SUN! ONE IN A BILLION released last week. I meant to have Stacy on the blog then to talk about her newest book. But the website went down, I had conferences and school visits, and my plans were sunburned to a crisp.
But the SUN rises again another day!
Stacy, I did not realize you had an “Our Universe” series, but it makes total sense since your book EARTH! MY FIRST 4.54 BILLION YEARS was such a hit.
Did you pitch EARTH as a series, or is it something the publisher requested?
EARTH was not pitched as a series. She’s a pretty independent planet and went on submission solo. When we sold the book to Henry Holt, it was a two-book deal but the only requirement for book 2 was that it needed to be funny nonfiction. Once EARTH was a finished book, we knew we had something special, and the publisher wanted to do more. And I wanted to do more! Currently, “Our Universe” consists of EARTH, SUN, MOON (2019), and OCEAN (2020).
That’s out of this world! But no Pluto?
What’s your take on Pluto, by the way? Planet or not?
I just wish scientists would make up their collective mind! I heard Neil deGrasse Tyson speak last year, and he convinced me that Pluto is absolutely not a planet. But I recently read about a new study that wants to change the planet definition again (currently, the IAU—International Astronomical Union—sets the rules) and that would allow Pluto back into the group. For now, I will say Pluto is a dwarf planet and a loyal dog to Mickey.
You know this blog often focuses on how children’s book creators get ideas for stories.
So, what’s the genesis of EARTH?
And why is SUN the next in the series?
EARTH emerged from the wreckage of a failed project. I’d written a story about a pet rock, who lived with kids from cave times up to modern day. My critique group hated it. But I realized I wasn’t trying to tell a story about a rock. I was trying to tell a story about time and how humans are here for just a blink (in geological terms). So I refocused on telling Earth’s story because she’s been around for a bit.
When I talked to my publisher about doing more books, I pitched Sun, Moon, and Mars—all are extremely interesting. They selected Sun. (I’m glad they picked. I would have had a hard time making that choice.)
If you could be any planet, star or other object in the universe, who would YOU be?
I’d say Mars. I don’t want to be the center of attention—like Sun. Moon is a bit too familiar. Mars is the right balance of mysterious and recognizable. Plus, I think it’ll be the first planet Earthlings visit.
Well, thank you for visiting this blog, Stacy.
Henry Holt is giving away copy of SUN to a random commenter.
Leave one comment below and a random winner will be selected soon.
GOOD LUCK!
97 comments
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October 30, 2018 at 8:16 am
kirsticall
EARTH! is my son Sammy’s favorite book! We can’t wait to own this one!
October 30, 2018 at 8:18 am
ptnozell
Loved learning that a pet-rock story evolved to an earth history and now journeying to the sun! Congratulations on your latest, Stacy!
October 30, 2018 at 8:19 am
lindabaie
I enjoyed Earth very much, as did my granddaughters (7 & 9). I’m looking forward to this new book, Sun, and the others, too! Thanks!
October 30, 2018 at 8:21 am
Cassandra
This series looks amazing! Congrats!
October 30, 2018 at 8:26 am
carmelamccainsimmons
Congratulations on your series. A reluctant reader I tutor has a very dry sense of humor. He was delighted with Earth! and wanted more books with its snarky wit. I can’t wait to tell him about the series. Write on!
October 30, 2018 at 8:29 am
Katie Engen
Love the series (voice, tone, facts, facts, facts). But I really want to read the story of that pet rock…
October 30, 2018 at 8:38 am
Erika Repaska
Thank you for this post. I love it, how one idea can change into another, better one.
October 30, 2018 at 8:43 am
Chana Stiefel
Out of this world! Congrats Stacy! Great interview
October 30, 2018 at 8:43 am
Polly Renner
Congratulations, Stacy, on another awesome book release! I cannot wait to read the whole series when they’re ready! SUN is adorable!!
October 30, 2018 at 8:43 am
Liz Bedia
Congratulations, Stacy! I loved reading about your writing evolution for EARTH. I love both EARTH and SUN and can’t wait to read more in your series! Thanks so much!!
October 30, 2018 at 8:47 am
Tracy Hora
I already own and love Earth! and can’t wait to add Sun! to my shelves. Enjoyed this interview and the encouragement that our old writing may find a new voice.
