Welcome back to another installment of First Stories! After taking a break last year, it’s wonderful to be chatting with so many KidLit writers, specifically picture book writers. As the way many children are introduced to reading – and art! – picture books hold a special place in my heart. They are a unique partnership between words and illustrations, between caregivers reading out loud to kids.
And so, it is thrilling to announce the release of my second picture book, Backyard Stew! Coming September 15, 2026! This interactive story encourages kids to get outdoors, use their imaginations, and mix up their very own “stew”…without forgetting the most important ingredient: friends! My publisher, Gnome Road, made a super-cute cover reveal video that you can see here:
And I can’t help but post the gorgeous cover, illustrated by Deborah Schreiber, below:
Today on First Stories, I’m delighted to welcome Cynthia Mackey back to the blog! Her first picture book, If a Bumblebee Lands on Your Toe, released in 2025, and she’s back to talk about her second lovely picture book.
Before we dive into the interview, here’s a little more about Cynthia:
Cynthia Mackey’s poetry appears in The Toy, The Dirigible Balloon, and Little Thoughts Press. Her debut picture book, IF A BUMBLEBEE LANDS ON YOUR TOE, published with Yeehoo Press in spring of 2025 and has since been acquired by Picnic Heist Publishing. Her second book, BUTTERFLY SEA with gorgeous illustrations by Marie-Laure Couët published with Tielmour Press in January 2026. Cynthia offers workshop presentations and school and child care visits in the South Vancouver Island area. She also offers online school visits worldwide. For more information visit her website at www.booksbycindy.com
Me: Welcome, Cynthia!
Cynthia: Thanks for having me back on First Stories, Heather!
Me: Since you’ve been on the blog before (see Cynthia’s first interview here), let’s discuss your first published picture book – Bumblebee. What has it been like to have a picture book out in the world? What is it about?
Cynthia: It’s been wonderful! My first traditionally published book is IF A BUMBLEBEE LANDS ON YOUR TOE, which released May 2025 from Yeehoo Press with gorgeous illustrations and an engaging visual storyline added by Vikki Zhang. It’s a story of how mindfulness and a greater connection to nature can help us overcome fear.
Me: It is such a lovely book. I’ve included one of the spreads (below) that Cynthia provided from Bumblebee.
Where is this book now? What’s the latest for Bumblebee?
Cynthia: It was tricky timing for the publication of Bumblebee because of the US political situation. There was a great deal of uncertainty. I am so grateful it was published because Yeehoo Press faced financial challenges in early 2025 and made the decision to close their US picture book division. Because of the partnership between Helen Wu and Janet Bruins, the book was picked up by Picnic Heist. I’m grateful to both of them for their dedication to the book and for their support. AND, I’m excited to say there are plans for publication of a coloring book, which will allow readers to engage in the mindful practice of coloring to help with anxiety!
Me: Wow! What a story! It must have been stressful to face all that uncertainty. Did you practice some of the mindfulness strategies in the book?
Cynthia: Actually, yes! Ha!
Me: Are there any themes in Bumblebee that you see in your other stories/published work?
Cynthia: Bumblebee is written in a lyrical style and that is my preferred voice for writing. One theme that keeps showing up in my writing is a sense of playfulness. Bumblebee begins with pretend freeze dancing, a game I remember playing as a child. I believe when we write for children there needs to be playfulness. Games, play with words, humor or jokes make the story more engaging and relatable.
Me: How delightful to incorporate games into your stories! As a parent, it’s really fun when I have the opportunity to play with my kids. 🙂 Looking back, what elements of Bumblebee that made it unmarketable? Did you receive feedback on that story? What did that feedback teach you?
Cynthia: Bumblebee changed a great deal from the original manuscript. I had written it in a more character driven style with a bunny as the main character. I received editorial feedback that the bunny character wasn’t developed enough. At the time, it was tough to hear, but in hindsight, I can see that a story needs time to marinate and there’s a huge benefit to writing a story in different voices to find the right voice for that story. I was able to dive further into the story once I had a chance to reflect on how different people can react differently to bees. That helped me show greater empathy in the drafts that came forth after the extra time to think more deeply about what I wanted to say.
