Hannah Holt is a children's author with an engineering degree. Her picture books weave together her love of literature and lifelong learning. They include The Diamond and the Boy (HarperCollins), A Father's Love (Penguin), and A History of Underwear with Professor Chicken (Macmillan). Her writings have been selected for Dolly Parton's Imagination Library, won the Flame Challenge from the Alan Alda Center for Communicating Science, and received starred reviews from publications like Booklist and School Library Journal. One of her favorite parts about being an author is visiting schools. She lives in Oregon with her husband, four children, and a very patient cat named Zephyr.
Background
As a child, Hannah moved around the western United States: California, Arizona, Washington, and Utah— although she spent the most time in Oregon. Her father worked for a big construction company, and the family moved from project to project for a while. Hannah also liked building and spent her days designing elaborate cities out of blocks and LEGOs. This curiosity led her to major in engineering with a minor in German.
She worked in transportation planning for several years; however, after the birth of her first child, she started a remote job working as an editor for a university press. This ignited a desire to start telling her own stories. She found her passion in writing informational books for curious kids.
Besides writing, Hannah likes to run marathons, play the piano, and bake goodies.
Hannah's cat, Zephyr.
Hannah on her first day of kindergarten.
Frequently Asked Questions:
How long does it take you to write a picture book?
It takes a few months to several years to finish a picture book project. My first book, The Diamond and the Boy, needed over eighty drafts to get it just right, while my newest book only took about twenty.
What do you change from draft to draft?
Sometimes changes are small, like rewording the ending. Other times, I completely change the point of view, tone, or approach.
What was your favorite picture book as a child?
Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day by Judith Viorst. I remember sitting in library class, hearing it, and thinking, ‘Yes! That’s exactly what a bad day feels like!’ Then it dawned on me, ‘Oh, other people have bad days, too.’ That seems obvious now, but as a six-year-old, it shook my world. It was the first time I really understood empathy. What I love about picture books is their ability to open up new perspectives.
What’s your favorite color?
Green.
What’s your favorite ice cream?
Tillamook Mudslide.
If you could have any superpower, what would it be?
Super speed.
Any writing advice?
Dive in and put words on paper. Don’t let the fear of making mistakes prevent you from getting started. None of the other editing steps matter if the first draft remains unwritten. Expect to make mistakes. Keep going. Write, write, write!