New General Rule: When a celebrity promotes an already existing picture book, it is rarely a good thing. I am thinking, naturally, of the episode of Friends where they read Love You Forever in its entirety. But it doesn't just happen on television shows. Recently a Kardashian recommended today's title, and to my horror and delight it's 20 years old (if you go by its original self-published publication date). A self-proclaimed books for parents (rather than children) we have to weigh Tillman's talents as an illustrator against her storytelling choices. The end result is that we have two rather different final scores. Listen and see why that is!
For the full Show Notes please visit: https://afuse8production.slj.com/2025/11/17/fuse-8-n-kate-on-the-night-you-were-born-by-nancy-tillman/
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New General Rule: When a celebrity promotes an already existing picture book, it is rarely a good thing. I am thinking, naturally, of the episode of Friends where they read Love You Forever in its entirety. But it doesn't just happen on television shows. Recently a Kardashian recommended today's title, and to my horror and delight it's 20 years old (if you go by its original self-published publication date). A self-proclaimed books for parents (rather than children) we have to weigh Tillman's talents as an illustrator against her storytelling choices. The end result is that we have two rather different final scores. Listen and see why that is!
For the full Show Notes please visit: https://afuse8production.slj.com/2025/11/17/fuse-8-n-kate-on-the-night-you-were-born-by-nancy-tillman/
As American-born sisters, neither Kate nor Betsy grew up knowing who Action Man was or what his life entailed. None of that has stopped us from truly appreciating Mini Grey's lovely ode to a kid, his toy, and their various adventures. Did it come out after Toy Story? It did. Was it derivative? It was not (though there are some Buzz Lightyear similarities). British to its core, Mini Grey was in the ZONE when she wrote this one!! We've not done a Mini Grey title since Ginger Bear, so clearly we're due. We also don't want to give too much away but this title entirely charmed Kate, and for good reason. It appeared on Betsy's Top 100 Picture Books polls TWICE. And truly? It's just a fun book for one and all. Remember it all over again. Look for the full Show Notes about the book here: https://afuse8production.slj.com/2025/08/04/fuse-8-n-kate-traction-man-is-here-by-mini-grey/
Fuse 8 n' Kate
New General Rule: When a celebrity promotes an already existing picture book, it is rarely a good thing. I am thinking, naturally, of the episode of Friends where they read Love You Forever in its entirety. But it doesn't just happen on television shows. Recently a Kardashian recommended today's title, and to my horror and delight it's 20 years old (if you go by its original self-published publication date). A self-proclaimed books for parents (rather than children) we have to weigh Tillman's talents as an illustrator against her storytelling choices. The end result is that we have two rather different final scores. Listen and see why that is!
For the full Show Notes please visit: https://afuse8production.slj.com/2025/11/17/fuse-8-n-kate-on-the-night-you-were-born-by-nancy-tillman/
