Author Carrie Pearson!

Welcome to a SPECIAL EDITION of the Piece of Advice Newsletter!

Good morning! Today, we’re looking into the life and work of the  amazing children’s book author; Carrie Pearson! I was even lucky enough to ask her a few questions! She’s really nice!

Carrie A. Pearson has made a career out of sparking curiosity in kids; and she does it with heart, humor, and a deep love of the natural world. Growing up in Michigan and later raising three daughters of her own, Carrie noticed something about the books lining their shelves: too many fairy tales left girls waiting to be rescued. That realization planted the seed for “Real Princesses Change the World”, a book that flips the script by spotlighting real women; scientists, leaders, and changemakers; who prove that true royalty comes from courage and action, not crowns and castles.

Before becoming a full-time writer, Carrie’s path wound through early childhood education and nonprofit leadership, but storytelling kept tugging at her. With a degree in Early Childhood Education from the University of Michigan, she had the classroom experience to know what engages young learners, and she brought that same clarity to her books. From “Stretch to the Sun”, which follows the life of the world’s tallest trees, to “Virginia Wouldn’t Slow Down!”, her biography of Dr. Virginia Apgar, Carrie’s work blends science and history with kid-friendly wonder. “Stretch to the Sun” even earned the Silver Eureka Award, cementing her place as an author who can make complex ideas both accessible and exciting.

Carrie’s creative spark often comes with a fun backstory. The idea for “Real Princesses Change the World” actually began two decades earlier, when her little girls loved dressing up as storybook princesses. Carrie wanted to give them; and all children; role models who lived beyond the page, women whose real achievements could inspire everyday heroism. That same drive to inspire has fueled her many projects, from her animal-themed picture books “A Warm Winter Tail” and “A Cool Summer Tail”, which show how creatures adapt to the seasons, to “Watch Them Grow: The Fascinating Science of Animal Beginnings”, which dives into the mysteries of life cycles.

Today, Carrie lives along the shores of Lake Superior in Marquette, Michigan, where the wild landscape often feeds her imagination. Beyond writing, she runs Children’s Book Connections, a consulting business that helps aspiring authors find their way into publishing, and she remains a beloved mentor in the SCBWI community as Regional Advisor Emerita. She’s even received the Gwen Frostic Award from the Michigan Reading Association for her impact on literacy. Whether she’s writing about giant trees, pioneering doctors, or real-life princesses, Carrie A. Pearson reminds young readers; and their grown-ups; that the world is full of wonders waiting to be discovered.

Bonus Questions:

Giancarlo: Who was your favorite author growing up?

Carrie: My favorite author was Marguerite Henry, who wrote the Misty of Chincoteague series. She transported me into the marshy, ocean-swept world of the wild ponies with her sensory details. She made me love the ponies by sharing their stories, but not anthropomorphizing them. I fell asleep many nights holding Misty, a character so effectively rendered by Wesley Dennis. Sigh. 

Giancarlo: Did you have any push back from friends and family on wanting to be a writer?

Carrie: I've always identified as a competent writer, but I didn't start writing children's books until 2008. I had no pushback on that adventure; my friends and family saw how engaged I was in learning this new craft, and they supported me by listening to endless ideas for books, hearing versions of manuscripts, and giving me feedback. They still remember the first few manuscripts and will ask why I don't try to publish them. I know why :0

Giancarlo: Which of your books are you the most proud of?

Carrie: I'm proud of each of them in different ways. Each represents a new goal achieved or a genre/craft move that I learned. For instance, the latest book I've authored is Watch Them Grow: The Fascinating Science of Animal Beginnings (Lerner/Millbrook Press, September 9, 2025). It is my debut book for middle-grade readers and also my debut middle-grade nonfiction. My pride in this book stems (see what I did there?) from learning how to (hopefully) connect with these discerning readers. 

Piece Of Advice:

Giancarlo: What is this best piece of advice you’ve ever been given?

Carrie: The best piece of advice I've ever received is from my dad, Neil Clevidence, and I lean on it even more now that he has passed. It is succinct and effective, especially when spoken to my swirling brain. He would say, "Don't sweat the small stuff." The trick is defining 'small!" 

Check out her work: https://carriepearsonbooks.com/

Thank you for reading! Have an amazing day and we will catch you again soon!

-Giancarlo