Celebrate Faith, Diversity, and Friendship
/Teaching children about faith and diversity through family and friendship
Melissa Stoller’s picture books are a welcome addition to the canon of children’s literature, cultivating space to teach children about faith by celebrating cultural diversity and honoring the unique religious and spiritual traditions that make us who we are today.
Sadie’s Shabbat Stories
by Melissa Stoller
Illustrated by Lisa Goldberg
Publisher: Clear Fork Publishing
ISBN: 9781950169337
Retail Price: $4.24 USD
Target Ages: 5-8 years
In Sadie’s Shabbat Stories, Sadie and her grandmother explore the origins of objects that make up their Shabbat table. Through her grandmother’s rich retellings, Sadie learns about her family’s Jewish heritage, the journeys that brought her family to the United States, and the power of oral tradition.
Clarion Rating: 5 out of 5
“Emphasizing the ways that traditions bridge the future and the past, Sadie’s Shabbat Stories is an awe-encouraging introduction to a storied Jewish holiday.”
—Michelle Anne Schingler, Foreword Reviews
But spiritual growth does not have to end with our own personal histories!
Planting Friendship: Peace, Salaam, Shalom
by Callie Metler, Shirin Rahman, and Melissa Stoller
Illustrated by Kate Talbot
ISBN: 978-1950169603
Publisher: Clear Fork Publishing
Retail Price: $15.29 USD
Target Ages: 4-7 years
Story compilation for adults coming later in 2022 – stay tuned!
In Planting Friendships: Peace, Salaam, Shalom, Stoller encourages young readers to celebrate the beliefs and traditions of others as well. In a poignant tale of interfaith friendship, Hannah (who is Jewish), Molly (who is Christian), and Savera (who is Muslim) discover that with mutual love and respect, friendships can blossom just about anywhere!
“This is a simple tale with a worthwhile message: children of different faiths share values and can not only get along peacefully but also support each other. This lesson is reinforced by the fact that the co-authors themselves represent the three religions, as explained in the back matter, which also includes an artifact seek-and-find guide to religious symbols.”
—Cynthia Levinson, The Sydney Taylor Schmooze
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About the Author
Melissa Stoller is the author of five children’s picture books; an adult flash fiction collection, Kvelling, Kvetching, and Kibitzing: Celebrating Jewish Life (coming 2021); and the family book club guide, The Parent-Child Book Club: Connecting With Your Kids Through Reading. A former practicing attorney and writing instructor, Stoller resides in Manhattan with her family. As an ardent supporter of children’s literature and learning, Stoller is an active member of several prominent literary organizations, including SCBWI and the Children's Book Academy. Let her help your children navigate the world of faith and religion—invite Melissa Stoller to host a reading or classroom activity today!
Visit www.melissastoller.com for more info.
