PPBF: Brave Girl PLUS 50 Precious Words Contest

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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

  1. 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.
  2. It can be prose, rhyme, free verse, silly or serious…whatever works for you.
  3. Title is not included in the word count.
  4. No illustration notes please.
  5. Post the story on your blog if you have one and put the link in the comments OR post the story in the comments.
  6. Deadline for posting the story or the link in the comments is Friday, March 18th…that gives you two weeks.
  7. Winners will be announced on Saturday, March 19th, in our Will Write for Cookies post.
  8. 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.
  9. 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!
  10. 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.
  11. 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.
  12. 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!
  13. 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

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

familytree_finalresult1Photo 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.

407 thoughts on “PPBF: Brave Girl PLUS 50 Precious Words Contest”

  1. I’m posting another story from one of my dear writer friends. Thank you so much, Sherri, for playing along. With all of these wonderful entries, #50PreciousWords is getting better and better! And I love your idea of a correspondence between cat and dog. 😉 And I’m sorry I wasn’t able to get the image of the dog bed posted…readers will just have to use their imagination, I guess. 😉

    DOG AND CAT LETTERS by Sherri Jones Rivers

    Dear Cat:
    A friendly furry reminder that the new pet bed is mine.

    Dear Dog:
    I found it first, and besides, it matches my blue collar.

    Dear Cat:
    I am traveling to visit cousins Fido and Milo. It goes with me.

    Dear Dog:
    I’ve hidden it. Too bad. Have fun!

    Liked by 2 people

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  2. Hi Vivian,

    I love that book, and indeed any book, about a Brave Girl.

    My first reaction to your challenge, when I ran across it in 12 x 12 was — Ahhh! I can’t ever write anything that short! And then, this unfurled in my mind. So thanks for the inspiration and the gauntlet thrown. Here is my tiny tome:

    Arden’s Garden

    Snip.
    I cut with scissors.
    Rip.
    Trees.
    Flowers and a bench.
    Bees.
    I paint the sky blue and grass green.
    I cut string beans. Nineteen!
    I arrange.
    Snick, a statue.
    I rearrange.
    I paste.
    Sticky fingers.
    I taste.
    Ick!
    I layer, more paste.
    Next, glitter glue.
    Here, there.
    I’m through.

    Liked by 1 person

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    • Hello Brenda…I am getting to meet the most wonderful people through this challenge. Thank you so much for picking up the gauntlet and coming up with this lovely story! I really enjoyed the inner rhyme and the images were fantastic. So happy you joined in the fun!

      Liked by 1 person

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        • Yes…50 words is not a lot…but obviously it is enough to tell some pretty lovely stories! I’m truly humbled by the response to the contest, Brenda…and everyone who knows me, knows my dearest joy is connecting with others…so this has actually been so much fun for me. I had set the deadline at 6pm Friday, March 18…so I guess there could be some coming in until then. Tomorrow night is DEFINITELY going to be a long night…I want to post the winners on Saturday’s Will Write for Cookies interview with Nancy Churnin. 😉

          Liked by 1 person

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  3. In at the wire! 🙂 So glad I got to take part in the lovely Vivian’s 50-word story challenge. Here’s my entry…

    THE SPIDER

    Morning sun stretches over the treetops.

    For hours already Spider has been spinning

    a lacy net of glistening threads.

    Gentle breezes ripple

    but Spider toils on.

    Velvet night falls and Spider finally rests.

    Rain sprinkles softly,

    decorating Spider’s work.

    Dawn’s pink light reveals

    Spider’s masterpiece,

    sparkling with liquid jewels.

    Liked by 1 person

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    • Hurray…I’m so happy to see an entry from my dear Beth…thank you for joining in the fun! I absolutely love the lyricism…your words took me to another realm of beauty where Spider’s masterpiece is a precious gem in Mother Nature’s treasure chest. BEAUTIFUL! And I’m so glad Spider was able to finish her work and get some rest…hope you do as well. 🙂

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  4. Wow! I just saw a link to this site from kidlit411. What an interesting contest. Here’s my story.

    Charlie likes to eat colors.
    He eats yellow.
    Bananas, pineapples
    He eats orange.
    Carrots, oranges
    He eats red.
    Tomatoes, apples
    He eats green. (It is his favorite.)
    Broccoli, celery, pears, peas
    Charlie likes eating colors.
    He likes it so much, he asks his mom,
    “May I have more colors please?”

