Melinda Mattsen-Vang

Tell us about the featured book. What is it about, and why did you choose to write this story?

A Rainbow of Native Plants is a board book for young children ages zero to five. Each color is represented by a different North American native plant with a photograph and short poem. The book can be read to babies to teach colors and expose them to rich vocabulary. Toddlers and older children will learn common names for the plants as well as interesting facts about them. The scientific names are also included for adults as they read the book to little ones. Initially, I did not intend to write this book. As a passionate native plant gardener and new mother, I looked for books to supplement my daughter’s learning about native plants. I couldn’t find anything for the toddler age group, so I decided to write my own. Native plants are vital to the ecosystem, to pollinators, and to other wildlife. So many of us adults are only beginning to learn about them. Imagine what good can be done for the Earth if the next generation grows up knowing and loving native plants!

Tell us a little about your writing process. What kind of research do you do, and how long do you spend researching before beginning a book? What is the most difficult part of your artistic process? 

The first step for this book was choosing which plants to represent each color. I prioritized plants that are widely-loved or have a special appeal to children. I didn’t have to do much research because I had already spent several years learning as much as I could about native plants before I ever intended to write a book. For a few plants, like butterfly weed, I knew right away which facts I wanted to highlight in their poem. Those only took a few minutes to write as the poems flowed out and seemed to write themselves. For other plants, I compiled a list of botanical features, growing conditions, and wildlife relationships, referencing books for additional facts if I wanted a larger list to draw from. I wrote numerous versions for those poems, each with a different set of interesting facts pulled from the lists. Then I selected which lines I liked best and continued rewriting until I was satisfied with a final version. Deciding the final versions for these poems was the hardest and longest part of the writing process.

Are there any writers or authors who have influenced your writing? If not, who are some of your favorite writers?

Absolutely! The writers who have influenced my writing the most include F. Scott Fitzgerald, Emily Dickinson, Robert Frost, Ranier Maria Wilke, and Mary Oliver.

In A Rainbow of Native Plants, the writing is much more playful than my typical writing style as the book is geared towards young children.

Has a library or librarian impacted your life or your writing life? 

I grew up going to the Galaxie Library in Apple Valley. During that time, the children’s area had a cool circular amphitheater-style room with elevated stairs. The atmosphere made stories feel more alive when I read there. I had access to so many great children’s books at that library and always felt welcome. It helped fuel my love of reading as a child. When I was at Bethel University for my undergraduate, I often studied at the Bethel Seminary Library. One spring, the Seminary Library hosted a poetry competition open to students from all Bethel campuses. I decided to submit one of my poems, and it won! That experience helped me believe other people may enjoy my writing. It gave me confidence years later when deciding to write this book.

When you’re not writing, what do you like to do in your spare time?

During the day I get to be with my adorable, lively toddler! In this season of life, parenting along with launching my publishing company and first book takes up the bulk of my time. When I can, I find great joy in gardening, hiking, and sipping herbal tea while curled up with a good book.

Favorite place to go in Minnesota?

The Driftless Area along the Mississippi river bluffs of southeastern Minnesota is such a stunning, unique place. The many state parks and trails near Red Wing, Winona, and La Crescent have been some of my favorite hikes in Minnesota.

Where can readers find you online?

Melinda's Website

Instagram: @littlepuccoonpress

Facebook: @littlepuccoonpress