Story Monsters Ink Magazine

It’s time to hit the books!

Back-to-school season is a terrific time to put your book, school visit, product, or program in front of teachers, librarians, parents, students, and book lovers nationwide.

Story Monsters Ink® digital content reaches 88% of public libraries and 93% of public schools in the U.S. through our partnerships, making this a wonderful opportunity to get noticed.

Advertising opportunities for our Back-to-School Issue begin at just $75, with reading guide listings, display ads, advertorial opportunities, and more.

📖 View our media kit and advertising information:https://storymonstersink.com/s/SMI_2024_Media-Kit.pdf

🎉 Join our FREE Monster Membership:
https://storymonstersink.com/membership

Interested in advertising? Contact [email protected] by September 11.

Books inspire. Stories connect. And great books deserve to be discovered. 💙📚

And be sure to tell Cristy that Story Monsters sent you! 📚

Cristy Bertini Society of Children's Book Writers & Illustrators

Malcolm Mitchell: From Super Bowl Champion to Literacy Advocate

The August 2026 issue of Story Monsters Ink® is here — and Monster Membership is FREE!

This month, we’re proud to feature Malcolm Mitchell on the cover.

Malcolm is a Super Bowl champion, former New England Patriots wide receiver, award-winning children’s author, literacy advocate, and founder of the Share the Magic Foundation, an organization dedicated to helping children discover the power and joy of reading.

In our cover feature, Malcolm shares how his own journey with reading changed the direction of his life, how football unexpectedly led him toward literacy, and why writing for children has become such an important part of his story.

Readers will also get a closer look at his newest book, My Super Duper Me, and the message at the heart of his work: helping children recognize their own strengths, build confidence, and discover the possibilities that reading can open.

This issue also features India Hill Brown, Linda Soules, Callie Chapman, Keith Negley, Kim Lanza, Judy Newman, Conrad’s Classroom, Monsters at the Movies, Liv on Life, Great-Grandma’s Animal Adventures, summer reading ideas, book reviews, and more.

Monster Membership is completely FREE!

Join today and start reading:
https://storymonstersink.com/membership

Story Monsters Ink® — The Literary Magazine for Teachers, Librarians, and Parents.

New England Patriots

Our very first review is in! 🎉

Okay, truth be told, I have been sitting on pins and needles waiting for this one. 🙂 There is something about that very first review — after so much work, so many conversations, so many details, and so much heart have gone into a book — that makes you wonder what that first reader will see.

And what a first review it is: 5 stars from Readers’ Favorite!

A very special thank-you to Karen Tolentino of Readers’ Favorite for giving such heart and soul to this review. She didn’t simply summarize Polymers Among Us — she captured the spirit of what we hoped to create: real science presented with imagination, humor, and genuine charm. I am so grateful for the care and thoughtfulness she brought to her words.

And to Conrad J. Storad, Paula Hurd, Jeff Yesh, and Josh Gordon — thank you for the talent, care, support, and teamwork that helped bring this project to life. Josh, a special thank-you to you and the Barberton Community Foundation for helping make this project possible.

What an incredible way to begin.

Five stars. Our first review. And one very grateful Monster-in-Chief. ❤️

Linda F. Radke
Monster-in-Chief
Story Monsters LLC

5 Stars ~
Reviewed by Karen Tolentino for Readers’ Favorite

Polymers Among Us by Conrad J. Storad is a good educational resource for kids to learn about polymers. The story starts with a curious little Story Monster who overhears whispered voices in the woods, nudging it to learn about "the Polymers." That sends our little protagonist to follow the rainbow shapes hovering over the ground, leading to Akron, Ohio. Each shape disappears as he passes through it. Akron is also known as the real-life Rubber City. On his way, he meets his cousins, Pauly Polymer and Penny Polymer, who can stretch, flatten, and snap back into different shapes. They show off the flexibility that makes polymers remarkable. As he passes the Towpath Trail, he discovers an entire extended family of plastics and rubbers: the PVC-loving Vinny, the bottle-and-window specialist Ethyl, the military-grade Kev, the food-wrapper Zippy, and the old-timer Grampy Gum from the Latex side. After a fun encounter with them, the curious little Story Monster continues his journey to the Rubber Capital of the World in his new form. ��Conrad J. Storad, a veteran science writer for young readers, uses personification skillfully. He turns chemistry into a family of quirky cousins, transforming an abstract subject into something tangible and memorable. The shapeshifting monster gives artist Jeff Yesh plenty of room to play, popping objects and forms between tires, a superhero, a Mars Rover, and more with real visual wit. The Science Fun Fact sidebars are the book's real backbone, delivering concrete, well-researched details. The University of Akron's polymer PhD program, NASA's Apollo-era spring tires, and thermal degradation are facts sprinkled with playful elements to make them exciting for children to learn. I particularly love the closing activity section: hands-on paper-chain monomers, a poly-vocabulary match activity, a spot-the-polymer scavenger hunt, and a lot more. It turns this book into a reusable classroom resource rather than a single read-through. Finally, it concludes with a cliffhanger ending, promising a return to finish Grampy Gum's story, suggesting a series. For classrooms, libraries, and curious young engineers in the making, Polymers Among Us delivers real science with genuine charm.

