Showing posts with label Susanna Leonard Hill. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Susanna Leonard Hill. Show all posts

Monday, March 18, 2013

The "In Just Spring" Contest

Susanna Leonard Hill has challenged her blog followers to write a children's story, in 350 words or less, about something that really says "spring" to us. Then, we post it on our blog, link it on her site and her readers will vote on their favorite.  The winner will have one of their picture book manuscripts read by Laura Galvin of KidsBooks! 

Spring used to be an exciting time for me - I hate the cold!  But, since having dogs, I find myself wishing the cold weather would last a little bit longer, so we wouldn't have the mud to contend with.  So, that's what really says "spring" to me - MUD!  

When you're finished reading my story, head over to Susanna's blog and read the others - there are some really great stories!!




Tell-Tail Signs of Spring

Winter brings both cold and snow.
Still, I’m sad to see it go.
 
Once the frozen ground warms up,
life gets messy, with a pup.
 
He’ll come bounding through the door.
Muddy paws across the floor.

Black dots splattered on the walls.

Murky puddles down the halls.

Up the stairs and down again.
Paw prints leading to the den.

On the couch, then quickly off.
Stops for munchies at his trough.

On the bed that’s not yet made.
Gives a shake.  The sheets get sprayed.

Dog-shaped mud begins to dry,
Like a scene from CSI!

Try to wipe him - no such luck.
He starts wagging.  Better duck!

Just like clockwork, every year,
Tell-tail signs that spring is here!




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Friday, July 13, 2012

Summer Shorts & Sweets with Susanna Hill


My writer friend, Susanna Hill, started a new series called Summer Shorts & Sweets.  Every week, she's posting a new challenge to write something - you guessed it - short & sweet.



This week's challenge is to choose four numbers from 1 - 10 and then select the corresponding Character, Setting, Time & Situation. 


It was a lot of fun - go to her site to do it for yourselves!I'd love for you to share your stories here!!

Here are the selections I had to work with.  It's supposed to be 50 - 100 words but I used 145.

1 - A pirate who likes to sing
9 - The moon
5 - Sitting down to breakfast
7 - Someone’s pride has been injured

There once was a pirate who sailed on the sea,
And secretly wished he could join the show Glee.
He longed to meet Rachel, Mercedes and Quinn,
To sing with Santana and Artie and Finn.
He said, to himself, with a hearty Yo-ho,
“By hook or by crook I will get on that show!”
He sat down to breakfast and charted his route,
Then sailed to LA - with nary a doubt.
He practiced his songs by the light of the moon,
And saw, by the stars, he’d reach Hollywood soon.
He followed his map on his Glee expedition
Then burst through the gates to perform his audition.
He sang about jewels and parrots and gold,
But he was rejected, “You’re simply too old!”
Although he was hurt that they told him to “stuff it”,
He sailed off in search of the great Jimmy Buffet!

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Friday, January 13, 2012

Perfect Picture Book Friday - Thomas' Snowsuit

My writer friend, Susanna Leonard Hill has a feature on her blog called Perfect Picture Book Friday.  In her post, she reviews a book she loves.  There's also a running list of books loved and reviewed by other bloggers.  She posts it every Friday - bet you figured that out :-)  

Since we got about 4 inches of snow yesterday, I thought I'd choose Thomas' Snowsuit for my first review.


Written by: Robert Munsch
Illustrated by: Michael Martchenko 
Published by: Annick Press, 1989

(Snow)Suitable for: ages 4 and up
Theme/Topic: Common Childhood Experiences; 
Emotion; Humor; Mischief; Seasons

Brief Synopsis: Thomas refuses to wear the new brown snowsuit his mother bought for him. "If you think I am going to wear that ugly snowsuit, you are crazy!" Every time his mother, or teacher, or principal tries to make him put it on, Thomas says "NNNNNNO" - which kids love saying along with him!  After several hilarious attempts to get him in his snowsuit, Thomas' friend calls him out to play and he jumps in his snowsuit and runs out.


Why I like this book: Anyone who has ever had to get a child in a snowsuit, boots, hat, mittens, scarf . . . to go play in the snow will appreciate this book.  My kids and I laughed out loud reading this book and they loved joining Thomas' in his "NNNNNNNO" refrain!