October 30, 2018 at 8:48 am
Celeste Bocchicchio-Chaudhri
My kids adored Earth and I can’t wait to read Sun!
October 30, 2018 at 9:04 am
w
Congratulations, Stacy! Looking forward to SUN, Moon and Ocean!
October 30, 2018 at 9:04 am
Ms Victor Reads
The humor reminds me of a funny video series my students loved over the last few years- Story Bots Planets. I can’t wait to read these.
October 30, 2018 at 9:04 am
Rebecca Van Slyke
This is just… STELLAR!!
October 30, 2018 at 9:08 am
Jennifer Johnson
My students really liked Earth. I can’t wait to read the rest of the books in the series and share them with my students.
October 30, 2018 at 9:10 am
lmconnors
Congratulations Stacy! I loved Earth-wrote a blog post about it back in January- so I am looking forward to Sun.
October 30, 2018 at 9:13 am
Amanda Wilson
Congratulations on the release! My sons received your EARTH book via Literati, an awesome book club for kids. We are excited to get our hands on SUN!
October 30, 2018 at 9:15 am
Andria Rosenbaum
Great example of how to re-imagine a story idea. Congratulations, Stacy!
October 30, 2018 at 9:16 am
Ashley Franklin
I totally admire authors who can intentionally write funny. That’s not my superpower at all!
My kiddos are just starting to get into science, and this looks like a winner!
October 30, 2018 at 9:24 am
rupalimulge
So interesting to stumble upon the book and the series. I will be looking these up!!
October 30, 2018 at 9:27 am
CindyC
This is a great series! Thanks for sharing, Stacy.
Cindy
October 30, 2018 at 9:31 am
C.L. Murphy
Brilliant, as usual, Stacy and Tara! I’m curious as to why the same illustrator wasn’t used for SUN! and how hard that was for Stevie to keep (what appears to be) the same style as David’s? Inquiring minds want to know. 😉
October 30, 2018 at 9:31 am
Katie A. Giorgio
Loved the Earth book…can’t wait to see this one!
October 30, 2018 at 9:39 am
Candace Spizzirri
Congratulations, Stacy! I loved Earth and can’t wait to read Sun. And thank you, Tara. 👍😃
October 30, 2018 at 9:41 am
Angie
Thanks for illuminating us with this shiny new book! Congratulations!
October 30, 2018 at 9:44 am
Lori Dubbin
I can already feel the heat that SUN is going to create! Love the voice. Love the backstory. Congratulations on this wonderful series.
October 30, 2018 at 9:50 am
Marlene Farrell (@marlenekidlit)
I hope to read both Sun and Earth. Funny nonfiction is very appealing. Great work!
October 30, 2018 at 9:55 am
Lisa Riddiough
Congratulations, Stacy! Your stories remind me that everything – animal, mineral, vegetable – has a point of view. Can’t wait to read Sun!
October 30, 2018 at 9:55 am
Jay
Super congratulations on another brilliant planet book. Can’t wait to have the series on our bookshelves.
October 30, 2018 at 9:58 am
kimgjolly
Fantastic! Loved it. And beautiful artistry too.
October 30, 2018 at 10:02 am
kimberlyhutmacher
This looks like a great book. I can’t wait to read it!
October 30, 2018 at 10:05 am
laurameressa
I never realized the connection between Earth and the pet rock book (which, for the record, I did not hate)! So excited for you and SUN 🙂
October 30, 2018 at 10:07 am
Sarah Maynard (@SarahDMaynard)
Congrats Stacy! We love EARTH and can’t wait to read SUN!
October 30, 2018 at 10:09 am
evelynchristensen
Sounds like a terrific book! Looking forward to reading it. And your whole series sounds great. Congratulations!!
October 30, 2018 at 10:28 am
sjohnston2010
Thanks for sharing the book’s origin story!
October 30, 2018 at 10:37 am
Sylvia Mary Grech
Looks great! Congratulations! Loved reading this.
October 30, 2018 at 10:44 am
Darshana
Congrats Stacy! Loved EARTH and can’t wait to read this one!
October 30, 2018 at 10:47 am
Michelle
Congrats! Looks like a fun book. Can’t wait to read it.
October 30, 2018 at 11:01 am
Brenda Huante
I’m looking forward to reading this. Congratulations!
