PEORIA MAGAZINE August 2022

MB: I’m a Midwest native. I was in central Illinois about seven years and I loved living there. I had a fantastic network of co-workers and friends. Two people, in particular, really helped me grow as a writer: Dennis Dimond, who was my editor at the Journal Star, and Steve Vogel, who was my supervisor in the public affairs department at State Farm. They both encouraged my creativity and pushed me to think beyond the status quo. The Peoria and Bloomington run ning communities were also a huge part of my life. I remember approach ing Illinois Valley Striders with an idea: I wanted to start a beginning runners’ program for the Steamboat Classic. They didn’t know me and they could have sent me away, but they fully embraced and supported my whacky notion. Seeing people complete Building Steam with more fitness, more confidence, and a whole new group of friends was beyond my wildest dreams. PM: You’ve written more than 60 nonfiction books for young readers. If people love Bugs for Breakfast and wanted to readmore of your work, which book would you suggest? MB: I have a series of Save Our Planet books (Capstone Publishing) about the environment, recycling and reusing that’s aimed at lower elementary students. I have my first picture book, a nonfiction biography about the first woman to ride her bike around the world (Henry Holt Publishing), coming out next year and I’m super excited about that one. PM: What are you working on now? MB: I always have about a half-dozen projects I’m writing or researching or trying to revive. I’ve been doing a lot of research lately on a program that’s popular in Washington state called “Salmon in the Classroom.” Schools are given salmon eggs and students raise them to fry stage and then release them into rivers and streams, the whole time learning about the stages of life

and I love playing even a tiny role in helping to educate readers and feed their curiosity.

and how salmon fit into the ecosystem. It’s fascinating to me, so I hope it’s fascinating to readers as well. I’m also deep into research on topics ranging from kelp farming to ground-breaking aviators. Never a dull moment! PM: Is there anything else you’d like to share with our readers? MB: People sometimes askme when I’m going to write a real book – you know, for adults. And the answer is probably never. Children’s books are real books

Mary Boone is a Tacoma, Washington based author. An Iowa native, she also is a former journalist who previously worked at the Journal Star in Peoria. This interview

was conducted by Laurie Pillman , a Peoria-based author in her own right

AUGUST 2022 PEORIA MAGAZINE 81