March 20, 2013

The In Just Spring Contest Finalists! - Vote For Your Favorite!


The In Just Spring Contest!



Well folks, the voting day has arrived, and I barely survived the selection process to tell the tale!

My goodness!  I must tell you that narrowing down this FANTASTIC field of entries to a manageable number of finalists was nearly impossible.

Seriously.

I had to call in an extra assistant judge!

There was much gnashing of teeth debate as we argued calmly discussed the merits of each entry and fought tooth and nail for presented our favorites.

Before I present the list of finalists for you to vote on, I would like to thank each and every one of the 42 writers who submitted a story to this contest.  It was such a pleasure to read so many wonderful stories from so many talented people.  There wasn't a single entry that was easy to discard, and we really agonized over our decision.  You all deserve a prize.  Reading these stories really helped make it feel like spring was coming in spite of the exceedingly wintry weather we've been having :)

I'd also like to remind you that judging this contest is no different from the overall editorial process that happens in publishing houses every day.  Ultimately the judges' (or editors') opinions are subjective - what one doesn't care for particularly, another loves.  If your story did not make the list of finalists, it is NO REFLECTION on your abilities as a writer, or even on this particular story, which another set of judges might have chosen.  Every one of you should feel proud of your efforts!

Now, to the finalists.

The criteria we used to choose the finalists were:
1. Kid friendliness - this is, after all, a contest for children's stories.  Entries which made reference to something too mature for a child audience, or whose content or ending we deemed a little harsh for our young readers, had to be cut no matter how much we loved the rest of the story and writing.
2. Spring-ness :) - how well did the story evoke spring?  This was tough, because some of the stories that evoked spring the best, didn't measure up as well in terms of kid-friendliness and overall quality of writing.  Ah, compromise, compromise!
3. Overall quality of writing - which, across the board was pretty darn good :)
4. Completeness/satisfaction level of story - I realize the 350 word limit was the culprit in a lot of endings that felt a little hurried and incomplete.  There are quite a few stories here that would be fabulous at 400 words :)

So here they are.  We narrowed the 42 down to 7 (for which I think WE deserve a prize... or at least a little something for the ulcers we developed whilst agonizing :)  how about chocolate? :)).  Please read through them and then vote for your favorite in the poll below.  You will have until midnight Saturday March 23rd to cast your vote.  The winner will be announced on Monday March 25th.  And since we got so many entries, prizes will be given through 3rd place, or maybe more, depending on what goodies I have kicking around :)

Ready?

#1 Breakfast Time For A Hungry Bear

When Bear awoke from a long winter’s sleep, he poked his head outside his den; he expected spring to whack him on the nose. But all he saw was white. Snow. Everywhere.

Bear clambered out of his den. A faded sun hung high in the gloomy sky. “The woods seem to be stuck in winter,” Bear thought. 
“No smell of grasses in the air.
And it’s breakfast time for a hungry bear.”
Then Bear saw a rainbow in the distance and he plodded through the snow until he came to the rainbow’s end.

The bright rainbow colors were flowing into a swirling pool. Bear stuck his paw into the pool and raised it to the sky. He painted the faded sun yellow, and the air grew warm.

Bear placed his paw into the pool again and painted the sky and the river blue. The ice melted and the river began to flow.

Fish began jumping and orioles began singing. Bear painted them orange.

Bear dunked his paw back into the pool and painted the trees and grasses green. A flock of bunting birds flew from the trees and Bear painted them indigo.

Bear dabbed again and painted a field of red tulips and yellow daffodils.
With a dainty stroke of his paw, Bear painted yellow and violet patterns on fluttering butterfly wings.

Bear climbed a pine tree and settled on a thick branch to gaze at his colorful handiwork. A swarm of bees buzzed his nose.

“Mm, mm, mm.
I smell honey in the air.
 It’s breakfast time for a hungry bear!”

A beehive hung above Bear’s head. He stood on the branch and stretched and stretched, but he could not reach the hive. Then Bear slipped. Kerplop! He landed softly on his back among the daffodils.
Grateful to Bear for melting winter away, the bees dropped a sweet, golden piece of honeycomb into Bear's hungry mouth.

"Mm, mm, mm.

Wintertime is in the past.

Spring," sang bear, "is here at last!"


