The Picture Book Buzz - Interview w/Terry Pierce and Review of We Leave No Trace

Terry Pierce has lived in many parts of the United States, including Texas, New York, Washington and California. Currently, Terry lives in Mammoth Lakes, CA, and is an outdoor enthusiast, enjoying hiking and backpacking. In her spare time, you can find her staring at the stars or watching nature…

She has a B.A. degree in Early Childhood Development and an international A.M.I. teaching diploma. Terry was a pre-primary Montessori teacher for twenty-two years before deciding to follow her dream of writing for children. She’s been writing since 1999, with her work appearing in magazines and the children’s book market. She has an MFA in Writing for Children &Young Adults from Vermont College of Fine Arts, including the Picture Book Concentration certification. She’s also a retired children’s writing instructor for the UCLA Extension Writers’ Program.

Terry is the author of 28 books, including Hello, Meadow! illustrated by Nadja Sarell (2023), Eat Up, Bear! illustrated by Nadja Sarell (2021), Love Can Come in Many Ways, illustrated by Suzy Ultman (2020), Soccer Time! illustrated by Bob McMahon (2019), Cuánto mamá te quiere, illustrated by Simone Shin (2018), Mother Earth’s Lullaby, illustrated by Carol Heyer (2018), My Busy Green Garden illustrated (2018), and Mama Loves You So, illustrated by Simone Shin (2017).

For more information about Terry check out our earlier interview (here).

Her newest children’s book is the board book, We Leave No Trace!, released on March 11th.

Welcome back Terry,

Thank you, Maria, for having me back! I’m thrilled to be able to spread the word about our third book with Yosemite Conservancy.

What was the inspiration or spark of interest for We Leave No Trace!?

Book cover - a doe, standing in a field of clover and grass with two butterflies flying around her head, stares at the reader.

My inspiration for this book came from my extensive life experiences in the outdoors (I once spent five weeks in the Sierra Nevada backcountry, hiking the John Muir Trail, one of the best experiences of my life). During my many outdoor adventures, I saw that while nature is resilient, it’s also precious and fragile. We all have to be caretakers of the natural world.

When Yosemite Conservancy asked me to write a third book for them, we collaborated on the theme. We decided to publish a book that embraced good stewardship towards nature, no matter where children might find themselves. A child might be at a city park, on a family camping trip, or in their backyard and have the chance to be kind to nature. As the book’s refrain says, “We leave no trace when we are through. This is something we can do.”

Wow! I have backpacked and camped many times, but a 5-week backcountry hike is impressive! What is a (or the most) fun or unusual place where you’ve written a manuscript?

What a great question! I’ve written in all sorts of places, such as the mountains, lakesides, rivers, and my good old writing chair with my cat by my side, but one of my most memorable experiences was when I was working on Eat Up, Bear! I had gone on a nearby trail to think about the story but found the trail so populated with other hikers that I decided to go off the trail where my mind could wander. Walking through the woods, I suddenly felt like I was being watched. I turned and saw a black bear sitting behind a bush, watching me! Of course, I froze and observed the bear, as it was a safe and respectable distance away. When it finally moved on, my mind churned with inspiration! How often do you encounter the actual wildlife you’re writing about? I channeled my awe into Eat Up, Bear!, a book that would help teach children how to protect those magnificent creatures.

I am so glad I asked you this question! What a wonderful gift. As your third collaboration, having done Eat Up, Bear! and Hello, Meadow! did you still work individually or was there more interaction?

We Leave No Trace! had the same level of collaboration as our previous books, with one exception. I had a Zoom meeting with my editor and the publishers early in the process. We met virtually to discuss the theme and the message we wanted to impart to our readers. With the two previous books, we didn’t need to meet. Eat Up, Bear! was my original idea and message, which they accepted after a few revisions. Hello, Meadow! was the publisher’s book idea and message. But with We Leave No Trace!, we collaborated before landing on the exact message of leaving no trace when you’re in nature.

I should also note that some publishers don’t involve the author in the illustration process, so I’ve been fortunate that Yosemite Conservancy has always invited me to look at the artwork. Although I don’t have an illustration or design background, I do possess significant outdoor experience and can provide insights on certain “nature” aspects of the illustrations. I was able to see Nadja’s progress and even suggest minor edits on species, among other things. It’s a privilege to be part of the illustration process for any book, so I strive to be professional and objective with my feedback, considering what would make the book the best it can be (something I recommend to all writers).

