Board Book Breakdown

KC and Eric
  • 5.0 (3)
  • Parenting

Board Book Breakdown is the hilarious, slightly NSFW podcast where two overstimulated parents dissect the children’s books our toddlers demand and ask the question that matters: why is this a thing? We read over a thousand kids’ books a year. Some are sweet, some are cardboard fever dreams from the nightmare collection… and of course, those are the kids’ favorites.  Every week, we go down a quick author rabbit hole, share our what the— moments, ask what would a toddler say? If bedtime stories are breaking your brain, come laugh with us. New episodes every week—subscribe and follow.

Episodes

  1. Mar 27

    Ep. 08: Cheat Days & Lepidopterology (The Very Hungry Caterpillar)

    This week KC and Eric review Eric Carle’s 1969 classic, The Very Hungry Caterpillar. After The Bagunda summarizes the plot—an egg hatches, the caterpillar eats increasing amounts of fruit, then a chaotic Saturday spread of treats (including the aptly renamed "flat cheese"), gets a stomachache, eats a leaf, forms a cocoon, and emerges a butterfly—they debate whether the story fits a hero’s journey about consumption, self-regulation, and transformation. They cover publication history, Carle’s background and influences, and the book’s design innovations like hand-painted tissue collages and die-cut holes. “WTF moments” include the bizarre Saturday menu and a science complaint: butterflies form a chrysalis, not a cocoon. They joke about darker alternate endings, connect the book to intuitive eating lessons with kids, and recommend it as a must-have bedtime staple. Timestamps:  00:18 Welcome to the Board Book Breakdown 02:52 What the Kids Say 04:34 Coffee 06:25 Plot Breakdown 07:10 Plot Breakdown 09:55 Heros Journey  13:45 Author and Influences 16:54 WTF Moments 18:12 Cocoon vs Chrysalis 22:12 Alternate Endings 23:57 Adult Food Lessons About the Show:  Board Book Breakdown is the hilarious, slightly NSFW podcast where two overstimulated parents dissect the children’s books our toddlers demand and ask the question that matters: why is this a thing? We read over a thousand kids’ books a year. Some are sweet, some are cardboard fever dreams from the nightmare collection… and of course, those are the kids’ favorites.  Every week, we go down a quick author rabbit hole, share our what the— moments, ask what would a toddler say? If bedtime stories are breaking your brain, come laugh with us. New episodes every week—subscribe and follow. Feedback:  What book should we review next? What coffee should we try? Please follow or subscribe and connect at: BoardBookBreakdown@gmail.com and @Boardbookbreakdown on Instagram.

    27 min

  2. Mar 20

    Ep. 7: The Most Preventable Well Incident in Literature (Tikki Tikki Tembo)

    This week, KC and Eric review the 1968 picture book Tikki Tikki Tembo (retold by Arlene Mosel, illustrated by Blair Lent), a Boston Globe–Horn Book Award winner they call their most controversial pick yet. With help from Little Eric’s recap, they outline the plot: two brothers in a village, one with a long honored name and one called Chang; both fall into a well, and the long name delays rescue and recovery, leading to a “lesson” against long names. They discuss repetition, name-as-identity, social hierarchy, and criticize cultural appropriation and inaccuracies, noting the story likely isn’t even a Chinese folktale.  Timestamps:  00:37 Welcome to the Board Book Breakdown 01:12 What the Kids Say  02:56 Coffee 04:33 Plot Breakdown 08:21 Why the Controversy 11:43  Author and Influences 16:19 WTF Moments 22:13 Alternate Endings About the Show:  Board Book Breakdown is the hilarious, slightly NSFW podcast where two overstimulated parents dissect the children’s books our toddlers demand and ask the question that matters: why is this a thing? We read over a thousand kids’ books a year. Some are sweet, some are cardboard fever dreams from the nightmare collection… and of course, those are the kids’ favorites.  Every week, we go down a quick author rabbit hole, share our what the— moments, ask what would a toddler say? If bedtime stories are breaking your brain, come laugh with us. New episodes every week—subscribe and follow. Feedback:  What book should we review next? What coffee should we try? Please follow or subscribe and connect at: BoardBookBreakdown@gmail.com and @Boardbookbreakdown on Instagram.

    25 min
  3. Ep. 6: Tst! Tst! Tst! (Caps For Sale)

    Mar 12

    Ep. 6: Tst! Tst! Tst! (Caps For Sale)

