Meet Melissa

Melissa Mishoe is a mother, grandmother, and now an author and illustrator! As someone who has always enjoyed reading and creating art, Melissa dreamed of publishing works of her own one day. Coupling that with her innate ability to connect with children--especially her own grandchildren--Melissa found her inspiration for her first children's book, My Grannie Thinks she is a Mermaid.

In her professional life, Melissa has spent the last 20+ years in the early childhood education field and non-profit sector, managing multiple Head Start/Early Head Start programs in both Carolinas, a North Carolina Smart Start program, and even her own early childhood education center in Durham, NC. She has a passion for serving children and families and never wants her work in the field to be finished.

In her personal life, Melissa is a dedicated maternal figure... and beachgoer, making her adventures in My Grannie Thinks she is a Mermaid all the more believable. She loves spending time with her four children and grandchildren. You may catch her out-and-about exploring places along the North Carolina coast, dancing her way from one lighthouse to another. If you can't find her on the coast, check her couch where she may be cuddled up with a book, or in her sunroom working on her latest artwork!