Book Lists

New Releases by Melissa Sweet

Melissa Sweet is the author of Balloons Over Broadway (2011), Won't You Be My Kissaroo?, Girls Think of Everything: Stories of Ingenious Inventions by Women, A Splash of Red: The Life and Art of Horace Pippin (Orbis Pictus Award for Outstanding Nonfiction for Children (Awards)), The Right Word: Roget and His Thesaurus.

11 results found

Balloons Over Broadway

release date: Jan 01, 2011
Balloons Over Broadway
Award-winning artist Sweet tells the story of the puppeteer Tony Sarg, capturing his genius, his dedication, his zest for play, and his long-lasting gift to America--the inspired helium balloons that would become the trademark of Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade.

Won't You Be My Kissaroo?

Won't You Be My Kissaroo?
These much-loved companion picture books that celebrate all the kissable and huggable moments between little ones and their grown-ups are now available as an adorable board book duo. Joanne Ryder's playful rhymes pair perfectly with Melissa Sweet's whimsical illustrations, making these just right for Valentine's Day, a birthday, or any sweet celebration.
 
 

Girls Think of Everything: Stories of Ingenious Inventions by Women

Girls Think of Everything: Stories of Ingenious Inventions by Women

In kitchens and living rooms, in garages and labs and basements, even in converted chicken coops, women and girls have invented ingenious innovations that have made our lives simpler and better. Their creations are some of the most enduring (the windshield wiper) and best loved (the chocolate chip cookie). What inspired these women, and just how did they turn their ideas into realities?

Features women inventors Ruth Wakefield, Mary Anderson, Stephanie Kwolek, Bette Nesmith Graham, Patsy O. Sherman, Ann Moore, Grace Murray Hopper, Margaret E. Knight, Jeanne Lee Crews, and Valerie L. Thomas, as well as young inventors ten-year-old Becky Schroeder and eleven-year-old Alexia Abernathy. Illustrated in vibrant collage by Caldecott Honor artist Melissa Sweet.

A Splash of Red: The Life and Art of Horace Pippin (Orbis Pictus Award for Outstanding Nonfiction for Children (Awards))

A Splash of Red: The Life and Art of Horace Pippin (Orbis Pictus Award for Outstanding Nonfiction for Children (Awards))
A Robert F. Sibert Honor Book

Winner of the Schneider Family Book Award

An ALA-ALSC Notable Children's Book

Winner of the NCTE Orbis Pictus Award for Outstanding Nonfiction for Children

As a child in the late 1800s, Horace Pippin loved to draw: He loved the feel of the charcoal as it slid across the floor. He loved looking at something in the room and making it come alive again in front of him. He drew pictures for his sisters, his classmates, his co-workers. Even during W.W.I, Horace filled his notebooks with drawings from the trenches . . . until he was shot. Upon his return home, Horace couldn't lift his right arm, and couldn't make any art. Slowly, with lots of practice, he regained use of his arm, until once again, he was able to paint--and paint, and paint! Soon, people-including the famous painter N. C. Wyeth-started noticing Horace's art, and before long, his paintings were displayed in galleries and museums across the country.

Jen Bryant and Melissa Sweet team up once again to share this inspiring story of a self-taught painter from humble beginnings who despite many obstacles, was ultimately able to do what he loved, and be recognized for who he was: an artist.

The Right Word: Roget and His Thesaurus

The Right Word: Roget and His Thesaurus
For shy young Peter Mark Roget, books were the best companions -- and it wasn't long before Peter began writing his own book. But he didn't write stories; he wrote lists. Peter took his love for words and turned it to organizing ideas and finding exactly the right word to express just what he thought. His lists grew and grew, eventually turning into one of the most important reference books of all time.

Readers of all ages will marvel at Roget's life, depicted through lyrical text and brilliantly detailed illustrations. This elegant book celebrates the joy of learning and the power of words.

The Boy Who Drew Birds: A Story of John James Audubon (Outstanding Science Trade Books for Students K-12)

The Boy Who Drew Birds: A Story of John James Audubon (Outstanding Science Trade Books for Students K-12)
John James Audubon was a boy who loved the out-of-doors more than the in. He was a boy who believed in studying birds in nature, not just from books. And, in the fall of 1804, he was a boy determined to learn if the small birds nesting near his Pennsylvania home really would return the following spring.
This book reveals how the youthful Audubon pioneered a technique essential to our understanding of birds. Capturing the early passion of America's greatest painter of birds, this story will leave young readers listening intently for the call of birds large and small near their own homes.

