Shows / The Yarn
The Yarn
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.
Episodes
- The Yarn
#152 Betsy Bird - LONG ROAD TO THE CIRCUS Unraveled
In this episode, author Betsy Bird takes us behind the scenes of her middle grade historical fiction novel, LONG ROAD TO THE CIRCUS, illustrated by David…
- The Yarn
#151 Gary Paulsen Remembered with Editor Wesley Adams
In this episode, Colby talks with Wesley Adams, Gary Paulsen's editor at Farrar, Straus and Giroux, about the late author's life, work, and singular…
- The Yarn
#150 R.J. Palacio - PONY Unraveled
In this episode, New York Times bestselling author R.J. Palacio (WONDER) takes us behind the scenes of her latest novel, PONY. This episode is sponsored by the…
- The Yarn
#149 Erin & Philip Stead (Pt. II) AMOS MCGEE MISSES THE BUS
In this episode, Erin and Philip Stead take us behind the scenes of AMOS MCGEE MISSES THE BUS, a companion to their 2011 Caldecott Medal-winning book, A SICK…
- The Yarn
#148 Erin & Philip Stead (Pt. I) A SICK DAY FOR AMOS MCGEE
In this episode, Erin and Philip Stead take us behind the scenes of their Caldecott Medal Winning book, A SICK DAY FOR AMOS MCGEE. This is part one of a…
- The Yarn
#147 Sara Pennypacker - PAX, JOURNEY HOME Unraveled
In this episode, author Sara Pennypacker takes us behind the scenes of her book PAX, JOURNEY HOME This episode is sponsored by SHARING BOOKS, TALKING SCIENCE…
- The Yarn
#146 Pernille Ripp - The Global Read Aloud
Teacher and author Pernille Ripp talks with Colby about the past, present, and future of The Global Read Aloud, the project she created in 2010. This episode…
- The Yarn
#145 Karyn Parsons - HOW HIGH THE MOON Unraveled
In this episode, actress (THE FRESH PRINCE OF BEL-AIR) turned author Karyn Parsons takes us behind the scenes of her middle grade historical fiction novel HOW…
- The Yarn
#144 Jon Klassen - THE ROCK FROM THE SKY Unraveled
In this special extended episode, award-winning author/illustrator Jon Klassen takes us behind the scenes of his latest picture book, THE ROCK FROM THE SKY…
- The Yarn
#143 David LaRochelle & Mike Wohnoutka - SEE THE CAT Unraveled
In this episode, author David LaRochelle and illustrator Mike Wohnoutka take us behind the scenes of their Geisel Award-winning book SEE THE CAT: THREE STORIES…
- The Yarn
#142 Kate Messner - DR. FAUCI Unraveled
In this episode, author Kate Messner talks about her picture book biography DR. FAUCI: HOW A BOY FROM BROOKLYN BECAME AMERICA'S DOCTOR, illustrated by…
- The Yarn
#141 Donalyn Miller - #BOOKADAY
In this episode, Colby talks with writer, speaker, Nerdy Book Club co-founder, Book Whisperer, and former teacher Donalyn Miller about #bookaday, the personal…
- The Yarn
#140 Jordan Scott & Sydney Smith - I TALK LIKE A RIVER Unraveled
In this episode author Jordan Scott and illustrator Sydney Smith take us behind the scenes of their award-winning picture book, I TALK LIKE A RIVER. This…
- The Yarn
#139 Jason Chin - WATERCRESS Unraveled (Pt. 2)
In this episode, illustrator Jason Chin takes us behind the scenes of his book WATERCRESS, written by Andrea Wang. This episode is sponsored by Read the World…
- The Yarn
#138 Andrea Wang - WATERCRESS Unraveled (Pt. 1)
In this episode, author Andrea Wang takes us behind the scenes of her picture book WATERCRESS, illustrated by Jason Chin. This episode is sponsored by Read the…
- The Yarn
#137 Travis Jonker - BLUE FLOATS AWAY Unraveled
Travis Jonker takes us behind the scenes of his second book BLUE FLOATS AWAY, illustrated by Grant Snider. This episode is sponsored by Risk. Fail. Rise. A…
- The Yarn
#136 Rajani LaRocca - RED, WHITE, AND WHOLE Unraveled
In this episode, author (and doctor) Rajani LaRocca takes us behind the scenes of her middle grade novel-in-verse, RED, WHITE, AND WHOLE. This episode is…
- The Yarn
#135 Tae Keller - WHEN YOU TRAP A TIGER Unraveled
In this episode Tae Keller takes us behind the scenes of her Newbery Medal winning book, WHEN YOU TRAP A TIGER. This episode is sponsored by BREATHING NEW LIFE…
- The Yarn
#134 Gary Paulsen
In this episode, author Gary Paulsen talks about his life and career, the impact of HATCHET, and his latest book, GONE TO THE WOODS. (FYI: This episode…
- The Yarn
#133 Christina Soontornvat - ALL THIRTEEN Unraveled
On Monday, January 25th, author Christina Soontornvat became only the second person in history to be awarded two Newbery Honors in the same year. In this…
- The Yarn
#132 Colby & Travis - 2021 Preview
In this episode, Colby and Travis look ahead to the new year in children's books. This episode is sponsored by Heinemann and their professional book Reading to…
- The Yarn
#131 Colby & Travis - 2020 Year in Review
In this special extended episode, Colby and Travis discuss the year that was in children's literature.
- The Yarn
#130 Mike Curato - FLAMER Unraveled
In this episode, author/illustrator Mike Curato takes us behind the scenes of his debut YA graphic novel, FLAMER. This episode is sponsored by Heinemann and…
- The Yarn
#129 Christopher Paul Curtis - THE WATSONS GO TO BIRMINGHAM Turns 25!
