Are you ready for something fun, my friends?
Today is Perfect Picture Book Friday, so you know we are going to have a review of a great picture book. Plus, because this is Women’s History Month, I’ve chosen a book that celebrates an important Mighty Girl in American history, Clara Lemlich.
But first I want to tell you about a mini-contest. Wednesday was the birthday of the incredible Theodore Geisel, better known as Dr. Seuss. One of his books actually came about because of a bet he made with Bennett Cerf, one of the publishing giants of Random House. Cerf challenged Seuss to write a children’s book using only 50 words. And the classic Green Eggs and Ham was born. It’s true that the story has over 700 words…but only 50 unique words.
If you are currently writing picure books…or just reading them, you’ll notice that the average word length is getting shorter and shorter. So I thought, wouldn’t that be a great challenge…to write a story for kids with only 50 words. With a beginning, a middle, and an end. I wondered if I could do it. And I decided to open the challenge to everyone. Here are the guidelines:
50 PRECIOUS WORDS WRITING CONTEST
- Write a story appropriate for kids ages 12 or under, using only 50 words…they can all be different words, or you can use some of them over and over…just as long as the total word count for the story is 50 or less.
- It can be prose, rhyme, free verse, silly or serious…whatever works for you.
- Title is not included in the word count.
- No illustration notes please.
- Post the story on your blog if you have one and put the link in the comments OR post the story in the comments.
- Deadline for posting the story or the link in the comments is Friday, March 18th…that gives you two weeks.
- Winners will be announced on Saturday, March 19th, in our Will Write for Cookies post.
- Prizes? Of course! In honor of Women’s History Month, a copy of Miss Moore Thought Otherwise by Jan Pinborough. And we’ll see what else I can figure out.
- This just in!!!! Kristen Fulton is donating a seat in her April Nonfiction Archaeology class. Just to let you all know…I took her class in June 2014..and that was the step that led me down this path of writing nonfiction picture books. I wrote Sweet Dreams, Sarah the month after the class ended. And I’ve been writing nonfiction picture books ever since!
- I’m also going to offer a mini-critique of a picture book manuscript…hopefully, after years of writing, revising, and critiquing, my feedback will be helpful.
- Plus, I have a soft spot for mini-books…you know, those tiny books you can hold in the palm of your hand. It’s time to share a couple from my collection.
- Stop the presses!!!!! Another GREAT PRIZE has just been donated! My fabulous agent, Essie White, is going to give a critique to one of the winners! Thank you so much, Essie! This contest is shaping up to be so much more than I had ever expected. Thank you so everyone who is posting about it and sharing on Facebook and Twitter!
- Hurray…another great prize!!!! Next Saturday, as I mentioned, when I announce the winners, I’ll also be interviewing debut picture book author, Nancy Churnin. So I am adding a shiny new copy of her book, “The William Hoy Story” to the prize pool…woo-hoo!
I’ve been participating in Carrie Charley Brown’s ReFoReMo Challenge. The list of recommended picture books was astounding. Fortunately, my local library is able to get most of the books I request. Plus, they don’t have a limit on the number of books you can take out. One of my favorites so far is the story of the girl who led the fight for better conditions for workers in the garment industry. And I thought it was a stellar book to spotlight during Women’s History Month.
Brave Girl: Clara and the Shirtwaist Makers’ Strike of 1909
Written by Michelle Market
Illustrated by Melissa Sweet
Publisher: Balzer & Bray (2013)
Ages: 5-9
Themes: Courage, standing up for what is right, working together, labor unions
Opening Lines:
“A steamship pulls into the harbor, carrying hundreds of immigrants—and a surprise for New York City.”
Synopsis:
From Amazon: This is a true story of Clara Lemlich, a young Ukrainian immigrant who led the largest strike of women workers in U.S. history. This picture book biography includes a bibliography and an author’s note on the garment industry. It follows the plight of immigrants in America in the early 1900s, tackling topics like activism and the U.S. garment industry, with handstitching and fabric incorporated throughout the art.
When Clara arrived in America, she couldn’t speak English. She didn’t know that young women had to go to work, that they traded an education for long hours of labor, that she was expected to grow up fast.
But that didn’t stop Clara. She went to night school, spent hours studying English, and helped support her family by sewing in a shirtwaist factory.
Clara never quit, and she never accepted that girls should be treated poorly and paid little. Fed up with the mistreatment of her fellow laborers, Clara led the largest walkout of women workers the country had seen.
From her short time in America, Clara learned that everyone deserved a fair chance. That you had to stand together and fight for what you wanted. And, most importantly, that you could do anything you put your mind to.
