Inside the Compost Bin is listed as a resource for several classroom lesson plans and even has a curriculum designed around it! To find out more about these resources and how you can incorporate composting and Inside the Compost Bin into your classroom, check out the following links (please note that I have not personally tested these resources myself in a classroom setting):
I probably get as excited for Earth Month as much as some people get excited for the holidays. Maybe it’s because at least for one month out of the year when I share my excitement with a stranger about something nature, climate, or sustainability related, it’s usually enthusiastically received and in-theme for April. During Earth Month there is much more sharing of positive news about the planet than any other time of the year, businesses are proudly showing off their sustainable practices, and on Earth Day (April 22), people come together to actively move the needle for a healthier, more beautiful world to live in.
I always hope that all this peak action would extend past the month and into the entirety of the year. It always brings me joy to hear and see sustainability take more prominence in our daily lives. It’s in the laws for how we manage our waste, and in the store aisles we walk through as we’re presented with options to choose products that are more mindfully sourced and produced. It’s in the recycled fabrics of the clothing we wear, in the plots of movies we watch, and in between the pages of the books we read. It’s in the electrified transportation we commute on, and in the food we choose, and don’t choose, to eat. Speaking of electrified, did you know that the theme for this year’s Earth Day is Our Power, Our Planet? The theme is an invitation for everyone around the world to unite behind renewable energy, with the goal to triple global clean electricity generation by 2030. An ambitious goal for sure, but that’s a future I’m excited to live in!
I also want to give a special congratulatory shout-out to my amazing illustrator duo, Rồng Phạm and Vinh Nguyễn, for giving my words so much life. This book is as wonderful as it is because you both illustrated it. Thank you, always.
The Riverby Award is awarded by the John Burroughs Association and recognizes exceptional nature books for young readers. Since 1988, this award has been given annually to works that “present perceptive and artistic accounts of direct experiences in the world of nature, demonstrating a respect for nature, accuracy of information, and quality of prose and illustrations” (source: John Burroughs Association).
What was especially moving to me about this award is that I have a collection of John Burroughs essays right on my book shelf (spy the blue binding!):
Isn’t that super cool?
While I’m unable to attend the in-person awards luncheon next week in New York, to receive recognition from the association that is headed by John Burroughs’ descendants, and seeks to preserve his literary legacy is very meaningful to me.
Alongside the Riverby Award, I am also excited to announce that my book was long listed in the 2025 Green Earth Book Award! The Green Earth Book Award is the United States’ “first environmental stewardship award for books that inspire children and young adults to grow a deeper understanding, respect, and responsibility for the natural environment” (source: The Nature Generation). It’s such an honor to be listed with all these wonderful books. Can you find Inside the Compost Bin among the covers (picture source: The Nature Generation)?
Thanks for taking the time to read. I hope you have a wonderful Earth Month.
Last week I had the pleasure of sitting down with Brenna Jeanneret and Josh Monken on their podcast, You May Contribute a Verse!
We talked more in-depth about my writing process and how I collaborated with duo illustrators, Rồng Phạm and Vinh Nguyễn, for Inside the Compost Bin, as well as a lot of other things I didn’t think about for awhile, such as my journey for finding my agent, Dan Cramer, and how we pitched and submitted my first book for publishing. I truly didn’t realize how atypical my experience was! Especially for a debut title, so it was really cool trading insights with them. We also chatted about upcoming things I’m working on, particularly some insidery things on Filipino mythology and how I’d love to write a middle grade for it, which I don’t think I’ve ever spoken about in length publicly before– I guess Brenna and Josh really have a way of making you feel comfortable, huh? =)
Anyway, please sit back and enjoy while on your commute, doing some chores, or whatever you do while listening to podcasts! Thank you for listening:
The pre-release book launch event was a success! I really appreciate everyone who came out: friends, family, compost enthusiasts, and the compost curious. Their attendance made it possible for all the books to sell out at the venue before the event was over! They definitely got the first of first editions– I haven’t even received my author copies yet! (My first time touching the a physical copy of the book was at the venue, which I felt was right considering Solana Center for Environmental Innovation taught me to compost!)
Special thanks to my publisher, Tilbury House, and my publicist, Dominic, for making it possible that I had my launch event at the headquarters of the organization I learned to compost with and whom this book would not be possible without: Solana Center. A big thank you also to the staff at Solana Center who attended: Robin, Erin, Liz, and Jennifer, and all the other volunteers who came out on a Saturday morning to add the final touches to the Solana Center working garden that became the venue. I mean look at it! It’s so beautiful:
Book Launch Venue at Solana Center (one of the few photos I remembered to take!)
There were educational posters that served as a backdrop to my book reading and Q&A on compost critters and the compost process. There was a vermicomposting station, a caterpillar picture booth, and a bunch of cool compost-related stuff that people can look at and tour! Here’s some photos from the event. All images unless otherwise noted are courtesy of Solana Center for Environmental Innovation:
Backdrop for book reading and Q&A Vermicompost Station Some attendees discovering vermicomposting!Caterpillar/Worm Photobooth I was even brought some food waste to compost! I was really happy about thisBook reading time!
It was so great to talk to everyone during the Q&A and also during the book signing. While I signed books, it was fun to find out where they were going to. Some books were going to nieces and nephews, one was going to a cousin who loved composting, one was going to a daughter who couldn’t attend, another was going to a library, a few were going to classrooms, and a bunch were staying right with the person who was purchasing the book. I was excited for all the journeys these books would make, and hope they make their readers happy.
Signing!Line for the book signingSome of my childhood friends came! Every person in this photo I’ve known for 20+ years. Amazing, right?
Thank you again everyone for the support and encouragement! Looking forward to the official date of my book launch on August 13th!
Super excited to share that I’ll be having my Inside the Compost Bin book launch event at, Solana Center for Environmental Innovation in Encinitas, CA, the very place I learned how to compost and got certified to be a Master Composter! Hope to see you there.
Here’s the agenda:
11:00 am meet the author and book reading
11:30 am Q&A with families and book/purchase and signing (Inside the Compost Bin will be available for purchase before the official release date on August 13th)
12:00 pm live worm demonstration
12:00 pm – 1:00 pm self guided Green Living Tour (optional)
Space and parking is limited, so if you’re interested in attending, please register!
Although this is a free event, Solana Center is a nonprofit so any donations their way would be highly appreciated. =)
Melody Sumaoang Plan 