The 2nd Annual Holiday Contest!!!

I can barely contain my excitement because IT'S HERE!!!

The 2nd Annual Holiday Contest!!!

I look forward to these contests so much, because everyone who enters is so creative and writes such terrific stories that it's like Christmas morning - or maybe like each new day of Hanukkah - clicking over to new entries as they go up, full of anticipation for another entertaining read!  I literally cannot wait!  (It occurs to me that I sound like a five year old :))

For those who are just arriving on the scene and might want to take a crack at it, here are the rules:

The Contest:  Write a children's holiday story beginning with any version of "Dashing through the snow in a one horse open sleigh."  You may use that actual opening, or you may change it to any similar version "[Verb of your choice]ing through the [any substance you choose] in a [conveyance of any kind]."  For example, "Dashing through the sand in a two-wheeled donkey cart" or "Sloshing through the swamp in a green and white canoe" or "Flying through the air in a striped hot air balloon..."  You get the idea, I'm sure :)  But "Dashing through the snow in a one horse open sleigh" is completely acceptable too - whatever works for you :)  Your story may be poetry or prose, silly or serious or sweet,  religious or not, based on Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa or whatever you celebrate, but is not to exceed 350 words (because I have to read them all in the week before Christmas! :))

Post:  Your entry should be posted on your blog any time between today and Wednesday December 19 at 11:59 PM EST, and your post-specific link should be added to the link list below which will remain up through Wednesday December 19 (there will be no new post on Monday December 17 to get in the way :)).  If you don't have a blog but would like to enter, please copy and paste your entry into the comments below.  (If anyone has trouble commenting, which unfortunately happens, please email me and I'll post your entry for you!)

The Judge:  My lovely assistant and I will narrow down the entrants to seven (or possibly a couple more :)) finalists which will be posted here on Friday December 21 (no PPBF that day) for you to vote on for a winner.  The vote will be closed on Christmas Eve and the winner(s) will be announced on Wednesday December 26.  Whoever gets the most votes will be first and so on down to fifth place.

The Prizes!:  When I said the prizes were fantastic, I wasn't kidding.  In the spirit of the holidays, winners will be named for 1st - 5th place, and will each receive a picture book manuscript critique AND a $20 Amazon gift card to spend on the reading material of your choice AND the incredible fame of being able to say you won (or placed in) the Pretty Much World Famous 2nd Annual Holiday Contest!  The critiques have been generously donated by the following fabulous children's authors (in alphabetical order by first name :)):

Alison Hertz: author and illustrator of FLAP! (Magic Dreams Publishing, November 2012)

Amy Dixon: author of MARATHON MOUSE (Sky Pony Press, October 2012)

Corey Rosen Schwartz: author of Hop! Plop! (Walker Children's Books, April 2006), THE THREE NINJA PIGS (Putnam Juvenile, September 2012), and the forthcoming GOLDIROCKS AND THE THREE BEARS and NINJA RED (both coming from Putnam).  Corey also writes the Meter Maids blog with Tiffany (below).

Sarah Frances Hardy: author and illustrator of PUZZLED BY PINK (Viking Juvenile, April 2012)

Tiffany Strelitz Haber: author of THE MONSTER WHO LOST HIS MEAN (Henry Holt, July 2012).  Tiffany also writes the Meter Maids blog with Corey (above).

So!  With prizes like that on offer are you...

...Ready, set, GO!

Here is my pathetic and clearly hurriedly composed sample :)  It requires that you sing it to the tune, and even then there are a couple places where I may have taken some liberties with the meter :)  The good thing is, I'm sure everyone else's is way better than this, so you can all take comfort in knowing that and feel brave about posting your entries! :)

Christmas Eve Travel Trouble

(341 words)

Flying through the air in a sleigh pulled by eight deer
Santa and his elves were filled with Christmas cheer
When suddenly the sleigh gave an unexpected pitch
"Look out!" warned Comet from the front, "we're heading for that ditch!"

OH....

Lying in the snow, presents scattered everywhere
The reindeer tangled up, the sleigh needing repair,
Santa's Right-Hand Elf said, "This will never do!
We're only halfway 'round the world and it's quarter to two!"

OH...

Cleaning up the mess, Santa said "I've got a plan!
If our sleigh won't fly, we'll use this gift for Dan.
Help me load the pack.  Everybody climb on quick!"
Soon they were bouncing on their way aboard a pogo stick!

OH...

Hopping through the snow, they got to France's shore
But then old Santa gasped, "I can't jump any more!
Let's find a better way.  There've got to be a few."
His Right-Hand Elf said, "How 'bout this?  A bicycle-built-for-two!"

OH...

Cycling through the drifts, they reached Saskatchewan
Then Santa said, "That's it.  I simply can't go on.
What else is in the pack?  We need a better choice."
They took a look and settled on the gift for Jen and Joyce.

OH...

Rowing through the snow, in a fiberglass canoe
Their arms soon tired out.  They switched to something new.
But traveling by kite, it's very hard to steer!
When heading for the USA they landed in Zaire.


Flailing 'cross the ice in a plastic wading pool...

Sailing o'er the plains in a LEGO pirate ship...

Riding through the hills on a wooden rocking horse...

Santa sighed.  "I miss my sleigh.  There's got to be a better way!"


