Ivy and the Hummingbird follows a young girl and her grandmother as they explore the garden to discover what is making a strange buzzing sound. What was the inspiration for your story?

The hummingbird in my story honors my mother. Mom left a legacy of giving and volunteer work over the years, some of which only became known to me at the very end of her life. People came forward during Mom’s last days and shared about the many acts of kindness she showed them. I will never forget those moments.

Mom loved hummingbirds and taught me about them. I feel close to her when I see one. I want to leave this legacy for my grandchildren and for all children.

Ivy’s story developed from my work with children. I find that spending time learning about things in nature is so important to understanding ourselves and our place in the world. Some of the best days I spent as a preschool teacher were when we took nature walks, planted seeds, quietly listened to the birds chirping, or some other nature-based activity.

In my work with children, the exploration of something in the natural world was often the most meaningful. I observed that children were often afraid of things that were new or startled them, until they were better able to understand what it was that felt scary. To grow to love, appreciate and care for our natural world, we need to gain understanding, overcome fear, and make those connections.

The art in this book is beautiful and draws readers into the story. What was the art collaboration process like with illustrator Estelle Corke?

Estelle Corke is a wonderful and talented illustrator. I am so grateful to have had the opportunity to work with her. Early in the process, we realized that Estelle had never seen a hummingbird before, given that she lives in the UK. Hummingbirds are only found in North and South America. Estelle did her research, and we spent a bit of time communicating about Ivy’s hummingbird, a female, Black-chinned variety.

Estelle took my simple notes from the manuscript and brought Ivy’s world to life. We connected well from the start. Estelle just seemed to understand exactly what Ivy’s world should look like, from the settings to the children’s clothing. The flowers in the garden were especially important, and Estelle created them so beautifully. She even incorporated my request for hidden hummingbirds throughout the book.

What were some educational aspects that were important for you to include in this children’s book?

The educational aspects that I wanted to share with children were largely about interpreting sounds in nature, and about the flowers and creatures in the garden, particularly the hummingbirds. I love the illustration on page 24, as the flowers remind me of a botanist’s journal. The observations that Ivy makes about the hummingbirds teach something about their behavior. At the end of the book, I wanted to share some hummingbird facts that might be useful in a learning environment. The hidden hummingbirds also offer an opportunity to search closely and count the hummingbirds as they are discovered.

What is the next book that you are working on and when will it be available?

My next book is still in the early stages but it will be another children’s book and will involve nature. There will certainly be a hummingbird somewhere, even if in a subtle way.

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