Why I like this book:
- This is a moment in history that comes alive for children and that is what I love about these newer nonfiction picture books. The author paints a picture with her words and the reader and listener are there. Fingers crossed that my Sweet Dreams, Sarah will do this also.
- The wonderful illustrations support the text perfectly…and with text by Michelle Market and illustrations by Melissa Sweet, this is no surprise.
How a parent can use this book and related activites:
- Great read-aloud.
- Springboard for a discussion on how one person can make a difference. What would have happened if Clara hadn’t spoken up?
- Talk about people in your family who may have had similar experiences.
RELATED ACTIVITIES
Make a Family Tree and Timeline
Photo courtesy: http://www.alphabetkids.com
A family tree and timeline can be a great way for children to find a way to relate to ‘the good old days’. Find detailed directions at this wonderful website: http://www.alphabetkids.com/?q=parents/craft-activities/family-tree
If your child can speak with a grandparent or great-grandparent, they can find out lots of stuff…did they watch TV when they were a kid? What did they do when they got home from school? What did they learn in school? And, relating it to the story, did they ever go out on strike? If so, what for? Interaction between the generations is a valuable thing!
And for more wonderful picture book reviews, visit Susanna Hill.
So, my friends, I hope some of you will participate in the 50 PRECIOUS WORDS CHALLENGE.
Oh, I knew I forgot something! Here is my little sample example for you…it’s a story I had been working with on and off. It was over 500 words…but obviously, I cut it drastically. I’m excited to read all of your wonderful entries which will absolutely positively be better than mine.
Pilar the Pirate (50 words) by Vivian Kirkfield
Pilar wanted to be a pirate captain. No treasure. No crew.
She enrolled in pirate school. On a scavenger hunt, Pilar and her partners filled the bag. Soon they were lost. Lenny blubbered. Jenny sobbed. Pilar said. “Follow me!”
“Aye, aye,” Lenny and Jenny piped up. “We’re right behind you.”
Have a wonderful weekend! I’m truly looking forward to reading your stories…I hope we have a lot of entries…this is a community of support and encouragement.
VIVIAN KIRKFIELD - Writer for Children 
50 words in the story, not counting the title and my byline.
Thanks for the fun challenge! joanleotta@atmc.net
Lost Bracelet
by Joan Leotta
“Mother, did you see
my red string bracelet?
Mother said, “No.”.
As Rita searched her own room
she heard chirping.
She looked out her open window
and saw a bright red thread
lacing through the bird’s nest.
“I guess birdie needed my bracelet
to build her house.
Glad to help!”
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So lovely to meet you, Joan! Thank you for entering the #50PreciousWords Contest with such a wonderful story. I love your main character and her problem…and I love her reaction when she discovers who took her bracelet. What a perfect spring story for kids. 😉
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Thank you for you kind words
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Wow! Took me forever to reach the end of this comment trail, as I stopped to read so many clever entries. I’ve posted my entry over on my blog, http://patricianozell.com/2016/03/12/fifty-precious-words-the-best-nest/
Fly on over & check it out there! and thank you, Vivian, for a great challenge to honor Dr. Seuss & welcome spring.
Patricia
I’m pasting Patricia’s story here so everyone will see it:
The Best Nest by Patricia Nozzel
A prize!
For the best nest!
I’ll try.
Me, too.
Perfect spot.
Twigs,
grass,
wad of wool.
Set!
Perfect spot.
Mud,
spit,
dab of grass.
Set!
Two judges.
Dashing duo.
Tweeting about my nest.
Singing about mine.
Ruby Robin chooses my nest.
Sheila Swallow picks mine.
TIE!
Best Nests!
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Patricia…you added a lovely touch of spring with your engaging story! Thank you so much…I loved the nest-building contest between the two birds…WELL DONE! I’m so glad you joined in the fun. And what a challenge to write the story in dialogue. 😉
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Vivian, I love your Halloween story. Well done.
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Thank you so much, Betty….I appreciate you taking a peek at some of my other posts. I’ve been participating in Susanna Hill’s writing contests for several years…she’s actually my inspiration for doing this one. 😉
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Here is my story: Barbara Cairns
Prudence Crandall
1831
Canterbury, Connecticut
Teacher of “young ladies of color”
Upset townspeople wanted
Prudence to stop teaching black girls.
1833
Black Law passed
Prudence jailed
Released from jail,
Prudence reopened school.
School attacked by masked mobs
Too dangerous
Fall 1834
Prudence closed school.
1995
Prudence Crandall, Teacher, designated
Connecticut’s State Heroine.
