Some Illustrator - Melissa Sweet

Some Illustrator - Melissa Sweet

In October 2019, Melissa Sweet was invited to visit a series of schools in Iowa City, Iowa.  She also presented a short talk at a local bookstore and it was there that we (myself, other local writers/illustrators, and Pryor).  I have long admired her work - and actually had several of her titles - some of them signed by the author, and some actually signed by Sweet.  I had never met her but had obtained the signed books through bookstores where she had signed.  Other titles were signed by authors: Jen Bryant, Judy Sierra, Heidi E.Y.Stemple, and Jane Yolen.
We loved hearing the back story of some of her books. 
Pryor had just one question about her newest book: How to Read a Book by Kwame Alexander.
The question:  Why does she use neon colors?
Below we have linked to several interviews and resources which will provide much information about Melissa Sweet and her illustrations.  We will certainly be looking for her next book.  Pryor clutched his signed books, all the way home.
Thank you, Melissa Sweet, for coming to Iowa.

More Resources for Information About Melissa Sweet

Art of the Picture Book (2014, Oct 8). An interview with Melissa Sweet — Art of the Picture Book.  Retrieved from https://www.artofthepicturebook.com/-check-in-with?tag=Melissa%20Sweet   

Bookology: Children’s Literature.  (2016, April 29)  Melissa Sweet – Interviews.  Retrieved from https://www.bookologymagazine.com/article/melissa-sweet/

Idle, Molly: Idle Illustration.  (2013, November 27 ) Mini Interview: Melissa Sweet.  Retrieved from http://idleillustration.com/2013/11/27/mini-interview-melissa-sweet/

McElmeel, Sharron L.  (2012, June) in the Spotlight; Balloons, Marionettes, an Mobiles.  Retrieved from  https://www.mcelmeel.com/author/otherwritings/articles/Sweet_balloonsMJ2012SWEET.pdf  -- The article profiles Anthony Frederick Sarg, the inspiration of author Melissa Sweet for her book "Balloons over Broadway: The True Story of the Puppeteer of Macy's Parade." It discusses his birth and residence in Guatemala until he reached the age of seven, the transfer of his family to England and Germany including his immigration to New York City where he worked on the display window of Macy's department store. It offers information on the discussions about the puppeteer and the parade.

Sweet, Melissa.  (n.d.) Melissa Sweet: Author + illustrator (homepage).  Retrieved from https://www.melissasweet.net/about.  Several links to other interviews on the “About” page.

The Children’s Literature Research Collection: University of Minnesota.  (2015, April 4).  Balloons Over Broadway, Melissa Sweet, and the Engineering of a Picture Book: The Author, interview with Melissa Sweet.  Retrieved from  http://gallery.lib.umn.edu/exhibits/show/balloons-over-broadway/the-author/interview  More sections explore information about the exhibit, the author , research for a picture book, trial and error, mixed meia, life of a page, curriculum, about the exhibit, and appropriate links.

The National Center for Children’s illustrated Literature (NCCiL).  (n.d.)  Some Illustrator! Pictures by Melissa Sweet.  Retrieved from https://www.nccil.org/exhibitions/illustrations-of-melissa-sweet.  – outlines awards and books that has brought Sweet honors/awards.  Description of exhibit available for a ten week period. 
And a page about the artist herself - https://www.nccil.org/artists/melissa-sweet
A video trailer previewing the available exhibit - https://youtu.be/dWOa8h4lHKY

Wm. R. Eerdmans Publishing Co. (n.d.)  Author Interview Melissa Sweet.  Retrieved from https://www.eerdmans.com/Pages/Item/9080/Author-Interview-Melissa-Sweet.aspx

www.mcbookwords.com
for author visits