CALLING YOUNG WRITERS & ANIMAL LOVERS! 🐾✍️📚

Children’s author Linda Harkey is inviting kids to submit an original animal story or memory (up to 400 words) for possible publication in her Great-Grandma’s Animal Adventures column in Story Monsters Ink®!

🌟 Selected young writers will:
• Have their work published in Story Monsters Ink®
• Receive an autographed Linda Harkey book
• Have a signed book donated to their school library

📧 Submit to: [email protected]
📅 Submissions accepted year-round!

Parents, teachers, and librarians: Please share this opportunity with the young writers and animal lovers in your life!

And while you’re there, visit Story Monsters Ink® and sign up for your FREE Monster Membership to enjoy great reads, resources, and inspiration for growing minds.

Join FREE:
https://storymonstersink.com/membership⁠

Great Reads for Growing Minds. 💚📚

Conrad J. Storad Raven Howell Cristy Bertini Jeff Heller Paula Hurd

🎶🏆 TWO WINNING SONGS! 🏆🎶 I am absolutely thrilled to share that Studio Story Monster® has received two 2026 InterContinental Music Awards in the Children’s Music category!

Congratulations to our winning songs:

🐝 “The Bumblebees”
🌸 “The Magical Garden”

Both songs are from Cate and the Garden Bandits: The Musical, based on the award-winning children’s book by Betsy Coffeen.

What makes this especially exciting is that both songs were named finalists in an international field of children’s music—and now both have emerged as 2026 winners!

🎵 Music & Lyrics: Zachary R. Simpson
🎤 Performed by: Erin Rementer, Kalen Kelly, and Zachary R. Simpson
🎺 Trumpet Performance on “The Bumblebees”: Jim Derrick
📚 Based on the children’s book by: Betsy Coffeen
🎨 Illustrated by: Ginger Seehafer
🎬 Produced by: Studio Story Monsters®
✨ Executive Producer: Linda F. Radke

I could not be prouder of this extraordinary creative team. What began as a beloved children’s story continues to grow in the most wonderful ways—from book to musical to internationally recognized music.

My heartfelt congratulations and gratitude to everyone who helped bring these songs to life. 💛🐝🌸🎶

2026 InterContinental Music Awards — Children’s Music Winners
🏆 “The Bumblebees”
🏆 “The Magical Garden”

Official winners:
https://www.intercontinentalmusicawards.com/winners/winners2026/

Betsy Coffeen Zachary Simpson Erin Rementer Kalen Kelly Jim Derrick

📚 COULD THIS BE THE BEST $75 YOU INVEST IN YOUR BOOK? 📚

LAST CALL: AUGUST READING LISTINGS!

Put your book in front of educators, librarians, and readers nationwide through Story Monsters Ink®.

Our platform reaches educators across the country and is distributed through 88% of public libraries and 93% of public schools, with connections to major education and library networks including NEA, Gale, and EBSCO.

For just $75, your Reading Listing includes:

* Your book cover
* A direct link to Amazon or your website
* A 75-word book description

⏰ Deadline: August 31… just saying. 😉

To reserve your space, email your cover image and 75-word description to [email protected].

✨ Want even more exposure? Ask about our feature interviews, advertorials, and custom marketing packages.

Story Monsters Ink® — Great Reads for Growing Minds.

FREE membership: www.storymonstersink.com

Meet our newest Story Monster! 👾📚
Polymers Among Us has officially arrived! I’m so proud of everyone who helped bring this fun STEM adventure to life. 💚

A NEW MONSTER HAS ARRIVED! 👾📚

“Polymers Among Us” is officially available on Amazon in both paperback and Kindle editions! 🎉📚

This book has been a true team effort, and I want to take a moment to recognize the people who helped bring it to life.