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Hello Barbara..that’s a great topic…and I enjoyed how you found a way to present so much info in so few words! Super job! Thank you so much for joining in the fun…and hurray for Prudence! 🙂
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Here is another!!!! From a dear writing friend..and WOW retreat flight seat-mate, Mona Pease. I had the biggest smile after I read it. Great story, Mona…thank you so much for hopping on board with a wonderful kid-friendly story. And your rhyme and meter are spot on!
Tis the Season
by Mona Pease
Ten little boots tromp through the puddle.
Splish! Splosh! Sploosh!
Five pair of boots stomp in the muddle.
Squish. Squash! Squoosh!
A little boy says, “Here comes your Gram.
What are we going to do?”
A little girl says, “Give her some space.”
She likes to play in mud too!”
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I love the ending.
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Wow I just love a great story about amazing and strong girls! Can’t wait to get a copy for my own strong amazing little girl. I also love writing challenges….50 words…whew wasn’t easy but here’s a link to my entry. http://thenightingaletales.com/2016/03/12/50-words-or-less/ Thanks for hosting such a fun contest!
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I’m so glad you liked the review of Brave Girl, Jean. And I’m so so so glad you entered the contest. And with TWO entries. Your stories are great…you say it wasn’t easy…but you pulled it off so well! I hope everyone hops over to read them. Would you like me to grab them and post them here to make sure everyone gets to read them? Or it’s fine if you want to leave them on your blog. 🙂
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That would be great Vivian if it’s easier to put them here. Thanks so much!
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Here is the wonderful entry from Jean James…but her website is well worth visiting…so take a minute and hop over.
Cat’s Revenge?
Cat’s finally done it!
Squirrels in his teeth.
A hostage to revenge the dog.
Payback to bequeath.
Cat purrs with satisfaction
Dog barks with delight
Angered squirrels protest
hurling acorn pegmatite’s.
Meow and Yelp cry cat and dog
distracted from their prey
ducking flying acorn shells
as squirrel gets away!
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And here is Jean second entry. Very clever! She gives us a bit of background:
I also wrote this next one in honor of the wonderful, silly relationship between my son and his Grandma Silly (Yes they actually call her Grandma Silly!)
Fox Breaking News:
After being sentenced to a life of spinning for crimes committed against the animal kingdom, The Evil Dr. Gerbil managed to escape from his prison wheel today. The notorious Pack Rat Gang is believed to be involved. Police Chief Wallaby has summoned Wonder Weasel.
Story at 11…
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My 50 precious words. I call this story: NOTHING
I’ve got nothing to say.
And when I’ve got nothing to say, that’s it.
You can beg.
You can cry.
You can plead.
You can take a rocket ship to the planet of Words R Us.
You won’t get one single, solitary word out of me.
But you will get…
50.
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This is so much fun, Nancy! I absolutely LOVE the rocket ship to the planet of Words R Us…I need to go there sometime, to find the right words for a story. 🙂
Thank you so much for joining in the fun. And…I am so so so excited for next Saturday, when we will announce the winners of the #50PreciousWords Contest on the Will Write for Cookies post where I’ll be interviewing the one and only…Nancy Churnin! Hurray!
I actually just got something in the mail from Kristen…a SIGNED copy of your book…I guess she got it at your book launch last week in Texas. I am thrilled and honored to have it…thank you so much for the wonderful inscription. I am going to donate the copy I had already purchased as another PRIZE for this contest…there are so many wonderful entries, I think another prize is definitely in order. 😉
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I’m going a little off the beaten path with this one..but hey, 50 words, why not experiment?! So, in the spirit of strong women, here’s my entry:
WRONG ANSWER
by: Lauren Neil
Tim,
Do you like me?
[ ] Yes
[ ] No
Lucy
Tim,
Do you like me?
[ ] Yes
[ ] No
[ x ] Maybe
Lucy
Tim,
Do you like me?
[ ] Yes
[ ] No
[-x-]- M-a-y-b-e-*
[ x ] Never mind
Lucy
*This should show as strikethrough but I can’t format the comment.
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Hahaha…love the ‘never mind’ choice! This is so much fun, Lauren…and with kids so tech and text savvy, they would definitely relate. 😉 Thank you so much for joining in the contest. It’s great to see how many different roads writers can travel with only 50 Precious Words. 😉
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Okay, one more entry. I promise, this is it!
GOOD-BYE, ZOO
It’s time to leave the zoo.
Before we go, there’s something I must do.
See you later, alligator.
After a while, crocodile.
