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