Meeg Pincus
Meeg Pincus is an experienced nonfiction writer/editor, educator, and a diverse children’s books advocate. She has written several nonfiction books for children including Ocean Soup, Cougar Crossing, Miep and the Most Famous Diary, and Winged Wonders which was a Eureka! Nonfiction Honor Book and a Kirkus Best Picture Books of 2020. She lives in California with her husband and two children.
Interview
What was your favorite book when you were a child?
I loved Richard Scarry books (especially the ones with Lowly Worm—and I had Lowly Worm overalls!). I wrote Richard Scarry a letter at about age 5 and was thrilled to receive a reply from him with a sketch and signature—from Switzerland! I still have it, including the envelope with those cool international stamps.
What’s your favorite line from a book?
“The purpose of the journey is compassion.” It’s from Joseph Campbell’s The Hero’s Journey (On Living in the World).
Who are your top three favorite authors or illustrators?
It’s so hard to choose! But here are three of my favorites in children’s literature: Carole Boston Weatherford, (author) Nancy Churnin (author), Ekua Holmes (illustrator)
Why did you want to become an author or illustrator?
I have loved books and reading, writing and making art, since I was a little girl. I used to make my own illustrated books all the time. In one of them, which I still have, I wrote as my author bio: “[Meeg] loves books. She can hardly stop making them.” I love writing and sharing stories that touch people’s hearts.
Do you have any advice for future authors or illustrators?
Of course: read, read, read! Read anything you love to read. And write for yourself a lot; it doesn’t matter if it’s “good” yet, just keep reading and writing and your storytelling will keep improving!
