Drum roll please!!! Strike up the band!!! It’s time to post some wonderful stories written by children!!!
When I do school visits and story hour events, there’s one thing I notice. The kids love telling their OWN stories. And that’s what #50PreciousWordsforKids is all about!
These young kids have definitely discovered the storyteller that lives in them.
MAGIC HAPPENS WHEN YOU MAKE EVERY WORD COUNT Continue reading
Logo by Vicky Fang
When I do school visits and story hour events, there’s one thing I notice. The kids LOVE listening to me read. But even more, they love telling their OWN stories. And that’s what #50PreciousWordsforKids is all about!
We want to encourage young kids to discover the storyteller that lives in them. Continue reading
Strike up the band! Sharpen your pencils! It’s time to show the world that:
MAGIC HAPPENS WHEN YOU MAKE EVERY WORD COUNT
Today is the day, dear friends! Ready! Set! Go!
The #50PreciousWords 2019 Writing Contest is now OPEN!
For those of you who have not participated before, let me give you a bit of back story. March 2nd is the birthday of the incredible Theodore Geisel, better known as Dr. Seuss. For the last three years, I’ve hosted a little contest based on Bennet Cerf’s challenge to Seuss to write a children’s book using only 50 words. To answer that challenge, Seuss wrote Green Eggs and Ham. It’s true that the story has over 700 words…but only 50 unique words.
In 2016, I thought it would be fun to try 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 then I opened the challenge to everyone. Much to my surprise and amazement, there were 128 entries! The next year, there were 253 entries. And last year, there were 298.
To backtrack a bit, in 2012 I had a dream. I wanted to write picture books. And I wanted to be traditionally published.
And one of the most important things I did was to participate in writing challenges like Susanna Hill’s contests.
Why was that important?
Because it got me writing. It got me revising. It got me submitting.
Hmmm….writing/revising/submitting. I believe that if we do those three things enough times, our writing improves and agents and editors get a chance to see our work. And as much as I am thrilled with my own success, nothing makes me happier than to hear about the success of others in our kidlit community.
So, please sharpen your pencils. Fire up your computers. And share your #50PreciousWords with us.
#50 PRECIOUS WORDS WRITING CHALLENGE GUIDELINES
Alayne Kay Christian is the content and developmental editor for Blue Whale Press and an award-winning children’s book author. She is the creator and teacher of a picture book writing course, Art of Arc. She has been a professional picture book and chapter book critique writer since 2014. And worked as a critique ninja for Julie Hedlund’s 12 X 12 for three years. Alayne is a graduate of the Institute for Children’s Literature and she has spent the last eleven years studying under some of the top names in children’s literature.
Photo courtesy: Anna Jackson Photography
Lindsay H. Metcalf is a children’s author, poet, reporter, and former editor for The Kansas City Star. She will debut with two nonfiction picture books in 2020. In the fall of that year, Charlesbridge will release Taking the Mic: Fourteen Young Americans Making History, a poetic anthology co-edited by Lindsay, Jeanette Bradley, and Keila V. Dawson, and illustrated by Bradley. It features fourteen contemporary young activists, each spotlighted by a well-known poet. Subjects include literacy activist Marley Dias, water protector Jasilyn Charger, Scout for Equality founder Zach Wahls, and immigration reformer Viridiana Sanchez Santos. Contributors include Nikki Grimes, Joseph Bruchac, Lesléa Newman, and Guadalupe García McCall. Details about Lindsay’s second nonfiction picture book will be forthcoming. To learn more about her books and paid critique services, please reach out on lindsayhmetcalf.com or on Twitter @lindsayhmetcalf.
Melissa Stoller is the author of the chapter book series The Enchanted Snow Globe Collection – Book One: Return to Coney Island and Book Two: The Liberty Bell Train Ride (Clear Fork Publishing, 2017 and 2019); and the picture books Scarlet’s Magic Paintbrush and Ready, Set, GOrilla! (Clear Fork, 2018). Upcoming releases include Return of the Magic Paintbrush and Sadie’s Shabbat Stories (Clear Fork, 2019). She is also the co-author of The Parent-Child Book Club: Connecting With Your Kids Through Reading (HorizonLine Publishing, 2009). Melissa is an Assistant and Blogger for the Children’s Book Academy, a Regional Ambassador for The Chapter Book Challenge, a Moderator for The Debut Picture Book Study Group, and a volunteer with the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators/MetroNY. Melissa has worked as a lawyer, legal writing instructor, freelance writer and editor, and early childhood educator. Additionally, she is a member of the Board of Trustees at The Hewitt School and at Temple Shaaray Tefila. Melissa lives in New York City with her husband, three daughters, and one puppy.
http://www.facebook.com/MelissaStoller
http://www.twitter.com/melissastoller
http://www.instagram.com/Melissa_Stoller
http://www.pinterest.com/melissa_Stoller
Sherry Howard lives in Middletown, Kentucky, in a household busy with kids and pets. She worked as an educator, and now has the luxury of writing full time. Her debut picture, Rock and Roll Woods, released in October, 2018. And her middle grade NF, Deep Sea Divers, just released. She has quite a few books in the pipeline for publication soon.
