The Picture Book Buzz - November 2025 Interview with STEAM Team Books Members
- Maria Marshall
- 2 hours ago
- 11 min read
Whether you're here to support the STEAM Team authors, curiosity, or because you love nonfiction books, I hope you read to the end because you'll discover some amazing authors and super spectacular books!
Today I have the pleasure to introduce you to two authors from the STEAM Team Books – a group of authors and illustrators who joined together to celebrate and help promote their STEAM books. I hope you enjoy this peek at these delightful books and fascinating creatives.
"STEAM Team Books is a group of authors who have a STEM/STEAM book releasing in 2025. It includes fiction & nonfiction, trade or educational books.” Check out their website for other interviews, activities, and bios.
Hello Everyone,
Tell us a little about yourself. (Where/when do you write? How long have you been writing? What is your favorite type of book to write? What drew you to STEAM books? etc.)
Nell Cross Beckerman – Forests (Scholastic 11/4/2025) - I grew up with a biologist father and librarian mother, which led me to…working at MTV! I produced fun news entertainment stories like the “nanoguitar” the world’s smallest guitar, for VH1, MTV, MSNBC, Nickelodeon, and the Discovery Channel. I stopped working in TV when I became a parent and found my way to picture book writing after signing up for a class taught by nonfiction master, Michelle Markel, at UCLA Extension Writers Program. She introduced some poetic concept books that blew my mind and gave instruction for structure. My first book, Down Under the Pier, started as a writing prompt in that class. That was in 2017. Volcanoes will be my 6th book and my 7th, Coyote and Me, illustrated by Yas Imamura, will come out in 2027. I sometimes wonder if my science and reading upbringing influenced my love of writing poetic books about nature.
[Author of 6 books, including Volcanoes, illustrated by Kalen Chock (2024), From Park to Playa: The Trails the Connect Us, illustrated by Sophie Diao (2024), Caves, illustrated by Kalen Chock (2022), When the Sky Glows, illustrated by David Litchfield (2022), and Down Under the Pier, illustrated by Rachell Sumpter (2020).]
Heather Lang – Supersquads!: Animal Heroes (Candlewick 11/18/2025) – For as long as I can remember I’ve loved books and stories and creating things. When I started writing for children twenty years ago, I was also a full-time mom of 5-year-old triplets and a 7-year-old, so I learned quickly to write anywhere and everywhere.
I’m constantly in awe of nature and its countless gifts and surprises, so I especially enjoy researching and writing informational picture books that celebrate our natural world. I also love writing picture book biographies about trailblazing women. Since science topics fascinate me and women pursuing STEM careers have faced incredible challenges, I’m drawn to their stories. The people I write about inspire me every day to push myself, step out of my comfort zone, and persevere. They’ve taught me important life lessons, transformed fear into passion, and helped me grow in so many ways.
[Author of 9 books, including Superdads!: Animal Heroes, illustrated by Jamie Harper (2024), Supermoms! Animal Heroes, illustrated by Jamie Harper (2023), The Leaf Detective: How Margaret Lowman Uncovered Secrets in the Rainforest, illustrated by Jana Christy (2021), Anybody's Game: Kathryn Johnston, the First Girl to Play Little League Baseball, illustrated by Cecilia Puglesi (2018), Swimming with Sharks: The Daring Discoveries of Eugenie Clark, illustrated by Jordi Solano (2016). And contributor to Nonfiction Writers Dig Deep: 50 Award-Winning Children’s Book Authors Share the Secret of Engaging Writing (2020).]
Glad to have you both back again. What helps you to be inspired? (perhaps a certain place, music, activity, etc.)
Nell Cross Beckerman – I hike on a local trail many times a week (the subject of From Park to Playa!) and often get inspired by what I see on the hike or from just thinking internal thoughts while I hike. Newspaper headlines, things in my social feed can also inspire me — in fact, the last story I sold was inspired by a TikTok! I wrote another one while on an airplane watching a 10-minute documentary on the seatback TV.
Heather Lang – Whether I’m writing about someone overcoming an extraordinary obstacle or about a cool animal, learning new things about interesting people, animals, and topics always motivates and excites me. Nothing inspires me more than nature, so if I need a boost during the day, I’ll spend some time outdoors. I might work in the garden or go for a walk through the woods or on a conservation trail. I also love to watch nature documentaries and follow webcams.
Now that we know a little more about both of you, what sparked your interest and caused you to write your book?
Nell Cross Beckerman – Forests (11/4/2025) – Our senses come alive when we are in a forest. I really wanted to capture the sensory experience of all the different forests in the book, from the Butterfly Preserve at the oyamel fir forest in Mexico, to the bamboo trunks knocking together in the Sagano forest in Japan. I want to take the reader on an immersive adventure around the world, as well as provide a mentor text for teachers to help kids learn how to include sensory language in their writing (by the way I have an amazing classroom support package for teachers who preorder Forests on my website.) Our forests are especially fragile these days, so I also wanted to let kids know this and think about how they might help protect these beautiful and essential parts of earth. For the first time, Scholastic is also making an audio book, and it is absolutely wonderful with immersive sounds and music.
