Nora Nickum

Writing for Children

ABOUT ME

I write fiction and nonfiction picture books and middle grade books, often with elements of science and exploring the natural world. My stories and articles have also appeared in children’s magazines like Cricket, Muse, and Ladybug.

I live on an island in Washington state, where my family and I love to explore tide pools, search for sea glass, watch whales from shore, and trek through the fern-filled forests.

In addition to writing, I also lead ocean conservation policy work for the Seattle Aquarium. I'm often inspired to feature marine animals in my stories, from whales and octopuses to wolf eels and harbor seals.

I am represented by Lynnette Novak of The Seymour Agency, and I am an active member of the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators in Western Washington. I have a Master’s degree in Public Policy from the Harvard Kennedy School.

A press kit bio can be found here.

Bio

Books & Stories

BOOKS & STORIES

SUPERPOD: Saving the Endangered Orcas of the Pacific Northwest

Meet the playful and beloved Southern Resident orcas and the people working to save them from extinction using tactics that vary from medicine and laws to drones and dogs.

Nonfiction for ages 8-12--& up!

4/11/23, Chicago Review Press.

A Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection

"Inspiring and compelling" - Booklist

Order from your local independent bookstore, Bookshop.org, Seattle Aquarium, Barnes & Noble, Amazon

Add SUPERPOD to your Goodreads "want to read" shelf!

More details, interviews, and reviews available in the press kit

A Teacher's Guide to SUPERPOD

Detailed bibliography for SUPERPOD

More book news coming soon!

Magazines

"Underwater Music"

Cricket magazine

July/Aug 2020
Art by Agnes Loonstra

3 articles in Muse magazine, Feb. 2022. Click for PDFs:

Entangled
From the Air (orca friendships & gray whale headstands!)
A Whale-Sized Battle Against Climate Change

"Hugo and the Seal"

Cricket magazine

March 2021
Art by Becca Santo

"The Penguin and the Heron"

Ladybug magazine

July/Aug 2022
Art by Shannon Bergin

"Mo of the Mudflat"

Cricket magazine

May/June 2022
Art by Nicole Wong

5017-muse-science-magazine-for-kids-cover-march-2023-issue.webp

"Tiny Critters, Massive Migration"

Muse magazine

March 2023

"Broomball"

Cricket magazine

Jan 2022
Art by Juan Berrio

Stories

Events

EVENTS

Sun 04 Jun
We Are Puget Sound Family Day at the Burke Museum
Burke Museum
RSVP
Jun 04, 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM PDT
Burke Museum, 4303 Memorial Way Northeast, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
Bring the whole family to celebrate the opening of We are Puget Sound
Sun 04 Jun
Orca Month kick-off event in Seattle
El Centro de la Raza
Learn more
Jun 04, 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM
El Centro de la Raza, 2524 16th Ave S, Seattle, WA 98144, USA
Music, storytelling, kids' activities - all celebrating orcas! Nora will be one of the presenters and will have copies of Superpod available for sale.
Wed 21 Jun
Langley Whale Center: Youth Zoom Event with Nora Nickum
Virtual event
RSVP
Jun 21, 4:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Virtual event
Join us for a special Orca Month youth Zoom event! We will have an exciting opportunity to meet guest author Nora Nickum and hear about her new book "Superpod: Saving the Endangered Orcas of the Pacific Northwest."
Fri 23 Jun
Finnriver Cider Garden: Superpod book talk at Solstice Salmon Days
FinnRiver Cider Garden
Learn more
Jun 23, 3:00 PM – 4:30 PM PDT
FinnRiver Cider Garden, 124 Center Rd, Chimacum, WA 98325, USA
Join children's book author Nora Nickum for an interactive reading and signing of her book, Superpod: Saving the Endangered Orcas of the Pacific Northwest!
Fri 23 Jun
Solstice Salmon Days at Finnriver Cidery
Finnriver Cider Garden
Learn more
Jun 23, 3:00 PM – 5:00 PM PDT
Finnriver Cider Garden, 124 Center Rd, Chimacum, WA 98325, USA
You are invited to an all-ages educational celebration of salmon! Author Nora Nickum will also be chatting about orcas.
Sat 24 Jun
Puget Sound Orcas - Sylvan Way Library
Bremerton
Learn more
Jun 24, 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM
Bremerton, 1301 Sylvan Way, Bremerton, WA 98310, USA
Join local author and educator Nora Nickum to learn about our very own Southern Resident Orcas! We'll complete an art project at the end.
Wed 18 Oct
National Marine Sanctuaries webinar on connecting kids and teens to the ocean
Webinar
RSVP
Oct 18, 3:00 PM – 4:00 PM PDT
Webinar
Join nonfiction storytellers Nora Nickum & Patricia Newman, artist Esteban Camacho Steffensen, & educator Alicia Keefe, who translate their passion for ocean conservation & ocean science into forms that entice kids & teens to ask questions, dig deeper, & engage with their communities.
Sat 21 Oct
STEM Kids' Book Event
Brick and Mortar Books
RSVP
Oct 21, 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM PDT
Brick and Mortar Books, 7430 164th Ave NE suite B105, Redmond, WA 98052, USA
Help us to welcome four kids' book creators for a STEM-themed book event!

News and Events

In The Press

Contact

CONTACT

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Nora Nickum

Nora Nickum

Writing for Children

ABOUT ME

BOOKS & STORIES

Magazines

EVENTS

CONTACT

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© 2022 by Nora Nickum