Story Monsters LLC Everything Children’s Books

11/04/2025

The Sixty-Minute Shakespeare Series:
Trusted by Educators for Nearly Three Decades

About the Series

As Story Monsters LLC celebrates 40 years of publishing excellence, we take pride in continuing one of our longest-running and most beloved educational series, the Sixty-Minute Shakespeare Series by Professor Emeritus Cass Foster. These adaptations have helped teachers and students rediscover Shakespeare for nearly three decades. Each edition preserves the Bard’s original language and play format while offering thoughtful footnotes that make every scene clear and engaging. Ideal for grades 6 and up, the series has earned lasting trust from educators nationwide.

Originally introduced through Five Star Publications, the series is now published by Book Street Press, an imprint of Story Monsters® LLC.

Hamlet, Sixty-Minute Shakespeare Series
A faithful and fast-paced condensation of Shakespeare’s classic tragedy, Hamlet invites readers to explore the depths of grief, revenge, and moral struggle. Cass Foster’s adaptation keeps the Bard’s original text intact while clarifying complex language for new audiences.

Perfect for one-class readings, scene studies, literature units in grades 6 and up and impress administrators, peers, the student population, and their parents with your students’ mastering of staging a Shakespearean production without modernizing Shakespeare’s language.

“Rather than retell, the series preserves the original play format and the Bard’s language, while providing excellent footnotes to archaic words. It’s a smart stepping stone to the real thing.” — NEA Today

Performance Rights: Performing rights for all plays in the Sixty-Minute Shakespeare Series are available from Dramatic Publishing.

To request classroom sets or sample copies, contact [email protected], visit IntroducingShakespeare.com, or order directly on Amazon.

William Shakespeare Introducing Shakespeare Cass FosterFolger Shakespeare Library Oregon Shakespeare Festival Dramatic Publishing

Adapted by Cass Foster. Buy any 3 books, get 10% off when you use Discount Code: SHAKESPEARE10 at check out! The introduction to SHAKESPEARE is not an easy task. Sometimes the magic can use a little assistance! To make the works of Shakespeare accessible to all ages and levels of education, Cass

11/02/2025

Trick or treat? 🎃 This one’s definitely a treat! 🍭💚

We’re celebrating 13-year-old author and illustrator Siona Talekar, whose book I Know What You Do When I Go to School! just won Best Children’s Story at the Independent International Film Festival (Season 2 – 2025)! 🏆📚

Story Monster® couldn’t be prouder of our talented friend! ✨

11/02/2025

Desert Ecology Story, Animal Friendship, Light Adventure

Themes: Curiosity, Adaptation, Companionship, Play, Nature’s Surprises

Content Warning: Includes brief scenes of animal hunting and desert survival, handled in a gentle, age-appropriate way.

Why do some animals seem to hold conversations we can almost understand, while others simply scuttle away? The answer lies hidden in this write-up—read on to uncover it.

The most memorable stories for young readers often begin with a simple “what if.” Desert Friends takes that premise and runs—sometimes literally—across the dry streambeds of the Sonoran Desert. Instead of humans guiding the tale, animals are the narrators of their own games, questions, and challenges. The result feels like eavesdropping on an animated desert neighborhood.

Rodney the roadrunner and Quincy the quail become fast companions not because they are the same, but because they aren’t. Their banter is humorous, sometimes quirky, and often oddly wise. When one explains why he stands in the sun, the other counters with how his flock gathers for warmth. What child hasn’t compared habits with a friend and felt a spark of delight at the difference?

Science quietly breathes beneath the story’s playfulness. Roadrunners really do prefer desert floors to roads. Gambel’s quails really do feed on seeds and fruits. A flood sweeping through an arroyo is not fantasy but a seasonal event that reshapes the desert. These details create trust between reader and book: the adventure is grounded, not make-believe, even if the animals talk.

What makes this story striking is its balance of rhythm and pause. One moment the animals are leaping over cactus plants, the next they are startled into reflection by shadows overhead. The pacing mirrors childhood itself—quick games interrupted by sudden lessons, then back to laughter.
The book is not written for readers who crave long arcs, heavy morals, or endless action. Instead, it fits those who enjoy short, bright bursts of life, the way a child finds joy in pebbles, pawprints, and passing clouds. Adults reading alongside children may recognize the way everyday moments—meals, naps, storms—become unforgettable when shared with a companion.

Desert Friends does not shout its message; it hums it like a bird call in the distance. And for families or classrooms looking for a tale that entertains while opening a door to desert ecology, that hum is worth following.

Review provided by Wordscape Wonders Award

10/31/2025

🎉 Celebrating Young Voices: A Teacher’s Dedication, A Student’s Achievement — Pulse Wins Best Student Poetry Award!

Congratulations to writing teacher Sheila Rowe and her students on this incredible honor from the Edgar Allan Poe International Screenwriter Awards! 🏆

For ten years, Sheila has led the Young Authors Project, helping students discover their voices and the courage to share them with the world. As a former special education teacher, I’m inspired by her dedication to bringing out the best in every student. 💚

Published by School Express Press, an imprint of Story Monsters LLC.

