top of page

The Picture Book Buzz

The Picture Book Buzz - Interview w/ Colleen Paeff and Review of Firefly Song

  • Writer: Maria Marshall
    Maria Marshall
  • 3 days ago
  • 12 min read

Award-winning author, Colleen Paeff, is a lifelong Californian. She received a Bachelor’s Degree in set design for theater from California State University Fullerton, before becoming a bookseller, preschool teacher, and newspaper columnist. (She never did become a set designer!)

Photo of author Colleen Paeff.

Eventually, she figured out how to roll books, kids, and writing into a career as a children’s book author, and now she gets to share her enthusiasm for books and learning by visiting with students both at home and abroad.


Colleen is a Robert F. Sibert Honor recipient and winner of the Golden Kite Award for Nonfiction Text for Young Readers. She lives in Los Angeles, CA.

Book cover - man in a rowboat floating under a bridge in the polluted Thames.

Colleen is the author of The Great Stink: How Joseph Bazalgette Solved London’s Poop Pollution Problem illustrated by Nancy Carpenter (2021).


Her newest book, Firefly Song: Lynn Frierson Faust and the Great Smoky Mountain Discovery illustrated by Ji-Hyuk Kim, releases June 10th.


Welcome Colleen,


Hi Maria! Thank you for inviting me to be your guest!

 

Tell us a little about yourself. (Where/when do you write? How long have you been writing? What is your favorite book to write?)

 

I’ve been making up stories for as long as I can remember, but I didn’t start writing them down until I was in college – and at that point it was really just one story (a fiction picture book) that I’d revise and submit about every five years. 

 

After I became a mom, I started writing essays about parenting. I published a few things in magazines, and I received some champagne rejections that I definitely should have followed up on. But back then I thought a rejection was a rejection. I didn’t understand that there are levels of rejection and a personalized note was more of an invitation than a rejection.

 

Eventually, I wrote a newspaper column, called People in My Neighborhood, in which I interviewed a local person each month. Getting that job was a real confidence booster (plus good practice!). Seven years later, when my daughter left home, I decided to quit the column and focus all my energy on becoming a traditionally published picture book author. That was in 2014 and I sold my first book, The Great Stink, in 2018.

 

I don’t have a set writing schedule, but I tend to be obsessive, plus I’m a slow writer (a terrible combination!). So, in general, if I’m not doing some kind of Important Life Task, I’m writing (or at least doing the “business” of writing, which is sometimes really procrastinating, but that’s a topic for another blog post!). I’m working on finding balance though because I’d like to make time for sewing and gardening – two things I really enjoy and almost never do. So far, I haven’t figured out how to do ALL THE THINGS…but I will let you know if I do.

 

It's so wonderful to get to know you better, Colleen!. What is one of the most fun or unusual places where you’ve written a manuscript or article?

 

Hmmm. I can’t think of an unusual place where I’ve written, but I’ve been plenty of unusual places for research – many of them sewer-related. When I was first doing research for The Great Stink, I didn’t know which direction the book would go and I felt I should understand what happens to human waste once it leaves the home, so I toured several wastewater treatment plants (which I highly recommend) and even got to go into the room where all the sewage first arrives at the plant (not necessarily recommended, but interesting!).

 

HA! Definitely not a usual "field" trip but I agree that it is likely very eye-opening. When and how did you first learn about Lynn Frierson Faust? 

Photo of fireflies in the Great Smoky Mountains- image from "The Great Smoky Mountains’ Incredible Firefly Lightshow" article on Mental Floss.  iStock | iStock

I used to get Mental Floss magazine delivered to my house and in 2014 they published an article called “The Great Smoky Mountains’ Incredible Firefly Lightshow” by Jen Doll. The article mentioned Lynn Faust and her childhood summers in the Smoky Mountains. As an adult, Lynn realized some of the fireflies she was seeing near the family cabin in the Smokies were different from any other fireflies she’d seen. She was convinced they were synchronous – but it took a lot of effort for her to get the scientific community to take her seriously. When a couple biologists finally came up to meet with her, they knew immediately she was right. The three of them worked together to prove it and Lynn went on to become a firefly expert and author of the first (and only, as far as I know) field guide to North American fireflies. Now people call her the Lightning Bug Lady!

