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MO Day #4 Melissa Stoller Tends the Garden

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February 15, 2022 - Registration Post Hello March On With Mentor Texts!


AND NOW, HERE'S OUR MENTOR...


USING MENTOR TEXTS TO TEND THE HEART OF YOUR WRITING GARDEN

By Melissa Stoller


I love to plant seeds of ideas, water and nurture the manuscript drafts, prune and revise as necessary, and then harvest the story at the end. For my latest picture book, PLANTING FRIENDSHIP: PEACE, SALAAM, SHALOM (co-authored with Callie Metler and Shirin Rahman Shamsi, illustrated by Kate Talbot, Clear Fork Publishing 2021), I enjoyed collaborating with two other writers. As women of three different faith traditions – Jewish, Christian, and Muslim – we wrote an interfaith story about three girls from those same faiths who find friendship through a school planting project. The girls learn to celebrate their similarities and differences, and as their plants bloom, their friendship blossoms.


During the writing process, I read many mentor texts to help my story ideas take root. Our book contains several layers, and I relied on other books to help inform my ideas about themes including teamwork, interfaith friendship, diverse faiths, gardening, kindness, peace, making a difference in the world, and more. We are currently working on the second and third stories in this series: BUILDING BRIDGES: PEACE, SALAAM, SHALOM; and GROWING DREAMS: PEACE, SALAAM, SHALOM, and I continue to research and read, noticing how other authors add layers to their stories and create emotional connections to their readers.


I learned from several books as I tended the gardens of our manuscripts. As I read each book, I carefully considered word choice, imagery, page turns, story arc, and themes. Mostly, I focused on the heart of the stories. I typed out the words of each story, highlighting heartfelt phrases that made me say “oooh” or “awwww.” Also, I paid attention to the opening and closing lines, noting how those lines often contributed to the heart and soul of the books. As I worked on our stories, I often went back to these books to gain inspiration.


As you craft your stories, use mentor texts to help you grow your manuscripts. Cheers to creativity, and may all your stories flourish and thrive!


Mentor texts with heart:


Interfaith friendship:

YAFFA AND FATIMA: SHALOM, SALAAM, adapted by Jawzia Gilani-Williams, illustrated by Chiara Fedele


The two friends hugged each other and laughed.

“Shalom,” said Yaffa.

“Salaam,” said Fatima.

“Thank you for thinking of me,” said Yaffa.

“Thank you for thinking of me too,” said Fatima.

Together, they returned to Yaffa’s house to share a meal of dates and tea.


Kindness and friendship:



A FLOOD OF KINDNESS, by Ellen Leventhal, Illustrated by Blythe Russo


I bit my lip, gave Teddy one last squeeze, . . . and placed him in the boy’s arms. “He’s yours. It’s time to pass him on.” The boy snuggled with Teddy and smiled up at me. And for the first time since the river jumped its banks, I smiled too.





Planting and friendship:



GROWING SEASON by Maryann Cocca-Leffler


“I’ll plant Aster and Zinnia side by side,” said El.

“They will be best friends-just like us!” said Jo.









Friendship, religion, and diverse cultures:






THE NINTH NIGHT OF HANUKKAH by Erica S. Perl, illustrated by Shahar Kober


So, on the ninth night in their new home, Max and Rachel and their new friends talked and laughed, ate and played games, sang and danced by the light of many candles. It was nice, really really nice. And best of all, it felt exactly like Hanukkah.




Children can make a difference:


After the celebrations, steamships carrying new immigrants sailed into New York Harbor. Holding her torch high, the Statue of Liberty welcomed them to their new home. And there she stands today, thanks to the contributions of people all across America – and children just like you.


PRIZE GIVEAWAY:


I am happy to offer two prizes: A signed copy of PLANTING FRIENDSHIP: PEACE, SALAAM, SHALOM plus book swag (or choose any one of my books)(US address only please) -and- a picture book critique



BIO: Melissa Stoller is the author of the chapter book series The Enchanted Snow Globe Collection - Return to Coney Island and the picture books Scarlet’s Magic Paintbrush; Ready, Set, GOrilla!; and Sadie’s Shabbat Stories. Planting Friendship: Peace, Salaam, Shalom (co-written with Callie Metler and Shirin Rahman, illustrated by Kate Talbot), released from Clear Fork Publishing in 2021. Melissa is a Blogger and Course Assistant for the Children’s Book Academy, a Regional Ambassador for The Chapter Book Challenge, a volunteer with SCBWI/MetroNY, and a founding member of The Book Meshuggenahs. She also interviews authors on her blog, This Writing Life, and offers book tips and resources. In other chapters of her life, Melissa has worked as a lawyer, legal writing instructor, freelance writer and editor, and early childhood educator. She lives in New York City with her family, and enjoys theatre, museums, and long walks in Central Park. www.MelissaStoller.com






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