Louise M. Aamodt is the author of the new children's picture book A Forest Begins Anew. She is also an educator, and she lives in Minnesota.
Q: What inspired you to write A Forest Begins Anew?
A: Many years ago, I was teaching a weather science unit and read the book Lightning! by Lorraine Jean Hopping. Three lines about the cause/effect relationships after a fire (burnt trees > beetles > woodpeckers > bluebirds) stopped me in my tracks.
I’m always fascinated by the interconnectedness of nature, but I hadn’t heard of this particular relationship. Once I dipped my toe into the research, I was hooked.
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Q: How did you research the book, and what did you learn that especially surprised you?
A: I was new to writing nonfiction back then, so my early research was messy, to say the least. As I learned more about finding strong sources, I had to go back and reexamine everything multiple times to make sure it was accurate. I’m a bit of a perfectionist, so it was a painstaking process.
I’d advise writers to document every single rabbit hole they explore, whether valid or not, so they can sift through them later if/when ideas become muddled.
One thing that surprised me was learning about the history of fire suppression in the United States. As a kid, I remember Smokey the Bear ads that villainized fires and urged us to extinguish them all, which actually led to more megafires in some cases due to excessive fuel buildup. These days, although climate change exacerbates megafires, we actually do have more scientific, data-driven methods behind us.
Q: What do you think Elly MacKay’s illustrations add to the book?
A: She’s amazing! I intentionally chose some advanced vocabulary for this story, and Elly’s art helps make those big words–and concepts–accessible and inviting for even the youngest readers. It’s a beautiful pairing of words and art. Her shifting use of color and light portrays the emotional arc perfectly.
Q: The Kirkus Review of the book called it a “beautiful testament to nature’s—and our own—ability to flourish after devastation.” What do you think of that description?
A: I’m thrilled that the underlying theme shone through. This is a nonfiction book about wildfires, yes, but it’s really a story of hope and perseverance.
Adversity of all types can feel so overwhelming that sometimes it’s hard to see the light at the end of the tunnel. It was of utmost importance to me that this book portrayed equal parts science and optimism.
Q: What are you working on now?
A: I have two more upcoming nonfiction picture books under contract, with many, many more manuscripts looking for a home. I’m drawn to writing nonfiction, often with lyrical or rhyming elements. I also love creating back matter and layered text. If a concept sparks for me, I relish the challenge of relaying that same excitement to readers.
Q: Anything else we should know?
A: This is my debut book, and interestingly, it goes against two common bits of advice. First, it’s in rhyme, which we’re generally warned to avoid because it’s so hard to get the meter right. Second, it uses the word “dead,” which is apparently a no-no for young readers, and had to be handled with care. Nevertheless, A Forest Begins Anew made it through anyway. Write what’s in your heart, and readers will feel it.
--Interview with Deborah Kalb
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