The Picture Book Buzz - Interview with Sarah Glenn Marsh

Sarah Glenn Marsh is an author of young adult novels and children's picture books. An avid fantasy reader from the day her dad handed her a copy of The Hobbit and promised it would change her life she’s been making up words and worlds ever since. She lives in Virginia with her husband, daughter, four rescued greyhounds, and three birds.

When she's not writing, she's often painting, listening to podcasts, or engaged in nerdy pursuits from video games to tabletop adventures.

Sarah is the author of 21 books, including Bigfoot’s Big Heart, illustrated by Ishaa Lobo (2025), Dragon Bones: The Fantastic Fossil Discoveries of Mary Anning, illustrated by Maris Wicks (2022), Crayola: Ellie’s Crayon Adventure, illustrated by Tiffany Rose (2022), Anna Strong: A Spy During the American Revolution, illustrated by Sarah Green (2020), Alice Across America: The Story of the First Women's Cross-Country Road Trip, illustrated by Gilbert Ford (2020), Diabetes Doesn't Stop Maddie! Illustrated by Maria Luisa Di Gravio (2020), The Bug Girl: Maria Merian's Scientific Vision, Illustrated by Filippo Vanzo (2019), and Ninita's Big World: The True Story of a Deaf Pygmy Marmoset, illustrated by Stephanie Fizer Coleman (2019).

For more about Sarah see our previous interview (here).

​Her newest picture book, Ghost Army: The Troop of Artists Who Helped Win WWII, released June 23rd.

Welcome Sarah, thank you so much for stopping back to talk about yourself and your newest book.  

Thank you so much for having me back! This is a special book for me, and I’m excited to have the chance to talk about it.

What has been the most interesting or odd experience (you’re willing to share) of your children’s literature career so far?

I once had the great privilege of writing about Ninita, a pygmy marmoset living in southeastern Florida; I was invited to go visit her, and not only got a close up look at the incredible work going on at the Rare Species Conservatory where she lives, but also got to step inside Ninita’s house and spend quality time with her! Pygmy marmosets are darling, and Ninita (who is the only documented pygmy marmoset to be born deaf and survive into adulthood) was a sweetheart with a big sweet tooth. She rearranged my hair for me and ate some whipped cream while hanging out on my shoulder.

That has got to be the most amazing experience! Thank you so much for sharing it with us. What was your inspiration or spark of curiosity for Ghost Army: The Troop of Artists Who Helped Win WWII?

This book was actually inspired by my dad! He watched a documentary on The Ghost Army and shared the story with me one night while we were visiting. He told me, “You have to write a story about this!” but I assumed someone had already done so—that is, until I did some research and realized there were no books for young children on this amazing subject, and only a handful for older readers. I got to work right away after that and focused on the picture book age range because no one is too young to appreciate the power of art to connect, protect, and heal.

Your dad rocks! Having written a number of nonfiction picture books, do you have a typical procedure for them? Did the research and writing of Ghost Army follow this procedure?

The research always comes first, but truthfully, every book has its own process! For the Ghost Army in particular, I spent a lot of time thinking about how to convey the bleakness of war without frightening young children. It was a delicate balance throughout the narrative, but I think I managed to pull it off, and I’m very proud of that. The gorgeous illustrations certainly helped do some of that lifting, too.

It is a very interesting piece of a very bleak and tough subject matter for younger kids, but I agree that you managed to supply the context without overwhelming most readers. How long did it take from the first draft to publication for Ghost Army? 

Oh goodness, it’s been a while but I’d say the first draft and edits occurred within a few months (so fairly quickly, it was a great process between my editor and I), and the publication process maybe totaled two years; most of that was waiting on the artwork side and the traditional publishing promotional cycle!

Nice! Did anything surprise or amaze you when you first got to see Becca Stadtlander’s illustrations? What is your favorite spread?

I was amazed at how Becca managed to capture the bleakness of war, the vastness of the landscapes, and little moments of joy amid grim surroundings! I particularly love the cover and the defiant way our fictional soldier, Charlie, is holding up his handful of paintbrushes. I also love the recreation of posters recruiting for the Ghost Army! We were so lucky to get Becca on this project, and I feel like I spot some new detail each time I flip through the pages.

Is there anything you discovered during your research that didn’t make it into the text or back matter?

Several of the men who took part in the Ghost Army were queer, such as fashion designer Bill Blass and artist Ellsworth Kelly. Of course, these men and others like them couldn’t identify as openly gay while in the service but did so later in life or in autobiographies published around the time of their passing.

Interesting information, thank you for sharing it. What was the most fun or fascinating part of writing Ghost Army?

I spent a lot of time on the Ghost Army Legacy Project’s website! I was surprised by some of the ways that artists’ talents were used and how they all collaborated, and I was also impressed by how close these men were to the front lines. It’s worth checking out the website if you want to read detailed histories of a few of the units as well as look over some primary sources. Before I learned about the Ghost Army, I would have thought you were joking if you told me that America had sent artists overseas during WWII—but now, it makes so much sense!

I peeked at the website. I am glad to see they were awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor (even if 50 years late) What's something you want your readers to know or discover about Ghost Army?

I would love them to take away that there are many ways to be brave, and many ways to take a stand; that art is resistance, and that their talents might one day save a life, no matter how unlikely that may seem.

That's awesome! And I am afraid needed just as much now as then. Are there any new projects you are working on now that you can share a hint or tidbit with us?

Yes, of course! I just had a book come out for the middle grade audience called The Monster Manual (Running Press Kids), which is a super fun compendium of cryptids—think Bigfoot, the Loch Ness Monster, and Mothman, but also lesser-known monsters like the Welsh Afanc! It has activities and quizzes inside, and some truly stunning art.

I also have another nonfiction picture book coming out with Viking that I’m really excited to talk about soon; for now, I’ll just say that it’s a biography about someone who loves animals and wild places as much as I do.

Good luck with your project. We will have to keep our eyes open for its announcement. Last question, who is your literary hero or heroine, living or dead? Why?

My literary hero is definitely J.R.R. Tolkien; I have quite a few Lord of the Rings tattoos, so I don’t think there could be any other answer. Tolkien saw combat, which feels relevant to the book we’re discussing, and yet his work quietly conveys that courage isn’t about the thrill of the fight but about protecting all that’s worth living for. He subtly condemns the machinery of war while writing lyrical homages to trees and seasons; his message that true heroism lies in mercy and the refusal to let violence define us is as timeless as any epic quest.

Thank you, Sarah, for sharing with us a bit about yourself and your newest picture book.

To find out more about Sarah Glenn Marsh, or to contact her:

Website: www.sarahglennmarsh.com 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sarahmarshauthor 

X/Twitter: https://twitter.com/SG_Marsh 

Bluesky: @theeyeofsarahn.bsky.social on Bluesky