The Picture Book Buzz - April 2025 Interview with STEAM Team Books Members (Part 1)
- Maria Marshall
- 4 days ago
- 18 min read
Whether you're here to support the STEAM Team authors, curiosity, or because you love nonfiction books, I hope you read to the end because you'll discover some amazing authors and super spectacular books!
Today I have the pleasure to introduce you to four authors from the STEAM Team Books – a group of authors and illustrators who joined together to celebrate and help promote their STEAM books. I hope you enjoy this peek at these delightful books and fascinating creatives.
"STEAM Team Books is a group of authors who have a STEM/STEAM book releasing in 2025. It includes fiction & nonfiction, trade or educational books.” Check out their website for other interviews, activities, and bios.
Tell us a little about yourself. (Where/when do you write? How long have you been writing? What is your favorite type of book to write? What drew you to STEAM books? etc.)
Patricia Newman – Sharks Unhooked: The Adventures of Christina Zenato (Millbrook Press 4/1/2025) – I grew up in Vermont and was an "outdoor" kid who planted trees with my dad, sailed, and tried to save the fish we caught rather than eating them. I was also a serious book nerd who took a book wherever I went. (I still do.) At Cornell University, I pursued a child development major and later taught remedial math. Writing as a job never crossed my mind.
When my children were born, we spent a lot of time reading picture books together. One day my mother-in-law surprised me by saying, "you can do this." The revelation led to a long apprenticeship figuring out what kids (and editors) want and then how to write it. I found small blocks of time to write, including during my kids’ karate and tennis lessons.
I have written more than twenty books in the last twenty years. I usually have a general idea where I’m going when I begin, but it takes several tries and lots of errors before I find my way. Most of my titles deal with some aspect of nature. I write about things that amaze me or make me angry. I want to figure out how to help and to encourage others to join me.
[Author of 20+ books, including Giant Rays of Hope: Protecting Manta Rays to Safeguard the Sea, (2024), A River’s Gift: The Mighty Elwha River Reborn, illustrated by Natasha Donovan (2022), Planet Ocean: Why We All Need a Healthy Ocean, photos by Annie Crawley (2021), Eavesdropping on Elephants: How Listening Helps Conservation (2018), Neema's Reason to Smile, illustrated by Mehrdokht Amini (2018), Zoo Scientists to the Rescue, photos by Annie Crawley (2017), Sea Otter Heroes: The Predators That Saved an Ecosystem (2017), and Plastic, Ahoy!: Investigating the Great Pacific Garbage Patch, photos by Annie Crawley (2014).]
Jessica Stremer – Plight of the Pelican: How Science Saved A Species (Holiday House 4/1/2025) – I’ve been writing books for kids since 2019, although the desire to write had existed well before I first put pen to paper. Once I got started writing it didn’t take long to hone in on the types of stories I wanted to tell – nonfiction narratives about lesser-known topics or events that inspire kids to look at the world differently.
[Author of Fire Escape: How Animals and Plants Survive Wildfires (Books for a Better Earth) by Jessica Stremer and Michael Garland (2024), Lights Out: A Movement to Help Migrating Birds, illustrated by Bonnie Pang (2024) and Great Carrier Reef, illustrated by Gordy Wright (2023).]
Sara Levine – Watching and Waiting: What Hatches from Nature’s Nurseries (Millbrook/Lerner 4/1/2025) - I enjoy writing fiction and science-focused picture books for children. Writing STEAM books is a natural fit for me as my background is in veterinary medicine, and I taught college level biology for over a decade. I’m very interested in science and especially in introducing young people to new topics that have not yet been featured in picture books.
I write most weekday mornings in a quiet room I reserve at my local public library. It’s useful for me to work in a separate place from where I live. The rhythm of going to the same place at the same time to write makes my mind ready to go the moment I arrive.