    In this episode of Board Book Breakdown, KC and Eric break down Caps For Sale by Esphyr Slobodkina. A cap peddler can’t sell his hats, naps under a tree, wakes to find monkeys wearing his caps, and finally gets them back by mimicking their gestures and throwing his own cap down. They test whether the story fits Joseph Campbell’s hero’s journey and conclude the peddler is not changed and carries on with his sub-par business strategy. They cover Slobodkina’s background as a Russian refugee turned American abstract artist who preferred collage, her connection to Margaret Wise Brown, and possible influences from her father. “WTF moments” include beyond the horizon advertising, napping on the job, medical experimentation leading to zombie outbreaks, and inflation math on 50-cent caps, plus alternate endings and lessons about retail, creativity, and parenting. Timestamps:  00:24 Welcome to the Board Book Breakdown 02:20 What the Kids Say  03:58 Coffee 05:48 Plot Breakdown 08:15 Hero’s Journey  11:29 Author and Influences 15:34 WTF Moments 18:36 Alternate Endings 21:37Final Thoughts  About the Show:  Board Book Breakdown is the hilarious, slightly NSFW podcast where two overstimulated parents dissect the children’s books our toddlers demand and ask the question that matters: why is this a thing? We read over a thousand kids’ books a year. Some are sweet, some are cardboard fever dreams from the nightmare collection… and of course, those are the kids’ favorites.  Every week, we go down a quick author rabbit hole, share our what the— moments, ask what would a toddler say? If bedtime stories are breaking your brain, come laugh with us. New episodes every week—subscribe and follow. Feedback:  What book should we review next? What coffee should we try? Please follow or subscribe and connect at: BoardBookBreakdown@gmail.com and @Boardbookbreakdown on Instagram.

    22 min

  4. Mar 5

    Ep. 5: Here, Have a Carrot (The Runaway Bunny)

    In this episode of Board Book Breakdown, KC and Eric break down The Runaway Bunny, where mother bunny chases her offspring to the theoretical end of the earth in a runaway thought experiment. They map the story’s hero's journey and dive into the author’s unconventional (for the period) relationships, her lover “Rabbit”, and her untimely demise.  Their favorite “WTF moments” include helicopter parenting, Brownie’s personal life reveals, and what the hell is a crocus? So sit back, have a carrot, and enjoy the episode! Timestamps:  00:25 Welcome to the Board Book Breakdown 01:42 What the Kids Say  03:30 Coffee 05:33 Plot Breakdown 08:35 Hero’s Journey  12:09 Author and Influences 14:51 Rabbit And Pebble 15:31 Random High Kick Demise 19:07 One Bunny Mystery 20:15 What Is a Crocus? 23:12 Final Thoughts  About the Show:  Board Book Breakdown is the hilarious, slightly NSFW podcast where two overstimulated parents dissect the children’s books our toddlers demand and ask the question that matters: why is this a thing? We read over a thousand kids’ books a year. Some are sweet, some are cardboard fever dreams from the nightmare collection… and of course, those are the kids’ favorites.  Every week, we go down a quick author rabbit hole, share our what the— moments, ask what would a toddler say? If bedtime stories are breaking your brain, come laugh with us. New episodes every week—subscribe and follow. Feedback:  What book should we review next? What coffee should we try? Please follow or subscribe and connect at: BoardBookBreakdown@gmail.com and @Boardbookbreakdown on Instagram.

    24 min

  5. Feb 26

    Ep. 4: Chewers vs. Swallowers (Cloudy With A Chance of Meatballs)

    In this episode of Board Book Breakdown, KC and Eric break down Grandpa’s tall-tale bedtime story about Chew and Swallow, where meals fall from the sky until the weather turns into giant, dangerous food that forces the townspeople to escape using food as a boat. They highlight the sanitation crew’s role, the town’s elite meteorologists, and why is there no dad in the story?  Their favorite scenes and “WTF moments” include Lower Intestine Street, food chaos like noodlehead and questions about hygiene, waste, and supply chain logic.  Timestamps: 00:30 Welcome to Board Book Breakdown 01:35 What the Kids Say 04:31 Coffee 07:50 Plot Breakdown Chew and Swallow 11:33 About the Author 12:54 Grandpa In the Story 13:43 US Divorce Rates 14:45 Where Is Dad 16:36 Lower Intestine Street 18:46 Worst Food Debate 19:58 Lessons And Logic Gaps 22:06 Final Thoughts About the Show:  Board Book Breakdown is the hilarious, slightly NSFW podcast where two overstimulated parents dissect the children’s books our toddlers demand and ask the question that matters: why is this a thing? We read over a thousand kids’ books a year. Some are sweet, some are cardboard fever dreams from the nightmare collection… and of course, those are the kids’ favorites.  Every week, we go down a quick author rabbit hole, share our what the— moments, ask what would a toddler say? If bedtime stories are breaking your brain, come laugh with us. New episodes every week—subscribe and follow. Feedback:  What book should we review next? What coffee should we try? Please follow or subscribe and connect at: BoardBookBreakdown@gmail.com and @Boardbookbreakdown on Instagram.

