The Yarn
Travis Jonker and Colby Sharp
The Yarn takes listeners behind the scenes of children's literature. Each episode features an author or illustrator talking about how they create books for young readers.
Episodes
#270 Matthew Cordell - 102 Unraveled
In this episode, Caldecott Medal winning author/illustrator Matthew Cordell takes us behind the scenes of his picture book 102.Subscribe to Sharp Read on SubstackJoin thousands of children's lit supporters reading Colby's weekly dispatches from the classroom.Subscribe to 100 Scope Notes on SubstackA bi-weekly deep dive into the world of picture books, delivered to your inbox.Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.
#269 Lois Lowry - BUILDING 903 Unraveled
In this episode, two time Newbery Medalist Lois Lowry takes us behind the scenes of her latest novel, BUILDING 903.
#268 Rex Ogle - ABSENT Unraveled
In this episode, author Rex Ogle takes us behind the scenes of his latest book, ABSENT.Subscribe to Sharp Read on SubstackJoin thousands of children's lit supporters reading Colby's weekly dispatches from the classroom.Subscribe to 100 Scope Notes on SubstackA bi-weekly deep dive into the world of picture books, delivered to your inbox.Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.
#267 Micha Archer - WHILE WE'RE HERE Unraveled
In this episode, Caldecott Honor winner Micha Archer takes us behind the scenes of her book with author Anne Wynter, WHILE WE'RE HERE.Subscribe to Sharp Read on SubstackJoin thousands of children's lit supporters reading Colby's weekly dispatches from the classroom.Subscribe to 100 Scope Notes on SubstackA bi-weekly deep dive into the world of picture books, delivered to your inbox.Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.
#266 SPEED ROUND! Candace Fleming, Zeke Peña, Jasmine Warga, Rebecca Stead
Rapid-fire Q&A with Candace Fleming, Zeke Peña, Jasmine Warga, and Rebecca Stead
#265 Chanel Miller - THE MOON WITHOUT STARS Unraveled
In this episode, Newbery Honor winning author Chanel Miller takes us behind the scenes of her latest middle grade novel, THE MOON WITHOUT STARS.
#264 HEARTDRUM Origin Story w/ Cynthia Leitich Smith and Rosemary Brosnan
In this episode, author Cynthia Leitich Smith and publisher/editor Rosemary Brosnan discuss the origins, mission, and future of their indigenous-focused HarperCollins imprint, Heartdrum.
#263 Aaron Reynolds - CREEPY CARROTS and Beyond
In this episode, author Aaron Reynolds takes us behind the scenes of the bestselling Jasper Rabbit universe - from Caldecott Honor winner CREEPY CARROTS and picture book follow-ups, to the new Creepy Tales chapter book series. Aaron talks about his inspiration for the series, and how illustrator Peter Brown brought it all to life.Subscribe to Sharp Read on SubstackJoin thousands of children's lit supporters reading Colby's weekly dispatches from the classroom.Subscribe to 100 Scope Notes on SubstackA bi-weekly deep dive into the world of picture books, delivered to your inbox.Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.
#262 Nancy Hudgins - BOOKS GOOD ENOUGH FOR YOU Unraveled
In this episode, author Nancy Hudgins takes us behind the scenes of her nonfiction debut, BOOKS GOOD ENOUGH FOR YOU: The Storied Life of Ursula Nordstrom, Editor of Extraordinary Children's Books.Subscribe to Sharp Read on SubstackJoin thousands of children's lit supporters reading Colby's weekly dispatches from the classroom.Subscribe to 100 Scope Notes on SubstackA bi-weekly deep dive into the world of picture books, delivered to your inbox.Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.
#261 N. West Moss - BIRDY Unraveled
In this episode, author N. West Moss takes us behind the scenes of her debut middle grade novel BIRDYSubscribe to Sharp Read on SubstackJoin thousands of children's lit supporters reading Colby's weekly dispatches from the classroom.Subscribe to 100 Scope Notes on SubstackA bi-weekly deep dive into the world of picture books, delivered to your inbox.Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.
#260 Philip Stead - A POTION, A POWDER, A LITTLE BIT OF MAGIC Unraveled
In this episode, author/illustrator Philip Stead takes us behind the scenes of his first middle grade novel, A POTION, A POWDER, A LITTLE BIT OF MAGIC.
#259 Dan Santat - SASHIMI Unraveled
In this episode, Caldecott Medal winning author/illustrator Dan Santat takes us behind the scenes of his graphic novel series, SASHIMI.Subscribe to Sharp Read on SubstackJoin thousands of children's lit supporters reading Colby's weekly dispatches from the classroom.Subscribe to 100 Scope Notes on SubstackA bi-weekly deep dive into the world of picture books, delivered to your inbox.Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.
