About Melissa Stiveson

My 'Big Why' Statement

Available Manuscripts

Picture Books

• A Gathering of Light Weavers, On a moonlit night, Light Weavers join together to brighten the earth and soften its darkness. This lyrical, art‑driven story celebrates unity, wonder, and the transformative glow of kindness. 

• A Single Balloon, Felicia’s emotions swirl into a stormy cloud that pushes everyone away — until one small act of kindness helps her find her sunshine again. This story shows how empathy can shift a moment and brighten a friendship.

• And Then There Were Stars, Moon and Sun long to meet, and when their wish finally collides, the stars are born in a burst of magic. A gentle, lyrical origin story about connection, longing, and light. Illustrated by Michele Ziemke, whose art brings cosmic warmth and wonder to every spread. 

• Around the World, Series, The Around the World series celebrates cultural diversity by highlighting how children across the globe share universal experiences in beautifully unique ways. These lyrical, concept‑driven picture books inspire conversations about inclusion, joy, and the traditions that connect us — and not all planned titles are holiday‑themed. Each book includes backmatter.

• • • Love Around the World, Children show love through heartfelt traditions — from carved spoons to secret gifts to moonlit celebrations. A warm, lyrical look at how affection is expressed across cultures. 

• • • New Year's Eve Around the World, Kids welcome the New Year with joyful traditions like jumping waves, eating lucky grapes, and sharing warm noodles. A celebration of hope, happiness, and the rituals that bring us together. 

• • • April Fool's Day Around the World, Children play harmless pranks in silly, surprising ways — from paper fish to borrowed treasures to playful tricks. A fun, global look at humor, mischief, and shared laughter. 

• • • Planned Books, Upcoming titles explore universal experiences such as New Year’s Day, Birthday Celebrations, Families, and more — showing that the series extends far beyond holidays and into everyday traditions that connect us all.

• Happily Haunted Ever After, A lonely house longs for someone to love, but every visitor runs away — until a group of gentle ghosts arrives and changes everything. A sweet, slightly spooky story about belonging, acceptance, and finding your people. 

  • • • 🏅 2026 Writer's Digest Honorable Mention

• In a World Where You Can Be Anything, a playful, imaginative series where children get to “be” different animals and mythical creatures, stepping into big, bold, wonderfully wild worlds of pretend. Each book follows the same joyful structure of kid‑centered mischief and sensory fun, while offering a fresh creature, fresh adventures, and a new invitation to imagine who they might be tomorrow.

• • • Be an Elephant! is a joyful, imaginative story that lets kids pretend they’re big, bold, and wonderfully wild as they stomp, splash, and play through an elephant’s day. It’s a cozy, read‑aloud celebration of creativity and courage, ending with a sweet invitation to imagine who you might be tomorrow. 

• • • Planned Books include animals and mythical creatures, and maybe a tree and a butterfly.

• It Could Be Angels, a gentle, lyrical story that wonders whether the small moments of comfort, joy, and unexpected light in our lives might be the quiet work of angels. It invites readers to notice the signs of love and kindness all around them and feel embraced just as they are. Non-denominational.

• Love Muffin, When Leonie’s bad day leaves her curled up and quiet, her brother Liam bakes a special family recipe to show he cares. A tender sibling story about empathy, comfort, and the small acts that help us feel seen. 

🌟Critiqued by Pat Zietlow Miller and Tyiana Combs

• My Heart's Wish, A child sends their deepest wish into the night sky, waiting with hope, frustration, and wonder as the ravens carry it upward. A lyrical, magical story about patience, longing, and believing in your heart’s desire.

• Piggy Sue, The Best Surprise I Never Imagined (An Emotional Support Animal Story), Lucas expects a dog to help with his big emotions — but instead gets a pig who understands him better than he ever imagined. A warm, funny story about unexpected friendship and the comfort of being truly accepted. 

• The Halloween Hen, Timid Kit must find her courage when foxes invade the coop on Halloween night — and discovers bravery she never knew she had. A spooky‑fun adventure filled with heart, humor, and a magical twist. 

• Wish and Swish, Lizzy uses a magic globe to revisit moments where her words hurt others — and discovers how kindness can transform friendships. A gentle SEL story showing how thoughtful choices can open the door to connection. 

• Wolf Song, A child listens to the earth’s quiet music until it rises inside them and becomes a powerful wolf‑song. A poetic celebration of nature, emotion, and finding your inner voice. 

Early Readers

• Mandy's Magical Quest, Mandy travels across mountains, deserts, prairies, and rivers to ask the elemental sisters to help heal her beloved grove — giving up her treasured ribbons along the way. A gentle early‑reader adventure filled with nature magic, courage, and emotional warmth. 

  • • • 🏅2018 Writer's Digest Honorable Mention (in PB format, now reformatted as an Early Reader)

Chapter Books

• Big Foot, A Monster Who Book, Series, Jimmy and his friends set out to prove a mysterious creature with one giant foot is real — and end up in a wild adventure full of danger, humor, and heart. A creature‑driven mystery with series potential, sibling rivalry, and plenty of monster mayhem. 

🌟Critiqued by Marcie Colleen

In Progress Manuscripts

Picture Books

• In a World Where You Can Be Anything, Series,  for more fun and imaginative play. The first book in the series, Be an Elephant! is included above in the Available Manuscripts section.

Graphic Chapter Books

• Big Foot, A Monster Who Book, Series, this is the same chapter book manuscript as above; it is being reformatted into a graphic chapter book

• Aliens Want My Donkey

Middle Grade

• Title TBD, this story follows Emma, a girl carrying a heavy secret after her little sister disappears during a moment she wishes she could redo forever. It’s about guilt, whispers, and the hard work of finding your way back to family when the whole town seems to believe the worst. 

YA Books

• Title TBD, Series, a modern YA thriller where witchcraft, spiritualism, and murder collide as a teen discovers the people he trusted most may be capable of unspeakable things. To survive, he must unravel the truth before it consumes him.