Spring Fling Entries

3/28/2020

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 7th. From April 7th to April 9th, 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 9th, 2020 at 11:59pm CST.

10. Only one entry per contestant is permitted.

The Prizes

Kaitlyn's Amazing Blog

Creating Your Own GIF

It will take several minutes and a refresh of the site for your entry to appear below. If after awhile you still don't see your entry, please let us know! Thanks for submitting!

748 Comments

Mary Barnes link

4/7/2020 07:02:21 am

Had great fun with this competition thanks! Thought I'd post my story here as I don't yet have a website/blog. I look forward to reading some great stories and learning lots from the writing community. Happy Spring!

Link to GIF: https://giphy.com/gifs/flowers-spring-ocean-TlDdgIsop5FNm

The Waves

“Race you!” jests Dad, battling the wind.

His shorts flap relentlessly; his hair resembles a shampoo advert gone wrong. Millie’s not sure his hair is meant to obstruct his eyes.

“Mind your footing Dad!” Millie yells just in time. The trail is steep and the myriad of tree roots are challenging.

Millie leads and they reach the spot.

The same spot they run to every Sunday but today is different.

It’s April 21st.

“See the ocean there Millie,” Dad says. “Always respect it.”

“Yes Dad”.

The frantic waves slap the shore unremittingly.

The water appeared still last week but looks desperate today.

Millie busies herself picking spring flowers from the hillside for Mum as promised. She daren’t look at Dad.

“Right, ready kid?” Dad gulps.

Millie glances once more at the ocean and promises herself she’ll re-visit it later, in her mind and with her words.

And she runs.

Kaitlyn Sanchez link

4/7/2020 08:18:29 am

I'm enthralled, why are they there? What's different about today! Thanks for sharing! This sounds like a great opener to a wonderful story. Your gif reminds me of Monterey here in CA! But by your word choices, I'm thinking you may be from Europe, where abouts, if you're willing to share?

Mary Barnes

4/7/2020 09:46:12 am

Hi Kaitlyn, yes, good guess...I'm from England. Thank you for your kind words. Flash is new to me, trying to figure it out! This was a tale of grief...the waves of grief that come and go. How life can be normal one moment (the weekly run with Dad and all its banter) and feel anything but the next (arriving at the spot that overlooks where Millie's brother (in my mind) died at sea, on his death anniversary, 21st April). However, it could also be read as Mum died and collecting flowers for her grave. Thought the 'who' was less important, as grief is grief and the waves are there regardless. Millie was effected by her father's grief as well as her own, and at that moment needed to keep running.

Susan Drew

4/7/2020 02:05:09 pm

I should have read all the comments before I commented. Now I see what the story is about. This is really beautiful. Beautiful imagery. I liked it before I knew what you were thinking, but the grief aspect takes it to a new level. Good work.

Lisa Perron

4/7/2020 09:49:06 am

Ooh—I love the ending! And she runs. Nice work!

Stacey Miller

4/7/2020 10:35:30 am

What a lovely story.

Kaitlyn Sanchez link

4/7/2020 11:05:12 am

Oh Mary, that's so touching, and that's exactly what I was wondering, I thought, maybe Mom, but since she said to collect them, I was left wondering. Such a sad, powerful idea! Thanks again for sharing! Also yay, I love being a good guesser, I'd love to visit England someday!

Susan Drew

4/7/2020 02:02:05 pm

Is 4/21 earth day? Now I need to know too! Love the story. It goes perfectly with the gif.

Mary

4/9/2020 12:53:32 pm

Thank you so much!

Nancy Riley

4/11/2020 12:06:33 pm

Susan,
Earth Day is April 22. I thought maybe the 21st too, so I checked. Always April 22.

Rachell Abalos

4/7/2020 09:40:46 pm

So many great visuals here. The hair advert line was great. And I love the ending.

Stephanie Gibeault

4/8/2020 05:38:16 am

I love the emotional journey in this story! Well done!

Penny McNally

4/8/2020 06:19:55 am

A beautiful story, so much emotion!

Jill Lambert

4/8/2020 12:41:59 pm

Amazing imagery and heartfelt story, Mary! I felt like I was there!

Jill Richards Proctor

4/8/2020 07:51:48 pm

Beautiful, Mary!

Michelle Kennedy link

4/9/2020 08:03:38 am

Beautiful imagery and lots of emotions to this one.

Mary Barnes

4/9/2020 12:54:34 pm

Thank you everyone! Such kind comments.

Jill Burns

4/10/2020 06:06:33 am

Beautiful and emotional story, Mary! Love the last line!

Laurie Carmody

4/10/2020 12:40:28 pm

This has lovely imagery, Mary. I think it has so much potential as a Middle Grade novel too!

Amy Miller link

4/10/2020 02:31:14 pm

What a beautiful story. Such vivid descriptions. The language is lush and haunting.

Monica Acker

4/11/2020 04:35:58 am

Beautiful imagery!

Nancy Riley

4/11/2020 12:07:49 pm

What powerful images you have created with your words. Amazing. Good luck!

Mary Barnes

4/15/2020 05:34:09 am

Thank you all for your kind words :)

Amy Benoit

4/12/2020 06:37:13 pm

Beautiful visuals here, Mary!

Ellie

4/14/2020 01:54:50 pm

This is well written and has intense visuals and emotion. I need a little help with this line. “Right, ready kid?” Dad gulps.

Mary Barnes

4/15/2020 05:33:21 am

Hi Ellie, thanks for your kind words! In my mind, Dad was so choked with emotion he could hardly speak and had a gulp. He was asking Millie if she was ready to continue their run and leave the grief stricken spot.

Ciara

4/17/2020 05:34:52 am

What a beautiful tale told in a gorgeous setting, I felt that I was there with Millie!

Mary Barnes

4/23/2020 01:47:21 am

Thanks Ciara. Glad you enjoyed it!

Marty link

4/20/2020 02:32:53 pm

Hi Mary,
I love how the waves mirror grief, at times steady, at times unremitting. Beautiful use of intrigue. We want to know more or tell our own interpretation of more of this story. Nice work!

Mary Barnes

4/23/2020 01:46:50 am

Thanks very much for your kind comments Marty!

Mary Barnes

4/7/2020 07:08:24 am

The capitals are a website thing! I'm not a shouty shouty storyteller, honest!

Kaitlyn Sanchez link

4/7/2020 08:13:45 am

Haha! I'm glad you're not a shouty story teller, that sounds unsettling lol

Susan Summers link

4/7/2020 08:15:35 am

I posted my story, but I don't have a blog. Here's the gif to go with 'Bad Bunny'. Enjoy!

https://cheezburger.com/8044102144/country-rabbit-is-ready-for-spring

Mary Barnes

4/7/2020 10:54:22 am

Looks can be deceiving...looks like such an innocent bunny here!

Kaitlyn Sanchez link

4/7/2020 11:06:27 am

Thanks Susan! If you can, post your whole entry in the comments here so people can connect it with your gif😁

Susan Summers

4/8/2020 06:52:17 am

Bad Bunny
By: Susan Summers
WC: 142

“I love Spring!” Rabbit shouted.
“Why?” Said Skunk.
“Rabbits rule spring.”
“I don’t think so.”
“You’ll see,” Rabbit hopped away.

At the park he sat, poised.
“I’ll be swarmed by admirers.”
“Look!” Pointed a girl. “A bluebird.”
“No,” said Rabbit.

He tried again, jumping into a fountain and splashing.
“Look!” Shouted a boy. “Dandelions!”
“Noo!”
Rabbit leaped towards the dandelions and ate them.
“Look at me!”

“Honeybees!”
The family watched the bees fly by.
“Nooooo!”
Rabbit hopped up, down, backward, forward. He was angry.

“Mom, I think something’s wrong with that rabbit.”
“Let’s call for help.”

Skunk watched Rabbit being put into an ambulance.
“You okay!?”
“Yes, but I was wrong.”
“About?”
“Spring. It is NOT about me - yet.”
“What?!”
“I need the perfect place to look cute. Then you’ll see.” Rabbit shouted as the ambulance pulled away. “Spring will be mine!”

Susan Drew

4/8/2020 09:37:29 am

Oh this is funny! Poor Rabbit.

Susan Summers

4/9/2020 11:15:41 am

Thanks Susan!

Amy Benoit

4/10/2020 05:03:42 pm

Oh, Bad Bunny has a sense of humor!

Jill Lambert

4/8/2020 12:46:47 pm

What a hilarious tale/tail of a rabbit desperate to be noticed! I was giggling all the way through to the perfect ending--spring will be mine! Well done, Susan!

Susan Summers

4/9/2020 11:16:40 am

Thanks Jill. I'm glad you liked it!

Becky Loescher

4/9/2020 12:14:55 pm

This is adorable, Susan, with a lesson in it and all! LOVE bunny eating the dandelions that had taken attention away from him! Great humor! And your end line with bunny shouting, "Spring will be mine!" is PERFECT!

KATIE Schwartz

4/9/2020 07:16:39 pm

Susan, this is adorable, love it! Rabbit really has a personality that comes through, was fun to read.

Michelle Kennedy link

4/9/2020 08:35:26 pm

Ba Bunny is hysterical Susan! Right to the end! I can totally see this being a Loony Toons cartoon!!!

Jennifer Ann Richter link

4/10/2020 01:59:40 am

This was such a delight to read. And that ending was laugh-out-loud funny!

Jill Burns

4/10/2020 06:18:01 am

Fun and adorable story, Susan!

Nancy Rlley

4/11/2020 12:12:29 pm

Bad Bunny is just like a lot of kids, needy and wanting attention! So funny! Good luck!

Lisa Perron

4/7/2020 08:29:48 am

GIF:
https://giphy.com/gifs/girl-girls-flowers-euGmxzzXYgm6k

A ROYAL SPRING

We don our crowns, like queens of spring
escaping through the hedge.
Constructing kingdoms in the woods,
beyond the garden’s edge.

We leave behind the daily grind--
a queen should not have chores.
Wait, what’s that rustle in the brush?
A princess on all fours!

“Keep calm,” I tell our royal pup.
“No barking! Don’t you dare…”
Too late. Two dragons shaped like boys
descend upon our lair.

“We found you!” Little brothers. Hmph.
They never stay away.
The youngest tugs my sleeve and begs,
“Stop hiding. Come and play!”

We tumble from our secret space,
inhale the April breeze.
Emerging like we’re newborn chicks,
or blossoms on the trees.

A chase across the open field,
my flowers topple down.
But queens are queens, and spring has sprung,
despite a fallen crown.

Caroline Perry

4/7/2020 09:34:27 am

Beautiful story, so evocative of spring! Perfect meter and rhyme, too. Great job!

Mary Barnes

4/7/2020 09:48:29 am

I enjoyed this and could feel a lovely rhythm to the rhyme!

Lara Elliott

4/7/2020 09:52:30 am

Great job! (I'm not surprised it's a rhymer. You're so good at it!)

Susan Burd

4/7/2020 10:03:21 am

I love the line- "two dragons shaped like boys"!

Susan Drew

4/7/2020 02:06:33 pm

Love that too!

Stacey Miller

4/7/2020 10:33:48 am

Such a beautiful story.

Sofia Dibble

4/7/2020 01:19:58 pm

Such a dreamy story perfect for spring! Brava!

Susan Drew

4/7/2020 02:06:58 pm

Great story! The rhyme works perfectly here.

Lynn Vieira

4/7/2020 02:10:57 pm

This is lovely, Lisa!

Rachell Abalos

4/7/2020 09:44:07 pm

What a lovely story. I love the message here. Queens do not need crowns, whoo-hoo!

Stephanie Gibeault

4/8/2020 05:41:24 am

What wonderful rhyme! And I love the imagination of the girls.

Penny McNally

4/8/2020 06:22:23 am

What a terrific, rhyming, spring sibling story! I love it :) especially, "two dragons shaped like boys" well done!

Michelle Kennedy link

4/8/2020 07:41:41 am

Such a fun story!

Cindy Williams Schrauben

4/8/2020 09:43:31 am

Beautiful story! The hope of spring is alive and well

Jill Lambert

4/8/2020 12:50:05 pm

Perfect meter and lovely language, Lisa! I especially liked the simile in Emerging like we're newborn chicks, or blossoms on the trees and the ending. Great job!

Jill Richards Proctor

4/8/2020 07:58:17 pm

Love your beautiful spring story! Perfect rhyme and meter.

Becky Loescher

4/9/2020 01:14:57 pm

Just so lovely, Lisa! LOVE your last line...with the fallen crown! Perfect rhyme and meter...a delight to read!

Jill Burns

4/10/2020 06:21:07 am

This is so beautiful, Lisa! Love this!

Laurie Carmody

4/10/2020 12:42:06 pm

Wonderful! The rhyme, the arc, the themes. Love it!!

Anne Lipton

4/10/2020 02:51:31 pm

Magnificent! This gorgeous poem so poignantly evokes and contrasts the fairy tale fantasies of childhood with the vagaries, duties, and responsibilities of the real world, while celebrating the ephemeral beauty and nature of Spring. The GIF is lovely and fitting, too.

Laura Howard

4/11/2020 12:11:56 am

This is lovely.

Monica Acker

4/11/2020 04:39:59 am

Excellent rhythm and beautiful imagery!

Lori Sheroan link

4/11/2020 10:29:00 am

I'm so impressed with the way you successfully juggled rhyme and story - such a tough thing to do. I really enjoyed this story!

Nancy Riley

4/11/2020 12:14:13 pm

Beautiful imagery and rhyme. Well done and good luck!

Amy Benoit

4/12/2020 06:39:36 pm

Loved the line, "A queen should not have chores." Fun rhyme too!

Elizabeth Curry link

4/13/2020 09:44:20 am

Lovely imagery!

Ciara

4/17/2020 05:53:18 am

I love that the brothers were dragons! And that a queen is a queen even when her crown tumbles! I needed a reminder that I don't have to be perfect! Fun!

Claire Lewis link

4/19/2020 04:57:12 am

Playing outside in nature filtered through the children's imagination - I loved it! Perfect rhyme and meter too!

Danielle Kinley Ryland link

4/7/2020 08:30:54 am

Here is my silly Easter story. I can't be the only one who finds Easter traditions to be a little alien...

EGG-TREASURES

“Look, Gak! Creatures below are collecting colorful treasures,” said Goop.
“Must be very valuable,” said Gak, “we must have some.”
As Goop and Gak landed their spaceship, the creatures scattered.
“COME OUT AND HAND OVER YOUR TREASURE!” commanded Gak.
One brave little creature, Sheila, stepped forward. “These are eggs. My friends make them.”
“Eggs?! Show us to your friends!” cried Gak.
They walked until they came to a tiny red house.
“These are my friends,” said Sheila.
“BAAAWK,” said her friends.
“Hand over your egg-treasure!” commanded Gak.
“Be patient,” said Sheila.
Goop, Gak, and Sheila waited. And waited.
Until, BAAAAAWK... POP!... Treasure!
Sheila held out the fresh, warm egg- treasure to Goop and Gak.
“Oh, I see,” said Goop.
“Hmmm,” said Gak.
“We have changed our minds,” they said together, “we must go now.”
They hurried back to their spaceship.
“Strange creatures,” said Goop.
“Very strange indeed,” said Gak.

