Mélina

Mangal

Picture Book Author

Carter G. Woodson Book Award Winner

Travels from: Minneapolis, MN

“I absolutely loved how you so easily got families involved with your story, and I know families really enjoyed it.” — School Visit

Working at the intersection of nature, literature, and culture, Mélina Mangal’s work has been published by Milkweed Editions, Coffee House Press, W.W. Norton, and Carolina Wren Press. She is the author of five biographies for youth, including The Vast Wonder of the World: Biologist Ernest Everett Just, winner of the Carter G. Woodson Award. Jayden’s Secret Ingredient was released by Free Spirit Publishing in 2023. Her book, Jayden’s Impossible Garden, won the first Strive/Free Spirit African American Voices in Children’s Literature contest, was recognized as a Blueberry Honor book by the Evanston Public Library for inspiring love of nature and action for planet earth, was named One of the Best Children’s Books of the Year by Bank Street Center for Children’s Literature, and was nominated for the Minnesota Star of the North Reading Award. Mélina is also a school library media teacher and enjoys spending time outdoors with her family.

Mélina’s series Outside Our Window Board Books will have two new additions in April of 2025, Birds Sing Their Words and Trees Stand Tall.

Mélina's Featured Titles

School Visits

Multimedia presentations, including a book reading of one of my books and chants, song, or fingerplay, depending on the age. School wide, by grade, or just a classroom.

Youth Writing Workshops

For middle grade youth or teens with a focus on poetry, nature, research, biography, or STEM connections.Suitable for camps, classrooms, or conferences. Single event or residencies.

Adult Writing Workshops

For adults, with the focus on writing picture books, the research process, or writing biographies for young readers.

“Behind the book” Readings

Readings tailored to any audience, whether it’s preschool, elementary, middle school, or high school or adult public. Book reading along with presentation on how the book came to be, the writing process, and additional background, along with Q & A.

Reading with Hands-on Activities

Book reading along with hands-on complementary activities tailored to audience age, whether preschool, elementary, middle school, high school, or special needs classes.For example, decorating sand dollar replicas along with a reading of The Vast Wonder of the World: Biologist Ernest Everett Just or creating recycled container planters along with a reading of Jayden’s Impossible Garden.

How a Book is Made—From Writing to ‘Exciting’!

As a former book production editor, Mélina brings the knowledge of the book making process, combined with her experience as a librarian and author.Tailored for any age audience.

Intergenerational Storytime with Jayden’s Impossible Garden

I will read my picture book with Jayden’s Impossible Garden for a public audience, focusing on intergenerational relationships like grandparents and grandchildren.I will present a Google slides/Powerpoint presentation, along with discussion of the book and a recycled gardening activity or poem writing activity.

Audience: Adults and children

Cells, Seeds, and Sentences

In this multimedia presentation for grades 3+, I share my picture books, along with the idea of essential elements, highlighting the basic building blocks of writing.

Audience: Grades 2+

Nature-Smart school Libraries

Multimedia Professional Development geared to school librarians, highlighting the ways that school libraries can create nature-based collections and support or lead in nature-based instruction.

Infusing Word Play into Your Day

Multimodal Professional Development for educators infusing movement and creative writing activities into teachers’ instructional practice to reach all learners.

The Minnesota Picture Book | A Twin Cities Book Festival Event

“Melina’s visit was so exciting. The students were engaged. I liked that in her presentation she talked about her experience of writing as a young girl. She shared a picture of herself when she was about the age of my students. I believe that this showed them that writing can start at a very young age and that they can be authors too. She also read her story in English but also translated it in Spanish. This was so inclusive for my Spanish-speaking students.” — Folwell Community School, 2024

“It was a pleasure meeting you and having you with us here in Woods Hole last week. It was such a treat for the kids (and the adults at your evening talk) to have a chance to interact with you and the book.” —GH, after day-long community event through the Marine Biological Laboratory involving preschool reading, middle grades book reading and craft activity, and evening public talk and presentation.” — Woods Hole Event

“Thank you so much for visiting us! Our patrons loved your presentation and story, and we have been hearing great feedback about it all week.” —CC, after presentation for the Sankofa Festival of African American Literature and Culture.” — Oak Bluffs Public Library, Martha’s Vineyard

“[T]hank you so much for the lovely readings yesterday, and for being so flexible as we shifted the program due to rain yesterday. I absolutely loved how you so easily got families involved with your story, and I know families really enjoyed it.” —SL after outdoor festival at the Walker Art Center

“The teacher and my colleagues shared that the kids loved your visit, especially the flower song!”— Preschool Class Visit, Harlem NY

“It was indeed a delightful experience! Thank you and I will have to invite you again when our library opens. Thank you so much for taking the time to read your wonderful story!” — BH, Virtual presentation with middle school students

“That was sooo amazing! Thank you so much Melina for bringing such a beautiful experience to the students!!” — DC after virtual writing workshop with middle school students Community Math & Science Prep, NY

“Thank you so much! Your energy and preparedness were a dream!” — MH, after virtual writing workshop with middle school students Community Math & Science Prep, NY

“Your visit was well enjoyed, and we loved hearing more about you as a writer and about the wonderful story you created.” — KG, after virtual community book activity event School Visit

“I absolutely loved how you so easily got families involved with your story, and I know families really enjoyed it.” — School Visit

Mélina’s Recent Work

Mélina’s Resources

Mélina’s Blog

Honors, Awards & Recognition

Carter G. Woodson Book Award
NCSS/CBC Notable Social Studies Trade Book for Young People
Blueberry Honor book by the Evanston Public Library
Foreward Indies Honorable Mention for Picture Books Early Reader
One of the Best Children’s Books of the Year by Bank Street Center for Children’s Literature
Minnesota Star of the North Reading Award Nominee

Media clips

Kare11 | Local librarian’s book gets national recognition

Media Kit

By clicking the link below you will be directed to a Google Docs Folder
where you can download author photos and cover images.