The Picture Book Buzz - April 2025 Interview with STEAM Team Books Members (Part 2)
- Maria Marshall
- 3 days ago
- 14 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 three creatives 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.)
Dr. Marc J. Kuchner – Cosmic Collisions: Supergiant vs. Neutron Star (Candlewick/MIT Kids 4/15/2025) – When I was in high school (Ward Melville High School in New York) I wrote adolescent poetry for the literary magazine and some articles for the newspaper. Later, of course, I wrote a lot of stuffy scientific papers—I’m an astrophysicist. Then, in 2011, I wrote a book for adults called Marketing for Scientists: How to Shine in Tough Times (Island Press).
Now when I write narrative, I’m mostly writing books for kids. It happens when my kids ask me a question, and I start trying to answer it. Then I have this moment of vanity, and I think maybe my explanation should go into a book.
[Author of Cosmic Collisions: Asteroid vs. Comet (2024).]
Susan Edwards Richmond – The Great Pollinator Count (Peachtree 4/15/2025) - I have been working in the field of science and nature education my entire life, first as a writer and teacher of adult poetry and more recently as a children’s author. I started out teaching and developing environmental curricula for college, high school, and middle school audiences, and worked my way down to younger audiences over the years! This is my 10th year teaching in a Mass Audubon nature preschool.
Teaching young children alongside early childhood educators has been a perfect complement to my work as a picture book author. They are my audience! It is always a pleasure to incorporate my books and those of writing colleagues I admire (talking to you, fellow STEAM-teamers!), into my lesson plans. It has also been an ideal vantage point from which to see what is out in the children’s literature market and what is missing. My particular passion is writing about children experiencing the nature in their own communities firsthand and being active contributors as community scientists.
[Author of – Night Owl Night (8/8/2023), Bioblitz! Counting Critters (2022), Busy Little Hands: Science Play!: Learning Activities for Preschoolers (2022), and Bird Count (2019).]
Nancy Castaldo – Riverkeeper (Holiday House 4/22/2025) – I’ve been writing about science and the planet for decades, first in magazines and then numerous award-winning books for children. I strive to bring stories of conservation and hope to readers that will inform, inspire and empower them to know that they can also make a difference in their own communities.
[Author of 28 books, including Whales in the City (2025). The World That Feeds Us, illustrated by Ginnie Hsu (2023), Buildings That Breathe: Greening the World's Cities (2022), When the World Runs Dry: Earth’s Water in Crisis (2022), The Farm That Feeds Us, illustrated by Ginnie Hsu (2020)The Story of Seeds (2020), DK Life Stories: Ada Lovelace (2019), Back from the Brink: Saving Animals from Extinction (2018), Sniffer Dogs: How Dogs (and Their Noses) Save the World (2017), Beastly Brains: Exploring How Animals Think, Talk, and Feel (2017).]
What helps you to be inspired? (perhaps a certain place, music, activity, etc.)
Dr. Marc J. Kuchner – Inspired? Heck no. I write to procrastinate. I write to self-soothe. I write when I feel ignored. I write to expand my ego, to chase my bourgeoise aspirations, to quell my pathetic, prosaic fear of death and what’s beyond.
What’s this “inspired” of which you speak? My job is to inspire you. Ride the bus. Don’t look under the hood. [😂]
Susan Edwards Richmond – I draw inspiration directly from my environment. Which isn’t to say I only write about what I already know! Some of my books are rooted in direct experience of activities I’ve participated in for years (Bird Count), while others were born out of experiences I sought out because I wanted to learn more (Night Owl Night). When something particularly piques my interest, that’s when my “researcher” light goes on and I start combing the literature and looking for mentors to provide more information. Many of these experiences may never make it into books, but they’re all a part of who I am, and help shape my sensibility.
Nancy Castaldo – I become inspired every time I venture out into the world and encounter people making an impact in their community and wild spaces. That includes my readers! Every time I visit a school and have an opportunity to meet dedicated teachers, librarians, and curious readers I leave inspired. While I strive to inspire and empower them, they also inspire and empower me.
Now that we know a little more about all of you, what sparked your interest and caused you to write this book?
Dr. Marc J. Kuchner – Cosmic Collisions: Supergiant vs. Neutron Star (Candlewick/MIT Kids 4/15/2025) – When I was in graduate school, I became fascinated by these strange hypothetical objects called “Thorne-Zytkow Objects”. These objects—if they exist—are supergiant stars with neutron stars buried inside them. I started reading about various ways these Thorne-Zytkow Objects could form. As you might expect, the ideas generally involved some kind of encounter between a supergiant and a neutron star. That’s what gave me the idea for this book!
