The Yarn

Updated: 26 Oct 2025 • 248 episodes
blogs.slj.com/theyarn

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.

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In this episode, award-winning and New York Times bestselling author Derrick Barnes takes us behind the scenes of his latest middle grade novel, THE INCREDIBLY HUMAN HENSON BLAZE. This episode is sponsored by NOSY CROW, and their innovative STORIES ALOUD program, which gives readers instant access to professionally pro

19 min
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In this Halloween episode, author Katie Kennedy takes us behind the scenes of her middle grade nonfiction book, DID YOU HEAR WHAT HAPPENED IN SALEM? THE WITCH TRIALS OF 1692. This episode is sponsored by NOSY CROW, and their innovative STORIES ALOUD program, which gives readers instant access to professionally produced

17 min
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In this episode, Zeke Peña takes us behind the scenes of his author/illustrator debut picture book, SUNDUST. This episode is sponsored by NOSY CROW, and their innovative STORIES ALOUD program, which gives readers instant access to professionally produced and narrated versions of their books. Look for the STORIES ALOUD

22 min
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In this episode, award-winning author Nicholas Day takes us behind the scenes of his latest narrative nonfiction book for middle grade readers: A WORLD WITHOUT SUMMER: A VOLCANO ERUPTS, A CREATURE AWAKENS, AND THE SUN GOES OUT. This episode is sponsored by NOSY CROW, and their innovative STORIES ALOUD program, which gi

25 min
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31 Aug 2025 • EN

#244 Barbara O'Connor

In this episode, author Barbara O"Connor takes us behind the scenes of her bestselling middle grade novel WISH, and upcoming companion book DREAM.  This episode is sponsored by NOSY CROW, and their innovative STORIES ALOUD program, which gives readers instant access to professionally produced and narrated versions of t

18 min
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We"ve been keeping this one under wraps for NINE years. An interview with Sophie Blackall in 2016 about her Caldecott Medal winning book, FINDING WINNIE (written by Lindsay Mattick).  This episode is sponsored by NOSY CROW, and their innovative STORIES ALOUD program, which gives readers instant access to professionally

12 min
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