[Author of 15 books, including - Hello Dog/Hello Human, illustrated by Suzanne Kaufman (2025), A Terrible Place for a Nest, illustrated by Erika Meza (2024), Poop for Breakfast: Why Some Animals Eat It, illustrated by Florence Weiser (2023), Sensitive, illustrated by Mehrdokht Amini (2023), A Peek at Beaks: Tools Birds Use, illustrated by Kate Slater (2021), Germs Up Close (2021), The Animals Would Not Sleep! illustrated by Marta Alvarez Miguens (2020), Eye by Eye: Comparing How Animals See, illustrated by T.S Spookytooth (2020), Flower Talk: How Plants Use Color to Communicate, illustrated by Masha D'yans (2019), Fossil by Fossil: Comparing Dinosaur Bones, illustrated by T.S Spookytooth (2018), Bone by Bone: Comparing Animal Skeletons, by T.S Spookytooth (2013) .]
Lisa Varchol Perron – Wonder Why (Harper Kids 4/15/2025) - I’ve been writing poetry and songs for most of my life, but my kid-lit journey started in earnest in 2018, when I joined SCBWI, started attending conferences and workshops, and joined my first critique group. I usually write at the dining room table, but I try to carry a notebook with me so I can brainstorm ideas or work through a passage while I’m away from home. I write both fiction and nonfiction, and I’m often drawn to STEAM because I like following my curiosity when writing. I was a kid who enjoyed reading for fun AND to learn, and I’m a big believer that those experiences don’t have to be mutually exclusive.
[Author of 7 books including All the Rocks We Love (2024), Tell Me About Oceans, illustrated by Jennifer Falkner (2024), Tell Me About Space, illustrated by Jennifer Falkner (2023), My Love for You, illustrated by Sheryl Murray (2023), and Patterns Everywhere (2023), and over 70 poems in children’s magazines and anthologies.]
What helps you all to be inspired? (perhaps a certain place, music, activity, etc.)
Patricia Newman – The beauty of nature draws me in, but it’s the connections I discover to my life that keep me coming back. The beach is my happy place, but honestly, I could be just as content tromping through the forest. The remarkable people I interview in the course of each book empower me to keep searching for the hope to counteract the gloomy environmental headlines.
Jessica Stremer – I find inspiration all around me, especially when spending time outside. I like listening to podcasts and reading, of course. Sometimes just a word or two will pique my curiosity and lead me down the research rabbit hole.
Sara Levine – Working with children inspires me—their questions and curiosity and joy in the newness of everything. Other writers inspire me—talking about process and reading their work. I do a lot of that. I’m also inspired by nature—the ocean, woods, and marshlands by my home. I often write in my head while I’m walking outside.
Lisa Varchol Perron – I find inspiration in various places, but by far the most common way I get inspired is by spending time in nature—walking in the woods or along the coast. If I’m in a writing rut, it’s almost always because I haven’t been outside enough!
Now that we know a little more about all of you, what sparked your interest and caused you to write this book?
Patricia Newman – Sharks Unhooked: The Adventures of Christina Zenato (4/1/2025) – Procrastination! I’m not too proud to admit that I’m not always on task when I’m “writing.” While working on A River’s Gifts, I hit a bump and needed to research a specific question that I’ve now forgotten. But of course, I got sidetracked. I found myself scrolling through underwater videos, when I found one of Cristina removing a fishing hook – from a shark’s mouth! So, I watched it over and over, and I knew I’d just stumbled upon a new book idea. When I contacted Cristina out of the blue, she graciously agreed to an interview.
Jessica Stremer – Plight of the Pelican: How Science Saved A Species (Holiday House 4/1/2025) - Pelicans are one of my favorite birds. I tried writing a story about them years ago, but it just wasn’t working. The story was lacking the “so what” factor big time. One year, we traveled up the coast of California and I observed countless pelicans gliding above the water. Around the same time, I began brainstorming ideas for Vivian Kirkfield’s #50 Precious Words writing competition. Back in our hotel room the words poured out of me, and then I took some time to refine the incredibly short story. My #50 Precious Words entry received honorable mention, and I decided to flush it out into a new draft, sticking to the sparse language while working in some layered text. Eventually that layered text became part of the story.
Sara Levine – Watching and Waiting: What Hatches from Nature’s Nurseries (4/1/2025) – A number of things came together. Invertebrate eggs, egg cases, and galls are fascinating, but there is so little on this topic in picture books. I especially wanted to share information about galls, which are bumps formed from the tissue of a plant in which young insects or mites develop. These unique nurseries grow when a mother insect or mite puts down chemicals on the plant while she is laying her eggs. How cool is that?! Galls come in interesting and unique shapes, and they are easy to find and identify once you know where to look. The book includes beautiful photographs to introduce children to galls, as well as eggs and egg cases, and to what animals are growing inside of them.
