WOO-HOO! Let the joyous news be spread! It’s time for
The Contest: Write a children’s story about a Holiday Mishap, mix-up, miscommunication, mistake, or potential disaster (a la Grandma Got Run Over By A Reindeer :)). 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 not counting the title (aren’t I being generous?! 🙂 It can be as short as you like, but no more than 350!) Did the dog knock over the Christmas Tree? Did little Johnny’s costume get grape juice all over it moments before the holiday pageant? Did the menorah go missing? Did travel arrangements get snarled or miscommunicated? Did Santa’s sleigh have to make an emergency landing? The field is wide open! Have fun! (And because so many people have mentioned this, the story does not have to be funny! You can have a holiday mishap that is serious or sweet or mysterious… Please don’t feel that you have to go the humor route! Also, because a number of people have mentioned it this time, no art notes please.)
– A Picture Book Manuscript Read and Written Critique by Karen Boss, Editor at Charlesbridge!!! (Priceless!) Karen Boss is the editorial assistant at Charlesbridge Publishing in Watertown, MA. She has a master’s degree in children’s literature from Simmons College and is currently editing projects that range from picture books for younger readers to picture books for older readers to middle-grade novels, both fiction and nonfiction. (But let’s face it, folks! You’re getting YOUR picture book manuscript in front of an actual editor at a highly regarded publishing house! Who knows where that could lead?)
– A Gold Membership to Julie Hedlund’s 12×12 in 2014 (a $150 value)
Little GOLDen Book Membership includes:
- Full access (view and post) to the Main 12 x 12 Forum and Critique Connect (where you can find critique partners)
- Access to the members-only 12 x 12 Facebook Group
- Ability to view the Events, Member Books, Videos/Trailers and Help An Author Out (HAAO) sections of the 12 x 12 Forum
- Opportunity to win craft-related prizes from the monthly featured authors
- Full (view and post) access to the Events, Member Books, Video/Trailers and HAAO sections of the 12 x 12 Forum
- FULL (view and post) access to these additional sections of the 12 x 12 Forum: Query Corner (get feedback on your query letters), Pitch Perfect (get feedback on loglines and pitches), and Manuscript Makeover (get feedback on the first 250 words of your ms)
- Access to the Submission Station section of the 12 x 12 Forum, which will provide information about that month’s agent or editor and instructions on how to submit to him or her.
– 2 signed Picture Books by Linda Ashman – RAIN! and PEACE, BABY! (Keep for yourself or give as a holiday gift to a little person in your life :)) PLUS
a $25 Amazon Gift Card
– A Picture Book Manuscript Critique by Erin Molta Erin is an experienced senior editor of picture book, early readers, chapter, middle grade, and YA books, as well as novelty and licensed titles. She has been in childrens publishing for more than twenty years and has a keen understanding of early reader through YA audiences. She has an excellent reputation with established authors, illustrators, and agents.
– Enrollment in the Online Writing course Making Picture Book Magic in the month of your choice (a $99 value)
– A signed copy of TUGBOAT by Michael Garland (not even released yet!) AND
a signed copy of A TROOP IS A GROUP OF MONKEYS by Julie Hedlund (Keep for yourself or give as a holiday gift to a little person in your life :)) PLUS
a $25 Amazon Gift Card
– A Picture Book Manuscript Critique from author/illustrator Sarah Frances Hardy, author and illustrator of PUZZLED BY PINK (Viking Juvenile, April 2012) and the forthcoming PAINT ME!. A great choice for someone who is both an author and an illustrator – and I know we have quite a few of those here 🙂
– 2014 Children’s Writer’s & Illustrator’s Market by Chuck Sambuchino (your choice of paperback or Kindle edition)
– The Crock Of Charms Anthology – a three volume collection of stories for readers of all ages from writers all over the world including some you probably know 🙂 Robyn Campbell, Cheryl Secomb, Clarike Bowman-Jahn, Theresa Milstein, Lenny Lee, and me, to name a few 🙂
(Run your mouse over the prizes, books, authors, etc… most of them are links)
Wow! Let’s get the Holiday Party started! 🙂
Here is my sample… to prove that in can in fact be done… and because I wouldn’t ask you to do anything I won’t do myself… (But seriously, whose idea was 350 words? It’s cramping my style! :))
And away he flew in the red velvet suit he’s worn ever since.