    Liked by 2 people

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    • Hello Sherry Lynn…thank you so much for participating in #50PreciousWords. And your story is precious! I love all the color words…I can see this as a really cute board book that teaches colors to little ones. Maybe with flaps. 😉
      I really appreciate you joining in the fun…glad you saw it on KidLit411. 😉

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        • You are so welcome,Sherry Lynn…my whole life has been about reaching out and connecting and letting others know how much I appreciate them. The response to the contest has been AMAZING…I am thrilled to respond to each and every person who took up the challenge. 😉

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    • Fabulous, Linda! I’m so glad you entered…and I love your story about friendship. And I love the idea of a book that two friends share. 🙂 Do you want to copy and paste it into the comments to make sure everyone gets to read it?

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      • Thanks so much, Vivian. And here’s the story:

        Friends with Imagination

        Cam was moving.
        “I know,” Annie said. “Let’s share an imaginary friend.”
        “Annie, we’ll hardly play with each other anymore.”
        “But Cam…we can have a book where we write about our imaginary friend’s adventures.”
        “You get the book first. When we see each other again, I’ll get it.”
        “Yay!”

        Liked by 1 person

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  6. Here’s my entry Vivian. Enjoy. 🙂

    FUDGE

    Oooooo. Eyes widen.

    Smooth milky fudge woos and waits.

    “Yes please!” Are the words for a slice.

    Mmmm! Taste buds revel in the richness.

    Yummm! Tummy rumbles filled with gobbled goodness.

    Ahhh. Heart flutters with fulfillment.

    Fudge rules.

    Liked by 2 people

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    • Not fair! Not fair! Now I need CHOCOLATE!!!
      What fun, Traci…you captured all of the wonderful sensations from first look to last bite. Well done! I’m so glad you hopped on board the challenge.

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      • Thank you Vivian! I was inspired by the various pounds of fudge I have sitting here from ‘The Fudgery’ shop in St. Louis. Was there this past weekend with hubby.

        Liked by 1 person

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  7. Thank you for the contest and for recommending Brave Girl. I haven’t seen or read it, so will have to check it out! Here is my entry:

    Hailey chose her favorite red crayon and drew a circle on the wall. Around that, she drew five more. With her the yellow crayon, she filled in the circles.
    Mommy walked in. “Hailey!”
    Hailey dropped her hand. She was in big trouble.
    “That’s the most beautiful flower I’ve ever seen!”

    Liked by 2 people

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  8. Here is my entry, inspired by one of my two neighborhood bread shops, where we buy *drumroll* bread.

    Bread Shop Blues

    We live by a bread shop.
    We buy bread at the bread shop.
    That’s why I have the bread shop blues.

    There are cookies at the bread shop.
    Raisin. Chocolate. Almond.
    But we buy bread.
    That’s why I have the bread shop blues.

    There are cakes at the bread shop.
    Banana, butter, and chocolate swirl.
    But we buy bread.
    That’s why I have the bread shop blues.

    There are tarts at the bread shop.
    There are meringues at the bread shop.
    But we buy bread.
    That’s why I have the bread shop blues.

    We live by a bread shop.
    We buy bread at the bread shop.
    But I’m saving my money,
    To beat the bread shop blues.

    Liked by 2 people

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  9. Hi Vivian.

    Me again. My sixth story and my last. Do this again next year. It was a blast and gave me a break from other responsibilities. I ordered Brave Girl, too. Can’t wait to receive it.

    Grandma’s Sweater
    By Rita Antoinette Borg

    Meghan unwrapped her present.
    “Ugh! another sweater from Grandma with a purple-pink purse motif!”
    “I want it” said Becky.
    “It’s yours.”
    Meghan giggles.
    “Look,the purse really opens,” said Becky. “and there’s money in it.”
    Meghan grabbed the sweater and ran.
    “Give it back, Meghan or I’ll tell Grandma everything.”

    Liked by 3 people

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    • There totally has to be a special prize for you, Rita! The girl with the mostest entries into the contest! I am so so so happy you’ve had such a good time with it. And I’ve had the best time, reading all of your stores.This one is so clever…and so true…I have an older sister and this is EXACTLY what would have happened. Thank you, friend, for your support of the #50PreciousWords Contest. 😉

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  10. LOL! if you knew how little I am , you’d know why I try so hard.but really it was just plain FUN! After a whole week( and more coming) of a scriptwriting course where all the films and scripts were made for adult movies, except mine, where I was SO embarrased and felt SO uncool by youngsters 30 down. I’ve truly never seen so many depressing movies in my life.And the scenes… I even closed my eyes in some and people saw me and laughed. Such a different world from children’s writing especially children’s books. Hand on my heart, Thank God for KIDLIT and its community.

    Liked by 1 person

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  13. Contest Entry:

    Minty the Mermaid’s Burger Binge

    Minty the mermaid loved burgers. One day, she took off her fin and went up to human land. There, she ate many, many burgers. But when she was ready to go home, she could no longer fit into her fin.
    “I should have eaten fruits and vegetables instead!” Minty cried.

