Spring Fling 2021

1/24/2021

Welcome to Spring Fling Kidlit Contest!

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 dreaded 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 Wednesday April 1st and closes 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. Then, add the link to your blog to the form on the Entries page of this website.

9. Deadline for posting your story or the link to your story is Thursday April 3rd, 2020 at 11:59pm CST.

10. Only one entry per contestant is permitted.

Check Out the Prizes Here

55 Comments

Stacey

3/10/2021 05:14:27 am

This is so exciting, can't wait for this Spring-tastic competition!!!!!

Ciara link

3/10/2021 12:13:05 pm

Kaitlyn and I are springing with excitement too! Thanks for checking/commenting Stacey! What do you write normally?

Stacey

4/2/2021 08:31:49 am

I normally write picture books, thanks for asking Ciara.

Day-Williams, Audrey

3/10/2021 05:42:30 am

Yay! I'm so excited. Thank you! One question, do hypehnated words count as one word? Word counts them as one and I want to believe, but also not cheat. ;-) Thanks!

Shannon Nelsen

3/11/2021 04:46:38 am

My favorite season! Can’t wait! Thanks for hosting!

Mona Voelkel link

3/11/2021 05:07:34 pm

This looks amazing! Thank you!

Lori Housley

3/12/2021 04:27:14 am

Having so much fun working on my story for this! Thank you!

Joyce Uglow

3/22/2021 01:41:31 pm

I hope this is not an April Fools' joke. LOL!
I am looking forward to this fun contest.

Gina

3/23/2021 09:34:56 am

Are the entry dates still April 1-3 (Thur-Sat)? The dates above say deadline is Thur, April 3, 2020... I don't want to miss it! :)

Colleen Dougherty link

3/23/2021 01:10:02 pm

Thank you for offering this fun contest! I can't wait!

Mary Beth Schultz

3/30/2021 08:47:15 am

Interested in how to select GIPHY for contest

Jennifer Concepcion McLennan

3/30/2021 01:36:12 pm

Yippeeee!!! Entry all set and ready to go!

Maria LaPlaca Bohrer

3/30/2021 07:49:03 pm

I'm looking forward to participating in this amazing contest that begins on my birthday, April Fools' Day. :)

Charlotte Dixon link

3/31/2021 03:28:01 pm

SPRING! My favorite time of the year. I'm looking froward to the contest!

Becky Kimbrough

3/31/2021 05:07:52 pm

Thank you for this opportunity! I'm looking forward to it!

Karyn Curtis

4/1/2021 06:02:07 am

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 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!”

J. R. Reynolds

4/1/2021 07:15:11 am

Great story. You definitely have a gift.

Sending you success vibes.

Karyn Curtis

4/1/2021 07:35:26 am

Thank you! Back at you!

Melissa Rutigliano link

4/3/2021 08:22:27 am

This is soooooooo good!

Karyn Curtis

4/6/2021 06:12:30 pm

Thanks, Melissa!

kellie @FableFiddler

4/3/2022 06:36:34 am

I love the rhythm and the playfulness of this.

J. R. Reynolds

4/1/2021 07:11:59 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.

Karyn Curtis

4/1/2021 07:37:48 am

LOL! Nicely done!

J. R. Reynolds

4/1/2021 07:51:28 am

Thank you. Just a heads-up. We might have posted in the wrong section. You might want to place your wonderful poem here as well: https://ciaraoneal.weebly.com/spring-fling-kidlit-contest/readysetgif#comments

kellie @FableFiddler

4/3/2022 06:38:39 am

I'd really like to see a mouse and a louse playing. Such fun.

Shelley Isaacson

4/1/2021 08:39:17 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!

kellie @FableFiddler

4/3/2022 06:40:08 am

I feel for Mia!