Sherry Howard | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram
Meet Kuda and Rock and Roll Woods here.
Mother. Writer. Teacher of the very young. I live in Switzerland with my partner and Tilly, the Springer Spaniel.
I ❤️ my job (it’s not every day you get to be an honorary five year old!)
I ❤️ chocolate (I live in Switzerland after all!)
I ❤️ walking the dog (well, I did eat all the chocolate!)
I ❤️ picture books!
If you would like to learn more about me, please visit
http://www.stormliteraryagency.com/our-authors-and-artists/
Tina Cho is the author of four picture books– Rice from Heaven: The Secret Mission to Feed North Koreans (Little Bee Books/Bonnier Publishing August 2018), Korean Celebrations (forthcoming Tuttle 2019), Breakfast with Jesus (forthcoming Harvest House 2020), and a new sale yet to be announced. Although she grew up and taught in the United States, she currently lives in South Korea with her husband and two children while teaching at an international school.
Carrie Finison began her literary career at the age of seven with an idea, a box of markers, and her father’s typewriter. She has been writing off and on ever since, though she has (somewhat regretfully) traded in the typewriter for a laptop. Her poems and stories for children have appeared in Babybug, Ladybug, High Five, and Highlights magazines, and her debut picture book,DOZENS OF DOUGHNUTS, illustrated by Brianne Farley, will be published by Putnam in 2020. She lives outside Boston with her husband, son, daughter, and two cats who permit her to write in their cozy attic office. Find her online atwww.carriefinison.com or on Twitter @CarrieFinson.
Maria is a children’s author, blogger, and poet passionate about making nature fun for children. She was a round 2 judge for the 2018 & 2017 Cybils Awards. And a judge for the #50PreciousWords competition since its inception. Two of her poems are published in The Best Of Today’s Little Ditty 2016 and 2014-2015 anthologies. She is the parent of two amazing adults and lives in the Pacific Northwest with two Pixie Bob cats. When not writing, critiquing, or reading, she bird watches, travels the world, bakes, and hikes. The Picture Book Buzz
Website Facebook Twitter Instagram
Laura Sassi has a passion for telling stories in prose and rhyme. Her picture books include GOODNIGHT, MANGER (Zonderkidz, 2015), GOODNIGHT, ARK (Zonderkidz, 2014), DIVA DELORES AND THE OPERA HOUSE MOUSE (Sterling, 2018) and LOVE IS KIND (Zonderkidz, 2018). She lives in New Jersey with her husband, two children, and a black Cockapoo named Sophie. She is represented by Lara Perkins of the Andrea Brown Literary Agency and you can learn more about her and her books at https://laurasassitales.wordpress.com/
Shelley lives in Indiana with her family and loves writing for little people. Not So Scary Jerry (2017) was her first picture book. The Masterpiece (2018) is her second. Its original version got eleventh place in Vivian’s #50PreciousWords Contest in 2016
A big thank you to all of our amazing prize donors! Much appreciation to illustrator Vicky Fang whose awesome logo graces our challenge! And a grateful thank you to my dear friends and critique buddies, Maria Marshall, Julie Abery, and Diane Tulloch who will be helping me read and comment.
Last year there were almost 2000 comments – ALL OF THEM POSITIVE AND ENCOURAGING! I am so proud to be a part of this amazing kidlit community. Our news stations and politicians could definitely learn something from us.
And before I leave you to post your stories and comment on those you have a chance to read, I thought it would only be fair if I posted my sample of a 50-word story. I hang my head in shame because I am using the same story I wrote for last year’s post. I hope you will forgive me, preparations for my book launches and trip did not allow me time to write a new one, but I did want to put up an example for those who haven’t participated before. And maybe it will be new to them!
WHY THE STARS TWINKLE (49 words)
It was Sun’s birthday.
Moon gathered paper, paint,
glitter and glue to make a card.
But Wind blew.
Glitter and glue covered the stars.
“Now I have no gift for Sun,” cried Moon.
“Twinkling stars are the best present of all,” said Sun.
And Moon glowed all night long.
##
Remember, if you have any questions or concerns, please email me at: viviankirkfield@gmail
I ask for your patience and understanding if I don’t get back to you right away…but please don’t stress…if you write a story and have trouble posting it, just email me. As long as your email gets to me time stamped before the contest closes, I will make sure your story is entered. Right at this moment, I am in Auckland, New Zealand, participating in library and school story times, reading FOUR OTTERS TOBOGGAN: AN ANIMAL COUNTING BOOK, PIPPA’S PASSOVER PLATE, and SWEET DREAMS, SARAH! How lucky can aa girl get???
