Melissa Stiveson joins The Backstory today with her picture book, WISHES OF THE WORLD (Sleeping Bear Press), which is beautifully illustrated by Khoa Le. This gorgeous book explores wishing traditions and will leave you ready to send your hopes out into the world. Keep reading to learn all about how this book came to be and for your chance to win one of three amazing giveaways that Melissa is generously offering.
AH: Welcome to The Backstory and thank you for joining us and sharing the inspiration behind WISHES OF THE WORLD.
First off, please tell us a little bit about your story.
MS: WISHES OF THE WORLD is an expression of joy and hope as we explore how children across the globe make wishes.
AH: Such a magical concept! What child isn't captivated by the idea of a wish?
What’s the story behind the story? What was your inspiration? Where did the idea come from?
MS: As a child, I made wishes on dandelions, falling stars, and spent way too much time searching for the elusive four leaf clover. And I felt incredible joy upon finding one.
AH: I can already imagine the multitude of wishes that are going to be made in an increasingly diverse amount of ways as a result of this book and that makes me so happy.
AH: How did you approach going from this seed of an idea to what is now WISHES OF THE WORLD? Was it something undeniable you had to write immediately or did you need to sit with this idea and let it grow for a while before it found its way to the page?
MS: Wishes aren’t just for children; they’re also for adults. And as an adult, I have an amazing wishing bowl. It is handcrafted with a beautifully detailed dandelion in the center. When I want to give my wishes that extra OOMPA, I set the bowl in my lap, hold onto it with both hands, and make a silent wish with my eyes closed.
This bowl, childhood memories, and the wonderful feeling you get when you focus on the hope in your heart is the inspiration.
I’m fascinated with wishing traditions 🙂
AH: Wow! This is such a powerful ritual. I love the idea of empowering our hopes and wishes through our focused intention. I think wishes for many can be a fleeting thing and I love the thought of giving them the time and space they deserve.
AH: Did WISHES OF THE WORLD undergo any major changes/revisions from the original version? If so, what led you to make these changes?
MS: The story underwent 22 revisions!
It started as a poetic tale of one child making a wish and how it felt - from the release of the wish into the night, the hope and angst of waiting for it to come true, and then the culmination of it coming true.
But the story didn’t feel right with only one child and one wishing mode. There are so many magical traditions around the world and I wanted to share as many as possible.
The structure of the story was the hardest part - determining what to convey for each wish-making tradition. The story and language changed over time into what you hold in your hands today.
AH: It is so cool to hear the transformation this story underwent. It is great that we are now able to be exposed to a variety of wishing traditions, many of which may be new to the readers.
AH: Are there any books/authors that you feel influenced your work?
MS: So many - my absolute favorite picture book (from my childhood) is THE VERY HUNGRY CATERPILLAR by Eric Carle and anything Winnie-the-Pooh.
Today’s author’s include Tara Lazar, Pat Zietlow Miller, Jolene Gutiérrez, Kaz Windness, Z.B. Asterplume, Laurie Carmody, Kelly Swemba, Bonni Goldberg, Helen H. Wu, Amanda Davis, Aixa Pérez-Prado, Shannon Anderson, Shachi Sharma, and, of course, Andrew Hacket.
And a multitude of other amazing authors and illustrators.
AH: You are very kind to include me in that amazing line up, all of whom I also look up to and am inspired by as well.
AH: Where do you tend to find your inspiration or your sparks for ideas?
MS: Anything really. From the wind brushing the tree leaves, water rushing over shiny rocks, the smell of freshly baked yummies, to the pure joy of a baby’s smile. Inspiration is all around us.
When inspiration hits, I try to write a note and must have a complete list at least a mile long (and that’s being conservative).
AH: It sounds like you are well-trained in making sure you capture those fleeting ideas before they evaporate in front of your eyes. I believe you that your list is significantly longer than a mile long.
Do you have any upcoming projects or news you would like to share with us?
MS: Gaby Cabezut, my amazing agent at The Seymour Agency, has submissions out and I’m positive we’ll have news soon. We’re very hopeful for a manuscript that was collaborated with the talented Michele Ziemke, who is illustrating the story.
In the meantime, I do have a published cookbook, available on Amazon, if anyone wants to take a look.
AH: Fingers crossed that you and Michele hear good news soon. And a cookbook in addition to kidlit? Talk about talent! Thanks for giving us something to check out and make our mouths water while we patiently await your next bit of book news.
Where can people connect more with you?
MS: You can find me on:
AH: Readers be sure to connect with Melissa on social media and at her website so you don't miss any of her exciting publishing news. And while you are at it
please consider supporting her books in any way you can.
This could include:
- ordering from your favorite indie
- marking as want to read on Goodreads
-leaving a review
- making a library request
Melissa, thank you so much for sharing all about your latest books with us. I loved learning how they came to be and a bit more about your process.
GIVEAWAY!
One of my Melissa's favorite numbers is 3, so she is giving away three things, one each to three readers!
(1) signed copy of Wishes of the World, shipping to the continental US only please
(1) 30 min virtual AMA
(1) classroom(s) or entire school virtual reading
Ways to enter:
1. Comment on social media post about this blog post. Additional entry for tagging friends!
or
2. Leave a comment on this post.
or
3. Post about this interview on social media and tell me in the comments that you did.
Each method earns an extra entry!
ABOUT MELISSA STIVESON
Melissa Stiveson is passionate about children’s books, inspiring equity and creativity, and empowering children to follow their dreams. She loves to induce watering mouths with homemade and original delights, biking in natural beauty, and getting lost in the mountains or a delicious book. Melissa lives in Westminster, Colorado with her husband, is a Project Manager for a medical device company, and loves connecting with children through live or virtual school and event readings. Her debut picture book, Wishes of the World, illustrated by Khoa Le, received a starred Foreward Review.
ABOUT ANDREW HACKET
Andrew Hacket is a writer, second-grade teacher, and father of three. He is also the author of Ollie, the Acorn, and the Mighty Idea, Curlilocks and the Three Hares, and Hope and the Sea. Andrew recognizes that being a kid is hard and he writes to create ways for kids to see themselves in stories and characters, to accept and overcome their insecurities, or to escape for just a little while through the power of their imaginations.
Melissa, your story looks lovely!
This looks like an amazing story! The illustrations are beautiful! Your list of authors is great...they are among my favorites too! 🌠
I am so excited to read your book in its entirety. The illustrations are gorgeous! Congratulations!
Congratulations, Melissa! I was excited to see our library has it. Can't wait to read it!