The Picture Book Buzz

Michelle Cusolito, M. Ed is a former elementary and National Board Certified Teacher. She later worked as an adjunct professor at Lesley University’s Graduate School of Education. One of the courses she taught was titled “Science: Thinking with Evidence,” a subject that is particularly important in our current climate and is at the core of the books she writes.

Michelle was also the science education consultant for a grant-funded citizen science program at three public libraries titled, “My Own BackYard (MOBY).”

Michelle is well versed in the work of scientists and naturalists. One summer when she was teaching, Michelle worked as a field assistant for a research project in Estación Biológica Bilsa, Ecuador. She worked under the direction of the Principal Investigator at a remote field station in the rain forest. Her days were spent capturing and tagging butterflies and mapping trails in knee deep mud. She is currently an adjunct at Simmons University in their MFA program, Children’s Literature, Writing for Children and is part of the leadership team in Massachusetts for Authors Against Book Bans.

Collage of the three covers of Michelle's books.

Michelle’s the author of A Window into the Ocean Twilight Zone: Twenty-four Days of Science at Sea (2024), Diving Deep: Using Machines to Explore the Ocean (2022) and Flying Deep: Climb Inside Deep-Sea Submersible Alvin (2018).

Her newest picture book, Jellyfish Scientist: Maude Delap and Her Mesmerizing Medusas, releases April 22nd.

Welcome Michelle, thank you so much for stopping back by to talk about your picture book and your writing.

Having written a number of nonfiction picture books, what is your research process? Did it change at all for Jellyfish Scientist: Maude Delap and Her Mesmerizing Medusas?

On a basic level, my process is the same. I often start by searching on the internet, and reading books, articles, and scientific papers.

But this book differed for an important reason: I learned about Maude when I was living in Ireland, and I was going to be moving back to the states later that year. So, my research timeline was compressed: I needed to do as much research as I could before we moved. I followed my usual process and immediately requested materials from my local library. (Side note: one of the first things I did when we moved to Dublin was get a library card! I love libraries and librarians!)

My initial research revealed that Maude had exchanged letters with the keeper of the Natural History Museum for forty years and had donated many specimens that were still on display. I already knew the keeper, Nigel Monaghan, because he had helped me with my research on a different topic. So, I reached out to him again and he gave me access to read all of Maude’s letters, which are stored in the archives. I also revisited the museum to see Maude’s specimens.

It's always good to make friends with museum curators, too! What was your spark of curiosity or inspiration or spark of interest for Jellyfish Scientist?

Book cover - woman looking through a clear tank and studying a jellyfish.

As I mentioned above, Nigel had helped me with research on a different subject. While I was working on that research, I learned about Maude and was instantly fascinated. I have a real affinity for the smaller, less well-known organisms like jellyfish and small animals that live in places like tidal pools. I can often be found exploring tide pools whenever I’m near the ocean, so I was hooked right away.

I'm glad you ran across her story. How long did it take from the first draft to publication for Jellyfish Scientist?

First draft to publication took five years, but as I mentioned, my research began long before I started writing. My initial research happened in 2017, so eight years before publication. I wrote my first very rough draft in March of 2020 and then it went through many iterations with changes in voice, point of view, etc. It took me a long time to figure out some basics of how I’d write the book: what to include, what to leave out, what voice to use.

We are all glad you figured it out! What was the toughest aspect of researching and/ or writing Jellyfish Scientist? And what was the most fun or fascinating part?

I didn’t really start writing until March of 2020 when the world was locked down. I had already completed most of the research I needed, but there were details I wanted to verify along the way. Getting responses to my research emails was challenging. People were away from their places of employment and didn’t have access to the things I was asking about. On the flip side, I was able to reach Mick Delap, Maude’s great-nephew. He never knew Maude, but emailing with him was a joy. He shared a sketch of Maude’s that had come into his possession, along with poems he had written about her. This didn’t help with my research, per se, but it brought her personal impact more clearly into focus. I’m also thankful for the lovely connection I made.

My favorite part of the research was reading Maude’s letters to the keeper of the National Museum of Ireland-Natural History. I literally got to hold Maude’s letters in my hands and read her words written in her less-than-perfect handwriting. I feel like I got to know her as a person in those letters. She was pretty no-nonsense. She’d get to the reason for her letter straight away and never hesitated to ask for what she wanted or needed. She was also generous—sharing specimens with the museum, sometimes going to great lengths to get them there. (See the story about the whale in the back matter!)

Thank you for sharing both of these treasures - connecting to Maude's relative and seeing her letters first-hand. When you first saw Ellen Rooney’s illustrations, did anything surprise or amaze you? Which is your favorite spread?

As an author of picture books, I never really know what the art will be when I turn over my manuscript. I’ve been so fortunate. Each of the illustrators I’ve had the pleasure to work with has created art that was beyond what I could have imagined. Ellen’s illustrations are perfect for this story.

Internal spread - on the left a notebook and pencil under the text. A woman and boy tend the garden as a dog sniffs algae in a bucket. On the right, a woman and her niece set up a tank to examine a jellyfish.

Text © Michelle Cusolito, 2025. Image © Ellen Rooney, 2025.

I adore every page, so choosing one favorite is impossible. However, I will say that it was pretty exciting to get to see “the department” (Maude’s home laboratory) illustrated. There are no known photos of the department, so Ellen had to create one from her imagination based heavily on descriptions written by family members and on Ellen’s deep research of homes at the time.