Catherine Catcho

4/1/2021 09:03:39 am

https://gph.is/g/Zrdm7mP

Rainforest Rabbits
By Catherine Catcho | 150 Words

Rainforest rabbits nibble sweet orange snacks.
Leafy greens.
Earthy treats.
But…
they aren’t eating carrots.

What’s a carrot? The rainforest rabbits don’t know.
So silly! For fluffy rabbits everywhere LOVE carrots. Why don’t they order some?

Rainforest rabbits order these small seeds.
Plant them.
Try them.
But…
they’re bitter! Thbbbt! Ick.

What happened? The rainforest rabbits don’t know.
Oh, my. For hungry rabbits everywhere EAT carrots. Why don’t they hop north?

Rainforest rabbits jumping; seek out farms.
Grocery stores.
Canning factories.
But…
they aren’t given carrots.

What should they do? The rainforest rabbits don’t know.
Think hard! For clever rabbits everywhere FIND carrots. Why don’t they try again?

Rainforest rabbits reading; search through books.
Make plans.
Advertise selling… WAIT!

WHAT ARE YOU DOING?
The rainforest rabbits DO know.
Ah, ha! For curious rabbits everywhere WANT mangoes.

Rainforest rabbits selling sweet orange snacks.
Leafy greens.
Earthy treats.
But…
they aren’t carrots!

Marty Findley

4/1/2021 11:41:38 am

I have my gif chosen and my story written but I'm having trouble figuring out how to post it to the form. I do not have a website or Blog Post. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks!

Melanie Ruth Adkins link

4/1/2021 12:16:31 pm

Meet the Most Vain Guinea Pig Ever https://emea01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.vice.com%2Fen%2Farticle%2Fnz49yb%2Fmeet-the-most-vain-guinea-pig-ever&data=04%7C01%7C%7C316b8d88953442faedc408d8f4927feb%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C637528257327264228%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C1000&sdata=zeo%2F960%2BudByoN%2B7tGafJe0rH02vFMqsQ3i6ceglZqw%3D&reserved=0 via @vice

Guinea Pig Lockdown Locks

On the first day of lockdown, baby Pig Wig had tufty pig hair. The days passed and the children spent time at home. They cuddled their guinea pigs every day. As the sun shone, Pig Wig’s hair began to grow. The baby tufts started to sprout. Pig Wig’s eyes were soon peering out from under the bouffant. The hair on her back grew long and wild.

Poppet, the other guinea pig, tried to help Pig Wig by using her teeth to groom the locks. However, Pig Wig could not tolerate the tickling! Over time, Pig Wig learnt to rest in the children’s arms, and they tamed her hair with a special comb. As the lockdown started to lift, the grown up of the house showed the children how to gently trim Pig Wig’s mane. It was only then that the family started to gain control of Pig Wig’s lockdown locks.

Words 150

Kathleen Lowry

4/1/2021 01:46:15 pm

FLIP-FLOPPY SPRING
By: Kathleen Lowry
Words 147

“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.”

Marty Lapointe-Malchik link

4/2/2021 11:28:35 am

I love the dialogue and tension you've created. Lots of learning for kids in this piece, too. Good luck this spring!

kellie @FableFiddler

4/3/2022 06:43:27 am

hahahaha. I can relate to this too. Thanks for sharing, it made me giggle.

Marty Findley

4/1/2021 02:59:24 pm

I'm having trouble posting in the form so I'm putting my story here. I apologize for submitting earlier (I don't think it posted). I hope this is okay. I didn't know what else to do.

Ms. Frizzle Hatches an Egg
By Marty Findley
150 words

Ms. Frizzle was excited! She had just signed a contract with Easter Bunny. His client was hoping for a chick for Easter. She had one month to produce one.

Egg laying began that day but every time she left the nest her eggs would disappear. She looked for a new nesting box. Cluck! What luck! She found a brown egg there. But she discovered it didn't feel right. It was too hard! Peck...Peck...Peck... Oh no! It was made of wood!