 

It's often been hard for naturalists to get scientists to take them seriously. I'm glad she persevered! And what inspired you to write her biography - Firefly Song: Lynn Frierson Faust and the Great Smoky Mountain Discovery? 

Book cover - a girl in a wooded area staring at fireflies in a glass jar.

There were several things. First off, I could so clearly visualize the images of Lynn as a child in the Smoky Mountains. She was one of those barefoot kids with pockets full of treasures from nature and she loved looking for insects and animals. Second, Lynn had studied forensic anthropology in school, but at the time that she discovered the synchronous fireflies, she was a stay-at-home mom with three young boys. I just loved the fact that she went from homemaker to worldwide expert on fireflies without going back to school to study biology or entomology. She learned from doing and reading and from the people around her. She worked as a research partner with those first scientists who came to the mountains to see the fireflies for seventeen years and wrote numerous scholarly papers with them before branching out on her own and partnering with other researchers. (She’s an amazing woman – I feel so honored to know her.) And third…FIREFLIES! How can anyone not want to write about fireflies?

 

I am glad that you met her and shared her amazing story with us. What is the hardest or most challenging thing about writing Firefly Song? And what was the most fun?

 

The hardest part for me was understanding firefly biology. There were lots of times that I had to double check in Lynn’s book (and sometimes with Lynn herself) to be sure I was understanding something correctly. Even though a lot of that research doesn’t show up in the book (some of it was in backmatter that got cut), I felt it was important that I understand the firefly lifecycle and other facts about them, in general.

 

The best part about writing Firefly Song was my trip to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park for research. I got to see the synchronous fireflies with Lynn! She spent a whole afternoon with my husband and me, showing us the ruins of their former cabin and taking us through the refurbished cabin she spent time in as a child. And then that night she took us to see the synchronous firefly display. It was incredible! But even better was the second night when she left us on our own and told us to walk “a couple miles” down a particular trail, far from the crowds, for the best “light show” experience. These particular fireflies don’t start flashing until it’s fully dark, so we did NOT hike two miles into the dark forest. We probably hiked about a mile in and WOW! It was spectacular…truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

 

That sounds so amazing! How many revisions did Firefly Song take from first draft to publication?

 

Honestly, I’m not sure. It was a different situation because I pitched the idea to my Great Stink editor, Karen Wojtyla, and she said if I wrote up a proposal she thought her team might make an offer – before I ever wrote the manuscript – which they did! So, I spent waaaaay too much time on the proposal and by then I had a pretty clear idea of what I wanted to do with the manuscript. I’d say maybe I did around ten drafts of the story itself, which is pretty unusual for me.

 

Interesting. That is a different path for picture books. When you first saw Ji-Hyuk Kim’s illustrations did anything surprise, amaze, or delight you? Which is your favorite spread?

 

I was thrilled before I saw a single illustration because I knew Ji had done the cover for Christina Soontornvat’s book A Wish in the Dark and I love the way that cover practically glows. So, I figured I was in good hands, but when I saw the Firefly Song illustrations for the first time I was blown away.

Internal spread - on the left, a choir sings as fireflies twinkle and a music staff floats in the air. On the right, a magnolia tree branch set off against a bright blue sky.

Text © Colleen Paeff, 2025. Image © Ji-Hyuk Kim, 2025.


In my opinion, there is something to love on every spread, but I think my favorite is the one with the choir and the magnolia tree. I also love the spread with the scientists first seeing the light show. And I love the opening and closing spreads too – the way you feel like the story has come full circle. I could go on, but I’ll stop there!

  

Both of these images are magical. And I agree that the opening and closing spreads are perfect! What's something you want your readers to know or learn about Firefly Song?

 

I want them to know that they can follow Lynn’s example and become an expert at something that interests them by sheer force of will, determination, and hard work. I also want them to know that if they live in firefly country, they should turn off their outdoor lighting at night, stop using pesticides, and leave a wild patch of growth just for the fireflies. (Check out Firefly Song‘s backmatter for even more ideas on how to have a firefly-friendly yard!)

 

I hope the book encourages others to follow their passions and create areas for fireflies. Was there anything you learned during your research that you couldn’t include in the main text or back matter? 

Book cover - a glowing firefly arching a trail from  the bottom right to the middle of the book.

I wanted to include more details about the lifecycle of fireflies and information about how to identify some of the more common species, but there just wasn’t room. However, Lynn’s book, Fireflies, Glow-Worms, and Lightning Bugs, is chock full of that stuff and it’s a really fun read. I highly recommend it!

