HURRAY! It’s time to unveil the wonderful stories from children all over the world.
Many thanks to the parents and teachers who encouraged their kids to participate.
The guidelines were simple.
I got several requests from teacher friends who asked for a few more days…so I extended the deadline to May 10th.
And the notes I got from parents and teachers were filled with thanks for creating this writing opportunity.
“Best wishes for a fabulous contest. This is a wonderful thing you are doing for kids!”
“My daughter told me she wants to write books like me, and my heart melted!”
“Thanks for hosting such a wonderful contest for young students.”
“Thank you again for organizing this fun event! My students were challenged to keep their stories under 50 words – especially since we’ve been working so hard in second grade to add details to lengthen our writing!”
I also decided to open the challenge to children all over the world—believing that, especially in these times, it’s important for us to come together—with children leading the way as the storytellers.
Each story was submitted by either a parent or a teacher. Teachers were requested to send one story per class. A couple of classes wrote a collaborative story. And one child even drew an illustration for her story.
By Grace, author of Brothers
#50PreciousWordsforKids BY THE NUMBERS:
#57 ENTRIES
#6 COUNTRIES
#15 U.S. STATES
I’ve already had inquiries as to when the NEXT children’s writing challenge will take place. So, I guess I need to start thinking about that…maybe it would be nice to have one in the summer to keep those young minds creating…and definitely one later in the fall.
Hosting this has been a thrill…the diverse topics and creativity are impressive. These are the future writers of our world!
Without further ado, I present the #50PreciousWordsforKids International Writing Challenge stories, listed in the order I received them.
I WANTED A DRAGON
by Dhyani – 5th grade
Birchwood School, Cleveland, Ohio
I wanted a stunning dragon
With golden eyes
And scaly paws
I wanted a scary dragon
With scorching fire
And gleaming claws
I wanted a kingly dragon
Regal horns upon his head
Not like this crazy puppy
You bought for me instead.
OWLS
by James – 7 years old – 1st grade
Marshalltown, Iowa
Owls can fly.
Some owls are white.
Owls have claws.
Some owls are in Iowa.
Some owls are big and some owls are small.
Owls eat mice.
Now you know about owls.
THE KITE STORY
by Marlena – 2nd grade
Buffalo, NY
I wanted to fly my kite.
But there was no wind.
Oh no!
I called the wind.
But he did not answer.
He did not blow.
So, I called all my friends.
They all came over and blew as hard as they could.
My kite flew high.
THE GOAT CAKE
by Marta – Kindergarten
Buffalo, NY
Pua and Kit want to bake a cake. They get out all the ingredients.
Uh oh!
No milk!
They go to the farm but there is no cow.
Uh oh!
But there is a goat. The goat has milk.
Pua and Kit love the cake they baked.
Yum yum!
GUMMY BEAR DREAM
by Susan Hasson’s 4th grade
Holy Cross School, S. Portland, Maine
After school, the children bolted to the candy shop.
The gummy bears had come alive!
One of the kids didn’t believe, so he quietly snuck into the candy shop on his tip toes.
Gummy bears began chasing him, but he woke and found it was just an imaginary dream.
PEANUT BUTTER AND FLUFF
by Susan Hasson’s 3rd grade
Holy Cross School, S. Portland, Maine
Grandma Fluff Muffin remains in her kitchen all day long eating peanut butter and fluff sandwiches.
One day while she was rising from her pile of plush pillows, she reached for her shoes but they had disappeared!
Eventually, she found them in a sandwich of peanut butter and fluff. Scrumptious!
THE DINOSAUR WHO ESCAPED THE METEORS
by George – 7 years old
Yaxham Church of England Primary School
Norfolk, England
A long time ago, dinosaurs were dying out.
One little dino was still in his mother’s cave.
The egg didn’t have even the tiniest crack.
The cave collapsed but still the egg didn’t have a crack.
Today the dinos are extinct.
Still that adult dino is breathing in that cave.
FAT CAT
by Aviana – 7 years old – 1st grade
Little Harbour School, Portsmouth, New Hampshire
One day there was a fat cat and she wanted to go out.
First she had to climb down from the scratching post.
She tried and tried but she could not get down.
