Robyn McGrath is the author of the new children's picture book biography A Mind of Her Own: The Story of Mystery Writer Agatha Christie. Her other books include There's Always Room for One More. She lives in Austin, Texas.
Q: What inspired you to write a children’s picture book about Agatha Christie, and how did you research her life?
A: Hi, Deborah, thanks so much for having me. It was a pleasure to be here!
After discovering that Agatha Christie is the third best-selling author of all time, behind Shakespeare and the Bible, I was eager to learn more. How did she become such a prolific mystery writer? What drove the Queen of Crime? And most importantly, why should children know about her?
My first mission was to uncover what lessons from Agatha’s life would resonate with children today. She was a mystery to me at first, but I spent many late nights during the pandemic piecing together her story. I read her classics, devoured her biographies, and watched countless movies and documentaries.
The verdict? Agatha’s childhood is surprisingly relatable.
As a young schoolgirl, Agatha struggled with spelling and writing. Instead, she favored arithmetic, which she called “the perfect puzzles for solving.”
She was often scolded for being lost in thought and daydreaming, a challenge many students today can relate to. Who hasn’t been told to “stop daydreaming” or “pay attention”? I knew young readers and their parents would see themselves in her story. I certainly did!
Beyond sharing a birthday with Agatha, I too struggled with spelling, often found myself lost in my imagination, and had difficulty getting my stories onto the page. All the pieces of Agatha’s puzzle came together for me to create an inspiring narrative for young readers.
Q: The Publishers Weekly review of the book says, “This imagination-oriented biography of mystery writer Agatha Christie (1890–1976) by McGrath foregrounds the role Christie’s internal world played in both her childhood and her later success.” What do you think of that description?
A: I think that synopsis captures my vision and goals for the book perfectly! I wanted readers to get a peek inside Agatha’s thought process. We see her acting out her characters in the garden and creating bits of stories from her observations.
As one will learn in A Mind of Her Own, Agatha’s daydreams were the seeds of her storytelling career. Agatha had a unique way of seeing and analyzing the world, transforming her vivid imagination and keen observations into intricate puzzles that asked who, what, where, when, why, and how?
And though her first manuscript faced repeated rejection, she never abandoned her dream of becoming a published author. If she hadn’t persevered, we wouldn’t have the incredible legacy she left behind - 66 detective novels, 14 short story collections, and the world’s longest-running play.
Q: What do you think Liz Wong’s illustrations add to the book?
A: Liz Wong’s stunning, intricate illustrations are a feast for the curious! She draws readers into Agatha’s world with rich shadows, hidden corners, and tiny, tucked-away secrets just waiting to be discovered. Every nook and cranny whispers a mystery, inviting readers to uncover something new with each read.
I especially love Liz’s use of the panels on several pages and her color palette is perfection! Readers should take their time, linger on each page, and let their eyes wander. Every detail holds a clue.
Q: Do you have a favorite Agatha Christie mystery?
A: My love for Agatha Christie began the moment I read And Then There Were None, her 31st novel, published in 1939. A deserted island, dark secrets, and a series of mysterious deaths, what’s not to love?
As a child, I was obsessed with the game Clue, and this book felt like a real-life version of my favorite whodunit. There’s nothing more satisfying than piecing together a cleverly crafted mystery.
As a devoted fan of Agatha Christie’s work, I’m passionate about bringing her story to life for young readers. And thankfully, for millions of mystery lovers, Agatha truly had a mind of her own!
Q: What are you working on now?
A: Right now, my agent and I have several manuscripts out on submission, while I continue tinkering with revisions and diving into new passion projects.
In the meantime, I’m eagerly counting down the days until my next two picture books hit shelves in 2026!
Brave New Ballet, The Story of Les Ballet Trockadero de Monte Carlo, illustrated by Alexander Mostov and published by Penguin Workshop, is coming to you in March 2026. Wide Open Spaces, illustrated by Polina Gortman and published by Blue Dot Kids Press, will be available in May 2026.
I’m thrilled to bring more fiction and nonfiction stories to young readers!
Q: Anything else we should know?
A: In addition to being a full-time play therapist and writing picture books, I enjoy camping, reading, and playing cards with my family. Both my work and personal experiences constantly spark new story ideas.
For aspiring authors, keep an eye out for those childlike moments that bring you the greatest joy… they just might inspire your next story!
--Interview with Deborah Kalb
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