They reached the final stop at three minutes 'til dawn
"We made it!" Santa said, with a gigantic yawn.
Just then the sleigh caught up, hitched to the flying eight.
Comet said, "I fixed the sleigh.  Why didn't you just wait?"

OH!
Jingle bells
Santa's swell
He will find a way
To get the toys to girls and boys
In time for Christmas Day!

Happy Holidays Everyone!
Please remember to check the comments for entries!  There are stories there from Linda, Yvonne, Jill, Marci, RJ, and 2 different entries from Bara (also one from Deborah, but hers is on the link list now)!

Perfect Picture Book Friday - Lala Salama - Celebrating Universal Children's Day

Today is a special Perfect Picture Book Friday.

At the suggestion of Pat at Children's Books Heal and Vivian at Positive Parental Participation, since today is the anniversary of the date in 1954 that the UN General Assembly recommended there should be a Universal Children's Day, we are doing our part to raise awareness of the plight of children around the globe and to promote the welfare of children in the world by posting books which focus on multicultural/multiracial issues, human rights, and/or children who have helped to change the world in some way.  (The actual date of Universal Children's Day is November 20 - we are celebrating the day it came into being!)

I quickly discovered that the books that leapt instantly to mind in this category (Beatrice's Goat, One Hen, etc...) have already been expertly reviewed by others for previous PPBFs.  So I chose a book for younger readers that shows a way of life very different from my own.  I hope you like it as much as I do.

Lala Salama: A Tanzanian Lullaby
Written By: Patricia MacLachlan
Illustrated By: Elizabeth Zunon
Candlewick Press, November 2011, Fiction

Suitable For: ages 3-7

Themes/Topics: day-in-the-life, bedtime, lullaby, multicultural

Opening: "Long ago, this morning, the sun rose above our house, spilling light over the hills of the Congo and the lake with the beautiful name, Tanganyika, like a song.  Lala salama, little one."

Brief Synopsis: (From the jacket) The rhythm of the Tanzanian day inspires the melody of the evening's lullaby in this sweet song of family life.

Links To Resources: It's important for children to learn about the world they live in, and understand that not everyone lives the same life they do.  This book offers a wonderful opportunity for children to explore how things in their life compare to things in this book - ask, how are your clothes alike or different from the baby's clothes?  Does your home look like the homes in the book?  How is it the same or different?  Do you take a bath the same way the baby does?  The baby's father works on a fishing boat - what does your father do?  The baby's mother carries him in a sling on her back - how are babies carried where you live, or are they put in strollers or swings?  This baby has monkeys and zebras nearby - what animals live near you?  The story offers a great opportunity to talk about how life is the same everywhere on some levels, and yet very different on others.

Why I Like This Book:  The language in this book is rhythmic, soothing and beautiful - just like a lullaby.  The story takes readers through a day in the life of a family on the shore of Lake Tanganyika in Tanzania.  The gorgeous illustrations give a glimpse of what the scenery is like, how people dress, where they live, what they do.  The story is not long - easily short enough for a very young child, but offers an idea of what life is like in another part of the world, perhaps very different from what the reader has experienced.  This is a beautiful book, perfect for bedtime!

For the complete list of books with resources, please visit Perfect Picture Books.

PPBF bloggers, please leave your post-specific links in the list below.  I'm really looking forward to reading everyone's choices for Universal Children's Day!

Have a great weekend, everyone!

"WHAT!" I heard you gasp.  That's it?

I realize this may be my shortest post ever, but seriously, you have not been in my house this week where life has been a three-ring circus :)  Plus I just realized that somebody had the bright idea of posting the Holiday Contest on Saturday the 15th which is - you got it! -  TOMORROW!  (I don't know who is in charge around here, but apparently she has horsefeathers for brains!)  Honestly, it's going to be pretty much of a miracle if my sample entry is ready by then, because let's face it that's in like 12 hours! so I might be posting the official post and putting up the list and then adding in my sample entry Sunday or Monday :)  Just warning you :))  But I totally can't wait to read everyone's entries!  I hope there are some :)  OK.  Really.  Happy weekend! :)

Would You Read It Wednesday #69 - Oyster And Pearl (PB) And Something Special :)

Would You Read It is here.  I promise :)  And anyone who wants to can skip the special first part of this post and scroll right down to the pitch, which is pretty close to the bottom.  But for those of you who are up for a little insanity fun... :)

Once upon a time, I had a hairbrained scheme to send Phyllis on a World Tour.  During the tour, it came up somewhere along the line that the treasure hunt in April Fool, Phyllis! was based on the birthday hunts my dad used to make for us when we were kids, which I now do with my kids.  A dear friend of mine, who welcomed Phyllis into her Saskatchewan home during the tour, remarked that a birthday hunt sounded like fun, and she'd really like to give it a try sometime.

Beth Stilborn is a pillar of our writing community.  She writes a wonderful blog about writing and the arts, with a special love of theatre.  She, along with Emma Walton Hamilton, established The Children's Book Hub Face Book page.  She is incredibly supportive to all of us in the writing community, and she is always up for a hairbrained scheme :)  And she's a nice person :) and kind to groundhogs :)

So, Beth, Happy Birthday from me, and Phyllis, and a whole bunch of your blogging family.  Here is your birthday hunt :)  It's not quite the way my dad did it, but hopefully it will work and be fun.  And of course, anyone else who likes solving puzzles is welcome to play along!  It's not too hard because it is a bit long (12 clues because your birthday is 12/12 :)) but should you have any difficulty, there are hints :)  Many hints can be found right here on my blog too, in the side bars or recent posts.

