Children's book Author & Illustrator

Melissa Sweet

Biography

Melissa Sweet has illustrated more than eighty children’s books, including the Caldecott Honor books The Right Word and A River of Words: The Story of William Carlos Williams both written by Jen Bryant. She also wrote and illustrated Tupelo Rides the Rails; Carmine: A Little More Red, which was a New York Times Best Illustrated Children’s Book; and Balloons Over Broadway, a picture book biography that was named a 2011 Publishers Weekly Best Nonfiction Picture Book. When she is not in her studio, Melissa can be found taking an art class, hiking with her dogs, or riding her bicycle. She lives with her family in Rockport, Maine.

How to Sing a Song
Signs of Hope
How to Write a Poem
Celia Planted a Garden
Unbound
How to Read a Book
Shaking Things Up
Baabwaa & Wooliam
Some Writer!
The latest

Melissa's most recent book

How to Sing a Song
Sale price
$1899
Picture Book · Ages 4–8 · October 1, 2024

How to Sing a Song

By Melissa Sweet · With Kwame Alexander, Randy Preston

Discover the symphony within and let your soul sing out loud.

32 pages
3.8/5 Goodreads · 184 ratings
$19.99Save 5%
Hardcover
Reader favorites

Most Popular Melissa Sweet Books

Balloons Over Broadway

Picture Book · Ages 4–8 · 2011

Discover the story behind the iconic Macy's Parade balloons.

How to Read a Book

Picture Book · Ages 4–8 · 2019

Embark on a poetic journey exploring the magic of reading through vivid words and art.

You Nest Here With Me

Board Book · Ages 0–3 · 2015

A mother soothes her child to sleep, echoing the comfort of bird nests.

The Boy Who Drew Birds

Picture Book · Ages 4–8 · 2004

A young naturalist uncovers the secrets of bird migration through keen observation.

Girls Think of Everything

Chapter Book · Ages 9–12 · 2000

Discover how women turned ideas into life-changing inventions.

How to Write a Poem

Picture Book · Ages 4–8 · 2023

Discover poetry hidden in everyday moments, waiting to be found and written down.

At a glance

Book Stats

4

Authored

43

Illustrated

50

Collaborators

Picture books

33

Chapter books

8

Board books

4

Publishing timeline

Books published each year, stacked by book type.

Book mix

The share of the catalog represented by each book type.

Complete bibliography

All Melissa Sweet Books

Every title in the Bookroo library, ordered from newest to oldest.

How to Sing a Song
Sale price
$1899

How to Sing a Song

Picture Book · Ages 4–8 · 2024

Discover the symphony within and let your soul sing out loud.

Signs of Hope

Picture Book · Ages 4–8 · 2024

Discover how a nun's art transformed messages into hope and changed lives forever.

How to Write a Poem
Sale price
$1797

How to Write a Poem

Picture Book · Ages 4–8 · 2023

Discover poetry hidden in everyday moments, waiting to be found and written down.

Celia Planted a Garden

Picture Book · Ages 5–9 · 2022

A young girl transforms a barren island into a vibrant garden, inspiring literary legends.

Unbound

Picture Book · Ages 4–8 · 2021

A silent artist defies odds to create world-renowned masterpieces.

How to Read a Book
Sale price
$1697

How to Read a Book

Picture Book · Ages 4–8 · 2019

Embark on a poetic journey exploring the magic of reading through vivid words and art.

Shaking Things Up

Picture Book · Ages 4–8 · 2018

Discover young women who defied norms and changed history through poetry and art.

Baabwaa & Wooliam

Picture Book · Ages 4–8 · 2017

A sheep's reading uncovers a wolf in disguise, leading to an unexpected friendship.

Some Writer!

Chapter Book · Ages 7–10 · 2016

Discover the life of a literary icon through letters and art.

Listen to Our World

Picture Book · Ages 4–8 · 2016

Discover the hidden symphony of animal sounds around you.

You Nest Here With Me
Sale price
$799

You Nest Here With Me

Board Book · Ages 0–3 · 2015

A mother soothes her child to sleep, echoing the comfort of bird nests.

The Right Word

Picture Book · Ages 7–18 · 2014

A shy boy's love for words transforms into a groundbreaking reference book.

Firefly July

Picture Book · Ages 4–8 · 2014

Discover the magic of words and art in a journey through the seasons.

A Splash of Red

Picture Book · Ages 5–8 · 2013

A wounded soldier fights to reclaim his passion for art against all odds.

Brave Girl
Sale price
$1697

Brave Girl

Picture Book · Ages 4–8 · 2013

A young immigrant leads a historic strike, challenging injustice and fighting for equality.

