09 Jan Laurie Wallmark talks about JOURNEY TO THE STARS: KALPANA CHAWLA, ASTRONAUT (Plus a Giveaway!)
EL: Happy 2024, everyone! I wish you all a new year filled with hope, happiness, and health. And, of course, lots of laughter, love, and peace thrown in. I’m thrilled to introduce my friend and fellow member of The Book Meshuggenahs, Laurie Wallmark. Laurie is known for her extensive body of non-fiction biographies in her Women in Stem series , and today we’ll be talking about another one, JOURNEY TO THE STARS: KALPANA CHAWLA ASTRONAUT co-written with Raakhee Mirchandani and illustrated by Maitreyi Ghosh. 
However, I do want to say that Laurie has some wonderful fiction books too. Find them all at her website, http://www.lauriewallmark.com.
Welcome, Laurie! Please tell us a little about yourself and what you like to do when you’re not writing.
LW: I live in Ringoes, NJ. Like most authors, when I’m not writing, I read. And read. And read. (Did I mention I like to read?)
EL: Ha ha! Yes, you mentioned you like to read. What was your inspiration for JOURNEY TO THE STARS: KALPANA CHAWLA, ASTRONAUT?
LW: The inspiration for this book came from my friend and agent-mate, Raakhee Mirchandani. She has always been interested in and inspired by Kalpana Chawla. In fact, she even put a poster of Kalpana in her daughter’s room. At the time, there was no kids’ book about this amazing woman, and Raakhee thought there should be.
EL: Inspiring our young girls is what it’s all about! What was the process of co-writing this like? Why did you choose to co-write it?
LW: Although Raakhee is a children’s author, she had never written a picture book biography before. So, she suggested we collaborate on this book. Working together has been a joy. It’s so much fun to bounce ideas off of each other. We each bring something to the table. Our work together has made for a much better book than either of us could have written alone.
EL: Maitreyi Ghosh’s illustrations are beautiful. Did you have any contact with her as you were working?
LW: As is usually the case, I had no direct contact with our wonderful illustrator Maitreyi Ghosh. I did, though, have the opportunity along the way to give feedback on her sketches. My editor and the art director then passed these along to the illustrator. Maitreyi took or didn’t take my suggestions as she thought appropriate.
EL: You are such a prolific writer. Do you have anything else in the pipeline you can talk about?
LW: I have two more books coming out in the next few years. I’m switching from writing about women in STEM back to fiction. They are both rhyming picture books written for little kids, similar to my DINO PAJAMA PARTY.
EL: Laurie, you can do anything! Thank you so much for visiting today.
If you’re looking to buy this book (and why wouldn’t you?) here are some links. Click away and enjoy!
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Journey-Stars-Kalpana-Chawla-Astronaut/dp/1506484697/
Barnes and Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/journey-to-the-stars-laura-wallmark/1143606354?ean=9781506484709
And now a…
Laurie is happy to give away a copy of her book to one lucky winner (US only, please). All you have to do is comment on this post. If you are a subscriber or share the post, please let me know to get an extra chance to win.
HAPPY NEW YEAR!
Until next time,
Ellen
On a personal note, I am thrilled to announce that Tablet Magazine has named DEBBIE’S SONG: THE DEBBIE FRIEDMAN STORY one of the top Jewish children’s books of 2023. I am grateful! I hope you’ll check it out! 
Christina Shawn
Posted at 08:29h, 09 JanuaryOh I can’t wait to check it out!
Kim A. Larson
Posted at 08:31h, 09 JanuaryKalpana Chawla sounds like an amazing woman. Congrats on the book, Laurie, Raakhee, and Maitreyi. I look forward to reading this book and your upcoming rhyming picture books, too, Laurie! I’m a blog subscriber and posted this on Twitter.
Robin Newman
Posted at 09:02h, 09 JanuaryCongrats, Laurie and Raakhee!
Laura Russell
Posted at 09:05h, 09 JanuaryI had not heard about Kalpana Chawla, so your interview encouraged me to look up more information about her. I love stories about successful, intelligent women, and our school is so diverse, I enjoy bringing in new stories to represent the cultures in our school. Thank you for sharing this book.
Ronni Diamondstein
Posted at 09:17h, 09 JanuaryThis is an amazing story! Great interview with Laurie, Ellen!
Deena Viviani
Posted at 11:17h, 09 JanuaryPB Bios are my favorite current genre. Can’t wait to read this one!
danielle hammelef
Posted at 11:50h, 09 JanuaryI love all things about space and this sounds like a wonderful book about someone new to me. Thank you for the chance to win a copy to read and review. I’m a subscriber and shared on tumblr.
Deborah Holt Willams
Posted at 11:54h, 09 JanuaryLaurie, I am so happy to see another bio coming out–I’ve had no luck at all with my PB bios. Congrats on your success! I do have a rhyming dino book coming out in spring of 2026, although my dinos have no musical skills. Yours sound very talented, and fun!
Denise Seidman
Posted at 12:34h, 09 JanuaryIt is always wonderful to have women write about other women. These biographies inspire children especially girls to follow their dreams!
Beth
Posted at 12:45h, 09 JanuaryCan’t wait to read this new one! Congrats, Laurie!
Jennifer Sniadecki
Posted at 18:05h, 09 JanuaryCongratulations on your new book and books to come! I loved meeting you at NCTE and I’ll definitely be book-talking Journey in science classes!
Michal
Posted at 11:10h, 10 JanuaryOh yay! Congratulations Laurie and Raakhee!
Ellen L. Ramsey
Posted at 10:51h, 11 JanuaryI love all of Laurie’s books. Look forward to reading this one and learning about Kalpana Chawla!
Jolene Gutiérrez
Posted at 22:15h, 11 JanuarySo wonderful! Congratulations, Laurie and Raakhee! I can’t wait to learn more about Kalpana Chawla!
Robin Alter
Posted at 16:16h, 16 JanuaryThanks for the intro to Kalpana Chawla. I teach 3rd grade and may incorporate info on Ms. Chawla in my biography studies. I was previously unaware of her accomplishments.