Books

Hip, Hip…Beret!

Written by Melanie Ellsworth, Illustrated by Morena Forza 

Grand-père gifts Bella the hat she’s always wanted – a beret! But just as she places it on her head, a gust of wind whisks it away. When the beret lands in a chef’s pan . . . hip, hip, soufflé! When it lands on the head of a dancer . . . hip, hip, ballet! The wind continues to sweep the hat farther and farther away. Will Bella ever get back her beloved beret?

A humorous and heartfelt story filled with repetition, rhyme, and hilarious wordplay. On the cover and inside of the book, find a few touchable berets as an interactive and tactile element to engage young readers.

Houghton Mifflin Harcourt/February 23, 2021

ISBN 9780358137283

For copies of HIP, HIP…BERET! signed/personalized by Melanie, contact OWL & TURTLE Bookshop in Camden, Maine or Sherman’s in Rockland or Damariscotta, Maine.

Clarinet and Trumpet

Written by Melanie Ellsworth, Illustrated by John Herzog 

Clarinet and Trumpet are friends from the very first note. But their friendship falls flat when a new woodwind – Oboe – sets the tone in the music room. Trumpet tries everything to regain Clarinet’s attention, but Clarinet won’t change her tune. The story crescendos until the woodwinds face off against the brass section in an ear-splitting musical duel. How will Clarinet and Trumpet bring the band back together again and save their melodious friendship? With pun-filled text and emotive illustrations, CLARINET AND TRUMPET honors the important role music plays in creating community. The book has a built-in shaker, so readers can join the band, too!

Houghton Mifflin Harcourt/March 30, 2021

ISBN 9780358107477

*Starred review from School Library Journal

A lyrical tour de force about individuality, friendship, and community, this humorous picture book highlights such values through musical instruments, showing how even small fractures can become deep divisions… A timely book that gently explores issues of similarity and difference, of holding on to one’s individuality while also recognizing the importance of others, this is a first purchase for all libraries.

For copies of CLARINET AND TRUMPET signed/personalized by Melanie, contact PRINT: A BOOKSTORE, OWL & TURTLE Bookshop in Camden, Maine or Sherman’s in Rockland or Damariscotta, Maine.

Battle of the Books

It’s here! August 23, 2022! For a signed/personalized copy, pre-order from Print: A Bookstore.

Written by Melanie Ellsworth, Illustrated by James Rey Sanchez

In this competition to be chosen as a bedtime story, may the best book win!

In Josh’s bedroom, tension mounts as his books battle over who will be chosen for story time. It’s every book for itself – until Pirate Book needs rescuing, and the books must use their unique talents to save him. But when story time arrives, the battle resumes.

This energetic picture book celebrates the magic of stories and the joy of choosing your favorite books.

Little Bee Books/August 23, 2022

ISBN 9781499812725

Kirkus calls Battle of the Books “A humorous approach to the dilemma of choosing just one bedtime story” with “hilarious dialogue!”

a Barnes and Noble Bookseller Favorites and a Most Anticipated Kids’ Book Releases This August

For copies of BATTLE OF THE BOOK signed/personalized by Melanie, order from PRINT: A BOOKSTORE.

Other Publications

Poem, “Stay, Baby”
by Melanie Ellsworth
illustrated by Neesha Hudson
in Ladybug Magazine (Nov./Dec. 2015)