Q&A with Author-Illustrator Duo Diane Kidd and Margaret A. Weitekamp

Illustrator Diane Kidd and Margaret A. Weitekamp, Ph.D., a space history curator at the Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum, have collaborated on the children’s book, “Pluto’s Secret: An Icy World’s Tale of Discovery.” Diane has a B.F.A. in fine arts from Pratt Institute in New York and an M.S.Ed. in early childhood and museum administration from Bank Street College of Education. Her book “Weird Stories From the Lonesome Café” won the Parent’s Guide to Children’s Media Award, the Beverly Cleary Award, and Nevada Young Reader’s Award. Diane is the manager of the Barron Hilton Early Childhood program at the National Air and Space Museum in Washington D.C. Margaret oversees over 4000 individual pieces of space MargaretWeitekampHeadShotmemorabilia and space science fiction objects. In addition to writing “Pluto’s Secret,” she has co-edited a scholarly volume called “Analyzing Art and Aesthetics” and written the award-winning “Right Stuff, Wrong Sex: America’s First Women in Space Program.” She lives in Burke, Va., with her husband, Kevin Days, and their three book-loving children.

What are the best books you’ve read recently?
Margaret: For work, Matthew H. Hersch’s “Inventing the American Astronaut” and Amy E. Foster’s “Integrating Women Into the Astronaut Corps.” For fun, “The Art of Racing in the Rain: A Novel” by Garth Stein. (Our family still needs a dog.)

Diane: “Above World” by Jenn Reese

What was your favorite book as a child?
Margaret: “A Wrinkle in Time” by Madeleine L’Engle (It featured a smart girl named Meg who had adventures and a boyfriend who loved that she was smart – what’s not to like?) and “Little Women” by Louisa May Alcott.

Diane: “The Hobbit” and the Xanth series.

Why do you enjoy attending book festivals, either as a presenter or audience member?
Margaret: I loved taking my seven-year-old son and his oldest friend to see their favorite author at a book festival in DC. It was great to show them the real person behind the name on the cover.

Diane: Great place to meet other Illustrators and writers. Learn what’s current in the marketplace.

Have you been to the D.C. area before? If so, what is your favorite thing about it?
Margaret: I’m delighted that I get to live near DC and work at the Smithsonian.  My favorite thing about DC is the Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum! (Shameless plug.)

Diane: National Air and Space Museum

What is the most difficult, or challenging, aspect of being a writer?
Margaret: For me, right now, with a full-time job and three children at home, the most challenging thing is finding the time to sit and think enough to be able to write. It’s hard to squeeze coherent thoughts in around the edges.

Diane: Artist Block