Amy S. Hansen is the author, with Wanda Díaz Merced, of the new children's picture book Wanda Hears the Stars: A Blind Astronomer Listens to the Universe. Hansen's many other books include Hunt for the Tomato Killer. She lives in Maryland.
Q: How did you and astronomer Wanda Díaz Merced end up writing a book together?
A: Wanda and I became friends when she was an intern working at Goddard. We kept meeting to hang out, in Maryland, in Puerto Rico, in Scotland. We were hanging out as friends, but I was thrilled to follow her work.
In my normal life, I am a science writer. My work involves explaining science projects to the general public and recognizing a good story when I see it. I knew pretty early on that this was a good story. However, Wanda needed to be happy too.
When she got to the place in her career where she was leading others, Wanda realized that her story could be useful in inspiring another generation of scientists. At that point, she and I started putting together plans for a book.
Q: Can you describe your writing and research process as you collaborated on the book?
A: In a word, energetic. Wanda is a live wire. She is always moving and often overseas doing research, attending a conference, or teaching.
In 2020, I made plans to go to Colorado where she was based at that moment, but because of the pandemic, we switched to working via Skype. We talked for an hour at a time, two or three times a week. I also interviewed some of the people who worked with her. I read her science papers and every publication I could find that mentioned her.
After a few months, I started writing and realized quickly that it was not the mid-grade book I was expecting. In order to explain the process of sonification—presenting data as sound—one needs to use onomatopoeia. And that, I realized, is the language of picture books. I narrowed my scope and rewrote (and rewrote and rewrote).
When I had a draft I liked, I sent it back to Wanda. She was startled that the manuscript was a picture book, but was happy with it. When the manuscript sold, my brilliant editor suggested more changes. So Wanda and I talked some more.
Q: What do you think Rocío Arreola Mendoza's illustrations add to the book?
A: Oh my. Aren't they brilliant? I've now looked at them for many months, and I'm still seeing new pieces. Did you notice that the cover has the stars going into Wanda's ears? That's so wonderful.
But in general, my take on Rocío's work is that it takes us on an emotional journey in a way that both supports and surpasses the words. We can almost touch the waves as the young Wanda goes fishing. Wanda's fear as she is going blind is tangible. And the stars themselves lift off the pages.
Q: The School Library Journal review says, “Readers will walk away inspired by the world around them and Díaz Merced’s creativity and determination.” What do you think of that assessment, and what do you hope kids take away from the book?
A: Well, it is hard not to like a starred review! I really appreciate the two pieces there. Taking the second one first, the book is about Wanda's journey. Her drive is incredible, and yes, I think people should be inspired by her. I know I am.
But SLJ's first point about the world as a whole is also incredibly important. Most of us will never become astrophysicists, but being curious about the world means asking questions, and not necessarily accepting that the world we see is the only one available.
For example, in English, we have the phrase "quiet as a mouse," which would seem to mean that mice are silent. But if we slow down a recording of a mouse, we can actually hear that a mouse is not quiet at all; said mouse is just squeaking at a frequency we can't hear.
So our understanding of the universe is limited by our own abilities. Once we recognize that and find ways around those limitations, we can learn so much more.
Or, with a more relevant example, once Wanda realized she could listen to the data that other people looked at, she found her path to explore the stars.
Q: What are you working on now?
A: I continue to dive into everyday science mysteries and look to highlight scientists whose work makes a difference in how we live in our world. I also find I like writing plays. The different format sparks my brain.
Q: Anything else we should know?
A: One of the most fascinating pieces of a picture book is the collaboration necessary with both the creative team and the readers. I thought I wrote a book with Wanda about her finding a path to do the science she loved. And we did write that book.
But one reader said this book changed the way she looks at the stars. Another told me it was a book about the power of mentors and friends. And someone else said the high point was Wanda learning to be an independent person after going blind.
Our book is out in the wild doing wonderful things, things that I could never have imagined even as I wrote it.
--Interview with Deborah Kalb
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