#2 Best Buds

Sam skipped across the kitchen. “Squitch! Squitch!” Froggy feet tracked muck across gleaming white tiles. “Mum! Look what I found,” she exclaimed, thrusting out her fist.
Her mother grimaced. “Samantha Ann Davis,” she screeched through gritted teeth, “see what I found, after I spent my entire morning spring cleaning.” “Boots, off! Outside with your mess!”
Cheeks flushed, shoulders slumped, Sam turned towards the door. Even the blossoms in her sweaty palm seemed to droop.
“Woah! Watch where you’re walking, kiddo,” Dad cautioned. “Don’t wanta bop you with this bat.” “Dad! Look what I found,” Sam exclaimed, thrusting out her fist.
“Cool, Sam,” Dad replied, as he rummaged for a water bottle. “See ya later. Gotta run! First team practice. Tim! Hurry up! I’ll be in the car!”
Tim sprinted past, bumping Sam’s arm. Daffodils dropped, crocuses careened, and grape hyacinths tumbled across the floor. “Sorry, sis,” he mumbled through a mouthful of Lucky Charms. “Team’s waiting!”
Sam scrambled to reassemble the bedraggled bouquet. CLOMP! CHOMP! A daffodil dangled between clenched teeth. Pumpkin quivered; her tail thumped; she eyed Sam.
“Pumpkin! No!” Sam hopped towards the hound. Off she bounded. The chase was on!
“One fewer won’t matter,” Sam sighed, tossing daffodil remains into the compost bucket. “The rest won’t last anyway, unless I set them in water.”
Sam stared at the high shelf where vases shimmered in the sunlight. She spied the stepstool on the far side of the kitchen. Could she drag it over, climb up and grab just one tiny vase?
But she could imagine glittering glass blanketing tiles, Pumpkin shrieking in pain, and Mum screaming, “Samantha Ann Davis…”
Sam collapsed on the back stoop. Sun-warmed bricks eased the chill seeping through her worn jeans and torn hoodie. Robins wrestled worms from steaming soil as chick-a-dees chattered.
Sam heard a “tap, tap, tap.” Glancing around, she spotted Mrs. Young waving from her curtained window. She was pointing a gnarled finger towards a plate of steaming cookies.
With a broad grin, Sam raced towards her neighbor. “I picked these for you!”
Sam knew, Spring was really here!


#3 What Henry Knew


Henry spotted snowdrops unfurling their leaves and bobbing their little white heads.

“Look, Pappy,” he said to his grandfather. “Spring is here!”

Pappy scratched his white-as-snowdrops head. “I don’t know, Henry,” he said. “Sniff the air; does it smell like spring yet?”

Henry took a deep breath. “I smell snowy clouds and drippy icicles,” he said.

Pappy nodded. “Me, too.”

“Not spring yet,” said Henry.

The next morning, Henry awoke to a light snow covering everything, including the brave little snowdrops that had tried to bloom yesterday.

But the sun came out and melted the snow. Henry spied some pointy crocus leaves piercing the soil.

“Look, Pappy,” he said to his grandfather. “Spring is here!”

“I don’t know, Henry,” said Pappy. “Does it smell like spring yet?”

Henry took a deep breath. “I smell frosty air and frozen ponds.”

Pappy nodded. “Me, too.”

“Still not spring yet,” said Henry.

The next morning, Henry awoke to a frosted yard and icy plants. The crocus tips sparkled like glass.

But the sun came out and thawed the frost. Henry saw the golden glint of daffodils up by the house.

“Look, Pappy,” he said to his grandfather. “Spring is here!”

“I don’t know, Henry,” said Pappy. “Does it smell like spring yet?”

Henry took a deep breath. “I smell wriggly worms and muddy grass.”

Pappy smiled. “Me, too. And look, there’s a grape hyacinth!”

Henry knew Spring was really here!


#4 Spring

Up squirmed the worms from their homes in the ground,

Inching along never making a sound.
Down plopped the ducklings in puddles to play,

Splishing and splashing on this rainy day.
Under the leaf with its dainty wings dry,

Butterfly hung looking up at the sky.
Over its web stretching fuzzy legs out,

Spider watched raindrops fall gently about.
Into their hives for the afternoon showers,

Bees dreamed of nectar in blossoming flowers.
Out of the earth waking up from the rain,

Blades of green grass were appearing again.

