Mel Fell

Corey R. Tabor is the author and illustrator of the Caldecott Honor–winning Mel Fell, three-time Geisel Award winner for Fox Has a Problem, Fox at Night, and Fox the Tiger, and Geisel Honor recipient for Fox versus Fox. His other acclaimed titles include the young graphic novel chapter books Sir Ladybug, Sir Ladybug and the Queen Bee, and Sir Ladybug and the Bookworms; the picture books Bear for a Day, Cranky, Crabby Crow (Saves the World), Ursula Upside Down, Simon and the Better Bone, Snail Crossing, Fox and the Bike Ride, and Fox and the Jumping Contest; and the I Can Reads Fox versus Winter, Fox Is Late, and Fox Plays Ball. Corey R. Tabor lives in Tacoma, Washington, with his wife and son and spends his time making pictures and stories. You can visit him online at coreyrtabor.com.Corey R. Tabor is the author and illustrator of the Caldecott Honor–winning Mel Fell, three-time Geisel Award winner for Fox Has a Problem, Fox at Night, and Fox the Tiger, and Geisel Honor recipient for Fox versus Fox. His other acclaimed titles include the young graphic novel chapter books Sir Ladybug, Sir Ladybug and the Queen Bee, and Sir Ladybug and the Bookworms; the picture books Bear for a Day, Cranky, Crabby Crow (Saves the World), Ursula Upside Down, Simon and the Better Bone, Snail Crossing, Fox and the Bike Ride, and Fox and the Jumping Contest; and the I Can Reads Fox versus Winter, Fox Is Late, and Fox Plays Ball. Corey R. Tabor lives in Tacoma, Washington, with his wife and son and spends his time making pictures and stories. You can visit him online at coreyrtabor.com.

“The mixed media drawings, alive with wonderful textures and soft colors, show Mel executing an impressive aerial somersault before blithely hurtling headfirst in parallel with the tree trunk as inhabitants below are thrown into comic panic, convinced that Mel’s dive-bombing will result in disaster…. ‘Hope’ may be the thing with feathers, but Mel proves that ‘gutsy’ can be, too.” — Publishers Weekly (starred review)“Young people, who find themselves on the precipice of new activities, routines, schools, and challenges so frequently, will savor this little kingfisher’s success and perhaps feel they can right themselves the next time they fall into a downward spiral….Encourages children to feel brave, to try, and to believe they can soar.” — Kirkus Reviews (starred review)“There’s a good deal of humor in this lighthearted story; a slug keeps promising to help but never makes it far, and a fly is liberated (“I’m free!”) from the spider’s web when Mel falls through it. Tabor’s relaxed, loose-lined illustrations capture the energy of the fall as well as Mel’s endearing, determined personality.” — Horn Book (starred review)“Heartening fare for nestlings facing plunges of their own.” — Booklist“Clever wordplay and lively narration give this immediate appeal, while the unique composition and dynamic mixed-media art confer buoyant energy. Audiences will appreciate Mel’s no-nonsense, can-do attitude, and aspiring birdwatchers will find a few fun facts in the author’s note.”  — Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books