Author Laura Purdie Salas on the Science of Poetry– plus a GIVEWAY! « Lydia Lukidis
Author Laura Purdie Salas on the Science of Poetry– plus a GIVEWAY!
Hello world!!
Welcome to my kidlit blog, Blissfully Bookish. And oh boy, today is an exciting day. I have a mentor when it comes to writing lyrical STEM, and one day, I emailed her. Imagine my joy when I realized not only is she open to discussing kidlit issues with unwavering honesty, but she’s also super friendly! Please say hi to extraordinary human and author Laura Purdie Salas, here to discuss her latest picture book, Flurry, Float, and Fly! The Story of a Snowstorm, illustrated by Chiara Fedele and published by Bloomsbury.
BUT first- YAY! Laura is generously giving away a FREE copy of her book. To be eligible to win, please comment on this blog post. Contest ends Nov 28, 2025, US only.
Please describe the journey to publication and inspiration for Float, and Fly! The Story of a Snowstorm.
You know, it took 10 years to sell Zap! Clap! Boom! The Story of a Thunderstorm. But not long after acquiring that book in 2018, my editor, Susan Dobinick (then with Bloomsbury), asked if I’d be interested in writing a companion picture book about snow. I’ve been in love with snow since I was a sweaty tot growing up in scorching Florida, so…YES. I was thrilled to write this picture book! Bloomsbury bought the manuscript in speedy fashion—that was in early 2019. I’m so excited that it’s finally here—just like I’m excited each year for the first snowfall here in Minnesota, where I now live.
Please paste a short and compelling excerpt from your book.
This is from the middle of the book, but it’s some of my favorite language. I feel like it melds both the science and the magic of the formation of snow.
Ice keeps fusing.
Branches start.
Crystals surge—
a work of art!
In crushing, shushing, sparkling crowds,
frozen crystals
drop
through
clouds.
How do you balance facts with a storytelling voice?
In this case, there are two parallel stories: what’s happening up in the sky, which is the science story, and what’s happening with kids and animals on the ground, which is the more emotional story. The amazing illustrator, Chiara Fedele, really brought the balance to the two stories (I even made a little video about that: https://youtu.be/l9W5yj1gM5k?si=g-3QHO1MRoxAL-ws ). But even in the science part (my favorite part!), I tried to choose words that captured my emotions about the formation of and experience of a snowstorm. I wanted readers to feel the fierce winds of the jet stream and the fragility of those forming ice crystals. The science of it is dramatic! I just tried to let my own awe and excitement about snow soak into each line or verse about the process.
My favorite thing about your books is how kid friendly and fun you make each topic. Can you share anything about how writers can access that magic, especially when it comes to nonfiction?
Aw, thank you! For me, that magic comes when I clearly identify how I connect to and feel about a topic AND how I want a reader to feel at the end of my book. I usually know that going into a project. Then I write a bunch of drafts, probably not thinking about that at all. But once I have the structure and form of the project figured out, I circle back to that emotion. I try out different voices. Once I know the voice of the story, then the fun begins with word choice. I revise over and over again, showing the facts with different words and different rhythms. I’m basically trying to trap that emotion I’m after within my words. That’s the heart of the book.
Please share your favorite nonfiction books from the last 5 years that inspired you.
Five? You’ve got to be kidding. Okay, I stopped at seven only because my orange spice tea ran out :>)
Almost Underwear – Talk about an attention-getting title! What a great hook into a well-researched and fascinating book.
Pluto!: Not a Planet? Not a Problem! and A History of Underwear with Professor Chicken – These are just two of an armada of fabulous, funny informational books I read to inspire me on a total renovation of a manuscript. (And the revised manuscript was acquired—yay!)
You Are a Honey Bee! – I adore the amount of information packed into this poppy, brief book. A great example of 2nd-person point of view, too.
Light Speaks – This is like a book of my heart. I adore it and wish I’d written it. It is beautiful to read. A nonfiction poem.
Deep, Deep Down: The Secret Underwater Poetry of the Mariana Trench – This combines a topic I just love with a cool structure and a palpable feeling of wonder.
Mega-Predators of the Past – The witty voice and ferocious facts make this a nonfiction book that really grabs readers. That’s something the marketplace is requiring, more and more.
What is the best piece of advice you would give to other writers when it comes to nonfiction?
Think about a kid who has no knowledge of nor interest in your topic. Now figure out why it matters to that kid. Write a book that will grab them and make them care.
And a bonus question just for kicks! What was your favorite book when you were a child?
Two books I loved when I was very little: The House on East 88th Street (I was terrified of alligators, but I loved this friendly crocodile) and an edition of The Snow Queen with a cool lenticular cover (just learned it was published the same year I was born).
Bio
Laura Purdie Salas is the curious, impatient Minnesota author of 140+ picture books and board books, including Zap! Clap Boom!, Water Can Be…, and BookSpeak! Her books have earned the Minnesota Book Award, NCTE Notables, a Charlotte Zolotow Honor, starred reviews, and more. She knows books change kids’ lives, and she enjoys sharing her experiences (warts and all) and processes with other writers. laurasalas.com
Links
www.laurasalas.com
www.laurasalas.com/blog
www.laurasalas.com/flurry: Share your paper snowflakes on my Padlet for a chance to win a 30-minute author chat with me. (Deadline is December 31.)
order signed, personalized copies: www.redballoonbookshop.com/book/9781547603503
order from Amazon: www.amzn.to/43C7kce
https://laurasalas.com/blog
