MOWMT Day #9: Melissa Stoller Builds Bridges
BUILDING BRIDGES OF CONNECTION
by Melissa Stoller
When writing books for children, my goal is to make connections - using subject matter, themes, and language. While collaborating on our new picture book, BUILDING BRIDGES: PEACE, SALAAM, SHALOM, co-authors Callie Lovvorn, Shirin Rahman, and I worked together to craft our story about an interfaith friendship, and building bridges of connection between children, classmates, families, and communities. As writers and friends, we connected during many discussions about our faith traditions and backgrounds. Illustrator Kate Talbot added her beautiful signature artwork to the project, and furthered the connections we had formed while working together on our first project, PLANTING FRIENDSHIP: PEACE, SALAAM, SHALOM. For both books, we all researched Jewish, Christian, and Muslim culture and traditions, and we tried to be inclusive in the text and art. In writing about three girls who solve problems together, we hoped to add a bit more empathy, kindness, connection, and peace to the world.
Here are several mentor texts that informed our understanding of connection, building bridges of understanding, and interfaith friendships:
A BOOK OF BRIDGES: HERE TO THERE AND ME TO YOU (by Cheryl Keely, illustrated by Celia Krampien, Sleeping Bear Press, 2017).
This book highlights many different kinds of bridges, with interesting sidebars full of enriching information. But the main point I focused on was the author’s text showcasing how bridges connect people as well as places.
“Bridges do more than connect one place to another. They bring the whole world together.”
LATKES FOR SANTA (by Janie Emaus, illustrated by Bryan Langdo, Sky Pony, 2020).
This story shows how food helps bridge cultural divides as new step-siblings learn about the holidays and customs they each celebrate around Christmas and Hanukkah.
“I loved your latkes. So did Mrs. Claus. Can you please send the recipe to add to her cookbook. I can’t wait to see what treat you leave me next year.”
BRAND-NEW BUBBE (by Sarah Aronson, illustrated by Ariel Landy, Charlesbridge, 2022)
When Jillian gets a new step-father who practices a different religion, she also get a brand-new Bubbe. Although Jillian feels allegiance to the two grandmothers she already has, and doesn’t want to give Bubbe and her matzo ball soup a chance, she soon realizes that her family has room for more love and connection.
“But pretty soon, the kitchen smelled like a delicious trip around the world. Even better, all three grandmas had a lot in common. Much more than soup.”
THE DAY YOU BEGIN (by Jacqueline Woodson, illustrated by Rafael López, Nancy Paulson Books, an Imprint of Penguin Random House, 2018).
This book explores how it feels to be different when you walk into a room, and how you can open your heart and learn to make connections with people who might be more similar than you realize.
“There will be times when you walk into a room and no one there is quite like you until the day you begin . . . to share your stories.”
And our book -- BUILDING BRIDGES: PEACE, SALAAM, SHALOM (Callie Lovvorn, Shirin Rahman, and Melissa Stoller, illustrated by Kate Talbot, Clear Fork Publishing, November 1, 2022).
In this story of friendship, three girls from three different faith traditions must work together to help save the bridge to their beloved Peace Park. Using creative problem-solving, and involving the whole town, they show that three little girls can make a big difference. Together, they build bridges of connection and unity, and help their community come together in peace, salaam, shalom.
“Bridges connect,” said Ms. Blume. “Tell me how.”
“Old bridge to new bridge; home to school; school to park; person to person; land to land; generation to generation; place to place; space to space; here to there, and everywhere.”
and The Mayor shouted, “These three little girls started something big.”
Enjoy finding mentor texts that help you amplify the connections in your stories.
Cheers to Marching On!
MELISSA’S BIO:
Melissa Stoller writes to bring connection, joy, and a bit of magic to her readers. She 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!; Sadie’s Shabbat Stories; Planting Friendship: Peace, Salaam, Shalom; and Building Bridges: Peace, Salaam, Shalom (co-written with Callie Lovvorn and Shirin Rahman). Melissa is a Blogger and Course Assistant for the Children’s Book Academy, a Rate Your Story Judge, a volunteer with SCBWI/MetroNY, a Book Meshuggenahs member, a Westhampton Beach Performing Arts Center Advisory Council member, and a past school and synagogue Trustee. She also interviews authors and offers resources on her blog. In other chapters of her life, Melissa has worked as a lawyer, legal writing instructor, freelance writer/editor, and early childhood educator. She lives in New York City with her family, and enjoys theatre, museums, and crossing bridges during Central Park walks. Melissa is represented by Jonathan Rosen at The Seymour Agency. www.MelissaStoller.com
CONNECT:
https://www.MelissaStoller.com https://www.MelissaStoller.com/blog http://www.facebook.com/MelissaStoller http://www.twitter.com/melissastoller www.instagram.com/Melissa_Stoller
For her prize, Melissa is willing to offer the choice of a book or a critique to the winner.
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