Instructions:
Solve each clue in order.  When you have cracked the code and figured out what the clue says, do what it tells you.  When you get there, you will find a word in colorful bold-face font.  Write it down!  Then come back here for the next clue.  Eventually all the words will make a message and lead you to your present :)  If you need a hint, click the HINT button :)

#1

ashowy omet whowt swithe ipositivet aparentall oparticipationg

egor etherel

HINT #1

#2

LEVI   GSV   ML   DZGVI   IREVI  ZMW   GSILFTS

GSV   DLLWH  GL   IVMVV'H   YOLT  DV   TL!

HINT #2

#3

HINT #3

#4

Go there!

HINT #4

#5

1-18-20-9-19-20,  23-18-9-20-5-18,  23-9-6-5,  1-14-4

8-15-13-5-19-3-8-15-15-12-9-14-7  13-15-13  12-9-22-9-14-7

9-14  20-8-5  23-15-15-4-19  15-6  13-1-9-14-5  -  19-20-15-16

9-14  6-15-18  1  22-9-19-9-20!

HINT #5

#6

A3 C4 C2 A5     B3 A1 E3 A5     D3 C4 C2 A5     B1 D5 C3     A1 D4

D4 B3 A5     B3 A1 A2 B4 D4 D5 A1 C1     D2 B3 E4 C2 A5 D2 ' D3

HINT #6

#7

...-   ..   ...   ..   -

-   ....   .

-   .-   .-..   .   -.   -   .   -..

.-   .-.   -   ..   ...   -

.--   ....   ---

-.-.   .-.   .   .-   -   .   -..

-   ....   .

.--.   .   .-.   ..-.   .   -.-.   .

.--.   ..   -.-.   .   ..-   .-.   .

-...   ---   ---   -.-

.-..   ---   --.   ---

HINT #7

#8

golf oscar foxtrot india november delta alpha papa lima alpha charlie echo whiskey hotel echo romeo echo charlie hotel india lima delta romeo echo november' sierra bravo oscar oscar kilo sierra hotel echo alpha lima

HINT #8

#9

Cubomube crubeubatube cuburubiuboubus wubith Kubirstuben!

HINT #9

#10 (apologies, I ran out of secret codes and time so I'm reusing one! but no hint since you've already done it :))

HLNV  KVLKOV  ZIV  ZIXSRGVXGH,

VMTRMVVIH,  XLLPH

YFG  GSRH  LMV  RH  HKVXRZO -

GSRH  PRW  IVERVBH   YLLPH!

TL  KZB  SRN  Z  ERHRG!

(I told you - no HINT :))

#11

g s jl rwn zch wh wrts llstrts nd rds chldrn's bks

HINT #11

#12

HINT #12

PHEW!  I hope Beth (and at least a few others) made it this far before next week :) and I hope everything worked as it was supposed to and there weren't too many glitches and/or mistakes.  Any complaints about execution may be directed to the management, who will probably refer you to the resident Seer Of Seers, Prognosticator Of Prognosticators, Weather Prophet Extraordinaire :)  (because she's cute and furry and hard to stay annoyed at :))

(Side note: this hunt will only work properly (assuming it ever does :)) on 12/12/12.  After that, when you follow the clue directions, you will have to scroll back to the bloggers' 12/12/12 post.)

Now, back to our regularly scheduled programming :)  Would You Read It!

The winner of the first ever tied pitch pick is:  LARISSA!!!

That was quite a hard-won win - congratulations!  Your pitch is on its way to editor Erin Molta for a read and comments!  And congratulations to everyone who wrote wonderful pitches and then made them even better.  You are all winners as far as I'm concerned :)

Now then, the runner up of the first ever tied pitch pick, has a new pitch!

Kim is "Mama" to a wonderful 8-year-old with multiple nicknames, wife of a genius, and has switched careers numerous times in her short (ha!) life. She has been passionate about picture books since her first encounter with Dr. Seuss, though it has taken her decades (don't ask) to realize that writing them is something that she can probably do for the rest of her life.  She writes a wonderful blog over at Kid Lit Dish and is a regular participant in PPBF.  She would love it if you'd like to follow her on Twitter or like her on Face Book!

Here is her new pitch:

Working Title: Oyster And Pearl
Age/Genre: Picture Book (ages 4-8)
The Pitch: Pearl is a tiny grain of sand that lives in the bottom of the ocean.  She feels insignificant in her world and both envious AND enamored of the star in the sky that she can see above her at night.  As she sets her sights on joining the star, she encounters many challenges... until finally, one night, she meets Oyster, who helps her become a star of her own.

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 Kim 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 January, so you have time to polish :) for a chance for it to be read by editor Erin Molta!

Kim is looking forward to your thoughts on her pitch!  And I am looking forward to seeing whether Beth can solve her birthday hunt and whether anyone else takes a crack at it!  If you solve it, let me know :)

Have a terrific day, everyone!  And happy birthday dear Beth, happy birthday to you :)

Beating The Odds: Guest Post From Author/Illustrator Alison K. Hertz AND A Giveaway!