And I am so looking forward to reading all of your precious words!
I mentioned in yesterday’s Perfect Picture Book Friday post that Katy was one of the first bloggers I connected with. Her Non-Toxic Kids blog really appealed to me and I immediately signed up to follow it – and I’m still subscribed!
Katy Farber is a Continue reading
Hurray! It is time to unveil the stories for this year’s #50PreciousWordsforKids International Writing Challenge.
The stories came from all over the United States – Michigan, Minnesota, Texas, North Carolina, Maryland, California, Iowa, Maine, and even my state of New Hampshire, plus one entry with awesome illustrations from across the pond in Northern Ireland!
I thank all of the parents and teachers who encouraged their children to participate and made it possible for us to enjoy the work of these young authors. And I thank all of the kids who shared their precious words with us!
Here were the guidelines:
And here are the stories!!!
I’M NENI
by Tessa
2nd grade
Maryland
I’m Neni. I moved this summer to the United States. At my new school, Ms. Santiago told me to present a talent. I danced. A boy stood and yelled, “Hey Miss African girl–you’re hurting my eyes.” I kept dancing proudly and everybody clapped at the end. Even that boy.
CRYSTAL RUN!
by Claire M
Age 10 – 4th grader
Michigan
I’m running through a forest with a crystal. I need to get it to the heart of the forest. Robots are chasing me! I got it so I could save the world which is falling apart. I see the pedestal! I place it down and the robots shut down.
Cupcake
by Dempsey
Age 10 – 4th grader
“I want a cupcake,” Ava yelled.
“No,” screamed her mom, “after lunch.”
“Fine,” Ava said.
So Ava ate her lunch and got a cupcake.
“I want vanilla!” Ava yelled, “Not chocolate!”
“You get what you get and you don’t throw a fit,” screamed her mom.
“AHHHHH.”
No cupcake.
The Lemonade Stand
by Elise L.
2nd grade
Rochester Central Lutheran School in Rochester, Minnesota.
It was a hot day. I wanted to make a lemonade stand. I love lemonade! First, I got lemons, ice cubes, and sugar. Then, I made the lemonade and the stand. Next, I put up my stand. Finally, I advertised for it. Lots of customers came. Best lemonade stand ever!!!
RAINING CARROTS?
by
Abel, Amoura, Anala, Andrew, Brandon, Briony, Carli, Eliana, Elias, George, Irwin, Josiah, Lakai, Liam, Lucy, Marvin, Nathan, Rinko, Ruca, Savannah, Sawyer, Sienna, Talia, and Wardah
Who are kindergarten students from:
David Lubin Elementary School
Sacramento, CA
In Mrs. Catherine Hashimoto’s Class
It was raining carrots at the David Lubin playground, so the students in Mrs. Hashimoto’s class sadly went inside. Suddenly, out came Super Bunny. She ate all the clouds; then swept up all the carrots into the bag. The kids said, “Thank you!” and ate the carrots at the playground.
The Dinosaur Loved the Dog
by Keagan
7-years old
Oklahoma
The dinosaur went through the woods.
Over the desert.
Swam the river and ate chocolate mud.
He had to take a shower.
Then he went to bed.
He dreamed he was walking with a puppy.
He woke up and found the puppy sleeping by him.
The dinosaur loved the puppy.
The Blue Jay Eats
by Amelia
6 years old
Oklahoma
Hi! I’m a blue jay. My name is Buster. I eat berries from the berry tree. The tree is green with lots of fruit on top. I fly around the tree. Lots of fruit is falling off to me. They are so very pink. They make juice for me.
The First Epic Adventure
by Linnea
8 years old – 3rd grade
Tom Wilson Elementary, Katy, Texas
One day two adventurous bunnies went on a roller coaster. They took control of the drivers seats and blasted to Mount Everest. Then they said “one small step for bunny, one giant leap for bunnykind.” Then they flew up on stars to conquer the Moon and hopefully reunite with Kirby.
TRAIN BLASTING OFF
by Ronen K.
Age 6
Saratoga, CA
Once there were some trains, one had rockets on the back. The train that had rockets blasted off into space. The train never came back, ever again. The other trains were worried that it ran out of fuel. But the train did not run out of fuel, it was electric.
A Comic Strip Cartoon Between Two Dragons
by Delenne
Northern Ireland
1. “Where’s the cookies? Humm”
2. “I don’t see any cookies”
3. “Well this is a job for Emerald Holmes”
4. “Who would eat the cookies except for me?”
5. “Ah ha!”