October 30, 2018 at 11:16 am
suumac
Stacy – what a delightful series – Congratulations!!
October 30, 2018 at 11:18 am
Gabi Snyder
EARTH! was a huge hit in this house (with kids and adults, alike), so I can’t wait to read SUN! Congratulations, Stacy!
October 30, 2018 at 11:19 am
tina
Adorable moon and sun!
Looks like a wonderful book!
Thanks Stacy and Tara!
October 30, 2018 at 11:47 am
Buffy Silverman
Love the focus on funny nonfiction–way to pull in kid readers!
October 30, 2018 at 11:53 am
Brian Yanish
Looks like a great series. Thanks for sharing your process. I loved hearing how you turned the wreckage of a stuck project into a re-birth.
October 30, 2018 at 11:53 am
Dawn Prochovnic
I loved EARTH. It was one of those books I read and immediately thought, WHAT A GREAT IDEA…and executed so beautifully. I enjoyed hearing the story behind the story, and getting to meet SUN, too.
October 30, 2018 at 11:56 am
Debbie Meyer
Genius idea right there!! And so stinkin’ cute too! Congratulations, Stacy. 🙂 Can’t wait to read all about Sun.
October 30, 2018 at 12:03 pm
Gregory E Bray
I’m rooting for Pluto to be a planet again. Congratulations, Stacy!
October 30, 2018 at 12:12 pm
laurazarrin
These books look amazing!!!
October 30, 2018 at 12:39 pm
Lynne Marie
Just LOVE earth! I’m rooting for Pluto, too! Can’t wait to see SUN!
October 30, 2018 at 12:53 pm
Donna Gwinnell Lambo-Weidner
It’s a series? YAY! Loved EARTH, so I’m sure SUN will be a favourite too! Congratulations!
October 30, 2018 at 12:57 pm
chardixon47
Thank you, Stacy, for sharing your “behind the story” on this amazing series of books. Love that you took a failed idea and turned it into a triumph-Brava!!
October 30, 2018 at 1:10 pm
Tracy Abell
I love that the series emerged from the wreckage of a story about a pet rock!
October 30, 2018 at 2:01 pm
Linda
I would be the sun. I’d enjoy the daily rise and set routine.
October 30, 2018 at 2:14 pm
colleenrkosinski
Great idea!
October 30, 2018 at 2:30 pm
Jennifer Arena
So great–love funny nonfiction for a young age group. Congratulations!
October 30, 2018 at 2:32 pm
LeeAnn Rizzuti
What an inspiring (and fun) series for all those mini Neil deGrasse Tysons out there. Will be watching for Sun and all the rest, Stacy.
October 30, 2018 at 2:35 pm
margaret Albertson
I love the voice and illustrations. They are a good fit!
October 30, 2018 at 2:40 pm
Debbie Robl
Loved exploring Earth! Can’t wait to go to the Sun! Looking forward to this new addition to the series!
October 30, 2018 at 2:40 pm
Gail Hedrick
‘Sun’ sounds so very good, but this interview now means I will need to purchase both books for our 5-year old, always searching the sky grandson! Thanks to you both for such a wonderful post-the idea factory is so fascinating, and makes me want to ‘really’ find out what some of my mss. should actually be! Wishing you well-earned success with this series.
October 30, 2018 at 3:19 pm
Beth Talmage
I love hearing the back stories of how books come to be. And you found a great illustrator–what a lovely, “warm” image for the sun!
October 30, 2018 at 3:32 pm
Mirka Hokkanen
Love this book already, and I havent even flipped through the pages yet.
October 30, 2018 at 3:41 pm
Danielle Dufayet
What a great topic presented in such a fun and inviting way! Thanks for sharing your backstory -always so insightful!
October 30, 2018 at 3:51 pm
Judy Sobanski (@jkspburg)
Such a fun way to present scientific subject matter. Looking forward to reading the newest in your series!
October 30, 2018 at 4:07 pm
Stacy Couch
Loved EARTH! Too funny. 😂 Can’t wait for SUN!
October 30, 2018 at 4:16 pm
Kassy Keppol
Thank you!
October 30, 2018 at 4:37 pm
Linda Mitchell
A beautiful book. I’m so glad that there is another book by this author. Keep writing! Passing this giveway info. on to my middle schoolers.