I really want to shout out Ellen here. Her attention to research and detail is remarkable. I thought I was the only person who would chase details the way I do! Being paired with someone who is equally dedicated is always a joy. My favorite detail that Ellen brought to the story is the young girl—Maude’s niece—who appears in the illustrations, but not in my text. We knew Maude’s nieces and nephews spent time in the department because they spoke about it and her nephew Peter described it in his unpublished memoir. In addition, Maude’s obituary said, “Her entire life was spent on Valentia with her two other unmarried sisters, and they provided a wonderful second home for successive waves of nephews and nieces.” Ellen tracked down the census records from that year and found that Maude had a niece who was just the right age to be featured observing in the lab. After talking it over as a team, we decided she should be included in the book as an observer, just like readers would be.

Oh, what a wonderful insider nugget to discover. Thank you so much for sharing it with us. Is there something you’d like to share from your research which did not make it into the book or back matter?

@ Charlesbridge Instagram

Well, there’s one thing that’s a bit of a legend that I find interesting. Maude and her sister Constance assisted renowned English scientist Edward T. Browne with research he conducted in Valentia Harbour (where she lived). Unlike many male scientists of the time, he credited both women for their important contributions in his published work. Maude was reportedly in love with Browne but he married someone else. Is this true? I don’t know. How could any of us know what was in her heart? What we do know is that she sent him violets on his birthday every year.

Interesting. Is there anything you want your readers to know about or gain from Jellyfish Scientist?

One thing I’d like readers to take away is that anyone can “do” science. All they have to do is slow down and look closely. I recently interviewed a scientist for another project that will be going on submission soon. He made the point that many people assume scientists know everything about the ecosystems in their backyard, but that’s not true. There are many discoveries within arm’s reach—in the forest, lake, seashore—awaiting citizen scientists.

As with all of my nonfiction books, nothing is made up. Every detail is researched carefully, and both my text and the illustrations are fact-checked to make sure the book is as accurate as possible. My job as an author is to work hard to present accurate information to readers. The whole team at Charlesbridge is dedicated to this, from my editor, Karen Boss, to Kristen Nobles, the art director, to the illustrator Ellen Rooney. I’m so thankful for them.

I hope the book does inspire others to slow down and look around and contribute to citizen science projects. Are there any projects you are working on now that you can share a tidbit with us?

Book cover - two adult whales suspend a small calf between them near the ocean surface, as a scuba diver watches from below.

*Michelle has another book, In the World of Whales, illustrated by Jessica Lanan, publishing on June 17th.

I have a book coming out in March of 2026 with a Moon + Bird (a new imprint of the UK publisher Watkins). We’re about to change the title, so I can’t share it, but I can say that it’s a book that explores National Trees of the World. Most people don’t know that many countries have an established national tree. (Ours here in the US is the Oak). My lyrical text tells a bit about the trees themselves and also explains why the tree is important to the country. The illustrations by Marya Wright are delightfully whimsical and inviting.

These sound so interesting. I can't wait to read them! What an awesome cover. Last question, what animal or natural feature (place) do you want to learn more about? Why?

Ha! An easier question to answer might be: What don’t I want to learn about? Seriously, though, I am constantly chasing my own curiosity. I have loads of ideas for other books, but I like to keep those things kind of close as I figure out what might work for a book (or not). I’ll say this: I have a fondness for the overlooked (such as small plants and animals that are often ignored or vilified), so my file is full of ideas like that. My challenge is to figure out how to write about them so that other people are interested.

Best of luck with all of them! Thank you, Michelle for stopping by and sharing your time and thoughts with us. It was wonderful to chat with you.

To find out more about Michelle Cusolito, or contact her:

Website: https://www.michellecusolito.com

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

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/michelle.cusolito

Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/mcusolito.bsky.social

📢 As a fun extra bonus, Michelle did a ten-part series of posts on her Instagram page (starting here) called “Meet Maude Delap” where she shared extra details and photos about Maude's life, island, and work. As well as reposting additional posts by Charlesbridge. They are really fascinating!

Check out Michelle Cusolito's upcoming book events:

Composite photo - on the left cover of Jellyfish Scientist. On the right, Michelle Cusolito on the WHOI Samiento.

April 22 at 2 pm

Eight Cousins Books, Falmouth Reading, Q&A, science investigation, and book signing*.*The first 20 kids to register/RSVP for the event will receive a special shell, rock, or piece of beach glass collected on the beach in front of Maude’s home on Valentia Island.

April 24 at 2 pm

Sandwich Public Library with Titcomb’s Bookshop. Storytime and book signing. We’ll also do a short science investigation inspired by Maude’s work. Free Tickets/Register .

April 25 at 11:30 am

WHOI Discovery Center, Falmouth. Book reading followed by a craft: we’ll upcycle trash to make jellyfish for display!

April 28 at 4 pm

Simmons University, Boston room A-154. Book reading followed by a writing focused craft talk targeted to writers. Q and A and book signing follow.

May 3 at 1 pm

Mattapoisett Library, Mattapoisett. Keynote address at the Friends of Mattapoisett Library Annual Meeting.

May 10 at 12 pm

An Unlikely Story, Plainville. This is the only chance to see me together with illustrator Ellen Rooney! Book reading, brief presentation about the making of the book, Q and A, followed by a book signing. Free Tickets/Register.