The Picture Book Buzz - Interview with Beth Anderson 2025
Beth Anderson, a former ELL educator and Reading Specialist, has always marveled at the power of books.
With her endless curiosity, penchant for untold tales, and fascination with language, she strives for accidental learning in the midst of a great story and hopes to inspire kids to laugh, ponder, and question. Born and raised in Illinois, she now lives in Colorado.
Beth is the award-winning author of 9 books, including Thomas Jefferson's Battle for Science: Bias, Truth, and a Mighty Moose!, illustrated by Jeremy Holmes (2024), Franz's Phantasmagorical Machine, illustrated by Caroline Hamel (2022), Cloaked in Courage: Uncovering Deborah Sampson, Patriot Soldier, illustrated by Anne Lambelet (2022), Revolutionary Prudence Wright: Leading the Minute Women in the Fight for Independence, illustrated by Susan Reagan (2022), Tad Lincoln's Restless Wriggle: Pandemonium and Patience in the President's House, illustrated by S.D. Schindler (2021), "Smelly" Kelly and His Super Senses: How James Kelly's Nose Saved the New York City Subway, illustrated by Jenn Harney (2020), Lizzie Demands a Seat: Elizabeth Jennings Fights for Streetcar Rights, illustrated by E.B. Lewis (2020), and An Inconvenient Alphabet: Ben Franklin & Noah Webster’s Spelling Revolution, illustrated by Elizabeth Baddeley (2018).
Her newest picture book, Hiding in Plain Sight: Kate Warne and the Race to Save Abraham Lincoln, releases January 28th.
Welcome back Beth,
Thanks for having me back, Maria!
What is your research process? Did it change at all for Hiding in Plain Sight?
Hiding in Plain Sight experienced it all. I started this story way back in 2015 when I was just starting to develop my process and wasn’t as organized with the research as I am now. As a result, when I pulled it out of the drawer in 2021, ready to attack it once again as a newly relevant story, it was almost like starting over. That meant rereading and organizing what I had already accumulated and also, having grown as a writer and researcher, digging in deeper. I pondered different structures and angles for the story, so I did more research into the Lincoln side. But then, after I had all the information I could find on the people involved and had tried different formats, the focus became the race against time. And that meant I needed specific details on situations and dangers we don’t think about today. Setting is extremely important to conflict, risk, and stakes, so I delved further into the president-elect’s inaugural trip, railroads, and logistics involved. That was key to creating the fast pace the story depends on.
Wow! Thank you so much for sharing all of this! It's so fascinating how much research actually goes into the creation of a nonfiction picture book. What was the initial inspiration or spark of interest for Hiding in Plain Sight: Kate Warne and the Race to Save Abraham Lincoln?
Originally, it was my love of detective stories and the fascinating role of Kate Warne, the first female detective in the U.S., in foiling the Baltimore Plot. There was the “first,” the story of a bold woman, and a little-known piece of American history about Lincoln, one of my favorite historical figures. I really loved researching and writing the manuscript, but when another book or two on her were announced, I reluctantly stuck it away.
But then January 6, 2021 happened, and this story of a group of people trying to stop a duly elected president from taking office had new relevance. I think the actual moment I decided to try this manuscript again was when I saw a photo of the insurrection happening under the gaze of the statue of Abraham Lincoln in the rotunda—because I had just started working on the story of that statue, sculpted by teen aged Vinnie Ream. The importance of Kate Warne’s actions rang through history even more strongly.
We often hear not to give up on stories, even if other ones like them are released. I am so glad you held onto it! What was the toughest part of your research and/or writing Hiding in Plain Sight? How, if at all, did this differ from your other biographies?
I think the most challenging aspect was understanding and conveying to the reader the logistics required to understand risk and stakes. After digging into setting details, I had to boil down the information and determine what was needed by the reader to feel the danger and urgency of the situation. Too much information killed the drama and pace, and not enough info created confusion.
There’s some of this challenge in every bio I’ve written because we have to create the historical lens to eliminate the unconscious assumptions kids bring to a story based on their lives today. In this manuscript, I had to make readers aware of transportation, communication, and societal differences that created conflicts for the main character. But if you “dump” the information, you lose the emotional connection needed to keep the reader engaged. Additionally, there are two timelines going—Lincoln’s progress along his route, and the detectives taking action. Since this story is about a “race against time” and readers come to the story knowing that Lincoln does become president, the need for urgency is intensified and I had to make it absorbing enough for the reader to suspend what they already know for a bit. Most of the revision went to drama and pacing, and also to embedding the Lincoln timeline into Kate’s experiences.
That is a particularly thorny issue to work through. Congrats on accomplishing it. We often focus on what was hard about putting together the research and writing of a book. What was the most fun or fascinating part of researching and/or writing Hiding in Plain Sight?
I think the most fun part was digging out the drama and getting it on the page. But best of all, I had another chance to turn this favorite manuscript into a book.
[Share Beth Anderson's excitement for Hiding in Plain Sight - https://www.youtube.com/embed/dJLR_H_Ylr8?si=ae0t7fhVnkjagNvN]
So glad you finally succeeded in creating a detective picture book! How long did Hiding in Plain Sight take from idea to publication?
