
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. Profile image by Andrea Tsurumi
| Publishes | Weekly | Episodes | 417 | Founded | 9 years ago |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Number of Listeners | Category | Kids & Family | |||

Dreamlike and surreal, it may not be as well remembered as some of the other 1980s picture books that typify the era (particularly those written by Chris Van Allsburg) but there's something luminous about this cult classic picture book. Will Kate be ... more
When you've worked for a system quite as large and vast as New York Public Library, it can be difficult to ascertain scope. Was Library Lion the massive nationwide hit Betsy thought it was when it premiered in 2006, or did her workplace like it only ... more
This week Kate and Betsy take a trip back in time to 1938. We were trepidatious, and can you blame us? Considering the era and the fact that James Daugherty created the first (and only? unclear) Newbery winner to be completely out-of-print due to sho... more
"The text placing is NOT conventional!" Fresh off the 2026 American Library Association we're happy to discuss our very first Peter Sis title. We're going to begin our Sisification with one of his (relatively) younger books. In its heyday, I recall t... more
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This episode was such a funny and chaotic discussion of Good Dog, Carl, especially with the contrast between Carl’s “babysitting” and modern parenting instincts. The back-and-forth commentary made the whole conversation even more entertaining, and I couldn’t stop laughing at some of the observations about the baby’s complete lack of self-preservation. I really enjoyed listening to this episode and hearing your take on such a classic picture book.
As a retired children’s librarian and lover of picture books, this podcast is excellent! Love the dynamic between the 2 sisters and besides the breakdown of a picture book per week, I’m always intrigued by the brief segment at the end called Grown-Up Things We Like
Funny and insightful commentary on picture books!!
As well as teachers, booksellers, librarians and anyone who appreciates a good picture book. I can’t believe I completely missed this podcast till now. It is hilarious, insightful and learned. I have been a children’s librarian long enough that 25 years is well within my career, so it’s illuminating to see a newer perspective. Sometimes I find the criticism of the mores of the time frustrating, but if an older book exists in this world, that’s how it goes. Keep it up Betsy and Kate!
This podcast has become a “must-listen” for me!
Always charming and funny, they often feature books that I’ve kind of overlooked over the years, given the 20 year old requirement each book has to meet.
I know of no other picture book review resource that focuses on the illustrations AND the text the way this one does — and I appreciate it!
Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.










Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.
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A duo of sisters dissects picture books to decide which titles deserve a lasting place in the canon. Episodes balance appreciation with playful critique, weaving literary history, illustration, and cultural context into accessible conversations. The hosts' contrasting perspectives—one newer to a title and one versed in the field—create a witty, knowledgeable dynamic that covers everything from author intent and reception to classroom and library relevance. A notable strength is their ability to pair enthusiastic, humorous banter with thoughtful, detail-oriented analysis, making it appealing to educators, librarians, parents, and picture-book enthusiasts.
What stands out is the canon-focused framing applied across a wide range of titles, fr... more
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1. The Yarn
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Fuse 8 n' Kate launched 9 years ago and published 417 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.
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Recent guests on Fuse 8 n' Kate include:
1. Colby Sharp
2. Heidi Rabinowitz
3. Berol Dewdney
4. Cordelia Dewdney
5. Travis Jonker
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