Today I'm delighted to share a guest post from author/illustrator Alison Hertz, whose debut picture book FLAP! was released from Magic Dreams Publishing in November!

One quick thing first: seriously, you guys have to remind me when I space things out!  I forgot to mention in Friday's post that the winners of my blogiversary giveaway, who shall receive a 5 pack of Tracy Campbell's gorgeous hand-crafted greeting cards, are Rhythm (who is technically a dog, but I'm pretty sure s/he's got a mom who will enjoy the cards :)) and Laura Anne Miller!!!  Laura, it's entirely possible I have your address from sending the Perfect Picture Book bookmarks, but Rhythm, I'm going to need yours, so please email me when you get a chance!  (Handy Email Me button in right side bar or you can do it the old-fashioned way and type in susanna[at]susannahill[dot]com.)  Congratulations to the winners, and thank you ALL for being such wonderful involved participants in my blog - you guys are what make it all such fun :)

Oh wait!  One more quick thing.  For the first time in WYRI history, we had a tie for the November Pitch Pick!  Kim and Larissa scored the same number of votes!  I can really only send one pitch per month to Erin, so I'm going to have to ask you all to vote again and choose between these two talented writers!


#1 Kim
How The Bull Lost His Feathers - PB - ages 4-8
Long, long ago in a faraway land, bulls actually had feathers.  And they were big, colorful peacock-like feathers at that!  Discover how one very stubborn yet lovable bull lost every one of his feathers-- not only for himself, but for all the bulls born in the world after him. This fable-like tale also reveals why the color red will always make a bull’s temper flare!

#2 Larissa
Dim Sum Dog - PB - ages 4-8
With business dwindling, Chang and his family fear they will have to close their dim sum stand. But with the help of a special dim sum-loving dog who entertains customers, they may save the stand after all.


Please vote by noon tomorrow EST (tomorrow being Tuesday Dec. 11) so I can announce the winner on Wednesday!

Okay!  On with the show!

Alison K. Hertz, author/illustrator of FLAP!

Welcome, Alison!  And thank you so much for joining us today!

I’m very happy to be guest posting on Susanna’s blog today. As a writer and an illustrator, I often get asked about how I work. How does an illustrator write stories? How does a writer illustrate stories? How did you create FLAP!? Well, that’s actually kind of complex to answer. The process that I used for FLAP! was quite different from how I write and illustrate stories now. Let me explain.

When I wrote the manuscript for FLAP!, I didn’t plan to illustrate it. In fact, I submitted it to editors and agents describing myself as a writer (not mentioning any art training or design experience at all). Actually, I have two college degrees in art (city planning and toy design) and was a professional toy designer for many years. I designed hundreds of toys that were produced and sold in major retail stores but all of that changed in an instant. On my way to the toy company, to finalize some models for a major toy retailer presentation, I was in a terrible car accident.  My left arm was broken and permanently dislocated (and I’m a lefty). I also had a bunch of other horrible injuries but there’s no need to go into that now. In short, I was told by the doctors and physical therapists that my arm would have basic function but never be near the level of fine motor movement that I had before. I temporarily became a righty, earned a teaching degree, and began teaching middle school art and technology (both art and tech are used together constantly as a toy designer).

Alison's work space

Fast forward to 14 years later…Shortly after sending out FLAP! for submission, I received a call from a small traditional press in Illinois that explained they were expanding their line and starting an imprint for children’s books. I had sent it to them because their description was pretty general. They loved my story and wanted to publish it. After the contract was signed, they began their search for the right illustrator for my story. At the same time, the economy tanked and budgets tightened. I was told a year later that they could not afford to hire an illustrator for my story and would probably have drop it from their line. I cringed as I explained to the publisher that I had been a toy designer and an art teacher and that I could illustrate the book. I had not been drawing for many years (except to model examples for my students, which was nowhere near the same thing as illustrating a presentation quality piece). I sent her sketches. She loved them and I became the illustrator for FLAP!

Alison drew sketches by hand

I was excited at the opportunity to get published as a writer and an illustrator but scared that my arm couldn’t handle creating 30 finished pieces. It was incredibly difficult to draw for long stretches of time (more than 40 minutes), my wrist and my arm could not handle the extended use of holding a pencil or stylus and the movements required for drawing. I was on a very tight schedule because of the planned publication date and had only 10 weeks to create all of the illustrations from sketch to final. I created the roughs (sketches) by hand. (See above) Once the roughs were approved by the publisher, I scanned the drawings in and taught myself how to use Sketchbook Pro as I created the line drawings. Those drawings went through another approval by the publisher and I was given the okay to create the final, color illustrations.

some interior artwork from FLAP!

When the illustrations for FLAP! were finished, I accepted that I could be an artist again. I had retrained my left arm to draw.

I now use a much different method of writing and illustrating. When I submit manuscripts to editors, I refer to myself a writer and an illustrator and send samples along with a link to my online portfolio. I challenge myself to things like SkADaMo that require me to draw everyday. I will prove the doctors and physical therapists wrong. I believe that someday I will get back the fine motor function of my left arm if I continue to draw everyday and rebuild those muscles. As Watty Piper once wrote, “I think I can, I think I can, I think I can.”