<div class="tenor-gif-embed" data-postid="11647626" data-share-method="host" data-width="100%" data-aspect-ratio="1.7913669064748199"><a href="https://tenor.com/view/laying-eggs-chicken-easter-shaun-the-sheep-gif-11647626">Laying Eggs Chicken GIF</a> from <a href="https://tenor.com/search/layingeggs-gifs">Layingeggs GIFs</a></div><script type="text/javascript" async src="https://tenor.com/embed.js"></script>

Danielle Kinley Ryland

4/7/2020 08:32:36 am

Shoot, the GIF didn't embed. Here is a link to my GIF: https://tenor.com/view/laying-eggs-chicken-easter-shaun-the-sheep-gif-11647626

Jill Burns

4/10/2020 06:25:40 am

Love this adorable story, Danielle! Aliens and Easter eggs! Perfect!

Lisa Perron

4/7/2020 10:10:52 am

So funny! And I love the names Goop and Gak :)

Stacey Miller

4/7/2020 10:33:13 am

Love the names, so funny.

Susan Drew

4/7/2020 02:08:51 pm

Funny! The gif goes just right with the funny story.

Rachell Abalos

4/7/2020 09:49:14 pm

So, so cute! A sci-fi Spring story! Really enjoyed reading this!

Stephanie Gibeault

4/8/2020 05:43:57 am

So funny! I'm sure aliens would find Easter egg hunts strange. And I love your gif.

Susan Summers

4/8/2020 06:56:34 am

Great story! A wonderful take on the tradition. Love the aliens. :)

Jill Lambert

4/8/2020 12:53:52 pm

So unique and fun, Danielle!

Jill Richards Proctor

4/8/2020 08:00:15 pm

Such a fun story, Danielle!

Sarah Meade

4/8/2020 09:12:34 pm

Cute story, Danielle! I love the image of Sheila and the aliens waiting and waiting for an egg.

Michelle Kennedy link

4/9/2020 08:10:25 am

What a fun story!

Laurie Carmody

4/10/2020 12:44:02 pm

I think this combo is so unique and clever. Well done!

Nancy Riley

4/11/2020 12:20:11 pm

What a fun story! Our customs must seem alien to well, aliens! Ha ha! Good luck!

Amy Benoit

4/12/2020 06:34:00 pm

Aliens and eggs = a perfect combination!

Ciara

4/17/2020 05:45:06 am

Haha! Aliens and spring! Love it! I bet our traditions would look quite strange from their perspective!

Stacey Miller

4/7/2020 09:05:46 am

https://media.giphy.com/media/JIcbyvLN7ofAY/giphy.gif

Forest Spirit’s Spring Fling

Spring stirred from its sleepy slumber.
“Boring,” sighed Forest Spirit. “Same...every...year...
I want music, singing, dancing I want...
A Spring Fling!”

So she shimmered, shone and shook.
And suddenly...

Swallow sang a solo.
Tweet-a-tweet...tweeeeeeeeeeeeet!
Tulip trumpeted a tune.
Root-a-toot...toooooooooooooot!
And Daffodil drummed a ditty.
Rat-a-tat...taaaaaaaaaaaaaaat!

“Too slow... speed it up,” Forest Spirit giggled.
Rabbit rumbaed.
Squirrel sambaed.
And fox...
Foxtrotted

“MORE, MORE, MOOOOORE!” she cried.
And furiously flapped her wings as...
Robin rapped.
Badger boogied.
And hedgehog hip-hopped.

Until...
Spring, swirled, spun and spiraled...
Out of control.
A deafening din descended.
SMASH, CRASH, BANG.
“STOP, STOP, STOOOOOP” shouted Forest Spirit, dazed and dizzy.

Spring grew silent and still.
“I’m sorry,” sobbed Forest Spirit. “I made a musical mess.”
An April shower of tears trickled.

And Spring sprung again.
A season-sational encore!

The End.

Tracy Curran

4/7/2020 09:28:44 am

I LOVE this Stacey! It's springtastically brilliant!

Stacey Miller

4/7/2020 10:26:23 am

Thank you so much, Tracy.

Lisa Perron

4/7/2020 10:18:53 am

Great job bringing these sounds to life! Lots of fun word play too!

Stacey Miller

4/7/2020 10:27:17 am

Thank you for the lovely comments, Lisa.

Mary Barnes

4/7/2020 11:01:10 am

This is really fun and a great play with the Spring Fling comp title! What a great idea!

Stacey Miller

4/8/2020 01:07:13 am

Thank you, Mary thats so kind of you.

Lynn Vieira

4/7/2020 02:12:37 pm

Wonderful word play, Stacey!

Stacey Miller

4/8/2020 01:08:03 am

Thank you so much, Lynn

Rachell Abalos

4/7/2020 09:53:49 pm

Wow, this got me dancing. Great story! So fun and springy!

stacey miller

4/8/2020 01:06:08 am

oh thank you, Rachell for your lovely words.

Sue Lancaster

4/8/2020 02:29:50 am

Great story Stacey - good luck!

Stacey Miller

4/8/2020 01:39:34 pm

Thank you so much, Sue.

Stephanie Gibeault

4/8/2020 05:46:09 am

I love all your fun word play! And this would have some hilarious illustrations.

Stacey Miller

4/8/2020 01:40:47 pm

Thank you for your lovely comments, Stephanie.

Susan Drew

4/8/2020 09:39:39 am

So fun!

Stacey Miller

4/8/2020 01:43:05 pm

Thank you, Susan.

Jill Lambert

4/8/2020 12:56:31 pm

I love this, Stacey! Such artful alliteration all the way through and great use of onomatopoeia! Well done!

Stacey Miller

4/8/2020 01:42:18 pm

Thank you, Jill I do love using alliteration!

Linda Hofke

4/8/2020 05:51:03 pm

I love this.

Stacey Miller

4/10/2020 08:19:08 am

Thank you so much, Linda.

Sarah Meade

4/8/2020 09:14:13 pm

This story is delightful! Great job.

Stacey Miller

4/10/2020 08:20:13 am

Thank you for your kind words, Sarah.

Michelle Kennedy link

4/9/2020 08:13:55 am

Delightful! My favorite lines - I’m sorry,” sobbed Forest Spirit. “I made a musical mess.” and "An April shower of tears trickled." Sounds magical.

Stacey Miller

4/22/2020 12:43:44 am

Thank you for your kind words.

Jill Burns

4/10/2020 06:56:37 am

Lively and fun moving story! Perfect for spring!

stacey miller

4/22/2020 12:44:23 am

Thank you, Jill.

Katie Schwartz

4/10/2020 08:55:55 am

Love this, wonderful language and imagery leads to something special! Takes the reader right into the action!

Stacey Miller

4/22/2020 12:45:00 am

Thank you for your lovely words.

Laurie Carmody

4/10/2020 12:45:53 pm

So cool how you used the common language (April Showers, spring sprung)!

Stacey Miller

4/22/2020 12:45:43 am

Thank you so much, Laurie.

Susan Burd

4/11/2020 11:02:11 am

A dazzling description of the arrival of spring!

Stacey Miller

4/22/2020 12:46:50 am

Such lovely words, thank you.

Nancy Riley

4/11/2020 12:36:24 pm

Love that Forest Spirit rocks spring with all the woodland plants and animals! So fun!

stacey miller

4/22/2020 12:48:02 am

Aah, thank you so much for your lovely words, it means a lot.

Amy Benoit

4/12/2020 06:41:44 pm

Great alliteration, Stacey! Good Luck!!!

Stacey Miller

4/22/2020 12:42:51 am

Thank you, Amy.

Claire Lewis link

4/19/2020 04:52:23 am

This is great - I love the lines 'Spring swirled, spun and spiraled... out of control' and 'An April shower of tears trickled'!

Stacey Miller

4/22/2020 12:42:04 am

Thank you, so much.

Tracy Curran

4/7/2020 09:25:23 am

https://www.bing.com/images/search?view=detailV2&ccid=QCoQGbFd&id=3257E2F1D2EC87CC5E6E77BDBD57140FA77B98E5&thid=OIP.QCoQGbFd6CpEUj6tz6bFiwHaFN&mediaurl=http%3a%2f%2fwww.lovethispic.com%2fuploaded_images%2f161152-It-s-Spring.gif&exph=337&expw=479&q=spring+gif&simid=608018853061855344&selectedIndex=49&ajaxhist=0

The Blossom Avalanche

Three little yellow chicks

bounce upon a branch,

happily creating

a blossom avalanche.

Petals fall like raindrops,

swirling round and round.

One excited chickydee

topples to the ground.

Two little yellow chicks,

jumping in a tree,

create a blossom avalanche

for everyone to see.

Cherry pink confetti

floats towards the dirt.

One elated chickydee

falls but isn’t hurt.

One little yellow chick,

dancing on his own,

creates a blossom avalanche,

despite being all alone.

Clouds of silky ovals,

surf upon the air,

One delighted chickydee

isn’t taking care.

No little yellow chicks,

anywhere in sight,

A rosy, dew-dropped carpet,

glistens in the light...

Three little yellow chicks

burst up from below

a royal rug of petals

that fell to earth like snow.

An avalanche of beauty,

the flutter of a wing.

Three little yellow chicks

welcome in the spring.

Lisa Perron

4/7/2020 10:22:09 am

This is really well done. I can picture those chicks bursting through the rug of petals!

Stacey Miller

4/7/2020 10:29:33 am

Tracy, this is brilliant, I love the phrase 'avalanche of beauty.'

Tracy Curran

4/9/2020 01:33:23 pm

Thanks so much Stacey!

Penny McNally

4/7/2020 10:44:28 am

I love this! Such cheery images!

Tracy Curran

4/9/2020 01:34:08 pm

Thanks Penny :)

Lynn Vieira

4/7/2020 02:14:14 pm

Wow, Tracy, this is so much fun! I loved it.

Tracy Curran

4/9/2020 01:34:58 pm

Thanks for taking the time to read and comment, Lynn.

Rachell Abalos

4/7/2020 09:59:48 pm

Lovely story. Start to finish, perfect.

Tracy Curran

4/9/2020 01:35:34 pm

Thanks so much!

Sue Lancaster

4/8/2020 02:31:36 am

This is fantastic Tracy - I love it! Good luck

Tracy Curran

4/9/2020 01:36:16 pm

Thanks Sue! I fell in love with the chicks in the GIF

Stephanie Gibeault

4/8/2020 05:48:00 am

What a great story! Those three little chicks are adorable.

Susan Summers

4/8/2020 06:58:45 am

These is so sweet. A wonderful story.

Michelle Kennedy link

4/8/2020 07:40:18 am

So cute! Love the flow of your words and the "avalanche" of petals.

Susan Drew

4/8/2020 09:41:09 am

This is a fun one to use with little kids, the repetition and counting.

Jill Lambert

4/8/2020 09:01:52 pm

This story has lovely language, rhyme, plus the counting element. Well done, Tracy!

Brenda Whitehead link

4/9/2020 03:01:01 am

This is so much fun, I love it! Well done!

Marty Lapointe-Malchik link

4/9/2020 11:33:48 am

I love the avalanche action these chickies cause! Spring is all about abundance and this is chock full of colorful storms of flowers! So much fun! Can't help but breathe in to catch the fragrance.

Becky Loescher

4/9/2020 01:18:52 pm

This is so sweet, Tracy! Love the counting element and your language...royal rug of petals, blossom avalanche...!

Tracy Curran

4/9/2020 01:37:44 pm

Thanks so much everyone for your lovely comments and taking the time to read. Much appreciated!

Jennifer Ann Richter link

4/10/2020 02:06:33 am

Well done, and really adorable!

Claire Lewis link

4/10/2020 02:53:46 am

This is so full of lovely images, Tracy - I love the bit where they burst up through the carpet of blossom!

Colleen O Murphy link

4/10/2020 05:50:46 am

I love the line/title "blossom avalanche," as well as the images in your story! Good luck!

Jill Burns

4/10/2020 07:04:22 am

I love this! Love the blossom avalanche! Perfect!

Katie Schwartz

4/10/2020 09:00:56 am

Sweet, lovely meter and rhyme! Very well written, paced, from 3 down to 0 little chicks on the branch, and then they reappear! Wonderful!

Laurie Carmody

4/10/2020 12:47:25 pm

Beautiful description and a counting story to boot! Good luck!

Susan Burd

4/11/2020 04:28:41 am

I love the visuals!

Nancy Riley

4/11/2020 12:39:17 pm

Fun images and fun rhyme! Love blossom avalanche and A royal rug of petals that fell to earth like snow. Good luck!

Amy Benoit

4/12/2020 06:43:06 pm

Great rhyme and good choice of words -- good job!!!

Cheryl MacAller link

4/13/2020 06:10:23 pm

This is so sweet. I can imagine reciting it as a finger game with little ones. :)

Monica Acker

4/18/2020 05:49:49 am

Well done!

Susan Burd

4/7/2020 09:55:33 am

Bloomers

When winter’s last snow melted and the skies turned blue, little cracks formed in the soil.
A green seedling popped its head out, as a soft spring rain began, pitter-patter, pitter-patter.
“I’m afraid”, whispered the seedling.
“Let me quench your fear”, patted the rain. “I will make you strong.”
The seedling took a drink and perked up.
Then night fell.
“I’m c-c-cold”, shivered the seedling.
“Feel my rays wrap around you”, comforted the morning sun.
The seedling opened its leaves and gathered warmth.
A gust of wind blew.
“I’m falling!” cried the seedling.
“Spread your roots, and I will teach you how to stand sturdy and tall”, coaxed the wind.
When the next gust came, the seedling took hold and did not fall over.
Soon, the ground popped with countless seedlings of all sorts.
With time, they grew,
and grew,
and grew,
until they bloomed into…
…a masterpiece!

Here is the link the the gif
https://giphy.com/gifs/daisies-8LgMGyYaliTzG

Lisa Perron

4/7/2020 10:25:15 am

Beautiful! I love it!

Susan Burd

4/11/2020 04:30:03 am

Thank you for all of your kind response is and inspiration!

Stacey Miller

4/7/2020 10:32:18 am

Susan, I love how you personify nature. So lovely.

Stephanie Gibeault

4/8/2020 05:49:44 am

I love how nature nurtures the seedling! And this fits your gif perfectly.

Jill Lambert

4/8/2020 01:00:42 pm

Love the way you used personification in this story, Susan!

