A Plethora Of Pitch Picks!

HI!

I'm so glad to see you! :)

This extra Monday post gives me a whole 'nother day to hang out with you!

(And a Monday post reminds me (just come along on the stream-of-consciousness train of thought here) that it's been ages since we did Oh Susanna!  So if anyone - writer, teacher, parent - has a question of any kind about reading, writing, submitting, picture books, etc... - feel free to email it to me using the handy Email Me button or susanna[at]susannahill[dot]com and put Oh Susanna in the subject line.  Your picture book questions answered!  I'd love to run Oh Susanna! again, at least occasionally :))

But today is all about Pitch Picks!  So many!  In appreciation of your hard work and dedication, I will supply Something Chocolate - extra Something Chocolates! Triple Something Chocolates! - for each Pitch Pick!

Ready?

Here we go!  (And please remember I'm in the process of switching to my new website and blog, hoping to encourage you all to migrate over to my cozy, pretty new hangout at wordpress (not that I'm at all biased :)), so if you haven't visited yet, please do! - Website and Blog - and follow over there so we won't miss each other when I stop posting here!)

The September Pitch Pick... with this delicious, delectable, Triple Chocolate Cheesecake with Oreo Crust... YUM!!!

Triple Chocolate Cheesecake with Oreo Crust
Recipe HERE at OMG Chocolate Desserts
http://omgchocolatedesserts.com/triple-chocolate-cheesecake-oreo-crust/

#1 Lizette - Moms (PB ages 1.5 - 3)

This book is an illustrated story about mothers. It demonstrates that mothers from all over the world love and care for their children no matter what walk of life they come from. It is very reflective of Canada's multicultural community and celebrates diversity. It is a simple story where the only text is the word " Mom" "Mother or "Mommy " in various languages. The illustrations will represent the feelings and interactions that occur daily between a mother and her children.  Pictures can capture emotions and can be understood by all and make for an open ended reading experience.

#2 Maria - Firefighters' Busy Day (PB ages 2-6)

Firefighters are busy! They have many tasks to do each day including “washing, waxing shining the truck, cleaning the gear, getting rid of the muck.”

Many don’t realize that firefighters do much more than just put water on fires. In Firefighters’ Busy Day, they can see the jobs firefighters do before, during, and after a fire call. Through the use of movement written into the text, they can even help firefighters get their jobs done.

Young children can pretend to be busy firefighters too, by trying some of the exciting fire safety activities included such as a fire truck parade or having firefighter-themed meal. The activities included are sure to turn everyday learning into firefighter fun.

#3 Diana - Wait For Cate (PB ages 4-8)

Cate has made a promise to her school friends to be on time for the big kickball game at recess. And they need her! When Cate encounters the new girl stuck in the sand in her wheelchair, Cate needs to make a decision. Should she keep her promise to her kickball team or help a new friend out of a “sticky” situation? 

#4 Zainab - Dear Cat (PB ages 4-8)

Persistent Bird keeps bugging Cat with his letters to be his friend.  Cat snubs Bird...until it's snack time. Cat is ready for a tasty meal except Bird has his own devious plan in mind for this "clever" cat. 

Please read and consider Lizette, Maria, Diana, and Zainab's pitches and choose the one you think is best and deserves a read by editor Erin Molta, and vote for it in the poll below by Tuesday January 12 at 7 PM EDT.

Poll

Aaaaand...  a little more Something Chocolate to keep your strength up... Triple Chocolate Poke Cake (bonus points to anyone who can tell me what a poke cake is! :))

Triple Chocolate Poke Cake
Recipe HERE at Beyond Frosting
http://beyondfrosting.com/2013/12/08/triple-chocolate-poke-cake/

The October Pitch Pick

#5 Kirk - My Next Door Neighbor Is A Dragon Princess (MG)

I didn’t care much for Maddie Buckner. At two, she bit my ear. At four she pushed me off a slide. At 8, she broke my favorite model airplane that took five months to build. At 10, she kissed me – on the lips! – under the Big Toy in the playground and told me she loved me. At 11, she spit in my face and said she hated me. Then she asked Parker Williams to the sock hop. Parker Williams! Oh, how I despised her. But then she had to go and save my life. That’s when I discovered her secret.

#6 Lisa - Kitten Ciao (PB ages 4-7)

Kitten Ciao is fed up with Mama’s cooking, so he consults his food lover’s map and dashes off to Europe.  It all seems so right, but everything goes wrong.  The rain in Paris turns his crepes to goo, his English pudding is filled with (gasp!) raisins, the sauerkraut at Oktoberfest is, well, he’s not sure what it is, and there’s no chocolate dip for his Spanish churros.  Most tragically, he accidentally bites his tongue while eating pasta in Rome.  Kitten Ciao swiftly learns there is no place like home – and a grilled cheese sandwich.