Me: That’s great advice – “a story needs time to marinate.” I have found that to be true as well.
Why is this “first story” special to you? How was it important for your writing journey?
Cynthia: I remember exactly where I was when I learned that Yeehoo Press was interested in acquiring Bumblebee. It was just as I was about to start my yoga for the day, which fits, because the book is really about mindfulness and I do think my own mindfulness practice played a role in the writing of the story. The book shows how the ‘fight/flight/freeze’ response happens in all living creatures and how we can overcome that by cultivating deeper mindful nature connections. When I think of all the people in my life who can benefit from this idea (everyone) it feels so special. Because I spent much of my career as an early years educator, separation anxiety is something I’ve helped many families with and I feel like this book helps people understand the feeling of being anxious as well as the feeling of feeling brave and overcoming that anxiety.
Me: I think every author remembers exactly where they were when they got the email or phone call about their first book sale! I know I do! Thanks for sharing your journey with Bumblebee, Cynthia!
Now…I would love to hear about your latest project! You had a book release just a few weeks ago – Butterfly Sea! Yay!! How did you come up with the idea for this book? Does it relate at all to your “first story”?
Cynthia: Yes, I’m excited that I have a new book baby, BUTTERFLY SEA that is not a sequel to Bumblebee. But it is a companion.
The idea for BUTTERFLY SEA was a combination of things rolled up together. I couldn’t find many picture books that feature a main character who likes photography and yet, children do use cameras. In fact, I used cameras many times as an Early Years Educator. Not only that, I have fond memories of my first camera, ordered with proof of purchase from a cereal box. Added to that, I was volunteering as a citizen scientist to document butterflies by sending photos to iNaturalist.
Getting butterfly photos is so tricky! You have to wait for a sunny day and find just the right place near flowers that will attract them. I came up with the title, BUTTERFLY SEA, when I spotted a butterfly near the ocean. It surprised and delighted me to find it there. I came up with the line, “If you want to see a butterfly, skip to the butterfly sea.” I liked that and I’m happy it stayed in the book.
I like the opportunity to talk about homonyms and that butterflies can be found in unexpected places. I got some excellent editorial feedback and as a result, I added the younger sibling with a completely different agenda. I think it shows the reality of children playing together. They have to find common ground and it isn’t always easy. And I wanted to show how it is possible for children to enjoy each other’s company even when there is some conflict. Finally, I should mention that a portion of the proceeds from BUTTERFLY SEA go towards reforestation.
Me: I love the themes of nature, hobbies, and sibling interactions that you’ve woven together in this book! Thank you again for taking the time to drop by First Stories!
Cynthia: Thank you for having me!
Cynthia is generously offering a manuscript critique of a fiction picture book under 700 words. Please drop a comment on this post to be entered to win!
Also, Cynthia is offering a chance to join her and Joyce Uglow for the STUCK BUMBLEBEE Poetry Challenge, April 20-26. It’s an opportunity to get poetry tips and prompts from lyrical writers of children’s books. The challenge will be to write a poem each day for seven days. You’ll find it on Joyce’s Substack and on Cynthia’s Instagram and Bluesky.
Be sure to snag a copy of Cynthia’s books using one of the links below and sign up for Cynthia’s substack to follow along on her writing journey!
IF A BUMBLEBEE LANDS ON YOUR TOE
Picnic Heist https://picnicheistpublishing.com/product/if-a-bumblebee-lands-on-your-toe/
Raincoast https://www.raincoastgroup.com/item/9781953458742
Indigo https://www.indigo.ca/en-ca/if-a-bumblebee-lands-on-your-toe/9781953458742.html
BUTTERFLY SEA bulk orders: https://utpdistribution.com/9781998426225/butterfly-sea/
From Indigo https://www.indigo.ca/en-ca/butterfly-sea/9781998426225.html From Books a Million https://www.booksamillion.com/p/Butterfly-Sea/Cynthia-Mackey/9781998426225
Instagram: For book related posts @books.by.cindy; For nature related posts @mackey_cynthia
Bluesky: @booksbycindy.blusky.social
Substack Quarterly Newsletter: https://mackeyc.substack.com/
Heather C. Morris 
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