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.

  • 17 minutes 38 seconds
    #254 Kelly Yang - StoryKind

    In this episode, author Kelly Yang takes us behind the scenes of her new podcast with Kate DiCamillo: StoryKind.

    17 January 2026, 10:00 pm
  • 29 minutes 10 seconds
    #253 Colby & Travis - 2026 Preview

    In this episode, Colby and Travis look ahead to the new year in children's books.

    2 January 2026, 10:00 pm
  • 1 hour 1 minute
    #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.

    23 December 2025, 8:00 pm
  • 24 minutes 19 seconds
    #251 Rebecca Stead - THE EXPERIMENT Unraveled

    In this episode, Newbery Medal winner Rebecca Stead takes us behind the scenes of her novel, THE EXPERIMENT.

    7 December 2025, 5:00 pm
  • 42 minutes 10 seconds
    #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.

    22 November 2025, 9:00 pm
  • 11 minutes 56 seconds
    #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.

    16 November 2025, 8:00 pm
  • 18 minutes 18 seconds
    #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.

    26 October 2025, 5:00 pm
  • 16 minutes 14 seconds
    #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.

    18 October 2025, 7:00 pm
  • 21 minutes 18 seconds
    #246 Zeke Peña - SUNDUST Unraveled

    In this episode, Zeke Peña takes us behind the scenes of his author/illustrator debut picture book, SUNDUST.

    28 September 2025, 10:00 pm
  • 24 minutes 7 seconds
    #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.

    20 September 2025, 11:00 pm
  • 16 minutes 47 seconds
    #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. 

    31 August 2025, 2:00 pm
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