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.

  • 25 minutes 35 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.

    This episode is sponsored by NOSY CROW, and their innovative STORIES ALOUD program, which gives readers instant access to professionally produced and narrated versions of their books. Look for the STORIES ALOUD QR code on the back of Nosy Crow books to give it a try.

    Click here for an audio sample, from the book WHO ATE STEVE?

    7 December 2025, 5:00 pm
  • 43 minutes 26 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.

    This episode is sponsored by NOSY CROW, and their innovative STORIES ALOUD program, which gives readers instant access to professionally produced and narrated versions of their books. Look for the STORIES ALOUD QR code on the back of Nosy Crow books to give it a try.

    Click here for an audio sample, from the book WHO ATE STEVE?

    22 November 2025, 9:00 pm
  • 13 minutes 12 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.

    This episode is sponsored by NOSY CROW, and their innovative STORIES ALOUD program, which gives readers instant access to professionally produced and narrated versions of their books. Look for the STORIES ALOUD QR code on the back of Nosy Crow books to give it a try.

    Click here for an audio sample, from the book WHO ATE STEVE?

    16 November 2025, 8:00 pm
  • 19 minutes 34 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.

    This episode is sponsored by NOSY CROW, and their innovative STORIES ALOUD program, which gives readers instant access to professionally produced and narrated versions of their books. Look for the STORIES ALOUD QR code on the back of Nosy Crow books to give it a try.

    Click here for an audio sample, from the book WHO ATE STEVE?

    26 October 2025, 5:00 pm
  • 17 minutes 30 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.

    This episode is sponsored by NOSY CROW, and their innovative STORIES ALOUD program, which gives readers instant access to professionally produced and narrated versions of their books. Look for the STORIES ALOUD QR code on the back of Nosy Crow books to give it a try.

    Click here for an audio sample, from the book WHO ATE STEVE?

    18 October 2025, 7:00 pm
  • 22 minutes 34 seconds
    #246 Zeke Peña - SUNDUST Unraveled

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

    This episode is sponsored by NOSY CROW, and their innovative STORIES ALOUD program, which gives readers instant access to professionally produced and narrated versions of their books. Look for the STORIES ALOUD QR code on the back of Nosy Crow books to give it a try.

    Click here for an audio sample, from the book WHO ATE STEVE?

    28 September 2025, 10:00 pm
  • 25 minutes 23 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.

    This episode is sponsored by NOSY CROW, and their innovative STORIES ALOUD program, which gives readers instant access to professionally produced and narrated versions of their books. Look for the STORIES ALOUD QR code on the back of Nosy Crow books to give it a try.

    Click here for an audio sample, from the book WHO ATE STEVE?

    20 September 2025, 11:00 pm
  • 18 minutes 3 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. 

    This episode is sponsored by NOSY CROW, and their innovative STORIES ALOUD program, which gives readers instant access to professionally produced and narrated versions of their books. Look for the STORIES ALOUD QR code on the back of Nosy Crow books to give it a try.

    Click here for an audio sample, from the book WHO ATE STEVE?

    31 August 2025, 2:00 pm
  • 12 minutes 47 seconds
    #243 Sophie Blackall - FINDING WINNIE Unraveled

    We've been keeping this one under wraps for NINE years. An interview with Sophie Blackall in 2016 about her Caldecott Medal winning book, FINDING WINNIE (written by Lindsay Mattick). 

    This episode is sponsored by NOSY CROW, and their innovative STORIES ALOUD program, which gives readers instant access to professionally produced and narrated versions of their books. Look for the STORIES ALOUD QR code on the back of Nosy Crow books to give it a try.

    Click here for an audio sample, from the book WHO ATE STEVE?

    14 August 2025, 7:00 pm
  • 9 minutes 26 seconds
    #242 Newbery Winners 2025 (Part II) SPEED ROUND!

    Part two of a special LIVE episode featuring the 2025 Newbery winners: Ruth Behar, Chanel Miller, Lesa Cline-Ransome, Kate O’Shaughnessy, and Erin Entrada Kelly. Rapid-fire SPEED ROUND questions!

    This episode is sponsored by NOSY CROW, and their innovative STORIES ALOUD program, which gives readers instant access to professionally produced and narrated versions of their books. Look for the STORIES ALOUD QR code on the back of Nosy Crow books to give it a try.

    Click here for an audio sample, from the book WHO ATE STEVE?

    28 July 2025, 5:00 pm
  • 37 minutes 12 seconds
    #241 Newbery Winners 2025 (Part I)

    Part one of a special LIVE episode featuring the 2025 Newbery winners: Ruth Behar, Chanel Miller, Lesa Cline-Ransome, Kate O’Shaughnessy, and Erin Entrada Kelly.

    This episode is sponsored by NOSY CROW, and their innovative STORIES ALOUD program, which gives readers instant access to professionally produced and narrated versions of their books. Look for the STORIES ALOUD QR code on the back of Nosy Crow books to give it a try.

    Click here for an audio sample, from the book WHO ATE STEVE?

    19 July 2025, 7:00 pm
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