Interview with Author Emeline Lee

Insight into the journey of debuting a picture book.

I had the pleasure of illustrating for Emeline Lee's debut picture book, Bonnie's Rocket. As a child who dreamed of being a rocket scientist, I was thrilled when my agent told me about this project. It was wonderful to get to know Emeline, and I am excited to meet her in person this June at ALA San Diego.

Debuting a book is not an easy. I am grateful for Emeline's generosity in sharing her experience and insights into publishing her first picture book.

Alina: The story behind your debut picture book, Bonnie's Rocket, is inspired by your family's story. Could you tell us the stories that influenced the book? 

Emeline: My grandfather, Ye Ye, was an engineer for the life support systems on Project Apollo in the 1960s. He worked on designing the astronaut space suits and the lunar module, the first manned spacecraft that landed on the moon. I grew up listening to his Apollo stories, which thrummed with the excitement and thrill of early space travel. I loved the way he related the challenges as well as the triumphs, admitting times when he was scared or worried during high-pressure moments. His stories taught me how to persevere through trials, embrace failures, and dare to try again. 

Emeline & her grandfather

I wrote Bonnie’s Rocket as a way of honoring his legacy and sharing his inspiring life with others. If you’re interested in hearing some of the stories directly from him, check out the video interview I conducted for the book here:

 Alina: I love that you use letter writing between Bonnie and her father to narrate the two parallel storylines seamlessly.  Was the letter writing an idea you have from the beginning, or did the idea evolve as you developed the story?

Emeline: First off, thank you! Yes, the letters were part of the original manuscript because the connection between Bonnie and Baba is the emotional core of the story. The letters are a way to bring them together even when they are physically apart. I wanted to show how Baba influences and encourages Bonnie through her rocket building process, as well as include the progression of the real Apollo missions in Baba’s side of the story. 

A librarian recently mentioned to me that the book helped her students learn about different forms of writing with the inclusion of letters and newspaper clippings. I usually focus on the STEM and historical aspects of the book, so the writing lesson took me by surprise! I’m extremely grateful to brilliant educators who can utilize the book to teach on so many levels. Thank you to all our librarians, school teachers, and media specialists!

Alina: Debuting a book is a thrilling yet nerve-wracking ride. Did you face any challenges while crafting your first picture book? Or do you have any unexpected or memorable experiences to share?

Emeline: Debuting is a very nerve-wracking ride indeed! I’m grateful to my publisher, Lee & Low Books, as well as my editor, Cheryl Klein, who is a masterful editor and writer herself. I rewrote the manuscript about six to seven times, and I’ll admit that by revision four, I started to doubt myself. However, each revision was necessary in reaching the final version. I hope that every debut writer finds an editor who is just as patient and ingenious as Cheryl. 

After the book came out, I’ve had so many wonderful surprises. I’ve been able to connect with schools and readers across the country. I’ve had friends spot the books in all sorts of cool places, including the National Air & Space Museum, and I’m excited to see where this journey continues to take me!

Alina: What advice would you give to aspiring writers? Or, what resources do you recommend for those interested in publishing children's books?

Emeline: First, read widely, but especially focus on what’s being published in your area (genre, age-range, etc.) of work. Get inspired and understand which books your story will be in conversation with. 

Second, build a community of fellow creators. They are often the best critique partners and people who understand everything you’re going through in the writing and publishing process. It’s nice not to be alone! I’ve listed a few community-building resources below.

Third, be patient with yourself and the publishing process. It’s important to be productive and keep pushing, but it’s also important to give yourself rest. Maybe it’s time to refill your creative well. Read books (for fun!), watch TV, spend time with loved ones, go for a walk, and try not to stress. For me, a lot of the creative magic actually comes in the revision process, so I have to remind myself not to put too much pressure on first drafts. You got this!

Some helpful resources:

• Kweli Journal’s The Color of Children’s Literature Conference: https://www.kwelijournal.org/ 

• 12 x 12 Picture Book Challenge: https://www.12x12challenge.com/ 

• SCBWI membership: https://www.scbwi.org/ 

PBParty (annual online event led by Mindy Alyse Weiss): Follow Mindy on Twitter/X for the latest details: https://mindyalyseweiss.com/author/mindyalysew/

Alina: If you could spend a day in the world of any book, which book would you choose?

Emeline: I love this question! As a fan of fantasy, I’d have to go with the classic, Middle Earth (during The Third Age) from J.R.R. Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit. I’d love to visit Rivendell and hang out with the elves (I bet they’d have epic libraries!), but I’d likely get caught up in the Shire eating my way from breakfast through supper.

Alina: Do you have any favorite science or STEM book to recommend to young readers interested in exploring more after reading Bonnie's Rocket?

Emeline: There are so many great ones out there! But I’ll list a few that come to mind. 

If you like learning about women in STEM:

• Classified written by Traci Sorell and illustrated by Natasha Donovan. It’s a picture book biography about Mary Golda Ross, a Cherokee aerospace engineer, who worked on top-secret projects and paved the way for more women in her field. 

• The Fire of Stars: The Life and Brilliance of the Woman Who Discovered What Stars Are Made Of written by Kirsten W. Larson and illustrated by Katherine Roy It’s a picture book biography about astronomer and astrophysicist Cecilia Payne, who uncovered the mysteries of how stars shine. 

• Journey to the Stars: Kalpana Chawla, Astronaut written by Laurie Wallmark and Raakhee Mirchandani and illustrated by Maitreyi Ghosh. It’s based on the true story of the first female Indian American astronaut, Kalpana Chawla. 

  For readers who want to explore the moon: 

• The Museum on the Moon: The Curious Objects on the Lunar Surface written by Irene Latham and Illustrated by Myriam Wares. It’s a beautiful, well-researched nonfiction picture book of poems about what we’ve left behind on the moon.

• Moon! Earth's Best Friend written by Stacy McAnulty and illustrated by Stevie Lewis. It’s a fun nonfiction introduction to the moon.

Alina: Do you have any new book projects you are working on and would like to share with our readers? 

Emeline: My next picture book will be Gwei, the Hungry Ghost, illustrated by Basia Tran and published by Kokila, an imprint of Penguin Young Readers. Inspired by the Hungry Ghost Festival and spirits of Chinese mythology, this picture book follows Gwei, a ghost who eats and eats but never feels full—until an unlikely friend helps him discover that fulfillment can come in surprising ways. Publication is slated for spring 2026.

Alina: Where can readers keep up with your future projects and follow you?

 Emeline: You can follow me on IG @EmelineLeeBooks (I’m most active here) or X @EmelineLeeBooks. My author website is www.emelinelee.com, and there are free rocket launching videos and additional classroom resources available there. I’ve been busy working on new projects and will have some exciting news to share soon!

Build and launch a bottle rocket (video tutorial with Author Emeline Lee):

Click image to download.

Download a free Teacher’s Guide for Bonnie’s Rocket.

Click the link to read all about Bonnie’s Rocket collection postings.

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