Kelly Yang on Storykind
COLBY: When I heard that Kelly Yang and Kate DiCamillo were coming out with a new podcast, I got very excited. Then I reached out to Kelly to learn more about the new show. She agreed to hop on a call to chat about her new adventure with Kate. I [...]
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Our 2026 Preview Episode!
Travis: In the latest episode of The Yarn, Colby and I look ahead to 2026. We talk about upcoming books, make some predictions, and realize that fanclubs don’t exist anymore. We hope you enjoy this episode. Subscribe below to catch every episode of The Yarn: iTunes Spotify Stitcher
Taking a Look Back: Our 2025 Year-in-Review Episode
Travis: Every December Colby and I like to look back at the year in children’s books. We had a lot to talk about. In this special extended episode we discuss our favorite books, memorable moments, Newbery/Caldecott predictions, and many other topics. We hope you enjoy this episode: Subscribe below to [...]
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Newbery Winner Rebecca Stead on THE EXPERIMENT
Rebecca Stead takes us behind the scenes of THE EXPERIMENT.
A Conversation with Betsy Bird about A Fuse 8 Production
COLBY: I had the best time chatting with SLJ blogger and librarian Betsy Bird for The Yarn. We chatted about the origins of her blog, her 31 lists and 31 days project, and the current state of children’s literature. I hope you’ll give it a listen on your podcast listening app of choice. If you […]
POP! Betsy Bird is on The Yarn
Back in late June I talked with author, librarian, and Fuse #8 Production blogger Betsy Bird about her excellent 2025 picture book POP! GOES THE NURSERY RHYME.
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Derrick Barnes Visits The Yarn
COLBY: Every time I have the opportunity to chat with Derrick Barnes I feel so alive after the conversation. He cares so much about the work that he does, and the stories that he puts out into the world are important and amazing. I hope you enjoy our conversation about his new book The Incredible […]
“It was mass psychosis.” Katie Kennedy Talks About DID YOU HEAR WHAT HAPPENED IN SALEM?
Travis: Back in June at the American Library Association Annual Conference in Philly, I sat down with Katie Kennedy to talk about her excellent middle grade nonfiction book Did You Hear What Happened in Salem? The Witch Trials of 1692. In this episode, Katie talks about what it was like to revisit one of the […]
Making SUNDUST with Zeke Peña
Travis: Back in June, I talked with author/illustrator Zeke Peña about his beautiful new picture book, SUNDUST. In this episode, Zeke talks about the unique way SUNDUST was created, and his unconventional path to making picture books. We hope you enjoy this episode. Subscribe below to catch every episode of The Yarn: iTunes Spotify Stitcher
Nicholas Day on Connecting Frankenstein to a Volcano Eruption
COLBY: I am always on the lookout for great middle grade nonfiction. It is a hole in both my classroom library and in my own personal reading. I’m thankful that authors like Nicholas Day are creating books that are filling that hole. In this episode, I chat with Nicholas about his new book A World […]
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From the Archives (2024)
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Recent Comments
Jan 16, 2026
Emily Reynolds on Our 2026 Preview Episode!
"Travis and Colby. My jaw just dropped with shock when in your latest episode, you asked each other, "Well, are we up for ..."
Apr 30, 2025
Chris on My Week of Celebrating Children’s Books in Alaska
"I am sitting here with tears in my eyes because I am from Alaska, but no longer live there, and the enthusiasm and care ..."
Jan 24, 2025
Alan Gratz on Our 2025 Preview Episode!
"We can probably make one of your 2025 interview wishes come true. By which I mean Questlove, of course. Shoot me an emai ..."
Apr 14, 2024
Kelly Van Kirk on LOUDER THAN HUNGER: LIVE w/ John Schu
"We just finished reading Operation: Happy! ..."
Jan 29, 2023
Travis Jonker on Looking Ahead: Our 2023 Preview
"Wow - thank you, Constance! That is so nice of you to do! ..."
Jan 21, 2023
Constance G. Pappas on Looking Ahead: Our 2023 Preview
"Hello, I too, LOVE The Yarn. It makes me a better librarian and I love the banter. From Show 180: Here's the list of bo ..."
Jan 20, 2023
Travis Jonker on Looking Ahead: Our 2023 Preview
"Thanks for listening, Pia - you're right, we should add a list of the books we talked about for these episodes! I'll add ..."
Jan 18, 2023
Pia on Looking Ahead: Our 2023 Preview
"Hi Travis and Colby, I love your podcast. Full of very interesting guests and discussions about books. However I find y ..."
Jan 3, 2023
Dana Silver on Taking a Look Back: Our 2022 Year in Review Episode
"This was an incredible episode. I am a literacy coach and would love to compile all of your recommendations from this ep ..."
Jan 2, 2023
Travis Jonker on Michaela Goade on BERRY SONG and Getting The Caldecott Call for WE ARE WATER PROTECTORS
"Thanks for listening! We don't really have show notes, I'm sorry to say ..."
Jan 2, 2023
Travis Jonker on Taking a Look Back: Our 2022 Year in Review Episode
"Thank you! That was a long one! ..."
Jan 2, 2023
Nancy on Michaela Goade on BERRY SONG and Getting The Caldecott Call for WE ARE WATER PROTECTORS
"Thank you Michaela!! Love your books! We sold soo many copies of The Water Protectors on our bookstore in Munising Michi ..."
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