Lydia Lukidis is the author of the new children's picture book Up, Up High: The Secret Poetry of Earth's Atmosphere. Her many other books include Deep, Deep Down.
Q: What inspired you to write Up, Up High?
A: This is the first time I ever wrote a companion book. It all started in 2019, when I started writing the book Deep, Deep Down: The Secret Underwater Poetry of the Mariana Trench. From this experience, I learned about my own author branding: that I love STEM and lyrical language, and that I could merge them together.
Once that book was published, it was thankfully well received. That’s when my agent, Miranda Paul, asked me to consider writing a book about journeying up, up high into the Earth’s atmosphere. I was immediately sold. I was working on several different projects at the time, but a year later, I dove into the research.
Q: How did you research the book, and what did you learn that especially surprised you?
A: I always begin my research with a trip to the library to gather books and I do a deep dive on the internet. I discovered so many fascinating facts about our atmosphere, some that I had never even heard of, like sprites (transient luminous events).
Consulting experts was a vital part of the process. I interviewed three experts:
Dr. Zhang who works for the NOAA. He’s a whiz who was able to answer all my weather/atmosphere questions.
NASA astronaut Linda Godwin, who spent time aboard the International Space Station. How amazing is that?
Alan Eustace, a computer analyst who, gasp, SPACE JUMPED! Yes, you heard that right. I’m sure you heard of skydivers; they jump from about 10,000 feet. But in 2014, Alan Eustace jumped from space (26 miles up, that’s 137,280 feet) and free fell for over 14 minutes. He travelled faster than the speed of sound!
Q: What do you think Katie Rewse’s illustrations add to the book?
A: I was hoping to work with Juan Calle, who illustrated Deep, Deep Down but he wasn’t available. Capstone chose Katie Rewse instead, and boy am I happy about that. She brought a certain whimsy and magic realism to the narrative. She was also willing to keep things scientifically accurate, which I appreciated.
Q: How would you compare this book with Deep, Deep Down?
A: It’s a companion book and both are similar though offer different content. Both are expository nonfiction and address the reader in the second person, while placing her/him as the center of the adventure.
While Deep, Deep Down goes deep down to the deepest part of the Mariana Trench, Up, Up High journeys upwards into the Earth’s atmosphere. Both books also have a hook, asking the reader to consider certain questions as they read.
Q: What are you working on now?
A: I love writing nonfiction STEM. But I also like writing funny! I have a new early graphic novel series coming out in July, Groucho the Grouchy Groundhog, which is a nod to Garfield, slapstick humor, and Seinfeld. All things I love! The first book comes out in July and the second will be released in 2026.
I also wrote two novels in verse on very tough topics. I’m hoping they will get picked up! One is on sub and the other is with my agent.
Q: Anything else we should know?
A: To all the writers in the querying trenches, just remember it takes time. I have been in the trenches many times myself, and actually went through three different agents until I found Miranda. It takes time, patience, and willingness to work at your craft. If you keep at it, you’ll eventually get your foot in the door!
--Interview with Deborah Kalb
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