Illustrator & Author Profile
Melissa Sweet
12 Books
Melissa Sweet is an acclaimed author and illustrator of children's books, celebrated for her vibrant mixed-media collage artwork. She has illustrated nearly 100 books and is well known for her own written and illustrated works, including the Sibert Medal-winning Balloons Over Broadway and the E.B. White biography Some Writer!. Her engaging and visually rich books have earned her numerous awards, including two Caldecott Honors.
Have you ever wondered how the giant balloons in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade take to the sky? Meet Tony Sarg, a brilliant artist and puppeteer who loved figuring out how to make things move. When Macy's asked Tony to create a special window display for their store, his mechanical puppets were a huge hit. But the real challenge came when they wanted him to design a massive street parade! Tony knew that regular puppets wouldn't be big enough for the crowds to see, so he invented something entirely new: upside-down puppets filled with helium. This beautifully illustrated true story takes you behind the scenes of one of the world's most famous holiday traditions. Discover how one man's creativity and imagination brought the iconic floating giants to life, changing Thanksgiving morning forever.
6-8 Years
40 Pages
Carmine is a passionate painter who is always on the hunt for the absolute perfect color. Her absolute favorite? Anything in the bright, bold family of red! One sunny day, Carmine and her trusty dog, Rufus, hop on their bicycle to visit Granny. But the journey takes an unexpected turn when a gorgeous meadow full of vibrant red poppies catches her eye. Carmine just cannot resist stopping to paint the beautiful scene. As she gets completely lost in her artwork, mixing and brushing her favorite shades, she fails to notice the sneaky danger lurking right along the path! This clever and artistic twist on a classic fairy tale is packed with stunning illustrations and exciting moments. Will Carmine realize what is hiding in the woods before it is too late? Grab your paintbrush and ride along on this colorful, thrilling adventure!
6-8 Years
43 Pages
Meet Tupelo, a brave and lovable dog who suddenly finds herself all alone. With only her favorite sock toy, Mr. Bones, by her side, Tupelo sets off on a grand adventure to find a place where she truly belongs. When she decides to ride the rails, Tupelo discovers a whole new world filled with fascinating sights and surprising new friends. But no matter how far she travels, her biggest wish remains the same: to find a loving family and a cozy place to call her own. Filled with clever words and beautiful, bright illustrations, this heartwarming tale shows that family can be found in the most unexpected places. Join Tupelo on her exciting journey and discover the true meaning of home, friendship, and never giving up hope.
6-8 Years
50 Pages
The midsummer night is alive with the sound of music as the Marching Bat Band takes the field. You have a front-row seat to watch three hundred and eighty-five musical bats strut their stuff in perfect formation. First comes the drum majorette leading the way, marching one by one. Soon, the saxophones arrive marching five by five, followed by the mighty sousaphones striding ten by ten. Every section of this massive band is grouped in a specific multiple, turning a simple parade into a toe-tapping lesson in multiplication. Watch closely as the formations grow larger and the music swells. You will find yourself marching along to the beat while effortlessly absorbing the building blocks of math. This boisterous performance combines snappy rhymes with bustling artwork to create a concert you will never forget.
6-8 Years
32 Pages
Jump in
Jackson has a giant secret. He has a massive crush on a girl in his class, but there is one big problem: he is way too shy to say a single word to her. With Valentine’s Day just around the corner, Jackson has to find a way to show his feelings without losing his nerve.
Why it pulls you in
Instead of talking, Jackson decides to become a secret gift-giver. He starts hiding small, thoughtful surprises for her to find. It is a sweet and nervous race against the calendar as he tries to make a connection from behind the scenes.
The big picture
This is a gentle story about the butterflies of a first crush and finding your own way to be brave. It captures all the quiet hope and excitement of primary school friendships and the courage it takes to share your heart.
6-8 Years
Albert knows Grandma’s voice from the phone. He knows the gifts she sends, the rhymes they share, and the happy feeling of hearing from someone far away. But when Grandma finally arrives in person, excitement turns into sudden shyness.
My Grandma is Coming to Town gently captures a feeling many children know: someone can be loved and familiar, yet still feel new face-to-face. Through nursery rhymes, play, and patient warmth, Albert begins to bridge the distance between phone calls and a real visit.
Cheerful illustrations and a tender family story make this picture book a comforting read about grandparents, long-distance love, and the small steps it can take to feel close.
