The Picture Book Buzz - August 2024 Interview with STEAM Team Books Members (Part 1)
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 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 2023. 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 or illustrate? How long have you been writing or illustrating? What is your favorite type of book to write or illustrate? What drew you to STEAM books? etc.)
Laura Perdew – Your Sustainable World (Capstone 8/1/2024) – Looking back, I’ve loved writing and I’ve loved being outdoors ever since I can remember. Fast forward a few decades and it makes perfect sense that I combine those two passions to write STEAM books about nature and the environment. My goal as an author is to share things about the natural world that amaze me and to inspire kids to take part in conservation.
[Author of dozens of STEAM books for kids including Keystone Species: Meet the Animals Key to Ecosystem Health and Biodiversity (Nomad Press, October 2024), Picture Book Science Series – Biome Explorers (Nomad Press, 2022), Mammals (Field Guides for Kids) (ABDO Publishing, 2021), Picture Book Science Series – Animal Adaptations (Nomad Press, 2020), Crazy Contraptions: Build Rube Goldberg Machines that Swoop, Spin, Stack, and Swivel (Nomad Press, 2019), Biodiversity: Explore the Diversity of Life on Earth (Nomad Press, 2019), Bringing Back Our Wetlands (ABDO Publishing, 2018), Extinction: What Happened to the Dinosaurs, Mastodons, and Dodo Birds? (Nomad, 2017), How the Toilet Changed History (ABDO Publishing, 2015), Exploring Mountains (ABDO Publishing, 2014), and others.]
Marie-Therese Miller – Orcas Attack (North Star Editions 8/1/2024) & Talking About Natural Disasters (Lerner 8/1/2024) – I am an English teacher at Marist College and have five grown children and a grandson. I started writing 24 years ago. I have a home office, but I can usually be found, pen in hand, hunched over a notebook on my bed-- books and articles strewn around my floor. I enjoy all aspects of creating nonfiction books for kids, from the research and interviews to the writing and editing. I write about all sorts of topics, but my most recent books have been focused on social science subjects. My undergraduate degree is in psychology and all things psychological still interest me.
[Author of 56 books including, Talking About Grief: A Sesame Street Resource (2024), Talking About Illness: A Sesame Street Resource(2024), Talking About Incarceration: A Sesame Street Resource (2024) Speedy Drones, Strong Submarines, Tough Tanks, Land and Sea Vehicles (2024), 34 Amazing Facts About Space (2024), 34 Amazing Facts About Minecraft (2024), States of Matter: A Sesame Street Science Book (2023), Sink or Float: A Sesame Street Science Book (2023), Simple Machines: A Sesame Street Science Book (2023), Dogs (An Early Encyclopedia) (2022 ) Sly as a Fox: Are Foxes Clever? (2022), and A Dog’s Best Friend: A Sesame Street Guide to Caring for Your Dog (2021).]
Nell Cross Beckerman – Volcanoes (Scholastic 8/6/2024) - My previous career was as a TV producer, where I produced fun news entertainment stories like the “nanoguitar” the world’s smallest guitar, for VH1, MTV, MSNBC, Nickelodeon, and the Discovery Channel. I stopped working in TV when I became a parent and found my way to picture book writing after signing up for a class taught by non-fiction master, Michelle Markel, at UCLA Extension Writers Program. She introduced some poetic concept books that blew my mind and gave instruction for structure. My first book, Down Under the Pier, started as a writing prompt in that class. That was in 2017. Since then, I’ve sold seven manuscripts and now I’m a writing teacher myself!
[Author of From Park to Playa: The Trails the Connect Us (2024), Caves (2022), When the Sky Glows (2022), and Down Under the Pier (2020).]
Helen Taylor – Chasing Guano: The Discovery of a Penguin Supercolony (Tilbury House 8/6/2024) – I have been drawn toward science and how things work since I was a kid, but since I didn’t become a scientist or an engineer, my interest took a back seat for a while. Luckily, after a few twists and turns, I discovered science communication! And later, kidlit. After my first picture book writing class, I tried mining my own childhood experiences for story ideas, but before long, found myself gravitating toward stories with a STEM focus. Those remain my favorite stories to write.
[Author of How to Eat in Space (2023).]
So, what helps you all to be inspired?
Laura Perdew – I am inspired by nature! I spend a lot of time outdoors, especially in the summer; I see so many amazing things that invoke a sense of wonder from towering, jagged mountain peaks to tiny, fragile wildflowers and insects. Even at home I frequently get lost in my research about the natural world. And with the right filters on, news feeds and social media are great sources of information about nature and the environment. All of this sparks ideas.