A miracle happened! She fell off. She had to get a band-aid.
She said, “All better!”
BIG LEAD VS FULL SPEED
by Nathan – Grade 2
Richardson Elementary School, North St. Paul, Minnesota
Once upon a time Carter said to Drake, “Want to race?”
“Sure.”
Then Carter said, “3, 2, 1, Go!”
Then Drake got a lead but Carter went full speed.
Then he fell into a hole.
Same with Drake.
Then neither of them won.
The End
THE DERPY DRAGON
by Kabuin – 4th grade
Hillside Academy for Excellence, Garland, Texas
Once there was a derpy dragon. He played Star Wars games.
Then Darth Vader came and killed him. “Ahh!” he said.
Then, Darth Vader died from Dora!
“How do we get back?” Dora said. And the door was right in front of her. There it is! She went to the door, and suddenly died.
LIFE
by Conner – 4th grade
Hillside Academy for Excellence, Garland, Texas
It’s something that we all wish to hold on to forever.
It’s full of merry, sorrow, and exotic times, and all we can do is imagine it lasting forever.
You see something strange and you laugh or smile,
something bad happens you cry,
that’s life
and it’s nothing more.
FOOTSTEPS
by Piper – 4th grade
Hillside Academy for Excellence, Garland, Texas
As I’m walking home, I notice a man behind me.
I ask him what he wanted and if he was lost.
Then he just started chasing me!
As I slammed the door, I heard laughing.
As I lock my door, I’m in my bedroom.
I’m all alone.
I see someone.
RAINBOW REVENGE
by Eleanor – 3rd grade
Woodside, California
Once there lived a rainbow in a new world, with elves who used the light for color.
One day a human came and took the light for the humans.
The elves had no color.
They went to the world of humans and captured humans and got the rainbow back.
DANCING ON ICE
by Netra – 9 years old – 4th grade
NPS International School, Singapore
I skated on to the ice. My spins were graceful, footwork delicate.
I twirled in the air and landed on one foot.
As everyone cheered, I felt a pull in my leg. I had broken my ankle!
My mum’s call woke me up.
“Time for the show. Break a leg!”
LILY THE SUSHI CAT
by Linh – 10 years old
Switzerland
Lily was a sushi cat.
Her parents took care of her but hated her.
Her sisters bullied her.
She decided to run away, but didn’t take an umbrella.
It was raining.
She wasn’t used to rain.
She hid in a box.
Her parents found her and she came home.
THE MAGICAL TOOTH
by Pari – 9 years old
Switzerland
Lizzie’s classmates were losing teeth. Lizzie wanted to lose one, too.
One day she felt odd. She pulled her tooth out, and…it was magical!
It did whatever she wanted.
She wished to be a fairy and help the whole world.
Lizzie turned out to be the best person ever.
A SPECIAL STAR
by Anwesha – 10 years old
Singapore
Rukmini sat on the floor and watched her sister Khukumuni intently.
Khukumuni was a dyslexic child. Her name meant “Little Angel”.
Furrowing her brows in concentration, she picked up her final block and managed to slot into the correct hole.
Rukmini whooped in joy- “I knew you could do it”.
MIA THE CAT
by Caroline – 7 years old
Louisana
I AM MIA the CAT.
MY BEST FRIEND IS CONNER.
WE LIVE ON MAIN STREET.
I’M GOING ON VACATION TO SOUTH CAROLINA!
CONNER CAN’T COME WITH ME.
“SORRY CONNER.”
THE NEXT DAY MIA LEAVES.
SHE SENDS CONNER POST CARDS EVERY DAY.
CONNER FEELS HAPPY.
THE END!
THE WITCH AND THE BOY
By Daniel – Kindergarten
Seoul, S. Korea
There was a hungry boy.
He went to a villager’s house and said, “Can I have some bread?”
The villager said no.
He saw fancy house.
He saw a witch who got a magic wand.
The witch and the boy fight.
The boy won.
He got the witch’s stuff.
ATTACHED TO THE HEART
by Arshad – 5th grade
NPS International School
Singapore
Feeing buoyant, David rushed to school carrying his birthday gift, a rubik’s cube, gifted by his mother.