FLAP! is available through 

Amazon 

Barnes and Noble

IndieBound

And my website at: www.AlisonHertz.com – (autographed copies available here)

Places to find me:

My website (listed above)

My Blog: www.AlisonHertz.blogspot.com

My Facebook Page: www.facebook.com/#!/AlisonHertzAuthor?fref=ts

Twitter: @AlisonHertz

In addition to writing and illustrating, I am using my graphic design skills to design bookmarks, postcards, coloring sheets, business cards, etc… for authors and other professionals. Check out AH Designs at: http://www.alisonhertz.com/graphic-design.html for details, samples, and pricing.

Thank you so much for joining us, Alison.  Your story is so inspiring.  I'm sure I speak for all of us when I say I'm glad you pulled through with such flying colors and proved those doctors wrong.  I hope you sent them an autographed copy of FLAP! to serve as inspiration to future patients :)  And if you haven't had a chance to see Alison's work, hop on over to her blog and check out the sketches she did for SkADaMo - they're wonderful!  (And as many of you probably know, Alison designed 3 different sets of book marks for me and they're all terrific - I can highly recommend her work!)

Alison has generously offered to give away a signed copy of FLAP! to one lucky winner!  In the book, twins Max and Katie decide to teach their little sister Lilly to fly.  At the end, Max says, "I have an idea for tomorrow."  To qualify for a chance to win the book, please write in the comments what bright idea you think Max had - what are those kids are going to get up to tomorrow?  Or, if it's too early on Monday morning and you're not sufficiently caffeinated to be creative, you can just say who you'd like the book for :)  Of course, what Alison would really love is pictures of people flapping - especially kids - so if you can add such a picture to your comment you will get an extra chance at winning!  Please enter your comment by Wednesday December 12.  Winner will be chosen by random.org.  And it could be a holiday gift for someone :)  For a nice review of the book, please go HERE.

Have a wonderful Monday, everyone! :)

Perfect Picture Book Friday - Rocking Horse Christmas

Hurray!  It's Perfect Picture Book Friday!

Since I didn't post a holiday book last week, and next week we're doing our tribute to Universal Children's Day, this may be my only holiday title for the year.  It's a very special one.  I hope you like it :)

Rocking Horse Christmas

Written By: Mary Pope Osborne

Illustrated By: Ned Bittinger

Scholastic Press, 1997, Fiction

Suitable For: ages 3-8

Themes/Topics: beloved toy, Christmas, love, tradition

Opening: "The boy found the rocking horse under the tree.  He pushed it softly and made it rock.  "I'll call you Shadow," he said.  Then he climbed on Shadow's back and they took off."

Brief Synopsis: One Christmas, a boy found a rocking horse under the tree.  He named him Shadow, and together they had many wonderful adventures.  But the boy grew up, and Shadow was carried to the attic and forgotten.  From the attic window Shadow watched and waited for his boy...

Links To Resources: HERE are some images you can print out, color, and cut out to make ornaments; have kids draw a picture of their favorite toy, or write a letter to their favorite toy telling why they love it and what makes it so special.  Discuss: do they think they'll ever outgrow the toy? forget it? why or why not?

Why I Like This Book: This is a story that embodies the spirit of Christmas.  It's a story about love, a little bit reminiscent of The Velveteen Rabbit, about that special bond between a child and a toy that feels so real in childhood but grows vulnerable with maturity.  On that first Christmas, the boy is delighted with his horse.  He makes him a little stall beside his bed and feeds him hay, and for years they lasso outlaws, joust with knights, go on safari, and race in the Kentucky Derby.  "Every night, before sleep, the boy touched Shadow's mane.  'Ride you tomorrow,' he'd whisper."  Doesn't everyone remember the toys they had that felt like real friends?  But the boy grows up, and Shadow is put away in the attic.  "Year after year, the rocking horse stared out the window, looking for his boy."  One Christmas Eve a blizzard knocks out the window.  Shadow is covered in snow and his spirit begins to fade... until he's discovered by a boy.  "What is it, Dad?"  The man wipes the snow from Shadow's head.  Shadow looks into his eyes and recognizes him at once.  "He's my oldest friend in the world," the man said.  I cannot get past this part without tearing up.  If you can, you're made of sterner stuff than I :)  And so Shadow is brought downstairs to delight a new generation, not forgotten any longer.

For the complete list of books with resources, please visit Perfect Picture Books.

A quick reminder for anyone who might have missed the announcement: At the suggestion of Pat at Children's Books Heal and Vivian at Positive Parental Participation, on Friday December 14, which is the anniversary of the date in 1954 that the UN General Assembly recommended there should be a Universal Children's Day, we are going to be doing our part to raise awareness of the plight of children around the globe and to promote the welfare of children in the world by posting books which focus on multicultural/multiracial issues, human rights, and/or children who have helped to change the world in some way.  For example, Pat plans to post the picture book version of The Boy Who Harnessed The Wind.  Beatrice's Goat and Wangari's Trees Of Peace are other examples of books in this category (although they're already on our list.)  Please join us if you'd like to!  But of course, if you've already got a book in mind and would like to post a regular PPB that is fine too - all picture books are for children :)

Also, due to the Holiday Contest (please click HERE for details so you can start writing your story :)) and the fact that we will all no doubt be insanely busy with the holidays, there will be no PPBF on Friday December 21 - instead the finalists for the Holiday Contest will be posted that day for you to vote on.