Raindrops and clouds disappeared without trace.

Sunshine and blue skies smiled down in their place.
Spreading her wings gently butterfly flew.

Bees dreamed no more. There was now work to do.
Spider inspected her web with most care.

Worms found their homes to have no water there.
Ducklings fluffed feathers to dry in the sun.

Another new season of spring had begun.


#5 The Sweet Smell Of Spring

Everyone was talking about SPRING, but Roxy had no idea what that meant.
She trotted to the treat cupboard. No one paid any attention. SPRING couldn’t be about food.
She dropped her rubber bone in a lap. It fell to the floor. SPRING wasn’t about fetch.
She flopped on her bed and sighed. SPRING obviously wasn’t for dogs.
Her leash jingled.
“Come, Roxy. Let’s go on a Spring walk,” said her girl.
Roxy danced through squishy grass. She barked at a bright-chested bird. And she stared longingly at a ball slapping into a boy’s gloved hand.
Which one was SPRING?
“Mmmm,” said her girl. “It smells like Spring.”
SPRING was a smell? Roxy absolutely loved smells. But there were so many.
The leftover people smell of a soggy mitten.
The earthiness of a wriggly worm.
Puddles. Leaf shoots. New grass. Rubber boots.
Which one was SPRING?
Roxy caught a whiff of something fresh. Something different. That had to be it!
She lunged for the smell. Her leash slipped free.
“Roxy, wait!”
But Roxy had to find SPRING.
She splashed through trickling water.
Quack!
A fat bird snapped. A whole line of little ones peep, peep, peeped.
Roxy sniffed, but they were not SPRING.
She scrambled up a muddy bank.
Plunk!
A small, spotty lump hop, hop hopped.
Roxy sniffed, but it was not SPRING.
The fresh, sweet smell of SPRING filled her nose. She was close.
Her girl called, “Roxy, stop!”
But Roxy couldn’t. SPRING smelled too delicious.
Her nails clicked on the sidewalk.
Ding-a-ling! Ding-a-ling! Wheels gritted to a stop.
Roxy’s nose twitched. She drooled. She shook off the mud, ready to sniff up SPRING.
“Euw!” someone said.
“Get that muddy dog away from the ice cream!” cried someone else.
PLOP!
At last! SPRING! Roxy licked as fast as she could.
Her girl snapped on her leash. “Roxy, you found the ice cream truck! Now I know Spring is really here.”


#6 Little Fox's Springs

Little Fox was almost one year old.
LIttle Fox remembered summer. He played in the sun and swam in the brook.
Little Fox remembered fall. He hid in the leaves and ran with the wind.
Little Fox remembered winter. He cuddled with his mama and tunneled in the snow.
But he didn’t remember spring. It was so long ago!
“What’s spring?” he asked his mama.
“Spring is when you were born,” said his mama.
“Hmmmm,” said Little Fox.
Little Fox tiptoed out of his den. He found Jackrabbit.
“What’s spring?” he asked Jackrabbit.
“A spring is a bounce!” said Jackrabbit. “Here, I’ll show you.” And Jackrabbit sprung around the meadow and back to Little Fox.
“Hmmmm,” said Little Fox.
Little Fox now had a spring in his step. But he still wasn’t sure how he would know when spring was here. He found Raven.
“What’s spring?” he asked Raven.
“A spring is a coil that wiggles and jiggles. Here, I’ll show you.” And Raven flew to his nest, rifled through twigs and toys and carried a spring back to Little Fox.
“Hmmmm,” said Little Fox.
Little Fox now had a spring in his step and a new toy spring in his paw. But he still wasn’t sure how he would know when spring was here. He saw Moose.
“What’s spring?” he asked Moose.
“A spring is delicious!” said Moose. “Here, I’ll show you.” And Moose trod to a small hole in the moss where clear water was bubbling. Little Fox took a drink.
“Hmmmm,” said Little Fox, licking his lips.
Little Fox now had a spring in his step and a toy spring in his paw and some fresh spring water in his tummy. But he still wasn’t sure how he would know when spring was here. He saw Deer.
“What’s spring?” he asked Deer.
But Deer couldn’t talk. She was busy with two very tiny, very spotted fawns.
Little Fox remembered what his mama had said. He was born in the spring. The fawn gave Little Fox a slobbery kiss.
Little Fox knew spring was here at last.