His happiness vaporized hearing the news that his best friend’s leaving school. David hastened and gifted him the same treasure.
His friend left melancholically presenting a gift. It was a rubik’s cube too!
LA-LA LAND – AWAY FROM REALITY
by Krishiv – 9 years old – 5th grade
NPS International School, Singapore
John and family, as always, were busy on Facebook when father suggested a trip to Los-Angeles to make new friends.
Mom was concerned about recent burglaries. John advised requesting their neighbours to be alert.
But people in search of friends thousand miles away wondered,” Who were their next door neighbours?”
MOONLIGHT MAGIC
by Ivannah – 10 years old – 5th grade
NPS International School, Singapore.
DARKNESS! – Mia’s imagination started conjuring terrifying ideas.
Mia rushed to Mommy.
Mommy calmed her and gently explained, “Mia, your favourite animals come out to play when it is dark. And, moonlight and shooting stars glimmer in the night sky, just look outside the window!”
Mia gazed outside, her fear disappeared.
THE ETERNAL DEBATE
by Yohaan -10 years old
NPS International School, Singapore
From the beginning of time there was a debate.
“I’m better than you! I give warmth and light!” he declared.
“But I make the crops grow!” she thundered.
Their seven children, each of a beautiful hue, would invite them to dance causing The Sun and Rain to forget their fight!
THE MYSTERY OF THE MISSING TEACHERS
by Mayte – 5 years old
England, UK
One night Crystal realised that all of the parents were missing from the city. Crystal arranged to meet with her friends in Grasshopper Field.
“Let’s head to the church guys.”
At the church they rescued the parents from a cage.
Back at school, “Not a single teacher!” Crystal whispered. “Think…”
A WEIRD DREAM IN SPACE
by Vidyut – 5th grade
NPS International School
Singapore
Four-year old Alvin was suddenly looking at Mars from inside a rocket.
Donald Trump was munching potato chips opposite him.
“Why are we here?” Alvin asked.
“Cause you and I are fired from Earth,” answered Trump.
“ALVIN! WAKE UP!”
Alvin woke up in bed.
It was all a dream!
FIRST DAY
by Kaya – 11 years old – 6th grade
Cardiff, California, USA
I gazed at the school building looming above me, my breath fast. Middle school I thought to myself multiple times.
Suddenly, I spotted a girl my age. She smiled at me, as tense and excited as I.
I took a voluminous breath, and decided to give middle school a try.
ALEESHA AND THE GOBLIN
by Evelyn – Kindergarten
New Hampshire
Aleesa the fairy was looking for friends.
When she saw a mean, green goblin with pointy teeth.
He was miserably sitting on a rock.
“What’s wrong?” said Aleesa.
“I don’t have friends?” said Goblin.
“I don’t either. Want to be friends?”
“Yes!”
” Let’s play tag.”
“You’re it,” said Goblin.
PORCUPINE HAND
by Poppy – 6 years old
Lindsay, Ontario, Canada
One day, I was running in the hall at home.
I tripped and fell on a cactus and some of the needles got stuck in my hand.
It really hurt!
My hand looked like a porcupine.
My mom put glue on my hand, and out came the needles.
OUT OF THIS WORLD
by Tilly – 8 years old
Lindsay, Ontario, Canada
While walking in the country, I spotted a strange plant in the grass.
It had a plump centre and orange, jelly-like spikes.
I had to pick it up.
It smelled funny, but sweet and minty, too.
Later, I learned it is sometimes called “The Orange Alien Fungus”!
FRIENDS
by Kira – 8 years old
Illinois
Once there was a cat. She was very lonely. She needed a friend.
She thought that if she had a lemonade stand, she could meet her customers. She started working.
Her first customer was a dog.
He said “I don’t want any lemonade. I want a friend.”
“I do too” the cat said. “Let’s be friends.”
WIGGLE WADDLE
by Eden Day – 5th grade
Alpine, Utah
Wiggle waddle
wiggle waddle
to and fro
walking along the icy snow.
Walk, step.
Step, walk.
Black and white.
Bundle together, hold on tight!
Rolling,
sliding,
watch out there!
Or you could get eaten by a polar bear!
