"God's Little Astronomer" and Tina Cho

This week, we’re happy to have Tina Cho join us here at Write2Ignite. I’ve been a fan of Tina’s work since I heard her interviewed at a writer’s conference about three years ago. So, when I heard she was celebrating the launch of her latest picture book for the Christian children’s market – God’s Little Astronomer – and I was given the opportunity to interview her, you might say I was starstruck. Welcome, Tina, and congrats!

Sue: Please tell us the story behind the writing of God’s Little Astronomer. What were your goals as you set out to write the book?

Tina: God’s Little Astronomer came about as an answer to an editor’s wish list! Editor Bunmi Ishola of Waterbrook Multnomah, a Christian imprint of Penguin Random House, had an interview on the SCBWI Insight in 2021 in which she said she was looking for a baby series on theology and science, similar to the Nerdy Baby series. I’ve always loved the baby science board books, but I’ve never seen one that mixes science & faith. I know God’s Word has a lot to say about science so I came up with a list of book ideas. (Author Nancy I. Sanders taught me that well.)

My goals were to show what the Bible has to say on the topic and to show God’s love to the reader through His creation and science concepts. God’s Little Oceanographer swims into stores in 2025 & is patterned off the first book.

Sue: You must have been excited to discover that a subject so close to your heart fit so well with the wishes of an editor.

What does your writing schedule look like?

Tina: Since I’m a kindergarten teacher, I write on Saturdays. I dedicate the whole day to writing tasks.

Sue: If you could ask your favorite author three questions about their writing, what would you ask?

Tina: What writing classes/resources have you found to be most helpful in your writing journey?

What writing & marketing advice would you give to established writers?

What is something you do to get in the writing muse?

Sue: Before we wrap up, please finish these thoughts:

When I look up at the stars… I feel closer to God because I think about the vast universe that He created.

I love… writing for children, sharing God’s love on all different topics.

I was hoping you’d ask… what’s next? November 11, 2024, my very 1st lyrical graphic novel debuts from Harper Alley, an imprint of Harper Collins. The Other Side of Tomorrow is about two North Korean kids who escape through the Asian Underground Railroad & eventually make their way to the U.S. I learned about this when I lived there. Many churches in South Korea have North Korean ministries.

The Princess & the Grain of Rice publishes with FSG in 2025, a retelling on The Princess & the Pea.

Sue: We’ll look forward to seeing those books out soon. Thanks again, Tina, for chatting with us today!

God’s Little Astronomer is a delight to read. With amazing illustrations by Marta Álvarez Miguéns, and loaded with information for fans of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math), it offers additional fascinating space facts in sidebars, and Bible verses to support the text.

This interview first appeared on July 25, 2024 on the Write2Ignite blog.