From the Big Bang to Your Kid's Burp: The Secret Life of Carbon with Melissa Stewart

In this episode of The Growing Readers Podcast, host Bianca
Schulze welcomes award-winning science author Melissa Stewart to
discuss her latest picture book, From BAM to BURP: A Carbon
Atom's Never-Ending Journey Through Space and Time and YOU. With
over 200 science books for children under her belt, Melissa takes
listeners on an extraordinary journey that begins with the Big
Bang and ends with a third grader's breakfast burp—all while
following a single carbon atom across billions of years.


What started as a curious question from a third grader during a
school visit became a cosmic adventure that connects kids to the
larger natural processes of our universe. Melissa shares how she
uses her background in biology and science journalism to spark
wonder and curiosity in young readers, why she believes getting
kids invested in nature is more important than ever, and how
seeing ourselves as "just a speck in this gigantic universe" can
actually inspire humility, gratitude, and environmental
responsibility.


Read the transcript on The Children's Book Review (coming soon).


Highlights:


From Shower to Page: How Melissa uses her morning routine and
shower time as a creative problem-solving technique

The Question That Started It All: The third grader's
persistent curiosity that inspired a billion-year carbon journey

Carbon Beyond Climate: Why this essential element deserves
celebration, not just concern

Finding Wonder Everywhere: Melissa's approach to staying
curious, from tree holes to rail trails

Connecting Cosmic to Personal: Why it's important for
children to see themselves as part of larger natural processes

The Publishing Timeline: How Melissa juggles writing new
books while promoting ones that won't release for years






Notable Quotes:"I always say that sort of the
mission of my writing is to just make kids curious. And if one of
my books can inspire a child to chase after a butterfly, to see
where it's going, or look under a rock, then my job is done."
—Melissa Stewart


"We are just sort of like a speck in this gigantic universe...
the more that they can kind of feel the sense of awe that we even
exist. Like it's a coincidence... and to just really be humble
and grateful about our existence." —Melissa Stewart


"Carbon is sometimes a little bit maligned because of its role in
climate change and global warming, but the carbon cycle is so
critical to life on Earth. Life could not exist without it."
—Melissa Stewart





Books Mentioned:


From BAM to BURP: A Carbon Atom's Never-Ending Journey
Through Space and Time and YOU by Melissa Stewart, illustrated by
Marta Álvarez Miguéns: Amazon or Bookshop.org

Whale Fall: Exploring an Ocean-Floor Ecosystem by Melissa
Stewart, illustrated by Rob Dunlavey: Amazon⁠ or ⁠Bookshop.org⁠

Meet the Mini Mammals: A Night at the Natural History Museum
by Melissa Stewart: Amazon or Bookshop.org

Monarch and Morning Cloak: A Butterfly Journal by Melissa
Stewart, illustrated by Sarah S. Brannen: Amazon or Bookshop.org






About Melissa Stewart:Melissa Stewart is the
award-winning author of more than two hundred science books for
children. She holds degrees in biology and science journalism.
Recent books include Summertime Sleepers: Animals That Estivate,
Seashells: More Than a Home, Feathers: Not Just for Flying, and
Whale Fall: Exploring an Ocean-Floor Ecosystem.


For more: melissa-stewart.com


Credits:Host: Bianca SchulzeGuest: Melissa
StewartProducer: Bianca Schulze