Ready...Set...Gif..

3/31/2021

Here Ye! Here Ye! Spring
Fling kidlit HAS OFFICIALLY begun!

What are the Rules?

1. Your story should be geared towards kids ages 12 or under.

2. Choose a gif to inspire your story. be sure to share where you found your wonder gif. (The website or if you created it yourself!)

3. All gifs should be child appropriate and in no way be derogatory towards any faith, race, etc.

4. Now for the word count! You have 150 words. That’s it! No more but less is always welcome.
(Your title is not included in the word count.)

5. No illustration notes pretty please.

6. Your gif should be the only visual with your story.

7. The Spring Fling contest officially begins on April 1ST AND ENDS April 3RD. post your gif and story on your blog.

(if you don't have a blog, no worries, you can put your whole story in the form below. if you want others to read it too, feel free to post your story in the comment with the link to your gif.)

8. Once you have finished your post, fill out the form below. There will be a place to add your story and blog link.

9. The deadline for posting your story is April 3RD at 11:59pm CST.

10. Only one entry per contestant please.

The Prizes

Kaitlyn's Blog

Make Your Own GIF

471 Comments

Danielle Sharkan

3/31/2021 09:48:34 pm

The Spirit of Spring

“Is it spring?”
“Not yet, Bella bear.”
“But it’s been so long! How will I know?”
“You’ll see the signs”
“What signs?”

“When snow becomes rain,
and the ground fills with green,
when lakes lose their frost,
then you’ll know that it’s spring.

When vines sprout their buds,
and trees fill with leaves,
when orange blossoms bloom,
you’ll smell fresh scents of spring.

When strawberries ripen,
and fruits fill with seeds,
when sap drips down maples,
you’ll taste flavors of spring.”

“Mama, let’s go eat!”
“Not yet, Bella Bear.”

“Mama, listen!
Honey bees buzzing,
red robins tweet,
the river is roaring,
I hear the sweet sounds of spring.

Mama, look!
Squirrels flash their tails,
ponds full of geese,
deer leap through fields.
I see the signs of spring.”

Bella splashed in a puddle,
swam in a stream,
munched wildflowers,
and
felt the spirit of spring.

“Mama! Spring is here!”

https://images.app.goo.gl/CQ59TNAoU3wGCLsV9

J. R. Reynolds

4/1/2021 08:01:56 am

Wow! Written with pure heart and soul.

Godspeed!

Rosanna Montanaro link

4/1/2021 02:30:41 pm

Loved your story! The visuals are so good. Good luck! Rosanna

Molly

4/1/2021 02:46:06 pm

Love how you've captured the spirit of Spring! I'm so ready for it in my neighborhood! Good luck to you, Danielle!

Charlotte Dixon link

4/1/2021 03:06:38 pm

Feeling Spring and all its goodness-so full of heart. Terrific visuals! Well done!

Rozana Rajkumari

4/1/2021 06:54:08 pm

Such a heartwarming story Danielle! Nicely done :)

Armineh Manookian

4/1/2021 08:53:00 pm

So visual and detailed. Well done!

Tonnye W. Fletcher

4/2/2021 10:14:14 am

Beautifully written! Great sensory details! Nice job!

Carrie Boone

4/3/2021 05:04:17 am

What a richly evocative story, brimming with all the sights, sounds, and smells of spring! Well done.

ALINE K TAYLOR

4/3/2021 09:27:44 am

Love this visual!

When snow becomes rain,
and the ground fills with green,
when lakes lose their frost,
then you’ll know that it’s spring.

Good luck!

Penelope McNally

4/3/2021 12:14:49 pm

Beautiful! I can feel spring by just reading this evocative story! Love the visual of Bella Bear :)

Stacey Miller

4/8/2021 11:28:31 am

What a beautiful story!

Kathryn Stowe Powell

3/31/2021 10:51:30 pm

Kites & Cups
Kathryn Stowe Powell
150 words

Daisy Green loved Spring.
She loved sunny days,
warm breezes,
and flying kites.

“Mom, it’s perfect skies for butterflies!”

“Well, let’s go,” said Ms.Green.

They walked butterfly kites to Merry Meadows Park.

“Ready?” shouted Daisy.

Feet fluttered.
Kites flapped.
Strings tightened.
Winds lifted.
Grass swished.
Flowers swayed.
Laughter carried.
Butterflies flew . . .
until
WHOOOOOSHhhhhhh....

“Mom, it’s getting cold.”

“And dark,” said Ms. Green.

“RAIN!!!!” They squealed.

Clouds poured.
Kites wrestled.
Arms reeled.
Rain soaked.
Hair dripped.
Butterflies drooped.
Flip flops splashed.

Shlip-Shlop-Shlip-Shlop

“Hey Mrs. Frost!” They waved.

Their neighbor stood on her porch,
holding a steaming cup with both hands.

“I — love — Winter,” she said.
“Cloudy days. Chilly winds. Hot chocolate.”

“Hot chocolate?” Shivered the Greens.

“Come up, have a cup.”

“SURE!”

They sat and slurped.

Ms. Green sighed,
“Some days are kites.”

Mrs. Frost said,,
“Some days are cups.”

Daisy smiled,
“And some days are both.”

GIF
https://twitter.com/rynkatt/status/1377481706081554432?s=21

Laken Slate link

4/1/2021 01:26:15 am

My MC is a Daisy who loves spring, too!!:) Loved your ending!!

Kathryn

4/5/2021 06:36:12 pm

Thanks! My grandmother’s name was Daisy.

Rosanna Montanaro link

4/1/2021 02:33:06 pm

Wonderful! The word play is really lovely! Good luck!

Kathryn

4/5/2021 06:36:36 pm

Thank you!

Charlotte Dixon link

4/1/2021 03:09:12 pm

Love your word play and the best satisfying ending. Well done!

Kathryn

4/5/2021 06:43:07 pm

Thank you so much.

Armineh Manookian

4/1/2021 08:57:53 pm

Love the energy in this piece. Well done!

Kathryn

4/5/2021 06:43:41 pm

Thanks!!

Tonnye W. Fletcher

4/2/2021 10:18:06 am

What a fun story! Love the title and how it connects to the ending and your action sequences are so sensory! Great story!

Kathryn

4/5/2021 06:38:38 pm

Thank you!!

Christine Alemshah link

4/2/2021 10:34:38 pm

What a fun story! Your use of literary elements throughout make it shine and I love the characters.

Carrie Boone

4/3/2021 05:06:23 am

So much alliterative awesomeness - plus a really great story arc! I enjoyed reading your story.

Elizabeth Barrett

4/3/2021 12:30:06 pm

I like how the "clouds poured" part mirrors the structure of the "feet fluttered" section. And fantastic onomatopoeia ("shlip"). Now I'm craving hot chocolate!

Melanie Singer

4/5/2021 11:36:16 am

Beautiful! Great word choices and lovely ending.

Kathryn

4/5/2021 06:41:45 pm

Thank you!!!

Penelope McNally

4/10/2021 01:55:47 pm

Perfectly said! Spring really does have kites and cup days :)

Vashti Verbowski

3/31/2021 10:55:28 pm

EARLIE BIRD
by Vashti Verbowski
(150 words)
GIF: https://giphy.com/gifs/3o72Fcp9RiBO8qIDSg/html5

When the stars began to fade, Mama Bird stretched out her wings and cooed, “I’ll come back soon, my little Earlie.”

Alone, Earl watched a spider cozy up to a fly and an owl play chase with a mouse. Earl was an only-chick, and more than anything, he wanted a friend.

When the chicks in the nest next door began to peep and cheep, Earl climbed onto a branch to listen…

“The early bird gets the worm,” one chick tweeted.

“Earlie Bird,” chirped Earl excitedly. “That’s me!”

Earl stretched out his wings and fanned his feathers. “It’s now or never.”

Then, Earl flew--

right into the mud.

Earl peeped and cheeped when he saw what squirmed at his feet.

After playing a game of tug-of-war, Mama returned.

“Looks like my Earlie Bird got the worm!” she sang.

Earl nuzzled up to his new friend--

“Now, where do we find breakfast?”

Rosanna Montanaro link

4/1/2021 02:43:46 pm

So fun! Great story. Good luck!

Vashti Verbowski

4/1/2021 09:38:13 pm

Thank you!

Charlotte Dixon link

4/1/2021 03:11:34 pm

LOL-Such fun and terrific humor. Love the ending :)

Vashti Verbowski

4/1/2021 09:40:54 pm

Thank you... glad you enjoyed it!

Kathleen Lowry

4/1/2021 03:13:20 pm

This is too cute!

Vashti Verbowski

4/1/2021 09:43:50 pm

Thanks for reading:)

Elizabeth Barrett

4/1/2021 03:55:24 pm

Oh my goodness! This is clever. And dear little Earl ("an only-chick") is a sweetie.

Vashti Verbowski

4/1/2021 09:43:32 pm

Thank you so much!

Tonnye W. Fletcher

4/2/2021 10:19:45 am

Love the word play with Earlie and the precious, unexpected ending! Fun!

Vashti Verbowski

4/2/2021 09:48:39 pm

Thank you Tonnye, glad you enjoyed the ending:)

Anne Lipton

4/2/2021 09:35:12 pm

Ingenious twist on an old aphorism! I love the "game of tug-of -war." Your writing is so vivid and palpable, you make Earl's longing come alive.

Vashti Verbowski

4/2/2021 09:47:55 pm

Thank you Anne:) You're too kind!

Stacey EVE ELIZABETH Miller

4/2/2021 11:45:21 pm

Love this, so cute!

Carrie Boone

4/3/2021 05:08:31 am

What a fun story of a lonely little owlet! Thanks for sharing it.

ALINE K TAYLOR

4/3/2021 09:31:22 am

Love the play on words with "Earl" and "Earlie Bird." Good luck!

Elizabeth A Bogart

4/3/2021 05:16:52 pm

lol! SO adorable!

Marty Lapointe-Malchik link

4/5/2021 04:12:45 am

I love 'peeped and cheeped' for Earl's feelings when he sees the worm for the first time. Such a great twist to have him play tug-of-war with his, come to find out, new friend! Perfect last line! Earlie's such an easy to love protagonist! Good luck this spring!!!

Kathryn Powell

4/5/2021 06:34:32 pm

Sooooo CLEVER! Great ending. 👏👏👏👏

Penelope

4/7/2021 06:03:02 am

Fun story! Love "Earl was an only-chick." Nice twist at the end too.

Jennifer Concepcion McLennan

4/1/2021 12:07:00 am

At school, we are making pretty cards.

I choose all pink: pink glitter, pink stickers, pink letters.

I feel a tightness in my chest, but hear my Mami`s voice saying,

“When you miss me, just feel your heart. I will always be with you there.”

Bump bump. Bump bump. Bump bump.

On Sunday, Papi and I take a quiet drive. We pick up Abuela, and she wraps an arm around me.

“Estas bien mi amor?”

“Si.”

But I`m not.

Abuela pins a pink ribbon to my dress, and we go to visit Mami.

When we get to her special place, under the tallest tree, I put my hand on my heart.

I close my eyes.

Bump bump, bump bump, bump bump.

I feel her there.

I put my card onto her stone. Papi places her favorite flowers - tulips.

Feliz dia, Mami. Happy Mother`s Day.

https://media.giphy.com/media/nEaPVwIVCLKr7hTclM/giphy.gif

Elizabeth Barrett

4/1/2021 06:12:16 am

Beautiful, Jen!

J. R. Reynolds

4/1/2021 08:04:24 am

This has all the feels.

Charlotte Dixon link

4/1/2021 03:15:21 pm

So heart-felt. Feeling the emotions and love of your beautiful story. Well done.

Anne Lipton

4/1/2021 06:00:34 pm

You make my reader's heart go bump-bump, too.

Vashti Verbowski

4/1/2021 09:29:04 pm

Brought tears to my eyes. Beautifully done:)

Tonnye W. Fletcher

4/2/2021 10:20:59 am

Tears. . . .beautiful!

Michelle Ramirez

4/2/2021 04:17:42 pm

So beautiful!

Carrie Boone

4/3/2021 05:10:22 am

A beautiful story. I love how you show one way to celebrate what can be a difficult day for grieving families.

Penelope McNally

4/7/2021 06:07:53 am

You can really feel the family love here, on what can be such a difficult day for some families. I love how the MC calms herself with her mother's words. Beautiful.

Sue Lancaster link

4/1/2021 12:25:03 am

Team Green and the Spring Show
(150 words)

The stage was set for the pond’s Spring Show.
The Pondlife were gathered, ready to go.
Team Green were warmed up for the Frog Karaoke
When suddenly Charlie’s voice went all UN-croaky.
“How could this happen?” he said with a squeak.
“I’ve gargled with tree sap for over a week!”
“We need a replacement,” cried lead singer, Joe.
“Is there a frog not involved in the show?”
Someone edged forward. “I could join in?
I’m not in the show and I do love to sing.”
“But you’re not a frog,” sneered Joe in retort.
“A common old toad – with wart upon wart.”
Charlie leapt in, pulled his bandmate aside.
“You want to perform…? Then swallow your pride!”
Team Green took in Toad; their harmonies wowed.
“AMAZING! BRAVO!” Came the cheers from the crowd.
“Sorry I jeered,” confessed Joe, feeling small.
“You saved our Spring Show…
Yes – warts and all!”

(Gif from wifflegif.com:
http://31.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m67kx8rSkZ1qlv2xjo1_500.gif)

[Author’s note: In nature, male frogs and male toads have very distinctive, but very different, mating calls. In Springtime, when the frogs and toads are ready to find a female friend, they use their unique call to attract the most suitable partner.]

Jennifer Concepcion McLennan

4/1/2021 06:25:50 am

So much fun!

Hannah Roy LaGrone

4/1/2021 09:27:27 am

Karaoke and un-croaky are my favorite rhymes I've seen yet!! And love the non-fiction connection.

Stacey EVE ELIZABETH Miller

4/1/2021 11:01:29 am

This is so much fun, Sue. I love it! Especially the rhythm and rhyme. Fantastic.

Tonnye W. Fletcher

4/2/2021 10:23:59 am

Love this unlikely friendship story! Karaoke and uncroaky is awesome!

ALINE K TAYLOR

4/3/2021 09:32:41 am

Love this! And kids will, too! Good luck1

Carrie Boone

4/3/2021 12:27:03 pm

You had me at "frog karaoke"! What a fun little rhymer. :-)

Penelope McNally

4/7/2021 06:12:36 am

Such a fun story! Well paced and great rhymes - karaoke/un-croaky and retort/wart upon wart :)

Shannon Jade link

4/1/2021 12:38:51 am

Ellie’s Spring Things
(137 words)

Ellie wished for warm spring days and bright flowers in bloom.
“No more thunderstorms!” she shouted. “Goodbye, winter gloom!”

In anticipation, Ellie wrote a springtime list.
“These are the magical spring things that, this year, I’ve missed.”

Things like days filled with sunshine and birds singing at dawn.
Things like baby animals and flowers on the lawn.

Dandelions! Easter eggs! Fresh fruit for morning tea!
“I can’t wait!” Ellie called out. “What fun this spring will be!”

Spring arrived and brought with it all Ellie’s hopes and dreams.
Chocolates, flowers, singing birds, and warm and bright sunbeams.

Ellie strolled through the sun and chose which flowers to pick.
Daisies! Poppies! Roses! More! Soon, Ellie felt quite sick.

“Spring is here, but it’s not perfect. Now what will I do?”
Before Ellie could decide, she shouted out, “AAHHHH-CHOOOO!”

[Gif link: https://media.giphy.com/media/3o6MbdV0aCUPGKlE2I/giphy.gif]

Molly

4/1/2021 02:41:28 pm

AMEN! I couldn't agree more with Ellie! goodBYE Winter...hello Spring!

Rosanna Montanaro link

4/1/2021 02:47:18 pm

Great Shannon! Wonderful rhythm ... and I love stories a little extra with this name - I have an Ellie :) Good luck!

Anne Lipton

4/1/2021 05:55:09 pm

Delightful every-rose-has-its-thorn poem. Love Ellie's ebuilience!

Anne Lipton

4/1/2021 06:15:43 pm

*ebullience

Pat Haapaniemi

4/2/2021 08:13:16 am

Really nice rhythm! And love the images.

Tonnye W. Fletcher

4/2/2021 10:25:41 am

Oh, those dang spring allergies! I feel Ellie's pain. . . .but still, there's nothing like Spring :-) Great job!

Carrie Boone

4/3/2021 12:29:16 pm

Spring flowers bring May - sneezes?!
At least for Ellie!
Thanks for sharing this fun story.