#7 Patricia - Aunt Elvira and the Watermelon Seed (PB ages 4-7)

A visit from Great-Aunt Elvira happens once in a lifetime.  But why must it be during Clarissa's lifetime? Her prim and proper twin, Marissa, is sure to shine. With her slurps, burps and spitting skills, Clarissa can’t imagine how to shine, let alone survive dinner, even with watermelon on the menu.

Please read and consider Kirk, Lisa, and Patricia's pitches and vote for the one you think is best and deserves a read by editor Erin Molta in the poll below by Tuesday January 12 at 7 PM EDT.

Poll

And now, last one!  You're doing great!  And here's a little more Something Chocolate to keep you going!  Triple Chocolate Mousse Cake... sorry if you're drooling on your keyboard... I take full responsibility :)

Triple Chocolate Mousse Cake
Recipe HERE at OMG Chocolate Desserts
http://omgchocolatedesserts.com/triple-chocolate-mousse-cake-by-vera/

The November Pitch Pick

#8 Jessica - Showdown At The Sippy Cup Saloon (PB ages 4-8)

In the tiny town of Toddle, in the cradle of the West, Sheriff Wyatt Burp is snoozing in his crib when Wild Bill Hiccup arrives to wake up -- and shake up -- the pint-size population.  "Don't go gettin' yer onesie in a twist," Wild Bill warns Wyatt, but tempers flare until the two go bib to bib in a showdown at the Sippy Cup Saloon. Who will emerge the rootin' tootin' squirt gun shootin' hero of the West? 

#9 Sandy - Caterwauling Cats (PB ages 4-8)

Jack and Dave miss their happy home where they take cushy naps and eat Kitty Cat Comfort Cozies. After several attempts to escape overdressing and mud pie feeding from Esther, they learn to yowl like monsters under her bed. Esther exits and the kitties have their own room for napping and noshing. 

#10 Christie - The Naked Goose (PB ages 3-7)

When Honk flies south, he meets a few oddly dressed geese and tries to follow suit. However, he does not realize they are lawn ornaments. After an awkward inquiry, followed by several disastrous outfits, Honk discovers he is happier the way he came - naked. 

#11 Jen - Ernie's Toothfake (PB ages 4-8)

Ernie Blossomfoss rushes home to get his first lost tooth under his pillow, but when he trips he watches it go sailing into the playground woodchips.  Convinced the tooth fairy won’t come unless she has a tooth to collect, Ernie hatches a plan to leave the perfect counterfeit.  When the clever fairy doesn’t fall for it, Ernie ups the ante until he finally discovers that being honest is more valuable than a crisp dollar bill.  

Please read and consider Jessica, Sandy, Christie, and Jen's pitches and vote for the one you think is best and deserves a read by editor Erin Molta in the poll below by Tuesday January 12 at 7 PM EDT.

Poll

Phew!  I know!  That was a lot of pitch reading and picking!  You are all the absolute best, and that is why I and everyone who submits a pitch love you so much.  Know that you have done a good deed for the day and that the universe will return that goodness to you in multiples!

And now, this extra poll-laden post wouldn't be complete without me telling you the results of last week's poll on the subject of an extra writing contest in February....

The response was overwhelmingly in favor of a contest!

So I guess I'll be seeing what I can put together for you all! :)

Ooh!  This is exciting!

Stay tuned!  I'll get the contest guidelines up as soon as I think of them... and keep your fingers crossed that I can rummage up some good prizes for you on short notice!!!

Have a marvelous Monday, everyone, and thanks again for all your help with the pitches!  We couldn't do it without you! 

Would You Read It Wednesday #115 - Tomboy Rules: Blossoms Are Always Prepared (MG) PLUS The November Pitch Pick

So, how's everyone coming with their Holiday Contest entry?

Good?

Everybody working?

You'll be completely unsurprised to discover that I have not even started my sample entry.

That is because I still have 5 full days.

OMG!  I only have 5 days!

Panic!

Panic!

Quick!  This calls for something calming!

Something Chocolate!!!

Oh, look!  We have Scotheroos, prepared by the lovely and talented Tina!

Scotcheroo courtesy of Tina Cho used with permission

According to Tina, the top is chocolate and butterscotch melted together... YUM...  The bottom is rice krispie, peanut butter and light corn syrup.  Doesn't that sound delicious???  Please, help yourselves.  It's important to maintain a steady caloric intake during cold weather to prevent frostbite :)

Ah.  I feel much calmer now.  Just let's all take care not to remind me how I'm running out of time to write you-know-what for the you-know-what :)  And you guys have almost 5 more days than I do, so you're all in good shape :)

Okay.  Time to get down to brass tacks.  First off, the November Pitch Pick.