#258 Sara Pennypacker - THE LIONS' RUN Unraveled
In this episode, bestselling author Sara Pennypacker takes us behind the scenes of her latest historical fiction novel, THE LION'S RUN.Subscribe to Sharp Read on SubstackJoin thousands of children's lit supporters reading Colby's weekly dispatches from the classroom.Subscribe to 100 Scope Notes on SubstackA bi-weekly deep dive into the world of picture books, delivered to your inbox.Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.
#257 Jasmine Warga - THE UNLIKELY TALE OF CHASE AND FINNEGAN Unraveled
In this episode, Newbery Honor-winning author Jasmine Warga takes us behind the scenes of her latest middle grade novel, THE UNLIKELY TALE OF CHASE AND FINNEGAN.
#256 THE INVENTION OF HUGO CABRET - A Fuse 8 n' Kate Crossover Episode!
Welcome to a special crossover episode with Fuse 8 n' Kate! For their 400th episode, Betsy and Kate invited Colby Sharp and Travis Jonker to debate the longest Caldecott Medal book of all time: THE INVENTION OF HUGO CABRET. Is it a classic? Is it a picture book? The group ponders these big questions.
#255 Elisha Cooper - THE RARE BIRD Unraveled
In this episode, Caldecott Honor winning artist Elisha Cooper takes us behind the scenes of his latest picture book, THE RARE BIRD.
#254 Kelly Yang - StoryKind
In this episode, author Kelly Yang takes us behind the scenes of her new podcast with Kate DiCamillo: StoryKind.
#253 Colby & Travis - 2026 Preview
In this episode, Colby and Travis look ahead to the new year in children's books.
#252 Colby & Travis - 2025 Children's Literature Year in Review
In this special extended episode, Colby and Travis discuss the year that was in children's literature.
#251 Rebecca Stead - THE EXPERIMENT Unraveled
In this episode, Newbery Medal winner Rebecca Stead takes us behind the scenes of her novel, THE EXPERIMENT.
#250 Betsy Bird - A FUSE #8 PRODUCTION Unraveled
In this special extended episode, Betsy Bird takes us behind the scenes of her hugely influential children's literature blog, A Fuse #8 Production.
#249 Betsy Bird - POP! GOES THE NURSERY RHYME Unraveled
In this episode writer, librarian, and FUSE #8 PRODUCTION blogger Betsy Bird takes us behind the scenes of her picture book POP! GOES THE NURSERY RHYME, illustrated by Andrea Tsurumi.
#248 Derrick Barnes - THE INCREDIBLY HUMAN HENSON BLAZE Unraveled
In this episode, award-winning and New York Times bestselling author Derrick Barnes takes us behind the scenes of his latest middle grade novel, THE INCREDIBLY HUMAN HENSON BLAZE.
#247 Katie Kennedy - DID YOU HEAR WHAT HAPPENED IN SALEM? Unraveled
In this Halloween episode, author Katie Kennedy takes us behind the scenes of her middle grade nonfiction book, DID YOU HEAR WHAT HAPPENED IN SALEM? THE WITCH TRIALS OF 1692.
#246 Zeke Peña - SUNDUST Unraveled
In this episode, Zeke Peña takes us behind the scenes of his author/illustrator debut picture book, SUNDUST.
#245 Nicholas Day - A WORLD WITHOUT SUMMER Unraveled
In this episode, award-winning author Nicholas Day takes us behind the scenes of his latest narrative nonfiction book for middle grade readers: A WORLD WITHOUT SUMMER: A VOLCANO ERUPTS, A CREATURE AWAKENS, AND THE SUN GOES OUT.
#244 Barbara O'Connor
In this episode, author Barbara O'Connor takes us behind the scenes of her bestselling middle grade novel WISH, and upcoming companion book DREAM.
#243 Sophie Blackall - FINDING WINNIE Unraveled
We've been keeping this one under wraps for NINE years. An interview with Sophie Blackall in 2016 about her Caldecott Medal winning book, FINDING WINNIE (written by Lindsay Mattick).
#242 Newbery Winners 2025 (Part II) SPEED ROUND!
Part two of a special LIVE episode featuring the 2025 Newbery winners: Ruth Behar, Chanel Miller, Lesa Cline-Ransome, Kate O’Shaughnessy, and Erin Entrada Kelly. Rapid-fire SPEED ROUND questions!