Penny McNally

4/8/2020 01:58:25 pm

A lovely story! And it matches your GIF perfectly. It was fun to read the story first and then see the GIF. Very nice :)

Michelle Kennedy link

4/9/2020 08:15:49 am

I love the perspective you used in your story. Wonderful job!

Susan Summers

4/9/2020 10:55:22 am

Lovely. I will not ever think of a seedling the same way now that I've read this.

Stacey Miller

4/10/2020 08:23:06 am

What a wonderful story, Susan.

Jill Burns

4/10/2020 12:33:23 pm

A Masterpiece! I love it!

Laurie Carmody

4/10/2020 12:49:13 pm

What a clever, comforting way to tell a story about plant growth. Beautiful!

Rachell Abalos

4/10/2020 05:00:48 pm

(I think my original comment got deleted) I really love the relationship between Rain and the seedling. Nicely done.

Nancy Riley

4/11/2020 12:42:32 pm

Wonderful. I love how that elements: rain, sun, wind help the little seedling to thrive. Well done!

Amy Benoit

4/12/2020 06:44:43 pm

Susan, lots of action helped drive this cute story!

Amy Benoit

4/14/2020 05:21:19 am

Sweet story, Susan. Very nurturing!

Monica Acker

4/18/2020 04:04:01 pm

Beautiful!

Claire Lewis link

4/19/2020 04:45:11 am

This is lovely - I enjoyed reading it!

Debra Daugherty link

4/7/2020 11:14:25 am

What a fun contest! Here's the link to my GIF: https://www.amazing-animations.com/animated-fairies4.php (I used the 3rd fairy with the fluttering wings.) Here's the link to my blog: https://writing-for-children.webnode.com/a2020-blogs/ And here's my entry:

OH, HAPPY SPRING

Morning spilled dew across the rolling green hills of fair Ireland. Miranda fluttered from buds to blooms with her paintbrush and palette. “Spring is here. It’s time to color the flowers in the meadow.”
Miranda studied her chart. Blue for forget me nots. Daisies, white petals, yellow centers.
She dabbed her brush in the paint, then splashed the pale flowers sprouting from the earth. “Now they sparkle.”
Miranda flew to her next assignment. Paint the roses red, pink, and yellow.
She stared at the blossoms. “Why not purple, my favorite color?”
Miranda mixed the red and blue paint, then splattered the tint on the roses. She hovered midair and admired her work. “Oh my! They’re beautiful!”
She tapped the delicate petals with her brushes, like beating on a drum.
“Listen to the robins sing.
La, la, la, oh, happy Spring.
Flowers blooming everywhere.
La, la, la, la, Spring is here!”

Lisa Perron

4/7/2020 12:51:55 pm

Clever! I love the idea of a fairy painting the flowers in the meadow!

Debra Daugherty link

4/10/2020 03:42:25 am

Thank you, Lisa.

Victoria Marble link

4/7/2020 02:35:07 pm

Fairies! That looks like the work of Amy Brown :)

Debra Daugherty link

4/10/2020 03:43:59 am

If Amy did my GIF, she did a beautiful job.

Rachell Abalos

4/7/2020 10:03:15 pm

The visuals are very pretty. I can see the colors pop with your words!

Debra Daugherty link

4/10/2020 03:45:38 am

Thank you, Rachell, for this great comment.

Stephanie Gibeault

4/8/2020 05:51:49 am

I love how this creative fairy decides to do her own thing with the paint!

Debra Daugherty link

4/10/2020 03:47:37 am

Thanks, Stephanie. I haven't thought about it that way, but you're right. My fairy makes her own choices.

Jill Lambert

4/8/2020 01:02:14 pm

What a sweet fairy story, Debra!

Debra Daugherty link

4/10/2020 03:48:24 am

Thanks, Jill.

Michelle Kennedy link

4/9/2020 08:19:08 am

Lovely and you found the perfect .gif for your story!

Debra Daugherty link

4/10/2020 03:51:10 am

Thanks, Michelle. The moment I found this GIF, I loved it.

Amy Benoit

4/10/2020 06:58:50 am

Loved the line, "Miranda flew to her next assignment" ... you captured her playfulness.

Debra Daugherty link

4/10/2020 08:28:07 pm

Thanks, Amy, for this nice comment.

Penny McNally

4/10/2020 10:06:48 am

Such lovely imagery in this story and the GIF is perfect!

Debra Daugherty link

4/10/2020 08:30:01 pm

Thanks, Penny. I was lucky to find the perfect GIF for Miranda's story.

Jill Burns

4/10/2020 03:07:41 pm

Beautiful story. Reminded me of the Springtime fairies in Fantasia.

Debra Daugherty link

4/10/2020 08:31:08 pm

Thank you, Jill. What a nice comparison.

Susan Burd

4/11/2020 04:35:03 am

I enjoyed the unique perspective!

Debra Daugherty link

4/11/2020 06:32:14 pm

Thanks, Susan.

Nancy Riley

4/11/2020 12:48:47 pm

A fairy that chooses her own colors and style - purple roses. Love it! Good luck!

Debra Daugherty link

4/11/2020 06:33:36 pm

Thank you Nancy.

Victoria Marble link

4/7/2020 11:26:21 am

Link to Gif: https://giphy.com/gifs/LW5Jgz8JDkEiR49PqD

This was so much fun! Thank you All!

Beatrix Plus Six

Beatrix stretched lazily, enjoying the warmth that was finally in the air.

Peep! Peep!
What was that?

Across the yard, among the fragrant hyacinth beyond the pool’s edge, Beatrix spotted splashes of yellow movement.

Peep! Peep! Ducklings! One, two, three, four, five, six clambering into the yard and scattering all around.

Where was mother duck?

Splash! A ducking dropped into the pool. Beatrix plucked it from the freezing water.

Oh, no! She chased one up the steps.

Peep! She pulled one from the rose bush. Ouch!

Peep! Oh no! One was about to escape through the fence, and another was getting between the stacks of firewood.

Which one to save next?

QUACK, QUACK! The mother duck announced herself.

Thank goodness!

Beatrix wagged her tail as the ducklings formed a yellow line and followed their mother back through the fence.

Then Beatrix flopped back down, exhausted.

S. J. Little link

4/7/2020 11:56:08 am

What an amusing story! I can tell you had fun writing it because it's so fun to read!

Lisa Perron

4/7/2020 12:58:06 pm

Such a sweet story! And Beatrix is a lovable character with a big heart

Rachell Abalos

4/7/2020 10:05:08 pm

Very cute!

Stephanie Gibeault

4/8/2020 05:53:51 am

What a fun story! It fit your adorable gif beautifully.

Michelle Kennedy link

4/8/2020 07:44:27 am

Adorable!

Susan Drew

4/8/2020 12:49:01 pm

So cute, I loved it.

Jill Lambert

4/8/2020 01:05:31 pm

Aww! Beatrix (love the name!) is a life saver! I could see her becoming a series. Great job!

Amy Benoit

4/10/2020 06:55:16 am

A Beatrix's job is never done...LOL! I enjoyed your story, Victoria. Very sweet.

Penny McNally

4/10/2020 10:09:44 am

What a cute story! I can just see a frazzled Beatrix chasing after all the ducklings. I'm exhausted for her :)

Jill Burns

4/10/2020 03:15:47 pm

Sweet Beatrix. What a fun and adorable story!

Nancy Riley

4/11/2020 12:52:11 pm

So cute. I love your descriptions and poor Beatrix working so hard to keep track of the ducklings! Good luck!

Gretchen Pitluk

4/7/2020 11:39:28 am

MY GIF: https://media.giphy.com/media/TaJD6dsijL1VS/giphy.gif

HIDE N' SEEK

“ONE, TWO…”
I sprinted towards the budding cherry blossom tree.
It was MY hiding spot.
Nathan raced by as I crouched down, “You always hide there!”
“And she ALWAYS gets found first!” snickered Jacob.
My brow furrowed as my eyes darted around for another spot.
“EIGHT, NINE…”
I sidled up behind the doghouse. Too obvious.
“FIFTEEN, SIXTEEN…”
Parting some branches, I began to slip into a bush, when Georgia poked her head out hissing, “Find your own spot!”
“READY OR NOT! HERE I COME!”
My heart raced. Scouting the yard, I had one more chance.
Tip-toeing through some daisies, I blanketed myself in their petals.
The flowers’ heads swayed in the wind allowing brief glimpses of blue sky.
As I held my breath, the patter of footsteps ran past me.
Shouts and giggles echoed in the air until abruptly...“Where’s Holly?”
I smiled. I found MY new hiding spot.

Lisa Perron

4/7/2020 02:13:26 pm

I love how you capture the fun of hide n' seek and the joy of spring!

Lynn Vieira

4/7/2020 02:15:41 pm

Wow, Gretchen, this sure took me back to all those games of hide and seek as a kid. Wonderful!

Rachell Abalos

4/7/2020 10:06:34 pm

What a fun read!

Stephanie Gibeault

4/8/2020 05:55:23 am

This brought back some fun memories! Well done!

Heather Bell

4/8/2020 06:55:41 am

Love this story! I feel right there with the other kids, trying to find that perfect spot.<3

Michelle Kennedy link

4/8/2020 07:38:43 am

What a beautiful snapshot of the carefree days of spring!

Jill Lambert

4/8/2020 01:08:20 pm

Gretchen, you put me in the midst of the game from the start! Nicely done!

Vashti Verbowski

4/8/2020 09:44:29 pm

So playful Gretchen... and I felt like I was looking through the daisies with Holly as she hid! Kids would definitely connect with this... finding a new hiding spot is a very real challenge for little ones;) Love it!

Susan Summers

4/9/2020 10:59:09 am

A wonderful story. I can imagine being in the game and searching for a hiding spot. Well done.

Amy Benoit

4/10/2020 06:53:39 am

Loved the action - you captured a perfect hiding spot, Gretchen!

Penny McNally

4/10/2020 10:17:05 am

I love this! It brought a smile to my face remembering the panicky, "where can I hide?" thoughts as the countdown got closer to the end. Hooray for Holly, she found a sweet hiding spot!

Jill Burns

4/10/2020 06:28:02 pm

This is such a fun story! As a child I loved playing Hide and Seek! Nice!

Susan Burd

4/11/2020 11:06:04 am

I think kids will have fun relating to your story of hide and seek!

Nancy Riley

4/11/2020 01:33:05 pm

Hiding in daisies, that sounds so fun! Very fun story! Good luck!

Monica Acker

4/18/2020 04:08:31 pm

I was rooting for Holly. Great job capturing the excitement!

Cindy Williams Schrauben

4/7/2020 12:19:30 pm

GIF: A Flamboyance of Flamingos - https://gifer.com/en/2S0I

LITTERS OF CRITTERS

An animal group has its own special name
Like PARTY, FLAMBOYANCE, or HERD.
While some of these titles make logical sense,
still others are simply absurd.

A big clique of chicks has been labeled a PEEP.
And hedgehogs make up an ARRAY.
A field full of sheep is a FLOCK, not a heap.
At least that’s what scientists say.

A mass of black sea bass is known as a SCHOOL --
but class is a much better match.
A KENNEL of poodles? Perhaps, a caboodle.
A JAR of white nuthatch? A batch.

Some others are BATTERY, WHISKER OR FLANGE,
and IMPLAUSIBILITY, too.
Instead, barracudas, baboons, shrews, and gnus
should each be described as a crew.

Come on, have some fun by composing your own.
Be clever and make it a game.
Identify all those nonsensical terms
and offer each gang a new name.

Lisa Perron

4/7/2020 01:02:08 pm

Wonderful! I love how you engage the reader at the end too!

Cindy Williams Schrauben

4/7/2020 06:04:57 pm

Thanks, Lisa

Rachell Abalos

4/7/2020 10:09:04 pm

I love this story. Giving me STEM vibes, too.

Stephanie Gibeault

4/8/2020 05:57:46 am

I love how fun this is and all the science info it contains. Such fabulous rhyme too!

Michelle Kennedy link

4/8/2020 09:00:06 am

Excellent meter and very cleverly written!

Susan Burd

4/8/2020 09:54:02 am

Witty and clever to engage the reader- love it!

Susan Drew

4/8/2020 12:51:49 pm

This is so much fun. Your rhyming is really wonderful too.

Jill Lambert

4/8/2020 01:10:58 pm

Cindy, I really enjoyed this fun, scientific story! It has perfect meter and invitation to write at the end. Wonderful!

Anne Lipton

4/8/2020 01:35:52 pm

Such a clever collation of collective nouns and wonderful celebration of creativity and neologisms!

Becky Loescher

4/9/2020 01:21:43 pm

This is just WONDERFUL, Cindy!! Love every line!! ;-D Great rhyme and meter, too!!

Lisa Lee Furness

4/9/2020 02:39:59 pm

Nice job with fitting all those critters in your story Cindy! And so much great fun with the wordplay and rhyme.

Linda Hofke

4/10/2020 02:04:29 pm

I enjoyed your poems during Madness! Poetry in March and now this wonderful poem. Great rhyme and meter, loads of information in it, an just plain fun. So, I guess it is official now... I am a fan. Keep the poetry coming. :-) And good luck in the contest.

Cindy Williams Schrauben

4/10/2020 04:54:20 pm

WOW, thanks, Linda. That means the world. I so appreciate your kind words. :)

Jill Burns

4/10/2020 06:31:50 pm

Clever, informative, and a lot of fun! Nice!

Lori Sheroan link

4/11/2020 10:36:59 am

This made me think about a murder of crows....I've never understood that one! I loved your rhyme and the challenge to rename the groups.

Nancy Riley

4/11/2020 07:25:08 pm

This is so fun! Your picture book is halfway done! Great job!

Amy Benoit

4/12/2020 06:47:22 pm

Clique of chicks -- how fun!
Loved the rhyme.

Monica Acker

4/18/2020 04:10:27 pm

Great rhyme and fun topic!

Jill Richards Proctor link

4/7/2020 12:24:16 pm

Link to my GIF: https://giphy.com/gifs/spring-homemade-enjoying-4VWrHajMlkEP6FNqQY

SPRING CLEANING

The garden is greening.
It’s time for spring cleaning.
Sampson and Sheela conspire.
“The weather is warming.
Large puddles are forming.
It’s time to fulfill our desire.”

They dash outdoors, bouncing
and splash in pools, pouncing
as mud balls explode through the air.
Snouts snicker, mud dripping,
eight tootsies slop-slipping
while clods of clay cling to their hair.

“The dinner bell’s sounding!”
Two pups take off, bounding,
prepared for a shriek of pure fright.
They rush the door, leaping.
Their people gasp, weeping.
The pups wag their tails in delight.

Inside a large pot
they willingly squat.
Not a kick. Not a snarl. Not a shove.
A rub-a-dub scrub
is worth a hot tub
for two steeping puppies in love.