~ Linda F. Radke, Monster-in-Chief, Publisher, Story Monsters LLC


Wild Filmmaker

10/31/2025

🇺🇸✨ A Salute to a True American Hero! I’m deeply honored that Johnny Vet: America’s Original Superhero (USA) has been named Best Comic Book at the 2025 Epic ACG Fest! 🎖️

This year’s festival featured more than 70 projects from over 20 countries, bringing together creators from around the world to celebrate excellence in animation, comics, games, and audiobooks.

My heartfelt gratitude to the Epic ACG Fest Committee for this recognition — and to Major General Alan B. Salisbury, author of Johnny Vet: America’s Original Superhero, for trusting me to place his remarkable book in my hands to represent him through Story Monsters LLC.

It’s a privilege to help share his inspiring message of courage, service, and patriotism with readers of all ages. 💚🇺🇸

Epic ACG Fest

10/31/2025

🩷✨ A Celebration of Courage, Kindness, and Acceptance!

We’re thrilled to share that Marky the Magnificent Fairy by Cynthia Kern OBrien, illustrated by Jeff Yesh and published by Story Monsters Press, has received a Certificate of Excellence in the 2025 Ella’s Way Children’s Book Awards, honoring stories that promote acceptance, kindness, and inclusion. 🌈

Marky carries such a strong voice — one that empowers children to embrace who they are and to see the beauty in others. 💫

Congratulations to Cynthia, whose heartfelt storytelling shines through every page, and to Jeff Yesh, whose vibrant illustrations bring Marky to life. 💖

Special thanks as well to the Little Monsters Read-Along team for helping share this story’s uplifting message with young listeners everywhere. 💚

Cindy Kern OBrien

10/31/2025

🎶 Award Announcement

We’re thrilled to announce that The Magical Garden has been named Best Song – Children at the White Mountains Film Fest 2025! 🌟

Inspired by the book Cate and the Garden Bandits written by Betsy Coffeen and published by Story Monsters Press, this song is part of Cate and the Garden Bandits: The Musical.

Music and Lyrics: Zachary R. Simpson
Performed by: Erin Rementer, Kalen Kelly, and Zachary R. Simpson ~ Guitar: Jimmy Sweeden | Additional Instruments: Zachary R. Simpson

Our heartfelt thanks to the White Mountains Film Fest for recognizing the creativity, imagination, and storytelling behind this project. This recognition is especially meaningful because it comes from right here in Story Monster’s home state of Arizona. 🌵💚

Betsy Coffeen Arizona Talking Book Library

10/28/2025

📚💚 Book Angels Still Exist!🪽
A heartfelt thank-you to author and speech-language pathologist Connie Hunt for her very generous donation of her wonderful board books — Hello Mouth!, Hello Hands!, and Hello Feet! 💫

These delightful titles will soon be included in Story Monsters Greenie Boxes™, bringing smiles, stories, and literacy to children in Title I schools and children’s hospitals across the country.

Your kindness and commitment to helping children learn, grow, and communicate make you a true Book Angel. 👼✨

Would you like to become a Story Monsters Greenie Box™ Ambassador and help share the gift of reading?

🌎 Visit https://storymonsters.com/story-monster-greenie-box to learn more!

10/28/2025

https://www.facebook.com/EntertainmentTonight/videos/24900138266255783/?fs=e&fs=e

📚✨ Books that make you want to move!
Do you know any great books that encourage dance? 💃🕺

Whether it’s twirling across the living room, tapping to a tune, or learning new moves from a favorite story, books that celebrate dance help kids express joy, confidence, and creativity!

What books get your readers up and moving? Share your favorites below! 👇

10/27/2025

Thrilled to be interviewed by Newsday! 🗞️

With a circulation of 1.2 million readers, I’m honored to share insights on the growing trend of mobile bookstores. As I mentioned in the article, people are “hungry” to hold a real book in hand — and mobile bookstores are helping keep the magic of reading alive everywhere they go.

A special thank-you to Newsday reporter Brianne Ledda for shining a light on this inspiring movement — and for including a link to Story Monsters Ink®, where we continue to champion books, authors, and literacy every day. 💚
~ Linda F. Radke, Monster-in-Chief

🔗 https://www.newsday.com/business/mobile-bookstore-virgo-rising-the-wandering-page-t8ik3vuc

(Subscription may be required — but it’s only $0.25 for a six-month digital subscription!)

🌐 www.StoryMonstersInk.com


Cristy Bertini Newsday Newsday TV Story Monsters Ink Magazine

10/27/2025

’s October Hot Off the Press features “The Case of the Missing Pig Piggy”
by www.HarkeyAnimalTales.com

10/23/2025

This little piggy went to school! 🐽💗
She swapped barnyard adventures for classroom fun, joining author Linda Harkey to inspire and entertain 2nd, 3rd, and 4th grade students through the joy of storytelling and imagination!

From giggles to “oinks” of excitement, the students loved meeting this storybook star and hearing how Pink Piggy’s adventures came to life on the page. 💕📚

Would you like Pink Piggy to visit your classroom too?
Contact the Author at: [email protected]
Learn more: www.HarkeyAnimalTales.com