Before we go, I just want to thank Vivian at Positive Parental Participation for giving me the positive Parental Participation Blog Award.

This award means a great deal to me because it recognizes bloggers who "encourage children to love books and reading, believe young children need to play in order to learn, and support positive parental participation" and I am honored that she feels I fit in this category.  Thank you so much, Vivian!  Vivian's blog, and her book Show Me How, are wonderful resources for parents, and I encourage anyone who isn't familiar with her to go see all she has to offer!

I can't wait to see what fabulous books everyone posts this week!  PPBF bloggers, please put your post-specific link below because ready or not, here we come :)

Have a great weekend everybody! :)

Would You Read It Wednesday #68 - Eddie Brick Visits The Aunts (PB) And The November Pitch Pick!

Woo-hoo!  It's Wednesday!  Time for everybody's favorite program:  Would You Read It!

Let's grab Something Chocolate, shall we?  We haven't had donuts in a while... :)

photo copyright Stacy S. Jensen 2012, used by permission

Now that we're all happily munching, let me mention The Holiday Contest (for anyone who missed Monday's post, hop on over, see the rules, and start thinking up your story! :))

And now let's move on to the November Pitch Pick.  All the pitches have been updated to reflect your helpful advice and comments, and I never tire of seeing how much writers seem to get out of this!  It's great to look at the before and after versions!

Here they are.  Choose your favorite and vote for it in the poll below by, oh, let's say Friday Dec. 7 at 11:50PM EST.  The winner's pitch will be sent to editor Erin Molta for a read and comments!

#1 Heather
Banshee Birthday - PB - ages 4-8
Ailbe the Banshee's birthday wish is to have the village girls over for an all night celebration full of moonlight, cake and nocturnal animals to visit. She just has to wait and see if any girls will be brave enough to ignore the old myth that Banshee bring bad luck. If they are, Ailbe might be lucky enough to make some new friends.

#2 Kim
How The Bull Lost His Feathers - PB - ages 4-8
Long, long ago in a faraway land, bulls actually had feathers.  And they were big, colorful peacock-like feathers at that!  Discover how one very stubborn yet lovable bull lost every one of his feathers-- not only for himself, but for all the bulls born in the world after him. This fable-like tale also reveals why the color red will always make a bull’s temper flare!

#3 Larissa
Dim Sum Dog - PB - ages 4-8
With business dwindling, Chang and his family fear they will have to close their dim sum stand. But with the help of a special dim sum-loving dog who entertains customers, they may save the stand after all.

#4 Katie
A Colorful Surprise - PB - ages 3-7
On the long car ride to Grandma’s, Evan tries to keep himself busy. But after watching a movie, playing some games, and reading three books, Evan is completely bored. His family has run out of fun ideas too when they discover a sky filled with hot air balloons in bright colors and unique shapes. Suddenly, Evan’s mind is full of images that will keep him dreaming long after this trip is over.

Which is your favorite?


Now, onto today's pitch which comes to us from the amazing and very forgiving Julie.  (Seriously, she was supposed to be on the WYRI list for August, and somehow I screwed up and forgot all about her, and she never made a word of complaint!  Clearly, in addition to her many other talents she is a saint.  Thank you for being so nice about my mistake, Julie!)  Anyway, a scribbler of children's stories in between chores, Julie Rowan-Zoch has visited three continents, attempted to learn 4 languages, and has a 2-3-3-3-3 phalangeal formula in both of her hands and feet. (Though not yet able to get a good grip with her toes, she has been drawing with her hands since she exchanged a banana for a crayon.)  Please come visit her on her blog and view her beautiful artwork!

Here is her pitch:

Working Title: Eddie Brick Visits The Aunts
Age/Genre: Picture Book (ages 4-8)
The Pitch: Ellie and Effie Brick do everything together, but when their grandnephew Eddie arrives the security of their routine is altered. Eddie helps them see they already enjoy doing things differently, together.

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 Julie 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 have time to polish :) for a chance for it to be read by editor Erin Molta!

Julie is looking forward to your thoughts on her pitch!  And I am looking forward to seconds on those donuts :)

Monday Short And Sweet AND The 2nd Annual Holiday Contest!!!

I hope you're ready because boy are we going to have fun today!

badge created by the uber-talented Loni Edwards

First off, we'll be having birthday cake because we have a birthday in our family today :)  Happy Birthday, Justin!  Cake anyone?

Yum!  Now that we're all supplied with a nutritious breakfast (why do you think I put strawberries on?), we'll have a Short & Sweet to get our writerly gears turning for a week of exceptional productivity.

For today's Short & Sweet we're going super simple:

There's been some kind of holiday mishap, mix-up, miscommunication, mistake, or potential disaster.  Write the newspaper headline (and a couple lines of the article if you like)!


(Admit it.  You didn't think I could come up with anything that simple!  Well, I'm giving you a break after my very long-winded post on Friday :)  Also, my mouth is full of cake :))

Here are a couple examples :)

Santa's Letters All Delivered To South Pole Penguins!  Postal service blames malfunctioning GPS.  The penguins only comment was, "Hrowrrk, Hrowrrk!"

Viking Delegation Arrives At Rockefeller Center.  "We thought you asked for a Norway Truce!" exclaims Harald V whose senior advisor is looking into new hearing aids for the king.