Sarah McDermott

4/1/2021 01:14:28 am

No Spring Chicken
(136 words)

Chevy Chicken’s feathers aren’t as fluffy as the rest.
It’s fair to say it’s been a while since Chevy felt his best.
His legs are old and tired, he spends days just fast asleep.
‘Chevy’s no spring chicken,’ you can hear the new chicks cheep.

Flowers peep and sunshine warms the henhouse - spring is here!
The chicks are so excited, it’s their favourite time of year.
Music drifts across the farmyard, Chevy’s earlobes twitch.
A burst of chicken rock and roll - his wattle starts to itch!

Chevy JUMPS up on his feet. Shades on, he flaps his wings.
His hips begin to wiggle, toes start tapping to the strings.
‘I may be old, I may be stiff, perhaps a little clunky.
I know I’m no spring chicken … but I’m still one funky monkey!’

(GIF link: https://tenor.com/view/chicken-chicken-dance-gif-7646914)

Jennifer Concepcion McLennan

4/1/2021 06:28:49 am

Bahaha hilarious! Well done!

Hannah Roy LaGrone

4/1/2021 08:52:44 am

Go Chevy, go!!

Rosanna Montanaro link

4/1/2021 02:48:45 pm

Great fun, Sarah! Wonderful read-aloud. Good luck!

Vashti Verbowski

4/1/2021 03:14:53 pm

I love Chevy's personality and pep! Great last line:)

Jessica

4/1/2021 06:12:07 pm

The last line! So fun to read, great job!

Tonnye W. Fletcher

4/2/2021 10:27:49 am

Funny! Love that ole rock'n'roll bird!

Carrie Boone

4/3/2021 12:30:36 pm

Oh so much fun! I love the ending.

Anne Lipton

4/3/2021 08:29:39 pm

Brilliant title and premise written in such a fun, rollicking rhyme!

Susan Summers

4/5/2021 08:33:06 am

This is great! What a fun post. Good luck and thanks for the smile!

Erin Siska link

4/1/2021 03:27:47 am

BATTLE OF THE EASTER BASKET

By Erin Treacy Siska

PEEP! PEEP! PEEP!

Thumper opened an eye. It was one of those marshmallow chicks.
Oh brother!

“Hey knock it off, will you?” he said. “It’s too early for all this racket!”

“But it’s Easter morning! I’m so excited! PEEP! PEEP! PEEP!”

“Yeah, which means we all get eaten! I’d like some peace and quiet before the carnage. OK?”

PEEP! PEEP! PEEP!

“That does it!”

ZING! He hurled his pinwheel like a ninja star. Ugh - he missed!

POOF! Thumper was blinded! What was this awful glitter?

“Eat my sugar!” squawked Peep, dab-dancing around the basket’s rim.

“Oh yeah? Choke on chocolate, you pesky peeping pest!” yelled Thumper, hurling chocolate bombs.

Around the basket’s edge they hopped until, dizzy, they flopped...right onto an open pack of graham crackers.

Giant hands appeared. "Easter S'mores! Great idea mom!"

PEEP! PEEP! PE--

--CHOMP!

GIF credit:

https://www.animatedimages.org/data/media/1710/animated-easter-basket-image-0016.gif

Hannah Roy LaGrone link

4/1/2021 08:51:30 am

Made me laugh and now I want a s'more!

Tonnye W. Fletcher

4/2/2021 10:30:21 am

Oh, d-d-d-dear! Deliciously dark, and lovely idea -- might have to borrow the idea for my firepit this Easter ;-)

Lori Sheroan link

4/2/2021 04:56:24 pm

We roast peeps every Easter! I can imagine the contents of the Easter basket losing it as they wait for their demise. Great work!

Molly Ippolito

4/5/2021 02:13:31 pm

Poor litlte peeps, didn't see it coming! Haha! Good luck to you!

Sarah Hirsch link

4/1/2021 04:17:17 am

The Hummingbird Who Wasn’t Heard
(150 words)

Henry was a hummingbird--
A quiet, gentle hummingbird.
Ma said, "Spring is coming, bird.
Time to find a mate.”

"Go, sing your song, dear.
Catch a lovely lady's ear.
Quick! Shoo! Out of here.
Time to procreate."

After packing up his nest
(feathers fluffed, dressed his best),
Henry flew, east to west,
warbling in the wind.

Very soon he'd have a mate.
Think how Ma would celebrate!
Tiny Henry couldn't wait.
As he sang, he grinned.

Several hours fluttered by.
He saw only empty sky.
Henry muttered, "Wonder why
I don’t see a soul…”

"Is my singing very bad?"
Henry felt extremely sad--
sadder than he ever had.
Tears began to roll.

“Cheer up, chap!” yelled the breeze.
“All my blowing through the trees
Drowned you out—apologies!
Keep on singing, bird!”

Henry’s voice was fine, you see.
Every voice is, actually.
Here’s the key:
Make sure you are heard.

Sarah Hirsch link

4/1/2021 04:23:13 am

Gif Link:
https://media.giphy.com/media/26vURw0jxhKFcwTDi/giphy.gif

Hannah Roy LaGrone link

4/1/2021 08:50:27 am

So clever!!

Sarah Hirsch

4/9/2021 11:08:30 am

Thanks so much!

Vashti Verbowski

4/1/2021 03:16:16 pm

I can totally imagine a strapping young Henry fluffing his feathers! Cute story:)

Sarah Hirsch

4/9/2021 11:09:01 am

Thanks so much! :)

Alison McGauley

4/1/2021 04:15:05 pm

I love the rhythm of this piece!

Sarah Hirsch

4/9/2021 11:09:20 am

Thank you!!

Carrie Boone

4/3/2021 12:34:38 pm

I love the gentle reframing of the problem - such a good lesson!

Sarah Hirsch

4/9/2021 11:09:45 am

Thanks, Carrie!!

Marty Lapointe-Malchik link

4/3/2021 06:31:56 pm

"...Here's the key:Make sure you are heard." I love the unpredictable ending! Henry's going to do just fine. I love hummingbirds. Yours makes a great main character. Good luck this spring!

Sarah Hirsch

4/9/2021 11:10:17 am

Thank you so much, Marty -- I really appreciate it!

Cristina Raymer

4/1/2021 04:26:18 am

The First Catch of Spring
By, Cristina Raymer
Word Count: 150

A cool breeze ruffles waves across the water.
Grandpa puts down the tackle box and ties on the lures.

“Just like this,” he says, showing me how to cast the line.

I swing my arm.

“Ouch!”

Oopsey.
Grandpa pulls the lure off his shirt.

Try again.
Whoosh!

Where did it go?
Grandpa cuts the tangled line from the branch and ties on another lure.

Try again.
Zip!
Plop!
Bullseye!

Now we wait.

A tug!

“Easy,” Grandpa says. “A little snag to hook him.”
I give the line a pull.

“Reel him in!” Grandpa yells.
Grandpa kneels close to the water, net in hand. He scoops up the fish.

“We got him!” I shout, jumping for high-fives.
We marvel at the beautiful rainbow arched across the trout’s back and release him back into the water.

A tail fin ruffles waves as we watch our first catch of spring swim to safety.

https://gfycat.com/browndisfigureddiscus

Hannah Roy LaGrone link

4/1/2021 08:49:48 am

Love the tail fin ruffling waves!! :)

Rozana Rajkumari

4/1/2021 06:57:20 pm

So lovely and evocative! Good luck!

Lori Sheroan link

4/2/2021 04:58:20 pm

This brings back memories. Your language and dialogue paint a wonderful picture.

Vashti Verbowski

4/2/2021 09:41:46 pm

Lovely:) I'm a sucker for grandpa stories! Nice job tying the beginning and ending together too.

Carrie Boone

4/3/2021 12:36:15 pm

Such a vivid painting of a fishing trip with Grandpa; you really captured what it's like to be out on the water.

ALINE K TAYLOR

4/7/2021 07:12:16 am

Awwww love your grandpa story! Reminds me of my dad. Best of luck to you!

Sara Ackerman

4/1/2021 04:51:46 am

The Incubator Diaries

Day 1: Eggs!
Gavin sees first so I throw everything.
Calm-Down Corner.
I’m supposed to belly breathe.
I don’t.

Day 8: Ms. Mallory shines a flashlight to show inside the shells. Gavin sits in my spot…
BAM!
I can’t see from the Calm-Down Corner.

Day 15: I’m Egg-Turner.
Gavin says I’m Egg-THROWER.
I turn the eggs, then throw the bunny puppets.

Day 20: Ms. Mallory says, “Listen for peeping.” At snack I hear peepeep.
Gavin doesn’t believe me, but it’s true.
I breathe in. Just my nose.

Day 21: A soggy chick! I notice first. I name her FluffFluff to fluffy her.
Gavin says that name stinks.
Calm-Down Corner for Gavin! He has to think about kind words.
Probably he’s thinking about velociraptors.

Day 23: Gavin snatches my firetruck. I FEEL SMASH-Y.
But chicks don’t like smashes.
I want FluffFluff.
Ms. Mallory nods.

Belly breath…
belly breath…
scoop.

Carrie Boone

4/3/2021 12:38:39 pm

Such an interesting and original perspective on the tradition of hatching chicks in a classroom! The dynamic between the MC, Gavin, and Ms. Mallory is so realistic - tough to do in so few words!

Jennifer Richter link

4/1/2021 04:55:55 am

Dogwood and Holly

Dogwood smiled at the last lump of snow melting in the yard.
“Soon I’ll be the best dressed tree on Woodley Street,” he said, proud of his budding branches. “You other trees only wish you could bloom as beautifully as I do.”

“No thanks,” Holly said from the other side of the flower patch. “I prefer my luscious leaves that stay green all year. In winter you’re a scraggly mess!”

Dogwood scoffed. “At least I don’t have prickly edges!”

Holly gasped. “Well, at least my bark doesn’t look like alligator skin!”

The trees hushed as a boy and his grandmother stopped by the yard.

“Ooo, they’re my favorite!” the boy said, pointing down. “I love their purple color!” Then he walked on without saying a word about the trees.

The little crocuses in the flower patch looked up at Dogwood and Holly, waved their purple petals, and giggled.

Gif: https://gph.is/1GrXrKh

Vashti Verbowski

4/1/2021 03:19:26 pm

Fun concept! I love how the cheeky crocuses giggle at Dogwood and Holly at the end:) Well done.

Rozana Rajkumari

4/1/2021 07:00:02 pm

Such an interesting PoV! Well done :)

Penelope McNally

4/7/2021 05:58:06 am

Very funny! I love the very kid-like bickering between the dogwood and the holly; I especially love the crocuses wave and giggle at the end. Well done!

Sara

4/1/2021 04:56:00 am

Trying again without the weird formatting!

The Incubator Diaries

https://giphy.com/gifs/SWR-Kindernetz-easter-kindernetz-eggs-f7AX2yk88aVZQNLnCT

Day 1: Eggs!
Gavin sees first so I throw everything.
Calm-Down Corner.
I’m supposed to belly breathe.
I don’t.

Day 8: Ms. Mallory shines a flashlight to show inside the shells. Gavin sits in my spot…
BAM!
I can’t see from the Calm-Down Corner.

Day 15: I’m Egg-Turner.
Gavin says I’m Egg-THROWER.
I turn the eggs, then throw the bunny puppets.

Day 20: Ms. Mallory says, “Listen for peeping.” At snack I hear peepeep.
Gavin doesn’t believe me, but it’s true.
I breathe in. Just my nose.

Day 21: A soggy chick! I notice first. I name her FluffFluff to fluffy her.
Gavin says that name stinks.
Calm-Down Corner for Gavin! He has to think about kind words.
Probably he’s thinking about velociraptors.

Day 23: Gavin snatches my firetruck. I FEEL SMASH-Y.
But chicks don’t like smashes.
I want FluffFluff.
Ms. Mallory nods.

Belly breath…
belly breath…
scoop.

Erin Rounds

4/3/2021 06:52:39 am

I love this story. SEL and baby chicks. Lovely.

Susan Summers

4/5/2021 08:36:56 am

This is so precious! Describes classroom drama perfectly. Well done. Good luck! :)

Elizabeth Barrett

4/1/2021 06:05:52 am

The Spring Spawning of the Firefly Squid

One enchanted April evening,
deep down in Japan’s Toyama Bay,
swims a three-inch bioluminescent beauty:
the firefly squid.

It’s springtime, and this tiny mama is ready to spawn!
She will *not* be eaten
by the northern fur seal
hunting for food below her.

Her photophores flash, emitting pin lights of electric blue.
Gazing upward, the seal mistakes the squid for moonlit water
and swims away.
Glow-in-the-dark defenses keep the tiny mama safe.

Later, with millions of her sister squid,
she rises up, up, up to the surface!
Awestruck, tourists watch the oceanic fireworks
blaze before them.

Stars twinkling overhead,
the firefly squid releases her fertilized eggs.
After 365 dazzling days, her luminescent life cycle
is complete.

Her offspring, floating in a pearlescent string, hatch one week later.
They sink down, down, down to the Pacific Ocean’s twilight zone,
their luminescent life cycles
just begun.

https://i.imgur.com/YxFcY8C.gif

Jennifer Concepcion McLennan

4/1/2021 06:34:09 am

This is lyrical AND informative, stunning imagery! *slow cap* - best of luck Liz!

S. J. Little link

4/1/2021 07:29:36 am

Beautiful and I appreciate how it is educational as well! Now I want to learn more about the firefly squid.

J. R. Reynolds

4/1/2021 08:35:50 am

Awesome! Not sure why this is not yet a book.

Vashti Verbowski

4/1/2021 03:22:12 pm

Beautifully written and captivating. My 5 year old loves squid... so I had to read it to him:) And yes, this should be a book!

Rozana Rajkumari

4/1/2021 07:02:30 pm

Wow, this was stunning! Great job!

Armineh Manookian

4/1/2021 08:12:47 pm

Beautiful, visual, and educational. Checks off all the boxes. Bravo Elizabeth!

Pat Haapaniemi

4/2/2021 08:14:34 am

I love fireflies! Very nice!

Jana Mattern

4/2/2021 06:28:14 pm

Wow you painted such a beautiful picture of those bioluminescent beauties! I've never heard of such a creature. They sound amazing!

Erin Rounds

4/3/2021 06:55:06 am

Oceanic fireworks- your figurative language and lyrical descriptions pull the reader in to this NF delight. Love it.

Elizabeth Bogart

4/3/2021 04:46:08 pm

Beautiful! I can envision this as a striking PB!

Stacey EVE ELIZABETH Miller

4/4/2021 10:24:16 am

What a lovely, lyrical story!

ALINE K TAYLOR

4/5/2021 09:03:43 am

Wonderful! Definitely would buy this! I also learned something new!

Markie Hayes

4/1/2021 06:10:21 am

I don't have a blog - so I wanted to share mine here :)

THE BOY THAT SPOKE IN COLORS

https://giphy.com/gifs/N272jlB5e4cdZ0pwv4

By: Markie Hayes

“Tommy is going to be your buddy today while you get settled into our class.” Mrs. Peters spoke softly to Gideon.

“How am I supposed to help him if he doesn’t even talk?” groaned Tommy.

“Just be patient. When he’s ready, he’ll find a way.” she replied.

Tommy fumbled with his thumbs, feeling nervous.

“Red!” Gideon yelled.

“Red?” questioned Tommy.

“Red!” With furrowed brows, Gideon pointed to his broken car.

“Oh! Here, let me fix the wheel for you.”

Tommy handed the mended car back to his new classmate.

“Green.” Gideon smiled.

A similar smile slowly grew on Tommy’s face.

“Blue.” Gideon whispered, his eyes scanning the floor.

Tommy recognized the nervousness in Gideon’s eyes. It was the same as his own.

He grabbed a chair and a car.

The two became friends that day, playing silently side-by-side. One who didn’t speak and one who could hear unspoken words.

#autismacceptancemonth

J. R. Reynolds

4/1/2021 08:18:53 am

You have adroitly demonstrated that one need not talk to speak volumes. Nicely done!

Vashti Verbowski

4/1/2021 09:35:04 pm

Sweet and powerful. Lovely story!

Melanie Singer

4/5/2021 11:39:47 am

Such an important concept. Well done.

Lori H.

4/6/2021 05:23:36 pm

This is your sweet spot, my glorious PB Critique partner!

Elizabeth Bogart

4/1/2021 06:43:07 am

Allergic to Spring
by Elizabeth Bogart
93 words

I’m happy it’s Spring…except for one thing.