Jill Richards Proctor

4/7/2020 12:30:30 pm

Darn. That link didn't work. Sorry.

Jill Richards Proctor

4/7/2020 12:33:29 pm

Working link: https://media.giphy.com/media/4VWrHajMlkEP6FNqQY/giphy.gif

Marty Lapointe-Malchik link

4/9/2020 08:21:04 pm

Two steeping puppies! This action-packed romp is full of great sounds which makes it resemble rambunctious puppyhood in all its glory! A sensory feast for the ears! Happy Spring and good luck to you!

Jill Burns

4/10/2020 06:38:03 pm

This is so much fun to read! Adorable story!

Susan Burd

4/7/2020 01:41:35 pm

That was fun to read! Kids will love it!

Jill Richards Proctor

4/9/2020 03:55:37 pm

Thanks, Susan! Glad you had fun!

Lynn Vieira

4/7/2020 02:16:58 pm

Fantastic word play, Jill!

Jill Richards Proctor

4/9/2020 03:56:24 pm

Thanks so much, Lynn!

Rachell Abalos

4/7/2020 10:13:09 pm

Super cute! Good luck cleaning with these two pups, LOL!

Jill Richards Proctor

4/9/2020 03:58:15 pm

You can say that again! Dogs will be dogs! Thanks for commenting, Rachell!

Stephanie Gibeault

4/8/2020 05:59:41 am

This has such wonderful images of muddy pups. And I love the puppy hot tub gif!

Jill Richards Proctor

4/9/2020 04:03:30 pm

Thanks, Stephanie! You can just feel how much those puppies are loving their hot tub!

Susan Summers

4/8/2020 07:00:33 am

Fun story! I love the pups. You can tell they enjoyed their adventure.

JIll Richards Proctor

4/9/2020 04:07:00 pm

Thanks, Susan! Yes, they definitely enjoyed their adventure, especially the end results!

Becky Loescher

4/8/2020 12:27:59 pm

Jill, this is adorable!! LOVE your rollicking tone!

Jill Richards Proctor

4/9/2020 04:08:34 pm

Thank you, Becky! Glad you enjoyed the rollicking, tongue-twisting tone!

Cindy Williams Schrauben

4/8/2020 12:42:15 pm

Nice work! Spring clean those pups!

Jill Richards Proctor

4/9/2020 04:09:57 pm

Thank you, Cindy! Gotta keep those pups clean!

Jill Lamber

4/8/2020 01:15:01 pm

Jill, I love the gif and the story! Perfect rhyme and such an interesting, well done meter! Fantastic!

Jill Richards Proctor

4/9/2020 04:13:10 pm

Thanks, Jill! The pups are feeling awfully contented. I appreciate your lovely comments!

Cheri Wong link

4/8/2020 04:35:02 pm

OMG, those pups are sooo cute. What a fun story, Jill. Your rhyming and meter flow so well! Good luck!

Jill Richards Proctor

4/9/2020 04:15:15 pm

Thanks, Cheri! I could watch the pups over and over, reminding us to kick back and relax.

Michelle Kennedy link

4/8/2020 07:01:40 pm

Adorable story Jill!

Jill Richards Proctor

4/9/2020 04:15:55 pm

Thank you, Michelle!!

Colleen O Murphy link

4/10/2020 05:54:17 am

Jill,
I love the fun language in your piece! It is a romp to read aloud. Well done and good luck!

Jill Richards Proctor

4/10/2020 06:22:12 pm

Thank you so much, Colleen!! It's a bit of a tongue-twisting romp!

Amy Benoit

4/14/2020 05:23:28 am

How sweet!

Jennifer Linville

4/7/2020 12:25:57 pm

https://i.gifer.com/1Nu.gif

Playing Chase
by Jennifer Linville

Siegfried the Squirrel ran up the tree,
away from the dog.
“You’ll never catch me!”

“Bark” said the dog.
“I’ll wait here all day.”
But Siegfried jumped out and ran far away.

“Woof!” came a cry.
And then there were two.
Two dogs on his tail, oh what to do!

Up in a flash, high in a tree.
He yelled to the dogs,
“You’ll never catch me!”

Round and round the dogs played chase;
leaving Siegfried to start the race.

Right in his way
another dog stood
but Siegfried was fast and hurdled him good.

“I’m super Siegfried! I can run, I can fly.”
He quick changed direction
as the dogs sped right by.

Three dogs panting; three dogs done.
No competition meant no fun.

Siegfried walked over and curled between.
Three dogs and a squirrel. They race and they dream.

Rachell Abalos

4/7/2020 10:15:21 pm

Aw, this was adorable. Oh, the classic dog and squirrel.

Jennifer Linville

4/9/2020 01:52:33 pm

Thank you, Rachell!

Sue Lancaster

4/8/2020 02:33:45 am

Great entry Jennifer! Good luck

Jennifer Linville

4/9/2020 01:46:42 pm

Thanks, Sue!

Stephanie Gibeault

4/8/2020 06:01:40 am

Great job capturing the squirrel chasing game. It really does look like the squirrels play with the dogs, doesn't it?

Jennifer Linville

4/9/2020 01:48:53 pm

Agreed. My dog wouldn’t have any idea what to do if he actually caught one. I think he’d just want it for a friend 😄

Michelle Kennedy link

4/8/2020 09:02:48 am

Nice job! Fun read. :-D

Jennifer Linville

4/9/2020 01:49:04 pm

Thank you!

Jill Lambert

4/8/2020 01:19:15 pm

Love the action in this story and the name Siegfried!

Linda Hofke

4/9/2020 10:26:14 am

Fun story with good meter.
Very nice work.

Jennifer Linville

4/9/2020 01:49:43 pm

Thank you! I finally have this meter stuff figured out 😄

Anne Lipton

4/9/2020 05:18:31 pm

Wonderful, spirited twist on the lamb lying down with the lion!

Colleen O Murphy link

4/10/2020 05:56:00 am

Jennifer,
I love how they all come together in the end. Good to know the dogs never intended to eat the squirrel!

Amy Miller link

4/10/2020 02:36:45 pm

Great rhyme and rhythm! Love the ending. Very sweet. I love the image of them napping together.

Jill Burns

4/10/2020 06:42:22 pm

Adorable story. Love the cute ending!

Nancy Riley

4/11/2020 09:16:48 pm

Cute story and so glad the dogs and Siegfried ended as friends. Fun rhyme! Good luck!

Diana Aleksandrova

4/7/2020 02:03:40 pm

Here is my story:
Link: https://media.giphy.com/media/XGOzyd6l1k928t2ZLA/giphy.gif“

I hate spring!” Tommy peeks out the window. The snow is gone, and so are the snowball fights and the skiing trips.
“Take Spotty out.” Mom ignores his moaning.
Spotty takes off pursuing a squirrel, who scrambles up a tree.
Woof, woof.
“Come on, Spotty!” Tommy tries to pull Spotty away from the tree.
Woof, woof.
Spotty won’t budge.
Woof, woof.
His nose is pointing down at a tiny bird flapping helplessly around.
Tommy scoops up the bird and raises his gaze. Among the branches he spots the nest.
Bird in his pocket, he climbs up. Back in the nest, baby bird opens its beak, waiting for mom.
Tommy and Spotty spend the rest of the day watching their little bird being fed by the parents.
“I love spring!” Tommy goes to sleep hoping his mom never finds out he climbed the big tree in front of their house.

Susan Drew

4/8/2020 12:56:47 pm

Sweet. I'm glad he changed his mind.

Jill Lambert

4/8/2020 01:20:40 pm

Great lesson in this story--there's something to love in every season, if we take time to look! Well done!

Michelle Kennedy link

4/9/2020 08:22:42 am

You perfectly captured the mind and heart of a young boy in this story! Nicely done!

Rachell Abalos

4/10/2020 05:04:51 pm

Great story! I love how a little bird helped change Tommy’s attitude. Also, Mom knows you climbed that tree, Tommy. She knows.

Jill Burns

4/11/2020 11:00:40 am

Beautiful message. Such a sweet story!

Nancy Riley

4/11/2020 09:20:32 pm

Sweet story. Love the ending worrying about his mom finding out he climbed the tree. Good job!

Amy Benoit

4/13/2020 07:06:07 pm

Lucky bird! Great transformation!

Lynn Vieira link

4/7/2020 02:09:27 pm

Gif: https://tenor.com/view/spring-time-waking-up-snow-grizzly-bear-hibernation-gif-16720073

Bear and the Three Goldilocks

Bear emerged from hibernation. He roamed the woods looking for food, and soon came upon a house. The door was slightly open, so he wandered in.

At the kitchen table, there were three bowls of porridge. Bear chowed them down.

He searched the cupboards, but they were empty.

Bear’s tummy rumbled.

Then he spied three chairs.
He huffed, “What good is a chair if I can’t sit down to eat?”

He lumbered into the next room, where he spied three beds.
He growled, “What good is a bed when I just slept for six months!”

Bear stomped his feet.

Just then, Goldilocks and her parents came home.

“Someone has eaten all our porridge!” said Mr. Goldilocks.

“At least they didn’t break my chairs!” said Mrs. Goldilocks.

Little Goldilocks rushed into the next room. “Aaah, there’s a b– “

Bear patted his belly.

Kristy Roser Nuttall

4/8/2020 10:45:04 am

What a delightful twist on Goldilocks! I love the part at the end when bear is there patting his belly.

Susan Drew

4/8/2020 12:58:12 pm

Ha! I love the ending!

Jill Lambert

4/8/2020 01:21:51 pm

Love the ending and the reversal of the classic tale!

Michelle Kennedy link

4/9/2020 08:24:04 am

I hope that pat on his belly means Bear was full and not looking to eat Goldilocks! LOL Very cute.

Amy Benoit

4/10/2020 05:26:31 am

I hope you continue to explore this idea. How cute!

Colleen O Murphy link

4/10/2020 05:57:31 am

I like your twist!

Rachell Abalos

4/10/2020 05:07:22 pm

LOL. Great retelling. I am curious what Bear ate... very curious... LOL.

Susan Burd

4/11/2020 04:41:12 am

A clever twist on the story! Kids will love this:)

Jill Burns

4/11/2020 11:02:24 am

Cute and clever twist! Love it!

Nancy Riley

4/12/2020 09:15:16 am

Oh no, haha! Fun twist on an old tale! Good luck!

Monica Acker

4/18/2020 04:14:13 pm

Lol. Absolutely brilliant.

Penny McNally

4/7/2020 02:11:11 pm

RUN AND ROMP!

The closet door creaks open…
Spike covers his face with his paws and tries disappearing into the carpet.

“Spike! Walk time! It’s a chilly, coat-wearing, Spring day.”
Ugh, Spike thinks. That coat is so tight. I can’t run and romp wearing that thing.

Perhaps one too many treats this winter, he muses.

“Found you, snuggled on the rug. Here’s a treat. Let’s go!”
Spike gulps the treat and allows himself to be wrestled into the horrid coat.

Outside, walking slowly and panting dramatically, Spike promises himself he’ll cut back on the treats. He wants to run and romp!

The next day, no creaky closet sounds.

“Walk time Spike! It’s a beautiful, no-coat, Spring day.”
Yes! Finally, Spike is coatless, happily zooming, running and romping outside in the glorious spring sunshine!

“Come Spike! Take a break, have a treat.”
Spike’s ears perk up. Treat? Well maybe just one.

link (I hope it works!) to GIF: https://giphy.com/gifs/21p7qXfFbCnNC/html5

Mary Barnes link

4/8/2020 10:39:54 am

I empathise with Spike, the treats are challenging me too! This was fun!

Susan Drew

4/8/2020 12:59:39 pm

I want a treat, too, Spike!

Jill Lambert

4/8/2020 01:23:16 pm

Hard to turn down treats! Cute story!

Michelle Kennedy link

4/9/2020 08:25:43 am

It's hard to stay away from those treats! LOL Fun story.

Amy Benoit

4/10/2020 05:29:39 am

"Perhaps one too many treats this winter..." How cute!

Rachell Abalos

4/10/2020 05:09:16 pm

Spike is me, LOL. “One too many treats in the winter.” Great story!

Lori Sheroan link

4/11/2020 10:40:04 am

Oh, Spike...we are kindred spirits. I enjoyed this!

Jill Burns

4/11/2020 11:04:25 am

Adorable story, Penny. Oh boy. I can sure relate to Spike!

Nancy Riley

4/12/2020 09:17:33 am

Very cute! Spike got his treat and ate it too! Good luck!

Amanda Davis link

4/7/2020 02:17:48 pm

Hello All! So many wonderful stories already submitted! How fun! I hope you enjoy my entry titled, Chance to Fly. The corresponding GIF that I created and inspiration for the story can be viewed on my website here: https://www.amandadavisart.com/kidlit-contests

Thanks for reading! I'd love to know your thoughts!

Chance to Fly
By Amanda Davis
Word Count 81

Squishy.
Squirmy.
Sliding.
Swiftly.
Up and down the branch.

Fully grown.
Fully stuffed.
Milkweed to the brim.
Searching for the perfect spot,
To craft his chrysalis.

Colored.
Critter.
Cruising.
Calmly.
Climbing to and fro.

Head is up.
Gaze is straight.
Eyes are on the prize.
Until he finally sees,
A leaf as green as lime.

Lucky.
Larva.
Leggies.
Latch.
To the limey leaf.

He spits silk.
Spins his nest.
Hanging way up high.
Rapid metamorphosis,
At last, his chance to fly.

Lisa Lee Furness link

4/7/2020 05:10:54 pm

Love the alliteration Amanda!

Amanda Davis link

4/7/2020 05:50:40 pm

Thanks, Lisa!! :)

Susan Burd

4/8/2020 09:51:09 am

Fun to read the alliteration- kids will like this one:)

Amanda Davis

4/10/2020 08:20:28 pm

Yay! Thanks, Susan!

Mary Barnes link

4/8/2020 10:41:12 am

What a fun play with alliteration!

Amanda Davis

4/10/2020 08:20:55 pm

Thanks for the kind words, Mary!

Susan Drew

4/8/2020 01:00:53 pm

So fun. And I love the artwork too.

Amanda Davis

4/10/2020 08:21:28 pm

Yay! Thank you, Susan! And thanks for checking out my art, too!

Jill Lambert

4/8/2020 01:24:58 pm

I like the way this story's structured, Amanda! Great job!

Amanda Davis

4/10/2020 08:22:48 pm

Thanks for the feedback, Jill! Glad you enjoyed it :)

Michelle Kennedy link

4/9/2020 08:27:01 am

Beautiful alliteration! Very cleverly written

Amanda Davis

4/10/2020 08:23:12 pm

Aww! Why, thanks, Michelle! :)

Susan Summers

4/9/2020 11:22:14 am

I love the alliteration, and also the description of the path of the caterpillar. Perfect explanation for how he goes to make his chrysalis.

