About A Puerto Rican Childhood
A Puerto Rican Childhood is a nonfiction book covering a day in the life of a school-aged girl named Carmen. This tale includes facts, Spanish, and references to current events and places that are part of the modern-day lives of Puerto Ricans.
(DK Children, April 2024)
About Gnomes and Ungnomes: Poems of Hidden Creatures
This Children’s poetry anthology is an expansive collection of original, illustrated poems about mythological creatures. Criss-cross the globe through the lens of over 100 authors and illustrators. From the nightmare-eating Baku of Japan to the weather-weaving Acalica fairies of Bolivia. Melissa Mwai was thrilled to be a contributing author and illustrator in this book of mythic proportions.
(Writers’ Loft Press, December 2023)
About Stacey Abrams
Stacey Abrams is a change-maker. This non-fiction biography covers the incredible life of voting rights activist, Stacey Abrams from her early childhood, her first gubernatorial run, and about her activism during the 2020 election.
(Nat Geo Kids, January 2022)
Upcoming Releases
Melissa has more early readers to be released in 2024 with DK Kids.
The Harlem Renaissance (June 2024) is a non-fiction book that covers two decades in New York plus all of the elements that led up to that impactful time in Black American history. This book includes historical profiles with unique facts about the people behind art, literature, politics, fashion, and sports in the 1920s and 1930s. As Black American culture thrives today, this story also tells readers about the lasting impact of these renaissance leaders in their community!
A History of Jazz (September 2024) is a non-fiction book spanning the 200+ years of Jazz in America. The book covers the basics of music and jazz, musician profiles, jazz styles from the 1900s–1960s and the historical context in America and the world around the jazz music of those decades. Modern jazz, festivals, and music playlists are highlighted for young music enthusiasts. Jazz may have been created in America a long time ago, but it still rocks!
In 2025 and 2026, Melissa will be releasing two early readers with PawPrints.
My books are available on Amazon, IndieBound/Bookshop, or request them from your local bookshop or library. Reviews are always welcome!
Melissa H. Mwai ©️2020-2024