Clear blue skies. Red itchy eyes.

Playing with the hose. Wipe my runny nose.

Cool air in the breeze. Here’s another sneeze.

Pollen everywhere, even in my hair.

Throat a little red. Congestion in my head.

Now it’s doctor time. Everything is fine.

Medicine & drops. Yummy lollipops.

Feeling much better, in the lovely weather.

Bluebirds sing a song. Bunnies hop along.

Buzzing honeybees. Lush emerald trees.

Butterflies dancing. Mighty kites prancing.

Light rain showers. Blooming bright flowers.

Let’s have some fun! In the springtime sun.

Gif link: https://media0.giphy.com/media/fHuwX6L2Vwcz4FhJUr/giphy.gif?cid=82a1493bn66oqzarkiq8tyfrv74u6kozyqc7ct3eskprj8td&rid=giphy.gif

J. R. Reynolds

4/1/2021 08:12:27 am

93 words that say more than many novels. Nice job!

Elizabeth Bogart

4/3/2021 04:38:31 pm

Thank you!!

Alison McGauley

4/1/2021 06:08:37 pm

LOL, I love it! Many can relate to the dreaded allergies! Well done.

Elizabeth Bogart

4/3/2021 04:39:03 pm

Thanks sm!

Jamie Bills link

4/2/2021 03:46:06 am

You really did pack a lot of spring into a short story. My husband has bad allergies so the before and after visiting the doctor is relatable!

Elizabeth Bogart

4/3/2021 04:40:13 pm

My husband too! And son. Thank you!!

Pat Haapaniemi

4/2/2021 08:15:11 am

Ha! This is great!

Elizabeth Bogart

4/3/2021 04:41:20 pm

Thank you!

Elizabeth Bogart

4/2/2021 10:19:01 am

I just added a blog post fyi. Thanks!

Ihttps://lbogart71.wixsite.com/ebogartbooks/post/spring-fling-kid-lit-entry

Elizabeth Bogart

4/3/2021 04:38:01 pm

oops wrong blog link
https://elizabethbogartbooks.wordpress.com/2021/04/02/spring-fling-kid-lit-2021/

Elizabeth Barrett

4/3/2021 06:34:29 pm

Nice sensory details, Elizabeth, and the "Medicine & drops. Yummy lollipops" line is so soothing! I enjoyed the contrast between the first half & second half of the story and am glad your MC gets to enjoy spring!

Elizabeth A Bogart

4/4/2021 10:57:31 am

Thank u sm!

ALINE K TAYLOR

4/12/2021 05:24:47 am

Uplifting and fun -- especially for those of us who dread a pollen-filled spring!

Mary

4/1/2021 07:19:03 am

IT’S NOT
(149 words)

A red-footed rainforest tortoise had a common springtime problem.
An icky, sticky,
ooey, gooey,
allergy ACHOOO-ey problem.
He tried hiding it, usually by blaming others.
When Frog sprang into wet leaves…
“Frog! Dew splashed my face!”
Frog inspected.
“Dew?
Nope. It’s not.”
Dejected, Tortoise trudged on.
When Toucan swooped…
“Toucan! Your tickly feather caused my oozy sneeze.”
Toucan inspected.
“Feather?
Nope. It’s not.”
Disheartened, Tortoise trudged on.
When Monkey swung by munching lunch…
“Monkey! Your gloopy banana dripped on my face.”
Monkey inspected.
“Banana?
Nope. It’s not.”
Defeated, Tortoise trudged on.
Soon, a breeze stirred up puffy kapok fluff.
“EUREKA!”
Tortoise wiped his nose clean, stuffing extra in his shell.
Sloth dangled above.
“Hey Tortoise, watch my cool trick!”
Then Sloth blew a huge snot bubble.
POP!
“Sloth! That’s an
icky, sticky,
ooey, gooey,
allergy ACHOOO-ey problem.
You might think it’s cool,
but…
IT’S NOT!
And I can help.”

https://media.giphy.com/media/jR4I1o3yAUjZ4NQ05I/giphy.gif

Vashti Verbowski

4/5/2021 02:55:38 pm

I can only imagine the icky sticky illustrations kids would laugh at:)

Geri Imler link

4/1/2021 07:27:54 am

MY PINK KINGDOM

I sit alone beneath the trees
watching petals in the breeze.
Hypnotizing as they prance,
a twirling, swirling, floating dance.

A pile of pink lay at my feet,
a springtime friend I’d love to meet.
Plopping down, I grab and sort.
What can I make? A royal court!

I’ll need more tools, a rock, a stick,
lots of Nature’s gems to pick!
To build the castle of my dreams -
pale pink towers fit my scheme.

As architect, it’s working play,
placing, propping each one way.
Until in front of me I spy -
A fortress reaching to the sky!

But wait! Oh no! What’s this I feel?
The wind, it sings! The tiers unpeel!
All my work is floating away!
Up, up it soars, without delay!

My pink kingdom, alive an hour,
whisked away by unseen power.
I’ll watch it go, no tears for me,
for Nature’s gift again is free.

GIF: https://media.giphy.com/media/jni3BHN2r5lrq/giphy.gif

Stacey EVE ELIZABETH Miller

4/4/2021 10:25:13 am

This is beautiful!

J. R. Reynolds

4/5/2021 11:41:42 am

Such talent. We need stories like this to foster a child's love for reading.

Godspeed.

Melanie Singer

4/5/2021 11:43:16 am

This is so beautiful. Love the imagery and perfect ending.

Vashti Verbowski

4/5/2021 02:58:40 pm

So lovely! Your writing is so whimsical and the rhyme and rhythm feel so natural. Well done:)

Pat Haapaniemi

4/1/2021 07:38:21 am

SPRING
Word Count: 142

Up squirmed the worms from their homes in the ground,
inching along without making a sound.
Down plopped the ducklings in puddles to play,
splishing and splashing on this rainy day.
Under the leaf hung a wise butterfly,
knowing this roof would keep dainty wings dry.
Over its web a lone spider stretched out,
watching the raindrops fall gently about.
Tucked in their hives away from the showers,
bees dreamed of food in blossoming flowers.
Out in the rain, the ground thirsted no more.
Grass reappeared where it once grew before.

And when the rain ended, the butterfly flew.
The bees dreamed no more. There was now work to do.
The spider inspected her web carefully.
The worms found their homes to be now water free.
Wet ducklings fluffed feathers to dry in the sun.
Another new season of spring had begun.

https://i.gifer.com/3PBk.gif

J. R. Reynolds

4/1/2021 08:08:51 am

Gosh that's good!

Elizabeth Barrett

4/2/2021 12:42:51 pm

Stunning diction & phrasing! (My favorites: "dainty wings," "tucked in their hives," "there was now work to do")

J. R. Reynolds

4/1/2021 07:57:43 am

Gif: https://wifflegif.com/tags/432361-field-mouse-gifs

A Mouse & A Louse
By J. R. Reynolds (147 words)

A mouse and a louse on a spring day
Went out to the fields – decided to play.
They jumped and hopped, skipped and ran
Until their eyes fell on a man.

He stood up tall, like a statue still –
The sight of him brought a tiny chill.
He wore a black beard, a thick mustache too,
And a colorful suit of every hue.

Into his beard flew the naughty louse;
Into his pocket leapt the playful mouse;
They winked at each other, then jingled a bell
To place the large man under a spell.
Without hesitation or further delay
Their devilish game got underway.

The musical sounds of crunch, crunch, crunch
Accompanied the mouse’s munch, munch, munch.
They met on his shoulder, performed a dance
Until the poor fellow awoke from his trance.

Gone was the suit; gone was the beard;
The two little imps had disappeared.

Elizabeth Barrett

4/1/2021 11:43:42 am

How fun, J. R.! I especially like the energy of the third stanza and your use of "devilish," "imps," and "crunch, crunch, crunch." Mouse and louse--what a team!

J. R. Reynolds

4/1/2021 12:18:29 pm

Thanks for the lovely comments, Elizabeth. I commented on your story about the Firefly Squid earlier. It's mad good.

Anne Lipton

4/1/2021 06:35:14 pm

Hilarious! Your rib-tickling(!) story channels some serious Gulliver's Travels vibes.

Pat Haapaniemi

4/2/2021 08:18:36 am

Two little imps - love it! Nicely done!

Jill Lambert

4/3/2021 07:40:19 am

The illustrations for this lively story would be hilarious! Such a fun gif! Very descriptive and I love the repetition throughout. Terrific, J.R.!

ALINE K TAYLOR

4/5/2021 09:06:32 am

Kids will have so much fun reading this book!

J. R. Reynolds

4/5/2021 11:43:25 am

Thanks, everyone, for your lovely comments. They mean more than you'll ever know. :)

Hannah Roy LaGrone link

4/1/2021 08:33:52 am

New Cousins’ Club (143 words) by Hannah Roy LaGrone
https://tenor.com/Rp6d.gif

The long winter finally thaws into spring;
the world is in bloom, and the red robins sing.

Hibernation is over--bright days come again!
Tiny cubs follow Mama Bear out of their den.

Little bunnies go hopping with bouncy new legs,
While baby chicks hatching crack open their eggs.

But THIS spring is different for one special reason…
A new baby human is coming this season!

My aunt’s growing tummy is hard to ignore;
she can’t even zip up her coat anymore.

I loved to climb up in her chair, where we’d sit...
Now her belly’s so big that I no longer fit!

But my cousin can’t stay in his “burrow” for long;
soon his BIRTH-day will come, and I’ll sing him a song.

It’s a wild giant planet for such a small “cub”
But I’ll show him around in the New Cousins’ Club!

Alison McGauley

4/1/2021 04:40:51 pm

I love this, Hannah! Great idea to combine a baby cousin with all of the baby animals. Super cute!

Hannah Roy LaGrone

4/2/2021 05:36:33 pm

Thanks Alison! It sort of worked out with being due at the end of springtime :)

Anne Lipton

4/1/2021 06:22:25 pm

Adorable! Wonderful concept conveyed with such joyful, kid-friendly rhyme.

Hannah Roy LaGrone

4/2/2021 05:37:02 pm

Aw I appreciate that so much!

Rozana Rajkumari

4/1/2021 07:07:12 pm

Such a cute story!

Hannah C Roy

4/2/2021 05:37:17 pm

Thank you Rozana :)

Armineh Manookian

4/1/2021 08:18:07 pm

So cute, especially the ending! Love the MC's excitement for the new family member to be born.

Hannah Roy LaGrone

4/2/2021 05:38:14 pm

Thank you Armineh! My real niece is 1 and a half so not quite this articulate yet. I had to take a little poetic license, haha. But she can say baby's name!! :)

Pat Haapaniemi

4/3/2021 07:52:09 am

Wonderful! I love how you associate your new spring baby cousin with the baby animals arriving in the spring.

ALINE K TAYLOR

4/5/2021 09:08:38 am

So sweet! Great new cousin/brother/sister book!

Vashti Verbowski

4/5/2021 03:01:54 pm

So sweet! Looking forward to a sequel next spring;)

Linda Staszak

4/1/2021 08:40:55 am

ANY-BUNNY
By Linda Staszak 148 words
Charlie and Jake raced up to Mama.
“Is the Easter Bunny coming this year?” Jake asked.
“Of course,” Mama said.
“But he’ll have to wear a mask and wash his paws at every house, so we thought maybe he’d take this year off. And we could be the bunny,” said Charlie.
“You’re dogs,” said Mama.
“We know,” Jake said, “but the Easter bunny only delivers the eggs. Candy chickens lay them. Everybody knows that.”
“And we could deliver them!” Charlie said.
“You’re drooling,” said Mama.
“We’re really excited about filling in for the bunny,” said Jake.
“And eating the candy has nothing to do with it?” Mama raised an eyebrow.
“We wouldn’t eat ALL of it,” Charlie said. “We don’t want to ruin the bunny’s reputation.”
Mama shook her head.
“How about the Cinco de Mayo bunny?” asked Jake. “We’ll fill in for him.”
Mama sighed. “We’ll see.”

https://media2.giphy.com/media/6nps2nX9fGV9K/giphy.gif?cid=ecf05e4738hrl10osdkr1bccm6xhk7x8ty0kdnku21lv0wbc&rid=giphy.gif

Melanie Singer

4/5/2021 11:46:13 am

Cute story. "You're drooling," said Mama- cracked me up!

Linda Staszak

4/15/2021 09:38:36 am

Thanks, for some reason drooling makes me smile.

Ciara O'Neal link

4/11/2021 12:42:44 pm

Cinco de Mayo bunny, huh? Charlie and Jake are a hoot!

Linda Staszak

4/15/2021 09:36:58 am

Aww, thanks! This was so much fun!

Shelley Isaacson

4/1/2021 08:47:52 am

THE APRIL FEUD

The feud began when the sandbox thawed, revealing snow trash, forgotten toys and...

mysterious footprints.

Now, Mia is stuck between triplets.

Again.

Mia is the trio’s peacekeeper.

Last spring, Mia ended The Great Bait Debate by comparing her sisters’ catches. Flies won by a smidge.

But this footprint fiasco has Mia frazzled.

Annie cites scientific evidence of extra-terrestrial life.
“Mystery solved!”

Zoe says dragons lay eggs in the sand.
“Case closed!”

Mia inspects the scene.
She investigates her sisters’ claims.

But Neither side is swayed by facts.

Mia wonders if the threesome will ever ride their tri-person bike again? Or form a human triangle? Or play pickle?

Maybe not.

Annie and Zoe are entrenched.
Milo digs in, too.

Wait. What is Milo barking at?

Alien?
Dragon?

April Fool?!

And, just like that, the feud is forgotten.
Just in time for the Spring Fling!

https://tenor.com/view/investigate-footprints-looking-examine-scrutinize-gif-5937848

Glenda Roberson

4/1/2021 09:25:06 am

Via Giphy
Bianca’s Hat-tastrophy (150 words)
by Glenda Roberson

Bianca started with a plain straw hat:
Red paint.
Yellow bow.
Flowers from the neighbors.
Mrs. McGillacutty snipped yellow snapdragons.
Mr. Wiggleston picked pink peonies.
Miss Doolittle gave loads of lilacs and lavender.
Bianca artfully arranged the flowers into an impressive flower-tower. “Beeeee-u-ti-ful! A blue ribbon, for sure.”
While she was waiting to take the stage, her mom’s eyes bugged out. “Your hat!” she whispered.
“Isn't it grand? Time to show it off!”
“Wait, Bianca!”
But Bianca smiled and sashayed across the stage in long, sweeping strides.
The crowd was all abuzz.
Excellent!
With her confidence boosted, she twirled.
But something had set up shop in her hat . . .
BEES!
Bianca tripped and her hat flew into the crowd.
People screamed.
Chairs toppled.
Stampede!
The bees dive-bombed the judges.
Mrs. Popplebottom fainted.
There were no ribbons of any color for Bianca.
But no one will ever forget this year’s Spring Fling!

Glenda Roberson

4/1/2021 11:42:15 am

Forgot to include gif!
https://images.app.goo.gl/Fnmi4u55m59g6nbw9

Rosanna Montanaro link

4/1/2021 03:02:47 pm

Right from the title, Glenda! Brilliant! Good luck!

Melanie Singer

4/5/2021 11:49:23 am

Oh, poor Bianca! What a cute story- could visualize it all happening!

Jessica

4/1/2021 10:40:23 am

Minerva the Mini--
World’s Smallest Witch and The Spring-Cleaning Bug!
(150 words)
GIF: https://tenor.com/view/cleaning-witch-hazel-bugs-bunny-gif-15121136

Minerva the Mini did not like to clean.
It was too much work.

Cobwebs cluttered,
dirty cauldrons piled,
and potions spilled everywhere.

Minerva sighed…her house was dragon snot deep with grime and slime.
While searching for a cleaning potion, Minerva found a dusty box.

The label read:
Spring-Cleaning Bug

“I’ve never used a Spring-Cleaning Bug—but magic always works,” Minerva opened the box.
“Little bug, there’s lots for you to do… Ouch!” The bug bit Minerva.

Poof! The work began.

Minerva started to clean.

She cleared cobwebs, “Yuck!”
scrubbed cauldrons, “Eww!”
and mopped floors, “No!”

Minerva tried to stop — but couldn’t.
She was exhausted!

One box left to throw away.
Minerva read the entire label:

Spring-Cleaning Bug
Warning: Immediately place bug back in box or it will bite every spring. The magic stops when everything is clean.

—Gulp--

With blistered hands and tired feet, Minerva called the exterminator.

END

Jennifer Concepcion McLennan

4/1/2021 09:36:37 pm

So creative!!!! Loving this little and where can I buy a spring cleaning bug please??