 

Thank you for the recommendation. Are there any new projects you are working on now that you can share a tidbit with us?

 

I have two books coming out in 2026. Rainbow Truck, which I co-authored with Hina Abidi (illustrated by Saffa Khan) is about a Pakistani decorated truck trying to determine what her Very Important Job is. The story takes readers on a journey through Pakistan, ending in a tiny mountain village where the driver and his family live.

 

Also coming out in 2026 is Pufflings Fly Free (illustrated by Linda Ólafsdóttir). This is another book idea that came to me thanks to a magazine article: An Icelandic Town Goes All Out to Save Baby Puffins. I mean, the title alone screams “PICTURE BOOK!” right? This book tells the story of a young girl trying to save a baby puffin on her own for the first time. My husband and I went to Iceland to rescue some pufflings ourselves and I can tell you from experience – it is not as easy as you might think! 

Photo of Kirsten W. Larson from Nonfiction Kidlit Craft Conversations Podcast page.

Both of my 2026 books started out as nonfiction and became informational fiction (a topic I’ll be discussing with Kirsten W. Larson on her excellent podcast in September!).

 

These books sound so intriguing. We'll have to keep our eyes open for them. And I am excited to hear your podcast with Kirsten Larson. Last question, what is your favorite National Park or Forest, regional park, or city park (anywhere in the world)? Or the one you’re longing to visit. Why?

 

I’ve never been to Lassen Volcanic National Park and I’d love to go there (and to so many others!), but the natural area that has my heart is Hampstead Heath in North London. My husband sometimes works in London for several months at a time and we always try to find a flat near the Heath. It’s a beautiful open space in the middle of the city with ponds and a wood and a grand country house and hidden benches where you can sit and read or write or just listen to the birds. You feel like you could get lost wandering the grassy hillsides, but you never do. It’s one of the most magical places I’ve ever been.

 

Thank you, Colleen, for sharing with us a bit about yourself and your new book.

Photo of the advertisment for Colleen Paeff's Books Launch and signing. Cover image on the left and author photo on the right.

You’re very welcome! If any of your readers live in the Los Angeles area, I hope they’ll join me at the Firefly Song launch party at Once Upon a Time Bookstore in Montrose, CA.

Saturday, June 14 at 2 PM.

2207 Honolulu Ave., Montrose, CA 91020



I’ll also be at ALA Annual in Philadelphia, signing books in Simon & Schuster’s booth (#405) on Friday, June 27 from 6:00 to 6:30 PM.

The Pennsylvania Convention Center

1101 Arch Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107


And one last piece of news: anyone who signs up for my newsletter between June 10 and June 24, 2025, will be automatically entered to win a book bundle of Firefly Song paired with a copy of Lynn’s book, Fireflies, Glow-Worms, and Lightning Bugs.


Thanks, Maria, for the lovely chat!


To find out more about Colleen Paeff, or to contact her:

Website and newsletter sign-ups: https://www.colleenpaeff.com/


Review of Firefly Song: Lynn Frierson Faust and the Great Smoky Mountain Discovery


This is a wonderful picture book based on the true story of an observant, nature-loving young girl whose fascination with the amazing light show of special fireflies in the Great Smoky Mountains carried her from a dedicated naturalist to becoming a firefly expert - "the Lightning Bug Lady."

Book cover - a girl in a wooded area staring at fireflies in a glass jar.

Firefly Song: Lynn Frierson Faust and the Great Smoky Mountain Discovery

Author: Colleen Paeff

Illustrator: Ji-Hyuk Kim

Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry Books/Simon & Schuster (June 10, 2025)

Ages: 4-8

Informational Fiction


Themes:

Nature, fireflies, determination. and naturalists.


Synopsis:

The Leaf Detective meets fireflies in this inspirational nonfiction picture book from Sibert Honoree Colleen Paeff about how one woman proved to scientists that the fireflies she had watched as a young girl put on dazzling and impossibly synchronous nighttime performances.


Every year, Lynn spends her summers roaming the forests of the Great Smoky Mountains and watching the fireflies light up the night. As she gets older, she realizes there’s something special about these Great Smoky fireflies. Each night they seem to perform a dazzling synchronized light show!


