Alexander Fleming’s Penicillin Promise follows two siblings and their time-traveling Dr friend who visit London in 1928 to meet Alexander Fleming to learn about the discovery of penicillin. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?

The heart of this story grew from a simple idea, the moment when a scientific discovery becomes a turning point for humanity.

Alexander Fleming’s chance observation in 1928 changed the course of medicine, yet behind that historic moment was a very human story of curiosity, patience, and readiness to notice what others overlooked.

I wanted children to experience that spark for themselves. By sending Daniel, Jennifer, and Dr. K back to a bustling London laboratory, readers see how ordinary people, even those who doubt their own impact, can shape the world through careful observation and persistence.

The setup allows children to witness the discovery from the inside, giving them a sense of belonging in the world of science.

What is your approach to presenting scientific information and facts in a way that children will not only understand but be excited to learn more about the topic?

My approach is to bring science off the page and into the lived experience of the characters.

Children learn best when they feel connected to the story, so I weave scientific concepts into dialogue, sensory details, and moments of discovery rather than presenting them as lessons. I also rely on curiosity. When Daniel and Jennifer ask real questions, the answers arise naturally in the narrative.

That interplay mirrors how science works in the real world.

Rather than memorize facts, readers follow the excitement of the process, the surprise, the wonder, and the small steps that lead to breakthroughs.

The goal is for children to finish the book not only with new knowledge, but with the desire to keep exploring on their own.

Did you find anything in your research of this story that surprised you?

Yes, and it changed the way I wrote the book. I was struck by how accidental the discovery of penicillin truly was, yet how much preparation and scientific discipline went into recognizing its significance.

Fleming did not set out to discover an antibiotic. He simply had the habit of observing carefully, even when something looked like a mistake. I was also surprised by how long it took for penicillin to become widely available. Its early development required many hands working across years, countries, and laboratories.

That collective effort shaped the book’s message. Even a brilliant idea needs a community of people who believe in the work.

I wanted young readers to see that science is never a solo journey.

Can you tell us more about what’s in store for Dr. K, Daniel, and Jennifer, and the direction of the next book?

The adventure continues with Albert Einstein in Book 4: Albert Einstein’s Journey Through Relativity.

This story brings the siblings into the heart of one of the most transformative scientific periods of the twentieth century.

They travel from Germany to Switzerland and witness Einstein’s early curiosity, his time in the patent office, and the ideas that became the foundations of modern physics. The focus of the next book is not only on scientific concepts, but on resilience, imagination, and the courage to pursue questions that defy the expectations of the time. Dr. K, Daniel, and Jennifer continue to grow in their understanding of science, and also in their confidence as young thinkers who see the world with wonder and responsibility.

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