Brave Girl: Clara and the Shirtwaist Makers' Strike of 1909

Brave Girl: Clara and the Shirtwaist Makers' Strike of 1909

From acclaimed author Michelle Markel and Caldecott Honor artist Melissa Sweet comes this true story of Clara Lemlich, a young Ukrainian immigrant who led the largest strike of women workers in U.S. history. This picture book biography includes a bibliography and an author's note on the garment industry. It follows the plight of immigrants in America in the early 1900s, tackling topics like activism and the U.S. garment industry, with handstitching and fabric incorporated throughout the art.

When Clara arrived in America, she couldn't speak English. She didn't know that young women had to go to work, that they traded an education for long hours of labor, that she was expected to grow up fast.

But that didn't stop Clara. She went to night school, spent hours studying English, and helped support her family by sewing in a shirtwaist factory.

Clara never quit, and she never accepted that girls should be treated poorly and paid little. Fed up with the mistreatment of her fellow laborers, Clara led the largest walkout of women workers the country had seen.

From her short time in America, Clara learned that everyone deserved a fair chance. That you had to stand together and fight for what you wanted. And, most importantly, that you could do anything you put your mind to.

Supports the Common Core State Standards.

The Sleepy Little Alphabet: A Bedtime Story from Alphabet Town

The Sleepy Little Alphabet: A Bedtime Story from Alphabet Town
A fun read-aloud board book for toddlers just learning their ABCs.
 
Judy Sierra's rollicking alphabet story features the lowercase letters of the alphabet. Like children, they have a trunkful of tricks for putting off bedtime. But ultimately their moms and dads (the capital letters) succeed in tucking them in with a good-night kiss. Melissa Sweet's watercolor, pencil, and collage illustrations enliven these little letters with animated expressions, and Judy Sierra's brief rhyming story begs repeat readings at bedtime.

Pinky and Rex and the Perfect Pumpkin (Pinky & Rex)

Pinky and Rex and the Perfect Pumpkin (Pinky & Rex)
When Rex accompanies Pinky and his relatives on their traditional trip to pick and carve pumpkins, she feels left out because of the jealous behavior of Pinky's cousin Abby.

Some Writer!: The Story of E. B. White

Some Writer!: The Story of E. B. White
A New York Times Bestseller

“SOME PIG,” Charlotte the spider's praise for Wilbur, is just one fondly remembered snippet from E. B. White's Charlotte's Web. In Some Writer!, the two-time Caldecott Honor winner Melissa Sweet mixes White's personal letters, photos, and family ephemera with her own exquisite artwork to tell his story, from his birth in 1899 to his death in 1985. Budding young writers will be fascinated and inspired by the journalist, New Yorker contributor, and children's book author who loved words his whole life. This authorized tribute is the first fully illustrated biography of E. B. White and includes an afterword by Martha White, E. B. White's granddaughter. 
 

Pinky and Rex Love to Read!: Pinky and Rex; Pinky and Rex and the Mean Old Witch; Pinky and Rex and the Bully; Pinky and Rex and the New Neighbors; ... and Rex and the Spelling Bee (Pinky & Rex)

Pinky and Rex Love to Read!: Pinky and Rex; Pinky and Rex and the Mean Old Witch; Pinky and Rex and the Bully; Pinky and Rex and the New Neighbors; ... and Rex and the Spelling Bee (Pinky & Rex)
Join best friends Pinky and Rex on their many adventures with this carry-along Ready-to-Read boxed set featuring six of your favorite Pinky & Rex Level 3 Ready-to-Read stories—perfect to take on the go.

Pinky and Rex are the best of friends! Now you can take their friendship on the go with six Pinky and Rex Ready-to-Reads in one beautiful boxed set that comes with a carry-along handle.

A must-have for any young reader, this wonderful boxed set includes Pinky and Rex, Pinky and Rex and the Bully, Pinky and Rex and the New Neighbors, Pinky and Rex and the School Play, Pinky and Rex and the Mean Old Witch, and Pinky and Rex and the Spelling Bee.
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