Monopoly Dispute May Ground Sleigh!  "I called first dibs on the shoe!" Dasher yelled as he was hauled off to time out.  Dancer was quoted as saying, "You poopy head!" which earned him a stint in time out as well.  A spokesman for the Clauses said, "This is trouble.  The sleigh won't fly with only 6 reindeer!"

Post your headline (and as much article as you like :)) in the comments and hopefully yours or someone else's will give you a great idea for a story!

And finally!!  The moment you've all been waiting for!!  Announcing....

The 2nd Annual Holiday Contest!!!

The Contest:  Write a children's holiday story beginning with any version of "Dashing through the snow in a one horse open sleigh."  You may use that actual opening, or you may change it to any similar version "[Verb of your choice]ing through the [any substance you choose] in a [conveyance of any kind]."  For example, "Dashing through the sand in a two-wheeled donkey cart" or "Sloshing through the swamp in a green and white canoe" or "Flying through the air in a striped hot air balloon..."  You get the idea, I'm sure :)  But "Dashing through the snow in a one horse open sleigh" is completely acceptable too - whatever works for you :)  Your story may be poetry or prose, silly or serious or sweet,  religious or not, based on Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa or whatever you celebrate, but is not to exceed 350 words (because I have to read them all in the week before Christmas! :))

Post:  Your entry should be posted on your blog between Saturday December 15 and Wednesday December 19 at 11:59 PM EST (no WYRI that day), and your post-specific link should be added to the link list on the official holiday contest post which will go up on my blog on Saturday December 15 and remain up through Wednesday December 19 (no new post on Monday December 17).  If you don't have a blog but would like to enter, please copy and paste your entry into the comments on my December 15th post.  (If anyone has trouble commenting, which unfortunately happens, please email me and I'll post your entry for you!)

The Judge:  My lovely assistant and I will narrow down the entrants to seven (or possibly a couple more :)) finalists which will be posted here on Friday December 21 (no PPBF that day) for you to vote on for a winner.  The vote will be closed on Christmas Eve and the winner(s) will be announced on Wednesday December 26 (no WYRI that day).  Whoever gets the most votes will be first and so on down to fifth place.

The Prizes!:  When I said the prizes were fantastic, I wasn't kidding.  In the spirit of the holidays, winners will be named for 1st - 5th place, and will each receive a picture book manuscript critique AND a $20 Amazon gift card to spend on the reading material of your choice AND the incredible fame of being able to say you won (or placed in) the Pretty Much World Famous 2nd Annual Holiday Contest!  The critiques have been generously donated by the following fabulous children's authors (in alphabetical order by first name :)):

Alison Hertz: author and illustrator of FLAP! (Magic Dreams Publishing, November 2012)

Amy Dixon: author of MARATHON MOUSE (Sky Pony Press, October 2012)

Corey Rosen Schwartz: author of Hop! Plop! (Walker Children's Books, April 2006), THE THREE NINJA PIGS (Putnam Juvenile, September 2012), and the forthcoming GOLDIROCKS AND THE THREE BEARS and NINJA RED (both coming from Putnam).  Corey also writes the Meter Maids blog with Tiffany (below).

Sarah Frances Hardy: author and illustrator of PUZZLED BY PINK (Viking Juvenile, April 2012)

Tiffany Strelitz Haber: author of THE MONSTER WHO LOST HIS MEAN (Henry Holt, July 2012).  Tiffany also writes the Meter Maids blog with Corey (above).

Wow!  Would one of those critiques be an awesome prize to win or what?!  And $20 to spend on a book you wanted but didn't get for the holidays?  Plus bragging rights?  So put on your thinking caps!  Sharpen your pencils!  Fire up your imagination!  And start writing those holiday stories :)  You've got 2 whole weeks! :)

Just to be clear, in case it wasn't above, in the interest of leaving time and space for the contest and giving y'all time for the busy-ness of the holidays and all the things I know you have going on in your homes and lives at this time of year, my usual posting schedule will be in a complete shambles between Dec. 15 and 26.  I will have a special post on Saturday December 15 (not a usual posting day for me) to kick off the contest, there will be no new post on Monday Dec. 17 (so we can keep posting and reading each other's stories), no WYRI on Wednesday Dec. 19 (so we can finish posting and reading each other's stories), no PPBF on Friday Dec. 21 (so I can post the finalists and you can vote), no new post on Christmas Eve (because it's Christmas Eve :)) and no WYRI on December 26 (so I can post the winners!)  Hopefully that will free you up to write, read all the wonderful entries I sincerely hope we're going to get, because with 5 such fabulous prizes to give away it would be very sad if we only got 3 entries :(, vote, and still have time for your families :)  I think we got somewhere between 30 and 35 entries last year - I hope we can meet or exceed that this year so our critique donors will feel loved and appreciated :)

I can't wait to read your Short & Sweet headlines :), and then I guess I'd better get to work on my sample entry for the holiday contest since I have absolutely no idea what I'm going to write! :)

Happy Monday, Everyone!  And please spread the word of the Holiday Contest to anyone you think might be interested.  It's a chance for some writing fun, lots of blog visits, and maybe even a prize :)

Perfect Picture Book Friday - First Snow (And Some Other Odds And Ends!)

Well, you guys are in for it today!

