The Yarn

In this episode, author/illustrator/cartoonist Jeff Kinney takes us behind the scenes of his bestselling series, DIARY OF A WIMPY KID and new Rowley Jefferson spinoff books. Jeff talks about his unorthodox creative process, his latest (social distanced) book tour, his favorite grade-school teacher, and shares some hopeful words to educators about the upcoming school year. This episode is sponsored...

In this episode, Colby talks with Sarah High, partnerships manager for Bookshop , a startup that's taking on Amazon and supporting independent bookstores. This episode is sponsored by A Teacher's Guide to Reading Conferences , written by Jennifer Serravallo and published by Heinemann.

In this special extended episode, author Derrick Barnes and illustrator Gordon C. James discuss their picture books CROWN and the upcoming I AM EVERY GOOD THING. This episode is sponsored by penguinclassroom.com . This episode is sponsored by Heinemann, and their professional book The Artful Read Aloud by Rebecca Bellingham .

Author James Preller and illustrator Mary GrandPré take us behind the scenes of their haiku school story picture book, ALL WELCOME HERE. This episode is sponsored by Heinemann, and their professional book The Artful Read Aloud by Rebecca Bellingham . Additional music in this episode is by Butterfly Woke by Jeris (c) copyright 2020 Licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution (3.0) license. http:/...

In this episode (originally released in December 2016), author Jason Reynolds takes us behind the scenes of his novel, GHOST.

In this episode, Colby talks with Joanna Parzakonis about her path to opening an independent bookstore in Kalamazoo, MI ( This Is a Bookstore & Bookbug ), and how the pandemic is affecting business. This episode is sponsored by Heinemann, and their professional book READ THE WORLD  by Kristin Ziemke and Katie Muhtaris . Use the code MAYEDU during the month of May to receive 40% off the list pr...

Author Mitali Perkins takes us behind the scenes of her picture book, BETWEEN US AND ABUELA: A FAMILY STORY FROM THE BORDER, illustrated by Sara Palacios. This episode is sponsored by Heinemann and their professional book A TEACHER'S GUIDE TO READING CONFERENCES by Jennifer Serravallo.

In this episode, host Colby Sharp talks with Donalyn Miller ( The Book Whisperer ) about a topic close to both of their hearts - book access for kids. Subscribe to Sharp Read on Substack Join thousands of children's lit supporters reading Colby's weekly dispatches from the classroom. Subscribe to 100 Scope Notes on Substack A bi-weekly deep dive into the world of picture books, delivered t...

Author Eoin Colfer takes us behind the scenes of his wildly popular ARTMIS FOWL series. This episode is sponsored by Heinemann and their professional book READ THE WORLD.

Author (and former ESPN anchor) Sandra Neil Wallace takes us behind the scenes of her Orbis Pictus award-winning nonfiction picture book, BETWEEN THE LINES: HOW ERNIE BARNES WENT FROM THE FOOTBALL FIELD TO THE ART GALLERY, illustrated by Bryan Collier.

Co-authors Shannon and Dean Hale take us behind the scenes of their beloved series THE PRINCESS IN BLACK, illustrated by LeUyen Pham This episode is sponsored by Heinemann and their professional book READING TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE.

Author A.S. King takes us behind the scenes of her YA novel, DIG, which recently won the 2020 Michael L. Printz Award. This episode is sponsored by Heinemann and their professional book READING TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE.

Colby calls author Kate DiCamillo to talk about the 20 year legacy of her book, BECAUSE OF WINN-DIXIE. Subscribe to Sharp Read on Substack Join thousands of children's lit supporters reading Colby's weekly dispatches from the classroom. Subscribe to 100 Scope Notes on Substack A bi-weekly deep dive into the world of picture books, delivered to your inbox. Disclaimer: This post contains aff...

Colby and Travis discuss the year ahead in children's literature.

Colby and Travis discuss the year that was in children's literature.

Author Andrew Clements talks about his path from teacher to writer, and takes us behind the scenes of his books THE LOSERS CLUB and FRINDLE.

In 2015, we sent soon-to-be debut author Alicia D. Williams an audio recorder. We were hoping she would be willing to document her experience of publishing her first book, GENESIS BEGINS AGAIN. Over the course of a few episodes, Alicia will share her story. In this episode, Alicia talks about her struggle to find her true creative calling, and her struggles to overcome inadequacy and publish her d...

Author Dave Eggers talks about writing for kids and takes us behind the scenes of his picture book ABNER & IAN GET RIGHT-SIDE UP.

In 2015, we sent soon-to-be debut author Alicia D. Williams an audio recorder. We were hoping she would be willing to document her experience of publishing her first book, GENESIS BEGINS AGAIN. Over the course of a few episodes, Alicia will share her story. In this episode, Alicia talks about her struggle to find a writing process that works. This episode is sponsored by Heinemann and their profes...

Author/illustrator Bob Shea takes us behind the scenes of his books UNICORN THINKS HE'S PRETTY GREAT and UNICORN IS MAYBE NOT SO GREAT AFTER ALL. Bob also shares the greatest author visit story of all time.  This episode is sponsored by Heinemann and their professional book THE ARTFUL READ-ALOUD.

In 2015, we sent soon-to-be debut author Alicia D. Williams an audio recorder. We were hoping she would be willing to document her experience of publishing her first book, GENESIS BEGINS AGAIN. Over the course of a few episodes, Alicia will share her story. In this episode, Alicia can't sleep. It's 3 a.m. and she turns on the mic to talk about her publishing hopes and fears.

In this special, extended episode of the show, Colby Sharp and Travis Jonker discuss the evolution of The Yarn podcast. They share their favorite (and funniest) moments, interviews, and episodes. Subscribe to Sharp Read on Substack Join thousands of children's lit supporters reading Colby's weekly dispatches from the classroom. Subscribe to 100 Scope Notes on Substack A bi-weekly deep dive...

In 2015, we sent soon-to-be debut author Alicia D. Williams an audio recorder. We were hoping she would be willing to document her experience of publishing her first book, GENESIS BEGINS AGAIN. Over the course of a few episodes, Alicia will share her story.  Should you tell people you have a book deal when the book is a long way off? And how does a debut author navigate the world of social media?...

Author/illustrator Dan Santat takes us behind the scenes of his latest, HAROLD & HOG PRETEND FOR REAL, as well as his books BEEKLE, ARE WE THERE YET, AFTER THE FALL, and DRAWN TOGETHER.

Author Adam Gidwitz shares his journey to becoming a published author.