Heather Lang – Supersquads!: Animal Heroes (11/18/2025) – This is the third book in the Animal Heroes series, which I’m writing with my super talented friend Jamie Harper (she’s also the illustrator). We’ve had a blast collaborating on these books, so writing a book about animals that team up in the wild seemed like the perfect topic and one we were both curious about! The book has lots of takeaways for young readers. We hope they’ll learn the value of teamwork and the many ways they can be super teammates. And we hope they’ll laugh a lot!
Capturing the feeling and sounds of forests and playing with the ways animals use teamwork are great sparks. What makes you passionate about being a children’s author?
Nell Cross Beckerman – So many things! First, it is really fun to write these stories. I feel so happy and grounded when I can successfully express an idea lodged in my brain. Second, especially writing for kids, you feel like your writing can make a difference. I feel honored to try to help cultivate engaging experiences about science for children, to help the next generation care. I love seeing what teachers do in the classroom! I thrive working in collaboration with my agent, editor, and illustrator. And I love my friendships with other authors. Going to conferences and meeting so many creative people is the best. Also having a reason to go on research trips or follow my different interests down rabbit holes as part of my job?! I just feel really lucky to do what I do.
Heather Lang – When I write about people or subjects I’m passionate about, it’s always with the hope that I’ll pass on that passion to my readers. I especially love helping kids discover how amazing the real world is—whether it’s animals, science, or people who have done remarkable things. Nothing makes me happier than when one of my books excites a reader and makes them want to take action or learn more.
Is there anything special you want your readers to know about your book?
Text © Nell Cross Beckerman, 2025. Image © Kalen Chock, 2025.
Nell Cross Beckerman – Forests (11/4/2025) – This book was created to be read by different types of readers in different settings. For younger kids, you could just read the main poetic text aloud. For older kids, they can explore the book on their own and delve into the informational text. I once heard Joyce Sidman say that with this type of book, there is something for everyone: poetry for the dreamy kid, art for the visual kid, and science facts for the informational kid.
Text © Heather Lang, 2025. Image © Jamie Harper, 2025.
Heather Lang – Supersquads!: Animal Heroes (11/18/2025) – It’s been fascinating and very cool to see Jamie make the art for this series using digital collage in Procreate on her iPad. She does all her sketching directly on her iPad and then scans in papers (some handmade) and objects to use for both the animals and backgrounds. I love how this gives the art so much texture. You wouldn’t believe some of the fun things Jamie has scanned. For example, for Supersquads! she scanned faux leather (orcas), a fleece jacket (king penguin chicks), and her skin (naked mole rats)!
Thanks for sharing this fun information about each of your books. What was the hardest, or most challenging, part of writing or researching your book? Was there a bit of your research you didn’t get to include?
Nell Cross Beckerman – Forests (11/4/2025) – The hardest part was balancing the awe, wonder, and beauty of the different forests with the reality that they are all struggling to survive due to all the different ways humans are treating the earth. Figuring out how to share some of that information with the most effective impact was hard. Not sure I got it right, but I tried — we ended with a call-to-action that forests need our help to survive, and in the backmatter give some introductory information about becoming an activist and how to plant a tree at your home or school.
Heather Lang – Supersquads!: Animal Heroes (11/18/2025) – There’s always LOTS of interesting research we can’t include in these books. First, there are many, many examples of animals that team up in the wild, so we had to narrow down our choices. Some were easier to cut, like elephants, because we’d written about them in Supermoms! Others, like lemurs and vampire bats, were harder to let go. But we wanted to have a variety of animals all teaming up in different ways.
We divided the book into five categories that we think are important in teamwork (communication, leadership, organization, diversity, unity). We needed different behaviors within each category, which also influenced the animals and facts we chose. For example, we showed three different communication behaviors: grooming (snow monkeys), vocalization (chickadees), and dancing (bees). It was like piecing together a giant puzzle!
I think you both succeeded in addressing these challenges and creating engaging and inspiring books. Are there any upcoming projects that you are working on now that you can share a tidbit with us?
Nell Cross Beckerman – Coyote & Me is coming from Beach Lane Books/S&S in 2027, inspired by seeing an urban coyote easily spring over a fence. I was consumed with longing to run wild and free alongside it!
Heather Lang – I’m working on a picture book biography about a bat scientist and a middle-grade collective biography about twelve animal conservationists from around the world. I’m also endlessly fascinated by octopuses, so I’m writing a picture book about a giant Pacific octopus.
Intriguing! Well will have to keep our eyes open for these books. Last question, what animal or natural feature (place) do you want to learn more about? Why?