#241 Newbery Winners 2025 (Part I)
Part one of a special LIVE episode featuring the 2025 Newbery winners: Ruth Behar, Chanel Miller, Lesa Cline-Ransome, Kate O’Shaughnessy, and Erin Entrada Kelly.
#240 Candace Fleming - THE ENIGMA GIRLS Unraveled
In this episode, author Candace Fleming takes us behind the scenes of her award-winning nonfiction book, THE ENIGMA GIRLS: HOW TEN TEENAGERS BROKE CIPHERS, KEPT SECRETS, AND HELPED WIN WORLD WAR II.
#239 Colby Sharp: How I Celebrate Reading with Students
It's the end of the school year - a great time for Colby to share how he celebrates reading with his 5th grade students.
#238 Aida Salazar & Molly Mendoza - JOVITA WORE PANTS Unraveled
In this episode, author Aida Salazar and illustrator Molly Mendoza take us behind the scenes of their Caldecott Honor winning book JOVITA WORE PANTS: THE STORY OF A MEXICAN FREEDOM FIGHTER
#237 Pablo Cartaya - A HERO'S GUIDE TO SUMMER VACATION Unraveled
In this episode, New York Times bestselling author Pablo Cartaya takes us behind the scenes of his new middle grade novel, A HERO'S GUIDE TO SUMMER VACATION.
#236 Mk Smith Despres - THERE'S THAT SUN AGAIN Unraveled
In this episode, author Mk Smith Despres takes us behind the scenes of their poetic picture book THERE'S THAT SUN AGAIN, illustrated by Julie Benbassat.
#235 Colby Sharp Goes to Alaska
In this special episode, Colby Sharp shares his experience of traveling to Alaska to talk about children's books.
#234 Travis Jonker - JUST ONE WAVE Unraveled
In this episode, Travis takes us behind the scenes of his picture book JUST ONE WAVE, the summertime sequel to JUST ONE FLAKE.
#233 Jing Jing Tsong - FAKE CHINESE SOUNDS Unraveled
In this episode, author/illustrator Jing Jing Tsong takes us behind the scenes of her graphic novel debut, FAKE CHINESE SOUNDS.
#232 Arree Chung - DON'T CAUSE TROUBLE Unraveled
In this episode, author/illustrator Arree Chung takes us behind the scenes of his graphic novel DON'T CAUSE TROUBLE.
#231 Rebecca Lee Kunz - CHOOCH HELPED Unraveled
In this episode, artist Rebecca Lee Kunz takes us behind the scenes of her Caldecott Medal winning book, CHOOCH HELPED (written by Andrea L. Rogers
#230 Ruth Chan & Travis Jonker - CABOOSE Unraveled
In this episode, Ruth Chan and Travis Jonker take us behind the scenes of their new picture book, CABOOSE.
#229 Gov. Gretchen Whitmer - TRUE GRETCH (YA Edition) Unraveled
In this episode, Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer takes us behind the scenes of her book, TRUE GRETCH (Young Adult Edition).
#228 Colby & Travis - 2025 Preview
In this episode, Colby and Travis look ahead to the new year in children's books.
#227 Colby & Travis - 2024 Children's Literature Year in Review
In this special extended episode, Colby and Travis discuss the year that was in children's literature.
#226 Jerzy Drozd - THE INSCRUTABLE DOCTOR BAER Unraveled
In this episode, comics creator Jerzy Drozd takes us behind the scenes of his graphic novel THE INSCRUTABLE DOCTOR BAER AND THE CASE OF THE TWO-FACED STATUE.
#225 Mac Barnett & Sydney Smith - SANTA'S FIRST CHRISTMAS Unraveled
In this episode, Mac Barnett and Sydney Smith take us behind the scenes of their picture book SANTA'S FIRST CHRISTMAS.
#224 Mac Barnett & Shawn Harris - THE FIRST CAT IN SPACE Unraveled
In this episode, Mac Barnett and Shawn Harris take us behind the scenes of their bestselling graphic novel series THE FIRST CAT IN SPACE, including the latest installment, THE WRATH OF THE PAPERCLIP.
#223 Gayle Forman - NOT NOTHING Unraveled
In this episode, New York Times bestselling author Gayle Forman takes us behind the scenes of her middle grade novel NOT NOTHING.
#222 Jess Hannigan - SPIDER IN THE WELL Unraveled
In this episode, debut author/illustrator Jess Hannigan takes us behind the scenes of her picture book SPIDER IN THE WELL.
#221 Ruth Chan - UPROOTED Unraveled
In this episode, author/illustrator Ruth Chan takes us behind the scenes of her debut graphic novel memoir, UPROOTED.