Amanda Davis

4/10/2020 08:25:56 pm

Thanks for the feedback, Susan! I thought it would be nice to squeeze in some info about the caterpillar's transformation/process. Glad that was communicated clearly! :)

Becky Loescher

4/9/2020 01:25:25 pm

This is fabulous, Amanda! Love your alliteration and how you've described the caterpillar's exacting search!

Amanda Davis

4/10/2020 08:27:03 pm

Thanks so much, Becky! And yes, the search for the perfect green leaf :)

Amy Benoit

4/10/2020 05:30:46 am

Nice use of alliteration. :)

Amanda Davis

4/10/2020 08:27:27 pm

Thanks, Amy! :)

Rachell Abalos

4/10/2020 05:10:29 pm

Well done! I can picture this as a board book. Great visuals.

Amanda Davis

4/10/2020 08:28:47 pm

Thanks so much for the feedback, Rachell! Fingers crossed for a future board book :)

Jill Burns

4/11/2020 11:06:51 am

Wonderful, fun story! Nice!

Anne Lipton link

4/7/2020 02:48:36 pm

https://media.giphy.com/media/d5LfneE7Pwi1G/giphy.gif

Once Upon a Vine
by Anne Lipton
(146 words)

Summer’s gold dragon burns blades of grass brown,
Autumn’s red dragon blows leaves of gold down,
Winter’s ice dragon blasts avalanche BOOMS,
but Springtime’s green dragon just bursts into BLOOMS!

Autumn’s good knight wields a barrow and rake,
Winter’s good knight whips up cocoa and cake,
Summer’s good knight sports a racquet and towel,
but Springtime’s good knight spars with pruners and trowel.

Winter’s blue fairy makes angels in snow,
Summer’s bright fairy makes sunrises glow,
Autumn’s blaze fairy heaps leaves for her nest,
but Springtime’s bold fairy lifts wings in protest--

“Desist my good knight from beheading these blooms,
“They thrive in the light, but they’ll die in dark rooms.”
Her cause is proclaimed by a frolic of sprites:
“Don’t snap any dragons. These flowers have rights!”

The fairies delight as the knight drops his shears,
and they all danced in snowfalls of snapdragon tears.

Cindy Williams Schrauben

4/8/2020 12:45:43 pm

I loved this! Such beautiful wordplay. Nice work

Anne Lipton

4/8/2020 01:54:25 pm

Thank you!

Susan Drew

4/8/2020 01:02:23 pm

A frolic of sprites... I love that.

Anne Lipton

4/8/2020 01:55:10 pm

Thank you! I love collective nouns, too.

Jill Lambert

4/8/2020 01:30:42 pm

Anne, this story is awesome! The way you rotated the order of the seasons and included fantasy elements was so interesting and would be fun to illustrate.

Anne Lipton

4/8/2020 01:55:36 pm

Thank you so much!

Michelle Kennedy link

4/9/2020 08:28:18 am

Beautiful and perfect .gif for the story too!

Anne Lipton

4/9/2020 05:12:45 pm

Thank you! I greatly enjoyed your fresh take on seasonal allergies!

Jennifer Linville

4/9/2020 01:53:48 pm

I love the images you create with so few words. Nice job!

Anne Lipton

4/9/2020 10:30:30 pm

That's such a wonderful compliment! Thank you!

Amy Benoit

4/10/2020 05:32:36 am

Loved your last verses! Great ending. :)

Anne Lipton

4/10/2020 02:26:53 pm

Thank you! Glad I left you with a smile! :)

Lisa Perron

4/10/2020 06:47:39 am

This is beautiful! I especially love "snowfalls of snapdragon tears."

Anne Lipton

4/10/2020 02:52:56 pm

Thank you so much! I adored your poem, too.

Jill Burns

4/11/2020 11:09:11 am

This is beautiful and magical! Love all of the images! Nice!

Anne Lipton

4/12/2020 12:17:40 pm

I think we all need some beauty and magic right now. Thank you, Jill!

Glenda Roberson

4/11/2020 12:36:38 pm

Anne, this is lovely! The beautiful language emotes delightful imagery!
Well done!

Anne Lipton

4/12/2020 12:18:15 pm

Thank you, Glenda!

Nancy Riley

4/12/2020 09:20:05 am

This is wonderful! Love your imagery, story, and rhyme! Great job!

Anne Lipton

4/13/2020 09:34:28 pm

Thank you, Nancy!

Anne Lipton

4/16/2020 09:26:05 am

The original GIF link is no longer active. I apologize for any inconvenience.Here is an updated link: https://media.giphy.com/media/xU2PyEHQN32Eg/giphy.gif

Claire Lewis link

4/19/2020 04:36:47 am

Lovely images!

Anne Lipton

4/24/2020 10:07:01 pm

Thank you, Claire! That is quite a compliment coming from you as I also admired the imagery in your poem and GIF.

Juli B. link

4/7/2020 04:33:14 pm

For me, Spring means the arrival of my favorite holiday - Passover!

GIF: https://giphy.com/gifs/shwirtz-food-eat-lcs7ktpKZaNcAGJ8Fc

MATZO MEAL
(135 words)

I am a fine dining chef.

My brother is a food critic (that’s another word for judge).

And this Passover, I’m taking matzo and making it deluxe, delectable…

…in other words, delicious.

But some food critics don’t appreciate the complex flavors of fine dining.

“I present the classic Matzo a la Hillel: A sandwich layered with sweet charoset balanced with spicy maror.”

A head shake. A grimace. A clear matzo miss.

“Matzo a la New Yorker – a smoky smearing of cream cheese, sliced red onions, and the finest lox.”

A gag. A spit. He throws down the dish!

But my fine dining training knows just what to create.

“Matzo Schmatzo: A base layer of matzo, topped with matzo crumbles, sprinkled with matzo seasoning.”

The review is in: this matzo meal is too good for words.

Michelle Kennedy link

4/8/2020 08:50:03 am

Love the name "Matzo Schmatzo!" So fun! A very original story. :-D

Susan Drew

4/8/2020 01:04:05 pm

Oh yummy. I'll take the New Yorker please!

Jill Lambert

4/8/2020 01:37:45 pm

The chef got brother, the food critic in the end! Your story made me smile, Juli!

Juli B

4/8/2020 02:21:43 pm

Thank you for all the kind comments, everyone!

Jill Burns

4/11/2020 01:07:51 pm

This is great! Love the Matzo Schmatzo!

Nancy Riley

4/12/2020 09:22:18 am

So cute! Love matzo schmatzo!

Lisa Lee Furness link

4/7/2020 05:07:57 pm

So happy to submit my entry BUNNY'S RAINBOW and grateful for the opportunity to put it out into the world!

BUNNY'S RAINBOW
by Lisa Lee Furness
148 words

“A rainbow!” said Bunny.
Why can’t my plain, white fur be the colors of a rainbow?
Suddenly, a ladybug landed on him.
Red! Hmmm....
Bunny hoppity-hopped into the vegetable garden.
Orange! He dribblety-dribbled a juicy carrot onto his cheeks.
Yellow! He rollity-rolled through buttercups so pollen covered him.
Green! He nudgety-nudged a small leaf onto his back.
Blue! He stuckity-stuck a blue jay’s feather into his tail.
Purple! He sniffity-sniffed a violet and placed it between his ears.
But when Bunny looked into a puddle,
his fur wasn’t a rainbow.
Hummph! He stompity-stomped until everything fell off.
Ears drooped, Bunny flopped, and then Bunny drifted to sleep.
While napping, it rained.
Awakened by the warm sun, his fur shimmered and glistened.
The water droplets captured the sunlight and reflected tiny rainbows all over his fur!
“Hippity, hoppity, hooray! I’m a rainbow!”

Cindy Williams Schrauben

4/8/2020 12:49:04 pm

Nice job, Lisa. Such a colorful visual!

Lisa Furness

4/9/2020 04:22:34 pm

Thank you Cindy!

Jill Lambet

4/8/2020 01:39:35 pm

Bunnies and rainbows--perfectly springy!

Lisa Furness

4/9/2020 04:22:54 pm

Thanks so much Jill!

Michelle Kennedy link

4/8/2020 06:59:59 pm

So very creative!

Lisa Furness

4/9/2020 04:23:18 pm

Thank you Michelle!

Jennifer Linville

4/9/2020 01:54:34 pm

Love your alliteration!

Lisa Furness

4/9/2020 04:23:45 pm

Thank you Jennifer!

Lisa Lee Furness link

4/9/2020 02:54:18 pm

I created a Gif that can be seen on my website homepage under Illustrations. Thanks for stopping by!

Lisa Furness

4/9/2020 04:24:21 pm

here is the link to my website: https://www.lisaleefurness.com/

Amy Benoit

4/10/2020 06:51:57 am

Clever language and playful story. Loved it!

Lisa Furness

4/11/2020 11:20:57 am

Thank you Amy!

Amanda Davis link

4/10/2020 08:18:02 pm

Love what you did with this, Lisa! The fun language and alliteration are lovely! Hooray for Bunny and his colors!

Lisa Furness

4/11/2020 11:21:53 am

Thanks, Amanda!

Jill Burns

4/11/2020 02:09:36 pm

Beautiful spring story! Love bunnies and rainbows! Perfect!

Lisa Furness

4/12/2020 06:30:20 am

Thank you Jill!

Nancy Riley

4/12/2020 09:24:47 am

Very fun! Love Bunny's ingenuity and that he finally got his rainbow wish!

Lisa Furness

4/14/2020 06:00:48 pm

Thank you Nancy!

Monica Acker

4/18/2020 06:01:26 pm

Nice one, Lisa!

Claire Lewis link

4/19/2020 04:33:21 am

I love this - especially the clever ending with the raindrop rainbows! Love the gif too!

Lisa Furness

4/23/2020 06:03:56 am

Thank you for your lovely compliments, Claire!

Elizabeth Curry link

4/25/2020 07:36:38 am

Yay! I love the colorful solution! :) Such fun.

Michelle Kennedy link

4/7/2020 05:27:34 pm

I posted my story and giphy link this afternoon but I am not seeing it posted...

Juil B.

4/7/2020 05:56:46 pm

Hi Michelle,

I just added my own comment with my submission/GIF separate from the form. Hope this helps!

Juli

Michelle Kennedy link

4/8/2020 07:15:25 am

Thank you! I just did that and it posted. :-D

Jennifer Ann Richter link

4/8/2020 04:40:58 am

https://www.jenniferannrichter.com/post/tibbit-and-frank-spring-fling-contest

Tibbit and Frank

Tibbit and Frank were best frog friends, but they quibbled quite a bit. Today’s little spat was over Frank’s future-telling skills.

“Didn’t I say a blackbird would sing loudly in the next ten seconds?” Frank said with a wink. “And what do you hear right now?”

“A song sparrow,” said Tibbit.

“What?” Frank croaked. ”That was a red-winged blackbird!”

“I know a song sparrow when I hear one!” Tibbit replied.

“Well…” Frank snatched a fly and gulped it down. “It sang loudly, so it counts.”

As the spring winds picked up, Tibbit glanced at the cherry blossom tree swaying behind them. “Okay, well, it’s gonna snow down on us soon.”

“What? It’s seventy degrees!” said Frank.

And sure enough, within a minute they were surrounded by falling pink petals.

Tibbit smiled.

“Those are flowers,” said Frank.

“They snowed down on us, didn’t they?” Tibbit said. “So it counts!”

Michelle Kennedy link

4/8/2020 08:55:40 am

Cute!

Mary Barnes

4/8/2020 10:44:51 am

Aww lovely! I like the characters Tibbit and Frank :)

Jill Lambert

4/8/2020 01:44:00 pm

Sounds like an old married couple on their tenth day of quarantine! I like the way you combined the sarcasm with spring elements. Cute story!

Susan Summers

4/9/2020 11:03:05 am

So funny. I love the contest; they clearly love being together and having fun whatever the situation.

Claire Lewis link

4/10/2020 03:24:23 am

Great characters!

Amy Benoit

4/10/2020 06:04:37 am

So gosh-darn cute!!! I can see these two as a pb! Love everything about it, Jennifer. Good Luck!

Laura Howard

4/11/2020 03:04:44 am

This is great. I bet Tibbit and Frank have loads of stories in them.

Lisa Furness

4/11/2020 11:25:21 am

Love the frog names! And love that Tibbit gets the last word!

Jill Burns

4/11/2020 03:47:37 pm

I love these two frog friends. This is adorable!

Roo Parkin

4/14/2020 07:45:51 am

Lovely back and forth between the characters - fun premise and v satisfying read. Well done!

Stephanie Gibeault

4/8/2020 05:34:39 am

Gif: https://giphy.com/gifs/spring-1b7FK77i5jSyQ

When Will It Ever Be Spring?
(149 words)

Frost on my windows.
Flakes on the ground.

When will it ever be spring?

I’ve built twenty snowmen.
I’ve skied ‘til I’m sore.
Three feet of snow are piled outside my door.

When will it ever be spring?

Ice on my windows.
Hail on the ground.

I doubt it will ever be spring.

The groundhog said yes.
The weather says no.
I can’t ride my bike through the blizzard of snow.

I doubt it will ever be spring.

Drops on my windows.
Slush on the ground.

Tell me we’re almost at spring.

My boots are all mushy.
My socks soaking wet.
This melting is making my tootsies upset.

Tell me we’re almost at spring.

Sun through my windows.
Grass on the ground.

Thank goodness it’s finally spring!

Look, there’s a robin.
And buds on the trees.
I’m even happy to see all the bees.

Thank goodness it’s finally spring!

Susan Burd

4/8/2020 08:33:50 am

Great visuals-I think kids will love this:)

Mary Barnes

4/8/2020 10:47:15 am

I could identify with these thoughts after a very wet winter here!

Jill Lambert

4/8/2020 01:47:04 pm

I really like the refrain that changes a little bit as it goes through the story. You've captured the essence of waiting for spring.

Michelle Kennedy link

4/9/2020 08:30:15 am

That's me! I'm ALWAYS ready for spring!!!

Jill Burns

4/11/2020 03:50:31 pm

Nice! This is how I felt yesterday when we had snow! Adorable story!

Nancy Riley

4/12/2020 09:26:37 am

This is so fun to read out loud. Good job!

Michelle Kennedy link

4/8/2020 07:13:33 am

Here's my entry. Hope I am posting this correctly!

https://media.giphy.com/media/l2JecrcRSqpdLejra/giphy.gif

The Pollen Has Fallen! (WC 128)
By Michelle S. Kennedy

The pollen has fallen!
It’s filling the sky
Its dust fills the air
It’s sneaky and sly.

It covers my clothes.
I’m under attack!
It’s powerful particles
fill every crack.

I run for the hills ‘cause
It’s making me sneeze.
My eyes trickle tears
as I cough and I wheeze.

