Six Questions with Amanda Davis

Amanda Davis is an award-winning teacher, artist, writer, and innovator who uses her words and pictures to light up the world with kindness. In addition to Sometimes Stormy, Amanda is the author of 30,000 Stitches: The Inspiring Story of the National 9/11 Flag, illustrated by Sally Wern Comport and Moonlight Memories, illustrated by Michelle Jing Chan. She has three more picture books on the way. Amanda’s passionate about telling stories that allow children to feel seen, comforted, and less alone.  Amanda enjoys helping other creatives hone their craft by offering critique and mentoring services through Carnegie Center for Literacy & Learning. Amanda has more than 10 years of experience as a classroom teacher and was selected as Massachusetts Secondary Art Educator of the Year. When she’s not busy creating, you can find her sipping tea, petting dogs, and exploring the natural wonders of The Bay State with her family and her rescue pups. You can learn more about Amanda at www.amandadavisart.com and Instagram @amandadavis_art.

1. What are some ways you approach writing about difficult or complex topics for children? 

Being honest in my art and writing. I think so often we forget how much children can understand and interpret. They aren’t afraid of the hard stuff in life. I’ve written about tragedy, parent loss, and now substance use disorder. These aren’t easy topics to explore but children are curious and need books to help them process big feelings. I always remind myself that my book is going to make a difference to a child (and caregiver) in need and this helps me push through. 

2. What’s bringing you joy in your creative life right now? 

Art therapy! I’ve been doing art therapy once a month with a licensed art therapist. For a while after having my daughter, I was stuck in my creative process. I started art therapy as a way to dive back in without the pressure. It gives me the space to get away from creating for an outcome or for work and focus more on the play and my intuitive side of art making. I’ve enjoyed it and really enjoy processing and analyzing what the art could mean in connection to my current mindset and wellbeing. I’m always surprised at what I create during these sessions!

3. What are you working on? What’s next for you?

In addition to Sometimes Stormy, I have a Northern Lights inspired picture book titled, Chasing the Light, illustrated by Faryn Hughes, slated for spring of 2026 with Marble Press, a paperback version of my 2021 debut 30,000 Stitches is set to be released in summer of 2026 with WorthyKids/Hachette Book Group and two nonfiction bios in the works: The Memory March, illustrated by Sarthak Sinha, slated for 2027 and another unannounced PB bio, both releasing with Nancy Paulsen Books/Penguin Young Readers. I’m working on a third PB bio right now that I’m excited about and plugging away at a middle-grade novel-in-verse. Stay tuned!   

4. Where did you get the idea for this new book? What was your inspiration?

Sometimes Stormy is based on my own experience of  growing up in a household with a father who struggled with alcohol use disorder. It was confusing, scary, and unpredictable. I know it has contributed to my anxiety as an adult. As a child, I wish I understood the storms of alcohol use and all the complexities that come with the disease. In the book, a boy named Ezra realizes his dad is plagued by a troubling storm that sometimes visits their home and changes dad. Sometimes Stormy helps children understand addiction and find their own calm and safety with caring adults. I hope Sometimes Stormy will be a comforting and informative story for children and caregivers who are in similar situations and struggles -- letting them know they’re not alone, it’s not their fault, they’re loved, and there are things they can do to cope with the Sometimes Storms that visit their home.

5. Was this always the title for this project? If not, what other titles did you consider and how did  you land on this one? 

The story started out as a rhyming poem that I wrote in college titled Sometimes Monster. The publisher thought the concept of a monster might be too scary so we threw around other ideas such as shadow, trouble, storm/stormy. We decided to change it to ‘storm/y’, which more accurately captures the unpredictable nature of addiction and is more relatable to all. This is how we landed on Sometimes Stormy as the title. They wanted to add the sub title in as well so it was clear upon seeing the cover that the storm was referring to alcohol use disorder. 

6. What was the process or timeline for this book, from idea to publishing? 

As mentioned, the idea began as a poem I wrote in college over twenty years ago. I can’t remember when I decided to translate it into a PB dummy but at some point that happened and it was one that I showed my agent to when I signed with her so I knew she was open to submitting it to publishers. My agent and I started querying the story in June of 2022. We submitted to a long list of publishers who all said it was a necessary story but ultimately passed. After several rounds of submissions, I asked my agent if I could submit to Free Spirit Publishing/Teacher Created Materials. I knew a few other authors who had books with them, and I knew they create beautiful books on tough but necessary topics. I submitted to them on my own and several months later heard back with interest. I passed that email onto my agent and we later signed a deal for the book, which is releasing October 7th of this year. It will be my debut as both author and illustrator, yay!