Even if they have cold feet, being a PENGUIN sure is neat.
BROTHERS
by Grace – 5 years old
Leavenworth, Kansas
Once upon a time, there was a boy who got lost in the woods.
He walked through the trees and found a smaller boy, playing.
It was his little brother!
They walked down the path together and found their way home by looking at the mountains.
And they were safe.
SCARY THINGS
by Bethany – 6 years old – 1st grade
West Des Moines, Iowa
Snap, crack, boom! The roof explodes!
Aim, crackle, fire! Until the scariest thing, creak.
Yikes! Scary until suck it up! Creep, oh twister!
Lightning, flash, thunder, but creeeeeeeeaaaak, creak, creak.
Creeeeeeaaaaak, creeeeeeeeeaaaaaak.
Woosh the wind blows.
TODAY WAS A DOWN-DOG DAY
by Qiwen – 11 years old, – 5th Grade
Cleveland, Ohio
Today, I know, was a down-dog day
Slipped on the bus, nearly fell to death
Earned a detention for bringing my pet
When I thought nothing could get worst
Puked thrice, forgot my lunch, missed the bus
Tomorrow may be a kitty day, but today, surely was a down-dog day
UH-OH
by Mars – age 9
Austin, Texas
We ran as the wind sucked our parents’ car away. We were slow compared to the tornado. We go to our neighbors’ basement. Our neighbors hadn’t boarded up the small window yet. This was a catastrophe. We pressed the bookshelf against the window.
I had survived the Joplin tornado.
THE ALLIGATOR IN MY ROOM
by Henry – 5th grade
Great Mills, Maryland
There’s an alligator in my room.
He snores all night long. I can’t even sleep!
I told my Mom, but she can’t see him.
Alligators love bananas.
I bought bananas today, they look great in my brother’s closet.
I didn’t hear snoring last night.
I wonder where that alligator went?
MY LUCKY UMBRELLA
by Nora – Kindergarten
Great Mills, Maryland
When I went to the zoo I saw a panda.
The panda called his family and threw bamboo at us.
We heard a big laugh, it was the Lion.
Then the giraffe threw leaves on us.
Good thing I brought my lucky umbrella.
THE GIRL IN THE LOLLIPOP FOREST
by Brielle – 3rd grade
School 25, Rochester, New York
Once upon a time, there was a lollipop forest.
It was so colorful and beautiful.
A girl, Emony, always went to the forest.
One day, she got lost there.
She survived by eating the lollipops
until people could see her
and she was saved.
LILLY GETS ADOPTED
by Pia – Kindergarten
Thalberg Elementary School – Southington, CT
Hello! My name is Lilly.
I have been waiting for a long time to get adopted. I think today is my lucky day!
Wait, I just saw a family coming into the pet store. Maybe they will pick me?
We start to play, and I already know they love me.
BEST FRIENDS
by Gianni – Kindergarten
Thalberg Elementary School – Southington, CT
A boy named Gianni was swimming at the beach.
When one day Godzilla came out of the ocean and swam up to him.
Gianni said, “This is so cool.”
Gianni asked, “Can I have a ride?”
Godzilla said, “YES!!!”
From that day forward they were best friends.
THE DISNEY BOOK
by Olivia – Kindergarten
Thalberg Elementary School – Southington, CT
As I arrived at The Happiest Place on Earth, Disney World, I met Princess Elena of Avalor.
She was even more beautiful in person than I could have ever imagined.
She spoke in two languages, English and Spanish.
Elena was elegant, soft-spoken, and extremely kind.
She is most certainly one of my favorite princesses.
MEET THE PARENTS
by Avery – 1st grade
Thalberg Elementary School – Southington, CT
Once Narwahl and Jelly met.
“Let’s meet each other’s parents,” said Jelly.
“That’s a good idea!” said Narwahl. “I’ll get my parents.”
“I’ll get mine!” said Jelly.
“Here is my mommy, daddy, and brother,” said Narwahl.
“This is my mom, dad, and baby sister,” said Jelly.
They had a party.
MAKAYLA GOES TO SCREAMIN’ MIMI’S
by Meghan – 2nd grade
Thalberg Elementary School – Southington, CT
Once there was a girl named Makayla. She had a brother named Alan.