“You ate the cookies, didn’t you Lavender?”
“No, I DIDN’T!”
6. “Did you check the cookie cam?”
“Nope”
7. (shows green dragon eating cookies at 2am with the date 5/5/18)
8. “So, who ate the cookies?”
9. “Uhhh.”
TUXEDO KITTEN
by Ariah L.
Age 9
Biddeford, Maine
was nine weeks old when she got adopted at a shelter by a family.
FLAMINGO IS MY BEST FRIEND
The Vacation
by Nehemiah
Age 6
North Carolina
There was a boy who loved video games, but he only had 10 minutes to play. As soon as he started, it was time to leave for vacation. They saw cool animals and wanted a dog for a pet. They found one at the dog store, and they loved him.
The Playful Kitten
by Naomi
Age 7
North Carolina
There was a little kitten that had on mittens. It was cute and black with green, sparkling eyes. Her name was Sweet Pea, and she loved fish for a snack. She loved to play with her owner where the other cute little animals were playing in the park.
The End
The #50PreciousWordsForKids International Writing Challenge is now OPEN!
Last month, I hosted a challenge for writers. I invited them to create a story for children in 50 words or less. #50PreciousWords drew hundreds of participants. What amazed me was the incredible creativity that was unleashed by the restrictive word limit.
MAGIC HAPPENS WHEN YOU MAKE EVERY WORD COUNT!
Last year, one of the participants told me that she and her six-year old daughter had an amazing bonding experience. Seeing her mom writing, the little girl wanted to write a story also. And she did. And her mom shared it with me.
DINOSAUR SNOW by Bethany (age 6)
It snowed a lot through the day. Pteranodon and her sister Teethless were bored. Pteranodon said, “I planned to go outside and it’s almost time for lunch. Oh it’s 11:00. Let’s go wake Mom and Dad.” “You’re right,” said Teethless. So they did. And then they ate lunch.
And when my eight-year old grandson spent a day with me, he wanted to write one, too.
Locked Out by Jeremy (age 8)
One evening, when me and my mom got home from school, we tried to unlock our door. We heard a snap. Our house key broke! We went to our neighbors for help. They said, “Get a ladder and climb into a window.” We followed their advice. Unlocked the door. Home!
Those two stories got me excited! As a retired kindergarten teacher, I’ve always been on a mission to help kids become lovers of books and reading. As many of you know, now I write for children. And I love it! My four debut picture books will launch next year.
I thought, what if I could encourage kids to become the storytellers! And so, #50PreciousWordsforKids was born.
#50PreciousWordsforKids coincides with Children’s Book Week, April 30 to May 6.
EVERY CHILD in grades K-6 is invited to participate.
This is an INTERNATIONAL challenge…there will be stories flying in from all around the world!
Teachers can have each child write a story of 50 words or less…then the teacher and/or class will choose one story to submit. Perhaps this can be a whole-school event to celebrate Children’s Book Week. Or just a single class project. If several kids want to work together or the teacher wants to submit a collaborative class story, that would be lovely!.
Parents are invited to encourage their children to write a story at home (whether or not they are homeschooled) – parents can email me one story per child.
My only rule is that the stories must be emailed to me by a teacher or parent (or other child-care facilitator).
Here are the guidelines:
The challenge runs April 30 to May 6 and the stories need to be emailed to me: viviankirkfield@gmail.com by 11:59pm on Sunday, May 7th.
I’ll enter those stories on my Thursday, May 11th blog post.
All teachers and parents will receive a certificate that can be copied and personalized with the name of each child who participated.
Please, dear readers, help spread the word by sharing this post on your social media channels and by reaching out to your teacher and parent connections.
If you have any questions or need clarification, just email me: viviankirkfield@gmail.com.
What a wonderful opportunity for kids to become the storytellers.
Last year we had entries from 15 states and four foreign countries! I wonder where the stories will come from this year. But, no matter where they come from…
…I’m excited to read all of their precious words.
WILL WRITE FOR COOKIES
INSIGHT – INFORMATION – INSPIRATION
FOR WRITERS
TODAY’S GUEST
SUSANNA LEONARD HILL
DO YOU WANT TO WRITE PICTURE BOOKS, MG, YA? wELL, FASTEN YOUR SEAT BELTS…BECAUSE YOU ARE IN FOR A WILD RIDE. Luckily, in this kidlit community, we have a couple of amazing mentors who are always there to help. ..even in the midst of busy book blog tours!
Susanna…thank you so much for stopping by to chat with us today! Welcome to Picture Books Help Kids Soar! The floor is yours!
Hi Everyone!
(And Vivian, thank you so much for inviting me for cookies again! You know what a sweet tooth I have!)
Vivian and I thought that today perhaps we’d have a frank discussion about the writing life. Continue reading
