Today’s interview is a fantastic nonfiction picture book debut!

Becca McMurdie is an elementary school principal in New York City by day. At night, she researches and writes children’s books. She takes trips to climb up mountains, hike through rainforests, and swim in oceans and lakes any chance she gets. This is her debut picture book.  You can learn more about her at her website or follow her on Instagram or on Twitter.

BUILDING A BEAK: HOW A TOUCAN’S RESCUE INSPIRED THE WORLD is a true story of a poor toucan who was hurt so badly (by vandals) she lost the top portion of her beak.  I saw this on social media several years ago and was floored by the cruelty some people can show animals.  Yet this story tells about the incredible compassion of others around the world to help this toucan (trying to build her a new beak so she could survive) and ultimately how it changed the law in Costa Rica to protect wild creatures.  This book is incredibly well written and the illustrations are beautifully done.  I mean, just look at that cover!

Welcome Becca!

Me: Can you tell us a little bit about your writing journey?  When did you start writing stories?  What brought you to this picture book?

Becca: As an elementary school educator for 17 years, I’ve always been engaged with picture books. I started writing my own stories during the early days of the COVID-19 lockdown. I sharpened my craft for about a year before I began querying, and then queried for a whole year before landing an agent (with the manuscript for this book, actually!). In the winter of 2022, I was on a two-month sabbatical from my elementary school principal position. I spent the time in Costa Rica, volunteering at a local school, going on lots of hikes in the rainforest, and of course, writing. It was on a birdwatching trip during that time that I saw my first wild toucan, and the guide told me the story about Grecia, a toucan who had received a prosthetic beak. I was intrigued, so I began researching the story, contacted the rescue center where she was taken care of. The rest is history!

Me: What was it about Grecia’s story that first grabbed you and made you want to write about it?

Becca: Once I initially researched Grecia’s story, I learned how the tragedy that happened to her not only resulted in lots of people coming together innovate and create a prosthetic beak, but also inspired a social movement that resulted in legal protection of rainforest wildlife. At that point I could envision both a plot and an emotional arc for a very unique nonfiction story.

Me: Your story literally sings.  I love that framework and how song is woven throughout the story.  Was it always there or did it come about with multiple revisions?  How many revisions did it take for this story to get to this incredibly polished work of art?

Becca: I just went back and looked. I have 5 versions of the story saved in my pre-acquisition folder. And then it looks like it went through 4 more rounds of revision after acquisition with Page Street. It was so long ago now I didn’t remember! I don’t save all my revisions though, so there were probably more than 5 revisions before Page Street acquired it.

Me: Did you have to do a lot of research for this story?  Did you travel to Costa Rica?  Can you tell us a bit about that process?  

Becca: Yes, I initially read lots of local and international news coverage about the story, to really understand the full arc of the story I wanted to write and prepare specific questions for folks at Rescate Wildlife Rescue Center. Then, I contacted the rescue center to ask about Grecia, and told them I thought her story would make for a great children’s book. I asked if they’d be open to me interviewing them with the long-short intention of publishing a book about her for the U.S. children’s book market. (Keep in mind that at this point I was pre-agented!) They said yes! They invited me to the rescue center for a day long tour and interview. I also emailed with members of their team after my initial visit, as I worked through revisions and had follow up questions. 

Me: What is one thing about writing this story that surprised you?

Becca: That I actually did it! 

Me: I love that.  I also love Diana Hernandez’s illustrations in this book.  Those blueprints and that cover design are gorgeous!  Did you have any illustration surprises?  Any favorite illustrations?

Becca: I absolutely love how Diana nailed Grecia’s beautiful blue feet. My favorite spread is the graphic-novel style spread that shows the blueprint for the new beak.

Me: Any advice for other new picture book writers?

Becca: Write from the heart and don’t give up!

Great advice Becca.  Thank you for stopping by my blog today.

But wait, dear readers!  There’s more!  Becca has agreed to giveaway one copy of her book (US contestants only).  You can enter the rafflecopter here.