Jessica Reed

4/2/2021 06:43:24 am

Thank you so much. I'm not sure where to buy a spring-cleaning bug, but I could definitely use a little bite from one now.

Susie Sawyer link

4/1/2021 10:41:04 am

Counting on a Spring Picnic

One young girl plans a special Spring day.
Two small hands make a lunch to pack away.
Three big bags hold a very heavy load!
Four round wheels roll the wagon down the road.
Five soft quilts lie upon the grassy ground.
Six blue birds chirp a sweet and cheery sound!
Seven tall trees give a shady spot to lie.
Eight white clouds float across the April sky.
Nine fresh blooms form a brightly-colored bunch.
Ten good friends share a yummy picnic lunch.

Susie Sawyer link

4/1/2021 10:45:58 am

...and I forgot to include the GIF:

https://gfycat.com/terrificripegroundhog

Pat Haapaniemi

4/2/2021 08:22:16 am

Cleverly done, Susie! Picnics are perfect for Spring!

Susie Sawyer link

4/4/2021 10:47:34 am

Thank you!!

Lori Sheroan link

4/2/2021 05:03:29 pm

I enjoyed the beautiful descriptive language in this counting story. Well done!

Susie Sawyer link

4/4/2021 10:48:11 am

Thanks very much!

Allison Strick

4/1/2021 10:52:26 am

Martha's BEESiness Trip
By Allison Strick
137 Words

Please enjoy my original GIF! https://gph.is/g/ZxqDPGP

------------

There’s no such thing as ‘spring break’ for a mason bee.

“More like ‘Spring Break-a-Sweat'!” Martha muttered. “It’s the bizzzziest time of year!”

With an upcoming trip to Pollen-Nation, Martha needed a place to stay.

She logged onto ExBEEdia.com.

The Hexagon Hotel had five-hive reviews, but Martha shook her antennae. “I don’t give a hoot about honeycombs!”

“‘Humble Bumblebee Tunnel’?” Martha shuddered. “All those feet stomping overhead? I think not!”

The Wasp Nest was promising—just a hole in the wall. Martha sighed. “Nope--wrong diameter!”

But only one option remained!

Martha murmured the description, her pulse quickening.

“‘Just a buzz away from our blossoming orchard. Mud bath available for your nesting needs. Sleeps six larvae comfortably. Book a reed today!’”

Martha snapped up a reservation and packed her bags.

“The Mason Bee-N-B is just right for me!”

Rosanna Montanaro link

4/1/2021 03:13:36 pm

Ha ha, Allison! Great puns and word play! Really creative. Loved it. Good luck!

Melanie Singer

4/5/2021 11:51:20 am

Love this! So creative, Allison!

Mary Catherine Amadu

4/1/2021 11:03:08 am

Best Buds
By Mary Catherine Amadu
Word Count: 147 words
Gif: http://gph.is/1WOtGz8

Dan DeLion sprouted beside a magnificent garden and was eager to meet the flowers living there. How he wished for a best bud!

When he greeted Rose, however, she proved prickly.
“Aloe there!” Dan waved.
“Aloe there?” Rose scoffed. “How uncultured. The proper salutation is HELLO.”
Dan drooped.

“How’s it growing?” he asked Snapdragon.
Snapdragon was snippy.
“Badly. Stop taking my space, weed!”
Dan wilted.

The other flowers treated Dan like dirt too.
He grew pale and bristly.

One day, he heard a cheerful “Aloe!” from above.

There, fluttering freely, was a tiny maple seed.
“I’m Samara! Come fly.
BeLEAF me, it’s fun!” she joked.

Now THIS was a plant Dan could hang with.

Dan giggled.
Dan glided.
Dan GLEAMED!

Dan DeLion was no weed.
He was proof that wishes can come true.

Together, the new best buds flew off,
leaving the garden flowers behind in the dust.

Jennifer Concepcion McLennan

4/1/2021 09:38:48 pm

Amazing word play!!

Vashti Verbowski

4/1/2021 10:00:15 pm

So fun! I loved every word and ALL their meanings:)

Melanie Singer

4/5/2021 11:53:51 am

Love this word play. So creative! Well done, Mary!

Armineh Manookian

4/1/2021 11:13:10 am

Spring is for Hoping
by Armineh Manookian
148 words
Photo: https://unsplash.com/photos/AOxPv8p5MLk

Momma and I plant our garden.
“They’re only leaves,” I say.
“Juicy tomatoes will grow,” Momma says.
“When?” I ask.
“We’ll have to wait and see.”
I hear thunder boom.
“The weather is wet again,” Momma says.
“When will it warm up?”
“We’ll have to wait and see.”
The trill of the nightingale wakes me.
I can’t fall asleep.
“When will he stop?”
“We’ll have to wait and see.”
Waiting is hard.
Waiting is work.
In the morning, the rain gives way to sunshine.
“Everything is refreshed,” Momma says.
I wonder how thirsty our garden was.
I see a yellow flower on the vine. “Look!”
“Here’s another,” Momma says.
I wonder how many more will bloom.
The nightingale keeps singing.
“He wants to nest,” Momma says.
How many eggs will the nest hold?
Waiting is wondering,
believing,
trusting in what I don’t yet see.
Spring is for hoping.

Elizabeth Barrett

4/1/2021 11:55:02 am

"I hear thunder boom . . . Waiting is hard. Waiting is work." Such great diction, and I can feel the MC's anticipation for spring! This is lovely, Armineh.

Armineh Manookian

4/1/2021 05:32:34 pm

Thank you so much!

Hannah Roy LaGrone

4/1/2021 12:51:08 pm

I love it, Armineh!! "Trusting in what I don't yet see" is so perfect for spring.

Armineh Manookian

4/1/2021 05:33:01 pm

Thank you!

Alison McGauley

4/1/2021 04:38:10 pm

Great story, Armineh! This idea of waiting will really resonate with children!

Armineh Manookiana

4/1/2021 05:33:28 pm

Thanks for reading my entry!

Rozana Rajkumari

4/1/2021 07:11:27 pm

Waiting is work
Waiting is hard
This beautiful story is perfect for kids!

Armineh Manookian

4/1/2021 08:09:03 pm

Thank you Rozana!

Amy Miller link

4/2/2021 11:10:42 am

Armineh,

So true! Waiting is very hard. You capture the curiosity and impatience/excitement of childhood. I love all the sounds in this piece, too, and the sweet mother-daughter relationship! Beautiful.🥰

Karyn Curtis

4/2/2021 02:16:45 pm

Lovely!

Pat Haapaniemi

4/3/2021 07:56:17 am

This is lovely. I especially like "Waiting is wondering, believing, trusting in what I don't yet see." Well done.

Kristen Strocchia

4/1/2021 11:24:33 am

EASTER ELF
I know what you’re thinking. But it’s really me, Easter P. Bunny.
P for Cyrus can’t get caught. (Tell me this waddle’s not blowing my cover.)
But seriously, forgot my reindeer and magic sleigh. And these wings aren’t gonna fly themselves. Trade for your skateboard?
Of course, Santa’s in on Easter. Who else can handle worldwide basket delivery overnight? (But that’s strictly top secret. I can trust you, right?)
Huh? Skateboard for the eggs and ears? But the ears are uniform—standard issue. How about I throw in the basket and a good word to Santa instead?
No ears, no deal?
Any chance you’ve seen a herd of black cats I can hide in?
No? A distracting box of kittens in distress?
Alright, take the ears. I’ll just say they got ate by a shark.
Fawoosh-sh-shplash!
(You think you can trust a kid. That’s the third shark story this week.)

https://media.giphy.com/media/y5xRFqfdkgEXS/giphy.gif

Karyn Curtis

4/1/2021 12:04:49 pm

https://giphy.com/gifs/easter-cute-6nps2nX9fGV9K

In-dog-nito
by Karyn Curtis
(144 words)

Iggy, Ziggy, Bob and Biggy
Plotted, planned and schemed
The jackpot in the Easter hunt
Was bigger than they'd dreamed!

A basket full of balls and bones
Was waiting to be found
And rawhide chews and squeaky toys
All perfect for a hound

But Bunny'd said, with great disdain
“This hunt is just for rabbits.
We don't allow your noisy sort
Of dirty doggy habits!”

The puppies wondered what to do
Confronted with rejection
“Of course!” said Bob. “It's obvious!
We must avoid detection!”

Cloaked in cunning camouflage
Masters of disguise
Cleverly they blended in
And hunted down the prize

Their doggy noses led them to
A treasure chest of treats
Teething ropes and rubber discs
Colored eggs and sweets!

“Sorry that we found it first,”
They mollified the hare.
“But there's enough to divvy up.
Everyone can share!”

Rozana Rajkumari

4/1/2021 07:14:02 pm

What a delightful treat!

Karyn Curtis

4/2/2021 02:13:59 pm

Thank you!

Michelle S. Kennedy

4/2/2021 01:44:48 pm

Flawless! Love the rhyme and the .gif! Title is ADORABLE too. Well done!

Karyn Curtis

4/2/2021 02:14:43 pm

Thanks!

Lori Sheroan link

4/2/2021 05:06:11 pm

Our nosy pup love to get in on the Easter fun. This is a great story. Your rhyme is SPOT on.

Karyn Curtis

4/3/2021 05:34:41 am

Thank you, Lori!

Michelle Ramirez

4/2/2021 05:35:21 pm

Such a fun story!

Karyn Curtis

4/3/2021 05:36:28 am

Thank you, Michelle!

Becky Kimbrough link

4/2/2021 08:58:05 pm

This is so clever and fun. Excellent rhyme!

Karyn Curtis

4/3/2021 05:35:59 am

Thanks, Becky!

Pat Haapaniemi

4/3/2021 07:57:57 am

This is just great! Kids will love it!

Karyn Curtis

4/3/2021 10:42:19 am

Thanks! Mine do!

Day-Williams Audrey link

4/3/2021 10:16:32 pm

Really fun to read out loud!

Karyn Curtis

4/4/2021 11:00:48 am

Thank you! It was fun to write😁

Susan Summers

4/5/2021 08:44:25 am

This is so sweet. Way to go pups!

Karyn Curtis

4/5/2021 11:43:41 am

Thank you!😁

Anne Lipton

4/1/2021 12:12:05 pm

Springtime on Mars (129 words)
by Anne Lipton
GIF: https://media.giphy.com/media/VD4mQpFHjRFD1TLYmt/giphy.gif

Springtime on Mars is a curious thing,
absent rain showers or robins to sing,
satellites orbit and transmit and PING!
A bold Ingenuity dares to take wing.

Spring thaw on Earth makes the waterways flow.
Mars packs some ice, though it’s got no snow.
The Martian sand traps are a rover NO-GO.
They tripped up Sojourner and laid Spirit low.

Springtime on Earth is a time to dig deep.
Bulbs and bears wake from a cold winter’s sleep.
Mars springs instead to the sound of a BEEP.
A rock-solid harvest is what rovers reap.

The third and fourth planets host much different Springs.
The fifth rock looms large, and the sixth boasts big rings.
Our probes voyage far, despite a few DINGS,
and with Perseverance, we DARE MIGHTY THINGS!

J. R. Reynolds

4/1/2021 12:29:23 pm

I wonder whether some of these entries were made by actual humans. Your entry furthers my suspicion. Competing against published and unpublished writers is hard enough, but it looks like there's a third category to consider: intelligent life from another planet. Nice story.

Anne Lipton

4/1/2021 05:18:49 pm

😂 Thank you!

Rozana Rajkumari

4/1/2021 07:16:59 pm

Love your comment beep beep :D

Hannah Roy LaGrone

4/1/2021 12:52:46 pm

This is such a creative perspective! I love the "bulbs and bears" part too.

Anne Lipton

4/1/2021 05:19:09 pm

Thanks, Hannah!

Rozana Rajkumari

4/1/2021 07:15:51 pm

Such an original take! Well done.

Anne Lipton

4/1/2021 07:35:30 pm

Thanks, Rozana!

Vashti Verbowski

4/1/2021 09:32:45 pm

I love finding your contest entries! This is unique, trendy, educational, and in-theme! Well done:)

Anne Lipton

4/1/2021 10:17:01 pm

🥰 Thanks, Vashti!

Michelle S. Kennedy

4/2/2021 10:59:49 am

I love that you did a fun STEM Spring theme AND in rhyme. NICE!

Anne Lipton

4/2/2021 09:19:06 pm

Thanks, Michelle!

Stacey EVE ELIZABETH Miller

4/8/2021 11:29:37 am

This is fantastic!

Anne Lipton

4/11/2021 10:57:30 am

Thank you!

Brenna Jeanneret link

4/1/2021 12:32:46 pm

IN A PICKLE

That green streak? That was me and Kurt wildly bouncing from the table.

Springtime in Portland means pickling!

Some cucumbers call being pickled The Big Show, but we bonded over our love of the quiet life.

The picklers’ red flannels flap as they chase us.

We run through the spokes of orange city bikes and almost make it. A wheel turns. Pop! I can’t look, I’m sure it’s Kurt. Heartbroken, I vow to live the quiet life in his memory and run.

The farmer’s market!

Lavender catches on my nose; the perfect mustache. Until, AHH, AHH CHOO!

Splash!
Blueberry kombucha.
I’m safe until the bubbles push me from hiding.

I’m found.

Yellow brine surrounds me. I’m scared, but then I see Kurt. He smiles, “I guess we’re going to The Big Show after all.”

The silver lid is all we see as the jar and our love is sealed.

GIF: https://dribbble.com/shots/1474449-Can-Pickle-Juice-Cure-Muscle-Cramps/attachments/1474449-Can-Pickle-Juice-Cure-Muscle-Cramps?mode=media

Michelle S. Kennedy

4/2/2021 10:56:59 am

Great job Brenna! Love it and the .gif is perfect!!! Good luck!

Brenna Jeanneret

4/3/2021 06:27:24 am

Thanks Michelle :)

Megan Durkin link

4/1/2021 01:45:36 pm

Rosie the Nibbler
By Megan Ray Durkin
150 words of #springflingkidlit

Rosie the Nibbler’s the pet for me.
She gives away snuggles and kisses for free.
Rosie the Nibbler hops this a ‘way and that,
But always returns to my lap for a pat.

You won’t hear her moo; you won’t hear her crow.
A thump of her foot is how she will show.
A bunny just wants to hop this a ‘way and that.
And then she’ll return to your lap for a pat.

Rabbits are pets that do not need much.
A full water bottle and hay in a hutch.
Time in the grass to hop this a ‘way and that.
And plenty of space in your lap for a pat.

If you want a pet that’s soft as a cloud,
Come over tomorrow and see what I found.
Cuz’ all Rosie’s babies hop this a ‘way and that.
I’m certain there’s one that will fit in your lap.

Vashti Verbowski

4/1/2021 09:55:57 pm

Sweet story with great rhythm and rhyme:)

Melanie Singer

4/5/2021 11:57:11 am

Aw this is so sweet. I can definitely see it is a PB!

Elyse Trevers

4/1/2021 01:57:44 pm

Spring Little League Tryouts
By Elyse Trevers
148 words

https://media.giphy.com/media/uFpzHQ0Lvqr9C/giphy.gif

Springtime means
Pitchers and catchers report
Position players too

Little League Tryouts

Gotta make the team this year
I know I can do it
I know I can

Practiced all winter
“No baseball in the house,“ said Mom.

Don’t want to sit on the bench again
So I used Mom’s shower pouf, Baby’s round stuffie,
Dad’s balled-up socks

Throw in the air
Catch
Toss - catch
High fly - catch

Worked on my aim
Against my bedroom wall
The closet door
into the garbage pail

Oops
Water glass spilled

Worked on my swing

Paper towel bat
Broomstick bat
Whiffle ball bat

Whoosh
Missed it

Tried again
Made contact

Oops
There goes the vase

Finally it’s time

Heart pounding
I take the field
catch the ball
I hit it a mile

Put me in, Coach
I’m ready to play

I knew I could do it
I knew I could
I did!

Elizabeth Barrett

4/1/2021 02:13:48 pm

"So I used Mom’s shower pouf, Baby’s round stuffie,
Dad’s balled-up socks"--awesome visuals, Elyse. Your MC's ingenious. This has so much energy; it makes me want to go for a run!

Kathleen

4/1/2021 03:09:41 pm

My heart was pounding with the child's! You really captured his emotions well.

Rozana Rajkumari

4/1/2021 07:21:43 pm

Love the determination and voice! Great job!

Vashti Verbowski

4/1/2021 09:58:02 pm

Great kid-centric story!

