Interview: Sarah Atherton
- Little Thoughts Press
- Apr 22
- 4 min read
Sarah Atherton’s debut picture book, Bella’s Butterflies, was published by Sage’s Tower Publishing in June 2021. She has been featured in her local newspaper and on the Reading With Your Kids podcast. Sarah won the #KidlitChuckleChallenge 2024 and the #SpringflingKidlit contest 2023. Sarah was a picture book mentor for the WriteMentor Summer Mentoring Programme 2023. She lives in England and works as a special educational needs coordinator in a primary school. Sarah loves cats, coffee, and wildlife.
Little Thoughts Press: I have such a fondness for stories that use epistolary elements. The Jolly Postman was one of my favorite books growing up. In your story “Save the Polar Bears,” a kid, Grace, learns that polar bears are in danger of extinction and sends a letter to the Arctic asking the polar bears how she can help save them. Can you talk about why you chose letter writing as a framework for this story? There’s a lovely little twist at the end. Did you have that idea in mind from the start or did it develop as the rest of the story came together?
Sarah Atherton: I chose letter writing as a framework for "Save the Polar Bears" because I wanted to get inside the mind of an inquisitive child and I wanted to make the connection possible for long-distance communication. I kind of had the twist in mind from the start because I wanted it to be real. I liked the idea of children perhaps believing that the polar bears were answering Grace’s questions but then wanted it to finish with a touch of reality.
Little Thoughts Press: I think, more than ever, it feels important to combat doom about the future by providing young readers with examples of agency and the ability to effect change in the world. “Save the Polar Bears” offers many specific actions kids can take to help protect wildlife and fight climate change, and even the inclusion of letters brings to mind the idea of a letter-writing campaign, which is an accessible way for kids to share their concerns and try to influence policy decisions. In this story, you address climate change and the threat of extinction. In your picture book, Bella’s Butterflies, you write about managing anxiety. These are tough, serious topics. In writing for children, how do you balance tackling difficult and distressing topics with proactive ideas that readers can draw from and utilize in their own lives? How has working with children influenced your approach to writing for a young audience?
Sarah Atherton: You’re right – these are tough, serious topics. I think more than ever, we are educating children to be real-life warriors to help with real-life problems. Working in a school, I see first-hand how proactive children can be with a little guidance from adults. Children are remarkably resourceful and they inspire me every day.
Little Thoughts Press: Issue 9: Go Wild! is about bringing attention to endangered and vulnerable animal species, and spotlighting conservation efforts that can help protect wildlife and their habitats. First, what is your favorite animal? And second, what are some things that you and your family do to help care for and protect wildlife and the natural world?
Sarah Atherton: My favorite animal in the wild is definitely the elephant. They are so playful and they have amazing strength. My family and I are all members of a zoo near to where we live and by being members we are helping to fund wildlife conservation. We are also National Trust members which is Europe’s largest conservation charity.
Little Thoughts Press: How did you get started writing kid-lit and what do you find most challenging and rewarding about writing for kids?
Sarah Atherton: I have always enjoyed writing. In 2018, I was diagnosed with breast cancer and I started writing for children as a distraction to what I was going through. The most challenging thing about writing for kids is standing out from the rest – there are so many great books for children out there, almost everything has been done before so you have to find a way to be different. What I find most rewarding is the pure enjoyment of coming up with an idea and then seeing the reaction of my critique group.
Little Thoughts Press: Which kid-lit authors and books were your favorites growing up?
Sarah Atherton: Oh my goodness, I had so many favorites! I was (and still am) a real bookworm. I loved Dr Seuss, Roald Dahl, Enid Blyton and Roger Hargreaves, author of the Mr Men series.
Little Thoughts Press: And what about today? Any kid-lit writers you love and want to shout out?
Sarah Atherton: I have a huge list of writers I love! Featuring heavily on that list are Mo Willems, Ed Vere, Jeanne Willis and Morag Hood.
Little Thoughts Press: What advice would you give to young writers?
Sarah Atherton: I would say, follow your dream and write because you enjoy it.
Little Thoughts Press: Is there anything else you wish I had asked? Any upcoming projects, publications, or other news you'd like to share?
Sarah Atherton: I will be a mentor for the 2025 summer mentoring programme organised by Writementor. If you’re reading this and you are a picture book writer, please consider sending me your work. I’d love to hear from you.
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