Alan was annoying.
“Makayla!” shouted Alan.
“What?” yelled Makayla.
“We’re going for ice cream!”
“We are?” said Makayla. “Good, cuz I’m bored.”
They went to Screamin’ Mimi’s. They met cousin Lucille.
They all got chocolate ice cream.
FUNNY FRED IS STINKY
by Andrew – 2nd grade
Thalberg Elementary School – Southington, CT
One day a dog named Fred woke up, and he went downstairs.
He looked at the calendar.
UH-OH!!!
He saw that it was BATH DAY!
He crossed off the next day so no one knew it was BATH DAY.
The owner came walking downstairs. “Why does it smell gross?”
MEET PIXIE
by Rachel – 2nd grade
Thalberg Elementary School – Southington, CT
Pixie is a very curious cat. She wants to see the outside world. She always sees butterflies outside her window.
One day Pixie went outside. Her family didn’t even notice she was gone.
Pixie saw a butterfly.
Pixie loved it.
Pixie imagined this in her dreams.
The End.
HAPPY PLACE
by Emerson – 3rd grade
Thalberg Elementary School – Southington, CT
One gloomy day our family received an email for a mysterious appointment in a rickety warehouse on the thirteenth floor.
What was it for?
We hopped onto an elevator.
When the doors opened, I saw a land full of ice cream and dresses.
The appointment was for finding my happy place.
DINOSAUR DREAM
by Gurjaap – 3rd grade
Thalberg Elementary School – Southington, CT
I heard noises from the forest.
I went inside and saw some snakes.
I went farther inside. I saw Lion, but the noise was louder than Lion’s roar.
When I went farther I saw Velociraptor.
I raised my hand to touch the dinosaur
and pressed the button on my dinosaur alarm clock as I opened my eyes.
THE TOWN THAT WENT MISSING (EXCEPT LISA)
by Emma – 3rd grade
Thalberg Elementary School – Southington, CT
I read a penguin book, taught and learned about writing long.
I ate a cupcake for snack. I talked to myself about sharks and writing long again. Lunch was strawberries. I had fun at recess.
Repeat all week.
Come to find out…the whole town went on vacation without me!!!
SADIE & STORM
by Mikayla – 3rd grade
Thalberg Elementary School – Southington, CT
Sadie was an amazing cat, until her owner got Storm the dog.
Everyone liked Storm better, so Sadie ran away.
When she got into the woods, she was hungry and wanted to go home.
Then she saw Storm running towards her!
“Thanks for saving me. Let’s be friends!” said Sadie.
LACROSSE GAME
by Maddy – 4th grade
Thalberg Elementary School – Southington, CT
One day I had a lacrosse game and was playing Glastonbury.
They were a pretty good team.
The game started and I scored with 1 minute left of the first quarter.
Riley scored with 5 minutes left in the game.
The game ended.
The score was tied 2-2.
SKETCH
by Sophia, Deandra, and Zoey – 4th grade
Thalberg Elementary School – Southington, CT
That book.
I saw it in the store.
I wanted it. I loved it so.
But it was $400.
I loved it so, I begged and begged and begged.
My grandma got it for me.
I wrote and wrote and wrote.
That book.
I loved it, and it loved me.
A RUBY FINDER
by Aarwin and Chris – 4th grade
Thalberg Elementary School – Southington, CT
ARRR! “A tiger!” yelled Tim. Tim was an explorer who wanted valuable things. This time he was looking for a ruby.
There were traps everywhere, but he passed all of the traps that were in the forest.
Then a screen said “Game Over.”
“Dinner time,” his mom said.
“Coming,” I said.
CASHEW FINDS A HOME
by Gabrielle – 3rd grade
Growing Minds Christian Academy – Fayetteville, Georgia
Once there was a dog named Cashew. He didn’t have a home. He lived in a pet shop. All of the dogs got adopted but him. Cashew felt sad.
Suddenly, a girl named Gabby walked in. She fell in love with Cashew.
She adopted him and he was never lonely again.
THE ELEPHANT WHO COULDN’T TRUMPET
by Zoe – 2nd grade
Growing Minds Christian Academy – Fayetteville, GA
One day there was an elephant named Max.