Next she tried the chicken run. Cluck! What luck! She found a blue egg there. But she discovered it was too soft! Peck...Peck...Peck... Oh no! It was made of chocolate!

Finally she hid in the straw and laid her egg. Sitting on it she discovered it felt just right and three weeks later - peck...peck...peck... Pop! Out came Fuzzy Chick - just in time for Easter!

kellie @FableFiddler

4/3/2022 06:45:00 am

Ms Frizzle... love the name!

Adrienne Pankey

4/1/2021 05:55:57 pm

https://gph.is/g/E36PRLx

BUMBLE
By: Adrienne Pankey

BZZZBZZZZ. The frogs dove. The beavers hid. The rabbits burrowed.

Usually Bumble was sweet... like honey, of course. But when Bumble was scared, angry or nervous, she would sting.

She didn’t mean to - she wanted friends. Then, one day, Bumble settled into a flower and was surprised by a small hand.

The boy noticed Bumble and frantically flailed his arms. Her instinct was to sting. He could… GULP… squish her! But she didn’t want to hurt him!

Bumble began to cry. He saw her tears and stopped. He took deep breaths. Bumble did too. Then she carefully landed on his finger. They were calm. She was proud of controlling her sting.

Nearby, Bunny saw the commotion unfold. He told the others of Bumble’s kindness and how she didn’t sting.

After that, when they heard Bumble’s BZZZBZZZZ, the frogs jumped, the beavers waved and the rabbits invited Bumble into their burrow.

Marty Lapointe-Malchik link

4/2/2021 11:25:18 am

Beautifully full of heart! Great name, Bumble! Good luck this spring!

kellie @FableFiddler

4/3/2022 06:46:05 am

Awwww what a lovely message of kindness

Natalie Cohn

4/1/2021 07:25:07 pm

Goodbye to Rain and Hello to Spring

Pitter Patter! Pitter Patter!
“Mom, I’m tired of wetness and cool temperatures.”

The pelleting rain soaked the ground.
Mom said, “Spring forward time.”

“What’s Spring forward?”
“It’s when we lose an hour of sleep.”

“No fun! Will I get to school on time?”
“Sweetie, everyone springs their clocks forward.”

“How do they bounce them on a spring?”

“They change the time. A man named George Hudson wanted more time to look for bugs in the summer.”

“I do like bugs! Will that help spring the flowers up?”

Mom kissed his cheek and tucked him in, “The rains are already helping them.”

Sam fell asleep to the sound of showers only to wake to sunlight splashing through the window. He peeked outside only to see the leaves on the oak tree peeking back at him. Samuel grabbed his shoes and darted off towards what must be the first day of Spring!

https://media.giphy.com/media/3o7btS0y4ZnKOjXXJm/giphy.gif

kellie @FableFiddler

4/3/2022 06:47:47 am

Wow! Who knew it was time to go looking for bug breakfast?

Katie Schwartz

4/2/2021 05:38:48 am

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

PRANCY’S DANCE DEBUT 140 WC
By Katie Schwartz

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!
Please, this 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.

Martha L Lapointe-Malchik link

4/2/2021 11:22:10 am

Line dancing farm animals! You lassoed the ending! Good luck this spring!!!

kellie @FableFiddler

4/3/2022 06:49:26 am

I like how you have used rhyme to create the rhythm of the dace

Stacey Miller

4/2/2021 08:28:53 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!

kellie @FableFiddler

4/3/2022 06:50:36 am

hahahaha. A billion bones... perfectly reasonable!

Marty Lapointe-Malchik link

4/2/2021 10:29:38 am

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.

Melissa Rutigliano link

4/3/2021 09:34:48 am

just wondering-I see some stories are posted here but not all. Is there a place we can read everyone's stories they pasted into the form, especially if they do not have a blog link to read it from? I also should have put my gif's direct link and did not, just the general website I found it. So in my post it might not make sense the way it is shown on my blog. Oops! :) Not sure if I also should post here. Happy Spring, everyone!

