Laurie Ann Thomas

A former software engineer, Laurie Ann Thompson now writes for young people to help them understand the world we live in so they can help make it a better place for all. She strives to write nonfiction that encourages imagination and fiction that reflects universal truths, as seen in Emmanuel’s Dream, a picture book biography of a man who changed his country’s perceptions of disability (winner of the ALA Schneider Family Book Award, an ALA Notable Book, a CCBC Choice, and a Bank Street College Best Book of the Year, among dozens of other accolades); Be a Changemaker, an inspiring how-to guide for teens who want to change the world; and the Meet Your World series (illustrated by Jay Fleck), which encourages young readers to learn about a familiar animal by pretending to be one. She lives near Seattle, Washington, in the Pacific Northwest, USA. Learn more at lauriethompson.com.

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What kinds of things do you like to write?

I mostly write nonfiction for kids, everything from board books for the littlest readers to a young-adult how-to guide. Anything that catches my interest is fair game, but lately I’m feeling especially drawn to STEM and social-emotional learning (SEL) topics.

What inspired you to write the genre you do?

I am super curious and love learning new things! And if I’m going to take the time to learn about something, I might as well share that knowledge, right?

You Are A Garter Snake!

Tell us about your current book.

My newest book is You Are a Garter Snake! It’s the fourth book in the Meet Your World series, which encourages very young readers to learn—through gentle interactivity and pretend play—about the animals who share their world. It was a real challenge to get inside the mind—and body—of a snake, especially since I’ve been irrationally terrified of them my whole life! But it was a great learning experience. My hope is that kids when kids see how much we all have in common, they’ll be inspired to care for and protect not only garter snakes, but the environment and each other, as well.

You Are A Garter Snake!

What did you do before (or still do) you became a writer?

I have a degree in applied mathematics and was a software engineer before starting my second career as an author. I took some time off work to raise my children, and while reading to them I rediscovered how much I love children’s books. It took a lot of hard work and patience, but I eventually found a path to publication… and I haven’t looked back! Most people are surprised to hear about my analytical background, but I feel like coding and writing are very similar processes for me. They both involve breaking an idea down into manageable parts, putting those parts in the right order, and then using language to achieve the desired outcome. Plus, rarely is either endeavor right on the first try, with both taking multiple iterations to perfect. Both feel like puzzles to me, and I love solving puzzles!

Were you a big reader as a child?

Yes, I read literally everything I could get my hands on! My parents were very supportive, and they let me read whatever I wanted, so I was exposed to a bit of everything.

What were your favourite childhood books?

I spent a LOT of time just browsing through our set of encyclopedias. I was fascinated with the idea of trying to take all of the knowledge in the world and condense it all in one place. Of course, that’s impossible, but growing up in the pre-Internet days, the encyclopedia was an absolute treasure trove. My all-time favorite story book, however, was Judith Kerr’s Mog the Forgetful Cat. I felt a lot like Mog, always making mistakes and not quite sure why the people around her weren’t pleased with her behavior.

Which genres do you read yourself?

It’s probably no surprise that I read a lot of nonfiction on a wide range of subjects. And, of course, I read a lot of children’s books. But my favorite escape has always been fantasy novels! Lately, I’m really enjoying the “new” sub-genre of cozy fantasy, such as Travis Baldree’s Legends and Lattes.

Would you ever consider writing outside your current genre?

Yes, I’m actually working on a middle-grade fantasy novel! Writing long-form fiction is a very different process from writing picture books or nonfiction. I loved the drafting phase, but I’m still trying to wrap my head around how to approach a revision.

What will always distract you?

The crow that lives in my backyard. Whenever it sees me working, it comes and sits right outside my window and stares at me until I deliver peanuts.

How many books are in your own physical TBR pile?

I think you mean how many shelves full of books are in my physical TBR pile. More than a few, that’s for sure!

What is your current or latest read?

Right now I’m reading Starter Villain by John Scalzi and The Ends of the World: Volcanic Apocalypses, Lethal Oceans, and Our Quest to Understand Earth’s Past Mass Extinctions by Peter Brannen. Both are very good!

Any plans or projects in the near future you can tell us about?

Let the Light In

I’m really excited about my next picture book, Let the Light In, which comes out in September. It’s a social-emotional learning (SEL) tool full of examples of how we can take care of ourselves when we’re experiencing sadness, grief, or depression. I’ve heard from so many people—young and old alike—who are struggling right now, and I hope this ode to the many forms of self-care can be a balm to those who need it. I’m also putting the finishing touches on an informational picture book about Newton’s Laws Paws, inspired by my cat, who was clearly a physicist in a previous life. I’m working on two different picture book manuscripts about climate change for very young readers. And, I’m researching a more serious middle-grade nonfiction about the Earth’s past—and present—mass extinction events. So, lots of different projects in various stages of development… just the way I like it!