The Winning Stories – 750 Precious Words

The 50 Precious Words Contest is over. The level of participation was bested only by the level of quality of the stories. I thank everyone who posted a story or shared about the contest. So many people commented that writing the stories and reading the entries were a great exercise in honing their writing skills…I was so happy to hear that because I know we are all on a quest to write books of precious words for children..

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Some of you suggested that it might be nice to have the fifteen winning stories in one place so they could be easily read. GREAT IDEA! I hope you all enjoy reading these as much as I did. If you find any of the entries have been deleted…those lucky stories are out on submission and I have removed them as per the author’s request.

And if you want an inside peek into the process I used to select the winners, please visit the GROG blog, where Janie Reinart asked me some probing questions: groggorg.blogspot.com/2016/03/a-peek-behind-curtain.html

  1. LITTLE TIGER by Julie Abery

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Dianna Aston: Will Write for Cookies PLUS GIVEAWAY

WILL WRITE FOR COOKIES

Plate of Cookies

INSIGHT – INFORMATION – INSPIRATION

FOR WRITERS

TODAY’S GUEST

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DIANNA ASTON

 

Even before I started writing for children, I knew the name Dianna Aston. Her beautiful nature books for young kids are widely used in the schools. So you can imagine what a thrill it was to connect with her when I joined the kidlit community. And then I met her at the WOW Retreat…and had a one-on-one critique that turned into a two-hour chat where we shared our passion for picture books. I’m honored to have her visiting today…especially since it is Valentine’s Day as well as International Book Giving Day. Make sure you scroll through all the way to the end of the post…to enter the GIVEAWAY of TWO BOOKS. Continue reading

Perfect Picture Book Friday: The Rooster Prince of Breslov

We have a winter wonderland here in New Hampshire. I’m sure the Presidential candidates aren’t thrilled with having to stump around in all of this snow in preparation for the primary…but it sure is pretty to look at.

snowy presidential primary

Photo courtesy: David Lane – http://www.unionleader.com

With the Presidential debates a nightly news item, the subject of leadership has been on my mind. And when I came across The Rooster Prince of Breslov, I knew it would be my Perfect Picture Book Friday choice this week.

the rooster prince of breslov

The Rooster Prince of Breslov

Written by Ann Redisch Stampler

Illustrated by Eugene Yelchin

Publisher: Clarion Books (Houghton Mifflin Harcourt – 2010)

Ages: 5-8

Themes: Leadership, humor, Jewish folktale

Opening Lines:

In Breslov, there lived a prince who had more than he wanted. When he was hungry for a scrap of bread, he got a slice of cake dripping with honey. When he asked for a raisin, he was given a silver bowl of candied plums. Continue reading