Donna O'Donnell Figurski link

4/6/2021 12:09:29 pm

I know, Melissa Ruyigliano, mine story is missing too. But I contacted Ciara and Kaityn and they are trying to fix it.

donnafigurski.com

Donna O'Donnell Figurski link

4/6/2021 12:14:50 pm

Darn frantic fingers!

Sorry for the typos, auto-corrects, or whatever it was.

"Mine" should be "My."

"Ruyigliano" should be "Rutigliano"

By the way, I like the sound of your last name, Melissa.

Cheryl MacAller

4/3/2021 06:51:33 pm

You can see the adorable gif here: 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!”

kellie @FableFiddler

4/3/2022 03:07:44 pm

awwww how sweet!

Mary Beth Rice link

4/7/2021 03:26:03 am

I pasted my story in the form provided but had not put it in the comments for others to read. My Gif was from Giphy.com

https://giphy.com/gifs/pbskids-pink-rainbow-3gZf3NLZ3u2LCKzNdp

Embrace Your Butterflies by Mary Beth Rice

Sometimes I get scared in this topsy-turvy world.
That’s when the butterflies come.
They flutter inside my heart; I feel nervous.
They clutter my busy head; I worry.
The swirl inside my throat; I am silent.
When the butterflies come in whirling tummy-twirling motion, my angel voice inside me whispers, “Embrace the butterflies, dear one!”
I welcome them with my sloooowwww breathing.
I imagine them hovering in a heart shape through my gentle stretching.
I soften their swirl with my prayers.
The butterflies float away from their chaos. They form a shield of protection around me.
I embrace my butterflies, reminding myself that
I am brave.
I am loved.
I am enough.
When I listen to my angel voice, I am my best me!
And—I can be an angel voice for others.
You have an angel voice too.
Just listen...

kellie @FableFiddler

4/3/2022 03:06:49 pm

This is beautifl

Kellie Tune @FableFiddler

4/3/2022 06:23:07 am

Miss Mary Botanary Jungle Fairy
By Kellie Tune @FableFiddler
117 words
GIF: <iframe src="https://giphy.com/embed/Ss5SZN6nWULn5GBYF6" width="360" height="480" frameBorder="0" class="giphy-embed" allowFullScreen></iframe><p><a href="https://giphy.com/gifs/glow-chemicalsister-illumation-Ss5SZN6nWULn5GBYF6">via GIPHY</a></p> or https://media.giphy.com/media/Ss5SZN6nWULn5GBYF6/giphy.gif

Miss Mary Botanary
cared for her veggie plot.
Preparing for the spring,
each seed went in its slot.

Miss Mary Botanary
tried planting bulbs and seeds.
She fed them dung and dew,
but all that grew were weeds.

She used the weeds to make
a smelly compost soup.
So when the weeds grew thick,
she needed to regroup.

She tried to dig them up,
she yanked, and pulled, and heaved.
And when the weeds regrew,
Miss Mary felt aggrieved.

Miss Mary Botanary
replaced the weedy soil.
So when the weeds returned
now sick of endless toil...

Miss Mary Botanary
Miss Mary Jungle Fairy
surrendered, reconciled.
And now she loves her plot
where all the weeds grow wild.

Kellie Tune @FableFiddler

4/3/2022 06:34:48 am

oops... I lost some formatting when posting.
The "Botanary" in the title and the "Miss Mary Botanary" in the final stanza were intended to be crossed out. Apologies ;-)

Author

Ciara O'Neal is a librarian, a a donut fanatic, and a twin.

She is also the author of Flamingo Hugs Aren't For Everyone, The Story of Leonardo Da Vinci and several more titles.

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

If neither of those professions pan out, she will always love being a librarian.

Look for more books to come soon!

Welcome to Spring Fling Kidlit

Spring Fling 2021

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