Author: Kirsten W. Larson

Kirsten W. Larson used to work with rocket scientists at NASA. Now she writes books for curious kids. She’s the author of WOOD, WIRE, WINGS: Emma Lilian Todd Invents an Airplane, illustrated by Tracy Subisak (Calkins Creek, February 2020), A TRUE WONDER: The Comic Book Her Who Changed Everything, illustrated by Katy Wu (Clarion, 2021); and THE FIRE OF STARS: The Life and Brilliance of the Woman Who Discovered What Stars are Made of, illustrated by Katherine Roy (Chronicle, 2022), along with 25 other nonfiction books for kids. She's a geek, LEGO lover, and sock enthusiast. Find her at kirsten-w-larson.com or on Twitter/Instagram @KirstenWLarson.
Books, News

Sneak Peek: FIRE OF STARS Talk for Harvard’s Project Phaedra

Kirsten W. Larson

This is an picture of the Fall Author Series line up.

Want a sneak peek at my Fall 2022 title, THE FIRE OF STARS with illustrator Katherine Roy (Chronicle Books)? We’ll be chatting about our inspiration, research, and more with Harvard/The Smithsonian as part of Project Phaedra’s Fall Author Series Sept. 14.

What’s Project Phaedra? According to their website: “Project PHaEDRA is an initiative by the Wolbach Library, in collaboration with many partners, to catalog, digitize, transcribe, and enrich the metadata of over 2500 logbooks and notebooks produced by the Harvard computers and early Harvard astronomers. Our goal is to ensure that this remarkable set of items, created by a remarkable group of people, is as accessible and useful as possible.”

These notebooks include those of astrophysicist Cecilia Payne-Gaposchkin, the subject of THE FIRE OF STARS.

This event is free and open to the public. And it’s ONLINE. Sign up to join us here.

Books

WOOD, WIRE, WINGS is a 2021 Bank Street Best Book

Kirsten W. Larson
This is an image of the cover of WOOD, WIRE, WINGS.

I’m thrilled to share that WOOD, WIRE, WINGS has been named a 2021 Bank Street College of Education Best Book for ages 5 to 9.

According to The College’s website: “The Children’s Book Committee strives to guide librarians, educators, parents, grandparents, and other interested adults to the best books for children published each year. The list includes more than 600 titles chosen by reviewers for literary quality and excellence of presentation as well as the potential emotional impact of the books on young readers. Other criteria include credibility of characterization and plot, authenticity of time and place, age suitability, positive treatment of ethnic and religious differences, and the absence of stereotypes.”

Looking for great titles for all ages? Find all of Bank Street’s recommendations here.

Books

12 Books to Celebrate #NationalAviationDay

Kirsten W. Larson

Happy #NationalAviationDay. In 1939, President Franklin D. Roosevelt turned the anniversary of Orville Wright’s birthday into this U.S. National Holiday.

This year, I’m celebrating this annual event with a book list for young readers.

Inspiring True Stories in Aeronautics

Aviation Pioneer book covers

Airplane Books

Airplane book covers

Books

You’re Invited to the A TRUE WONDER Book Launch 10/5

Kirsten W. Larson
It’s party time!

A TRUE WONDER will be out in the world in just six weeks, and I couldn’t be more excited. Illustrator Katy Wu and I will be doing a virtual event through Once Upon A Time Bookstore on Tuesday, Oct. 5 at 5 p.m. Pacific/ 8 Eastern. This event is completely free, and I hope you’ll join in the fun.

Please preregister through Once Upon a Time, and they’ll send you the Zoom link. 

BONUS: If you preorder a copy of the book anywhere books are sold, let me know, and I’ll enter you to win the A TRUE WONDER tee shirt. (Drawing will take place 9/29/21. US entries only with apologies to my international friends.)

Once Upon A Time EXCLUSIVE: Order here, and get a free 6×9 art postcard designed by illustrator Katy Wu. And I’ll autograph your copy.

Books, History, News

It’s a Kirkus ⭐️ for A TRUE WONDER

Kirsten W. Larson
Kirkus says A TRUE WONDER is a star.

Big news! Kirkus Reviews gave A TRUE WONDER a ⭐️.

Now, if you’re not in publishing (like my kids) one star might not seem like much.

But book reviews aren’t like Yelp or Amazon ratings. With Kirkus, you get either a starred review or just a plain old review with no star at all. So, I’ll take the star!

If you have a subscription to Kirkus, you can read the full review here.

As a reminder, you can preorder A TRUE WONDER wherever books are sold. If you order through Once Upon A Time Bookstore in Montrose, you’ll get a signed book plus free art postcard from Katy Wu.

And, if you’d like a chance to be entered to win the A TRUE WONDER tee shirt, sign up for my newsletter and let me know you’ve preordered the book from any store.

Writing

New Writing Barn class: Rethinking Your Nonfiction Picture Book: A Revision Workshop

Kirsten W. Larson
Rethinking Your Nonfiction Picture Book: A Revision Workshop at the Writing Barn

I had such a blast teaching nonfiction picture book structures at The Writing Barn. Now I’ve created an entire six-week course focused on rethinking your nonfiction picture book from voice and hook to structure, illustration potential, and page turns. Learn more and register here. I hope you’ll join me.

Books

A TRUE WONDER: My next book in 30 seconds

Kirsten W. Larson
Introducing A TRUE WONDER, illus. Katy Wu

I recently had to make a uber-short book talk about A TRUE WONDER: The Comic Book Hero Who Changed Everything, illus. Katy Wu (HMH/Clarion, Sept. 28, 2021).

Watch the video to find out what what the book is all about in 30 seconds flat. If you know me, you know this was a difficult exercise! I’m a talker when it comes to books.

You can preorder wherever books are sold. Click here for details and how to order: https://www.hmhbooks.com/shop/books/a-true-wonder/9780358238423