6-8 Years
24 Pages
The houselights are going down at the old drive-in movie theater, and the show is about to begin. Take your seat for the most spectacular, wing-flapping stage show of the year. Fifty-five acrobatic bats have prepared ten fabulous acts to dazzle and delight you. Watch as one bat sings a solo, two bats flap in perfect rhythm, three bats cha-cha across the stage, and four bats tap dance the night away. As the numbers climb, the stage fills with more and more flying performers. You can count right along with the troupe as they build up to a massive, gravity-defying grand finale. This toe-tapping performance proves that practicing your numbers is much more fun when it involves a standing ovation. Get ready to cheer for a wildly entertaining math lesson disguised as a moonlit musical.
6-8 Years
36 Pages
Put on your dancing shoes and get ready for the most spectacular party of the night. It is time for American Batstand, a wild twelve-hour television show hosted by the famous Click Dark. Every hour on the hour, a lively crew of bats hits the dance floor to twist, shout, and bebop to the music. Decked out in cool boots and stylish clothes, these energetic animals show off their best moves as the clock ticks away. This toe-tapping, rhyming adventure makes learning how to tell time an absolute blast. You will love counting the hours and watching the dancers groove from the early evening straight through to the midnight finale. It is a hilarious, musical celebration that will have you eager to check the clock and join the fun.
6-8 Years
42 Pages
A Bayou Country Romp
When Joe Beebee plays his lively music, folks instantly forget all about their tight shoes, bad knees, and everyday worries. His upbeat tunes lift everyone so high that their biggest problems look small enough to stomp on. But deep in Bayou country, a plain brown hen is dealing with a very serious problem. Her absolute best friend, a blue-headed rooster, has lost his voice to the chicken measles, and she is terrified he will soon become Quiet Rooster Stew! You will tap your toes as this determined little hen hunts down musicians to help her friend find his crow again. With words that bounce like a fiddle tune and vibrant, moonlit art, this bayou romp captures the true magic of music. Discover how a catchy song and a loyal friend can heal almost anything.
6-8 Years
43 Pages
Unlock the secret to writing your very own poetry by simply paying attention to the beautiful world around you. You might think poems are just tricky words on a page, but this playful journey shows you that poetry is everywhere, waiting like an acorn for spring. From the quiet rustle of leaves to the bustling noise of your neighborhood, you will learn how to listen, feel, and capture the rhythm of your daily life. With dynamic and inventive guidance, you are invited to start with a single, curious question and watch it bloom into a full stanza. You will discover how to arrange your thoughts and emotions into words that truly dance. Grab your favorite notebook and get ready to let your imagination run wild, because the perfect poem is already inside you, just waiting to be written down.
6-8 Years
9-12 Years
By
Susan Hood
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Pictures by
Selina Alko, Sophie Blackall, Lisa Brown, Hadley Hooper, Emily Winfield Martin, Oge Mora, Julie Morstad, Sara Palacios, LeUyen Pham, Erin K. Robinson, Isabel Roxas, Shadra Strickland, and Melissa Sweet
Meet fourteen amazing young women who used their voices, courage, and creativity to change the world. In this inspiring collection, you will travel through history to discover heroes who refused to take no for an answer. You will dig up dinosaur bones with thirteen-year-old Mary Anning and stand up for justice alongside six-year-old Ruby Bridges. You will even journey all the way into outer space with astronaut Mae Jemison. Each incredible true story is told through a beautiful poem and paired with stunning artwork created by a different famous artist. These trailblazers, secret agents, and brilliant creators prove that you are never too young to make a huge difference. Get ready to find your own courage and start shaking things up.
6-8 Years
9-12 Years
40 Pages
By
Margaret Wise Brown
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Pictures by
Renata Liwska, Sophie Blackall, Linda Bleck, Isabel Roxas, Sean Qualls, Éric Puybaret, Melissa Sweet, Christopher Silas Neal, Zachariah OHora, Carin Berger, Dan Yaccarino, and Jonathan Bean
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Collected by
Amy Gary
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With
Tom Proutt and Emily Gary
Drift off to sleep with a beautiful collection of never-before-seen lullabies from Margaret Wise Brown, the beloved author of Goodnight Moon. Hidden away in a dusty trunk for decades, these sweet and soothing songs have finally been brought to life to help you wind down after a busy day. Baby sail the seven seas, safely in my arms... Each gentle poem captures the magic of a child's world, filled with sleepy animals, quiet moments, and cozy dreams. As you listen to the rhythmic words, you will explore stunning, colorful pages created by twelve different award-winning artists. Perfect for bedtime snuggles, this enchanting picture book is a wonderful way to say goodnight. Wrap up in your favorite blanket, turn the pages, and let these timeless rhymes carry you off to a world of sweet dreams.
6-8 Years
26 Pages
