Posts Tagged interview

STEM Tuesday– Zombies (Real and Otherwise)– Kim Long interview

By on October 28, 2025   /   STEM Tuesday, Zombies  

Welcome to STEM Tuesday: Author Interview, a repeating feature for the last Tuesday of every month. Go Science-Tech-Engineering-Math!

Today we’re exploring the intersection of science and spooky with Kim Long, author of Catching Cryptids: The Scientific Search for Mysterious Creatures (May 6, 2025) by Running Press Kids, illustrated by Nicole Miles. Catching Cryptids explores various technological advances in a fun way by pairing them with mythical creatures and discussing how modern technology could be used to locate or “catch” these beasts. Let’s learn more about Kim and her cryptids!

Want to win a copy of Catching Cryptids? Leave a comment or email Andi Diehn (andi@diehn.net) to be entered into a random drawing! U.S. addresses only, please.

 

Andi Diehn: This seems like a really fun topic to research! How and when did your fascination with cryptids begin?

Kim Long: I’ve always been a huge fan of the strange and weird! When I was a kid I devoured books on the Bermuda Triangle, Bigfoot, Atlantis, and other oddities. I’m also a huge animal lover, so stories about scientists discovering new species are always on my radar. Squid are one of my favorites, and it’s only been in the last twenty years that scientists have been able to even view a squid in its natural habitat. It really makes me think about what else is out there that we haven’t found or been able to verify.

What was your research process like?

 

 

Kim: I think I’ve read every book, magazine article, and blog about cryptids! There are some great texts out there by cryptozoologists who have organized expeditions to find the Mongolian Death Worm and other cryptids. Even more fascinating in some respectsis the work wildlife scientists are doing with the latest tech. For the most part, I’d read an article or blurb in an Internet news story and then track down the actual scientific paper that served as the source for the story. Scientific journal articles list all of their sources (i.e. more articles), which sent me down many a rabbit hole as I pieced together what type of tech could partner with which cryptids.

I love how you explored the technology used in identifying new species and searching for cryptids. Do you think we’ll find even more species every year as technology improves?

Kim: Absolutely! It wasn’t until March 2025 (MARCH 2025!!!) that scientists captured the very first image of a colossal squid in its natural habitat! And it was such a baby! I can’t wait for pics of a full-size colossal squid. There is so much more of the ocean to explore. We haven’t scratched the surface. For land animals, drones make it so much easier to explore hard-to-reach places. And as airborne DNA collection advances, we’ll be able to identify species without even seeing them. That’s huge. Right now, so much is based on eyesight and catching a glimpse, but environmental DNA and airborne DNA open the door to discover where super secretive animals may be hiding.

You manage to pull a lot of threads into this book – climate change, technology, species discovery, sociology, psychology – what is it about cryptids that invites such a layered approach to examination?

Kim: I think the mysterious nature of cryptids opens the door to discussing some aspects that might not lend themselves to traditional wildlife research. If someone says they saw a dog running down the street, there’s no reason to question their opinion. But if someone says they saw a 6-foot bird screeching at them, our eyebrows raise. So, if we assume the person saw something, let’s take a look at what factors might be affecting their opinion, and then we can get into the traditional wildlife science of habitat and what technologies can help figure out what that something is.

Love the career connections in the last chapter! Why include this section?

Kim: When I was a kid, I loved animals and science and the only job I heard about was a veterinarian, which didn’t interest me. I want kids to know that there are tons of fields related to wildlife research, and not all jobs require higher education. Perhaps a kid who’s into computers never thought wildlife coding or programming was an option and will be thrilled to discover that these opportunities exist.

What’s your favorite cryptid – and why?

Kim: Ooooh. This is a tough one!! I love the kraken because WHO KNOWS WHAT’S IN THE DEPTHS OF THE OCEAN??? Plus, so many characteristics of the kraken match the giant squid. But, I also love the Mongolian Death Worm because there absolutely could be a worm/snake creature that lives in the sand. Then there’s Mothman, who’s been sighted in five different states and for over 50 years. And the Loch Ness monster is . . .

OK, I guess it’s fair to say I don’t have a favorite!

Want to win a copy of Catching Cryptids? Leave a comment or email Andi Diehn (andi@diehn.net) to be entered into a random drawing! U.S. addresses only, please.