    24 min

  6. Feb 19

    Ep. 03: Villain Origin Story (The Frog Prince, Continued)

    In this episode of the Board Book Breakdown, KC and Eric delve into the 1991 children's book 'The Frog Prince, Continued' by Jon Scieszka. They discuss the genesis for the Board Book Break down, the origin of OG Fairy Tales, new age gentle parenting fairy tales, and flipping the script on both. “Happily ever after” takes intention, compromise, and working together. Timestamps: 00:25 Welcome to Board Book Breakdown 02:19 What the Kids Say 04:08 Coffee 06:21 A Hero's Journey 11:31 Dark Fairy Tales 14:14 About the Author 16:57 WTF Moments 22:27 Alternate Endings 24:33 Final Thoughts  About the Show:  Board Book Breakdown is the hilarious, slightly NSFW podcast where two overstimulated parents dissect the children’s books our toddlers demand and ask the question that matters: why is this a thing? We read over a thousand kids’ books a year. Some are sweet, some are cardboard fever dreams from the nightmare collection… and of course, those are the kids’ favorites.  Every week, we go down a quick author rabbit hole, share our what the— moments, ask what would a toddler say? If bedtime stories are breaking your brain, come laugh with us. New episodes every week—subscribe and follow. Feedback:  What book should we review next? What coffee should we try? Please follow or subscribe and connect at: BoardBookBreakdown@gmail.com and @Boardbookbreakdown on Instagram.

    25 min
  7. Ep. 2: CLANK! (Love, Z)

    Feb 12

    Ep. 2: CLANK! (Love, Z)

    In this episode of the Board Book Breakdown, KC and Eric delve into the 2018 children's book 'Love, Z' by Jessie Sima. A young robot named Z seeks to understand the concept of love and embarks on an epic hero's journey. Z encounters various characters who offer their own definitions of love, ultimately realizing it's a felt experience closer than they thought. Happy Valentines Day! Timestamps: 00:32 Welcome to Board Book Breakdown 01:16 Valentine's Day Preparations 02:26 What the Kids Say 04:28 Coffee 05:55 A Hero's Journey 13:00 About the Author 13:59 Understanding Z's Identity 15:07 WTF Moments 17:43 Final Thoughts  About the Show:  Board Book Breakdown is the hilarious, slightly NSFW podcast where two overstimulated parents dissect the children’s books our toddlers demand and ask the question that matters: why is this a thing? We read over a thousand kids’ books a year. Some are sweet, some are cardboard fever dreams from the nightmare collection… and of course, those are the kids’ favorites.  Every week, we go down a quick author rabbit hole, share our what the— moments, ask what would a toddler say? If bedtime stories are breaking your brain, come laugh with us. New episodes every week—subscribe and follow. Feedback: What book should we review next? What coffee should we try? Please follow or subscribe and connect at: BoardBookBreakdown@gmail.com and @Boardbookbreakdown on Instagram.

    20 min

  8. Feb 5

    Ep. 1: Fins Off My Scales! (The Rainbow Fish)

    In this episode of the Board Book Breakdown, KC and Eric discuss the beloved children's book 'Rainbow Fish' by Marcus Pfister. They analyze its themes, the graphic design choices, and the psychological wisdom of Dr. Lady Octopus that's shaped generations since 1992.  Timestamps:  00:41 Welcome to the Board Book Breakdown 01:06 The Rainbow Fish 02:21 Coffee Talk (HEB Cafe Ole- Houston) 03:51 Rainbow Fish History and Influence  06:12 Psychological Analysis of Rainbow Fish 09:40 Socialism in the Reef 14:15 Goodnight About the Show:  Board Book Breakdown is the hilarious, slightly NSFW podcast where two overstimulated parents dissect the children’s books our toddlers demand and ask the question that matters: why is this a thing? We read over a thousand kids’ books a year. Some are sweet, some are cardboard fever dreams from the nightmare collection… and of course, those are the kids’ favorites.  Every week, we go down a quick author rabbit hole, share our what the— moments, ask what would a toddler say? If bedtime stories are breaking your brain, come laugh with us. New episodes every week—subscribe and follow. Feedback: What book should we review next? What coffee should we try? Please follow or subscribe and connect at: BoardBookBreakdown@gmail.com and @Boardbookbreakdown on Instagram.

    16 min

  9. 12/31/2025

    Trailer: Board Book Breakdown

    Meet Board Book Breakdown: the hilarious, slightly-not-suitable-for-work podcast where two overstimulated parents dissect the children’s books our toddlers demand on repeat and ask the question we’re all thinking: why is this a thing?  In this trailer, you’ll get a taste of our weekly chaos: quick author rabbit holes, “what the—” moments, and Alternate Endings (because kids never stop asking “what if?”).  If bedtime stories are breaking your brain, come laugh with us—new episodes every week. Subscribe and follow.

    1 min

Trailer

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
3 Ratings

About

Board Book Breakdown is the hilarious, slightly NSFW podcast where two overstimulated parents dissect the children’s books our toddlers demand and ask the question that matters: why is this a thing? We read over a thousand kids’ books a year. Some are sweet, some are cardboard fever dreams from the nightmare collection… and of course, those are the kids’ favorites.  Every week, we go down a quick author rabbit hole, share our what the— moments, ask what would a toddler say? If bedtime stories are breaking your brain, come laugh with us. New episodes every week—subscribe and follow.

Information

  • Creator
    KC and Eric
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    9
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Board Book Breakdown
  • Show Website
    Board Book Breakdown