October 30, 2018 at 4:46 pm
Pat Miller
Your books are what publishers mean when they say they want “a fresh take” on a subject. Congratulations, Stacy.
October 30, 2018 at 5:03 pm
Lori Alexander
This looks just as wonderful as the first. Congrats on SUN and the whole series, Stacy!
October 30, 2018 at 5:38 pm
sunwalker2013
Wow! Great ideas. Looking for copies to devour!
October 30, 2018 at 6:03 pm
Erin Varley
I have Earth and this would be perfect to add to our collection for our Astronomy unit. I am def lacking in PBs about stars, planets, etc.
October 30, 2018 at 7:57 pm
Sharon
Stacy, I hope your book sales shine like the sun. Thank you for sharing your inspiration. You rock!
October 30, 2018 at 8:09 pm
Nancy Riley
Love this! I think it will be even bigger and brighter than Earth, because it’s the Sun! Congratulations!
October 30, 2018 at 9:31 pm
writersideup
This is such a fresh premise, Stacy 😀 Congrats on the series!
October 30, 2018 at 10:15 pm
viviankirkfield
Love the cover…love the title…love everything about this book! Great job, Stacy! This one is going to be a hit with kids and teachers!
October 30, 2018 at 10:33 pm
Terry Jacobsen
Earth AND the Sun? So excited for this new title!!
October 31, 2018 at 1:18 am
Janice Woods
Fantastic! Thanks for sharing!
October 31, 2018 at 9:10 am
Dianne
Now that I’ve discovered that awesome superpower of asking my library to buy books, I’ll be requesting both Earth and Sun! Thanks for the fun interview.
October 31, 2018 at 9:29 am
Tina Cho
Wow, Stacy. Congrats on the series!
October 31, 2018 at 11:28 am
Tracy Scaglione
I’m so happy this is a series!
October 31, 2018 at 11:30 am
Jaclyn Kruzie
This book is coming out at the perfect time! The 2019 summer reading program’s theme is Out of This World. This book would be perfect for our library to feature during our summer reading program 😊
October 31, 2018 at 11:36 am
Suzie Olsen
Can’t wait to read it!
October 31, 2018 at 3:12 pm
Pat
I enjoyed the interview with Stacy, can’t wait to read “Sun”!
October 31, 2018 at 3:31 pm
Tracey Brown
Congratulations on this fun series, Stacy!
October 31, 2018 at 3:45 pm
kathydoherty1
This is such a fun series!
October 31, 2018 at 5:19 pm
Diane Tulloch
Congratulations. Love the cover. What a great series.
November 1, 2018 at 6:52 am
Joy Pitcairn
So interesting to read about the process! I just snuck a peek at this a few days ago, and I love the fun blend of fact and humor. 🙂
November 1, 2018 at 4:43 pm
theauntsavant
Sounds like Stacy has a planetary goldmine! I wish her the best of luck as she keeps the series going! Please put me in for the drawing. Thanks.
November 1, 2018 at 11:46 pm
Sara Fajardo
What a delightful way to teach children about the sun. Love the cover.
November 2, 2018 at 10:08 am
Lauri Meyers
I loved Earth! I thought it was so imaginative and fun to read and educational. Can’t read to read Sun.
November 3, 2018 at 11:13 am
David McMullin
I loved the Earth’s story, and I can’t wait to learn more about the sun!
November 3, 2018 at 8:48 pm
Linda Hofke
I loved Earth’s story and can’t wait to hear Sun’s. I just hope she isn’t stuck up…ya know, being she is at the center of the solar system and all planets orbit around her, she might be a fiery diva. 😉
Congrats on the book! I’m looking forward to reading it.
November 3, 2018 at 9:41 pm
marty b.
What a great sounding series. So glad to hear you have more in the works!
November 5, 2018 at 10:36 am
Amanda Sincavage
So excited to see this! EARTH is one of my favorite McAnulty books. Can’t wait to read SUN … and MOON and OCEAN! Congrats Stacy!
November 7, 2018 at 1:39 am
Margaret Greanias
What a fun series! Congrats Stacy!
November 11, 2018 at 4:59 pm
jessica shaw
Great introduction for young readers! Look forward to reading and sharing it!
November 19, 2018 at 8:48 am
annabrookswriter
This looks adorable! I love the mix of humor and facts. Congratulations! I look forward to reading it.