"Stories for Children Magazine (http://storiesforchildrenmagazine.org/default.aspx) placed in the Top Ten as Best E-zine for Fiction, Non-fiction, and Poetry in the Preditors & Editors Readers Poll 2007. These are good credentials for a magazine which started only a short time ago. The first issue was published in April, 2007. Since that time the SFC team has continued to improve the quality of the magazine and the stories published. They are a demanding group, looking for tightly-written, fast-paced stories with language which is conversational and fun.

The Best of Stories for Children Magazine, Volume 1, is a tribute to the quality of stories found on a monthly basis. Within these pages, readers will find a combination of thirty-two stories, poems, articles, and crafts by leading children's authors.

The book is divided into two sections with stories culled from the past year's issues. There are sixteen pieces taken from the spring and summer issues and an additional sixteen from the fall and winter. There is something from everyone from the early reader rebus, "Hungry Helper," by Lisa Lowe Stauffer (artwork provided by Steve Cartwright) which starts off the book to informative non-fiction articles for older readers such as, "Magnificent Totem Poles," by Randi Lynn Mrvos and "Sticks and Stones Won't Break My Bones,” by Nidhi Kamra a story about calcium. Also included are colorfully illustrated poems such as "Topsy Turvy Tour," by Donna J. Shepard (illustrated by Kevin Scott Collier), and "Sail Away," by Carol Crowley (artwork provided by Candace J. Hardy).

Holiday themes are touched on with stories about Halloween, "The Pumpkin Festival Mystery," by, Mary LaFleur Langdon (illustrated by Steve Cartwright), Eid Al-Adha, "Anisah Celebrates EID AL-ADHA," by Gayle Jacobson-Huset, (with Arabic language help from Dara Becker and illustrated by Candace J. Hardy), and Christmas, "Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus!" by V.S. Grenier.

In Volume 1, you will find recipes for cornbread, chicken salad, "magic" reindeer food, and fun to make Christmas tree treats which are easily made from items such as Reese's Peanut Butter Cups (miniatures) Rolos and Hershey's Kisses. Also included are directions for making non-toxic finger paint.

According to VS Grenier, founder and Editor-in-Chief, Best of Stories for Children Magazine, Volume 1, "titles picked for the anthology are based off new visits to the site page, so they are picked by the readers. We don't look at repeat visits only the first time visits, and the page only logs it as a first visit if the reader is on the page for more then 2 minutes." This guarantees the stories you will find are the ones most read by children and their parents."

~Penny Ehrenkranz, Children's Author

"From poetry, fiction and nonfiction, to activities, crafts and recipes, this anthology of work taken from Stories for Children Magazine will delight young readers and their parents, older brothers and sisters, too. The book, divided into two sections, Spring and Summer, Autumn and Winter, contains over 20 poems, stories and articles by leading children’s authors and illustrators.

As we stroll through the pages of this book, we meet a hungry boy in Lisa Lowe Stauffer’s fun rebus, “Hungry Helper,” artwork by Steve Cartwright. “The First Teddy Bear,” by VS Grenier, relates the history of this popular stuffed animal. Follow along with Donna J. Shepherd and illustrator Kevin Scott Collier on a “Topsy Turvey Tour” and meet some very unique critters. For young artists, VS Grenier has written a recipe for making your own finger paints. And these are just the beginning.

“King of the Mountain,” by VS Grenier, artwork by Marie Letourneau, gives us a loveable hero. And if your parents sometimes haven’t a clue what you’re doing, “Mistaken Identity” by Gayle Jacobson-Huset, artwork by Kimberly Sponaugle, is the story for you. Guy Steward wrote a fun tale about an iguana and a cockatiel, “Marcus and Eggplant Save Patokay,” artwork by Brooke Henson Lovell. Then there’s Gayle C. Krause’s “Cookie Lessons” about, what else? Talking cookies, artwork by Angela C. Hawkins.

Do you enjoy a good mystery? Then help Detective Peyton find the clues in Cynthia Sherwood’s “The Store Detective,” but be sure to turn on the lights when you read “There’s a Monster in Cabin Eight,” by Gayle Jacobson-Huset, artwork by Zariah. Mary LaFleur Langdon’s “The Pumpkin Festival Mystery,” artwork by Steve Cartwright will have you puzzling over what’s happening to the pumpkins. And can you solve the mystery of the snowman in “Snowman’s Face is Missing!” by Rachel A. Hamby and artwork by Beverly Luria? Sounds great, huh? Read on.  

For the cooks in the family, try making some of the simple, yet yummy recipes. “Granny Gayle’s Summer Chicken Salad,” Gayle Jacobson-Huset, is on my recipes-to-try list. If you’ve ever wanted to leave a treat for Santa’s reindeer, the reindeer are sure to love the treats in “Magic Reindeer Food,” by VS Grenier. Or whip up a batch of Gayle Jacobson-Huset’s “Christmas Tree Treats” for gifts or holiday decorations.

Is poetry your favorite read? Then take a look at Evelyn B. Christensen’s poem, “Garden Gripe,” artwork by Nicole Falk. Check out Becky Becker’s poem, “April Fools Day,” illustrated by Angela C. Hawkins. Or you can sail away with Carol Crowley’s “Sail Away,” artwork Candace J. Hardy.

Do you know the purpose of totem poles? I didn’t until I read “Magnificent Totem Poles,” by Randi Lynn Mrvos. You’ve heard the old saying “Sticks & Stones Won’t Break My Bones?” Nidhi Kamra’s article with that title tells all about your bones and calcium. What a cool read.

Have you ever wanted to speak another language? Or perhaps you do. I learned a few Arabic words in Gayle Jacobson-Huset’s and Dara Becker’s “Anisah Celebrates’EID AL-ADHA’,” illustrated by Candace J. Hardy. “Assalaamu Alaikum.” This means “Peace be upon you.”

With stories about penguins, elves, turkeys, and scarecrows, there is so much more I want to tell you. But I must stop now. I recommend this anthology for all ages. Parents, read it to your children. Children, read it to yourselves and to your pets. You’ll be glad you did."  ~Beverly Stowe McClure, Author of Rebel in Blue Jeans