Sounds like a great group of people to work with. And professionalism goes a long way, everywhere. What was the hardest or most challenging part about writing We Leave No Trace!?

I’d say it was writing the refrain. Each book in the series features a fun, simple refrain that toddlers can hear and repeat. It was only 15 words, yet it took the longest time to write. My editor, the brilliant Nicole Geiger, and I went in circles trying to settle on the precise wording. It needed to convey the message of being kind to nature. We had leaned into the Leave No Trace principles for the book, so I experimented with different phrases, such as “We leave no signs” or “We leave no marks,” but we worried that toddlers might take the words “signs” or “marks” literally. I still remember Nicole and I laughing about how absurd it was to struggle so much over 15 words! However, like with all picture books, every word choice matters, so we wanted to ensure it was perfect. Eventually, we used “We leave no trace” in the refrain. The other books in the series used a line from the refrain for the title, but here, we were concerned about infringing on copyright issues, so Nicole contacted Leave No Trace for permission to use their wording. We were thrilled they approved! It’s such a terrific, succinct message and a great title.

I'm so glad they agreed to let you use the wording - it really is perfect for the book. Where you surprised or amazed by anything in Nadja Sarell’s illustrations this time? What is your favorite spread?

I’m always amazed at Nadja’s illustrations! She uses a saturated, beautiful color palette that is always scientifically accurate. We’re so fortunate that she has illustrated all three of the books. What amazes me the most is her ability to take a suggestion and come through in a way that’s beyond what I could have imagined.

Internal spread - two kids lying on the ground, looking up into tall trees were a chipmunk nibbles a nut, a flicker (wood pecker) flies past, and a re-brested nuthatch looks down at them.

Text © Terry Pierce, 2025. Image © Nadja Sarell, 2025.

My favorite spread is “When we gently love the trees…” There are so many reasons I think this will become a fan favorite- the unique perspective, the colors, the animals, and the kids lying on the grass, observing nature (which brought me back to my childhood). When I saw it, I instantly loved the animals shown up high. My favorite is the Northern flicker because the underside of its wings is bright orange. Seeing one in nature is like catching a glimpse of a sunset in flight!

I love this illustration too, largely because all three of these were in my yard today peaking in my windows as I read the book! How long did it take from the first draft to publication for the text?

I sent the first rough draft to my editor in May 2023, and it was very rough! I included many notes and even some optional text. I should mention that I don’t typically do this with a first draft I send to an editor. Still, after working on two prior books with Nicole, I knew we would soon reach the stage where I would include notes and text options, so I felt comfortable doing so. I completed the text in the fall of 2023, which meant the illustrations began around the same time. I believe Yosemite Conservancy sent it to press around late summer of 2024, and it will be released on March 11, 2025. Wow, that’s just shy of two years!

What's something you want your readers to know about or learn from We Leave No Trace!?

I would love it if kids and their families would learn to be more aware of their presence in nature. We have an impact when we’re outdoors, whether on other people, wildlife, or the Earth itself. Sometimes, when hiking, I might see a child unintentionally hurting the environment, so I’ll kindly and gently say something to them. I do this because kids are the future caretakers of the environment.

So, for example, if I see a child cutting a switchback on a trail, I’ll nicely explain that doing so erodes the trail faster, which damages the hillside and creates more work for the trail maintenance crews. Once, at a popular lake, I saw a child carrying a huge, near-empty plastic jar. I asked him if he could please be sure to put it in one of the bear-proof trash bins when the snacks were all gone. I explained that if he left it out, a bear or other animal might smell it, stick its head inside the jar, and get stuck! It couldn’t eat, drink, or breathe very well. I asked, “You want to take care of the bears, don’t you?” to which he eagerly shook his head. So, being aware of our presence in nature and considering how we impact the wilderness is what I want readers to take away from the book.

A very powerful and important message for all of us to absorb and remember. Are there any new projects you are working on now that you can share a tidbit with us?