So now! Everyone filled with confidence about their entries? I certainly hope so after that display! Never let it be said that I’m not willing to be a fool for my art 🙂
I can’t wait to read all of your (much better!) stories! I hope there will be a lot – the more the merrier! And there are still 4+ days to write, so you have time if you haven’t written yet and want to join the fun. Feel free to spread the word to your writing friends as well.
Remember to put your post-specific link (not your general blog link or people will find the wrong page if you post again before the contest is over) in the list below!
Don’t miss 38 entries in the comment section below (which thanks to Penny I’ve figured out how to link, so if you click on the person’s name it will take you directly to that story so you can read and comment… just give it a second to load 🙂 And this intelligence just in – if you’re trying to work these links on iPad or iPhone you will need the google Chrome app to get them to work – Safari won’t do it.)
Nancy – Toby’s Christmas: Ho Ho Ho Or No No No?
Suzy – Reindeer In The Eggnog
Mandy – One Squirrelly Christmas
Lakshmy – Santa’s Stocking
Kristen – The Great Christmas Morning Mix-Up
Teresa S – Always Ready Or Not
Michele – Santa Is Stuck
Kim – Popcorn For Santa On Christmas Eve
Ryan (Rino) – The Adventures Of Jonathan James
Alissa – Santa’s Stuck On the Toilet
Kirsten (not to be confused with Kristen above) – Blackout!
Karen – Santa’s New Toy-Making Machine
Anne – The Gingerbread House Disaster
Ann – The Christmas Present
Sue – Pup Unwrapped
Tim – O Deer
Diane – Frank’s Adventure With Santa And The Elves
Karen Z – Santa’s Snow Angel
Michelle S – Cookies For Papa Noel
Pat – Santa’s Paws
Vicki – Mrs. Claus Saves Christmas
Charlotte – Goldilocks’s Night Before Christmas
Susan – The Christmas Wagon
Pia – Santa Baby
Rachel – Fresh Frosting
Bonnie – The Sound And Smell Of Christmas
Martha – A Christmas Surprise
Patty – Santa’s Special Gift
Susan S – Snowman On A Roll
Kristen 2 – No Sleep For Santa (same author as The Great Christmas Morning Mix-Up above)
Debbie – Home For Christmas
Rita – George’s Christmas Present: A True Story
Sue – Blue Latkes And Salsa
Ruth – Santa Claus Has Lost His Voice
Heather – Behind Schedule
Morgan – A Brother For Christmas
Kelly – Happy Birthday Bambino
Kristen S – Dasher Does A Dash
Happy Writing and Happy Holiday Season!!! 🙂
Susanna Leonard Hill 
Yes, thank you Vivian! That would be lovely! And in fact, at this point, we are over 100!
I think it was about and elf on a shelf…
ENTRY POSTED FOR RUTH
Santa Claus Has Lost His Voice!
By Ruth Wacker (345 words)
Santa Claus has lost his voice.
They say he cannot speak!
It’s been classified a crisis.
Christmas Day is in one week!
We cannot let this happen.
It simply cannot be.
No “Ho Ho Ho” and “Merry Christmas”
Spells pure catastrophe!
Santa’s clever elves thought long and hard.
Where could that voice have gone?
Was it stolen at the Fairfield Mall
On 53rd and Fawn?
They posted signs all through the mall
And questioned employees.
They searched some of the shoppers’ bags
And tightened Security.
Others proposed that Santa lost his voice
Back at the factory.
A team of elves hustled up to form
A massive search party.
They checked under work benches.
They checked in Santa’s bed.
They even checked inside of toys.
“Check the bathtub!” hollered Ned.
Just when those elves were feeling defeated
And ready to give up,
An elf named Doc stepped up and said,
“Just maybe he swallowed it up!”
“Swallowed his voice? That’s so absurd!”
The elves exclaimed, shaking their heads.
“That doesn’t seem possible. There’s got to be
Another cause instead!”
“Oh yes! It can happen!” claimed Elmer Elf.
“It just happened to my nephew.
He swallowed a diamond ring, and then
His Mom found it in his poo-poo!”
“Oh no! It’s not like that at all,”
Explained Doc to the rest.
“It’s stuck in his gut. I’ve seen it before.
I can fix this. I know best!”
They all agreed to let Doc try.
After all, they were at their wit’s end.
A few elves substituted at the mall.
While Santa was ‘on the mend’.
Doc wasted no time in whipping up
His special recipe
Of spearmint chamomile lemongrass tea
With a teaspoon of orange honey.
Now Doc’s been known for his odd, bizarre methods.
But what he did next was just silly.
He turned poor old Santa upside down
And proceeded to tickle his belly!