Spike, the Mixed-up Monster

Picture Book · Ages 4–8 · 2012

A scary salamander learns fear isn't the key to friendship.

Balloons Over Broadway
Sale price
$1797

Balloons Over Broadway

Picture Book · Ages 4–8 · 2011

Discover the story behind the iconic Macy's Parade balloons.

Hanukkah Lights

Board Book · Ages 0–3 · 2009

Discover Hanukkah's joy with lights, games, and treats.

The Sleepy Little Alphabet

Picture Book · Ages 0–3 · 2009

Little letters resist bedtime in Alphabet Town. Will they settle down?

A River of Words

Picture Book · Ages 7–18 · 2008

A doctor by day, a poet by heart. Can he balance both worlds?

Baby Bear's Big Dreams

Picture Book · Ages 4–7 · 2007

A young bear dreams of grown-up adventures and freedom.

I Love You

Picture Book · Ages 1–5 · 2006

Discover timeless tales celebrating the bond between mother and child.

Carmine

Picture Book · Ages 4–7 · 2005

A painter's journey to Granny's takes unexpected twists.

The Boy Who Drew Birds
Sale price
$1899

The Boy Who Drew Birds

Picture Book · Ages 4–8 · 2004

A young naturalist uncovers the secrets of bird migration through keen observation.

I Love You, Too!

Board Book · Ages 0–3 · 2004

Baby animals find gifts for their mothers.

Series
Sale price
$858

Won't You Be My Kissaroo?

Board Book · Ages 0–3 · 2004

Discover the joy of playful kisses throughout a little lamb's day.

Moonlight
Sale price
$1799

Moonlight

Picture Book · Ages 4–8 · 2003

A cat explores Halloween night, revealing its magic and warmth.

The 5,000-Year-Old Puzzle

Picture Book · Ages 8–11 · 2002

Uncover a hidden tomb's secrets and solve the mystery of a missing mummy in 1924 Egypt.

It's Spring!

Picture Book · Ages 0–3 · 2001

Animals spread the joyful news: spring is here!

Pinky and Rex and the Just-Right Pet

Chapter Book · Ages 6–8 · 2001

Pinky wants a dog, but the new kitten has other plans.

Girls Think of Everything
Sale price
$958

Girls Think of Everything

Chapter Book · Ages 9–12 · 2000

Discover how women turned ideas into life-changing inventions.

Bats Around the Clock

Picture Book · Ages 4–8 · 2000

Dance through time with bats in a rock and roll clock party.

Pinky and Rex Go to Camp

Picture Book · Ages 6–8 · 1999

Pinky dreads camp. Can advice from a column and a friend change his mind?

Pinky and Rex and the School Play

Chapter Book · Ages 6–8 · 1998

Can friendship survive the drama of a school play audition?

Sale price
$474

Pinky and Rex and the Perfect Pumpkin

Picture Book · Ages 6–8 · 1998

Rex feels excluded on a pumpkin-picking trip.

Pinky and Rex and the New Neighbors

Picture Book · Ages 6–8 · 1997

Saying goodbye to an old friend, welcoming the unknown.

Sale price
$574

Pinky and Rex and the Bully

Picture Book · Ages 6–8 · 1996

Can Pinky stay true to himself despite a bully's taunts?

Bat Jamboree

Picture Book · Ages 4–8 · 1996

A troupe of bats dazzles with 10 acts, culminating in a grand finale.

The Plant That Kept On Growing

Picture Book · Ages 4–8 · 1996

Twins grow a plant that won't stop growing. Can they control it?

Pinky and Rex and the Double-Dad Weekend

Chapter Book · Ages 6–8 · 1995

A storm threatens a camping trip. Can two friends save their weekend?

Sale price
$574

Pinky and Rex and the New Baby

Chapter Book · Ages 6–8 · 1993

A new sibling threatens Rex's place in the family. Can she balance being perfect and keeping her best friend?

Sale price
$474

Pinky and Rex and the Mean Old Witch

Picture Book · Ages 6–8 · 1991

Kids plot against a grumpy neighbor but discover a surprising truth.

Pinky and Rex and the Spelling Bee

Chapter Book · Ages 6–8 · 1991

A spelling bee tests friendship when unexpected challenges arise.

Pinky and Rex Get Married

Picture Book · Ages 6–8 · 1990

Pinky's plan to never be apart from Rex leads to a surprising idea.

Pinky and Rex

Chapter Book · Ages 6–8 · 1990

Two friends clash over a single pink dinosaur. Can a little sister solve their dilemma?

Creative company

Collaborators

The authors and illustrators who share the credits across Melissa Sweet's books.

01

James Howe

Author / 12 shared books

Bookroo

Book Clubs

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