Farewell, gazelle.
Gotta go, buffalo.
Aloha, boa.
Mañana, iguaña.
Ta-ta, macaw.
Adieu, cuckoo.
Toot-a-loo, cockatoo.
Tally-ho, ole rhino.
Cheerio, vireo.
Ciao, sow.
Good-bye, zoo.
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Christine…I think you have some here that could be a GREAT picture book! Love the gotta go, buffalo, farewell, gazelle…you’ve really got a lot of clever goodbyes…I LOVE IT!
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Vivian, it started out as a picture book. I have revised it and honed it and worked on it for some time. The PB version is 200 words long, so I had to trim it down considerably for this contest. I haven’t had any luck finding a publisher for the full-length version, though. 😦
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this is so cute. I agree with Vivian. This sounds like a PB to me.
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Hi, Vivian. You have some brilliant entries in your 50-word contest! I enjoyed reading these. And Brave Girl: Clara and the Shirtwaist Makers’ Strike of 1909 is a perfect book to feature this month!
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Thank you for stopping by, Marylin…this has been so much fun. The contest was a last minute thought when I heard it was Dr.Seuss’ birthday…and it has become so much more than I could have ever imagined…I’m thrilled with the turnout. 😉 And I’m definitely going to be asking our local Girl Scout cookie sellers if they have any Thanks-a-lot boxes. 😉
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Of course, I had to play along, Vivian. At first I thought only 50 words!! Well, I’ve got 49, including the title…wooohooo! I did it.
Warm Farewell
Three white balls stacked up high.
One fiery circle in the sky.
Giant snowman shrinks.
Carrot nose droops then drops.
Twiggy arms turn down then PLOP!
Button eyes fall down.
Scarf and hat on melting mound.
No more snowman to be found.
And the sun shines on.
Linda
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Hurray for the sun! Thank you, thank you, Linda, for joining in the fun. Great images here…I love the fiery circle in the sky…a portend of things to come for our dear snowman. And I LOVE your title!!!!!
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What fun! Thank you Vivian!
Daring Amelia (46 words)
By Lynda Pflueger
Amelia Earhart was a tomboy. She dared to jump fences, climb trees, and ride horses bareback. When she grew up and took her first plane ride, she knew she had to learn how to fly. When other women were looking for husbands, Amelia took flying lessons.
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Amelia Earhart has always been one of my favorite heroines! She’s a wonderful subject for a story. And you really gave me a sense of who she was in less than 50 words…Good job!!! Thank you so much for joining in the fun here, Lynda…it’s lovely to meet you. 😉
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Vivian, Wow what a lot of great 50 word stories! Congrats on the overwhelmingly amazing response that you received with your debut challenge. I almost hesitate to post…. such amazing talent. Well, here goes –
Catch A Bird
by Maria Marshall
Waiting,
birds bob on a branch,
a boy wiggles at the window.
Finally,
the feeder is full.
An excited bounce,
birds flee.
Still as stone,
birds return.
Click, click, click.
The first – blurry.
The second – just wing-tips.
The third – “Look Mom, I caught my first bird.”
“ Can we frame it?”
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Oh, I do LOVE this story, Maria! Perfect for spring, you’ve got a great setting, action, plot, sweet mc, and even tension. 😉 GREAT JOB! Thank you so much for entering the #50PreciousWords Contest, dear friend. 😉
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Thanks Vivian for the encouragement to join in. It was great fun. Here is a second one – Like Julie, Christine, Johnell (and others) I think I am addicted too! Oops, did I say one more? It would be fun to collect them into an anthology! 🙂 [You have 80 + entries]
Here are few more – for fun – now back to work (I mean it!)…..
MARGARET KNIGHT
He stole her invention and patent.
She sued.
“She’s just a woman,” he told the jury. “How could she invent this?”
With two years of plans in notebooks,
a wooden sample machine, and
her roommate’s testimony;
she SHOWED how a woman invented the paper bag.
And won back her patent.
WHO ARE THEY?
Do you know what …
Aida Lovelace,
Georgia O’Keefe, Sarah Goode,
Jocelyn Burnell, Maya Angelo, Ann Tsukamoto,
Carrie Catt, Esther Ledetberg, Grandma Moses, Maria Telkes,
Chien Wu, Rosalind Franklin, Grace Hopper,
Maria Beasley, Nancy Johnson, and
Stephanie Kwolek,
invented, created, solved, or discovered to make life better for us?
OUR MARCH LION
March roared in like a lion,
flooding the yard and
painting Easter basket flower beds.
Yellow, purple, pink, crimson, and white
colors dance in the breeze.
