Meet Melanie
Melanie Mercado is a storyteller, artist, and memory-keeper raised in the warmth of Puerto Rico. Her first children’s book, The Puerto Rican ABCs, was born in a car ride, a red light, and a spark: “C de Coquí.”
What began as a list of words quickly became something more—an act of love, remembrance, and cultural pride. Written for families in the diaspora and on the island, Melanie’s work honors the language and rhythms that shaped her childhood. Inspired by her mother’s island-wide adventures and the joyful curiosity of her own family, Melanie hopes her stories create new moments of connection between generations.
THEN
Before writing for little readers, Melanie spent years designing for grown-up brands—creating cheeky visuals, bold campaigns, and eye-catching content that told stories in their own way. That world gave her the tools; this one gave her the heart.
NOW
She now paints, dreams, and creates from Miami, FL, with plans to grow her children’s brand into plush toys, baby bedding, and more cultural treasures for tiny dreamers.