Andrea MacDonald link

4/2/2021 10:57:18 am

'Oops, there goes the vase.' Best line ever.

Lori Sheroan link

4/2/2021 05:08:28 pm

Delightful! Tryouts can be so stressful. I loved how your character found a way to practice no matter what.

Devin Leatherman

4/1/2021 02:20:29 pm

Hi, I'm Kai
149 Words
Gif: https://giphy.com/gifs/pzKIZDwtubObzhGMBI

Magnifier?
Sketchbook?
Frog costume?
Check!

Kai bounded towards a cluster of kids, excited to start outdoor school!

“Hi! I’m ---”

“Is that a frog costume?”

“Yeah!” Kai beamed, “My name’s--”

“Wow. That’s lame.”

The kids giggled. Smile deflated, Kai left the group.

Kai kicked stones into a nearby creek. Plunk! The creek sprang to life. With the magnifier, Kai investigated.

“Just tadpoles,” Kai grumbled. “Didn’t you hear? Frogs are lame!”

A tear dripped onto a tubby tadpole below. Startled, it clambered away with strong back legs.

Kai looked closer. Most tadpoles had no legs. Some had two, or four. Some had frilly gills! Kai saw long tails, stubby tails, slender bodies, bulbous bodies, gray, green and inky black bodies. Out of hundreds of tadpoles, none were identical!

“Everybody’s different…”

Kai took a quiet moment to sketch some tadpoles. Then, smile reinflated, Kai joined another cluster of kids.

“Hi! I’m Kai.”

Vashti Verbowski

4/1/2021 09:49:43 pm

This is lovely Devin! I love how Kai found/embraced his strength. Well done:)

Elizabeth Bogart

4/3/2021 05:00:52 pm

This is so sweet!!

Claire Lewis link

4/1/2021 02:28:51 pm

I AM SPRING! by Claire Lewis (150 words)

https://media.giphy.com/media/jn7tboYNM3pNtIKHQn/giphy.gif

Spring bounced up to his friends Nut and Bolt: ‘SPRING HAS SPRUNG! Sunshine... blossom… cute baby bunnies... You’re welcome.’

‘Huh?’ said Nut.

‘YOU didn’t make spring!’ said Bolt.

‘I AM spring,’ said Spring. ‘It’s MY SEASON.’

‘I’m Nut, but I don’t boast about nuts,’ said Nut. ‘Even though they’re pretty tasty.’

‘And I don’t go on about lightning bolts,’ said Bolt. ‘Even though they’re really impressive.’

‘That's not the same,’ said Spring. ‘What happens in spring? Flowers SPRING up! Leaves SPRING forth! Lambs SPRING with joy and everyone has a SPRING in their step. My season and I are a perfect match! I am SPRING and SPRING is ME, and I… UH-OH! SSSHHHHH! Not another word! We don’t want a certain someone to get any ideas…’

‘RRRIGHT, YOU UNRULY LOT!’ Ruler marched straight up to Nut, Bolt and Spring. ‘Get in line! I AM RULER! And guess what?...

I RULE!!’

Vashti Verbowski

4/1/2021 09:51:55 pm

I love all the word play... now I want to meet more of their friends;)

Melizza Chernov link

4/1/2021 03:18:47 pm

The Kite Festival

The breeze is warm and smells like Jasmine, but that is just homelife in the Caribbean. It is shimmering cellophane and the crinkle of brightly colored paper that sing out SPRING! In Guyana, Spring brings The Kite Festival.
Kites come from almost every family in every village. They collect overhead and bump into each other like dizzy butterflies. Some are small and their frames made of the sticks inside coconut leaves. Some are even taller than my Papa.
Woohoo! Colored paper covers everything like confetti and when we are done our kites shine as brightly as Sun Parakeets.
Today I am helping to hold the kite string. The wind swoops under it and its thin paper whistles. My Papa knows how to make a kite sing, and this kite is singing of Spring in Guyana.

https://media2.giphy.com/media/2eB8yWK6DnuLcJjepo/giphy.gif

Alison McGauley

4/1/2021 04:35:04 pm

I love all of your poetic and colorful language!

Erin Rounds

4/1/2021 05:56:39 pm

love all the figurative language!

Vashti Verbowski

4/1/2021 09:53:34 pm

I can hear and see and feel your story. Lovely:)

Alison McGauley

4/1/2021 04:32:33 pm

I kick rotten leaves, brown crunchy grass, and faded pebbles, on this boring ‘nothing day’. Grey-sky feelings storm inside me. But what’s that colorful fluff? I crouch to investigate. A squishy, squirmy, tickly, fuzzy-wuzzy-soft… caterpillar!

Crawling up, up, up a rock; a climbing wall for Caterpillar. Creeping higher towards the sky, hanging off budding tree branches; monkey bars for a little bug. Rippling down, down, down the tree trunk; a steep and slippery slide.

Squiggle, wiggle, creep and crawl; Caterpillar explores nature’s playground. It’s a bug-sized adventure.

Twirling and dancing, I flutter my arms like wings. I transform into a vibrant butterfly. I breathe damp soil, bright yellow daffodils, and tree blossoms, on this dazzling ‘first bug of spring day’! Colorful-garden feelings bloom inside me.

https://media.riffsy.com/images/32092defc792af85973e63a91890a38a/tenor.gif

Hannah Roy LaGrone

4/2/2021 05:40:59 pm

I love "nature's playground!" My 1st graders helped me raise 3 caterpillars a couple years ago, and it was so cool. I was so concerned when they started crawling up to the lid of their container and not eating the leaves anymore and then I realized they were getting ready to build chrysalises! So amazing. :)

Erin Rounds link

4/1/2021 05:36:51 pm

Before you bury the first bulb,
puff the plume of the first dried dandelion,
or spy your first crocus creeping up through brown grass,
the smell of Spring seeps from the ground.
But what is it, that smell of Spring, and where does it come from?
For half a billion years, as the world wakes from winter,
a bacteria in the soil
makes a chemical compound: that earthy smell.
Ours aren’t the only noses that notice.
Bacteria need help dispersing, but not by wind or water.
Springtails, hungry little six-legged arthropods, arrive- drawn by the smell.
Gobble slurp.
Some of the spores stick and travel.
Some are flung free- wee! as a Springtail
unhinges its spring
and launches into the air.
Others are fertilized in feces.
So when you walk in the woods just as winter melts away,
think of the ancient chemical communication in the soil below
welcoming Spring.

Elizabeth Barrett

4/3/2021 11:28:46 am

Wow! Springtails are the perfect subject for this contest. Thanks for sharing your wondrous story, Erin; I learned so much.

Cathleen Collins

4/1/2021 06:27:24 pm

Sprining into Spring by Cathleen Collins (WC 117)
GIF: https://gph.is/g/aR8LmB6

It was Easter week, but Bunny was not very hoppy. Every time she tried to hippity-hop, she just flippity-flopped!

“How will I fill the Easter baskets?” she sighed.

Bunny tried roller skating.

Bunny tried scootering.

Bunny even tried riding a bike.

But none of those seemed quite right.

“There has to be a way to put some spring back into my step!” she thought.

…“That’s it! A spring! It has so much potential!”

Behind the roller skates, under the scooter, in the corner next to the bike, Bunny dusted off her perfectly springy Pogo stick.

She stepped on and hippity-hop, hippity-hop, hippity-hopped off to Easter all thanks to the spring that sprung.

Day-Williams Audrey link

4/2/2021 01:24:49 pm

Charming and cute!

Danielle

4/1/2021 10:57:52 pm

The Spirit of Spring
WC 150

“Is it spring?”
“Not yet, Bella bear.”
“But it’s been so long! How will I know?”
“You’ll see the signs”
“What signs?”

“When snow becomes rain,
and the ground fills with green,
when lakes lose their frost,
then you’ll know that it’s spring.

When vines sprout their buds,
and the trees fill with leaves,
when orange blossoms bloom,
you’ll smell the fresh scents of spring.

When strawberries ripen,
and fruits fill with seeds,
when sap drips down maples,
you’ll taste the flavors of spring.”

“Mama! Listen!

The honey bees are buzzing,
and red robins tweet,
the river is roaring,
the sweet sounds of spring!

Mama! Look!

Squirrels twitching their tails,
the ponds full of geese,
deer leaping through fields,
I see the signs of spring!”

“Mama! Mama! Spring is here!”

Then Bella splashed in a puddle,
and swam in a stream,
she munched wildflowers,
and
felt
the spirit
of spring.

https://images.app.goo.gl/z4F2x7W8XuzrMCdR6

Elizabeth Bogart

4/3/2021 05:03:35 pm

Such a sweet story!

Melanie Singer

4/5/2021 12:05:07 pm

Love this! Great descriptions and appeal to the senses!

Natasha Khan

4/2/2021 12:12:22 am

My Mama calls me Puddle Jumper.

I love rain. Wet coats and wetter boots. Raindrops falling, each a little puddle jumper, just like me.

Then we move. And in this desert, there is no rain.

“It will rain Jaani,” Mama smiles. Worried, sad. “Just not as much.”

But we came here for the black that flows from deep within the sand, not the blue that falls from the sky.

Then one day, it rains.

Thirsty golden land turns red. The raindrops arrows, driving deep into the sand. No little puddle jumpers here.

“Hey! Wanna play?”

It’s the kid from next door. No coat, no boots. Smiling in the rain.

Stepping outside, I take a deep breath.

Wet sand. Dusty air freshly washed. Clean.

We run and play tag. More kids join in. Friends, laughing.

Mama smiles. “There’s my Puddle Jumper!”

“Not here,” I grin. “Here, I’m King of the Rain!”

Amy Barry link

4/2/2021 03:57:48 am

This is such a heart warming story!

Lori H.

4/6/2021 05:25:34 pm

Your story makes me smile and feel happy every time I read it! So thankful for you, Partner!

Amy Barry link

4/2/2021 03:54:49 am

Gnome's New Home
148 words

In a fierce Winter storm, Neo’s home was destroyed.

As the dappled sun awoke, he set off to find a new home.

Whilst walking, high above he saw something shining.

Gnomes love shiny things.

He climbed up and sat in the large basket.

‘Out of my nest!’ screeched Magpie.

‘It’s a bit high.’ said Neo clambering down.

Soon, he found a tunnel nestled between wildflowers.

Gnomes love wildflowers.

‘Out of my burrow!’ stomped Bunny.

‘It’s a bit dark.’ said Neo sliding out.

Before long, he spotted a floating leaf beside a mossy bank.

Gnomes love mossy banks.

‘Off my lily-pad’ croaked Frog.

‘It’s a bit wet’ said Neo jumping off.

‘I have no home.’ he sobbed.

‘We have a surprise for you.’ said Magpie, Bunny and Frog.

There it was.

A shiny lily-pad nest, on a mossy bank, by wildflowers.

‘It’s perfect.’ he whispered to his new friends.

Amy Barry link

4/2/2021 03:56:28 am

Forgot the gif!

https://media.giphy.com/media/fFdO5UEFts5dJS2vpV/giphy.gif

Karyn Curtis

4/2/2021 02:50:34 pm

So cute! Love gnome!😁

Amy Barry link

4/2/2021 10:00:06 pm

Thank you very much 💛

Lori Sheroan link

4/2/2021 05:11:13 pm

Such a creative tale of friendship! Love it!

Amy Barry link

4/2/2021 10:02:46 pm

Thank you! 💛

Stacey EVE ELIZABETH Miller

4/4/2021 10:32:33 am

This is lovely!

Chris Garcia-Halenar

4/2/2021 03:57:13 am

Best. Day. Ever.
by Chris Garcia-Halenar

The purple tulle feels like home.
Puff.
Fluff.
Twirl.
She smiles back at the girl in the mirror.
“It’s me.”

Best. Day. Ever.

“Please Mama?”
Dab.
Brush.
Smack.
“How do I look?”
“Perfect.”

Best. Day. Ever.

“Are you ready, ladies?”
Inhale.
Smile.
Step.
Daddy’s eyes hug me.
“My beautiful girl.”

Best. Day. Ever.

“Girls on this side, boys over there!”
She dives into a wave of ruffles and ribbons.
“Why aren’t you over there?”
Stand.
Hold.
Breathe.
“This is MY line.”

Best. Day. Ever.

“This year’s Easter Egg Race winner - Casey McDermott!”
“Way to go, Casey!”
“You rock!”
“We love you girl!”
Cheer.
Support.
Believe.

Best. Day. Ever.

“Did you have a nice time?” the neighbor asks.
“Oh yes,” Mama responds.
“Where’s Kevin?”
“Right here, Mrs. Johnson.
I’m Casey.”
Exhale.

Best. Day. Ever.

https://in.pinterest.com/pin/778067273113522800/

Melanie Singer

4/5/2021 12:13:46 pm

Chris, this is incredibly deep and beautiful- brought tears to my eyes. I can't believe how much you captured in less than 150 words. The world absolutely needs more stories like this. Good for Casey, and good for her family- to support her through a challenging transition.

Norie Bradly

4/5/2021 06:40:26 pm

All the feels while reading this one; what an important message.

Kathleen Lowry

4/2/2021 04:56:30 am

FLIP-FLOPPY SPRING
By: Kathleen Lowry
Words 147
https://giphy.com/gifs/pLwJD5ph8tx0oTFe3q

“Ahh September. Spring is in the air.”
“Wait. What did you say?”

“Umm... that Spring finally arrived. You know, September winds. Warm October days. Summer’s almost here.”

“Are you crazy? Spring isn’t until March! September’s for cozy sweaters, crunchy walks over fallen leaves. Halloween!”

“I love Halloween! It’s always too warm for our costumes, isn’t it?”
“WARM? That’s it. You HAVE lost it.”

“I’m not crazy. I know when the seasons start, silly. Spring CLEARLY starts in September. Fall begins in March.”
“I’m outta here”

“Let me show you. See? The internet clearly states: Spring in the Southern Hemisphere begins in September.”

“Ah, yes. Well, it seems you’re right. Let me see that. CLICKETY-CLACK. Now YOU look.”

Spring in the Northern Hemisphere begins in March.

“Will you look at that! We’re both right.”
“Huh. Seems so. How about a cup of cocoa?”

“That sounds lovely my friend.”

Melanie Singer

4/5/2021 12:18:04 pm

Interesting twist in perspective!

Kathleen

4/9/2021 12:39:01 pm

Thank you!

Martina Palkovičová

4/2/2021 05:00:51 am

Not even a tiny bit longer.
By Martina Palkovičová
Words 142
“I just don’t get it! Why can’t I stay a bit longer? I’m a year older now!” I plead.
Mother turns towards me and gives me a look that sends chills up my spine.
She wrinkles her eyebrows and growls: “No! Not this again! I thought we were done with this!”
“Explain it to me!” I say icily, stomping my feet and tears of pure despair fill my eyes.
“Because horrible things could happen! Some rules can’t be broken just like that – only because you want to!” she yells.
I can't stand it anymore, and I start to hush away.
“Winter!” she calls out to me. “Call your sister please!”
I decide to disobey for a moment, but then think better of it. Nobody wants Mother Earth to get mad.
“Spring!” I shout. “Mother wants you to come. It’s your turn now.”

Martina Palkovičová

4/2/2021 05:06:50 am

Forgot the GIF!

https://giphy.com/gifs/booty-swiggity-swooty-wNipYAoZ3iaEE

Kathleen

4/2/2021 07:39:39 am

This is very creative. I am glad Winter decided to listen.

Martina Palkovičová

4/5/2021 04:35:48 pm

Thanky ou Kathleen! Me too!:))

Aline Pusecker Taylor

4/2/2021 07:57:25 am

Love your ending! Great twist!

Martina Palkovičová

4/5/2021 04:36:12 pm

Thank you Aline:)

Melanie Singer

4/2/2021 08:36:16 am

So creative, Martina. I love this story! Well done.

Martina Palkovičová

4/5/2021 04:36:35 pm

Thank you :))

Michelle Ramirez

4/2/2021 04:37:42 pm

So funny! Love the sibling rivalry.