Nell Cross Beckerman – I have so many answers to this question, but they are all book ideas I’m working on! Sorry…
Heather Lang – Yikes, choosing one animal would be impossible. My list is so long I stopped adding to it! Here are three . . . I am head-over-heels in love with elephants and would love to spend time in Africa, observing them in the wild. Bats are INCREDIBLE, and I know I still have so much to learn about these important creatures. And how about ants! For such tiny insects they sure have lots of brain power, determination, and social skills. Amazing!!
NOW, let me take a moment to introduce you to these amazing STEAM books!
Forests by Nell Cross Beckerman, illustrated by Kalen Chock (Scholastic 11/4/2025) - An immersive and lyrical journey through a number of different forests - temperate, kelp, jungle, and bamboo - and the dangers they face from things like wildfires and clearcutting. It's wonderfully sensory in both the poetic text and the stunning, richly colored illustrations, with their gorgeous interplay between light and movement. The addition of nonfiction explanatory text offers expanded information on these forests and their individual importance. Building off a two-year camp-in to save a redwood forest, the book ends with a call to action and back matter which offers ideas for how to be a BFF to a tree, further reading, ideas for planting a tree(s), and an introduction to six other amazing forests, such as an Apricot forest and Boreal Forests. It's a wonderful ode to forests that will encourage exploration and awe.
Synopsis: The team behind the acclaimed book Caves returns with an enchanting exploration of one of Earth's most familiar ecosystems -- forests!
So much to see, to smell, to hear, to taste, to feel. So much to find… in the forest.
Using evocative storytelling, Nell Cross Beckerman leads readers on an exciting adventure through the magic of forests! From kelp forests on the ocean floor to the wonders of the Amazon, Beckerman guides readers through these tree-filled ecosystems using dramatic, poetic language. Nonfiction text on every page allows for a deeper understanding of the topic.
Illustrator Kalen Chock's stunning illustrations have been praised as "atmospheric" and "striking." Readers will be delighted as each spread brings a surprise.
Extensive backmatter includes author's and illustrator's notes, additional information on planting trees, and fun facts about forests!
The first book in this series, Caves, received three starred reviews, was an NCTE Orbis Pictus Recommended Title, was on the Texas Bluebonnet Master List and the Texas Topaz Nonfiction Reading List, and was a Kirkus Best Book of the Year.
An ideal choice for nature lovers, future explorers, and fans of Jason Chin and Kate Messner.
Supersquads!: Animal Heroes by Heather Lang, illustrated by Jamie Harper (Candlewick Press 11/18/2025) - Starting with the quintessential hero introduction - "Faster than a speeding boat. . . More powerful than a chainsaw. . . Able to capture prey with a single squirt. . . Introducing. . . the most talented teams in the wild!" this funny look at superhero groups follows the format and enthusiasm of this dynamic duo's earlier books on special animal moms & dads. Using succinct descriptions, comic panels, numerous jokes (some obviously meant to entertain the adults - like the ant in Travolta's pose saying "You should be dancing"), and lively digitally collaged illustrations, it explores how numerous animals use communication (from chickadees to bees), leadership, organization (from ants to mole rats), interspecies cooperation, and teamwork to feed and protect their collective. Ending with an entertaining call for readers to form their own super teams, the book asks, "Whose on your squad and what makes it super?" Back matter offers interesting and enticing information on each featured species, as well as additional readings and websites. This is an engaging way to learn about these animals and celebrate cooperation.
Synopsis: There’s strength in numbers out there in the wild! In a lively comics-style format, the creators of Supermoms! and Superdads! deliver a funny, fascinating look at some ingenious ways that animal squads survive.
Did you know that when honeybees find a food source, they do a dance to convey the direction, distance, and yumminess level to their hive mates? Or that chickadees add extra “dees” to their calls to warn their flock of danger? Or that a meerkat standing like a sentry may well be guarding its mob while they eat? Sometimes the key is divvying up tasks, like when beavers build a dam, or it’s combining differences—like when a sea anemone protects a hermit crab with its stinging tentacles, then gets a ride and some tasty tidbits from the crab. Or it’s power in numbers, as when hundreds of thousands of starlings fly in a murmuration, foiling predators trying to lock in on a target. With fun, fact-filled panels, Heather Lang and Jamie Harper delve into the ways animals band together to stay safe and thrive, from orcas to ostriches, spiny lobsters to snow monkeys, leaf cutter ants to zebras and more. Aspiring naturalists can find out more about the animals in the back matter, along with an array of resources for continuing to explore.
Thank you both for giving us a little peek into yourselves and your books. Wishing you both enormous success.
To learn more about these authors, or to contact them:
Nell Cross Beckerman – Forests (Scholastic 11/4/2025) -
Website: https://www.nellcrossbeckerman.com/
Heather Lang – Supersquads!: Animal Heroes (Candlewick Press 11/18/2025) -
Website: https://www.heatherlangbooks.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/heather.b.lang
Twitter: https://twitter.com/hblang
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/heatherlangbooks/
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