Chasing Eruptions

How Volcanologists Maurice and Katia Krafft Helped Save 60,000 Lives–But Lost Their Own

The gripping story of volcanologists Maurice and Katia Krafft, perfect for armchair adventurers who loved The Mona Lisa Vanishes and Becoming Muhammad Ali.

This beautiful biography in verse is about two French scientists who changed what we know about volcanoes. Katia, a curious girl who collected pebbles and dreamed of escaping her small town, grew up just a few miles away from Maurice, a boy who knew more about rocks and minerals than his own teachers. . . . When Katia and Maurice met as college students, they formed The Vulcan Team—named after the Roman god of fire—to observe, investigate, and document one of the most dangerous, natural phenomena on the planet: volcanoes!

With dynamic art from award-winning artist Katherine Roy, Chasing Eruptions traces the legacy of Katia and Maurice Kraffts’ volcanic photographs and films—and how their footage continues to inspire and educate today.

by Curtis Manley, illustrated by Katherine Roy
Harper Collins Children’s Books, April 21, 2026. Ages 8–12 years

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Chasing Eruptions at the printer!

How does a book get printed? Kids always want to know how my drawings get made into a book, and the pressmen were kind enough to take careful footage of Chasing Eruptions while it was on press in Bosnia. Enjoy this one-minute sneak peek at our book going to press, from ink and blank paper to the final hardback book.

Advance Praise for Chasing Eruption

  • "Roy’s illustrations prove spectacular, using selective bursts of orange and red lava against grayscale backgrounds to create visceral impact; her dramatic perspectives emphasize volcanic scale against tiny human infrastructure, while atmospheric smoke and ash effects convey the chaos the Kraffts witnessed."

    —KIRKUS

  • "Engaging and beautifully written and ­illustrated, this can be read as an ­adventure story or be used for STEM learning. ­Regardless, it will inspire readers to learn more about the Kraffts’ lifelong passion and is an outstanding addition to any collection."

    —SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL, starred review ★

  • "The urgent, descriptive text conveys the tension and peril with both clarity and brevity . . . Sketchy lines filled with watercolor textures in mostly monochromatic tones, with the exceptions of bright red lava and the Kraffts’ signature red caps."

    —BULLETIN OF THE CENTER FOR CHILDREN’S BOOKS

A painting of volcanologist Katia and Maurice Krafft exploring Mt. St. Helens after the eruption.
A painting of volcanologist Katia and Maurice Krafft and their team.
A painting of the 1973 eruption in Heimaey, Iceland.