Martina Palkovičová

4/5/2021 04:37:03 pm

Thank you! :)

Norie Bradly

4/5/2021 06:20:13 pm

Nice twist at the end

Michelle Ramirez

4/2/2021 07:27:15 am

PRICKLY PATTY

by Michelle Ramirez

(148 Words)

Prickly Patty wanted a home.
But her sensitive nose got in the way.
A tickle triggered a petal plunge--
no matter how hard she tried.
The cat crawled by--
she shielded her face...
"Achoo!"
A feather floated--
she held her breath...
"A-Achoo!"
The wind kicked up dirt--
she pinched her nose...
"A-A-Achoo!"
Patty was all prickles and thorns.
"I'll never get picked looking like this." Patty made a plan.
She sunned.
Hydrated.
Meditated.
But petals don't grow overnight.
She stretched.
Rested.
Squeezed--
tight with all her might.
Almost there.
Finally, five fantastic petals!
Stand straight. Check.
Petals wide. Check.
Big smile. Check.
Sunshine glimmered through the gaps.
Her smile—a radiant star in a dark desert sky,
guided small hands to her.
A tickle.
A twitch.
"Not now," thought Patty. "I'm so close."
"A-A-A-Achoooo!"
One. Two. Three petals dropped.
But small hands held fast.
Prickly Patty was home.

https://giphy.com/gifs/oNLQ4PgRgO4qyf66S2/html5

ALINE K TAYLOR

4/2/2021 07:56:32 am

Love this!

Michelle Ramirez

4/2/2021 11:03:26 am

Thank you!!

Michelle Ramirez

4/2/2021 11:04:00 am

If other link is broken, try this one:

https://giphy.com/gifs/surprise-pop-cactus-oNLQ4PgRgO4qyf66S2

Karyn Curtis

4/3/2021 05:53:53 am

Yay, Patty! This is so cute!

Melanie Singer

4/5/2021 12:26:11 pm

Aw, beautiful! What a lovely ending.

Donna Kurtz

4/2/2021 07:36:49 am

A Falling Star
by Donna Kurtz
http://gph.is/28JUPSJ

One bleak and cloudless Winter’s night,
I wished upon a falling star
For flowered meadows glowing bright,
And Spring’s warm breezes from afar.

I shivered on the weathered porch
While dreams cast shadows drifting past,
The Moon shone silver as a torch,
If only Spring would come at last!

The Sun bloomed like a yellow rose
To melt chill Winter’s ice and snow,
It kissed my cheeks, then warmed my toes,
And made the budding flowers grow.

I ran through meadows sweet and bright,
And swung from limbs of new-leafed trees,
I climbed green hills in golden light
To dance with Spring’s warm, gentle breeze.

That night a star blazed through the sky,
I waved and thanked it gratefully
For all the Springs that had passed by,
And all those new Springs yet to be.

Aline Pusecker Taylor

4/2/2021 07:55:46 am

Beautiful!! Best of luck to you!

Stacey EVE ELIZABETH Miller

4/4/2021 10:26:59 am

This is absolutely gorgeous!

Paul Kurtz

4/2/2021 07:47:50 am

The Sea Gull’s Cry
by Paul Kurtz
https://gph.is/g/4VgG70R

A sea gull cries beyond the shore,
The white surf answers with a roar.

Kids laugh and play in golden sand,
Their parents amble hand-in-hand.

Pink land crabs skitter impishly,
While dolphins frolic in the sea.

In starlight, as each tired child rests,
Green turtles come to dig their nests.

In weeks, new hatchlings rise and ride
The curling waves and gentle tide.

The wild shore seems unspoiled and yet
There lurks a growing human threat.

With plastics, poisons, coal and oil,
We ruin our water, air and soil.

Pollutants heat our graying skies,
The glaciers melt, our oceans rise.

The tides surge higher day-by-day,
And wash the golden shore away.

The crisis will grow ever worse,
Unless we change, renew, reverse

To save our disappearing shore,
And hear the sea gull’s cry once more.

Melanie Singer

4/5/2021 12:20:53 pm

Such an important topic, Paul. Beautiful word choices!

Martina Palkovicova

4/5/2021 03:47:02 pm

I love this!

Becky Kimbrough link

4/2/2021 08:00:35 am

Delia and Dandy (149 words)
By Becky Kimbrough

Delia twirled through the garden.

“Where are the dandelions?” she asked. “They’re my favorite! In summer…they’ll be wishing clouds!”

“Sorry,” said Mom. “Gardeners come every Saturday.”

Delia scoured the garden for yellow.

“Ha! They missed one!”

“I’ll protect you, Dandy,” she whispered.

Next Saturday, Delia danced around Dandy, distracting the gardeners.

Phew! Only two more Saturdays until summer.

Luckily, it rained next week.

“No gardeners today!” Delia laughed.

The last Saturday of spring, Delia’s mom stopped her before she could check on Dandy.

“Time to go. We have errands...” said Mom.

“Be strong, Dandy!” Delia shouted.

And Dandy was!

But the following Saturday, Delia raced outside…

…and wasn’t so lucky.

Sniffle.

She headed inside.

Wait…what’s that?

White fluff poked through a crack in the driveway.

“Dandy! You escaped! You’re finally a wishing cloud!”

Delia inhaled…and wished…

Whoosh!

“Delia,” called Mom. “Should we get a puppy?”

Yes!

“Thank you, Dandy!”

Jana Mattern

4/2/2021 11:49:10 am

So cute! Didn't see the ending coming! My kids would LOVE to hear me say that hahaha.

Karyn Curtis

4/2/2021 02:48:56 pm

Awww, so sweet!

Becky Kimbrough link

4/2/2021 08:21:00 pm

And...here's the GIF link for Delia and Dandy: https://media.giphy.com/media/2KDNNZ9NshDS2MsldP/giphy.gif

(Oops!)

Elizabeth Bogart

4/3/2021 05:09:39 pm

This is so cute! I love it!

Chloe

4/4/2021 06:52:40 pm

Ahh so fun! I love "a wishing cloud."

Melanie Singer

4/2/2021 08:32:38 am

I’LL LOVE YOU FOREVER
Melanie Wick Singer
149 words

Most of the time, she was alone.
It had always been that way.
Being alone gave her a chance to see the world.
But there came a time when seeing the world wasn’t enough.
She was ready for more.

Finding a friend wasn’t as easy as she thought.
It went well at first, but then…
she’d get swept up in the moment.
“I’ll love you forever!” she’d cry out.
“It’s too much, too fast,” everyone said, practically looking right through her.
People can be so hard to please.
The more desperate she was, the more she pushed them away.

But everything changed one spring day, when the desperate Wind looked up at the sky.
Like all the times before - she got swept up in the moment.
“I’ll love you forever!” the Wind cried out.
But this time, the answer was different:
“I sure hope so,” whispered the Kite.

GIF courtesy of picmix gifs
https://img1.picmix.com/output/pic/normal/5/2/6/8/6088625_89ef8.gif

Martina

4/2/2021 08:59:26 am

One of my favorites! Wonderful!

Melanie Singer

4/5/2021 12:22:17 pm

Thank you so much, Martina! Love your entry too!

Michelle Ramirez

4/2/2021 04:32:36 pm

Awww!! So lovely.

Melanie Singer

4/5/2021 12:23:31 pm

Thanks so much, Michelle!

Vashti Verbowski

4/3/2021 10:24:14 pm

Super unique! Your wind has personality and heart:)

Melanie Singer

4/5/2021 12:27:16 pm

Aw, thank you. What a nice comment!

Blanca Infantino

4/5/2021 04:58:54 pm

Melanie, this is an absolutely beautiful story with such a magnificent and uplifting ending. I love the concept of the wind finding the right friend for it’s individuality, so applicable to humans.

Melanie Singer

4/5/2021 06:27:47 pm

Aw, Thank you so much! What a beautiful comment!

Norie Bradly

4/5/2021 06:23:51 pm

Really kept my attention and I love the ending

Melanie Singer

4/5/2021 06:29:11 pm

Thanks so much!

Michelle S. Kennedy link

4/2/2021 10:45:01 am

A Caterpillar’s Life (WC 100)
By Michelle S. Kennedy

https://discovermon.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/MonarchTransformationHalfSecond.gif

Chew and crunch and munch and grow...
A caterpillar is a pro.
Eat and chomp! He stuffs his face.
A leafless stalk remains in place.

Now he’s fat and needs to rest.
He’s got to let his food digest.
A chrysalis is his cocoon
hiding him from sun and moon.

All cozy warm in his reprieve
and all wrapped up in nature’s sleeve,
he sleeps for days inside the case,
while tucked within its restful space.

When he awakes, he will be changed,
equipped with wings and rearranged.
He’ll wriggle free, a butterfly.
And just like that— he’ll flutter by!

Jana Mattern

4/2/2021 11:44:19 am

Wonderful Michelle! So many great words and descriptions. Nature's sleeve - love it!

Michelle S. Kennedy

4/2/2021 02:21:44 pm

Thanks Jana!

Karyn Curtis

4/2/2021 02:45:52 pm

Love this!

Michelle S. Kennedy

4/11/2021 02:41:37 pm

Thanks so much!

Anne Lipton

4/2/2021 09:41:26 pm

Brilliant wordplay and such clever rhymes! You had me from the first line. I also love "cocoon/sun and moon," "reprieve/sleeve," and "butterfly/flutter by."

Michelle S. Kennedy

4/11/2021 02:42:24 pm

Thanks Anne!

Jill Lambert

4/3/2021 07:46:52 am

I absolutely love this, Michelle! You have such a playful feel at the beginning in the caterpillar stage, gradually melding into the soothing resting stage. Beautiful language all the way through! This is a winner!

Michelle S. Kennedy

4/11/2021 02:43:31 pm

Thank you, Jill! <3

Aline Pusecker Taylor

4/3/2021 09:34:44 am

Kids will love this! Great visuals! Good luck!

Michelle S. Kennedy

4/11/2021 02:44:23 pm

Thanks Aline!

Susan Summers

4/5/2021 08:43:03 am

Love this. Nicely done description of a caterpillar's journey. Bring on the butterflies!

Michelle S. Kennedy

4/11/2021 02:46:09 pm

Thanks, Susan!

Day-Williams Audrey link

4/2/2021 10:52:53 am

"Eat and chomp! He stuffs his face." so funny and fun to read. Good luck, this is great!

Michelle S. Kennedy

4/2/2021 02:22:55 pm

Thank you Audrey!

Jana Mattern

4/2/2021 11:46:02 am

BUCKETS OF BLACKBERRIES
By: Jana Mattern
150 Words

I weave through sunlight and shadows—searching, scanning. A plump purple jewel peeks out of a patch. Time to fill my empty bucket.

Plink.

Don’t worry, robins. I won’t pick them all. They whistle their thanks.

Plink.

Pop. That one lands in my mouth. Juicy, tart.

I see a small someone through the trees. She is searching too. But I hear no plinks.

I find a large patch bursting with berries. I bend low. She watches. I motion for her to join me. Time to fill her empty bucket.

I scoop out of mine--
Plink Plink
—into hers.

She smiles.

That’s what blackberries are for.
Filling buckets.

Pluck, plink, pluck, plink. Our buckets grow heavy.

Soon, little feet scurry toward us. “Hi Bubba,” she says. Time to fill his empty bucket.

She scoops out of hers--
Plink Plink Plink
—into his.

He smiles.

That’s what blackberries are for.
Filling buckets.

Michelle S. Kennedy

4/2/2021 12:02:11 pm

Aw! Beautiful imagery, Jana! Nice job on this!

Jana Mattern

4/2/2021 06:22:02 pm

Thanks Michelle!

Jana Mattern

4/2/2021 12:33:33 pm

The gif!

https://64.media.tumblr.com/9a9295f6dbdcf63e5e69510ae9d4a55f/tumblr_ok74f4Xjyi1rbud4zo1_500.gifv

Elizabeth Barrett

4/2/2021 12:51:10 pm

"A plump purple jewel peeks out of a patch." What a delicious line!
And the repetition of "That's what blackberries are for. Filling buckets" is heartwarming.

Becky Kimbrough link

4/2/2021 08:50:39 pm

Ahh, filling buckets--love!! Such a meaningful message, Jana.

Ashley Sierra

4/2/2021 01:45:48 pm

GIF:

https://i.pinimg.com/originals/d2/4e/a2/d24ea28de1a2de82013acf8f4ea2849f.gif

BRIDGET BIRD WANTS TO BE HEARD!
by Ashley Sierra

WC: 150

Bridget Bird and her friends flocked to their favorite tree and chatted about their favorite things.

"Did you hear the new Justin Birder song?" Carly chirped.

Bridget perked up. "My aunt--"

But Jay butted in. "It's cool!"

Sigh, Bridget thought.

With more spunk, Bridget spoke up.

"GUESS WHAT?!"

But Carly interrupted. "It's his best!"

Not again, Bridget thought.

She flapped her feathers, but Carly and Jay tweeted on and on.

Time for Bridget Bird to be heard, she thought.

She flew up. Flipped. And shrieked.

"I MET Justin Birder!!!"

"You did?!?!" they questioned.

"No," Bridget cheeped, sadly.

"Why did you say that?" Carly asked.

"Yeah?" Jay chimed in.

"You don't let me talk," Bridget cried.

"Sorry," they said.

"My Aunt Crow helped write that song!" Bridget said, proudly.

"WOW!" They shouted.

Bridget hugged her friends. They sat on their favorite tree and sang their favorite song.

"Birdy, birdy, birdy, oh . . . ."

Jill Lambert

4/3/2021 07:50:10 am

Oh, Ashley, this is perfect! You really captured Bridget's plight and spoke to all those young readers who need to be heard. I love the Justin Birder aspect and the last line, "Birdy, Birdy, Birdy, Oh..." Fabulous! Best of luck in the contest!

Hannah Suzanne Lapehn link

4/2/2021 02:25:05 pm

Outside Kind of Kids

We yank our blinds and see the sun,
slip on shoes and start to run,
head out back for forest fun.
We’re outside kind of kids.

We feed the ducks and pet the dogs,
balance over fallen logs,
crouch down low and leap like frogs.
We’re outside kind of kids.

We waddle in the riverbed,
spot the minnows up ahead,
chase them ‘til our cheeks turn red.
We’re outside kind of kids.

We build a fortress out of sticks,
smack and smear a muddy mix,
check each other’s hair for ticks.
We’re outside kind of kids.

We spy a stick bug’s great disguise,
catch the flashing fireflies,
release them into shifting skies,
We’re outside kind of kids.

We pitch a tent and stake it tight,
watch the sun sink out of sight,
sleep under the moon so bright.
We’re outside kind of kids.

https://media.giphy.com/media/xUPGclNlLxRs6cVfW0/giphy.gif

Michelle Ramirez

4/2/2021 04:27:31 pm

Terrific rhythm, rhyme, repetition, and imagery! Would be a beautiful PB!

Lori Sheroan link

4/2/2021 04:34:20 pm

This is so fresh and fun! I could picture each stanza.

Becky Kimbrough link

4/2/2021 08:27:57 pm

Well done! You displayed a perfect spring day in spot-on rhyme.

Erin Rounds

4/3/2021 07:03:49 am

Wonderful imagery and rhyme. Outdoor classrooms were very popular this year!

Amy K Leskowski link

4/5/2021 11:45:09 am

Love this!! A great read-aloud!

Michelle S. Kennedy

4/11/2021 02:48:34 pm

What a fun poem Hannah! Love the refrain at the end of each stanza. I was "that kind of kid" when I was younger!

Katie Fischer link

4/11/2021 07:03:10 pm

Love this! It reminds me of my childhood.

Katie Brandyberry

4/2/2021 02:36:26 pm

A SMILE IN THE SKY (150 WC)
By Katie Brandyberry

It's spring and the world is waking,
except for Sky.

Sky relies on winter's short days to sleep.
This year, spring came too soon.
Sky is exhausted.
She longs to wrap herself in a blanket of stars and doze.

Now, the sun shines.
Frogs croak.
Flowers bloom.
Sky is forced awake.

With each bird song, Sky becomes grumpier.
Bumblebees buzz, Sky turns gray.
She grumbles a thunderous BOOM.
Weary tears pour down.

During the storm, the world is quiet.

Sky falls back asleep.

Her slumber doesn't last.
Waterfalls rush, full and strong.
Thirsty plants slurp the rain.
Children squeal, splashing in puddles.

Sky watches the world delight beneath her.
She is surprised to catch her reflection on the wet ground.
Her mouth - red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, violet - turns up in the corners.

In spring, the world is awake,
and there is a smile in the sky.

###

GIF inspiration: https://giphy.com/gifs/headlikeanorange-rainbow-waterfall-iceland-B6MxnzN0JhRtu

Elizabeth Barrett

4/2/2021 04:05:27 pm

Yay, Katie! This is fantastic. I love how you've personified Sky. We see her power ("She grumbles a thunderous boom") & her softer side ("Sky watches the world delight beneath her").

Rosanna Montanaro link

4/4/2021 07:42:40 am

So creative Katie! Loved it! "The world delight beneath her". So wonderful!