I have another publication possibility, which I’m hoping will come to fruition this year. I can’t say anything about it because it’s too early in the submission process. I’ll also say that I hope to work on another book with Yosemite Conservancy someday. They’re a terrific publisher that does important work, so I’d love to continue helping them spread the word about good stewardship for the environment.

Best of luck with your projects. We'll have to keep our eyes open for them. Last question, what animal or natural feature (place) do you want to learn more about? Why?

Oh gosh, there are so many fascinating animals and places to learn more about. I’ve always believed that life is a process and to get the most from it, you have to be open to learning and new experiences. That said, I’ve recently renewed my childhood love of birdwatching. I want to learn more about bird songs and to recognize birds by their sounds (which is a challenge!). I’d also like to further explore drawing birds, which I’ve already dabbled in, for my own entertainment.

I wish you all the best with these challenges. Thank you Terry for stopping by to share about yourself and your newest picture book.

To find out more about Terry Pierce, or get in touch with her:

Website: https://terrypiercebooks.com/

Blue Sky: https://bsky.app/profile/terrycpierce.bsky.social

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TerryPierceAuthor/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tlcpierce/

Review of We Leave No Trace

The third board book in a series, this delightful book continues introducing the youngest kids to the joys of being outdoors and our responsibility to help protect and care for nature.

We Leave No Trace

Author: Terry Pierce

Illustrator: Nadja Sarell

Publisher: Yosemite Conservancy (2025)

Ages: 0 - 3

Nonfiction

Themes:

Nature, conservancy, kindness, and stewardship.

Synopsis: "This is something we can do!"

The great outdoors could use some human kindness—and even the youngest children can help! Little hikers, picnickers, and campers will see how they can pitch in for nature by using the Leave No Trace principles modeled here, such as loving trees gently, leaving natural items in their place, using quiet voices to reassure shy creatures, and putting trash where it belongs. The bouncy rhyming text and vibrant illustrations in this sturdy board book show tiny kids they, too, can easily help protect any wild or natural place while having fun outside.

Opening Lines:

People love to be outdoors,

from mountaintops to lakeside shores.

So let’s help nature every day

and treat it kindly many ways.

What I LOVED about this book:

Gorgeous illustrations accompany a fun rhyming text that bring together a diverse cast of characters and animals in a celebration of nature and a hope that we will all remember to take care of our amazing world.

Internal spread - a man in a canoe gazes at the stunning reflection of mountains in the lake. As two girls walk on the lakeshore and a third watches birds with binoculars. On the right, a family picnics with their dog and a doe and fawn nibble grass by a cabin.

As an amazing range of diverse families, including numerous ages and abilities, explore the trails, camp, and interact with nature, their wonderfully expressive faces and actions provide examples for young kids about polite ways to interact with animals (no waving and being loud) and to leave nature (rocks, seeds, and feathers) as it is and only take pictures home.

Internal spread - on the left, a father and son walk down a trail as a younger sister glares and wags her finger at a brother waving at wildlife. On the right, a child takes a picture of cool rocks as another is encouraged not to touch.

When we leave things

as they are…

We leave no trace when we are through.

This is something we can do.

Succinct lines offer suggestions for appropriate actions (such as minimizing impact and cleaning trash) and are accompanied by a fun refrain that kids can learn and chant along with. The gorgeously saturated and detailed illustrations will capture toddlers interested in watching other kids hike, camp, picnic, and eat ice cream. In addition to spotting various animals scattered about each page, kids get to explore a variety of terrains and seasons found within the national park. With a fun phrase mirroring the opening, the book ends encouraging everyone to care for nature and be mindful of their impacts. This is a wonderful addition to the Yosemite Park board book series, one that is destined to be a treasure.

Resources:

try a scavenger hunt on your next walk, hike, or trip to a park.

make a natural journal before your next walk, hike, or camping trip and draw pictures of what you see and hear. Try to take the journal to the same spot at different times of the year. What do you find that's different?

Book cover - Yosemite Junior Ranger handbook with kids and animals in front of a ranger hat .

when you visit a National Park, do a Junior Ranger program. The Yosemite NP Junior Ranger program has a "Companion Guide" (for parents) and lots of other activities online. Find all the other National Park Junior Ranger programs (here).