    Liked by 1 person

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    • Hi Sheilane…what a fun story you’ve given us! I think I know just how Minty feels..sometimes my clothes feel a bit too tight after I’ve eaten a bit too much. 😉 I really appreciate you coming over to the contest…thank you for playing along. 😉

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  14. WOW! What wonderful stories in so few words. Here’s my humble attempt.

    A Castle for Princess and Dragon

    Let’s go find a castle!

    So messy, so clean

    So plain, so grand

    So gloomy, so charming

    So dark, so bright

    So snug, so sprawling

    So smelly, so sweet

    So stiff, so comfortable

    So simple, so fancy

    So ordinary, so unique

    So wrong, so RIGHT

    So. . . we are home!

    Liked by 2 people

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    • I wanted to click my sparkly red heels together and say, “There’s no place like home. There’s no place like home.” And isn’t that true, Charlene. 🙂 Thank you so much for posting a story for the contest. I love all of your opposites…great way for kids to learn them and it also make it an interactive story…even kids who can’t read yet can guess what the matching word will be. Well done!

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  15. Hi Vivian, Thank you for doing this 50 words or less stories. I love it! I enjoy reading the stories already shared. It has got me working and thinking. I am an illustrator and love adding words to the stories my paintings show. I do not have a blog yet. Here is my story.

    Sunflower

    “Pssst! Up here!”
    Dahna stops. She glances around.
    “Who’s talking?” she wonders.
    Up here!” the voice demands. “Look up!”
    Dahna slowly tilts her head back. She gazes up at a towering sunflower peering over her.
    “Curious,” muses Dahna. “Hello-o, Sunflower!”
    Suddenly a long, gentle grin appears filling the sunflower’s face.

    Liked by 2 people

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    • WOW…how did you know that sunflowers are my favorite flowers, Jennifer? No joke!
      I love your story…what a mystery…good tension…and a miracle for Dahna.
      Thank you so much for entering the contest…it’s a joy to see so many lovely stories. 😉

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  16. Brave Girl sounds interesting, Vivian. Putting it on my to-read list. I’m enjoying reading all the 50 Precious Words submissions. What a great response! Here’s mine:

    Shadowman

    Shadowman stalks my steps.
    I stop, but he waits for me.
    He out-sprints me uphill.
    Tumbles down on my heels.
    Together, we crouch, jump, and spin.
    My light sabre drawn, Be Gone, I say.
    But he aims his sabre uphill.
    A Martian invader!
    We must defend.
    Ready, set, CHARGE, Shadowman!

    Liked by 2 people

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    • EXCELLENT! I love the entire incident between child and shadow…I can remember running alongside mine. 😉 I think I see a picture book in this, Sydney…thank you so much for joining in the fun!

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  17. Hopefully following the rules this time:

    Kiki and the Disappearance of Apple

    Until the day Apple disappeared, Kiki seemed to be an ordinary little girl. Something about Apple’s disappearance changed her. She zinged with special powers. They did not help her find Apple. So she lounged about zapping flowers, blasting carrots. After a particularly large display Apple returned, but as a Fizzawumpapottamus.

    Liked by 1 person

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    • Hello Tara! I am SO GLAD you wrote another entry. I love your title…it makes me want to read more. And I am dying to see what a Fizzawumpapottamus looks like. Lots of fun, Tara…and I do thank you for playing along with the challenge. 😉

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  18. Noah’s Treasures

    Noah loved the sea
    treasures washed ashore
    pockets full
    of wrinkled shells
    polished glass
    and more

    beneath the curling waves
    silent shadows rise
    surface breaking
    humpbacks breach
    a treasure
    for his eyes!

    Liked by 3 people

    Reply ↓

    • How lovely, Suzy! Great rhyme and terrific subject…and I’m so glad Noah is finding lots of beach treasures…I remember pockets bulging with shells…along with lots of sand that my mom had to clean out before she put the shorts in the wash. 😉 Thank you so much for joining the fun!

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      • Thank you for the contest! It’s always fun to take on a challenge and to explore the work of others. I am a retired fourth grade teacher and I love writing for middle grade readers as well as young children. Most of all, I love teaching kids to write. I’m in the process of creating a middle grade writers’ group as an outlet for those kids who LOVE to write.

        Liked by 1 person

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  20. Tina…I absolutely love this…a pb biography in 50 words or less…that is impressive. And I’m so glad you did a tribute to Nancy Reagan. First Ladies don’t often get the recognition they deserve…it must be an extremely difficult job. Your story was informative AND engaging…great job! I’m thrilled you played along with the challenge. 😉

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