Marie-Therese Miller – I surround myself with others who are making a positive difference in the world. They inspire me. Charitable, kind, and creative people motivate me to be my best self.
Nell Cross Beckerman – I hike on a local trail many times a week (the subject of From Park to Playa!) and often get inspired by what I see on the hike or from just thinking internal thoughts while I hike. Newspaper headlines, things in my social feed can also inspire me—in fact, the last story I sold was inspired by a TikTok!
Helen Taylor – I like to walk and think, so if I’m stuck on a revision puzzler or trying to figure out what project to work on next, I’ll head outside. Fresh air is always a good thing, and there’s something about being in motion that helps me think more clearly.
Now that we know a little more about all of you, what sparked your interest and caused you to write your book?
Laura Perdew – Your Sustainable World (8/1/2024) – An editor reached out to me to write this book and I jumped at the opportunity. The project was a perfect fit for me! It was a chance to focus on positive, actionable steps we can all take to live sustainably and to empower kids.
Marie-Therese Miller – Orcas Attack (8/1/2024) –When I was young, I toyed with the idea of becoming a marine biologist. Even though I took a different path in life, I am still fascinated by ocean creatures. Orcas (and dolphins in general) are favorites of mine, so I am thrilled to introduce young readers to these amazing mammals.
Talking About Natural Disasters (Lerner 8/1/2024) –When my young grandson lost his dad suddenly, I looked for books that could help him cope with my son-in-law’s death. I realized then that I would like to write a series of books about difficult challenges that children might face. I hoped that these books could ease their way. I pitched the idea to Lerner. This series is also in partnership with Sesame Street. The other books I wrote focus on grieving, illness, and incarceration. This book explains different types of natural disasters and what a child can do to prepare. Giving them a sense of control and agency in these scary situations is essential.
Nell Cross Beckerman – Volcanoes (8/6/2024) – The team at Scholastic wanted a follow-up title to Caves, and Volcanoes seemed like a natural choice: another dynamic, dramatic, wonder of Earth! I brought a lot of personal passion to the subject as I got a chance to be just feet away from fresh lava during the Kīluea eruption in 2003 which was a peak experience. I also saw active eruptions at Arenal and Stromboli and swam in the bubbling fumeroles surrounding the Italian volcanic island, Vulcano, just last summer.
Helen Taylor – Chasing Guano: The Discovery of a Penguin Supercolony (8/6/2024) – I read about the Danger Islands expedition in the news and it just grabbed me. Penguin poop that’s visible from space? I wanted to know more and thought kids would too, so I reached out to the scientific team to arrange some interviews. They have been incredibly generous with sharing their expertise and helping me understand how and why they do fieldwork in Antarctica. I hope readers will find it as fascinating as I do!
I love how the inspiration for a book can come from so many different places. What do you find to be the most challenging aspect of being a children’s author?
Laura Perdew – For me, the most challenging aspect of being a children’s author is the waiting. The industry moves very, very slowly. After submitting a manuscript, it can be months before you hear back from an editor, if at all. During that time, you have to not only be patient but also stay positive and keep writing!
Marie-Therese Miller – I think querying editors is the most challenging part of being a children’s author. It’s exciting to submit a new project to an editor. However, the long wait for a response, while hoping to connect with an editor who shares your passion for the subject matter, is difficult.
Nell Cross Beckerman – By far, the most challenging aspect is trying to do all the publicity on your own. There have been so many skills I’ve had to learn quickly. I did not have an Instagram or Twitter account before I was published, I didn’t know how to use Canva, build a website, cultivate a mailing list, reach out to bookstores, libraries, schools, publications. Learn how to write conference proposals!? At this point, writing the books feels like the easy fun part of being a published author. Although I have to admit, it has been empowering to learn all the other things as well.
Helen Taylor – The schedule can be pretty erratic, especially since there is so much in publishing that is outside of the writer/illustrator’s control. Sometimes there’s a flurry of activity where everything seems to be happening at once. And other times, not so much. They are both good in their own way—busy usually means positive progress of one kind or another, and not busy means the gift of time to work on a new project. But sometimes I wish I had a crystal ball to know when the flurries were coming.
It is definitely a challenging career to pursue. Is there anything special you want your readers to know about your book?
Text © Laura Perdew, 2024.
Laura Perdew – Your Sustainable World (8/1/2024) – I want kids to know that while they may be young, their actions and daily habits do make a difference. Kids can very much be part of creating a sustainable world. The book is full of actionable steps kids can take in their lives to help protect the planet. But they don’t have to do everything! The idea is that each of us can take one step at a time to create a new, sustainable habit. Then once that new habit is established, they can try something else. In addition, kids can help to spread the word about sustainability and lead by example in their homes and in their communities.
