Melissa Sweet is an American illustrator and author of children’s books. She has illustrated more than 100 books, including biographies, poetry collections, and picture books. She is best known for her collage-style artwork, which combines watercolor, fabric, paper, and found objects. She has won several awards for her illustrations, such as the Caldecott Honor, the Sibert Medal, and the Orbis Pictus Award.

Some of her most acclaimed books include The Right Word: Roget and His Thesaurus, Balloons Over Broadway: The True Story of the Puppeteer of Macy’s Parade, Some Writer! The Story of E.B. White, and Carmine: A Little More Red. She also co-created the popular series Baby Bear’s Books with author Jane Yolen. Her latest book is Unbound: The Life and Art of Judith Scott, a biography of a visionary artist with Down syndrome.

Melissa Sweet lives in Maine with her husband and two dogs. She loves to collect vintage objects, such as typewriters, buttons, and maps. She also enjoys gardening, hiking, and reading. She says that her inspiration comes from many sources, such as nature, history, music, and children. She hopes that her books will spark curiosity and creativity in young readers.

One of the distinctive features of Melissa Sweet’s illustrations is her use of collage. She likes to incorporate different materials and textures into her artwork, such as fabric, paper, wood, metal, and even candy wrappers. She says that collage allows her to create layers of meaning and surprise in her images. She also likes to use words and letters as part of her collage, sometimes cutting them out from old books or magazines. She says that words are like shapes and colors to her, and that they add another dimension to her illustrations.

Melissa Sweet’s books often celebrate the lives and achievements of remarkable people, such as writers, artists, inventors, and activists. She says that she is drawn to stories that show how people overcome challenges and pursue their passions. She also likes to highlight the creative process and the power of imagination in her books. She says that she wants to show children that they can do anything they set their minds to, and that they can make a difference in the world.

Melissa Sweet’s books are not only visually stunning, but also informative and engaging. She does a lot of research for her books, often visiting libraries, museums, archives, and historical sites. She also interviews experts and sources to get accurate and authentic information. She says that she loves to learn new things and to share them with her readers. She also adds fun facts and trivia to her books, such as how to make a paper balloon or how to write in code.

Melissa Sweet’s books have received many praises and accolades from critics, readers, and peers. She has been honored with prestigious awards, such as the Caldecott Honor for A River of Words: The Story of William Carlos Williams and The Right Word: Roget and His Thesaurus, the Sibert Medal for Balloons Over Broadway: The True Story of the Puppeteer of Macy’s Parade, and the Orbis Pictus Award for Some Writer! The Story of E.B. White. She has also been featured in publications such as The New York Times, Publishers Weekly, and School Library Journal.