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.

All Episodes

Part one of a special LIVE episode featuring the 2024 Newbery Honor winners: Erin Bow, M.T. Anderson, Daniel Nayeri, Pedro Martín, and Nasuġraq Rainy Hopson.

Jul 16

34 min 10 sec

In this episode, author Dan Gutman looks back on 20 years of his popular MY WEIRD SCHOOL series.

Jun 27

8 min 53 sec

In this episode, author Abby Cooper takes us behind the scenes of her middle grade novel TRUE COLORS.

Jun 12

21 min 53 sec

Rapid-fire Q&A with Peter Brown, Dashka Slater, Chris Baron, and Jarrett Lerner.

May 25

15 min 58 sec

In this episode, author/illustrator Supriya Kelkar takes us behind the scenes of her nonfiction picture book, AND YET YOU SHINE: THE KOHINOOR DIAMOND, COLONIZATION, AND RESISTANCE.

May 18

20 min 27 sec

In this episode, author Kate Messner takes us behind the scenes of the ambitious new chapter book series she is co-writing with multiple authors, THE KIDS IN MRS. Z'S CLASS. 

Apr 27

18 min 7 sec

In this episode (recorded LIVE at BookBug in Kalamazoo, Michigan), author and children's literature advocate John Schu takes us behind the scenes of his New York Times bestselling book LOUDER THAN HUNGER. 

Apr 13

34 min 39 sec

In this episode, author Amy Noelle Parks takes us behind the scenes of her middle grade novel, AVERIL OFFLINE.

Mar 31

16 min 32 sec

In this episode, engineer, television host, science content creator, and author Emily Calandrelli takes us behind the scenes of her new nonfiction book, Stay Curious and Keep Exploring: Next Level : 50 Bigger, Bolder Science Experiments to Do with the Whole Family 

Mar 13

16 min 9 sec

In this episode, comedian, actor, and author Jesús Trejo takes us behind the scenes of his debut picture book, PAPÁ'S MAGICAL WATER-JUG CLOCK.

Feb 25

14 min 40 sec

In this episode, award-winning author Ruth Behar takes us behind the scenes of her middle grade historical fiction book, ACROSS SO MANY SEAS.

Feb 16

19 min 7 sec

In this episode, author/illustrator Abby Hanlon takes us behind the scenes of her chapter book DORY FANTASMAGORY: CAN'T LIVE WITHOUT YOU.

Jan 28

28 min 14 sec