 

Kim Long is a children’s book author and former attorney. She studied environmental management in college and environmental law in law school. Her love of science, nature, and animals is reflected in her books. While she has not yet spotted a cryptid, she keeps her eyes peeled at all times, waiting for Mothman to make a guest appearance as she bikes along Illinois’s trails.

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STEM Tuesday– Zombies (Real and Otherwise)– Writing Tips & Resources

By on October 21, 2025   /   STEM Tuesday, Zombies  

Welcome back to STEM Tuesday. I’m Stephanie Jackson, and today’s zombies are in the “otherwise” category—less real, and more “otherwise,” drawing on literary theory and cultural studies. If you’re thinking along the lines of Mary Shelley’s 1818 gothic novel Frankenstein, you’re headed the right direction.

So… monster theory… have you heard of it? In the 1990s, Jeffrey Jerome Cohen wrote about monsters as metaphors and how we can decode (or encode) our stories with them. The TLDR of it is that the monsters of any given cultural text—book, film, etc—represent that society’s fears and desires. Through taboos, boundaries, contamination, and other monster lore, writers and readers explore themes of humanity and inhumanity.

First, as readers: Monster theory makes the English classroom fun again, allowing students to read the text against itself, to tease out the textual society’s ideals. While maybe this seems a little lofty for middle-grade readers, it can apply to age-appropriate texts. For fiction, I think of the middle-grade novels Zombie Baseball Beatdown and Better Off Undead.

Exercise #1: Why Monsters?
Identify a favorite story about monsters. Are its monsters likeable or not, and why? Do the monsters fit or break the monster stereotype? In what ways does the monster complicate the story in a way that a non-monster character wouldn’t? What does the monster disrupt or destroy? How does the text’s main characters and society at large treat the monster(s), and what’s the takeaway? Write down your thoughts and prepare to share them with peers.

Teachers and homeschool parents, feel free to tailor this exercise as appropriate for your students. Essay? Slides presentation? How long? You decide. This type of analysis is less about finding a “right” reading of a text, and more about interpretation and engagement. As long as they’re participating, while using textual evidence as guardrails for the discussion, it’s a great opportunity to engage them in critical thinking skills. (Let them choose a story they love, even if it’s a picture book or movie. Child-led learning sparks joy!)

And now, without further ado, exercise two…

Exercise #2: Perspective

  • Part A) Monstrosity—and not merely beauty—is in the eye of the beholder. Select and write down an everyday object. It could be anything that, taken out of context, might seem scary, weird, or inhuman. Slime and scrambled eggs have odd textures… without sight, encountering them might be unsettling. The object could also be something innocuous, like a dandelion or cereal. Describe the object, and think about how the truth of that description might be purposefully distorted. (Remember the marble in It Fell From the Sky? It’s a perfect example of an everyday object for this purpose.)
  • Part B) Next, invent a character or creature that’s scared of that object. How could this object endanger them, their society? In what circumstances might it be mistaken for something much scarier? What evidence might the character have found to support their belief that they’re endangered by it? How could they misinterpret its purposes? (Think of Strange Planet‘s descriptions.)
  • Part C) Gather into groups and discuss your results with peers. What was the most interesting scenario? What makes something monstrous, vs. what makes something human? As a group, present your findings to the class.

That’s it for this week! If you’re looking for some hi-lo Zombie books for your second-to-seventh graders, you might like this one and similar titles by the same publisher. If you missed it, go back and peruse our book list. As always, I’d love it if you stopped by my website StephanieWritesForKids.com for more book recs, writerly tips, and the latest updates on my publishing journey.

Best,

Stephanie

Stephanie Jackson is a mother of four kiddos ages 4-14. Her kidlit work has been published in Cricket magazine, Dirigible Balloon, and elsewhere. She holds an English creative writing degree and writes from her book-glutted home in northern Utah.

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Interview with Author Karen Latchana Kenney and her book: Fascinating Fungi and a Giveaway!

By on October 10, 2025   /   Articles, STEM  
Fascinating Fungi book

I am delighted to welcome one of our very own Mixed-up Files and STEM Tuesday members for her new release!

A huge welcome to Karen Latchana Kenney!

