Teen Librarian Toolbox
November 24, 2025 by Colby Sharp
COLBY: I had the best time chatting with SLJ blogger and librarian Betsy Bird for The Yarn. We chatted about the origins of her blog, her 31 lists and 31 days project, and the current state of children’s literature. I hope you’ll give it a listen on your podcast listening app of choice. If you […]
October 27, 2025 by Colby Sharp
COLBY: Every time I have the opportunity to chat with Derrick Barnes I feel so alive after the conversation. He cares so much about the work that he does, and the stories that he puts out into the world are important and amazing. I hope you enjoy our conversation about his new book The Incredible […]
September 21, 2025 by Colby Sharp
COLBY: I am always on the lookout for great middle grade nonfiction. It is a hole in both my classroom library and in my own personal reading. I’m thankful that authors like Nicholas Day are creating books that are filling that hole. In this episode, I chat with Nicholas about his new book A World […]
September 2, 2025 by Colby Sharp
COLBY: Barbara O’Connor is always one of the most popular authors in my fifth grade classroom. Kids cannot get enough of her stories. I am so excited to share my conversation with Barbara about her new book Dream (a companion to Wish). Subscribe below to catch every episode of The Yarn: iTunes Spotify Stitcher
August 16, 2025 by Colby Sharp
COLBY: Back in the summer of 2016, I interviewed Sophie Blackall the day before she gave her Caldecott acceptence speech for Finding Winnie. It was a huge honor to get a little bit of her time right before this huge moment in her life. I selfishly never shared our conversation. It was mine, and sort […]
June 17, 2025 by Colby Sharp
COLBY: I’ve been on summer break for about a week. It has been amazing to read when I’m not exhausted from teaching. I’m in the point of summer reading, where everything I read makes me think of a kid that I had in class this past school year. In our latest episode of The Yarn, […]
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May 18, 2025 by Colby Sharp
COLBY: I had an amazing time chatting with Pablo Cartaya about his latest book, and instant New York Times Bestseller, ‘A Hero’s Guide to Summer Vacation’. We talked about the new book, fatherhood, and a whole lot more! Check out the episode below! Subscribe below to catch every episode of The Yarn: iTunes Spotify Stitcher […]
April 27, 2025 by Colby Sharp
COLBY: Our latest episode is a little different from what you are used to listening to on The Yarn. Instead of interviewing a children’s book creator about their latest book, I share what it was like spending my spring break in Alaska working in schools. I hope you’ll give it a listen! Subscribe below to […]
March 17, 2025 by Colby Sharp
COLBY: I had a whole lot of fun talking to Arree Chung about his new (and first ) graphic novel, Don’t Cause Trouble. I hope you enjoy our conversation! Subscribe below to catch every episode of The Yarn: iTunes Spotify Stitcher
February 25, 2025 by Colby Sharp
COLBY: When Chooch Helped was awarded the Caldecott Medal I was in shock. Not because I didn’t love the book, but because I hadn’t heard of it! The first thing I did was find a copy to read (I loved it!). The second thing I did was reach out to Rebecca to see if I […]
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Teen Librarian Toolbox
by Amanda MacGregor
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