I also wanted to write a lyrical book that emphasized an empathetic approach to learning about animals. Scientific learning is often taught with a focus on taking things apart to see what is inside and how things work. But what if we wait instead and see what happens?
Lisa Varchol Perron – Wonder Why (Harper Kids 4/15/2025) – The spark for Wonder Why came from the sky—literally! One day I looked up at the stunning color overhead and said aloud, “Why are you so blue today, sky?” And that led to the opening stanza. Shortly after that, I heard a PSA on the radio, which I think was sponsored by the Girls Scouts of America. The message was that many girls lose interest in math and science when adults are dismissive of their curiosity and capabilities. That got me fired up. This book felt like a way to honor kids and their questions.
I love all the different starting points for these books! What makes you passionate about being a children’s author?
Patricia Newman – I love kids. In college, I studied child development and later taught math. I love the magic that happens when children learn to read. I love to see them beg for one more chapter. And I write nonfiction because connections to the real world were important to me as a child. I write the kinds of books I would have loved. And my hope is that one or more of my readers will be inspired to create a better future.
Jessica Stremer – At some point, learning and experiencing new things starts to feel like something we have to do instead of something we want to or enjoy doing. I’m passionate about creating books for kids (and adults) that encourage that sense of discovery and wonder.
Sara Levine – I find biology inherently fascinating and love figuring out how to share topics in exciting, interactive, and humorous ways that will translate this enthusiasm to others. I also care deeply about incorporating and encouraging empathy in my books. I want children to see themselves and their experiences reflected, even as they see new perspectives. And I want to extend empathy to animals [and the rest of the natural world], and show that science can include this, even though the field has not always historically valued or prioritized this kind of empathy.
Lisa Varchol Perron – I’m passionate about sharing an appreciation for our natural world. When we deepen our understanding of the world around us, hopefully we become more invested in taking care of it.
Is there anything special you want your readers to know about your book?
Text © Patricia Newman, 2025. Image © Becca Hall, 2025.
Patricia Newman – Sharks Unhooked: The Adventures of Christina Zenato (4/1/2025) – On the surface, Cristina’s story is about her love for sharks and how she protects them by removing the fishing hooks that pierce their bodies. But underneath, it’s a beautiful story about following your dreams. I hope that young readers see themselves reflected in Cristina’s story – or any of my books – and take one step closer to figuring out who they want to become.
Text © Jessica Stremer, 2025. Image © Gordy Wright, 2025.
Jessica Stremer – Plight of the Pelican: How Science Saved A Species (Holiday House 4/1/2025) - This book is about pelicans, but the theme can be applied to so many other aspects of nature. I hope this book encourages readers to look more closely at our relationships with the natural world and the impact our actions might have on the creatures we share this beautiful planet with.
Text © Sara Levine, 2025.
Sara Levine – Watching and Waiting: What Hatches from Nature’s Nurseries (4/1/2025) – The book’s gorgeous photographs show these fascinating and unique nurseries up close: tiny glistening slug eggs, intricately detailed butterfly eggs, and galls that look like cereal or colorful pompoms. It’s kind of awe‑inspiring. Friends who are not particularly science-focused who have seen the images have been drawn in unexpectedly!
Text © Lisa Varchol Perron, 2025. Image © Nik Henderson, 2025.
Lisa Varchol Perron – Wonder Why (Harper Kids 4/15/2025) – For educators, I’ll mention that Wonder Why has curricular tie-ins with the Next Generation Science Standards (ESS2.D: Weather and Climate). If your class has already done some pre-reading about weather, consider having students look at the question pages first and consider how they might answer. For younger students who are new to the science concepts, you can focus on the personification of nature in the book and ask students to create a short poem or drawing from the perspective of a natural phenomenon, like a cloud, thunder, or a rainbow.
Also, I think readers will fall in love with Nik Henderson’s stunning artwork. He creates gorgeous, gripping images, full of texture and intrigue. I’m a big fan!
