It was a normal chilly spring day in Western Wisconsin. No little bird had twittered in Kira’s ear that morning, “today, you will become an author.” The wind hadn’t whispered, “something is coming.”
But something was coming for 10-year-old Kira Pierson, a fourth grader at Wakanda Elementary School in Menomonie. Her brother, Liam, a student at Menomonie Middle School, had a soccer game that afternoon and Kira, her mother and father would be going. Kira grabbed a notebook and colored pencils before she left the house. It’s best to be prepared, she thought. Soccer games can be long. And boring.
Kira liked to read and write stories. Her mother, Maritza Pierson, recalls many a time when Kira had disappeared. When found, she was often curled up reading a book. Now, at age 11, graphic novels are her favorite genre.
As Kira had expected, the game was long and boring. Luckily, she had come prepared. She took out her notebook and pencil and magically a story began to take shape. “It came to my mind, when I picked up a piece of paper,” she said.
The story flowed from her imagination and by the end of the game, she had written and illustrated “The Story of the Lost Kittens.”
The story is about three kittens, Milo, Floura and Loura, who become lost when their mother dies. They must take care of themselves. The kittens overcome trials, and the story has a happy ending.
“It was some time later when I came across the story and her drawings, read it, and thought it was really good,” Maritza said. “About a year passed before we seriously started the process of turning it into a published book,” she said.
In early 2026, after Kira and Maritza decided the story had publishing potential, they began to investigate the process of self-publishing. “There was so much to learn,” Maritza said. Kira had originally illustrated the story, but for the finished copy a graphic designer was hired. Kira was the director, though. For example, “The kittens’ tails must be bigger,” she said.
Kira likes cats, although the family doesn’t own any. The easiest part about writing the story was creating the cats and their characters, she said. The most difficult part was creating the human character.
Kira says she isn’t sure where the idea for the story came from, but her father, Scott Pierson, thinks that a situation in their family may have been an influence. Recently, one of Kira’s aunts died, leaving three children behind.
Maritza works with Latin Business Network, which is the parent organization of I Love Teens. The organization recognizes and supports young people who are doing positive and meaningful things. According to their mission and values statement: “Our programs focus on fostering confidence, purpose, and meaningful connections, empowering youth to make a positive impact in their communities.”
Maritza was encouraged to submit an application for Kira for consideration. It was accepted, and Kira was selected to receive an I Love Teens Award in Miami. The family flew there in September to receive the award. Kira also held a book signing at the event. The experience has been so educational, Maritza said.
Kira has had to participate in public speaking and to make decisions related to her book. She also met other young people with big dreams.
Maritza advises parents. “Look at your kids’ stuff,” she said. “There may be a gem waiting to be discovered.”
The book is available on Amazon and in downtown Menomonie at Dragon Tale Books. A book signing is planned at a later date in Menomonie.
Kira is now a busy sixth grader at Stillwater Middle School. She plays soccer – “it’s not as boring when you’re a player” – and plans on taking dance, gymnastics and voice lessons later in the school year. She also loves doing manicures with the dream of maybe owning a salon someday.
At this point, Kira doesn’t know if she will write more books for publication, although she would like to see “The Story of the Lost Kittens” published in Spanish. Kira’s mother is from Peru, and Kira also speaks Spanish.
From her journey as writer to published author, she was asked what advice she would give to budding authors. “Don’t give up. You’ve got this,” she said.
Hannah Munro Flom, a 36-year resident of Knapp, grew up primarily in California but has lived in Michigan, Cuba, Illinois, Nigeria, and Washington state.