Text © Marie-Therese Miller, PhD, 2024.
Marie-Therese Miller – Orcas Attack (8/1/2024) –The focus of this book is how orcas and humans interact. Orcas almost never attack human beings in the wild. The only recorded attacks have been when orcas were forced from their ocean environment into marine parks. There, they swim in small spaces, where their natural diet and sleep are interrupted, and they are called upon to entertain people. The book discusses laws that now protect orcas from being taken from their ocean home and how humans are working to keep the orcas’ water habitat clean and quiet.
Text © Marie-Therese Miller, 2024.
Talking About Natural Disasters (Lerner 8/1/2024) – I am pleased to say that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) acted as a valuable and expert source for this book.
Text © Nell Cross Beckerman, 2024. Image © Kalen Chock, 2024.
Nell Cross Beckerman – Volcanoes (8/6/2024) – What I would like people to know about Volcanoes is that it is meant to be a sensory, thrilling ride through a few high-interest aspects of volcanoes. You can read it at a story time and curious kids can pour over the nonfiction boxes on their own. It lends itself to lots of different reading experiences in the same way that Caves does.
Text © Helen Taylor, 2024.
Helen Taylor – Chasing Guano: The Discovery of a Penguin Supercolony (8/6/2024) – Fun fact: When I wrote it, I actually envisioned Chasing Guano as an illustrated picture book! But then, while it was out on submission, the publisher at Tilbury House said he thought it could make a nice addition to their middle grade series, Nature Works, IF there were sufficient photos. It turned out there were, and they are gorgeous! It’s a story of science in action and even though I didn’t see it at first, I think it was meant to be a photo-illustrated MG book all along.
These are all such amazing books and I know kids are going to love them. 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?
Laura Perdew – Your Sustainable World (8/1/2024) – There was a lot of information I didn’t get to include in this book! There are so many simple things that individuals can do to live more sustainably that it was difficult to zero in on just a few. Also, I wanted to focus on things that kids have control over and changes they can make in their daily lives.
Marie-Therese Miller – Orcas Attack (8/1/2024) –– It is always difficult to lose portions of your research to word count limits. There were so many cool facts about orcas, such as their sleeping habits and how menopausal females are still valued by their pods, that I wish I could have included. Maybe in the next book!
Talking About Natural Disasters (Lerner 8/1/2024) –It was necessary to simplify the concrete coping skills for this very young audience. I would love to write a similar book for the older reader with more detailed advice about dealing with natural disasters.
Nell Cross Beckerman – Volcanoes (8/6/2024) – The hardest part was figuring out what our book should cover. We kept kids in the front of our minds as we chose the topics, so some things got left out. For example, we did not cover the type of lava called a’a that has hard cooled chunks on top, or pillow lava, that is from lava that erupts underwater and cools quickly into a particular form. There just wasn’t room for everything.
Helen Taylor – Chasing Guano: The Discovery of a Penguin Supercolony (8/6/2024) – I am used to writing in a way that leaves room for the art. But I haven’t had much direct experience with the visual piece of the storytelling. For this project, part of my role was to sort through the scientists’ photos and come up with recommendations for my editor and the designer to consider for each spread. We were fortunate to have lots of beautiful shots to choose from, but there are also constraints with photos that don’t exist with illustration. For instance, you can’t travel back in time and reshoot a scene from a different angle. It was like a good puzzle—challenging but fun!
I hope some of the extra cool information gets posted on your websites, in activity or teacher's guides, or discussed during book events! Are there any upcoming projects that you are working on now that you can share a tidbit with us?
Laura Perdew – I am always working on something and have projects at various stages in the process, from ideas I’m noodling on to forthcoming publications. That includes a nonfiction trade STEAM picture book that’s been picked up by a publisher but not announced yet so I can’t reveal much. Let’s just say that it includes animals and conservation. I also have a book coming out in October, Keystone Species: Meet the Animals Key to Ecosystem Health and Biodiversity (Nomad Press) about the vital role that keystone species play.
Marie-Therese Miller – Thank you, Maria, for letting me share a sneak peek at my upcoming books. As a fan of her poetic songwriting, I am thrilled to say that I have a biography of Taylor Swift, Taylor Swift: Unstoppable Icon, publishing in January 2025 with Lerner! I also have a biography of Princess Catherine coming out at the same time.
Nell Cross Beckerman – I’m thrilled that the third in this series, Forests, is being illustrated right now and will come out in fall of 2025. We are covering a wide range of spectacular forests, which I haven’t seen grouped all together in one picture book before. I also have another one coming from Beach Lane Books that is a lyrical ode about a particular aspect of urban nature. I’m very excited about it!