Was that a faint jiggly, giggly sound
Coming out of dear Santa’s mouth?
That giggle soon turned into a big “Ho Ho Ho”
And “Merry Christmas” all throughout the house!
haha! Love your story Susanna. “Does anyone else smell reindeer?” 😀
What a beautiful story! Well done, Susan!
What a sweet story. I really liked it. Great job, Debbie!
What a delightful story, Martha! I love the dialogue in rhyme and the images you paint. Well done!
Thanks, Meg 🙂 What number is your entry? Maybe I'll skip a few so I can come read it 🙂
I'm 61, Betty Saves Christmas. 😀
Thank you for all the effort you put into hosting such a fun contest!
Thank goodness for George…a real Christmas hero!
Really good story Sue!
I'm thinking the spicy summer salsa will make these the best latkes ever! Nice story, Sue. I love how the whole family pitched in.
Yeah, a dog saves the day – again! Wonderful story Rita 🙂
Funny story. Thanks for sharing this wonderful remedy for laryngitis, Ruth! I may have to try it!
Doc may have odd and bizarre methods, but he saved Christmas because it wouldn't be the same if Santa couldn't Ho! Ho! Ho!
Vivian, I've had trouble with a few already 😦
My pleasure 🙂
I'm in the high 30s… so maybe I'll skip a few to read yours 🙂
Yes, you are right…but I felt so frustrated when I couldn't comment and wanted them to know how much I enjoyed their story.
Susan, this is so sweet and touching. It reminds me of Little House on the Prairie and the simple Christmases of that time. Thank you for sharing it!
I love this story, Martha! I love the rhymes and the characterization. I also love how you took a surprise snow to a region that doesn't normally get it and made it a fun gift from Jack Frost. Great job!
Thanks, Cheryl! 🙂
Thank you! I also love nature personifications…they are such rich fodder for storytelling! 🙂
I, too, love your description of the room through the wrapping paper, and the exchange between Molly and Pup. It's a fun story!
Great job, Ryan! And I love how you got to the true meaning of Christmas with the backdrop of the Christmas story.
So fun, Kim! I love the surprise ending! Great job.
Thank you so much Debbie, I have spent the day reading the stories here… what a wonderful array of tales!
Hilarious! I love how Mrs. Claus has to tell him where everything is. Great job!
LOL – I don't know how you do it Martha! If my husband snored we might just have to sleep in different parts of the house. I'm still recovering from lack of sleep – haha 🙂
Thank you for your kind words, Debbie! 🙂
A Brother for Christmas
by Morgan Barnett
Santa gave me a brother for Christmas!
I asked for a new bike.
Why would Santa do this to me?
I was good all year.
I sat on Santa's lap and asked for a bike.
I left milk and cookies. ..what happened?
I came down stairs this morning to find a brother!
Not a bike, a brother!
I could be riding my new bike, wearing my helmet, peddling faster and faster and faster.
But, instead, I'm here, watching my family make funny faces at the baby.
A bike would be so much better.
He is cute, with his little hands, and little feet.
And everyone says he looks just like me when I was a baby.
Here comes Mom,
“Would you like to hold your new baby brother?”
He smiles at me.
Maybe getting a new baby brother for Christmas isn't so bad after all.
Dad says, “Oh, I almost forgot! I found this bike in the garage this morning, I guess Santa left it in there by mistake.”
It's the exact bike I asked for, with a green frame and basket on front.
“Want to go outside and try it out?”
“Thanks Dad, maybe later. I want to hold my baby brother for a little bit longer. And maybe next Christmas, Santa could bring me a sister!
ENTRY POSTED FOR HEATHER
BEHIND SCHEDULE (350 words)
By Heather Preusser
Santa was used to getting letters, but this one was different.
“Antler Air was having a last-minute special, so we booked a trip to Europe! Don’t worry, Santa. We’ll be back to fly the sleigh. – The Red-Nosed Guy”
“But there’s only three days until Christmas Eve!” said Ernie the Elf.
“Rudolf’s responsible,” said Santa.
The next day Santa received a text message.
“Europe’s a hoot! Visiting the louvre.
Skiing in switzerland. Home tom 2 deliver toys 🙂 rudolf et al”
“They know how to ski?” asked Ernie.
Santa shrugged.
The next day Santa’s phone buzzed.
“Holland having sale on wooden clogs. Behind schedule, but will make it & have surprise 4 u! LOL ;-)” rudolf & co
“Behind schedule!” Santa bawled.
Christmas Eve arrived the next day, as did another text.
