Dear Family, Friends, and Colleagues,

I am delighted to announce that I have two new picture books coming out this spring and both are now available at local bookstores. They can also be ordered from IndieBound, amazon.com, or barnesandnoble.com.

Feathers: Not Just for Flying (illus by Sarah Brennan) is a Junior Library Guild selection and received a starred review in Publishers Weekly.

http://www.melissa-stewart.com/books/birds/bk_feathers.html

It is accompanied by a video mini-lesson that looks at the power of similes:

http://www.melissa-stewart.com/sciclubhouse/teachhome/writing_info.html

Sarah and I will be signing copies at the Concord Bookshop in Concord, MA, on March 23 at 2:00 p.m. I hope that you will be able to attend.

Beneath the Sun (illus by Constance Bergum), a companion title to my previous book Under the Snow, is also receiving great reviews.

http://www.melissa-stewart.com/books/mammals/bk_beneathsun.html

It is accompanied by a video mini-lesson that focuses on strong, vivid verbs:

http://www.melissa-stewart.com/sciclubhouse/teachhome/writing_info.html

It may still seem like winter, but as far as I'm concerned, it's already gearing up to be a great spring.

All best,

Melissa Stewart