About Melissa Trempe
Melissa hopes to make the world a better place one book at a time. She writes both fiction and nonfiction. Her humorous picture books have heart because there’s nothing better than laughter with a side of love!
Today, she lives outside of Philadelphia, but she grew up in rural Pennsylvania across the street from a dairy farm. She’s been told that when she was little she had NO interest in being a princess. She wanted to be a cow. Fortunately that was udderly impossible! She became a teacher, and taught 5th and 6th grade for 14 wonderful years.
More than anything, Melissa loves being a mom and author, but she’s also an avid reader, coffee drinker, ice cream eater, silly song singer, Penn Stater, dog lover, beach goer, and world traveler!
If she’s not at home writing, you might find her at the local library (paying late fees) or out walking her dog with her wonderful son, daughter, and husband.
That’s me at 4 years old!
Your first book is about a ladybug. Do you like insects?
I actually do! (And who doesn’t love a ladybug?!) My son wanted to bring a caterpillar into the house a few years ago, and we made him a terrarium. We named him Sparky, and watched him transform into a butterfly! We’ve been enamored with insects ever since. I actually have another manuscript about a self-conscious stink bug that I hope will be a book one day.
Did you really want to be a cow when you grew up?
YES! When I was a toddler, I wanted to be a cow. Later, in elementary school, I dreamed of being a football player for the NY Giants. Neither of those career choices were looking good, and I LOVED my second grade teacher. I decided I wanted to be just like her and grew up to become a teacher.
What’s your favorite food?
Ice cream! Two of my favorite flavors are coffee and chocolate peanut butter. If I had to pick a “real” food, I would say artichokes.
Do you have pets?
Yes! I have a black and grey husky named Kira. We’re often asked if she’s part wolf, but she is 100% dog. As a kid, I had an enormous St. Bernard named Daisy. We also had cats, and my sister and I both had pet rats!
Did you love reading and writing as a kid?
In first and second grade, I was a struggling reader, but I still loved picture books. I would sit with books and create my own stories to go along with the illustrations. As I got older, I made miniature books by folding paper. I wrote and illustrated my own stories and you can too!
Do you have a secret talent?
My secret talent is mooing like a cow and juggling. Don’t ask me to do both at the same time!
Can I write to you?
YES! I’d love to hear from you. Email me at melissatrempebooks@gmail.com.
Q&A for Kids
Daisy
Kira