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Betsy Bird

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Betsy Bird

Goodreads Author


Born
in Kalamazoo, MI, The United States
Website

Genre

Member Since
July 2007


Born in Kalamazoo, Michigan, undisputed center of the universe, Betsy Bird (nee Elizabeth Ramsey) grew up and promptly left Michigan the moment her legs could propel her southward. She didn't get far. Obtaining a B.A. at Earlham College in Richmond, Indiana (home of recorded jazz, and don't let anyone tell you otherwise) she set her sights on Portland, Oregon. When that didn't pan out it was Minneapolis, Minnesota. Then New York, New York. In the midst of all this she somehow managed to get a library degree and a job at New York Public Library, eventually becoming their Youth Materials Specialist (a.k.a. the person who bought all the kids' books for Manhattan, Staten Island, and the Bronx). She created the children's literary blog A Fuse #8 ...more

Publisher Spotlight Spring/Summer 2026 Preview (Part Five): Pajama Press, Post Wave, Tiger Tales, and Walker Books

It’s, at long last, our final publisher preview coming to us via Ellen Myrick and Publisher Spotlight. You can read parts one and two and three and four as well, if you���ve a notion. I���ve certainly no objections. In the meantime, let’s dig into some seriously neat books!

The Setback by Lynn Leitch

ISBN: 9781772783629

Publication Date: February 24, 2026

Sports books are growing i

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Published on April 16, 2026 21:00
Average rating: 3.87 · 4,249 ratings · 924 reviews · 11 distinct worksSimilar authors
Funny Girl

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3.70 avg rating — 1,270 ratings — published 2017 — 5 editions
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The Great Santa Stakeout

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3.93 avg rating — 654 ratings — published 2019 — 2 editions
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Wild Things! Acts of Mischi...

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Pop! Goes the Nursery Rhyme

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Giant Dance Party

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Long Road to the Circus

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Born Reading: Bringing Up B...

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The Winged Girl of Knossos

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Children's Literature Gems:...

3.92 avg rating — 73 ratings — published 2009 — 6 editions
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Great Santa Stakeout

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Death in the Tall...
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Some of Us Are Brave
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Betsy’s Recent Updates

Betsy Bird wrote a new blog post

Publisher Spotlight Spring/Summer 2026 Preview (Part Five): Pajama Press, Post Wave, Tiger Tales, and Walker Books

It’s, at long last, our final publisher preview coming to us via Ellen Myrick and Publisher Spotlight. You can read parts one and two and three and fo Read more of this blog post »
You Are Now Old Enough to Hear This by Aaron Starmer
" Oh no! I hope it comes there soon! If I don’t miss my guess, it should hopefully win some lovely awards in the future. That should aid it in its trans ...more "
Betsy rated a book it was amazing
You Are Now Old Enough to Hear This by Aaron Starmer
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Safety is not usually considered a bad thing. But safety, particularly as it pertains to children’s books, is a dangerous thing. I’m eyeing the children’s publishing industry at a squint right now. It doesn’t take much looking to see that in the last ...more
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Death in the Tallgrass by Andrea L. Rogers
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Double Crossed by Rebecca E.F. Barone
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The Third Period Comeback by E.K. Johnston
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Wild Things! Acts of Mischief in Children's Literature by Betsy Bird
" Elisabeth wrote: "That's a good one! Riveting! Edge of your seat Author Shenanigans!"

You are too too kind.
...more "
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The Third Period Comeback by E.K. Johnston
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Some of Us Are Brave by Saadia Faruqi
Some of Us Are Brave
by Saadia Faruqi (Goodreads Author)
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Is It Spring? by Kevin Henkes
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My grandfather had a saying so true that my mother commissioned the phrase to be illustrated in a watercolor painting by a local artist: "It isn’t spring in Michigan until it has snowed on the tulips three times." I happen to live in Illinois myself, ...more
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Quotes by Betsy Bird  (?)
Quotes are added by the Goodreads community and are not verified by Goodreads. (Learn more)

“the sound of its own fart, is almost”
Betsy Bird, Funny Girl: Funniest. Stories. Ever.

“Matthew and Logan”
Betsy Bird, Funny Girl: Funniest. Stories. Ever.

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Comments (showing 1-15)    post a comment »
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message 15: by Valerie

Valerie Betsy, thanks for sharing your friendship.

Val
www.valeriemarchini.blogspot.com


Christine Hatfield thanks for being my friend


message 13: by Steven

Steven Stickler Thanks for the friendship. Love your reviews!


message 12: by Betsy

Betsy Unfortunately it's a little late for Halloween reviews now. Do you still want to send it to me? Pretty much at this point I wouldn't be able to review it, though I could always suggest it to NYPL for their collection.

Let me know what you prefer,

Elizabeth


message 11: by Stella

Stella Sure! We hope to sell copies before and after Halloween. I sent you a message but I'm not sure you received it. Would you like me to send you a copy? If so, could you give me an address? Sorry to sound a little dense. Since I've never asked anybody to review a book before, I'm not sure exactly what I do.

Stella

Elizabeth wrote: "Well, my general rule is that I review things originally published in the current year for kids between 0-12. So your book would certainly count. However, I'm not sure at this point if I could get ..."


message 10: by Betsy

Betsy Well, my general rule is that I review things originally published in the current year for kids between 0-12. So your book would certainly count. However, I'm not sure at this point if I could get it in, in time for Halloween. If you're still interested, though, let me know.


Stella Just wondered if you'd be interested in reviewing our book, An Eyeball In My Garden? It's an anthology of Halloween poems by 14 members of The Poets' Garage. I realize you probably already have enough to review so if you can't that's okay.

Stella Michel


message 8: by Betsy

Betsy Oh! That usually means I've reviewed it for Kirkus or TimeOut Kids New York or The New York Times or MultiCultural Review. You can always ask me where a particular review is and I'll let you know.


message 7: by Joel

Joel Simon Hi. When one of the books you post says that it has been professionally reviewed, how do we find the text of the review?


Victoria Simcox Hi Elizabeth, thanks for friending me. Have a wonderful holiday season. Victoria Simcox ") www.themagicwarble.com


message 5: by Betsy

Betsy Mighty kind of you to say, Daniel. I'm inclined in that direction, but I've a non-fiction library-related title to finish before I can delve completely into the fiction I love. Thanks for the compliment!


Daniel
I've read the book reviews of over 1,500 people here at goodreads and your book reviews, Elizabeth, of children's books, are the most comprehensive that I have seen so far. You must write some books Elizabeth.


message 3: by Betsy

Betsy Yay, books! I'm much worse in person too. Poor up-and-coming children's picture book author Leeza Hernandez spent something like $175 when I visited a bookstore with her. I'm terrible that way. Thanks for taking my recommendations to heart.


message 2: by Betsy (last edited Aug 25, 2016 12:06PM)

Betsy Ha! Mine is named Basil and he's far more popular with the kids in my library than I am. Best damn puppet they make as far as I'm concerned.


message 1: by Sarah (last edited Aug 25, 2016 12:06PM)

Sarah I have that same mouse puppet! I named mine Franklin. ;)


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