In Sophie Sparrow Wants to Be a Flamingo, two bird friends enlist the help of a new neighbor with magical powers to help them become the majestic birds they have always dreamed of being. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?

Miss Sapphire’s role would be the best supporting actress. She has a small but significant role. I have always thought Blue Jays were beautiful birds. So, I knew instantly that Miss Sapphire had to be a Blue Jay. I wanted my story to possess an element of magic because many children love magic. I love all the scenes with Miss Sapphire. When she transforms Sophie into a flamingo, I wanted the reader to see the slow progression of Sophie becoming a flamingo. As a teacher, I envisioned children repeating the rhyming spell with Sophie to encourage engagement with the book.

What were some ideas that were important for you to share in this book?

Often, children, as well as adults, wish to be someone else. On the outside, someone else’s life looks perfect and very appealing. I wanted to portray this idea through my sweet main character, a common sparrow. Sweet Sophie wishes to be a beautiful flamingo. After all, they have pretty pink feathers, can balance on one leg, and dine on shrimp all day. Once she has an opportunity to live the life of a flamingo, Sophie realizes that her life as a sparrow was the perfect life for her. I hope Sophie can help children realize that they are special just the way they are, embrace their lives, and find joy and contentment in the simple things life has to offer. In Sophie’s case, that would be eating a worm dipped in chocolate and covered with rainbow sprinkles, perching on her favorite branch with her best friend, frolicking in her favorite bird bath, and spending time with her family.

I think the illustrations in your book are phenomenal. What was the art collaboration process like with Nicholas Child?

Nicholas is a joy to work with. This was our second book. He also illustrated my debut book, Juliette’s Web. I gravitate toward illustrations oozing with whimsical charm. I also like a more vintage look. Nicholas has a flair for creating charming characters and scenes with captivating details. Initially, I sent him my manuscript and gave him time to read and process it. Then, we have a phone conversation and discuss initial thoughts. I then sent him the manuscript with my ideas for each illustration. I can envision each scene. Unfortunately, I’m not talented enough to execute them on paper. Nicholas, on the other hand, is a gifted illustrator, and I never object when he puts his little spin on something. The illustrations for Sophie Sparrow Wants to Be a Flamingo are a collaboration of our creativity and imagination. I’m always excited to see the black-and-white sketches. However, when the illustrations are done in color, it is like unwrapping a beautiful gift. The amazing feeling you get when you see your book come to life through gorgeous illustrations never gets mundane.

I love the vertical flip illustration. I’m a first-grade teacher, and my students adore books with a vertical flip illustration. So, I really wanted to incorporate one in the book. I wanted the reader to feel that they were flying with Sophie to the penthouse and along the way see some whimsical sights. There aren’t any words on the page because I wanted the reader to focus on all the fun intricate details.

Can readers look forward to more books featuring Sophie Sparrow and friends? What are you currently working on?

As sweet Sophie Sparrow would say, “Holy Feathers! I’m in another book!” Sophie Sparrow will be making her encore performance in my next book, Sophie Sparrow and Friends to the Rescue. The beautiful illustrations were done once again by illustrator extraordinaire Nicholas Child. It will make its debut before the end of this year. There are some new friends, Cora and Charlie Cardinal, Finnigan Goldfinch, Miss Ruby Robin, Olivia Owl and her owlets, Sir Winston Woodpecker, and Percy Parakeet, who will be joining the charming ensemble. I would describe this book as “Habitat for Humanity” bird style.

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“If you could be any bird in the world, what would you be?” asked Sullivan, Sophie’s best friend.
For Sophie Sparrow, that is an easy question. She would be a beautiful flamingo named Pinky with a long, graceful neck and feathers the color of pink cotton candy, and she would eat delicious shrimp ice-cream sundaes. Luckily, Miss Sapphire, the new, young Blue Jay who moved into the penthouse suite on Maple Lane, had magical powers.
”Hold the pink feather, and say the magic words, Bingo, Lingo, Ringo, I want to be a Flamingo, three times, ” said Miss Sapphire.
Poof! Sophie disappeared into a cloud of pink smoke. Will Miss Sapphire’s magic spell make Sophie Sparrow’s dream come true, or will it be a nightmare?
This amusing and heartwarming story will remind you that the perfect life you wish for is often in front of you and found in the magic of friendship, family, and simple delights like a chocolate-covered worm with rainbow sprinkles.