#7 Spring's Promise
Since Dad’s accident, Mom was at the hospital all the time.


Instead of pizza Friday night, Maya and Pearl had to eat whatever the neighbors had kindly delivered.

It had only been a week, but nothing was the same.

“I want to go outside,” Pearl complained. “Grandma promised. But she fell asleep.”

Maya forced a smile. “C’mon,” she said. She couldn’t make Dad better. She couldn’t cook dinner. But she could play with Pearl.

She flipped her collar up against the wind.

“Look!” Pearl pointed to a nest on the ground.

“It probably came down in the wind,” Maya said. “Don’t worry. It’s from last year. Most birds haven’t come north yet.”
  
She walked toward the metal pole in the middle of the yard. The bottom half of the pole to their purple martin houses. Purple martins were Dad’s favorite birds. He even talked back to them, imitating their joyful gargling sound. She helped him clean the houses each winter.

“We’ll put the houses back up on Saturday,” Dad had said last weekend. “To be ready for the scouts.” 

Then the truck rear-ended Dad’s van.

What would happen if a scout came, and the house wasn’t up?

Dad would be sad. Their yard would be quiet. And buggy. Purple martins ate a lot of mosquitoes. Maya thought of Dad again.

He wanted the houses up.

Maya could barely lift the houses. Another pole attached to the underside. She couldn’t balance it over her head to slip it onto the pole in the ground.

“Let’s go!” she told Pearl.

“I don’t want to go in,” Pearl groused.

Maya took Pearl’s hand and went next door.

Mr. Landers answered her knock. “What can I do for you?”

Maya explained the problem.

Before Mom came home, Mr. Landers had the house up.

“You shouldn’t have,” Mom said. “Everyone has done so much already.”

“Just glad to hear Don is doing better,” Mr. Landers said.

“Look!” Maya pointed to a lone bird circling overhead. “It’s a scout!” And she smiled for the first time in a week.

Maya knew Spring was here at last.


I would also like to extend Honorable Mention to the following writers:
To Vivian for Waiting For Spring - a lovely, poignant story.
To Erik for Spring Schming - what a great twist to have story told from the POV of a melting snowman :)
To Bradin for Spring And The Bear With Golden Fur - a creative story told in a wonderful fable/folk tale style
To Delores for Maddy's Spring Surprise - so perfectly kid - we could completely imagine Maddy speaking!
And to Meg for Stella's Spring - full of lovely language and imagery that made us feel spring was knocking on our door - "tweet tweedle wicka wicka wicka" :)

Again, thank you all - the writers who worked hard to entertain us with these amazing stories, the readers who took the time to read and comment on them all, and everyone who takes the time to vote.  Someone is going to have the chance to put a picture book manuscript in an editor's hands :)

I can't wait to see who the winner will be.  The suspense will be thrilling :)

Happy voting! :)

71 comments:

  1. I voted! :D Thanks for the honorable mention! Congrats to the finalists! :D

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  2. "So honored to be part of this amazing collection of Spring stories," she writes with a huge smile on her face & a spring in her step. Best of luck to all!

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  3. Thanks for your entry, Erik - it was tons of fun! And thanks for voting. I think this is going to be a tough one!

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  4. You deserve it, Patricia! Your story presented a well-rounded character and really made us feel her emotions! Great job :)

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  5. Well done to the finalists! A couple of my favorites didn't make it, but that is how it goes ...
    Voted!

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  6. I know! It's such a tough choice. There were 2 in particular I really struggled with... but c'est la vie :) Thank you for entering your clever, fun story. I hope you'll join us again for future contests!

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  7. I am delighted to be chosen as a finalist! Spring is here! Thank you for the opportunity to participate, Susanna.

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  8. To me, the best kids books are those that close with a demand issued, "Again!"


    Especially when, as an adult, I am happy to flip back to page one and comply. :D


    Thanks for hosting this contest, Susanna.

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  9. What amazing participation! The audience for your contests is gROWING! Everyone did so well. Oh I can imagine the deliberations A huge round of applause for all that participated. Well done. Voted!

