Author & Educator
Writing picture books kids & parents will love.
Melissa Trempe has swum with sharks and hiked a volcano, but her favorite pastime is writing for children.
Her debut picture book, LADYBUG LAUNCH: INSPIRED BY A TRUE STORY OF CHINITAS IN SPACE, is co-authored with Dr. Natalia Ojeda and illustrated by Manuela Montoya. It will release April 16, 2024 with Margaret K. McElderry (Simon & Schuster).
As a former teacher, Melissa loves presenting to children! She looks forward to sharing her work at libraries and schools.
Upcoming Author Events
If you’re near the Philadelphia area, come see me on April 20th! Everyone who buys a copy at the store receives a good luck ladybug charm and there will be plenty of treats!
Pre-order Special Offer!
Pre-order Ladybug Launch by April 16, and attend my picture book revision workshop for FREE! Just send a snapshot of your receipt to melissatrempebooks@gmail.com and you’ll receive information and the link for my workshop happening May 29! If you can’t attend live, a recording will be sent!
Exciting News!
Smithsonian Air & Space Museum
in D.C. is carrying Ladybug Launch!
Buy Ladybug Launch
anywhere books are sold!
Praise for Ladybug Launch…
KIRKUS REVIEW
“…The book offers a stirring example of representation in STEM. A rousing story of kids making an impact on the world of science.”
Steena Hernadez, Author
“I had the opportunity to read an ARC of this beautifully written story by Melissa Trempe and Natalia Ojeda, and illustrated by Manuela Montoya. This story shines from the first page, as it parallels a little girl, who dreams of becoming a scientist, and a ladybug, who wants to go to space. Adorable illustrations of the starry-eyed ladybug add an endearing touch to what the reader learns is based on a true story. An encouraging teacher helps the little girl and her classmates take their idea straight to NASA! A sprinkling of Spanish words makes this a diverse read, and a Spanish to English glossary is included. This inspiring read is sure to have the youngest readers dreaming big and shooting for the stars!”
Help give a book to a child
in an underserved Philadelphia school…
I’m working with a charitable organization called WePAC and my local bookstore, Children’s Book World, to provide a FREE author visit to an underserved Philadelphia school and give each child from kindergarten to third grade a copy of Ladybug Launch. We need about 125 books by the beginning of April, 2024.
You can help!
Purchase a book to donate from Children’s Book World (under Purchase Options choose ‘Donate This Book’) or Venmo @BookDonationForWePAC. Books are full price at Children’s Book World, but donations will be given directly to WePAC to order books 40% off from Simon & Schuster. This means every $12 donated will put a book in a child’s hands! Thank you for your support!
Photo provided by WePAC
Update! Goal Reached!
As of March 14, we have 131 books donated! Our goal was 125. Every K-3 student will receive a book at my school visit in Philadelphia with WePAC and when I visit another school in need, the extra 6 books will be given to the K-1 students who receive free or reduced lunches. If you still want to donate, please do! Any extra books will go to kids who may not own many (or any) books. I’m so grateful to everyone who supported me in this effort and helped make this happen! Thank you!
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Critique Services
Is your manuscript query ready? For information on critiques, email melissatrempebooks@gmail.com.
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School Visits
Melissa can’t wait to present at your school! She’s located in the Philadelphia area.
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About Melissa
Learn more about the author! What was she like as a kid? You might be surprised!
