The Fiction Issue
With summer around the corner, our young writers wanted to try something different – stories from their own imagination! Check out our special Fiction Issue, in mailboxes and on newsstands now.
In this month's edition of the Little Dispatch, you'll find three captivating original stories that highlight the incredible creativity bubbling up in the Story Salon studio:
When Reality Gets Twisted Eleven-year-old Ella takes us on a mind-bending journey in "This Room is All Wrong!" Her protagonist Mia discovers that her dad's office building defies all logic – elevators that don't match their floor numbers, desks in the wrong corners, and mixed-up floor plans. Ella captures an unsettling experience when everything looks normal but feels wrong.
Journey of Misunderstandings Sienna, age 10, delivers delightful absurdity in "It's NOT a Cookie?" when a well-meaning dolphin mistakes a platypus for another animal and embarks on an adventure to Saturn. With charming illustrations by Ella, this tale proves that the best stories often start with the most unexpected premise. Who knew a case of mistaken identity could lead to intergalactic friendship lessons?
Magic in the Family Beckett and Alfie, both age 10, weave an intricate fantasy in "The Hidden Magic Within," where young Janer discovers his family's secret connection to "good dark magic." Complete with enchanted staffs, mysterious basements, and a world where magic users must hide their abilities, Beckett and Alfie create a richly detailed universe that feels both magical and grounded.
Summer Reading Inspiration Pearl, age 10, rounds out the issue with thoughtful book recommendations for fellow young readers, featuring three adventure series perfect for summer escapism.
Find this month’s Little Dispatch inside the Rivertowns Dispatch, available at local newsstands and libraries throughout the Rivertowns this week. Don’t worry: we will be publishing all summer long. Look for our next special themed issue in July: COMICS!
Pick up a copy of the Little Dispatch and Pearl’s recommended titles at Picture Book in Dobbs Ferry, New York