The genre of novel has dominated fiction for centuries now, and its form hasn't exactly spared picture books. But as valuable as this genre is, do we leave something behind when we fail to consider other, more episodic forms of fiction that allow for slow, plodding exposition across many texts that lets children luxuriate in the worlds being created?

In this episode, we'll look at how serial picture books like The Berenstain Bears and Little Blue Truck create worlds differently, using an almost programmatic importation of the libraries they've accreted from previous writing. While these texts are popular, they hardly represent the standard for picture book publishing. Why?

All this and more in less than 20 minutes!

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Show graphics by Emily Tetrault. Theme and interstitials excerpted from Erik Satie's Gnossienne #1. All book images used under the Fair Use exceptions to exclusive copyright as defined under Title 17, subsection 107, of US Code.

We all dread teaching our children about death—probably because of the way death figures into our own lives. If we could forestall death's terror by refiguring it as a natural part of lived experience, would it help our children (and us?) to live more purposeful and holistic lives? In this episode, we look at a codex that presents such a life. Tinted with a bittersweet melancholy, this beautiful picture book has a lot to offer for both children and adults. It recasts the entire category of "children's book about grief." Join us for some close reading and pondering, and as always, subscribe and review if you like what you hear!

Visit us at http://www.toddlingthestacks.com for previous episodes, info on the show, and what Adalyn is reading now!

If you like the episode, please subscribe and share with friends!

YT: https://www.youtube.com/@ToddlingTheStacks

Insta: https://www.instagram.com/toddlingthestacks/

BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/toddlingthestacks.com

FB: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61588725012180

Show graphics by Emily Tetrault. Theme and interstitials excerpted from Erik Satie's Gnossienne #1. All book images used under the Fair Use exceptions to exclusive copyright as defined under Title 17, subsection 107, of US Code.

Shall we try for a few more, do you think?

What do Abe Lincoln and Hobbits have in common? How do biographers decide what information to include in biographies? Just as importantly, how do they decide what to exclude? And what has our walk down Caldecott Lane started to tell us about the values of the Caldecott Award?

All of these questions and more--somehow in less than fifteen minutes!--as we look at Edgar and Ingri D'Aulaires' 1939 text Abraham Lincoln, which won the third-ever Caldecott Award in 1940. More like a middle-grade biography than a true picture book, this text was redone by the D'Aulaires' in 1957 to include color illustrations. Should it have won the Caldecott? Should you consider it for your little? Only one way to find out!

Visit us at http://www.toddlingthestacks.com for previous episodes, info on the show, and what Adalyn is reading now!

If you like the episode, please subscribe and share with friends!

YT: https://www.youtube.com/@ToddlingTheStacks

Insta: https://www.instagram.com/toddlingthestacks/

BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/toddlingthestacks.com

FB: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61588725012180

Show graphics by Emily Tetrault. Theme and interstitials excerpted from Erik Satie's Gnossienne #1. All book images used under the Fair Use exceptions to exclusive copyright as defined under Title 17, subsection 107, of US Code.