I try to escape,
but like parmesan cheese,
its fine yellow powder
now sprinkles the breeze.

There’s nowhere to hide.
Achoo! Spring is here!
But summer is coming.
I must persevere.

Then suddenly thunderbolts
clap overhead,
and rain begins falling.
The pollen has fled.

Out comes the sun
with its brilliant, bright light
the pollen once fallen
is nowhere in sight.

There’s trees sprouting leaves,
new blooms on the flowers.
and pollen-free moments
all thanks to the showers.

Susan Burd

4/8/2020 08:32:58 am

A humorous way to look at pollen-I enjoyed reading it!

Michelle Kennedy link

4/8/2020 08:50:29 am

Thanks Susan!

Natalie

4/8/2020 10:24:20 am

I really liked you writing about pollen. Especially comparing it to Parmesan cheese. I love that line and about the the thunderbolts.

Michelle Kennedy link

4/8/2020 11:53:44 am

Thank you Natalie!

Jill Lambert

4/8/2020 01:52:48 pm

This story is so well done, Michelle! A great subject to pick since so many suffer in spite of spring's beauty. My favorite parts are "powerful particles fill every crack", "trickle tears" and the genius simile, "like parmesan cheese". Love it!

Michelle Kennedy link

4/8/2020 06:55:21 pm

<3 Thank you Jill!

Juli B.

4/8/2020 08:03:19 pm

Great story, Michelle! Glad to see you got it posted!!

Michelle Kennedy link

4/9/2020 07:59:33 am

Thanks for your help Juli!

Susan Summers

4/9/2020 11:10:13 am

I love this ode to pollen! I am an allergy sufferer and enjoyed every line of this on more than one level. Well done. A perfect description of spring pollen!

Michelle Kennedy link

4/9/2020 03:46:41 pm

Thanks Susan! I was trying come up with a subject that not a lot of people would be writing about.

Anne Lipton

4/9/2020 05:11:51 pm

This poem is a hilarious and heartfelt take on seasonal allergies. It flows so naturally and is relatable for readers of all ages. Thank goodness for the silver lining/happy ending!

Michelle Kennedy link

4/9/2020 07:10:34 pm

Thank you Anne! I live in GA so the pollen is something very real around here!!!

Colleen O Murphy link

4/10/2020 06:00:12 am

Thank goodness for the rain! I liked how this story developed through your rhymes! Well done and good luck.

Michelle Kennedy link

4/10/2020 12:01:47 pm

Thanks so much Colleen!

Amy Benoit

4/10/2020 06:02:29 am

Powerful particles! Parmesan Cheese! Hilarious, fun read, Michelle. Good luck!

Michelle Kennedy link

4/10/2020 12:02:19 pm

Thanks Amy! :-D

Penny McNally

4/10/2020 10:23:32 am

What a great poem! I think most of us can relate to that sneezy spring feeling. I love, "but like parmesan cheese..." fun little story in this poem, I love it!

Michelle Kennedy link

4/10/2020 12:03:58 pm

Thanks Penny! I live here in GA and pollen season is definitely upon us around here!

Linda Hofke

4/10/2020 02:12:23 pm

Nice work, Michelle.
I especially love the stanza with the thunderbolts.
And your meter is spot on.

Michelle Kennedy link

4/11/2020 08:52:48 am

Thank you Linda!

Amy Miller link

4/10/2020 02:39:04 pm

What a fun idea! I've never seen anything like this on the library bookshelves (and it's so true).

Michelle Kennedy link

4/11/2020 08:54:11 am

So glad you found it to be original. The inspiration came from looking at all the pollen currently on my back deck!

Lori Sheroan link

4/11/2020 10:43:35 am

I loved your comparison of pollen and parmesan cheese - so fun!

Jill Burns

4/11/2020 03:54:04 pm

Wonderful story about allergies and spring. You nailed it! Nice!

Nancy Riley

4/12/2020 09:28:16 am

This is so fun and I can relate right now! Great rhyme! Good luck!

Roo Parkin

4/14/2020 07:48:52 am

'Like parmesan cheese,' - I will never not think of it that way now. Genius! Generally such a good idea for the spring fling theme too.

Jill Lambert

4/8/2020 08:51:13 am

Gif: https://tenor.com/view/bees-pollen-pollination-adventure-time-gif-9007347

Ah!

I see a flower, soft and still,
a golden trumpet daffodil.
It used to be a tiny bud.
At first, I thought it was a dud!

Then all at once, it starts to sing,
a crazy, but amazing thing.
Its open mouth appears to say,
‘Look at me! Come and play!’

The bees assist, they can’t resist,
lightly land, their feet don’t miss,
begin their busy, tapping dance.
Every flower wants a chance.

Ah, the pollen’s fallen in!
A brand new life begins again.
The seed within, now nudged to grow,
is wide-awake…the bees pressed GO.

At summer’s end, flowers fade,
wither, die—the ground is laid.
Left behind are seeds set free.
Next spring, they’ll bloom for other bees…
and you and me.

Michelle Kennedy link

4/8/2020 11:57:06 am

Lovely, Jill! Loved "golden, trumpet daffodil" and "The bees assist, they can't resist". Very nice.

Jill Lambert

4/8/2020 01:55:20 pm

I appreciate it, Michelle! :-)

Anne Lipton

4/8/2020 01:53:36 pm

I love how you skillfully incorporate and celebrate so many STEM elements— budding, blooming, pollination, and the seasons—in such a short poem, while imbuing it with a joyous and playful tone that conveys the hopeful feeling of spring. Well done!

Jill Lambert

4/8/2020 02:06:17 pm

Thanks so much, Anne!

Susan Summers

4/9/2020 11:15:08 am

A wonderful story. I can feel the joy of spring as well as the happiness of the bees as they go about their job. I love that it ends with waiting for next spring's blooms. Perfect!

Jill Lambert

4/9/2020 12:52:59 pm

Aww, thank you, Susan! :-)

Marty Lapointe-Malchik link

4/9/2020 11:24:24 am

Love love love "The bees pressed go."

Jill Lambert

4/9/2020 12:53:44 pm

Thanks so much, Marty!

Becky Loescher

4/9/2020 01:46:31 pm

LOVE this, Jill! Your language is wonderful and showcases nature's beauty...a golden trumpet daffodil, the seed nudged to grow...the bees pressed go...in their critical role in the life of plants! Love NF's facts expressed this way!

Jill Lambert

4/9/2020 03:05:00 pm

I appreciate it, Becky!

Katie Schwartz

4/9/2020 07:51:53 pm

You paint a very soothing and descriptive picture of the awakening of spring, through a flower! And going through the cycle, from one spring to the next, a full circle moment. Love your last line, drawing it out to the final rhyme!

Jill Lambert

4/10/2020 07:48:28 am

Thanks so much,Katie!

Amy Benoit

4/10/2020 06:00:50 am

Playful language, Jill. Fun rhyme!

Jill Lambert

4/10/2020 07:49:23 am

Thank you, Amy!

Colleen O Murphy link

4/10/2020 06:11:25 am

Jill, I really enjoyed the development of this story, from the beginning to the end of spring with the promise of more springs to come. Well done and good luck!

Jill Lambert

4/10/2020 07:52:22 am

Thank you for your feedback, Colleen!

Penny McNally

4/10/2020 10:28:47 am

Love this poetic science lesson! A fun, lyrical way to learn about pollination, well done.

Jill Lambert

4/13/2020 09:38:05 am

Thanks so much, Penny!

Jill Burns

4/11/2020 03:57:49 pm

Beautiful spring story! Nothing better than daffodils and bees! Love it!

Jill Lambert

4/13/2020 09:38:54 am

I appreciate it, Jill!

Nancy Riley

4/12/2020 02:51:10 pm

This is great! Love your imagery and your rhyme! Good luck!

Jill Lambert

4/13/2020 09:39:25 am

Thank you, Nancy!

Roo Parkin

4/14/2020 07:51:53 am

A really lovely, lively ode to spring. Really enjoyed this.

Jill Lambert

4/14/2020 01:11:48 pm

Thank you for your kind comment, Too!

Claire Lewis link

4/19/2020 04:29:11 am

I love the way you've incorporated the whole cycle of the seasons!

Jill Lambert

4/20/2020 01:55:49 pm

Thanks so much, Claire!

Vashti Verbowski

4/21/2020 08:40:00 am

Beautiful story. Love the imagery down on the ground:) Nice to experience the full cycle of Spring too!

Jill Lambert

4/23/2020 10:40:15 pm

Thank you, Vashti!

Natalie Cohn

4/8/2020 10:13:46 am

I wanted to share my story even though I already posted it in the form.

Ruff, Ruff a Springtime Checklist

http://gif.co/5S2U.gif

Wait… where’s the snow?
Now my tail won’t freeze off in the cold, check.

A warm breeze blows my fur: Achoo!
Look up, the sunshine beams in my eyes.
Woof! Bright!

Sniff, Sniff! Fresh cut grass, check. AChoo!
Oooh, a butterfly. Try and catch the insects, check.

Mud covers my snout.
I wipe it off before it dries and scratch behind my ear.

What’s that buzzing noise?

SWAT!

Ouch, that stung.
I lick my paw, check.

I snap at falling petals from the tree, check.
Look!
A Robin, time to chase it, check.
Bark, bark!
The Robin leaves!

Now time to play my favorite game.
Roll in the spring flowers, check.

Too many, AACHOO! AACHOO!

Oh, no!! Allergies!

Rush inside,
Rub nose on furniture.
Great, the tickle in my nose is gone, check.

Ready to bounce back outside and play.

It's SPRINGTIME! Check!

Kristy Roser Nuttall

4/8/2020 10:42:47 am

Great story! I love all of the action and sensory detail!

Michelle Kennedy link

4/8/2020 12:00:09 pm

I can just picture this happy pup playing in the spring! Very cute.

Jill Lambert

4/8/2020 01:58:13 pm

Your title perfectly fits this dog-lover's story! Nicely done!

Natalie

4/8/2020 08:42:18 pm

Thank you!

Linda Hofke

4/10/2020 02:15:03 pm

I like this playful poem and how it is written from the dog's perspective.
Nice work.

Natalie

4/19/2020 09:57:08 pm

Thank you

Jill Burns

4/11/2020 06:17:24 pm

This is adorable!

Nancy Riley

4/12/2020 02:53:14 pm

Very fun. I love all the check checking.

Kristy Roser Nuttall link

4/8/2020 10:40:43 am

I don't have a website/blog yet, so here's a copy of my story for the contest. Happy spring everyone!

Jelly Bean Magic

https://media1.tenor.com/images/984302bca8cf903f6399a2c5d4ae470a/tenor.gif?itemid=3971594

“I’m zapping all of the jelly beans in the town!” laughed Maximus the evil wizard.
“The Jelly Bean Festival is officially cancelled,” announced Mayor Sweetness.
Doom settled over the town of Bean.
But not over Katie McBride.
“My grandma showed me a secret jelly bean hiding spot!” said Katie. “Maybe Maximus missed it.”
Hope sprouted in her heart.
She scrambled up to her attic and dusted off an old book.
Katie’s fingers tingled when she touched the bean taped inside.
When she held it, two tiny words glowed: PLANT ME.
So she did.
The next morning colorful branches swirled by her window—drooping with jelly beans!
The flavors dazzled her tongue.
Katie and her friends giggled and danced as they rolled their wagons brimming with jelly beans to the town square.
Katie twirled, bowed, and just before bed. . . she taped just one jelly bean back in her book, just in case.

Jill Lambert

4/8/2020 02:02:16 pm

Wow! Such a great twist to Jack and the Beanstalk! Great job circling around at the end, Kristy!

Michelle Kennedy link

4/9/2020 08:35:01 am

I think every child wishes they had one of those magical jelly bean seeds! Very cute.

Susan Summers

4/9/2020 11:19:24 am

I love this. A fun story that really engages you in such a short time. Now I feel like finding a jelly bean....

Marty Lapointe-Malchik link

4/9/2020 11:21:18 am

The whole concept of a colorful overnight yield from a jelly bean hiding inside a book is priceless! I can picture the illustrations as over-the-top fun!

Claire Lewis link

4/10/2020 02:50:05 am

I love the way you've painted a whole colourful world in so few words! And a great ending!

Jill Burns

4/11/2020 06:19:26 pm

This is wonderful! Wish I had one of those jelly beans to plant! Nice!

Nancy Riley

4/12/2020 02:56:58 pm

Very cute and clever. Who wouldn't want a jelly bean festival! Loved the sentence, He sprouted in her heart!

Natalie

4/19/2020 10:02:11 pm

Loved your story! I can imagine it all!

Amy Renee link

4/8/2020 12:16:24 pm

GIANT ALLERGIES
148 words

The Great Sneeze of 1999 nearly decimated the tiny town of Tinkerville. Who would have thought one itchy nose could hurl houses, catapult cars, and topple trees? Well, when that itchy nose sits on a giant's face, anything is possible.

Luckily, scientists discovered a pickle a day keeps the sneezes away. And it worked well!

Until… this year. The whole town was so caught up with festivities that nobody remembered spring was coming. Nobody remembered to start the pickle delivery service.

Sparrow heard sniffles in the distance. He raced down the street. "Spring is here! The pickles- where are the pickles?!?!" Neighbors raided their cupboards, but came up empty handed.

"Aahh-aahh-"

At the very last moment, Sparrow noticed a tiny mouse nibbling a rather large pickle. He swooped in, stole the treat, and delivered it to the giant, seconds before the "choo".

Tinkerville was safe for another day.

Gif at AmyReneeWrites.blogspot.com

Jill Lambert link

4/8/2020 02:04:44 pm

Pickles and sneezes...what a concept! I like the way you think, Amy!

Michelle Kennedy link

4/9/2020 08:37:21 am

Thank goodness for the sparrow- AND the found pickle! Cute.

Linda Hofke

4/9/2020 10:37:55 am

Haha. This is my kind of story. A bit quirky and lots of fun.

Marty Lapointe-Malchik link

4/9/2020 11:17:44 am

SWOOPING SPARROW SAVES THE DAY BY A WELL-TIME PICKLE! I love the tension you've created and the town name makes it sound tiny, too! Very fun read!

Susan Summers

4/9/2020 11:26:17 am

Hilarious! I loved the idea that pickles can help allergies. How fun. If only they could! :)

Amy Benoit

4/9/2020 03:56:55 pm

"Seconds before the choo" ... what a fun line!

Claire Lewis link

4/10/2020 03:27:09 am

This is quirky and lots of fun!

Jill Burns

4/11/2020 06:22:49 pm

Love this adorable and fun story!

Rebecca Loescher

4/8/2020 04:27:08 pm

Rebecca Loescher
[email protected]
WC: 150

https://www.audubon.org/sites/default/files/styles/hero_image/public/sfw_17912731899_f6db41881d_k_3.jpg?itok=paYf7-NK

Bed and Breakfast
By Rebecca Loescher

Whoever ever would have guessed
the cowbird cannot build a nest?
She makes it difficult to tell,
with tricky plan that suits her well.

