Something Chocolate?
Why yes thank you, don’t mind if I do!
There’s nothing like a little chocolate mousse in the morning among friends! Who’s with me?
You will notice I added some healthful and nutritious raspberries, which are especially good for you on account of the phenolic phytochemicals like ellagic acid, but also they taste really good with chocolate mousse 🙂
And speaking of chocolate mousse, does anyone remember Fred Gwynne? (No, I am not off my rocker! I’m going somewhere with this…) He was Herman on The Munsters, and he played the southern Judge Chamberlain Haller in one of my all-time favorite movies, My Cousin Vinny (I highly recommend this movie to anyone who hasn’t seen it – SO funny – but not for you for a few years, Erik – I think it’s rated R for language!) ANYWAY, he also wrote several humorous picture books for children that illustrate idioms. One of them happens to be called A Chocolate Moose For Dinner. See? I told you I was going somewhere with this.
That’s as far as I go, though. Chocolate mousse reminds me of A Chocolate Moose For Dinner. You should read it some time. Maybe I’ll do it for Perfect Picture Books one of these days 🙂
Now, if you all could please get off the topic of chocolate mousse and on to something serious and important, I would like to announce the winner of the March Pitch Pick!
Duhn duhn-duhn duhn-duhn duhn DUHN!!! It was was ERIK!!! with his pitch for The Adventures Of Tomato And Pea! Congratulations, Erik! Your pitch has been sent to editor Erin Molta for her thoughts and comments 🙂 And congratulations to the other pitchers who also did an excellent job and in fact tied for the remaining votes that didn’t go to Erik! Thank you all for bravely pitching your work. It gives us all an opportunity to learn and improve.
Now, onto today’s pitch which comes to us from Deborah who says, “I’m a mother of five and Nana of three. I’ve taught preschool and worked as a children’s librarian, but now I work as a companion to elderly folks. My writing has appeared in several children’s magazines, but my dream is to write a picture book that my grandkids will love.”
Working Title: Hurricane Enrique
Age/Genre: Picture Book (ages 4-7)
The Pitch: When a hurricane strikes, a young girl bravely rescues the awful dog that belongs to her dearest friend.
So what do you think? Would You Read It? YES, MAYBE or NO?
Deborah is looking forward to your thoughts on her pitch! I am looking forward to taking my dogs for a run in the sunshine. Look at them. They’re totally ready.
The weatherman promised sunshine today, and warm temperatures, and I intend to hold him to it. There will be no chocolate mousse, with or without raspberries, for the weatherman if he doesn’t come through!
Have a great day, everyone! 🙂
Susanna Leonard Hill 
Susanna, I want to kiss your pooches! I miss my walk buddies. 😦 It looks like Deborah got a LOT of advice. I'd echo the maybes who want to know a bit more (can't believe any dog deserves to be called “awful”!)
I knew that would appeal to you, Catherine 🙂
Congratulations Erik! Will look forward to your critique.
Yes, I'd read it, but there is too much info missing. You received plenty of advice, so won't add mine. Just needs developing a little more so we have a sense of why she needs to rescue the dog.
I was teasing my doggies just a little, Genevieve 🙂 They are good sleepers, but they LOVE to go out, and if I don't get my derriere in gear fast enough they complain vociferously 🙂 Thanks for your comments for Deborah!
Thanks so much for your helpful comments, Pat 🙂
If you don't live too far away, you can come and smooch my doggies any time, Wendy 🙂 And maybe one of these days it will feel right for you to rescue a new walking buddy – my pups are rescue dogs and they're just the best in the world. Thanks for your comments for Deborah 🙂
Thanks so much for your very helpful suggestions for Deborah, Wendy! 🙂
Thanks, Tracy–I keep hearing editors don't like alliterative names (Bobby Bunny, Skyler Skunk, etc.) so I did change it, but to Hurricane Carlos. I had to research and make sure that name hadn't been taken by an actual hurricane, and isn't on the list for future ones. Thanks for your comment!
Thanks, Wendy! A lot of people agree that the pitch was too short!
Thanks, Cynthia! That's just what I wanted people to wonder!
Thanks, Sue!
Thanks, Teresa!
Oh, it's fun to hear more of the story, Deborah! Thanks for sharing 🙂
Ah, but your photos inspire me to bake, and then eat, which in turn makes me gain weight. 😉 Dogs are great for helping to lose weight!
Congratulations Erik!
Unfortunately, children are facing more and more severe weather situations it seems these days, so that part of the book is relevant. The pitch for me is missing why she needs to save the dog or is in a situation where she can save the dog. Was there a fight and she needs to make it up to the friend? Is it during a sleepover?
True about the extreme weather, Lauri. Thanks for your comments for Deborah!
I'm late to the party, but had to say CONGRATULATIONS, ERIK!!!!
As for today's pitch, it's a maybe for me. It's definitely an important topic, but perhaps the pitch could have a little more punch to it? I'm not sure what to suggest, but I haven't read the comments, and I'm sure clever people have come up with awesome suggestions.
Thanks, Catherine!
I may have a solution… you can mail half your baked good to me 🙂
Thanks for chiming in for Deborah, Beth! And yes, many clever people and awesome suggestions so you're off the hook 🙂
LOL! I love sharing my baked goods! If you were my neighbor, you'd be on a sugar buzz all the time. LOL! I used to give everyone baked good for Christmas until people started going on diets; now I give handmade soaps and lotions which don't contribute to health issues. 😉
I am impressed that you can hand-make soaps and lotions! I would totally do that if I could… but as it is I still give baked goods 🙂