Ultimately, the collision in Cosmic Collisions: Supergiant vs. Neutron Star does not create a Thorne-Zytkow Object. But that’s all I’m going to say…you’ll have to read the book to find out what happens.
Susan Edwards Richmond – The Great Pollinator Count (Peachtree 4/15/2025) – This newest title began as a provocation from my editor to write a “count” book about bugs. Bioblitz! Counting Critters was already in progress at the time, so I started researching counts specifically focused on insects, which were already recognized as community science initiatives. I found the ideal partner in Becky Griffin, the National Pollinator Census Coordinator, operating out of the University of Georgia Extension. Becky was so generous with her time and ideas, sharing the history of The Great Southeast Pollinator Census, and inviting my husband and I to join her in Georgia during an August count cycle.
I am currently working on titles that have also been inspired by the work researchers are doing within their own communities or with teams of community scientists. Whenever possible, I tag along, so that I too can experience the thrill of their work to better pass it on to my audiences!
Nancy Castaldo – Riverkeeper (Holiday House 4/22/2025) – I’m a Hudson Valley native and have witnessed the recovery of my Hudson River. I wasn’t allowed to swim in the river as a child. I didn’t see any eagles nesting beside it or swooping into the waves to catch a fish. And, I didn’t see any whales swimming around the Statue of Liberty. I did see protests and activism to advocate for the river. Inspired by the Riverkeeper organization river advocacy group years ago, I wrote River Wild, an activity book celebrating North American rivers. Riverkeeper celebrates the role of riverkeepers and the founding organization.
It's so fascinating what can spark the germ of a story. What makes you all passionate about being a children’s author?
Dr. Marc J. Kuchner – I see you’re not asking now about writing things. You’re asking about being something. That’s the easy part of the job, of course.
I don’t stop to think about it as much as I should, but being a children’s author is hideously divine. Sometimes I get to watch a child concentrating on my book, becoming oblivious to the outside world. It’s a zap of pleasure to share an intense moment like that with someone, even through the veil of a printed page.
Susan Edwards Richmond – I’ve really been a “nature kid” all my life and always felt comfortable being perfectly still and watching the wildlife around me. As an author, I want to share the deep feelings of connection and peace I have when I’m fully attuned to my surroundings.
As an educator and employee of an environmental nonprofit, I’m keenly aware of the consequences of a lack of accessibility to nature. Children need to feel a connection to a greater whole and to be able to immerse themselves in an environment totally “other” and free from human routine. To me, this is an issue of mental and physical health, as well as cognitive development.
I hope my books allow children to appreciate the nature in their own communities and to empower them to channel their energy into positive action, whether through contributing to a database of knowledge or laying a foundation for advocacy. I believe children are never too young to be community scientists!
Nancy Castaldo – I recently received a note from a wildlife biologist who was inspired to pursue her career and study tropical birds after reading my book, Rainforests, as a child. Her note now proudly hangs in my office, a constant reminder of the impact of my work. It's rare that authors are able to see the ripple our books make, but we often have to trust that they do. This was a gift. Knowing readers might find our work meaningful fuels my passion for what I do. Knowing that there is a possibility that they will head out into the world to make a difference fuels my passion. Our readers are not just important, they are integral. It's a partnership.
Wow! Is there anything special you want your readers to know about your book?
Text © Dr. Marc J. Kuchner, 2025. Image © Matt Schu, 2025.
Dr. Marc J. Kuchner – Cosmic Collisions: Supergiant vs. Neutron Star (Candlewick/MIT Kids 4/15/2025) – If you want to see a supergiant star with your own eyes, just look at the constellation Orion. The second brightest star in that constellation—the hunter’s right knee—is a supergiant called Rigel. I don’t think Rigel’s about to be involved in any cosmic collisions. But you never know.
Text © Susan Edwards Richmond, 2025. Image © Stephanie Fizer Coleman, 2025.
Susan Edwards Richmond – The Great Pollinator Count (Peachtree 4/15/2025) – Just that nature is fun, fascinating, and everywhere! There is always something living to look at—in the bugs inhabiting the corners of your classroom, the critters in a nearby park or garden, or the birds picking at sidewalk seeds or nesting in building eaves, as well as the complex web of wildlife in larger natural spaces. Go out and find them. There’s always something new to document and discover!
Text © Nancy Castaldo, 2025.
Nancy Castaldo – Riverkeeper (Holiday House 4/22/2025) – This is a story about my river, but it could easily be a story of your river. We all live in a watershed. Rivers run through all our lives. And they need our advocacy and protection. We all have the power to make them thrive. Change can happen when we work together!
Such amazing and engaging 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?
