The Picture Book Buzz - Interview with Kelsey Gross
- 2 hours ago
- 5 min read
Kelsey Gross grew up in Wisconsin and lived in New Mexico and California before returning to the Midwest. She now lives in Michigan's Upper Peninsula with her family.
When she's not writing, she looks for owls and other forest friends while hiking and skiing in the woods. Kelsey strives to write books that inspire kids – and grown-ups – to take care of one another and the natural world.
Kelsey is the author of Summer: A Solstice Story, illustrated by Renata Liwska (20204), Winter: A Solstice Story, illustrated by Renata Liwska (2023).
Her newest picture book, Fall: A Season’s Story, releases on August 25th.
Welcome Kelsey,
Tell us a little about yourself. (Where/when do you typically write? How long have you been writing?)
I wrote stories and poems all the time as a kid. But as I got older, I abandoned creative writing to pursue more “serious” professional work. Later in life (in 2019), I took a class on writing for children through my community center, and it sparked the same joy I remembered while writing as a kid. I haven’t stopped since!
I usually jot down ideas and a basic outline with pencil and paper, then draft stories on the computer. I’m lucky to have a desk near a window, where I can write while watching birds, squirrels, deer, and for many months of the year, falling snow!
It is wonderful to "meet" you! What is one of the most fun or unusual places where you’ve written a manuscript?
Ideas often pop into my head when I’m outdoors. The concept for my first published picture book, Winter: A Solstice Story, came to me while I was snowshoeing in the neighborhood park before sunrise. I recorded a voice memo on my phone with what would become the book’s rhyming refrain (“I can help to shine the light”).
That sounds like a great place to get an idea for a story. What was your inspiration or spark of interest for Fall: A Season’s Story?
I wanted to spend more time with the characters from Winter: A Solstice Story and Summer: A Solstice Story and imagined the gorgeous fall scenes Renata could create. Luckily, our editor agreed!
Although these books are fiction, I strive to be accurate in terms of what the animals would naturally do at each point in the year. In Winter, I featured animals that normally winter over in the north woods. In the Summer book, young animals are venturing out on their own. For Fall, I chose the monarch’s migration.
As I brainstormed ideas, I remembered a day on Lake Superior with a special friend who was around eight years old at the time (shoutout to Lauren!). She found an injured butterfly, and together we built a comfy “home” for it using materials we found on the beach. I borrowed this idea for Fall, having the woodland creatures care for Monarch while she makes a stop on her migration journey.
I love that you took inspiration from reality and wove it into your story. What is the hardest or most challenging thing about writing Fall: A Season’s Story? And what was the most fun?
It was initially tricky to come up with an idea that would fit with the other books in the series but would also be a unique experience for readers. To do this, I retained many of the same characters from the previous books but added a new one – Monarch.
In Winter and Summer, Owl’s speech is in rhyme while the rest of the text is in prose. For Fall, my editor suggested I also write the Monarch’s speech in rhyme. It was a lot of fun to craft her voice.
It's really interesting to have their dialogue in rhyme and the narration in prose. As the third book in the Solstice & Seasons Series, was this one easier or harder than the first two, since you have a solid sense of the personalities of Owl, Mouse, Duck, Rabbit, Squirrel, Chickadee, and Raccoon?
This book and the forthcoming Spring: A Seasons Story were initially harder to write. While there are few solstice books, there are numerous seasonal books about fall and spring. I had to work harder to create something unique.
Also, many readers say they appreciate the cozy, magical feel of the solstice books. I wanted to preserve that feeling, but those are nebulous qualities, hard to pin down! I wrote multiple versions of a fall story before finally settling on the Monarch version.
I believe that you definitely succeeded in creating a book that fits beautifully into a series with the other two. Did anything surprise or amaze you when you first saw Renata Liwska’s illustrations? What is your favorite spread?
Text © Kelsey Gross, 2026. Image © Renata Liwska, 2026.
Renata’s art never ceases to amaze me. In every book we’ve created so far, the animals are soft and touchable, and the scenes are filled with whimsy. I’m especially impressed with how she uses light, and the autumn scenes in this book are particularly stunning. I was also delighted to see her depiction of Monarch – she’s even cuter than I imagined!
This illustration is so gorgeous. I love the loose lines, almost chalk-like feel, and touching , weary expression on Monarch's face. What's something you want your readers to know or learn about Fall: A Season’s Story?
As with the other books in the series, I hope it feels like a joyful celebration of the season. This book also emphasizes friendship – even across distance -- and how to take care of others. I hope it inspires readers to learn more about monarchs and their amazing migration, too.
It is a wonderfully gentle friendship story, with each animal offering their own gift to help Monarch rest and recover. I love Owl's parting remarks, "Even when you’re miles apart, friends are always in your heart." Is there an author or illustrator (children’s or otherwise) who has had an influence on your writing or creativity?
It will come as no surprise that I adore lyrical picture books. There are so many that touch my heart and that I return to for guidance and inspiration. For me, some of the lyrical picture book greats include Deborah Underwood, Julie Fogliano, and Liz Garton Scanlon.
Three amazingly talented authors! I also adore their books. Are there any new projects you are working on now that you can share a tidbit with us?
The last book in the series, Spring: A Seasons Story, publishes in early 2028. Get ready for another (adorable!) new character and some sweet spring scenes.
Intriguing, we'll definitely have to keep our eyes open for this book. 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 feel most at home among the trees – hiking, biking, and skiing. Some of my favorite forest spots from where I’ve previously lived include the north woods of Wisconsin and Minnesota, the Santa Fe National Forest (left) and Jemez Mountains (lower) in New Mexico, and the Redwoods in California (right).
© NPS / Paul Brown
I now live in Michigan’s rural Upper Peninsula, which is filled with parks and wild lands. Nearby Isle Royale National Park is one of the most remote and rustic national parks. I backpacked there once and am hoping to return next year.
Thank you, Kelsey, for sharing with us a bit about yourself and your new picture book.
To find out more about Kelsey Gross, or to contact her:
Website: https://kelseyegross.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kelseyegross/
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