I started working on this manuscript in 2015 and worked on it for a year before sticking it in the drawer. I pulled it out in the beginning of Feb. 2021 and revised for several months, experimenting with focus and structure. Since I’d worked with editor Carolyn Yoder on six other manuscripts at that point, I asked if she’d be interested in seeing it and got her thoughts. After revising for a couple more months, my agent subbed the story to Carolyn exclusively, and it went under contract in July. Months of editorial revisions focused on urgency, drama, and streamlining the text with the right amount of context to allow the story to race. How long it took from idea to publication is different than how long I worked on it: 1 year + 5 years in the drawer + more than 3 more years to publication.
Wow! It is so interesting to see the path of each book, as they are all so different. When you first saw Sally Wern Comport’s illustrations, did anything surprise or amaze you? Which is your favorite spread?
The first I saw of Sally’s ideas for illustration involved a few sketches and a collection of pieces with design elements for the scrapbook look—samples of clothing, furniture, lamps, clocks, etc. I was excited by the complexity and uniqueness of what she planned to do. When I saw the next stage, with the pieces put together and how it would play out, I was amazed! I loved the inclusion of the maps as endpapers and also as snippets within a few spreads. This made the difficult logistics clearer. The addition of clocks to many of the spreads added to the tension. Reviewers have commented on the extraordinary art and the timepieces.
It's hard to choose a favorite. I love the image of Kate on the last spread that also appears on the title page. The shadow on her face. Her look so strong and purposeful. And her eyes intent on the future.
I love the second spread where we first see Kate. There’s a lot going on in that illustration.
Text © Beth Anderson, 2025. Image © Sally Wern Comport, 2025.
Another favorite is the spread when Lincoln is secretly leaving Harrisburg. There’s so much atmosphere, tension, and context in those assembled pieces that bring the scene alive. It’s one of the few spreads where we don’t see Kate.
Text © Beth Anderson, 2025. Image © Sally Wern Comport, 2025.
There is so much to enjoy and peruse in Sally’s illustrations!
They are so detailed, textured, and captivating. I am really glad Sally illustrated the book. I love the different atmospheres she's created. Is there something you’d like to share from your research which did not make it into the book or back matter?
Oh, so many tidbits had to be left out. Some would be humorous if they weren’t dangerous. Here are a few:
When Kate went to meet Judd in New York City, the reason he didn’t respond to her note for many hours was that he’d missed the inaugural train when it left Albany.
Lincoln’s reaction inside Independence Hall, his speech, and raising the flag there on George Washington’s birthday during such an ominous time was quite profound.
In Harrisburg, Lincoln excused himself from dinner to change clothes and sneak out. He insisted on telling his wife Mary what was going on. She was NOT happy to be left behind to ride the inaugural train as scheduled. And when other advisors were informed of the plan, several tried to wheedle their way into the carriage taking Lincoln to the special train, more intent on being a part of it than guarding the president-elect’s safety.
The engineer and the man stoking the train engine boiler as they raced to Philadelphia from Harrisburg recognized their secret passenger during one of their water stops when they glimpsed his face through the window.
As always, there are many decisions to be made about what to keep in and what to leave out.
Ooh, these are such interesting bits of information. Thanks for sharing them. Is there anything you want your readers to know about Hiding in Plain Sight?
As I mentioned there is much more to this small piece of history. I hope the book will spark interest and inspire people to read more of the books on the Baltimore Plot. There are three great ones for grown-ups that all take different angles. (see the Bibliography)
I hope kids will recognize Kate Warne as an ordinary individual who rose above the expectations of her time and place to protect the founding principles of the nation, never seeking glory or fame.
And for the writers reading this…hope springs eternal for manuscripts after years in the drawer!
For me, that last hope has definitely come true. Never totally give up on a manuscript. Are there any projects you are working on now that you can share a tidbit with us?
You know me, I like to keep works in progress under wraps until I have reason to celebrate.
But I can tell you that Sculpting President Lincoln Vinnie Ream Carves Out Her Future is in illustration now—woohoo! It’s the story of the spunky 😍, female 😳, teen aged 😱 artist who sculpted the statue of Lincoln that now stands in the Capitol rotunda.
And the other manuscript in the pipeline features a famous founder and a relevant revolutionary event…stay tuned for the announcement!
These sound so interesting, thanks for giving a teaser! 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?
OK – I’m going out on a limb here with a really open-ended idea of a natural place…. the microbiome inside the human body. Seems that we are just learning about this and there are amazing things happening inside us with teeny tiny microbes. I’m fascinated by how it all works (what little I know) and the potentially huge health implications of this mysterious system. I think it shows there’s as much to discover within us as in the outside world.
Love your answer! Thank you, Beth, for stopping by for this interview. I always enjoy talking with you.
Thanks, Maria! Always a pleasure!
Be sure to come back on Friday for the Perfect Picture Book #PPBF post on Hiding in Plain Sight: Kate Warne and the Race to Save Abraham Lincoln.
To find out more about Beth Anderson, or contact her:
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/bandersonwriter/
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