She tries to learn more, but scientists tell her that synchronous fireflies don’t exist in the western hemisphere. Lynn may not be a scientist, but she wonders like a scientist and pays attention like a scientist. She believes in herself and the silent song of the fireflies.


With determination and hard work, Lynn sets out to convince the scientific community that she’s right—and to tell the world about the beauty of the firefly show she’s seen her entire life.


Opening Lines:

In a green river valley of the Great Smoky Mountains,

there is a swimming-hole-splashing, bear-watching,

tree-climbing place called Elkmont.


At Elkmont every summer, a girl named Lynn fills

her pockets with treasure, flings herself into dark

crystal waters, and lingers in the light-dappled forest

until the fireflies light her way home.


What I Loved about this book:

This is such a fun opening, showing the camaraderie and joy of Lynn and her friends exploring and playing in the woods of the Great Smoky Mountains. The vibrant, bold, and yet loose watercolor and digital illustrations wonderfully capture the heat of the summer and the anticipated splash of her leap into the natural pool in the river.

Internal spread - on the upper left, six kids sit on rocks on the edge of a swimming hole. Bottom left, in three panels a girl runs across rocks toward the water. On the right,

Text © Colleen Paeff, 2025. Image © Ji-Hyuk Kim, 2025.


Lynn was a special young girl who knew "nature is full of magic waiting to be discovered. You just have to pay attention." Whether in the sun dabbled forest or the stunning night displays of the fireflies. Especially the ones by their summer cabin in Elkmont, Tennessee. Using a fun refrain, "Blink! Shine! Twinkle! Pop! Flash! Spark! DARK," Colleen Paeff lyrically captures the uniquely synchronous flashing of these unusual fireflies. And Ji-Hyuk Kim's stunning illustration plays with the refrain and offers a visceral experience of this occurrence.

Internal spreads - alternating rectangular bands with firefly flashes with solid black reectangles  with the work "DARK" in a glowing yellow type.

Text © Colleen Paeff, 2025. Image © Ji-Hyuk Kim, 2025.


When Lynn couldn't find anyone, or any books at the library, knowledgeable about these different fireflies, she set about using her observation skills and determination to try to convince a scientist that even without formal training, she was right. Lynn had discovered a species of synchronous fireflies in North America. A phenomenon believed to only exist in Southeast Asia. Ultimately, when she sent him a musical representation of their flashes, her persistence, creativity, and knowledge of nature in the Elkmont area was rewarded. Photinus carolinus were finally recorded. And after many years, verified.

Internal spread - four people stand (to the right) on a porch and look out at the night sky and thousands of flashing fireflies. To the left, sit  shadowed shapes of scientific equipment.

Text © Colleen Paeff, 2025. Image © Ji-Hyuk Kim, 2025.


The ending is encouraging and rewarding, beautifully coming full circle back to the creek and Lynn's love of nature. A fun, "Rest of the Story," postscript note offers more information on Lynn and her involvement with fireflies. Fun illustrated back matter offers ways to "Spot a Fireflyer, " as well as how to temporarily and humanely catch a firefly, ways to help nurture an area for them, firefly facts and additional resources. This is an exquisitely illustrated, lyrical informational biography of a self-taught naturalist who became a preeminent expert on fireflies.


Resources:


  • take a notebook and go outside to your backyard, park, or around the neighborhood. Write down or draw what you see.


1 comentario


Ann Staats
Ann Staats
3 days ago

What a beautiful book. Interesting writing journey, too (Myself, I've never been to a wastewater treatment plant!). Thanks for sharing.

Me gusta
Maria Marshall

 Photograph © A. Marshall

Thanks for subscribing!

Follow Me

  • Facebook Social Icon
  • Twitter Basic Square
  • Instagram Social Icon
  • 1473394675_goodreads
  • Pinterest

Archive

Categories

  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • Facebook
Proud participant in ...
Badge for 12 x 12 Picture Book Writing Challenge - child in a wheelchair writing a story as pages swoop poff the desk to the right.
PB Party 2022 Finalist Badge
Storystorm2023 Winner's Badge
Children's Book Insider Badge
2017 Rhyming Revolution Participant Badge
Nerdy Book Club Badge
Nerdy Chick's Summer School Badge
Badge of participation for 
 the Chapter Book Challenge - a stack of two books.
 A Ditty of the Month Club Badge

© 2015 by Maria Marshall.  Proudly created with Wix.com

bottom of page