Q&A with Donna B. McKinney

 

 

 

Donna B. McKinney is the author of the new children's picture book Tiny Tern Takes Flight. Her many other books include Lights On!. She lives in North Carolina.

 

Q: What inspired you to write Tiny Tern Takes Flight?

 

A: I love migration stories! I think it's amazing that animals just “know” how to travel these great distances. So I started doing some research into animal migration. These migration journeys take place in oceans, through the air, over mountains, and even from North Pole to South Pole, in the case of the Arctic tern.

 

I was drawn to the Arctic tern because scientists say its migration to be the longest recorded round-trip of any migrating animal. The Arctic tern holds the Guinness World Record for “longest migration by a bird.”

 

Q: How did you research the book, and what did you learn that especially surprised you?

 

A: The internet provided a wealth of information while I was researching and writing the book. Organizations like the National Audubon Society, National Geographic, National Wildlife Federation, Public Broadcasting Service, and American Oceans are rich sources of information, photos, and videos about the Arctic tern.

 

A little later in the editing process Dr. Iain J. Stenhouse, Marine Bird Program Director at the Biodiversity Research Institute provided some expert feedback on the book.

 

In my research, I was surprised to learn that the Arctic tern sees more daylight than any other creature on Earth! They are always chasing the summer sunlight.

Q: What do you think Fiona Osbaldstone’s illustrations add to the book?

 

A: Fiona Osbaldstone’s art truly brings the story to life. In the early reviews for the book, I’m seeing so many comments about the art – readers are loving it! Her attention to detail in the illustrations makes the book not only beautiful, but also accurate. I truly appreciate her work in helping to tell the story.

 

Q: What do you hope kids take away from Tiny Tern Takes Flight?

 

A: I think about what kids might take away from Tiny Tern Takes Flight in two ways.

 

First of all, the obvious lesson is that they might have a better understanding of the Arctic tern and its amazing journey.

 

But I also hope that kids who read this book might think about bigger ideas like sticking with a task, even when there are challenges – about being resilient and adapting to changing situations. These kinds of life lessons that the Arctic tern models are important for all of us, even grown-up kids like me.

 

Q: What are you working on now?

 

A: I’m working on a cumulative tale (like “The House that Jack Built”) about bowerbirds and the magnificent structures they build to attract a mate. I’m hoping it finds a publisher home soon.

 

Q: Anything else we should know?

 

A: Here’s a fun factoid. If you add together all the miles an Arctic tern flies in its lifetime, it’s the same distance as if it flew to the moon and back three times. These tiny but tough birds are amazing!

 

--Interview with Deborah Kalb. Here's a previous Q&A with Donna B. McKinney.