Melissa Castrillon – illustratör

Deep in the garden, one very tiny girl is about to go on a hugeadventure. Step inside Min's magical miniature world, and discoverthat you're never too small to be mighty!Min dreams of being as brave and adventurous as her equally tinyaunts, but she's sure that will never happen. Then one night, anowl whisks her away on an extraordinary adventure, and Min discovershow brave and resourceful she really is.Melissa Castrillón's first picture book as author/illustrator isan exquisitely illustrated adventure with a bold, empowering message.

If you met a dragon, could you keep it secret?One day in the forest, Winnie discovers the last dragon in thewhole world.His fabulous friends, the gryphon, the winged lion and the tree-man,are the last of their kind, too. They'll be in danger if grown-upsdiscover them. But can Winnie really keep themsecret? With its brave, resourceful heroine and magical endangered animals,this exquisite picture book is a perfect story for our time.

Even a life on the untamed plains of Africa can’t prepare Wilhelmina for the wilds of an English boarding school in this “gripping, magical, and heartwarming tale of resilience, friendship, and hope” (Publishers Weekly, starred review).Wilhelmina Silver’s world is golden. Living half-wild on an African farm with her horse, her monkey, and her best friend, every day is beautiful. But when her home is sold and Will is sent away to boarding school in England, the world becomes impossibly difficult. Lions and hyenas are nothing compared to packs of vicious schoolgirls. Where can a girl run to in London? And will she have the courage to survive? From the author of Rooftoppers, which Booklist called “a glorious adventure,” comes an utterly beautiful story that’s “a treasure of a book” (VOYA).

Everyone knows Oskar Schindler and his famous list, but few have heard of Aristides de Sousa Mendes―a Portuguese diplomat who saved the lives of thousands in World War II. This magnificently illustrated picture book biography tells a moving story that resonates profoundly today.“He who saves a single life, saves the world entire.” —The TalmudHere is the true and powerful story of Aristides de Sousa Mendes, who, against his government’s commands, helped refugees flee France to escape the Nazis by granting visas that allowed them entry to Portugal.In one of the greatest individual acts of rescue in World War II, Mendes saved many thousands of people, including the artist Salvador Dalí; H.A. and Margret Rey, the creators of Curious George; professors of medicine, biology, and physics who would go on to teach in America; and thousands of others whose lives are less known but no less precious. He and his family paid dearly for it, but Aristides never regretted his actions, believing to the very end of his life that every life is worth saving.

Nina Laden’s lyrical picture book sees and appreciates through a child’s eyes how fortunate we are to live in the world we do.Celebrate the wonder of the world in this reassuring picture book about the joy, love, and beauty that is part of each and every day. Our world is full of possibilities if you look for them.

“Castrillón offers riotous sprouting life through soft forms, stylized shapes, and bright colors.” —Publishers Weekly “Elegant...A charmingly verdant tale in classic style.” —Kirkus Reviews“Lovely...delightful.” —School Library Journal From internationally acclaimed illustrator Melissa Castrillon comes a magical story of how a girl’s garden in her new home changes her life and the lives of people all around her.When a little girl moves from her home to an apartment in the city, she takes her pretty plants with her and one by one they grow and bloom and change both her world and the world all around her as she makes a new friend. When your heart is open, the world is full of possibilities.

Celebrate the wonder of the world in this reassuring picture book about the joy, love, and beauty found in each and every day.From the treasure of flowers to the mystery of insects, this lyrical book encourages children to explore the natural world around them and to be grateful for all that surrounds them. With jewel-like artwork, every page is a treasure for children just born or exploring the world full of possibilities we all share.

A sparkling and tender picture book about all the things that are bright and loving in the world and fill our lives with joy.From caring to hoping to peace to sharing, there are many ways to find joy in the everyday. Celebrate the things that make life wonderful and each day special. With stunning artwork, readers of all ages will find moments to treasure.

“[Castrillón’s] wild drawings carry a decorative impulse to unexpected heights.”—New York TimesA stunningly illustrated picture book about a curious caterpillar searching for the true meaning of the word “beautiful.” But is there one true meaning—or many?A caterpillar lives a simple life on his leaf until one day, an UnKnown Thing picks him up and calls him beautiful. A question forms in the caterpillar’s mind: “What is beautiful?”So begins a quest to discover the true meaning of the word beautiful. Much to the caterpillar’s surprise, each animal in the forest has their own unique definition:A bear declares that honeycomb is beautiful!The squirrels say leaves are beautiful!A mole says his burrow is beautiful!What’s a caterpillar to do?How Beautiful offers kids an immersive, memorable experience. Elaborate and vivid illustrations by Melissa Castrillón, author of Yellow Kayak and If I Had a Little Dream, combine with a sweet, central message:Beauty is as diverse as we are.“Beautiful” means something different to everyone, and that’s okay!The beauty of the natural world is worth celebrating!

Did you know that humpback whales are some of the furthest travelling mammals in the world? Or that Arctic terns fly from the Arctic to Antarctica and back again?In Melissa Castrillón's wonderfully illustrated Animazes, young readers can follow these incredible journeys through twisting, turning mazes. They can find a safe path for the wildebeest and trace a rockhopper penguin's trail up the slippery cliffs.An interactive, informative title for all ages.

