The Yellowstone Spark Behind "The Super Volcano"

Suzanne Jacobs Lipshaw
Nov 5, 2024
3 min read

By: Suzanne Jacobs Lipshaw, Author of The Super Volcano

Like most teachers, I spend the first couple of months of summer vacation rejuvenating from the previous school year and the last month preparing for the next. But during the summer of 2012, a significant change in curriculum sent my mind racing. Michigan, like many other states, was implementing the Common Core Standards, which included a major increase in the amount of nonfiction text that elementary students would be required to read. My August challenge was to figure out how to engage my struggling readers with nonfiction. Little did I know, the answer would arrive just one week later, during a family vacation to Yellowstone National Park!

As we approached the northern entrance, we were greeted by the Roosevelt Arch, a grand stone structure inscribed with the words “For the Benefit and Enjoyment of the People.” We made our way to the information center, where a park ranger introduced us to the park's wonders. That’s when I learned that Yellowstone sits atop a supervolcano, the very force behind its incredible thermal features—spouting geysers, bubbling mud pots, and vibrant hot springs. All equally fascinating!

The next day, we kayaked on Lake Yellowstone, getting an up-close look at the geysers just below the surface of the water. During the tour, I met a children’s book author who was holding a signing for her two nonfiction picture books about Yellowstone. I shared my struggle with engaging students in nonfiction, and afterward, she generously gifted me signed copies of her books and the accompanying teaching guides. In that moment, inspiration struck—Yellowstone was the spark I needed to engage my students.

That school year, I transformed my classroom into a miniature Yellowstone, immersing my students in books, videos, and projects focused on the park. This innovative approach significantly boosted student participation, motivation, and learning. On the last day of school, my students eagerly asked about the theme for the next year. I hadn’t planned on a second theme, but I didn’t want to disappoint them. “Umm, you’ll have to see how the room is decorated when you come on the first day of school next year,” I replied with a smile.

Fast forward four years, and I revisited my Yellowstone theme in honor of the National Park Service’s 100th birthday in 2016. Each of my students chose a national park to research and developed PowerPoint presentations to introduce their parks and explain the importance of being park stewards. They shared these presentations with parents during conferences, and to decorate the hall, they created posters showcasing their parks. To support their efforts, we even set up donation jars for the NPS.

I retired from teaching in 2021, but my passion for Yellowstone has only grown stronger since then. To continue sharing the wonders of its unique ecosystem, I wrote The Super Volcano: A Hidden Hero Below Yellowstone National Park. My hope is that this book carries forward my mission from 2012—to engage, motivate, and educate. I also aim to inspire stewards of all ages to care for and protect not only Yellowstone but all the incredible national parks across our country.

Through this journey, I’ve learned that nonfiction doesn’t have to be intimidating—it can be an exciting adventure! Many kids actually prefer reading nonfiction to fiction, and as an author, I’ve discovered countless creative ways to bring these topics to life. The Super Volcano invites young readers on an exciting journey into the hidden world beneath Yellowstone, blending science with storytelling in a way that captivates the imagination. Through a fun superhero metaphor, the book sparks curiosity and nurtures a love for the natural world. It empowers children to see themselves as heroes in their own right, encouraging them to take action to protect our environment and appreciate the beauty of our national parks.

And here’s the exciting part: The Super Volcano is out NOW! Be sure to grab your copy and join us in celebrating the wonders of nature, inspiring a new generation of environmental stewards who will cherish and safeguard our planet for years to come.