Janet Halfmann is a children’s author whose work explores nature, animals, family experiences, and the wonders of the world around us. Her picture book Who Is Singing? introduces young readers to bird sounds, bird behavior, and the simple joy of paying attention to the natural environment. Drawing on a long career in writing and children’s publishing, Halfmann has created books that encourage curiosity, learning, and discovery. In this conversation, she shares insights into her creative journey, her interest in the natural world, and the experiences that have shaped her approach to writing for young readers.

Janet, thank you for joining us. To begin, could you introduce yourself to our readers, tell us a little about your background, what you do, and what you hope your work contributes to young readers and families?

I am a children’s picture book author who writes about animals and nature, family and community, and little-known people of achievement. I have written about fifty fiction and nonfiction books.

Before becoming a children’s author, I was a daily newspaper reporter in Wichita, Kansas; the managing editor of a national children’s magazine called Country Kids; and a creator of coloring and activity books for Golden Books in Racine, Wisconsin.

My husband and I have four children, seven grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren. I enjoy gardening, exploring nature, visiting living-history museums, and spending time with my family. I grew up on a family farm in Michigan and now live in Wisconsin.

I hope that my books give kids enjoyment, enrich their lives, and help them contribute to their community and the world.

Find out more at: http://www.janethalfmannauthor.com

What first sparked your interest in writing books for children, and how has that interest evolved over the years?

I first became interested in writing for children soon after getting married and graduating from college with plans to become an English and Spanish teacher. I took a home-study course in children’s writing and became hooked on becoming a children’s author.

Reading to our three young children was my favorite thing to do. I sold some magazine articles to children’s magazines, but it wasn’t until I was in my fifties that my dream of becoming a full-time children’s author came true.

In 1997, when my job and those of my colleagues at the Wisconsin Creative Center of Golden Books were moved to New York City, I decided to take the leap and become a full-time children’s author. Thirty years later, I’m still writing.

Who Is Singing? invites readers to listen carefully to the world around them. What inspired you to create a book centered on bird sounds and observation?

I’ve long been fascinated by birds and their songs, and my inspiration for this book came about 30 years ago when I learned that the cardinal’s song sounds like the fun phrase, wheet, wheet, wheet, birdie, birdie, birdie. I was so excited that, with this helper phrase, I could recognize the cardinals all around me, and that joy led to the idea for the nonfiction picture book Who Is Singing?

Who Is Singing? is a celebration of birds and their songs and an interactive first guide to birds. The book also includes lyrical information about each bird’s habitat, behaviors, and more, plus Fun Facts About Bird Sounds in the back matter.

Who Is Singing? has taken a long time to take its place in the limelight. I first sent the manuscript to publishers in the year 2000. Over the years, it was held for review by editors many times, received many positive notes, and sold in 2011, but the contract was later withdrawn when the publisher decided another manuscript by a competitor was too similar.

Then, in 2021, Who Is Singing? was published, only to have the publisher sell her company a year later to a new owner, who folded the company after two years. Now, with new publisher Belle Isle Books, Who Is Singing? is ready to shine with writing that is even more lyrical and a new format.

Many people enjoy nature but may not always notice its smaller details. What experiences helped you develop the habit of paying close attention to the natural world?

I grew up on a farm in Michigan and spent much of my time playing outdoors, helping with the animals, and working in the garden. My brothers and I found adventure in the woods and fields, and my best friends were the farm cats.

The book combines learning and storytelling in a playful way. How do you approach balancing educational content with an engaging reading experience?

I try to share the excitement and wonder I feel about the animal or experience I’m writing about with the reader. In the case of animals, including their sounds and unique behaviors helps make them come to life.

Throughout your writing career, what lessons have young readers taught you about communication, curiosity, or creativity?

I’ve learned that when it comes to picture books, if kids ask to hear a book again and again, it’s a winner.

I’ve also learned that if kids hear something in a book’s text, they want to see it in the illustrations. In a picture book with a story, kids like a strong plot with layers, like my book Caterpillar’s Surprise, which has a caterpillar-tadpole friendship, a masquerade ball, and lots of growing up and changing going on.

Looking back on your professional journey, are there milestones, accomplishments, recognitions, or memorable experiences that stand out to you, and what do they mean to you personally?

My most heartwarming moments have been when children come up to me at events and tell me how much they’ve enjoyed my book or how it has encouraged them to become readers. Some of my books, such as Little Skink’s Tail and Good Night, Little Sea Otter, have been favorites for generations and are still captivating kids.

It’s also been wonderful to have my books recognized by many awards, including Kirkus Stars, Eureka! Nonfiction Honors, Skipping Stones Multicultural Honors, Cybils Finalist, Teachers’ Choice, New York City and Chicago Public Library Best Books, Bank Street Best, and more.

In addition to sharing my love of nature with children, I’m also proud to have brought to light two forgotten history stories—two stories never told before in a book: Midnight Teacher: Lilly Ann Granderson and Her Secret School, the story of a formerly enslaved woman who held a secret school from midnight until two in the morning; and The Clothesline Code: The Story of Civil War Spies Lucy Ann and Dabney Walker, the story of a formerly enslaved couple who spied for the Union Army by using laundry on a clothesline as a code to send messages.

Nature often inspires wonder across generations. What do you hope children and adults experience together when they read books like Who Is Singing?

I hope that my books inspire children and their caregivers to care about and respect all of nature and realize the interconnectedness of everyone and everything.

When researching or developing a new project, what parts of the creative process do you find most rewarding?

I love all the new and amazing things I learn while doing research. Then, once I have a good draft, I love finding just the right words to make the story sing!

For aspiring writers who hope to create books that educate and inspire, what practical advice would you share from your own experience?

I’d tell them to write about what excites them and what they’re passionate about.

Also, I’d tell them that if they want to be traditionally published, they should try to get an agent, which I have never done. Had I known earlier in my writing career that most publishers would eventually close to unagented writers, I would have sought an agent.

If you were to write your own bio, what would you say? And as your work evolves, what kind of impact do you hope it has?

I would say that, after my family, writing children’s books has given me my greatest joy and fulfillment. I am proud to have my books as a legacy for generations to come.