking-about-2026-when-we're-barely-surviving-2025 post! It's mid-March so that means it's time for the annual Spring Prediction Newbery/Caldecott post! #kidlit 📚👍 afuse8production.slj.com/2025/03/11/n...
March 11, 2025 at 11:20 AM
It's heeeeere! Everyone's favorite oh-dear-god-why-are-you-talking-about-2026-when-we're-barely-surviving-2025 post! It's mid-March so that means it's time for the annual Spring Prediction Newbery/Caldecott post! #kidlit 📚👍 afuse8production.slj.com/2025/03/11/n...
When they're not winning Caldecott Awards, the good people of @levinequerido.bsky.social are churning out even more books. Keep your eyes open for the following in this Spring/Summer preview. #kidlit 📚👍 afuse8production.slj.com/2025/02/21/p...
February 21, 2025 at 2:35 PM
When they're not winning Caldecott Awards, the good people of @levinequerido.bsky.social are churning out even more books. Keep your eyes open for the following in this Spring/Summer preview. #kidlit 📚👍 afuse8production.slj.com/2025/02/21/p...
If you're in the mood for great new books, today preview of @nosycrow.bsky.social, @nubeocho.bsky.social & @pajamapress.bsky.social examines historical activists, tsunamis, doughnuts, anglerfish and more! afuse8production.slj.com/2025/02/19/e...
February 19, 2025 at 2:27 PM
If you're in the mood for great new books, today preview of @nosycrow.bsky.social, @nubeocho.bsky.social & @pajamapress.bsky.social examines historical activists, tsunamis, doughnuts, anglerfish and more! afuse8production.slj.com/2025/02/19/e...
"How ya feelin', Kate? Ya feeling calm? Feeling calm?!?" Today on the @fuse8nkate.bsky.social podcast we tackle the Jon J. Muth Caldecott Honor winner that is now in its 20th year. #kidlit 📚👍 afuse8production.slj.com/2025/02/17/f...
February 17, 2025 at 2:34 PM
"How ya feelin', Kate? Ya feeling calm? Feeling calm?!?" Today on the @fuse8nkate.bsky.social podcast we tackle the Jon J. Muth Caldecott Honor winner that is now in its 20th year. #kidlit 📚👍 afuse8production.slj.com/2025/02/17/f...
Werner Herzog meets Magic School Bus! Frog and Toad on the Riviera! Check out all the very cool spring titles from one of our favorite small publishers @transitbooks.bsky.social #kidlit 📚👍 afuse8production.slj.com/2025/02/06/p...
February 6, 2025 at 2:42 PM
Werner Herzog meets Magic School Bus! Frog and Toad on the Riviera! Check out all the very cool spring titles from one of our favorite small publishers @transitbooks.bsky.social #kidlit 📚👍 afuse8production.slj.com/2025/02/06/p...
Today we've a real treat. Not just the cover reveal of the latest from Newbery Honoree Daniel Nayeri and @levinequerido.bsky.social but also a plethora of alternative covers that were considered too. These didn't make the cut. See what did! #kidlit 📚👍 afuse8production.slj.com/2025/01/25/c...
January 25, 2025 at 5:57 PM
Today we've a real treat. Not just the cover reveal of the latest from Newbery Honoree Daniel Nayeri and @levinequerido.bsky.social but also a plethora of alternative covers that were considered too. These didn't make the cut. See what did! #kidlit 📚👍 afuse8production.slj.com/2025/01/25/c...
A whole PLETHORA of cool books are coming out this year from small publishers far and wide. It's a preview of books from Cuento de Luz, Post Wave, Lantana, Little Island, and Marble Press via @pubspotlight.bsky.social #kidlit 📚👍 afuse8production.slj.com/2025/01/24/p...
January 24, 2025 at 1:59 PM
A whole PLETHORA of cool books are coming out this year from small publishers far and wide. It's a preview of books from Cuento de Luz, Post Wave, Lantana, Little Island, and Marble Press via @pubspotlight.bsky.social #kidlit 📚👍 afuse8production.slj.com/2025/01/24/p...
Today we're having our very first publisher preview of Spring 2025 titles from Enchanted Lion Books. Be ready! These are some SERIOUSLY gorgeous titles. #kidlit 📚👍 afuse8production.slj.com/2025/01/22/p...
January 22, 2025 at 2:00 PM
Today we're having our very first publisher preview of Spring 2025 titles from Enchanted Lion Books. Be ready! These are some SERIOUSLY gorgeous titles. #kidlit 📚👍 afuse8production.slj.com/2025/01/22/p...