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.
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
Finalist for the SCBWI Charlotte & Wilbur Award for Compassion for Animals
A Skipping Stones 2024 Award Winner (Nature and Ecology)
Order Superpod 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
This Book is Full of Holes
Illustrated by Robert Meganck
Did you know there are holes that suddenly devour entire gas stations? Big holes in the ocean that are visible from space? Small holes in balls that prevent a backyard home run? Holes are investigated by scientists, used by artists, designed by engineers, and fixed by problem-solvers. Let's dig in!
Nonfiction for ages 6-9.
Published in 2024 by Peachtree.
ISBN 9781682636008
"Hole-y cow! This winning book adds up to a 'whole' lot of fascinating, thought-provoking fun." - Starred Kirkus review
"An easy-to-read concept book that is great for various ages and interest levels, and a welcome addition for all libraries." - School Library Journal
A Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection
Order from your local independent bookstore, Bookshop.org, Amazon, or Barnes & Noble. Signed copies available from Eagle Harbor Books.
This Book Bubbles Over:
From the Ocean to Mars and Everywhere in Between
Illustrated by Robert Meganck
This book really pops, full as it is of fascinating bubbles—useful and entertaining, noisy and silencing, lifesaving and dangerous, microscopic and bigger than a sports stadium. Filled with fascinating and unusual examples from diverse STEM fields—including physics, biology, geology, food science, and medicine—this book bubbles over with fun facts about our world.
Nonfiction for ages 6-9.
Coming 3/11/25 from Peachtree.
Available for pre-order now wherever you like to buy books. Signed, personalized copies can be pre-ordered from Eagle Harbor Books.
Twelve Daring Grays
Illustrated by Elly MacKay
A lyrical true story about twelve especially brave whales taking a secret detour from their already grueling migration to the Arctic.
Coming in spring 2026 from Candlewick!
Magazines
Cricket magazine
July/Aug 2020
Art by Agnes Loonstra
Text © 2020 by Nora Nickum, art © 2020 by Agnes Loonstra. Reprinted by permission of Cricket Media. All rights reserved.
3 articles in Muse magazine, Feb. 2022. Click for PDFs:
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From the Air (orca friendships & gray whale headstands!)
Used by permission. © 2022 Cricket Media.
Cricket magazine
March 2021
Art by Becca Santo
Text © 2021 by Nora Nickum, art © 2021 by Becca Santo. Reprinted by permission of Cricket Media. All rights reserved.
"The Penguin and the Heron"
Ladybug magazine
July/Aug 2022
Art by Shannon Bergin
Cricket magazine
May/June 2022
Art by Nicole Wong
Text © 2022 by Nora Nickum, art © 2022 by Nicole Wong. Reprinted by permission of Cricket Media. All rights reserved.
"Tiny Critters, Massive Migration"
Muse magazine
March 2023
Used by permission. © 2023 Cricket Media
"Broomball"
Cricket magazine
Jan 2022
Art by Juan Berrio
Text © 2022 by Nora Nickum, art © 2022 by Juan Berrio. All rights reserved.
EVENTS
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