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  10. I am delighted that you entered! We all loved your story :)

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  11. I agree completely, Nancy! And thank you so much for your wonderful entry - I wish we could have chosen everyone :)

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  12. Thanks for reading and voting, Pam! It was a very hard choice! But I'm thrilled at the turn-out. It's wonderful to have so many talented writers participate, and we are the beneficiaries because we get to read all those great stories!

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  13. I had so much fun reading this stories! It's snowing outside now, so it's good to be reminded that it will be Spring at some point!!!

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  14. Congrats to the final 7! I had so much fun reading them all!

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  15. This is my fourth read-through. So much talent, but I have finally made a decision!

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  16. Congratulations to all the finalists! There was so much talent in this competition. I feel honored to have been a part of it! Good job everyone!

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  17. Congrats to the 'Magnificent Seven'! (who remembers the original with Yul Brenner, Steve McQueen, James Coburn?) :) And I appreciate the honorable mention...I had so much fun reading each of the entries...what a super turn-out, Susanna!

    It was definitely a hard choice...each one would make a perfect picture book...but I did vote. :)

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  18. delores @ thefeatherednestMarch 20, 2013 at 1:46 PM

    Okay, I voted. Congratulations to al lthe finalists and thanks so much for the honourable mention.

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  19. I voted! Here's hoping the weather will get a clue from this lovely contest and be spring already. :)

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  20. GAHHH! I commented via iphone this morning and it's gone. :P

    And I can't remember what I said besides:

    It's so hard to choose with all those nice stories! I'm not voting for myself (which would have made it easy...LOL!), but I'll stop whining now and pick. [and I did already]

    Thank you, again, Susanna, for offering a super fun contest and great prizes! I had a great time reading everyone's entry, and wish we could all win. :)

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  21. What a wonderful contest, Susanne. The beautiful stories conjured up so many beautiful spring images! They were all so great! And I'm honored and excited to be one of the finalists. Thanks again, Susanne! And everyone who entered!

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  22. Tough, tough choice, but I made a decision this afternoon and voted. I enjoyed your stories the second and third readings as much as the first! Congrats to all of you and to the honorable mentions. I particularly have to congratulate Erik, who continues to amaze me with his creativity and talent. You're going places, Kid!!
    Susanna, thanks so much for hosting this awesome contest. I always enjoy reading the entries!

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  23. well said Heather! loved your story :)

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  24. congratulations Wendy!!!!

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  25. Whew! Tough call, for sure! I managed to vote, but it was no easy feat!

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  26. Congratulations everyone! It was such fun! thank you, Susanna ;)

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  27. So many lovely images! Congratulations to all the finalists.

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  28. I missed the first round, so these are all new to me -- and completely anonymous! I really enjoyed reading all the stories, especially appropriate for today. Each one was strong and it was sooo hard to pick. Thanks to all the writers for putting in the hard work and coming up with these wonderful entries!

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  29. Congrats to all the finalists! It was a hard decision but I made it! Good luck!

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  30. It's so great to read all of these different interpretations of spring! I'm thrilled to be chosen as a finalist - it must have been such a hard decision. Good luck to everyone!

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  31. We were glad to make you a finalist, Andrea :) We all loved your story! Thanks for entering :)

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  32. Thanks for voting, Lori, and thanks for a terrific entry!

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  33. Congratulations to all the finalists and those who received honorable mention. A lot of great entries and a lot of new faces! I voted early this morning, using another browser.

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  34. Thanks for coming by to read and vote, Carrie! I'm sorry we didn't get an entry from you due to March Madness! It was an incredibly hard decision, narrowing down from all the fantastic entries, and it will be worth your time if you want to go back through and read some of the others!

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  35. Thanks for voting, Pat, and thanks for your wonderful entry. I really loved The Red Kite. I wish everyone could win!

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  36. Congratulations to you too, Lauri, for a delightfully boy-friendly entry! And it was fun getting to share the finalists on the first day of spring :)

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  37. Congratulations to you, too, Denise for a wonderful story! I'm sorry we couldn't choose everyone!

