Q&A with Tim McCanna

 

 

 

Tim McCanna is the author of the new children's picture book Cold. His other books include the Peach and Plum series. He lives in San Jose, California.

 

Q: What inspired you to write Cold?

 

A: When I’m thinking up new ideas for picture books, especially the concept-based nonfiction ones, I’m always on the hunt for a topic that is universally relatable, but also gives me opportunities to put my own creative spin on it.

 

In this case, the single word—COLD—came to me and I was immediately inspired to go down a rabbit hole and explore all the things that cold could mean. It’s a powerful word that hooks the imagination and has so many interpretations.

 

At the same time, climate change is a real threat to cold seasons and cold regions, so my hope in writing Cold is to inform young readers of what is at stake.

Q: What do you think Ramona Kaulitzki’s illustrations add to the book?

 

A: Ramona has done some really amazing things through her illustrations. She captures the beauty and realism of all these stunning animals and locations throughout the book, but she also adds a delightful touch of character to each creature. It makes us care for them and see the world through their eyes.

 

What she also managed to do was capture the essence of cold. A windy mountain, a misty meadow, frozen leaves, snowflakes, icicles, sea water—even the northern lights! It all amounts to a really rich reading experience that feels like a visual journey.

Q: Are you a fan of cold weather?

A: I have so many wonderful cold weather memories from my childhood. I grew up in rural Missouri and we had no shortage of ice storms, blizzards, and snow drifts. I built my fair share of snowmen and sledded down many long hills with friends.

 

I live in California now, so I’ve lost a bit of my cold weather tolerance, but I do enjoy cold weather to a certain degree (pun intended.) After diving into my research for Cold, I appreciate the value and necessity of cold weather even more.

Q: What do you hope kids take away from the story?

A: On one level, Cold is simply about appreciating beautiful, cold environments around the world and the amazing animals that thrive in them. Cold seasons and cold weather and cold places are essential for how our world operates!

 

So, I also hope that through the back matter, which covers topics like temperature, how animals adapt to the cold, and the impacts of global climate change, it sparks conversations about how we can take responsibility for protecting cold and the animals that rely on it to survive.

Q: What are you working on now?

A: Well, I have a new picture book coming out in 2025 called When You Wish Upon a Ghost with illustrations by Alan Batson. It’s an original rhyming story set in Disney’s Haunted Mansion! Talk about a fun project.

 

Meanwhile, I spent much of 2024 focussing on a middle grade nonfiction book and a middle grade fantasy novel, so I guess I’m trying to branch out into some uncharted territories for me. I like challenging myself!

Q: Anything else we should know?

 

A: Picture books weren’t really on my radar until I was in my mid-30s and had two young kids of my own. Before that, I worked in marketing and advertising as a graphic designer, played accordion in various rock bands, performed in theatre productions, and wrote musicals in New York City.

 

You never know how different paths in life might ultimately intersect, but all of those things certainly did, and have led to a truly rewarding career in children’s publishing.

 

--Interview with Deborah Kalb