 

Karen Latchana Kenney

 

Karen Latchana Kenney is an Indian-Irish children’s author, born near the equator in Guyana, and raised far north in Minnesota. She writes both fiction and nonfiction stories about immigrant and biracial experiences, scientific wonders and discoveries, momentous historical events, and civil rights struggles.

Her books have received several starred reviews and have been named a 2025 Minnesota Book Awards Finalist, 2025 Pedro and Daniel Intersectionality Book Awards Finalist, 2023 Mathical Book Prize Honor, YALSA Quick Pick for Reluctant Readers, and a Book of Note from the TriState Review Committee. She lives in Minnetonka, Minnesota, with her family, where they explore all the wild places they can find.

 

Her newest book is a star-studded look at… FUNGI!

(The book received THREE stars from major reviewers. Congrats, Karen!!)

Fascinating Fungi book

 

Kirkus (starred review): An extraordinarily well-researched, well-presented, and visually appealing book on a fascinating subject.

Booklist (starred review) : Highly recommended to seasoned “fungi-philes” and those unfamiliar with the threading marvels.— Sharon Rawlins

School Library Journal (starred review): VERDICT A thoroughly researched, visually appealing, and reader-friendly title that brings the hidden world of fungi to life—highly recommended for all collections. –Jenna LaBollita

 

 

Thanks so much for joining us here today to talk about your awesome new STEM book for kids, Karen!

JS: What drew you to writing about fungi? 

KK: It was a really strange mushroom I found in my garden—one I’d never seen before. One day there was a giant puffball growing on its own, all of a sudden it was there. So, I started investigating and learning more about this mushroom that puffs clouds of spores into the air and I wanted to know more and more. I watched some incredible documentaries too, like Fantastic Fungi, and then I knew I wanted to write a book about these fascinating organisms.

 

JS: How did you figure out the organization of this topic? 

KK: There was so much to tell that it was hard to whittle down the topics, but I really wanted to showcase all of the amazing qualities of different kinds of fungi. I thought it was important to start off with a biological background and then move into different aspects of how they look, what they can do for people, and then what they can do within nature. Two chapters, “The Beauties” and “The Oddities,” were especially fun to write. They highlight all the beautiful and unusual forms fungi can take, including the terrifying Bleeding Tooth fungus that oozes a red liquid to the brilliant green Parrot Waxcap covered in slime.

 

JS: It seems like this is something many people don’t know, but how important are fungi to our world? 

KK: They are incredibly important. I don’t think we even know yet how important and pervasive they are yet. They nourish the soil, connect plants, provide food for all kinds of creatures, and decompose all kinds of materials. Without fungi, leaf litter and plant debris would pile up to make a thick layer covering our planet. Scientists are discovering different ways they can restore our planet as well—from breaking down plastics to cleaning toxic sites and water, and much more.

 

JS: Can you give us three intriguing fun facts that you learned while writing this book? 

KK:

  1. A bioluminescent fungus was used to illuminate the controls in America’s first combat submarine, called the Turtle, during the Revolutionary War.
  2. That fungi are genetically and biologically more like people and other animals than they are like plants.
  3. The concept of “wet computing” or wetware, which uses biological components along with hardware to create living, adaptable computers. A researcher I interviewed in England, Dr. Adam Adamatzky, is experimenting with fungi to create these kind of computing devices.

 

JS: What would you like readers to get out of this book?

KK: A sense of wonder about these organisms they may never have really thought about before, and a respect for the complexity and beauty of the natural world.

 

JS: How would you like teachers/librarians to use this book?

KK: I think this book would be perfect for science research or kids interested in ecology or biology.

 

JS: Can you give any tips to writers who want to break into nonfiction children’s books?

KK: Read the top nonfiction books out there and study how writers craft trade nonfiction. It’s filled with fictional elements that add so much interest. Having a great, high-interest angle is important. Also talk to experts in the area you are writing about. I often get the best research tips from the experts I interview.

 

JS: What are you working on now? 

KK: I’m working on a really exciting, top-secret STEM picture book right now!

That sounds fabulous, Karen. We can’t wait to read that one. Thanks for sharing about your new STEM book. Everyone go check out Karen’s website HERE for more of her fabulous books!

 

Want a chance to WIN a Copy of Karen’s New Book? She is doing a giveaway at Goodreads. Click HERE to enter!

 

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