Interview by Shannon Barnes
Tell us about your latest book or a project you are working on.
I’m currently working on my third middle-grade non-fiction book, Six Simple Machines: Inventions That Build Our World. It takes young readers on a lively STEM journey through time, exploring the six simple machines that shaped human history—the lever, wedge, inclined plane, screw, wheel and axle, and pulley—and propelled us into the modern age.
This project has been pure joy. I’ve worked hard to make engineering concepts fun and accessible, and I’m thrilled with Suharu Ogawa’s humorous, vibrant illustrations that bring every page to life. The book publishes in September of 2027.
Tell us about your writing process.
I’m a planner by nature. I don’t write a single word until I have a solid outline. Once I’ve thought through the core ideas, I dive into the research stage—easily the most time-consuming part of my process. Once my notes are organized, I sit down and the words fly. My editor will tell you I’d happily write an encyclopedia if she didn’t gently rein me in and remind me about that important little thing called the word-count target.
How did you first get published?
I feel incredibly fortunate about how it all started. I submitted my very first book proposal to Orca Book Publishers—a company I’ve long admired. My proposal included a detailed outline and sample chapters for an engineering book aimed at their popular Orca Timeline series. To my delight, I received an offer shortly thereafter. The editor loved the idea but suggested splitting it into two books. Hence my debut titles: Why Communities Need Engineers: Helping Humans Live Together (May 19, 2026) and Why Earth Needs Engineers: Problem Solving for People and the Planet (September 15, 2026).
What do you like about writing for young people?
I genuinely enjoy reading middle-grade books myself, and I love the challenge of taking complex ideas and making them clear and accessible for young minds. Above all, I hope my books inspire kids to pursue careers they’ll truly love—careers where they can make a real, positive difference in their communities and the wider world.
Tell us about writers who inspire you.
I’ve recently been captivated by Peter Brown’s The Wild Robot series. It’s superb—full of hope, wisdom, and fascinating insights into how different animals use their unique behaviours and adaptations to survive. I also love the fast-paced, action-packed stories of Eric Walters (his book Elephant Secret is currently high on my to-read list). He’s been writing great stories for about thirty years! Helen Peters and Becky Citra are two more authors whose work I admire deeply.
For adult and young-adult readers, I highly recommend Elinor Florence. I recently devoured her Canadian historical fiction novels Finding Flora and Wildwood. They are page-turners!
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Disclaimer
Interview responses reflect the views of the interview subjects. Opinions and views expressed by interview subjects are their own and are published as part of the CCBC’s coverage of Canadian children’s books and creators. Please see our Editorial Policy for further details.