​ Maria Birmingham
Children's Book Author/Writer/Editor
Follow me on Twitter: @mkbirmingham
Specializing in content for kids
Available January 2026
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Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection, 2026
A cross-disciplinary look at the history, mystery, and facts of left-handedness.
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Most of us define ourselves as lefties or righties based on the hand we use for writing. But what makes people prefer one hand over the other? And what if handedness doesn’t tell the whole story?
Do we also favor one eye, one ear, or one foot? What about people who use different hands for different activities? Are humans the only left-handed animals?
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With a blend of pop culture, sports, history, and STEM, this middle-grade nonfiction book tackles these questions and more, while celebrating the traits that make us unique, no matter which hand we use.
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Silver Birch Express nominee, 2026
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​"In this companion to Snooze-O-Rama (2021), Birmingham and Reed return with a lively comparison of human vs. animal eating habits … Appetizing fare for the information-hungry.""
Kirkus Reviews
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​"An epic cross-curricular journey for curious minds." School Library Journal
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​"A mind-expanding gallery of seemingly different wild creatures that share similar features or behaviors ... Will definitely leave an impression on budding naturalists." Kirkus Reviews
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IODE Jean Throop Book Award, 2023
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TLA 2025 Texas Topaz Reading List
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Silver Birch Express nominee, 2025
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Saskatchewan Shining Willow Award finalist, 2024
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Science Writers and Communicators of Canada Book Award, Longlisted, 2023
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Hackmatack Children's Choice Book Award, Shortlist, 2024
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Battle of the Books selections, Concordia Internatioal School Shanghai, 2024
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“The strength of this title is its broad coverage which shows that fun is for people of all ages and is universal across cultures. Students will find this book informative and entertaining, too! Recommended.” ― School Library Connection
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2024 Skipping Stones Honor Award
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CCBC Best Books for Kids & Teens, Fall 2024, Starred Review
"This humorous and informative book shows readers the role poop takes in the natural world."
— Star Review CCBC Best Books for Kids & Teens, Fall 2024
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Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection, 2023
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Science Writers and Communicators of Canada Book Award, Longlisted, 2023
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TD Summer Reading Club Recommended Reads, 2025
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“What elevates this beyond encyclopedia fare are references to current events and instances where readers are invited to imagine themselves in problem-solving, relatable scenarios... A great resource for report writers that offers a perfect segue from the picture books treasured by the vehicle obsessed.” ―Booklist
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Hackmatack Children's Choice Book Aard, Shortlisted, 2024​
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Red Cedar Book Award nominee, 2023
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TD Summer Reading Club Recommended Reads, 2025
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2022 Silver Birch Express Award, Nominee​
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Best Books for Kids and Teens, Canadian Children's Book Centre,
Fall 2021
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Finalist for the Diamond Willow Award, 2020
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Shortlisted for the Hackmatack Award, 2020-2021
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Best Books for Kids and Teens, Canadian Children's
Book Centre, Spring 2020, Starred Selection
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Winner of the 2017 Lane Anderson Award
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2018 Silver Birch Non-Fiction Award, Nominee
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Shortlisted for the 2018 Children's Literature Roundtables of Canada
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Shortlisted for the 2018 Science In Society Book Award
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2018/2019 Red Cedar Award Nominee
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Best Books for Kids and Teens, Canadian Children's Book Centre, Spring 2018
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2016 Norma Fleck Award, Finalist
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2017 Red Maple Award, Nominee
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2017 Rocky Mountain Book Award, Nominee
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Shortlisted for the 2015 Science In Society Book Award
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Best Books for Kids and Teens, Canadian Children's Book Centre, Spring 2016
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A Best YA Title of Winter 2016, Foreword Reviews
"This fun, enjoyable read manages to inform and entertain--a combination perhaps as rare as the fountain
of youth--and will be a welcome addition to both school and public libraries." Booklist
"Birmingham takes readers on a lively tour of the many ways people have sought to cheat death throughout history... a visually striking, thought-provoking look at a topic that will encourage further investigation." School Library Journal
"Whimsical...quirky...humorous and engagaing. A must-read for anyone interested in science, magic, and everything in between." Foreword Reviews
"A tasty distillation of history, religion, chemistry, biology, technology, and pop culture." Kirkus Reviews
"Light-hearted and, often, tongue-in-cheek...breezy enough in its style to be an enjoyable casual read, this beginner's guide also asks interesting questions. Recommended." School Library Connection