These are all such fascinating books! What was the hardest, or most challenging, part of writing or researching your book? Was there a bit of your research you didn’t get to include?
Patricia Newman – Sharks Unhooked: The Adventures of Christina Zenato (4/1/2025) – Not traveling! I usually do onsite research for my books, but the pandemic put a crimp in my research travel. It was fun interviewing Cristina and getting to know her via Zoom, but there’s no substitute for an in-person chat. Luckily, Cristina’s work is well-documented in articles and in photos and video shot by her husband, Kewin Lorenzen. I still managed to accumulate an over-abundance of material!
Focus is part of every book I write because I simply don’t have the space to include everything I learn. I decided early on to focus on the parts of Cristina’s life related to sharks: why she loves them, how she learned to inhabit their world, and how she protects them.
Jessica Stremer – Plight of the Pelican: How Science Saved A Species (Holiday House 4/1/2025) - With eight species of pelicans existing in the world, I had to be mindful of my research and narrow down which species I wanted to highlight in the story. I chose to focus on the brown pelican. Going forward I had to make sure that my research aligned with what was true for that species. Rachel Carson played a huge role in advocating for endangered species, and her book Silent Spring exposed the hazards of pesticides like DDT. But there are already several children’s books about Rachel. I chose to leave her mostly out of the story to help make my book different from others in the market.
Sara Levine –Watching and Waiting: What Hatches from Nature’s Nurseries (4/1/2025) – The information out there on plant galls is in large part through the lens of these structures as plant disease rather than as homes for animals or as part of their life-cycles. Because of this, I had to search for alternative information. I used some out‑of‑print books and a 1990’s hand-out from the Massachusetts Audubon Society that I remembered using when I taught this topic for them back then. Educators at The Massachusetts Audubon Society were able to suggest some other useful field guides (which are listed in the back matter of the book), for which I’m very grateful. Because we were using stock photos for this book, there were a few galls I’d intended to include but had to leave out because we could not find photos. But we found photos of alternative interesting galls, and I rewrote the text to make it work.
Lisa Varchol Perron – Wonder Why (Harper Kids 4/15/2025) - It can be challenging to distill scientific information and communicate it in a clear and engaging way for readers, but it’s a challenge I enjoy. In early drafts, I struggled to pare down the back matter. For example, I initially included a detailed discussion about the polarization of charges that create lightning, but thanks to my critique partners, I realized that I needed to simplify. It helps to remind myself that my goal is to deepen kids’ understanding of how things work in our natural world, and not to write a textbook.
I think you all did a remarkable job working the research into these wonderful books. Are there any upcoming projects that you are working on now that you can share a tidbit with us?
Patricia Newman – Beatrice And The Nightingale, illustrated by Isabelle Follath, releases in the spring of 2026. Beatrice Harrison was a famous English cellist who performed all over the world. One day while practicing in her garden, a nightingale began to sing with her cello. Beatrice convinced the BBC to broadcast their duet, and it was heard the world over by millions of grateful listeners. Science, music and nature in harmony for one beautiful moment.
Jessica Stremer – My next book, Wonderfully Wild: Rewilding A School And Community publishes May 6th and then Trapped In The Tar Pits: How Paleontologists Unearthed A City’s Prehistoric Past publishes August 26th of this year. In between different publicity events, I’m researching additional story ideas!
Sara Levine – Yes, I have three books coming out: How We Fly is a lyrical exploration of winged flight, and the mammals, birds, insects, seeds, and machines that fly and Talking to Worms is about siblings who design science experiments to determine the preferences of their new pets, in 2026; and
Lisa Varchol Perron - Most of my books so far have been STEAM, but the next two are very different. In September, The Littlest Solstice Tree (illustrated by Ahya Kim) releases with Beaming Books on September 23rd. It’s a picture book about a young evergreen who longs to be crowned “Tree of the Year” during the annual winter solstice celebration, with themes of intergenerational friendship, challenging the status quo, and the young bringing about change.
I also have a fiction picture book coming out in 2026 that deals with mental health issues. In addition to writing, I’ve worked as a psychotherapist for almost twenty years and am passionate about challenging any stigma around mental health struggles and treatment.
