FAQ for Kids

Where do you get your ideas?

Ideas are everywhere! Sometimes I find them in old diaries or letters in museums. Other times, I read newspaper articles from long ago. My book about Ernest Shackleton’s Antarctic adventure came from reading his crew’s journals. For “Magnus at the Fire,” I discovered an old photograph of a fire horse and wondered what happened when automobiles started replacing horses.

The best ideas often come when I ask: “What was it like to be a kid during this time in history?” or “What would it feel like to experience this historical event?” When I’m curious about something, that curiosity usually leads to a book!

How long does it take to write a book?

It depends on the book! Some books, like picture books, might take about 3-6 months to write (though I’ll spend many more months researching before I start writing). My longer books, like “The American Story” with 100 historical tales, took almost three years to research and write.

The research part often takes the longest. For “Shipwreck at the Bottom of the World,” I spent months reading diaries, looking at photographs, and learning about Antarctica before I wrote a single word. Writing is like building a house—you need a strong foundation of research first!

Do you have a favorite book that you’ve written?

That’s like asking a parent to pick a favorite child! Each book is special to me in different ways. “Black-Eyed Susan” holds a special place in my heart because I loved writing about prairie life. “Audubon” was amazing because I got to explore wild America through his eyes. And the “Dear Mr. President” books were fun because I got to imagine letters between kids and presidents!

If I had to pick one, though, I might choose “The American Story” because it let me tell 100 different stories about all kinds of people and events in American history.

What was your favorite book when you were my age?

When I was young, I loved books where kids had adventures and solved problems on their own. I read everything by Laura Ingalls Wilder and her “Little House” books. I also loved “Island of the Blue Dolphins” by Scott O’Dell, “The Secret Garden” by Frances Hodgson Burnett, and “A Wrinkle in Time” by Madeleine L’Engle.

I was also fascinated by Greek mythology and read every myth I could find. Those ancient stories showed me how powerful storytelling can be—people have been telling those tales for thousands of years!

How do you know so much about history?

I don’t know everything—but I know how to find things out! I spend lots of time in libraries and archives (places where they keep old documents). I read old newspapers, diaries, and letters. I look at photographs and maps from the time period I’m writing about.

For my book about John James Audubon, I actually visited many of the places where he traveled so I could see the landscapes myself. For “The Century for Young People,” I interviewed people who lived through historical events and listened to their stories.

The secret is: I’m always learning, just like you!

Do you ever make mistakes in your books?

Yes! All writers make mistakes, and that’s why we have editors to help us. Sometimes I might get a date wrong or mix up some details. When I find out about a mistake, I make sure it gets fixed in the next printing of the book.

The hardest part about writing history is that sometimes there are different versions of what happened, and historians don’t always agree. When this happens, I try to explain that there are different perspectives, or I look for more evidence to figure out what most likely happened.

How do you make history interesting and not boring?

The secret is: history isn’t actually boring at all! It’s full of amazing stories about real people. The trick is finding the human stories within the big events.

Instead of just writing “The Civil War happened from 1861-1865,” I look for stories like: “What was it like to be a drummer boy on the battlefield?” or “How did families communicate when fathers and sons were away fighting?”

I also look for surprising details, funny moments, and things that connect to what kids care about today. Did you know that children in Colonial America didn’t have to go to school every day? Or that Theodore Roosevelt had pillow fights with his children in the White House? Those are the kinds of details that make history come alive!

Do you work with an illustrator?

For picture books like “Magnus at the Fire” or “Audubon,” I don’t draw the pictures myself. The publisher chooses an artist who will create illustrations that match the feeling of my story.

Usually, the illustrator and I don’t work directly together. I write the words, and then the illustrator creates pictures based on what I’ve written. Sometimes I’m just as surprised and delighted as you are when I see the final illustrations!

For books like “The American Story,” I help choose historical photographs and artwork to include alongside the stories.

How can I become a better writer?

1. Read, read, read! The more you read, the better writer you’ll become.
2. Keep a journal where you can write down your thoughts, observations, and stories.
3. Be curious and ask questions about everything around you.
4. Practice writing descriptions using all five senses—how things look, sound, smell, taste, and feel.
5. Write about what interests you. If you love dinosaurs or space or dance, write stories about those things!
6. Don’t worry about getting it perfect the first time. All writers revise their work many times.
7. Share your writing with friends and family who will encourage you.

Remember: every professional writer started out as a kid who loved stories!

Do you have any advice for young historians?

Start with your own family history! Interview your grandparents and older relatives about their lives. What was school like for them? What games did they play? What historical events do they remember?

Keep a scrapbook of current events happening now—someday, you’ll be a primary source for future historians!

Visit historical sites and museums in your area. Touching real objects from the past helps you connect with history in a special way.

When you read about historical events, always ask: “Who else was there whose story might not have been told?” Some of the most interesting historical discoveries come from looking at familiar events from new perspectives.

How long does it take to write a book?

This depends on the kind of book! A picture book might take a few months to write (though the research might take much longer). My book “The American Story” took almost three years from start to finish because it contained 100 different historical stories that each needed research.

Most of my books take about a year from the time I start researching until I finish writing. Then it takes another year or more for the publisher to edit the book, create illustrations or add photographs, design the pages, and print the book. So from the first idea to holding the book in your hands can take 2-3 years!

What’s your favorite part about being an author?

The best part is when I get letters from kids who’ve read my books! I love hearing which parts made you laugh, which parts made you curious, and especially when you tell me that one of my books made you want to learn more about history.

I also love the research adventures. For my books, I’ve gone dog sledding, explored caves, visited historic ships, and traveled to places I might never have seen otherwise. Being an author means I’m always learning something new!