A cowbird’s sneaky, feels no guilt.
She finds a nest a warbler’s built,
waits till warbler leaves to eat,
then, uninvited, takes her seat.

She tosses one egg out. KER-PLUNK!
(How bold! How rude! What shameless spunk!)
She lays her own egg there, instead, .
and now her baby has a bed.

When mother warbler soon returns,
she counts the eggs, has no concerns.
She’s reassured her eggs are there,
and incubates them, unaware.

But when they hatch, oh, what a shock.
One baby’s way too big to rock!
He gobbles food, demanding more,
with squawkings warbler can’t ignore.

Can’t blame the cowbird. Don’t complain,
pure instinct drives her birdie brain.
So, warbler works from sun to sun,
and guess whose mom has all the fun!

Cheri Wong link

4/8/2020 04:31:36 pm

Love your story Becky! That cowbird sure has it easy! Good luck!

Becky Loescher

4/8/2020 07:27:49 pm

Thanks so much, Cheri! Yup, she's not the favorite neighborhood mom, for sure! ;-D

Jill Richards Proctor

4/8/2020 04:55:20 pm

Beautiful! And so fun, Becky! I love it! Your rhyme and meter are perfect. And I love the humor in your last line! Good luck!

Becky Loescher

4/8/2020 07:29:56 pm

Thanks so much, Jill! So glad you like that last line...I love humor, too! Poor warbler mom (and dad, too) sees no humor in any of this!

Jill Lambert

4/8/2020 05:53:36 pm

Thank you for a terrific story about this quirky bird, Becky! The rhyme and meter are perfect and I especially like the title and ending!

Becky Loescher

4/8/2020 07:35:54 pm

Thanks for your kind words, Jill! I've seen a short video of the newly-hatched cowbird baby pushing the warbler's eggs out of the nest, so he alone is left to be fed nonstop by both warbler parents. .

Vashti Verbowski

4/8/2020 11:09:18 pm

Such a fun and entertaining story! (Though I'm sad for the egg that went ker-plunk!) I hope the cowbird chick appreciates its nice nest and breakfast;)

Becky Loescher

4/9/2020 11:03:02 am

Thanks, Vashti! Nature's surprises never fail to amaze me! I think this oversized baby is all demands with no appreciation!

Ayesha Masood link

4/9/2020 01:02:29 am

brilliant

Becky Loescher

4/9/2020 11:16:35 am

Thanks so much for your kind response, Ayesha!

Michelle Kennedy link

4/9/2020 08:38:49 am

Fascinating bird story! I love how you were able to incorporate so much information and rhyme it too. Well done.

Becky Loescher

4/9/2020 11:32:32 am

Thanks much, Michelle! I'm totally hooked on discovering the amazing details of nature's continual surprises!

Linda Hofke

4/9/2020 10:40:05 am

you've combined three things I like--birds, poetry, and nonfiction.
And you did a great job. Good meter and rhyme.
I like it!

Becky Loescher

4/9/2020 11:37:31 am

Thanks oodles, Linda! I love those three pursuits, too, and nature/s fascinating anomalies, in general!

Marty Lapointe-Malchik link

4/9/2020 11:14:38 am

Exactly 150 words! Nonfiction! And spot on meter and rhymes! What a feat you've accomplished here, Becky. It's a pleasure to read.

Becky Loescher

4/9/2020 11:45:41 am

Many thanks, Marty! I love to find humor in nonfiction! ;-D So glad you enjoyed it!!

Susan Summers

4/9/2020 11:24:02 am

Becky, I love this. Cowbirds do indeed get a bad rap, you described it perfectly. I enjoyed reading it, it made me smile.

Becky Loescher

4/9/2020 12:00:47 pm

Thanks much, Susan! So glad you enjoyed it. These "parasitic" birds do get a bad rap, understandably, even though it's in their instinct to hijack the nest. I watched a video in Giphy where a newly-hatched cowbird used all his strength to roll the warbler's (or small bird's) last eggs out of the nest...fascinating, but like, "Noooooo!"

AmyBenoit

4/9/2020 03:55:24 pm

Great rhyme, fun explanation. Loved the last verses...hilarious.

Becky Loescher

4/10/2020 05:42:24 am

Thanks much, Amy! I'm so happy that you enjoyed it. Although I still feel for the warbler parents, it was fun to write! ;-D

Lori Sheroan link

4/11/2020 10:47:10 am

This is wonderful! I love how you were able to tell a story, provide information about the tricky cowbird, AND rhyme! Well done!

Becky Loescher

4/11/2020 12:31:46 pm

Thanks, Lori! Nonfiction facts are so fascinating and fun to write about! Glad you enjoyed it...and thanks for your kind comments!

Jill Burns

4/12/2020 02:08:01 pm

This is great! We watched a robin raise a cowbird one year. What a sight. Magnificent story!

Becky Loescher

4/17/2020 08:35:20 am

Thanks so much, Jill! OH, I would love to have watched that!

Nancy Riley

4/12/2020 03:00:19 pm

What a great way to explain cowbird nests. Well written, great rhyme.

Becky Loescher

4/17/2020 08:36:50 am

Thank you, Nancy! Aren't Nature's ways just amazing!

Roo Parkin

4/14/2020 07:56:50 am

Great story told with real rhyming skill. Funny too - despite the underlying tragedy for the poor, hoyed-out warbler egg. Well done. Loved it.

Becky Loescher

4/17/2020 08:38:49 am

Thanks much, Roo! It sure does seem tragic to us, doesn't it? The cowbird baby will even kick the other babies (or eggs) out of the nest, (sigh).

Amy Benoit

4/8/2020 07:43:00 pm

The day of the Annual Spring Roll had arrived. And with it, the Puppies and Peepers. The first team to roll the Golden Egg across the finish line would be declared winners. The prize? A basket of goodies, of course. The screech of a whistle and a jubilant "1 - 2 - 3!" sounded. Woofs and peeps filled the air! Fur and feathers flew! From the start, the Peepers had the advantage. After all, they knew all about eggs. So, it was quite a surprise when Captain Furball took the lead, rolling the golden egg up the center and nearly past the Finish Line. But that sly Furball had other plans...together, he and Head Peeper, Pele, rolled that golden egg across the line declaring a historic and heartfelt win! When two work as one, it's a win for two. Goodies for all! *Woof! *Peep!

Michelle Kennedy link

4/9/2020 08:41:13 am

You really put us there in the moment, Amy! Love the teamwork angle too.

Amy Benoit

4/9/2020 03:51:47 pm

Thanks, Michelle.I appreciate the feedback.

Jill Lambert

4/9/2020 11:31:54 am

Amy, your story is a riot! Filled with action and alliteration. Great job!

Amy Benoit

4/9/2020 03:52:57 pm

Thanks for your feedback, I really appreciate it!!

Becky Loescher

4/10/2020 05:47:32 am

LOVE your active language and sounds, Amy! And what a great ending, with a wonderful lesson included.Lots of fun throughout!

Amy Benoit

4/10/2020 06:47:28 am

That means a lot, Becky! Thanks for responding. :)

Jennifer Matarese

4/10/2020 08:14:30 am

I love the teamwork and puppies!! So cute thinking of them with all the eggs.

Amy Benoit

4/12/2020 04:16:35 pm

Thanks, Jennifer. So nice to catch up with you.

Anne Lipton

4/10/2020 02:26:15 pm

Puppy Bowl meets Easter Chicks! Such aa ingenious premise! This compact story packs in the cuteness, action, and lots of important lessons and themes—of kindness, preparation, and collaboration.

Amy Benoit

4/12/2020 04:18:08 pm

Anne, thank you for the kind words!

Penny McNally

4/11/2020 12:44:05 pm

I love this fun puppies and peepers story! I was on the edge of my seat..love head peeper, Pele :)

Amy Benoit

4/12/2020 04:18:49 pm

Awwh, Penny! Thanks bunches.

Jill Burns

4/12/2020 03:04:59 pm

Puppies and Peepers! Adorable story! Love the message!

Amy Benoit

4/12/2020 04:19:33 pm

Thank you for the feedback, Jill!!!

Nancy Riley

4/12/2020 03:09:25 pm

Great way to build suspense and ten finish it off with teamwork! Nice!

Amy Benoit

4/12/2020 04:20:25 pm

Your comments mean a lot! Thank you, Nancy.

Ayesha link

4/9/2020 01:08:43 am

This was so much fun. Thanks for this amazing opportunity. Would love to know your thoughts on it.

Link to gif: https://media.giphy.com/media/WbfcrrqkbScCs/giphy.gif

Embrace

Don't close your eyes. The wait is over.

The darkness of winter is fading away. The freshness of spring is about to come.

Don't close your eyes. Look. The ground once white will be lush green again. Flowers blooming, dancing and rising to show their zest in the youthful calling of spring. The silence will be broken by the sweet songs of birds.

Listen, ssh listen to the sound of wind whispering through the soft leaves. The frozen rivers will flow, once white and hard will melt and glow. The rays piercing through frosty winter, inviting spring in all its glory.

Remember! Whatever comes, has to go, this time will pass, leaving you in curiosity of what comes next.

Breath and get ready for what lies ahead.

Michelle Kennedy link

4/9/2020 08:42:28 am

I love Spring and you described it perfectly!

Ayesha

4/9/2020 10:27:04 am

Thank you Michelle. I love spring too.

Becky Loescher

4/9/2020 08:51:28 am

Beautifully lyrical, Ayesha! Love your evocative verbs throughout!

Ayesha

4/9/2020 10:28:31 am

Thank you so much

Jill Lambert

4/9/2020 11:28:37 am

This was a sensory delight, Ayesha!

Ayesha

4/9/2020 09:56:53 pm

Thank you so much Jill.

Linda Hofke

4/10/2020 03:34:34 am

this is really beautiful.
I love your lyrical language and the feeling this story gives me.

Ayesha

4/10/2020 04:03:18 am

Thank you so much dear.

Amy Benoit

4/10/2020 05:35:03 am

And hope springs eternal... I love your description, Ayesha.

Ayesha

4/10/2020 11:40:21 am

I hope so too.

Nancy Riley

4/12/2020 03:10:55 pm

Lovely imagery and lyrical quality! Good luck!

Ayesha

4/14/2020 02:02:34 am

Thank you Nancy. haha... fingers crossed

Jill Burns

4/13/2020 08:36:48 am

This is so beautiful! Love it!

Ayesha

4/14/2020 02:03:11 am

Thank you Jill. That's so kind of you.

Natalie

4/19/2020 10:05:33 pm

You describe Spring As fresh and new all over again beautifully!

Stephen Bowling link

4/9/2020 07:53:15 am

I don't have a blog, so thought I would post here.

My gif: https://media.giphy.com/media/M8zfopCfmcUekTG7N2/giphy.gif

“Beehaving at Lunch”

About midafternoon,
on a bright day in June,
Winston was preparing his lunch.

He made a sandwich of ham,
some toast topped with jam,
plus a pear with some grapes in a bunch.

But then in flew a bee,
who just happened to see,
what Winston was having to eat.

It flew through the air ,
then sat on his pear,
and thought this is a very nice treat.

Winston shooed it away,
but it decided to stay,
and flew back to his pear for its snack.

A flyswatter thought he,
should work on a bee,
so he got one from his room in the back

Then some flowers it spotted,
as it tried not to be swatted,
and thought this is much better to munch.

Now the bee had his treat.
And now Winston could eat.
And both he and the bee could have lunch.

Michelle Kennedy link

4/9/2020 08:02:25 am

Haha! Glad the story had a happy ending! Very cute.

Stephen Bowling link

4/10/2020 02:32:20 pm

Thanks Michelle. Always fun to have a happy ending.

Marty Lapointe-Malchik link

4/9/2020 11:06:06 am

Clever wordplay in the title! Glad the flowers rescued the hungry bee and Winston got to chomp his pear in peace!

Stephen Bowling link

4/10/2020 02:34:49 pm

Thanks Marty. I was originally thought of calling it "BeeDazzled at Lunch"

Jill Lambert

4/9/2020 11:27:21 am

Glad to hear the bee was spared...cute story, Stephen!

StephenBowling link

4/10/2020 02:35:33 pm

Thanks Jill.

Amy Benoit

4/10/2020 05:36:18 am

You made me smile. Loved the ending, cute story.

Stephen Bowling link

4/10/2020 02:36:25 pm

Thanks Amy. Glad it made you smile. Made me smile too.

Penny McNallyl

4/10/2020 01:45:09 pm

A clever and fun story with a happy ending for all.

Stephen Bowling link

4/10/2020 02:38:12 pm

Thanks Penny. This is actually part of a longer version of a story I wrote, with the same happy ending.

Nancy Riley

4/12/2020 03:12:40 pm

Very cute and I can see it all. Good luck!

Jill Burns

4/13/2020 08:40:03 am

This is adorable! Love the happy ending!

Vashti Verbowski

4/9/2020 08:07:00 am

GIF: https://giphy.com/gifs/river-rocks-11w4FOu3bJBuz6

Esther Eggs
by Vashti Verbowski
(150 words)

Esther loved Easter.

But this year, Esther’s mother announced, “There will be no Easter eggs.”

Esther’s family had started eating vegan – that meant no milk, meat, or eggs.

“What will we paint? What will we hide? What will we find?” cried Esther.

They were supposed to paint zigzags, stripes, and flowers, like they always did.

“Don’t worry, we’ll still have dairy-free chocolate,” said Esther’s mother.

But Esther couldn’t paint chocolate.

“I’m going to the creek,” she mumbled.

The day was bright, and the flowers were in bloom.

Esther felt gloomy.

At the water’s edge, the smooth pebbles sparkled.

This one looks like an egg, thought Esther, and she gathered more.

With pockets full, Esther ran home.

“Mom, Dad, Naomi – it’s time to paint!”

Esther’s mother knelt down, “I’m sorry Esther, but we can’t.”

“Yes we can!” exclaimed Esther, and she gave everyone a rock.

Her sister laughed, “They’re Esther eggs!”

Michelle Kennedy link

4/9/2020 08:45:11 am

I'm so glad Esther found a clever solution to her egg-painting dilemma! Cute.

Marty Lapointe-Malchik link

4/9/2020 10:59:44 am

Love this alternative for a newly vegan family! And the name Esther for 'Easter' Eggs is so clever!
Marty

Vashti Verbowski

4/9/2020 10:13:47 pm

Thanks Michelle! I got the idea last week when my son and I decided to paint rocks:)

Vashti Verbowski

4/9/2020 10:22:00 pm

Thanks Marty! So glad you appreciated my play-
on-words:)

Jill Lambert

4/9/2020 11:21:37 am

I love the title and the concept of this story, Vashti!