In this episode, author Christopher Paul Curtis takes us behind the scenes of his debut novel, THE WATSONS GO TO BIRMINGHAM - 1963. The Newbery Honor-winning…
- The Yarn
#128 Matthew Cordell - HELLO, NEIGHBOR Unraveled
Caldecott Medalist Matthew Cordell takes us behind the scenes of his picture book biography of Mr. Rogers, HELLO, NEIGHBOR. This episode is sponsored by…
- The Yarn
#127 Kimberly Brubaker Bradley - FIGHTING WORDS Unraveled
In this episode, Newbery Honor-winning author Kimberly Brubaker Bradley takes us behind the scenes of her novel FIGHTING WORDS. This episode is sponsored by…
- The Yarn
#126 Grace Lin - A BIG MOONCAKE FOR LITTLE STAR Unraveled
In this episode, author/illustrator Grace Lin takes us behind the scenes of her Caldecott Honor winning book, A BIG MOONCAKE FOR LITTLE STAR. This episode is…
- The Yarn
#125 Abby Wambach - WOLFPACK Unraveled
In this episode, United States soccer legend Abby Wambach takes us behind the scenes of her book, WOLFPACK (Young Readers Edition). This episode is sponsored…
- The Yarn
#124 Oge Mora (Pt. 2) - SATURDAY Unraveled
In this episode (part two of two), author/illustrator Oge Mora takes us behind the scenes of her Boston Globe-Horn Book Award winner, SATURDAY. This episode is…
- The Yarn
#123 The Yarn Turns Five
The Yarn podcast is five years old! In this episode, Colby looks back on how it all began, and looks ahead to the coming school year, with wise words from a…
- The Yarn
#122 Oge Mora (Pt. 1) - THANK YOU, OMU! Unraveled
In this episode (part one of two), author/illustrator Oge Mora takes us behind the scenes of her Caldecott Honor-winning book, THANK YOU, OMU! This episode is…
- The Yarn
#121 Jeff Kinney - DIARY OF A WIMPY KID (and More)
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…
- The Yarn
#120 What is Bookshop?
In this episode, Colby talks with Sarah High, partnerships manager for Bookshop, a startup that's taking on Amazon and supporting independent bookstores. This…
- The Yarn
#119 Gordon C. James & Derrick Barnes - I AM EVERY GOOD THING Unraveled
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…
- The Yarn
#118 James Preller & Mary GrandPré - ALL WELCOME HERE Unraveled
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…
- The Yarn
#117 Jason Reynolds (Re-Release)
In this episode (originally released in December 2016), author Jason Reynolds takes us behind the scenes of his novel, GHOST.
- The Yarn
#116 An Indie Bookstore During a Pandemic w/ Joanna Parzakonis
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…
- The Yarn
#115 Mitali Perkins - BETWEEN US AND ABUELA Unraveled
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…
- The Yarn
#114 Donalyn Miller & Colby - Book Access
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…
- The Yarn
#113 Eoin Colfer - ARTEMIS FOWL
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 Yarn
#112 Sandra Neil Wallace - BETWEEN THE LINES Unraveled
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…
- The Yarn
#111 Shannon & Dean Hale - THE PRINCESS IN BLACK
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…
- The Yarn
#110 A.S. King - DIG Unraveled
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…
- The Yarn
#109 Kate DiCamillo - WINN-DIXIE Turns 20
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…
- The Yarn
#108 Colby & Travis - 2020 Preview
Colby and Travis discuss the year ahead in children's literature.
- The Yarn
#107 Colby & Travis - 2019 Year in Review
Colby and Travis discuss the year that was in children's literature.
- The Yarn
#106 Andrew Clements (Re-Release)
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.
- The Yarn
#105 Alicia D. Williams - Path to Publication, Part IV: An Agent, An Auction, A Book Deal
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…
- The Yarn
#104 Dave Eggers - ABNER & IAN GET RIGHT-SIDE UP Unraveled
Author Dave Eggers talks about writing for kids and takes us behind the scenes of his picture book ABNER & IAN GET RIGHT-SIDE UP.
- The Yarn
#103 Alicia D. Williams - Path to Publication, Part III: What's Your Process?
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…
- The Yarn
#102 Bob Shea - UNICORN Books Unraveled
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…
- The Yarn
#101 Alicia D. Williams - Path to Publication, Part II: Hopes and Fears at 3 a.m.
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…
- The Yarn
#100 Colby and Travis - The Yarn Unraveled
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…
- The Yarn
#99 Alicia D. Williams - Path to Publication, Part I: Book Deal and Social Media
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…
The Yarn#98 Dan Santat - HAROLD & HOG: PRETEND FOR REAL Unraveled
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…
The Yarn#97 Adam Gidwitz How Adam Gidwitz Went From Being A Bad Teacher to a Great Author
Author Adam Gidwitz shares his journey to becoming a published author.
The Yarn#96 Meg Medina - MERCI SUÁREZ CHANGES GEARS Unraveled LIVE
Author Meg Medina takes us behind the scenes of her Newbery Medal winning book, MERCI SUÁREZ CHANGES GEARS. This special extended episode was recorded in front…
The Yarn#95 Todd Parr - THE DON'T WORRY BOOK Unraveled
Author/illustrator Todd Parr takes us behind the scenes of his latest, THE DON'T WORRY BOOK.
The Yarn#94 Jason Chin - GRAND CANYON Unraveled
Author/illustrator Jason Chin takes us behind the scenes of his award-winning nonfiction picture book, GRAND CANYON.
The Yarn#93 Ashley Herring Blake - THE MIGHTY HEART OF SUNNY ST. JAMES Unraveled
Author Ashley Herring Blake takes us behind the scene of her middle grade novel, THE MIGHTY HEART OF SUNNY ST. JAMES.