Dr. Marc J. Kuchner – Cosmic Collisions: Supergiant vs. Neutron Star (Candlewick/MIT Kids 4/15/2025) – I guess it would have been fun to talk about some of the research I did on supergiants back in graduate school. But it’s a bit too esoteric. Anna Zytkow and Dave Vakil, if you’re reading this: thanks for the inspiration!
Nancy Castaldo – Riverkeeper (Holiday House 4/22/2025) – My Hudson River research has led me to write two books, both releasing this spring – Riverkeeper and Whales in the City. Both share stories of recovery and community action. This is an example of how our research can find its way into multiple books. They work in tandem to provide an even more complete story of the importance of our waterways and the power to protect them.
Are there any upcoming projects that you are working on now that you can share a tidbit with us?
Dr. Marc J. Kuchner – There’s Cosmic Collisions books three and four still to come. And shh! Don’t tell anybody. But I’m working on a Cosmic Collisions Card Game. [Mum's the word!]
Nancy Castaldo – Watch my website for exciting news of a book for older readers releasing soon!
Tantalizing. We'll have to keep an out to see what you all do next. Last question, what animal or natural feature (place) do you want to learn more about? Why?
Dr. Marc J. Kuchner – I’d like to learn more about HV 11417, a star that might be a real Thorne-Zytkow object. It’s a supergiant that’s made of somewhat different stuff than most cool supergiants. It’s rich in this strange metal called rubidium, which might be formed deep in its core near where that neutron star is buried. Imagine you could dive down a million miles into a star like that and see what’s really going on in its center! On Earth, rubidium catches fire on contact with air,
As for animals, I’m going through a hardcore comb jelly phase. They’re soft. They’re bioluminescent. And they’re everywhere.
Begone, llamas and axolotls. Spread the word: comb jellies are the next “it” animal.
COMB JELLIES. You heard it here, STEAM team people.
Nancy Castaldo – What animal or natural feature do I NOT want to learn about? I’m curious about so many areas of our natural world, it is difficult to pick a place or animal that doesn’t spark my interest. I have some upcoming travel that might spark something new, but I also have some ideas that have been floating around in my brain for a while just waiting for my attention.
Thank you, Maria, for this fun interview!
NOW, let me take a moment to introduce you to these amazing STEAM books!
Cosmic Collisions: Supergiant vs. Neutron Star by Dr. Marc J. Kuchner, illustrated by Matt Schu (Candlewick/MIT Kids 4/15/2025) - Written in the voice of a sports announcer, it opens with the blow-by-blow action of an impending collision of two huge, red supergiants. As we wait for the result, the announcer fills us in on the science and history of the red giants - from their birth to their current massive sizes. When suddenly one supergiant explodes, creating a neutron star and propelling it toward the rival. Slightly comical illustrations and detailed sidebars explore what is known, unknown, and surmised about neutron stars and the new impending collision. This is really fun way to learn about the physics and both historic and current reactions occurring throughout the universe. It includes a "where are they now" type of postscript and wonderful back matter encouraging star gazers and future astrophysicists.
Synopsis: Two massive stars face off, ready to tussle! Who will prevail? Readers get the stats from an expert astrophysicist and make their predictions before the final exciting KA-PLOOSH!
It’s time for the next round of outer-space, crash-and-smash fun, and this matchup is colossal! Two red supergiants are facing each other, ready for a scuffle. Each cranks out 100,000 times as much power as the Sun. (Don’t get too close or you’ll roast like a weenie in a campfire.) These mighty stars are equally matched, so either could come out on top—but hold on! One of the contenders has just exploded! And it’s left behind a neutron star with supernova energy. Now who will be left standing after this interstellar smackdown? It’s another collision of cosmic proportions in this fast-paced, fact-packed series, crammed with science, peppy illustrations, and the infectious energy of a live sporting event. Back matter provides even more info for curious fans.
The Great Pollinator Count by Susan Edwards Richmond, illustrated by Stephanie Fizer Coleman (Peachtree 4/15/2025) - Ingeniously set within a citizen science count of pollinators organized by the school's Science Club, a group of kids help a new kid learn the rules of taking a count and discover the fun of spotting the numerous insects which help pollinate our plants. Amongst natural internal ruminations and well done child banter, the new kid's curiosity overtakes his fear of flying, stinging things. Using fun chants - "skinny-mini wasp waists" and "shiny hiney," along with a great clipboard graphic, the reader learns to identify types of bees, wasps, flies, and other insects in the schoo0l's garden. Additional information on pollination, the world-wide pollinator count, each insect and plant in the book is included in the back matter along with a list of additional resources. It's a really fun introduction to pollinators and citizen science.
