About Rebecca
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Rebecca E. Hirsch, PhD, is the author of more than eighty books for children and young adults. Her mission is to ignite excitement for science and nature in young readers. Her books have been NCTE Notable, Junior Library Guild, and Bank Street Best Books selections. Plants Can't Sit Still won the John Burroughs Riverby Award for Excellence in Nature Writing and Climate Migrants: On the Move in a Warming World won the Green Prize for Sustainable Literature in Youth Books. She belongs to the National Association of Science Writers, where she serves on the Young Audiences Committee, and the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators, where she serves as PAL Coordinator for the Pennsylvania West chapter. Rebecca lives in the Appalachian Mountains in the middle of Pennsylvania. When she's not writing, she loves to bake bread, grow gardens, and get lost in the woods.
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Rebecca and her husband, Rick
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Rebecca and her daughters (L-R) Eva, Anna, and Ellie
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Press Kit
Awards
FAQs
How did you become a writer?
I began keeping a diary as a girl, and that turned into a lifelong habit of keeping journals. I didn't think about becoming a writer, however. Instead I went to college and graduate school for science, and then I worked in laboratories doing scientific research on plants. Finally, I decided I wanted a different job, one that would allow me to stay home with my children and do something creative with my science training. I was reading wonderful books to my children and that's when I decided to give writing for children a try.
I began keeping a diary as a girl, and that turned into a lifelong habit of keeping journals. I didn't think about becoming a writer, however. Instead I went to college and graduate school for science, and then I worked in laboratories doing scientific research on plants. Finally, I decided I wanted a different job, one that would allow me to stay home with my children and do something creative with my science training. I was reading wonderful books to my children and that's when I decided to give writing for children a try.
Where do you get your ideas?
I spend a lot of time in nature, and often I wonder about the things I see and hear. Reading a lot helps too. I read fiction and nonfiction for children and adults, as well as the latest science news. Reading children's books gives me ideas for how to tell stories to children. One important thing about being a writer is that you have to have a way to keep track of your ideas. Otherwise they just float away.
I spend a lot of time in nature, and often I wonder about the things I see and hear. Reading a lot helps too. I read fiction and nonfiction for children and adults, as well as the latest science news. Reading children's books gives me ideas for how to tell stories to children. One important thing about being a writer is that you have to have a way to keep track of your ideas. Otherwise they just float away.
What do you like best about being an author?
My favorite thing about being an author is learning new things about science and nature and sharing what I'm learning with young readers. I like being able to talk with scientists all over the world about their work. I like taking walks in the woods and getting ideas for books.
My favorite thing about being an author is learning new things about science and nature and sharing what I'm learning with young readers. I like being able to talk with scientists all over the world about their work. I like taking walks in the woods and getting ideas for books.
How long does it take to write a book?
I've written books that take a few months or a year. Some books take many years, though that's because I'm working on them on and off, not steadily. Once I've written the words, then I send the text to my editors. They make comments and I do revisions. After we've got the words nailed down, it's time to add images, either made by an illustrator or selected by photo researchers. Then the book has to be printed. So it takes another six months to a year after I finish writing before it comes out in print. A picture book takes longer, because the illustrator needs up to a year to complete all the illustrations.
I've written books that take a few months or a year. Some books take many years, though that's because I'm working on them on and off, not steadily. Once I've written the words, then I send the text to my editors. They make comments and I do revisions. After we've got the words nailed down, it's time to add images, either made by an illustrator or selected by photo researchers. Then the book has to be printed. So it takes another six months to a year after I finish writing before it comes out in print. A picture book takes longer, because the illustrator needs up to a year to complete all the illustrations.
What is your favorite book that you have written?
Whatever I am working on at the moment tends to be at the top of the list. I'm always working on something new—sometimes as many as four new somethings at one time—and I get drawn into whatever I'm currently writing. That said, a few books hold a special place. They include Plants Can't Sit Still, my first picture book, and Top 50 Reasons to Care About Polar Bears, my very first authored book.
Whatever I am working on at the moment tends to be at the top of the list. I'm always working on something new—sometimes as many as four new somethings at one time—and I get drawn into whatever I'm currently writing. That said, a few books hold a special place. They include Plants Can't Sit Still, my first picture book, and Top 50 Reasons to Care About Polar Bears, my very first authored book.
What is your favorite animal?
My dog, Sadie! For wild animals, I love bears, sea turtles, owls, seabirds of all kinds, raptors of all kinds, bumblebees, monarch butterflies… the list goes on and on!
My dog, Sadie! For wild animals, I love bears, sea turtles, owls, seabirds of all kinds, raptors of all kinds, bumblebees, monarch butterflies… the list goes on and on!