A special shout-out to Paula Hurd, Creative Story Strategist, for helping guide “Polymers Among Us” from concept to completion, keeping all the moving pieces on track and bringing this special book together with such care, creativity, and dedication.

A special thank you as well to illustrator Jeff Yesh, who did an outstanding job bringing Conrad J. Storad’s story to life through his remarkable illustrations. His creativity, attention to detail, and visual storytelling add so much personality and energy throughout the book.

I also want to recognize Diane Timmons for her work behind the scenes preparing and setting up the final files for Amazon. Her attention to detail and production support helped ensure that “Polymers Among Us” was ready to make its official debut.

A very special thank you to Josh Gordon, Executive Director of the Barberton Community Foundation, and to the Foundation for their valued support of “Polymers Among Us.” Their encouragement, belief in this project, and role in helping bring the book to life are deeply appreciated. Their support will help “Polymers Among Us” educate, inspire, and spark curiosity in young readers.

At the heart of it all is Conrad J. Storad, whose knowledge, imagination, passion, and gift for storytelling are woven throughout every page of “Polymers Among Us,” morphing science into stories that spark curiosity and wonder—with Story Monster always at his side as his faithful sidekick from day one. 💚👾

I am incredibly proud to see “Polymers Among Us” officially make its way into the world.

Order on Amazon:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0HGNP9GKL/

Linda F. Radke
Monster-in-Chief
Story Monsters LLC
www.storymonsters.com

Conrad J. Storad City of Barberton Barberton Public Library

A NEW MONSTER HAS ARRIVED! 👾📚

“Polymers Among Us” is officially available on Amazon in both paperback and Kindle editions! 🎉📚

This book has been a true team effort, and I want to take a moment to recognize the people who helped bring it to life.

A special shout-out to Paula Hurd, Creative Story Strategist, for helping guide “Polymers Among Us” from concept to completion, keeping all the moving pieces on track and bringing this special book together with such care, creativity, and dedication.

A special thank you as well to illustrator Jeff Yesh, who did an outstanding job bringing Conrad J. Storad’s story to life through his remarkable illustrations. His creativity, attention to detail, and visual storytelling add so much personality and energy throughout the book.

I also want to recognize Diane Timmons for her work behind the scenes preparing and setting up the final files for Amazon. Her attention to detail and production support helped ensure that “Polymers Among Us” was ready to make its official debut.

A very special thank you to Josh Gordon, Executive Director of the Barberton Community Foundation, and to the Foundation for their valued support of “Polymers Among Us.” Their encouragement, belief in this project, and role in helping bring the book to life are deeply appreciated. Their support will help “Polymers Among Us” educate, inspire, and spark curiosity in young readers.

At the heart of it all is Conrad J. Storad, whose knowledge, imagination, passion, and gift for storytelling are woven throughout every page of “Polymers Among Us,” morphing science into stories that spark curiosity and wonder—with Story Monster always at his side as his faithful sidekick from day one. 💚👾

I am incredibly proud to see “Polymers Among Us” officially make its way into the world.

Order on Amazon:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0HGNP9GKL/

Linda F. Radke
Monster-in-Chief
Story Monsters LLC
www.storymonsters.com

Conrad J. Storad City of Barberton Barberton Public Library

We are thrilled to celebrate the official selections from Story Monsters LLC, Studio Story Monsters®, Story Monsters Press®, and Book Street Press at the 2026 San Diego International Kids’ Film Festival! 🎬✨

These selections represent the many ways a story can grow beyond the page—through theme songs, audiobooks and read-alongs, musicals, screenplays, and live performance.

Among this year’s official selections are works connected to:

🎵 Original Theme Songs
📚 Story Monsters® Little Read-Alongs™
🎭 Cate and the Garden Bandits: The Musical
🎬 The Case of the Missing Pink Piggy
📖 The Sixty-Minute Shakespeare Series, adapted and condensed by Cass Foster, Professor Emeritus

✨ And the creative work of award-winning authors and collaborators who continue to bring these stories to life in new and exciting ways.

We are so proud of everyone whose talent, imagination, and dedication helped make these selections possible.

What an exciting weekend celebrating stories, music, performance, creativity, and the magic that happens when books take on a life of their own!

Story Monster hopes to see you at tonight’s awards ceremony and to help cheer on and celebrate all of the wonderful filmmakers, writers, performers, creators, and honorees who have made this festival so special! 💚👾🎉

San Diego International Kids’ Film Festival 2026

San Diego International Kids' Film Festival 20+