Marty Lapointe-Malchik link

4/5/2021 05:12:38 am

I'll never look at the sky or rainbows the same again! I love your intriguing perspective. Sky as a grumbling entity reluctant to wake is just fabulous! So creative and delightful! Good luck this spring!

Stephanie Wildman link

4/2/2021 03:06:22 pm

Gecko and Honu

Gecko poked out his head. He crept onto the sand and saw another shell. First a leg! Then a head! Was this his sister?

Honu crawled out. “Brother, hello? Let’s go to the ocean.”

“I am afraid of water,” said Gecko.

“I will return,” said Honu.

Gecko watched Honu enter the waves.

Gecko hunted bugs and guarded his house. Every day he checked to see if Honu had returned.

Years passed; Gecko wondered if he would see Honu again.

One Spring Gecko went to the beach in the quiet dawn. “Honu, my sister! You have returned.”

“I told you I would. I will lay eggs here. First climb on my back. Don’t be afraid.”

Gecko scrambled on Honu’s back and held tight with his sticky feet.

Honu gently entered the water.

Waves lapped at Honu’s shell.

Light rain fell as the sun rose. The sky brightened with a double rainbow.

https://media.giphy.com/media/fRZn2vraBGiA0/giphy.gif

Marty Lapointe-Malchik link

4/5/2021 05:07:53 am

Longing, fear, and teamwork! There are some wonderful messages here for children. I love the way you reveal, a little at a time, that this is his sister in the opening and the double rainbow at the end in celebration. Good luck this spring!

Melanie Singer

4/5/2021 12:30:25 pm

Aw, what a sweet story.

Searra Simpson

4/2/2021 03:14:00 pm

Pondering Frog

Nestled between the fronds along the puddle’s edge, Frog pondered.

So very small, what good could this puddle possibly do? Frog was fairly tiny, too. He couldn’t even help his mom catch food.

Then he saw a bare root stretch out and take a large sip, and a dragonfly rest on the surface for a bit.

Maybe a puddle does more than I thought, Frog wondered. Then he wandered on home. There he found his mom reaching for a succulent snail hiding out in a hole.

“My body is too big to fit,” Mom moaned.
So, little Frog hopped down the hole and brought the snail back.

As they munched on their snack, Frog pondered again, something that’s small might not be a big deal, but judging a puddle by the size of its waves, ignores all the good it has yet to reveal.

Rosanna Montanaro link

4/4/2021 07:40:40 am

Searra, what a lovely message! So sweet :)

Marty Lapointe-Malchik link

4/5/2021 05:02:20 am

You had me at the title! Poetic pairing of pondering and frog is ear candy! The words of wisdom at the end are heartfelt and powerful, especially for small readers! Good luck this spring!

Chloe Emiko

4/2/2021 04:30:34 pm

Mono No Aware (Japanese for nothing lasts forever)
By Chloe Emiko

A picnic under pale pink petals.
Grandma sets out tiny teal teacups,
And a large lacquered bento box brimming with butaniku.
I turn my face away from grandma and toward the glow of paper lanterns,
Hoping to hide my tears.
“Suki, don’t be sad,” she whispers.
“Mono no aware,
Nothing lasts forever.
Just as the cherry blossoms bloom and fade,
They return each spring,
And you will too.”
“But I don’t want to move away from you,” I whimper.
“It is just for a time,” she replies, stroking my hair.
Beneath the floating flowers,
Engulfed in gray green grass,
Tangled in time,
We sit in silence.
Breathing in the memories,
Breathing out the sadness of separation,
And holding on to hope for the future.
Remembering
Mono no aware,
Nothing lasts forever,
We’ll be together again,
One day.

Chloe Emiko

4/2/2021 04:35:39 pm

Almost forgot my gif!

https://media.giphy.com/media/Yg12tqyJwylsk/giphy.gif

Andrea MacDonald link

4/2/2021 06:05:41 pm

Wow, this is beautiful!

Becky Kimbrough link

4/2/2021 08:44:22 pm

Beautiful, Chloe! You created such a lush, poignant spring scene with all the feels.

Marty Lapointe-Malchik link

4/5/2021 04:59:11 am

You've managed to make the ache of separation so beautiful in your writing. I love the relationship you've created in such sparse text and the gorgeous setting we are treated to despite the charged emotional moment. You write beautifully. Good luck this spring!

Kara Sibilia

4/2/2021 04:56:25 pm

I forgot to post in the comments yesterday! Here’s mine:

SPRING IS IN THE AIR
(128 words)
By Kara Sibilia

Morning sun slips through Emma’s curtains, the gentle peep-peep of baby birds wakes her. Emma pops up and peeks outside. Mama bird has just returned with juicy worms.

“Mommy, look! The birds are back! That means it’s spring!”

“Yes, sweetie. Spring is in the air, I can feel it.”

“You can feel spring? How?” Emma scrambles onto Mommy’s lap.

“Spring FEELS like sunshine, warm on your skin.”

“Ooh, or the squishy ground of our garden!” Emma squeals.

“Exactly! It also SOUNDS like a soft breeze through budding trees. And LOOKS like misty raindrops on freshly cut grass.”

“And it SMELLS like ... hmmm, I’ll go check!” Emma bounds downstairs, throws open the door and takes a big whiff ...

“Mulch! Fertilizer! Yuck! Yup, spring is in the air!”

GIF: https://giphy.com/gifs/14pP4z69TsyATe

Rosanna Montanaro link

4/4/2021 07:37:36 am

Really cute, Kara! Loved the coziness between the two.

Marty Lapointe-Malchik link

4/5/2021 04:54:17 am

Love your unexpected ending and that Emma has to go check! You create a pacing that has us all following Emma to check what spring smells like. A nice sensory field trip for kids as they celebrate spring in all its glory. Good luck this spring!

Elizabeth Barrett

4/11/2021 03:19:16 pm

This is so joyful, Kara. Your twist ending made me laugh out loud!

Christine A.

4/2/2021 06:04:48 pm

Cars Are Racing
gif: https://images.app.goo.gl/gf2ea85oojajutWPA

Cars are racing, fast fast fast!
We cheer them as they thunder past.
Vroom, vroom!
Squeal! Zoom!
Cars go faster round the track,
turn the bend, come blazing back.
Vroom, vroom!
Squeal! Zoom!
Cars flash by, green and red.
Finish line’s just up ahead!
Vroom, vroom!
Squeal! Zoom!
Cars are through! Who has won?
Too close to tell! But it’s so fun
To race our toy cars on the floor –
Let’s play again and race some more!

Marty Lapointe-Malchik link

4/5/2021 04:51:01 am

I love the breathless energy and speed you've conveyed with your text and your line breaks from start to finish! An engaging read that will get everyone to reach for their cars and race! Good luck this spring!

Melanie Singer

4/5/2021 12:47:21 pm

I can definitely see this as a PB! Well done.

Martina Palkovicova

4/5/2021 03:41:42 pm

This has a great rythm!

Katie Schwartz

4/2/2021 08:34:28 pm

PRANCY’S DANCE DEBUT
WC 140

https://images.app.goo.gl/NTmWXsooVKNaJvQFA

Prancy was a mini-horse.
Tonight would be his chance
to square dance circles ‘round the rest-
The Hoedown Spring Fling Dance!

He practiced ‘round the barnyard,
with new horseshoes, CLICK-CLICK-CLICK!
A big event! A fancy barn!
The dance floor, polished - slick!

Prancy raced to get in place.
His stallion heart beat loud.
One step, two, CLICK-CLACK-KERPLUNK!
Gasps echoed through the crowd.

His legs went every which-a-way
when Prancy hit the floor!
The crowd all stared, they dared not think
that Prancy’d dance no more.

“Baaa-Meow-Cluck-Quack-Quack-Mooooo!
This just can’t be the end!”
His friends prayed Prancy’d giddy-up,
and stand to dance again.

Though Prancy was a mini-horse,
his heart was super-sized!
He shook his mane, rose to his hoofs,
his dancing plan revised.

Standing like a champion,
he pranced - electric slide!
The audience broke out in cheers,
and joined him, side-by-side.

Jill Lambert

4/3/2021 07:55:28 am

First of all, I love this gif--such exuberance in that little horse! I can see why it inspired this spunky story. I love the theme of perseverance, the onomatopoeia, the perfect rhyme and meter--everything! Marvelous, Katie! This is a winner!

Susan Summers

4/5/2021 08:48:35 am

Way to go Prancy! A wonderful post, fun to read with a satisfying ending! Great job. Good luck! :)

Stacey Miller

4/5/2021 10:46:39 am

I love this!

Priya Kumar

4/2/2021 08:36:36 pm

The Welcome Dance
by Priya Kumar

"Amma, those daffodils are lovely!" Meera exclaimed.

"Yes darling, spring is here!" Amma smiled. They had just moved into a cottage adjacent to the impressive Maguire mansion with its beautiful garden.

Meera loved caressing the flowers, stretching over the low lying fence. She talked to them as she sat doing her floral sketches.

That day was no different

A shadow fell on her

Meera looked up

Over the fence, Ms Maguire stood looking at her thoughtfully.

Scared Meera bolted inside.

Next day, few workers were studying the fence.

'She is going to raise the fence!' Meera sighed sadly.

A small note slid under her door. "I'm happy to share my garden with you. You can visit your flower friends everyday!"

Meera ran outside!

Her heart brimmed with joy as she spotted a small doorway carved in the fence.

The garden flowers did a 'welcome dance' in the spring breeze.

Gif image from http://favim.com/image/3317997/

Rosanna Montanaro link

4/4/2021 07:34:08 am

Really sweet Priya - loved the ending :)

Priya Kumar

4/4/2021 08:22:58 pm

Thank you ❤️

Marty Lapointe-Malchik link

4/5/2021 04:47:09 am

I love the flowers doing a welcome dance. The joy of a door being built just so she can sketch them is such a satisfying ending. There's a lot of enchantment in your story! Good luck this spring!

Priya Kumar

4/5/2021 07:16:20 am

Thank you ❤️ - Appreciate your detailed feedback. The best thing is that this theme came out of the blue, just when I had given up participating in this contest due to lack of ideas.

Stacey Miller

4/5/2021 10:45:48 am

What a lovely, heart warming story!

Priya Kumar

4/5/2021 10:54:07 am

Thank you ❤️

Jyothi Nookula link

4/3/2021 12:05:46 am

THE SPRING IN ME (138 words)

By Jyothi Nookula

I ate mangoes every day.

Juice smeared all over my face.

The summer breeze danced on my lips.

But it didn’t last long.

A war marched into town,

filled with rage and fury.

At first, it was a spark.

Then, it roared fire.

Like the crisp fall leaves,

we abandoned our homes.

I walked through fields,

and climbed over hills.

I ran in the cold,

as winter fluttered wings of snow.

The war took everything.

I trudged until I reached a row of tents.

Inside children clasped mangoes.

“Go away,” they said. “There is no more to share.”

I turned around to leave.

“Wait!”

“I brought you this,” she said. “We can share.”

In the depths of my winter,

Her kindness gave me warmth.

And I bloomed.

The war had taken everything,

but not the spring in me.

Stacey Miller

4/5/2021 10:47:36 am

This is such a powerful story!

Melanie Singer

4/5/2021 12:37:32 pm

Wow what a powerful story. Heart-wrenching, with a ray of hope in the end.

Elenore Byrne

4/3/2021 02:10:34 am

Easter Bunny-Pups
(138 Words)
By Elenore Byrne

Gif Image Link: https://bestgifs.makeagif.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/puppies.gif

The puppies marched forth feeling proud
and boldly mixed in with the crowd,
“Make way!” yapped Louise,
the black cross Maltese,
“Who said that dogs aren’t allowed?”

Convinced that they looked just the same,
they wandered in search of the game,
but ears on a collar
made Cottontails holler,
“Good gracious those pups are so lame!”

The puppies were keen to explore,
the prizes and treats held in store.
They playfully pounced
as the news was announced
“New bunnies we have treats galore!”

The bunnies more cunning and wise,
presented the pups in disguise,
“Glazed carrots with clover”
and said, “When that’s over,
there’s Dandelion pie for first prize.”

The puppies’ tails wagged all about,
though Louise had a niggle of doubt,
then the bunnies concealed,
the best treats in the field,
before the pups figured it out.

Rosanna Montanaro link

4/4/2021 07:32:35 am

Wow! Really well done. So fun to read to my 7 year old! :)

Elenore

4/5/2021 10:14:50 am

Thanks so much for reading this to your little one.

Katie Fischer link

4/11/2021 12:09:08 pm

Clever bunnies!

Erin McCabe

4/3/2021 07:46:59 am

SPRING FOR SNOWMAN

Snowman stood stoic as whiffle balls whizzed and bubbles blew.

His eyes were downcast.

A bird perched gently on his nose, crunching the carrot.

Snowman’s smile slowly slid down his shiny face.

His belly once round and rotund, looked slim.

His belt lay discarded in the emerald green grass peeking through the mud.

His scarf blew open, exposing his pale neck.

Snowman’s arms wiggled and jiggled, loose in their movements.

The snow, so deep just last week, sank into the ground, exposing purple tips of crocuses.

The troops of nutcrackers and wooden soldiers had long since abandoned their posts.

But Snowman continued to guard the house though the sun shone longer each day.

Snowman stirred as the boys came towards him.

“Snowman is shrinking!”

“Don’t worry! He’ll be back! It will be winter again before you know it!”

Snowman’s smile slid further, he really would miss them!

Melanie Singer

4/5/2021 12:51:35 pm

Aw, poor snowman! Loved "Don't worry! He'll be back."

Martina Palkovicova

4/5/2021 03:38:54 pm

I love this story!

Katie Fischer link

4/11/2021 12:02:37 pm

What a sweet story, I love how it's so positive and uplifting even as it revolves around Snowman melting.

Stacey EVE ELIZABETH Miller

4/3/2021 08:08:25 am

https://media.giphy.com/media/6nps2nX9fGV9K/giphy.gif

A Scoop in the Coop

By Stacey Miller
150 words

Good evening and welcome to Spring News.
I’m Chick beak,
with an EGG-clusive story winging its way to you…

The Puppy Posse have staged a cracking Easter takeover!
They have dognapped all the chocolate eggs and are threatening to melt them.

Their demands-
A billion in bones and two walks a day.

The Easter Bunny is in the coop to give us the scoop!
Hi Mr Bunny, I’m a big fan…It can’t be CHEEP making those eggs… anything you want to say to the Puppy Posse?

Easter Bunny: “Hi Chick…yes I do…Puppy Posse you won’t wag your tails out of this one we have our top people working on this…The Tooth Fairy…Santa…”

Sorry to cut the interview short but we have breaking news…
Live footage of the pups causing choccy chaos and what’s that flashing at the bottom of the screen…

APRIL FOOLS!!!!

Looks like the YOLKS on you folks!

Vashti Verbowski

4/3/2021 09:58:28 pm

Amazing wordplay... I didn't want to miss a thing, so I read it twice:) Very clever!

Stacey EVE ELIZABETH Miller

4/4/2021 10:28:59 am

Thank you so much!

Priya Kumar

4/4/2021 08:51:35 pm

Super funny!! Love it :)

Stacey Eve Elizabeth Miller

4/5/2021 10:38:20 am

Thank you for your kind words.

Marty Lapointe-Malchik link

4/5/2021 04:35:54 am

So clever, line after line! The word play is so much fun and the ending is something every kid will find delicious! Good luck this spring!

Stacey Miller

4/5/2021 10:39:35 am

Thank you so much, Marty!

Elizabeth Barrett

4/5/2021 07:52:26 am

Ha ha! This is delightful! (I love the doggie demands.)

Stacey Miller

4/5/2021 10:40:14 am

Thank you for your lovely words!

ALINE K TAYLOR

4/5/2021 03:45:20 pm

This is so much fun!

stacey miller

4/8/2021 11:31:28 am

Thank you so much, Aline!

Anne Lipton

4/10/2021 04:33:27 pm

Fun, original, and ingenious! I love how you incorporate so many holiday characters and traditions in one take!

Aline Pusecker Taylor and Marianne Abernethy Pusecker

4/3/2021 09:46:06 am

GOLDIE'S GARDEN

All of the flowers in Goldie’s Garden are special. Do you know why?

Hibiscus is friendly. “Hi, Hibiscus!”

Dahlia dreams dazzling dreams. “Dream big, Dahlia!”

Lily wakes up smiling. “Good morning, Sunshine!”

Iris likes to play hide and seek. “I see you, Iris!”

Rose is passionate about food. “Chow down, Rose!”