Vashti Verbowski

4/9/2020 10:16:47 pm

Thanks Jill... I‘m sure there’s a crowd out there that would appreciate this story... at least I hope there is!

Gretchen Pitluk

4/9/2020 07:11:38 pm

Yay! I love how this came out and you incorporated the changes so seamlessly! Adore the concept and you took such a unique and creative spin on Easter eggs!

Vashti Verbowski

4/9/2020 10:18:14 pm

Thanks Gretchen! It definitely helps to have great CP’s;)

Elizabeth Curry link

4/10/2020 07:09:56 am

Clever solution to paint rocks! Nice job.

Linda Hofke

4/10/2020 02:19:49 pm

very creative, Vashti.
Nice story with a good solution.
I also like the play on words with Easter and Esther.

Lisa Perron

4/10/2020 04:33:39 pm

Great story! I love how Esther solves the problem and helps the family create a new tradition.

Nancy Riley

4/12/2020 03:14:07 pm

Smart girl and I love the last line! Good luck!

Jill Burns

4/13/2020 08:43:30 am

I love this! So nice to see Esther come up with a beautiful solution! Love the painted rock idea. Cute and clever story!

Jennifer Matarese

4/9/2020 10:35:14 am

CHERRY BLOSSOMS - by Jennifer Matarese (122w)
GIF found on Giphy.com

https://giphy.com/gifs/spring-sacura-jni3BHN2r5lrq

Sarah tugged at her skirt. It felt stiff and scratchy, but her mom told her dressing up would make a better first impression than her usual ripped-knee jeans.

As they walked hand in hand, the gravel crunching beneath their feet, she spotted the bench they had agreed to meet him at.

That bench was terrifying, and wonderous. Sarah had dreamt of this day for as long as she could remember.

Her mother cleared her throat and said in an overly chipper voice, “Well, here we are!”

They sat with the sun warming their faces when a gust of wind forced its way through the trees.

“Hi, Sarah,” a deep voice said, as the pink cherry blossom petals rained down.

“I’m your father.”

Marty Lapointe-Malchik link

4/9/2020 11:02:32 am

Very effective GIF for this poignant story because the anticipation of an empty bench has so much meaning for this character.

Jill Lambert

4/9/2020 11:20:12 am

Great job building tension with all the sensory details, Jennifer!

Michelle Kennedy link

4/9/2020 07:13:27 pm

Your story was heartwarming and put the reader right in Sarah's shoes.

Vashti Verbowski

4/9/2020 10:24:36 pm

Love the details in this story (“gravel crunching”)... makes it feel so real. Well done!

Amy Benoit

4/10/2020 06:49:32 am

Oooooh, I want more, Jennifer. It's so nice to meet up here. Good luck. You're on to something.

Jennifer Matarese

4/10/2020 08:12:50 am

Thank you Amy and everyone! So nice to see you on here too Amy!!!!

Jill Burns

4/13/2020 08:47:11 am

Wonderful and touching story! Nice!

Mary Barnes

4/15/2020 05:44:24 am

This had me hooked. Well done!

Marty Lapointe-Malchik link

4/9/2020 10:53:08 am

EVERYBUGGY AND BLUE EGG

https://gph.is/1gKZBcV (From GIPHY.COM)

Blue Egg sat, warm and dry,
Underneath expectant sky.

“Everybuggy isn’t here!”
Tweeted Titmouse, far and near.

“Don’t they know Spring’s come to town?
Added Nuthatch, upside down.

“Leggy! Dottie!? Where are they?”
Chirped the very youngest jay.

Blue Egg sat, warm and dry.
Lit by breaks in treetop skies.

Worm pushed up. Snake crawled down.
Shaking off their dirt clod crowns.

“Where on earth could those bugs be?”
“It’s spring as far as eyes can see!”

“Sit tight, buds,” Branch barked then,
“They’ll appear. Whoo knows when?”

Owl slept. Blue Egg sat.
All the buds grew nice and fat.

Peck, peck, peck. Crickety-crick.
“EVERYBUGGY!!! Get here! QUICK!”

And then . . . crack!

Baby beak, baby wings,
An eggshell hat, of all things!

At last! That everybuggy throng!
In time they marched and sang their song.

Happy Bird Day, Little Blue,
Happy Bird Day to you!
Phew!

Jennifer Matarese

4/9/2020 11:11:42 am

Lovely! I love the imagery of the egg shell hat!

Marty Lapointe-Malchik link

4/9/2020 07:52:11 pm

Thank you so much, Jennifer!

Jill Lambert

4/9/2020 11:17:07 am

Marty, your story is fabulous! So many phrases made me smile—expectant sky, dirt cold crowns, eggshell hat, and the adorable ending! Yay, you!

Marty Lapointe-Malchik link

4/9/2020 07:53:53 pm

Jill, such lovely comments! I'm so glad you found phrases that brought a smile to your face.

Nancy Riley

4/9/2020 02:00:23 pm

Marty, I love this! All the wonderful imagery and oh so fun ending! Good luck!

Marty Lapointe-Malchik link

4/9/2020 07:55:05 pm

Nancy, thank you so much for this feedback. I wish you good luck too!

Michelle Kennedy link

4/9/2020 03:50:14 pm

What a fun and sweet birdie story!

Marty Lapointe-Malchik link

4/9/2020 07:56:14 pm

Thanks Michelle! I love birdies! Good luck on the Spring Fling Contest!

Vashti Verbowski

4/9/2020 10:32:32 pm

Very sweet Spring story! I love all the animal/bug tie-ins (great STEM appeal). And like Jill said, so many fantastic phrases!
Good luck

Marty Lapointe-Malchik link

4/12/2020 12:21:35 pm

Thanks so much, Vashti!
Good luck to you as well!!!

Colleen O Murphy link

4/10/2020 06:16:38 am

Marty,
I love the images you use and the fun language you use to relate them! Well done and good luck!

Marty Lapointe-Malchik link

4/12/2020 12:23:45 pm

Thank you, Colleen! I'm glad you like the images conjured by the words. Wishing you good luck in the Spring Fling Contest this year! And happy happy Spring!

elizabeth curry link

4/10/2020 07:07:15 am

Adorable. Love the birthday song at the end and of course that visual of the eggshell hat! Nice job, Marty!

Marty Lapointe-Malchik link

4/18/2020 05:26:19 pm

Thank you, Elizabeth!

Jill Burns

4/13/2020 08:50:52 am

This is adorable! Love the eggshell hat!

Marty Lapointe-Malchik link

4/18/2020 05:27:50 pm

Thank you, Jill. I've seen chicks that have an eggshell on their head after they hatch. Inspiration for this visual!

Nadia Nakib

4/9/2020 11:51:09 am

Hi just following up to make sure my submission came through. I am still waiting to see it come up. Thank you!

Michelle Kennedy link

4/9/2020 03:52:14 pm

Hi Nadia- I had wondered the same thing about mine, but someone else told me that in order for others to see your story, you will have to post it in the reply section along with the link to your .gif. Otherwise, it's submitted to the judges, but others won't be able to see it.

Elizabeth Curry link

4/9/2020 03:15:52 pm

Hi! I submitted my entry an hour ago but it hasn't shown up yet. Wondered if I should try again? Thanks for your thoughts. And for a fun opportunity!

Michelle Kennedy link

4/9/2020 03:52:38 pm

Hi Ellizabeth- I had wondered the same thing about mine, but someone else told me that in order for others to see your story, you will have to post it in the reply section along with the link to your .gif. Otherwise, it's submitted to the judges, but others won't be able to see it.

Elizabeth Curry link

4/9/2020 04:06:27 pm

Hmmm. Ok. I just saw the little box under the submission with names and was looking to see mine show up there. Thanks so much! :)

Linda Hofke

4/10/2020 03:39:58 am

thanks for explaining that Michelle. I posted a few hours before the deadline but couldn't find mine here today. So, I guess that's what happened.

Ruth Solitario link

4/9/2020 04:25:42 pm

Thank you for this contest, Kaitlyn and Ciara! Best wishes, fellow storytellers!

Title: Wake Up to Spring, Kitties!

https://media.giphy.com/media/TxNUHqm0AwyA/giphy.gif

“Wake up, kitties!” said Mommy Cat.
“It’s time to roam outside.
The snow is gone,
the grass is green,
the world is opened wide!”

They take a step forward,
and then another.
Looking at each other,
they take a step back,
and then another.

“Don’t be afraid, dear ones,” Mommy whispered,
her soft paw on their heads.

With eyes on mother’s face,
they take a step forward, and then another.

The fluffy balls followed
with small, playful bounces.

Pretty soon, the dancers
joined Mommy in her waltzes.

Twirling kitties, all with black mitties,
follow where mommy goes.

The sun is warm,
the air is cool,
they play while the sun glows.

Three little kitties,
rolling on the green,
chasing butterflies,
kissed by the wind.

Soon, the three little kitties are tired but happy.

Mommy has a soft paw to pat them one by one.

And then they go to sleep.#

Michelle Kennedy link

4/9/2020 07:16:00 pm

You had me at kittens! Very cute.

Ruth link

4/14/2020 05:58:49 am

Thank you, Michelle! :)

Nancy Riley

4/12/2020 03:16:29 pm

Nice vision of the playful kittens! Very cute!

Ruth link

4/14/2020 06:00:03 am

Thank you, Nancy! Playful is the best word to describe kittens, I think! :)

Jill Burns

4/13/2020 04:23:13 pm

Spring and kittens! Adorable story! Love the chasing butterflies kissed by the wind.

Ruth link

4/14/2020 06:01:25 am

Thanks, Jill! I had fun writing that line!

Cheryl MacAller link

4/9/2020 05:02:28 pm

https://media.giphy.com/media/69kTT3XXpcCmU4KM57/giphy.gif

HONEY BEE
By Cheryl MacAller

Honey bee,
honey me,
Moving flower to flower
Striped bodies flying, flitting, gliding
Gathering by the hour

Comb and brush,
wing and hush
Their baskets fill with pollen
Bright specks of orange, white and yellow
They hear the sweetness callin’

Darting, dipping,
zooming, sipping
‘Till every flowers’ tasted
Then back to their family they fly
Without a moment wasted

Golden walls,
golden halls
Buzz welcome as they arrive
Winging, singing, with back legs swinging
Baskets emptied for the hive

Wiggle dance,
waggle trance
A map the bees are makin'
To fields of poppies, orange and sweet
With pollen for the takin’

Resting, sighing,
new bees flying
Out and home again they go
Serving their hive and sisters and queen
Helping their family grow

Michelle Kennedy link

4/9/2020 07:18:47 pm

I love all the action in your story! It gives a perfect picture of a "busy" bee during pollen season!

Cheryl MacAller link

4/10/2020 12:09:16 pm

That's just what I was going for! Thanks so much. :)

Linda Hofke

4/10/2020 03:37:16 am

I love this!

Cheryl MacAller link

4/10/2020 12:09:32 pm

Awww, thanks!

Elizabeth Curry link

4/10/2020 06:57:00 am

I love all the action and visuals! Great story.

Cheryl MacAller link

4/10/2020 12:09:57 pm

Thank you, glad you enjoyed it!

Katie Schwartz

4/10/2020 08:33:35 am

Love your meter, verses, and great rhyming! Wonderful picture painted with such descriptive language!

Cheryl MacAller link

4/10/2020 12:10:17 pm

What a great compliment! Thank you!! :)

Lisa Furness

4/11/2020 11:31:57 am

So much fun reading! Great word play to show action!

Cheryl MacAller link

4/11/2020 11:17:30 pm

Thank you!!

Nancy Riley

4/12/2020 03:18:36 pm

Nice story. Love the wiggle dance, waggle trance! Good luck!

Cheryl MacAller link

4/13/2020 08:52:16 am

Aww, thanks! That was actually my favorite line too. :)

Jill Lambert

4/13/2020 09:44:11 am

Your story is so visual, Cheryl! And I love the voice you used--well done!

Cheryl MacAller link

4/13/2020 03:14:49 pm

How kind, thank you!

Jill Burns

4/13/2020 04:27:45 pm

Love this! A lot of fun to read and full of wonderful action!

Cheryl MacAller link

4/13/2020 06:05:30 pm

Thank you, so glad you enjoyed it!

Posting for Elizabeth Curry link

4/9/2020 06:12:57 pm

Dance of the Cygnet

by Elizabeth Curry

(WC 149)

“Places everyone,” chirped Mademoiselle Poulette.

The chicks stopped peeping and scurried into position.

Everyone except Odelle.

It was her first day at Every Birdie Ballet School.

There were chickens, ducklings, and even owlets.

But Odelle was the only cygnet.

She wished she were prancing by the lake instead.

“Five, six, seven, eight…” began Mademoiselle Poulette.

The chicks flitted to the right.

Odelle fidgeted in place.

The chicks fluttered to the left.

Odelle fumbled to the right.

The chicks floated in a circle.

Odelle flopped in the center.

Mademoiselle Poulette smiled kindly.

“Odelle, we saved a perfect part for you,” she said.

“But I just started at birdie ballet,” said Odelle.

“Yes, but who better to be our Swan Lake soloist, than our very own petite Swan?” she said.

The chicks floated in a circle around Odelle.

Odelle pranced, surrounded by new friends, just like at the lake.

Only better.

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10158444530554114&set=pb.618929113.-2207520000..&type=3&theater

Michelle Kennedy link

4/9/2020 07:21:03 pm

Glad to see that Odelle had a wonderful teacher to helped her find her "gifting!"

Elizabeth Curry link

4/10/2020 06:44:10 am

Thanks so much, Michelle!

Marty Lapointe-Malchik link

4/9/2020 08:02:34 pm

Ha! I sensed Odelle's panic when she got the perfect part! I love the mixture of French, birds, and your ballet setting. It would make for some great visuals! Good luck in the contest, Elizabeth!

Elizabeth Curry link

4/10/2020 06:49:15 am

Thank you, Marty and thanks for reading!

Claire Lewis link

4/10/2020 03:34:09 am

Great story, and I love the names Odelle and Mademoiselle Poulette!

Elizabeth Curry link

4/10/2020 06:49:59 am

Aww, thank you Claire! Thanks taking the time to read.

Amy Miller link

4/10/2020 02:42:19 pm

If only my daughter were still a tiny ballerina. She would have loved this story. Hmm, she still might! Good luck. It's beautiful.

Elizabeth Curry link

4/11/2020 07:09:10 pm

Thanks so much for your kind words, Amy! There is nothing sweeter than a tiny ballerina. :)

Nancy Riley

4/12/2020 03:21:02 pm

So sweet. I'm glad Odelle found her loaded on the dance. Thanks for sharing!

Elizabeth Curry link

4/13/2020 09:46:28 am

Thank you Nancy! I appreciate you taking the time to read it. :)

Jill Lambert