19 Dec Melissa Stoller is Building Bridges

I am thrilled to have my friend, Melissa Stoller, back on Writing Outside the Lines today. She, Callie Lovvern, Shirin Rahman, and Kate Talbot were here before telling us about their adorable picture book, PLANTING FRIENDSHIP: PEACE, SALAAM, SHALOM. Melissa is back to talk about their sequel. 

EL: Welcome back, Melissa! I’m so happy that you, Callie, and Shirin decided to do a sequel and that the talented Kate did the illustrations again! What made you all decide to do this? 

MS: I really enjoyed collaborating with Callie Lovvorn, Shirin Rahman, and Kate Talbot on BUILDING BRIDGES: PEACE, SALAAM, SHALOM.

Last year, PLANTING FRIENDSHIP: PEACE, SALAAM, SHALOM released from Clear Fork Publishing. It is an interfaith friendship story about three girls – Molly is Christian, Savera is Muslim, and Hannah is Jewish – who meet on the first day of school. Through a class planting project, they realize that, although they are different, they have more similarities than they believe. We wrote this book as three women of the same faith traditions as the girls, hoping to help bring kindness and peace to the world. Kate Talbot’s brilliant illustrations brought the story to life!

We wanted to collaborate on a sequel because we felt the girls had a few more adventures to celebrate! In BUILDING BRIDGES, the girls discover that the bridge to Peace Park is in danger. Drawing upon their cultural traditions, the girls take action to help solve the problem, building bridges of friendship and community. And they show that three little girls can accomplish something big!

In fact, here is our Author’s Note:

We are thrilled to collaborate again to use our voices and art to show how three children can come together in friendship to help build bridges among themselves, their families, and their communities. The three girls use STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) skills as well to help adults solve problems big and small. And they exhibit a mindset of trying over and over until they finally make progress and succeed. Above all else, they embrace the words PEACE, SALAAM, SHALOM – and the message that if we connect with each other, we can all help heal the world.

We hope readers will also enjoy the connection questions in the Back Matter and have rich conversations about how they can build bridges of peace in their own communities.

EL:  Beautiful! On another note, do you have a specific writing routine? If so, please tell us about it.

MS: l try to do something writing-related every day, whether that’s thinking of ideas, writing or revising, reading picture books and other kidlit to stay current on the genres, working with my critique groups and partners, attending conferences and workshops, or working on marketing tasks like staying active on social media and promoting my marketing group partners. I love the writing community, and I really enjoy forming close connections with my writing friends! When I am actually writing, I try to block some time away from distractions, which isn’t always easy. But I feel like I’m being productive when I’m immersed in the kidlit world in any way!

EL: For you, what is the best thing about writing for kids?

MS: I love brainstorming ideas and researching topics that are interesting (to me and to future readers!). I enjoy writing and revising and finding just the right word or phrase to make a story sing. One of my favorite parts of being an author is visiting schools and libraries virtually or in person. I love engaging with students – hearing their questions and comments, and seeing when a story really resonates.

EL: Do you have anything in the pipeline you can talk about? Or do you have any news you’d like to share?

MS: I am so excited that I’m now represented by Jonathan Rosen of The Seymour Agency! Jonathan is so passionate about children’s literature and is an amazing advocate for my work. I am happy to be partnering with him to bring more stories to children!

EL: YAY! Congrats on that! I know we’ll see many more books you’ve written on bookstore shelves. Do you have advice for aspiring kidlit writers?

MS: My best advice is to keep going! My path as a writer has been long and winding! I’m a lawyer by training and transitioned into writing for children. I have a section on my website for aspiring writers to find classes, workshops, conferences, contests, helpful books, and more. Check out https://www.melissastoller.com/writing-resources – and just keep plugging away. As I say to students: you have a unique voice and a story to tell, so tell it!

EL: Thank you so much for visiting us here today, Melissa. Congrats to you, Callie, Shirin, and Kate! 

MS: Thanks again, Ellen! I love your stories and look forward to your upcoming book DEBBIE’S SONG about Debbie Friedman!

EL: Aw, thanks. 

Melissa is happy to offer a signed copy of BUILDING BRIDGES to one lucky winner (sorry…only in the U.S)

Just comment on this post, and let me know if you are a subscriber and/or if you shared the post (we love shares!) to get an extra chance to win. 

If you’re not the lucky winner, here are some places to buy the book. You won’t regret it.

PURCHASE LINKS:

https://www.amazon.com/Building-Bridges-Peace-Salaam-Shalom/dp/1950169782

https://www.indiebound.org/book/9781950169788

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/building-bridges-callie-v-lovvorn/1142504389?ean=9781950169788

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
www.pinterest.com/melissa_Stoller
https://www.TheBookMeshuggenahs.com

BIO:

Melissa Stoller is the author of a chapter book series and picture books, including 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 Rate Your Story Judge, a volunteer with SCBWI/MetroNY, a Book Meshuggenahs member, and a past school and synagogue Trustee. 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 Central Park walks. Melissa is represented by Jonathan Rosen at The Seymour Agency. www.MelissaStoller.com

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Please check out other parts of my website at www.EllenLeventhal.com to learn more about me, my books, and my school visits.

NEW BOOK ALERT! Hardcover, Paperback, and on Amazon, even Kindle!

If you’d like a signed copy, pre-order here.

https://www.brazosbookstore.com/book/9781728443010