"Frozen meets Narnia in an enchanting children's novel." The Telegraph"The Snow Girl is spectacular. A truly special book of snow and winter magic with the warmest and most cheering beating heart. I can't stop thinking about it." Sibéal Pounder"Destined to be a seasonal classic." M.G. Leonard"Mesmerizing." Hilary McKayFrom award-winning and critically acclaimed Sophie Anderson, comes a fairy-tale story of friendship, belonging and bravery, in an adventure through a winter wonderland. The perfect read for the whole family this Christmas.I wish the snow girl would come to life. Then I would have a friend, a real friend I could trust, and I wouldn't feel so alone.When Tasha builds a snow girl with her grandpa, all she wants is for her to be real. If only wishes on snow could come true... Then Tasha meets Alyana, a friend made of wishes, starlight, snowfall and magic. But when your best friend is made of winter, what do you do when spring comes?

"Frozen meets Narnia in an enchanting children's novel." The Telegraph"Destined to be a seasonal classic." M.G. LeonardFrom bestselling Sophie Anderson, comes a fairy-tale adventure of friendship, belonging and bravery in a winter wonderland. When Tasha builds a snow girl, all she wants is for her to come to life. If only wishes on snow could come true...Then Tasha meets Alyana, whose face glitters with starlight and whose eyes shine ice-blue. Soon, Tasha has a friend and together they spend nights in a winter wonderland filled with adventure and sleigh rides.But Tasha knows that the snow has stayed too long in her village. Only, how can you welcome Spring, when your best friend is made of Winter?A gorgeous wintry story to curl up with, with beautiful black-and-white illustrations from Melissa Castrillon throughout."The Snow Girl is spectacular. A truly special book of snow and winter magic with the warmest and most cheering beating heart. I can't stop thinking about it." Sibéal Pounder

Seit vielen Generationen lastet ein Fluch auf der Familie von Betty, Fliss und Charlie, der sie auf der Insel Krähenstein gefangen hält. Um den Fluch zu brechen, brauchen die drei Schwestern nicht nur all ihren Mut, sondern auch drei magische Gegenstände, die sie von ihrer Großmutter erben. Wird es den Mädchen gelingen, alles zum Guten zu wenden, oder geraten sie in noch viel größere Gefahr? Ein Wettlauf gegen die Zeit beginnt, denn sobald die Sonne aufgeht, nimmt das Schicksal seinen Lauf …Mit Quiz im Anhang: Welche der drei Schwestern bist du?

Mithilfe von drei magischen Gegenständen konnten Betty, Fliss und Charly den jahrhundertealten Fluch brechen, der auf ihrer Familie lastete. Doch das nächste Abenteuer wartet schon auf die Schwestern, denn ein sonderbares Mädchen steht vor dem Haus, das ein Irrlicht in seiner Tasche versteckt. Und dann ist plötzlich Charly spurlos verschwunden. Um sie wiederzufinden, müssen Betty und Fliss zu einer geheimen Insel reisen, die auf keiner Landkarte existiert …

The amazing story of how the world’s greatest fossilist found her first huge find at the age of twelve.Mary was born in 1799 in Lyme Regis, England. Her father, a carpenter and part-time fossil hunter, taught his children to look for fossils.When her father injured himself and was unable to work, Mary quit school and took up fossil hunting full-time to help support her family, a task that became even more important when her father died, leaving the Annings in debt.At the age of twelve, Mary, with her older brother Joe, found what they believed to be the skeleton of a gigantic crocodile, the Great Croc of the legends. Between dodging her rival fossil hunter the Curiman, and the sheer work of carefully digging out the fossil, Mary took almost a year to excavate what would later be termed the Ichthyosaurus. Mary Anning was uneducated, poor and a woman, but her life’s work of fossil hunting led her to make many discoveries that influenced our understanding of prehistoric creatures and the age of the Earth.In this triumphant novel about scientific discovery, Monica Kulling brings Mary Anning and her world to life for young readers.  Key Text Featuresauthor's notehistorical contextresourcesfactsfurther reading

The amazing story of how the world’s greatest fossilist found her first huge find at the age of twelve.Mary was born in 1799 in Lyme Regis, England. Her father, a carpenter and part-time fossil hunter, taught his children to look for fossils.When her father injured himself and was unable to work, Mary quit school and took up fossil hunting full-time to help support her family, a task that became even more important when her father died, leaving the Annings in debt.At the age of twelve, Mary, with her older brother Joe, found what they believed to be the skeleton of a gigantic crocodile, the Great Croc of the legends. Between dodging her rival fossil hunter the Curiman, and the sheer work of carefully digging out the fossil, Mary took almost a year to excavate what would later be termed the Ichthyosaurus. Mary Anning was uneducated, poor and a woman, but her life’s work of fossil hunting led her to make many discoveries that influenced our understanding of prehistoric creatures and the age of the Earth.In this triumphant novel about scientific discovery, Monica Kulling brings Mary Anning and her world to life for young readers.  Key Text Featuresauthor's notehistorical contextresourcesfactsfurther reading