Rachel Dougherty is a Philadelphia-based author/illustrator driven by a love of nonfiction for young readers. She has illustrated several educational picture books and has written one nonfiction early reader. She is the author/illustrator of the recently published Secret Engineer: How Emily Roebling Built the Brooklyn Bridge. In the flash session “Nonfiction for Kids: How to Mine for True Tales for Early Readers,” Rachel will introduce attendees to the exciting topic of children’s nonfiction writing. We asked Rachel a few question about what she’s looking forward to at this year’s conference.
HM: Tell us a little about your involvement this year at HippoCamp. If you’re running a break-out session or workshop, what can attendees expect?
RD: I’m presenting a quick 10-minute talk with five other presenters, but I’m the only speaker talking about writing nonfiction for kids. I think a lot of authors who love memoir and creative nonfiction essays don’t see the potential in writing for kids. They may think of nonfiction picture books with lists of facts or dry, cradle-to-grave biographies, and aren’t aware of today’s great work in this field. I’m excited to show off some cutting edge nonfiction for young readers, and perhaps provide a spark of inspiration to the authors at my talk.
HM: Our motto is “memorable creative nonfiction.” Tell us about one of the more recent memoirs, essay collections, or individual essays you’ve read and why it was memorable.
RD: In memoir, I’d have to say Ariel Levy’s The Rules Do Not Apply. With humor, wit, and an absolutely tragic story, she broke my heart and then glued it back together again. But as I’m speaking about kids books, I’ll name one more – Planting Stories by Anika A. Denise is one of the most stunning picture book biographies I’ve ever seen, in terms of art and language, and truly honors bilingual storytellers everywhere. Even if you don’t have kids, read this as an illustrated poem.
HM: What made you decide to participate in HippoCamp this year as a speaker?
RD: I’m always looking for a chance to tell adults about nonfiction children’s books. Typically, I’m trying to win over children’s authors who love fiction, but I think it will be a unique opportunity to talk to nonfiction authors about a different outlet for their voices.
HM: What’s going to keep you busy between now and HippoCamp?
RD: I’m in the midst of working on a new picture book manuscript right now that’s very outside of my comfort zone. It’s a lot less narrative than I’m used to, and finding a way into it feels a bit like trying to carve a tiny sculpture out of a two ton block of stone. I’m looking forward to listening in on sessions and maybe gathering some inspiration of my own!
HM: Since you’ll also be attending the conference, when you’re not wearing your “speaker hat,” what are you most looking forward to learning or doing?
RD: Since I’ve never attended before, I’m just looking forward to taking in as much as I can! I’m particularly interested to hear the session on lyric essays, as I think there’s a lot of overlap between the language of lyric essays and children’s literature.
HM: We love introducing Lancaster to attendees. If you live here or have been here before, what would you recommend to other attendees? And, if this will be your first time here, what are you looking forward to?
RD: Though I’ve lived in PA most of my life, it will be my first time in Lancaster! I’m looking forward to exploring – especially the central market.
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Thanks, Rachel, for talking with us! We’re excited to learn more about children’s nonfiction writing from you–and to introduce you to a new part of PA!
And reader, if you haven’t yet registered for HippoCamp 2019, don’t hesitate any longer. Click here to register and enjoy all this conference has to offer.
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