Wallace J. Nichols is the author, with his daughter Wallace Grayce Nichols, of the new children's picture book Dear Wild Child: You Carry Your Home Inside You. A marine biologist, he also has written the book Blue Mind, which focuses on the benefits of being near water. He lives in Central California.
Q: Dear Wild Child was inspired by a true story--can you say more about that, and about how you and your daughter decided to collaborate on this book?
A: We lost our home in the wildfires of summer 2020, the day after Grayce left for college. When I called to tell her I had a hard time speaking, so I wrote her a letter. That letter “went viral” and when Amy at Cameron + Co. saw it, she reached out to ask it we’d be interested in adapting the letter into a children’s book. I asked Grayce, she agreed and we got to work…
Q: The Publishers Weekly review of the book says, in part, that “the affecting story’s tone remains openhearted, concluding with sentiments that encourage resilience and reflect on the nature of home.” What do you think of that description, and what do you hope kids take away from the story?
A: In writing the letter to Grayce my hope was to share some heartbreaking news but to also offer a framework for her to think about it and move forward. I felt the responsibility as a parent to help our daughters navigate the loss and the grief, but to also find a deep sense of gratitude and appropriate awe.
I hope the book helps kids, parents and educators discuss how it feels to lose something, or someone, you love.
Q: What do you think Drew Beckmeyer's illustrations add to the book?
A: Stunning. Drew captured the feeling of the place, the nature, our home, Grayce and Julia’s childhood. He also made the loss shocking while keeping the story buoyant.
Q: In the book, you describe many memories that took place in the house. What are your favorites?
A: We made a lot of music. Some of good, most of it just silly, playful, rowdy. We had a piano, guitars, drums, tambourines, harmonicas, maracas so everyone could join in.
I miss the way the very wide, very thick, solid, well-worn Douglas fir floorboards felt underfoot. Few homes have that feeling.
Q: What are you working on now?
A: I continue to focus on the role nature, especially water, can play in helping to fix what’s broken inside of us. The wildfire taught me that practicing Blue Mind can help even in extreme cases. I’d love to make a children’s book about that next. My goal is to make Blue Mind common knowledge and practice.
Grayce continues to study sustainable design. She has such a keen eye and kind, calm, warm demeanor. I appreciate and admire the woman she is.
Q: Anything else we should know?
A: When life throws you a curve ball, and it will, get in the water and connect to your wild child. Let’s be sure all of the children know that.
--Interview with Deborah Kalb
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