“OMG! All non-sleigh flying banned! May b spending 2nite in germany :-[ Rudy”
“How will we pull the sleigh?” bellowed Santa. His round belly shook, and his rosy cheeks turned blotchy.
“I have an idea!” said Ernie, and he scampered off.
He returned in the wink of an eye.
“You want me to use . . . moose?” asked Santa.
“Meet Amble, Shamble, Shuffle, Stroll, Dawdle, Dillydally, Linger, Lumber, and Bob,” said Ernie.
“They’re so . . . BIG. They’re supposed to be tiny reindeer.”
“We’ll use four,” said Ernie.
“Are they more rapid than eagles?” asked Santa.
“Good question!”
The moose stood still.
“If they can fly, the gig is theirs,” said Santa.
Ernie hitched the moose to the magic sleigh.
“To the house-top!” said Santa, and up they went.
Then down they plummeted through the roof.
“On second thought, looks like you won’t be dashing anywhere,” said Ernie.
There was prancing on the rubble. “I’ll guide the way.”
“Rudolf!” said Santa. “How did you—”
“We hitched a ride with Father Time. These are for you.” He held up a pair of extra-large Lederhosen.
On Christmas morning, Rudolf awoke to a letter:
“Kris Cringle Cruises was having a New Year’s deal. We’re off to the Greek Isles! Don’t forget to clean the factory. – Santa & the missus”
OMG, Heather! You made me laugh! My favorite line was “Are they more rapid than eagles?”! And I love the moose's names! And I love Rudolph's varied messages! What a fun, clever story! Thanks so much for joining in the holiday fun! 🙂
Aw! What a sweet story, Morgan! You've captured a child's feelings so well, with the disappointment over the bike and the brother. And how nice that the brother didn't turn out to be such a bad thing after all… and the new older sibling still got the bike 🙂 Thanks so much for joining in the holiday contest fun with this heart-warming story 🙂
Julia Maisen, I'm glad you brought the Krampus into your story for some mischievous fun! It really made me laugh. 🙂
How cute, Heather!!! Love this! I was cracking up…espcially when you named the moose: “Amble, Shamble, Shuffle, Stroll, Dawdle, Dillydally, Linger, Lumber, and Bob.” Those names are the best! Great entry!
Very cute! 🙂
Your story is sweet and funny at the same time! A perfect combination for a memorable entry! Nice job, Morgan!
Happy Birthday Bambino
By Kelly Vavala
Hap Hap Py Birthday
Ba Ba Bam Bino
We all La La La La Love
you!
Today's your Birthday;
rejoice be happy!
Cuz your our Ba Ba Ba Bam
Bino!
Here is a story
your birthday present
it is a gift
from me to you!
I hope you like it
and think it's funny
it my be silly
but it is true!
One Christmas morning,
Unwrapping presents,
sitting on
my Nono's knee;
there came disaster
a hap hap hazard
as we sat around
the Christmas tree!
Saw something flicker
in the tree branches.
Nono got up
and he dropped me!
He went to fix it,
then blew a socket;
Nono lit up, just like
a Christmas tree!
Oh No, Bambino!
Nono's electric^^^
we all began to
scream and shout!
The tree's on fire
but Nono's laughing
we grabbed some water
and put it out!
Your day was special
and all was merry
til' Little Christmas
came our way.
When Le' Befana's
broom caught on fire,
left over ashes
from Christmas Day!
Hap Hap Py Birthday
Ba Ba Bam Bino
We just La La La La Love
you!
Today's your Birthday;
rejoice be happy
Cuz your our Ba Ba Ba Bam
BINO!!
(I wish I could sing it to you All!)
Jessie, you gingerbread unicorn story was adorable! I liked how two characters got their wishes and were special gifts for Santa!
What an interesting and different take on a holiday mishap, Kelly! Very original! I love the song form! And I'm glad everyone seemed to be okay in spite of the fires! Thanks so much for joining in the holiday contest fun!
Very nice story Susan!
Thank you Susanna! I had fun writing it! It is a funny story written for my Grandson Anthony for his birthday yesterday…he loved it and laughed at his Nono!
Ruth
I love this story, Susan! Full of compassion and caring. Well done!
Maybe create a you tube link– how fun.
I love the line re Jack's crystal brush turned the rain into snow and painted the rooftops with a luminous glow.
Oh I totally agree with Debbie.
Perfect 😉
Such a sweet story! Good luck to you! 🙂
Wonderful story, Ryan, showing the true meaning and spirit of Christmas!