Thursday, September 18, 2025

Fuse 8 and Kate Podcast


Two 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.

Have you discovered this terrific podcast? I usually only listen if I am familiar with the book and I often wish I had the actual book in my hands as these sisters talk about their reactions to each illustration page by page. They have produced 378 podcasts as of September 2025. There are a few Australian titles such as Where is the Green Sheep; Fox by Margaret Wild; Let's get a Pup by Bob Graham; Animalia; The Nativity illustrated by Julie Vivas; and Wilfrid Gordon McDonald Partridge.

If you are new to the role of Teacher-Librarian you might consider exploring some of the titles that Betsy and her sister discuss - this will most certainly build your field knowledge of important (classic) children's picture books. Each episode runs for about 30 minutes. You can follow the sisters on Instagram or on Facebook

Here are a few of the titles they have discussed that I have either talked about here on this blog or that I like. I have put the episode number but not the actual podcast link.




Come on Rain! (Episode 373)


(Episode 371)




(Episode 359)


Mr Maxwell's Mouse (Episode 320)


(Episode 273)


Fortunately (Episode 114)


(Episode 293)



(Episode 239)


Seven Blind Mice (Episode 220)


(Episode 207)


Owl Moon (Episode 188)


The Stranger (Episode 157)


Owl Babies (Episode 143)


Leo the late bloomer (Episode 129)


(Episode 128)


A Small Miracle (Episode 155)


(Episode 98)



(Episode 71)


Corduroy (Episode 22)

Here are some titles that I am curious to read:

  • The Story of Jumping Mouse by John Steptoe
  • There's No Such Thing as a Dragon by Jack Kent
  • My Lucky Day by Keiko Kasza
  • The Stupids Step Out by Harry Allard
  • Lulu and the Flying Babies by Posy Simmonds
  • Imogene's Antlers by David Small
  • Mirandy and Brother Wind by Patricia McKissack
  • The Fox Went Out on a Chilly Night by Peter Spier



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