Synopsis: Mellie joins other Science Club members for the Great Pollinator Count and discovers the value of teamwork in community science.
Today Mellie and her friends are excited to participate in The Great Pollinator Count. Everyone is hoping that the school garden will attract even more pollinators than they counted last year. Mellie and her friend Sylvie invite Jason, a new kid in their class, to come along. When Jason surprises them by showing up for the count, they find out that he is not at all interested in counting icky bugs.
Mellie is unprepared when Ms. Bombus, their teacher, assigns her to be Jason’s partner. Making the best of an awkward situation, Mellie tries to show Jason how to look for honeybees, butterflies, and other insect pollinators among the lantana and bee balm plants. He hangs back at first, still not convinced he wants to be that close to these buzzy insects, but it isn’t long before he is looking for pollinators on his own.
By the time the whistle blows to end the count, both kids have learned
a lot about pollinators and discovered the rewards of teamwork in community science.
Young readers can count along with Mellie and Jason as they record each insect that lands on a flower and list them on the sidebar tally sheets. When Ms. Bombus finally calls “Time’s up,” readers will be ready to join a pollinator count in their own community!
Stephanie Fizer Coleman’s charming illustrations give readers a “bug’s eye” view of the pollination counting process. In the back matter, the author provides a detailed glossary, resources, and information about America’s largest regional pollinator count.
Riverkeeper by Nancy Castaldo (Holiday House 4/22/2025) – Using a very conversational tone, this engaging STEM book dives into the history of the Hudson River and its surrounding tributaries (or watershed), from the earliest inhabitants through the arrival of settlers, to the industrial revolution, pesticide creation, and citizen pollutions. Culminating in an honest and factual assessment of the sorry state of the Hudson River. Following a wake-up call by early activists, including Pete Seeger, Nancy Castaldo provides a wonderful journey through the creation of the Riverkeeper organization and the amazing actions and successes of its first female president - Riverkeeper Tracy Brown, Captain John Lipscomb & first-mate Golden Lab Batu, as well as numerous researchers, scientists, teen Water Justice Fellows, and citizens who have helped clean and continue to protect the Hudson River watershed and the animals, plants, and humans who call it home. Wonderful back matter contains ways to get involved, places to discover, additional readings and videos, and a calendar of nation-wide river celebrations. This is a very comprehensive and encouraging look at our relationship to rivers around the world and the need for us to "speak for the river."
Synopsis: Dive headfirst into the history of environmental activism in the Hudson River watershed and learn how you can help organizations like Riverkeeper protect clean water around the globe!
Every inch of the United States is in a river’s watershed. But in 1966, one of our most important watersheds was dying. Dead fish washed up on the Hudson River’s shores, and the once-clear water reeked of oil. With too much pollution to support human or animal life, America’s “First River” was in too deep—until a Riverkeeper, a pioneering group of environmental activists, fought to get rivers around the globe out of troubled waters.
Nonfiction pro Nancy Castaldo showcases Riverkeeper’s achievements and the intersection of science and activism. With forty striking photographs and profiles of prominent water protectors, this resource-packed text is both a deep-dive into the history of the environmental movement and a guidebook for how individuals and communities can shape its future.
● Plunge into the dirty history of America’s “First River” and learn how one of America’s first environmental movements changed the course of activism around the world.
● Meet trailblazers like Tracy Brown, the first female Riverkeeper, whose clean water advocacy offers a blueprint for generations of future scientists.
● Learn about groundbreaking laws like the Clean Water Act, and how the hard work of activists—including people like you—has led to modern-day legislation that will help to heal our waterways for decades to come.
● Discover surprising (and surprisingly effective!) methods for ecological conservation, like granting legal personhood to bodies of water.
● Join the movement with engaging and accessible suggestions for cleaning up your local river, whether you’re finding your local river sweep, volunteering as a water tester, or small things you can do at home!
● Explore the outdoors! Complete with a list of fun Hudson River activities and annual events all around the United States, this text celebrates rivers wherever they flow—and invites you to join in on the party!
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:
Dr. Marc J. Kuchner – Cosmic Collisions: Supergiant vs. Neutron Star (Candlewick/MIT Kids 4/15/2025) -
Website: https://marckuchner.com/
Twitter (X): https://twitter.com/marckuchner
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/marckuchner/
Susan Edwards Richmond – The Great Pollinator Count (Peachtree 4/15/2025) -
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/susanedrichmond/
Nancy Castaldo – Riverkeeper (Holiday House 4/22/2025) –
Website: https://nancycastaldo.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nancy.castaldo
Twitter: https://twitter.com/NCastaldoAuthor
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/naturespeak/
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