Helen Taylor – My first fiction picture book is in the works, which I’m excited about! It has a fun STEM twist, but hasn’t been announced yet, so that’s all I’ll say for now. Stay tuned…
WOW, such exciting news! We will have to keep our eyes open for all of these books. How do you deal with, or celebrate, rejections?
Laura Perdew – Unfortunately, rejections are part of the industry and you have to develop a thick skin. I try not to take it personally. Sometimes that’s easy. Other times, if a project I’m especially excited about and it is rejected multiple times, it’s harder. However, that can also be the catalyst to step back, reassess a manuscript, and perhaps revise (which is something else I’m currently working on!).
Marie-Therese Miller – Admittedly, form rejections are difficult to celebrate. However, I have received some lovely, encouraging rejections that bolster my confidence and spur me to continue with the manuscript. Most often, I just keep writing and submitting no matter what. Persistence and perseverance are necessary if you want to have books published. And the reward for persistence is getting your work into young readers’ hands and perhaps meeting those readers someday at a book festival or bookstore. Now, that’s reason for celebration!
Nell Cross Beckerman – I expect rejection, so it is a pleasant surprise when I’m not rejected! I’m always moving forward, on to the next, or trying to figure out other approaches for the rejected story.
Helen Taylor – I wish I could say that I had a great strategy for dealing with rejections. They sting. I take heart in the positive comments that some passes include, which remind me that just because a manuscript isn’t right for a particular imprint at that particular time, or a match for that editor’s tastes, doesn’t mean it belongs in a drawer. You never know what else might come from those connections, or who else might someday see the magic that you see in that same story.
Thank you so much for your candor and advice regarding rejections. Last question, is there a plant or flower you love growing, or wish you could grow, in your yard or garden?
Laura Perdew – I am currently letting my yard go wild, so I suppose the answer is that I want the native plants and flowers to fully reestablish themselves. We’re getting there!
Marie-Therese Miller – That’s a tough one. I love all that grows in my garden, but I am especially happy that roses, lilacs, and hydrangea feel at home there. Maybe one day I will try my hand at fruit trees.
Nell Cross Beckerman – I adore passion flower vines and have always wanted one! The flowers are so intricate.
Helen Taylor – I love succulents! They’re hard to kill, which is crucial for someone with my lackluster gardening skills. Plus, they are beautiful and drought-tolerant (a big plus in California, where I live).
NOW, let me take a moment to introduce you to these amazing STEAM books!
Your Sustainable World: A Kid's Guide to Everyday Choices That Help the Planet! by Laura Perdew – (Capstone 8/1/2024) - This book empowers kids to think about the effects of their everyday actions on the planet and its limited resources. With an engaging, conversational tone, it provides concrete, achievable things kids can do to effect a difference. Such as practicing the 5 Rs, adjusting their footprints at home, and choosing "good green fun." It's a great nonfiction resource for kids on practicing sustainability.
Synopsis: "It's your world, so make it a sustainable one! Learn how small, everyday choices can lead to big, positive changes for the planet-from how you use energy to what you wear, eat, and buy. Packed full of tips and relevant actions for kids to take, this is an empowering guide for any young reader looking to help the environment and make a difference. Get ready to go green and create a sustainable lifestyle, one choice at a time!"--
Orcas Attack by Marie-Therese Miller, PhD (North Star Editions 8/1/2024) - This fascinating photo-illustrated book follows the interactions, in the open sea and in sea aquariums, of orcas and humans. After a brief description of orcas, individual pods, and their family dynamics, the book dives into their competition and cooperation with fishers. Without pulling punches, it also details the deaths of trainers (and a trespasser), through the lens of the harmful, solitary captivity of a super smart and social animal. Then touches on some orcas developed predilection for sinking sailboats in the past four years. The hopeful ending shows the rescue and rehabilitation of a young orca, current dangers for the orcas, and some ways we've made them safer. And the long way we have yet to go. Great back matter offers additional information and discussion questions. It's a wonderful nonfiction introduction to orcas and the issues surrounding them.
Synopsis: This gripping book explores the problems that orcas cause and what people are trying to do about them. Large photos and short paragraphs of easy-to-read text make the book accessible and engaging, and it also includes informative sidebars, a key locations map, comprehension questions, a glossary, an index, and a list of resources for further reading. This book is part of the Apex Honors imprint, which has a reading level of grade 3. However, the imprint is specifically designed for older readers, with interest levels of grades 3–9.