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  38. Thanks so much for reading and voting, Genevieve! It was a super tough choice, and we need all the votes we can get! :)

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  39. Yes, congrats to everyone! Lots of hard work and creativity went into these. I'm on vacation, but I'm slowly getting around to responding to everyone's blog posts. Susanna, you DO have the most difficult job!

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  40. Thank you so much for entering the contests, Penny - I always love your entries! And I'm with you about Erik - he IS going places! That was a clever twist! Thanks for making a choice and voting - I know it was hard!

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  41. I hope you enjoy reading the rest of the entries as much as I enjoyed your story, Jarm. It is a very hard job choosing - one that involves a lot of second-guessing! - but it wouldn't be so hard if the entries weren't all so good! Enjoy your vacation and happy first day of spring! :)

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  42. We all loved the images conjured up by your story, Jill! Thank you so much for submitting a wonderful entry!

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  43. Congratulations on a great story, Teresa! And I'm with you - I so enjoyed reading ALL the stories, but I hated having to choose just 7 for the finals! I'm already looking forward to the next contest :)



























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  44. Thanks so much for reading and voting, Coleen! And evidently someone didn't get the memo because IT IS SPRING!!! only here it's 20 degrees with snow all over and wind like a knife! Yoo-hoo! Spri-ing! We're over here...!

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  45. Thanks so much for voting, Delores, and for your wonderful entry which we all loved. I wish everyone could win, I really do!

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  46. Thanks for voting, Vivian, and congratulations on a wonderful story with some really beautiful language and a heartfelt message. It was a tough choice all around!

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  47. Thank you so much for participating, Heather! We so enjoyed your entry!

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  48. I know! The choice is wrenching! Thank you for reading and voting with such thoughtfulness, Joanna, and thank you for a wonderful entry which we all thoroughly enjoyed!

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  49. Thanks for reading and voting, Elaine! I'm so glad you enjoyed the stories! I hope we'll get one form you in the next contest! :)

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  50. That's a tough choice. I voted. And, really need to visit more of the entries. Happy spring!

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  51. Congrats to the finalists and honorable mentions! It was almost impossible to choose. I had to sleep on it, re-read and vote- though I am still second-guessing my choice a bit. Great job everyone!

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  52. Thanks so much, Theresa! We need all the votes we can get! And when are you going to try your hand at one of these? You write so well! I'm always so impressed by the poetry you post!

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  53. Thanks so much for your careful consideration and vote, Iza! I know it was tough. And i know about that second guessing... there were so many great, deserving entries!

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  54. Thanks for voting, Stacy, and for the happy spring wishes - to you too! :) I hope you enjoy reading the other entries - there were so many good ones!!!

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  55. Now I know spring is here! All these great stories make spring definite. Congratulations to the finalists and for everyone who participated. It was wonderful fun reading through the stories and the vote was hard. :)

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  56. I just want to take a moment to lobby for #5. That writer sure knows how to get inside a dog's head. Well done, whoever you are!

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  57. Congrats to the finalists! These were all great reads, everyone, but a vote had to be cast, and so I cast it. :)

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  58. Thanks for lobbying, voting and commenting, Mike - so glad you finally can!!

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  59. Thanks for reading and voting, Renee! :)

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  60. Thanks for reading and voting, Clar! And I hope you'll be able to join in for the next one - we missed you :)

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  61. There certainly were a lot of good ones, Wendy :) And... sigh... it's snowing here too!

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  62. POSTED FOR TRACY at www.tracycampbell.net/blog

    I read all of the entries. It's no wonder you and your secret judges had a difficult time.

    Well, I've voted. It was tough.

    And congratulations to everyone who participated.

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  63. What wonderful stories! Tough decision!! Thank you Susanna for the honorable mention, I'm honored! :)

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  64. OK, I'm really out of it...just came back and voted again because I couldn't remember if I voted the first time. And I have no idea if I voted the same way because they're all so good, I can't remember which one I finally chose the first time! Anyway, Susanna hopefully your system has a way of catching this. :-)

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  65. Well, Carrie, as you might expect from someone who is as fond of dessert as I am, my computer operates on a cookie system :) Supposedly it won't let you vote twice... but if you fooled it by using a different computer you might have gotten away with it :) Thanks so much for reading and voting and caring enough to come back just in case :)

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  66. Thanks for reading and voting, Meg! And we really loved the language in your story :)

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