Petunia races the waves with her friends. “Hang ten, Petunia!”

Daisy dances like no one is watching. “Boogie down, Daisy!”

Pansy keeps blooming when other flowers quit. “Way to never give up, Pansy!”

But the most special flower of all

Adores her friends

Dreams dazzling dreams

Wakes up smiling

Plays hard

Loves to eat

Races the waves

Twirls with abandon

Never gives up!

And that flower is…

…Marigold!

J. R. Reynolds

4/3/2021 06:16:40 pm

What an intriguing story/premise. Nice job! I love how all of these wonderful stories make you forget about life for a while.

Best of luck.

Aline Pusecker Taylor

4/4/2021 05:09:25 pm

Thank you!

Vashti Verbowski

4/3/2021 10:02:51 pm

What a fun story to teach the names of flowers! I could use a book like this:)

ALINE K TAYLOR

4/4/2021 05:10:35 pm

Thanks!

Marty Lapointe-Malchik link

4/5/2021 04:32:24 am

The comments that the flowers hear in this story are infectious and engaging. I love that Marigold is Goldie in your title and that she does it all! Good luck this spring!

Aline Pusecker Taylor

4/5/2021 05:09:59 am

Thanks so much!

Stacey Miller

4/5/2021 10:41:24 am

Love this, so much fun!

ALINE K TAYLOR

4/5/2021 03:42:40 pm

Thank you, Stacey!

ALINE K TAYLOR

4/3/2021 09:50:35 am

I apologize if this is posted twice! Thought I posted yesterday but couldn't find it. Good luck to everyone!

ALINE K TAYLOR

4/7/2021 07:04:10 am

Hi! The GIF follows:
https://media.giphy.com/media/psWvJvGuQCR66EgBMQ/giphy.gif

Mona Pease

4/3/2021 06:19:10 pm

Mona Pease

4/3/2021 06:27:42 pm

My gif didn't post right

https://ciaraoneal.weebly.com/spring-fling-kidlit-contest/readysetgif#comments

Mona Pease

4/3/2021 06:28:26 pm

http://gph.is/1AMCeqU

J. R. Reynolds

4/5/2021 12:02:44 pm

I like how you take the gentle sounds of newly developing life and call it Mother Nature's song. Very soothing.

Good luck.

Katie Fischer link

4/11/2021 11:11:31 am

Lovely lyrical writing!

Aly Kenna

4/3/2021 06:26:50 pm

Stripey and Chuck – Chuck’s Lesson
(135 words)

https://media1.tenor.com/images/19f9c5fb3fd6348a56a5c0a533c66077/tenor.gif?itemid=20218550

Stripey and Chuck were a good-looking pair.
Unlikely friends with most awesome hair.
One black and white, the other grey/brown.
When winter came, Chuck slept on the ground.

Stripey stood guard nudging Chuck to awake.
Fearing the snoring would start an earthquake!
When a bump and a thump came crashing inside,
Stripey was there, right by Chuck’s side.

Stripey unthinking, puffed up at the fright –
for standing before him a shrilling sight.
A porcupine loaded with menace and bristle!
Boisterous Stripey just smirked at the missile.

‘Don’t get your back up!’ – Stripey armed his warhead,
turning his back –
just as Chuck left his bed.
‘Lower your tail,’ would have been the reply.
But for Chucks timing which left no dry eye.

Never surprise a skunk was poor Chuck’s lesson,
especially when a porcupine is stressin’.

Stacey Miller

4/5/2021 10:44:17 am

This is clever, I love the characters!

Katie Fischer link

4/11/2021 11:09:46 am

Whoops!
That's a funny incident, and those last two lines are hilarious.

Emily Duncan

4/3/2021 06:39:04 pm

The Dog Jumped Over the Rainbow

Barry the dog loved to play outside. He sniffed everything and chased the squirrels up the trees.
He knew his farm like the back of his paw. But one thing he didn’t know was the rainbow in the sky.
How did it hang way up there?
He jumped with all his might but couldn’t quite reach.
So, he ran off the porch and gave a great leap!
He fell with an, “Ooof!”
Then he had an idea. “I’ll climb to the roof!”
He climbed on the porch and up the side, until he reached the top twenty feet high!
The rainbow must be close, he thought as he streeeetched.
The colors were fading, so he gave one last wish.
And with a swish of his tail, he flew!
He steered through the rainbow and smiled with glee as the colors painted his fur red, blue, and green.

https://giphy.com/gifs/redandhowling-animation-happy-wsUBEXeht4iDDvOfD9

Melanie Singer

4/5/2021 12:44:27 pm

So imaginative! Yay for Barry!

Martina Palkovicova

4/5/2021 03:30:17 pm

I can just Imagine wonderful illustrations with this and It would make a beautiful PB😍

Brad Weinberg

4/3/2021 07:05:12 pm

“Come out!” warbled Robin. “The snowstorm is gone.
Abandon your burrows. Let’s play on the lawn.”
“Hooray!” hollered Eagle. “I’m back from vacation.”
“Woohoo!” shouted Bear. “No more dull hibernation!”

Everyone cheered for the sunny Spring day
...all except Snowman, “I’m melting away!”

“My dream is to see just one daffodil bloom,
But it’s getting toasty. I fear I am doomed.
My body is melting. I’ve lost my physique.
My hat fits much looser. I’m growing quite weak.”

Giraffe offered shade, “I will not let you swelter.”
Beaver exclaimed, “I will build you a shelter.”
“We’ll help!” chimed Hummingbird, Peacock and Bear.
“With wings, tails and paws, we can cool you with air."

The soil erupted up with bright yellow blossoms.
Surrounded by blooms, Snowman shrieked “This is awesome!”

“My dreams have come true. Now I’ll gladly depart.
While you cooled down my body, you warmed up my heart.”

Brad Weinberg

4/3/2021 07:08:46 pm

Forgot to give the melting snowman gif link - here you go!
https://media0.giphy.com/media/l2JhBpEAO8wxCE1Fe/giphy.gif

Marty Lapointe-Malchik link

4/5/2021 04:24:59 am

A great mission for a snowman! The race against time and all the helpers makes your story have nice tension. Rhyming blossom with awesome! Good luck this spring!

Martina Palkovicova

4/5/2021 03:28:15 pm

This is so heart warming! Well done.

Katie link

4/7/2021 10:21:46 am

What sweet friends to work so hard to make Snowman's dream come true!

Cheryl MacAller link

4/3/2021 07:37:38 pm

https://www.cherylbk.com/single-post/2021-spring-fling-entry

A SWEET GIFT FOR MAMA
by Cheryl MacAller

I found it!

I spent all day long running through the garden, but I found it!

This is the most beautiful flower in the entire world! It will make the perfect gift for my mama.

She will keep it forever. Forever and ever. She will sniff it and lick it and sleep with it every night because it is so beautiful.

Lick.

Mmmm, this beautiful flower tastes sweet.

Lick.

Mmmm, this beautiful flower tastes very sweet. There are so many petals. I should trim one off so it looks tidy.

Nibble.

Maybe just one more petal.

Nibble nibble.

Now it looks uneven. I should probably trim off a few more.

Nibble nibble nibble……crunch!

Oh no!

“Mama mama! I wanted to bring you a gift.…”

Nuzzle. Lick.

“Oh my sweet boy, you brought me a gift of rosy kisses. I love the smell of roses!”

Rosanna Montanaro link

4/4/2021 07:30:20 am

Aww this is adorable. Well done!

Marty Lapointe-Malchik link

4/5/2021 04:22:00 am

I love the voice! Easy to fall in love with this main character who means so well and in the end has the perfect gift for his mama! So cute! Good luck this spring!

Melanie Singer

4/5/2021 12:55:31 pm

Aw, so sweet. Great voice!

Marty Lapointe-Malchik link

4/4/2021 07:51:43 am

My entry's been buried in a different comments section on Ciara's blog! Unearthed this morning thanks to Kaitlyn's kind reply as to what to do.

https://gph.is/g/46A2N2M

WIGGLE ROOM
By Marty Lapointe-Malchik
122 Words

Wiggle Room’s a giggle room.
Weevil Room’s a bore.
It’s grubby in the Grub Room.
Anty Room’s a chore.

BEAK!!!

Wiggle Room is cold and dark.
Smell the scents of doom.
Mums the word we mumble.
Above us blares a BOOM!

RAIN!!!

Wiggle Room’s a puddle.
Oozing makes us long.
Spring is getting hotter.
What on earth is wrong?

SUN!!!

Wiggle Room turns crispy.
Wet has up and gone.
Moving is too big a stretch.
Get us to the lawn!

HELP!!!

Palm Room is a calm room,
Cool and soft and sweet.
Who minds dirty fingernails?
Look! We’re off the street!

HOME!!!

Wiggle Room’s a giggle room.
“Hooray! You made it back!”
Grub and weevil, at the door,
With antys toting snack.

Katie link

4/5/2021 09:41:34 am

Your rhymes are hilarious and I love the interjections in the middle!

Marty Lapointe-Malchik link

4/5/2021 08:24:31 pm

Thank you, Katie! So glad you liked the interrupting interjections!

Jill Lambert

4/4/2021 09:44:31 am

Such an adorable gif, title, and ode to the life of a worm. Well done, Marty! I'm so glad your entry was unearthed! Best of luck in the contest!

Marty Lapointe-Malchik link

4/5/2021 04:15:27 am

Thanks so much Jill! You are the best cheerleader a writer could hope for! Happy writing this spring!

Donna O'Donnell Figurski link

4/5/2021 07:38:27 pm

Bookity Blog (https://www.donnafigurski.com/bookity-blog/betsys-birthday-balloons)

BETSY’S BIRTHDAY BALLOONS
by
Donna O’Donnell Figurski

Betsy held onto her birthday balloons. I’m not sharing a single one,

she thought.

Betsy bounced through the park.

Tomas fell off the swing.

Just ONE, thought Betsy and gave Tomas a red balloon.

Betsy skipped toward the library.

Millie cried next to her twisted bike surrounded by books.

Just ONE, thought Betsy and gave Millie an orange balloon.

Kenisha tumbled into a puddle-yellow balloon.

Liam lost his Frisbee-green balloon.

Akiko slipped on a plum skin-blue balloon

Lyla dropped her lollipop-indigo balloon.

Nico lost his soccer ball-violet balloon.

When Betsy got home, she only had a silver daisy-shaped balloon

left. MINE! she thought. All MINE! I’m NOT sharing it. NOPE! Not

ever!

But when Betsy saw her little sister cooing, giggling, and grabbing at

her last balloon, Betsy giggled and said, “Bella, I’ll share my birthday

balloon with you anytime.”

And she did!

Penelope McNally

4/6/2021 06:44:59 am

I'm re-posting my entry from 4/3/21; it somehow got lost in the shuffle.

https://giphy.com/gifs/cartoon-ants-picnic-ZZMZJGsMUDF8A

PROJECT PICNIC

Andy was somersaultingly excited! His tummy rumbled gurgle, glug. He was antsy to get going.

“Picnic time, kids,” called Dad. “Let’s go!”

Andy and his family marched off, searching for the perfect picnic spot. They hiked up hills, rambled down knolls, scaled over streams, and crept under fallen trees. Finally they found picnic paradise, glowing under a spotlight of springtime sunshine.

Gurgle, glug, growl. Andy’s tummy was hangry! “We probably have about 10 minutes judging by the way that kickball game is going,” Dad said, peering through his binoculars. “Proceed with Project Picnic!”

They swarmed the picnic blanket. They hiked up piles of sandwiches, rambled down mountains of desserts, scaled atop strawberry scones and crept onto chocolate crepes. GURGLE, GLUG, GROWL! Andy somersaulted straight into a cupcake, silencing those gurgly growls with gooey gobs of icing. Spring picnics are irresistible to a family of ants!

Aimee Larke

4/6/2021 09:29:21 am

Such a fun story Penny! Great job with the surprise at the end!

Katie link

4/7/2021 10:19:52 am

Great twist at the end!
Your descriptions are a lot of fun to say "scaled over streams" and "gooey gobs of icing" were my favorite.

Andrew Allsop

4/6/2021 08:58:08 pm

WOW, I DIDN'T SEE THAT COMING. GREAT STORY, PENNY. LOVELY TWIST AT THE END.

Cathy Lee

4/7/2021 07:48:48 am

https://media.giphy.com/media/14g4L6kXIdGHU4/giphy.gif (link to animated gif)

320 SPRING DANDI LANE
By Cathy Lee

Inside the home on 320 Spring Dandi Lane,
Petunia picks the perfect petticoat, grabs her tiara,
and out the door she springs.
A rainbow-filled pail and a beautiful day are all she needs.
Petunia is the sidewalk chalk Princess.
Her subjects, on both sides, their fancy blooms freshly sprung.
“Pick me, pick me!” they cry out
leaning in for the chance to be drawn by the princess.
“Soon enough!”
Petunia has a plan.
A single dandelion poses quietly, its fluff, the perfect model.
“Sidewalk chalk is a concrete art.”
She eyeballs, inspects, and ponders.
Petunia carefully draws
…her breath!
Puff, puff, surprised seedlings parachute through the air.
“I wish for a whole bunch of sunshine filled days!”
Please, please, P-L-E-A-S-E!
That is how Spring was sprung one early morning
Outside the home on 320 Spring Dandi Lane.
Pick a dandelion, close your eyes, and make a wish.
Puff, puff.

Jennifer Brennise

4/7/2021 08:22:27 am

TIME TO LEAVE THE DEN
148 words

High up in the Rocky Mountains
Snowmelt flows in muddy fountains.

Mommy Bear pokes out her head
And crawls out of her winter bed.

Two fuzzy baby bears appear
Amazed by all they see and hear.

Mommy Bear shares all she knows:
“This is where the river flows.”

“This is where the berries grow.”
“And this is where no bear should go.”

But baby bears aren’t listening.
Look! The river’s glistening!

And when their mommy looks away
The babies run away to play.

They prance and jump through melting snow
. . . And find the place no bear should go.

Cars with beastly metal faces
Hurtle past in frightful races.

Baby bears are very scared.
Claws are out and teeth are bared.

Slowly, baby bears retreat . . .
SMACK! Right into Mommy’s feet!

They still wrestle, play and stalk,
But now they walk where Mommy walks.

Ronna Mandel link

4/7/2021 11:32:35 am

ROCK PLOPPING WITH DAD
By Ronna Mandel

We head to the pond
in the center of town,
me in galoshes
with ducks waddling ‘round.

We’re going rock plopping.
Splish splashes galore!
We’ll throw ‘em and toss ‘em,
then gather some more.

I search for round rocks.
Dad piles up a stack.
The duck we call Daphne
lets out a loud quack!

I plink and I plonk,
seeing ripples spread out.
I point to each one
while I laugh and I shout.

Dad shows me a skim
saying “try to repeat.”
But with every throw,
rocks land at my feet.

With my hand in Dad’s,
Stones fly in a flash.
We watch and we wait
For the plip, plop, and splash!

When rain clouds appear,
Dad says we must go.
One final kerplunk
as the sun’s sinking low.

We wave “bye” to Daphne.
What a great time I’ve had!
Then back again Sunday
Rock plopping with Dad.

Marty Findley

4/11/2021 04:01:05 am

I love this!

Sherri

4/15/2021 07:42:14 pm

If You Want To See Spring
By Sherri T. Mercer
135 Words

If you want to see Spring
take a walk, a morning walk.
You need time,
time for listening,
listening to the warm whispers of the wind as she wakes those still sleeping.
Wake up
rabbit and snail,
chipmunk and bear,
bumblebee and frog
it’s Spring.
If you want to hear Spring
listen to the cardinals get ready for babies.
Listen as he sings sweet songs to her;
if she likes them, she’ll sing back, and they’ll soon have a family.
If you want to see Spring,
watch the sun as he warms the seeds buried in the earth,
calling, time to sprout, time to grow, time to bloom.
If you want to see Spring
there’s no time for staying inside
snuggled in your warm winter beds.
Come out, come out wherever you are—it’s Spring!

Link to gif (https://images.app.goo.gl/PD3bk16SuzT9DW4AA)

Author

Ciara O'Neal is a Gifted and Talented Teacher, a recovering donut-holic, and a twin.

She is also the author of Flamingo Hugs Aren't For Everyone and The Truth About Life as a Pro Gamer.

Does a clumsy flamingo sound like the book for you? Check out Flamingo Hugs by clicking here.

When she grows up, she wants to be a professional pun provider or picture book personal shopper.

If neither of those professions pan out, she wants to continue a career as a full time author!

Look for more books to come soon!

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