Review of "Story Monsters Ink Magazine (February 2025)" by Story Monsters LLC

Score: 95/100 (9.5 out of 10)

We constantly find ourselves impressed and amazed by Story Monsters!
Just when you think they've settled into their niche, they branch out and excel in a completely different way.

As a publisher, a name, and a brand, they have constantly demonstrated how diverse, multifaceted, and layered their products are. Everything they do just clicks in one way or another: their children's books, their documentaries, their music, and—in this specific case—their magazine!

Story Monsters Ink is the most pleasant, appealing, and delightful literary magazine we've had the pleasure of reading lately. It's colorful, bright, entertaining, insightful, inspirational, educational (at times), and—best of all—features such extraordinary guests!

Story Monsters Ink February 2025 Edition features two heavy hitters in the children's book industry (David Shannon and Megan McDonald), the world-renown poet and activist who presented at President Joe Biden's 2021 presidential inauguration (Amanda Gorman), a Super Bowl Champion & NFL tight-end (Martellus Bennett), a Newberry Honor Book Award winner (Andrea Beatriz Arango), and more!

Raven Howell, Conrad Storad, Julianne Black DiBlasi, and everyone else at Story Monsters really do a phenomenal job at putting this all together.

And, no, we're not forgetting or ignoring the extraordinary contributions by the likes of great people like Judy Newman and Kaitlyn Sage Patterson.

In fact, let's start there. Kaitlyn Sage Patterson is a breath of fresh air in the world of middle-grade fiction. Her interview and feature in this issue bring to light her unique perspective on the joys and challenges of growing up in Appalachia, the importance of representation in equestrian sports, and the power of pursuing dreams, even when the odds seem stacked against you. Her voice is authentic, empathetic, and thoroughly engaging—reminding us that every child deserves stories where they can see themselves and their communities reflected.

One thing that really stood out to us is what inspires Patterson to write. You know what they say? Write what you like or write what you'd want to read. You could add write what you know in there as well. Patterson grew up at the foot of the Smoky Mountains in East Tennessee. She grew up really liking horses and stories about them (the Saddle Club book series, for example). She voraciously sought after these horse stories and absolutely adored them. That passion for horses is exemplified in her new middle-grade series, Windy Creek Stables.

Judy Newman “Stuffie Power” column is a heartfelt nod to the quiet magic of childhood comfort objects and the imaginative worlds children build around them. It’s whimsical, wise, and precisely the kind of content that reminds adults why nurturing children’s creativity and emotional well-being is so important. This section really spoke to us. All of us remember our childhood stuffy or personal item. Heck, maybe those things inspired the books and stories we wrote! Our founder, Steven, had a bunch of dinosaur & dragon stuffies growing up which eventually inspired the characters in his book, The Destroyer of Worlds. He says that one of them, "Bluey," actually became Azure, the protagonist of the book. Do you remember your childhood teddy bear, blanket, or binky? It's fascinating how these little things from long ago—surprisingly—leave a lasting impression on our psyches and lives.

So, if you're a children's book author or have consumed/purchased a lot of children's books, you almost definitely know David Shannon. David Shannon is the author of the legendary No, David! series—a collection that has become a staple in classrooms, libraries, and homes around the world. His mischievous, round-headed character David, with his shark-toothed grin and never-ending antics, has made generations of kids (and adults) laugh out loud while also touching on the universal experience of childhood mischief.

And, hey, if we're not mistaken, he's one of the few children's book characters to ever get his own float at the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade!

But David Shannon’s talent doesn’t stop at humor. He’s a masterful illustrator and storyteller whose work spans a variety of styles and subjects, from the expressive, childlike paintings in the “David” books to more realistic or whimsical art in titles like A Bad Case of Stripes, How Georgie Radbourn Saved Baseball, and Roy Digs Dirt. Shannon’s stories resonate because they’re authentic, relatable, and always have a core of genuine warmth—even when they’re hilariously chaotic.

What’s especially impressive about Shannon, as highlighted in this issue of Story Monsters Ink, is his willingness to experiment and evolve, both in his writing and his art. Whether he’s drawing with markers to mimic a classroom whiteboard or crafting a story around the fine line between what’s funny and what’s “not funny,” his creativity never stops. He makes it clear: don’t underestimate kids—they get more than we think, and they’re always hungry for a story that rings true.