He lived in the African Rainforest.
Max was a very good elephant but he had one problem.
He couldn’t trumpet like the other elephants.
Max felt sad.
Max’s mother told him to keep trying.
Max tried and tried.
Finally, he did it!!!
CREATURES IN MY POCKETBOOK
by Jada – 4th grade
Growing Minds Christian Academy – Fayetteville, GA
Today I woke up, rushed to get ready for school but didn’t have time for breakfast. When I got to school, I heard something in my pocketbook hanging from my shoulder. I took a look inside and nothing was there. I heard the sound again and realized it was the hungry creatures inside my stomach.
TWO KIDS AND A RAINY DAY
by Victoria – 5th grade
Growing Minds Christian Academy – Fayetteville, GA
Two kids wanted to go out and play but it was raining.
The lightning was bright. The thunder made a big boom.
The kids had an idea to have to have a pillow fight.
They fought for so long they fell asleep right on the floor.
When they woke up the sun was shining so they went out to play.
MIA’S WORST WEEK
by Ryan – 6th grade
Growing Minds Christian Academy – Fayetteville, GA
I’m Mia and this has been my worst week. I got in trouble at school three days. I prefer not to share why. Because I was already on probation, I was suspended. At home bored to death I decided to bake cookies. I burned them and the whole house was smokey. I opened the doors and sprayed perfume to keep my parents from knowing. Needless to say, it didn’t work. Now I’m suspended from the kitchen too.
WAITING
by Rebecca – age 11 – 5th grade
Cleveland, Ohio
Books lined up,
On my shelf,
Waiting to be read.
Me in a boring class,
At school,
Waiting for a chance to read.
Teacher talking,
In the room,
Waiting for full attention.
****
Me reading,
In my room,
At home,
Fully satisfied,
No longer waiting.
Aren’t these stories amazing? A few of the stories went a tad over the 50-word limit – but the words were so precious, it was a pleasure to read them all!
I’m grateful to the parents who made time to work with their kids. And special thanks to teachers who must have put aside other tasks in order to participate (please forgive me if I missed any of you): Tina Cho, kindergarten teacher, S. Korea; Katy Katzenberger and Julie Mathiasen, co-directors of Kings Mountain Children’s Center After School Program in Woodside, California; Jenna Grodzicki who collected stories from all the classes at Thalberg Elementary School in Southington, CT; Christina Etheridge, Mrs. Wilson, and Mrs. Dale at the Hillside Academy for Excellence in Garland, Texas; Susan Hasson, 3rd and 4th grade teacher at Holy Cross School in S. Portland, Maine; Karen Kufald, teacher at Birchwood Academy, Cleveland, Ohio; Lisa Milner, kindergarten teacher at Yaxham Church of England Primary School; Emily Kilgore, teacher at Richardson Elementary School, N. St. Paul, Minnesota; Amy Kovick, 2nd grade teacher at Little Harbour School, Portsmouth, Maine; Nicole Holman, Extended Program Facilitator, Marshalltown Community School District, Iowa; Katelyn Aronsen, picture book workshop teacher in Switzerland; Ms. Kincaid and Ms. Harvey, co-directors of the Growing Minds Christian Academy in Fayetteville, Georgia; and the teachers at the NPS International School in Singapore.
I’ll be emailing each parent and teacher a certificate of participation that can be printed out and personalized for every child who wrote a story for the challenge.
Thanks to the generosity of my kid-lit friends, there will be one mini-Skype author visit randomly awarded to each grade level. Stay tuned for more information on that.
And of course, I am looking for feedback and suggestions – how could this have been better?
Big congratulations to all of the children who participated! Your stories were fresh and exciting! I loved reading them…and I can’t wait to read what you write for the next challenge!
VIVIAN KIRKFIELD - Writer for Children 
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Anne Marie Pohl
annepohl@hotmail.com
WALKING
Squealing tires
Crushing metal
Oh! That awful day.
Work with OT
Work with PT
A long hospital stay.
From a bed
To chair with big wheels
Walking was at bay.
Days were strong
Nights were long
Goals set
Goals met
Long hours put in
Paid off
Walking once again.
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