Will Hillenbrand is the author and illustrator of the new children's picture book Light as a Feather: Fifteen Phenomenal North American Birds. His other books include The Voice in the Hollow. He lives outside of Cincinnati, Ohio.
Q: What inspired you to write Light as a Feather, and how
did you choose the birds to include?
A: Light as a Feather began in an unusual way—if there even is a typical way for an original book to take shape. The bird portraits first came about as a gift for a dear friend who was battling cancer. I chose birds because their wings symbolize hope and uplift, sending images I hoped would bring lightness and comfort.
Watercolor felt right: it’s an airy, gentle medium, perfect for creating bright, happy images to lift her spirits. Each daily bird was meant to remind my friend she was loved and that we were with her, even from afar.
When she began to feel better, she returned the favor by sending me creative titles for each bird in reply to text messages. Her thoughtful titles inspired me to share my images and her titles on social media, as a kind of open prayer for her continued healing.
What I never expected was the groundswell of requests from others: so many people asked if these birds could become a book. At first, I hesitated—the images were deeply personal, not intended for publication. But when a stranger created a book cover using my artwork, I began to reconsider.
My original plan was simply to make daily birds for my friend’s recovery, and on the day her doctors declared her cured, I sent her a bluebird—the bluebird of happiness. I could have stopped after those months, but I felt compelled to continue.
What began as a handful of paintings became a yearlong project that eventually grew to over 400 bird portraits. From this flock, I selected 15 birds for the book—familiar backyard birds from across North America.
I wanted young readers to recognize these birds, to marvel at their extraordinary abilities, and to find awe and wonder in the everyday wildlife all around us.
Q: Did you work on the illustrations first or the text first--or both simultaneously?
A: My process was a bit unconventional. Most of the major bird portraits were created first, which felt a little unusual compared to how many books are developed.
My son, a geologist and scientist, once told me, “I start with a question.” That advice resonated with me as I began this nonfiction journey.
I wanted the book to be both educational and playful, so instead of leading with a question as the main headline, I often used wordplay, like “Birds with a Built-In Spoon,” followed by a subhead that asked a question like “Why do birds have different bill shapes?”
This approach gave the book unity while letting me showcase the remarkable diversity among bird species.
The process became almost like a ping-pong match: the art would inspire a question, which led to writing, and then the writing would spark ideas for the infographic illustrations—these were different from the large portraits, as they needed to be interactive and help tell the fascinating stories behind each bird’s life.
Honestly, I often felt so immersed in the creative flow that it was hard to pinpoint a strict order; the illustrations and text truly evolved together, each sparking new ideas for the other. And of course, I mixed in plenty of research and reading to keep stirring the creative pot.
Q: How did you research the book, and did you learn anything that especially surprised you?
A: Researching this book was an adventure in itself—and at times, a little overwhelming! I’m reminded of the Anthony J. D’Angelo quote: “In your thirst for knowledge, be sure not to drown in all the information.”
I read widely, starting with a New York Times review of Joan E. Strassmann's Slow Birding, and I picked up the book and read it. It made me think that I, too, wanted my reader to slow down and wonder about our wonderful world. That discovery sparked a joyful journey through many more titles, including works by David Attenborough and other naturalists.
I filled notebooks with observations and sketches, watched countless nature documentaries, and set up a video camera in our backyard to observe birds firsthand. I attended talks, used the Merlin app on my phone to better recognize birdsong during my morning walks, and made a point to simply pay more attention to the living world around me.
What surprised me most was how much there is to discover right outside our doors. Even common backyard birds have extraordinary behaviors and adaptations that often go unnoticed. This process didn’t just deepen my knowledge—it also renewed my sense of wonder, and I hope that feeling never fades.
Q: The Kirkus Review of the book called it a “well-crafted blend of art and science that will spark curiosity about our feathered neighbors.” What do you think of that description?
A: Receiving such kind words from Kirkus truly touched me. It reminds me of how people often reference Leonardo da Vinci, a true Renaissance man whose pen and ink allowed us mere mortals to glimpse the inner workings of the world, making the unseen visible and illuminating mysteries for generations.
While I would never compare myself to such a genius, I feel grateful if my book can offer even a small glimmer of that same illumination—bringing art and science together to invite readers into a deeper sense of wonder about the world right outside their window.
If this book sparks curiosity and appreciation for our feathered neighbors, then I am deeply fulfilled.
Q: What are you working on now?
A: My next nonfiction book is currently titled Endless Night: How Mammals Survive Winter. In this new book, my focus ranges from the tiniest mouse to the mighty moose, as I explore the incredible ways mammals endure the coldest, darkest months of the year.
I often catch myself shivering on a winter night—even inside my cozy house, wrapped in a sweater and warm socks and blanket, while the wind howls and sleet batters the windows. Yet out in the wild, these animals face the elements head-on, night after night. Their strength and resilience never fail to amaze me.
When the book is finished, I will invite you to discover together how these remarkable creatures survive—and thrive—through the endless nights of winter.
Q: Anything else we should know?
A: Yes, there is something else I’d like you to know. I am so grateful for you and your love for readers. Thank you for taking the time to craft such thoughtful and inspiring questions—questions that will excite and illuminate the lives of our beloved young readers.
--Interview with Deborah Kalb
