

MTM: CELEBRATING GRANDPARENTS with Lynne Marie
Posted Early for Mentor Text Monday For many of us, children and adults alike, there are few things that are as wonderful or magical in the world as grandparents. There are many children’s picture books that celebrate this special relationship, so when writing on the topic be sure to find one from an angle that’s new and different and/or familiar and fresh. Here are a few recent books that do just that. A GRANDMA’S MAGIC by Charlotte Offsay Illustrated by Asa Gilland Doubleda


MTM: CREATING COMMUNITY by Melanie Ellsworth
When I wrote my punny, funny picture book CLARINET AND TRUMPET (illustrated by John Herzog), a book about friendship and an introduction to band instruments, I also had a deeper theme in mind. I wanted to convey the importance of belonging to particular groups while also being part of a larger community. In my memories of playing clarinet in elementary and middle school bands, woodwinds and brass were constantly battling, trying to outblast each other. (Brass are better at th


Feedback Response Styles with RYS Judge and Author Katie Frawley
Part of being a writer is seeking out feedback on our work. That’s why we’re all here at Rate Your Story, right? We know how valuable this process is. But how do you digest this valuable feedback? There are a few common “styles” of how people take in feedback on their work. THE MAMA BEAR: You’ve written your story, and you couldn’t be happier. You love this little story cub more than anything. You’ve convinced it’s your best work yet, and you can’t WAIT to hear your critique