Books on Film: Henry Winkler on CBS

October 10, 2025 by Travis Jonker

Henry Winkler recently appeared on the CBS Morning Show to talk about the third book in his Detective Duck series (co-written by Henry Winkler and illustrated by Dan Santat).

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Cover Reveal Q&A: OFF THE WALL by Molly Idle and Juana Martinez-Neal

It’s a pleasure to share the cover for Off the Wall, a picture book collaboration between Caldecott Honorees Molly Idle and Juana Martinez-Neal. But before we take a look at the cover, I talked with Molly and Juana about how the book was made. Travis: What was the initial inspiration [...]

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Predictions! New York Times Best Illustrated Children’s Books 2025

Trying to predict the 2025 New York Times/New York Public Library Best Illustrated Children's Books list.

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Book Reviews

Review: Gnome and Rat by Lauren Stohler

When you read an early graphic novel as excellent as Gnome and Rat, so many other books look boring in comparison.

9 Books I Loved (But Didn’t Review) in 2022

I didn't review them, but I love them.

Books on Film: I Need a New Butt!

An assistant principal was fired for reading I NEED A NEW BUTT! to students

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More Recent Posts

Now on The Yarn Podcast: SUNDUST Author/Illustrator Zeke Peña!

October 6, 2025 by Travis Jonker

Back in June I talked with author/illustrator Zeke Peña all about his stunning new picture book Sundust. Zeke’s path to picture books was unique, and the result is a book that feels completely fresh (and a book I’m keeping an eye when award season rolls around). Here’s the episode: Subscribe below to catch every episode […]

Reading Rainbow Returns!

October 2, 2025 by Travis Jonker

Here’s some good news. Reading Rainbow is back with the perfect host: librarian Mychal Threets. Here’s the announcement: Here’s how to watch (via ABC News): The new “Reading Rainbow” will be presented as a digital series on the Reading Rainbow website and KidZuko, a children’s YouTube channel. The first of four new episodes premieres this […]

Nominate Your Favorites for the 2025 Undies and Endies Awards!

October 1, 2025 by Travis Jonker

The best (see: only) case cover and endpaper awards in children’s literature are back! That’s right, the 2025 Undies and Endies are officially up and running. It’s time to submit your favorite case covers and end papers of the year. First up, the Undies Case Cover Awards. What’s a case cover, you ask? It’s what […]

Notes on September 2025

September 30, 2025 by Travis Jonker

In September . . . . . . we checked in on the Newbery and Caldecott race. Or at least the books getting the most love over on Goodreads. You should read Betsy’s excellent predictions over on A Fuse #8 Production as well. . . . we announced a new book! Little Turtle Pond is […]

10 to Note: Fall Preview 2025

September 29, 2025 by Travis Jonker

Don’t mind me, I’m just looking through 2148 books publishing in September, October, and November, and picking out the ten books I’m most looking forward to this fall. Picture Books A Snow Day for Amos McGee by Philip C. Stead, illustrated by Erin E. Stead September 30 | Roaring Brook Press (Macmillan) | Grades PreK-1 […]

Now on The Yarn Podcast: Nicholas Day

September 26, 2025 by Travis Jonker

I’m always fascinated with how narrative nonfiction books are made, so it was such a pleasure to have author Nicholas Day on The Yarn podcast. He won a Sibert medal for his last book – The Mona Lisa Vanishes – and in this episode he takes us behind the scenes of his latest: A World […]

Slate Names the Greatest Picture Books of the 2000s

September 25, 2025 by Travis Jonker

We are at the quarter century mark, and the “Best (blank) of the Past 25 Years” lists are in full swing. Slate went and talked with “authors, illustrators, librarians, booksellers, academics, and publishing pros” to come up with their list of the Greatest Picture Books of the Past 25 Years. Click here to have a […]