The Backstory: IF A BUMBLEBEE LANDS ON YOUR TOE

I am excited to welcome Cynthia Mackey to the blog today to share all about her debut picture book, IF A BUMBLEBEE LANDS ON YOUR TOE (Yeehoo Press) with illustrations by Vikki Zhang. This gorgeous book releases on April 15 in the US and on April 25 in Canada, so mark your calendars. And while you wait, keep reading to find out all about how this book came to be and for your chance to win a copy or a query critique from Cynthia.

AH: First off, please tell us a little bit about your story.

CM: Before I tell you about it, I just want to say thank you so much for having me on the Backstory blog, Andrew!

The story is about how mindfulness and a deeper connection to nature can help us manage anxiety. It shows how much we have in common with the natural world and how that connection can calm us. Vikki’s illustrations bring in a ‘theatre of the mind’ layer to the story and her illustrations take the reader on a journey filled with discovery and wonder. When I first saw Vikki’s art work, I was blown away by her talent for bringing a magical sense of wonder that I also tried to bring to the story with my words.

The publisher is Yeehoo Press and it’s available for pre-order now anywhere books are sold. The release date is April 15, 2025 in the US and April 25, 2025 in Canada. It has been translated into Chinese as well. 

AH: I am so excited for this story and everything it encompasses. I agree with you that Vikki's art is breathtaking and complements your words so well, while also adding such visual wonder for the reader.

AH: What’s the story behind the story? What was your inspiration? Where did the idea come from?

CM: It’s based on my childhood fear of being stung coupled with my adult understanding of how essential bees are to our survival. Because I want everyone to be kind to bees! I have a clear childhood memory of a time when a bee landed on me and I completely froze. I could not move. The story is what little me needed to hear at that moment. 

AH: I love this! This reflection on our younger selves along with the knowledge that comes from being an adult is a perfect combination for picture book gold! You took what could have been a very simple, straightforward story and were able to weave in layers of depth.

How did you approach going from this seed of an idea to what is now IF A BUMBLE BEE LANDS ON YOUR TOE? Was it something undeniable you had to write immediately or did you need to sit with this idea and let it grow for a while before it found its way to the page?

CM: I wrote an early draft in a character-driven style that wasn’t working and after some time away from the manuscript, I rewrote it in a more lyrical voice, with a focus on the moment a bee lands on you. The rewrite happened years after the original manuscript had been put away. The new version is completely different.

AH: You always hear the advice to put our manuscripts away for a while (which I really struggle to listen to). This story is a great example of what that distance has to offer our manuscripts. That time away can give us a different perspective and helps those initial drafts feel less precious and easier to revise or even completely overhaul.

Did IF A BUMBLE BEE LANDS ON YOUR TOE undergo any major changes/revisions from the original version? If so, what led you to make these changes?

CM: I knew the original story wasn’t working after feedback I got from the CANSCAIP writing for children contest, back in 2018. It’s a great contest in that all entries receive feedback and my specific feedback was that the character development and arc wasn’t realized. It was hard to hear the feedback but I had only been writing for a few years and needed to work more on learning the craft. I wrote the new version 3 years later. The lyrical voice for the story worked better and came about as a result of writing poems every day during poetry month. Writing a poem a day is something I highly recommend! 

AH: Writing a poem a month sounds like a wonderful exercise and I can see how that would refine your lyrical skills. I especially love this idea because the shorter nature of a poem makes the challenge feel accessible. What a great idea!

AH: Are there any books/authors that you feel influenced your work on IF A BUMBLE BEE LANDS ON YOUR TOE?

I am a big fan of Julie Fogliano’s work. Just in Case You Want to Fly is by her and Christian Robinson and I liked how she was able to focus on one moment for that book, the moment when you are saying goodbye to someone who is about to leave on a journey. I listened to Julie talk about writing poetry on the Children’s Book Podcast and her interview and body of work inspired me to write more poetry. It helped to hear her say that she didn’t necessarily think of herself as a poet and that once she started writing poems regularly, she gained more confidence. 

AH: I can totally see the connection between this inspiration and some of the actions you mentioned taking earlier in the interview. Having role models and people who inspire us is such a benefit in this industry. Not only can we learn craft and be motivated by them, but often times, through sharing their own experiences, they also help us overcome our own insecurities and worries about the industry.

Where do you tend to find your inspiration or your sparks for ideas?

CM: I never seem to have a shortage of ideas. They come from my childhood, something I hear on the news, the children who are in my preschool class, a conversation at a party - everywhere. Life just brings them to me - in fact, I get so many, I try to filter them out and only seek to write out ideas when I’ve let the idea take hold in my mind (and heart). I would be too distracted if I tried to write them all - the shiny new idea is so appealing and I don’t want it to take me away from the real work of revisions, which will maybe lead to something worthy of publishing.

AH: That is a tough balance to find. I agree with you about those ideas that beg us to be written and won't leave our mind. That is always a good indication that we are on the right track.

Do you have any upcoming projects or news you would like to share with us?

CM: My second picture book, BUTTERFLY SEA, is slated for December 2025 release with Tielmour Press, illustrations will be by Marie-Laure Couet. I’m proud of the layers I’ve put into the story and I love it that Tielmour Press donates funds from each book sale for reforestation. 

AH: Congratulations on this forthcoming book. I am intrigued and can't wait to read it when it releases. I am a big fan of the books Tielmour Press is putting out into the world and of course, I love their commitment to the environment.

Where can people connect more with you? 

Bluesky https://bsky.app/profile/booksbycindy.bsky.social and Instagram https://www.instagram.com/books.by.cindy/ and https://www.instagram.com/mackey_cynthia/ 

AH: Readers be sure to connect with Cynthia on social media so you don't miss any of her exciting publishing news. And while you are at it please consider supporting her books in any way you can.

This could include:

- ordering from your favorite indie

- marking as want to read on Goodreads  

-leaving a review

- making a library request

Cynthia, thank you so much for sharing all about your latest book with us. I loved learning how it came to be and a bit more about your process.

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GIVEAWAY!

Cynthia is happy to give one winner their choice of a copy of IF A BUMBLEBEE LANDS ON YOUR TOE (US-addresses only) or a query letter critique.

Ways to enter:

1. Comment on social media post about this blog post. Additional entry for tagging friends!

or

2. Leave a comment on this post. Leave a social media tag where I can contact you if you are selected as the winner.

or

3. Post about this interview on social media and tell me in the comments that you did.

Each method earns an extra entry!

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ABOUT CYNTHIA MACKEY

Cynthia Mackey’s poetry appears in The Toy, The Dirigible Balloon and Little Thoughts Press, Hit the Road magazine. Her debut picture book, If a Bumblebee Lands on Your Toe is set for publication with Yeehoo Press in March 2025 and her second book, Butterfly Sea is forthcoming with Tielmour Press in December 2025. She was mentored by highly acclaimed Canadian author, Jean E. Pendziwol. With a Bachelor of Education degree, Cynthia teaches nature-based education for young children. She works to bring elements of joy, playfulness, and social- emotional learning to her writing. She lives with her husband in Victoria, Canada.

For more information, visit her website at www.booksbycindy.com 

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ABOUT ANDREW HACKET

Andrew Hacket  is a writer, second-grade teacher, and father of three. He is also the author of Ollie, the Acorn, and the Mighty Idea,  Curlilocks and the Three Hares, and Hope and the Sea. Andrew recognizes that being a kid is hard and he writes to create ways for kids to see themselves in stories and characters, to accept and overcome their insecurities, or to escape for just a little while through the power of their imaginations.