After several brief (for me) posts in a row, I've used up my ability to be short-winded and I have so much to tell you today I can't even believe it.  I'll try to be succinct :)

First, my Perfect Picture Book, because I like that to be at the top on Friday.

First Snow
Written & Illustrated By: Kim Lewis
Candlewick Press, 1993, Fiction
Suitable For: ages 4-8

Themes/Topics: kindness, helping others, friends, pets, farm life, beloved toy, loss

Opening: "Wake up, Sara," whispered Mommy.  "Daddy's not very well today.  I'm going to feed the sheep on the hill.  Would you and Teddy like to come?"

Brief Synopsis: To help Daddy, Mommy and Sara and Sara's bear, Teddy, go up the hill to feed the sheep.  It's a long climb, and while they're up there, the first snow of the year begins to fall.  Hurrying to get home before they can't find their way, no one notices that Sara's beloved Teddy has been left behind.

Links To Resources: The Working Sheep Dog (video), Sheep Herding Demonstration (video), Fun Sheep Facts For Kids, Facts About Border Collies Talk about what you could do for someone that would be nice or help them in some way.

Why I Like This Book:  I love that whole story takes place because Sara and her mom are trying to do something nice for Daddy.  As they hike, you can feel the steepness of the hill, the cold air, the first tentative snowflakes followed by the real snow.  For children who may never have been out in the real country, the book gives them a taste of it.  The sense of wanting to get back to their cottage pulls the reader along, but on the whole it's a fairly quiet book.  The art is gorgeous.  It's drawn in colored pencil and the little cottage where Sara's family lives is so warm and inviting, and the vistas of the English hills so lovely it makes you want to step right into the pages of the book.  The sheep are beautiful, the border collies exceptional.  But maybe the thing I love most about the book is the understanding it shows between a child and her pet.  It is not Mommy or Daddy or Sara who recovers Teddy :)

For the complete list of books with resources, please visit Perfect Picture Books.

Next, two things that kind of go together.  When Beth asked to interview me about Perfect Picture Books I was happy to do it to raise awareness of this resource that we all work so hard on (and because Beth is nice and I like her :)) but I never in a million years expected the kind of response we got.  So I wanted to thank you all from the bottom of my heart for your wonderful comments.  They meant so much to me.  I really can't find words to tell you how much... which is bad for a writer!  But it was an unexpected gift for which I am truly grateful, and it just makes me value this wonderful community even more.  I wasn't kidding when I said I was going to print out that post and stick it on my wall to read on days when I feel low :)  So thank you.

In the same vein, Randy over at Author In Training very kindly gave me the Addictive Blog Award.

In addition to linking back to him (and I hope you'll go visit him if you haven't because he does great writing prods and is currently writing a YA novel that you get to read a bit of every Friday and just has an all around great blog!) I am supposed to list 10 blogs I am addicted to.  But I can't list only 10.  Especially after being reminded Wednesday of just how wonderful you all are.  So consider yourselves all recipients, and feel free to take the award badge and post it on your blog!

The next item I wanted to mention is that tomorrow, December 1 (a Saturday so I don't post) marks my 2nd Blogiversary!!!  I can't believe it's been 2 years.  I have had so much fun here, getting to know you all and dragging you into all my hair-brained schemes!  Anything that's good about this blog is good because of you, so please give yourselves all a big pat on the back and a round of applause!  Some confetti would be nice, too.  And of course, I think we should serve Something Chocolate, even though it's not Wednesday :)  I would also like to give you A PRESENT!  Of course, I'd really like to give you ALL a present, but I don't have the resources, so two (that's 2!) lucky random commenters today will receive a packet of 5 assorted hand-drawn greeting cards by our own superbly talented  Tracy Campbell!  Here's a little sample:

copyright Tracy Campbell 2012 used by permission

copyright Tracy Campbell 2012 used by permission

copyright Tracy Campbell 2012 used by permission

Aren't they gorgeous?  Please click on the link to her blog and explore and you can see many other cards!

Second to last (see? there's a light at the end of the tunnel :)), I wanted to let you all know ahead of time about a special PPBF.  At the suggestion of Pat at Children's Books Heal and Vivian at Positive Parental Participation, on Friday December 14, which is the anniversary of the date in 1954 that the UN General Assembly recommended there should be a Universal Children's Day, we are going to be doing our part to raise awareness of the plight of children around the globe and to promote the welfare of children in the world by posting books which focus on multicultural/multiracial issues, human rights, and/or children who have helped to change the world in some way.  For example, Pat plans to post the picture book version of The Boy Who Harnessed The Wind.  Beatrice's Goat and Wangari's Trees Of Peace are other examples of books in this category (although they're already on our list.)  Please join us if you'd like to!  But of course, if you've already got a book in mind and would like to post a regular PPB that is fine too - all picture books are for children :)

FINALLY (here we are! this is the end!) I'm hoping to post the rules for the Holiday Contest on Monday.  Of course, that will depend on whether I make up my mind about what it's going to be by then :)  But here's hoping :)

That's it!  Go forth!  Run free!  Go see all the wonderful picture books that have been chosen this week!  And have a GREAT weekend! :)

(PPBF bloggers, please remember to add your post-specific link below!  And don't forget, 2 lucky commenters will win beautiful cards, and the winners will be chosen totally by random.org and not at all based on how nice the things you say about me or my blog are :))