The big question –
will it be a lamb and bring back the sun,
for our Easter egg hunt,
or continue drooling and huffing?
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Hello dear Maria…you are showing the depth and breath of your writing skills…three wonderful entries. I love how you managed to tell the entire story of Margaret Knight in 50 words or less. And I see my SARAH mentioned in your tribute to women inventors. And I am ready for that lamb of Spring to be frolicking, that’s for sure. 😉 Awesome job, Maria…thank you so much for supporting my challenge so enthusiastically. 😉
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Just so much fun to play with. But I don’t envy the judges!
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Hi Vivian, I am addicted….had to post a second one! Am loving these 50 word stories!
A Little Birdie Told Me
by Julie Abery
Grandma has a little bird
Who always tells on me.
She knows I picked her favourite flowers
And climbed the apple tree.
She knows I painted on the wall,
That’s why I’m in my bed.
But as the birds can’t see me here,
I’ll climb the shelves instead!
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Spring is inspiring lots of us to write about birds, Julie! Welcome back with your second entry…woo-hoo! I hope your mc is careful as she climbs the shelf…sounds like her mom needs to let her run and play outside.:) This story is lots of fun, Julie…and I thank you for joining in again. Having to tell a story in only 50 words is a great exercise for our writing muscles. 😉
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True, True!
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This is my fourth Vivian. Not much of a kids’ story, but I needed to write it and share after a whole day of learning about script writing.
How To Be A Writer by Rita Antoinette Borg
A writer has a dream
Writer walks in shoes of her character.
Writes.
Story’s bad.
Rewrites.
Struggles?
Draft #54.
Twists?
Draft #55.
Submit.
No.
Sorry.
Draft #56
Good, but…
Dreamers cry.
Resend. Praying.
Excellent…rewrite it!
Better?
Rewrite.
Better?
I’m no good.
Rewrite.
Better?
YES!
Writer faints.
A writer dreams on.
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Hello Rita…I know that EVERYONE here is going to identify with your story! We do have to keep chugging along…that’s for sure. Thank you so much for participating with such enthusiasm and effort..I truly appreciate you! And I love the story, even if it is not geared for children…although, in a way, it is…they, too, deal with revision and the need to try try again. 😉
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Vivian sorry printed it wrong. The title is HOW TO BE A WRITER. The “story” starts A writer has a dream.
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I fixed it, Rita. 😉
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Thanks so much Vivian. re story. You’re right. don’t we all have to learn to write our best story called life and that takes a dream and lots of trail and error. Never thought of this like that before you said it.
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Hi Vivian this is my fifth story.
IN THE COLD
by Rita Antoinette Borg
Rita trembled with cold.
She wore sweaters, coats, hats, scarfs, mittens, quilts, blankets.
Until Rita heard a yelp from a hole.
She couldn’t fit.
She threw off the blankets, quilts, mittens, scarfs, hats, coats, sweaters.
She squeezed in.
She tucked the puppy in blankets.
Puppy found home.
Rita found warmth.
thanks
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You are just some crazy kind of girl!!!! Another entry…and I LOVE it. Thank you, Ritia…I am so very thrilled you are having such fun with the contest. 😉 This one is just beautiful…so happy for puppy and ‘Rita’. 😉
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Just so much fun to play with. But I don’t envy the judges!
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It’s definitely going to be hard to pick the winners, Maria!
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Rita, I don’t feel so bad posting three extra ones. They were just so fun to write this morning. I like all five of yours. 🙂 Thanks Vivian for entertaining us all so well!
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You all are entertaining me…and all the people who are coming to read the stories…this is stellar!!!
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Wow – what an inspiring comment. I’m enjoying reading all the gems in the comments! Thanks Vivian, I’ve posted my attempt on my blog: http://nadinecranenburgh.blogspot.com.au/2016/03/a-really-really-short-story.html
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Hello Nadine…how lovely to meet you…I went over to your blog and read your entry. It is brilliant! Thank you so much for joining in he fun! I shared it on Facebook and Twitter. Do you want to copy and paste it here…or would you rather keep it on your blog so people will come and visit you there?
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Hi Vivian, very nice to meet you too! Thanks for popping by my blog and for your lovely comment. I’ve pasted my story below too.
Big
‘Why aren’t I big?’
‘Growing takes time.’ Mum passed me black teardrop seeds. I pushed them into the soil.
Heart-shaped leaves appeared, then stalks.
They grew tall, with flowers as wide and bright as the sun.
I picked a tiny seed and whispered: ‘You’ll grow big, like me.’
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