These all sound intriguing. We'll have to keep our eyes out for these books. Last question, what animal or natural feature (place) do you want to learn more about? Why?
Patricia Newman – The ocean. There’s always more to learn!
Jessica Stremer – How can I pick just one! There are a few historical events I’d like to explore further, and always so much to learn about the ocean. It’s hard to say what I’ll tackle next!
Sara Levine – I’ve been going for walks at night through a marsh near my home and have recently discovered some new (to me) bioluminescent animals—comb jellies and the larvae of lightning bugs. I’d like to learn more about these animals.
Lisa Varchol Perron – I was recently reading about the okapi, which has zebra-like legs but is most closely related to a giraffe. I’m fascinated by different types of camouflage!
NOW, let me take a moment to introduce you to these amazing STEAM books!
Sharks Unhooked: The Adventures of Christina Zenato by Patricia Newman, illustrated by Becca Hall (Millbrook Press 4/1/2025) – Kirkus Reviews -
"The book opens with a scene of a shark being hooked by fishermen. “What will ease her pain?” asks an unseen narrator. Perhaps who is the better question, for this is the story of a woman who did just that. Cristina Zenato grew up in what was then Zaire (now the Democratic Republic of the Congo) but summered by the sea in Italy, where she was born. She loved snorkeling and dreamed of one day protecting the ocean she adored. As an adult, she moved to the Bahamas, where she honed her diving skills and got her first thrilling glimpse of sharks. Wearing a protective suit, Cristina began attracting large sharks with treats. Eventually one swam into her lap as she sat on the seafloor. Another, with a fishing hook in its fin, came to her for help. Soon she had amassed a large collection of hooks she’d removed. She used them in her campaign—powerful visual reminders of the dangers sharks face. Through Newman’s sparkling, alliterative verse, a portrait of Cristina emerges—a dreamy wonderer who felt out of place growing up yet found a sense of belonging beneath the waves. Hall’s delightful cartoon illustrations avoid anthropomorphism as they depict a more vulnerable side of sharks. Above all, readers will emerge with a strong grasp of sharks’ crucial role in ecosystems.
A conservation tale that’s sure to hook readers. (more about sharks and about Cristina Zenato, how to help sharks, note from Cristina, source notes, more shark books)(Informational picture book. 5-9)"
Synopsis: Some people are scared of sharks. Not Cristina Zenato.
As a little girl, Cristina dreamed of making friends with the sharks deep in the ocean. When she grew up, she made those dreams come true, becoming a diver, conservationist, and shark advocate. But Cristina discovered that sharks―the sleek, strong, powerful guardians of the ocean―need our help. She started diving in a protective suit and, as she built trust with sharks, they began coming to her with fishing hooks stuck in their bodies. Did she have the courage to remove the hooks?
Sharks Unhooked is the true story of how one woman is exploring the ocean, helping our ecosystem, and forming incredible bonds with animals beneath the rolling surf.
Plight of the Pelican: How Science Saved A Species by Jessica Stremer, illustrated by Gordy Wright (Holiday House 4/1/2025) - Gorgeous illustrations accompany a wonderfully lyrical nonfiction examination of the effect of DDT on brown pelicans, as well as eagles other animals, and humans. In addition to exploring the scientists and their desperate race to discover what was killing the pelicans and try to save them, there is a passing reference to Rachel Carson's research and activism, in combination with citizen activism which resulted in the ban of DDT. As well as additional methods of preservation of other animals through protective laws and wildlife bypasses. It is a wonderful celebration of a species' rescue and a call to action to continue fighting to save others. Great back matter further explores the history of DDT, environmental legislation, and brown pelicans. This is a stunningly gorgeous STEM book on celebrating stewardship of this amazing planet of ours.
Synopsis: A richly illustrated nonfiction picture book celebrating how scientists and activists can work together to create change and protect wildlife, making the world safer for creatures both big and small.
How do you save a species? Start at the edges of the food chain.
In the 1950s, the brown pelican went from thriving to barely surviving. The culprit was DDT: a harmful pesticide that seeped into soil, spread in the water, festered in small fish, and ultimately caused the pelican population to plummet. Scientists sounded the alarm, but faced pushback from farmers who relied on DDT to control pesky pests.