Megan McDonald is another heavy-hitter in the children's book industry. She is the author of the Judy Moody books for grades 2 to 4! If you’ve spent any time around elementary-aged readers, you’ve almost certainly heard of Judy Moody—the feisty, funny, and sometimes moody third-grader whose adventures (and misadventures) have entertained millions for 25 years.

McDonald’s Judy Moody series is famous for its humor, relatability, and heartfelt look at sibling dynamics, friendship, and everyday childhood challenges. The stories are packed with personality, thanks to both McDonald’s lively writing and Peter H. Reynolds’ memorable illustrations. And let’s not forget about Judy’s little brother, Stink, who became such a fan favorite that he got his own spinoff series!

But McDonald’s talents don’t end there. In addition to the enduring success of Judy Moody, she’s written a new chapter book series, Fairy Door Diaries, which draws readers into a whimsical world of magic and imagination—proving that her creativity is as boundless as ever. Whether she’s writing about moody third-graders or tiny magical doors, Megan McDonald’s stories always capture the joy, wonder, and sometimes the chaos of childhood in a way that makes readers want to keep turning the page.

Amanda Gorman serves as the stellar cover-model of this installment. She is a world-renown poet, scholar, social justice activist, and Harvard graduate who has accomplished all she has by the age of only 27!

We know her as the poet who made waves and headlines speaking at President Biden's 2021 inauguration (reciting her poem We Rise). Regardless of how you feel about socio-political perspectives and issues, it is undeniably awesome to be invited to speak at an occasion like that—with the whole nation and the world watching!

In this issue, Gorman shares her insights on the power of poetry, the importance of community, and the courage it takes to raise one’s voice. Her new book, Girls on the Rise, continues her mission to inspire and uplift the next generation, reminding readers that real change begins when we choose to stand together.

Next, there's former Super Bowl Champion and NFL tight-end Martellus Bennett! Bennett’s article promotes his picture book, Dear Black Boy, with a compelling message of empowerment, imagination, and representation. The feature strongly emphasizes creativity, positivity, and the importance of imagination and ambition for Black youth.

Bennett proved to have the best quotes and most insights of the many talented, esteemed authors in this magazine. For example, he says, "I do love writing. I actually prefer to write things out. I feel that when we speak, the breeze catches our words, and they end up all over the place, but when we write, the words stay right where I put them. I like that." What an awesome quote about the power and lasting impact of the written word!

He also says something really fascinating about why he's pouring so much of himself and his creativity into his works: "What a terrible life for a character—to be stuck in a
notebook with no chance of making it out into the world. It is my dream to die with no ideas. I would like for my tombstone, or whatever they put me in, to say: Here lies a man with no more
ideas... oh yeah, one more thing...”

His section also really demonstrates his growth as an author/illustrator. He talks about how much he has improved. “The first edition of the book that I self-published came out six years ago, and
since then, I’ve grown in so many ways. I can draw better now, I can articulate my thoughts with a tad bit more clarity, and I understand color much better—I’ve even developed my own
color theories!”

Andrea Beatriz Arango's section also resonated with us a lot. Yes, she's a Newberry Honor winner, but she's also a very personable and relatable person. One thing that really stood out to us about her section was the inspiration behind her new book which features fencing, It’s All or Nothing, Vale! The book focuses on themes of perseverance, recovery, identity, and personal growth. The spotlight is on Valentina ("Vale") Camacho, a dedicated young fencer coping with the aftermath of a serious accident. After months away, she's determined to return to her sport—but finds that physical healing is just the beginning of her journey. Through poetic storytelling, Arango explores how Vale confronts her fears, reclaims her passion, and struggles to redefine herself beyond the scoreboard.

That's all well and good, but we remember is how Arango talked about how she didn't have personal experience with fencing other than that her sister was a fencer. She talks about how this book is actually a bit of an apology letter to her sister for not always being involved and supportive of her fencing passion.

How beautiful is that? Literature can be a way of healing old wounds and making amends.

What a great installment of a fantastic magazine!

Check it out here!