Here are the 4 pitches, revised in response to your very helpful feedback (for which everyone was so grateful!)

#1 Steve
Rashad Saves The World (PB ages 5-8)
Rashad is tired of being the youngest and the least important member of his family. When he learns at school that he can save the world, he leaps straight into action and straight into trouble with his family as cell phones disappear down toilets and ice cream turns into soup. And when he accidentally demolishes the garden of his fearsome next door neighbour, his career as a Super Hero seems to have come to an abrupt end. Will he still be able to save the world? Perhaps he already has …

#2 Koren
Diary Of A Heroic Horse: Molly Gives Faith Hope (PB ages 6-13)

Two very special ponies are rescued in this heroic story of overcoming the odds to survive. Faith was stabled in Spain, where her former owners barely had a kind word for her, much less food. Molly was a casualty of Hurricane Katrina, the storm that devastated an entire American city.

Both left terribly injured, Faith and Molly were gifted back their freedom after becoming the first ponies in the world to be fitted with prosthetic legs, thanks to the determination of their rescuers.

Saving these two little horses brought together two families across the Atlantic to form a lasting friendship and a bond that can never be broken.

Share in the incredible story of Faith’s rescue and recovery, and her treasured friendship with Molly, in this diary-style picture book packed full of beautiful photographs.

All funds raised from the sale of this book are shared equally between the two charities that continue to care for Faith and Molly – Easy Horse Care Rescue Centre Foundation (in Spain) and Kids and Ponies - Molly's Foundation (in America). Thank you for your support.

#3 Mary
Polka Dot Sue (PB ages 3-6)

Polka Dot Sue is the story of a young girl with polka dot hair, who takes great pride in who she is and conveys this pride with her enjoyment of clothing herself handsomely each day. The story gives a child the sense of self acceptance and pride to show others that a deep sense of self-empowerment come from believing in one self despite obstacles.  With  the color-emotion awareness, another sense of expressiveness, it encourages the young reader to understand more about feelings with color and self-expression.  Also with the encasement the days of the week the story gives the young reader an opportunity of for more fundamental growth.

#4 Lyla
The Good Morning Book (PB ages 0-4)
“Good morning world, now it’s day. Time for the sun to come out and play!” Jackson talks him mom into playing the Good Morning Game before brushing his teeth... “Good morning eyes, ears, nose and mouth. Good morning north, east, west and south.” Join these two on their morning adventure from Jackson’s bed as they visit all the animals, creatures in the sea, plants and trees, birds and bees... just to say… Good Morning.

Please choose the pitch you think is best and most deserves a read by editor Erin Molta and vote for it below by Sunday December 8 at 5 PM EST.

Many thanks!

Now then, today's pitch comes to us from Beth who says, "I'm a former first grade teacher turned human development specialist (a.k.a full-time mom). In the early morning and during nap times, I work on humorous picture books and a middle grade novel (with series potential) about a tomboy. I also enjoy making up new words, blogging about the craft, and ending an occasional sentence, like any true Pittsburgher, with a preposition."

Here is her pitch:

Working Title: Tomboy Rules: Blossoms Are Always Prepared
Age/Genre: Middle Grade (Realistic Fiction)
The Pitch: Mabel is so close to playing baseball she can almost see her spitting distance improving. Mom says all she has to do is stay in the Blossoms troop. But that isn’t easy. She turns a dosido into dominoes. She clobbers the troop leader saving a spider. Then she eats the entire cookie sale stash. Three strikes and she’s out, but that won’t stop Mabel. She sneaks to the Blossoms campsite and finds the Blossoms in a stinky situation only her tomboy talents can solve.

So what do you think?  Would You Read It?  YES, MAYBE or NO?

If your answer is YES, please feel free to tell us what you particularly liked and why the pitch piqued your interest.  If your answer is MAYBE or NO, please feel free to tell us what you think could be better in the spirit of helping Beth improve her pitch.  Helpful examples of possible alternate wordings are welcome.  (However, I must ask that comments be constructive and respectful.  I reserve the right not to publish comments that are mean because that is not what this is about.)

Please send YOUR pitches for the coming weeks!  For rules and where to submit, click on this link Would You Read It or on the Would You Read It tab in the bar above.  There are openings in February so you've got a little time to polish up your pitches and send yours for your chance to be read by editor Erin Molta!

Beth is looking forward to your thoughts on her pitch!  I am looking forward to being done with my dentist appointment, which I am probably suffering through right now whilst you are reading this post!  Whose idea was the dentist anyway?  Really, why would anyone what to BE a dentist?!  Ah well, I guess we can't ALL be writers :)

Have a wonderful Wednesday everyone!  Happy writing :)