It required many voices joining together, demanding change, before the government took action. Thanks to these efforts, we now have the EPA and the Endangered Species Act, which continue to protect wildlife threatened by climate change.
This thrilling and inspirational nonfiction picture book introduces young readers to bioaccumulation, endangered species, and one of the biggest grassroots movements of our time. It connects the success of the pelican’s regrowth with conservation efforts in place today, such as pollinator gardens, wildlife corridors, and much more.
Sweeping illustrations depict the brown pelican’s journey from near extinction to a robust, populous species. Back matter includes more details on the EPA, a glossary, and an index.
Watching and Waiting: What Hatches from Nature’s Nurseries by Sara Levine (Millbrook/Lerner 4/1/2025) – Using stunning photographs, this fun and very succinct STEM picture book explores numerous eggs (from ostriches, butterflies, frogs, quail, snakes, and slugs), egg cases, and galls (found on Beech, Witch hazel, Oak, Silk button, Wool sower, and goldenrod - which hatch midge, aphids, and wasps). In addition to highlighting some amazing phenomena, I've never seen slug eggs, the book encourages budding naturalists and scientists to observe, without disturbing. Excellent back matter offers advice on experiments for observing nature's nurseries indoors.
Synopsis: What should you do if you discover eggs, egg cases, or galls when you're exploring the outdoors? You should watch and wait and come back to check on them!
Author Sara Levine's simple, lyrical text encourages readers to take time to observe eggs. Accompanied by photos of many types of eggs, egg cases, and galls, this book explains which ones you can safely collect and which you should leave behind. Back matter provides more information about featured eggs, egg cases, and galls―including the creatures that hatch from them―and expands on how to care for them at home or in the classroom.
Wonder Why by Lisa Varchol Perron, illustrated by Nik Henderson (Harper Kids 4/15/2025) – Written as sets of call and answer rhyming poems, this STEM book explores the sky, wind, storm clouds, thunder, rain, and rainbows. In each set, a child ponders - "How I wonder, wonder why..." and the natural feature replies in an engagingly lyrical, personified voice - (wind) "rushing in where warm air rises/ Whoosh. I'm full of fun surprises!" Vibrant, striking illustrations highlight elements of the child's curiosity, wonder, or fears and creatively play with the elements of the natural world. It ends with a call to the reader to "ask and answer, quess and try" and some additional information "about the why."
Synopsis:
Giant sky, brightest blue,
like an artist painted you.
How I wonder, wonder why,
why are you so blue, big sky?
Enchanting and educational! This picture book takes the young reader through the arc of the day and answers “Why?” in beautiful verse that begs to be read aloud. Pitch-perfect rhyming text from author Lisa Varchol Perron and stunning illustrations from rising-star Nik Henderson combine in an incredible picture book for children to treasure.
Have you ever wondered why the sky is blue or why thunder crackles in the night? Wonder Why takes the curious young reader through the arc of a day--from blue skies to rain and thunder, a rainbow, and finally nighttime. Each stanza poses a “wonder why” question that is answered simply and accurately in a beautiful verse. The story begs for reading aloud and repeated readings. Young readers will be encouraged to be curious about the natural world around them…and to ask “Why." Back matter gives additional information on the elements.
Thank you all for giving us a little peek into yourselves and your books. Wishing you all enormous success.
To learn more about these writers, or to contact them:
Patricia Newman – Sharks Unhooked: The Adventures of Christina Zenato (Millbrook Press 4/1/2025) –
Website: https://www.patriciamnewman.com/
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/newmanbooks/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/PatriciaNewman
Jessica Stremer – Plight of the Pelican: How Science Saved A Species (Holiday House 4/1/2025) -
Website: https://www.jessicastremer.com/about
Twitter (X): https://twitter.com/JStremer
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jlstremer
Sara Levine – Watching and Waiting: What Hatches from Nature’s Nurseries (Millbrook/Lerner 4/1/2025) –
Website: https://www.saralevinebooks.com/
X/(Twitter): https://x.com/saraclevine
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/saralevinebooks/
Lisa Varchol Perron – Wonder Why (Harper Kids 4/15/2025) –
Website: https://lisaperronbooks.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lisavperron/
So much wonderful information in all of these books! Congrats to all of you authors!