Talking About Natural Disasters: A Sesame Street ® Resource by Marie-Therese Miller, PhD (Lerner 8/1/2024) – A briefly and honestly photo-illustrated introduction to hurricanes, tornadoes, winter storms, wildfires, earthquakes, and floods is accompanied by helpful, child friendly, commentary by beloved Sesame Street characters, as a means of moderating what could be scary images. The following practical advice for preparing and acting during these disasters focuses on diverse families and again helpful characters, offering kids a means of planning and reacting to an event. It also offers a "What You Can Do" planning tool. It's a great book for helping little readers understand and prepare for natural disasters.
Synopsis: Natural disasters such as hurricanes, wildfires, or floods can be especially scary for young children. Sesame Street friends invite young readers to make an emergency plan together with their families, and remind them that there are so many people in their communities to help keep them safe.
Volcanoes by Nell Cross Beckerman, illustrated by Kalen Chock (Scholastic 8/6/2024) - This is an amazing nonfiction exploration of volcanoes. Wonderfully succinct, lyrical free verse text ("Oozing/ like/ thick,/ hot/ honey./ Glowing taffy."), awe-inspiring, stunning illustrations, and a detailed secondary text allow the book to appeal to multiple ages. Touching on volcanologists, tsunamis, the ring of fire, deep sea volcanoes, and even fascinating extraterrestrial volcanoes, it concludes with author and illustrator notes, a discussion of the types of volcanoes & recent eruptions, and big questions still unanswered. This is a fantastic book on volcanoes for everyone to enjoy.
Synopsis: The team behind the acclaimed book Caves returns with an enticing exploration of one of the most explosive wonders on the planet — Volcanoes!
A rumble. A tremble. A grumble. Growing, growling, getting hot. When will it... POP?!
Using evocative storytelling, Nell Cross Beckerman leads children on an adventure through the radioactive wonders that are volcanoes. From deep down on the ocean floor to extraterrestrial volcanoes, Beckerman guides readers with dramatic, poetic language. Nonfiction text on every page allows for deeper understanding of the topic.
Chasing Guano: The Discovery of a Penguin Supercolony by Helen Taylor (Tilbury House 8/6/2024) – An absolutely stunning and engaging photo-illustrated account of an expedition to the Danger Islands in Antarctica, to confirm a satellite discovery ("Their poop is visible from space!") and conduct a population count of a previously unknown colony of penguins. In addition to capturing the dramatic adventure, setbacks, and creativity to the scientists, there is wonderful secondary "How Nature Works" text highlighting the connection between penguins, sea ice, the climate, and Antarctica. As well as explanations of the boat, gear, and clothing of the scientists. The discovery that "1.5 MILLION Adélie penguins are nesting in the Danger Islands!" triggered a continuing campaign to protect the area as part of the expansion of the Marine Protected Area. In addition to touching on the penguin's future, the book also provides a link for readers to join the team by trying to spot guano in satellite photos. It is a spectacular look at how technology and a bit of poop lead to an amazing new discovery.
Synopsis: When scientist Heather Lynch came across a satellite image of the Antarctic Peninsula's remote Danger Islands streaked with pink, she knew exactly what she was looking at. . . .
Poop―guano, to be more specific―and a lot of it. The culprit, she suspected, was a previously unnoticed colony of penguins. A big one. And their favorite food appeared to be pink krill. For a closer look, Heather built a team for an expedition to the Danger Islands, an area notorious for its unpredictable sea ice. Their mission was to count the penguins, determine how long ago the colony was established, and make a case for protecting their habitat from overfishing and other threats. Penguins are particularly important to study because, as indicator species, they can alert scientists to issues affecting the larger ecosystem. Join Heather and her team on a fascinating exploration of these remote islands as they discover a “supercolony” home to one of the world’s largest populations of Adélie penguins. Features team photos from the expedition! Full-color photographs
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:
Laura Perdew – Your Sustainable World: A Kid's Guide to Everyday Choices That Help the Planet! (Capstone 8/1/2024) -
Website: https://lauraperdew.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/lmperdew
Marie-Therese Miller, PhD – Orcas Attack (North Star Editions 8/1/2024) & Talking About Natural Disasters (Lerner 8/1/2024) & Talking About Natural Disasters (Lerner 8/1/2024) –
Twitter: https://twitter.com/MarieThereseMlr
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/doctorteri/
Nell Cross Beckerman – Volcanoes (Scholastic 8/6/2024) -
Website: https://www.nellcrossbeckerman.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/NellBeckerman
Helen Taylor – Chasing Guano: The Discovery of a Penguin Supercolony (Tilbury House 8/6/2024) –
Website: https://www.helenstaylor.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/heyhelentaylor
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/heyhelentaylor/
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